St Martin's Day (Laternenumzug) |
|
When: Friday 13th November: end of school - 6 pm
Where: Primary School (see school map)
Parking: Field unless very wet / main car park / Culham Lock (see parking page) - please car share if possible
Free entry - bring lanterns, electric tea lights and food coupons/cash
Please share cars wherever possible and park in the field unless it is very wet. Drive slowly over the field and arrive with plenty of time to park.
St Martin’s Day (Martinstag) is a German tradition, celebrating the feast of St Martin on 11th November. On that day, children walk through their home town carrying homemade lanterns, singing songs about Sankt Martin and enjoying sweets and buns or bread figures especially baked for this occasion. In some regions roast goose is traditionally enjoyed for dinner.
São Martinho is also a tradition in Portugal. On this day in many Portuguese communities, a large party is held. A bonfire is built, recently-harvested chestnuts are roasted, and the first wines of the season are tasted. This year, for the first time at Europa School, you will be able to have a taste of Portugal, with freshly roasted chestnuts and Jeropiga available to buy.
This event is for the children in Reception through to Year 2: these classes will make lanterns in class. However, older (and younger!) siblings are welcome to attend - bring along lanterns for them if they would like to participate in the parade.
Food tokens and electric tealights will be available to purchase from 1st November from outside the morning reception near the parents' car park. It will also be possible to purchase tokens on the day. Card and cash purchases are also possible!
Where: Primary School (see school map)
Parking: Field unless very wet / main car park / Culham Lock (see parking page) - please car share if possible
Free entry - bring lanterns, electric tea lights and food coupons/cash
Please share cars wherever possible and park in the field unless it is very wet. Drive slowly over the field and arrive with plenty of time to park.
St Martin’s Day (Martinstag) is a German tradition, celebrating the feast of St Martin on 11th November. On that day, children walk through their home town carrying homemade lanterns, singing songs about Sankt Martin and enjoying sweets and buns or bread figures especially baked for this occasion. In some regions roast goose is traditionally enjoyed for dinner.
São Martinho is also a tradition in Portugal. On this day in many Portuguese communities, a large party is held. A bonfire is built, recently-harvested chestnuts are roasted, and the first wines of the season are tasted. This year, for the first time at Europa School, you will be able to have a taste of Portugal, with freshly roasted chestnuts and Jeropiga available to buy.
This event is for the children in Reception through to Year 2: these classes will make lanterns in class. However, older (and younger!) siblings are welcome to attend - bring along lanterns for them if they would like to participate in the parade.
Food tokens and electric tealights will be available to purchase from 1st November from outside the morning reception near the parents' car park. It will also be possible to purchase tokens on the day. Card and cash purchases are also possible!
Schedule Hot drinks and food available to purchase from the canteen from 3.30 pm - doughmen, hot dogs, mulled wine, Jeropiga, chestnuts and other refreshments (remember to bring food coupons/cash!) At 4.30 pm (or when it's dark enough!) the lantern procession will begin from the Primary School precinct, walking through the school to the field, with Laternenfest songs in German. The story of St Martin - complete with a horse - will then be performed by pupils on the field. The event will finish at around 6 pm. |
|

Getting ready - parent help needed!
A volunteers sign up sheet will be circulated to parents. Please note if you would like to help with lanterns and the classroom baking activity these are not included on the volunteers' list as they are being organised by the class teachers and class reps.
Lanterns: Each child will create a lantern in class. Extra parent helpers will be needed. Teachers and class reps will be in touch with their individual classes to communicate a date. Please note: Reception children will also be supplied with a lantern stick. Please hold on to this for future years. Y1 and Y2 children, please bring your lantern stick from last year or create one at home to bring (there will also be a limited number of sticks available to buy for £1). You can bring your stick on the night if you don't want to send it in with your child in the morning.
Weckmann baking: similar to Gingerbread Man (see recipe). This is a voluntary class activity organised by teachers and class reps, to take place the week leading up to St. Martins Day. Parent helpers will be asked to provide ingredients and utensils and then take the Weckmaenner away to bake at home. Extra help will be needed - teachers and class reps will be in touch with parents communicate a date soon.
Songs: we encourage the whole family to practice the songs prior to the procession (see song list). If you play the guitar, please volunteer your skills on the day. We also need lead singers who know the songs and have a strong voice.
Tea lights, stick and coupon sales (£1 each): electric tea lights, lantern sticks and coupons for food and drinks will be sold in the weeks leading up to the event to avoid long queues on the day. We will need parents to help sell these.
Weckmann baking for selling on the day: we need one or two representatives of each class to volunteer to bake additional Weckmaenner (similar to Gingerbread Man - see recipe). These will be sold on the day of the event on our food stalls.
Help on the day: the event and procession is being organised by the PTA but extra parent help is needed. Please volunteer if you can (you will still be able to take part in the procession) - we need people to help with:
A volunteers sign up sheet will be circulated to parents. Please note if you would like to help with lanterns and the classroom baking activity these are not included on the volunteers' list as they are being organised by the class teachers and class reps.
St Martin's Day is an annual event, falling on the Friday nearest to 11th November.
A volunteers sign up sheet will be circulated to parents. Please note if you would like to help with lanterns and the classroom baking activity these are not included on the volunteers' list as they are being organised by the class teachers and class reps.
Lanterns: Each child will create a lantern in class. Extra parent helpers will be needed. Teachers and class reps will be in touch with their individual classes to communicate a date. Please note: Reception children will also be supplied with a lantern stick. Please hold on to this for future years. Y1 and Y2 children, please bring your lantern stick from last year or create one at home to bring (there will also be a limited number of sticks available to buy for £1). You can bring your stick on the night if you don't want to send it in with your child in the morning.
Weckmann baking: similar to Gingerbread Man (see recipe). This is a voluntary class activity organised by teachers and class reps, to take place the week leading up to St. Martins Day. Parent helpers will be asked to provide ingredients and utensils and then take the Weckmaenner away to bake at home. Extra help will be needed - teachers and class reps will be in touch with parents communicate a date soon.
Songs: we encourage the whole family to practice the songs prior to the procession (see song list). If you play the guitar, please volunteer your skills on the day. We also need lead singers who know the songs and have a strong voice.
Tea lights, stick and coupon sales (£1 each): electric tea lights, lantern sticks and coupons for food and drinks will be sold in the weeks leading up to the event to avoid long queues on the day. We will need parents to help sell these.
Weckmann baking for selling on the day: we need one or two representatives of each class to volunteer to bake additional Weckmaenner (similar to Gingerbread Man - see recipe). These will be sold on the day of the event on our food stalls.
Help on the day: the event and procession is being organised by the PTA but extra parent help is needed. Please volunteer if you can (you will still be able to take part in the procession) - we need people to help with:
- Setting up the stage in the field
- Food and Drinks – setup and selling
- Set up decorations
- Marshals for car park, procession, directing people
- Guitar Players
- Lead singers (must know the songs and have a strong voice)
- Clean up and tidy up
A volunteers sign up sheet will be circulated to parents. Please note if you would like to help with lanterns and the classroom baking activity these are not included on the volunteers' list as they are being organised by the class teachers and class reps.
St Martin's Day is an annual event, falling on the Friday nearest to 11th November.