This week's dance star, Ellie, has been working extremely hard on her BTEC Dance coursework going above and beyond to add as much as she can to her written work.
Ellie performed beautifully in the Dance Showcase to secure herself a high grade.
We are really proud of all she has achieved and are impressed with her determined and committed attitude.
Are you ready to showcase your debating skills and political expertise? Students in Years 10 to 13 have an exciting opportunity to take part in the Parliamentary Debate Competition, where they’ll compete against schools across North Somerset.
This prestigious competition is more than just a chance to sharpen public speaking and critical thinking skills—it also comes with fantastic rewards! Prizes include cash awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Parliament, offering a rare glimpse into the heart of UK politics.
If you’re interested in participating, check out the poster for more details or speak to Mr. Logan to register your interest. Don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard!
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Year 12 students recently took on the challenge of mastering fish filleting in a hands-on practical session. Guided by Mrs Tucker, the students learnt essential techniques for preparing fish, including precision cutting and handling skills.
This activity not only enhanced their culinary expertise but also gave them valuable experience that could prove useful in future careers in the food industry. Whether aspiring chefs or simply eager to broaden their skill sets, the students showcased focus and determination in this challenging yet rewarding task.
We’re excited to see how these budding culinary talents continue to develop their skills!
Simon Bartlett, of Vyse Amplification, visited our Music Tech students to share his expertise on valve guitar amplifiers.
Based in Churchill, Simon handcrafts boutique amps to an exceptional standard. During his talk, he broke down the history and intricacies of valve amplification in an engaging and accessible way.
Students were treated to the incredible sound of his amps, gaining hands-on (and ears-on) experience with equipment usually out of reach due to its high cost.
In late November, a group of passionate and talented Year 9 linguists showcased their skills by participating in the GCHQ National Language Competition. The week-long event challenged students to solve a variety of intricate linguistic puzzles and tasks designed to test their creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Working in code-named teams, the students pushed themselves to decode complex problems across multiple languages, demonstrating remarkable dedication and perseverance. While the coveted first-place prize — a visit to GCHQ headquarters in Cheltenham — remained just out of reach this year, the school celebrated an impressive achievement.
One of our teams, composed of Monty, Dan, and Aiden, secured an incredible 60th place out of thousands of teams across the UK, earning them a spot in the competition’s top 100. This is a fantastic accomplishment, reflecting not only their linguistic ability but also their determination and collaboration.
Congratulations to Monty, Dan, and Aiden on this outstanding performance, and to all the Year 9 participants who represented our school with such enthusiasm and skill. We look forward to seeing where their linguistic talents take them next!
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The English department recently took 45 Year 11 students to a spectacular production of A Christmas Carol, which is one of their GCSE set texts.
Held at the Bacon Theatre in Cheltenham, the performance captivated the students with its talented cast, lively music, clever humour, and a show-stopping 12ft puppet of the Ghost of Christmas Future. The engaging adaptation brought Dickens' classic tale to life, combining education with festive fun.
The performance has brought the piece of text to life and helped students to visualise the characters as they prepare for their GCSE examinations. It also added a touch of Christmas magic to the end of a busy term!
The English Department is excited to announce the Poetry Competition for 2025, inviting students to explore the themes of Dreams or Music in their creative submissions. The competition is open to all students, with the deadline for entries set for Friday 17th January. Entries must be submitted directly to Mr. Grimmett in H10.
The two themes offer a wide range of possibilities for budding poets. Dreams can be interpreted in many ways – from envisioning future aspirations, such as a dream job or a dream destination, to delving into the mystery of actual dreams and nightmares. Students may also reflect on the loss of dreams once cherished in childhood but now forgotten, or explore the dreams that continue to drive them today.
On the other hand, the Music theme offers a chance to reflect on the power of music in our lives. Students can share their love for their favourite band or singer, the joy of playing a musical instrument, or the communal experience of singing or playing in a group. What role does music play in nature or in festivals? What if music were suddenly banned? The possibilities are endless.
