2017/2018 :   Year of The Linen Project   

​De vlasoogst (1904) 
("Flax harvesting") Emile Claus
Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium
Picture
FLAX IN FLOWER, ALFA GROUNDS AUGUST 2017

During the coming year our ALFA students will harvest the flax earlier planted by their parents, process the fibres using traditional methods and tools they make themselves, spin the fibre into linen, and dye and weave it into cloth for a variety of artistic craft projects.  They will also study the history of the linen industry in Ireland  -  a prism through which to view the whole story of political and cultural conflict and transformation over the centuries.  They will use what they have experienced and learned as the material for an original drama to be performed in various venues around Easter 2018.
​


Raheen Wood Steiner Secondary School, home of ALFA, provides a full-­time, progressive education for 12-­16 year olds in East Clare. Our team of experienced teachers, tutors and artisans offers an authentic, project-based learning programme that develops the hands, hearts and minds of our students. By working with blacksmiths, potters, woodworkers, beekeepers, organic farmers and more, our students develop key 21st century skills such as collaboration, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking. With a programme based on the Steiner curriculum, we explore subjects in depth for blocks of 3-4 weeks through a two-hour morning main lesson. Main lesson topics include the Sciences, History, English, Maths and Art History. Additional lessons in Maths, English, Irish, French, Art and PE supplement the main lessons in the weekly timetable. Additionally, artisans and specialist tutors offer hands-on afternoon workshops in a variety of crafts including blacksmithing, woodwork, ceramics, rustic furniture making, stained glass, bookbinding, wood carving, wool felting, basket weaving, marionette and shadow puppetry, drama and more.


Raheen Wood Steiner Secondary School/ALFA is an activity of Ard Aoibhinn Community Initiatives Ltd.
Registration number 352829 Registered Charity  No. 14535