Kāpiti students are filling Coastlands with the sounds of Christmas carols to mark the beginning of the festive season.
Local schools have been singing carols for more than 20 years, and Coastlands invites all local schools to participate each year. Schools will sing between Monday 4 December and Wednesday 13 December 2017.
Nicky Hughes-Richards, Coastlands Marketing and Promotions Manager, says they love seeing how proud parents, grandparents, and customers are of the performers.
“The schools put a lot of effort into their singing, and we love seeing the energy and joy they bring. As a way of saying thank you we give the schools a small donation, with some using this to support their music departments.”
Paraparaumu Beach School takes part in the carols each year, to connect the school with the community, contribute to Christmas celebrations and create lifelong memories for the students. Carrie Reid leads the school’s singing group and says taking part in the carols teaches the kids they are part of something bigger.
“Our group meets around once a week, and our focus is on enjoying singing, the singers do not always have to be the best singers in the school, it is about enthusiasm and participation. I know that this kind of participation builds memories that survive childhood, and become part of who we are. Day-to-day learning in school often disappears from our memories, but I still recall singing in front of the Christmas Tree, with my singing group when I was a child”.
Jack Stephens, a Year 4 student at Paraparaumu Beach School, says he wanted to take part in this year’s singing group because he thought it would be fun.
“I’ve never done this before, and it was a fun way to spend my lunch breaks.”
Carrie Reid says she enjoys the buzz the students get from being part of the community.
“I love their enjoyment of singing, the sense of belonging they get, even when things don’t always go to plan. Our singing group is inclusive and helps connect students, I love that.”
