Cobham Hall celebrated the festive season with great enthusiasm before the end of term. Kicking things off was the annual Christmas Fair. Parents, governors, staff, and students were able to take part in games, enjoy delicious homemade treats, purchase wonderful handmade crafts and even meet Father Christmas!
As well as being a chance to show off the girls’ creativity – all the stall ideas were conceived and stocked by each of the School’s tutor groups – it was a chance to raise funds. In total, the girls raised an incredible £820 for our sponsored student, Caren Jeruto, at Kenya’s Starehe School.
The Fair had all the usual stalls – a chocolate fountain, lucky dips, raffles, and bake sales as well as some more creative stalls, such as a ‘Capture the Moment’ photography studio, a netball shootout, a ‘higher or lower’ card game, and even a ‘Guess the Teacher’ from their baby photos! Our new teachers certainly got into the spirit, and get an ‘A’ for effort – Dr Marin’s tutor group knitted scarves and made felt Christmas tree decorations, Miss Morley’s girls offered handmade wreaths and Mr Black’s students formed a Human Fruit Machine!
After the fun of the Fair, guests assembled in the historic Gilt Hall for the now annual ‘Carols by Candlelight’ performance by the School and Chamber Choirs. With traditional carols such as ‘Away in a Manger’ and ‘What Child is this’, the girls also sang more contemporary songs, closing with ‘Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas’. With the beautiful Gilt Hall bathed in candlelight, and angelic harmonies filling the air, even Scrooge and the Grinch would have been enveloped by Christmas cheer.
As well as performing at the end of term Carol Service in St Mary Magdalene church, Cobham, our Chamber Choir, Benesonantes, also went carol singing in the local community. After performing at the New Cobham College Retirement Home, the girls served the residents afternoon tea, and enjoyed hearing about their lives.