Welcome to Aurora Southern Highlands School!
I am delighted that you are considering Aurora for your family. Choosing a school is a deeply meaningful decision, and at Aurora we honour this by offering an education that nurtures the whole child; head, heart, and hands. We believe that learning begins in wonder, and that children thrive when they are met with beauty, care, and purposeful challenge.
Our educational approach is founded upon Steiner education and informed by contemporary, evidence-based teaching practice. Through rich, hands-on learning experiences, we support children to grow into thoughtful, confident, and compassionate individuals, well equipped to meet an ever-changing world with curiosity and resilience.
Aurora offers a curriculum of depth and imagination, grounded in real-world experience and meaningful relationships. Academic learning is balanced with artistic, practical, and outdoor experiences, creating a joyful and engaging environment where children are known, supported, and encouraged to develop their unique strengths.
I warmly invite you to visit our school, explore our learning spaces, and meet our dedicated teachers. Aurora is more than a place of learning, it is a caring community, and this can be felt not only in our classrooms and grounds, but most importantly in the confidence, creativity, and warmth of our students.
Warmest regards,
Melissa Savill – Head of School
Leadership Circle
Aurora’s Education Leadership Circle (ELC) works closely with families to support each child’s learning and wellbeing. Guided by a strong partnership between home and school, the ELC helps shape the vision, direction, and educational aims of Aurora.
Drawing on over 100 years of Steiner education, alongside current evidence-based teaching practices, the ELC ensures our curriculum is both deeply human-centred and relevant for today’s world.
The ELC includes the Head of School and key staff members who meet regularly to reflect, plan, and respond to the evolving needs of our students, families, and wider community.
Meet Each Leader
Melissa Savill – Head of School
Stephanie Gotlieb – Early Childhood
Nicole Hilderson – Primary School
Daniel Stanley – High School
Kate Koch – Primary School
Lauren Butler – High School
Paul Shannon – High School
College of Teachers
At the heart of Aurora is the College of Teachers; a collaborative forum where our teachers reflect, learn, and shape the educational life of the school. Drawing on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner and contemporary learning research, the College supports thoughtful, child-centred teaching practice.
Led by an experienced Steiner educator and open to all teaching staff, the College meets weekly to reflect on the school’s vision, share insights, and deepen understanding of teaching and learning.
Historically, the College undertook a shared pedagogical study together. Today, this study is carried within faculty groups, allowing for focused, stage-specific exploration. Insights and reflections from these groups are then brought back to the full College for further elaboration, depth, and collegial discussion, enriching the whole school through shared understanding.
As a College, we also engage in a weekly meditation and reflective practice, cultivating presence, clarity, and intentionality in our work.
This ongoing collaboration ensures that Aurora’s education remains purposeful, reflective, and alive; nurturing our teachers and, in turn, the children in their care.