Middle School: April 27 - May 1, 2026

Middle School

May 1

Hello, Middle School Families,

What a busy week in Middle School last week!

The Sixth Graders headed to the Pentathlon with Ki Nicole:

Last week, our class, as well as the Sixth Grade students from Middle, embarked on their three-day journey to the annual Southeastern Waldorf Pentathlon at Camp Twin Lakes! Nearly 100 students from Waldorf Schools in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Puerto Rico stepped into the unknown and experienced what the Ancient Greek Games could have been like long ago.

Athletes were divided into teams and represented the Ancient Greek city-states: Athens, Corinth, Sparta and Thebes. Each team consisted of a diverse mix of students from different areas of the American Southeast, giving them the opportunity to share a part of their local culture with each other while also bonding over sharing a similar educational experience. They trained, played games, sang songs, ate meals, shared cabin spaces as a new unit, building team spirit and camaraderie in preparation for the final day of the Games. Each team moved together as Athenians, Corinthians, Spartans, and Thebans once did.

Ages ten to twelve are considered the “Golden Age” of childhood marking the transition into the adolescent years. In the Waldorf curriculum ancient civilizations begin at this stage as children start to develop stronger logical and historical thinking skills. This period serves as a transitional period between mythical and imaginary worlds and analytical learning, while also coinciding with physical changes . Training for the Greek Pentathlon Waldorf-style is less about competition and winning, but more about team building, making connections with peers beyond your local upbringing, and children developing confidence in their bodies’ abilities while in a growing and changing body.

A special thank you to the parents who volunteered their time to support this event, as well as those who came to cheer from the sidelines. The Garden School was wonderfully represented by our athletes. The students had an unforgettable experience and are still talking about it! This memory will remain close to their hearts for years to come.

The Seventh and Eighth Graders had field trips as well. The students attended a tour at The Atlanta History Museum called “Fight for your Rights” where they learned about sit-in protests during the Civil Rights Movement, Freedom Riders, as well as the Children’s March in Birmingham. Additionally, they viewed an exhibit highlighting the service of women in the military during WWII. Finally, the students acted as reporters going out into the field to find primary sources about the history of Civil Rights in Atlanta. That afternoon, they joined a docent-led tour of the Oakland Cemetery to hear stories of the lives of many important African Americans in Atlanta.

The next day, the Seventh and Eighth Graders headed to Banning Mills for a day of outdoor fun! The class traversed through the trees on a ropes and zipline course. They should be incredibly proud of their accomplishments. Not only was it physically hard, but for many being up high is quite a fear to overcome!

The rest of the week was spent constructing aspects of our sets, and designing the program for the upcoming play! Please see below for important upcoming dates!

Announcements & Reminders:

TGS Families are invited to attend Class Plays, Presentations, and School Assemblies!

We hope you will join us!