| Edwin Ayre and the 1970s |
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Edwin Ayre designed the classrooms which are now used for Classes 1-3 and gradually the School grew. When the High School started it was decided the time had come to change the School’s name to Hastings Rudolf Steiner School since the name ‘Queenswood’ still carried the connection to the original preparatory school for girls, in the wider community.
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The impact of Edwin Ayre on Waldorf Education in Hawke’s Bay is not to be underestimated. An architect by profession, his initiative and drive was to not only expand the Rudolf Steiner School to include High School students, but also he recognized the need to start a preparation course for new teachers at the School. From this initial programme, was to grow the institution we now know as Taruna. He also introduced religion lessons to the School and in 1973 the first Mid-Winter Festival was held.
A new High School building was opened in 1993 and named Edwin Ayre as a fitting tribute to one of the school's founding fathers.