As part of their volunteering section for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE), three Hans Price Academy students – Gracie, Emma and Alana – organised a successful food collection in support of the Weston Foodbank.

This fantastic initiative saw the students design and distribute their own flyers, dedicating their personal time to make a meaningful impact within their local community in Weston-super-Mare.

Thanks to their efforts, an impressive 169kg of food and essential items were collected. Their volunteering aim is to support people in need, directly contributing to community wellbeing, and this achievement, along with planned future collections, this demonstrates an outstanding level of commitment to their Bronze DofE journey.

The donations will help provide vital supplies, including long-life milk, tinned goods, toiletries, and cleaning products, to individuals and families facing hardship in the local area.

The students said: “We’re so grateful for all the donations and it makes us happy to know that all the food is going to the people who need it.”

Sandra Cox, DofE Manager, added: “Gracie, Emma and Alana have shown exceptional initiative, compassion and teamwork throughout this project.

“Their commitment to supporting the local community truly embodies the spirit of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. They should be incredibly proud of the difference they have made.”

A new Principal at Weston-super-Mare’s Haywood Village Academy has pledged to work with the community to help ensure every child is supported to thrive.

The Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) has confirmed the appointment of Truon Ellis to leading the school – which has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted since 2019 – into its next phase of development.

Truon brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously held the role of Vice Principal at the school. Alongside the early years of his teaching career, he dedicated 13 years as a Special Constable with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, demonstrating a strong commitment to public service.

After completing a degree in sociology and a Master’s degree in psycho-social studies at the University of the West of England, Truon went on to achieve his Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the same institution.

Motivated by his own mixed experiences of school, he has built his career around supporting those who need it most, with a focus on inclusion and opportunity.

As Principal, Truon is committed to removing barriers to learning and ensuring equity of opportunity for all pupils and families within the community. He will champion the HEART values of the Cabot Learning Federation, with a clear focus on improving life chances for every child.

At Haywood Village Academy, there will be a continued emphasis on nurturing ‘lovely people’ – pupils who the community can be proud of.

Truon aims to build on the strong foundations established by departing Principal Craig Jones and the dedicated teaching team, further enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, and delivering a rich, broad, and balanced curriculum.

The Academy will also deepen its engagement with the local community and stakeholders, working ‘beyond the school gate’ to strengthen its role as a hub for the area.

Craig Jones, Executive Principal for the Cabot Learning Federation, said: “The Cabot Learning Federation ran an external recruitment process, and against a strong field of applicants, Truon Ellis demonstrated a high degree of educational expertise and an inspiring vision for the future of the academy.”

On his appointment, Truon Ellis said: “It is a privilege to be appointed Principal at Haywood Village Academy.

“I am passionate about ensuring every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

“I look forward to working closely with our pupils, staff, families and the wider community to build on the strong foundations already in place and to continue developing a school we can all be proud of.”

Outside of work, Truon enjoys spending time with his young family and taking part in a range of sports. He is also a long-suffering supporter of Bristol Rovers.

A pioneering partnership between City Academy, The Brilliant Club and TFT has been launched during National Careers Week to support a cohort of 14 Year 9 learners who may become the first in their families to attend university.

The Brilliant Club, an award-winning UK charity, works to increase access to highly selective universities for students from under-represented backgrounds. TFT, an independent real estate consultancy with offices across the UK and Ireland of more than 200 chartered surveyors, development and project consultants, engineers and sustainability specialists, is funding the programme and offering additional industry insight opportunities at their Queen Square office in Bristol.

The programme, titled “The Climate Police Force: Measuring and Modelling Gases”, focuses on sustainability and aligns with TFT’s ongoing decarbonisation initiatives and research into achieving Net Zero Carbon in the built environment.

The initiative builds on TFT’s support of Cabot Learning Federation’s Raising Aspirations Day, where they hosted sessions at City Academy. This annual event is designed to broaden the horizons of Year 9 students, showcase diverse career pathways, and connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities. It features contributions from local businesses, universities, and hands-on workshops.

Andrew Bell, Partnerships Manager for the Cabot Learning Federation, said:
“This partnership represents a powerful opportunity for our students to see what their futures could look like.

“By combining academic challenge with real-world industry insight, we are helping young people to raise their aspirations and believe that university, and careers in fields like sustainability are within their reach.”

Ali Alison, CEO at TFT said: “The built environment has so much to offer young people – exciting work with genuine impact and a wider range of professions than many assume. We’re supporting the Brilliant Club to show students what is possible in the worlds of real estate, construction and sustainability, and how they can gain the skills to succeed in them.”

Winterstoke Hundred Academy was delighted to welcome members of the Royal Corps of Signals from the British Army for an engaging and inspiring session with Year 12 criminology students.

The visit began with an informative careers presentation, introducing students to the wide variety of roles available within the Royal Signals.

Students learned about the diverse pathways into the Army, including routes through higher education, apprenticeships, and specialist technical training.

The session highlighted careers in cyber security, communications, intelligence, engineering and digital technology, areas closely aligned with the analytical and investigative skills developed through the study of criminology.

Students gained valuable insight into how higher education and professional development play a significant role within the Army, broadening their understanding of post-18 opportunities.

Following the presentation, students put their investigative abilities to the test in an exciting cyber escape room challenge.

Working in teams, they were tasked with piecing together clues, analysing intelligence, and solving problems using technology and cyphers. The activity required logical reasoning, attention to detail, and resilience, all essential skills in both criminology and cyber operations.

The challenge provided an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate their communication and teamwork skills. They had to share information effectively, delegate tasks, listen carefully to one another’s ideas, and collaborate under time pressure.

These are the very skills required in criminology, whether analysing case studies, evaluating evidence, or preparing for examinations. The activity reinforced the importance of critical thinking, problem-solving, and clear communication.

Sapphire Lipinski, Teacher of Law and Criminology at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said: “Our Year 12 students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and embraced the opportunity to engage with professionals working in such a dynamic and evolving field.

“The session not only enriched their understanding of potential careers linked to criminology and cyber security but also challenged them to apply their classroom learning in a practical and stimulating context.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Royal Corps of Signals for delivering such an informative and interactive session, and an invaluable experience for our students.”

Pic credit Shooting Pixels  

Monkton Wood Academy was delighted to welcome the internationally renowned Dhol Foundation, which spent a week in residence to deliver an inspiring week of music, culture, and performance.

Founded in 1989 by master drummer Johnny Kalsi, The Dhol Foundation is a globally celebrated musical group and academy dedicated to popularising the Punjabi dhol drum.

The group’s remarkable career has seen members perform for Queen Elizabeth II on multiple occasions, as well as at prestigious venues and events including Buckingham Palace, the Royal Variety Show, and the iconic Glastonbury Festival, among many other major UK and international stages.

Throughout the week, the band delivered engaging and energetic workshops to students across Years 7-11, alongside sessions for our SPACE Post 16 students and Cedar Centre students, a specialist autism resource base within the academy.

These workshops gave students a unique opportunity to experience live percussion, develop rhythm skills, and immerse themselves in a vibrant musical tradition.

The residency culminated in a spectacular live performance at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, where a select group of students had the unforgettable opportunity to perform on stage alongside the band.

Students across the academy described the experience as exciting, inspiring, and unforgettable, with many continuing to talk enthusiastically about the week’s events.

Joshua Horsey, Head of Music at Monkton Wood Academy, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to host The Dhol Foundation for the week.

“Their energy, expertise, and passion for music have been truly infectious.

“Our students have not only developed new musical skills but have also gained confidence and a deeper appreciation for global musical traditions. Opportunities like this are invaluable, and the impact will stay with our students for years to come.”