Wood Farm and New College Link: Year 4 Carol Concert

See this news story in local newspaper, the Oxford Mail

Christmas spirit was alive and well this week as two Year 4 classes from Wood Farm School delivered a magical festive concert in the breathtaking chapel of Oxford University’s New College..

Dressed in cheerful Christmas hats, the 8- and 9-year-olds performed a selection of seasonal favourites to an audience of proud parents, grandparents, and members of the College community. The candlelit finale of We Wish You a Merry Christmas drew smiles and applause, with one pupil, Sarah, describing the moment as “really cool!”

This annual tradition is a highlight for the school, but this year’s visit felt extra special. Pupils spent the day exploring the College’s stunning medieval architecture, giggling at quirky gargoyles, and enjoying a delicious lunch in the magnificent Medieval Hall. Bruin, a year 4 pupil said, “The food was super tasty and the tables were super long! The hall looked very, very old and it felt cosy and friendly at the same time.”

Maryam, also in Year 4, shared her excitement about the setting:

“I really liked how the chapel looked because there were lots of statues and it was very beautiful. It felt very special because it is a very private place, and I felt so lucky as not many kids get to see the inside of the college.”

Wood Farm Primary’s strong partnership with New College goes beyond concerts. Students and academics regularly volunteer as mentors, reading helpers, and visiting experts—connections that Headteacher David Lewin says enrich the school community:“Events like this bring our values of Ambition, Beauty, and Connection to life. They inspire our pupils to aim high, appreciate the beauty around them, and build meaningful relationships.”

Daniel Powell, Head of Outreach and Communications at New College, agreed: "At New College, we are so proud of our partnership with Wood Farm Primary School. Our student community gain so much from volunteering at the school throughout the year and, of course, we also love having the Wood Farm community visit us at New College; it was particularly wonderful to see so many children and parents from our local community singing in our Chapel on Tuesday."

Families were warmly welcomed into the College, creating a truly inclusive celebration.

Parent Dr Tabassum Monalisa reflected: "The grandeur of the chapel, the melody of all the Christmas songs along with the innocent and content smiles of all the little singers made me, a Muslim, think – maybe this is what Christmas is in its true spirit: it’s grand, it’s cheery and it brings all positive minds in sync with each other."

Another parent, Jessica Cabrera, described the performance as "unforgettable": "Hearing the children sing in such a beautiful setting was amazing and the children did a wonderful job – I had goosebumps throughout the whole performance." Adam Waldram, whose son Braidon was in the performance, added, "The college was really nice and welcoming and I was so chuffed to find where Harry Potter was filmed! I really enjoyed my time there, especially hearing my son singing in the chapel."

Pupils were equally thrilled. Maryam, Year 4, said, "I really liked how the chapel looked because there were lots of statues and it was very beautiful. It felt very special because it is a very private place, and I felt so lucky as not many children get to see the inside of the college." Millie, also in year 4, added: "I felt really lucky because not many children of our age get to go there!"

 Millie’s mother Victoria Bustin, who attended the performance shared her delight: “The performance was absolutely amazing—their singing was just beautiful, and in that serene chapel, it was perfect!”.

The festive concert was just one highlight in a busy season for school. Recent celebrations have included a Christmas Tree Festival—with real trees delivered to every classroom—a traditional nativity, a visit from Father Christmas, and joyful community singing events.