Support us

Welcome

As our School continues to develop, we as the Raphael House community stand even more committed than ever to holding true to the vision of our founders Trudi Schladitz, Paul Denford and Gerald Richardson who have devoted their lives and personal resources to creating a truly remarkable school for our young people and their parents.

The school was founded because of the deep concern at the increasing spiritual and cultural poverty of the education being offered to young New Zealanders. They observed children’s lack of will and motivation, their loss of a sense of destiny and purpose in life (even more evident in today’s world). They saw the growing social and psychological problems facing children in a materialistic world which denied their spiritual heritage.

Trudi, Paul and Gerald believed Steiner education was the most valuable remedy for these problems and had the commitment, foresight and courage to act upon their convictions.

Trudi Schladitz stated, “I wanted to create a culture – true spiritual life. All proper culture originates from a spiritual impulse. I wanted a school that must educate the parents, it cannot really work otherwise. That was my vision – with it culture – spirit which manifests in matter: whether it be a picture, a sculpture, or a teaching. Spirit reaching down into matter, matter originating in spirit”.

The solution for Trudi, Paul and Gerald was to found Raphael House.

Gifting – An act of Love

We invite you to join with other alumni/ae, families and friends in building upon our tradition of giving so that we may collectively support Raphael House in its quest to create a school based upon our founders’ ideals and vision.
The ability to gift is different for everyone. The school has so far been created by many hundreds of contributors and in so many ways, large, small, gifts of money, gifts in kind, gifts of labour, gifts of time, gifts of knowledge, gifts of experience to name but a few.

Every gift makes us who we are.

When Raphael House began in 1979, the hillside we are on contained mostly gorse. Through the hard work of parents and teachers the hillside has been transformed into a school for over 300 students. The achievement is amazing, some say miraculous. The vision of the founding teachers and parents is being fulfilled but there is still much to be done.

Future Projects

We have many projects to consider including for example; an auditorium, a gymnasium, a 4th Kindergarten, a Food Technology kitchen, playing areas, an administration centre and the completion of the Upper School.

YOUR GIFT will be a legacy, it will make a difference to all who pass through Raphael House, all who travel from the Kindergarten up the Zig Zag to Class 12 at the top of the hill and then into the world. Your gift will touch the lives of our students and through them the wider community.

If you would like to contribute in any way, please do get in contact with us. We would love to hear from you.