We gathered at Waterperry House, Oxfordshire, UK

School Leaders’ Conference

A few photos

Every 6-7 years Mr Donald Lambie, the senior tutor in London, invites the heads of Schools from around the world together for an extended time, to refresh their knowledge and practice at Waterperry House. On this occasion, the meeting was August 24 – September 7^th 2019. In order to assist with the smooth running of the event, two international groups of volunteers were also there.

Mornings were marked by a long period for reflection, meditation and stillness – so much space and time!

Alain de Caluwe, Belgium and Andrew Braithwaite, Durban

Most afternoons there were ‘business’ meetings to discuss organisational matters

Plenty of opportunity for informal meetings
in the elegant front hall

The School has always included physical work as an important part of the retreat programme; it’s an opportunity for practice. So there was cleaning in the mornings, a variety of work in the afternoons as well as. . . washing up!

A lot of the food eaten
was harvested from the walled garden
during work sessions

Some people developed unusual expertise – folding napkins!
and walking the dog!

Bruce Dean, Wellington; Dianne Kruger, Perth
S Kendal, Cape Town; J Lowenherz, Melbourne
Carol Fox, Israel; Emilie Preston, Auckland

Allison Thorpe, Toronto
M Safinia, San Francisco
Z Giustiniani, Venezuela

On Aug 31, Discantvs gave a splendid concert, including music composed specially for this occasion.

Andrew Braithwaite, SA
M Varadi Boethy, Hungary; Ann de Caluwe, Belgium
D Soogrim, Trinidad

Wonderful company, food, and – eating outdoors!

School leader: “This is to thank you and the London School for all the work that went into the Waterperry Weeks, for what must have been extended effort over a long period of time, involving a good many people. [A friend] told us just before we arrived at Waterperry that preparations had been going on for over a year and that the leaders were bound to have a good two weeks. That, of course, was an understatement. The entire event was suffused with love. When I cast my mind back to those fourteen days, that substance still presents itself as a living reality. A golden age.”

The School Leaders, tutors. . . and dog!

A book of quotations about service from Mr Leon MacLaren (founder of the School) was compiled for this event. The book was a gift to all participants in this conference, produced by the School in Sydney. Study of the subject of service gave meaning to the work.

Leon MacLaren: “Universal love has certain hallmarks. The very first is this: that it unites. Where love is, there are never two, only one. One experiences this, for example, when one catches the unity in a family . . and sometimes one experience this unity, something larger than the individuals. . . “

Vickie, NY: 5000W smile
Susanne, London
Rosemary, Dublin

The wonderful volunteers had the use of a tent when it was warm enough

The food was delicious,
looked good too!
Ann, Queen of Cake

With around 85 people present, laundry was A Big Job! Sue, UK

Volunteer: “It struck me that I have had a very weak notion of the real purpose of service up to now, until I kept giving for a whole week. I gave, gave a bit more, and more after that. As a result I feel more full and ‘cleaned out’ than ever. ”

Preparation started a long time in advance!

Volunteer: “Throughout the week the atmosphere of love was very evident to all and I made many friends. My experience of stillness deepened through the week and resting in it became the norm. This atmosphere of service and love was a source of great enjoyment of the beautiful ballet of the the event. . . “

Andrew, Georgia, US
Allan, UK
Rachel, London

Volunteer: “Being in service at Waterperry was astounding. Extraordinary. Fabulous. People were really practicing. There were the usual skirmishes in the beginning around how to do things. But there was an awareness I don’t often witness. The service team on the whole seemed able to recognize the source of small disagreements in the moment and move past them quickly. Things were efficient (and joyful!) because of that. It was a profound experience. I am so grateful for it. Thank you for allowing me to be there. I know it was a hot ticket 😉 “

It’s probably not going too badly when the people in charge look like this.

Volunteer: “The organisation of the event was most impressive and it was a delight to be looked after so well. I always think the word “service” does not describe what takes place in such events. It really is a coming together of people (Leaders and Service Team) who have in their hearts a love of the innermost Self. This emotional quality was evident throughout the week that we attended and for that one is most grateful.”

Antoinette, CT; Victor, Spain; Elizabeth, Edinburgh
Christine and Donna, both from Brisbane
Mark and Jaya, bakers

Time to relax
in the lovely gardens

Volunteer: “The Truth is the Self. This is the only truth that we are actually. I saw it with my room mates, there were five of us, from all around the world (California, South Africa, Holland, and Spain). At the beginning I only saw the surface, their characters, but very soon the truth started to manifest, and love rose, great sense of humour, taking care of each other, and the understanding. We were amazed, because a week before we didn’t know the existence of each other, and in two days, we felt as if we were the best friends, so closely we connected. It made me consider that we are all the same self, but we usually live in the surface of differences, and do not appreciate the real thing. Very important to remember it with all other human beings.”