After a successful event last year, children from Newlands Primary School in Ramsgate enjoyed celebrating the Holi Festival again last Wednesday (4th March).
This year the school expanded the celebration to include the whole of KS1, St. Mildred’s Bay class and parents and carers too.
The children were taught what the Holi festival is, and how this is celebrated by Hindus all across the world. They learned about the story of Prahlad and how Hindus light a symbolic fire the day before the Holi Festival in celebration of Prahlad’s survival and how God Vishnu helped save him.
The children were then taught a Bollywood style dance by Miss Warner where they had to learn a sequence of steps and move in time to the music.
Miss Warner said: “I am beyond impressed with how quickly the children picked up the steps, and were able to dance to the rhythm of the music. It was a joy to see the children having so much fun while learning the dance, and I couldn’t wait to show the parents.
“The children should be proud of their performance, after only an hour of learning, they danced incredibly well. We are very grateful for all those that were able to attend and hope you had as much fun as we did.”
After the performance, the eager children were excited to begin the carnival of colour. The air was filled with a rainbow of colours, as the children frantically ran around the playground, searching for their friends and grown-ups to put powdered paint on.
Deputy headteacher Mrs Farbrace said: “What a wonderful afternoon and celebration of the Holi Festival! It was a fantastic opportunity to bring diversity and inclusion into our school and community.
“We appreciate the children’s grown-ups sharing this experience with us. The children thoroughly enjoyed the celebration.”
