An academy in Weston-super-Mare proudly presented its first ever school production when it brought to life the music of one of the UK’s most iconic and enduring rock bands.

Winterstoke Hundred Academy staged the West End musical blockbuster We Will Rock You Junior@part.

Using the timeless music of the legendary rock band Queen, We Will Rock You is set approximately 300 years in the future. Earth, now known as iPlanet, is controlled by a corporation led by Killer Queen, who forces all of the Ga Ga Kids to conform to and consume the same culture, fashion, and ideas.

Winterstoke Hundred’s production earned great support from families and the local community when it ran across two shows (one to local primary schools), with more than 130 people enjoying the performance each night.

The journey to bring We Will Rock You to the stage rehearsals began months ago in October with students giving up their own time to rehearse. In total, 35 students were featured in the cast, ably supported by six crew members from Years 7-10.

Abie Evans, Music Lead at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said: “It was a huge success, and we really hope those that came to watch enjoyed the show. The students worked tirelessly in rehearsals, and I was overwhelmed by the commitment, the dedication, the talent, and the wonderful community that has grown this year in the Performing Arts department, with collaboration from Design & Technology and Art staff and students.

“We are so proud of all the students involved, and we cannot wait to do it all again next year. It was fantastic to hear such wonderful feedback from students who watched, wanting to get involved in next year’s production so look out for a launch in September.”

featured pic City Academy

Two of the Cabot Learning Federation’s premier basketball teams, Bristol Metropolitan Academy and City Academy Bristol, recently competed in the Junior National Basketball Association (NBA) finals at the University of the West of England (UWE). This exciting event featured Year 7 and Year 8 students.

These finals marked the culmination of a national tournament where co-ed teams, consisting of both boys and girls, initially participated in local fixtures before progressing through a regional playoff system. Both sides played in some really tough and exciting games against teams from Worcestershire and Cornwall.

The atmosphere was electric, enhanced by Basketball England and Junior NBA, who amped up the excitement with a live MC and DJ, transforming the venue to make it feel like Madison Square Garden. Both City Academy and Bristol Metropolitan Academy proudly represented NBA teams, wearing the jerseys of the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets respectively.

City Academy’s Year 7 team fought valiantly but narrowly lost in the 3rd/4th place playoff to Penryn by just two points.

Mr Reid, who coached the side, was very proud of the team’s achievement in reaching the finals and said: “We have taken on an incredibly-talented cohort of year 7s at City Academy, and we are extremely proud to have made it to a regional basketball final. Despite facing numerous challenges on the day, every game was a learning experience and while they narrowly missed out on the podium, we have certainly laid a promising foundation for the future.”

Bristol Metropolitan Academy

There was success for Bristol Metropolitan Academy’s Year 8 team, who triumphed after securing victory against Penryn in the final.

Coach Mr Wallace-Hall said: “This year they won their semi-final fixture vs Wordsworth school 37-20 to book a place in the final.

“Before the final game there was a shooting competition, one player from each school was nominated. The Bristol Met representative won the shooting competition with a score of nine points in total, earning himself the crown and giving his team some confidence going into the final.

“The championship game was a close game between Bristol Met and Penryn college; with 90 seconds left Bristol Met were up by just one point, however some great shooting from the free throw line and a huge and one play helped Bristol Met to finish the game 32-26 and be crowned 2024 Junior NBA champions.”

James Mooney, the CLF’s Senior Network Leader for PE, School Sport and Physical Activity, said: “Not only was the day a great experience, it was incredible to see two academies from the trust competing at the finals.

“It is a demonstration of the quality of PE and sport experiences we are providing across trust, showing that when we get PE right for all, excellence can still strive in school sporting opportunities.”

Tewkesbury Academy recently had the pleasure of hosting a cultural exchange visit from Gifu Shotoku Gaken Junior High School in Japan.

The visit saw 75 students aged 14-15, accompanied by their teachers, visit Tewkesbury for a week filled with cultural learning opportunities.

One of the highlights of the visit was a special session for Tewkesbury’s Year 7 students, who were introduced to various aspects of Japanese culture. The Japanese students performed a captivating musical rendition, followed by a series of engaging activities including origami, calligraphy, trying on traditional kimonos, and participating in games and challenges.

It was heartwarming to see the young people from both schools interacting and learning from each other.

During their stay, our Japanese guests were hosted by local families, providing them with a unique opportunity to experience life in Tewkesbury.

