The name ‘Raphaeli’ was chosen by the founders. It recalls the mission of healing of Raphael, an archangel acknowledged in Hebrew, Mohammedan and Christian texts and whose mercurial healing nature is found under many names in other cultures. It has been said that in our times all education is remedial and we all have special needs. We strive to meet these through the inspired understandings of the child that Waldorf Education can give. Our goal is to develop strong and healthy individuals who have a will to work; who are inspired to learn, explore, understand and create; and who have a strongly anchored sense of responsibility for themselves and others.
The Primary school and Kindergarten moved locations as they outgrew several premises. In July 2012 Leathem Farm in Piesang Valley became the home of both schools. In 2014 Raphaeli was granted developing school status by the South African Federation of Waldorf Schools, making us the first Waldorf School on the Garden Route. In 2024, Cecil Monk’s persistence took Raphaeli a step further – to full registration as an Independent school. Finally, January 2024 will see the school grounded on its own 21-hectare piece of land overlooking the breadth and beauty of the bay and the mountains beyond.
PLAYGROUP & KINDERGARTEN
Raphaeli Waldorf School’s Playgroup has an atmosphere of loving warmth and guidance that promotes joy, wonder and reverence. These inner qualities support the healthy growth and development of the young child.
The most essential aspect of the work with the little child is the inner attitude of the educator, who provides the example for the child’s imitation. Nobesuthu Gubula has been our Playgroup teacher for almost three years now, truly being a teacher and human being ‘worthy of imitation’.
In the Waldorf playgroup, foundations are laid for later learning and healthy development, including life-long physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth.
This education, based on an understanding of the development of human individuality, offers protection and respect for the dignity of childhood.
What are the fundamental characteristics of the Waldorf Playgroup?
- Loving interest in and acceptance of each child
- Opportunities for self-initiated play with simple play materials as the essential activity for young children.
- Play is the young child’s work and makes it possible for them to digest and understand their experiences.
- Awareness that young children learn through imitation, through the experience of diverse sensory impressions and through movement. A focus on real rather than virtual experiences to support the child in forming a healthy relationship to the world.
- Artistic activities that foster the healthy development of imagination and creativity.
- Predictable rhythms through the day, week and year that provide security and a sense of the interrelationships and wholeness of life. Seasonal and other festivals are celebrated according to the cultural and geographical surroundings.
We currently have spaces available in our Playgroup. Please contact Kirsten: admin@raphaeli.co.zafor more information or fill in our preliminary application form on our website: www.raphaeli.co.za
PRIMARY SCHOOL
As the child enters Primary School, the earlier stage of imitation expands into a need for applied learning and a guiding authority.
The Role of the Teacher
The class teacher should become the beloved, respected and readily accepted representative of the world. In Waldorf schools the class teacher moves with his or her class right through the Primary School. Through this a deeper understanding develops between the pupils and their teacher. This secure continuity enhances the children’s learning. Throughout the years the class teacher and the parents form a co-operative relationship centered on the growing child.
The teacher embarks on a journey with the children as a guiding, loving authority, who undertakes to help the child develop his/her full potential. Using the Waldorf curriculum and methods, the teacher facilitates education where ‘people learn and go on learning throughout their whole lives’. He/she must continue to develop his/her own inner resources so that the child experiences a holistic education and can, as a result, make strides towards becoming a full human being, who can contribute to the ever changing demands of inner development and of our world.
The School Day
In Waldorf education one frequently hears the phrase “thinking, feeling and willing”. These three aspects of learning are always present in the teaching, particularly in the main lesson—the foundation of the Waldorf school day. The school day begins with a lively two-hour Main Lesson, which concentrates on one subject for a period of three to four weeks. The lesson begins with recollection of content from the previous day: the children relating back to the teacher their memories, experience and learning (thinking). Then will the teacher present a continuation of the topic, stimulating the children’s wonder and interest (feeling) through the lively, imaginative and artistic telling of the story. The third stage of the lesson involves the activity (willing) of the children in drawing, writing, art, speech, music and movement. This is an economical method of teaching.
The uninterrupted focus on a particular theme, enables the children to immerse themselves completely in the subject matter at hand. It also allows the class teacher the freedom to structure the lessons creatively, incorporating a variety of activities such as music to enhance the teaching of geography, and the use of drama and storytelling to expand the work in history. The child‘s feeling of wonder for form is encouraged and stimulated in the earliest classes. Through large coloured free-hand drawings the child develops an experience of inner harmony, which can be applied later, both in practical tasks and in exact thinking. In addition to helping develop good handwriting, these exercises give a real basis for the exact geometrical constructions that follow.
