St Martin’s Primary School choir perform at Newbury Christmas lights switch-on and Winchester Christmas Market

A primary school choir, which is made up of nearly half of the school’s pupils, is preparing to perform at a variety of Christmas events this festive season.

St Martin’s Primary School in East End already performed at the Newbury lights switch-on festival on Saturday afternoon.

The school choir is made up of 45 children, nearly half of the 120-strong student body, and it has two performance slots at the Winchester Christmas Market as well as at a service in a local church.

The choir is led by the school’s deputy headteacher Mel Rennison. She said the children had a "wonderful time" singing before the light switch on and that the event was "brilliant".

Mrs Rennison said: "We’re all good at different things. Some children are brilliant at maths or brilliant at writing, but music is a subject that some children will be able to come into and shine if they find other subjects quite tricky."

Ava, who is in Year 5, said: "I get to sing, which I love, and you also learn how to make a softer, better sound with your voice."

Throughout this term, St Martin’s pupils have been learning Christmas songs in preparation for the festive period.

These include popular songs Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, as well as more classic offerings Away in a Manger and The Twelve Days of Christmas.

There are six soloists in this year’s Christmas songs which pupils had to audition for.

Mrs Rennison added: “It gives them another chance to do something that takes them out of their comfort zone and challenges them.”

Lucy, a Year 6 pupil, said: "You get great opportunities, and I enjoy it. It makes you feel good to sing, and it's good for your wellbeing."

The choir will be singing at the Winchester Christmas Market on December 8 from 11.30am to noon and 1pm to 1.30pm, as well as at a Christmas service at St Martin’s Church on December 18.