By Sarah Dale
9 December 2025
Pupils from a primary school in Sunderland sang a host of carols to delighted employees who took some time out from the festive rush to “pause and reflect” on the true meaning of Christmas.
Hosted by Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust at Evolve Business Centre, where the educational trust’s central team is located, the carol service was delivered flawlessly by a group of pupils from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Sunderland.
The children were very excited to sing to an audience which included BCCET CEO Brendan Tapping and businesses based at Evolve Business Centre, including Bloomfield Financial and Renaissance Global.
Madeleine Isherwood, Year 1 teacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, said: “The children were so excited to come and share some Christmas joy with everyone, it was a wonderful experience for us all.”
The carol service began with the children and gathered audience singing ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’, followed by the children singing ‘Love Shone Down’ and the first verse of ‘Silent Night’, a group rendition of ‘Away in a Manger’. ‘The Carol Bells’ sung by St Joseph’s Primary, and everyone singing ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’. Mince pies were available to purchase in aid of CAFOD for a festive treat.
Dee Bloomfield, from Bloomfield Financial, said: “It was very Christmassy, it gets you in the Christmas mood.”
Neil Parvin, from Renaissance Global, added: “This sums up Christmas – it gives you that feeling, it’s what it is all about – the children.”
Brendan Tapping, CEO, Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, said: “We are delighted to partner with the Evolve Centre once again to bring some Christmas cheer to our neighbours. It was lovely to see everyone pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, there certainly were many smiling faces.”
James Wilson, assistant centre manager at Evolve, added: “We are extremely grateful to all the team and children from Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, for organising this fantastic carol event. It was a wonderful way to bring festive cheer and a sense of community to Evolve Business Centre; our businesses appreciated the chance to enjoy a festive break from their busy working day, and a perfect excuse for our businesses to get together before Christmas.”
For more information about BCCET, visit www.bccet.org.uk
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