Memorandum of Commitment
for STAR Tutors and Parents
“Approaching each child with reverence and appreciating their unique individuality whilst providing firm boundaries through reliable rhythmic activities, and consistent expectations.”
Individual tutors provide prospective parents with a Memorandum of Commitment, which describes the commitments of both tutors and parents. It is in the interests of both parties to consciously agree to, and sign, a Memorandum of Commitment before tutoring begins.
Tutor Commitments
Tutors will approach each child with reverence and appreciate their unique individuality whilst providing firm boundaries through reliable, rhythmic activities and consistent expectations.
Tutors will provide lessons to students using a balanced head, heart, hands approach.
Tutors will imbue each lesson with artistry and beauty through the visual, musical, sculptural and/or performance arts.
Tutors will communicate needs and concerns to individual parents as they arise, doing so respectfully and effectively with parents.
Tutors will develop and deepen their own understandings of their specialist subject in the light of Anthroposophy, or in the case of Main Lesson, tutors develop and deepen their understandings of each Main Lesson in the light of Anthroposophy.
Tutors will ensure the venue where tutoring takes place is a physically and emotionally safe space.
Tutors will develop an understanding of each child in their care in the light of the developmental stages of childhood as described by Anthroposophy.
Tutors will attend ongoing study and discussions with other STAR tutors probing the fundamental principles underlying the Steiner educational approach and Anthroposophy.
Tutors will participate in meditative practices recommended by Steiner within the Tutor Circle.
Tutors will share skills, insights, learnings, achievements and challenges with other STAR Tutors, and seek help when needed.
“Developing an understanding of each child in our care in the light of the developmental stages of childhood as described by Anthroposophy.”
Parent Commitments
Parents will support their child to complete home-lessons on the days between tutoring, if work has been set by tutors, to provide continuity to tutoring, thereby optimising their child's learning journey.
Parents will ensure their child is appropriately dressed for the weather, and materials requested by the tutor have been packed.
Parents will pay the agreed fee on time or make alternative arrangements with individual tutors.
Parents will ensure their child arrives ready to learn, having been well slept (at least 8 hours), and is well fed and watered!
Parents will communicate needs and concerns to individual tutors as they arise and do so respectfully and effectively.
Parents will provide the tutor with emergency contact information.
Parents will organise transportation of their child to and from the tutor lesson, and ensuring their child arrives at, and is collected from, the agreed venue punctually.
Parents will advise tutors if their child has a mobile phone or device with them (the tutor will ensure that phones and other devices are kept in the child’s bag on silent mode and left alone until the lesson is over).
Parents will limit screen time in line with the ACT Health Directorate’s recommendations. Tutors ask that screen time not occur on the morning of tutoring days or the evening before tutoring. This will help to optimise the child’s readiness and willingness to participate with clear, creative, and imaginative thinking on each tutoring day.
Parents will notify the tutor if their child is accessing screens in the lead up to tutoring lessons.
Parents will notify tutors as far in advance as possible if the child will not be attending lessons due to illness or other reason.
Parents acknowledge that STAR does not offer a complete education or take responsibility for subjects not provided. Think of STAR as a helpful supplement to your homeschooling efforts, enhancing the learning experience rather than replacing it.
“Imbuing each lesson with artistry and beauty through the visual, musical, sculptural and/or performance arts.”