All of Hartlip Primary’s 103 pupils have been frantically rehearsing lines and songs for the past few weeks ahead of their nativity performance.

The play tells the traditional nativity, with some slightly more contemporaneous music, including tunes such as ‘Hosanna Rock’ and ‘You Are My Brother’.

Head teacher Tracey Jerome, who directed it alongside music teacher Caroline White, said: “It has been hard work but it was great.

“We had a little mishap when a little one fell into the manger - she could have played the baby Jesus.

“It has all been great fun.”

Proud parents and grandparents filled Bapchild and Tonge Primary School hall after they were invited to watch Year R, 1 and 2 pupil’s in their nativity play.

Hey Ewe told the tale of the birth of baby Jesus though the eyes of an inquisitive sheep that gets caught up in the excitement of its first Christmas and gives its fleece to the new born king.

The youngsters practised their performance in front of other year group’s before performing in front of their family last Wednesday.

The show was put together by teachers Hannah Smith, Hannah Mawston and Jane Murray.

Administrator Rachel Medley said: “It all went smoothly. It was lovely.

“They usually do a traditional play but decided to do something different this year and it went very well. The parents loved it.”

Youngsters at Lansdowne Primary School did their nativity play with a twist - telling the traditional story all through song.

They all performed classic tunes such as ‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’ and ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ to accompany the play of the birth of baby Jesus.

The reception children and a few helpful Year 6 narrators were watched by dozens of parents at the annual festive show.

Acting head James Hope said: “It definitely got us in the Christmas spirit because it was really about the true meaning of Christmas - a message that sometimes gets lost.

“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.”

There was excitement, anticipation and just a few nerves at Westlands Primary School when the reception year did their first performance of the nativity play.

Weeks of rehearsals and practicing in front of mums and dads at home paid off after they put on a flawless play for large audience.

The story included the usual cast of characters, such as donkeys, sheep, shepherds, wise men and, of course, Mary and Joseph.

Westlands assistant head for the early years stage, Vicky Chant, said: “I would simply like to congratulate all of the children on such a tremendous performance.

“They’ve shown a real pride in their production and have played their parts marvellously.

“Thank you to everyone who helped, especially the helpers at home who gave their time to ensure it went so well. The annual donation of tea-towels was, as always, much appreciated!”

The Regis Manor Primary School’s nativity play was performed without a single mishap or hiccup, with Year 1 thespians showing star quality.

The play, which was directed by teachers, had all the ingredients of the traditional story set in Bethlehem but with a couple of modern features thrown in for good measure.

In their retelling, aliens crash land on Earth and, because the tale is not common knowledge in outer space, are told all about the birth of baby Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas.

Head teacher Karen Mirams said: “They put on a nativity performance that was out of this world.

“They spoke and sang with great levels of confidence and were supported by many proud parents and carers in the audience.

“It is lovely to watch the children coming together at this time of year and to share in their excitement.”

There were gasps from parents when a young actor fell off the stage during a nativity play.

But like a true professional the young boy got up and carried on with the show when it was performed by Caterpillar class at Iwade School on Friday.

Teacher Jo Barnett said: “There was a big ‘Oooh’ then an ‘Aaah’ when he got back up. He was fine.”

Two other Year R groups also performed the Sleepy Shepherd, a play where the main character struggles to stay awake, in front of their mums, dads and guardians in the main hall.

Gruffalos was on Wednesday and Little Bears Thursday.

It was also due to be played out in front of fellow pupils yesterday.

Mrs Barnett, who organised the event with her colleagues Tim Harwood and Jo Middleton, said: “It was beautiful. There was no tears. They’re quite a brave little bunch.

“We try to chose a different play each year because otherwise it gets a little bit monotonous.”

Angel Express was the name of the nativity performed by Foundation and Key Stage 1 children at Teynham Primary.

It follows the excitement in heaven when a newspaper announces that Jesus is about to be born and how the winged messengers join together to form a choir and sing in celebration of his arrival.

The question is whether the conductor can prepare them in time with newspaper headlines distracting everyone such as ‘Mary and Joseph Leave for Bethlehem’.

Fellow pupils saw a dress rehearsal the day before parents were invited to watch the play last Wednesday morning and last Thursday afternoon.

Acting head teacher Corinne Murray said: “It was wonderful.

“We also got some lovely written comments at the end such as ‘the singing was wonderful’ and ‘the best production we’re seen’.”

A nativity play with a twist took place at Canterbury Road Primary School.

Entitled Baubles, it centred on Colin Dane, the school’s real caretaker, and some helpful mice who work together to make some tree decorations to help children rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.

It also featured a temperamental donkey, a directionally challenged king and a sheep that slept through an angel visitation.

Year R, 1 and 2 pupils held a dress rehearsal in front of staff and children before preforming in front of parents over two days.

Head teacher Zoe King said: “It was brilliant. The hall was packed on both days with well over 100 people.

“Colin Dane came up at the end and joined in with the singing and rang the jingle bells. The children adore him so it was a fitting play which went really well.

“I’m proud of them all and I shed a little tear which is perfectly normal for me.”