Aixeministra, Summer Term edition 2026
Here we celebrate all the wonderful things that happen at Axe Valley Academy each day and a particularly glorious Summer Term.
YEAR 8 Cover illustration
Welcome to our Summer Term Aixeministra
Approaching the end of the academic year always provides an opportunity to reflect on all of the wonderful achievements and opportunities we’ve had as a school alongside being able to feel grateful for the incredible team of staff and students we have here. I’ve been very proud of our Year 11 cohort who have approached their exams with a steadfast determination; they’ve worked hard and deserve the success they are sure to achieve. Alongside this, we continue to ensure that as many children as possible get the opportunity to flourish – our Bank of Dreams and Nightmares project for example, sees a group of students work to become published authors. We’ve had some great sporting successes this year and that’s been down to a super PE department who have such belief in our children and their potential. Thank you to staff who are going above and beyond to provide such experiences to students; it’s an amazing testament to the Axe Valley team that the amount of extra and super-curricular opportunities for students continues to increase year on year. I’m particularly delighted by Activities Week which we launched this year and is has been a brilliant way to end a great year.
An important reflection for me is that this year, we’ve taken a significant step forwards by becoming truly phone-free through students using lockable pouches throughout the day. The impact of this has been incredible, it’s clear in the data, but more importantly, we have tangibly happier young people who are able to be themselves with out all of the pressure, expectation and distraction that phones and social media provide them. Some of my fondest memories of this year has just been to see the huge amount of spontaneous ‘play’ that we see at break and lunchtimes since the introduction of pouches: it’s so much more than students just not being able to go on their phones.
Wishing you all the best of summer holidays when they arrive..
Rob Crocker, Headteacher
Congratulations
Y7 BMX superstar Jaime travelled up to Cardiff to race at the new Cardiff national centre in the South West regional 2026 Championship series Jaime won every one of her four races start to finish and has won every race of 2026 except one race where she crashed and got 2nd. Jaime can now not be beaten and with three rounds left to go has won the 2026 South West series. She will now go to British Championships in Manchester later this year, riding with race plate number 1. Congratulations Jaime!
MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO our Lottie competed in the British Taekwondo Championships in Worcester at the weekend and came away with two Silver and one Bronze medal! Well done! We are, as ever, very #axevalleyproud of you!
Our Harley got a bird's eye view of our surrounding countryside, whilst also helping to raise money for @dsairambulance and @hospiscaredevon. What an experience! Well done Harley,
Easter Ski Trip
OUR AXE VALLEY SKIERS had the most fabulous time over Easter at Passo Tonale a mountain pass that links the Italian regions of Trentino and Lombardy. Much fun was had by all and there are some lovely suntanned faces around the school!
Mock interviews
WE ARE INCREDIBLY #axevalleyproud of our Year 10 students and their conduct during their mock interviews over the past two days. We are grateful to the visiting professionals who have given their time to put these students through their paces and share their expertise.
Fish Filleting!
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL to Simon from the Lyme Bay seafood Company who ran a fish filleting workshop for the Year 10 GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students. They learnt how to fillet a plaice before cooking the fillets. What a great way to spend a Friday and what great skills to have as they go into Year 11.
Stand Against Violence
STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE are an organisation based in Taunton. They visited our school to provide valuable workshops for our Year 8s and 9s. They work with young people to equip them with skills on how to deal with potentially violent situations. Today the focus is on personal safety and conflict management. As our teenagers grow and start to socialise more, keeping themselves safe and resolving problems with their peers becomes crucial. We are very grateful to Stand Against Violence for their expertise and support for our students.
The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares
This term our new creative writing project, organised by the Bank of Dreams and Nightmares took place in the school library. Year 9 students explored the theme of ‘choices’, using a braided writing technique to weave ideas together in creative and unexpected ways.
Our own published author
We are incredibly proud to share that one of our students, Freya (Year 11), has had her poetry published in the USA. Her work appears in 'How Can We Make This World Worth Knowing?', an international anthology celebrating student voices from around the world. Freya’s poem was first featured in 'Speak Up!', a collection of Axe Valley student writing published in 2024 by The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares. It’s wonderful to see her work reach a global audience! The Speak Up book can be purchased here: https://www.thebankofdreamsandnightmares.org/subscribe
Wesak celebrations
WESAK commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, focusing on peace, compassion, and reflection. We honoured this event during a lunchtime by sharing beautiful food following a focus on mindful art in tutor time
Miss Tipping’s Kenya Mission
DURING THE EASTER BREAK our very wonderful Miss Tipping went to help the Melon Mission school in Nakuru Kenya. This school is a haven for over 400 orphans, destitute or vulnerable children. She spent 11 days at the mission, supporting them with implementing the schools newly introduced SEN curriculum which is encouraging students with SEN to be included in education and support settings. She took donations and resources for the KS3 and KS4 learners to aid their education and consequently their probability of accessing work. She also took generous donations of clothing and toys from our community. By the looks on their faces these students discovered the wonder of Miss Tipping which we are lucky enough to enjoy every day!
Year 10 Work Experience
OUR YEAR 10s worked across the South West and beyond from 6th July. We are incredibly grateful to the employers who supported our students in this important part of their Year 10 curriculum. We had great feedback about the progress our students made and what a credit they are to the school in terms of how they present themselves.
