Imhoff waldorf school is off the grid

One outstanding example of a school dedicated to environmental awareness and action is the Imhoff Waldorf School in Kommetjie. It all began in 1997 when a small, passionate group of parents seeking education with an environmental emphasis for their children encountered the principles of Waldorf education. Their collective inspiration produced a school with one classroom, a teacher, and twelve pupils. Fourteen years later, what was once a quiet wooded area on an old Cape farm (Imhoff Farm), now buzzes daily with the lively voices and activities of over 200 children from Playgroup to Class 7. They are off the grid and off the road!

what else makes this school different and exceptional?

The vision of the school is to provide quality Waldorf education to children from all communities and to opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds to grow and develop together. This school also embraces and bridges the cultural, linguistic and financial diversity of the South African people and fosters a fertile ground for a strong community to express itself so it continues to flourish vibrantly. They use every opportunity to habituate reverence for the living planet and to educate and practice sound, sustainable environmental principles.

alien eradiation is an ongoing commitment

At Imhoff they walk through the stages of childhood, as they walk through the grounds, discovering each stage of development reflected physically and educationally. They invite imagination, inspiration and intuition to flow freely and abundantly. Here the unique life journey of each child is honoured and obstacles removed so that they may reach the highest and fullest potential of their being. As a committed community school funds are raised for the school. Their sponsorship portfolio embrace their creative, social and environmental consciousness. Under this umbrella they have successfully cleared aliens from two adopted sites.

Over 3 years they cleared out all aliens at the Sunbird Environmental Centre in Silvermine. By 2006 they moved onto a portion of land under the management of Table Mountain National Park just South of Ocean View. Port Jackson seedlings were threatening to take over this wetland seep area, but over the last three years the school`s efforts have helped restore this parched wetland. Earlier this year, the school spent the day collecting 30 black bags of rubbish from the lagoon on Long Beach and then re-cycled them. Last month they removed aliens from a green belt site at Imhoff Farm. This area will now be re-planted with donated trees and suitable plants.

Spring fair: 5 September

One of the school’ highlights - the annual Spring Fair - will be held on Saturday 5 September at 10:00. On sale will be hand made craft, activities for the children (fresh flower crowns, stilt walking, playdough), healthy food and the Zip Zap circus for the whole family at 14:00. This is an open day shared with everyone - don’t miss this fun day at the Imhoff Farm stall, Kommetjie Road.