The Agora Sant Cugat 1st Christmas Fair: A Community Celebration!

With the arrival of January we have started the second term of this academic year but we still remember the last week of the first term when we celebrated the Christmas Fair! For the very first time, the Olivera Building in Agora Sant Cugat International School was transformed into a magical Christmas Fair to celebrate the festivities with all the school community and we remember it as an afternoon full of fun, laughter, joy and lots of Christmas spirit!

Organised by Secondary students and their teachers with the help of families and local companies from the school community and the Agora Family Association, Infant and Primary students and their families were greeted by the delightful aroma of festive treats and seasonal music wafting through the air. The school forest and playground were decked out with twinkling lights, colourful decorations and beautifully decorated stands where families could buy cakes and cookies, homemade Christmas cards, gifts and ornaments with two Bouncy Christmas Castles as the centrepiece of the Fair. In the middle of the forest, Santa’s Grotto was found and children, families and staff could visit Father Christmas himself and give him their letters!

Despite the afternoon sunshine, everyone wrapped up against the December cold but everyone felt warm inside with all the activities that had been organised. The hard work and organisation of Secondary students proved to be an excellent learning curve for them and was a fantastic experience for everyone. Here are just some of the reasons they shared with us why organisation of the Christmas Fair it was so beneficial for them:

• Promoted Teamwork and Collaboration: Planning and executing a Christmas Fair required them to work together, fostering teamwork and collaboration skills. They learnt to communicate effectively and delegate tasks, essential skills for their future.
• Encouraged Creativity and Innovation: They were able to express their creativity by designing stands, decorations and activities. It allowed them to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas to make the fair special.
• Learned Event Planning Skills: Organising a fair involves various aspects of event planning, such as budgeting, marketing and logistics and they gained hands-on experience in managing an event that could be valuable in their future personal and professional lives.
• Promoted Community Engagement: The Christmas Fair brought together students, families and the local community and it helped build relationships and fostered a sense of belonging as everyone came together to celebrate the holiday season.
• Encouraged Fundraising Opportunities: The Fair served as a fundraiser for a national charity with all funds raised to de donated in a community project. They learned about financial management and the importance of giving back to their community.
• Promoted Leadership Development: Taking on roles in organising the fair allowed them to develop leadership skills. They took initiative, made decisions and inspired their peers, which boosted their confidence.
• Encouraged Cultural Awareness: The Christmas Fair included diverse traditions and celebrations, promoting cultural awareness and appreciation among students and their families and it was a great opportunity for everyone to learn about different customs and practices.
• Encouraged Fun and Enjoyment: Organising a fair is not just about work; it is also about having fun! The whole community enjoyed the festive atmosphere, participated in games and created lasting memories with their friends and families.
• Developed Personal Skills: They developed various skills, such as marketing, budgeting, and public speaking, as they promoted the event and engaged with attendees, skills that can be transferable to many areas of life.
• Encouraged a Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully organising an event, especially a brand new event, gave them a major sense of pride and accomplishment and seeing their hard work pay off and the community enjoying the fair was incredibly rewarding for them all.

The Christmas Fair was, without a doubt, an overwhelming success and everyone agreed that it should become an annual event because it brings our school community together in a joyful celebration of diversity and holiday spirit!