The Inspirer

The Maharishi School Magazine

Episode 2 Summer Term 2016

Aim, Ethos and Education Program by Dr. Cassells’

The Maharishi Free School has a policy called, ‗Aim, ethos and education pro-gramme‘. This policy is the starting point for all other policies and everything that happens in the Maharishi Free School.

The stated aim of the School is:

‗to offer complete knowledge and recognises that education is the sci-ence and art of unfolding values hidden from view. In this system of education not only are the mind and intellect satisfied but also their ba-sis, balance in the pupil‟s life, is developed. The result of this approach is a life that has a profound basis in the development of fulfilment for every pupil.‘

Practically what this means is that the development of the pupil is at the heart of the Maharishi Free School and Consciousness-based Education. This is in contrast to what I refer to as „content-based education‟ which places the em-phasis on what a pupil knows. Knowledge is important of course but „Knowledge is structured in consciousness‟! The Maharishi Free School wants to develop the ability of the pupil to know and learn first — this is what is meant

by the development of consciousness —and on this firm foundation information is learned and understood more easily.

This one key understanding informs everything that we do. The Maharishi Free School intends:

To be a safe, happy, caring community of learners.

To help all individuals regardless of their race, gender or disability to ac-

quire the skills and knowledge needed to achieve their full potential in a rapidly changing world.

To develop understanding of and respect for a wide range of religious val-

ues, languages, cultural traditions and different ways of life.

To encourage an enjoyment of life-long learning.

To encourage positive parental and community involvement.

To promote healthy lifestyles.

To provide a curriculum that is stimulating, broad, balanced, innovative and

creative

To celebrate achievement.

So what does this look and feel like? The next section of the policy make this clearer.

We want to continue to develop these cultural norms (linked with successful school improvement – from research done by the Institute of Education at the University of London):

Shared goals — “we know where we‟re going”

Responsibility for success — “we will succeed”

Collegiality — “we‟re in this together”

School Term and Holiday Schedule 2015-16

Autumn Term: (Start time 10.50 am)

1st half term: Wednesday 9 September – Friday 23 October

Half Term Break: Monday 26 October – Tuesday 3 November (inclusive)

2nd half term: Wednesday 4 November – Friday 18 December (Term ends

at 12.15pm)

Spring Term

1st half term: Monday 4 January – Wednesday 10 February

Half Term Break: Thursday 11 February – Friday 19 February (inclusive)

2nd half term: Monday 22 February – Friday 8

April (Term ends at 12.15pm)

Summer Term

1st half term: Monday 25 April – Friday 27 May (Monday 2 May - Bank

Holiday)

Half Term Break Monday 30 May – Friday 3 June (inclusive)

2nd half term: Monday 6 June – Friday 15 July (Term ends at 12.15pm)

Continuous improvement — “we can get better”

Lifelong learning — “learning is for everyone”

Innovation — “we learn by trying something new”

Support — “there‟s always someone there to help”

Mutual respect — “everyone has something to offer”

Openness — “we can discuss our differences”

Celebration and humour — “we feel good about ourselves”

And all of this is developed through one simple, natural technique — Transcendental Meditation — which provides the experience of restful alert-ness and the systematic development of creativity and intelligence which results in the realisation that ‗The world is my family‘. I cannot think of any-

We have been asked if we are taking applications for next aca-

demic year at reception level - the answer is YES!

If you know someone who might be interested in our unique

school we love to welcome visitors. Our school is:

Is the only Lancashire through school, so children can at-

tend from 4 - 16 years of age

Has a maximum number of 18 children in every class, pro-

moting academic excellence in a nurturing environment with

a family atmosphere.

Follows the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Cur-

riculum.

Children meditate for a few minutes twice per day so that

the whole child is developed.

We welcome all prospective pupils and parents to come and look

at our wonderful school in action. We are still accepting pupils for

reception application.

The Name of the magazine

‗The Inspirer‘

was chosen by Alice Taylor

in Year 4. Well done on an

inspired choice Alice.

