Children and teachers spread joy with Christmas song

The Shade Christmas Song 2020

Just before half term, music-loving teaching assistant David Minchin and his right hand lady Sharon Wright had a vision to write a school Christmas song after such a challenging year.

Headteacher Jane Segust said: "I am terribly proud of them. We felt it was a way to bring Key Stage 2 together in a collective song at the end of term, whilst Key Stage 1 were practising their nativity.

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

"A downcast looking Mr Minchin made a plea for KS2 children and staff to come up with some ideas for lyrics or even a bit of melody - this was shared with children and parents."

She added that "incredible ideas came in from the children" and that "their ideas and creativity was an inspiration. And from this emerged a song with five verses".

Mr Minchin was then able to collate the lyrics and write the music for the tune and chorus as well as providing a backing track and video for the children to learn in class.

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

After learning the song, classes were recorded singing their verse and choruses, and edited on the computer so that, although children couldn’t come together as they are in separate bubbles, their voices became one.

Miss Segust added: "We have really missed not being able to sing together this term. Miss Pearson worked her magic with adding videos and photographs that we have been able to share across the school.

"We are thrilled with the result and felt that it has earnt its place to be shared far and wide to spread a little bit of joy this Christmas."

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE SOHAM)

Staff and children at The Shade Primary School in Soham have recorded their own Christmas song to spread a little joy after a tough 2020. (Image: THE SHADE PRIMARY SCHOOL SOHAM)