Leah is an outstanding dancer and never fails to amaze all of us at the Academy with her performances. She is always highly dedicated to everything she does and her passion for dance is clear to see.
Leah has a very bright future ahead of her and we highly value every contribution she makes to the Dance department. Well done Leah!
During the recent half-term break, Year 8 student Hattie made a significant impact in her local community by volunteering at the Foodbank Warehouse in Weston-super-Mare.
Instead of taking time off, Hattie chose to spend her week helping sort and prepare essential supplies for families in need. Her hard work and dedication will benefit countless households relying on the food bank's support.
A big well done to Hattie for showing so much community spirit!
Year 12 Business students visited the Thatchers CIder production facility at Myrtle Farm for an insightful tour that brought their classroom learning to life this week.
The trip provided a firsthand look at how key business concepts operate in a highly successful company. Students explored Thatchers’ production process, learnt about the company's financial strategies and saw how marketing and HR play vital roles in the business’s success.
It was a valuable and inspiring experience, helping students connect theory with practice in a dynamic and engaging way.
This week, a group of more than forty Year 9 students successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh's Award Bronze Practice Expedition.
Navigating the Quantocks in a mixture of wind, rain and sun, every student showed determination in abundance. For some, it was an opportunity to learn new skills, such as map reading and campcraft, while others were able to practice their leadership skills and assist with training their teammates.
It was a fantastic experience for the students, who will now start planning for their assessed expedition in the Mendips next month.
We also want to wish Group 2 the best of luck with their practice expedition, which heads out on Monday!
This week, Year 9 students showcased their culinary talents during practical assessments by making calzones and brandy snaps.
The kitchen was filled with creativity and mouth-watering scents as some students focused on perfecting the presentation of their dishes, while others experimented with the ideal combination of fillings.
Whether it was a classic mix or a bold new flavour, every dish looked absolutely delicious and demonstrated the students' growing confidence and skills in the kitchen.
Bella has recently shown incredible generosity and compassion with her fundraising efforts. She donated an impressive 16 inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that creates wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer or other health conditions.
In addition to her hair donation, Bella raised £460 to help cover the cost of making a wig, bringing hope and confidence to young people facing tough challenges. Her inspiring actions are a wonderful reminder of the impact one person can make.
Well done Bella!
Whilst this year group may have got off to an interesting start, beginning their secondary school chapter during a pandemic, it has been a pleasure to watch them grow into the fine young people they have become today.
Celebrations were shared throughout the day, with t-shirts signed, tears shed, and many speeches made, demonstrating the impact our Year 11s have had on the Academy over the years.
Whilst some students will be returning in September for Sixth Form, it is a bittersweet goodbye to others as they head off in other directions. We wish every single student the best of luck with their remaining exams, and we can't wait to see what else you achieve!
Year 10 students stepped up to the challenge this week with their trial practical assessments, preparing impressive two-course meals that wowed on both flavour and presentation.
For the main course, students made fresh pasta ravioli, each topped with a stunning homemade sauce. Dessert was followed by a trifle, where students could get creative with toppings such as chocolate, strawberries, bananas, raspberries and whipped cream.
Every student did a fantastic job, showing great technique and creativity. We can’t wait to see how they build on this success in their next assessment!
The Pride of Somerset Youth Awards took place this week, and it was an unforgettable evening—especially for Year 10 student Meg, who was proudly nominated for the Outstanding Courage Award.
Nominated by her rugby squad, Meg was recognised for her unwavering dedication to the sport, even in the face of significant personal challenges. With Mr Hildrew there to represent the Academy and show his support, Meg took to the stage to accept the coveted award, earning a well-deserved round of applause.
Meg lives with a rare spinal condition called hyperkyphosis, requiring her to wear a back brace for up to 20 hours a day. Just weeks after joining the Academy, she underwent major spinal surgery. While doctors advised a six-month break from Rugby, Meg's determination told a different story. She committed fully to her recovery and made a return to the pitch in just three months.
Her resilience has not gone unnoticed—Meg has since been selected for the Somerset Player Development Squad, which is part of the England Pathway and has her sights set on joining the England Women’s Rugby Team in the future.
Meg’s story is one of courage, inspiration and remarkable strength. We are incredibly proud of her and can’t wait to see where her Rugby journey takes her next.
In the final week of Term 5, we had plenty of sports happening across the Academy. Read how we got on below:
Academy girls take on Hans Price Academy in an afternoon of rounders
Our Year 8 and 9 girls visited Hans Price Academy for an afternoon of rounders fixtures this week. Year 8 were up first, playing a fantastic game with participation from every student on the field. Unfortunately, Hans Price edged ahead to claim the victory in the end.
Year 9 came up next in another thrilling game. Our students fought hard throughout, keeping it tight until the very end to claim a 14-10 victory. The player of the match was Bella, for her incredible determination leading us to victory!
KS3 Basketball team wins big at the North Somerset Basketball Tournament
The North Somerset KS3 Basketball Tournament saw the local teams come together to compete for the top spot. Our students faced Gordano School and St Katherine School in two incredible games of Basketball, showcasing their skills and dedication to the sport.
Winning both their games comfortably, the Academy were crowned victorious in the tournament. Well done!
U13 Girls Cricket team get a taste of victory at ‘Chance to Shine’ Tournament
The Academy took both the U15 and U13 Girls Cricket teams to the Chance to Shine tournament this week, giving them the opportunity to play some great matches.
Our U15s had some great matches, with it coming down to run rates as a decider for the final. Unfortunately, our girls just missed out.
For the U13s team, it was their first school cricket match and, for most of the team, their first match ever. The team faced strong opposition and learnt a lot of tough lessons along the way but ultimately came out on top, coming away with a victory against Priory in their last match of the day.
It was a fantastic afternoon, and we can’t wait to develop the team's skills next term!
Claudia is a highly valued member of the Year 8 Dance Club. Her confidence and growing leadership skills always push the group forward in preparing for each performance.
She has been a delight to have on the team and her love for dance shines through in every performance. Well done, Claudia!
As the rugby season draws to a close, Year 10 student Ellis, has progressed to the final round of the Scottish Rugby Pathway for the U15 season.
As part of this achievement, Ellis was invited to play at Kingsholm Stadium alongside a select group of talented players.
A fantastic experience and a valuable opportunity for Ellis to continue developing his skills and showcasing his talent in a high-performance environment. Well done, Ellis!