The 6th and 9th of August, 2020 marked the 75th commemoration of the world’s first atomic bombings, on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

This year, the Kindlehill spirits focused on the theme of ‘Golden Repair’; the much-needed healing for the Earth and humanity. The name ‘Golden Repair’ derives from an ancient Japanese artistry called Kin-tsugi. It is a metaphor that our difficulties and scars in life can be repaired to be something stronger and more beautiful. It is also a celebration of imperfection and our resilience for changes in life.

As the whole school gathered, the Performance Space was filled with joy, warmth and courage through everyone’s singing voice, Haiku poems and a brightly stitched “Banner of our Hope and Beauty” from classes 3 to 6 as well as Kin-tsugi and Ukiyo-e art works from HS. Noah’s amazing story of Japan, and Aki dressed up in an elegant kimono added extra beauty to the day.
     
The ceremony reminded us how important it is to gather every year and to remember that we are determined to make this world more beautiful and harmonious.

Sayoko Yanai Japanese Language Teacher

Sayoko completed a Bachelor of Education at Tokyo Gakugei University and is a qualified language teacher with over 30 years of teaching Japanese from 3-year-olds to adults. She also completed a one-year course on Steiner education and Anthroposophy prior to teaching at Glenaeon Steiner School in North Sydney. Sayoko joined Kindlehill in 2013 as a Japanese teacher.

“Learning another language opens up our windows to understand and accept cultural, religious, historical and personal uniqueness, which is urgently needed for the healing of Earth and humanity”.