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Our Special Leaving Circle
We are delighted to share this fantastic photo of the Geary whānau together with Josiah's teachers Victoria and Alexis.
Josiah is looking very happy with himself wearing our leaver's korowai (cloak) - not just because he has turned five but also because we have just celebrated his leaving circle on his last day at our centre before he goes to school. At Montessori Bethlehem, this korowai is worn at a child's leaving circle to honour this significant moment. For us it symbolises the passing on of knowledge from the people who have worn it before him, including in his case, his older brother and sister.
We were all so pleased to see his brother Caleb and sister Olivia at his leaving circle as it was the end of an era for the Geary whānau. All three of their children have been part of our centre community from babies till five years old and so their mum Micaela has been coming to the centre for twelve years now! We will all miss her as well as her beautiful children!
It is so lovely for families to have their siblings together at our centre as it is means we can continue a sense of family connection through whanaungatanga, enabling the siblings of all ages to see each other throughout the day either for a hug or even to share lunch or play time together.