School nativity play gets the hump

HOLME GRANGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Three children aged around 11 or 12 dressed as the Three Kings from the nativity pose in front of three large camels which are flanked by their handlers. HOLME GRANGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Three camels were among the animals who starred alongside pupils at Holme Grange School in Wokingham

Live animals have starred alongside children at a Wokingham school's nativity play.

Camels, donkeys and goats were brought into Holme Grange School's playground to appear with Year 6 pupils.

The camels came from Warwick, the donkeys were sourced locally - but the goat lives on a small farm in the independent school's grounds.

It's the fifth year running the school has used live animals for the occasion.

HOLME GRANGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Two donkeys are pictured close up, both wearing red and white santa hats with tinsel on their noses. HOLME GRANGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Headteacher Clare Robinson said the donkeys were sourced from near the school in Wokingham

The nativity tells the story of the birth of baby Jesus to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.

Headteacher Clare Robinson said: "It's about us wanting to give the pupils the opportunity to live the experience and go through the different stages of the story.

"[They can] gain a perspective from the people perhaps who were there at that time many years ago".

Year 6 pupil Twisha said: "I think was absolutely brilliant.

"This is something I'm going to look back on one day and say 'I rode camels!' it was an amazing experience."

She added: "Getting up and getting down [from the camels] was the hardest, because you'd shake and wobble from side to side".

HOLME GRANGE PRIMARY SCHOOL A close up shot of three full-size camels with decorative reigns on their  heads.HOLME GRANGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
It was confirmed by Year 6 pupil Twisha that the camels did not spit at the pupils

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