And, lo, David drew unto the school. The one where he will be gainfully employed as a TA next term. Yes, he is to earn money teaching for the first time: a Christmas miracle has come to pass. David bowed his head and did like what he saw.
We are watching Lights, Camels, Action!, a thrilling new take on an old story. The Bethlehem Broadcasting Corporation is televising live as interesting events unfold in that town and nearby Nazareth. We then enter a fun, dynamic production that is vaudeville crossed with energetic dance routines.
A series of well-choreographed song and dance numbers take us through the unfolding drama. These numbers are then marked by a Strictly Come Dancing-style panel comprising the innkeeper’s wife, a donkey and Caesar. Caesar gets booed as he marks songs down. He is a cross between Craig Revel Horwood with a bit of Tonioli-esque flamboyance thrown in.
For those who don’t know the story, I won’t spoil the ending; but rest assured it is suitably moving and there is not a dry eye in the house. Loud and prolonged applause leads to an encore of my favourite original song, The Camel Funk, by the whole cast.
The production cleverly allows all the members of Years 1 and 2 to shine, even if they haven’t got a leading role on stage.
The felt backdrop of stable under the star was itself a thing of wonder and I can’t better the reviews given by the headteacher: “Each and every one of you should be proud: you were ‘AMAZING!’ She name checks some 15 members of staff who have clearly worked their socks off for most of the term to produce this original production.
In scenes that are being repeated across the country this week, the children look unconcernedly around, fidgeting as the hall fills with emotion and pride. They hardly know the effect they have had on the adults; why would they? It’s the third or perhaps fourth Christmas that they are aware of in their young lives. They have learned their lines, dressed up, done their bits and are on to the next thing. The very quintessence of why we are all here.
David proceeded to another place. A new hall of wonder. He drew nigh unto the school where he has been volunteering.
The KS2 Christmas concert presents traditional and modern Christmas music with a variety of instruments. The recorders that sounded so shaky in yesterday’s dress rehearsal are today perfection in I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In. Is there anything more redolent of childhood than the sound of a recorder ensemble? The xylophones play God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman confidently and to a loud crescendo. Year 6’s rendition of I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday is a bravura choral remix of an old classic.
Naturally it is Year 4’s singing of Jose Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad that is my favourite. This is my class (OK, so the one of been privileged to observe and be a part of this half term). Ukuleles have to be passed swiftly from one group back to the other during the musical interlude. All the weeks of practice have paid off and it goes without a hitch.
The parents waving enthusiastically to their children and getting a half-hearted wave in return, the sight of a deputy headteacher clearly moved, the children looking up to the ceiling or down at the floor as thunderous applause slightly baffles them. A scene that has been repeated for decades in British schools and will be for generations to come.
Much discussion in the staff room afterwards about which parents were seen sobbing, especially those in the front row. Some were clearly just pretending to have a cold. Much praise for the music teacher, new this term. She has produced 11 concerts and nativities. The most busiest time of the year for the music department, and possibly the most wonderful for them too. She will go far.
I step out into a crisp afternoon. The sights and sounds still filling my mind. It’s as if the very air is singing:
“Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero año y felicidad.”
David Hall is applying to become a teacher following 25 years working in communications. He tweets @campdavid
