Newlands Primary School pupil wins Christmas card competiton

Southampton Test MP Satvir Kaur visited Newlands Primary School in Millbrook where she congratulated pupil Laila Weller for her winning entry.

Laila's handprint Christmas tree design was chosen as the top entry from more than 80 submissions from children at the school.

Satvir said: "It was great to visit the school this close to Christmas, all the children are already so excited. I loved announcing the winner, the standard for the competition was so high, and it was a really hard decision.

"There were so many creative drawings and designs to choose from, but I loved Laila’s card. The Christmas tree handprint was fantastic and very original. The winning card will now be sent out as my chosen Christmas card for this year, so thanks Laila!

"Southampton is a city known for the arts and has a fantastic cultural offering. We want to encourage our young people to be part of that and get involved with the arts as early as possible, so when I heard that so many children wanted to get creative and draw a card, I was so pleased."

Satvir Kaur and headteacher Karen Mellor pose with the winning Christmas card (Image: Satvir Kaur)

Mrs Karen Mellor, headteacher of Newlands Primary School, said: "The children at Newlands Primary were excited to be asked to enter a competition to design a Christmas card for Satvir. We have many budding artists, and there were over 80 entries to choose from.

"Well done to everyone who entered, and thank you to Miss Burt, our new Art Leader, who inspired the children to take part."

Newlands Primary School was the first to participate in the MP’s Christmas card competition, with a different school from the constituency chosen to take part each year.

During the visit, Ms Kaur met Laila’s class and presented her with a prize.

Laila's card will now be used as the official Christmas card for the MP.