Community at Nairobi Waldorf School Trust

At Nairobi Waldorf School Trust, we believe education is a shared journey that thrives on collaboration between students, parents, teachers, and the broader school community. Our vibrant community is built on meaningful connections, diverse engagement opportunities, and shared values that nurture the whole child.

Get Involved

At its core the Nairobi Waldorf School Trust is a community school. As a parent/guardian, you will have many opportunities to engage with the school, our teachers, and your fellow parents.View our full calendar of events here.

Class Meetings

A special part of Waldorf education at NWST is the sense of community, and class meetings play a big role in that. Held once per term, these gatherings give parents a chance to connect with teachers, understand what their children are learning, and share experiences with other families. Unlike individual conferences, class meetings focus on the class as a whole—its learning journey, social dynamics, and any challenges along the way. They create a space where parents can ask questions, support each other, and feel truly involved in their child’s education.

Parent Representatives

Each class has dedicated Parent Representatives who act as a bridge between teachers and families, fostering effective communication and enhancing collaboration to support learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Parent Studies

Our on-campus monthly Parent Study sessions invite parents to explore topics ranging from child development and self-understanding to managing stress and developmental milestones. These interactive discussions provide insights into Waldorf education and equip parents with tools to better support their children’s growth.

Coffee Mornings

Regular coffee mornings provide informal spaces where parents can connect, share experiences, and engage in discussions with school leaders, teachers, and fellow parents in a relaxed, supportive environment. A different Class hosts every week, and in true community potluck style, each family brings something to share, while the School supplies coffee and tea.

Nanny Workshops

Understanding the vital role caregivers play, we host workshops that equip nannies with strategies rooted in Waldorf philosophy. These sessions focus on child-centered approaches to nurturing creativity, empathy, and independence. They happen once every term in both the NWST Karen and Lavington Campuses.

Town Halls and Annual General Meetings (AGMs)

These forums offer parents and stakeholders a voice in shaping the future of our school. We value open dialogue, transparency, and collective decision-making to strengthen our school’s mission and vision. Town Halls happen once a term, and the Annual General Meeting takes place in June.

Community Events

Beyond the classroom, we hold a variety of community events that reflect our Waldorf values of connection, creativity, and holistic development. These gatherings are designed to bring together students, parents, teachers, and friends in meaningful ways, fostering a sense of belonging and shared experience. While not directly tied to the curriculum, they are inspired by Waldorf principles of collaboration, artistic expression, and mindful living.

• • Cultural Day: A joyful celebration of diversity, creativity, and global cultures, where students showcase talents, crafts, and traditional foods in a vibrant evening event.
  • Walkathon: A spirited day of walking and togetherness, promoting physical well-being while raising funds to enhance the school experience for all.
  • Family Fitness Day:An energetic, fun-filled event encouraging healthy habits and joyful sports and movements for families and friends.

We cherish these moments that nurture lasting relationships, foster collaboration, and create cherished memories. By weaving a strong sense of community into every aspect of education, we empower students to thrive in a supportive, engaging, and holistic learning environment.

Waldorf Festivals

Waldorf Festivals and celebrations play an essential role in the Waldorf experience. Seasonal festivals connect humanity with the rhythms of nature and the cosmos. The festivals originated in ancient cultures, yet have been adapted over time and across cultures to join the seasonal moods of the year, festively, which benefits the inner life of the soul. Celebrating is an art. There is joy in the anticipation, the preparation, the celebration itself, and the memories.

Rose Ceremony – The school year begins with an exchange of roses from the upper classes to the incoming Class 1 students as they begin their journey in primary.

Festival of Courage – Similar to Michael mass, this festival challenges the children to develop strong, brave, free wills, and to overcome the love of ease, anxiety, and fear.

Flower Festival – This festival celebrates nature and the short-rains. We embrace the emerging blooms (especially the jacaranda trees), by making flower rings and planting flowers in our Kindergarten.

Festival of Light – Held near the holiday season, this festival combines the shared reverence of light across many cultures. The children prepare a performance.

Rainbow Festival – This festival is celebrated at the start of the long rains where a mixture of sun and rain often creates rainbows. This brings about the concept of color experienced in nature.

Agape Festival – This festival allows the children to celebrate love and friendship. Students prepare and share meals and notes of kindness and friendship with their fellow classes.

Swahili Festival – This celebration of Swahili culture is a vibrant collection of songs, dances,clothing, and food enjoyed by the staff and students.

Lantern Festival – Often called Martinmas, this festival invites parents to create a lantern before the evening lantern walk, commemorating the light that shines forth from each of us.

Transition Ceremony – This ceremony celebrates Kindergarten children as they transition to Class. They walk through the spiral path and the lighting of the candle signifies their continuing educational journey.

Cultural Festival – In Waldorf kindergartens, the Cultural Festival is a joyful celebration of diversity, storytelling, music, and traditions from around the world. Rooted in Waldorf values of inclusivity and respect for different cultures, this festival allows young children to experience global heritage through songs, dances, crafts, food, and storytelling in a developmentally appropriate way