What is Christmas if not a time for tradition? Celebration of Christmas is built upon tradition, from old fashioned ones like putting a sixpence into a christmas pudding, to watching pantomimes and the Queen’s speech. Within families we each have our own personal traditions, perhaps you always watch The Grinch on Christmas eve and bake cookies on Christmas morning. The Weald School in Billingshurst, West Sussex has its own traditions for the festive period, including a house Christmas tree decorating competition and the beloved student (and staff) favourite the ‘Sixth Form Spectacular’.
As alluded to by the name the ‘Sixth Form Spectacular’ is organised by the Year 13s who excitedly take on the challenge of entertaining the school in a 50 minute performance on the last day of school before Christmas. Izzy Maxwell, one of the prefects, was in charge of overall organisation. This year it was performed on the 16th of December, due to the growing school population there were two separate showings to ensure everyone could see it. I attended the first performance which was met with exhilarating cheers and anticipation when the two Year 13 presenters Sam Billingshurst and Doug Ludlow-Monk entered the stage to begin the show. Prior to their entrance a short video was shown in which they acted out getting kidnapped, creating suspense for the performance.
Every year students organising the spectacular try to create something different from the previous years in an attempt to place their own mark upon the tradition. This year was no different. The performance was modelled on the popular TV show ‘The Masked Singer’ in which participants have their faces covered so the judges guess who they are. Borrowing ideas from the show the sixth formers invited teachers to play the part of contestants and dress up in costumes to perform songs and then be judged by Headteacher Mrs Edwards, Head of Sixth Form Ms Day and Assistant Headteacher Mr Brimacombe. Somewhat surprisingly, many teachers eagerly agreed! There were three different acts, starting off with five teachers dressed in Christmas themed costumes, followed by three teachers who were dressed in large white blow up suits attempting to look like marshmallows and the final act was five teachers dressed as the spice girls.
Additionally there were a few performances from members of Year 13 who performed beloved Christmas tunes, to both start and finish the show. Right at the end of the performance the three teacher acts were judged by the panel made up of the senior leadership team, although the end vote was given to the students who had to cheer loudest for their favourite with the Spice Girls group winning the vote.
Each of the performances were met with cheers and hysterical laughter from the audience, described as ‘Hilarious’ by Ellie Hindman. Some of the students even waved their phone torches back and forth making for an authentic concert feel. The atmosphere was buzzing and content, a perfect way to end the year!
