End of term

 

End of term

                            Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The schools in this area break up for Christmas soon. Weary teachers and pasty-faced children stagger towards the final day of term, the work gradually tailing off as the holiday beckons. Everyone is under the weather, coughing and sneezing, all reserves of energy almost depleted. Lists have been checked a multitude of times to ensure that each child has made a Christmas card, a calendar, a tree or table decoration, a hat to wear at school Christmas lunch - no-one must be left out. Costumes for the play have been gathered and named.

In a primary school, particularly among the younger children, Christmas has been ‘done’ a hundred times by the end of term. Many rehearsals of Nativity plays have led to the final performances, when angels and kings, shepherds and animals, and of course, Mary and Joseph, are transformed by the donning of costumes.

 The angels are never quite sure whether they're angels or fairies but love the glittery, scratchy tinsel headdresses. The angel Gabriel may be wearing neat wings or enormous appendages which threaten to weigh him down or lift him aloft in a strong wind. The shepherds wear dressing gowns and their striped or checked tea towel headdresses have a tendency to slip off. The kings have elaborate cardboard crowns and carry brightly wrapped ‘gifts’ while the animals have a variety of masks to show what they are.

Excitement builds as the moment for performance arrives. Little children worry in case their mums or grandparents aren’t in the audience. Some cry, others suck their thumbs, all are over-excited, nerves as tight as harp strings. The teachers try to keep their charges calm and then the opening music plays.

Audience and performers' eyes seek each other out and exchange small waves of recognition. The age-old story is told  and children sing the familiar carols with enthusiasm. The magic gradually overwhelms, adult eyes glistening unexpectedly as the innocence of the children adds poignancy to their performance. 'Away in a manger' lisped by little children moves even the hardest hearts.

                            Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

 The teachers, who have coached and cajoled their children and at times despaired that they would ever be ready, see the little boys and girls as if for the first time as they give their shining best. 

 Everyone is a star and the final applause is heartfelt and prolonged. 

Children exclaim that they loved doing it and want to do it all over again. Teachers praise them and give silent thanks that everything went off without a hitch. Everyone goes home singing or humming with their proud parents.

There’s nothing quite like a Christmas celebration in a primary school.                                                                                                             

Sometimes children, especially very young ones, display an excess of enthusiasm. I challenge you to get through this clip without giggling.                                                                                                                                                               .