LP’s Festive Double Whammy!

Wednesday 6^th December featured the very first Social Enterprise Group Christmas Fair and to help the whole community really get into the festive spirit (as if we needed any help!) it was held on the same night as the ever-popular Christmas Concert!

Stalls and the scents of the season filled Peckover Hall and P5 from 4.30pm as our student, staff and parent traders plied their Christmassy wares from 27 stands. Students were excused from co-curricular activities on a rota basis to take part in the merriment; a perfect balance between seasonal merchandise for those hoping to get ahead with their present shopping and fun and games for those keener to spend their pennies on entertainment. With activities from face painting to spin the sweet wheel, tasting authentic Algerian tea to ball pong and a lucky dip stand, there was something for everyone! The Parent and Staff Community manned the PSC refreshments stall and the Sixth Form Social Enterprise Group did a wonderful job with the decorations.

Jaia (Upper Sixth) was a little anxious in advance but all her fears were allayed on the night: “In the weeks leading up to the event, the nervousness started creeping in, I don’t think we quite anticipated the scale of the event when the idea first came about in June. The moments before everyone entered were the scariest as you always fear that no one will come! However, when the doors opened and there was an influx of students, staff and parents and we had to turn people away to come back later as we were at full capacity, that’s when I knew this event would be amazing!”

Business teacher and Social Enterprise Group Co-Ordinator, Sarah Owen, agreed: “[I was] nervous! It’s always a little nerve wracking running an event like this for the first time, and there were plenty of teething issues on the afternoon itself, but thankfully nothing too major. I was so impressed with the students so many were so keen to have a stall and the effort they put into their stalls was absolutely amazing! They did a brilliant job of really showcasing their design, organisation and enterprise skills.”

Jaia echoed Sarah’s enthusiasm saying: “I am so thrilled the event was as successful as it was, and I am looking forward to our group debrief next Tuesday.  Even though I won’t be here next year, I hope that the event continues to run for many years. It’s such a lovely opportunity for students to become entrepreneurs, and for them to show off all their hard work! I particularly enjoyed the dance performance by the LP dance group and the music played throughout the evening on the piano by students. The Christmas atmosphere was incredible!”

Sarah concluded: “The feedback was really positive, so many students and staff said how much they loved the event and kept telling me ‘how much better it was than they thought it would be’ so I suspect there would be enthusiasm to run it again next year.”

Over in Main Hall at 7pm the Christmas Concert was packed out as the Orchestra opened with a superb Christmas medley. Every piece offered the audience a joyful tune with a festive theme and performances included solos on the sax and piano, small ensembles from guitar, brass, voice, cello, winds, strings and mixed groups. A highlight was the interaction of Senior Choir with Octave8, the Fryer group led by Year 10 Music Scholars. Even the audience got involved with the annual sing-a-long to the Twelve Days of Christmas which keeps everyone on their toes – literally!