Academy News

Another busy week in sports at the Academy. Read how we got on below:

A Victorious Afternoon for KS4 Hockey

Our KS4 Hockey Team took on two schools this week and secured the victory in BOTH games.  The first match was against Clevedon School, a fantastic demonstration of their Hockey skills won them the match 2-0.  Up next was Nailsea School, who put up a strong fight, but ultimately our hockey team walked away with a 2-1 win. 

The players of the match were Theo, Isis, and Laura. Well done! 

A Rainy Afternoon at the Somerset Football Cup

Our U13 Football team continued their run in the Somerset Cup this week. In horrific weather conditions, the team poured their all into the match against a strong Oldfield School team, securing a gritty 5-1 victory! 

A Full Team Effort in the Somerset Rugby Cup

Our U14 Rugby team faced Kings of Wessex in the Somerset Rugby Cup this week.  It was an exciting match with Churchill coming from behind twice to share the points and a vital tackle by Harry at the end of the match to secure possession.  The entire team of 20 players had a chance on the pitch, ultimately securing us a place in the quarter-finals!

Churchill’s Young Musician of the Year Competition promises to be an inspiring evening as seven exceptionally talented students take to the stage to showcase their musical abilities. Audiences can look forward to a varied and engaging programme, celebrating the dedication and skill of young musicians from the local community.

The competition will be held on Wednesday 28th January 2026 at 6.00pm in St John’s Church, Churchill. Friends, family and music lovers are warmly invited to attend and support the performers.

Tickets are priced at £9.00 per person, with under 18s free. Tickets can be purchased in advance by emailing holly@churchillmusic.org.uk, or they will be available to buy on the door.

A range of prizes will be awarded, including the prestigious Ursula Dornton Vocal Prize. In addition to these awards, the competition winners will have the opportunity to represent Churchill at the District Final of the Rotary Young Musician Competition 2026, making this a significant and exciting event for all involved.

Our Year 9 students took a significant step toward their futures this week as part of our annual Careers to Curriculum Day. Designed to help Year 9 students prepare for their upcoming GCSE choices, the day offered a hands-on look at various career options and pathways.

With nine career pathways to choose from, students could explore a wide range of career options. Each pathway was packed with engaging activities to give students a taste of the possibilities ahead.

Students who chose creative pathways tried their hand at journalism, fashion design, and media marketing, while others explored trades by plumbing a sink, learning how a bike is constructed, and how to maintain it—acquiring valuable life skills.

The digital technology pathway allowed students to dive into game testing and code-cracking. Those passionate about environmental roles, travel, and tourism tackled conservation challenges and disaster management.

In the healthcare-focused pathway, students explored NHS careers, sports nutrition, and debated real-world medical ethics. Meanwhile, the social sciences pathway introduced students to criminology, sociology, and political campaigning, even simulating a courtroom session.

The day also featured a special visit from Matt Lord, Regional Executive Chef for Compass Catering. Students attending Chef Matt Lord’s workshop with Compass, who provided all the ingredients, made a pizzetta and chose their own fillings from pepperoni, cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, and basil. Chef Matt Lord provided valuable insight into the catering world and the opportunities it offers. The workshops were an invaluable opportunity for the students, who left feeling more inspired.

The day allowed musical students to explore music, theatre and technology, experimenting with roles as directors, producers, and performers while producing their own music.

We hope our students left the day inspired and informed, with a better understanding of the exciting possibilities ahead. A huge thank you goes to Matt Lord, Compass Catering and everyone who contributed to making the day such a valuable experience.

Year 10 students rolled into action this week for their practical assessment, showcasing their skills, creativity and teamwork. The hands-on session allowed them to put their learning into practice, demonstrating both technique and enthusiasm.

Following a successful Nationals Tournament last August with the South West Saxons, Arlo has achieved an exciting milestone in his sporting journey. This weekend, he trained with England Touch after being selected for the Under 15 Boys training squad ahead of this year’s International Competition.

Arlo will continue to train monthly with the squad, taking part in competitions throughout the year, before the final event in Warwick this August. His selection is a fantastic achievement and reflects his dedication and hard work in the sport. Incredible!

Lola, our Future Chef winner, recently took part in an inspiring mentoring session on 9th January with Chef Greg Popek. During the session, she refined a wide range of culinary techniques and produced an impressive selection of dishes that showcased her creativity and skillset.

Her main course featured pork loin, a quail scotch egg, cauliflower and butter bean, nduja butter, sage, and chicken skin. For dessert, Lola prepared a chocolate mousse served with torched blood orange, hazelnut, and cream. She is now preparing for the final competition, which will take place on Friday 23rd January at Taunton and Bridgwater College. 

The Academy is backing Lola all the way, good luck!