ITALIA 26
Our Year 9 and 10 students lived the "dolce vita". Here they are making pizza at the organic olive oil farm, Galatea Fondo, Sorrento. Day 2: Capri. On Day 3 our students visited Pompeii a vast, ancient Roman city frozen in time after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Located in southern Italy near modern Naples, it was buried under meters of ash and pumice, which perfectly preserved its streets, homes, and artifacts. #tuttopertutti
Activities week 2026
WE HAD AN ABSOLUTE BLAST! Our activities week was brimming with fun from circus tricks, fabulous food, surfing and adrenaline thrills. There was quite literally something for everyone in the South West, London and even sunny Spain. We loved every minute and cannot wait to do it all again next year!
Sports Day
AVA does Sports Day very well! Everyone takes part. From Just Dance, to banner making, quizzes to running up ‘that’ hill! A beautiful, fun day that celebrates all that is great about this school!
YEAR 8s have given us Summer festival vibes with their tie dye DT project. Great work everyone - we might go so far as to say - Groovy!
Year 8
Our Year 8s have worked really hard on these Don Binney studies, using acrylic or watercolour.
Year 9
Year 9 architecture themed artworks, inspired by artist Sunga Park.
Leavers 2026
OUR YEAR 11s had a fabulous last day at AVA. Making the most of every last minute. From shirt signing to an emotional last assembly and finally, as one last well-earned treat,they had an absolute blast with some inflatable fun on the field.
Prom
OUR YEAR 11s HAD THEIR PROM on Thursday 2nd July. They all looked absolutely stunning and had a fabulous send off at Hills Farms Stays. Go well all of you. the original #smallbutmighty year group! - you have been amazing!
Prize Giving 2026
YEAR 7
Art: Mollie T, Sophie McHh
Computer Science: Erin W, Leo B
Design Technology: Finn P, Sophie C
Drama: Betsy C, Sophia E-E
English: Duane J, Jann DC
Food Preparation and Nutrition: Evie W, Grace H
French: Aurelia E, Isla G
Geography: George H, William S
History: Amelia W, Rosalind A
Maths: Edward F, Jack H
Music: Caden B-S, Maisy B
Physical Education: Lizzie Gi, Romeo J
PSHE: Freya C, Libby G
Religious Education: Cora K, Jasper S
Science: Josh F, Will H
Spanish: Maria H, Sonny H
YEAR LEADER AWARD: Harley T
HEADTEACHER AWARD: Will H
YEAR 8
Art: Lucia Js, Scarlett-Rose H
Computer Science: Daisy B, Molly M
Design Technology: Bridget McC, Olivia E
Drama: George Sk, Lily B
English: Charlie S, Elijah S
Food Preparation and Nutrition: Logan H, Noah S
French: Casey B, Mason G
Geography: Darcy H, Perri G
History: Abi B, Halle B
Maths: Bella T, Harry C-C
Music: Harry P, Lola C
Physical Education: Olly N, Tegan P
PSHE: Ben N, Chloe B
Religious Education: Andrea B, Isabelle C
Science: Aljo B, Ivy S
Spanish: Luna P, Tassiah M
YEAR LEADER AWARD: Noah S
HEADTEACHER AWARD: Lewis F
YEAR 9
Art: Daisy C, Jayden MD
Computer Science: Ameerah B, Kirsty P
Design Technology: Finley G, Sydney C
Drama: Danica D, Kai M
English: Maddie T, Sidney M
Food Preparation and Nutrition, Megan G, Riley H
French: Luke M, Robyn McD
Geography: Rhys N-S, Sasha W
History: Charlie C, Thomas B
Maths: Mia K, Pawanpreet G
Music: Raven H, Tyler B
Physical Education: Finley N, Holly D
PSHE: Marian S, Zack S
Religious Education: Poppy J, Sophia C
Science: Reece M, Reuben B
Spanish: Amber B, Zahere J
YEAR LEADER AWARD: Megan G
HEADTEACHER AWARD: Arnol M
YEAR 10
3D Art & Design: Billy G, Joshua R
Biology: Amy S, Megan F
Chemistry: Alona T, Elfred H
Combined Science: Audrey C, Jasmine J
Computer Science: Leo S, Yana P
Drama: Chelsea B, Esme C
English Language: Alexandra K, Summer P
English Literature: Bluebell P, Harry W
Fine Art: Iona M, Isla H
Food Preparation and Nutrition: Reuben L, Sofia A
French: Mille E, Natasha V
Geography: Isla H, Starr S
Health & Social Care: Chloe H, Matilda F-C
History: Freddie D, Maiya R
Maths: Alex Y, Isla P
Music: Amelie B, Sophie B
Photography: Izzy C, Max P, Mitchell B
Physical Education: Henri M, Liv B
Physics: Jess B, Phoebe S
PSHE: Abigail B, Edward M
Religious Studies: Anureet G, Kira L
Spanish: Charlie H, James T-P
Sport Science: Grace T, Korbyn W
Statistics: Harry B, Niamh L
YEAR LEADER AWARD: Liv B
HEADTEACHER AWARD: Charlie H
Finally
We joined together as a school for the last time this academic year. We celebrated with music. We met our new House Captains for the first time who spoke with clarity and compassion to their fellow students as they offered to support and to represent them in the coming year. Congratulations to our fabulous Ezra who won the Kindness Cup, presented to honour the memory of Mr Cumming. Chudleigh won the Sports Day trophy, Anning won the Curriculum Cup and Mr Sanghera celebrated an overall victory with the House Cup (amongst others!) What an incredible year! Well done all. Have a great Summer. Stay safe and we will see you all in September. #weareava #everythingforeveryone
