School choirs, singers, readers and musicians from Mount Carmel High School and primary schools; St. Mary’s Oswaldtwistle, St. Mary’s Clayton-le-Moors, St. Anne’s & St. Joseph’s and Sacred Heart all came together in Mount Carmel’s school Hall for the annual Catholic Schools’ Partnership Carol Concert.
Mount Carmel Headteacher Mr Bowers and Head Boy Harry Sutton welcomed visitors at the beginning of the evening. The beautiful voices of 150 pupils in the school choirs sang individually and also collectively and the congregation joined in with many of the carols too.
Headteachers, teaching and support staff from all the schools and approximately 180 family, friends and local residents watched the concert.
Advent prayers for Hope, Love, Joy and Peace in our World were read by pupils from each school as candles on the Advent Wreath were lit. As the Christmas Candle (the final candle on the wreath) was lit a prayer for Jesus, the Light of the World was read.
Fr. Stamp from St. Anne’s Parish read a final prayer and blessed candles for each visiting family to take home with them and light on Christmas day.
Mount Carmel Deputy Head Girls Hannah Harrison and Francesca Lo-Giudice outlined an ongoing fundraising project at St. Patrick’s High School in Kenya which Mount Carmel have to date raised over £2,000 towards. They appealed for any loose change to be donated at the end of the evening. £63.38 was really kindly donated. Thank you.
Mount Carmel’s Parent Teacher Association served mince pies and refreshments in the school ‘Twelve Star Diner’ before and after the Carol Concert and held a prize raffle.