PUPILS, staff, parents, and friends of a Church of England
secondary school are hoping that the New Year will bring news that
they are record-breakers.
Shortly before Christmas, hundreds gathered at Archbishop Temple
School, in Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire, in an attempt on the world
record for the nativity play with the most living characters. Their
target to beat was the 845 achieved by the South Gloucestershire
Music Hub in Bristol, in December 2012.
The existing record was close to the total number on the school
roll, so they invited pupils from schools nearby, Corpus Christi
Catholic Sports College and Queen's Drive Primary, to boost their
efforts.
Adjudicators counted 896 participants - all in costume as
shepherds, angels, wise men, and so on - and have sent their
calculations to Guinness World Records for ratification. A decision
is expected in February.
The idea was suggested by a Year 11 pupil, Daisy Watson, as part
of events to mark the school's 50th anniversary. She said: "The
school has been buzzing, and we have had a lot of fun making our
costumes.We even got to miss a couple of lessons."
The head teacher, Gill Jackson, who dressed as the Angel Gabriel
for the occasion, described the day as "absolutely fantastic". One
of the science teachers played the star of Bethlehem, and
three-month-old Finn, the son of another teacher, took the part of
the baby Jesus.
"We thought it would be quite fun to try and crack a world
record," Mrs Jackson said. "We are a Church of England school; so
it seemed to fit nicely with what we were doing. It's given a real
buzz to the place. The parents have been very supportive.
"I am very proud of the pupils. They threw themselves into this
event with huge enthusiasm, and we had great fun together."
