The Meaning of Easter for Children

Easter is a time of renewal and hope, and at our Perth Waldorf School, we celebrate the season through meaningful rituals and symbols that help children connect with its deeper meaning.

Many of the images are drawn from the traditional Easter story- the wooden crosses that the children decorate, the rooster (made of bread), the procession with the donkey and the washing of the feet. Age-appropriate stories are told to give context to these archetypal images. In the Primary school the emphasis is on the joyful, celebratory aspects of Easter- new birth, renewal and hope.

After Class 6, having learnt about the rise of Christianity during Roman rule, the children are ready to hear the full story of Easter.

One of the most significant traditions is the decorating of wooden crosses. Children carefully decorate their crosses with colourful streamers. Afterward, they process through the school, carrying their crosses in a reverent but joyful walk that symbolizes the resurrection and the triumph of light over darkness.

Another important tradition is the creation of the "bread rooster." This dough, shaped into the form of a rooster, symbolizes awakeness and the heralding of a new day.

Through these simple yet profound activities, the children engage deeply with the season's symbolism, experiencing the promise of new beginnings and the cyclical nature of life.

You are warmly welcomed to join us and sing as we process through the Easter Market on the morning of Tuesday 8^th April.

Kevin Mazzer
Head of Primary School

The Cross is to be constructed using dowel approx. 12mm in diameter,  the vertical piece is to be 72cm long and the horizontal piece 45cm long.  

The dowel should “cross” 22cm from the top of the vertical and be wrapped with wool or wire to stay together. Take some thick wire and make a circle around the cross with a 20cm radius from the crossover section.  To make it easier to attach the Easter Roosters, attach a long nail to the top of the cross. 

Crosses to be at school on Monday 24^th March 

Class 4 - Norse Mythology

In Class 4, we have been exploring the rich world of Norse mythology, and as part of our journey, the children have each painted their own vision of Yggdrasil, the great World Tree.

This sacred tree, whose branches stretch across the heavens and roots delve deep into the realms below, is at the heart of Norse cosmology, connecting all living things—gods, humans, and creatures alike. As the children painted, they reflected on the strength, wisdom, and interconnectedness that Yggdrasil represents. Each artwork is unique, alive with colour and imagination, and a beautiful expression of our class’s deepening connection to these ancient stories and symbols.

Alison Alberghini
Class 4 Teacher

A Woodwork Affair

This afternoon, I was a guest in Class 6’s woodwork class for the first time and was very pleasantly surprised! My initial observations were of a group of students who were happy and chatty, yet focused and hard-working. The class was in the process of making spoons and no two students were at the same stage. Some were sawing, others chiseling, and a few sanding. Sarah, their teacher, walked around individually checking in and taking time to guide them.

I decided to ask the students what their favourite part of woodwork was and here are some of the responses:

“I enjoy the hard work and it gives me motivation to do other things.” (Seb)
“You can make anything you want to make if you keep on trying.” (Daisy)
“I like it all, especially the sanding and raising the grain.” (Frankie)
“You get to touch wood, and I love the smell!” (Dylan)
“It’s fun!” (Allegra and Hugh)
“The finished result.” (Charlotte)
“The fact that you can get work done and still chat.” (Maddie and Alex)
“You can use the things you make or give them away as presents.” (Maddie)
“I like making useful objects.” (Arturo)

The responses were varied, but one thing was certain: everyone thoroughly enjoyed this interactive part of their day, with no exceptions.  Upon further investigation, I learnt that woodwork has a multitude of benefits, including fostering a connection to nature, experiencing hands-on learning, design, creativity, problem-solving, focus, patience, and building concentration and discipline. It is no wonder that Rudolf Steiner wished to incorporate woodwork into the Waldorf curriculum. 

Tamara Yousry
Class 6 Education Assistant