Hello and Welcome to...
Hello and Welcome to...
Spring Edition 2017
Spring Edition 2017
A word from the Editor-in-Chief, Noah:
A word from the Editor-in-Chief, Noah:
I am very excited to announce the publication of the Halcyonite Spring Edition. Special credit must be given to Anne-Marie G. (G12) who has done so much! We are sooooooo sad to see her go...
I am very excited to announce the publication of the Halcyonite Spring Edition. Special credit must be given to Anne-Marie G. (G12) who has done so much! We are sooooooo sad to see her go...
I hope you enjoy this wonderful magazine as much as I do. I am proud of the Halcyonite and this edition contains a special tribute to the Grade 12's - Under the 'Budding Bulbs' section we offer our very best wishes for a happy future and of course wish them good luck in the examinations - They will be greatly missed.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful magazine as much as I do. I am proud of the Halcyonite and this edition contains a special tribute to the Grade 12's - Under the 'Budding Bulbs' section we offer our very best wishes for a happy future and of course wish them good luck in the examinations - They will be greatly missed.
Enjoy the success stories that we celebrate - make sure you scroll right down to the bottom so you don't miss Sydney's gymnastic success!
Enjoy the success stories that we celebrate - make sure you scroll right down to the bottom so you don't miss Sydney's gymnastic success!
If you have a success story to share we would love to publish it too! We hope you enjoy Halcyonite and we would love your feedback! Please email me and I will certainly listen to your suggestions and take on board your comments!
If you have a success story to share we would love to publish it too! We hope you enjoy Halcyonite and we would love your feedback! Please email me and I will certainly listen to your suggestions and take on board your comments!
If you wish to read the previous Valentine Edition click here.
If you wish to read the previous Valentine Edition click here.
Check out Leela's exceptional video about Halcyon!
Check out Leela's exceptional video about Halcyon!
Below are random highlights from this term...
Below are random highlights from this term...
Spring all around the world!
Spring all around the world!
In London, England:
In London, England:
Every spring, there's a huge ceremony at Tower Hill, London.
Every spring, there's a huge ceremony at Tower Hill, London.
Members of The Druid Order celebrate the spring equinox at Tower Hill, which celebrates new life and fertility. Just head down to Tower Hill and experience it for yourself!
Members of The Druid Order celebrate the spring equinox at Tower Hill, which celebrates new life and fertility. Just head down to Tower Hill and experience it for yourself!
In Japan:
In Japan:
Two words: Cherry Blossoms. You only need these two words to describe spring in Japan!
Two words: Cherry Blossoms. You only need these two words to describe spring in Japan!
The cherry blossoms are everything to the Japanese, especially in spring. Not only are they beautiful to look at - hence all that flower viewing (a.k.a. hanami) where people basically enjoy the cool spring breeze while having picnics under the exquisite cherry trees - but they also symbolise beautiful things like a new beginning and remind people of the fleeting nature of life. One tricky thing though, try to go in the peak season or you'll see basically nothing if you miss the season by a week or two. That's because cherry blossoms have an extremely short life span and once they blossom (which is really the pretty time to go sightseeing), it takes less than a week for them to drop... So do some thorough research before going!!
The cherry blossoms are everything to the Japanese, especially in spring. Not only are they beautiful to look at - hence all that flower viewing (a.k.a. hanami) where people basically enjoy the cool spring breeze while having picnics under the exquisite cherry trees - but they also symbolise beautiful things like a new beginning and remind people of the fleeting nature of life. One tricky thing though, try to go in the peak season or you'll see basically nothing if you miss the season by a week or two. That's because cherry blossoms have an extremely short life span and once they blossom (which is really the pretty time to go sightseeing), it takes less than a week for them to drop... So do some thorough research before going!!
Apologies for the long paragraph. It's because Anne-Marie (G12) is the one typing :) I went to Kyoto in late March, early April last year (2016) and was lucky enough to see them in full bloom!!!
