Virtues Training
The central aim of the school is to help the students become aware of their spiritual nature. We begin this at kindergarten level, then reinforce throughout all levels of the school. We train teachers to recognise and identify the virtues which are present in all students, (in fact in all of humanity) and to call upon those virtues when teaching the students. Rather than just say, “Be good,” we encourage them by asking, “What virtue do we need here?” Then the students themselves are able to respond and identify the specific virtue that the situation calls for. Thus the teacher is able to direct his or her students, requesting them, for example, to practise courtesy and respect. One of the most fundamental virtues that we need to learn and teach is truthfulness. Indeed, Baha’u’llah says that truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues. Today, when deceit and lying are commonplace and often accepted as the norm, we need to help our students and teachers recognise the necessity of practising truthfulness if we are serious about wanting to transform ourselves and our society.
Virtues of the Week
Each week we have a virtue of the week, along with a virtues verse to be read each day and memorized during the week. At the Monday morning assembly, after devotions, the virtues verse is talked about and a story is told to help students to understand it. The virtues verse is taken from either the Bahá’í writings or another of the Holy Books (e.g. The Bible). The words of the virtues verse are creative, and assist in the transformation of the soul.
Student-Centred Learning
In the Bahá’í teachings we are asked to: “Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”
~ Baha'u'llah,
This helps us to recognise that the potential of the student is there, inside. When we educate children we are not opening their heads and pouring in information. Rather, we are drawing forth what is already in them. This means that in our classes we are trying to get students to ask each other questions, formulate ideas and explain their understanding of various topics. In this way, learning becomes more interactive and the students take more responsibility for their own development. Of course, this is a process that takes time, as the teachers, as well as the students, learn how to escape from the traditional “chalk and talk” routine. New students often have to quickly learn to practice self-control and responsibility as they are called upon to take a more active part in their learning.
~ Baha'u'llah,
This helps us to recognise that the potential of the student is there, inside. When we educate children we are not opening their heads and pouring in information. Rather, we are drawing forth what is already in them. This means that in our classes we are trying to get students to ask each other questions, formulate ideas and explain their understanding of various topics. In this way, learning becomes more interactive and the students take more responsibility for their own development. Of course, this is a process that takes time, as the teachers, as well as the students, learn how to escape from the traditional “chalk and talk” routine. New students often have to quickly learn to practice self-control and responsibility as they are called upon to take a more active part in their learning.
Unity in Diversity
Kindy Graduation
The motto of Rowhani Bahá’í School is “Unity in Diversity”. This means that each one of us is a special, created by God, with talents and capacities latent within us. We each have different needs, often different cultures and customs, but all of these enrich the human experience and make up the tapestry that is human life on this planet. From this understanding comes the fact that we are all flowers of one garden, leaves of one tree. Our differences need not alienate us, but rather enrich us, as we appreciate all of the wondrous facets of our human family.
One of the important understandings that we endeavour to teach is the elimination of prejudice, and the inclusiveness of all, in one human family. This, once more, is a process, and each of us needs to continually identify our prejudices and work on eliminating them.
Appreciating different cultures and customs, which are not in conflict with spiritual teachings, is an important part of achieving unity in diversity. At Rowhani School, we try to help each student feel that they are unique - not only in terms of where they come from, but also as to their spiritual reality. At the same time we try to help them appreciate others who are different to them, and learn from them
One of the important understandings that we endeavour to teach is the elimination of prejudice, and the inclusiveness of all, in one human family. This, once more, is a process, and each of us needs to continually identify our prejudices and work on eliminating them.
Appreciating different cultures and customs, which are not in conflict with spiritual teachings, is an important part of achieving unity in diversity. At Rowhani School, we try to help each student feel that they are unique - not only in terms of where they come from, but also as to their spiritual reality. At the same time we try to help them appreciate others who are different to them, and learn from them