West Jesmond Primary and Northern Counties schools have gone online this December to deliver their annual festive activities.

The students have been working on their performances throughout the month, which are then recorded and published on the schools’ websites and social media channels.

West Jesmond Primary School have been putting together a virtual advent calendar, where each day of the month showcases a different class performance, all of which are kept secret until the day they are revealed.

Claire Baker, the school’s business manager, told JesmondLocal: “The virtual advent calendar has been a lot of fun for the children. Although we couldn’t do our usual nativity play, creating videos to be shared online has given the pupils a chance to use new technologies, such as the green screen.”

Baker added: “It has been a great way of getting pupils across the school involved in something together. All staff have also taken part, and we’ve really enjoyed seeing the talent the school has to offer.”

Northern Counties School, of the Percy Hedley Foundation, will also be offering virtual activity until Christmas Day. The school’s signing choir is releasing a carol every day of the month, where students who are deaf or hearing imparied will perform a song through sign language, accompanied by subtitles on the screen.

Maria Hallet, one of the fundraisers for the Foundation, told JesmondLocal: “It has been lovely to be able to share some Christmas cheer after a difficult year. We’ve had to change things, but it’s just a case of thinking about how we can do things differently.”

The virtual performances are in lieu of the school’s annual christmas carol singing, which usually take place in the Metrocentre and Eldon Square. Hallet hopes people will still be encouraged to donate to the cause online.

“Usually our children would be out and about in the community with collection buckets, but obviously that’s not possible this year. We are always incredibly grateful to our supporters and we hope they will get behind us with this fundraiser too.”

Northern Counties School also participated in the charity’s Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 4th December, alongside their college, residential homes, and other school in Forest Hall.

Details on how to donate to the Percy Hedley Foundation can be found on their website.