News
IS BEING ‘INCLUDED’ REALLY BEING EXCLUDED?
Rohan came to Camphill School Aberdeen, an independent day and residential school, a few years ago. His family was close to breaking point. Rohan was ‘attending’ his local school but was more ‘excluded’ than ‘included’. He was socially isolated, having no friends at school or in his local community. In short the family was in crisis.
As a last resort and after much pressure from his family, the Social Work Department referred him to Camphill as a weekly boarder.
The transformation has been unbelievable, as his key worker explains:
“He came to us socially isolated, insecure, with no confidence and with very low self esteem. Now he is the centre of our house community. He has a circle of friends both in school and in the community to whom he relates. He has a girlfriend. He participates in a wide variety of activities and is thriving. His self confidence knows no bounds. Last term at our open stage night, he ‘played guitar’ and sung a duet with one of our coworkers.
"His programme is set up so he succeeds. It is a ‘strength-based’ programme, building on what he can do. His circle of friends includes all types - those with physical disabilities and those who are more capable than he. He has represented the school at a regional swimming gala and won medals. He has grown responsible not only for himself but for his surroundings as well. He has become a ‘citizen of the world’. To us he brings the gift of laughter, of joy, of spontaneity.
"Basically he has been given his life back, as has his family who now, relieved from the stress of a having a ‘problem’ child, can return to some kind of normality.
"They have moved from needing, for their own sanity, to ‘send him away’ with all the guilt feelings that accompany this, to being ready and proud to have him live at home again.”
What is the message in this story?
"Inclusion is an attitude not an activity," says Laurence Alfred, a coordinator at Camphill School Aberdeen. "Yes, technically Rohan was included, but the reality was so very different. Nobody wanted to play with him, no-one had time to teach him, no-one invited him home for their birthday party, and no-one attended his.
"The family were ‘included’ in their local community, but they were in crisis; not many want to visit a family in crisis or know how to behave in such a situation.
"Why does it take so long to understand this? Why do so many families have to suffer before help is offered? Why is residential schooling the last option?
"Residential schooling can offer true inclusion where everyone is valued and recognised as having something to offer. Let us promote inter-dependence rather than independence and loneliness. Let us share the care. Let us celebrate our differences.
"The person with Down’s has a very special contribution to make to the world just now when everything is becoming more mechanical, automated and inhuman. The person with Down’s greatest gift is their humanity, just the medicine our world needs today."
Recent News!!
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award
10 pupils from Class 10 will receive their ‘Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award’ at the school festival on Friday 30 March.
Outreach
Birgit Hansen has been in Russia observing some ‘special needs’ teaching. She was observing former students who she taught previously in relation to how to adapt the Waldorf Curriculum for children and young people with additional support needs, in the Ita Wegman course at Moscow University. She was in two schools and worked with the teachers in the evenings and weekend.
Bernhard Menzinger has been to Lebanon to open a conference on special needs and autism run by an American university.
Manuela Costa and Chris Walter have been and are delivering workshops in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow as part of a seminar on : The challenges of leadership : improving outcomes for our looked after children and young people. The seminar is organised by the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland. The seminar is for managers, workers with supervisory responsibilities and other individuals who hold formal or informal leadership positions. Their workshop is entitled: “Leadership at Camphill School Aberdeen.”
Ian Futter gave a 15-minute illustrated presentation of the Camphill garden at the Trellis (Therapeutic Horticulture) Conference in Perth on 15 March.
Nature Nurture
Nature Nurture worked for the first time with very young children aged 18 months and older, with funding provided by the Camphill Wellbeing Trust. Next term they will have their first local authority funded group through the Aberdeenshire Drugs and Alcohol partnership. We are hoping this will be the catalyst for more state-supported groups as the Government’s own documents state that £1 spent in early intervention saves £9 later in life. Meanwhile on 27 March, Nature Nurture, in conjunction with the Camphill Wellbeing Trust, launched a large fundraising effort.
Bristow Helicopters' News Release
Employees from Bristow Helicopters Limited spent Wednesday 14 March volunteering at Camphill School Aberdeen as part of the company’s Uplift initiative, a social responsibility programme aimed at making positive changes in the communities where Bristow operates.
Employees from Bristow’s Aberdeen base helped paint the school’s benches and main workshop, whilst interacting with those who live and work in the community.
The volunteers also had the chance to take part in a private art lesson conducted by the school, allowing them to understand the benefits of the school, as well as creating a large mural which will be hung at Bristow’s Dyce premises for the whole office to enjoy.
The team volunteered as part of the Bristow Uplift Month, an initiative where Bristow employees donate their time and services to contribute to and enhance the local communities where they live and work. Similar efforts will occur to support and make a positive difference to communities across the world where Bristow has a presence.
Ellie Runciman, HR Manager, Global Centralised Operations, at Bristow Helicopters Limited, said: “It has been a privilege for us to work with Camphill School Aberdeen and its residents, particularly as they support young people in such an inclusive and unique way.
