The Rose Ceremony

A Letter from Our Head of School

Dear WSP Families and Friends,

Yesterday I had the privilege of welcoming families to our Rose Ceremony, a long tradition in Waldorf schools around the world. This special assembly marks the beginning of a journey for first graders as they enter the grades for the first time.

This year, the ceremony had to take place outdoors and a bit later in the year. Our first graders looked to their eighth grade buddies across the circle with deep interest and calm. Each eighth grader presented a first grader with a rose which they received by walking to the center of the circle and taking one stem from a vase.

The rose symbolized something that starts as a seed and grows into a complex and beautiful flower that opens to the world. The eighth graders will serve as special guides to the first graders this year, and they offered them their words of wisdom:

“Be your true self and not what others want you to be.”

“Believe your ideals no matter what anyone else believes in.”

“Give everything a chance.”

“Question things and dig deeper to understand.”

“See the good in everything and enjoy the topics you are learning.”

“Remember that everyone is here for you and wants you to succeed.”

I was so proud of our eighth graders as I listened to their words of truth based on their experience and given with care for each child. I thought again of the beauty and complexity of the rose opening to the world. I could see the eighth graders thinking back on their journey thus far at WSP as well. They have grown in remarkable ways, and I am so eager to see how they and their first grade friends will unfold and open to the world this year.

With anticipation,

Kirsten Christopherson-Clark

Head of School