The Primary/High School Winter Festival is just a week away- on Thursday 18th June!
The theme this year is ‘The Inner Fire’ and whatever that may mean to you.
What do I need to know?
- The Festival is co-created, you are not just there as a spectator, but as an active participant.
- Take the opportunity to go deeper and nurture the inner life for yourself. See info on the Spiral.
- Overall, we are trying to create a mood of REVERENCE. The time for socialising is at the very beginning for Primary School, and at the end by the FIRE for everyone.
- No phones, filming or photography, We have an official photographer.
- Please don’t linger in areas that are not clearly communal, and please follow directions by any of our Winter Festival Guides (wearing hi-vis vests).
- Due to the size of the Festival, we ask that just immediate family members attend, not extended family. Thank you.
- Park at Adventure World car park. Please only enter and exit on foot through the Gwilliam Drive pedestrian gate.
- This Pabulum contains the Fire Blessing plus songs that will be sung around the fire. Please feel free to learn some and join in with the singing.
Primary School – Important information
- 5.30pm start.
- A reminder that eating soup and social time is from 5.30pm-5.55pm. Parents will be set up outside the classrooms, children will be inside with teachers and assistants at this point.
- At 5.55pm a bell will ring to signal the time for parents to move inside for the reverent part of the festival.
- A pack-up team will be required for each class to quickly pack everything away.
- The formal proceedings begin inside the classrooms at 6pm sharp.
- Families may choose to eat at home and just come for the 6pm start. Please let your class teacher know if this is the case.
- A team to bring and set up soup, bread and butter will need to be in front of the classroom to set up the soup tables from 5.20pm.
- Please take your children home when the floodlight comes on at the bonfire and staff sing ‘Goodnight, Stars our Light’.
High School – Important Information
- 5.30pm Designated parents drop off soup at the North Lake Rd Gate (Near the Korean restaurant) then park and enter on foot via the Gwilliam Drive pedestrian gate.
6pm Official start.
- HS Parents can walk the spiral. Inside the Hall or on the small oval.
- Move to one of the following activity areas-
- Seekers Place for Meditation
- Jarrah Miah for Singing Winter Songs
- Kindy Garden area for quiet time listening to acoustic music
- 6.50pm Move to the Bonfire area. Leave room for the classes to move into their places on the rope.
What to bring
- Mug/bowl and a spoon for you and your child
- A lantern for yourself
- Warm, rainproof clothes
Walking the Spiral- A powerful experience
Walking a spiral at midwinter symbolises a journey inward during the year’s darkest season, inviting reflection, contemplation, and connection with one’s inner self. Reaching the centre represents a moment of stillness and insight, while the outward path signifies renewal, carrying new intentions into the returning light.
The spiral reflects the cyclical rhythms of nature and life, reminding us that growth unfolds through recurring seasons rather than in a straight line. As a form of moving meditation, the slow, mindful walk creates space for gratitude, hope and personal transformation.
When undertaken in community, it also honours the shared human experience of moving through darkness together and supporting one another as the light gradually returns.
Take the time for yourself to walk the spiral in contemplation – it can be food for the soul.
The Fire Blessing
May the fire be in our thoughts –
Making them true, good and just.
May the fire be in our eyes –
May it open our eyes to share what is good in life.
May the fire be on our lips –
So that we may speak the truth in kindness;
That we may serve and encourage others.
May the fire be in our ears –
We pray that we may hear with a deep, deep listening
So that we may hear the flow of water, and of all creation.
May the fire be in our arms and hands –
So that we may be of service and build up love.
May the fire protect us from all violence.
May the fire be in our whole being –
In our legs and in our feet.
May the fire enable us to walk the earth
With reverence and care
So that we may walk in the ways of goodness and truth.
JARS – Winter Festival is approaching
If you have any salsa or size like jars pleased drop off outside Kevin’s office next to Williams hall in the box provided.
Thank you,
Community Engagement/Winter Festival Team