TAKE OUT THE SWORDS AND SHEILDS - IT MUST BE MICHAELMAS 

The Holywood Steiner School celebrated their annual Michaelmas on Tuesday, 29 September. The first festival day celebrated in the school after it reopens. The curriculum, which is unique in Northern Ireland, makes allowances for these days – always with the full participation of the children.

            “St Michael is the patron saint of warriors,” said Donna Hunter, Class Three teacher. “The quality most associated with him is courage, which is certainly present when the children and I work together in the classroom. Learning is about discovery – both of the self and the world beyond – and the most important quality in this is courage.”

            The day began with Assembly, followed by a short concert with songs about the autumn and a play.

            “Singing and performing are daily parts of the curriculum,” explained Donna. “Singing develops the lungs and helps with breathing, stimulating the ability to learn and concentrate. Performing gives children confidence and a sense of community as well as creativity. During the first two hours of the morning the Main Lesson takes place.  It has a pace and rhythm which helps the children to listen and make what they have just learnt their own.  Working on and presenting it to the school community enables the fruit of their labour to be enjoyed by all.”

            And the fruit of the labour is literally something which everyone takes part in. Autumn is associated with harvests and feasting and everywhere in the school the children appreciate the bounty of nature.

            In the Kindergarten, the equivalent of Primary One, children sit around a magnificently decorated table they helped to lay and tuck into bread they baked.

            Jacinta McIlhone, Kindergarten Class teacher explains the importance of festivals to the children. “As they encounter the world outside for the first time, the children need most of all to be reassured and feel secure. It is only when they know they can come and go as they wish that being in school becomes an adventure and not something to be feared or overcome.”

            But it isn’t all fluffy and warm; there are also obstacles to overcome. Games teacher, Ciaran McIlhone, with the help of Class 8 (13 years olds), sets up obstacle courses, mazes and rope climbing challenges. “I went to this school when I was a child,” said Ciaran, “and the festivals are something which I’ve remembered. As the children undertake these obstacles in a supportive setting they understand that obstacles can be overcome in life too. So much of the curriculum here in the school nurtures the will and a spirit of inner competition which challenges the person to constantly work on him or herself and that is brought to the forefront during Michaelmas.”

            For more information about the school go to www.holywood-steiner.co.uk. To arrange a visit call 02890428029 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .