For the third year Exeter Deaf Academy has been invited to decorate a Christmas tree in Princesshay shopping centre, Exeter. Students from School have been busy over the course of November creating a range of decorations on a Victorian theme. This included swaying Father Christmases, silhouettes of students made out of maps to demonstrate our students come from far and wide and decorated pine cones. A Victorian theme was chosen as this era is of special importance to us – we were first established in 1826 and this period was seen as a golden age of sign for deaf communities.

On a frosty Friday 20th November Primary had a fantastic morning turning their decorations into a beautiful Christmas tree. Everyone agreed it looked fantastic and some posters were left to explain why we had chosen a Victorian theme.

That evening the tree was lit up amongst 34 other charity trees on Roman Walk. The Lord Mayor and others inspected the trees and we are delighted to announce that we came runner up in the judging. We received a £25 voucher for Princesshay, which will go towards our e-Praise shop. A huge congratulation goes to all the staff and students and the hard work they put in to create an award winning Christmas tree.