Inclusiveness at Kindlehill is the practical, everyday process of including every child and young person, whatever their needs, in a life-imbued education. By learning alongside others with different needs and challenges, strengths and skills, children and young people have the opportunity to build skills in constructive and creative interactions. This is beneficial for all. Together we learn to appreciate diversity and the gifts it brings; we develop resilience, compassion, flexibility and tolerance. What better skills could we hope the adults of the future to have?
Within their classrooms, the teachers are bringing their focus to how they can continue to foster and celebrate inclusiveness. The teachers are responsible for upholding the value of inclusiveness within the classroom. The teacher models inclusive behaviour and language. They maintain a mood of kindness and helpfulness and use lesson content to celebrate diversity. Teachers look at how they can support each individual to shine. Whatever their skills, every student has the right to participate in every area of the curriculum, at a level at which they can experience success and challenge. At Kindlehill everyone has a part in plays, singing and music performances!
Teachers are continuing to better their understanding of the diverse needs of students by attending training, seeking specialist advice and pursuing independent research. At teacher meetings, they share experiences and understanding about how they can best support the children and young people in their care.
In the playground teachers encourage co-operative and inclusive games. If they rules don’t work for everyone, then the rules need to be changed! Three new pieces of equipment have been installed: the pod swing, rodeo board and outdoor marimba. The teachers have commented on how successful they are in creating inclusive play. They are certainly all very popular with all of the students! The gardens, sandpits and creative landscaping all provide a rich sensory environment for everyone.
The teachers invite parents and caregivers to be partners with them in creating supporting an inclusive ethos. For example in the primary school parents and caregivers are encouraged to foster social interactions between classmates outside school hours. The class community is akin to a family where each member is valued and supported. By inviting children with different needs and challenges into their home, families can support their children’s blossoming social skills. In the high school, young people grow in their understanding of respectful relationships through the rich opportunities and challenges within the curriculum as well as working together to maintain the school’s Positive Behaviour Code of Conduct. Together we build community as we teach our children how to live and learn alongside each other in harmony.
To help support this focus on inclusivity, a number of talks and workshops have been organised for parents and caregivers.
Heralding these are two events on Harmony Day, coming up soon on 21st March:
Harmony Day is a time to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness within our community. We warmly welcome parents to attend. First up will be music and song from each of the classes. All children will be performing and the theme of course will be celebrating difference! In the process of collaborative creation, is a whole school song celebrating inclusiveness. Be there to hear its first live performance!
After morning tea there will be games and co-operative challenges for the children. The teachers would love to have volunteers for this part of the day. Let your class teacher or class co-ordinator know if you can help set up and participate in some creative fun and challenging games.
Timetable:
9:15-10:30 Music and Songs in the Performance Space
11:00-12:30: outdoor games and challenges
“The Gift of Inclusiveness” A talk by Patrick McDonald and Liz Hamilton – 7pm 21st March in Pippita’s Classroom
Patrick McDonald and Liz Hamilton had a long-term association with Warrah Special School; Patrick as CEO and Liz as a teacher. They bring warmth and enthusiasm to topic of inclusive education based on their years of hands on experience. With Kindlehill’s focus on inclusivity, this is a talk not to be missed by any parent. There will be question and answer time afterwards as well as a light supper.
Kindlehill School is a K-10 Steiner School that sits on a hill above the Wentworth Falls Lake, in the Blue Mountains, NSW. We are an independant school working creatively and in a contemporary way, out of the foundation of Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy for education.
