The world is a rather strange place at the moment and though things may be very different, the festive season is still upon us and NGHS has many things planned to bring joy, even if it has to be virtually. The health and safety of the school community is our first priority, followed closely by the fun, laughter, care, love, family and friendship that all make up the Christmas spirit.

We may not be able to welcome guests into school for our usual array of wonderful seasonal offerings, plays and concerts, but they ARE still happening and can be enjoyed from the comfort of our own homes.

Virtual Carols at Christmas

Our exciting Infant and Junior School collaboration with The Salvation Army and the Rotary Club of Nottingham culminates with the livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube of Year 1’s traditional Nativity story on Sunday 6 December at 3pm. Singers and narrators from Years 4, 5 and 13 will also feature in this annual carol concert during which donations can be made via a QR code. This is a ground breaking event and we hope lots of people will tune in to support the school and the Salvation Army charity.

 

 

Whole School Carol Service

It’s such a shame that we can’t repeat the wonderful experience of last year and the Whole School Carol Service we held at St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market, but needs must. We’ve become quite adept at providing virtual music concerts and will once again be collating some beautiful pieces to broadcast and share with the NGHS community.

Years 2 to 6 – making someone else’s day

Girls aged 6 to 11 are taking part in a Christmas Kindness handwriting competition which involves writing short, personal messages in Christmas cards sent to elderly members of our alumnae community. We’re sure this lovely gesture will be as popular as our Treasured Moments campaign last year.

 

 

In-House events

There will of course be the usual events taking place in school, though they may be slightly adapted to cater for the new regulations. The annual House Quiz, Sixth Form Entertainment, Christmas Jumper Day and other festive activities will all take place safely ensuring all girls stick to their Christmas bubbles (or should that be baubles?) to enjoy as normal an NGHS Christmas as possible.

There are also projects taking place including the Year 12 French girls studying the charity topic “le Bénévolat” during which they have researched Collectif des Femmes; a women’s charity operating in Belgium. The girls have been sending letters to some of them to show their support at Christmas, find out more about their work and about how their endeavours may have been affected by Covid over the last few months. It’s all about being caring, global citizens of the world and we’re very proud of our girls for being involved.

 

 

Christmas is for giving

A lot of people around the country and indeed the world, will be having a much harder time at Christmas than any of us. We always endeavour to make Christmas special for those around us and through our charitable activities we plan to do just that. We have already packaged up and sent off 159 Christmas shoe boxes filled with gifts and useful items to children around the world. Money raised from Christmas Jumper Day will go to Save the Children, and all sorts of other charity initiatives are taking place. And we are hugely excited about the last day of term on which The Band of the Salvation Army will be visiting NGHS Juniors to ‘play them out’ in the playground as term ends! Santa will of course be there (in a mask under his beard) and girls will be invited to meet him and donate a stocking filler for his sack. He will then use these small gifts to help local families in need.

So as you can see, despite everything, it’s ‘Carry on Christmas’ here at NGHS. You can already feel it in the air. The girls are buzzing with excitement, there are beautifully decorated trees around the school, there is much anticipation of the legendary NGHS Christmas Lunch, and everybody is getting into the spirit of things. In difficult times it’s important to maintain some sense of normality but also to remember those who are less fortunate than us. Christmas won’t be quite the same this year, but it will still be special – we will make it so.