College juniors celebrate harvest in traditional way
OVERFLOWING food boxes were donated to the Guernsey Welfare Service following the Elizabeth College Junior School harvest festival.
St Stephen’s Church hosted about 150 students from Years 3 to 6 yesterday, alongside 25 staff plus an excellent turnout of family members.
An autumnal display of fresh fruit and farming tools, curated by staff, fronted the ceremony, with retiring collection baskets for Guernsey Mind at the rear.
‘Harvest is an annual part of our school year, using the traditional aspect to celebrate the good things we have,’ said Liz Parkes, Year 3 teacher and organiser.
Celebrating harvest aligns with the harvest moon, dating to when farmers used the light of the full moon to spend extra time gathering crops.
‘Year 3 are reciting a poem called Harvest Time, which gives thanks, and Year 4 have written prayers to read.’
Plenty of tinned food was collected ahead of the service.
‘Everyone has been really generous. This year in particular we are celebrating our freedoms.’
Deemed a year of appreciation, the fact it could take place without masks or fear of Covid-19 was significant.
‘It’s really nice that we can have this service. Talking to colleagues in England, none of this is happening there,’ said head teacher Richard Fyfe.
Students sang Harvest Song, Harvest Samba, and A Beautiful World while school chaplain Father Peter Graysmith read reflections and gave a blessing.