Á Bientôt…

As we wish some of our staff well in their new chapters we would like to share

some of their thoughts with you…

Dr Cassells:

'Lucy Ross asked me to write a paragraph about what I

have most enjoyed about being at the Maharishi School

and Maharishi Free School. This is delightful to say and

easy to explain: being able to spend time with the pu-

pils and staff. Their happiness, kindness and thoughtful

appreciation have always been a delight. These qualities

are the reason for the success of the school and why

visitors from everywhere are delighted to see the

school. A balanced life means continuous progress and

increasing fulfilment expressed through happiness and

kindness which creates the delightful atmosphere that

we all experience. This is the best atmosphere to learn

Dr Easter says she takes with her experiences at the

school. - if anyone asked her if she would change

things, she would not change anything because it has all

been fun.

Biology highlights were practical's when students saw

DNA under a microscope and when pupils saw bubbles of

oxygen from pondweed when light was shone on it.

Chemistry highlights were always the squeaky pop and

hydrogen balloon experiments.

Physics experiments she will remember were the moon

landing craters made by a year 11 class and going to see

the Large Hadron Collider exhibition at the Manchester

museum of science and industry with a class of year 10

pupils.

When I was about 12 years old, I knew that I wanted to

be a school teacher when I grew up, but I couldn‘t nev-

er have imagined being in an amazing school like ours –

quelle chance! I started off here by doing a bit of TA

work and supply teaching, and gradually took over the

French from 1995 onwards. What I have a enjoyed

most in my job here is working with so many delightful,

creative children, many of whom I have kept in touch

with in the years after they leave us. In this little fare-

well, I must also acknowledge and thank my ever sup-

porting and inspiring colleagues. You will all be missed!

School trips in the secondary school

We believe that education is ―the process of uncovering values hidden from view‖. Not

all learning takes place in the classroom and sometimes the best learning takes place

out in the world. Taking pupils on curriculum focused school trips is an important way

to access these hidden values, to give pupils the opportunity to access learning

through all their senses and to see their learning applied in the context of the world

around them.

During the last term all the classes had the opportunity to go out and experience their

learning like this:

Year 11 went to visit Quarry Bank mill and the Thakray museum (of medicine) to get

a better understanding of their History Course work.

Year 10 visited the Lake District to collect data for their Geography controlled assess-

ment on Tourism in Bowness-on-Windermere. They are now very busy writing up their

work. In June, they went for a taster day at KGV College in Southport. This is part of

the school‘s programme to prepare them for college.

6 pupils also attended Winstanley College for a masterclass taster day, also with the

aim to prepare them for the academic route after school.

Year 9 went with Year 11 to visit Wordsworth‘s house in Grasmere, where they had

the opportunity to write their own poems in the garden.

4 pupils from year 8 attended the Salter‘s Chemistry Festival at Liverpool University.

We send 4 pupils from year 8 every year where they compete against other schools

(often against pupils who will specialise in Chemistry) in two experiments which they

perform under supervision of PhD students and lecturers at the university. In the past

our group have won and been second in the Salter‘s challenge.

Head Girl Speech—Grace Walters

Hi everyone. I‘m Grace, in case you didn‘t know, and, honestly, I‘ve been mentally pre-

paring myself for this speech since about year three (so you would think I‘d be a bit less

nervous).

When I was trying to come up with this speech, I tried to think about what I personally

think a Head Girl should be and do. I came up with the three most important things to

me, and the first one was that they need to be able to speak in front of people – like I‘m

doing now.

The second thing I thought of was that they need to be a good role model. So that‘s

when the times in the past when I‘ve been called a bit of a nerd or a geek or a goody-

two-shoes (because missing a homework is like a near-death experience for me) … this

is when that can come in handy, because maybe I can inspire a few other people to em-

brace their nerdiness. Which is a good thing, since it really helps when you get to year

eleven, if you‘ve spent five years of being petrified of missing a homework.

Anyway. Back to my points of what a Head Girl should be.

The third point, and to me this is the most important one, is that they need to be some-

one you can come and talk to. I know that for me, when I was in Year 7 or 8 or whatev-

er, I was always very nervous about talking to teachers because I was this shy little

thing and I was scared of them really – no offence Mr Halsall – but I did like having an

older pupil I could go and talk to, because then I was a bit more comfortable. And I

know that might be the case for a lot of you, so having a Head Girl and Boy is really

great for that. You know you always have someone you can come up to in the corridor

and pull aside if you‘re worried about friendships or schoolwork or feeling lonely … any-

thing. I‘ve had a few people come up to me in the past from different years and told me

about something that was worrying them … and it honestly feels amazing, to have

someone ask you that. And being able to do that as a Head Girl on a more regular basis,

to just make someone feel a bit less alone … that‘s honestly the part about being a Head

Girl that makes me the most excited.

