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“Where you are now is the result of your previous overriding thoughts and actions. Tomorrow is still in the making so plant good seeds...”
― Sam Owen
Hello <<First Name>>
Just a quick reminder, by request, we've extended our Early Bird Discount to END just 7:30AM Saurday 9 July 2022 - don't miss out! :) Term 3 starts this Monday 11 July - we look forward to seeing you there.
On ADHD and a LOGOS culture
There are so many labels flying around these days, one has to question whether being labelled actually meets the overall desired outcome - which is (ultimately) to cultivate healthy self-esteem, healthy self-perception/ a healthy relationship with one's self.
With all due respect to the science (as it is, hands down a perfectly legitimate avenue for assistance in some cases) - it has also been my experience in the many years coaching young adults/ teens, for diagnosis and labels to be doled out too easily. For schools and parents to "give up" on kids too quickly - diagnosis being a quicker scapegoat to resolve school and parental tension/ uncertainty/ and overwhelm -- but failing to meet the highest and best interest of the child, and in the end, doing more damage than good in terms of self-perception.
I've worked directly with children diagnosed with ADHD, or parents indicating their child likely has ADHD, and this has been my experience:
My observation is, that in most cases - with us being a highly LOGOS culture (we are over-mentalised/ we live in our heads!), the child is also heavily mentalised (they are mostly in their heads).
Working with them one-on-one/ closely, I observe their mind racing a million miles an hour, which manifests behaviourally in "over-activity", seeming restlessness, seeming inability to focus or difficulty to slow down.
This is largely because the mind is over-active. If I was to feel a child's head at this moment, it would be similar to an over-heating car radiator -- it is over-stimulated, and racing with so many ideas that need *** (ideas that have been begging) to be articulated/ translated/ expressed onto physical form (ideas that need to be expressed/ created/ made into reality).
Quick easy solutions
We are no longer hunters and gatherers - back in the day centuries ago, we had a better balance between being grounded in our bodies, and operating/ living mostly in our heads.
When I work with a child one-on-one, it has been a joy to embody and practise 'presence' with them/ being grounded in the present-moment. A great easy way to do this, is for the child to choose a carpentry activity they would like to explore or complete.
I facilitate the child to self-direct, and choose their desired paints from our limited selection of paints. To guide the child to sand-off/smooth-out the wooden box they've built (for example), and to be present with it's small and big 'imperfections'/ texture... splinters, which could pose a problem. Igniting their preference on texture, and purpose.. and allowing them the time and space to weigh out small and big risks.
Painting - the exercise of painting their wooden box... encouraging them to feel the grain and gradient of wood underneath their fingertips... to paint with the grain, instead of handling their paint brush randomly.
Painting at the onset - always reveals, the state of mind -- moving haphazard, over-stimulated, unfocused...
Then the magic moment always happens without fail -- once their hand meets the grain... and begins to be physically present and grounded with the purpose of the work.
Once their will and preference - is ignited - to be present, in relationship with the material in front of them... and what they wish for it to serve... it's purpose.
'Intentionality' - sets in. And with that, arises 'Preference'. And Decisiveness. And Relationship. And Mindfulness --- with what is in front of them. Be it animate, or inanimate.
For all things we touch and create can be with purpose. Less randomness. Less waste. Less duplication, redundancy, or mindless consumerism.
Before the child even realises it - the child who started off so unsettled, and unfocused... Is, all of a sudden, lost in the flow of their work. Grounded, and involved, with the purpose of their own creation.
And from this sense of purpose - arises: joy. And enthusiasm. And the drive to create and complete out of natural volition and vision.
And they feel complete. As they meet their own Self in the process. The child emerges Full. Happy. Confident.
The child/ individual, has moved from operating heavily from their Mind... to being present and grounded in their physical body.
Medicine cannot be through the mind
The problem I observe time and again... is that after diagnosis... the "medicine" or "treatment" offered as a solution, for someone over-sitmulated in their mind -- is also through the mind. Whether it's to talk about the problem/ analyse the problem/ discuss what the potential causes and triggers are... or medication.
Society's current lifestyle, or daily default, may also commonly seek relaxation or resolution of tension via distractions in technology/ gadgets/ Netflix, television... - all still within the realm of the mind/ more stimulation/ more data.
This imbalance in an over-mentalised culture, cannot be balanced out via the mind.
The energy needs to move from one aspect (the mind), to a different aspect (the body)... towards connecting with the spirit/ soul, perhaps. Only direct physical experience and involvement will allow access. It cannot be done via discussion.
