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College
History

Sydney Rudolf Steiner College has recently grown out of Parsifal College and a history that began in the 1970's with a diversity of  short courses. The recent name change marks the integration  of two one-year accredited courses, into the two year Advanced Diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education. Whilst this course is the core of the College's program, the diversity of other courses available is a reflection of the College's rich past. 

The College is a tree with many branches bearing precious fruit. How did it all begin? 

THE SEED 

The seed was planted in the early 70's when a small group of dedicated individuals had the impulse to bring activities based on Anthroposophy into the world. Open meetings of lectures, discussion and planning were held monthly in the rooms of the Anthroposophical Society in Sydney. These meetings resulted in open seminar weekends and many associated activities, such as translating health booklets. Several groups were formed for study and working with various arts. A bread making group, part of this Activities Group, has grown eventually into Demeter Bakery / Helios Enterprises. Through the enthusiastic offer of Enid and Jim Cryer, weekend seminars were held at their historic homestead in Martindale. At one of these seminars the ANTHROPOSOPHICAL ACTIVITIES GROUP was formed by individuals who felt the CALL OF THE TIME to spread knowledge and experience of Anthroposophy - wisdom of the human being. These individuals were inspired by the teaching of Rudolf Steiner. This group was begun  (in alphabetical order) by Ann and Erwin Berney, John Blackwood, Enid Cryer, Susan Haris, Mechthild Harkness, Anna Havas, Beryl and Dick van Leer. As time went on, many more friends joined: Doug and Marj Waugh, Anna Kundert, Mark Baxter and others. 

THE ANTHROPOSOPHICAL ACTIVITIES GROUP 

During the 70's and early 80's this group  organised a remarkably rich and lively steady stream of residential and weekend seminars including a monthly course in Rudolf Steiner Education at Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School, Sydney, and part time and evening courses. The interest generated was overwhelming, with some of the week long residentials attracting well over 100 participants. As the interest and enthusiasm for these offerings grew, it became obvious that the time had come to start a full time course. This idea was greatly inspired and wholeheartedly supported by Francis Edmunds, the fiery founder of the famous Emerson College in England. 

THE ORIENTATION COURSE 

Thus in 1980 the Orientation Course in Anthroposophy was born as a two term part time evening course conducted in Liverpool St., Sydney. It had more than 50 students, with the numbers steadily growing in the following years. In 1983 the first one term full time Orientation Course in Anthroposophy was started with 12 students and 11 tutors. Its core group consisted of Erwin and Ann Berney, Mark Baxter, John Blackwood, Susan Haris and Anna Havas. Its students came from all over the world with a number from Canada, Japan, USA, Germany, South Africa, Scandinavia, India, the former Yugoslavia, U.K. and New Zealand. Many students have formed deep and lasting friendships, some leading to marriage. The journey has been shared by almost 40 tutors, young and old, 

It is important to also mention  the numerous seminars and short courses delivered by the College, organised for overseas visitors, many world authorities in their field. People such as Francis Edmunds, Arne Klingborg, Dr. Len Mees, Lawrence Edwards, Georg Kuhlewind, Paul Matthews, Coenrad van Houten and Dennis Klocek and many others who have shared their wisdom and experience with us here in Australia. 

On its path of growth Parsifal College now Sydney Rudolf Steiner College has faced many stages of transformation, adjusting to ever changing circumstances. The necessity of coordinators arose, ably filled by Gerry Josephson, then Leslie Ford, Norma Blackwood and later Renate Breipohl. Today the College is coordinated by Adam Chan and Linda St.Clair. As tasks became more complex, a separate Board of Directors emerged out of the tutors group, later joined by other friends bringing specialised expertise. The Board of Directors now comprises Mark Baxter, Jolyon Bromley, Karla Cryer and Allison Pitt.

FINANCES 

The life and growth of Sydney Rudolf Steiner College has been only possible through the enthusiasm and enormous amount of work for no, or only very little, renumeration by its pioneers and generous donations by a few devoted friends. As the College is not receiving any financial assistance from the Government,  there is now the challenge of how to reach the level of economic viability necessary in the present world situation, while keeping the quality of the courses high and students' fees affordable. 

TEACHER TRAINING 

It has been clear since the early days of the Activities Group that children in Australia need Steiner Schools, which continue to grow and develop,and the schools need teachers, who in turn need to be trained. Thus a great number of the early courses and seminars have been on Steiner Education, mostly held at Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School in Sydney's Middle Cove. 

