Despite heavy rains delaying the start of Escallier/St Jerome Anglican School's Christmas concert, the festive spirit remained undimmed as pupils dazzled with an impressive array of performances, including singing, dancing, drama and spoken word.
Held on December 3, at the Belmont Community Centre, Jerningham Avenue, the event was well attended by parents, many of whom braved the weather to cheer on their children.
The performances opened with five-year-old Rhasaan Warner, who, dressed as a jolly Santa Claus complete with a round belly and bag of toys, recited his heartwarming poem, I Am Little Santa. The young performer earned enthusiastic applause as he confidently delivered his lines.
Next, the standard 1 class, clad in festive green-and-white Christmas pyjamas, performed a lively dance to Brenda Lee’s Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. Their spirited routine was a whirlwind of energy.
[caption id="attachment_1124912" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Sheree Roberts, 17 months old, peers over the edge of the stage to watch her sister amongst the standard 2 pupils' drama presentation titled Jingle Bells in Gonzales, at the Escallier/St Jerome's Anglican Primary School Christmas Concert. - Faith Ayoung[/caption]
The standard 2 class followed with a beautiful, hand-choreographed performance set to classic Christmas tunes. Dressed in green polos, black shorts, and white satin gloves that shimmered under the stage lights, the pupils' synchronised movements added a touch of magic to the evening.
One of the highlights was the performance by the school’s ESJA Paranderos group singing Anda Parrandero in Spanish. Dressed in traditional parang clothing, the nine pupils filled the hall with harmonious voices.
Another memorable moment involved four pupils –two boys and two girls– who performed an animated spoken-word rendition of Machael Montano’s Soca Santa. Their energetic delivery and theatrical flair brought the lyrics to life, with one standout line humorously re-enacting a driver saying, "Doh want to ride no sleigh, in ah big-time Toyota, gallavanting all day."
During the intermission, principal Damali Wiltshire spoke with Newsday, expressing pride in the event’s success. Reflecting on last year’s theme, If Jesus Was Born in Gonzales, she explained this year’s concert titled Jingle Bells in Gonzales aimed to promote community pride and strengthen the cultural spirit of the area.
“We come from an area that, unfortunately, has been facing challenges that we won't go into right now. This event is really about engaging the children in cultural activities.”
The Gonzales/Belmont area, where the school is located, has been impacted by multiple mass shootings over the course of the year.
Wiltshire said the Ministry of Education has been a strong supporter of the concert, which aligns with its broader initiative to promote cultural transformation in schools across Trinidad and Tobago. The programme emphasises drumming, parang, dance, drama and spoken word: skills taught to pupils by visiting professionals
