On December 17, Summerhill was host to the annual Christmas Cracker, which showcases several elements of the school’s music department. Organised by Mr Bibby, Mr Reynolds and Miss Williams, who had worked through lesson time to perfect the show, with students and staff giving up their own time to take part. The doors opened at half six, lending plenty of time for those present to take their seats for the 7 o’clock start.

The show was separated into two parts, with an interval between them. The Head Girl and Boy introduced the audience to the show and would introduce acts as they took to the stage. The first half began with a performance from the schools talented senior steel band, who performed Walking in the Air from The Snowman. We were treated to wonderful performances throughout the show, pieces from the Wind Band, Brass Band, the Year 8 dance group, the Choir and a performance from the cast of Summerhill’s Little Shop of Horrors show, which opens in February. A solo from Katy Clarke, of Wouldn’t it be Loverly, also took place within the first part.

During the interval, hot and cold refreshments were available in the cafe, along with mince pies and cookies, to bring forth the festive atmosphere. The cafe, and hall, was alive with talk, but all died away in time for the beginning of the second part.

The second half of the show saw more solo performances than the first, with Ella May Palmer and Emma Pryce singing their respective songs. Emma Pryce also performed with Elizabeth Bradshaw and Marta Klinska, singing It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. The Amplify dance group took to the stage and so did the choir, performing their respective acts. The show concluded with two performances from the Senior Steel Band and a mass performance of All I Want For Christmas Is You, by all the students who took part in the show.

After speeches from Mr Bibby and the head Girl and Boy, the assembly wandered out into the cold of the December night, full of Christmas cheer and ready for the festivities that would surely proceed.