‘The cowl and the curriculum'

This chapter explores the significant relationship between ‘the cowl and the curriculum’ – that is, between the ‘new’ secular monastic movements – the new monasticism or neomonasticism – and the total curriculum of the school. In particular, and first, it examines the significance of the new monasticism (originally spawned from Christian religious orders and their charisms), with their patterned emphasis on the deliberate and systematic cultivation of values such as – stability, conversatio, detachment, simplicity, silence and speech, hospitality, and humility. Second, it examines possible links between the values of the new monasticism and the school curriculum, focusing in particular on how certain values either confirm or challenge all those who work within schools.