| Sophia Mundi Steiner School | |
|---|---|
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("Wisdom of the World")
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| Location | |
| Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia | |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent, Co-educational |
| Denomination | Steiner School |
| Established | 1985 |
| Principal | Jennifer West |
| Staff | 20 (full-time) |
| Enrolment | ~200 |
| Website | www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au |
Sophia Mundi Steiner School is a school located in Abbotsford, Melbourne, Australia, that follows Rudolf Steiner's educational philosophy. Schools which follow Rudolf Steiner's theories are known as Steiner schools, or Waldorf schools. Sophia Mundi was founded in 1985 by a group of parents. Classes 1-12 are based in the St. Mary's building of the Abbotsford Convent complex. The prep is located on Nicholson Street, Abbotsford, in the building which formerly housed the entire school.
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The name "Sophia Mundi" ("Wisdom of the World") is a combination of the Greek word "sophia" (wisdom) and the Latin word "mundus" (world).
The school is located in the Heritage listed St Marys building of the Abbotsford Convent artistic and historic precinct and overlooks a bend of the Yarra River and the Collingwood Childrens Farm. The School site is located approximately 4km from the Melbourne CBD and is well served by public transport (Bus and Train) and is on the main Yarra Bike Path.
In December 2011 the School was granted approval to build 4 classrooms and to convert a disused swimming pool into a playground and meeting area to replace facilities lost in the sale of the old Saint Joseph's Technical College site in Nicholoson Street Abbotsford by the Cathollic Diocees in Oct 2010 that was previously used by the schools senior school classes.
Key subjects are taught in concentrated progressive three-week blocks (main lessons) so that the subject matter can be fully enjoyed, consolidated and digested. Drama, Art, Craft and Music are an integral part of the curriculum. Every child from Class 3 onwards learns a string instrument and participates in ensembles. The school supports the approach of Steiner Education Australia to create an ACARA endorsed Steiner curriculum for years 1-10 as an alternative to the National Curriculum, and plans to offer this curriculum now that it has been approved.
The school was granted World School Status in October 2011 by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to offer the IB Diploma from 2012 for years 11 and 12. The school will become the second school to offer a combined Steiner and IB offering. The other is Colegio Internacional Rudolf Steiner in Ecuador. The school also plans to offer a Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning alternative for a Vocational related education from 2013 that is specifically designed to provide a flexible learning framework tailored by the school to meet the needs of students and the local community as well as the world beyond.
The school previously offered a combined ungraded VCE with a Steiner course for students in years 11 and 12 which included a year-long research project of their choosing.The senior offering was changed due to reduced demand for this Steiner/Ungraded VCE combined offering and to recognise the desire from Students and parents for a more predictable tertiary pathway than a case by case negotiated pathway.