Newcastle children spreading Christmas cheer with their angelic voices

Caring youngsters at a Newcastle school have been boosting the spirits of refugees and asylum seekers in the run up to Christmas.

The OLSA Voices group choir from Our Lady & St Anne’s Primary visited the St Vincent de Paul Centre yesterday to entertain service users at a Christmas meal.

Around 20 choir members, all aged between seven and 11, performed festive favourites, from carols such as ‘Good King Wenceslas’, ‘Ding Dong Merrily On High’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’, to Christmas classics including ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’, ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’, and ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’.

Our Lady & St Anne’s, which is a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, was recently recognised as a School of Sanctuary for its welcoming ethos and inclusive environment.

Headteacher Sam Henzell said: “Our School of Sanctuary teams have been working with St Vincent’s supporting refugees and asylum seekers, and we were asked to sing whilst the service users enjoy their Christmas meal.

“Our choir has been running for a number of years now, and we are getting back into our usual festivities after the pandemic – we performed at St Joseph’s Care Home pre-Covid.

“Performances like this are very important to our school, as we enjoy giving back to our local community and those in need.”

She added: “We are looking forward to developing our relationship with St Vincent’s now that we are a School of Sanctuary."