Central Coast Steiner School

Principal's Message
Rosemary Michalowski has been the Principal of Central Coast Steiner School since 2012. Her long-standing commitment to our school has seen it grow and flourish. Rosemary Michalowski began studying primary education in 1983 at Sydney University. After her studies, she completed the Certificate in Rudolf Steiner Education in 1987. Rosemary taught in Steiner Schools in Australia for several years before moving to Germany where she studied German at Heidelberg University. From 1991-1996 she studied Steiner Education and Eurythmy at the Institut für Waldorfpädagogik in Witten-Annen and completed further studies at the Heileurythmie Ausbildung Stuttgart. After teaching in Germany for eight years, Rosemary returned to Australia in 2004 to teach and further her studies. In 2008 Rosemary was awarded the University of Notre Dame Ethics Prize. In 2009, Rosemary began teaching in the Catholic Education sector in Victoria. She was a member of the school leadership team at Catholic College Wodonga and coordinated their Gifted and Talented education program from 2009-2012. She has been a member of the AIS Education Research Council since 2014. Our school benefits from the rich and broad studies that Rosemary has completed in the field of Steiner Education over many years. Her professional journey is reflective of a genuine dedication to creative, contemporary pedagogy.

Founded in 1995, Central Coast Steiner School is nestled on 7 acres of breathtaking bushland in Fountaindale, just 100 kilometres north of Sydney. The school offers a nurturing and inspiring educational experience for students from Early Childhood through to Year 12. Set against a stunning natural backdrop, the school provides an environment that fosters academic excellence, creativity, and emotional growth, creating a unique learning experience that encourages both personal and intellectual development.

Central Coast Steiner School provides a strong academic foundation that prepares students for success both locally and globally. The curriculum promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning. The school now offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma for Years 11 and 12—an internationally recognised qualification that opens pathways to universities worldwide. As the only school on the Central Coast to offer the IB, it equips students with the skills, knowledge, and global awareness needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Facilities

Central Coast Steiner School offers a beautiful and well-equipped environment that supports the holistic education of students from Early Childhood through to Year 12. The school’s facilities are thoughtfully designed to align with its nurturing and creative philosophy, ensuring students feel at home in spaces that foster learning and growth.

The kindergarten building, with its welcoming design and home-like atmosphere, is surrounded by lush gardens and an outdoor ‘Nature Trail’ classroom. The warm, inviting spaces are designed to create a safe and nurturing environment for young children. Primary classrooms are vibrant and artistic, providing students with high-quality materials for hands-on learning, while high school classrooms offer flexible, technology-enhanced spaces that cater to diverse learning styles.

The school’s multi-purpose sports hall features sustainable straw bale construction and is used for indoor sports such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball. The well-stocked library encourages a love for reading, while the commercial kitchen provides students the opportunity to develop culinary skills in a fully equipped space.

The school also boasts a modern laboratory designed to facilitate hands-on learning and support the expanding STEM program. The Performing Arts facilities, including a new theatre, allows students to explore sound, lighting, and performance in a state-of-the-art environment.

Outdoor spaces play a vital role at the school, from the nature trail and edible gardens to the multipurpose oval and outdoor gym that promote physical health and wellness in the senior years.
Central Coast Steiner School continuously invests in its facilities, ensuring they remain a perfect fit for the evolving needs of the school community.

Curriculum

Electives Years 7-10

Food Technology, Languages, Marine and Aquaculture Technology, Photography and Digital Media, Visual, Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Psychology.

Electives Years to 10

Food Technology, Languages, Marine and Aquaculture Technology, Photography and Digital Media, Visual Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Psychology.

Electives Year 11 and 12

English Language and Literature, Spanish, Psychology, Business Management, Biology, Mathematics, Film

Extra-Curricular activities

Soccer, Golf, Basketball, Cricket, Futsal, Drama, Circus Skills, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Model United Nations Competition, Di Vinci Decathlon.

