Pictured above: The 5th Grade class had a wonderful time in Seattle participating in the Greek Games with 5 other Northwest based Waldorf schools
Submitted by Julie McCallan, Pedagogical Director and Interim Grade 5 Teacher
In the Fifth Grade, the students studied ancient civilizations including ancient Greece. To deepen that study, Mr. Pratt teaches them the ancient Olympiad events of the discuss, javelin, standing long jump, wrestling, and running. Traditionally, in May regional Waldorf schools come together to demonstrate skill, grace and beauty in these events. Unfortunately, the pandemic put a halt to those events; however, this year for the first time since 2019, we were able to join many of the Waldorf schools in the Puget Sound area on May 12 for the Greek Games at Magnuson Park in Seattle.
We drove over the night before and spent the night in the Seattle Waldorf High School (located near Magnuson Park) along with Sunfield Waldorf School from the Port Townsend area. The two fifth grades and their chaperones shared a Greek-themed potluck dinner, after which the students played a soccer game together, before settling down for the night.
The next morning, our two schools gathered with four other schools. The students donned white tunics and were divided into Greek City States which rotated through the various activities. I was in charge of Athens and had 15 students from the various schools, including two from our school. Athens started with wrestling (where students strive to push each other out of the ring, while still forming a "golden circle' with their arms). Next the Athenians threw the javelin; the goal is for the javelin to fly in a beautiful arc before sticking upright in the ground. The last activity before the lunch break was throwing the discus.
The athletic events ended with a rousing relay race (Athens came in second!), before each student was honored in their city state. A laurel wreath was placed on the head of the student, while the teacher and the other students noted what that student had done well: a graceful arc to the javelin, the ability to add a spin to the discus, a swift stride in the relay, and as one student noted, increasing confidence. In our short time together, the students had grown to know and appreciate each other and some friendships were formed. We gathered all together to sing "Glorious Apollo" and each student received a medal which they proudly wore around their necks.
While there is much that is different from the original Olympiad (which was for men only and was performed without clothing), the students had the opportunity to experience what the ancient Greeks valued highly, expressed here in an Ode to Pan:
Give me beauty in the inward soul
And may the outer and the inward man be as one.
Here on earth, between birth and death,
The soul and spirit must be sought for in the body.
What is beautiful
Must also be Right and True
Our Fifth Graders were noted for their beautiful form which is a tribute to their own striving to do their best and to Mr. Pratt's excellent instruction.