Christmas has to be one of the busiest times of the year for primary teachers, but possibly the most rewarding (Page 1).

It is also still a very traditional time of the year for many of Wales’s primaries, according to schools TES Cymru contacted this week, and one that is crossing the religious and cultural divide.

Far from the traditional Nativity dying out in favour of politically correct alternatives, the tale of baby Jesus lives on and is still enjoyed by all, regardless of faith.

It is “modern twists” that are bringing this story alive to a new generation, despite differing beliefs.

So, at St George Controlled Primary in Abergele we see Dr Who descend on Bethlehem in his Tardis, and at Abermule Dolforwyn Primary in Montgomery, children perform a play lamenting the loss of Playstations.

For many primary teachers, December 19 will come as a relief; many will be looking forward to the Christmas break after a hectic term. However, many will go home on a high, filled with a real warmth, after receiving gifts and cards from their excited pupils.

There are not many jobs where you can witness the faces of parents as they watch their four-year-old, dressed as an elf and singing with gusto, with great pride at the Christmas concert. In what other profession can you see pupils’ eyes light up as Santa visits bearing presents?

As Geoff Brookes, TES Cymru columnist and deputy head of Cefn Hengoed School in Swansea, writes today, even the grumpiest of secondary school teachers can enter into the Christmas spirit, courtesy of their pupils.

Even the worst behaved child has the power to the melt their teachers’ hearts at this time of the year.

Christmas is also a chance for schools to celebrate their successes of the year, and look ahead to the next.

It is also time for reflection and taking stock; but most of all it is time for goodwill and peace between teachers and pupils to be practised inside the school gates.