An historic residential seminar "EDUCATION AND THE ARTS", conducted by the Orientation Course in 1983 in the Blue Mountains, with Sylvia Brose OAM from Sydney and Marcus Cox from Melbourne, became a real watershed. A great many of the numerous participants were so inspired that they became teachers or parents in Steiner schools and even founding members of several new schools. Thus the Course in Rudolf Steiner Education  emerged as a continuation of the Orientation Course, conducted by Sylvia Brose and Marcus Cox, first for 2 terms in 1984, soon growing into a full teachers training. The prospective teachers were able to be grounded in Anthroposophy, developing their skills in the arts during the Orientation year and then spending the second year studying educational theory and practice with further deepening in the arts. Since 1987 this second year was conducted by Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School offering the much needed opportunity of practice under the guidance of experienced teachers. This continues today as the second year of the Advanced Diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education offered by Sydney Rudolf Steiner College.

ACCREDITATION AND UNIVERSITY COURSES 

A great turning point was the achievement of accreditation by VETAB, the government accreditation board, in 1993. This was the result of  long preparation by Erwin Berney and Leslie Ford and made possible a government subsidy in the form of "Austudy" for the students. This change necessitated a more formal curriculum without changing the content and an assessment process for each student. (Oh, how much additional work for the tutors!). It was one of the first Steiner Education courses in the world to be formally accredited and as a result also attracted  overseas students. The  Course was listed on the Australian National Training Register. 

The first year Certificate lV course was known as the Anthroposophical Studies Course and was run by Parsifal College. The second year Associate Diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education was delivered by Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School. The Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Teacher Training Seminar also became an accredited provider of these courses. 

UNE 

A pathway for students to continue their studies at the the University of New England in Armidale was formed and students were given full recognition of their two years study. A Bachelor of Education could now be completed in the usual four years, the first two of which were Steiner based! Parsifal, Glenaeon and the Melbourne Seminar also funded the secondment of  senior lecturer, Paul Rubens, to UNE to supervise Steiner units.  Two introductory units in Steiner Education, requiring no previous background, as well as Masters of Education work, were also introduced. This was an exciting alternative to studying  an education degree and made Australia one of the few places in the world where this was possible. For a time, Paul's supervisory work was taken over by Renate Breipohl. 

ASPIRATIONS 

The aims and aspirations of the College have been expressed throughout the years in different words. 

"The future will depend on individuals able to awaken the spiritual impulses and capacities within themselves and use them creatively to make their unique contribution to the world ." 

"The course is for individuals who want to find out: Who am I? Where am I going? What is my role in society? What does the world require of me? What work can I do that is worthwhile?" 

MOVE TO RUDOLF STEINER HOUSE 

In 1987 the Orientation Course moved into Rudolf Steiner House in Sussex Street, where it has been conducted ever since, in happy symbiosis with the activities of the Sydney city centre of the Anthroposophical Society.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 

An Early Childhood Course grew out of the enthusiastic initiative of Susan Haris, plus a variety of weekend and part time courses including the Journey into the World of Little Children with Ebba Bodame and Susan, for those interested in working with young children under five years of age. 

PARSIFAL COLLEGE 

A new name became necessary to encompass all the offerings - and so in 1989 Parsifal College came into being. The College is a place where students and tutors can journey, like Parsifal, on a path of self-knowledge. Another name change was adopted in January 2010 and the College became Sydney Rudolf Steiner College.

STATISTICS 

By 2001, the Orientation Course at Parsifal College  had more than 200 part-time students enrolled and over 350 full-time students; 275 had completed the first year in Anthroposophical Studies; 75 had continued on and graduated in the course in Steiner Education and 31 in the Early Childhood Education Course.

Many are teaching in Steiner Schools and Kindergartens between the East and West coast of Australia as well as overseas. A number of students are furthering their anthroposophical studies in different fields or, most importantly, simply applying their insights to their everyday life.

KINDERGARTEN COURSE 

in 1997 one more 'first' was the beginning of the accredited full time Diploma Course in Rudolf Steiner Kingergarten Education directed by Renate Breipohl. This 'Kinder' course had a large component of practice teaching in Steiner Kindergartens all over Australia, assuring much needed experience. 

THE TREE 

During 96/97 some of the original founders, Ann and Erwin Berney, Anna Havas and Susan Haris, all septuagenarians,  handed over their guardianship of Parsifal College to the next generation, trusting that the tree which they have tended for decades with so much loving care and hard work will be faithfully looked after. 

This is a special tree - the tree of life uniting with the tree of knowledge. It will have to face many further challenges to meet the demands of the future. May it grow big and strong, bringing much healthy fruit through the joint effort of students, tutors and directors and with continuing blessing of the Spirit World and those who are guarding it from the other side of the threshold. 

Susan Haris, assisted by Erwin and Ann Berney. 

November 1997 

Updated by Mark Baxter 2010