Aixeministra, Spring Term edition 2026
Here we celebrate all the wonderful things that happen at Axe Valley Academy each day.
Cover illustration by Sophie B, Year 10
Welcome to our first online Aixeministra
As always Axe Valley Academy has been super busy. Well done to the Year 10 Football team who are through to the East Devon Cup Final. A super group of Year 10s learned some future skills as part of a Digital Media workshop too. Thank you to everyone who wore a hoodie and donated chocolate as part of our Young Carers charity action day. Year 11 continue to impress us with their preparation for exams and it was lovely to welcome lots of parents to our Exam Success evening.
On 13th March we came together as a community to write hundreds of messages of thanks to those who have shown acts of kindness. This was all in memory of the wonderful Mr Cumming who is deeply missed. We’ve also been celebrating British Science Week all week, focussing on curiosity. The amazing thing about learning is that more curious you are about gaining knowledge, the more and more we want to learn.
We also welcomed visitors from Cambridge University as part of our work to drive aspiration and show students that they can achieve anything that they put their minds to.
We have been busy with trips too – Axe Valley Voices went to sing at Wembley and 120 students went to Shakespeare’s Globe to watch Romeo and Juliet.
Rehearsals for Aladdin are in full swing. We are excited to show off the results of the long days and nights of hard work from our fabulous Performing Arts team.
After an incredible 32 years of teaching at our school and showcasing our musical offer to our wider community, we say a very fond farewell to our longest serving member of staff, Jon Jevons. We thank him for the lasting impact his teaching has had on our children and their families. We will miss him enormously.
Lastly, this Easter, Miss Tipping from AVA is going to help the Melon Mission school in Nakuru Kenya. This school is a haven for over 400 orphans, destitute or vulnerable children. Rosie going to spend 11 days at Melon Mission, supporting the with implementing the schools newly introduced SEN curriculum which is encouraging students with SEN to be included in education and support settings. Her hope is to take donations and resources for the KS3 and KS4 learners to aid their education and consequently their probability of accessing work. She would also like to take donations of clothing, especially for the teenage girls who have asked for shorts and leggings that can be worn under their school skirts. If anyone can help, please contact: rtipping@axevalley.bep.ac
Have a peaceful Easter break and thank you for your continued support of all we do here at Axe Valley Academy.
Rob Crocker, Headteacher
Mr Jevons in familiar pose.
Congratulations
Our fabulous Jaime P. Jaime races BMX bikes to national, European and world level travels tomorrow to compete at the UEC - Union Européenne de Cyclisme in Verona. She was placed 24th and 26th in her races. We are so incredibly #axevalleyproud of her and can't wait to share news of her progress in the European Championship next month in the Netherlands. Go well Jaime and remember #youareava
The Grizzly
THESE INCREDIBLE WOMEN, Miss Tipping, Mrs Scott and Mrs Flynn completed the Grizzly 2026, appropriately on International Women’s Day 2026. They are understandably a little achy on the Monday, so we are treating them kindly. Of course, it goes without saying that we are, as ever, very #axevalleyproud of them.
(Additional congratulations to Mrs Flynn who exceeded her fundraising target for Seaton Town Football Club Youth Team.
Miss Tipping, Mrs Scott and Mrs Flynn - our staff superstars
CONGRATULATIONS to our brilliant Year 9, Ray L. Ray won the Junior Grizzly 2026. We are so #axevalleyproud of him!
EVO Design workshop
OUR YEAR 10s enjoyed a fabulously engaging and dynamic workshop. Our guests from www.evo.agency set a brief to design some Clarks training shoes. The students used their design, branding and marketing skills to prepare a presentation to us all at the end of the day. The designs and research were so impressive and the presentations blew us away. Great work Year 10s - designers of the future!
British Science Week
BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK, run by the British Science Association and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths.
It provides a platform to stimulate and support teachers, STEM professionals, science communicators and the general public to produce and participate in STEM events and activities.
This year’s theme was ‘curiosity, what’s your question?’
