Latymer Prep School Carol Service at St Nicholas' Church

Even the light drizzle couldn’t dampen the children’s spirits as the whole school took a refreshing walk down the Chiswick Mall to St Nicholas’ Church on Monday afternoon for the Prep Carol Concert

The Latymer Prep School Carol Service is a wonderfully festive event for the whole school to enjoy. This intimate event for the Prep Community compliments the Upper School’s Carol Service at St Paul’s Church in Hammersmith later in the week, that our Latymer Singers will be performing at.

After missing out on the event last year, this was a much anticipated and joyful occasion with parents and family taking up all the congregation pews. Attendees were treated to an opening solo by Arthur from Y6 and a selection of beautiful carols including ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘Candlelight Carol’.

Latymer Prep Music teacher, Mrs Garson said: ‘It’s so wonderful for the Prep to have their own carol service and it’s such a privilege to use St Nicholas’ Church. We have four separate pupil choirs singing today as well as the brilliant staff choir with solo parts sung by Mr Nielsen. What makes me most proud of this event is that in addition to the choirs we have included congregation carols so that every pupil, staff member and family in attendance get a chance to take part and sing accompanied by our organist Mr O’Neil, which will be a first for many of the children.

“We make music, and in particular singing at the Prep both inclusive and specialised and today was a lovely moment of sharing, listening and feeling like Christmas has really started. All of our spirits were lifted by the telling of the Christmas story and all rejoicing together in song,” she added. 

In between carols were beautiful readings by individual staff and pupils and the proceedings were opened and closed by School Chaplain and Upper School teacher of Classics, Mr Cook. He said of the event: ‘To be a part of this Prep school community gathering in St Nicholas’ was wonderful. St Nicholas as a wealthy man who gave his money to helping the poorest in society; his generosity is what we seek, as a school community, to honour today. No wonder that the idea of giving gifts continues in his present form of Santa Claus. Wishing every member of the Prep Community a peaceful, joyful and happy Christmas’