White capes, holly, hot cross buns, palm fronds, candles, soulful singing, echoing bells and magically transformed classrooms provided a truly beautiful, reverent Easter experience for our tamariki.

We started the day with planting daffodil bulbs along the Zigzag path, knowing that in Spring these will rise from the earth and provide splashes of colour as we walk up the hill to school. Then it was off to our classroom foyers to put on our white capes and receive our piece of holly that we would take into the festival, not knowing that inside our classrooms, something magical was happening!

Through the archway of palm fronds we walked, listening to the beautiful sound of Irene singing 'Wairua tapu'. We carefully gave our piece of holly to Whaea Karen to put on the table in the centre of the Eurythmy Room and then sat down in a big circle. Class 7 then entered the room, carrying candles to bring the light to our table. We sang a variety of beautiful Easter songs and then left the room, walking over the ferns that had been placed down for us by Class 8.

What a magical experience it was, to open our classroom door and see the transformation! Many thanks to the parent reps, room decorators and bun providers for making this happen for the tamariki. After hearing an Easter story, it was time to enjoy our Easter feast. It was such a pleasure to sit together, to share good food and conversation. 

Our day finished with the wonderful experience of Classes 11 and 12 coming down to sing 'Media Vita' for us. What a treat!

Thank you so much to you, our whaanau, our school community, for your contributions of food, money and time to our festivals this term. With your help, the tamariki have had two experiences that will live deeply in them.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday time.

Tanya

(On behalf of the Festival Group)