With the coronavirus pandemic putting paid to a lot of traditional Christmas festivities this year, teachers and students at independent day and boarding school LVS Ascot, on London Road, Ascot, were determined to spread a little Christmas cheer by taking their Nativity to local care homes.
LVS Ascot’s infant school nativity features a cast of 45 children, filmed in their class bubbles and edited together
The school usually invites members of a local church to join parents and family members for its annual nativity, but this year the performance was cancelled. Refusing to let the pandemic spoil the traditional celebration, the school arranged for a professional camera crew to film the show from a safe distance, and has reached out to local care homes to share the footage instead.
Forty five children, aged 4 – 7, performed the show within their class bubbles, and the combined footage has been edited together to create a seamless performance, ensuring that some of the usual adorable bloopers are kept in.
Commenting on the innovative solution, head teacher of LVS Ascot Junior and Infant School, Rachael Cox, said, “This year, for so many of us, contact with our loved ones has been restricted, and particularly so in care homes. Many of our pupils have not been able to see as much of their grandparents and older family members as usual, and so filming and sharing footage of the performance was the ideal way to spread some cheer.
“Before the pandemic, the children would regularly visit the residents in St Christopher’s Care Home in Ascot, and we would invite the Autumn Club from Warfield Church to come to the school to see the nativity, but this year it hasn’t been possible.
“Care homes have had to restrict visitors and it has not been possible for them to invite outside groups in to help them celebrate Christmas as they usually would, and so we decided to extend the invitation to show the film beyond our students’ families, to help them join in the festivities.”
Sunrise Senior Living care home in Bagshot was the first to accept the School’s offer. Residents will be enjoying their ‘premiere’ on Wednesday 23 December, with a selection of treats from LVS Ascot to mark the occasion.
Residents at Sunrise Senior Living of Bagshot enjoying the Nativity
Commenting on the showing, Jane Harris, activities and volunteers co-ordinator at Sunrise Senior Living of Bagshot, added; “It was a real surprise when LVS Ascot contacted us. Christmas is always a special time of year at Sunrise, and we make sure that there are plenty of activities for residents to enjoy, but we have not been able to have the usual performances in the Home. The film will really brighten up the day for so many residents, especially those whose families haven’t been able to visit because of the restrictions.”
You too can enjoy the Nativity by watching it on our website
For more information about LVS Ascot download our prospectus or arrange a virtual tour of the school.
For details on Sunrise Senior Living of Bagshot, including how to volunteer or join the team, please visit their website.
