A Santa’s sack full of celebrations ensured a magical Christmas at Newington Community Primary in Ramsgate.
Head Teacher Hannah Tudor said: “Our staff worked so hard to ensure there was a wide variety of events and fun activities in the weeks leading up to the festive break.
“Our children were entranced by our wonderful programme and it was lovely for us to unite and enjoy the community spirit that shone throughout the school.”
All children had the opportunity to join in a school disco, play festive games and visit Santa in his grotto where they were given a small present
Every pupil made a Christmas wish and wrote it down to adorn the school’s main tree as part of the general festive displays that were all around the building that included decorative hanging hoops and a winter scene at the front of the school.
Parents were invited to share a tasty festive dinner with their children, home-cooked and served by the kitchen staff and the senior leadership team – it was a hugely popular get together.
Years 5 and 6 visited the Royal Harbour Academy and King Ethelbert School to watch them perform their pantomimes and Christmas shows. These links are really developing as part of the school’s successful partnerships within the Coastal Academy Trust.
Meanwhile children from Year 3 to Year 6 presented a celebration of popular songs from festive films – songs included White Christmas from Holiday Inn and Nazareth from the film Nativity; Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer from the film of the same name and Santa Claus is Coming to Town from the film Elf; Walking in the Air from The Snowman and It Feels like Christmas from The Muppets Christmas Carol; Rocking around the Christmas Tree from Home Alone and Do You Want to Build a Snowman? from Frozen. Year 6 presented each song with pre-recorded video sequences.
The whole Key Stage 2 group then reassembled to sing the school’s own Christmas song The Best Gift inspired by ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and concluded the concert with ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ made popular by the film Love Actually.
Nursery children enjoyed performing a live nativity musical, while Reception pupils presented Whoopsie Daisy Angel. Year 1 children performed their version of Hosanna Rock and Year 2 pupils staged a traditional nativity musical called It’s a Party.
All performances were filmed and were viewed by members of the school community via a special video link.
Newington enjoys a strong community presence and held its atmospheric Carols by Candlelight at St Christopher’s Church this year. Staff walked to church from school and were joined by children and their families. Music teacher Warwick Eldred led the singing and guests included former pupils.
Another outreach event planned for the school choir was taking part in this year’s Carols in the Park in Ellington Park in Ramsgate.
