Moderated by Ms Yvette Leung on 5 November 2025, the Department of Education Policy and Leadership hosted a seminar titled 'Holistic Approach to Teaching and Synergy between Technology and Human Intelligence in Education.' We were honoured to have invited a distinguished visiting speaker Prof Jost Schieren, who is the Dean of the Faculty of Education at Alanus University in Germany and the School Advisor of Forest House Waldorf School in Hong Kong. Additionally, the School Trustee, School Supervisor, Vice Principal, Assistant Principal from Forest House Waldorf School also shared with the audience their unique approach incorporating human-centered and holistic pedagogical experiences and their visions of students’ futures.
The seminar rendered audience both theoretical and practical insights of how holistic education is embedded in the Waldorf education model, encouraging a more humanistic approach to teaching that nurtures both mind and spirit.
The seminar also highlighted the characteristics of Waldorf Education, including the evolution of the Waldorf Philosophy over a century, and the synergy between mastering intelligence technologies while preserving humanistic essence in learning and teaching.
The audience were active in raising various questions ranging from school governance to learning assessment during their discussion with Prof. Schieren. As the last part of the event, the audience were given the opportunity to come down to the podium to see and touch on individual coursebooks and students’ work from the School. Unlike most other schools in Hong Kong, the Forest House prioritizes arts, dance and movement, as well as students’ connection with nature as the core of learning. The curriculum, learning content and process are all designed to be age-appropriate and suited to children’s developmental needs. The two-hour seminar drew close with the audience pondering more about new possibilities in learning.
Prof Jost Schieren introduced the characteristics of Waldorf Education
Ms Wincy Chan, Acting Assistant Principal (Left) and Ms Lajja Mandal, Vice-Principal (Right), from Forest House Waldorf School
Coursebooks and learning materials illustrated by students from Forest House Waldorf School
The department has distributed souvenirs to Professor Jost Schieren and the management team of Forest House Waldorf School to express its gratitude. We look forward to future collaborations.
Souvenir Presentation by Ms Yvette Leung, Lecturer of Department of Education Policy and Leadership:
Photo 1: Ms Yvette Leung (Left), Prof Jost Schieren (Right)
Photo 2: Ms Barbara Li, Trustee Member of Forest House Waldorf School (Left), Mr Paul Tai, Trustee Member & School Supervisor (Centre), and Ms Yvette Leung (Right)
Group photo with the audience