Taruna College New Zealand is a centre for Adult Education offering an exciting range of formal and informal holistic courses and subjects inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner PhD. such as: Waldorf Teacher Education, Biodynamic Organic Agriculture, Anthroposophical Nursing, Art of Health and Coaching and Biography Workshops.

Programme Goals and Structure

The Diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education consists of:

• 32 weeks study at Taruna College (from mid February to early December)
• 4 weeks in schools or other relevant practicum / project.

We have an experienced and caring faculty who work creatively with the processes of anthroposophical adult education to provide professional and self-development in an intimate setting.

Click here for list of modules within the programme.

Click here for details on how student's work is assessed.

The Diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education programme has these broad aims for each participant:-

1. To gain a knowledge and understanding of the anthroposophical origins and basis of Rudolf Steiner Waldorf education, including:

• The phases of child development and how the Waldorf curriculum strengthens and supports developmental processes. 
• How scientific, aesthetic and moral values can be incorporated in a balanced way in education.
• How the developing personality of children is affected by heredity (nature), upbringing and environment (nurture), karma (relationships) and the character of the incarnating individuality (spirit).

2. To experience how the arts harmonise the soul and spirit in the body and are a basis for education, including:

• Eurythmy, creative speech and drama, music and singing, painting and drawing, modelling and sculpture, handwork and handcrafts
• Practice of relevant practical and artistic skills.
• A basis for developing an inspiring art of education that reveals ‘what to teach when’ in the life of a developing child.

3
A To acquire sufficient professional skills to monitor one's own ongoing adult learning, including:

• How to plan, prepare, present lessons and evaluate them;
• How to appraise student's needs and target them;
• How to develop a basis, as an educator, to contemplate one’s own special relation to a class and individual children.

-OR- 3B.  For Self-development and Parenting; including:

• Gaining knowledge of the human being in relation to the Cosmos by studying Rudolf Steiner’s image of the human being and evolution.
• Learning to accept and be happy with myself as an individual, my life and my circumstances by finding renewal and sustenance.
• Strengthening my inner life and developing confidence, creativity and passion and so find and take up my task in a complex world.
• Gaining a better understanding of community, working and living with people, and relationships.
• Understanding and supporting my child(ren) and their stages of development.
• Developing a healthy and rhythmically structured family life.