| “We should put a piece in the
parish magazine” we
have said that often over the past few months – but
I’m afraid that the moment passes if the intention
isn’t made in reality. So this piece is of the
better late than never variety. I have been Acting Head at St Stephen’s for one term and I thought it might be a good time to share what we have been doing in our corner of the parish. The Autumn term is an especially busy one in any school – new children to be welcomed, settled in helped to feel part of the family, all children moving up in class and getting to know a new teacher, the teacher getting to know them. There are always lots of courses for staff to attend, new initiatives to get to grip with – new expectations and routines – teaching never stands still! Then Christmas….We decided on the type of Christmas play in September and fixed the date. This Christmas was EARLY for us. We
performed our nativity play on Friday 7th December in All
Saints Church – it was almost the last free date
before Christmas – what a busy place it is! This
gave us a very short rehearsal time from half term
onwards. Also our “Wardrobe mistress” was
off to India on a holiday during November/ December.
However we devised a strict schedule of rehearsal for
songs, narration and costume and stuck to it! All
costumes were fitted, altered, ironed and hanging on a
labelled hangers by the end of October – including 9
new shepherds outfits because for the first time ever we
had more shepherds than angels. (By the way I seem to
have lost my new T-towels!) Well it all went surprisingly
smoothly and the final production went without a hitch
(if you don't count one crying shepherd, the sound of
knocking on the Inn door – after the words are
spoken and just a couple of wrong notes – Sorry
Brian – they were very nice notes though!) Also
during the term we have welcomed our first pupil in a
wheelchair, which has meant having ramps, and had rails
put in to help with access. All staff and pupil
have come much more aware of issues of disability and it
was this that prompted us to do some fund raising for
“Whizz Kids” a Charity to help non-mobile
children. We
had great fun dressing up in blue and yellow for a day
and paying for the privilege. This raised about
£70.00 This was also the charity that we raised
money for whilst singing round the Parish this Christmas.
Other Charitable events have been carol singing in the
Chequers Centre whilst collectors rattled buckets for
Marie Curie Cancer Research. We helped them raise
£564,00 – tremendous. We sang in the entrance
of Tesco’s at Tovil and filled two collection
containers for Demelza House Children’s Hospice.
We also shared the donations made at our Nativity between
Demelza and the Church. On
another afternoon before Christmas a group of children
entertained the residents of St Stephen’s Square and
were then treated to freshly made do-nuts by Norman.
So I believe that our children have experienced the
lesson that Christmas is a time for giving as well as
receiving. Actually
I have had cause to be reminded of this lesson in giving
and receiving. Whilst I hope that I have been
giving my best to the new and challenging role of Acting
Head – I have been blessed in receiving so much
wonderful support from my staff, my family and the
Church. I may be found worshiping and teaching
Sunday School most Sundays at West Malling Baptist Church
but I feel very much part of the “All Saints, St
Philip’s and St Stephen’s” family too
– Members of each congregation works in St
Stephen’s School and helps make up the happy and
hard working family that it is. Sue Allen
Acting Head Teacher of St Stephen’s C of E Infant School. |