“Whilst we enjoyed painting the workshops and benches, being able to take part in our very own art lesson was a fantastic experience, and provided the team with a real insight into the valuable work carried out by staff at the school.
“Our employees are now looking forward to other worthwhile projects that they can get involved in with Bristow Uplift’s support.”
Laurence Alfred, a co-ordinator at Camphill School Aberdeen, commented:
“It has been tremendous to have the enthusiastic team from Bristow Helicopters here today. Their support is most welcome and comes at a time when – in common with so many charities – we face considerable challenges.
“The emphasis at Camphill School Aberdeen is on mutual care and respect. Everyone contributes to the life of the school to the extent of their abilities. It has been great to see the team from Bristow Helicopters join in with that spirit.”
Visitors to Camphill School Aberdeen during the Spring Term
Patricia Cassidy, Head of Education for Aberdeen City Council
Jim Kiddie, Convenor of Aberdeen City Social Work Committee
Geraldine Docherty, Director of the Scottish Social Services Council
'Rag Bag' Donation
By using the textile and shoe recycling scheme, 'Rag Bag', our last collection (250 kg) generated a further £125 which will go towards the new workshop building in Hermanus Camphill School in South Africa.
Eco Committee News
This term the Eco Committee of the School has taken a leap forward and organised a litter-picking day along the old railway line between Murtle and Camphill. Those on the walk, which included members of the St Machar Rotary Club, collected 53 kilos of litter and other rubbish and raised £110 for Hermanus Camphill School in South Africa. It was a wonderful community event and one which has brought us closer to the Green Flag award. The Committee has also written an ‘eco code’ which the whole school has adopted.
Eco code:
1. Look back into the room you left - Iight without use is an engage theft!
2. lf it isn't far - take a bike or walk and Ieave your car!
3. lf you do your shopping - take a bag along to carry it in.
4. Don't throw away - recycle for another day.
5. When you refuse to reuse - it's the earth you abuse.
6. Pollution isn't cool - so don't be a fool.
7. Window open - heater off!
8. If out - switch out
9. Stop the drip - to save the drop
10. Don't let the water run in the sink - our lives are on the brink
Education Scotland/Care Inspectorate Report underlines "sector-leading" standards at Camphill School Aberdeen
Camphill School Aberdeen has been recognised as achieving “outstanding, sector-leading” standards in a report by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.
Reporting on Camphill School Aberdeen, the inspection team say: “The school’s ethos is outstanding and the levels of pastoral care of the children and their families are very high.”
The report evaluates eight aspects of the school and ranks three as “excellent”, signifying “outstanding, sector leading” standards. The remaining five are graded “very good”.
This new report comes just months after Camphill School Aberdeen received a glowing report as the only school in Aberdeen to hold the internationally-recognised Autism Accreditation.
Laurence Alfred, a co-ordinator at Camphill School Aberdeen, commented:
“The report is tremendously encouraging for everyone at the school. It comes at a time when – in common with so many charities – we face considerable challenges.
“The report talks about how the children and young people are actively involved in their own learning. This is one of the key aspects of Camphill School Aberdeen, which operates as a school community.
“Our emphasis is on mutual care and respect. Everyone contributes to the life of the school to the extent of their abilities. So, this very positive report really does reflect the combined efforts of staff, volunteers, the young people themselves and their parents.
“We are eager to build on this success and to work with local authorities to find ways that can make this quality of provision more accessible to individuals and families who need it.”
Karen Johnston, from the Camphill School Aberdeen parents’ group, commented:
“I’m delighted to see the school receive such a positive report. One of the points it makes is that parents express very high levels of satisfaction with the school and kindergarten. As one of our parents has commented, this is a school that really understands the concept of a partnership with parents.
“Our son is a very happy teenager with an active social life, surrounded by people who treat him with dignity and respect; we have Camphill to thank for that.
“Camphill may have been around for 70 years but their ideas still hold very true. As this report suggests, they are sector leaders.”
Annual Report
This year’s annual report in its new handier format is now available. It is packed with stories of interest and well worth a read. You can request a copy from the Camphill School office or download it: Annual Report 2010-2011 (PDF).
Autistic Society Accreditation achieved again - Parents 100% satisfied
Following a review of the service provided by Camphill School Aberdeen, we have again been accredited by the National Autistic Society and remain the only school in Aberdeen to have achieved this accolade. In one of the surveys conducted during the review, 100% of parents were satisfied or more than satisfied with the service their children received.
Autism Accreditation Review Report 2011
Respite Offered
Respite is now offered to all Camphill School pupils as well as non-Camphill School pupils throughout the school holidays. Application for this can be made via the School office on 01224 867935 or j.ferries@crss.org.uk
Camphill School Aberdeen Now Open 52 Weeks a Year
Following requests to be open the whole year through, we now operate and are open for business a full 52 weeks a year. This has resulted in children and young people being referred to Camphill from Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as more locally.