Main Lessons include Mathematics, Geometry, Ancient Civilisations, Mythology, English Literature, and later Biology, Science, Astronomy and the Humanities.
Admission at Raphaeli Waldorf School
Admission Procedures
At Raphaeli Waldorf School we believe that for a child to be successful in their educational environment requires more than counting really well or knowing the alphabet. Children also need to be ready to engage with their classmates and have physical and emotional stamina to start and persevere on their academic journey. The age at which a child starts Class One may influence their future academic and life success and it is important to us to ensure that children thrive in school – not just now but also in the future.
Please take note of the following:
- Prospective parents need to fill in a preliminary applicationform, found on raphaeli.co.za
- All parents need to attend an Introductory Talk before the enrolment process can continue. Please e-mail the office to find out when the next one is being held.
- If a child is on the waiting list for a class, parents will be informed once there is an opening and the enrolment procedure will continue.
- A meeting will be set up with the Prospective Class Teacher and a three day trial period will be arranged (this applies for Classes 1 – 7 only).
- All Prospective Class One children have to undergo the School Readiness Evaluation by appointment. This assessment aims to gently assess physical, emotional and academic readiness for Class One.
- All prospective parents will be required to complete a financial information form.
- Following the Bursar’s approval, a Confidential Interview will be set up with the teacher and parents.
- Upon acceptance by the Teacher and College of Teachers, admin will issue admissions pack including the Parents’ Handbook.
Preliminary Application Form
Raphaeli Waldorf School Fee Structure
Registration Fees for new pupils
- Application Fee: An initial once-off fee of R400 per family upon registration.
- Enrolment Fee: All pupils are required to pay a R2,000 non-refundable, enrolment fee upon registration.
Class Fees
(all class fees include the levy of R50 per month paid to the SA Federation of Waldorf Schools)
- Playgroup
- R1,940 per month: 5 days per week
- R1,170 per month: 3 days per week
- Kindergarten – R2,040per month
- Primary School (Classes One to Seven) – R2,640 per month.
- Siblings (second/third child in the Primary School less 9%) – R2,370per month.
Annual Arts & Craft Levy
- Playgroup – R400 per annum.
- Kindergarten – R500 per annum.
- Classes One to Three – R750 per annum.
- Classes Four to Seven – R850 per annum.
Additional Fees
Please note: additional text books, readers, fountain pens and other class specific curriculum needs are not covered by the fees listed above.
The Class Teacher will inform parents of additional needs and costs.
- Recorder
All pupils enrolled at our School are required to play the Recorder.
Recorders are sold at R120 each from the School. (we get them for R110 each)
- Classes Three to Seven
There will be a class camp, every year, which will require a financial contribution.
Fundraising will be done during the year, by the parents and teacher of each Class to minimise the costs to each parent.
Discounts and Banking Details
- 7% discount on the payment of annual fees (12 month’s fees) before the 31stof January; or the 15thof the first month of enrolment.
Banking Details for Raphaeli Waldorf School
First National Bank (FNB)
Current Account nr: 622 6652 1858
Branch: Plettenberg Bay
Branch Code: 210 514
Please use name of child/account as reference for all fee payments
Due Dates for all Class Fees
- All Class fees are payable for 12 months of the year.
- Fees can be paid in the following ways:
Annually: Paid within the first month of the first term – discount of 7% applies.
Termly: On or before the first day of each new term.
Monthly: Fees are due and payable in advance on the 1stof each month, and by no later than the 7thof every month. (e.g. May fees need to be paid on/before the 1stof May)
Monthly fees are only accepted if done by debit order, proof of this debit order needs to be provided to the office.
If Fees are paid in cash it has to be done by no later than the 5thof every month.
Notice period and unpaid fees
Three (3) months’ notice must be given in writing to the office and teacher when withdrawing a pupil from Raphaeli Waldorf School.
If this notice is not given, parents will be liable to pay fees for the three months following the month in which the child leaves.
Raphaeli Waldorf School reserves the right to add a fine of R150 per month for all fees that are not paid by the 15th of each month.
Raphaeli Waldorf School and the Board of Trustees reserve the right to adjust School fees on a bi-annual basis.
Contact Us
Telephone: 044 533 6157
E-mail: admin@raphaeli.co.za
PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
Olive Hill Farm, Airport Road
Plettenberg Bay
6600