“Time is a game played beautifully by children.” – Heraclitus
Aside from the stormy winds that came whirling through our campus a few days ago, Green School community continues to shine on with lots of excitement coming our way. All students are preparing for the Green Ogoh-ogoh parade that will happen next week (March 25th) and the Middle School CORAL Fridays continues to support Bye Bye Plastic Bag team. There will be a special Bye Bye Plastic Bag flash mob happening this Saturday at 4.30 in Tanah Lot area. Check out more details through their brand new website, up and running here.
In other exciting news, Green School students will participate in the Bali Spirit Festival happening this weekend in Ubud. The Green School Choir and Umoja Marimba (aka GS Marimba Band) will perform this evening, while Nasi Campur (GS High School Band) will play an hour set on Saturday night! There will also be a Green School Student-run businesses in the mix. For likely some of the best burritos in Bali head to ‘The Green Burrito’ stand, and next store check ‘Wisdom Tees’ for official-unofficial alternative BSF t-shirts. Find out more about the performances schedules here.
In this issue:
Green School News
- Parent Information and Events Calendar
- From the Head of School
- Lost and Found Display on March 27 and 28
- Counselor’s Note #3
- ‘Nyepi Holy Day’ the Day of Silence marking Balinese New Year
Upcoming Events
- Spirit Week is Next Week!
- Parent Education Offering Next Week
- Green School’s First Annual GREEN Ogoh Ogoh Festival
- Wilderness First Aid Response Course
Ongoing Events
Also in the Green School Community
- Kul-Kul Connection: Green School Housing
- “Essence of Humanity” Documentary Photography Workshop
- Save the Date for the Green Educator Course | May 30 – June 1
- Submitting Newsletter Items
Green School News
Parent Information and Events Calendar
Photo credit: Anastasia Kurokhtina
Parent Information
Weekly Assembly
There will be no weekly assembly next week.
Green School Performances at Bali Spirit Festival
Friday, March 21 2014
07.45 – 08.00pm: The Green School Choir
09.00 – 09.15pm: Umoja Marimba (aka GS Marimba Band)
Saturday, March 22 2014
07.45 – 08.45pm: Nasi Campur (GS High School Band)
Drop by at GS Student-run “The Green Burrito” stand and “Wisdom Tees” booth right next to the main stage sound booth.
Events Calendar
March
March 24-27 : Spirit Week – read more here
March 25 : Parent Education Offering – Modern Yoga
March 26 : International Snack of the Week – United Kingdom
March 27 : Green Ogoh-ogoh Parade
March 28 : No School, Parent – teacher conference
March 29‐April 6 : Mid‐semester break
March 31 : Nyepi – Balinese “Day of Silence”
April
April 7 : School starts
April 11 : GS Family Days – Beach Weekend to Bukit
April 18 : Good Friday
April 25 : Parents Morning
Parent Reminder
- An important reminder to check your lost items at the Welcome Desk. Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of this month. Please read more here.
- To see our latest updated academic calendar, click here.
From the Head of School
Learning is much more than knowing. My Guiding Principles.
I interview lots of people hoping to come to Green School next year – not all will be successful. The focus on learning is key. And it does worry me that many students when asked about learning refer to “knowing information that will make them smarter”. I would like to present my own model of learning – what I term the VAHS model. It is a self-centred model of learning. This outline is something I have been building over many years. Tomorrow’s successful people WILL NOT be those who can just remember things, or those who excel in tests. Our students’ future success is dependent on strengthening positive learning attitudes, habits and skills. These are all based on being engaged in learning. And everything stems from good values – which I refer to as the new 3Rs. These are rooted in a rich, enlightened and diverse community culture. Family – as we see so predominantly in Bali – is the bedrock for establishing important values and expected manners.
This graphic illustration draws our attention to the complexity of learning. Our positive attitudes are consistently being undermined by negative mindsets – for which we must be on the look-out. We can develop, guide and challenge learners to strengthen positive attitudes via a real commitment to outdoor challenges in the experiential frame. This is so important for teenagers. Schools must have programmes that commit to our adolescents discovering a rite of passage. We are already planning for mountain hikes, canyon challenges, obstacle courses akin to the Duke of Ed. programme but referenced as The Green Challenge.
We also know success grows from strong habits of mind. The petals indicate key habits – created by routines and repetition. But we don’t want routines to be boxed in by a ‘classroom’. We are looking to branch out much more broadly next year – and establish smaller ‘learning pods’. These will allow for smaller tutorial groups, greater focus on resourcing and make more of our amazing environment – especially the river areas (where it is cooler in the afternoons). And the pathways to the learning pods will be purposefully designed to be learning journeys – with PH testing stations, bilingual terminology, puzzles and vocabulary stations. Vocabulary is so key to learning – and thinking.
