Fitting term finale
Talented students captured the festive spirit and entertained a packed All Saints Church at the annual Carol Concert.
Parents joined with staff and governors to witness a wonderful evening of words and song, performed by students from the Academy and Toll Bar Sixth Form in a fitting end to a busy term.
The audience was welcomed to the village church and the concert by the Rev Rachel Fowler and Principal Mr Whittle.
A lovely rendition of Away in a Manger by the choir ensured the concert had a perfect start and it was followed by Sixth Form dancers performing to Let It Snow.
Chair of the Trust Board, Philip Bond, read from Christina Rossetti’s ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ before the choir sang the upbeat Jingle Bell Rock.
Key Stage 3 and 4 Drama students performed scenes from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in locations around the church, adding to a great atmosphere.
The choir was welcomed back to the stage and sung Silent Night and then sixth formers, Grace Ibbotson and William Jones, read ‘Twas The Day Before Christmas’ by Tennant Morrell.
The audience was invited to join students in O Come All Ye Faithful, and violinists’ renditions of Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Good King Wenceslas and Once in Royal David’s City then rang out around the historic building.
The Sixth Form dancers returned to the stage as Marshmallow girls and performed their version of Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker – ‘Getting Ready’ before the choir gave a beautiful version of White Christmas.
The evening ended with the whole church joining together to sing We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
Mr Bond congratulated all who had taken part and staff who had put the concert together.
“The breadth of talent, among our students and their teachers, is quite something,” he said.
“I always look forward to this concert in the church and, once again, it was a fitting finale to the term.”
Mr Whittle also thanked students and staff for the excellent concert.
“We are very grateful to the Rev Fowler and those at All Saints Church for their support of the students in this concert,” he said.
“It showcases the wonderful talent we have at the Academy and Toll Bar Sixth Form. I am very proud of the opportunities we offer students in the Arts and know how much it means to them to perform.
“Thank you to all the dedicated staff who made this special evening possible and to those parents and carers who came to support their children. We hope they enjoyed it.”
Co-Director of Arts and Head of Drama Mrs Carter said: “The students worked exceptionally hard this term preparing for the performance.
“Their commitment and enthusiasm were exemplary and could clearly be seen in the quality of their work on the night. A huge well done to all the students involved.”