Activities included:
For years 7 to 9 your teachers took the opportunity to swap a normal lessons to share something that really interests them with the students.
A scientific question challenge - no googling allowed!
In the Library – every lunchtime: ‘Curious Items’ were selected by the Science department for students to look at and interact with. There were different items with different teachers everyday. As the week drew to a close the Year 8s celebrated with fireworks!
Year 7 visit The Minster
Before half term our lovely Year 7s visited The Minster Church to support their RE studies. They have been putting their newly acquired knowledge of Christianity into practice and navigating their way around our beautiful local church.
Hoodie Day for Young Carers
TODAY AND EVERY DAY at Axe Valley Academy, we support our Young Carers. The facts are alarming if these incredible young people are ignored.
Any student seeking help can speak to any member of staff and will have ongoing support from Mrs Horwood, Mr Reid and Mrs George (Year 7). On 11.03.26 we had a wear a hoodie day in exchange for a chocolate bar donation. A chocolate tombola was held at lunchtime to raise money for our own fabulous young carers and our friends Axminster Care Service. Further information about the lives of young carers can be found at www.carers.org and www.devoncarers.org.uk
Celebration of Kindness, 13.03.26
A celebration of kindness in memory of our dear friend Mr Cumming was held on 13.03.26. Students spentn tutor time recognising staff and students who have done something kind for them and writing postcards of appreciation. These were then distributed to our school community. We think of Mr Cumming often, but especially on this day. Showing kindness is the best way to celebrate him. Our thoughts, as ever, are with his family and friends.
AVA Library Chess Championship: Harry H Takes the Title!
Harry H has won the AVA Library 2026 Chess Championship after a tight and nervy final against Cory M.
Championship organiser Oli T said Cory missed an early chance to win Harry’s queen, and later both players missed a possible checkmate. Both players had opportunities to finish the game, but it was Harry who eventually found the winning moves.
After the match, Harry said: "Good game to be fair. I think we both could’ve played better, but the nerves got to us. Satisfying, well‑thought checkmate in my opinion, and well done to Cory for getting that far. I look forward to playing him again."
The result brings this year’s championship to a close, with staff praising both finalists for an impressive contest.
Year 8 CPR Training
WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT OUR YEAR 8s were able to work with www.jaysaim.co.uk a charity that raises awareness of the risks and prevention of sudden cardiac arrest in the South West’s young and active. @jays_aim has a goal is to train as many young people as possible - and the people who support them - in CPR and defibrillator use, so that they can be confident in an emergency situation.
Oxford Trip
OUR YEAR 10 and 11 students visited University of Oxford this term. This was an inspirational tour and academic taster for those who made the journey.
Here at Axe Valley Academy, our teachers embraced the dressing up with gusto! Mono brows very much in evidence (Miss Trunchball!), the only suffragette to wear Jimmy Choo boots!! and not forgetting our brilliant blueberry, Violet who still did a full uniform check at the gates this morning. A full day of book related activities made it a fun day for all.
We've had another busy term here in the AVA Music department! Our Music Centre on Tuesdays after school has been thriving in its second term, with over 30 children from local primaries coming to make music with us. Lots of our students and staff took part in a tribute concert for our beloved Irve back in February, and we also dedicated our most recent Waffle House takeover to him! It was the busiest Waffle event so far, very emotional and full of joy, and we raised over £150 for Pancreatic Cancer UK. We had a fun and inspirational trip to the Royal Opera House at the end of February to watch 'Giselle', and our strings players and members of band went to Powderham Castle to watch a professional String Quartet. On the 18th March, the Axe Valley Voices went to Wembley Arena to sing as part of 'Voice in a Million' amongst 6000 other school children; the sound was phenomenal and the children were a credit to our school. With Spring finally making an appearance, we've had many a lunchtime (and the odd lesson) outside, playing ukuleles and percussion on the grass in the sunshine. We have been busily preparing for our school show Aladdin after school, and learning about rock anthems, chords, melody and lots more in the classroom. I'd like to say a huge thank you to all the incredible students who have made my 5 years at Axe Valley so special. We've made so much music together and so many memories that I will cherish. Wishing you all a restful and musical Easter.
