SONG, dance and theatrical arts with a biblical theme swept through Cwmbran yesterday as part of carnival celebrating 150 years of catholic education in the area.

The event, by Our Lady of the Angels RC Primary School, was the result of around six months of preparation and a £10,000 Arts Council of Wales (ACW) grant.

A procession of 214 pupils and around 30 staff set off from the Our Lady of Angels Church, in Oak Street, to the school site in a Noah’s Ark-themed parade.

Working with Upbeat Music and Arts Service, pupils and staff astounded parents with their own interpretation of the biblical tale bursting with colour, creativity and puppetry.

Crowds of parents and the wider community also flocked to see the spectacle, which aimed to celebrate 150 years of both the church and the school.

The school’s governors, PTA, parishioners, parents and local businesses also supported the carnival.

Headteacher at Our Lady of the Angels RC Primary School, Sheelagh McCool, said: “There was a real buzz about the school and it was lovely to see the parents reactions. Their faces were alight and I don’t think they realised how wonderful the children were going to be.”

“It was a real celebration,” she added.

Teacher Rosie O’Donnell, who took part in the carnival, said she became “emotional” during throughout and described it as a “magnificent sight”.

Creative agent for ACW , Maggie James, who was involved in the project, added that it was the “strong community” of parishioners that made the project such a “success”.