Families flocked to the Marlowe Academy Christmas Fair last Saturday to buy wares such as Xmas cakes and festive chutney made by students.

Children and their mums and dads queued for one of the Fair’s main attractions - a visit to Santa Claus in his well-appointed grotto complete with a snow machine worked by his elf, evening cleaner Samantha Barnett.

Beneath the bushy white beard and portly red attire was Carl Wakefield, the Academy’s Interim Principal (pictured right).  Students urged him to play the role but, in truth, he needed little coaxing - revelling in ho-ho-ho-ing and impromptu seasonal tunes. Staff, students and visitors thought he was a natural.

The grotto - more a highly desirable single storey dwelling furnished with a picture of Rudolph - was designed and built by Marlowe facilities officer, and a former engineer, Fred Haynes.

On hand to record the visits to Santa was prospective A level Photography Marlowe student, Tim Prescott.  He was helped by Hospitality and Food Technology teacher, Danni Warne, who churned out instant prints for the families.

Other stalls included prize-winning hook-a-duck, a well-stocked raffle table run by examinations officer Pat Cox and stalls selling more festive goodies and balloons.  Throughout the afternoon, fair goers were serenaded by a Marlowe choir and band and enjoyed food and refreshments prepared by the Academy’s award-winning catering team and by students.

The Fair had an educational purpose as well as raising money to go towards paying for more exotic food ingredients for food technology students and to help fund the on-site radio station, Academy FM, raising a total of £544.06.

"Marlowe year 11 and year 10 hospitality students organised, ran and served at the event" said the Academy’s lead Food Technology Teacher Gerry Haynes.  Mrs Haynes, who helped to direct the event with teacher Danni Warne, said the Fayre was “a great success”.

Marlowe Head of Dance, Vicky Goldfinch, pictured wearing festive antlers, took advantage of the large crowd to drum up box office sales for the Academy’s Dance Platform - showcasing exam work throughout the year by dance students.  The show was staged in the Academy’s Theatre from 7pm until 8pm.