A Little World of Magic: One Family’s Journey to Fossil Bay
When Anna and her family first set foot on Waiheke six years ago, they were searching for more than just a home. Having spent seven years in Germany before moving to New Zealand, they wanted a place where their two children Lotta (6), and Marlon (3) could grow up connected to nature, supported by community, and nurtured in their learning.
A colleague in Germany had once told Anna that if he ever moved to New Zealand, she’d live on “that island off Auckland where you can catch the ferry into town.” Curious, she looked up Waiheke and was immediately drawn in. After just one month in Auckland, the family moved across the water, settling into island life.
First Impressions of Fossil Bay
Their introduction to Fossil Bay came through Playcircle, a Steiner playgroup for children under 3 and their parents and caregivers. Anna remembers vividly the first moment she stepped onto Fossil Bay grounds: “I remember stepping out of the car, looking up at the tall trees, hearing the wind and the birds, and thinking, this feels like a little fairy world where magic actually does exist.”
After many Monday and Friday mornings connected with like-minded families, baking buns, exploring indoor and outdoor play, singing songs and learning more about Stiener education, Fossil Bay kindergarten felt like the obvious next step for Lotta. It quickly became a place where their daughter thrived. What struck Anna most was the simplicity and freedom of play. The toys and materials were intentionally minimal and natural, leaving space for imagination. Instead of being entertained, the children created — making up games, inventing stories, and finding their own rhythm together.
That sense of wonder has continued through Lotta’s transition from kindergarten into the mixed-age primary class. “What really drew us in was the small class sizes, the mixed-age learning, and the more thoughtful approach to academics. Coming from Germany, where children often don’t start school until six or seven, I appreciated that Fossil Bay allows kids more time to just be in their bodies before everything has to focus on the head.”
Choosing Fossil Bay School
When their daughter transitioned from kindergarten to school, Fossil Bay felt like the natural choice. Anna and her husband were particularly drawn to three qualities:
Small class sizes: With a small number of tamariki in each class, teachers can truly know each student as an individual and adapt lessons to their needs.
Mixed-age learning: Rather than being grouped strictly by age, children of different years learn together, much like siblings in a family. Younger children are supported by older peers, while older ones gain confidence and empathy by guiding the younger ones.
A slower, holistic approach: Coming from Europe, where formal schooling often begins at six or seven, the family was reassured to find that Fossil Bay doesn’t rush academic learning. Children are given time to grow into their bodies, imaginations, and social worlds before being asked to focus intensively on academics.
Anna particularly appreciated Fossil Bay’s philosophy of engaging the heart before the head. Learning here is not about drilling information or racing through a curriculum. Instead, the aim is to nurture curiosity, creativity, and joy, ensuring knowledge sinks in meaningfully because it has first been felt.
With this approach, children don’t just memorise facts — they connect with ideas on an emotional and creative level first, which makes the knowledge more meaningful and lasting. For Anna, this has meant watching her daughter develop genuine intellectual curiosity, approaching reading, writing, and problem-solving not as tasks to get through, but as discoveries to explore with excitement.
A Harvest Fair Memory
One memory that stands out for the family is from their daughter’s very first Harvest Fair as a school student. She had only been enrolled for eight weeks and was nervous about performing with the older children. Her parents expected she might withdraw at the last moment.
Instead, they witnessed something special. Two of the oldest girls in her class, nearly twice her age, noticed her hesitation. They called her over, placed her between them, and quietly reassured her: “You can do this. It’s okay.” Buoyed by their support, she found the courage to join in and perform.
Moments like this highlight the power of mixed-age learning. In a mainstream classroom, children of the same age may not yet have the maturity to recognise and respond to a peer’s hesitations or doubts. At Fossil Bay, older children naturally step into mentoring roles, while younger ones feel held within the group. The result is a sense of belonging that resembles an extended family.
Growth in All Directions
Since joining the school, their daughter has grown across every dimension: emotionally, socially, creatively, and academically.
Emotionally, she feels secure and confident, benefiting from the cousin-like dynamic of the mixed-age classroom.
Socially, practices like the “Jar of Kindness” encourage children to celebrate one another’s good deeds, fostering a culture of care and encouragement.
Creatively, she has flourished. From learning to knit to developing new projects at home, her love of making has been nurtured. Watching slightly older peers master skills makes progress feel attainable and inspiring.
Academically, she has developed genuine curiosity and determination. In such a small class, her teacher can allow her to explore material from higher levels when she shows readiness, while also guiding her gently if she needs to step back. This balance of freedom and support is only possible in a small, personalised environment.
The Rhythm of the Year
The family also treasures the school’s seasonal festivals, which provide children with milestones throughout the year. For a child, twelve months can feel endless, but the festivals mark the rhythm of the seasons — harvest celebrations, spring festivals, lantern walks. These occasions create both immediate joy and lasting memories, giving children a sense of time’s flow and the beauty of tradition.
A Supportive Community
Perhaps most valuable of all is the sense of community Fossil Bay fosters. Parents step in to help one another without hesitation — whether staying with a child when someone is late, volunteering at events, or simply offering support in daily life. The school doesn’t just nurture children; it creates a wider network of care that includes families too.
This continuity begins early. Children in the kindergarten regularly interact with school teachers and students, making the transition to school smooth and familiar. Instead of a sudden leap from one environment to another, children move gradually, surrounded by faces and rhythms they already know.
Why Fossil Bay?
When asked what she would say to another parent considering Fossil Bay, Anna’s response is unequivocal: she would encourage them to enrol. “You couldn’t regret it,” she explains. Children here are not only supported academically but nurtured as whole people. Families, too, become part of a caring community, sharing in festivals, rhythms, and the joy of watching children grow.
On Waiheke, many families are fortunate to have choices when it comes to education. For this family, Fossil Bay stood out as the most natural and supportive fit — especially for their sensitive, imaginative daughter. It is a place where children are encouraged to love learning, where community is central, and where the magic of childhood is honoured every day.
