Primary School

Katherine Arconati Class 6 Teacher

The Class Teacher Journey

In any case, the formation of the disposition or feeling life suffers greatly when the children are passed every year to a fresh teacher who cannot develop what was instilled into children in earlier years. It is part of the teaching method itself that the teacher should go up with their own pupils through the different school-stages. Rudolf Steiner – Practical Advice to Teachers – Lecture 6

2017 2018 2019

The Class 1 year begins with a ceremony where the children are farewelled by their Kindergarten teacher and cross a 'Rainbow Bridge' which leads them to their Class 1 teacher who is waiting to welcome them. There is that moment of pause in any conversation where I reveal that I have moved along with my class since Class 1, when the bewildered listener considers the implications of this unusual practice. The inevitable questions follow – What if you don’t get along with a child? What if a parent doesn’t like the teacher? Isn’t that a huge commitment? These questions raise real potential issues, but the benefits of the Class Teacher journey far outweigh them in comparison.

Rudolf Steiner indicated the constancy of the Class Teacher as an essential aspect of the school.

She is a conscientious gardener planting seeds in the souls of the children, patiently waiting for them to bear fruit.

When I was introducing skip counting in Class 1, I knew that it would lead to the times tables in Class 3 and algebraic number patterns in Class 6. Gross motor and social skills developed in the Class 2 morning circle, lead to abseiling down the Warrumbungles with the supportive cries of classmates below. It is slow education, perfectly seasoned and timed to coincide with each phase of the children’s development, all to be savoured with reverence by the ever-present class teacher.

Three words come to mind when I reflect on this experience – Economy, Empathy and Enthusiasm.

Progressing with a class is economical because I know what they have been taught, what I will teach next, and what my aim is by the end of Year 8. Though the children grow and change, I know them thoroughly and have a strong relationship with them that supports a harmonious, productive classroom environment. If I had a new cohort each year, I would need at least a term to decipher how each child is best met, and where they are in their learning.

The relationship to the children is not one of like or dislike, but one of empathy. I have shed many a tear over the accomplishments of children who others may have passed over as incapable – whether this be the lead role in a class play, producing a coherent piece of writing or learning about percentages. Likewise, I have been floored by the achievements of students, especially when completing project work

Class 1 Wonder of Numbers

Class 4 Zoo Excursion Class 2 Painting

Class 5 Indian Festival Class 3 Exploring Measurement

Class 6 Play Roma Amor

2020 2021 2022

and they extend the task to match their personal interest. Our success is a mutual one, independent of quantifiable results.

Enthusiasm is the word that perhaps relates most closely to Steiner’s indications. We all love looking forward to things, and the Class Teacher is in a position to “preview” what is to come with great excitement. For both students and teacher, there is always something fresh on the horizon, whether it’s the next main lesson, the next class play or next year’s camp. Though preparation can be arduous, I have always found learning new material to teach inspiring. Reading Roman history, I found myself picturing which children would most connect with each story. When I prepared the Greek myths, I honestly could not wait to share them with the children.

Though I am not yet at the end of this Class Teacher period, the transition from Class 6 to Year 7 is a Rubicon crossing that marks the end of primary school and the intimacy of our single class cohort. I look forward with enthusiasm to meeting and getting to know a whole new group of children, whilst also continuing to observe the children I know so well metamorphose through adolescence. I cannot imagine teaching any other way. 

Note: Rudolf Steiner originally indicated that the Class Teacher should continue from Class 1 to Class 8. Because high school begins in Year 7 in Australia, many Class Teachers cycle back after Class 6. At Glenaeon, this decision is made each year in consultation with the Class 6 Teacher.