Organising school council meetings and making speeches is one thing – and it‘s an im-

portant thing, don‘t get me wrong – but being a friend is another … and I hope that,

over this next year, you‘ll find that the year 10s are your friends, even if we seem a lot

older than you and like scary teenagers. I can‘t really imagine that but … I dunno, may-

be.

But I just wanted to say that even if I don‘t get voted for Head Girl today, I do hope you

always feel I‘m someone you can come and talk to if you‘re worried about anything.

So, yeah. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to finally say out loud the speech I‘ve

basically had in my head since year three, and I can‘t wait to maybe be your nerdiest

head girl yet.

Thank you for listening.

Head Boy Speech—Joe Lyon

Good Afternoon everyone, as you may know my Name is Joe Lyon and I would like to thank you for allowing me to address you all in my pursuit of becoming the next head boy. I would like to tell you a bit about myself and the person I am, then, I would like to explain why I desire to be-come Head Boy of our wonderful school and what I feel I can offer to this very important and prestigious role.

Firstly and very importantly to me, I feel I have the right level of confidence, charisma and per-sonality combined with an upbeat outlook to life and a positive can do attitude and behaviors that is right for the job. I am trustworthy and have been brought up on strong values built on honesty, discipline and respect. I feel these values have served me well so far in my life and have no reason to think they will let me down or anyone else that I would be representing that is involved or connected to this school. I am from a large family so I have many skills in dealing with many different needs and personalities that I feel would benefit me when interacting or representing this large family at Maharishi. I am confident speaking with teachers, parents and other pupils as well as speaking in front of a crowds like at parents evenings or open days. I am an avid sports fan and love the outdoor life and spend most of my spare time with my family in the Lake District, up on the fells either walking or riding my mountain bike. I like to have a bit of fun and a joke but never at the expense of someone else. I dislike bullies, liars and bizarrely chickens as some of you will know from the French trip!!

Becoming Head Boy would be my opportunity to continue on all the hard work that has been done in the past years to get the school to where it is now but additionally it will allow me to rep-resent us all and take us forward in to the future with the intention to leave a positive legacy for future generations of staff, pupils and parents that we will all be proud to say, “ I was a part of that”. I see this a little bit like the Olympic torch barer, it would be my responsibility to carry and look after the torch on behalf of everyone and maintain it burning bright but let everyone have an involvement and influence about the route we take throughout the school year and how we can hand it over to the next school year to continue the relay journey for future generations.

I have dreamt of becoming Head Boy since I was 7 and feel that my time at the school over the past 6 years has given me a great understanding, skills and knowledge to be able to hold this position well and make you all proud of the service I will provide. I know that I haven’t been per-fect throughout my time at school, not taking things as seriously as they should be, not being the best behaved all the time but I feel I have learned from my mistakes and can you them to posi-tive effect in the future. Setting a good example to new pupils and their parents is always a prior-ity for existing pupils and this is something I will strive to do myself and encourage others as well as making them feel welcome and involved as this is what I have been brought up to do. I will do my best to get the school council meeting on a regular basis as I am aware that recently there have only been a few meetings a year. Consulting with you all as to what your priorities are for the year and representing the majority views into one voice is something I pledge to do. I am a good listener and am always approachable and easy to talk too but am not frightened to speak up for things that you want me too, or that I feel are right. We may have disagreements along the way but I will work hard on your behalf to resolve these and rise to any challenge of finding com-mon ground for us all to move forward as one.

Finally, If I was to become Head Boy I promise I will do this with pride, passion, honor and to the best of my ability. I will carry the Maharishi torch (mortch) with my head held high on behalf of everyone involved at the Maharishi School.

Thanks for listening and considering me for your next Head Boy.

'Fund Raising Sports Challenge'

A number of Maharishi Free School staff are taking part

in our first ever sponsored Sprint Triathlon in order

to raise funds for the school and would be delighted if

some of our parents, alumni and Year 11 pupils (you

have to be over 15 years of age) would join us by also

taking on the challenge.

The event will take place in September (date TBC) at

Edge Hill University and consists of a 400m swim (16

lengths) in the new 25m pool which overlooks the run-

ning track, followed by an 18.5 km, mainly

flat, cycle route, before finishing with a 5k run route

which takes in scenery including the lakes, the beach

area and the Rose Garden before a rousing finish on the

new running track.

