Santa’s helper on his reindeer enjoyed the festivities of the day
A month of celebrations
by Ann van Engelen
January 7, 2020 | 7:37 pm
Members of the Selwyn community and beyond joined together at various events across the region during December, acknowledging personal and group achievements as well as celebrating the Christmas season. From Carols in the Paddock, end of school year celebrations, dressing ponies in festive attire and walking from Picton to Bluff were just some of the many activities that were participated in by friends and families ending the year in a positive light. People were able to reflect on the year that was as they made new memories before heading into the new year.
The organisers of Carols in the Paddock at Hope Church Rolleston presented a colourful show full of fun activities and talent 
Singing and dancing together was all part of the atmosphere at the Carols in the Paddock event 
Selwyn Youth Choir presented a number of musical items at the end of year festivities at Kirrin Island 
West Melton School end of year prize-giving held on December 13 saw whanau join together as Year 1–3 celebrated their achievements with Jade receiving the Citizenship Award for the Junior School. Year 4–8 pupils also had many successes, and the Student Ambassadors for 2020 were announced being Amira, Aleia, Luke, Hamish, Brooklyn and Ryder along with the announcement of the school DRIVER values — determination/aumangea, respect/whakaute, integrity/ngakaupono, vitality/hiringa, empathy/aroha and resilience/manawaroa 
Children of all ages joined the band with their musical instruments as they celebrated Christmas together 
In honour of his grandad, Tim Adams completed his charity walk from Picton to Bluff along State Highway 1 on December 22 for the Cancer Society walking 971 kilometres in 23 days raising a total of $10,200 
More than 500 people attended Carols in the Paddock at Hope Church Rolleston on December 14. “Our vision was to see our community blessed with the joy, love and truth of Christ, which is what we saw,” says pastoral assistant Tana Reynolds. “The children enjoyed the bouncy castles, sang songs while using the shakers and other musical instruments, and we all had a really good time. It was nice to bring the community together with a real family feel and connection.”