Mrs Moran
Sadly this term we said goodbye to a dear friend of Axe Valley Academy. Mr Griffiths – known lovingly as Irve to all. Irve has been a friend and colleague to many over a long period of time working at Axe Valley and will deeply be missed. He was a talented and passionate musician who was inspirational. Not only did he teach instrument lessons, he led Rock School and was actively involved in so many of the events, trips and concerts run by the Creative Arts Team. He was admired by all who he spent time with. Irve’s support went beyond his teaching and extended to providing students with guidance, mentoring and care.
Rest easy dear Irve. Thank you for letting us be part of your life. What a friend!
TEAM A (Team Amazing!) and Team B (Team Brilliant!) were utterly astonishing. We are so #axevalleyproud of them.
Match Reports
(From L to R »)
Amazing results from our U13 girls at their tournament this afternoon! They won against Sidmouth, Honiton and Uffculme - and drew 0-0 against King’s. Amazing goal keeping from Tegan, and goals scored by Harper. Brilliant work!
Tough afternoon for Axe Valley as we bowed out of the East Devon Cup with a 3-0 loss to a very strong Uffculme side. Malachi and Jonah worked tirelessly up front trying to break through, but Uffculme’s organised defending kept chances to a minimum. At the other end, our defence were kept busy throughout, with POTM Harley producing some spectacular saves in goal to keep us in the game. A big thank you to Uffculme School for making the trip over to Axe Valley.
Winner winner! Well done to our Year 8 Netball team who won their match against Exmouth tonight!! Player of the match was Emily.
A fantastic afternoon of football at Axe Valley as Axe Valley Academy hosted Colyton School in the East Devon U15 semi final. Huge thank you to Colyton for making the trip, and for a closely contested and competitive game played in great spirit!
Our Year 10 boys took part in a competitive Rugby 7s tournament, facing some strong opposition throughout the day, including a particularly tough opening encounter with Exeter School. The team showed great determination and resilience in every match, working hard for each other and never backing down from the challenge.
Paul delivered a standout player-of-the-tournament performance, combining relentless defensive work with several outstanding try-saving tackles and topping it off by crossing the line for a well-taken try of his own. The boys represented the school brilliantly, showing excellent teamwork, effort and attitude throughout the competition.
Axe Valley U13 Girls were in action today against Woodroffe School in a closely contested match that never lacked intensity! Both teams battled hard throughout, our girls showing real strength, composure, and determination in defence, standing firm under pressure. Libby, Jasmine and Harper were outstanding at at the front providing many goal scoring opportunities, not forgetting the exceptional defending by the girls at the back, always confident on the ball and composed under pressure!
Jasmine takes Player of the Game honours today, firing in a rocket in the first half before turning provider after the break. Her assist set up Libby, who finished brilliantly into the bottom corner to cap off a well worked move. A fantastic team performance girls! full of grit, quality, and togetherness. Huge thanks to Woodroffe for making the trip, and to our young referees, Digby and Harry B who led the game brilliantly.
OUR YEAR 10s had the most incredible day with sculptor, Alistair Lambert, creating a new piece of art for our DT department. Thank you so much to Alistair and The Thelma Hubert Gallery for supporting our students with this creation. Thanks go out to our ever patient site team who always help with the most unusual requests. Congratulations to our fabulous DT students too! This is now installed for all to see.
WE CELEBRATED the Hindu festival of Holi which celebrates the coming of spring, love and colour. At lunchtime our Religious Studies department organised face painting and body pen henna for the students, so we had some colourful students in afternoon classes!
Ax-amples
A student in Mr Carr's Maths class wanted to show some work off and inadvertently called it an 'Ax-ample'. This gave us a great idea to show off the work that goes on in our classrooms each day. Here are this term’s ‘Ax-amples’. In order:
Our Year 7 Geographers proudly show off designs for their layouts showcasing why they love Devon. What's not to love! Congratulations on your great work Year 7MRS BROWN does a happy dance seeing that Year 9 have all planned in their exam! Planning carefully, focussing on the mark scheme and editing effectively pays dividends.
