CHILDREN at St Mary’s School in Douglas have been given a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
Using school funds, the full 11 figures in The Nativity – almost one metre high were bought from a UK company. And a stable was built by Ramsey resident Tony Millichap.
The scene has received a warm response since it went on display in the school’s foyer.
Head teacher Tim Short explained: ‘As far as the school is concerned we have never had a proper Nativity scene before. The school has been open since 1968 and there has never been a proper Nativity for the children to look at and appreciate.’
He said: ‘We started to get some decorations and it was all tinsel and baubles and the true meaning of Christmas wasn’t there.’
Canon Philip Gillespie from St Mary’s RC Church, Douglas, visited the school yesterday (Wednesday) to bless the scene, after acknowledging it would be difficult for the school to take it to the church.
He blessed children from year one (ages five and six), as well as the figures and crib.
Last week there were five Christmas concerts, two for the key stage two performance of Cinderella Rockefella, two for the key stage one concert Jesus’s Birthday, and one for the reception class show of The Wriggly Nativity.
Mr Short said: ‘On average 150 people per show came through the front door and were amazed by the beautiful Nativity that met them when they came into the school.’
The set will be bubble-wrapped and stored away safely for next year.
‘Hopefully we will be able to use it for many years in the future,’ he said.