Pillars of Meaning

A Gift for Our Community: Steiner Education in Alice Springs

At The Alice Springs Steiner School, we are so fortunate to have access to a model of education that looks far beyond test scores and short-term outcomes. Steiner Education Australia’s framework, Pillars of Meaning, shows how deeply this approach is rooted in supporting the whole child — body, soul, and spirit — as they grow from early childhood into adolescence.

This model and image is courtesy of Steiner Education Australia https://steinereducation.edu.au/

At the centre of this model is the Self, reminding us that every child carries unique potential and individuality. Around this centre, the framework highlights the natural phases of development — from the imaginative play of the early years, to the world of stories and creativity in the primary years, and finally to the awakening of reasoning and independence in high school.

The surrounding pillars — Play, Belonging, Purpose, Beauty, Storytelling, Designing & Making, and Transcendence — reflect the timeless human capacities that Steiner education nurtures. These are not just “extra activities” but essential elements that give children meaning and a strong foundation for life.

As our children journey through this education, they carry into the future the gifts of Big Thinking, Rich Feeling, and Creative Will — the balance of head, heart, and hands that prepares them not only for further study or work, but for a life of purpose, adaptability, and contribution.

Having Steiner education here in Alice Springs is truly a gift — it means our children can grow in an environment that honours their individuality, supports their natural stages of development, and connects learning with meaning and beauty. Few communities in Australia have this opportunity so close to home, and we can feel grateful every day that our families do.