To this day I learn, unlearn and relearn at Kinma. That’s why I am here. Our staff are learning on a daily basis. And I would venture to say that one component of what draws and keeps them here is that they, along with their students, community and the land of Kinma, bring fresh ways of wondering about the world and living in and with it.
It does, however, require acknowledgement that it is a challenge to share ‘Kinma’. Many families with whom I have dialogued about this since 1999, have felt such joy in finding a place which offers what most people and places talk about. Sometimes, they feel it is so wonderful, that they are uncomfortable to tell others for they are not gifted with such a possibility. Others feel that in trying to share play with sand and words and ideas, community spirit, trust in children, responsibility for, and choice in, learning, that people don’t quite understand how this equates with ‘school’.
When asked to label what we do at Kinma, common terms used are progressive, alternative, liberal, democratic, child-centred. In the 70s, free and open were bandied around to highlight the opposite nature of a Kinma experience to the then mainstream regimented and institutionalised experience away from which many of the parents were moving. Every one of these words could be played with for hours in definition and little agreement would be reached. And that is exactly what happens at many of our gatherings… but then the goal is not the definition, it is an understanding of why we do what we do and how we can do it better.
A funny definition story unravelled at the first ever meeting of AAPAE. Hmmm What is that?
Kinma belongs to ADEC- Australasian Democratic Education Community. This was formerly known as AAPAE – Australasian Association of Progressive and Alternative Schools. Kinma also belongs to IDEC (International Democratic Education Conference). Together with other schools who practice by prioritising learning for children in community, these organisations aim to bring similarly minded educators, students and their families together to share philosophy and practice. One of our members is Sir Ken Robinson - keynote speaker at 2014 conference.
Some 15 years ago, at the inaugural Australasian gathering (international body had started in 1991), we spent much of the conference trying to reach consensus on the above labels to form a title for the organisation we were trying to build to represent who we were. The passions flowed thick and strong with people trying to defend their idea until we all realised that we were behaving exactly like a group of children at a school meeting who desperately wanted to ‘action an event’ but were at odds as to how to do it. We all were in agreement on the action- an umbrella community in which we could all learn from one another. Our debate was around what to call this community.
I recall so vividly being enmeshed in whether democratic was appropriate and we decided that it was not so it was left out of the label and progressive and alternative were included instead. I smile now, after the title was amended recently, also following a similar session to reinclude the democratic.
I have been looking into Lynn Stoddard’s work and his use of EFHG as a different label. Let me whet your appetite for next week’s newsletter piece, where he introduces the 7 I( capital I)s as the defining focus.. It has brought some real clarity for me.
Till next time, democratically positioned , progressively yours, in alternative spirits.
- Julie G, Educational Co-Ordinator
Open Days
We are unable to offer visits at this time, pleast watch this space for further information.
When we are open again, we invite you to join us on our next Open event, hear how our dynamic, progressive, independent school works, and tour our beautiful Primary and Preschool, set in the bush on 5 acres of land. See how we offer a unique child-centred education for preschool and primary school aged children, which includes violin, French, basketball, bush walking, and much more. Morning Tea will be provided over Q&A after the tour. To book in call 9450 0738.
Preschool Open Day *Postponed*
We invite you to join us, hear about 'A day in the life of a Kinma Preschooler', meet staff, tour Preschool, hear about our play-based, child-centred curriculum and how it takes place in a challenging, nurturing and exciting learning environment. Learn more about how play and imagination are integral to our education approach, where children can choose to participate in a wide range of activities during the preschool day. To book call 9450 0738.
If you’re not able to join us for one of our open events, we invite you to join us for a tour of the school.
You will have the opportunity to look around the Preschool and have an informal chat to answer all your questions, as well as meet the teachers and staff.
Please check our calendar for upcoming tour dates. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 02 9450 0738 to book in.
127 Coolowie Rd,
Terrey Hills NSW 2084
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Primary: +61 2 9450 0738
Preschool: +61 2 9486 3018
Email Kinma