Primary Makuru Winter Festival Rescheduled Program

Makuru Winter Festival Program

Dear Community,

We are pleased to announce that our rescheduled Makuru Winter Festival will now take place in full this Wednesday night, June 25 commencing at 5.30pm.

Our dedicated staff have worked hard to ensure we can still gather to hold this reverent and meaningful event for our community. The festival includes a spiral walk, a lantern procession, and a spectacular fire dance performed by our Class 6 students. A bonfire will then be lit, and we invite you all to come together in song around the fire.

We understand this rescheduling may not suit everyone and appreciate the effort it takes to attend, particularly with last-minute changes due to weather. This festival requires significant behind-the-scenes preparation, so we truly value your support and flexibility.

A gentle reminder:
This is a silent and reverent festival. We ask all families to stay with their children at all times and help maintain a calm and respectful atmosphere throughout the evening. This is a festival for the Primary students, little ones should be tucked up warm at home. 

The school day will end at 3.05pm - please leave for home straight away, do not linger but depart as quickly as possible - this time is needed for the festival to be prepared AND for your children to have some rest and nourishment before returning for the evening.

Festival Itinerary

Start Time: 5:30pm

Please do not arrive early.
The gates will remain locked while staff complete preparations and will open precisely at 5:30pm.

If your child attends Empire Games teaching staff will look after them and bring them to the front gate at 5.30pm to meet you. (If you have any questions or concerns regarding this please contact Class 6 Teacher, Aimee - aimee.waller@wcss.wa.edu.au) 

Entry Procedure:

• Class 4, 5, and 6 families line up along the fenceline toward Nollamara Primary School.
• Class 1, 2, and 3 families line up along the fence toward Nollamara Avenue.
• Class 6 will enter first, led by their teacher Aimee, and begin the procession into the school.
• Each Class Teacher will meet their class at the gate and lead their students and families inside.

Please enter quietly. It will be quite dark — the path will be lit by tealights and accompanied by soft live music. Please follow your teachers lead.

Parents:
Please carry matches or a lighter and spare tealights in case your child’s lantern needs relighting during the night. Children will bring their lanterns home after school so remember to return with them!

Festival Highlights

• Spiral Walk – Class 6 begins the walk, accompanied by cello music, followed by Classes 5, 4, 1, 2, 3 
• Lantern Walk – After the spiral, all classes will continue with a quiet lantern walk around the back oval.
• Choir Performance & Fire Dance – We’ll gather on the front quadrangle verandas for a performance by the school choir and a fire dance by Class 6.
• Bonfire & Community Singing – Class 6 will light the bonfire. Together, we will sing Winter Festival songs to close the evening.

End Time: 7:30pm (approx.)

The festival concludes at 7:30pm or once the community singing ends. Please leave quietly to help your child and others carry the warmth of the experience home.

We sincerely hope you can join us in this special celebration of light, reflection, and community.

Please note 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 at home.
*No glow-sticks, torches, light up shoes, or other toys are permitted.
*All children must be supervised at all times and participating in the Festival. They absolutely may not play on the playground equipment or socialise.
*Ensure that the children are dressed appropriately – warm clothing and enclosed footwear. No skirts, dresses or flowing type attire due to the fire risk. The school dress code still applies.

*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.