Academy News

In late November, a group of passionate and talented Year 9 linguists showcased their skills by participating in the GCHQ National Language Competition. The week-long event challenged students to solve a variety of intricate linguistic puzzles and tasks designed to test their creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Working in code-named teams, the students pushed themselves to decode complex problems across multiple languages, demonstrating remarkable dedication and perseverance. While the coveted first-place prize — a visit to GCHQ headquarters in Cheltenham — remained just out of reach this year, the school celebrated an impressive achievement.

One of our teams, composed of Monty, Dan, and Aiden, secured an incredible 60th place out of thousands of teams across the UK, earning them a spot in the competition’s top 100. This is a fantastic accomplishment, reflecting not only their linguistic ability but also their determination and collaboration.

Congratulations to Monty, Dan, and Aiden on this outstanding performance, and to all the Year 9 participants who represented our school with such enthusiasm and skill. We look forward to seeing where their linguistic talents take them next!

The English Department is excited to announce the Poetry Competition for 2025, inviting students to explore the themes of Dreams or Music in their creative submissions. The competition is open to all students, with the deadline for entries set for Friday 17th January. Entries must be submitted directly to Mr. Grimmett in H10.

The two themes offer a wide range of possibilities for budding poets. Dreams can be interpreted in many ways – from envisioning future aspirations, such as a dream job or a dream destination, to delving into the mystery of actual dreams and nightmares. Students may also reflect on the loss of dreams once cherished in childhood but now forgotten, or explore the dreams that continue to drive them today.

On the other hand, the Music theme offers a chance to reflect on the power of music in our lives. Students can share their love for their favourite band or singer, the joy of playing a musical instrument, or the communal experience of singing or playing in a group. What role does music play in nature or in festivals? What if music were suddenly banned? The possibilities are endless.

The competition encourages students to focus on their thoughts and feelings, rather than worrying about perfect rhyme or structure. As renowned poet William Wordsworth once said, "All good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." 

Students will have the chance to win prizes and earn house points for their efforts. The competition promises to be an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their poetic talents and engage with their peers in the world of words and imagination.

To enter the competition, simply write your poem on the theme of Dreams or Music and submit it to Mr. Grimmett in H10 by Friday, 17th January. Be sure to get your entries in on time for a chance to win. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

On Monday 9th December, three of our talented students took the stage at the stunning Wells Cathedral as part of the Somerset Youth Concert Band, which took place during the Somerset Music Christmas Celebration Concert.

Adam, a seasoned member of the band, was joined by Joey and Ollie, who performed for the first time after successfully passing their auditions in October. The event brought together students from 15 schools across Somerset to deliver an evening of festive music, with the Concert Band performing a wide variety of Christmas carols and songs.

Despite having only one rehearsal the day before, the Concert Band wowed the audience with two show-stopping pieces: "Veni Immanuel" - Meditation on O Come, O Come Immanuel and the lively "Sleigh Ride."

The Somerset Youth Concert Band’s next performance will take place at St Andrew's Church, Taunton, on Monday 23rd December, at 7pm, following their three-day Christmas course. Tickets are available at somersetmusic.co.uk/events/sycb-christmas24.

Congratulations to Adam, Joey, and Ollie for their incredible performances and for representing our school so brilliantly!

The English Department recently celebrated some of their most dedicated and talented students with a special trip to see Hansel and Gretel at the Tobacco Factory Theatre in Bristol.

These students earned their places on the trip through their outstanding effort, engagement in lessons, and impressive English skills. The magical performance featured singing, snow, witches, and even enchanted food pots to create a truly festive and unforgettable experience.

It was a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season and reward these students for their hard work!

Saffron has made a fantastic start to the BTEC Dance course and has really grown in confidence with both her technical and performance skills. 

The Dance team have been really impressed with her attitude to learning and was proud of her performance in the recent Dance Showcase.

Well done Saffron!

On Thursday 5th December, eight of our most talented Mathematicians attended a conference for the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme hosted by Gordano School. 

The focus was on challenging A-Level Mathematics problems and how Mathematics is often used in the workplace. The students engaged incredibly well, working together to solve the problems and improve their maths skills. 

Thank you to Gordano School for hosting the event. It was great to see all the students' dedication to mathematics!