Covid-19 doesn't stop Christmas fun at one Oldham school

This year has been a horrible year that many people will be glad to see the back of, but even Covid-19 didn't stop Christmas fun at Alexandra Park Junior School before they broke up for the holidays.

Their final week of the term was all about the festivities with Christmas dinners (with a difference!) pantomimes, parties, Secret Santa, outdoor carol singing, card making, decoration making and much more!

The children every year enjoy the Christmas spirit and it's always a fantastic end of the long autumn term. 

Samantha Nicholson-Hickling, Year 5 teacher, said: "We were a little worried that Covid would stop us enjoying Christmas as much. With the bubbles meaning classes couldn't mind, and a stop to our usual all family fun Christmas dinner, we've had to really be creative to make sure this week is as much fun as it always is!" 

The Brook Lane school have had to get creative, with limits on Christmas cards in bubbles, Secret Santa gifts brought well in advance so they could quarantine, and other safety measures needing to be in place.

The biggest triumph was ensuring that the yearly pantomime went ahead, with the school saying a big thanks to Oldham Coliseum Theatre for ensuring the children got their yearly dose of fun, festivities and hilarity, with a member of the cast going into school in a safe way to tell funny stories rather than acting.

The school's yearly Christmas dinner, where family members are normally invited to join their child, had to be cancelled and replaced with an 'Eat What You Like' Christmas feast, where the children voted for what they wanted for their meal. 

Classes also kept up the tradition of Christmas parties, with games and frivolities happening in bubbles. 

Even the annual Year 3 Christmas production was able to go ahead virtually, with Mrs Rashid (computing teacher) filming each class individually and editing it together. 

She said: "It's been a challenge but it has been worth it. The children get so much out of the production, and while it's been alot of work for me it has been worth it to allow the children this wonderful experience."

Even Santa was still able to visit the excited younger pupils at the school - either wearing his visors or keeping 2m distance. 

Mrs Nicholson-Hickling added: "It's been brilliant to keep Christmas as normal as possible for our pupils, while providing a safe environment."