Special Character Festival

“Thou Michael the Victorious,

Conqueror of the Dragon,

Be thou at my back!”

As the nights get a little colder, and the days a little shorter, it becomes harder to convince ourselves that the glorious days of summer will last forever! In the time before the marvels of technology brought about heat pumps and courgette in July, Autumn was a time to prepare, physically and mentally, for the long, cold months of winter ahead. Fruits and vegetables were gathered and stored, grain and wood carefully stacked in large quantities, and meat prepared in a multitude of ways to last out the season. These tasks were often community events, with everyone gathering to lend a hand to their neighbours, and ‘top up’ the bonds of friendship and family before bunkering down, safe, and warm at home.

While we’re certain not many of us would be keen to go back to those times, it is the underlying spirit of this time that we here at Raphael House hope to bring to our tamariki: gratitude for what we have, kindness to those around us, and courage to face what lies ahead. In years past, we have celebrated with big school events, the Games of Courage in the Lower School and Drama Games in the Upper School, which foster teamwork and help extend the comfort zone of the tamariki. This year we are chose to alter our programme to keep one another safe. The Lower School celebrated in their classes with stories, drawings clay work and games. The Upper School carved beautiful Michaelmas pumpkins.

If you want to bring a little of the Michaelmas spirit to your whanau at home, there are plenty of ways you can do this. Younger children might want to create a ‘harvest table’ at home with signs of the changing of the season, or help their parents bake bread or cookies in the shape of dragons and leaves. Those with older children and teenagers might like to have a zoom call or write a letter to family or friends out of town, or donate some of the old toys they might not use any more.

With blessings for the autumn season,

The Festival Group