Mrs Brown does a happy dance seeing that Year 9 have all planned in their exam! Planning carefully, focussing on the mark scheme and editing effectively pays dividends. Well done Year 9, these are great Ax-amples!
One of our Year 10s did this during a maths lesson on compass constructions, completely unprompted! Today some of our Year 10s are taking part in an Intermediate Maths Challenge, this depth of thought should stand them in good stead.
Our Year 7 Scientists creating FeS... Iron Sulphide. Enjoy these photos of them proudly showing off their 'Ax-amples!'
Our Year 8s did some fabulous work on climate change last week. Mr Perks was so impressed that he has put these beautiful pieces forward as Geography ax-amples. Well done Year 8s!
Finally, our ‘Ax-amples’ come from Miss Coghlan's 7MaP and 8MaQ groups, who have been learning one and four quadrant plotting of coordinates, with a mystery plot that turned into characters from The Simpsons!
Sausage Rollers!
We had a crazy week of wild weather. Our food rooms have been an oasis of foodie heaven. Students and staff have enjoyed a week of the finest sausage rolls (the staff have really enjoyed eating them -thank you all!!) Here are our Year 8s deep in purposeful concentration with theirs.
Introducing…
My name is Natasha Cloud and I am an Assistant SENDCo here at Axe Valley. I started working part-time at Axe Valley Academy in September but have recently increased my hours to full time. I have worked in primary education for 8.5 years. I love working in schools and supporting children. I am very passionate about working within the SEND department.
In my spare time I enjoy making jewellery out of polymer clay with my daughter, watching my son play football and reading.
I am really excited to be part of the team supporting our wonderful students here at Axe Valley.
Forest School report, Mrs Hammet
During these colder months our students have been up at our forest school site, beavering away crafting, creating and constructing.
Students have been busy polishing up on their fire building skills, using natural resources around the site to aide them. Utilising their skills, knowledge and working in a team attempting to keep the fire burning long enough so they can be rewarded with a hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows!
Our students have also been honing their culinary skills, making and cooking over the fire some mouth- watering Welsh cakes and delicious bacon sandwiches, which have kept them energised during the cold weather.
Useful tool making skills have also been nurtured and mastered, mallets created by sawing and chopping wood, bows and arrows created with ease, spears sharpened and some knot tying where we all struggled!
Woodwork skills and textiles abilities have also been tested; creatures and medals have been crafted out of wood and materials such as wool and rags have produced some outstanding creations.
The children have not only gained some useful basic bushcraft skills but also had to learn to adapt to each other needs, use initiative, work in teams and independently. Our students have gained confidence throughout, solved problems and built relationships with peers all whilst having a good time and sharing some laughs.
Now the sun is finally shining, next week we plan on taking our students up to Magdalen farm, to spend time with the animals and putting all our new found expertise to the test in what is sure to be a fun filled day.
Forest School report, Miss Monkton
Spring has arrived here in Forest School; the daffodil bulbs we planted during the Autumn term have sprung up & the area is looking bright & cheerful. Runner beans are well on their way in the new planting beds we have created & we have a lovely new woodchip walkway.
This term we have enjoyed a range of activities & learning new skills. We have strengthened our team bonds with some shelter building; braving the question of would it survive storm Jay when she arrived with her watering can?! (We may have seen a couple of drops) Teams were given a piece of waterproof material & some rope to start them off, students then had a brilliant time foraging for items to use to create a sturdy shelter including fallen branches, leaves & sticks.
We have also enjoyed whittling our own butter knives, which students tested out while cooking some toast on the campfire, we celebrated pancake day with some campfire pancakes & enjoyed playing a group tune on our very own hand whittled kazoos!
We have certainly had a term full of laughter & smiles here at Forest School.
Go well, Mr Jevons and thank you for everything. #partofourcommunity