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Steiner School 2025 Annual Report

Mansfield

Our School P 3

President’s Report P 5

Treasurer’s Report P 7

Principal’s Report P 8

Financials P 9

Attendance P 10

Results P 10

Parent Survey P 11

Our School

OUR FOUNDATION

Mansfield Rudolf Steiner School had its beginnings when, in 1985, a small group of children began their education in a parent-built mud-brick room at Maindample. In the early days the parents carried the enormous task of building, developing, maintaining and running the school without government support or funding. In 1986 the school received formal registration and a certain amount of government funding followed.

Years of hard work, determination, passion and faith saw the school overcome many setbacks and challenges. It grew into a vibrant community offering a creative and innovative educational option in the Mansfield district.

By 1996 the school had outgrown the Maindample site and with a successful application for Capital Funding the decision was made to move into Mansfield. Subsequent years have seen a series of building programs develop the beautiful and well-resourced school which exists today.

SCHOOL STRATEGIC VISION

The newly developed Strategic Plan runs to 2028 and is available on our website. The Plan focuses on three strategic areas: People, Place and Pathways.

SUPPORTING THE CURRICULUM

Mansfield Steiner School follows the Australian Steiner Curriculum framework. The school fosters an evolving awareness with this specific curriculum. Unique to Steiner schools is the role of the class teachers who guide classes through many years as guardians and mentors. The primary years of Mansfield Steiner School are rooted in the ideal that the needs of childhood must be honoured and progressive and traditional values hereby find their balance. Students gain confidence and can be inspired to a high level when the same teacher is with them year after year.

Teachers use a multi-sensory approach to learning and work rhythmically and imaginatively with students. Music plays a key role in the curriculum and all students play recorder together each day and a stringed instrument from Year 3. Respect for the natural environment and seasonal cycles is encouraged through the celebration of a range of festivals (seasonal, cultural and faith) during the year.

RESPONDING TO STUDENT ENROLMENT TRENDS - SCHOOL GROWTH

The school has experienced steady growth since it was established in 1985 in the small hamlet of Maindample. The capital investment in the school is expected to support greater demand and enrolment growth. Enrolments continue to grow as parents seek continuity and certainty that children can complete their education at the school. The school has a solid reputation locally and further abroad. The school attracts local families and families from outside the local area who move to Mansfield to attend the school

SUPPORTING QUALITY EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES

The school’s reputation has been further enhanced over recent years, as our graduates have excelled in other educational settings. For a very small school in a rural setting, we are unique, and our reputation is slowly but steadily growing.

OUR VISION

Our Vision is a School Community of free, responsible, and ethical contributors to our contemporary world.

OUR MISSION

Mansfield Steiner School aims to awaken and inspire students’ critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and artistic expression on a global scale, supporting their development to become open-minded and ethical individuals who can design their own lives with initiative and purpose.

OUR VALUES

Rudolf Steiner contended that the fundamental purpose of education lies in the cultivation of students’ capacities for thinking, feeling, and willing. These essential human qualities find expression in society through the enduring principles of goodness, beauty and truth. Furthermore, they manifest in the various forms of science, art, ethics (or belief systems) and the search for meaning.

Goodness is the inherent moral quality that arises from understanding, empathy, and the pursuit of actions that contribute positively to the wellbeing of oneself, others, and the world.

Beauty is the reflection of harmony and balance in the natural world, nurturing our senses and inspiring our creative spirits.

Truth is a living, evolving concept that unfolds through direct experiences, personal development, and a deep connection to the natural world.

Presidents Report

Itable the President of

the

Governance Committee’s Annual Report for 2025.

The Report comments on activities and achievements of the Governance Committee for 2025 and outlines key goals and activities for 2026.

LOOKING BACK - 2025

Enrolments are the most important metric. They rose by about 10 in 2025 resulting in a reasonably healthy financial position. The School is not at capacity and much of our focus is to attract students and maintain enrolments.

The Year 12 IB candidates all achieved IB status. Congratulations. I wish them all the best and note they will always be part of the School story. Hopefully they will make their way back to the School one day perhaps as a visitor, perhaps as a parent or staff member. They are part of our story.

2025 marked 40 years since the School’s beginning. An Alumni dinner was held on the evening of Open Day. The Governance Committee has taken an interest in fostering and developing relationships with the Alumni.

