Festivals
Festivals are an important part of Steiner education and a wonderful way for the school community to come together and celebrate throughout the year.
As well as being a lot of fun we use these seasonal events as learning opportunities – the children study the origins of the festivals and their connection to our history and present their work at the events themselves. This could be anything from poems and informative writing through to art work, posters and costumes.
Michaelmas, September 29th: This festival marks the harvest and thanksgiving where the children bring food in for our harvest table, and we hold a special assembly.
Martinmas, November 11th: As Autumn gives way to Winter we celebrate the darkening days with a Lantern Walk. The children, teachers and parents make brightly coloured candle lanterns and gather to sing songs.
Advent, December: On the first Sunday of Advent we build a spiral of evergreen leaves. The children carry unlit candles to the centre, where one lit candle stands and from this, they light their own and place it down amongst the leaves. By the end of the celebration the path is beautifully lit, and we are reminded that even in the dark days of Winter, not all is gloom!
Candlemas, 2nd February: This ancient festival marks the mid-point of Winter and the children make candles while the whole community celebrates with songs and a shared breakfast.
Easter: Here we’ll decorate the school, go on school nature walks and sing in the Spring air with, of course, egg hunts for all!
Whitsun: One of our most popular celebrations as we set up the school Maypole and dance with the Merry Maypole School band.
St. John’s Day (Midsummer): Traditionally, fires were lit on midsummer’s day to encourage the sun to shine and ripen the crops. At York we celebrate by gathering everyone together round a large wood fire. (The Early Years group have their own festival, with a summer picnic – and a smaller fire!)