Announcing the winners to the 2024 Christmas Card competition

Our annual Christmas Card Competition has brought plenty of Christmas cheer to the Central Team at Head Office. We received hundreds of entries from pupils and students across the Trust and the entries gave our independent judge a really tough job!

Louise Pasquill, an Art Educator and Illustrator, who judged the competition for the third year, said “My goodness it has been hard this year.  I’ve had to repeat my process of elimination several times to create the shortlist, the entries are so amazing.”

Louise marked the designs on 5 different areas: colour impact, composition, emotional response, storytelling, and techniques.

The academy entries are split into two age groups: Early Years and Primary pupils and Secondary and Post-16 and Louise used her scoring system to choose a first, second and third place in each age category.

We are delighted to announce the winners for 2024 are

Early Years/Primary

First place was The Three Deer by Aizah from Maidenhead Class, Arbour Vale School

Judge’s comment: “The designer has really thought about the story of these little characters and where they are and when, with lovely use of natural fir stems to bring it to life.  The Trio of Deer has bounced to the top score!  Beautiful work.”

 

 

 

 

 

Second place was The Christmas Tree with Gold Rings by Isla from Oak Class, The Link School

Judge’s comment: “This festive design has a glamorous party feel, time to put on sequins and dance!  Pretty colours and patterns, especially the use of shimmering gold.  The tree shape is very well balanced and symmetrical, while the Gold Rings link the whole composition together. This design brings a modern twist to the traditional Christmas Tree.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joint Third Place

The Three Sheep by Ihsan, Wycombe Class, Arbour Vale School

Judge’s comment: “There is always a soft spot for animal designs and these charming sheep characters are no exception, they really do resemble our relatives after Christmas lunch.  They have been beautifully created and they are really fun.  The composition is well placed and shows a number of different artistic skills, especially the neatness of the different hats and details”

 

 

 

 

Cottages in the Snow by Abigail, Beaconsfield Class, Arbour Vale School

“The row of cottages are charming and quietly tell us the story of a cosy refuge in a cold blizzard.  They spread warmth and comfort, the true messages of Christmas, through the joy of being at home in our community – something we are all grateful for at Christmas.”

 

 

 

 

 

Secondary/Post-16

First Place The Leaf Reindeer by Basingstoke Class at Arbour Vale School

Judge’s comment: “The creativity of this design is very prominent.  The multi-media brought a 3D aspect to the design and I loved the natural materials over the contrasting Christmas stripes.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Place: The Northern Lights/Arctic Trio by Ronnie G from Carew Academy

Judge’s comment: “Ronnie’s colours melting into the sky works beautifully.  As the arctic friends highlighted in white in the foreground, look out from their winter wonderland at the North Pole we feel calm and remember that our frozen planet is a precious home for all of us.”

 

 

 

 

 

Joint Third Place

Glimmering Red Bauble by Emily from Carew Academy

Judge’s comment: “Emily’s drawing has such delicacy and energy which is a tricky combination that she has mastered.  I can smell the fir tree, it looks so realistic and the details all around the design frame the jolly bauble with festive holly and berries.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stag Print by Ronnie B from Carew Academy

Judge’s comment: “Ronnie’s skilful print is so symmetrical, well placed and the textures have come out really well throughout the whole design.  Ronnie’s simple monochrome accentuates the patterns and shapes and looks very crisp on the white background.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two first place entries will be made into two Christmas cards which will be sent out on by behalf of the Trust from the Leadership Team and Trustees. The winners will receive a certificate, a box of Christmas cards featuring their design and a gift voucher.

Second and third places will also be presented with certificates and we will be issuing Highly Commended certificates and certificates for participation for the schools to give out before the Christmas break.

Thank you to everyone for submitting all the wonderfully creative designs to the competition this year and for bringing the festive cheer to everyone in head office.

Merry Christmas!

Here are some of the other shortlisted entries