In India:
In India:
All around you, people are covered in the most vivid and vibrant of colours!
All around you, people are covered in the most vivid and vibrant of colours!
Enjoy the beautiful aesthetics of the Holi Festival in India and - oh, don't forget the evening bonfires! Don't expect to shop beforehand though; everything's closed, because friends, neighbours and strangers basically come together in a collective euphoria (isn't that so cool?)! Think of the Colour Run!
Enjoy the beautiful aesthetics of the Holi Festival in India and - oh, don't forget the evening bonfires! Don't expect to shop beforehand though; everything's closed, because friends, neighbours and strangers basically come together in a collective euphoria (isn't that so cool?)! Think of the Colour Run!
In fact, Sarika (G7) and her family hosted a Holi Festival Party for the class in celebration of the Indian festival! Click here to read more!
In America:
In America:
For some people, the celebration of St. Patrick's Day marks the beginning of Spring with its lively emerald colours!
For some people, the celebration of St. Patrick's Day marks the beginning of Spring with its lively emerald colours!
Although this is not official it's okay with us....we're all for an early Spring, chocolate covered bunnies and eggs!
Although this is not official it's okay with us....we're all for an early Spring, chocolate covered bunnies and eggs!
In Thailand:
In Thailand:
You will find yourself in the middle of a water fight because of the Songkran Festival in Mid-April which is tied to the Thai New Year!
You will find yourself in the middle of a water fight because of the Songkran Festival in Mid-April which is tied to the Thai New Year!
The Thai conduct the annual spring cleaning and some reflecting on the year before during this time. They'll pay respect to neighbours, family and the elderly. Youth pour scented water over the hands of their elders for luck and prosperity. Thais also bring food to the monks and bathe Buddha statues in water.
The Thai conduct the annual spring cleaning and some reflecting on the year before during this time. They'll pay respect to neighbours, family and the elderly. Youth pour scented water over the hands of their elders for luck and prosperity. Thais also bring food to the monks and bathe Buddha statues in water.
In Spain:
In Spain:
Can't forget about Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain!
Can't forget about Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain!
The annual festival attracts millions of viewers every year and it's all about the gigantic paper mache puppets! They. Are. Beautiful. Plus the streets are filled with revelry: music, decorations, firecrackers, parades with residents in traditional costumes!
The annual festival attracts millions of viewers every year and it's all about the gigantic paper mache puppets! They. Are. Beautiful. Plus the streets are filled with revelry: music, decorations, firecrackers, parades with residents in traditional costumes!
In China:
In China:
Of course, it's the Spring Festival (a.k.a. Lunar New Year) that indicates the arrival of Spring!
Of course, it's the Spring Festival (a.k.a. Lunar New Year) that indicates the arrival of Spring!
Celebrated over the course of about 15 days, Chinese celebrate the arrival of spring with all things red - the colour most auspicious in Chinese culture! Basically, kids get red packets from the previous generation (essentially money in a nice red envelope) and everyone eats all kinds of goodies and get slightly rounder each year. That's why some people go on a diet before Lunar New Year...
Celebrated over the course of about 15 days, Chinese celebrate the arrival of spring with all things red - the colour most auspicious in Chinese culture! Basically, kids get red packets from the previous generation (essentially money in a nice red envelope) and everyone eats all kinds of goodies and get slightly rounder each year. That's why some people go on a diet before Lunar New Year...
In Singapore:
In Singapore:
Well... Singapore is tropical so...
Well... Singapore is tropical so...
They more or less celebrate Lunar New Year and that's about it...? :) No spring there!
They more or less celebrate Lunar New Year and that's about it...? :) No spring there!
Don't see a country you think should be on this list? Let us know and we'll include it in the 2017 Autumn Edition to help you plan your Spring trip in advance!
Email your suggestions to Noah W. (G11, Editor-in-Chief)