In addition to their time at the academy, the visitors enjoyed sightseeing trips to some of England’s most iconic locations, including Bourton on the Water, Gloucester Cathedral, Oxford, and London.

Julia Whybrow, Tewkesbury Academy Operations Manager, said: “We hope the exchange students enjoyed their time here at Tewkesbury, experiencing English school life as well as the beautiful surroundings of Tewkesbury. It has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about Japanese culture and for both groups to build lasting friendships.”

The cultural exchange visit has undoubtedly enriched the lives of both the visiting and host students, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures.

Evergreen Primary Academy proudly hosted a visit from Earth Watch Europe after joining their innovative Green Earth Schools programme. This innovative programme collaborates with schools to enhance their grounds with optimal nature features, encouraging outdoor learning and for students to build a strong connection to nature.

During the visit, pupils, with the guidance and support of Earth Watch Europe, engaged in creating a beautiful garden area. This hands-on experience not only enriched the school environment but also introduced nature-based solutions, promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

The students had a fabulous time participating in the activities, showcasing their enthusiasm and creativity.

In a comment on Facebook Earthwatch said: “Our team felt truly inspired by the pupils’ enthusiasm and creativity. Thanks for being part of our Green Earth Schools programme!”

Crews from Avon Fire and Rescue Service were called out to an academy in Kingswood recently – fortunately not for an emergency, but instead for an educational visit.

Students from years 6-11 at King’s Oak Academy were invited to observe a range of practical sessions on water safety.

They were then given valuable – and potentially life-saving – information about various water-related scenarios. The sessions focused on essential topics such as what to do and who to contact in an emergency, recognising hidden dangers under water, and what actions to take if they find themselves or others in danger in the water.

Students also learned how to use river cabinets, which are brightly-coloured stations located at regular intervals along the waterways in Bath and Bristol. These cabinets contain life-saving throwlines, which can be accessed in emergencies to help people in difficulty.

Dan Jackson, Lead Practitioner in Health at King’s Oak Academy, said: “The visit was absolutely amazing. They delivered a very important message in an engaging way which gripped the room.

“It was particularly good that they made links to hotspots of water incidents in our local community, with a particular focus on Wick Quarry and Saltford.

“I am sure all of our pupils now feel more confident about what to do in an emergency around water and how they could potentially support someone else who may find themselves in distress.”

The visit was part of Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s ongoing efforts to promote water safety and prevent accidents in and around water bodies. The hands-on approach and practical advice provided by the service aim to empower students with the knowledge and confidence to act swiftly and effectively in case of water-related emergencies.

Tewkesbury Academy student Brendan Hoole has achieved remarkable success in the golfing world, securing first place in the County Championships and third place in the Schools’ County Championships.

The competition, held at Henbury Golf Course, saw the 15-year-old test his skills against a field of around 60 competitors. Brendan’s outstanding performance came in the under 18 category for the schools’ championships and under 16 for the county.

Brendan, who was inspired to take up the sport by his father, began playing golf at the age of seven. He is a dedicated member of Tewkesbury Park Hotel and has been under the expert guidance of golf coach Jordan Aubrey for the past three years.

Golf is more than just a sport for Brendan; it is a full-time passion. He plays three to four times a week, including weekends and evenings, and also dedicates time to practice during the week.

Brendan, who is in Year 11, said: “I have put lots of dedication into my training – this is my passion. I’m coming back to this level following the end of last year when I was really ill with a stomach condition. I spent six weeks in hospital, so my goal is to keep getting better. I’m not going to let that setback cloud over my mind. I am aiming for my goals and will focus on them.

“I would like to thank my mum and dad for pushing me and for encouraging me to turn professional. From September I will be attending Hartpury College and will be a part of the Hartpury Elite squad. From this, a select few students can go to the United States for a college scholarship – this is my main aim in the next few years. I will be practising a lot!”

Brendan’s future in golf looks promising as he has qualified for higher regional events. He will compete in the under 18 Gloucester Golf Union Championship on June 30 at Knowle, and the Kendalshire Open on July 25, which offers a £250 prize.

 Kathleen McGillycuddy, Principal of Tewkesbury Academy, said: “Brendan is an impressive young man – talented, hardworking, kind and polite. He is a great example to other young people and shows that the power of resilience and decency brings rewards. I am excited about his future in the sport and look forward to seeing him in the British Open or on the fairway in Augusta in due course!”