The School continues to be well staffed. Turnover is not high. This points to some satisfaction among staff. Our Principal and other leaders are to be congratulated on the management of staff.

On the Governance Committee: Sara Watts completed her term. I value Sara’s contribution and thank her for her service.

One of our Nominated Members – Fran Cummins has also completed her term. Fran was a prior Principal. Her deep knowledge of the School and astute judgment was beneficial to the Committee. Fran played a leading role in establishing Alumni management, including organising the Alumni Dinner. Many thanks Fran.

The Committee welcomed a new member Timo Ploschke. Timo has a lot of experience in management. He also brings much practical experience in site management.

The basketball court was resurfaced and is open. Our biggest item in 2025 was the acquisition and proposed renovation of the former MASS site. This street-frontage acquisition adds over 5000 square metres to School land, and several buildings, including the substantial main building. This acquisition was complicated as plans were well advanced for a new building on our existing site, which was to house a music-hub, when the MASS site became available. A decision had to be made between acquiring the MASS site or continuing with a new building. Acquiring the MASS site was preferred for the following reasons:

1. Extra land was obtained;

2. Usable buildings exist on-site. Occupation can occur in less time;

3. There will be minimal disruption to the School during renovation. The site is remote from other parts of the School;

4. The acquisition was supported by the Government bodies and they provided substantial funding; and

5. The planning for the new building on site was not a wasted exercise. These plans can be used for a future building.

I thank Glenn Hood, our Principal, and Marvin Cramer, our Operations Manager, who oversaw all negotiations with the vendor, the Government Funding Bodies and our Bank, resulting in acquisition of the site.

I thank the Government Funding Bodies and our Bank – Bendigo for their faith in our School. I thank the taxpayers of Australia and Victoria for providing the substantial funds.

LOOKING AHEAD – 2026

The renovation of the acquired ex-MASS site is the dominant building project. Plans are completed. Funding is in place for renovations. Builders are to be engaged. Steps have been taken to form a Project Steering Team which will oversee the renovation. There will be at least one Governance Member on that Team.

Enrolments continue to grow. All positions are staffed.

We look to foster a closer relationship between Governance and Senior Leadership.

Some Year 10 and 11 students will visit East Timor this year. We look forward to their reports. Glenn will accompany them. Mansfield has a special relationship with East Timor as you would know through the work of the group “Friends of Venilale”.

The Committee will continue with its usual work of budgeting, reviewing performance, risk assessment and planning. Applications to join the Committee are welcome. There is a steady turnover of Members and new Members are regularly required.

The Committee’s two main contacts for information and action are Glenn and Marvin. I give special thanks to them and remember the many others who contribute to our enterprise –Mansfield Rudolf Steiner School and Kindergarten.

John Bowen PRESIDENT, Governance Committee

Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives.

The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.

R. STEINER

Treasurer Report

Iam pleased to present the Treasurer’s Report for the 2025 year.

The 2025 financial results are distorted by Commonwealth funding received for the purchase of 81 Highett Street (formerly MASS). Through the Block Grant Authority (BGA), the school successfully secured $1.75 million towards this purchase. Although this appears as income in the financial statements, it does not reflect the school’s underlying financial performance. Excluding the building grant, total income was $6.126 million against total expenses of $5.95 million, resulting in a surplus of $176,886. Our main income sources remain Commonwealth funding (56%), student fees (31%), and state funding (7%). Major expenses are staff costs (69%), educational expenses, maintenance, and administration.

There was a cash deficit of $117,000. This figure is also distorted by the purchase of 81 Highett Street: excluding this impact, the result would have been a surplus of $298,000. A major capital expense for the year was the $110,000 refurbishment of the basketball court- a significant improvement to the school and one that has been many years in the making. Balance sheet equity increased from $5.28 million in 2024 to $7.2 million, largely due to the December purchase of 81 Highett Street.

Overall, our financial position remains strong. However, in the context of continually rising costs, it is not sustainable for school fees to remain unchanged. In 2025, fees were increased by 3%, equating to an average of $151 per student for the year. There was no blanket increase for 2026. To maintain programme quality and continue delivering a strong educational experience, fee adjustments must be evaluated each year. Please understand that decisions to increase fees are not taken lightly—affordability remains essential to the school’s viability.

As noted, staff wages are by far our largest expense. Part of remaining a workplace of choice is pursuing wage parity with state government teachers. The new wage agreement between the Victorian Government and teachers remains unresolved, though a significant increase is certain. Matching any increase will be challenging, and we will continue to prioritise financial sustainability while supporting the best possible experience for our community.

