Michael Park School

Michael Park School
Location
55 Amy Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Coordinates	36°53′35″S 174°48′55″E / 36.89306°S 174.81528°E / -36.89306; 174.81528Coordinates: 36°53′35″S 174°48′55″E / 36.89306°S 174.81528°E / -36.89306; 174.81528
Information
Type	State integrated co-educational (NE, Year 1-13)
Motto	Receive the Child in Reverence, Educate him in love, Let him go forth in Freedom
Established	1979
Ministry of Education Institution no.	424
School roll	450
Socio-economic decile	9
Website	michaelpark.school.nz

Michael Park School is a Waldorf school located in Auckland, New Zealand

The school takes students from age 4 (Kindergarten) to school-leaving age (Form 7/Year 13). The Steiner School refers to the years 2 to 13 as Class 1 to Class 12.

Steiner's Philosophy

Unlike 'conventional' state schools, the Steiner philosophy encourages a slightly later development, and a more creative environment.

Another unique aspect of Michael Park is their keen eye for aesthetics. The belief is that more graceful architecture will be beneficial to student's learning, meaning that there are less right angles in the school buildings and more curves.

Independent Study

One of the key things making Rudolf Steiner schools unique is the year-long project of each and every 7th Form/Year 13 student. The student is encouraged to learn or develop a skill, complete an exercise and assist the community. Some recent projects have included: learning to play a musical instrument, making a short film, learning authorship or painting, restoration/building of cars, boats, etc.

The student study is assessed on many levels including the presentation of an oral speech, and development of records (i.e., keeping a diary or their efforts) and compiling a visual display to represent their work and what they've learned over the course of the year.

The final result of the Independent Study contributes substantially to their Steiner certificate results for the year.

Qualifications

This is a state integrated school (i.e., they are largely funded by Government subsidy). This way, Michael Park School students can participate in both government standard assessment, NCEA as well as a recently developed Steiner certificate.

Subjects

Compulsory subjects include: English & Maths (to Year 12). Elective topics offered for years 12 and 13 include:

• Physical Education
• Art
• German
• Craft
• Sciences
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Social Studies
• Photography
• Drama
• Te Reo Maori
• Correspondence courses

Students choose between the language subjects Maori and German.

Sporting success

Michael Park has had an unusually high proportion of students representing New Zealand in sport, particularly lacrosse. Their school team, the MPS Storm, contained eight members of the Under-19 New Zealand Men's Lacrosse team, including the captain, Toby Delamore.

See also

• Curriculum of the Waldorf schools
• Rudolf Steiner
• Anthroposophy

References

• Te Kete Ipurangi
• Education Review Office report