“POKUTTYA SCHOOL”
is a leading Waldorf initiative in western Ukraine that is currently undergoing dynamic growth.
We are a comprehensive school, from kindergarten through graduation, located in the town of Horodenka, surrounded by the picturesque nature of Pokuttia, combining Waldorf pedagogy with local traditions.
In 1998, the Waldorf kindergarten “Buzkove Gnezdo” opened. And in 2018, parents and teachers founded a Waldorf initiative that launched the educational project “Pokuttya School.”
Learning takes place through observation and voluntary activities directly in nature. Our school is located on a hill, with a field below, a huge apple orchard, a stream, and a forest beyond. During every recess, the children have the opportunity to run along the path, play by the stream, and return to school. In the lower grades, walks are held regularly, during which the children explore the surroundings on their own. When it’s time for the children to study botany, the students go to the spring forest and explore young plants. Over time, they observe how everything in nature grows and develops—this is phenomenology. Students can experience firsthand the interconnectedness of nature and humanity.
The idea of establishing a Waldorf school first emerged among a group of people in Horodenka in the early 1990s. It was a small group of active individuals who fought for Ukraine’s independence, raised national flags, and sought to build a new, independent state. To achieve this, they first and foremost wanted a new, better education. And when they were introduced to Waldorf pedagogy—the art of education—they were struck by its depth and relevance. They realized that this kind of education is exactly what the new generation needs—consciousness and freedom: this is the essence of what we want to bring to life.
Our mission: in accordance with the fundamental principles of Waldorf education, we impart humanity and other spiritual values, as well as the cultural traditions of the Ukrainian people, which provide the impetus for lifelong development.
Every year, children see how much has already been done and created by adults. They are told that they will be able to create such things on their own. The children may not believe it, but we—teachers and parents—know it for certain. We understand the stages a person must go through throughout their life. Based on these stages, Waldorf education gives the child—the person—exactly what is needed for development and growth, thereby nurturing their personality. Our school’s motto is: Light is the gift of freedom; freedom is the gift of education. We foster long-term relationships between teacher and child.
What needs are we trying to meet? The school provides children with a sense of safety and security throughout their education. We offer long-term, individualized support for each child’s development. We focus on the healthy and harmonious development of the growing individual, combining spiritual education with academic learning.
Since our school is still small—45 children from all corners of Ukraine—we have the opportunity to gather in a large circle every morning and begin our day with a prayer for Ukraine.
During the war, many families came to us from occupied territories or from places under constant shelling. They were able to settle here, find some peace—as much as is possible at this time—and rediscover the sense of security and rhythm that existed in their lives before the war. We strive to ensure that families seeking a Waldorf education who cannot return to their hometowns have the opportunity to live in our community and educate their children at our school. After all, at our school, teachers see the student, feel for them, accompany them, and understand them, because a reverent connection exists between teacher and child. We want to make every effort to ensure that children have the opportunity to learn, develop, and grow safely, and can truly step out into the world harmoniously and freely, where they will feel at home and connected to those around them.
Our faculty consists of 14 teachers who have already received Waldorf training or are currently studying at a Waldorf teacher training college. The average age of the faculty is 46. The faculty shares a sense of shared responsibility in decision-making, solidarity, warmth, mutual support, and trust—these are the values that give us the inner dynamism in our relationships with one another. The key competencies we seek in our faculty are attentiveness to each individual, enthusiasm, flexibility, creativity, and professionalism.
Today, the school serves as a venue for various events: first and foremost, the All-Ukrainian Waldorf Seminar, whose instructors and students are teachers from various schools across Ukraine, as well as seminars and meetings with visiting instructors; and anthroposophical work in various groups.
We collaborate closely with established Waldorf schools on projects and practical activities for students: surveying and craft workshops, festivals, camps, hikes, rafting trips, and more.
We dream of providing a full education through 12th grade and several kindergarten groups, as well as workshops (pottery, blacksmithing, carpentry, baking, icon painting, etc.), and of having our own farm and social enterprises.
That is why we are looking for a partner school, patrons, curators, and benefactors who could support us in our development and help us realize our goals.
Sincerely,
The Faculty of the “Pokuttya School”
Website: https://www.pokuttia-waldorf.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PokuttiaSchool