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Churchill Academy & Sixth Form

Academy News

Page 5

  • The Academy’s Annual Spring Concert Returns in April

    Published 28/02/25

    Get ready for a spectacular evening of music as the Academy’s Spring Concert returns on 3rd April 2025 at 7 PM in the Academy Hall. This annual event showcases the incredible talent of students from all year groups, performing together in a vibrant celebration of music.

    The concert will feature performances from all our fantastic extra-curricular ensembles, along with special solo acts. Expect a diverse range of musical styles—from the raw energy of garage rock to the timeless beauty of Mozart, plus the unmistakable groove of the Soul Band.

    Tickets are priced at £8, with all proceeds supporting the Performing Arts faculty, helping to maintain and upgrade equipment for future lessons and performances. Refreshments will be available, with card payments accepted.

    Tickets are on sale now. Don't miss this unforgettable evening and support the amazing musicians of the Academy!

    Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spring-concert-2025-tickets-1260917812119?aff=NewsletterLink

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  • Year 13 Gain Expert Insights in Microbiology

    Published 28/02/25

    Year 13 students have been delving into microbiology as they prepare for their upcoming Unit 2 Exam in May. This week, they had the privilege of learning from Mark Hichens CBiol, MSB, MSc, director of Curam Medical and an experienced microbiologist, who brought the subject to life through engaging lessons.

    Mr Hichens led two sessions focusing on pathogens, food poisoning and the development of risk assessments. Drawing from real-world case studies, he provided students with a comprehensive understanding of how risk assessments are conducted in professional settings.

    Students are now better equipped for their exams with these valuable insights and resources. A huge thank you to Mr Hichens for his time and effort in enriching this learning experience.

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  • Former Students Inspire Sixth Formers on Accountancy Careers

    Published 27/02/25

    It was a pleasure to welcome back two former Academy economists, Joe Reeves and Ollie Morris, who are now working at RSM, to speak with our Sixth Form students as part of the Specialist Tutor Programme.

    During the session, students gained valuable insights into the application process for Accountancy Apprenticeships, tackled potential interview questions in group exercises, and had the opportunity to ask a range of questions—from salary expectations and work-life balance to strategies for excelling in assessment centres.

    The session provided invaluable advice and practical tips, making it a truly worthwhile experience for all involved.

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  • Ski Trip 2025: An Unforgettable Trip to Sestriere!

    Published 26/02/25

    Over half-term, 51 of our students embarked on an adventure of a lifetime. After a marathon 22-hour coach journey to Sestriere, Italy, they arrived at breathtaking views of endless white slopes and clear blue skies.

    Despite the cold temperatures, the sun was shining all week creating perfect conditions for skiing. Students were divided into five groups based on their experience, ranging from complete beginners to expert skiers. Regardless of their starting level, everyone made remarkable progress, gaining confidence and skills while making unforgettable memories in the mountains.

    We couldn’t have asked for a better week—our students represented the Academy with pride, and we know the friendships and experiences they shared will stay with them for a lifetime.

    Our next Ski Trip will take place in 2027 and will launch this October—stay tuned for more details!

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  • Five-Day Adventure in Norway – Activities Week 2026

    Published 26/02/25

    We have an amazing opportunity for an unforgettable adventure in Norway during Activities Week 2026! 

    This incredible five-day trip allows students to explore breathtaking landscapes, participate in thrilling outdoor activities, and experience Norwegian culture.

    This trip is open to all students currently in Years 8, 9, and 10. However, places are limited to 30 students and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Year 9 Students: Please note that you will need to arrange your Year 10 work experience week for an alternative time.

    A few highlights to look forward to on your trip are:

    Husadalen Valley: Embark on a guided hike through the stunning Husadalen Valley, where you'll witness four spectacular waterfalls along the way.

    Folgefonna National Park: Visit Norway’s largest glacier in Folgefonna National Park and take part in an exciting glacier trek—an unforgettable experience in one of Norway’s most remarkable natural landscapes.

    Hardangerfjord: Explore the world’s third-largest fjord, Hardangerfjord, with a scenic boat trip, taking in the breathtaking views of this iconic Norwegian landmark.

    Adrenaline-Filled Activity Day: Get ready for a day packed with high-energy adventures, including high ropes in the forest, zip-lining across rivers, and white-water rafting. The day will end with a relaxing evening campfire by the fjord, where students can unwind and reflect on their thrilling experiences.

    Bergen: Discover the charm of Bergen with a guided city tour and a ride on the famous funicular railway, offering stunning panoramic views over the city and surrounding fjords.

    Bookings open at 9:30 AM on Friday 7th March 2025 via ParentPay and a £150 deposit must be paid on booking to secure your child a place.

    The estimated cost £1,340 (final price to be confirmed in September 2025, subject to flight cost adjustments). The price covers all travel, accommodation, activities, and meals.

    Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! 

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  • Academy Sports Rundown: 28th February 2025

    Published 26/02/25

    This week saw a showdown between the Academy and Clevedon School across Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Hockey and Netball, and the Year 10 Football team faced Westfield in the Football Cup. Here’s how they got on: 

    Year 7, 8 and 9 Hockey spent a sunny afternoon taking on Clevedon School

    Our Year 7, 8, and 9 Hockey teams kicked off the term with an exciting afternoon of fixtures against Clevedon School. All three matches were thrilling, with both schools showing great skill and determination. 

    Year 7 claimed an impressive 7-0 victory, while Year 8 fought hard but narrowly lost 1-0. Year 9 brought the Academy back with a strong 3-0 win. 

    It was a fantastic afternoon in the sunshine—well done to all our teams!

    Year 10 showcased their Netball skills against Clevedon School

    Our Year 10 Netball team kicked off Term 4 with a match against Clevedon School. They put in a fantastic effort, demonstrating their growth since the start of the year. Despite their determination, Clevedon's strong team secured the victory. Congratulations to Frankie, who was awarded Player of the Match! 

    Year 10 face off with Westfield in Football Cup 

    This week, our Year 10 Football team faced Westfield School in the Football Cup. It was a great game, with both teams showcasing their impressive football skills. Goals were aplenty as each team battled to go through to the next round. 

    Westfield took the edge in the final few minutes, ending the game with a final score of 4-3. Well done to all our players, it was a close game and you should be proud of your performance! 

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  • Callie and Ella qualify for the inter-school Poetry by Heart competition!

    Published 26/02/25

    As the days grow brighter, the English department is bringing even more joy via the Poetry by Heart competition!

    This exciting inter-school event inspires students to engage with poetry while connecting with fellow Lighthouse Schools Partnership students. Students are asked to select a poem from the Poetry by Heart collection, memorise it, and perform it in front of an audience!

    Our English department has been collecting entries and recently hosted a pre-competition to select our two finalists. Six talented students performed their chosen poems for Mrs. Smith, delivering beautiful and heartfelt recitals.

    Congratulations to Callie and Ella, who secured the top spots with their performances! They will represent Churchill at Chew Valley School on 20th March, where they’ll compete for a chance to advance to the national competition!

    Good luck to our outstanding performers! 

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  • Team PE Celebrates ‘Student of the Term’ for Term 3! ​​​​​​​

    Published 26/02/25

    This week, Team PE recognised the students who stood out the most during Term 3 during their Student of the Term presentation. They celebrated the development, determination, and enthusiasm shown in PE lessons.  

    Seeing so many students acknowledged for their hard work was fantastic, and we congratulate everyone who received an award. Well done! 

    Check out the complete list of award winners below!

    Year 7: Charlie, Jude, Hector, Nathan, Will, Sienna, Aoife, Alex

    Year 8: Harry, Isaac, Megan, Henry, Joey, Fergus

    Year 9: James, Mila, Johny, Josh, Aiden, Emilie, Meadow, Emily 

    Year 10: Enora, Cameron, Rhodri, Jasmine, Ella, Lewis, Tomos, Isabella, Megan

    Year 11: Izzy, Sidney, Leo, Ruby, Evie, Isaac, Frankie, Charlie, Albert, Sam

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  • Students Visit Chew Valley School for the third annual Student Leadership Conference

    Published 26/02/25

    On Thursday 13th February, fourteen student leaders from Years 8 - 13 joined other schools from across the Lighthouse Schools Partnership at Chew Valley School for the third annual Student Leadership Conference. 