International Baccalaureate (IB) at Central Coast Steiner School

Central Coast Steiner School is the only school on the Central Coast offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) for students in Years 11 and 12. Recognised worldwide for its academic rigor and focus on critical thinking, the IBDP is designed to prepare students for success in university and beyond. The program emphasises global awareness, inquiry-based learning, and intellectual depth, providing students with the tools they need to thrive in an interconnected world.

Students in the IB Diploma Programme engage in a broad curriculum that includes subjects from the sciences, humanities, and arts, ensuring a well-rounded education. The school’s experienced and dedicated teachers guide students through this challenging program, offering personalised support and fostering an environment where academic curiosity and personal growth are paramount.

The IB Diploma provides students with an ATAR enabling them to apply for widely respected universities globally and opens doors to higher education opportunities worldwide

Sport

Sport plays a vital role in fostering physical wellbeing, teamwork, and personal growth at Central Coast Steiner School. The school offers a diverse range of sporting activities, including Volleyball, Swimming, Gymnastics, Soccer, Golf, Basketball, Cricket, Futsal, Drama, Circus Skills, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Model United Nations Competition, Di Vinci Decathlon, to encourage students to engage in regular physical activity and develop skills across various disciplines.

The physical education program focuses on enhancing students’ fitness, coordination, and sportsmanship, supporting their academic and personal development. With excellent on-site sporting facilities and a challenging outdoor education program, including the Duke of Edinburgh award, students are encouraged to build resilience, leadership skills, and a lifelong commitment to physical health.

Student Welfare Programs

At Central Coast Steiner School, student wellbeing, engagement, and academic achievement are deeply interconnected, with everyone at the heart of teaching and learning. The school cultivates lifelong habits of living and learning through daily healthy practices, laying a strong foundation for personal growth and success.

The school’s holistic approach integrates creativity, health-promoting activities, meaningful rites of passage, and a vibrant community to support student wellbeing. Warm, caring relationships between students and teachers, along with strong peer connections, are central to the school’s ethos. A deep sense of belong is fostered, ensuring that every student feels seen, accepted, and valued.

Set in a serene natural environment, the school provides a nurturing and responsive community. Open and effective communication between students, parents, guardians, and staff allows for the tailoring of support plans for those who need them. To further enhance student wellbeing, the school’s dedicated Wellbeing Officers—two qualified psychologists—provide comprehensive support services to help every student thrive.

Enrolment: Approximately 350 students
Fees: See website for current fees
Principal: Mrs Rosemary Michalowski
Address: 10 Catamaran Rd, Fountaindale NSW 2258, Australia
Telephone: 02 4362 3400
Website: https://ccss.nsw.edu.au/
Email: info@ccrss.nsw.edu.au or enrolments@ccrs.nsw.edu.au


School Information

Central Coast Steiner School
  • Type: Independent
  • Coeducational or single-sex: Coeducational

  • Faith-based: None
  • Year: Pre-Kindergarten - Year 12
  • Day/Boarding: Day School
  • Enrolment: Approx. 350 students
  • Interview Required Upon Enrolment: Yes
  • International Baccalaureate Programs offered: IBDP  
  • ESL Support: Yes
  • Scholarships Available: Yes
  • Gifted and Talented Program: Yes
  • Preschool or Early Learning Centre: Own Preschool
  • After School Care/ OOSH Options: Affiliated After School Care
  • Fees: See website for current fees - https://ccss.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/fees-and-payment/
  • Address:10 Catamaran Road, Fountaindale 2250
  • Email:Info@ccrss.nsw.edu.au
  • Phone:02 4362 3400
  • HSC/VCE Subjects offered:Electives Years 7-10: Food Technology, Languages, Marine and Aquaculture Technology, Photography and Digital Media, Visual Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Psychology Electives Year 11 and 12: English Language and Literature, Spanish, Psychology, Business Management, Biology, Mathematics, Film
  • Clubs and Extra-curricular programs:Extra-Curricular activities: Soccer, Golf, Basketball, Cricket, Futsal, Drama, Circus Skills, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Model United Nations Competition, Di Vinci Decathlon

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