College News – 2012

Chair of College of Teachers – Louise Tiley

After taking a short break from our Thursday evening College meetings to spend time focusing on a course I returned mid February and took on the task of chairing College (the management group). The role of College is to hold the school, protect its future and ensure that good education and teaching is provided for each child. The task requires a wide overview of the school and all that that encompasses.

During my time as Chair I have been attending our School Council which concerns the governance of the school. It has been a real privilege to meet and work with our Council members and Trustees who dedicate so much of their time and energy to the running of the school. I have also had the opportunity to make and maintain strong links between College, Council and Community Group. I am constantly amazed by the energy, enthusiasm and consistent hard work that parents put into the school. As I am sure many are already aware, the Community Group hold both social and fundraising events and now have an astounding £80,000 for the Development Fund.

I have, as Chair, attended many College Surgeries with individuals and smaller groups of parents. I understand that for some, calling a College Surgery can be a difficult thing, but without exception each and every surgery I have attended has provided a space where we can listen to each other. Parents can share their thoughts and concerns, issues can be voiced and moves towards resolving problems can be made. For College open dialogue and communication is essential in the running of Ringwood Waldorf School and maintaining a healthy social life.

We were fortunate enough to be able to welcome Patrick Morrow back as our Class One teacher this year. It was a wonderful event for the whole school to welcome the children into the school at their first assembly. They were led by their kindergarten teachers to pass under the rose arch and cross the threshold between Kindergarten and Class One. The Class settled well and carries a harmonious atmosphere. I wish them joy, adventure and discovery as they continue their journey together.

This year College has worked on a wide variety of subjects. I am especially pleased to see the Upper School developing into something very special, providing a unique and fulfilling curriculum for our students. It is wonderful to see the students growing into well balanced young people who bring enthusiasm and strengths with them. The work that is done in the Upper School is truly outstanding, both from the pupils and teachers. The plans for the Upper School to continue to Class 12 are still part of our vision and this is being worked towards in terms of curriculum and space. The first accredited units for the Waldorf Diploma are being piloted at Ringwood Waldorf School and within other European Waldorf Schools. This development and growth in the school is such an inspiration as we work together towards providing education for children from Kindergarten right up to school leaving age.

College is working hard with the issue of space and buildings. As the school grows and the curriculum becomes more full and exciting throughout the school, the buildings and facilities should reflect this. We have a specially mandated group who have been dedicated to carefully considering the needs of the whole school and all options available to us. It is important to this group that our immediate needs are fulfilled as well as the long term future of our school.

Back in February we received a telephone call from SIS (Schools Inspectorate Service) announcing their visit. We were pleased to read in the final report that the school is doing well and is considered to be ‘good with areas of excellence’. As it is with all inspections a few areas that could be improved were highlighted and we will be working on these as we believe this will improve our already wonderful school. We must also express our thanks and gratitude to the whole school community, who together achieved this success.

As always the year has seen our community bid fond farewells to many of our friends, some who we will see again and others we will remember until our paths cross again, but undoubtedly all will remain in our thoughts and our hearts. We have also welcomed new families and teachers to our community who bring with them so many gifts and make our school the place that it is and the place that I am so proud to be a part of.

Looking into the future, we will see Ringwood Waldorf School continue to grow. We wish for the community life of the school to continue to flourish and for teachers, parents and friends to work closely and support one another in the common will to see our children of Ringwood Waldorf School and the school itself succeed. We wish to see the spiritual life of the school grow stronger. Out of these wishes we will, as a whole community, continue to have a Waldorf School that upholds its principles working out of light, freedom and truth.

Louise Tiley