International School Seychelles Celebrates Christmas |23 December 2022

• “Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.” Ruth Carter Stapleton

International School Seychelles (ISS) hosted its Christmas shows recently at the International Conference Centre (ICCS). It was a lovely day full of beautiful colours, as Christmas should be. The ISS showcased four plays, performed by the four phases in our primary school,throughout the day which were very much enjoyed by parents and guests.

The Early Years (Reception 1 and 2) showcased a lovely performance, ‘The Polar Express’. This was a fun-filled Christmas spectacle, taking spectators to Santa’s workshop and around the North Pole as the big man himself prepares for his long and magical journey. The audience met a few reindeers and elves along the way cheering them on in song.

Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2) performed, ‘Away in a manger’. This was a traditional Nativity play about Mary and Joseph accompanied by angels, meeting the 3 wise men on their journey to Bethlehem where Mary gave birth to Jesus, taking us back to the meaning of Christmas.

Our Year 3 and Year 4 took us to visit ‘The Grinch’ in the town of Who-ville. Their elaborate costumes and their joyous singing made for a festive afternoon. In the end with all the fun fare the Grinch was not able to stop Christmas.

The last show in the early evening was performed by our Year 5 and Year 6 whereby we finally saw ‘The Christmas Stars’. This was a funfilled Christmas story, taking us on a wonderful journey through heaven as the stars were about to depart to guide the people on Earth during the festive season.

After such a day of merriment with ISS children dressed in their beautiful Christmas costumes, singing the most beautiful Christmas songs, it truly put all of the audience in the Christmas spirit and everyone left feeling very festive.

“I went to see my daughter perform in the Year 1 and Year 2 show and it was beyond my expectation. I had so much fun; the children sang beautifully,” said Brigitte Cupidon, an ISS parent.

“As the Subject Lead for Music and Performing Arts, I am very proud of each and every child that was on stage. From learning their songs, the actors preparing their lines for the plays, all the preparations for their beautiful costumes, they truly gave their all to make the Christmas concerts a big success. It warms my heart to see how they have developed over the last few weeks. I always tell my students that the stage can be a wonderful partner in the process of self-discovery, and once again that was proved. Each child stood on that stage with pride and confidence, and that is what makes all the hard work worthwhile,” Chrizner Kalp, Subject Lead for Music and Performing Arts commented.

For the various Christmas shows, we were delighted to welcome the Vice-President, Ahmed Afif and family, former President Danny Faure and family, as well as British High Commissioner Patrick Lynch and family. We were also thrilled to welcome guests from the orphanages and President’s Village to spread our Christmas cheer in the community.

Elodie Vallantine, principal of ISS, stated: “I am very proud of all the pupils and staff who put on those amazing Christmas shows and helped in making this an incredibly memorable day. The staff and children of ISS worked very hard to prepare for the Christmas shows and it truly paid off. It was a spectacular event.”

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the shows.

Text & photos contributed by ISS