PUPILS at Beacon Hill School started their festive celebrations by switching on the village lights and continued the countdown with a carol service.

For the first time this year, due to the ever-increasing numbers of children at the school and thanks to the directorial talents of year two teacher Fiona Gourlay-Grant, Key Stage 1 classes also staged their own Christmas production.

Their ‘Hey Ewe!’ play told the story of the Christmas Nativity, as seen through the eyes of the youngest sheep on the hills around Bethlehem.

Every pupil from Reception to Year 2 had the chance to shine in a range of roles. Reception children were stars and townsfolk, Year 1 played the sheep and Year 2 were gospel angels as well as narrators. In addition to their acting parts, each class had their own song to perform.

“It was wonderful to see our youngest children perform and we are very proud of each of them,” assistant producer Vanessa Butcher said. “Hey Ewe really captured the spirit of Christmas.

“We are also delighted to announce that we received a total of over £650 in donations, thanks to the generosity of everyone who came to see all our recent performances, which will help us to continue to support our link school, Nyabondo, in Kenya.