As the days darken quicker, there is a yearning to gather in together to share warmth and light. The Voyagers celebrated this through making lanterns and lighting them to journey through the darkness, singing as they go to spread joy and cheer. After a walk in nature, the Voyagers ventured back round the fire for more singing and to listen to the tale of Saint Martin as well as the story of Rama and Sita, told in the celebration of Diwali. Cups were then distributed full of hot chocolate (and continually refilled) to accompany roasted marshmallows, an activity enjoyed by both young and old!
For the older groups, a Storytelling Evening was planned. The Pippins and Discoveries were regaled with many legends, myths and accounts by professional storyteller Corinne Harragin. There was much amusement and entertainment through the game of “The Many Headed Wise Person” and soup provided sustenance shared by all.
The Oakens celebrated Martinmas together with their families . This festival, although Christian in name, is a celebration of our human light which we draw on as the light of nature fades into winter and can be seen reflected in the celebration of Diwali which is celebrated at the same time of year.
This was the Oakens second Lantern Walk together, last year being the first festival they celebrated together as a group within the Apple Tree so it was also a moment to stop and reflect on how they have grown and bonded over the last 12 months.
Alon, one of the tutors started the gathering with the storytelling of the Mousehole Cat. The children then walked a candlelit path through the woods singing songs and gathered at one of their well know play areas to sing together again before heading back for hot chocolate and ginger biscuits in the woods.
Autumn comes alive with the beat of a drum. Emerging from the shadows is a fearsome dragon, slowly moving towards the gathered community. But what happens next is that a fearsome warrior, robbed in white, draws their sword. Seeing the sword, the dragon halts, then is subdued into kneeling down as the crowd cheer.
The dragon procession is a highlight of the Michaelmas autumn festival, with the Voyagers this year playing the dragon and a Pippins student as Michael. The Apple Tree community assembled to celebrate together, with each group contributing to a shared lunch – Discoveries baked dragon shaped bread, Oakens brought the butter and freshly pressed apple juice, Voyagers cooked soup, Pippins provided crumble and the Hawthorns contributed custard to accompany the dessert.
After a hearty meal, the dishes were cleared and everyone gathered to watch performances. The Pippins recited a poem by Robert Frost and some also showcased their Capoeira skills. The Discoveries sang a song called “Earth in Common.” The Voyagers performed a play and led the song “Maggon the Dragon.” Oakens sang “Yellow the Bracken” and our newest affiliate group Hawthorns shared the first verse of “Tom Bombadil.”
To round off the day all raised their voices to sing the St Michael Harvest song. It was stirring to hear everyone singing together and a good time was had by all.
There’s a famous quote by Alfred Wainwright: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” After enjoying unseasonably warm weather for the first couple of weeks of the term, the Voyagers set off for their first offsite trip on a day when the heavens poured. Yet, armed with waterproof clothing, a playful attitude and a thirst for learning, the Voyagers had a grand adventure.
The day started off at the Blaise Castle estate, and after enjoying some time at the play park, they discussed the best places to shelter. The Voyagers then made their way up to the folly, seeing the advantages as to why a hill might be a useful place to settle.
From the hill, the Voyagers took in the wondrous scenery of Goram’s chair while being regaled with the local folktale of the two giants: Goram and Vincent who each dug out gorges at Clifton and Henbury as a way of competing to win the hand of Lady Avona (after which the river Avon is named). Smoke could be seen in the distance, adding a mystical atmosphere to the myth.
From there the Voyagers followed the trail of the river, noting significant changes in the landscape and consulting a map at Coombe Dingle. There was also impromptu dam building, a quick “how to throw a javelin” lesson with the walking sticks they had found in the woods, gleeful gathering of conkers alongside the weaving of history, geography, maths, social awareness in moving as a group and more in their surroundings.
The day rounded off by travelling on a train from Sea Mills to Easton and then a bus back to Fishponds. Although feeling tired by the end of the day, there was a lot of perseverance as well as joy in their journey and the Voyagers had thoroughly enjoyed it all.
This year’s Edens camp was held at Nettwood Farm in Somerset. Through a mixture of sunshine, wind and drizzle (basically typical English weather) Eden families enjoyed spending time together.
Many families went together for a long walk through the countryside – there was a surprising discovery of wild raspberries along the way, which caused much excitement in foraging this bounty from nature. Some children delighted in snacking immediately, whilst others gathered diligently so that they could make some jam once they got back to the campsite. This was enjoyed the next day on toast for breakfast.
