LOWER SCHOOL PARENT- SHARED END OF TERM CLEANING
There is a history at Raphael House of the Parent Community sharing the duties of cleaning the classrooms at the end of each school term.
Cleaning the classroom offers parents an opportunity to care for the place where our tamariki are every day; to experience the environment that the class teacher creates (outside of the context of a formal meeting) and to strengthen the social connection of the class. In being willing to bring dutiful service to the school rooms we continue to imbue the unique confluence of consciousness that is the ‘special character’ of Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School.
We choose to adopt a humble attitude towards this task in that we might work towards this House Blessing;
May soul be living in this School
May this soul be permeated by the Spirit
Who shall seek in the foundation
Firm will.
That in it may grow
The sense of goodness
In all the building’s rooms
And that from above
There may unite
The blessing of the Spirit
And the grace of God
In all who dwell therein.
Rudolf Steiner
In practice, the Parent Representatives of each class are charged with creating and upholding a roster of the whole class parents in order that a small group (3-5 adults) are prepared to clean during each term break. Typically, this might require each parent to contribute 1-2 hours per year.
The school Cleaning Manager and the Class Representatives liaise to set the date for classroom cleaning and the school provides cleaning equipment and supplies. In general, the school’s employed cleaner will conclude particular tasks (high work, carpet stains, etc.) prior to the Parent Cleaning day.
A detailed schedule of the cleaning needs of each room is provided on the day and can be requested from the Parent Representative earlier if needed.
The smooth running of the classroom cleaning is an important part of the support that we offer the class teachers. We respectfully request that parents carry the awareness that our response to the spirit of this ‘housework’ may flow into our children and bring a mindfulness and reverence for our school.