John Cabot Academy proudly celebrated diversity when it hosted A Day of Culture, a vibrant celebration highlighting the differing backgrounds of its student body.

Students were invited to attend the academy wearing traditional colourful attire representing their diverse heritage and cultural identities.

Throughout the day, the Bristol academy organised an array of engaging sessions and activities through a range of cultural activities. Talks were delivered by Integrate UK, there were fashion shows, and at lunchtime students could interact with stalls from organisations including Babbasa, and West of England Music and Arts Alliance, offering immersive experiences into different cultural aspects.

The festivities culminated in a spirited culture day quiz during tutor time, encouraging friendly competition and further exploration of the world’s diverse cultures.

Charlotte Grierson, Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts, said: ‘It was a vibrant day with students learning about different cultures, celebrating their own heritage, and embracing our wonderfully diverse community here at John Cabot Academy. A lovely day to be a part of.”

In response to the profound economic hardships inflicted by the pandemic, Bristol Brunel Academy took proactive steps to establish its own foodbank, providing vital support to families facing food insecurity in their local community.

Channel 5 News visited the academy to find out more about this initiative.

In a night filled with an air of anticipation, athletes gathered at the esteemed Broadoak Academy Sports Personality of the Year Awards Evening 2024 to celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding achievements in sport, not just in school but in the wider community.

The event brought together students from various sporting disciplines, showcasing excellence and participation. Sports such as windsurfing, athletics, boxing, gymnastics, horse-riding, and many more were represented on the night.

Among the many awards given out on the night there were awards for positive contributions award, after school sport award, outstanding achievement award, recognising achievement award, student choice award, and PE student of the year.

Parents/carers and students were greeted with drinks and nibbles, setting the stage for what would be an unforgettable evening and the first of its kind for Broadoak Academy.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the coveted Sports Personality of the Year award itself, a distinction reserved for the student who has demonstrated unparalleled skill, leadership, and sportsmanship. The recipient of this prestigious accolade, Oliver Bishop in Year 8, stood as a paragon of athletic prowess, embodying the spirit of perseverance and determination.

Moreover, the evening served as a platform to recognise the invaluable contributions of their parents/carers for their unwavering commitment and dedication behind the scenes to ensure the student athletes were equipped with the tools, encouragement and guidance needed to reach their full potential.

Principal Danny McGilloway said: “What an amazing evening. To be surrounded by such sporting talent was a real privilege, and I am very proud of what our students have achieved and continue to achieve with their sports in and out of school. We know that this is the first of a reoccurring annual evening that we will hold to celebrate our young sports stars, and we look forward to seeing how our students grow and develop in sport over the next year prior to our 2025 Broadoak Academy Sports Personality of the Year Awards.”

A student committee at an academy in Weston-super-Mare has taken the lead on all things environmental by spearheading a campaign to plant trees in the school grounds.

In collaboration with the Woodland Trust, students at Hans Price Academy have planted 80 trees donated by the Trust. Trees planted include oak, birch, and willow, among others. This latest tree-planting initiative marks the third instalment, bringing the total number of trees planted through donations to an impressive 240.

The Woodland Trust, a leading environmental charity, aims to provide opportunities for tree planting across the UK.

The charity’s website says: “We aim to make sure everybody in the UK has the chance to plant a tree. So, we’re giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities. Together, we’ll get millions more trees in the ground.”

The team of eager student environmentalists comprised of the academy’s eco committee and a group of students from the Duke of Edinburgh programme.

Dr Watts, Second in Science and Eco Coordinator, said: “The overarching goal of this initiative is to ensure that the trees planted will flourish and we hope these trees will be a firmly established part of the school by the time the students planting them are old enough to bring their children to Hans Price.”

Talented students at Hanham Woods Academy dazzled audiences and had Bristol thinking pink with their vibrant production of the Broadway musical Legally Blonde JR.

Packed full of infectious energy, this fun and upbeat musical follows the adventures of a sorority girl named Elle Woods (played by Bella Worgan of Year 10 and Tallulah Thomas from Year 8) – a Gemini with a double Capricorn moon – who tries to win her ex-boyfriend back by earning a Harvard law degree.

Delta Nu sorority president Elle seems to have it all: good looks, a relationship with the ‘campus catch’, and great taste in clothes. However, her life is turned upside-down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her in an attempt to start getting ‘serious’ about his future and attend Harvard Law.

Determined to win him back, it takes Elle a lot of hard work and plenty of charm to earn her own place at Harvard so she can prove to Warner that she’s serious enough for him. Once at school, she is challenged by her peers, professors, and her ex, but with the help of some new friends, Elle sets out to realise her potential and prove herself to the world.

Students began rehearsing in September last year in readiness for a total of five shows, which included three matinees and two evening performances, each of which played out to 160-strong capacity audiences.

This production featured a creative cast of three staff and 59 students, plus front and backstage students who worked tirelessly to bring this amazing story to life.

Proceeds from ticket sales were ploughed back into the Performing Arts department to help produce further brilliant shows and champion Hanham Woods’ talented students.

In a gesture of community engagement, pupils from Hanham Abbots Primary School and Christchurch Primary were invited to watch the show and the feedback was amazing from both primaries.

Steve O’Callaghan, Hanham Woods Principal, said: “Each year the productions get better and better, and this year was no exception. My congratulations go to everyone involved!”

This production was directed by Caitlin Simmonds, assisted by Poppy Goold and Ella Reed. The musical director was Aniele Filain, assisted by vocal coach Evie Selby, while the show was choreographed by Lydia Dyson and Lily Hawthorne. Nicola Hurrell filled the important role of production manager.

The multi-talented students at John Cabot Academy were thrilled to present the internationally acclaimed musical comedy phenomenon, Hairspray.

In 1960s Baltimore, dance-loving teen Tracy Turnblad (Emmie Eustace, Year 11) auditions for a spot on The Corny Collins Show and wins. She becomes an overnight celebrity, a trendsetter in dance, fun and fashion. Perhaps her new status as a teen sensation is enough to topple Corny’s reigning dance queen and bring racial integration to the show.

Performed over three nights to packed houses, with an additional matinee performance for pupils at local primary schools, this spectacular musical boasted show-stopping numbers and electrifying dance routines. The production is brought to life by a cast and crew of more than 70 students spanning Years 7 to 13.

The Bristol students have worked extremely hard to produce this show, giving up hours of their own time right through from auditions last July and rehearsals since September.

The music to this fabulous musical extravaganza is played by an exceptional 10-piece live band featuring students from Years 9-11.

Charlotte Grierson, the school’s curriculum leader for performing arts, said: “It has been a pleasure working with the students and staff. Their commitment and dedication beyond their normal school day is fantastic. Having the privilege of a live band and slick backstage and technical team, really makes the show a fantastic performance all round.

“Overall, the message of Hairspray remains relevant to today’s audiences as it reflects many current events and issues in society and hopefully amongst the colourful costumes and bright lights, our students will have enjoyed being part of such an iconic musical.”