Buzzing around the individual flowers are the pollinators – the subject areas that together define an ‘educated mind’. These are the ‘disciplines’ we integrate throughout our thematic units.
I also believe Green School is in a unique position to adopt and adapt into the ‘academic’ programmes – our proficiency frame – the world’s best practice. We can source the most up-to-date and comprehensive syllabuses from around the world. We will then have a truly rigorous scope and sequence. And into this we can build assessment systems that are formative and support true learning. I have outlined this to staff – and we are onboard for our next exciting stage of development: tackling the proficiency frame with world’s best practice! We can have both experiential, holistic learning and academic rigour – this is the beauty of the Three Frame Learning platform.
The flower metaphor used in the VAHS opens us to consider how we need to blossom in school. School is not an apprenticeship – it is about a person flourishing and finding their calling in life. It does disappointment me when I hear parents and educators commenting that students need to ‘catch up’ because they are ‘falling behind’. When did learning become a race?
A flower’s bloom is savoured because it opens – not because it opens first.
I believe this learning model completes our holistic revolutionary curriculum by complementing the other learning frames developed at Green School. This encompasses the Three Frame Learning (integrated units, proficiency concept-classes, and experiential opportunities to contextualise the abstract). The VAHS model expands on our Big Four focus (interpersonal, intrapersonal, intellectual and physical). Being self-centred (not selfish) personalises the importance for each individual to take responsibility – and the scope defines the qualities needing to be enriched for a learner to find success. Success is defined as someone who has a compelling desire to grow academically, socially, emotionally, physically, creatively and culturally.
I trust these early strategic intentions make you dream with me of the next stage in Green School’s progressive growth. In all these areas, we will continue to require your support. I shall be releasing more of the next stage for public review soon.
How fortunate are our children to be learning at Green School!
Lost and Found Display on March 27 and 28
Last Chance To Claim Lost and Found Items | Unclaimed Items Will Be Donated!
Dear Green School Community,
Our lost and found team have collected many items such as hats, shoes, lunch boxes, water bottles, clothing, etc. Those items were found in mepantigan, warung area, H.O.S and rest room area.
On Thursday, March 27 and Friday, March 28 at 2pm we will begin displaying those items at H.O.S.
This is your last chance to claim your stuff. All unclaimed items will be donated to the new KemBali recycling center. So, please take your time and stop by at H.O.S to check and claim your items.
PS: We have also found several wallets. Please contact Yani at the Welcome Desk to claim them.
Counselor’s Note #3
source: http://www.law.harvard.edu/students/dean/family.jpg
A Parenting Support Group is being offered at Green School! I have received many emails and visits from parents who are seeking help for various behavioural concerns at home. In response, we are so lucky to have Jessica Evans able to offer a support group for parents. Please see the flyer below for more details.
In addition to this there is a parenting workshop being offered online at parentingwithpresence.com! This webinar offers a FREE series of virtual expert mentoring sessions from March 18 – 21 2014.
SUSAN STIFFELMAN hosts guest speakers including JANE GOODALL, Dr. DANIEL SIEGEL, ARIANNA HUFFINGTON and more. This is an excellent opportunity for you all and if you can’t make the sessions online they will be made available at a later date.
Parenting! It seems that as children get bigger, parenting challenges get bigger too.
Parents move through many stages of a child’s development, and it’s clear that difficult phases usually pass but, in the meantime, it can be hard to survive them without support.
What to do?
Come join us for an open support group for parents of children aged 6 – 12 who want to talk, support, advise, or just listen and think about parenting strategies for their family/children.
When?
Tuesday mornings at 8:30! First date is March 25 and will continue after the break on April 8. No need to reserve a space. Just show up!
Where?
Meranggi Bale near heart of school.
With whom?
Jessica Evans, MS
Jessica holds a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelors degree in Economics. She began her career working in financial services and later executive recruiting. After several years, she realized her passion was counseling people and for the past 10 years has worked as a psychotherapist and counselor for individuals, families and groups. She has also led trainings on stress management, women’s empowerment and parenting. She recently completed life-coach training with best selling author and former Harvard professor, Dr. Martha Beck.
‘Nyepi Holy Day’ the Day of Silence marking Balinese New Year
Rahajeng ‘Rahina Nyepi’ Tahun Saka 1936 (Monday March 31st 2014)
The Balinese calendar system ‘Tahun Saka’ is a lunar calendar, based on each of the 12 lunar months that ends on Tilem, or new moon. The Balinese New Year ‘Rahina Nyepi’ falls on the first day of the 10th lunar month ‘sasih kedasa’. It usually falls in March or April when the sun changes its path to move more northward. Tahun Saka is 78 years behind the Gregorian calendar. This year, Balinese celebrate Hari Nyepi Tahun Baru Saka 1936 on Monday, March 31st 2014.
