Glittering snowflakes twirled and danced while sparkling angels sang in chorus as the holiday season was celebrated with a Christmas concert at Western International School, Shanghai.

All the hard work of weeks of rehearsals paid off as excited students presented a Christmas concert of songs and nativity scenes to an enthusiastic audience of families, friends and special guests. Retold through songs, dances and clever narration, the quirky take on the first Christmas was uplifting and refreshing. Every scene was greeted with cheers and applause which encouraged the performers to shine.

But perhaps the most enthusiastic responses were saved for the staff choir who serenaded their students and the entire WISS community with a rocking rendition of jingle bells.

Everyone embraced the Christmas spirit, and, as WISS Director Dr Alfonso Orsini reminded those assembled, the theme of this season was "giving."

As a result, there were generous donations to the raffle in support of the three main charities supported by WISS - Heart to Heart, Colours de Chine and Half the Sky.

As part of this theme the WISS community has also donated more than 200 Giving Tree Bags filled with gifts for other children in China to help them have a special Christmas and a happy New Year.

(Shanghai Daily December 26, 2007)