This week has been spent listening to a great variety of festive singing, generally accompanied by some banging and thumping as children move across the stage. Whilst I have been extremely tempted to pop in and enjoy the rehearsals I have restrained myself, so that I can enjoy the magic of the productions next week, where I hope to see you all.

When you have worked in schools for over 30 years like I have, the run up to Christmas can get a bit fraught as staff try to 'fit everything in', whilst trying to contain all the excitement, so it is really only at the productions that the true magic really begins for me. Watching the children performing with such pride and joy brings a tear to my eye every year.