Pupils enjoyed the freedom of expression and learning, and, then, as a registrar for the Teachers Registration Board, Mr Norris thought the school was something special.

A former headmaster at Launceston Grammar School, Mr Norris is enjoying his second term as principal of the Steiner School at St Leonard's.

It's also the first year the school has enjoyed at its new site on St Leonards Road, after making the transition from Station Road earlier this year.

Mr Norris said he was not an expert on the Steiner philosophy when he first encountered the school, but it made a mark on him, even after that time.

"It's a small school, with a big heart," he said.

Steiner philosophy centres around the head, hands and heart and the interconnection between those three things - pupils learn about something in their world they can see and touch.

It encourages play-based learning in the early years and does follow the Australian Curriculum, but it marches to the beat of its own drum.

Mr Norris said the school ensured sustainability and environmental education was at the heart of its teachings, which was something that he admired.

"These days it's really important that we are educating about sustainability, and ensuring these children are equipped for the future," he said.

"But what's great is that there's no one mould here for education, children are free to be themselves and learn at their own pace."

Mr Norris said his role as principal was similar to his previous roles but was also different, and understanding the Steiner principles and philosophy provided a unique challenge for him.

He joined the school after the bulk of the COVID disruption, which saw pupils sent home with learning packs, but they have since all returned.

One of the unique elements of the Steiner School is that the teacher grows with her cohort, and stays with them throughout their schooling.

"It really makes them like a little family unit, they grow with the students and learn to communicate with each other," he said.

Enrolment numbers at the school have remained steadily growing, and Mr Norris said they were contacted frequently by parents who were attracted to the Steiner way.

"We are getting interest from parents who don't know much about Steiner, but they've heard a little and it's appealing to them," he said.

He said there was strong interest in the early years, from Kindergarten to year 2, with parents keen to develop their child's sense of curiosity in learning.

"They [the children] really bound in here each day, they want to come to school because we focus on developing their interests, but they have the opportunity to do it at their pace."

One of the strong Steiner philosophies is that there are no computers or technology used in the classrooms.

Computers are not used in lessons until secondary Steiner education, and Mr Norris said this had helped to reduce impacts of bullying.

"If someone has a problem, whether it's with the teacher or someone else, they have to work through it, because it's small classrooms, the teacher moves with them - they are a family unit, so children learn to communicate," he said.

"But no technology has eliminated any issues with cyberbullying and the like."

Mr Norris said his primary objectives as principal was to oversee the progression of the campus move from Station Road to St Leonard's Road.

The new campus on St Leonards Road is an old residence, converted into classrooms. The kitchen area is the school office; the bedrooms have become classrooms.

But Steiner philosophy is not about sitting behind a desk all day, pupils move throughout the large grounds, tending vegetable patches or learning botany by looking at the native plants all around them.

About half the age groups have transitioned to St Leonard's Road, but the early years, Kinder to Year 2 remain at the old campus on Station Road.

They will transition to the new site next year, and the school's demountable classrooms will move to its new home.

The school also has plans to create an outdoor theatre and other outdoor play spaces and to fully use the current campus, which was formerly a residence.

Upstairs, which is used as a storage area, will transform into an art space.

Once the demountable classrooms are in place, there will be room to ensure the main house can be office, cooking and craft space.

Mr Norris said while enrolments were positive, he hoped interest in the school would continue to grow.

The Tamar Valley Steiner School only offers Kinder to Year 6. Despite there not being any secondary Steiner schools in Northern Tasmania, Mr Norris said the basics of the teaching helped set children up to be inquisitive and to embrace learning, which holds them in good stead for future mainstream education.