• 10th December 2024 - A Visit From Father Christmas

While the children were wolfing down their breakfast porridge with Jamie, our cook, in attendance, the teachers were outside in the playground, known as ‘die parkie’ setting up the slippery slide.

After breakfast the children did puzzles and played board games for a while and then it was time for everyone to gather outside the hall to look out for Father Christmas. The first notice of his arrival was the happy sound of a bell ringing and through the gate he came, all smiles, calling out ‘Geseënde Kersfees, Pikkewyntjies’ and swinging his bell.

Some of the little ones were a bit startled by the appearance of this man in the red suit but then he led the way into the hall and they saw the balloons and decorations and the tree - and the PRESENTS - and realised there was fun to be had - hooray!.

All the children were soon sitting down in eager anticipation when Father Christmas asked anawkward question. He asked if they had been good all year because he could not give gifts tonaughty children. There was a sudden silence and consternation on the faces looking at him.Some recovered quickly, one could see they had decided they hadn’t been so VERY bad thatthey couldn’t have one of those enticing packets and when they put their hands up, the othersbegan to think that perhaps they hadn’t been so bad either and also raised their hands. Sooneveryone’s hands were up and everyone was smiling and happy again.

Because there will inevitably be confusion among so many, about whose bag is whose, especially as there are treats in the bags too, the children give their bags to their teachers when they get them, to put away until home time.

I always find it remarkable that there is not one pout or tear over this arrangement. Although they would really like to explore their bags, they have been told the reason for the delayed pleasure and they all accept it without making a fuss.

Presents over, they wave goodbye to Father Christmas. They still have fun on the Slippery Slide to look forward to and a special Christmas lunch. The Day Father Christmas comes to school is a very nice day - for everyone.