Meet Our New Principal!

Dear WCSS Community

It is with much excitement that I take on the role of Principal at West Coast Steiner School from the start of Term 3. I have been working in education for over 30 years, the past seven and half of those in Steiner education. I have to say that the move to Steiner Education has been such a gift to my family and I look forward to continuing my Steiner journey with you all.

I began my teaching career in public schools back in 1993, starting in the wheatbelt town of Kondinin. With the exception of 1999, when I taught a Year 1/2 class at East Beechboro PS, the rest of my teaching career has been in rural and regional locations throughout WA, as far north as Carnarvon and south to Albany and Denmark.

It was in 2017, as my daughter, Verity, was ready to enter the schooling system, that I discovered Steiner Education. I was despairing of the fact that the school where I worked had introduced iPads and electronic whiteboards into Kindergarten. Whilst I knew my child would (have to) cope with the early introduction of reading and writing, I wanted her to thrive. I was worried about what she would be missing out on whilst seated at a desk to learn reading and writing. I wanted her to be playing, imagining, running, climbing, jumping and learning to make friends.

A kindred spirit who did relief teaching at my school, told me of Golden Hill Steiner School (GHSS) in Denmark. My knowledge of Steiner at that time was in relation to the Biodynamic Farming practices my first husband and I were trialling on our farm. I knew nothing of Steiner education, however she assured me that it would perfectly match what I was seeking for Verity, as well as fill my cup.

In the seven years that I was Principal at GHSS, I learned a lot! I benefitted from the knowledgeable staff who were on the College of Teachers; completed my Graduate Certificate in Steiner Education at the University of the Sunshine Coast with Shelley Davidow and Bronwyn Haralambous; and engaged in a variety of SEA professional learning opportunities along with the GHSS staff.

In more recent years, I led the GHSS community through the process of expanding to provide Steiner secondary education. This year, GHSS has Year 7 & 8 in place and begin their high school building program. They will add a secondary year level each year. This meant the time was right for me to move on and allow someone with an interest in secondary education to take on the task, as my heart and expertise is firmly placed in the primary years.

This brings me to West Coast Steiner School. My family, (husband, Bill and daughter, Verity) will remain in Albany this year so that Verity can complete Class 6. She will begin high school at Perth Waldorf School in 2025. This will also allow us the time for house hunting!

I look forward to meeting you all this term and becoming a part of the West Coast Steiner School community. In the meantime, I wish you a relaxing mid-year break. Stay safe and warm.

Warmest wishes,

Jacqui Hollingworth

School Administrator/Principal