Class 1 walked under the beautiful ‘Rainbow Bridge’ this morning on the sunny first day of school. It is such a lovely ceremony to share - the children gather in the Kindergarten playground with their teacher from last year, sing their morning song and then walk together through the long tunnel made from a rainbow silk, held up by Class 2. This year we are joined by Class 3 on this campus, who made a beautiful tunnel of arms as well, singing “Make new friends” with Class 2. The Class 1 children are given a flower by their Kindergarten teacher to take ‘under the Rainbow Bridge’ which they gave to their new teacher Prue Ritchie on the other side.

Parents of all three classes watch and our Head of School Diana Drummond and Deputy Head of School (K-6) Dani Finch also share in this moment. The children then make their way onto the balcony of Class 1 and their first day in the Class Teacher Period begins! This is an important Rite of Passage and a symbolic moment in Steiner education and ignites the beginning of the Class Teacher journey. Prue is excited to get to know the children and begin this wonderful journey and will form special bonds with each child and nurture and guide them through their primary years with the supportive assistance of other specialist teachers. Following the ceremony, parents share morning tea together, with Dani Finch, Diana Drummond, Class Parents and GPA Steering Committee member Alex Pampel alongside Class 2 parents welcoming them and building community on our Castlecrag Campus.