Thadingyut falls in early October each year, and for three days Myanmar comes alive with candles, lanterns, and the sound of families gathering together. At SSELC, this is one of the most looked-forward-to points in our school calendar. We mark the festival both in class and with a school gathering, and we are happy to welcome families who would like to join us in person.
Lantern Making in the Classroom
In the week before Thadingyut, our preschool and primary classes take part in a lantern-decoration activity. Children work with paper and simple craft materials to make a small lantern they can bring home for the festival. The activity is intentionally straightforward. What matters is not a neat finished product but the conversation it opens up — children asking parents about the lights they see outside, parents sharing stories about how their own families have celebrated Thadingyut over the years.
For our youngest learners in preschool, this is often the first time they have had a structured moment to connect something happening at home with something happening at school. That link between home and classroom is one we actively look for and try to build.
The School Gathering
On the first morning of Thadingyut, we hold a short gathering at the school. Students come together to pay their respects to their teachers — a tradition that is central to how many families in Myanmar mark this time of year. Class teachers guide younger children through the steps, so even children who joined preschool just weeks ago can take part without feeling unsure of what to do.
The gathering is brief, usually under an hour, and the atmosphere is calm and unhurried. There is no performance or formal presentation. It is simply a shared moment for students, teachers, and families to mark the festival together before the day continues.
How to Join Us
Parents are welcome at the gathering. There is no formal dress code, though traditional clothing is always a lovely sight and many families choose to wear it. If you plan to attend and then leave before regular classes begin, please let your child's teacher know in advance — a short message the day before is all we need. This helps us manage numbers and makes the morning smoother for everyone.
Students who stay on after the gathering return to their normal class schedule. If your child needs to arrive a little later on the day of Thadingyut, that is fine too — just let us know beforehand.
What Children Carry Forward
Taking part in a moment of gratitude — even a simple one — has a quiet effect on children. We notice it in the days that follow: a little more patience, a little more willingness to say thank you without being prompted. These are not grand lessons. They are small habits, practised in a real context, that tend to stick in a way that a classroom exercise about politeness never quite does.
For dates, times, or any other questions about the Thadingyut gathering, please visit our contact page and we will be in touch soon.