‘Scrooge at School’ Our Christmas Play this year is based on the Charles Dickens’ classic story ‘A Christmas Carol’. It’s Christmas time and everyone in St Ebeneezers School is getting excited about the festivities – the presents, the carol singing, Santa’s visit , the food…. everything that Christmas stands for! But in the Headteacher’s office there is a distinct lack of Christmas spirit and goodwill toward all men….. he couldn’t be bothered with the hassle and the expense of Christmas…he wants everyone, staff and children to work hard instead of preparing for the yuletide season! A little girl hands him a card with ‘Merry Christmas’ written on it…he is cross with her but that night he is visited by 3 strange ghosts of Christmas. Will he change his mind? Will Christmas return to St Ebeneezers School?
We use this play to open discussion about many financial aspects. For example; What presents do we get? How are they paid for? Is there a money limit put on presents? What do children from poorer families get? Is this fair? How can we help them over Christmas? Do we spend a lot of money at Christmas? Is it too much? Do we waste a lot of money or food at this time of year? Was the Headteacher right ? Should we spend money on toys and games and get into debt just to buy presents? How could we cope with this problem? What do the children think?