Today my five year old chaired a democratic meeting. It wasn't the most orderly meeting we've ever had (and we've had some pretty disorderly meetings in the last month) but she did it, it worked and we made some decisions.
Hanging out
She also climbed trees, got into a fight over fairy dust (ash) and played lots and lots of tag; but as a group they're starting to understand the power they have in this embryonic democracy. It's pretty wonderful to watch.
Emma
We've just completed our first fortnight in The Garden. The inaugural week was full of challenges, such as not yet having a stove (brrr!) or a functioning a compost loo and discovering all the places that the yurt wasn't quite watertight. Fortunately the weather was mostly kind to us and the children were too excited to care.
Joseph and Allen working on a catapult
By the second week we were starting to get to grips with the practical issues and other sorts of challenges were presenting themselves. Our facilitator Jamie spent a lot of time getting know and connecting with the children and he has written some lovely reflections on the process here.
Wild garlic harvesting by Hetty
We were lucky to have mostly cold, bright and dry weather and The Netherways site offered up a treasure trove of intrigue, including icy ponds, an abundance of wild garlic, frozen (thawing) worms, and dozens of toads and their spawn in the larger pond. Den-building, tree-climbing, drawing, catapult design, ice-breaking (both literal and metaphorical), and lots and lots of tag were all popular activities chosen by The Gardeners. We even had some Japanese lessons, courtesy of our visitors Simon and Allen from a democratic school in Okinawa, Japan.
Yet another game of tag in the yurt
It's been a glorious and exhausting couple of weeks. It's heartening to hear the children say they want to come back every day, though for now three days a week definitely feels like enough! Looking forward to Tuesday already.
Emma
Spring is especially springy this week in The Garden as our larger pond has been colonised by an astonishing number of frogs.
Can you see the frog in the reeds?
As we approach the pond it looks like it's boiling as they all dive under in case we have any frog-eating plans.
Beautiful frog spawn
Jamie reading some Gardeners a fairy tale
It's been an amazing week. Not without challenge or doubt but with lots of fun, joy and affirmation.
Many, many thanks to everyone who made this week possible. You all know who you are!
Emma
We did it. The day has finally arrived. The stove isn't in the yurt and the compost loo won't be usable until later in the week but we can work around that. Huge thanks to everyone who has helped us to get here!
Thanks to the wonderful work of St Werburgh's local Biggles the yurt is back!
Frosty valley
Fire pit in the winter sunshine
Jamie preparing for the arrivals
Emma's relief that the yurt is actually ready!
The core team got together today to get some thinking and deciding under way.
Jamie, Carol and Jessie
With just over two weeks to go there's lots of practical and organisational work but also ensuring we have good frameworks for decision-making and communicating.
Jessie and Jamie
It's been great to have Jamie's facilitation skills on board to get the project off the ground.
We spent last weekend putting up the yurt at last, so here are a few pictures.
I think the door might still have been upside down at this point.
This all took much longer than we expected.
And now to make it cosy and welcoming 😊
The Garden is looking to hire a facilitator to work with a mixed age group of children aged roughly 5-12 years in an outdoor setting in the new year in St Werburghs, Bristol. The position is approximately 21 hours per week over three days. The level of pay is to be negotiable and dependent on experience but competitive.
What is The Garden?
The Garden is a new alternative education project that came from but is not exclusive to the home education community in Bristol. Our vision is for a self-directed, play-based space where children can decide how they spend their time and learn to build and maintain a community. Although there is a small indoor space, the setting is largely outdoors in a mainly wooded area.
Our values:
Job description
The facilitator will mainly be responsible for the pastoral care of the children.
Duties
Person specification
We are looking for someone who understands our vision and who feels their values are at least compatible with ours.
Essential qualities:
Desirable qualities:
This is an especially exciting opportunity as we’re looking for someone to be involved with developing and shaping this project, as part of a network of similar settings and a growing worldwide movement of alternative education.
How to apply
To apply please send a CV and covering letter to thegardenbristol@gmail.com by 15th December 2015.
The Garden is an alternative education project in Bristol, UK.
