By Jennifer Mulcahey

CHILDREN learnt all about Mexican culture and tradition as the celebrated Day of the Dead.

The Mountjoy School, Beaminster, arranged a host of fun activities to help the pupils learn about the traditions surrounding the event, including food, toys and masks.

The celebrations started with the children decorating their classroom doors for a competition which was judged by chairman of governors, Daun Tattersall. This was followed by hat and spoon decorating and sugar skull biscuit icing to make bright and colourful snacks to eat.

Teaching assistant Davina Pennels said: “The children had great fun. The hats they decorated were really beautiful, they have fantastic imagination. It was lovely to see the children getting so much fun and creativity from this extraordinary day.”

Mountjoy School caters for children with a range of complex needs and moderate to severe learning difficulties.

The children were taught that the Day of the Dead - or Dia de los Muertos - is a Mexican festival where the memories of the dead are celebrated with great fun and happiness. It is celebrated in Central and South America as well as some areas of North America, such as California and Texas, where Mexican culture is prevalent. During the three-day festival, people dress up as skeletons and wear colourful costumes and masks. It is believed that the gates of heaven are opened and the souls of those who have died are released. Graveyards are filled with photos, gifts, colourful candles, food, incense and flowers.

Pupils tucked in to a Mexican feast of chicken and vegetable tortilla, nachos, salsa and guacamole, followed by a pudding of lime cheesecake. It was a great opportunity for the children to taste flavours which many of them hadn’t had before.

Headteacher Jackie Shanks said: “It’s great to understand and experience different cultures and traditions. This was a tricky one - some people found the Day of the Dead celebration difficult but it’s great to break boundaries and bring a bit more of the world to our young people. My thanks go to Daun Tattersall for giving her time to judge the competition, the wonderful Mountjoy staff - all of whom dressed in extraordinary costumes for the day and threw themselves enthusiastically into all the days events - but most especially to Davina, who really brought the whole event to life.”