Steiner Influenced Dual Currirulum

A new educational program commenced at Ashwood in 2007.

The vision for the initiative of the Dual Stream came from a group of parents from the East Bentleigh Primary School who wanted a Steiner influenced stream at High School for the benefit of their own children and for those who will follow them to Ashwood College in the future.

The process of approval and implementation was guided by the then Principal, Kate Long and the Assistant Principal, Kerrie Croft, the current Principal.

The Dual Stream, Steiner influenced curricula is offered to students from diverse backgrounds and is approved by the Department of School and Early Childhood Education as a specialized program.

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The new approach to learning introduced for Year 7 students at Ashwood College in 2007 is called the Dual Stream because it runs alongside the mainstream range of subjects yet is arranged in a different way.

The Dual Stream is an approach to education inspired by the indications given by Rudolf Steiner about human development and pedagogy.

The content (what?) and pedagogical methods (how?) in the approach to the curriculum are seen to be appropriate for the age and stage of life of students.
The Dual Stream is concerned with questions about:

  • How can the curriculum respond to the whole child? (i.e., their physical, psychological, academic and practical learning)
  • How can teachers work together to enable students to make connections between subject content, activities experienced and themselves?
  • What timetable structure can enable integrated rather than fragmented learning experiences?

    • "The Dual Stream contributes to the diversity of educational opportunities offered at Ashwood College. It is part of our innovative approach that endeavours to add educational value to the High School experience for students, parents and staff."

    How is the Dual Stream different?

    The main difference is that students in the Dual Stream study the essential core subjects of :English, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography in what is called the Main Lesson.

    A Main Lesson subject cycle runs each morning for a double period over three weeks. During each lesson students participate in academic, artistic and practical work to engage the whole person.

    Students also have subject based practice lessons and electives so that there is a broad yet balanced spread of lessons across the Humanities, Arts and Sciences. Subject lessons, where possible, are connected to the Main Lesson theme.

    In Years 7 & 8 the year long subjects are English, Maths, Science, P.E. Health and Sport. Semester long subjects are French and Chinese. Electives are semester long classes in Music, Art ,Wood, Food, Textiles, Ceramics, Drama and ICT.

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                                     People on the Move by Georgia Greenwood

    CLASS 7
    Main Lessons By Subject Domain CLASS 7
    English Biographies-English/History
    Wish, Wonder & Surprise
    Arthurian Legends
    Mathematics In the Footsteps of Pythagoras - Mathematics
    Maths in Nature and Humans
    Science Physiology - Science
    Electricity & Magnetism - Physics
    Mechanics-Physics
    Four Elements in Chemistry
    History Medieval History
    Renaissance History
    Age of Discovery-Geog & History
    Geography People of the World


    CLASS 8
    Main Lessons By Subject Domain CLASS 8
    English The Power of Words
    Introduction to Shakespeare
    Mathematics Rhythms and Patterns in Nature
    Platonic Solids
    Science Food Chemistry
    Human Anatomy
    Hydraulics, Pneumatics and the weather
    Electricity and Magnetism
    History History of Scientific Revolution
    The Industrial Revolution
    History of the 20th Century
    Geography World Geography - East and West

    An EXPRESSION Of INTEREST form in joining the Dual Stream in 2009 and beyond can be found in the Enrolment section on the website here.