Festivals
The celebration of festivals is very important in Waldorf Education. It is closely linked with the earthly rhythm of 'breathing in' during winter and 'breathing out' during summer. It brings children and adults in touch with the larger seasonal rhythms of life and awaken a sense of being part of the greater cosmic whole. It draws the community together as they participate in the festive activities and a feeling of oneness and belonging is fostered. The School celebrates four seasonal festivals.
EASTER FESTIVAL - AUTUMNAL EQUINOX IN MARCH
The Easter festival is closely associated with the resurrection of Christ and is a time for celebrating new life and rebirth both physically and spiritually. The children hear stories with an Easter theme, sing Easter songs throughout the term and practice verses or even prepare for a play related to Easter to be performed on the day of the festival. In the week before the festival, eggs are blown out and painted or coloured beautifully. On the day of the festival the eggs are on display. Plays, verses and songs are performed by individual classes and of course their is the Easter hare that hides all the delicious chocolate eggs without ever being seen and the enthusiastic egg hunt afterwards.
ST JOHN'S FESTIVAL - WINTER SOLSTICE IN JUNE
John, the Baptist is a significant spiritual figure who called upon humankind to seek the light of Christ. Throughout the term the children hear stories, sing songs and recite verses that calls upon inner renewal by seeking the Divine Light within. Leaving the dark behind and moving into the light is the main theme. In the week before the festival the whole primary school makes lanterns to reflect this transformation. On the day there is a procession with the lanterns creating a spiral of light to reflect this inner journey. A great bonfire is build around which all the students and teachers gather. Parents are welcome to attend. After the flames die down coals are taken and arranged as a hurdle to be jumped over. This is to encourage and cultivate courage to face the inner fear when confronted with the darkness and to leave it behind following the light of Christ.
It is a powerful experience which creates deep meaning for everyone involved.
MICHAELMAS - SPRING EQUINOX IN SEPTEMBER
The festival of Michaelmas celebrates Michael, the archangel, that casted Lucifer out of heaven. This festival is all about overcoming and taming the dragon within us. It is about facing difficult emotions and unresolved issues and overcoming destructive tendencies arising as a result. The image of Michael brings hope and courage and reminds us that if we stand together we can overcome seemingly unsurmountable obstacles that will be impossible on our own. Courageously we face the dragon together whether we encounter it on the inside or outside in our world. Festival activities include the making of swords, a dragon and the singing of songs. Often Michael conquering the dragon will be enacted on the day of the festival.
ADVENT - SUMMER SOLSTICE IN DECEMBER
Advent time in our School is a sacred time and is celebrated with an Advent Play and an Advent Spiral. Advent is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The Primary School children all participate in the Advent Play and it is practiced throughout the term to be enacted on the day of the festival. Costumes for the Play are sourced or made and parents and families are invited to attend the festival. Through out the term Christmas songs are sung in the classroom and Christmas stories are being told.
The Advent spiral is a spiral that is laid out with greens and flowers. Each child on the day of enactment will follow the spiral to the centre where he, she with the teacher's help will light their individual lanterns. Then the child will follow the spiral with the lit lantern to the outside and place it somewhere on the path. This is symbolic of the inner journey of finding the Light of Christ in our hearts. It is a reverent event and is mostly done in silence. Sometimes a single instrument will be playing sacred advent music.