Advent spiral and more...

Apples, like magical windfalls, are fixed with candles that light the mossy spiral, creating an otherworldly glow...


Children take turns to light their apples their contemplations accompanied by a lyre group and carol singing...




The spiral in its quiet splendour...


The boys decorate the Class One nature table transforming it into a nativity scene...




Another advent table in Class Seven.


The rest of the school is also decorated to reflect the season.


Stars made of kite paper also teach geometry and proportions.

It never fails to stir the heart witnessing the advent spiral. Hours of work go into the creation of the spiral itself which is an intricate weaving of moss, stars, grasses, fircones, gnomes, shells, crystals and love. Apples are then prepared with candles and placed at the start of the spiral. The children (from babes in arms to class four) are ushered into the silent and dark hall. They are accompanied by their parents. A single flame is lit in the middle of the spiral. Children then trace the walk down towards the flame and lit a candle. They place the candle on the mossy spiral and return to their seat in silent contemplation. Even the most boistrous student is made quiet by the reverence to this season of dark and our ability to bring light even in this coldest of times.

The school is also transformed overnight into a world of stars and evergreens. Teachers and parents spend the weekend decorating the school. In Class One Tracy had gotten her four boys to help with the transformation from autumn to Christmas and it was truly incredible how a single window change had altered the atmosphere and tone of the room. It was now more inward and contemplative, and for the first time, despite the best efforts of the supermarkets that began way back in September, i did finally feel that Christmas was coming. One of the boys made a beeswax figurine of Mary for the table. When the Star of Wonder was placed in the centre of the display, it was pronouced complete.