The Barn
A space for our community to gather, learn and celebrate.
The Barn has been a dream for many years. It would not have materialised without a big-hearted and wonderful person, Mike Jefford, who has believed in my vision and the growth of our very special community for over 10 years - from the early days of my preschool in Brunei, to now. He encouraged, supported and funded the purchase of the Land in September 2017, and this year, 2023, he’s done the same with the building of the Barn. His generosity and belief in us have meant that we have kept going through the months of mud and cold, knowing that we will have a beautiful, spacious and all-weather place in which to gather, learn and celebrate. It’s not complete yet, but it’s close. Gratitude, appreciation and acknowledgements to you, Mike.
Mike Jefford
Workshops
March 2024
In 2024 we look forward to continue working with John Lawry of Artisan Pathways, master craftsman and teacher extraordinaire. Fabulous traditional workshops for adults and young people will be part of our next year's offerings.
A little about John from John
- Educator, B.Ed, Master Craftsman
Born 31.5.1950, in Auckland, New Zealand, a fifth generation South Pacific Celt, my life experience as an artisan & educator is circa 25 years a-piece.
In 2010, a confluence of my life-long interest and immersion in craft and education occurred when, inspired by Bernard Graves, I began the process of establishing and developing at Michael Park Steiner School, the Outdoor Classroom's `comprehensive curriculum gardens, lower-school craft/ experiential skills-based curriculum, its integration into H/S Technology, an intensive Masterclass Craft program and camps.
Word spread: tasks multiplied; conferences O.C. teacher training courses, consulting, presenting workshops and papers and organising conferences ensued. I "retire" from full time teaching at the end of 2016 and established " Artisan Pathways" to run masterclass workshops, craft immersion camps, travel and consult in New Zealand and Australia and to craft and garden more.
Melissa, Charlie and Si, have attended John's Outdoor Classrom and craft workshops over the last 4 years and will continue our professional development attending the Experiential Learning, Teacher and Practitioner Training Course this year.
Trish Allen and Joe Polaischer
John and Julie Lawry with our bushcraft Thursday group
Workshop space
Our new workshop is open! The workshop includes a forge for metal work for young people and adults.
We would like to acknowledge Trish Allen who has so generously donated the beautiful tool collection which belonged to her late husband Joe Polaischer. Joe loved old tools. He grew up in the mountains of Austria where he was fascinated by the old hand tools that were used in everyday life. On their permaculture farm, Rainbow Valley Farm, he started collecting and restoring old tools which he taught many people to use over the years. Sadly Joe passed away in 2008 and Trish moved to the village, taking Joe’s collection of old tools with her. She did not need the tools but was waiting for the right person to come along to give them to. Trish is delighted the tools are being treasured, looked after and used by the teachers and children at the Land.