CCALFA's OFFERING
We offer simple hands-on grounded, creative, diverse avenues for self-expression. We offer progressive learning in these different modalities over time. Rest in the material/s. Rest in the modality, and the process. Allow the cultivation of presence/ of creating in the present moment. Allow the cultivation of intention and purpose - it is an untapped muscle that needs to be strengthened -- it is not part of most school syllabus/ syllabi.
Check out our program/ timetable here. This is the intention behind our work. Rest in the process. Rest in community. Allow it time, allow new healthy habits to begin. Support Self-connection.
On behalf of the team at CCALFA, we wish you a good week and look forward to working with you and your family soon.
Kind regards
Nic Anderson - Founder, CCALFA
www.ccalfa.com.au
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 Our Unique Offering
- DIVERSE MODALITIES. The day rate includes a diversity of 4-5 hands-on creative activities in that one day [the list of modules includes - carpentry, hand-building clay, sewing (machine and hand), electronics, bike mechanics, nautical knots-macrame, yoga, gardening and permaculture, music, weaving] View our timetable here.
- ONE LOCATION. This diversity of 3-4 modalities in a day is efficiently located at one venue, on acreage - at 12 Tecoma Road Palmwoods
- OPTIMISED TIME FOR PROGRESSIVE CREATIVE LEARNING. One location means less driving time + optimised time to learn several different creative and practical skills.
- PROGRESSIVE CREATIVE LEARNING OVER TIME. CHILDREN NEED TO REST IN THE PROCESS. We are not a day-care/ one-off drop-off centre. Our syllabus provides progressive learning (practical creative skills) for each modality, layering over a period of time.
- CHILDREN NEED TO REST IN THE PROCESS. Once a child finds modalities that spark their interest, they need time to rest in that process and explore the medium - we do not do quick-20-minute-projects to show mum and dad. In fact, we deliberately move away from the culture of rushing to finish. We focus on allowing the child to self-direct; to guide and support them to plan for their project, to support them to ground, find and learn how to manage their equipment, and for them to get lost in the process of their creation. We encourage them to pace themselves, honour their need to eat and rest, as part of their self-awareness and process of feeling comfortable in themselves, which diminishes anxiety. A modality may be a fleeting interest for your child; or it may be a life-long passion - the only way for them to find out is to HAVE A CHANCE TO REST IN THE PROCESS.
- CHILDREN NEED TO REST IN FRIENDSHIPS AND COMMUNITY. By learning progressively and returning consistently each week, this creates a familiar community of like-minded families and children. For self-confidence, calmness, and a sense of groundedness, children need to rest in their friendships and community. It is part of their egoic process of development - an important process for them to understanding themselves, to learn about social dynamic and interaction, to allow the development of healthy coping mechanisms which arises only via interaction with peers, to find belongingess and their role and contribution to their community. Finding their sense of purpose over time, spells out healthy self-worth, healthy self-esteem, and long term self-confidence. This is very important for mental health.
- DIVERSITY OF MENTORS. The more natural and optimal way for a child to be raised, is around a diversity of adults. The world of children has overall become very small, with isolated migratory families, and a society that is less tribal and not living with extended families. CCALFA's diversity of adult mentors are industry professionals or modern-day elders; who all share a similar vision and core values towards supporting your child's mental health and optimal learning.
- DAY RATE INCLUDES ON-SITE TUTOR CONSULTATION. For home-schoolers - the day rate includes consulting our on-site tutor, Sarah Richards, to look over and give pointers on your home-schooling plan. This is particularly helpful if you are new to homeschooling and are overwhelmed with where to start. Sarah also provides private tutoring (fees apply), speak to her directly or email her here to book a time.
- FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH. Our work focuses on seeing your child for who they truly are, making them feel safe and welcome, and encouraging self-connection by aligning them with their authentic interests. By supporting them to Rest in Creativity and what they love doing, and Rest in Community - we aim to support optimised potential and mental health.
- CONNECTING THE GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF LEARNING. Our work focuses on connecting the generational cycle of learning, by inviting modern-day elders to work with kids and pass on their knowledge and wisdom/ life stories, to support the elderly demographic's mental health and sense of purpose.
- PARENTS WELCOME. We encourage parents to be involved with their kids on site (if you wish/ are available). For homeschoolers - we have a dedicated area where parents can do their content-work/teaching. Send your kids off to modules when you're done. Kids need community. Parents need community. Bring a plate to share for morning tea.
- CORE VALUES. Our work focuses on encouraging the child’s self-direction, building a sense of accountability, focus, commitment, and completion to their satisfaction; and aligned with their self-care and whilst honouring their boundaries. We encourage RESPECT between student and mentor. Read on our vision and core values here.
