Governance
The Board of Directors
The roles of the Board of Directors are to:
· Supervise Compliance and Risk Management
· Govern Finance
· Develop and maintain the strategic direction of the school
The Board of Directors comprises elected members of the school association and nominees of the College of Teachers (including the Principal/s). Membership of the Newcastle Waldorf School Association is open to all parents of the school for a small annual fee. Financial members are entitled to nominate for election as a director and to vote at the association’s Annual General Meeting where directors of the Board are elected. All parents are notified of the date for the AGM and invited to join the NWS Association three weeks in advance. The notification letter provides more information about the Board of Directors’ nomination process.
The Principal(s)
The Newcastle Waldorf School Principal(s) hold a fundamental position within the School community. As required by NSW state legislation, the Principal(s)’s main role is to act as a mediator between the School and parents and Government bodies.
The College of Teachers
The College is answerable to the Board in matters pertaining to law and economic management, but is independently responsible for all aspects of curriculum, teaching and supporting positive student behaviour and human resource management.
The members of the college attend formal weekly meetings. 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 and the good of the School is the overriding consideration at all times. Each member of the College is valued equally in terms of his or her expertise in areas of the cultural life of the School.
Management Roles:
Peter Muddle - Co-Principal, Head of Agency
Mark McDougal - Co-Principal
Tracey Ashton - Co-Principal
Sophia Montefiore - HSC Coordinator
Bruce Hansen - Chair of the Board of Directors
Accreditation
Newcastle Waldorf School is a not-for-profit organisation, registered and accredited with NESA from Kindergarten to Year 12, including courses leading to the award of the HSC. It is a member of the NSW Association of Independent Schools, and Steiner Education Australia.