Chilton Foliat Primary School has devised some creative and innovative ways to celebrate Christmas and to bring cheer in these Covid times. The events, which include a Virtual Christmas Fair, Letter from Santa and a Christmas Sparkle Day, have been organised by the Friends of Chilton Foliat School.
The Friends hope that the festive fundraising events will keep the children working hard and having fun, and help them retain a sense of normality while adhering to Covid restrictions.
The school’s festive events kicked off with its Virtual Christmas Fair which ran during late November and raised £314 for the school. The event supported small, local businesses, while retaining some of the fun and excitement normally generated by the annual Christmas Fair. Additional online festive activities included story time with Santa, guess the number of chocolate coins in the jar, name the reindeer doorstop competition and participation in a Christmas bake-off.
In the absence of visiting Father Christmas this year, the Letter from Santa activity will ensure that children don’t miss out and that they each receive an enchanting letter from Santa complete with a North Pole postmark. The Christmas Sparkle day, which takes place on Thursday 10 December, will be a non-uniform day in exchange for bringing in a festive gift which will be put into hampers and raffled at the end of term.
All funds raised during the 2020/2021 academic year will go towards transforming the school’s Early Years’ garden and play area into a fun, safe and interactive learning environment.
In addition to the Friends’ group’s festive fundraising activity, the school’s talented catering staff have raised over £200 in a raffle to raise money for the children to have an extra special Christmas lunch. The staff, who cook delicious hot school meals in the school kitchen every day, will give each child a small gift and the money will also go towards awards for good behaviour during the lunch period throughout the year.
Also planned for the festive season are an online pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk and a visit from the National Elf Service. A virtual elf visit, funded by the Friends’ group, will give the children a tour of Santa’s workshop and the opportunity to see where their letters go and where the toys are made.
A recording of the school’s Christmas Service and Nativity which would normally have taken place at St Mary’s Church, Chilton Foliat, will also be available on the school website for parents to experience the magic of a whole school Christmas Collective Worship.
Katie Turner, Headteacher of Chilton Foliat Primary School, commented, “There’s no doubt about it, Christmas is going to be slightly different this year. However, our wonderfully enthusiastic Friends’ group and our talented members of staff are doing all they can to retain a sense of normality and ensure that the school’s Christmas festivities are as magical and memorable as possible, while raising essential funds for the school.”
The school has an open day from 9.30am to 1.00pm on Saturday 12 December to showcase the school to potential new families. For further information, to book to attend the open day or to arrange a separate tour of the school, please contact the school office on 01488 682630, visit the school website here or email the school office on admin@chiltonfoliat.wilts.sch.uk.
November weather review: A mild and moist month
