This Advent time, all children at St Mary’s took part in the beautiful Italian tradition of the Blessing of the Bambinelli. St John Paul II began this tradition early on in his papacy, when he invited the children of Rome to join him in St Peter’s Square on the Third Sunday of Advent during his Angelus address. He asked the children to bring the little statues of the baby Jesus from their Nativity scenes at home, and he blessed the figurines.

Here at St Mary’s, all children created their own figurine of the baby Jesus in school. We used natural materials such as wood, clay, hay and straw. Then, we took the Bambinelli to Mass during the Third Week of Advent and Father Arul blessed each and every one. Children took the Blessed Bambinelli home, and the Baby Jesus’ arrival in the Nativity scene was made even more special.

Earlier this week, our Big Robins, a few of our Little Robins, and the Goldfinches class, presented Everyone loves a baby! Christmas truly felt like it had arrived as our youngest pupils shared this delightfully endearing nativity musical.

‘The normally cheerful children of a Bethlehem innkeeper aren’t so sure about babies – their newly-born brother is very noisy and a bit smelly. Heading off to see their friend, the children discover news of a special and unusual baby about to be born… baby Jesus. Will they end up liking babies after all?’

I am sure that you will agree that it was a performance full of flair – we are very proud of you all!