FAQs
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What is The Polaris School? |
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The Polaris School is our response to a rapidly changing world, in which we hope to bring a rich and comprehensive Waldorf-inspired curriculum to as many children as possible, wherever they may be. For us, it is important to provide Waldorf education that is affordable to the many as opposed to exclusive to the few, whilst honouring the educational autonomy that is a foundation-stone to the home education movement. We are offering pre-recorded main lesson blocks taught by Waldorf teachers to support homeschool families. |
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Who are our teachers? |
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Our teachers are Waldorf trained teachers with classroom experience teaching from a 21st-century interpretation of Waldorf pedagogy. |
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What is available? |
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Currently, we are offering Classes 4 and 5 main lessons blocks and aim to add on additional classes as we go. |
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What will this cost? |
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As our goal is to make Waldorf pedagogy accessible, we have kept costs low - $75 annual enrolment fee per family and approximately $60-75 per week for a main lesson block. We are offering a yearly and coop purchase pricing starting July 2022. |
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Tell me more about the Waldorf curriculum. |
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The Waldorf curriculum is based on indications given by Rudolf Steiner when he opened the first Waldorf School in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany. The pedagogy is based on child and human development and aims to bring content to the children at the right time in their child development. “Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility - these three forces are the very nerve of education.” ~ Rudolf Steiner |
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Will my child(ren) be expected to use a computer and do their school work on a computer? |
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The Polaris School will be accessed on this online school platform, which will present the material and lessons via pre-recorded lesson blocks. However, as is typical in Waldorf schools worldwide, the children’s work will be done in main lesson books, so that their developing handwriting can complement their artistic work in a single book of beauty. The work will then be submitted via photography through the school platform for teacher viewing, assessment and feedback on a regular basis, as well as communication. |
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What will my child(ren) need? |
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They will need the use of a computer and wifi to access the pre-recorded content and submit their work. Additionally, we expect the children to work in a main lesson book (a non-lined book). They will need crayons (including white and black), coloured pencils, pen for handwriting, watercolour paper, watercolour paints, paintbrushes (thin and thick, approximately 1 inch), and other necessary stationery and art materials, which may be used. If you have any questions regarding supplies needed, please do not hesitate to email us. |
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What if my child wishes to rapidly access the content? |
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Most main lesson blocks are between 2-4 weeks. The benefit of this format is that children can, to a degree, work at their own pace; however, in line with Waldorf pedagogy and current research into brain development and screentime, we strongly suggest that the main lesson content of each day and its accompanying tasks are completed with the emphasis of doing the tasks as well as possible as opposed to as quickly as possible. |
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What if we do not live within the areas covered by your Local History & Geography blocks? |
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It may mean then that these blocks are less relevant to your child, however, if a sustainable amount of families are requesting a block for a particular locale, we would then consider adding this to our offerings. This also applies to classes and age groups not yet available - Please feel free to let us know your needs, email info@thepolaris.school. |
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Is this available only during the current Covid crisis? |
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Not at all. Whilst this format lends itself well to the current pandemic, we aim to continue and further develop our programme. |
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What other important information do I need to know? |
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