Christmas Carols, candles and children – a magical Christmas at Dallowgill!
Carols, candlelight and festive cheer filled the air as 11 of our primary academies came together for a truly magical Christmas by Candlelight celebration at Dallowgill.
Held in the centre’s beautifully renovated former church, the event welcomed an invited audience of parents and local residents to enjoy a heart-warming evening of music and collaboration. Pupils from Friarage, Serlby Park, Wybers Wood, Norbridge, Morley Place, Pheasant Bank, Newby and Scalby, Worlaby, Southmere, Park View and Goldthorpe took part, having stayed overnight to make the most of the full Dallowgill experience
During their stay, the children enjoyed woodland walks, Forest School activities, campfire singing with roasted marshmallows and team games designed to build friendships across schools.
Now in its second year, the event was organised by Director of Learning (Primary), Megan Rowley, who was delighted with its success.
“I would like to thank everybody who made it such a special occasion, but particularly the children,” she said.
“The renovated church is a beautiful and magical space to perform in, and the collaboration with other schools at this fantastic educational centre creates life-changing experiences for the children. It is so important to give further opportunities and harness children’s talents, especially for those who may not usually have access to experiences like this. We hope it builds their confidence to continue developing their skills and push themselves even further.”
The concert opened with a show-stopping solo from Matthew (Norbridge Academy), dressed as Wonka, before inviting the rest of the children onto the stage. As one united Delta choir, they delighted the audience with festive favourites including Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Silent Night (performed with British Sign Language), Let It Snow (complete with a snow machine), Merry Christmas Everyone and Sparkle and Shine
A particularly moving highlight was Believe – a song about self-belief and doing your best . This was led by Elliott (Worlaby Academy) and Beatrice (Friarage Academy).
Between songs, children from each school confidently took on the role of compères, sharing information about Dallowgill and the performances, showcasing the power of oracy as well as teamwork.
Rehearsals began back in October, with pupils practising in their own schools using recorded tracks and videos provided by Megan, who also visited schools to rehearse with them individually. The first time the full choir sang together was during rehearsals at Dallowgill – making the final performance even more special.
A magical evening, memorable experiences and a Christmas celebration the children (and audience) won’t forget. 🎄✨
(Video coming soon🎄)