ALMANYA 2012-14

Contact person: LeISA GmbH Die VILLA
Coordinating organisation:LeISA GmbH Soziokulturelles Zentrum Die VILLA
Host:Karl-Schubert-Schule, Leipzig: http://www.karl-schubert-schule-leipzig.de/
Location: Leipzig, Germany
Deadline: 10/04/2012
Start: 01/09/2012
End: 31/08/2013



The “Karl-Schubert-Schule Leipzig” is an emerging innovative and integrational Rudolf Steiner school which offers an education based on Waldorf pedagogy for the years one to twelve for children with and without disabilities (unique in Leipzig). Our association, started in 2009, is momentarily building up the first classes of primary school. Our fundamental idea being that of a “school for everyone”, we include three to five disabled students per class. We adhere to a two-teacher-concept with one class teacher and one remedial teacher for each class. By living and learning together with children of different abilities our students can acquire a substantial measure of social competences and learn and develop from each other. Philanthropy, empathy, mutual help and cooperation are the fundamental principles of our work, whilst preserving individuality. Waldorf pedagogy aspires a holistic education of the child where body, soul and spirit are taken equally into account, and includes learning through practical activities such as drawing, music, Eurythmy and handicraft with fabrics and wood.We also offer full-time supervision in our after-school care facility. We have an extensive compound with gardens and animals which are looked after by our students. Our school's staff consists of teachers, educational welfare workers, remedial teachers, educators and class assistants as well as a caretaker and office workers. Apart from that there are also more than fifty honorary helpers involved in the building of the school. The atmosphere is marked by cordial, intimate and enthusiastic cooperation.The school is situated on the outskirts of Leipzig, with a good and efficient transport-connection to the City Centre. Leipzig, with half a million inhabitants, lies in the Northwest of the Free State of Saxony, about an hour's drive from the capital, Berlin. It is famous for its University (the second oldest in Germany), its Convention-Exhibition Centre and its momentous revolutionary movement of 1989. Leipzig can boast circa one million visitors per annum who enjoy its multifaceted cultural events and lively atmosphere.
Tasks
Volunteers are given the possibility to gain insight into our various working domains. They can experience the teaching methods of a free school in Germany – in particular those of a Steiner school – and correlate new experiences in day-to-day life with those of their own country. We attach great importance to being responsive to the individual abilities of the volunteers, so as to support them in further developing their potential abilities. Possible tasks for the volunteers are: organizing games and handcraft work for the children in the after-school care facility (and we welcome games and songs from other countries introduced by the volunteers); guiding the children through the school day, including mealtimes and breaks; support and guidance of our integrative children; independent little projects with the aim of acquainting the children with the volunteer's country of origin; helping out in the school gardens and with the animal care; school-outings and school-festivities, where the volunteer can introduce specialities from his or her country (e.g. by holding a culture-comparing speech or linking initiatives from foreign Steiner schools with our own), thereby reaching a broader circle of parents and friends.

Criteria
The volunteer should enjoy working with children, be openminded and interested in Steiner-pedagogy and our inclusive approach and he/she should be comfortable with working independently. A basic knowledge of German is essential. The volunteers should also be willing and ready to engage hands-on in our communual project of developing a young school. All volunteers must first apply to the coordinating organisation and will then be assesed by our own admission team. At this point great care will be taken that any needs and capacities of the volunteer can be individually matched by what we have to offer. Personal contact via Skype, telephone or email would then enable closer acquaintance.

Procedure
For more information about the project, your tasks and the application process visit our website at http://www.jahr-fuer-europa.de/voluntary-service-in-leipzig/host-organisations/karl-schubert-schule-leipzig/