Pupils from Lansdown Park Academy enjoyed their first visit to the Bristol Hippodrome this week to see the West End blockbuster Mamma Mia, made possible through generous support from the Ellis Genge Fund.

The Genge Fund, a Bristol-based charity founded by England rugby star Ellis Genge, works to provide opportunities for young people through sport, education, and enriching experiences.

Throughout the year, the fund has enabled pupils to take part in a range of activities, but a visit to a theatre was top of their wish list.

A spokesperson said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Ellis Genge Fund for making this experience possible.

“For many of our pupils, it was their first time in a theatre, and seeing their excitement and joy was truly special.

“Opportunities like this broaden horizons and create memories that last a lifetime.”

Pupils and families at Minerva Primary Academy (MPA) came together this week to celebrate Inter Faith Week with a special community event focused on the national theme: “Community: Together We Serve.”

The celebration, the first of its kind at MPA, brought together more than 200 pupils, families, and staff to share food, conversation, and connection.

Five tables were filled with a wide variety of dishes contributed by the school community, creating a vibrant shared meal that represented many cultures and traditions.

Faith leaders from across the local area attended, including three vicars from nearby churches, an Imam from the local mosque, and a representative from the Bahá’í community. All joined pupils and families to eat, talk, and celebrate the spirit of unity and respect.

The event was marked by a warm, calm, and welcoming atmosphere, where guests enjoyed delicious food and the opportunity to try something new.

Everyone left feeling well fed and uplifted by the sense of togetherness.

Verity Creed, teacher at Minerva Primary Academy, said: “This event truly captured the heart of our community.

“Seeing families, staff, and faith leaders sitting together, sharing food, and learning from one another was incredibly special.

“We are proud of our pupils for embracing the values of respect, curiosity, and kindness. We can’t wait to build on this success next year, if not before.”

Minerva Primary Academy looks forward to making this inclusive celebration a regular part of its school community calendar.

Queen Margaret Primary Academy recently took Year 1 – 6 pupils to experience wonderful events at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Years 5 and 6 heard author Christopher Edge talk about research undertaken for his Escape Room books.

During this enthralling event, some of our children went on stage and used their detective strengths to complete a challenge to solve the puzzle.

Year 4 became illustrators with the help of Joe Todd Stanton and author Kieran Larwood. They created a fighter and a Mage that Kieran then used to create their own personal Dragon Runner story.

Cressida Cowell entertained Year 3 by speaking ‘dragonese’ and younger pupils enjoyed storytelling sessions and laughed so much hearing Michael Rosen reading extracts from his new book, Oh Dear, Look what I got!

There was also the opportunity for everyone to enjoy free events creating puppets, exploring the sensory area and dressing up in a variety of costumes.

It was another fantastic week where pupils made memories, stretched their imagination, met amazing authors and were inspired in their writing and drawing.

A spokesperson said: “The Cheltenham Literature Festival never fails to ignite our pupils’ imaginations.

“This year, they had the unique opportunity to learn from incredible authors, create their own characters, and immerse themselves in the magic of storytelling.

“Experiences like these remind us just how powerful reading and creativity can be in shaping confident, curious learners.”

One of the most successful teams in the world of American football were in Bristol this week to launch a new West Country flag football league – and CLF schoolchildren played a key role.

Community engagement representatives of the Kansas City Chiefs team invited students from four CLF schools to take part in the event launch.

Students from Bristol Brunel Academy, City Academy, Bristol Metropolitan Academy, and Hans Price Academy in Weston-super-Mare came together at the Bristol Bears Rugby High Performance Centre for an unforgettable day of training and competition.

Flag football is a fast-paced, non-contact version of American football, where players wear flags on their hips that defenders must remove to stop a play, rather than tackling.

Each student proudly received their very own official Kansas City Chiefs playing top, marking their participation in this exciting initiative.

The morning session focused on developing core skills and techniques of flag football, led by certified NFL flag coaches.

In the afternoon, students showcased their new abilities in a friendly small-sided tournament between the schools, a fantastic opportunity to put their learning into action.

The initiative is about much more than sport, it’s a community-driven event that builds excitement, teamwork, and connection across borders.

Andrew Bell, Partnerships Manager for the Cabot Learning Federation, said: “It was an unforgettable experience for the students — full of energy, team spirit, and fun from start to finish.”

This event marks the beginning of an exciting new partnership between the Kansas City Chiefs and schools across the South West, inspiring young people to embrace the values of teamwork, respect, and resilience through sport.

Herons’ Moor Academy was alive with energy and generosity as pupils and staff came together for a full day of fundraising in support of BBC Children In Need.

Marking the charity’s 25th anniversary, the school embraced a packed schedule of upbeat activities designed to raise spirits and vital funds.

The day began at 8.40am with a high-energy 2.5-minute wake and shake, an early-morning dance session aimed at boosting mood, alertness, and enthusiasm for the day ahead.

Over the course of the week, pupils also took on an impressive physical challenge a collective 25-kilometre run. Each class completed a mile during the school day, contributing to the overall target and demonstrating teamwork, resilience, and commitment.

At lunchtime, the celebration continued as pupils filled the hall for a disco, showing off their best moves while raising additional funds for the cause.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm our pupils have shown.

“Children In Need is a cause close to our hearts, and it’s inspiring to see our school community come together with such joy, energy, and generosity.”