This is a question we are asked frequently at our Enquirers mornings and Open Days.
The truth is that at York Steiner School, our passion for sports is about so much more than competition.
At York Steiner School, our ‘gym’ lessons are inclusive and fun, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to find the freedom of movement and grow confidence from physical activities. As the children move upwards through the school, they grow their athletic abilities from a starting point of free movement and play, rather than strict competition.
This week our friends at Michael Hall School are hosting the Olympiad, a modern ‘olympic games’. Class 5 children (age 10 and 11) from Steiner Waldorf schools all over the country, and the world, come together to take part in sports that you would traditionally see in the Olympics, such as javelin, long jump, wrestling and long distance running.
The Class 5 Olympiad is a cornerstone event in the Steiner Waldorf curriculum. It is the culmination of Class 5’s study of ancient history and Greek mythology. The children are grouped into mixed-school teams representing ancient Greek city-states. The Olympiad awards each child a medal for demonstrating traits such as movement, determination, kindness and grace, rather than for raw scores or winning.
Participating in the Steiner Olympiad is a deeply character-building experience that boosts children’s confidence, fosters a strong sense of community and teamwork, and helps them discover self-mastery and focus. This means that whilst the children push themselves to achieve, they do so from a place of curiosity in their own ability; how far can I throw?
One of our Class 6 children enjoys martial arts and this October will be heading to compete in the World Championships in his discipline. Here his Mum shares how she feels the school’s approach to sports has supported her son to reach an elite level in sport:
My son is the type of boy that craves competition and thrives around this environment. The compliment of discipline and structure he gets from martial arts classes teaches him boundaries and respect. Alongside the wonderful caring nurture and freedoms he gets at this school, the combination has massively accelerated his self esteem and confidence to be himself and to learn so much about himself within the sport and about his own boundaries and limitations.
The school offers a non competitive edge to sport and learning which has benefited my son to see a softer, less pressured way to express himself and be open to supporting others and being part of a team, versus just serving himself.
His coaches always comment on how humble and kind-hearted he is, as well as courageous and determined. They celebrate his team-spirited approach to other children at martial arts, supporting others in successes and failures at class and in competition. I feel these qualities have been formed within his education here at the school.
