Abbey Junior School and Senior School students experienced some German pre-Christmas magic at the craft and food market organised in school on 14 December.  

Though no substitute for our traditional Lower and Upper IV trip to the atmospheric town of Aachen – cancelled due to Covid-19 of course – the Charity Reps raised a fantastic £360 for Reading educational charity TLG (transforming lives for good) and it was a lovely way for students to celebrate the end of term.  

As well as Bratwurst, hot chocolate and Glühwein (alcohol-free, of course), there were stalls selling hand-made craft items and authentic German Lebkuchen and Stollen, ably baked by Frau Byrne, German assistant Sandra and our team of Lower V German students.  

The quad was festively decorated by the Art Department and Charity Prefects and the work for sale from our Artists in Residence, Kristin Rawcliffe and Emily Kelly, was a particular highlight.  

Maths teacher, Mrs Roberts, brought in just a few of her collection of almost 250 wooden Nussknacker (nutcrackers) to show; sadly they were not for sale!  It was a joy to sing German carols in the open-air and my thanks go out to Sixth Form German students Tiggy, Hannah and Jessica who helped students try out their German when ordering their Bratwurst!  Let’s hope that, this time next year, we will be reporting back on an actual trip to the German Christmas market in Aachen.