New beginnings

Advent. Our most wonderful festival. And we turned out in full force to make it once again, the best Advent celebrations in the whole of Northern Ireland, if i do say so myself. The food was second to none, the craft workshops were amazing and top notch, the crafts on sale impeccable and the support for the parents and teachers were unmatched. Here are some of the highlights from the day. Enjoy! I apologise for not having the carols at the end of the evening - they were exquisite, but i had run out of memory! And Ghin was sleeping in my arms making any photo taking impossible.

Ringing the bells for advent AND climate change. Class 11 Bell Choir.




The packed stairway in Upper School at the start of the celebrations


Jacob lights the first advent candle with some assistance from Ed.




The Walnut Boats. I'm really pleased that i managed to get some shots of these. It's a magical world of water, fire and moss. Like some place in Middle Earth.










Lucy and Okowe show the best way to share a meal is with a friend.


The gingerbread house that we raffled. I'm not sure if i'll have it again next year. It nearly killed me to see all those disappointed faces who didn't win!


The restaurant where all our yummu food is served. The tables were decorated with gold stars and red ribbons. How such a small parent teacher body can produce such talent will always be part of the Steiner miracle for me.




This year we had so much of food that the clean up team were well supplied on the Sunday for lunch!


Paper stars adorned the whole school, creating an etheral stained glass glow in the rooms.




Craft activities in the school hall. Badge making was made with watercolour paintings done by the students over the year.




Students take part in the activities, showing how to combine geometry with beauty here.




Beeswax nativity sculptures


Johnny, Angela and Amelie check each other out in the cafe.




Yvonne and Megs make sure that Operation Traybakes goes without a hitch.




Politician and mince pie salesman, John Barry flogs his wares to an unsuspecting crowd.


Kathleen, the high keeper of the crafts group dispenses her fluffy confections to an adoring audience.


Ah, the piece de resistance for this year's woodwork class - the nativity scene. If you look back at the Open Day, you will see the shepherd being worked on. The scene is almost complete and so many people stopped to admire it. A woodturner was besotted with the results - as were we all.






Angela stocks up on her bedside reading.


At the Glencraig stall, Siggy indulges in some philosophical meditation as he ignores the camera.




Students sold a lot of their own stuff as well this year. Here is Class 10's stall.






I know you all want to see what else there was on the crafts stall. Prepare for an Awwwwwwww!!!! attack.


This is not the stall - apologies, the photos got switched.


That's better...the star children who are coming down to earth. See, i told you... awwwwww!!!!!






Many past pupils were also there. It was a reunion of sorts for many, many students. It was also heartening to see families who had recently been part of the school also turn up, keeping in touch with the larger family.


Just a couple of shots to remind us what a lovely day it was. Frosty and bright with lots and lots and lots of winter sunshine.




A BIIIIGGGG thank you to everyone who has been part of the school - you have all made this incredible place and space possible. And for those who are interested, the takings, which were still coming in today, were up from last year. At a time of the credit crunch and with so much going on now in Belfast and Holywood, it was a testimony to the school's reputation for putting on a great event.