Waiting for Christmas - Rehearsals

This afternoon we started, in earnest, the rehearsals for our live performance at the Spa Pavilion Theatre, Felixstowe, on Sunday 2nd December.

There continue to be many words to be learnt and now there are actions too! As you can see by the looks on their faces, they are clearly putting all of their effort and emotion into what they're doing - I can't wait until the show!

A reminder that the CD, recorded last month, will be available to purchase from the 24th November.

'Waiting for Christmas' - Recording Session

 

  This afternoon, 38 of our Key Stage 2 children spent 4 hours recording songs and videos for the 'Waiting for Christmas' project. The children joined many others from local primary schools for a fantastic afternoon of singing, led by such enthusiastic organisers. The children have been learning the lyrics since September, so this was a chance for them to show how much they'd learnt...

 From the recordings, a CD and DVD will produced, which should be available during late November. The project culminates with a live evening performance at the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe, during the week beginning 2nd December - based on today, it should be marvellous.

I'd like to thank the parents for their support of this project and also complement all of the children on their behaviour during a very long and tiring afternoon.

The project is aiming to raise over £50,000 to to enable Tearfund to undertake projects, supporting families, all over the world. Some of the key aims of the 2012 project are:
• To provide a creative focus of resources for schools leading up to Christmas
• To provide a unifying project for children at primary/junior schools in the area
• To raise awareness of issues of poverty and injustice
• To raise money for charity, particularly for third world children through Tearfund
• To help convey the message of Christmas in a fun way

Year Five Concert at Thomas Mills

Yesterday evening, after several weeks of hard work, ten pupils in year five joined their peers from Wickham Market, Charsfield, Dennington and Sir Robert Hitcham (Framlingham) for a short concert to celebrate the Olympics in London. The children were joined by a selection of the Thomas Mills Orchestra and the Chamber Choir. It was a lovely evening, which I am sure those of you who were there will agree was a lot of fun. If you couldn't make it along to watch the concert, I hope you will enjoy listening to the recordings I made.

You can find them by following this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wt8rvqsi398qicy/SoSpOc2FnO where the files can be downloaded for playing on your computer. Feel free to forward the link to friends and relatives who missed it.

Recordings of our morning performance

In case you missed it, here are some recordings of this morning's performance.

Celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

What a wonderful afternoon we had today! Princes and princesses, dukes and duchesses, courtiers and soldiers turned out in their finery. The hall was bedecked in red, white and blue, as were many of the staff and parents of the PTFA, when the children came out on parade around the playground.

After a rousing chorus of God Save the Queen, we settled down to watch the Queen's coronation. Following the pomp and circumstance which befitted the occasion, we began some celebratory games, including Queenie, Queenie, who's got the ball?, Pin the crown on the Monarch, Royal statues and a Jam Tart Relay. 

True to form, the British weather tried to dampen our spirits, but with a stiff upper lip we did what Brits have always done - reverted to plan B!

Some fantastic singing, including a performance of the Jubilee Song, Sing, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gary Barlow, gave us a respite from the worst of the weather. We then continued our games indoors.

Returning to the hall, the children were awed by the transformation. Thanks to the amazing efforts of the PTFA, the tables were lined with red, white and blue cloths, plates and napkins and a wonderful display of cupcakes in the form of the Union flag dominated the front table.
After a toast to the Queen, cucumber sandwiches, jam tarts and jelly were served to the ravenous hordes, who quickly demolished the lot.

The smiling faces show just how much the children enjoyed the afternoon, and I am sure it will be something that they will remember always. 

As with all events of this nature, without the hard work and efforts of the organisers it could not have gone ahead, and we owe a huge thank you to all the members of the PTFA who baked, served, washed, cleaned and tidied, and waved their flags vigorously to help us celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. 

On the Christmas Carol Service, My True Love Gave to Me...

400 Posts!

Yes, this is our 400th Blog post, and what better way to mark the occasion than by sharing with you the best bits of our school carol service.

We begin with a beautiful rendition of Away in a Manger, with the first verse sung by Red Class, and all classes singing verses 2 and 3.

Next is the heart-warming, if rather high, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, sung by the whole congregation.

This is followed by two songs from the School Choir: Snow Song and White Christmas.

I would like to post the Staff Choir's 12 Pains of Christmas here too, but don't have any photographs. If you happened to take a shot or two, please email them to me at jamesmansell@earlsoham.suffolk.sch.uk and I will add them to the blog.

Since this post is a rather special milestone, we would really like it if you could take a moment to leave us a comment and let us know what you think of our blog. Whether you have commented before, or are completely new to it, we would love to hear what you thought of the carol service (if you were there), or what you like most about our school blog. It's really easy to leave a comment - just visit the blog and click the comment button. You can leave a post anonymously, or sign in and leave your name.

Spanish Club - Get Down!!!

Friday after school is time for Spanish Club. Led by tutor, Mrs Page, the children have a great time as shown!

Me parece que están teniendo diversión. (Looks to me like they're having fun).

One Christmas

The One Christmas concerts are fast approaching and I'm pleased to say that the CD is now available to purchase. Copies are available from the school office at a cost of £10. All proceeds (after manufacturing costs) go to the charity Tearfund.

Mr Pearce was very excited to see the CD arrive and couldn't wait to put it on and have a dance!