Open Evening Review

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Review: Open Evening

January 2018

I only recently learnt that the Open Evenings are for everyone… parents already in the school, grandparents, friends… as well as new families.

At 6pm last Tuesday it was black and blustery outdoors; Keir and I had a cosy fire going and aromas of a tasty supper emanating from the oven to weigh against going out to an event at school. However, we had determined in advance to be strong and off we set.

From the dark and murky carpark we headed (not unlike the shepherds looking for the crib… but without lanterns!) towards the welcoming light of each classroom – from Kindy to Class 11 – and in each room we were met by a personal guide in the form of a teacher, and in each room we noted how the children had proudly laid out their work for us.

This work represents the outward and visible signs of the inner journey our children are taking; seeing it spread out before us from ages 3 to 17 is a unique experience, portraying as it does the gradually changing relationship of the child to the world, and how the teaching works in sync with the child’s growing consciousness and general development.

This is what our school is about. Don’t you think Keir and I know it all already?…after all, we’ve been here 44 years! Not a bit of it!

The school, the work, the learning and teaching are living things refreshed and blessed every moment by enthusiasm, interest, love; many of us are already aware that the more we know and love our school the more our children will do the same and the happier we will all be.

And you know, our lovely fire and delicious supper were still there, just that bit warmer, brighter and tastier!

Christine Polyblank

(Founder of Ringwood Waldorf School)