Cynthia Hardy, one of the school founders, wrote to the parents in June 2009. An excerpt from the letter is reproduced here.
This school has the potential to be on the cutting edge of revolutionary education in the 21st century. To experience a blend of classical academic methodologies whilst emphasizing the learning by doing in an environment of sustainable agriculture, minimal carbon footprint buildings & superb architectural expression on one of the most beautiful islands in the world, home of a highly intact culture is for us - a dream come true.
We endeavour to create our own Green School curriculum which encourages and triggers in our children:
A heightened social consciousness, a sense of responsibility, spirituality & morality, earth awareness with a commitment to save it, collaboration, social entrepreneurship, creative thinking, compassion & open mindedness
A curriculum which if nothing else gives our children the capacity to think on their feet and to figure things out.
Because we don't know what these kids will need to know in 2025; but we do need to insure that they have the Intellectual Capacity (IQ), the Emotional Sensitivity (EQ), the Physical Stamina (kQ), the Spiritual Grounding (SQ) and LOVE which enable them to navigate through their lives with confidence.
I truly believe that their successes will be measured by their happiness, and that we as parents will only feel successful in our parenting IF our children are happy.
In my opinion it is not about money, status or fame. It's about living an authentic life - an honest life - a moral life that makes us feel good and the reasons we feel good, I believe come about from doing good. Because at the end of the day, it's who do we say good morning to and good night to when we look in the mirror.
Were we kind? Did we do our best? Did we help someone? Did we go out of our way to achieve excellence? Did we listen? Did we make someone smile? Did we work hard? Did we provide as best we could? Were we mindful?
So at Green School WE ARE AT THE BEGINNING of our long journey to grow an excellent school, the first of its kind, on a remote island in Southeast Asia. Green School in coming years will have embedded in its curriculum (alongside Cambridge & IB):
Yoga & martial arts
Building
Carbon footprint analysis
Health & nutrition
Community outreach
Organic gardening & sustainable farming
Ethics
Water studies (how would children otherwise understand the importance of compost toilets)
Hindu studies, Balinese culture, world religion and much more
And for the younger children, a very focused Steiner based curriculum.
Were we kind? Did we do our best? Did we help someone? Did we go out of our way to achieve excellence? Did we listen? Did we make someone smile? Did we work hard? Did we provide as best we could? Were we mindful?