About
South Shore Waldorf School is an independent, not-for-profit Waldorf school located in Blockhouse, Nova Scotia, Canada. We offer education from Kindergarten to Grade 9, as well as parent education, festivals, community engagement, and a parent and tot program to support the development of the whole child. Our approach is based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, which recognizes that each child is unique and has their own path to follow. We strive to create an environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning.
Providing independent, financially accessible, inspired learning for all children.
Our Mission
In everything we do, we nurture the healthy, holistic development of each individual child.
We create an education grounded in nurturing, uplifting, and healing.
As teachers, we personally guide our students’ interest in and knowledge of the world.
Entrusted with this task, we freely commit in gratitude.
Our Vision
We are a multi-generational community that cultivates social renewal by providing resources for Waldorf Education in Atlantic Canada.
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We do this in the following ways:
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We offer a comprehensive Waldorf education for children within a non-competitive, arts-enriched, academically rigorous pre-K through Grade 9 curriculum.
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We offer a teacher resource library.
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We collaborate with teacher education programs at Universities and training institutes offering practicum placements and observations.
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We offer community meeting spaces and workshops.
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We host events and festivals.
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We offer parent resource programs and support.
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We provide consulting services to independent school initiatives across the Maritimes.
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We fundraise and provide support for our sister school – The Madagascar School Project.
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We host a large conference on Waldorf education and child development called Waldorf East, which draws educators from across the Maritimes (and beyond).
School Governance
Rudolf Steiner gave indications for how a school would ideally be governed based on his view that the School is a living social organism.
Roughly, he divided society into three realms - Cultural/Spiritual, Political/Legal, and Economic. The impulses behind each of these realms can be described as Freedom, Equality, Fraternity/Cooperation respectively.
This is an extrapolation of Steiner’s view of the three-fold human being as the Head, Heart and Hands.
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The Faculty has oversight of the pedagogical and organizational vision. Their task is to enhance the freedom and creativity of the individual. They are the “head.”
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The Non-Profit Society/Board has oversight of legalities and finances. They ensure governance is effective and Administer to the law, legal norms and social mores. They are the “heart."
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The Parents, Friends and Donors make up the economic realm. They are responsible for oversight of community and resource development. They provide goods and services that generate capital to meet the needs of the school. They are the “hands.“
About Mi'kma'ki (Nova Scotia)
The South Shore Waldorf School is situated in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People. This territory is covered by the "Treaties of Peace and Friendship" which Mi'kmaq and Maliseet People first signed with the British Crown in 1725. We are all Treaty People.
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This picturesque province, surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic, offers students an unparalleled opportunity to connect deeply with nature.
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We are located in E'se'katik (Lunenburg County) about an hour from Halifax. The region is home to several farmers markets, including the year-round Lunenburg Farmer's Market, the Summer Bridgewater Farmer's Market, and we host the Blockhouse Winter Market.
Also nearby are some of the most beautiful beaches - Hirtles, Rissers, Beach Meadows, Carter's, Green Bay, and so many more - as well as hiking trails, and camping opportunities.
In nearby Bridgewater, you can find many amenities, including the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Center (LCLC), home to a large indoor pool, ice rink, and the fabulous Margaret Hennigar Public Library.