NEWTON St Cyres Primary School pupil Zak Harris (8) received a prize from local MP Mel Stride on Friday, January 14, for coming runner-up in the competition to design his 2021 Christmas Card.

The Member of Parliament, who sends more than a thousand Christmas Cards each year to family, friends, colleagues and local organisations he has visited during the previous 12 months, visited the school to award Zak with a box of art supplies.

The competition for 2021 was open to the 43 primary schools in Central Devon and was sponsored by Crediton Coffee Company.

During his visit Mel joined the school for an assembly where he awarded Zak his prize and spoke to pupils about Parliament and his role as an MP.

Mel also caught up with Executive Headteacher John Jolliffe, thanking teachers for their hard work during the pandemic.

Mel’s visit was his fourth as an MP and the second since the new site opened on Station Road in 2018.

Mr Jolliffe said: “It was very good to catch up with Mel and for him to talk to some of our older pupils about Parliament and the responsibilities of being an MP.

"We were also very proud of Zak for coming runner-up in Mel’s Christmas Card competition.”

Mel added: “Zak’s colourful picture of seven giant candy canes behind two giant stacks of presents was superbly drawn. It was lovely to meet him and have an opportunity to speak to the assembly and answer some intelligent and thought-provoking questions.”

The winner of Mel’s 2021 Christmas Card Competition was Chloe Rice, aged seven, from Hatherleigh Primary School and the other runner-up was Arthur Massey, aged nine, from Dunsford Community Academy.

To save paper, Mel’s cards were sent electronically with the designs by Chloe, Zak and Arthur featuring on the card. The drawings can be seen at: www.melstridemp.com/xmascard2021.

For more about Newton St Cyres Primary School visit: www.newton-st-cyres.devon.sch.uk .