To the Perth Waldorf School Community
Thank You!
It was the perfect winter’s evening- still and crisp, with the stars lighting up the night sky. Over a thousand candles glowed around the grounds, the spirals almost hummed with energy, the bonfire stood ready to be lit.
Everything was in readiness for children, parents and staff to play their part; like stepping on to the stage of ‘A Midwinter’s Dream’.
And as a community, we did so with gentle reverence and beauty. We really know how to slow down to celebrate the inner experience that mid-winter brings: a rare thing in the hectic pace of life in this day and age.
The night began with Bruce and Sunu warmly welcoming each community member at the front gate.
The theme this year was the inner fire.
On the Primary lantern walk three eurythmists – Sonia McGillivray, Rosemary Stevens and Romi Moreno and three speakers – Julia Humphreys, Jenny Hill and Sarah Boyle- spoke and moved parts of the Fire Blessing which had been gifted by aboriginal elder, Burnum Burnum. The three stations brought a sense of beauty and depth. The fire blessing was spoken again by the children before the lighting of the bonfire.
A highlight, as it has been for the past 3 years, was the Welcome to Country by Jayden Boundry and the traditional Noongar dancing. Hearing the didge and singing, seeing the dancers around the fire is always a special, powerful experience and we highly value the ongoing relationship we have with them.
Music
Claire Williamson led the Winter choir and parent singing and also prepared the Class 12s for their spectacular fire entrance. Michelle Guffie and Judith Schipkie worked with Claire to choreograph and rehearse movement for the Class 7s and 12s for their powerful fire lighting ceremony. Jenny Cowley and Yesim Atila taught songs in the Primary school. Yesim and Claire co-led the singing at the bonfire.
And what a wonderful fire it was, created by Pete Kraayvanger and the FGM team, with sparks shooting directly up towards the stars.
The Spirals
The two spirals were magnificent. Anita Staude did her annual neighbourhood drive-by flower-gathering, and then, with parent volunteers, adorned the spirals with incredible floral beauty. Parent and committee member, Adrian Vujcic, worked tirelessly on the spiral creation. The admin staff lit each and every one of those 1000 candles around the grounds. Class 6 and 7 children helped with some of the logistics on the day and the clean up the next day.
Class 10 students, with support from Kelly and Brett Kranz-Little, created the magnificent HS spiral in the hall.
Jenny Cowley set the mood by playing atmospheric cello music at the High School spiral, and Sanshi and Fiorino played ethereal didge and hand pan drums for the Primary School. Bruce directed movement through the spiral so that people could feel unrushed and really savour the moment.
Other activities
Mark Phillips ran a meditation session for parents in Seekers place which helped parents to enter the reflective spirit of the night.
Yesim Atila led parents in learning Winter songs in Jarrah Miah-preparing them for singing around the fire. Captivating music was played in the Kindy area by Nigel and Cormac Healy, where parents could relax and take in the mood.
Teachers and assistants prepared the children to participate creatively in the festival and held them beautifully on the night, as well as opened their rooms to welcome their class communities. Singing, poetry, a shadow puppet play, even a Russian lullaby all warmed the Primary classroom spaces.
The FGM team-Pete, Jordan, Nanson, Sam and Ethan in their calm and competent way, took care of many of the logistics for the night, including overseeing the fire jumping safely.
Alex Kellenberger and Deb Sorensen took beautiful photos of many aspects of the night.
The many strands were woven together by the Winter Festival coordinating committee- Michelle Guffie, Renae Spackman, Sonia Mcgillivray, Holly Peterson, Naoimh Healey, Pete Kraayvanger and myself. Kelly Prosser kept everything on track with communications and timing on the night.
To all these people, and to the countless others who performed, made soup, or simply participated in a meaningful way, on behalf of the committee, I extend a huge-
Thank You!
Kevin Mazzer