Plympton Academy students and teachers celebrate Christmas with the community

Students and teachers from Plympton Academy have been celebrating the festive period by spreading Christmas cheer.
The school organised a host of events from a community tea party, to a church service, as well as taking carols on tour across residential homes and primary schools in the Plympton area.
The community tea party, run by the school’s sixth formers, saw pupils from Yealmpstone Farm Primary and Plympton Academy, share hot chocolate, cookies and play board games with the elderly residents from local care homes. The event was accompanied by the Plympton Academy student choir and ended with Christmas karaoke.
“It was really inspiring to be at the event and even brought us to tears from seeing the happiness shared,” said Macy Carroll and Sam Stokes, students from Plympton Academy.
The Christmas spirit was also shared when the 55 strong festive choir, led by music teacher, Nicola Clapson, went on to tour to local residential homes and primary schools.
Across three days the Carols on Tour, made up of students from Years 7-12, sang Christmas favourites such as ‘Last Christmas’ and ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ to young and old alike.
“Carols on tour was so lovely and a great opportunity to reach out to our local community and give them a day of Christmas carols to enjoy,” said Plympton Academy student, Rose Whiteley. “We were able to interact with the children and elderly and find out more about them and how they felt about Christmas this year. It was so eye opening to see how everyone felt about Christmas and what they looked forward to! It was extremely rewarding to brighten their spirits and give them all some Christmas joy!”
As well as taking carols on tour the school celebrated Christmas with its annual church service at St Mary’s church. The students sang a range of Christmas songs from the more traditional ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ to a Christmas favourite ‘I wish it could be Christmas everyday’. The local community were presented with festive songs, dances and poems from the students, and Christmas readings from the Principal Lisa Boorman and Chair of Governors, Sue Dann.
“The carol concert was a wonderful experience to be a part of and everyone worked so hard. I really enjoyed it,” said Plympton Academy student, James Ferrier.
Head of Music, Nicola Clapson agreed. “It was amazing. The students gave so much effort and outstanding dedication.”