The Class 5’s (11 year olds) at the South Devon Steiner School joined 400 children from 28 other Steiner schools from the UK, Europe and even China to take part in the annual Greek Olympic Games held at Michael Hall Steiner School in Forest Row.
These have been held for the last 26 years, with the event growing from strength to strength every year.
The Greek Olympic Games is an event held specifically for this age-group to co-incide with the child’s developmental stage.
Class 5 (11 year olds) is a time when the children become physically able but don’t yet have the heaviness or weight of teenage years. This balance of the lightness of childhood and growing physical potential is reflected in the curriculum, in part, by a study of Greek Culture. This is integrated into the movement lessons with, among other activities, a practice of the core aspects of a traditional Greek Olympics. This includes the five main activities of running, jumping, simplified wrestling, discus and javelin.
At the Greek Olympics, the children train, play and camp together for two days, being grouped together in ‘cities’ and supervised by an ‘Archon’. The cities comprise a mixture of children from all the schools so new friendships are formed which are often long-lasting.
“A key aspect of the Games is that all forms of conventional competition are removed, so there is no measuring, timing or recording of events. Without the hindrance of who wins or throws furtherest, the children are free to participate to their full potential, regardless of ability,” says a spokesperson.
Each child is awarded a medal for the qualities they demonstrate throughout the two training days, and for the event itself. These could be perseverance, determination, grace, speed – real qualities that can be genuinely recognised.
On the day, the event starts with the opening ceremony which kicks off with the sounding of a bugle. A drum beat then accompanies two torch bearers who light the torches representing each city. The athletes then walk onto the field in their cities, all dressed in white and in complete silence, to light the event torch which is situated in the middle of the field and remains lit until the end of the event.
These have been held for the last 26 years, with the event growing from strength to strength every year.
The Greek Olympic Games is an event held specifically for this age-group to co-incide with the child’s developmental stage.
Class 5 (11 year olds) is a time when the children become physically able but don’t yet have the heaviness or weight of teenage years. This balance of the lightness of childhood and growing physical potential is reflected in the curriculum, in part, by a study of Greek Culture. This is integrated into the movement lessons with, among other activities, a practice of the core aspects of a traditional Greek Olympics. This includes the five main activities of running, jumping, simplified wrestling, discus and javelin.
At the Greek Olympics, the children train, play and camp together for two days, being grouped together in ‘cities’ and supervised by an ‘Archon’. The cities comprise a mixture of children from all the schools so new friendships are formed which are often long-lasting.
“A key aspect of the Games is that all forms of conventional competition are removed, so there is no measuring, timing or recording of events. Without the hindrance of who wins or throws furtherest, the children are free to participate to their full potential, regardless of ability,” says a spokesperson.
Each child is awarded a medal for the qualities they demonstrate throughout the two training days, and for the event itself. These could be perseverance, determination, grace, speed – real qualities that can be genuinely recognised.
On the day, the event starts with the opening ceremony which kicks off with the sounding of a bugle. A drum beat then accompanies two torch bearers who light the torches representing each city. The athletes then walk onto the field in their cities, all dressed in white and in complete silence, to light the event torch which is situated in the middle of the field and remains lit until the end of the event.
 Some of our students get ready for the relay. |  An athlete gives the high jump a go. |
