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Austrian scientist, philosopher and educationalist, Dr Rudolf Steiner, dedicated his life to improving the lot of humankind. In his lifetime he regenerated thought in agriculture, medicine, the performing arts, and natural science, as well as philosophy and, in particular, education. The history of Steiner schooling stems back to 1919 when the first school was opened within the Stuttgart factory of Emil Molt, a German industrialist, humanitarian and friend of Dr Steiner. Steiner was lecturing widely during this immediate post World War 1 period as society was in chaos and people were desperate for solutions to urgent social, economic and political problems. He believed that catastrophes such as World War 1 were contributed to by flawed and neglected education and to remedy this, full allowance must be given to each person for the best chance of individual and cultural development. He also believed that the problem with education was primarily a problem with the training of teachers - that a clear appreciation of the human being and understanding of the actual nature of the child constituted a more sound foundation for schooling. Such was the basis for the first school known as the Free Waldorf School.
In the 6 years to his death in 1925, 5 more schools had opened following the success and appeal of the Stuttgart school: 2 in Germany, 2 in England and 1 in Holland. Today there are over 800 schools, more than 1000 kindergartens and 60 teacher training centres for Steiner education along with 300 curative centres in 50 countries around the world. All schools are independent of each other, yet all form part of an international network of schools with a shared educational philosophy, which work very successfully within their various national cultural frameworks. Steiner education has been available in Australia since the opening of Glenaeon, in Sydney in 1957. Approximately 7000 students are now attending more than 50 schools in diverse locations around the country. Almost all schools have been created out of the dedication and goodwill of individuals wanting to provide access for as many children as possible to a Steiner education.
The Armidale Waldorf School was blessed by the inspired energy of Kit Wyndham (1911 - 2005). She was founder, benefactor and beloved friend of the school and nurtured its growth and development for more than 20 years. From her 60's this wonderful and learned visionary held onto the dream of a Steiner school for Armidale. She found friends and fellow visionaries to share in the endeavour and by 1984, Kit's 73rd year, these like-minded people had started a playgroup and thus laid the foundation for a future school. Shortly after the playgroup began, the current site with residence, art gallery and 10 acres of land was purchased with Kit's assistance. The gallery space was transformed to allow the Preschool, called Boongaiai meaning “shaded place", to open its doors on the 16th February, 1985, with 4 children. After overcoming many physical and material obstacles to reach the point of opening Boongaiai, the founders were wonderfully rewarded by having 22 children enrolled in the Preschool by the end of the first term. In 1987, two years after opening the Preschool, the Kindergarten was started. The following year the first Class 1 began and by 1990 Classes 1 and 2 had moved into a new classroom designed by Sydney architect, Mark Baxter, whose buildings are inspired by Steiner’s architectural indications. By 1992 a second and third classroom had been constructed. The schools continued growth and the dedication of the associated community fostered the inaugural Class 7in 1999 and Class 8 in 2000.
Known as The Armidale Waldorf School since 1993 (the Preschool still retains the name of Boongaiai), the school today is a strong school from Preschool to Year 8 well supported by its structure and moving gracefully towards a future projection of Preschool to Year 12. The school has been guided by inspiration throughout its growth and development and over the years much lovingly-contributed community labour has turned a bush block and former gallery into a beautiful and nourishing natural environment for children and adults alike. The School immediate plans are bring to completion the two new classrooms in progress and begin construction of a new library in mid 2009.