'Bridging the Gap'
The Autumn Term 2011
The orange leaves in the park have all fallen down,
been stomped around in and thrown in the air,
The first section of a timber framed craft shelter has been built, stones have been carved,
willow woven, imaginations sparked, connections formed and friendships forged.
'Bridging the Gap' is building its identity and gaining momentum.
The 'Centre for Science and Arts' building echoes after a rich first term of idea weaving, creativity, deep discussion and inspiring learnings.
The term began with the laying out of intentions. Using creative meeting processes, the students and tutors co created a 'Statement of intent' or 'Manifesto' laying out the principles and ways we wanted our learning environment to function and be founded on.
These intentions included the shaping of a learning environment where mutual respect and freedom of expression are foundational.
During the first half term we spent most of our days up at Hawkwood college. Hawkwood College is an adult learning centre who are kindly allowing us to use a small piece of land on the edge of their forest.
When we arrived at our new site on the first day of term, we had to machete our way through stinging nettle and bramble jungles just to make space for our fire circle. Quickly though, log benches were put together and a wholesome soup was bubbling away.
As the site was cleared, conversation and snippets of song carried around in the wood-smoke filled sunshine. We built a willow bender as a rain shelter which we called the 'Jelly fish' and soon began to feel at home.
Destruction and creation filled the next few weeks of college. The previous cow byre barn was destroyed. With a loud bang and cheer it fell down aided by a work force of 14 yellow hard hatted teenagers.
Meanwhile benches for stone carving were built and soon a shed was filled with tap tap tool tapping as limestone blocks began to take shape into art-pieces.
Lunches were cooked on open fires, bats observed hanging in tool sheds, ladybird nests found on corrugated iron sheets, field games played at lunch time – it seemed that everyone was enjoying their education.
After half term as the days closed in and chilly-finger mornings became commonplace, we migrated indoors to the 'Centre for Science and Arts'. Here we began storytelling where languages were made up, dragons were imagined and brave nights married ugly hags.
In creative writing, life’s big questions were explored and the students scribbled stories and rhymes alone and in groups.
The history of the evolution of consciousness, of the slave trade, of our relationships between our pleasure and our pain (how we might enjoy chocolate but how its production might cause pain to other humans) were key aspects of the humanities classes.
Improvisation and drama including playing in the landscape expanded freedom of expression allowing spontaneity and creativity to grow amongst the students.
Friday mornings were about reflecting, looking at who we are as young people in the context of a changing World, Where are we going and how are we going to get there?
During these mornings we did activities that connected individuals to themselves, to each other and to the natural world. We shared our stories, challenges and triumphs as well as learning tools for personal reflection and for group facilitation.
One highlight of the term as the 'World Café' that we put on for the local community. The focus of this gathering was the 'Emergent Global Change Consciousness' that is evident throughout the world in many forms including the 'Occupy' movement.
Our intention was to hold a space for a diverse, inter-generational group of people to come together to discuss, share and envision the changes that are happening and that we want to see happening in the World. The event was a success with 30 people of all ages and backgrounds attending.
We will be holding another 'World Cafe' on January the 27th where we intend to invite an even more diverse group of guests including local councillors and government.
In the new year we look forward to digging into learning about Biodynamic Farming, cooking up a drama production, getting active in the woods and mountains in sport and learning to make stained glass windows.
Gratitude to all students and family members, tutors, friends, collaborators and other interested folk. You are part of shaping and making 'Bridging the Gap' into an Education Centre and Culture where the students actually want to wake up to go to college (well most) and where none want to leave at the end of the day.
By Amelia Parisian - who looks forward to going to work on Monday mornings.
(Tutor, Mentor)