A local school offered their children the opportunity to discover who they are
Two incredible evenings, where the growth, individuality, and maturity of each learner were displayed, and where their passion for their projects truly shone at Michael Mount Waldorf School.
The individual projects for Grade 11 at the Michael Mount Waldorf School mark the culmination of the school’s curriculum, and September 12 and 13 were busy project presentation evenings.
According to the school marketing and communications person, Christina Seuffert, each learner chose a subject that interests them, and over a year, they researched and explored that subject.
“It is a year of intensive, serious, independent work and self-discovery. The experience develops capacities vital for life: initiative in setting oneself a task, will in carrying it out, perseverance in the face of difficulties, and the ability to communicate one’s ideas to others.”
Seuffert explained that the projects comprised major components, including both historical and theoretical research components as well as practical work.
“The learners were required to write a mini-thesis, then given a personal mentor from among the high school teachers and an outside mentor who is an expert in the chosen field of work, both of whom guided and supported the learners as their project progressed.”
She added that the project also included a handmade, leatherbound book in which the learners recorded the research and methodology and recounted their experiences, challenges, and successes.
“This book became the centrepiece of each display table set up on the night of the presentations. These evenings acted as the final component of the project, in which each learner verbally presented their project and their experience to the greater community.”
Antoinette Offerman, the Grade 11 guardian, highlighted that this process has revealed to her what an education free of limitation can look like.
“The final Waldorf project frees the learners from the confines of the regular classroom to discover exactly what they can offer the world and who they may be as adults.”
She ended by highlighting that their children leave school better equipped to face the demands of adulthood, and as a guardian, reaching this point with her class has given her immense hope for the future.
“This year learners outperformed even my expectations because they know the value of the process and not just the outcome of their efforts and work.”
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