As the title suggests, the focus of this book is on the "End of Term" activities, particularly the Christmas Play performed in Wade Minster.

Skullduggery over the netball team and a visit from their frightening Grandmother make this a less than enjoyable term for Nicola Marlow.

Nicola's merlin, the Sprog, makes off from the train when she is on her way back to school, taking a sparrow for the first time in his life.

A few weeks into term, Nicola, along with most of the school, is shocked to find that she has been left out of the Junior Netball team.

Ginty and Ann play Gabriel and Mary respectively, causing Mrs Marlow a certain embarrassment when she realises how much her family have dominated the production.