Thursday, April 19, 2007


From the Biodynamic Association in Ireland:
Dear all; In June 2006, Nikolai Fuchs (our co-ordinator for the lobby work in Brussels) presented us with the work of the newly started initiative ELIANT (European Alliance of Initiatives for Applied Anthroposophy).Now ELIANT is collecting 1 million signatures to secure legal safeguards for anthroposophic medicine, biodynamic (Demeter) foods, Waldorf education and other initiatives of applied anthroposophy.The board of Demeter International kindly asks you to help this initiative with your vote. More information and online voting is possible at www.eliant.eu (click on the right for your language). Please distribute this information to as many people as possible. Non EU nationals can support this initiative too! Deadline is 15th July 2007. Thank you for your support.
Anja Terpstra, Administrator
On behalf of Demeter International and Demeter Standards Limited
Biodynamic Agricultural Association in Ireland, Watergarden, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny
Tel./ Fax. 056-7754214 Email
bdaai@indigo.ie


Tuesday, April 17, 2007

The Alfa Project, Active Learning for Adolescents

The Alfa Project has been successfully educating teenagers aged 13 – 16 for the past 5 years. In this time Alfa has become an accepted alternative to state education for those young people who want it in our East County Clare area. Alfa provides a three year integrated curriculum covering the sciences, arts, languages, crafts and physical education arranged in project blocks (main lesson) of 3 or 4 weeks. Each project block links in with the rest of the curriculum in a unique way and includes an artistic and practical dimension whether it is Mathematics or History or any of the other subjects. This approach works with teenagers because it allows them to be creative, ask and answer questions and find their own relationship to the subject. The Alfa Project has developed to provide an alternative approach to exam led education especially for those students who find mainstream secondary education does not meet their needs. The students are in classes of 15 students and therefore a practical hands-on element can be brought into each lesson. It is clear to us that young people are born into and are growing up in a very different world to the one we grew up in 30 or 40 years ago. They are acutely aware of the environmental and ecological challenges facing them in the future; they also have a global consciousness that reaches out to others across the world. The future is unpredictable, therefore we have to educate young people for the world of tomorrow, not today or yesterday, so they can become active shapers of the future. This is why Alfa emphasises developing the capacities of the students over filling them with information. Capacities such as social ability, to be able to work with others and to reach out to those in need; judgement, to be able to think clearly and discern truth from lies; confidence, to be themselves, to take initiative and act responsibly when needed; global consciousness, to be aware of the connection between themselves and their actions and the needs of the earth, the environment, all fellow human beings and living things.
Alfa is run by a core group of committed parents and teachers, some are parents whose children have been in Alfa and moved on, some whose children are in the present group of 15 students. Over the seven years of setting up and running Alfa the Management Committee, Working Group members and Directors of the Company have gained a wealth of experience in effective management of Alfa, providing the education and working with teenagers.
Alfa intends to expand to 45 students in three classes over the next five years. In order to facilitate this growth Alfa needs to purchase land and build its own workshops and classrooms. Our plans are to build low tech, sustainable, energy efficient buildings involving the students where possible, with enough outside space to build outdoor projects, create
gardens etc. Help with this would be greatly appreciated. We have a
comprehensive Project Plan available which can be requested from info@alfaproject.org or 061 640798. Our website is
www.alfaproject.org

""

Friday, April 06, 2007


Eurythmy Events: We are glad to report more eurythmy events in Ireland. Don't miss them!

Zagreb Eurythmy Ensemble "Iona"
This group from Croatia has been working on the theme of
"The Counter-Image of the Second Coming"
The programme includes works by W.B. Yeats, Fiona McLoud, and other modern writers and composers
Ballytobin Camphill Community, Co Kilkenny - Sat 28 Apr
Duffcarrig Camphill Community Co Wexford - Tue 01 May


“The Harbouring Silence”
Botton Eurythmy present a programme of contemporary music and poetry reflected in the mirror of their inspiration from the past.
Glencraig Camphill Community, Co Down - Sun 6 May
Mourne Grange Camphill Community Co Down - Tue 8 May
Ballytobin Camphill Community, Co Kilkenny - Thu 10 May
Duffcarrig Camphill Community Co Wexford - Fri 11 May

From June 15th to 30th The Pennsylvania USA Eurythmy Ensemble Tour Ireland the UK with their Evening Program “Tides Turning”. Also, they will perform pieces for schools.Dates and details to follow
For more information on any of these events go to the Eurythmy Ireland site: www.eurythmyireland.org
Irish Steiner Teacher Training Presents:
Easter Break Short Courses, Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 April, 2007
At Raheen Wood School, Tuamgraney, County Clare
11:30 am - 1 pm each day: The Healing Art of Storytelling with Nancy Mellon
Nancy Mellon has developed a practical, spiritually oriented approach to personal development through the art of storytelling. Participants will heighten their ability to create stories of a healing nature. This course is designed for caring professionals, parents, teachers and artists. Nancy is a writer, therapist and teacher who lives in the United States. She is the author of Storytelling and the Art of the Imagination and Storytelling with Children.
2:15 pm - 3:45 each day: The History of Artistic Expression: an Evolution of Consciousness with Dick Bruin. Dick Bruin will present a mix of lecture and drawing workshops, looking at examples of architecture and visual arts from Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Early Christian, Renaissance, and the Modern eras. Paper supplied. Bring coloured pencils and block crayons
Dick is an artist and visiting teacher from Holland, and the co-author of Painting in Waldorf Schools”.
Pre-booking essential. Cost - one workshop - €45, both workshops - €75.
Delicious vegetarian lunch available €8 (advanced notice required)
To register, please contact Jonathan Angus, Tel: 061 926 889
~~~~~~~~~
Book Launch:
“Into the Further Reaches - An anthology of contemporary British poetry celebrating the spiritual journey”
edited by Jay Ramsay
PS Avalon Publishing isbn 978-0-9552786-1-7; £15 sterling
This large format, beautifully designed 252 page anthology contains the work of 64 leading poets rooted in the Romantic and visionary tradition inviting you to awaken to your own inner spiritual connection at this time of global transition.
Available from www.psavalon.com or from www.amazon.co.uk
or in Ireland, available from Ruth Marshall at
networkholistic@eircom.net
Cost €27 incl P&P.
“To take a step beyond ‚ this is what this exciting new anthology of Contemporary British Poetry invites you to do at this time of transition. Rooted in the Romantic and visionary tradition, these 64 poets form part of a powerful vanguard that is alive and well (and mature) outside of the accepted mainstream. These poets are alive on the page and in the mouth ‚ intelligent, committed, colourful, spiritually conscious and awake to the edges of things in the clear seeing that poetry requires. Above all, this is a poetry book for travellers re-negotiating the shape of our lives as we reach the end of time, with all it means to be here and in service of the Divine.”

Monday, April 02, 2007



This school, nestled in one of the oldest woods in County Clare, is celebrating its 21st birthday in June this year and we urge everyone to keep checking the website for details of the celebration. Another event for your calendar: The lively Spring Fair and Open House is on April 28th. Attend if you can! The Raheen Wood School is presently searching for a sixth grade teacher, who is willing to commit for two years. If you know of anyone, please contact Nell Smyth at her email address: penelopesmyth@gmail.com