From a disorganised angel and Santa being on strike to panto pandemonium, there wasn’t a dull moment when Kintyre’s rural schools held their Christmas shows and nativities.
Last Thursday evening was busy, with Rhunahaorine, Glenbarr and Drumlemble primary schools each hosting performances.
Children and staff from Rhunahaorine Primary School and Early Learning Centre invited family and friends to Tayinloan Village Hall for their rendition of ‘Whoops-a-Daisy Angel’, the delightful story of a disorganised but lovable angel who is chosen to show the way to Bethlehem.
Afterwards, the youngsters were presented with their end of term awards, before a light supper was served to round off the lovely evening.
Along the road at Glenbarr Primary School, pupils performed their version of ‘The Twelve Days of a Scottish Christmas’, before their traditional handbells performance.
The main show was ‘Shine, Star, Shine!’, the charming tale of a big star who must show the way to the stable where Jesus was born overcoming one big problem – he can’t shine.
This was followed by the singing of Christmas carols with audience participation.
“The pupils put on a fantastic show and the event was well supported by families and the local community,” said head teacher Caroline Armour. “Mrs Kenny, the Glenbarr team and the pupils are absolute stars themselves.”
Drumlemble Primary School’s P4-7 pupils also put on a show on Thursday evening, performing ‘Panto Pandemonium’ during which they told of a wicked wizard who stole the magic from all the pantos.
With the assistance of a few fairytale characters, the children helped the good fairy put the magic back into Pantoland.
There were some fantastic musical performances throughout, accompanied by Catherine Black on piano.
It was the turn of the school’s P1-4 and Early Learning Centre children on Monday, when they performed the nativity story, with the animals making lots of noise in the stable.
Last Friday evening was also busy, with Clachan and Gigha primary schools holding their respective shows.
Clachan teamed up with Achahoich Primary School, Hugs of Argyll and the Dunskeig singers to put on a walking nativity through Clachan village.
They started their story at the bus shelter then followed their donkey – Huggy the Shetland pony from Hugs of Argyll – to ‘Bethlehem’.
Inn keepers, shepherds and wise men followed the star to the stable – the school’s outside classroom, bought with funding from West Kintyre Windfarm Trust and provided by Auchencorvie Sawmill.
Clachan’s P7 pupils wrote the play as part of their literacy sessions in November.
“Mums, dads, family members and the local community all came out to show their support and join in with the traditional carols,” said a school spokesperson. “The evening was finished off with mince pies and hot drinks in the school.”
The same night, at Gigha Primary School, pupils performed their Christmas play ‘Santa’s on Strike’, where the North Pole Elves showed Santa how good the children of Gigha had been for him to deliver presents on Christmas Day.
