Show goes on despite chickenpox
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YOUNGSTERS at Thrumster Primary overcame illness to tell the story of Christmas last Tuesday.
The primary school and nursery pupils got into the festive spirit with their annual concert after suffering from an outbreak of chickenpox that threatened to pull the plug on the show.
Head teacher Linsey Mackay said just under half the school had been off in the run-up to the event – but they showed great character in pulling out all the stops with their seasonal performance.
"We reckon we only had around 60 per cent of the pupils in and it was like that in the fortnight up to the concert," she said.
"The children did really well overcoming the absences as there weren’t many days when we had a full complement right up to the last minute. Luckily, it turned out fine in the end."
The chickenpox outbreak started in the nursery class of 10 children, reducing it to just two pupils.
By the time it was affecting the older children the nursery pupils were coming back to school.
With a few quick role changes and a lot of practice the youngsters managed to get it all sorted in time to celebrate Christmas.
The infant class of primary one to three performed the Nativity to proud parents while the older children outdid themselves with a musical programme including playing instruments, singing and individual and duet items.
The children pulled out all the stops with a few even stepping into roles at short notice. The donkey was a stand-in who took up the part the day before the concert.
"They were very enthusiastic," said Mrs Mackay. "The infant class would spontaneously burst into song – they enjoyed it so much."
