Primary Makuru Winter Festival Information

Makuru Winter Festival Program

One of the core goals of Steiner education is a fostering of wonder and reverence for the world around us. Our annual Makuru Winter Festival, held at midwinter, is our most significant festival of the year as it helps us to find the light within and begin the path outward, to share our gifts with the world. This is the journey represented by the walking of the spiral. The lantern is a symbol of our individual light; it gives protection to our own little ‘flame’ so that we may carry it safely through the dark winter months ahead. The children make their lanterns in class, whilst parents are encouraged to make and bring their own. WCSSCA are hosting a Lantern Making Workshop on Wednesday 18th June at 8:45am. It is a gold coin donation, and materials will be provided. We encourage you to attend.

This is a festival of introspection, and a rare opportunity for us to demonstrate to our children quiet stillness, for that reason we strive for silence as much as is possible throughout the event. Parents please support staff to carry this impulse throughout the evening.

Following is all the information you need to know for the evening, please take the time to read it and support it.

WEATHER: At the moment the forecast is for inclement weather. This is, by its very nature a Winter Festival, so it will run unless it is very stormy and there is lightning. If the weather is wet come prepared with raincoats and umbrellas. We will continue to monitor the forecast and we will advise you of any changes to the event as soon as practical.

Friday June 20 school finishes for all students at 12.30pm

Do not linger at school - go straight home to rest and replenish, and so that the mood of the spiral can be set. Your child will bring their lantern home - remember to bring it back for the festival!

5.30pm

Do not arrive early. The gates will be locked as staff prepare the festival. They will be unlocked at 5.30pm sharp. Class 4, 5 and 6 families and students are to line up down the fenceline towards Nollamara Primary School. Class 1, 2 and 3 line up along the fence towards Nollamara Avenue. Class 6 will enter first and lead the procession into the school, led in by their Teacher, Aimee. Each Class Teacher will meet their class and lead their students and families. Please enter as quietly as possible and follow your teacher.  It will be quite dark; the way will be paved with tea lights and musicians will be playing softly. 

Parents please carry matches or a lighter and spare tealights in your pockets in case lanterns needs relighting over the night. 

Class 6 will lead the spiral walk while Cello players play. This will be followed by Class 5, Class 4, Class 3, Class 2 and ending with Class 1. The walk of the spiral will be with their parents and teachers and then proceed to a lantern walk around the back oval.

After the spiral and the oval have been walked, we will all gather quietly in the front quadrangle on the verandas, as the choir sings, for a Fire Blessing and Fire Dance performed by Class 6 students.

At the conclusion of this, Class 6 will light the bonfire and the whole school will sing Winter Festival songs.

7.30pm

The Festival ends at 7.30pm, or when the singing has come to an end, and everyone departs quietly for home. Please leave quietly straight after the festival to deepen the experience for your child and our community.

Please pay attention to the following reminders:

*This is a festival for the Primary School. The kindergartens have their own age appropriate celebrations and so on this evening, small children should be tucked up warm at home.
*Children must not bring glow-sticks, torches, light up shoes, or other toys to the Festival.
*All children must be supervised at all times, and participating in the Festival. They absolutely may not play on the playground equipment or socialise.
*Please ensure that the children are dressed appropriately – warm clothing and enclosed footwear. Please no skirts, dresses or flowing type attire due to the fire risk.

*The Winter Festival is a festival of quiet and introspection. Please assist us by maintaining an atmosphere of reverence and awe. Silence and the absence of phones and cameras will ensure a special time for all. Photography and filming is not allowed.

FESTIVAL DONATIONS

- Please bring greenery, ivy and flowers to school for the spirals and leave them in front of the Performance Room from today onwards.

- Please leave jars in the staff room/kitchen.

Makuru Winter Festival Songs

To learn more about the impulse of this festival view the short film below.