Rooted in an ancient Bavarian tradition where farmers adorned tables with moss, twigs, and candlelit apples to create enchanting illuminated gardens, the Advent spiral emerged in the 1920s as a symbolic celebration. Over the years, this meaningful festival has been embraced by Waldorf schools around the world, offering a deeply reflective and heartwarming experience.

In the stillness of a darkened room, evergreen boughs, symbols of life’s enduring spirit, are carefully arranged into a spiral on the floor, with a single large candle glowing at its heart. One by one, each child enters the spiral, holding an apple with an unlit candle. Guided gently by teachers or parents, depending on their needs, the children journey inward along the spiral’s path, moving toward the radiant center. There, they light their candles from the central flame, a gesture rich with meaning, symbolising the light we carry within ourselves. On their way back, they place their lit lanterns along the spiral, slowly illuminating the room with a growing, gentle light, before quietly returning to their seats.

The Advent spiral reflects the soul’s journey during this season, as we move through the darkness of shorter days and longer nights, carrying the light of hope within us toward the return of the sun’s brilliance after the winter solstice.

For our own Apple Tree celebration, small groups gathered in the serene setting of the hall at All Saints to partake in this beautiful and magical ritual. We were especially fortunate to have talented musicians among our parent community, who filled the evening with a serene and uplifting soundscape, enriching the atmosphere and deepening the shared experience of the spiral’s quiet wonder.

Into Film Festival is a free, annual, UK-wide celebration of film and education for 5-19 year olds. Supporting a vision of putting film at the heart of children and young people’s education, the Into Film Festival is the largest youth-focused film festival in the world. You can read more about it here.

This year between the 7th and 24th November there was the opportunity to sign up to go to a local cinema to see a wide range of films including ‘Strange World’, ‘Trolls 3’ and ‘A Crack in the Mountain’. Each film comes with age appropriate educational resources looking at different themes to discuss with the children.

The screening of Lyle Lyle Crocodile attracted Children from the Oakens, Voyagers, Discoveries and Pippins. It was certainly very enjoyable for the grown ups too!

Into Film is a great education package with films available o stream, all supported with activities and resources online. What a great excuse to heat up some popcorn and get cosy over the darker months ahead.

The Pippins performed The Miller’s Tale at the end of term for their families to come along and enjoy. The Discoveries were invited to The Haven too and enjoyed both the performance and the setting.