A CALENDAR of Christmas festivities were in full swing at a Darlington school as students celebrated the end of term.

Pupils at Hummersknott Academy were busy in the run-up to the holidays with a host of community events.

The fun kicked off on December 12 with the school’s theatre production, Alice in Wonderland. Sixty-four students and staff members were involved as cast and crew to bring Lewis Carrol’s classic whimsical tale to life.

Paul Imerson, Hummersknott’s head of drama, who produced the show, said: “This was one of our best shows yet.

“The students have really given it their all during rehearsals, and it is clear that we have some real stage talent here at Hummersknott.”

Guests were invited to the school on December 13 for the Hummersknott Community Party, now in its 27th year.

Dozens of local care home residents, and grandparents of students, were treated to live entertainment – courtesy of the Music and Drama departments – games, and a hot, turkey Christmas dinner.

December 17 was another big night as students staged a Christmas Variety Show, featuring diverse performances by the school orchestra, the school choir string and brass ensembles, and even a student jazz band.

Audience members joined in with some Christmas classics, as well as a few more modern popular songs.

Amy Clark-Davies, head of music and conductor for the evening, said: “The students worked really hard to be ready for the show – the choir especially, which is soon going on to perform at Durham Cathedral.

“We decided to make our Christmas show a mixture of traditional carols with some congregational singing, on to some jazz-band pieces with some more ‘funked-up’ carols, so we hope there was something for everybody.

“I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to all the students and staff who worked so hard towards the concert, and to Durham Music Service for their fantastic support.”

After so much activity, and with the school holidays within reach, students and staff donned their jolly Christmas jumpers and sat down together to share an early Christmas dinner on December 18.

Principal, James Keating, said: “2019 was a fantastic year for Hummersknott, and it was lovely to see all our students and staff sitting down together for a well-deserved Christmas dinner after working so hard all year.

“Now I look forward to welcoming everyone back in January, at the beginning of what I’m sure will be an even better year.”