By Sean Moriarty

Pupils from Fossa National School got the surprise of their lives on Tuesday as they prepared for their annual Christmas concert.

The school’s ‘Magical Musical Experience’ took place at Fossa Community Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Tuesday was the final rehearsal day at the school and Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender made a surprise visit to his former primary school to pass on tips and advice to the pupils ahead of their opening concert later that day.

The concert was a joint-venture between the school and The MACademy Performing Arts School.

Teaching staff and both Fossa National School and The MACademy worked closely for the last few weeks to prepare for the Christmas concert.

Deputy Principal Rosemary Moynihan was able to keep Fassbender’s appearance a secret until all 35 teaching staff and the pupils were in the assembly hall preparing for final rehearsals.

“He was a amazing, he chatted to everyone and allowed them time to speak and he listened to what they had to say,” she told the Killarney Advertiser.

“He give plenty of time to children in the Autistic Unit too. He listened to the rehearsals and sat down and sang Christmas songs with the children. It was beautiful. There was already an air of excitement in the school ahead of the concert but Michael brought the excitement to another crescendo.”

Mrs Moynihan paid tribute to the teaching staff and parents who worked so hard over the last few weeks to get the concert off the ground.