Dr Elizabeth Mackintosh (Lead Educator at CATALYST)

Summer is drawing to a close and many of our international CATALYST alumni are already back at school.

The summer ‘to be read’ book pile, overflowing beach bags, coffee at the harbour & other summer rituals inevitably drift away as we prepare for a new academic year.

There are mixed feelings about this, of course, and and I find myself undertaking the annual (and seasonal) reading of Tove Jansson’s Moominsummer Madness, as no one quite understands change, anxiety, rituals and rhythms better than the Finnish author.

If you are a fan on Jansson, and know her memoir The Sculptor’s Daughter, you will recall the daily discussions about the weather and changing of season, making coffee and observations of her cat Psipsina. The Moominland Tales are all about creating a stable foundation for family and visitors and we too become softened and awakened to the importance of collecting flowers and the singing pattern of The Groke as we read her powerful stories.

Catalysts are agents of change, and on the courses we seek to lean into change (or more accurately, growth), but we are also aware of the importance of rituals and daily rhythms. There are sayings that become familiar, such as Dr John Cullerne’s ‘thank you my friend’ when in dialogue, my own references to ‘stomping ground’ when on our reflective walks, and many other CATALYST-specific references to The Yard, showering confetti and respawning (don’t forget to come back with your graduation hat!).

Discussions about the weather each morning (and the use of emojis in the chat to represent this) as well as the films and books we have read and adored and the snacks and drinks we are enjoying all over the world start the day (in the auditorium) and punctuate other discussions too. Our remarkable cohorts and alumni (now mentors and facilitators) help to shape the rhythms and rituals, and have always helped inform how we do things. They have reminded us of how crucial time to play (Skribbl) is! The CATALYST programmes are unashamedly academic and challenging, and there needs time to breathe, and for students to share aspects of their own cultural identity and individuality.

Our wonderful Operations Manager Teboho keeps everything moving to schedule, keeps a watchful eye on all the structures and systems that make the courses work so brilliantly, but also dutifully ensures we take our team photos, take our breaks and take care of each other.

In a digital world where it is increasingly likely that some colleagues will never meet face to face, the importance of relationship building, understanding cultural difference and making work enjoyable will be fulfilling and sustaining. At CATALYST we are proud of the way we combine academic rigour, community buidling and play.

Change is inevitable - it is both scary and wonderful, but rituals and rhythms help to create soothing foundations that ensure we can give our best and grow even when much is beyond our control. CATALYST is a unique global platform for growth and challenge, built on secure foundations by experienced educators who above all else, care deeply and are committed to creating community.

The cohorts learn from and about changemakers who came before them and who are doing good right now, inspiring them to think about who they can and should be for now and for the worlds of tomorrow.

“A theatre is the most important sort of house in the world, because that’s where people are shown what they could be if they wanted, and what they’d like to be if they dared to and what they really are.“

Moominsummer Madness
Tove Jansson

Thinking about rhythms and rituals

Thinking about landscapes and landmarks

Thinking with maps