Leamington teacher takes childcare expertise to global stage

MHLC-15-05-13 Canada conference May42
Pictured from the left, Trinity School's,Flora Garner (head girl),Chris Gabbett (principal) Stephen Steinhaus (Assistant principal ) is representing the school at a conference in Canada to talk about schools as therapeutic environments and Matthew Pettle (head boy ) both student are part of the Canadian Project. — MHLC-15-05-13 Canada conference May42 Pictured from the left, Trinity School's,Flora Garner (head girl),Chris Gabbett (principal) Stephen Steinhaus (Assistant principal ) is representing the school at a conference in Canada to talk about schools as therapeutic environments and Matthew Pettle (head boy ) both student are part of the Canadian Project.

Stephen Steinhaus, who was born and raised in the North American country, is presenting a workshop on a project pupils at Trinity School - where he is the assistant headteacher - have produced on student voice, trauma-awareness, schools as therapeutic environments and community ethos.

As part of the Other People’s Children project, the youngsters met, interviewed, and worked with former staff and children from early residential therapeutic environments to co-create a living theatre performance.

The project involved communicating oral histories and using archives and theatrical techniques to share stories and heritage.

Mr Steinhaus, who directed the project, said: “The inspiration has helped me make a leap from community and arts-based specialism and focus in my work and career to drive for inclusion and progress for all children and students in my care and at Trinity.

“The lasting legacy for me has been a true bridge for me from whereand what my career was to where and what it is and then, to where and what it will be in the future.

“I’m hugely excited to be talking about our work on such an international stage.”

Mr Steinhaus, who is also a professional rhythm-and-blues singer, is heading off to Canada at the end of June.

As well as having taught in Hawaii and San Francisco, Mr Steinhaus has led an oral history project that examined residential therapeutic childcare between 1930 and 1980,

After taking part in the conference in June, he will be leaving Trinity for a new post as vice principal of the Whitley RSA Academy in Coventry.

To find out more about the conference, visit www.cycworld2013.net