Gisborne CBD set for festive lift as 58 school Christmas trees roll in

Sonrise Christian School students proudly display the Christmas trees they have decorated to give Gisborne's CBD a festive spirit. Pictured with the students are (from left) the school’s Christmas tree co-ordinator Raewyn Theobald, Gisborne District Council's Wooden Christmas Tree Project manager Ken Huberts and school principal Andrew Russell.

Gisborne’s cut-out wooden Christmas trees, decorated by primary school students, are to give the CBD a festive ambience from today.

Gisborne District Council’s contracted Wooden Christmas Tree Project manager Ken Hubert said there were 58 trees from 24 schools this year.

The wheels were attached to the trees on Friday and were expected to be distributed throughout the CBD by today, he said.

Sonrise Christian School principal Andrew Russell said the school was thrilled to be involved in the Christmas tree programme and “put something in town which we know will brighten the season and brightens the town up”.

“We love that.”

The school had been a participating school for 12 years.

“It’s a lot of work.”

Russell said the trees may not look like a lot “until you start working on a tree”.

“We’re always surprised at how much work is involved.

“The results are always amazing.

“It’s a privilege to put them in town and share the spirit.”

Sonrise Christian School students (from left) Mindy Yuile, Amelia Bergstrom and Everly Akroyd took a different approach with their decorated Christmas tree (at left) by referencing the 17 different cultures in their class by means of flags and "Merry Christmas" in various languages. Other students concentrated on nativity scenes, said the school's Christmas tree co-ordinator Raewyn Theobald.