This article is from page 39 of the 2008-12-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 39 JPG
SANTA may be a while off coming down the chimney but for the young- sters at the Raheen Woods Steiner School, Christmas started at the weekend.
The children at the school were joined by staff, parents, friends and neighbours for their annual Advent Fair.
It was a fair with flair as young- sters got to grips with arts and crafts, making Christmas decorations and gifts that will be treasured for many
a year by older relatives.
Adults visiting the fair had a chance to buy some very special and unique Christmas gifts from the stalls dis- playing the work of local artisans.
Art works, jewellery, apparel and accessories were all on display and quite a few will find their way under Christmas trees in east Clare
Because Christmas shopping and decorating is a hungry business, the organisers laid on delicious soups, teas and coffees.
‘The emphasis in the fair is allow- ing children to participate and there
were lots of activities and games for them as well as a play”, a spokesman for the school said.
After years of campaigning, the two Clare Steiner schools were given official recognition by the Depart- ment of Education this year so they will now receive funding reducing the need for parents and the school to pay for the entire running of the school, including teachers’ salaries.
But that didn’t mean that the an- nual fund-raising Advent Fair was any less necessary than in previous years.
‘Every school could do with extra funds for equipment and activities and we also have a special bursary to help families who need assistance with the costs of schooling so some of the money raised will go towards that”, the spokesman said.