Drawing Joy: Exeter Student Wins Artist Judged Christmas Card Competition

The Christmas spirit is alive and well across Devon, as students from schools across the county have embraced the holiday season with a burst of festive creativity.

Children across Devon have taken part in a Christmas card design competition judged by artists from the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts (SWAc.)  SWAc is a charity dedicated to advancing the creation and appreciation of art in the South West, its core members are outstanding practitioners of fine and applied arts with varied practices, backgrounds and styles. 

Students from schools including St James School and St Luke’s Church of England School all submitted entries.  Lucie from St James School was the secondary school winner for her picture ‘Wreath Painting,’ winning a £30 Hobbycraft voucher.  Her entry has been made into a digital Christmas card, which will spread cheer far and wide and is accompanied by beautiful singing by the Ted Wragg Choir. 

You can view the card here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dillJSIlCNo&feature=youtu.be 

As the holidays approach, schools across Devon are celebrating with plenty of festive fun and community spirit. Over at Isca Academy they served up a tasty Christmas dinner on 18th December and are also holding a Christmas concert and Winter Gala.  Isca students have also been on a carolling tour, taking in Escan Manor and Edwards Court care homes and local primary schools.  They gave out some chocolate treats to the primary pupils, and served refreshments at the care homes. 

Isca hosted Christmas Fair during lunchtime on the penultimate day of term, where they will raise money for their House charities through selling baked goods, crafts and yummy hot chocolate.  Staff at the school have also written their own pantomime and will be performing it to the students on their final day of term. 

Matford Brook Academy held their Christmas Show on the 18th of December and their pupils also went out on a joint theatre trip with pupils from CEC and the Whipton Barton Federation.  

The reception pupils at Whipton Barton also put on a lovely ‘Born in a Barn’ nativity show and the whole school took part in Christmas Jumper Day, which was timed so pupils could enjoy their Christmas dinner in fitting attire.  The school also set up a special shop so pupils could purchase gifts for their families with volunteer elves helping them to .  Whipton Barton is drawing its festivities to a close with a special disco and some carolling in the playground.

The reception class at Whipton Barton also had a delightful visit to St. Boniface Church.  At the church, they explored the Christmas story, sang cheerful carols, and even dressed up as characters from the nativity. 

St James School held their community Christmas dinner on the 19th of December and shared their heartfelt thanks to Baby Bank Network Exeter for their incredible generosity in donating gifts for some of their families. 

St Luke's school was out of the festive gate early back in November holding Christmas craft markets.  Year 9 students from West Exe School visited Exeter's Christmas Market to conduct market research with stall holders ready for their own market in school.  Throughout November, the students created their own business opportunities in their GCSE Business lessons – they have designed logos and brand names, worked out fixed and variable costs and have assigned roles in their groups. 

Their hard work came to fruition as they demonstrated their customer service and communication skills at the West Exe Christmas Market.  Many items were sold and lots of Christmas gifts and treats were bought by staff and students with many groups making some extra pocket money in time for Christmas.

Exwick Heights went to town with a full Christmas lights switch on event at the start of December.  Each year group revealed a Christmas tree they had decorated while enjoying music and refreshments.  Their British Sign Language club has also been singing Christmas carols using sign language. 

Exwick pupils also had the pleasure of visiting Cadogan Court residential home to perform twelve festive songs for residents and staff.  The children were treated to Christmas biscuits and a drink during a short interval then sang again with residents joining in with their favourite songs. 

With the whole Ted Wragg Trust family getting in the festive spirit, it's clear that Devon's schools are truly embracing the magic of the season, including staff at the trust themselves who recently donned their best festive gear for Christmas Jumper Day.

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said: "As we celebrate the festive season, it's been lovely to see the creativity of our young people shining through in the Christmas card design competition and many congratulations to Lucie on her winning entry. 

“Our students’ dedication to bringing joy to their communities, whether through music, performance, or artwork, truly embodies the values of the Ted Wragg Trust.  Christmas is a time for unity and kindness and I couldn't be prouder of the way our schools have embraced the season with such enthusiasm and generosity."