Learning with hands, heart and head has been the guiding principle of Waldorf education for over 100 years.

Here at Te Rā, we are passionate advocates for creating learning paths for our tamariki that are aligned with the different stages of child development, based on the kaupapa of a pedagogy and curriculum that treasures the gifts of all humanity.

Te Rā Primary School

Children playing on a wooden playground structure with a bridge and slide.
Group of five children smiling and wearing colorful clothing, standing under a structure made of twigs and branches, outdoors in a wooded area.
Two children drawing with crayons at a classroom table, surrounded by chairs and other children in the background.

Here in Aotearoa, and here in our place on the Kāpiti coast, this is enriched by the taonga passed down by those who came before us: the stories of the coast and the island, the stories of awa and the land!

As per our special character, our youngest school students (year 1) attend our kindergarten,where they enjoy play-centred learning with their younger peers. From Class 1 onwards, our school caters for children from year 2 to year 8 across seven classes. Some of our class teachers move through the year levels with their classes.

We welcome all enquires for new school learners.

To find out more about our curriculum and our pedagogy, contact us to register for one of our Information Afternoons.

Beekeepers in protective suits examining a honeycomb frame from a beehive.

The seasonal changes are visible in the plant and animal world, in the shifting of daylight and darkness, and in the weather.

Whanaungatanga – Belonging and Relating

Over the years, strong bonds form between students, between students and their teachers, and between the adults that are part of their children’s school journey. Regular class whānau hui keep parents and caregivers informed about learning content and pedagogical context that is taught in each year.

Children seated at desks in a classroom, engaged in writing and listening, with art supplies visible on the desks.

A sense of belonging is fostered also through our way of celebrating yearly rhythms with the children, and often with the whole school community. The seasonal changes are visible in the plant and animal world, in the shifting of daylight and darkness, and in the weather. Christian festivals and Matariki are celebrated throughout the course of the year.

Children crafting at a table with dolls and fabric supplies.
A group of people, including children and adults, are gathered outdoors on a grassy area near trees. Some are kneeling with tools, possibly gardening or participating in an outdoor activity. A person to the right is gesturing with arms raised.

He taonga te mātauranga – the Gift of Learning

As state-integrated school, all of our teachers are university trained, registered teachers. What they share is a passion for the Waldorf way – and for teaching children! Our teachers do not use digital technology to “deliver a curriculum”. Their teaching tools are storytelling and learning-through-doing.

A focused child painting a vibrant canvas outdoors with people in the background.

We implement the New Zealand Curriculum through our localised curriculum, which is based on the Waldorf special character curriculum. Core subject areas taught by the class teachers are English literacy, math, te reo Māori, music and arts (including drama), history, geography, technology and science.

Children and an adult engaging in a woodworking project indoors, using tools and materials laid out on a table.
Teacher helping a student in a classroom setting. The student is seated at a desk with a sheet of paper in front of her, and the teacher is pointing at the paper. Other students are working in the background.
A scenic view of a wooden building complex with several connected structures featuring large windows and solar panels. The buildings are surrounded by lush greenery and a central grassy area. A few people are walking on paths near the buildings. In the background, there are rolling hills under a clear blue sky.
Nighttime gathering outdoors with illuminated crowd, tents, and lanterns under a moonlit, cloudy sky.

A sense of belonging is fostered through celebrating yearly rhythms with the children, and often with the whole school community.

We welcome all enquires for new school learners.

To find out more about our curriculum and our pedagogy, contact us to register for one of our Information Afternoons.

The Waldorf Curriculum

Waldorf schools are well-known for their rich story curriculum and the characteristic curriculum themes that are specific for each class level. They are designed to meet the needs and interests of the children at each age. Each morning, these topics are taught in Main Lesson blocks across three to four weeks.

Group of children roasting apples on sticks over a small campfire outdoors.

This rhythm gives plenty of opportunity to enter deeply into the content of each Main Lesson, to recollect and reflect on the previous day’s experiences, and to anticipate the new developments. Teaching methods, our pedagogy, strive to educate “the head, the heart, and the hands” – each Main Lesson includes listening and speaking, imaginative and artistic work (including singing and/or drama), written work and movement.

Children playing tetherball outdoors near a wooden structure with a domed oven, surrounded by trees and greenery. One child is hitting the ball with others watching.
Two people outdoors examining a fruit in a garden. One person is wearing a blue hat and white shirt, the other a straw hat and blue tank top. They are surrounded by green plants and flowers.

Let’s grow together.

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Te Rāwhiti kindergarten and Te Rā School are state-integrated, with a Waldorf education special character. As such, we give preference to enrolments where families have a specific or general connection to the aims, values and principles of Waldorf education. Regardless of whether an enrolment proceeds through the preference or non-preference pathway, all families of enrolled children/students are required to commit to respecting and upholding the special character of our kindergarten and school. Read our Enrolment Statement for more information.