Student numbers remain the primary driver of profitability. We began 2025 with 221 students, up from 209 at the end of 2024. We received funding for the 219 students present at the August census. It is always disappointing when students leave mid-year before census, as we incur costs without receiving corresponding funding. Nevertheless, enrolments are trending upward. The school’s strategy is to continue growing the early years and promote the IB; as larger cohorts progress through to graduation, there will be more and more positive experiences of the IB which will further promote retention.

Again this year, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of Marvin, Kelly and Glenn in managing the school’s finances. They have continued to make significant improvements across key areas of financial management, including budgeting, cash flow and fee collection.

Their dedication and commitment to the school are greatly appreciated, and on behalf of the entire school community, I thank them.

Anna Speirs TREASURER, Governance Committee

Principal’s Report

Against the backdrop of everything that is happening in the world and all the possible circumstances we might find ourselves in, gratitude for our community, in all its manifestations, seems the only logical response. In 2025, we had the opportunity to celebrate 40 years of education at Mansfield Steiner School and thank those who have been part of the development of our school.

2025 saw growth in student numbers, our senior students successfully completed the challenge of Year 12 and were offered diverse university places, we grew the footprint of the school and secured the space required for growth through the acquisition of 81 Highett St (made possible with the generous financial assistance of the Federal Government through the Building Grants Authority).

Our Early Childhood team worked through changes to regulations whilst maintaining the integrity of the program and we welcomed the return and rapid growth and in interest in Playgroup.

The Primary School team prioritized the development of our literacy program, developing and implementing clear scope and sequences and assessment insights from the ‘Roadmap to

Literacy’ and we continued to increase the scope of our Learning Support team.

The Secondary School built student numbers developed our International Baccalaureate offering and deepened the connections and alignment with Steiner pedagogy. We increased the opportunities and expectations of senior students to be leaders in the school at assemblies, festivals and events and we were regularly impressed by how they rose to this challenge.

Our staff are our greatest asset, and we can all be grateful for the artistry they bring to their work. To work in Steiner education is to be willing to continually examine yourself and what you bring to the students. The content of what you bring is easy to reflect upon, however we are profoundly concerned with the way it is brought. Does it prioritise, promote and deepen human relationships and connection? I can’t thank staff enough for continuing to strive to meet this high expectation.

I am grateful for the work of our Senior Leadership team Governance Committee that supports the development of the school through their tireless efforts. The complexity of school operations and management are myriad and often present us with situations that require deep reflection, courage and difficult conversations. Please know that this work is highly valued.

Finally, my heartfelt thanks to our parent community who support our students (your children) and staff to continually orient ourselves toward what is important; developing connection, community and our understanding and feeling for what it means to value goodness, beauty and truth in our lives.

Glenn Hood PRINCIPAL, Governance Committee

School Financials

RECURRNET EXPENSES 2025

69% Employee Expenses

9% Educational Expenses

5% Equipment, Maintenance & Utilities

7% Administration Expenses

5% Preschool Expenses

3% Depreciation Expenses

1% Finance Costs

RECURRENT INCOME 2025

1% Other Expenses 56% Commonwealth Funding

Attendance Report

Prep 90%

Class 1 87%

Class 2 89%

Class 3 90%

Class 4 92%

Class 5 91%

Class 6 87%

Year 7 91%

Year 8 92%

Year 9 84%

Year 10 90%

Year 11 94%

Year 12 99%

ATTENDANCE MANAGEMENT

Average attendance for students in 2025 was 90% and the following table shows details for each class

Attendance rolls are marked each morning and afternoon, any unexplained absences are reported to the office for follow-up. Any prolonged absences are required to be supported by satisfactory evidence and/ or require a further discussion with the school Principal. Students with ongoing low attendance are also monitored and if required appropriate authorities are notified.

RESULTS

NAPLAN INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA

The whole Mansfield Steiner School community send our heartfelt congratulations to 2025’s Year 12 students that all achieved their IB Diplomas.

Parent Satisfaction Survey results

The parent survey attracted 48 responses 29 ‘myself’ and 19 on behalf of myself and my spouse or signifigant other.

Which

1 SATISFACTION

2 MY CHILD 1 SATISFACTION

2 MY CHILD