    The day started with students from each school presenting their experiences with student leadership at school. The Academy students did an excellent job guiding us through the different aspects of student leadership.  

    The keynote speaker, Cameron Parker brought energy, motivation and passion to his presentation as he challenged our students to set and maintain high standards. As he said, “The only way you can fulfil your ambition is if you keep your standards at World Cup level”.

    Finally, students enjoyed lunch provided by Aspens, which gave them an opportunity to network with other student leaders. 

    A huge thank you to Chew Valley School for hosting such an excellent day that we’re sure will stay with the students and help motivate them to fulfil their ambitions.

    A final thank you to Cameron Parker for his inspirational speech. You can read more about his work on his website: https://cameron-parker.com/

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  • Bristol Teen Book Awards Celebrated at Clifton College

    Published 26/02/25

    On the final day of last term, a selected group of students attended a special event at Clifton College to celebrate the Bristol Teen Book Awards. The award, organised by Bristol and South West Children's Librarians, featured five shortlisted books that tackled a range of important themes.

    After weeks of reading and discussion, the school’s book club got to cast their vote for their top choice, with Finding Phoebe—a story told from the perspective of a girl with autism—and Desi Girl Speaking, which explores mental health within a cultural community, emerging as their favourites. However, the overall winner, determined by total student votes, was the dystopian novel Electric Life by Rachel Delahaye.

    The event featured four of the shortlisted authors, including Finding Phoebe author Gavin Extence, who led an inspirational creative writing workshop for students. A Q&A session with the authors provided fascinating insights into their creative processes and inspirations. Attendees were also excited to learn that a sequel to the humorous futuristic novel Apocalypse Cow is in the works.

    Here’s what some of our students had to say about the event: 

    ‘I loved the Bristol Book Event because the authors were very interactive and happy to talk to everyone. I loved the activities they set out, especially the author workshop, giving us a chance to learn how authors think.’ - Ella 

    ‘I found the event amazing, all the activities were great, and the authors were great too.’ - Lily 

    ‘The event was a really lovely experience. Getting to talk to the authors and take part in the activities was really fun, but the winner of the competition was a disappointment!’ - Isla 

    We want to say a massive thank you to Clifton College for hosting the incredible event. The experience left students feeling inspired and eager to continue exploring the world of literature.

    See details below of this fantastic short list of young adult books!

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  • Academy Chess Team face Millfield in the National Semi Finals!

    Published 26/02/25

    On Monday 24th February, the Academy Chess Team faced the formidable Millfield School, one of the strongest chess teams in the country. With an International Chess Master as their coach, Millfield presented a tough challenge, yet the Academy rose to the occasion, making it a closely contested match.

    Reaching the semi-finals of the national competition is a remarkable achievement. It includes schools from Bristol to Cornwall, making Churchill’s performance even more impressive. The team—Tom (Year 13), Gigi (Year 11), Bryn (Year 13), Adam (Year 13), Isaac (Year 10), and Edward (Year 10)—all played exceptionally well, representing the Academy with skill and determination.

    Edward and Bryn secured hard-fought victories in tight games, while the remaining matches were equally competitive and could have gone either way. The entire team showcased excellent strategic understanding and dedication to their craft.

    For those looking to sharpen their chess skills, the Chess Club meets every Tuesday lunchtime in W6 under the guidance of Mr. Skeen. Players of all abilities are welcome!

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  • Sixth Form Performing Arts students enjoy an evening of pizza and theatre!

    Published 25/02/25

    On Wednesday 12th February, our Sixth Form Performing Arts students enjoyed an evening in Bristol in honour of the upcoming Year 13 musical ‘Heathers’.  

    The students started the evening with a production meeting over a delicious meal at Pizza Express, where they discussed the production process and plans for the forthcoming show. Following the very productive meal, they headed to Bristol Hippodrome to watch the amazing performance of ‘Dear Evan Hansen’. 

    It was an excellent night for our students, which left them feeling inspired and energised for their own productions. We hope they share insights from the theatre trip with our broader performing arts students, as we have lots to look forward to, including Dance Live!, M Stars Competition, Spring Concert and the Dance Festival.

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