The event is in its 2nd year and was extremely popular

with both first timers and more experienced triathletes

last year.

Details of a similar event from April this year can be

seen at

https://www.vitalevents.co.uk/events/west-lancs-

triathlon

If you would like to get involved please sign up on the

website link above (registration has not opened yet).

Please let the school office know when you have signed

up so we know who is taking part and then we will be in

touch with those who have registered closer to the time.

A Recount of our Trip to The Catalyst Museum by Amelia Steele

On Tuesday April 26th we went to The Catalyst Museum. It was so fun. There was a park

outside. First we went to the workshop. We made a human circuit by holding hands &

some people had signs around their neck telling us who was the switch & who was the light

bulb.

We then had partners & sat down: we had our own science desk. We made a recycled

switch out of thing you may find lying around.

We ate our lunch & went out on the park. There was a slide to go down to it. Mrs Painter-

Chapman went down it. We found a really good spinny thing. We went to the shop & I

bought slime, a stretchy spider & a delicious rock for 50-yum yum. It was then time to go

to the discovery lab where there were lots of interactive things & at the start you got a

booklet of questions that you had to answer by doing the things. My Partner was Will & it

was really fun doing all of the things. My personal favourite, by far, was the smell machine,

where you had to figure out what the smell was. Then we got into the glass elevator which

went very high. We went to the top just for fun& then moved on to the next floor.

The next floor was a floor with lots of writing on. It had videos to watch & things to look at.

There were mainly tolls & little signs showing the making of the building. The floor had

little boxes with minerals in & also it had dresses & jewels-I didn‘t really understand how

they fitted together but it was interesting. After that we got back into the elevator to the

last floor. There was another floor but it was closed.

The final floor was very fun because it had computer games, interesting facts & posters.

There was a box which had a coat in it made from recycled cans-it was outstanding.

Year 4 having Fun at

Catalyst Science

Discovery Centre

Reading Challenge

The Reading Challenge is over and we are SO pleased to an-

nounce that the total number of books read by the children

across the whole school (primary and secondary) is 4740!!!

This is in less than 7 weeks!

Thank you for all of the children's hard work and to you all

for your support with the challenge. Many of the children are

telling us that they now feel more confident when reading

and are enjoying books more than ever! This was the whole

On Friday May 6th 2016 the band The Magnetic North came to

the school where 30 of our pupils took part in a music workshop

with them.

The Magnetic North, who are Simon Tong (The Verve, The Go-

rillaz, and he grew up in the TM Community) Gawain Erland

Cooper (Orcadian) and vocalist Hannah Peel, then played a warm

up gig where some of our pupils took part. The band had sold

out gigs Friday and Saturday night, and have just released a new

album; The Prospect of Skelmersdale.

A Musical Prospect

GCSE Art

―Big thank you goes to Helen Birnbaum who came in and helped

with the ceramic work and also fired all the work for us. She

made it possible for us to do this ceramic project for GCSE for

the first time.

Seeing all the work up on the walls – I am proud of every single

one of them! They‘ve made a real effort to produce some really

lovely work.‖

The Three (not so little) Pigs

The Reception class have been learning all about farm animals for their

current animals topic. We were very lucky that a parent of a child in our

class kindly brought some of their piglets and their auntie to visit us. We

had a fantastic time and found out lots about the piglets. The two piglets

names were Macha and Morrigan and their auntie pig was called Morgan-

na. We loved meeting them!

The Great Fire of London

Year 2 had lots of fun this week in a workshop about The Great Fire of Lon-

don, led by a company called Delve Into History. The children explored the

different ways people tried to stop the fire and why the fire spread so

quickly. Can you spot Samuel Pepys?

Year 6: Winmarleigh 2016

Raft Building

We showed great determination

trying to stay on the barrels, in

a barrel rodeo!

We all had fun building rafts and

learning how to create figures of

8 and D knots.

One raft was successful and one

did not. Mrs Arnfield was the

only survivor on her raft

Quadbiking: We went so fast we

made the instructors nervous!

BIKER CHICKS

Fencing: We loved it! We

learnt about etiquette and

sportsmanship!

Year 6: Winmarleigh 2016

Brave Duke of Edinburgh Heroes

All 5 pupils who did their assessment on 2nd April 2016 passed their qualifying ex-

pedition with flying colours. Their assessor was especially impressed with their

cheerfulness and mutual support - despite being sent off in the rain!

