Academy News

‘What an amazing experience.  I have loved every minute’

‘I am going to miss this so much! What am I going to do on Wednesday and Thursday now?’

These words from the WWRY cast say it all. They were never shy of hard work and had the best time doing it. Every student was a real pleasure to work with and so dedicated to making this a fantastic show and they most certainly pulled it off.  

We have seen so much talent over the past four performances. It is easy to forget that these students are only 11-14 years old given the skill and effort they put into this production. It would be so easy to mention individuals on their stunning performances but there are just too many, we’d be here all day. However, this was never about the individual, this was always about the team. Every member of the cast, the technical teams and the production teams were a vital part of a very well-oiled machine.  

This is one of our favourite projects in Performing Arts,  providing the opportunity for our Senior students to lead from the front. The musical has given the younger students mentors and peers that they can look up to here at the Academy.

Our team, Ash, Betty and James led as the Directors and did so with patience, dedication and kindness. Supported by Ceci and Ben, who I am sure will feature in the return of the KS3 Musical in two years. 

Bela organised the choreography and was supported by guest choreographers from Year 9 upwards - the choreography team brought all those students together, allowing them the freedom to express themselves.  

Adam produced the show with Gemma, and they were a joy to work with. Their organisation and spreadsheets enabled us to move forward efficiently and effectively. 

Then we had Lily, our Musical Director, who just showed how talented she was and was supported brilliantly by our pit band.  

I would also like to thank the staff at the Academy for being so supportive, and the parents who have provided a wonderful taxi service for all the rehearsals attended!

Although WWRY may have finished, we have so much to look forward to in the world of Churchill Performing Arts.  All students were sent an email last week inviting them to be part of our annual musical theatre competition, M Stars with alumni judges, trophies and prizes. Auditions begin the week commencing 3rd February 2025, with the competition on the 27th March 2025. 

We also have the Festival of Dance at the Weston Playhouse on Wednesday 5th March, Dance Live in High Wycombe on Friday 14th March and the Spring Concert at Churchill Academy on Thursday 3rd April. A very exciting few months! 

We also have ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’ at the Playhouse in 2026. We really appreciate the support already shown for this project, as money raised from WWRY has gone towards this whole school production. 

We have so much to look forward to and in the words of Freddie Mercury, ‘I like to be surrounded by splendid things’ and we most certainly will be over the next year.

Year 10 students showcased their culinary skills in a scotch egg practical assessment, making their own mincemeat, shaping, breadcrumbing, and presenting their creations.

The activity focused on key techniques like seasoning, binding, and presentation, with students impressing teachers with their creativity and precision.

The assessment highlighted the students' progress, leaving teachers excited for their next creation!

Families of students in Years 10 to 13 are invited to an Apprenticeship Twilight Talk online via Microsoft Teams from 6–7pm on Tuesday 4th February. 

This event is designed to help students and families understand apprenticeships as a Post-16 or Post-18 option ahead of National Apprenticeship Week (w/c 10th February).

The session will provide an introduction to apprenticeships, including:

• What apprenticeships are and how they work.

• Guidance on securing an apprenticeship, which is not a course but a job that requires applying for vacancies and navigating a recruitment process.

The talk will be led by Suzie McGonigal, Careers Adviser, with a guest presentation by Emma Cox, Chair of the West Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and UK Talent Lead – Early Careers at Müller.

How to Join: 

No registration is required. Simply follow the Microsoft Teams link below at 6pm on the day to join the session.

Join here: Click here to join the MS Teams meeting  

The Year 11 boys travelled to Ralph Allen School in Bath this week for their County Cup match and came away with a hard-earned victory.

Holding a narrow 20-17 lead as half-time approached, the Academy produced a moment of magic to shift the momentum in their favour. Breaking from deep inside their own half, the team moved the ball through the hands and scored under the posts. The try was successfully converted, extending their lead to 27-17 and providing a crucial boost just before the break.

In the second half, the Academy turned up the intensity. They pulled clear of their opponents, adding an impressive five more tries to the scoreboard. At the final whistle, the boys had secured an emphatic 56-17 victory.

The team now awaits news of their semi-final opponents. With their current form and determination, we know they can be a match for anyone when playing at their best.

Stay tuned for updates as the team continues their County Cup journey!

Match Report – Tuesday 14th January

Clevedon 1, Churchill 5

The Academy Chess Club dominated Clevedon in the Southwest Regional Quarter Final of the National Chess Knockout competition, securing an impressive 5-1 victory. The team— Gigi, Tom, Bryn, Adam, Isaac and Edward —delivered a stellar performance.

Bryn, Adam, Isaac, and Edward all showcased their skill with excellent games, while Gigi and Tom demonstrated their class on the top two boards, outplaying Clevedon’s strongest players. This win propels Academy into the semi-final, scheduled for February, with the draw yet to be announced.

Our next challenge is a four-board tournament at Bristol Grammar on Monday 27th January. With 50 teams entered, the Academy is fielding three teams—stay tuned for a full report on how they perform!

For those inspired by the team’s success, Chess Club runs every Tuesday lunchtime in W6, led by Mr. Skeen. All players are welcome to come along and improve their game.

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 had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of career choices.  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 and learning how a bike is constructed and how to maintain it—learning 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, practised dentistry and midwifery, 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, as well as Chef Ashley from a Michelin Starred restaurant. 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. The session with Chef Ashley involved an insight into what working in a Michelin-starred restaurant is really like (very different to the TV portrayal!), as well as lots of practical advice about pathways into a huge range of different chefing careers. Students then tried their hand at food marketing, creating social media campaigns to sell pancake stacks (which they all enjoyed feasting on afterwards!). Chef Matt Lord gave great pathway insight into the catering world and all the opportunities the catering profession provides. 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, better understanding 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.