The Christmas spirit is flowing through Bishop Bronescombe School this week as they perform four different nativity plays.

The Church of England school in St Austell, which is part of the St Piran’s Cross Multi-Academy Trust, includes all the school children in the nativity from reception class up to upper key stage 2.

Religious Education Co-ordinator and teacher of the reception class Rebecca Jane explains the importance of the annual nativity to the school: “We talk to the children about the meaning behind the words and lyrics in the play so they gain a real understanding of the experience. We talk about how Mary would have felt as she travelled to Bethlehem and we feel this really immerses the children in the bible story.”

The children clearly love being part of the nativity and their enthusiasm for the play is infectious.

Rowan, aged 6 who plays the ‘Little Soldier’ says: “I love getting dressed up and showing off my costume. My favourite part of the play is when I make the audience laugh and my parents smile at me from the crowd.”

Eva, aged 6, who plays the narrator says that Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem is her favourite part: “I like it when Mary and Joseph come in on the donkey and the donkey goes ‘Eey-ore!”

The nativity isn’t the only activity taking place this month as part of the school’s Christmas celebrations; they also have a Christmas Fayre, Christmas Jumper Day, Christmas Lunch as well as various fundraising efforts to raise money for the two charities they are supporting – the Christmas Jumper Appeal and the Children’s Society. Pupils and teachers from the school also attended Truro Cathedral for a Christingle Service, led by Bishop Tim and Revd Jules, with the rest of the Multi-Academy Trust schools.

The school also houses St Luke’s Parish of Boscoppa church within its building, where Revd Juliet Williams holds a regular Sunday Service which some of the schoolchildren attend.