THERE are reports around the country that the traditional nativity is undergoing a revolution at some schools.

But the evidence from around Gwent is that traditional messages about Christmas are alive and well despite some fun additions to school plays.

Research from the Netmums website found some parents had been asked to put together less traditional costumes, including one of Elvis Presley, by some teachers around the UK.

But at Maesglas Primary School in Newport every child will be doing something to celebrate Christmas.

Headteacher Phillip Harrhy told the Argus staff have slightly varied their typical seasonal celebrations but that it will still be a traditional end to the year.

He said: “Nursery and reception are working together but it is told from the view of the shepherds.

“We try to make it as fun as possible. Years 3, 4 and 5 are doing a concert and then our Year 6s are doing a traditional Christmas carol service at St Thomas’ Church [on Old Cardiff Road]."

That's not to say there aren't other things added in.

Mr Harrhy continued: ”There might even be an alien in the Year 1 and 2's play. The children love it and it is about getting that excitement but getting the message through.

“I talked to the staff and had a frank conversation. Christmas is for me for the young children, while it is fresh and new for them and you can have a bit of fun in the middle year and come back to a traditional message at the end.”

And the diversity of the school can benefit everyone, he said. The school had a Muslim head boy last year but he took part in the school’s Christmas service.

Meanwhile, at Bryn Bach Primary School in Tredegar, staff have managed to intertwine the more traditional meaning with a children’s favourite - the hit Disney film Frozen.

Pupils are putting on an adaptation of the animated film, scripted by Year 4 teacher Sam Jones and complete with the film’s popular soundtrack.

School clerk Sue Fryar said: “The school play organisers are quite clever. They always incorporate the nativity story into it, perhaps at the end. It makes sure we do incorporate the true meaning of Christmas as well.”

The four junior groups in Key Stage 2 usually perform an annual pantomime, but Ms Clerk said the school fancied a change.

She said: “The children love the film and they knew all the songs straight away. They are getting very excited.”

Teacher Mr Jones adapted the script to the local area, so the performance, called Freezing Mun, takes place in Ashvale – or Ashvalendel - with the characters exiled to the village Trefil.

The foundation year pupils will be putting on a separate performance for Christmas, The Bossy Fairies and the Sleepy Shepherds.

Meanwhile at the Our Lady and St Michael’s RC school in Abergavenny, foundation classes are rehearsing for their nativity play, Jesus’ Christmas Party; year 3 and 4 will hold a carol concert; and years 5 and 6 will put on their Five Gold Rings Christmas play.

The school is also holding a Christmas lunch on its multi-cultural day on December 15.

Its headteacher Rosalind Trigg said: “Each class has been looking at Christmas traditions in Wales as well as other countries as we have a very diverse population here. We have pupils from Italy, Poland, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, France, Germany and Spain. The children won’t come in in uniform but will wear what they usually wear on Christmas Day. Dishes include panettone and stollen.

“It’s important for us to celebrate the diversity of the children here because they all have something different to bring. It’s important for us to understand their cultures in their home countries.

“As a faith school it is so important to put on a nativity play is important in our Christmas celebrations but it also helps them to develop literacy and numeracy skills. It is very much a part of our learning. "

Similarly, diversity is a part of the celebrations at Maindee Primary School in Newport, where they are used to draw in parents who might not be as familiar with traditional British events – so some of their customs are adopted too.

Headteacher Emma Nolan said: “There is no change [from traditional annual celebrations]. We celebrate all events, whether it is Christian, Muslim... We have 90 per cent have English as an additional language and then we have 20 to 40 per cent who are new to the language. We are very diverse. We take it as a strength and act accordingly.

On Friday the school will celebrate the European custom St Nicholas’ Day, which falls on Saturday.

She added: “St Nicholas walks around the school and a devil and an angel follow him around, and the angel tries to coax him out.”

It derives from the legend of Saint Nicholas, which has contributed to the reputation of Santa Claus and Father Christmas in the UK and the USA.

It could be proof that despite Netmums finding they had been asked to provide costumes characters like Elvis Presley and footballers this year, traditional tales are still popular around Gwent.