The Apple Tree’s handwork teacher brought knitting, crochet, weaving and pom pom making supplies. Some chose to continue their projects from handwork lessons while others used what they had learnt to make something new – miniature knitted elephants seemed to be the popular option!
There was also plenty of time for whittling, exploring the play areas, seeing the site’s resident sheep and alpacas, roaming in the woods and playing games. After sharing delicious meals together, the children took turns and helped with washing up, thanks to some gentle encouragement and adult supervision. As the sun set, families gathered round the fire to sing songs, play storytelling games and toast marshmallows.
All in all, it was a pleasant way to spend time connecting with nature and each other, strengthening the bonds of friendship outside of the classroom.
We are thrilled to share our heartwarming adventure when the whole Apple Tree, embarked on a soulful and wet camping expedition in the tranquil embrace of the Mendips. 🌳🏕️
Picture this: a group of free-spirited families gathered under the open sky, their laughter mingling with the crackle of the campfire. Our journey unfolded with joy and wonder, as we immersed ourselves in a delightful concoction of activities, stories, and togetherness.
🧘♀️ Partner Yoga and the Art of Connection with Sheena🧘♂️
As the sun dipped below the horizon on our first day, we gathered in a circle, each holding hands and hearts in unison. Partner yoga became a beautiful tapestry of trust and support, where we leaned on one another, figuratively and literally, to find balance and harmony. The experience reminded us of the strength in collaboration and how every bond in our circle, like branches of an apple tree, played an essential role in holding us together. 🌈🌱
Dave brough lively stories that found their way into the hearts of all listeners. With humour, wit and energy he entertained everyone present. We discovered that, like the rings of an ancient apple tree, stories carry the wisdom of our past and connect us to the essence of our shared humanity. 🌌🍎
⚔️ Embracing Our Inner Vikings ⚔️
With a sense of adventure, we delved into the world of Vikings! We were transported back in time as we played Viking battling games. 🛶🏴☠️
🤝 Consensus-Based Decision Making Workshop 🤝
One of the highlights of our gathering was the consensus-based decision-making workshop. We gathered in a circle once more, acknowledging that like the roots of an apple tree, our collective decisions influenced the strength and growth of our community. With empathy and respect, we listened to each other’s perspectives, fostering an environment where everyone’s voice was heard and valued. 🗣️🌿
🍛 Culinary Delights: Communal Curry Night and BBQ Extravaganza 🍗🍛
As we embraced the simplicity of camping life, we reveled in delicious meals that brought us all together. Friday night was a feast of flavors with our communal curry night, where we collectively cooked and savored the culinary delights. And on Saturday night, the tantalizing aroma of BBQ filled the air, a reminder that like an apple tree’s bounty, our shared meals nourished both body and soul. 🍔🥗
In the midst of the Mendip’s serenity, we were reminded that the Apple Tree is not just a community; it is a sanctuary—a place where roots intertwine and branches reach for the sky.
The Pippins performed The Miller’s Tale at the end of term for their families to come along and enjoy. The Discoveries were invited to The Haven too and enjoyed both the performance and the setting.
The Edens recently gave two performances of their end of year play in their last week of term. Families, teachers and friends were regaled with the story of Esther – an orphan girl who becomes Queen of Persia, who through her bravery saves the Jewish people from annihilation. Her story is still celebrated today in the festival of Purim.
The script, along with 2 original songs and a flute piece was written specially for the Edens by their Singing Teacher, taking into consideration all that they have learnt in Class 3 as well as their penchant for humour and dramatic moments.
In preparation for the play, the Edens were keen to share and take on multiple character parts, as well as come up with ideas for set design and props. Lines were learnt diligently and the swapping of costumes when changing characters was certainly a challenge to negotiate!
The Edens also performed a dance that they had learnt in their Eurythmy lessons, incorporating it into the final song before receiving bursts of applause. After taking their bows, they walked into the kitchen and let out a spontaneous cheer of joy, celebrating all that they had achieved in working together.
There was much excitement among the Oakens as they planned for a trip to join the rest of the Apple Tree at the Old Library for a Midsummers Celebration! Their trip involved a picnic lunch on route and a bus trip. What’s not to be excited about?!
They are coming towards the end of their first year in the Apple Tree and have grown so much from the little blossoms that started in September and are now a very established part of the Apple Tree and all the big kid celebrations.
The Discoveries hosted this years Midsummer celebration at the Old Library. The rest of the Apple Tree along with The Orange Grove gathered for some games, a story and songs round the fire.
