Drama is a key feature of a Ficino education. As each child makes their journey through the school, they will be part of three or four productions, culminating in the Shakespeare play in Year 8.

This week, the whole school and Year 2 parents and grandparents came to see our traditional play about Spirit. The play is almost entirely taken directly from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Kena Upanishad. The children spoke clearly and had all learnt their lines and cues very well. The set was a sumptuous feast in itself, and the costumes and make-up matched it in their vibrant colours and detail.

Spirit is at the heart of everything we do at Ficino School. It is the unchanging, ever-present consciousness that is essential to all activity. In the play, the gods believe they have won a great victory, but just like us they have forgotten Spirit, who comes amongst them but is not recognised. The gods of wind, fire and water are tasked to find out who this mysterious person is. However, with all their conceit and bravado, they fail to realise that their power and strength are nothing without Spirit, and therefore are unable to recognise it.

When we fall quiet to pause at the beginning of lessons, the children say a short Sanskrit dedication which translates literally as ‘to the Supreme Spirit, a bow.’ This helps the children to remember their essential self, as an ever-present companion.

Congratulations to the Year 2 students, who brought this story to life, with the help of their parents and teachers.

Rejoice in the Present.