Ballard takes Christmas online, sharing performances and events virtually

Ballard School is not letting COVID restrictions hamper its Christmas spirit this year, with a full programme of events being shared with parents and the school community virtually.

The independent school in New Milton, which educates children from the age of 2 to 16, has continued with much of its usual packed programme of Christmas fun; filming events to be shared with parents and other school pupils in different ‘bubbles.’

These activities have included pupil choirs, staff singing, children dancing, charity fundraising, and all manner of performances thus allowing pupils to share in and spread some festive fun around the School.

Headmaster, Andrew McCleave, said: “There is always a wonderful buzz around the School in the run-up to Christmas and, despite all the challenges and different ways of doing things, that festive good-feeling is here in force at Ballard.

“Pupils have been hard at work preparing their performances as they normally would, the only difference is that this year the wider-school community will be enjoying them virtually. Our Performing Arts department have done a fantastic job filming everything for that purpose.

“And, in the spirit of the season, we have made sure that our usual fundraising activities were not hampered either, with some new ways of getting involved with and contributing to local charities.”

The events going virtual include Year 6 and 7’s Carols around the Christmas tree, the Year 6 pantomime, a prefects’ assembly about Christmas around the world, and the much-loved Friends of Ballard School’s annual Christmas Chocolate Tombola and Grand Raffle.

The Year 11 choir has recorded songs for Oakhaven Hospices ‘Light up a Life’ concert, and following the cancellation of the annual Lymington Santa Dash due to the pandemic, the Ballard Sport team arranged a Ballard Santa run in aid of the Oakhaven Hospice Trust, with pupils, running in their separate year groups, encouraged to wear a red t-shirt and a Santa hat for the event. Also, a Christmas jumper day raised money for the local food bank.

Andrew McCleave added: “Christmas is a special time, especially for children, and the whole team at Ballard is determined that, after a challenging year for everyone, Christmas 2020 still has the feeling of community and that sense of shared fun, togetherness, joy and giving which this time of year is all about.”

Ballard School is an award-winning, independent, co-educational, day school for children aged 2-16. For more information, please visit www.ballardschool.co.uk.