Learners at Wallscourt Farm Academy had an incredibly exciting start to a 10-week musical adventure as Year 3 pupils began their brass lessons with the fantastic support of the Bristol Beacon.

The first session kicked off with an inspiring demonstration from a visiting musician, who showed learners just how powerful and magical brass instruments can sound.

Learners were instantly captivated as they listened and discovered the range of sounds each instrument could produce.

After learning the basics of how to create a clear note and sharing plenty of giggles as they practised their first buzzes, learners had the opportunity to try out cornets, trombones, French horns and euphoniums.

The classroom was bursting with curiosity, concentration and those first proud blasts of real brass music.

This programme promises to be a brilliant journey, helping learners build confidence, teamwork and musical skills week by week. Staff and pupils alike are looking forward to hearing how the childrens musical abilities develop over the coming weeks.

Jamie Williams, class teacher, said: “The children were absolutely buzzing after their first brass session.

“It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm, resilience and excitement as they tried something completely new.

“We’re so grateful for the support from Bristol Beacon and can’t wait to see how the pupils’ skills and confidence grow over the course of the project.”

Watch this space there’s lots more music to come.

Pupils at Waycroft Academy were thrilled to welcome former professional basketball player Daniel Edozie during a special assembly.

Daniel, who previously played for the Bristol Flyers, spoke openly about his life as a basketball player and shared powerful messages about the importance of staying positive, embracing challenges, and never giving up.

He also highlighted key values such as teamwork, dedication, and resilience, encouraging pupils to apply these lessons both in and out of school.

The assembly sparked lots of enthusiasm, with pupils asking thoughtful and insightful questions. Daniel kindly stayed after the session to sign autographs, chat with pupils, and even treated them to an impressive slam dunk, which was met with huge applause.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “Daniel’s visit was incredibly inspiring for our pupils.

“His positive message about perseverance, teamwork and believing in yourself really resonated with them. It was a fantastic opportunity for our children to learn from someone who has worked hard to achieve their goals, and they will be talking about it for a long time to come.”

Primary pupils across the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) are taking part in an exciting virtual running challenge that sees them collectively travelling to major sporting events around the world.

Eighteen CLF primary academies are participating in The Daily Mile, a simple, inclusive and non-competitive initiative designed to get children moving every day.

There is no winning or losing — every child is successful by taking part and supporting their school and the wider CLF community.

The CLF Daily Mile is designed to be flexible and accessible to all.

No equipment is required; pupils are taken outside and encouraged to move for around 15 minutes. Children go at their own pace, whether that’s jogging, running or walking, without pressure or stress.

Trust leaders recognise that pupils’ needs vary — some enjoy an extra challenge, while others benefit most from a relaxed walk and chat with friends.

The aim is to move together as a trust, keeping pupils motivated by contributing to a shared CLF journey.

How miles are collected

• Each class activity (once a week) = 20 miles
• Each additional class session = 10 miles
• Every class in a school being active at least once in the same week = 100 miles per school

Pupils have been challenged to ‘run’ virtually to a series of international sporting events, including:

• Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco
• Australian Open – Australia
• ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – India & Sri Lanka
• Winter Olympic Games – Italy
• Archery World Cup – Mexico
• The Masters – USA

In just the first week, pupils have already reached their first destination — the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco — covering well over 1,500 miles together.

Raul Duesca, School Games Organiser and teacher of PE at City Academy, said: “The Daily Mile has been a fantastic way to bring our pupils together across the trust.

“Seeing children of all abilities motivated, active and excited to contribute to a shared goal has been inspiring. It’s not about competition — it’s about enjoyment, wellbeing and feeling part of something bigger.”

The CLF Daily Mile will continue throughout the term, with pupils collectively clocking up miles as they journey to sporting events across the globe, one step at a time.

Year One pupils from Redstart Primary School enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at Somerset Libraries Chard, where they took part in a fun-filled session designed to inspire a love of reading.

During the visit, pupils shared stories and sang songs together before exploring the wide range of books available to borrow.

The experience helped encourage enthusiasm for reading and showed children how libraries can be exciting, welcoming spaces for learning and imagination.

The school would like to say a big thank you to Costa Chard for kindly providing delicious hot chocolate to keep everyone warm during the afternoon.

A spokesperson said: “Visits like this are invaluable for our pupils.

“Spending time in the library, sharing stories and discovering new books helps nurture a lifelong love of reading.

“We are very grateful to Somerset Libraries Chard for hosting us and to Costa Chard for their generous support.”

It has been an exciting time at Wallscourt Farm Academy as learners have begun taking books home from the school’s brand-new library.

In preparation for the launch, Year 6 learners took on the role of school librarians, learning how to use the academy’s new online library system to borrow and return books. These pupils then shared their knowledge by training librarians from each year group across the school.

The newly appointed librarians will work alongside class teachers to support the checking in and out of books throughout the remainder of the term, helping to ensure all learners can enjoy regular access to a wide range of reading materials.

Jon Miller, Assistant Principal and Year 6 Teacher, said: “We are incredibly proud of the responsibility and leadership shown by our Year 6 librarians.

“The new library is already creating a real buzz around reading, and it’s wonderful to see pupils across the school so enthusiastic about choosing books to enjoy at home.”

A school in Taunton has established exciting new European links through a pen pal scheme with a school in Spain.

Year 10 students at Monkton Wood Academy have been paired with students from IES Cartuja, based in southern Spain, giving students the chance to develop international friendships while enhancing their language skills.

Although there are currently no plans for an exchange visit, both schools are keen for students to meet virtually via Zoom, helping to strengthen the connection and bring the partnership to life.

The pen pal scheme offers students a valuable opportunity to practise Spanish in a natural and meaningful way. In their first letters, Monkton Wood students shared personal information about themselves and their families, as well as insights into life as a teenager in England.

In return, Spanish students introduced themselves and shared cultural aspects of teenage life in Spain, including favourite football teams, music, hobbies, Christmas and New Year traditions, and how they like to spend their free time.

Donna Lees, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Monkton Wood Academy, said: “This pen pal scheme is a fantastic opportunity for our students to use Spanish in a real-life context while learning about another culture.

“The enthusiasm shown by both our students and those in Spain has been wonderful, and we hope this partnership continues to grow through virtual meetings and ongoing communication.”