Figure 1.--Here the pre-prep children are making snowmen to decorate their classroom.
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Figure 1.--Here the pre-prep children are making snowmen to decorate their classroom. |
Of course no holiday is more important to children than Christmas. It is the most important holiday of the year. The younger children spend time preparing decorations for their classrroms. This is woven into the progam. There are a variety of events organized such as Christmas parties and carol servives. Most schools stage a Christmas pagent. Almost all of the schools has Christian religious affiliations. Thus the religious aspect of the Christmas story is explained to the children. Of course the children spend Christmas at home. The Autumn Term is structured so that it ends in time for the Christmas break.
As usual, the majority of the Michaelmas term's practice time was spent on Carols. Miles Atkinson, now Head Chorister, sang the opening solo for the second year running -- and six others made their debuts in individual verses of 'The sevn joys of Mary'. We introduced several carols new to us including 'Yes he did', a calypso-style song, 'Do you hear what I hear?', and a pop version of 'Away in a manger' (not entirely appreciated by the more conventional among the congregation!) Also of course we put in a couple of our own made-up carols, where the congregation, hearing well-known tunes to made up words, spend their time wondering where they have heard them begfore!
C.S. The Aquileon, (Belmont School, Feldemore), 1986-87
The Christmas Party for Forms I, II and LIII was in Birchall Hall. The first game was musical chairs for the first formers. When the music stopped some of them threw themselves so hard onto the chairs that they toppled over. Mrs Hincks was dressed quite weirdly with tinsel round her hair and she spoke with a mixture of different accents. Then came a game in which everyone took part in, even the teachers. You were given a piece of paper with the name of animal and you had to identify yourself to the others of your kind by making appropriate noises. There was also the game when you and your partner had to carry a sponge-ball between your heads from one side of the hall to the other.
Then Mrs Lee-Smith said it was time for tea. Everyone charged into the dining-room. There were cakes, sandwiches, cheese straws and lots of other lovely things, as well as coke which is usually rationed here. Overall it was a fantastic way to end ny first term at Queen's College Junior, a very pleasant, comfortable school, with some very nice and caring teachers and matrons, who you can always go to for help, advice and support. (The Editor denies bribing the reporter.)
David Murphy, Junior Wyvern (Queen's College Junior School), 1989-90.
On Sunday I helped Mr Cripps put up the Christmas tree in the front hall. "Put the presents on first," said Mr Cripps. So I went up the step ladder and put a "soggy" present on. As soon as I came up the step ladder and put a "soggy" present on. As soon as I came down I jolted the tree and the soggy present fell on my head. Ecch!
Adam Philpott, Great Walstead Magazine 1987.
We made models of the Three Wise Men for the classroom wall. We worked in three groups and it took five days to finish them. My group made the Wise Man who gave frankincense and since we did not finish in time we had to place red tissue in the middle.
Sally Banks, 8.1, The Bramcote Magazine, Autumn 1984.
