Immanuel Lutheran College students celebrated a traditional German festival on Wednesday, dressing up and taking part in some colourful and very different activities for Karneval.
The college’s primary school students, from Prep to Year 6, were involved in German games like Topf-schlagen (find the hidden pot blindfolded), Kegeln (nine-pin bowling) and Schnell Unkleiden (quick dress-up game).
Karneval is celebrated in many parts of Germany in the lead up to Lent.
Traditionally, it was a time of celebration and fun before fasting began prior to Easter.
In what has become an Immanuel tradition, 460 children paraded around the college in colourful fancy dress to recognise this nearly 700-year-old event.
Children and teachers dressed as clowns, jesters, pirates, cowboys, princes, princesses, fairies, elves and animals.
“All students from Prep to Year 6 … participate in an array of activities, some specific to their year level,” Principal Colin Minke said.
“We have 75 doughnuts for the Die schwierige Mahizeit game or ‘Doughnut eating without hands over a plate’,” he said.
“At Immanuel, German language and culture is taught from Prep to recognise the heritage and traditions of Germany as part of our commitment to teaching languages other than English.
“We have exceptional teachers who go above and beyond to ensure every child has an enriched educational experience, and it’s days like Karneval where students discover that learning really is an adventure.”