Well done all, we're extremely proud of you. We are really excited to announce that

we are starting our first Silver group this year as well!"

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award

During this year, 15 of the pupils who started the Duke of Edinburgh programme, have

received their awards at a presentation ceremony at school. (Some of them shown in the

picture). Loanna Deverdie – Operations Manager for the DofE in West Lancashire attend-

ed the ceremony and said:

―When a young person takes on the challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh‘s Award, it shows resilience, discipline and a can-do attitude. When they successfully complete the Award, it demonstrates they have learned key employability skills as well as social and interperson-al skills. Not only do these help prepare a young person for the world of work, they better enhance their chances of succeeding in life. It‘s a credit to the students, their parents and the community that Maharishi School value the Award so much and give so many young people the opportunity to achieve their Award. What that demonstrates to me is that the students at Maharishi belong to a community and a school that cares about their future.‖ This picture shows our second DofE Bronze group doing their practice and qualifying ex-peditions. So far all the pupils in our school passed their qualifying expeditions the first time round. We are hoping that in future all the pupils in every class would like to join this very exciting and fulfilling activity in the school.

Pictured left to right:

Pictured left to right:

Maharishi School Alumni

We would like to share our congratulations

to one of our ex pupils,

Gemma Cassells PhD for her election as a

Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society

(FRGS) and the award of Chartered Geogra-

pher (CGeog).

Gemma is currently the Climate Change Poli-

cy Officer for the Highlands Council.

A Piece of Cake

Year 1 hosted a Bake Sale on Tuesday 7th June to raise mon-

ey for resources. The Year 1 students brought a range of

cakes and buns donated by kind parent to sell.

There was be a competition for best home-made cake de-

sign .The winner was decided by vote by the children and

staff and the winner on the day was Emma from Year 1.

(Pictured below creating her design: Right. The Winner; Left)

Rocket Science Experiment

We were successful in our bid to take part in Rocket Science, an incredible

scientific experiment which gives our primary phase pupils the opportunity

to compare the growth of rocket seeds that have remained on Earth with

seeds that have been into outer space!!! Half of the rocket seeds planted

have been to the International Space Station with British astronaut Tim

Peake. The seeds had to be planted during half term and so the children

will be measured the growth of the rocket plants over the next half term

and we submitted this data into a national online database at the end of

the project (May 24th).

We have reviewed and calculated the percentage of seedlings that are still

alive in each of the 2 groups. 37% of the seedlings from the red packet

are still alive compared to 40% of the seedlings from the blue packet.

The two sets of seeds have grown similarly well so I think we can conclude

that seeds that have been flown into space can grow just as well as seeds

that have remained on earth!

To think; when we have watched that bright light of the ISS going through

the sky, some of our seeds will have been on there!

Recently we have been learning how to play

chess. The person that teaches us how to play

chess is called Andrew. We have learned that

the little pieces can only go in one space while

the big pieces can go in as many spaces as

they want although the King can only go one

space. I enjoy learning to play chess because

it is full of skill & tactics. I also enjoy playing

Chess is a fun club & you can learn how

to playchess. The pawns move 2 at first

& then move 1 space. The big pieces can

move as many places. Next week we will

learn about the Bishop: By Poppy

Year 3 & me are learning how to play

chess. Every Friday a man called Andrew

comes in and teaches us how to play it.

So far we have learned that the castles

move straight up the board & the pawns

move 1 space: By Kilian

I like chess club because it is really

fun. I learned how the pawns &

castles work. There is a man that

comes every Friday, his name is

Andrew. I am quite good at chess

because Andrew taught me how to

play well: By Oliver

I am learning chess with Andrew.

We have lots of fun playing. I am

learning about pawns & rooks. I

have improved in chess a lot and

now nearly beating my Mum. Andrew

is a brilliant chess teacher: By Eve-

lyn

And Finally…..

We at The Maharishi School would like to thank all of our Parents,

Carers, Pupils, Staff and our invaluable volunteers for making this

school such a happy and caring place to work and learn.

We would like to wish our staff that are leaving us for new adven-

tures Joy, Love, Happiness and Fulfilment. We will miss you.

We wish all of our Year 11 cohorts our very best wishes and luck

for the future, remember to ‗be ambitious‘ and keep in touch,

make us even more proud.

We wish all of you a vey happy and peaceful Summer

break. See you all in September.