School Events

Richmond Waldorf School is proud to welcome Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary to our campus on March 2 and 3 to lead our community and other interested individuals in exploring sustainable solutions to the Honeybee crisis.

The greater Richmond community has a wealth of clubs and resources for beekeepers, but the approach of the beekeepers at Spikenard Farm is unique.  Gunther Hauk, the founder of the  Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary, has been teaching at Waldorf Schools and working with bees for almost 40 years.  He co-founded the Biodynamic Pfeiffer Center in Spring Valley, NY in 1996 and has taught at Waldorf schools in Germany and the US.

As Waldorf education celebrates 100 years in 2019, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) has requested that Waldorf Schools celebrate next year’s important anniversary by creating gardens for pollinators and possibly having honeybees as part of our campuses.  These events at RWS will help us join the nationwide Waldorf movement to support safe spaces for pollinators.

Spikenard Farm is a remarkable place which the fifth graders from RWS experienced during a fall trip there.  The principles of Waldorf education, Anthroposophy, and biodynamics are at the heart of their work, and they are excited to bring their deep understanding of stewardship of the earth to the Richmond Waldorf community.  The lecture and workshop are open to the public and will enhance everyone’s understanding of the honeybee while enriching our knowledge of Waldorf and Rudolf Steiner’s work.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, March 2, 7:00 – 9:00 – Lecture and Q&A led by Gunther Hauk and Alex Tuchman

$10 recommended donation

Saturday, March 3, 9:00 – 4:00 – Biodynamic Beekeeping Workshop

$45 – $60 sliding scale (payable in advance or the day of the event)

RSVP to our event via Facebook

We hope you will join us. Anyone interested in participating in the lecture on March 2 or workshop on March 3 is encouraged to call Richmond Waldorf School at 804-377-8024.

On Friday, September 30, Richmond Waldorf School will celebrate Michaelmas with a pageant performed for the community by the students in the grades, a community lunch, and a “Feats of Strength” field day for the grades students. The season of Michaelmas is also felt in our classrooms, from Early Childhood to grade 8, in the songs, verses and artistic activities that characterize this time of the year.  Because Michaelmas is not commonly celebrated or well known in this country, we’d like to share a little bit about the nature and significance of Michael, whom we honor on this day.

The archangel Michael is the embodiment of courage. It is he who casts out Lucifer and vanquishes the dragon in the depths. Michael gives human beings the courage to meet the challenges of the present and the confidence to look to the challenges of the future without fear. Michael lends his strength to those who struggle against the forces of darkness. The celebration of Michaelmas teaches the importance of overcoming fear and strengthening resolve. It educates and empowers children to find their own personal courage to confront dragons and work to make the world a better place.

At Richmond Waldorf School we are doing our small part to realize this vision. At Michaelmas time, we especially try to put ideals into action-to look beyond our narrow selves to what others need and to what the world needs. The world is full of dragons. These dragons spread hatred and fear, doubt and destruction, but they also present opportunities. In the pageant that our students perform, the dragon that terrorizes the kingdom is tamed, not slain. He is led into service, and his strength is used for the good. Let us hope that this picture strengthens our students as they move forward into the future.