Class 5 - Waldorf Olympics

The Purpose

The Waldorf Olympics is an immersive experience that marks the end of the Class 5 year with 3 day residential trip and a one-day sports event. Full of ceremony and adventure, it celebrates the children’s physical and personal development as they end their time as ‘Lower School’ pupils and marks the beginning of ‘Middle School’.
As with all aspects of our Waldorf curriculum, it unites several different academic, physical and emotional elements bringing together Classical Studies (the Ancient Civilisations), Handwork (Sewing), Mathematics, Teamwork and Sport.
The Class studies Ancient Greek civilisation across the year and practices for the sporting events in the Spring and Summer Term. Pupils makes their own toga to wear for the event, in the style of the ancient Greeks, measuring and cutting material, sewing by machine and hand, and adding artistic decoration.
The event brings together more than 300 pupils from other UK and international Waldorf schools and is a chance for children to make new friendships, develop commitment and resilience and importantly have lots of fun doing it.
The spirit of the event is self-development, kinship, teamwork, setting challenges and achieving personal goals, with children involved in the daily camp life and chores. As well as athletics the children enjoy hiking, camping in the countryside and of course a campfire and toasted marshmallows!
The Olympic Event
The Olympics event is for Class 5 pupils and brings together approximately 300 children aged 10-11 from UK & International Waldorf schools (eg. Cyprus and Norway) for a 4 days/3 nights Weds-Sat.
Pupils from different schools form teams named after ancient Greek cities, with 1 or 2 children from each school, led by an ‘Archon’ or leader - a Class teacher from a participating school.
Children train with their City team for two days (Thurs/Fri) in Olympic disciplines:
- Marathon
- Dash/ Sprint
- High Jump
- Long Jump
- Discus
- Javelin
- Relay
- Wrestling
Parents attend the Olympic Event on Saturday - the Opening Ceremony beginning 7.30am with a torch-lit procession.
The event training focuses on each child bringing the best of themselves to the day of the completion.
All children receive a clay medal along with a special commendation of the specific qualities that they personally have brought to the event.
The Logistics.

The Olympics is a landmark event in the Class 5 year and is hosted in the substantial grounds of Micheal Hall Waldorf School in Forest Row in East Sussex.
The event takes place in late June/early July and is from Weds-Saturday inclusive.
The Class typically travels to East Sussex by train and bus on Weds and then enjoys a long hike around the South Downs before arriving on site for orientation Weds afternoon.
The logistics for the Class camp are coordinated by the school trip team and Class Teacher and are supported by the Class Rep. A team of 2-4 parents is needed on-site for the duration to assist with setting up the camp (DBS approval required) , and to run the camp kitchen providing meals for the class each day (Weds evening to Saturday breakfast), with all class parents expected to assist in taking down the campsite at the end of the event.
Each school Class 5 has a designated camping area, with children in shared tents, toilets and shower facilities are created on each camping area by each class/parents and are eco-friendly/compostable.
Parents are expected to be on site from 7am on the Saturday morning of the Olympic Event to be able to enjoy the Opening Ceremony.
The Saturday event day runs @ 7am-3pm inclusive.

Class 5 - Olympians 2023.

Olympics FAQs

Class 5 see the children introduced to athletics and they enjoy training for the different sports disciplines in the Spring and Summer term as part of their Games classes in school. This may be done both on-site, in Greenwich Park and at specialist athletics facilities.
During the Olympics trip pupils spend Thursday and Friday training for the events on site - running (marathon & sprint dash); high jump; long jump; javelin; discus; and wrestling.
A full kit list will be sent from the school ahead of the trip however you can anticipate your child needing:
Day Pack: Containing morning and afternoon snacks, water and substantial lunch for Weds to last until the evening meal.
Clothing - please ensure your child will have enough clean clothing for 4 days.
Please label all items with your child’s name.
- Full set of waterproofs
- Warm hat / Sun hat
- Warm jacket
- White sock, t-shirt & shorts to wear under the toga for the Olympic Games on Saturday
- Hiking boots
- Warm socks
- Trainers
- Slip on shoes - eg crocs
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof boots/wellies
- Full length trousers
- Long Sleeved top
- Jumper
- Shorts
- PJ
Camping equipment
- Sleeping mat
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Head torch
- Camping cutlery/Bowl/plate/water bottle
- Wash bag with toothbrush/toothpaste etc
- 2 Towels - quick drying camping towels recommended
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- A book for relaxation time
- Card games
NB/ Phones and electronic devices are not permitted on camp.
The trip usually takes up 3 school days (Weds-Fri) PLUS Saturday for the event itself.
The class usually travels together with the teacher by train and bus to East Sussex and then enjoy an afternoon hiking in the beautiful South Downs for approximately 4 hours before arriving at the campsite.
Parents need to provide a full packed lunch plus substantial snacks and water in a day-pack for Weds.
Children will receive an evening meal prepared by the parent volunteer team on arrival on Weds evening.
Yes! In fact parent support is essential to enable the smooth running of the camp.
Parent involvement is by liaison with the school trip organiser via the Class Rep.
Transportation Support:
Support is requested from parents to transport camping equipment, luggage and food supplies to Forest Row on the Weds morning and to return with any school supplies/camping equipment at the end of the event on Saturday.
Camp Set-Up Support:
Support is requested for additional parents to help the on-site team with camp set-up on Weds daytime in advance of the arrival of the Class. This includes setting up tents, kitchen area and digging compost toilets!
On-Site Support Weds/Thurs/Fri/Sat: 2-3 parents are needed on site for the duration of the trip. All parents will need to have a valid/in date DBS certificate registered with the school - if you are interested in supporting this trip and do not have a DBS please liaise with the school to allow adequate time to apply to the Government’s DBS admin system (min 2 months).
This on-site group is responsible for supporting the school staff in the smooth running of camp and for preparing Breakfast/lunch/dinner on from Weds evening to Saturday morning.
- For safeguarding and H&S reasons only parents who are part of the agreed on-site support group are allowed on site Thurs & Friday.
Preparation Support:
Class parents also support the trip by providing:
- tents and camping equipment
- a collective budget for food.
  This is overseen and organised by the school and Class Rep.
The Olympics Event is an immersive experience and, to ensure well-being, education and enjoyment, of both the both the individual child and the collective class, pupils are expected to remain on site and be part of the event from Weds through to Saturday.
Parents are not able to take pupils off site at will nor to bring them to site individually for any reason without prior formal agreement with the school.
Only the pre-agreed parent support team (with DBS) agreed with the school via the Class Rep can remain on site after the equipment.
Just as when your child is in school, parents are not able to drop in to visit the site or to be part of what is an educational activity.
Friday night accommodation options for parents
Forest Row is approx 75 minutes drive from SE3.
On-site: The event host, Micheal Hall Waldorf school, often makes a camping field available (separate to the Class 5 site) for any parents who wish to camp on the Friday night ahead of the Olympic Event on the Saturday. If this option becomes available then your Class Rep will let you know. Camping and parking fees will apply and be directly payable to Micheal Hall school.
Off-site: Parents who want to stay locally in Forest Row the night before the Saturday event can also find a wide range of accommodation locally at hotels and inns in Forest Row itself.