The history of Noosa Pengari Steiner School

History

In 1991, the Noosa Pengari Steiner School Association, comprising of parents, teachers and friends of the school, was incorporated as a non-profit organisation.  Since then, the association has been active in gaining community support for Steiner (Waldorf) education, a holistic, independent schooling, in the Noosa region. 

Early days

Subsequently, NPSS was registered with the Department of Education as an independent non-state school in late 1995. In 1996, the school began with a Preschool and a composite class 1/class 2. Currently there are approximately 350 children enrolled from preschool to class 12, with waiting lists in most classes.

The school employs state registered teachers who are further trained in the unique approach of Steiner education. 

The original block of 10 hectares of land on which the primary and pre-school is located was donated by a very generous patron of the school, along with the two “Queenslander” buildings which were relocated to the site: Possum Place, which had been the station master’s residence at Cooroy Railway Station, now used as playgroup room and Treasure House; and Peppermint Cottage, which was the Cooroy State School principal’s residence, currently housing administration.  

The school is very fortunate to have had such an auspicious start to its development.

The pre-school building was built in 1997 and the class 1 building (Banksia) in 1998.  The Melaleuca building (currently classes 3 – 5 and learning support) was relocated and upgraded in 1999, and Casuarina building (currently classes 6 and 7, and the Primary Hall) was relocated in 2000.

Maturing and expanding

In 2003 and 2004, the school purchased two additional adjoining blocks of land, with the assistance of patrons, staff, parents and the school community. 

This block and associated buildings allowed for the high school to open in 2008 with additional Federal Government funding in 2009 for a purpose-built library, hall and Eurythmy room.  In 2012, the school received funding for the building of purpose-built high school classrooms and offices.