In my previous blog, I asked a number of questions about why the High school had to close. I was booked for some last main lesson work at Imhoff in November when the school was due to close, so I was in good position to try to evaluate what was and had happened. So this is a kind of report of how I experienced the last days.
The first thing I found was that the entrance to the High school was closed and a new one opened in the fence further up, but there was no sign pointing to where one should go. this did not bode well. I parked in the street, the only place to park, and went in to organise my first lesson.
Fortunately, as I entered the school grounds, everything was still as beautiful as I left it last year, thanks to the ever vigilant Lulumile, our wonderful gardener, handyman and security guard. We would always compete as to who would be at school first, and it was never me. He excitedly showed me that the climbing heritage rose I had donated to the school and he had nurtured, was at last clambering all over the pagoda.
The council had screened off the area they needed to build the Fire station. To my surprise, the only rooms that were taken over was the library, two storage rooms and ONE toilet. This was odd for me, as the reason given as to why the High school had to let their last matrics go was that the matric classroom and safe would be taken over by the new fire station. This was obviously not the case..only the toilet used by the matrics was taken. (How difficult is it to build a new toilet, hire it or replace it with the compost toilet that was not used at the primary school.?).
I was also surprised to see that the school was still thriving. Despite the fact that class 11 had now been disbanded to Constantia and class 10 was very depleted in number, class 8 and 9 were active, full of beans, large classes and working hard. More children than we ever had at the beginning of the High school and I even discovered that there were more than a class full of applications for class 8 for next year. More than anyone could hope for if starting a new school. So I was really questioning the wisdom of the High schools closure. I also found out that, despite the belief, Solole was still available as a venue for next year, and the High school could certainly have continued for another year.
But what had changed is the attitude of the High school teachers to the College and the Board, and vice versa. I noticed this when the co-ordinator blocked the High school teachers from accessing her, there was veritable jubilation from the High school teachers..I realised then that there was a lot of bitterness towards the College. I also found that the teachers were told that their Emails would be blocked at the end of term. Of course this is natural in any redundancy situation, but It was the fact that it was stated so early on before the end of the year that was concerning. (I was also told to remove the fact that I was teaching at Imhoff from my facebook page by the chairperson of the college, who was obviously unaware that I was still teaching there!). To me these were bullying tactics that were uncalled for have a place in the kindergarten of another type of school. Whatever it did, it left a bad taste in the mouth.
So I still sat with my million questions. I spent my time trying to find out what had happened, as I had left a thriving space a year ago. In all cases I found the answer coming back to a financial decision taken by one parent. A parent who had never set foot inside the High school but only saw figures on a sheet. I tried to get some answers, but found that the teachers were as puzzled as I.
I met some of these bystanders of this decision by synchronicity a couple of times in odd places, Primary school parents who were members of the Board and collge members who taught in the primary school. They know who they are. I didnt say much but each one of them felt the need to conveyed their sadness at the decision, yet each one of them were people who had decided. Only one said that she was glad she made that decision, although I didnt ask, and I felt she protested too much. I still wonder if any of them thought there was another way, and I realised that few of them had even been to the High school. To them the high school was just figures on paper waved under their noses.
Right at the end of the last week, the High school called a meeting with the college to get some answers .. unfortunately too late for any back track. (This should have been done long ago and called by the college. )This was a very emotional meeting. The College assured the teachers that they had been against the closure at all times. For me that was even more puzzling, as the school is supposed to be run by the College not the Board. It is the role of the Board to support the teachers decisions, not the other way around. It can never be one person who decides in a Waldorf school, so how did that happen?
They did however, admit that in a number of cases (and some of the most crucial decisions) the High school was not consulted. I am sure this is why there remains such resentment from the High school teachers and parents. I remember a previous time, ironically also on the same bursars watch, where teachers were made redundant by closing, in this case, a kindergarten class. This was done very differently, where the teachers were consulted a lot more. Resentment was a lot less. A different college then? What was the same was the fact that much money went into employing peripheral people (secretaries, PRO people etc) rather than in the core of teaching. The school remains so, with too many cooks, while teachers are stretched beyond their means. What was one job as Bursar/ bookkeeper/PRO/enrolment secretary/receptionist/ co-ordinator a few years ago is now 8: two secretaries, enrolment secretary, fundraiser, PRO, bursar, bookkeeper, and a co-ordinator to keep it all together ostensibly (more than teachers in the primary school)..all with fairly fat salaries, and not many more students than then to support the burgeoning administration. I notice none of these lost their jobs. why was this not looked at if finance was an issue?
The High school teachers, however never lost heart. Like good parents, they never let their negative feelings spill out to the students, keeping the ball more than rolling right up to the end..Janis with the eights doing a mini Shakespeare play to everyones delight, bringing in some wonderful drumming with Tim Ramsden
, Charisse and Kath running a mini Parsival journey and presentation. Tracey putting together a last newsletter without bias, despite the college wanting to censor it before publishing. I am likely the only one who feels that the truth needs to be told, and even I have left out a lot (some of it quite damning), for the sake of the people involved, but then I am outside this tragedy. Charisse has, regretfully, taken her children out of the primary school, but Janis and Tracey are still there despite all. Phumeza has decided to remove herself completely from the school despite being offered a job in the primary. The reasons are not necessarily to do with transport.
The last assembly had everyone in tears saying what they loved about the school..and there was a lot..it really made you wonder, when there was so much of value there.
Ironically, one of the long time parents, who started a small homeschool in their house have committed themselves to taking on the entire class 8 and employing Kath to hold them. If they saw potential, why could the school not? (They have even less space and resources than the school.)
And then everything was packed up or thrown out..left to the vultures to pick over. So much was donated to the school by parents and teachers that made it what it was. I recognised my whole house that I donated. Ironically again, the school kept only what it paid for, which was essentially, desks, chairs and boards…the rest were donations…so much for the support of the High school by the rest of the school. In reality not that much.
The High school was essentially developed and sustained by parents, the High school teachers and the will and energy of the students., but it was governed by people who had no real connection to it. It would have had more chance if it was independent of the primary school. It was fully registered as an entity…here the primary rode on the backs of the High school, as it is still not registered. I can think of many ways the High school could have been saved but NEVER with the governance it had. Much of my stress while I was there was related to battling with the College and the Board over the needs of the High school, despite it covering its own needs financially for most of its existance..sevn years is no mean feat. What it will become has a much better chance now with Kath and the Dowlings, who have always been extremely supportive in all ways. I am sure this is a kick in the gut for many of our parents who spilled them in helping to sustain the High school through its birth and life.
I did not want to post this blog and considered letting sleeping dogs lie. But on reconsideration, I feel I have to. Silence has led to repeats. I hope this lesson is never repeated. I do believe there are people who have to battle their respectful consciences about this issue. Who they are and what they have to question, only they will know.
Carols Travels 