The whole College community came together on the last day of the Autumn Term for the annual carol service at St Mary's Church, Henley to hear the Christmas story through lessons and carols. Parents, pupils, staff and governors were welcomed by the School Chaplain, Revd Nick Baker, before the Junior Chorale performed Carol of the Child, followed by Ed Murphy (Year 9) opening Once in Royal David's City with a beautiful solo first verse.
The Chorus was in fine voice for Christmas Lullaby and O Holy Night, the Camerata sung Torches and Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, and the Male Vocal Group sent tingles down people's necks with A Gift for a King. These can all be heard in full via the Soundcloud playlist below.
In additional to congregational carols there was also the College Carol, Good Christians All Rejoice, where all pupils and staff stand from around all sections of the church, with Houses singing designated verses together. The lessons were read by Danny Petrov (Year 8), Archie Parmar (Year 9), George Watson (Year 10), Louis Kennedy (Year 11), Grace McKean (Year 12), T Lawrence (Year 7), Polina Brown (Year 7), and the Headmaster, with the prayers read by Lay Chaplain, Mr Chris Alcock, and Year 13s Emily Banks, Harrison Walton and Sabine Bathe-Taylor.
Thank you to the organist, Rev’d Mark Pybus, members of the Embassy Brass Band, Revd Nick Baker, to Mr Richard Curran, Mr Paul Jones and Mrs Louise Rapple Moore for the musical preparations, and to Mr Andy Dix and the maintenance team for all their help with the logistical arrangements.
There was a collection at the end of the service, with £1,310.90 donated to the Churches in Reading Drop-In Centre (CIRDIC) to support the homeless and those in need, thank you for your generosity.