Prior to celebrating the New Year, a number of rituals are conducted:
Friday March 28th 2014 is the day of ‘Melasti ke Segara’
On this important religious day, the Melasti ritual occurs and is a purification ceremony for the macro and microcosm ‘Bhuana Agung and Bhuana Alit’, the ‘Pratima’ holy statues as the sacred symbols of Deities and Ancestors from the temples of each village in Bali are carried to the beach or the holy springs for a symbolic washing.
Sunday March 30th 2014 is Tawur Kesanga
The end of 1935 Saka Year falls on Tilem Kesanga, the New Moon of the Ninth Lunar month. Tawur Kesanga is the Grand Sacrificial or Cleansing ritual to maintain the balance between the Gods, people and their environment which is conducted at noon at the main crossroads in every village. Tawur Kesanga is followed by Balinese New Year’s Eve, when the parade of the OGOH-OGOH occurs at dusk. Ogoh-ogoh are huge papier-mache demons lashed onto bamboo; these are carried boisterously throughout the village by the young men followed by a marching gamelan, bebonangan. A parade of torches accompanies the Ogoh-Ogoh and the community creates a lot of noise by banging on pots and sticks which is intended to wake the demons up; then they are appeased with offerings. The forces of chaos are then satisfied, and they will not bother us on the following day of silence.
In every Balinese household, a mecaru or cleansing ritual for the spirits of chaos is done by the members of the family. Here too noise is made and torches are carried to the far corners of the courtyard to dispel any chaotic spirits who may be lurking around.
Monday March 31st 2014, starting from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 am the following morning (24 hours) is Nyepi Day. No fire may be lit (therefore no cooking or smoking), no work may be done, all forms of entertainment are silent and one must stay inside the house (Catur Brata Penyepian). Even the airport is closed and no planes are allowed to land. New Year’s Day is supposed to be a day of silence, prayer and meditation.
There is no where else in the world where this phenomena occurs.
Upcoming Events
March 24th-27th Spirit Week!
We have a brand new announcement for SPIRIT WEEK!
Green School is in trouble and it needs YOUR help: The Student Council just realized that Green School doesn’t have a mascot yet. We are looking for cool ideas of what it could be. During Spirit Week we will be collecting ideas from all students about what you think the school mascot should be. You can do this through email (studentcouncilhs@greenschool.org) or draw a picture.
What is Spirit Week?
Spirit Week is a week to celebrate the Green School spirit and bring our growing community closer. The High School Student Council is planning a vibrant, energetic spirit week before we all take off on spring break. This means all students and faculty members are encouraged to dress up on the 24th, 25th, 26th, and the 27th of March. A reminder of the days:
Monday will be OUTER SPACE DAY! During lunch time Middle School & High School students are invited to play a game of basketball against Green School staff.
Tuesday is NERD DAY! High school student council will also be hosting a series of tug-of-war games on the field during lunch.
Wednesday is TWIN DAY! At lunch time there will be a lost and found fashion show in the Mepantigan. Be sure to come out and see your teachers strutting their stuff with items from the lost and found. If you see anything that previously belonged to you go up and grab it at the end!
Thursday we will celebrate Nyepi. Put on your beautiful, yet respectable Balinese dress. Activities to be announced by the Nyepi committee.
Parent Education Offering Next Week
Join us next week, March 25, from 9-10am (in the Mepantigan) for a deeper look at modern yoga. Our current era of yoga brings us a smorgasbord of options with different styles, traditions, and effects. In a short discussion on a big topic we will explore the range of options, their characteristics and elucidate the benefits and challenges for individual needs.
Hosted by Founder and director of Radiantly Alive, Daniel Aaron – yogi, writer, chocolatier and human potential coach – directs the Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio and Teacher Training in Bali. He shares his passion for yoga, and how to use it as a potent tool to evoke our highest potential for health and happiness, guiding students to accept themselves fully and challenge their limitations. Mixing a diverse yogic education with dozens of modern masters (Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Iyengar, etc), his own experience of ‘the teachings,’ creativity and spontaneity, Daniel creates classes that are eclectic, fun and inspiring.
Green School’s First Annual GREEN Ogoh Ogoh Festival
Photo credit: Anastasia Kurokhtina
Please mark your calendars for this very special event. Classes have been busy building their unique Green Sculptures and it is time to show them off!
This Thursday, March 27th, directly following lunch, Parents are invited to join their appropriate classrooms. Primary students will present a brief overview about Nyepi to parents inside the classrooms (15 minutes tops).
01:30-01:45 Presentations inside the classrooms (15 minutes tops)
01.45-02.15 Classroom communities will then have a short period of time to get dressed and ready as well as rehearse carrying their Ogoh Ogohs. Parents can learn classroom chants and practice carrying. (1:45- 2:15 preparations).