The competition encourages students to focus on their thoughts and feelings, rather than worrying about perfect rhyme or structure. As renowned poet William Wordsworth once said, "All good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings."
Students will have the chance to win prizes and earn house points for their efforts. The competition promises to be an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their poetic talents and engage with their peers in the world of words and imagination.
To enter the competition, simply write your poem on the theme of Dreams or Music and submit it to Mr. Grimmett in H10 by Friday, 17th January. Be sure to get your entries in on time for a chance to win. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!
One of our Year 9 students, Leo, took part in the Welsh National Swim Championships this week delivering an outstanding performance over the competition weekend. Despite the event being cut short by Storm Darragh, Leo made the most of his opportunity, showcasing incredible determination and skill in the pool.
The competition saw Leo take on a remarkable 11 races, including finals, where he achieved an impressive 10 Personal Bests and secured two Bronze Medals.
A small silver lining to the storm disruption came from the team’s hotel, where staff went above and beyond to support the swimmers. Leo was especially treated like a star by the chef, who ensured he was well-fueled for the races!
However, the intense schedule took its toll, with Leo picking up a shoulder injury during his final two races. While it prevented him from achieving all his goals, his resilience and focus remain an inspiration.
With his incredible performance and valuable lessons learnt, Leo’s future in competitive swimming looks brighter than ever.
On Monday 9th December, three of our talented students took the stage at the stunning Wells Cathedral as part of the Somerset Youth Concert Band, which took place during the Somerset Music Christmas Celebration Concert.
Adam, a seasoned member of the band, was joined by Joey and Ollie, who performed for the first time after successfully passing their auditions in October. The event brought together students from 15 schools across Somerset to deliver an evening of festive music, with the Concert Band performing a wide variety of Christmas carols and songs.
Despite having only one rehearsal the day before, the Concert Band wowed the audience with two show-stopping pieces: "Veni Immanuel" - Meditation on O Come, O Come Immanuel and the lively "Sleigh Ride."
The Somerset Youth Concert Band’s next performance will take place at St Andrew's Church, Taunton, on Monday 23rd December, at 7pm, following their three-day Christmas course. Tickets are available at somersetmusic.co.uk/events/sycb-christmas24.
Congratulations to Adam, Joey, and Ollie for their incredible performances and for representing our school so brilliantly!
The Sixth Form "Events and Ents" impact group is set to host an exciting evening of live music at their much-anticipated Live Lounge event. Taking place in the Academy Hall on Thursday 12th December, at 6:30pm, the event promises an unforgettable night of entertainment.
Tickets will be available at the door for just £5, with all proceeds going towards preparations for the Year 13 Ball.
The evening will feature a range of performances by talented students, who have independently rehearsed and organised their sets. To top it all off, the renowned Soul Band will close the night with an extended and funkier-than-ever set.
This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy live music while supporting the Sixth Form's efforts – be sure to mark your calendars!
The English Department recently celebrated some of their most dedicated and talented students with a special trip to see Hansel and Gretel at the Tobacco Factory Theatre in Bristol.
These students earned their places on the trip through their outstanding effort, engagement in lessons, and impressive English skills. The magical performance featured singing, snow, witches, and even enchanted food pots to create a truly festive and unforgettable experience.
It was a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season and reward these students for their hard work!
On Thursday afternoon, the Vocabulary Competition Grand Final saw our top wordsmiths go head-to-head in an intense battle of words. Contestants were challenged to define increasingly complex words, from ‘tantamount’ to ‘spiel’, in a series of exciting rounds.
Highlights included the tricky "Spot the Antonym" challenge and the high-speed "Quick Draw" round, where students raced to identify the correct definitions.
A huge congratulations to Kate for claiming the top spot as this year's champion, with Ailidh as runner-up and Zak securing 3rd place.
Well done to all participants for showcasing their linguistic brilliance!