With the conclusion of the second semester, Michael Mount Waldorf School organised their annual school tradition known as the St John’s Festival, which is usually celebrated towards the end of June.
The celebration sheds light on a ceremony that has been celebrated for decades at the school. Learners are instructed by teachers to construct homemade lanterns and torches. On the night of the festival on June 30, learners showcased their well-crafted lanterns to their friends and families through a parade on the sports field.
Grade 8 learners carried their torches and made their way to a pile of wood on the field. As parents, guardians and teachers observed from a safe distance, the learners created a huge bonfire by throwing their torches on the pile of wood.
“My nephew has gone through a rite of passage as he transitions to high school and it’s like they are leaping into their future. So tonight it was my niece’s night. So they take these massive sticks of flames and they light the fire,” said attendee Gail Pearman.
Once the fire simmered down, learners of Grade 1 to 8 jumped over the smouldering pile of wood. Marketing and communications director of the school Christina Seuffert said this action symbolised leaving all the burdens of yesterday behind and embracing the future.
First emergency respondents were present throughout the course of the event and no reports of fire-related incidents were reported. The celebration ended with the sharing of warm soup and fresh bread organised by some of the parents.
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