02:15 We will sound the Kul Kul. THIS IS NOT A FIRE DRILL. This is the sign that it is time to carry your Ogoh Ogoh to the field. BE BIG. CHANT. MAKE MUSIC. SHOW OFF! Find your class sign on the field and park yourselves in front of that sign. (Keep chanting)
When all Ogoh Ogohs are on the field, we will move into the gym (without them) for a short gamelan presentation by 4B and announcing the winners. There will be many prizes and everyone will receive at least one.
From the gym, we will all return to our Ogoh Ogohs and begin the parade around the neighborhood. High School will be first and we will go in order from Oldest to Youngest.
We suggest that Early Years do not come on the parade but stay at the school.
Please make sure that you have enough parent and adult help to carry the sculptures around the block.
Upon our return, Indonesian food will be sold and the Community Gamelon will play for us. Ogoh Ogohs should go back to their spot on the lawn. School is over. Have fun.
Here is a recent post from the Tulisan Blog about Ogoh Ogohs and our efforts: http://tulisan.greenschool.org/2014/03/13/recyclable-monsters/
Wilderness First Aid Response Course
Green School is excited to offer all parents and members of the community – up to a group of 30 people – the opportunity to be qualified in the Wilderness First Aid Response course. This is course will qualify you for three years. The full course is (at this stage) 7 days in duration. It will be run at Green School by the http://www.wfac.com.au/
Location – Green School
Date – April 21-27th 2014.
Course Cost is $880 (full)* and $490 (part) for Re-cert.
Refreshments,lunch and logistics will be provided,
click here for WFR schedule
To reserve your place, please contact max@greenschool.org
Ongoing Events
Weekly Sports Update
BSSA Swimming:
Well done to our swimmers for a great effort in the BSSA swim carnival!
Special well done to Lyyli in Gr10 for her first place finishes!
BSSA Cross Country:
Green School hosts the annual BSSA cross country on Wednesday 23 April.
Practice days are Wednesdays: 26 March, 9 April and 16 April.
3.30-4.30pm. Meet on the field.
Sign up sheets are in the gym! Schools are allowed 4 boys and 4 girls per age group (10/U, 11/12, 13/14, 15+)
Cheers
Pak Colin
Also in Green School Community
Kul-Kul Connection: Green School Housing
Dear Green School Families,
We would like to offer you another online Facebook forum that will be specifically about housing rentals and accommodation here in Bali called the Green School Housing Facebook group.
The purpose of this group is to make life a little easier for Green School families wanting to rent out their beautiful homes. We hope this group will allow for free-flowing and open communication within our GS community, specifically with regards to housing. We also want to support new members of our GS community by answering their inquiries related to moving to Bali on this group.
Please note, Green School is not liable to any of your personal rental agreements nor housing issues that may arise from using this Facebook group. Please be aware that this is an open forum so please use your own discretion in sharing your personal details.
You can request to join the group by clicking Join Group in the top-right corner of the page. You can also join any Open group that you see on the About page of someone’s Timeline by clicking Join. Click here to go to the Green School Housing Facebook Group.
Please contact Emma Titley (emma.titley@greenschool.org) for any questions or concerns!
“Essence of Humanity” Documentary Photography Workshop
The National Geographic inspirational photographer, Sebastian Suki, is going to lead another photography workshop this March 28-30. After a successful workshop on “Above the Clouds”, this workshop will focus its theme on “Essence of Humanity”, where you will learn how to take photograph using natural light, capturing majestic landscapes and document the everyday life of Balinese people.
For more information and a full schedule of the workshop, please email tallersuki@gmail.com. Limited space. No experience required in photography.
Save the Date for the Green Educator Course | May 30 – June 1
Join our next Green Educator Course and enjoy the journey as we walk you through the development of a GS child from Early Years through to High School. Local and international educators are invited to join us for another memorable weekend filled with extraordinary workshops led by Green School’s teachers and our new Head of School, John Stewart. More details about the course and registration will be posted online by next week.
Submitting Newsletter Items
We welcome you to submit your own news updates for our weekly newsletter. To submit, send your news update to communications@greenschool.org by 12 noon each Wednesday. Please follow the instructions below to make it easier for us to publish your news:
1. Please add “NEWSLETTER” in the title of your email.
2. Please write a concise (2 to 6 paragraphs, more or less) blurb describing your news.
3. Please attach a photo that illustrates or accompanies your news.
* We are open to publishing projects connected with Green School, however please be sure to include “Green School” in your title and or the paragraphs below.
** We cannot always guarantee that we will publish your submission and when we do, we may need to edit it a bit before publishing & sometime may need a week or two before we include your article.
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