Governance

The Principal

The Newcastle Waldorf School Principal holds a fundamental position within the School community. As required by NSW state legislation, the Principal’s main role is to act as a mediator between the School and parents and Government bodies. The Principal also represents the College of teachers as a member of the Board of Directors.

The College of Teachers

The College comprises professionally qualified individuals who are committed to espousing and enacting the philosophy of the School, which is based on the insights of Rudolf Steiner, interpretable by the College for the geographical, social and cultural context of our location. The College is therefore autonomous in matters of educational ideology and methodology, and is answerable to the governing Council or Board only in matters pertaining to law and economic management. In this way, the leadership of the School is unequivocally cultural-philosophical, while the legal and economic spheres support and subserve the enterprise of this leadership. In particular, the College is independently responsible for all aspects of curriculum, teaching and behavioural management, with due deference to legal requirements. In addition, the College is responsible for human resources, which reflect school growth patterns and professional standards that are determined in consultation with the Board of Directors.

Members of the college meet regularly to discuss matters of mutual concern. Cooperation between teachers is paramount, in order that individual pupils and classes receive optimum educational nurture and pastoral care. There is no hierarchy of authority as such and the overall good of the School is the overriding consideration at all times, as determined by the majority. Each member of the College is valued equally in terms of his or her expertise in one or a number of areas of the life of the School.

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors conducts the administrative and financial affairs of the School and works closely with the College in supporting its policies. There are presently 15 members of the Board, comprising 9 members elected by the parent body, and 6 teachers, including the Principal, nominated by the College of Teachers.

An elected member of the board sits as Chairperson and all positions come up for renomination and election once a year at the Annual General Meeting. In addition, the Board conducts bi-annual meetings with the school community where questions and ideas are fruitfully discussed.