The Power of Love Annual Report 2018–2019 2 3
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The Power of Love Annual Report 2018–2019 2 3 The Camphill School / Annual Report / 2018–2019 camphillschool.org “ I know it may seem small and insignificant, but it’s not about what it is. It’s about what it can become.” ~ Dr. Seuss, The Lorax The Camphill School dedicates the 2018–2019 Annual Report in memory Dedication of Alex Black (1987–2018). 4 5 The Camphill School / Annual Report / 2018–2019 camphillschool.org Transition Program student Alex and coworker Anna relish in the bounty of the greenhouse “ The ‘Dove’ logo of the Camphill movement is a symbol of the pure, spiritual principle which underlies the physical human form. Uniting with the hereditary body, it lives on unimpaired in each human individual. It is the aim of the Camphill movement to stand for this ‘Image of the Human Being’ as expounded in Rudolf Steiner’s work, so that contemporary knowledge of the human being may be inflamed by the power of love.” Message Our Logo Last year, our school underwent a name change and, with from the it, embarked on a rebranding. The largest task: a new logo that incorporated our edited name. Our talented design team at Invictus President took time to carefully consider how best to express our brand via our logo. At The Camphill School, our students learn and grow from their experiences. Children are free, elevated, and allowed to let go of the burdens that have held them back, such as past educational environments that were not right or stifled who they really are, Table of limitations set forth in their lives that they or those around them know they can overcome, and not taking responsibility for the world around them. Contents Here, they are put above all that and held to a high standard. They rise to the occasion. In the new version of our logo, you can 05 11 18 24 literally see that. Through it all, The Camphill School is right next Message from Earth Day Pietzner Legacy Year in Review The refreshed logo. to them, supporting and guiding them and watching with awe and the President 12 Society 2018/2019 wonder as they soar to new heights. The gold color was also preserved 06 More Than 19 25 but is made more vivid, because, after all, who doesn’t want to shine The Seven Keys to Just a School Volunteers 2018/2019 a bit brighter? The Secret Garden 14 20 Financial Report 08 The Secret Their Individual 26 The United Garden Gala Inner Process Our Donors Jennifer Nilsen Colors of 16 22 Jennifer Nilsen Camphill The Class of 2019 Transition 10 Program President, Board of Directors Our Catering Graduates Annual Report Crew Photo Credits: Michael Oliveira 7 camphillschool.org have a big task: to learn to become themselves, and colors in nature, to have a deep friendship, to have to be able to stand up and contribute to life. food on our table—being alive and breathing This is a difficult task for any child, is a great gift. It is our own attitude but children with intellectual that makes the sun shine. The disabilities have to battle a lack positivity that we can gener- of expectation from others ate through gratitude is a as well as being able to power that works on our surmount their own ob- surroundings and makes stacles. Learning to be re- so much possible. sponsible for our own life And the seventh and and for the world around last key? That would be the us is game-changing. power to love one another, The third key is the to love the woods and knowledge that our inner pastures and rivers that sur- lives are real. What we think round us, to love the creatures and feel is every bit as important as that dwell alongside us and make the things we do. Indeed it is often the our own lives possible. To believe in the case that our thoughts and feelings drive future of humanity and of the Earth and to our actions. It is critical to pay attention believe that humankind can be a force for to our interior self and to ennoble our good in the world is the ultimate beginning and thoughts and feelings. Much of the social, cultural, end, the alpha and omega, of our existence. Like any good story, the themes resolve towards a and festive life at Camphill is geared towards the Like Mary and Colin and Mr. Craven in the The happy ending. The selfish girl becomes the friend of the uplifting of the inner human being. novel, we live in a world which can be full of beauty sickly boy, and both are rejuvenated by their relationship The fourth key is the realization that we must if we seek it. We only need the keys to unlock the and by the power of the garden. The father returns home be actors in the world, and that our actions should garden for ourselves and the courage to go inside. Seven to find the garden in bloom and his son full of health: He be directed by seeking the good. Selfish motives do is finally able to come to peace with his wife’s death and is not make the world a better place but rather destroy Keys to able to embrace his son with love. our social and physical environment by one small The book became the theme for The Camphill infliction at a time. Learning to act, and to think School’s Gala this year. Its motifs are close to the heart of others when we do so, is practiced in a thousand The Secret of our own mission. There are seven keys to our own ap- ways every day. All of us have our chores to perform, proach to education and healing in the school community, our friends to bring cheer to, and our dreams to Garden and we need each of them to unlock the door to our own build. secret garden. The fifth key is steadfastness, not giving up rances Hodgson Burnett wrote The Secret Garden The first of these keys is the quest for health, and we because the going is tough. This is often the most in 1910. The novel, originally intended for an adult recognize that it is not only our students who need growth visible, the most beautiful and the most moving ex- F audience, has grown in popularity over the years and healing. All of us, whether teachers, therapists, home- perience at Camphill. Our children have incredible and is now regarded as a classic of children’s literature. makers, or children with special needs, must pursue health obstacles to overcome. It is almost unreasonable to The themes of the story are powerful and all point to the and growth. We need physical movement, psychological expect them to surmount the difficulties they face. healing of body, soul, and spirit. Mary, a selfish and isolat- care, and inner nourishment. The school curriculum is But every day they put their best foot forward and ed girl, finds friendship with adults and with a tiny robin food for growth, relationships nourish our soul life, and struggle towards their goals. Our work is to help who leads her to the hiding place of a key which unlocks a the festivals and cultural life bring hydration to thirsty them pick themselves up and dust themselves off secret garden. Colin, a sickly young boy who cannot walk spirits. when they fall. We must be able to do the same for is kept cocooned in the old stately home where his mother The second key is a feeling of responsibility. Each of ourselves if we are to be worthy of their efforts. and father used to live with him. Mr. Craven, Colin’s us is here to make a difference regardless of obstacle or op- The sixth key is gratitude. Sometimes the world father, is travelling and permanently away on business, but portunity. That sense of expectation that we have for one can be overwhelming and the sky seems to be a little is really mourning the death of his wife and cannot bear to another and for our students gives us impetus for getting darker every day. We must remember to notice how be reminded of her by being at home. out of bed and getting to work in the world. Our students incredible life actually is: to be able see beautiful 8 9 The Camphill School / Annual Report / 2018–2019 camphillschool.org Student JP with staff children Aska and Themba celebrating Fasching The United 20+ Colors of Festivals & Camphill Holidays With so many people from various backgrounds of nationalities, ethnici- Our students, staff, faculty, and coworkers hail from ties, and religions, The Camphill School every corner of the world. This diverse group comes community celebrates over twenty together each year to live, learn, and work together. festivals and holidays each year. These This past year, our community members came from holidays provide not only a window twenty-eight different countries, each with their into the diverse cultures and traditions own traditions and customs that are woven into the of our members, but also a predictable, multi-threaded tapestry of our campuses. consistent rhythm for students as we progress through the year. Michaelmas / Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur / Dawali / Halloween / All Soul’s Day / All Saint’s Day / Loi Krathong / Thanksgiving / Hanukkah 82+ St. Nicholas Day / Advent–Christmas Three Kings Day / Candlemas / acres Fasching / Mid-Winter / Chinese New Year / Holi / Passover / Easter / Beaver Run has over 82 acres that St.