The Deer Park community moved into the festive spirit on Tuesday 10 December 2019, at our annual Christmas Carol service in the beautiful setting of the Parish Church in Cirencester's Market Place.

Martha D (Year 8) opened the service with her enchanting solo of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. As ever, our talented pupils participated in an array of festive numbers, including performances by our Guitar and Flute Ensembles, Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Singers and the DP Players. There was also a mesmerising collaboration of Key Stage 4 Singers and Key Stage 3 Dancers to a rendition of ‘O Holy Night.’

Emma in Year 7 said ‘This was my first Deer Park Christmas Carol service. I really liked it. I thought each group performed something very different, the dance was my favourite item. It was very creative to put dancing with the words that the Year 11s were singing. It worked very well. I was also really happy with my performance - I played the guitar in two pieces.’

The programme this year was varied, with our talented pupils showcasing more than their performance skills. We had a song written by Timothy in Year 8, a hip hop number written by Jaden in Year 10, along with an arrangement from Miss Faux and some of the Year 11 singers of a climate change song, #Resolution2020. All around the world people have been singing The Resolution Song this week with the aim of inspiring millions of people globally to make climate action their focus for New Year’s resolutions. "I'm here standing with you, Here standing with me, Standing with the world on our shoulders." There are some beautiful interpretations of the song which you can find by searching for #Resolution2020 on social media.

Max, in Year 11 said ‘I was pleased to have the opportunity to be involved in arranging ‘World on Our Shoulders' and adding my own ideas into the song to make it our own. It is something myself and my friends are passionate about and we enjoyed being able to collaborate together on this song to help take action on climate change.’

Josh, in Year 8 said ‘It was a very good service, we had a big audience and everyone was really supportive of performances, particularly the climate change song. I played drums in many of the numbers which took about 5 weeks to prepare fully and we practised nearly every day at lunch times. I really enjoyed it and it was really fun even though I was a bit nervous at the start.’

This year the retiring collection was for Watershed RDA in Coates, where children and adults with a wide range of disabilities are able, through their interactions with the ponies and horses, to have lots of fun while learning new skills and achieving personal goals. Our thanks to everyone who donated; we raised £254.50.

Mrs Gleed, Head of Expressive Arts

I am always surprised by how different each Carol Service is and I commend our Expressive Arts team on their originality. This year’s programme reflected all that Deer Park stands for; there was a great sense of team work with pupils and staff working collaboratively. It was a privilege to share a reading with a pupil in Year 7 and to witness the premieres of three new songs, each composed with a purpose, sensitively introduced and expertly performed. This creativity and commitment celebrated the traditional meaning of Christmas alongside a strong contemporary message. Our pupils’ empathy and the way in which they shared their talents definitely inspired us all to reflect and make a difference in whatever way we can.

Chiquita Henson, Headteacher

Photographs from some of our rehearsals: