By Jolene Payne, a Class 12 Parent.

15 years ago, I watched my son carry an apple with a candle in it around a spiral laid from freshly chopped pine. Alongside his peers, he chose the space in which he would place his light. He - one of the children who needed to get out of the spotlight quickly, found just the spot - literally seconds from the centre, and then shuffled back to his seat quickly. 

This evening, we wait again - his father and I. It is 10.30 - the moon is out, and the far distant call of an owl offers even more poignance to this moment. 

In the distance, a glow of light starts to emerge - orange flames flicker together in a line. 30 flames. 30 children becoming men and women. No more needing to shy away from the flame…. This time they will and can hold their own. 

In silence, they move down the valley field, we watch them grow up. Most of us have tears in our eyes. It’s no easy feat to carry a flaming torch, and I mean that both metaphorically and in truth - and yet, that’s the gift of a Waldorf education - a true body felt lesson in holding onto your own light.

A ring is formed around a tower of branches. This year built by my husband who now has the honour of tending to the grounds. It is symbolic somehow that father has built the tower his son will light up. Words are spoken, “many fires to light the one”, yet another strength of a Waldorf education - as a parent, and a witness of many Michael hall alumni - these children have a profound understanding of community. 

And then, the moment. They take their flaming torches and light up the world (in this case the valley field”.  

The evening carries on, moments of seeing the new threads that will be woven into the world as these children step foot outward. The strength of the singing around the fire, 4 part harmony, each voice holding its own whilst respecting its neighbour. The reverent, silent reminiscing and digesting as they sit in a circle around the fire they have created, “now what will we be”. And the love as parents and older siblings join them finally in that same reverent space. 

This fire gives me hope. A world full of 30 people who have learnt the true gift of having a soul worth lighting up.