There are pictures of the fayre in our photo gallery.

The festively decorated outdoor area featured rows of game stalls set-up by class teachers and their student helpers. The sound of the choir and school orchestra and the delicious aromas of mulled wine and popcorn made the event an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Indoors, more than 50 vendors from around Shanghai offered traditional hand-made arts and crafts, toys, jewellery, photographs and an assortment of gadgets and goodies: a great opportunity to buy a few gifts for friends and family.

The beautiful themed baskets were once again a highlight, as was Santa's Grotto, the Bake Sale, the secondhand book table and the Korean mums food stall. For the children, it was a case of 'where to go next' as small groups floated from the 'Shave the balloon', to the bouncy castle, to the 'Sponge the teacher', to then disappear into the labyrinth of shopping stands lining the school corridors. Only sheer exhaustion forced them to leave at the end of the day.

The Christmas Fayre is becoming a much-anticipated event, bringing our community together for a day of fun, laughter and companionship. It is especially important as it brings happiness and laughter to the less fortunate children whom we support through the various activities. All money from the event will now be donated to Heart-to-Heart (which pays for the heart surgery of poor Chinese children with congenital heart defects) and the Starfish Foundation in Cambodia (which supports the street children of Phnom Penh, whom our year 12 students travel to visit each year).

Visitors were able to buy a heart or star for our Christmas Tree this year with every one purchased bringing us a little nearer to providing heart surgery or a home for needy children. The tree was quickly decorated and now our parents and students can look forward to the tree lighting ceremony at the Carols by Candlelight evening at the end of term.

A special ‘thank you’ to all the members of the PTA, to Kirsten Smallcombe, to our school choir and Glee Club performers, our dance troupe,  to our students, parents and all the people that made this event such a wonderful occasion.