Community Announcements
To fulfill our vision and serve/ make it accessible to as many children/ young learners as much as possible -- we have done our best to keep the enrolment rate as low as we possibly can. The nature of our operations is labour-cost-intensive (as it involves several instructors in one day) + and high in materials cost (being all consumables - clay, carpentry, drawing materials, sewing, gardening). This doesn't factor in insurance, transaction fees, web-design and ongoing software subscriptions, site maintenance, management fees, accounting and third party fees, equipment maintenance/ repair, etc -- these are all a natural part of any enterprise or venture :)
If you believe in this vision, and would like to support it, we need your help. Here's how you can help us:
1. Calling for Volunteers (More hands make light work) - If you have -
- a skill-set or creative skill you wish to share/teach and give back to community regularly in this way, contact us. We will organise your blue card at no cost to you.
- you are a modern-day elder with skills you wish to pass on to young learners, contact us
- a business who wishes to educate young learners on your trade + promote your business, come and do a guest session we will announce you in our marketing - contact us
- Parent volunteer - onsite "Time-Keeper + Grounds-Keeper" - snack time is self-directed (the child is free to have a snack when they are hungry anytime between 9.30am-10.30am. This is for 10-15 minutes - we need a parent volunteer to help us round children back to continue with their work; lunch time is 11.30am-12:00pm. Play is 12:00pm-12:45pm. Duties include calling out/ announcing lunchtime :) and rounding people back for the afternoon module commencing.
- Help with Pack-Up. Packing up at the end of the day is a big job. Over time, we encourage kids to look after their materials, and set up and packing up/ returning materials and equipment where they belong will be part of their work habit. But for now, any volunteer/s to help pack up and clean/ clear/ reset for the next day - would be a big help - this is Studio 1, Studio 2, Gazebos 1 and 2, Garden Gazebo and Garden beds; and the Big Tree House/ Play area. P.S. We have found most kids to be mindful and good, they put rubbish in the one rubbish bin located in Studio 2. On occasion, we get destructive kids/ or unmindful of their environment - we encourage you to speak with your children ahead of time, to be respectful and mindful of their environment. No rubbish on lawns, and equipment and furnishing are good to be respected and remain in place/ returned to their rightful place.
2. Donations:
Materials Donations: Thank you to all those who have donate materials. We have very limited storage space, so we can't accept all donations. What we need are - (sewing) cotton fabric; macrame rope; (clay) BRT Clay and Stoneware 10 (Clayshed Kunda Park); pottery molds; pottery tools; (art class) art materials, drawing paper, watercolour paper, acrylic paints, watercolour, pencils, pastels, charcoal, conti, easels; (carpentry) good treated pine, hard wood, drills, carpentry tools; (gardening) coir, potting mix
Monetary Donation: If you have none of these materials lying around, and still wish to help this initiative, you can always give a monetary donation here. 
We are currently raising funds to (1) insulate Studio 2; (2) purchase more pottery wheels and equipment; (3) build a big shed on site (we are quickly running out of space as we grow - we need space to be able to offer more activities on site.
We will be starting to offer specialised workshops and courses for adults/ teens on Thursdays-Saturdays this year. Our future plan includes a shed that will house a few more rooms/ studios to accomodate all the creative activities and presentations this hub will be running and producing; which includes offering indoor regular yoga classes as part of community practise. 
This shed will include a small ancillary cafe and gallery - for all young learners/ future entrepreneurs to have a go at selling what they've created at CCALFA; to have the venue to present their business model; a commercial kitchen to be able to bake and sell their creations; and the small cafe, for young learners to have a go at customer service/ taking a food order. If you share this vision, contact us on how you can help; or donate here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 Our "Young Learners Program" now runs Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdayd. - The Thursday program has moved to Mondays
- Tuesday and Wednesday schedule remains the same
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- NEW Fee options - the day rate for regular attendance remains the same at $37, what we have incorporated is $10 for materials (which used to be randomly requested by individual teachers depending on the complexity of what they were doing). Please note - this covers all Level 1 masterials (two terms), before the student moves to advanced work
- the casual drop-in rate is higher, as we encourage progressive learning over time. This is the best value for you as parents, as you invest in skill building instead of a fleeting occasional expense. It also makes it easier for us to progress students who wish to advance, by having regular long term students.
- Direct Debit option: we refer to "Terms" as time-markers, but really run our program throughout the year, except public holidays. Read more under our FAQs here.
- Term-based-Ten-Class-Pass Option: you can choose either direct-debit, or a term-based-10-class-pass option - pricing becomes more cost effective if you attend 2 or 3 days a week.
What's on NEXT WEEK
Our Term 3 Program Starts next week
View our Gallery Here, to see what each day is like.
Check out the Timetable and Book here.
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FORWARD THIS ON TO A FRIEND!!
Receive a 2-hour session gift certificate valued at $90, if they sign up. Contact us to claim your certificate.
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