Academy News

It’s been a week of Netball and Rugby at the Academy this week, read how we got on below:

Year 9 have their first competitive run of the season

This week, our Year 9 Rugby boys put their skills to the test in their first competitive run of the season, playing three matches in one afternoon. The team rose to the occasion of the challenge, securing a victory in one game, drawing another, and narrowly missing the win in the final match. 

Next up is their first Cup Game after half term, good luck! 

Year 7 and 8 Netball secure TWO victories against Fairlands 

Our Year 7 and 8 Netball team had an incredible afternoon playing at Fairlands School this week. Year 7 secured the victory with a 15-1 final score, and Daisy was named Player of the Match for her impressive skills. 

Meanwhile, Year 8 had an incredible victory, coming away with a 32-0 final score. Congratulations to Annie who was named Player of the Match for helping bring the team to such a fantastic final score. 

Well done! 

Year 7 continue their Rugby journey at the Cheddar Cup

Our Year 7 team played in the Cheddar Cup this week, although they did not bring home a victory, they showed improvements in their game. We cannot wait to watch them continue to grow in confidence on the pitch.

It’s been an exciting and busy week for Team PE as we hosted four schools for a Rugby tournament, competed in the U12 Girls Football Cup and even played some Netball for good measure. Read all about how we got on below:

Year 8 Rugby Warm Up For Round Robin Tournament

Our Year 8 Rugby boys started the week off strong, playing an internal game to prepare for the upcoming tournament, where they would face four other local schools. 

We had an incredible number of players sign up and their confidence was high. It was a fantastic afternoon showcasing their Rugby skills. 

U12 Girls Football Cup

Our U12 Girls team faced Wellsway in the Somerset Cup this week. Our Player of the Match was awarded to Anna, who decided to try her hand at writing a match report. 

Here’s Anna’s report: 

“On Wednesday 8th of October, Churchill Under 12 Girls went to play Wellsway in the Somerset Cup on a glorious Autumn afternoon. After a long drive to the away ground, we discussed our tactics before kicking off.

With the game underway, there were chances at both ends, building up the tension before halftime. Sadly, in the second half, an accidental handball led to a penalty, which put Wellsway one nil up. We just could not get that ball in the back of the net. The full time whistle blew, and the score ended up 0-1.

The team should hold their heads high as we all represented Churchill in our first ever football match! We improved as a team and we had fun. Thank you to Miss Heyworth and Miss James for supporting us throughout. I am looking forward to many more fixtures in the future!”

Year 8 Face Four Schools in Round Robin Rugby Tournament 

Following the start of the week’s warm up fixture, Churchill hosted Backwell, Nailsea, Clevedon and St Katherine’s in a round robin set of Rugby fixtures. 

With nearly thirty Year 8 students, Churchill was able to field two teams, with some students experiencing their first competitive Rugby match! 

Results are still to come, but we want to say a massive thank you to Dan and Sid for assisting with the competition. Well done to everybody involved! 

Year 11 Rugby sail to victory against Crispin 

It was a victorious afternoon for our Year 11 Rugby boys as they faced Crispin in a tense fixture for two great teams.  

Both teams played with confidence and determination; however, it was our boys who came out strong, securing an incredible 44-25 victory. Well done! 

Year 10 Rugby training is off to a great start 

It was fantastic to see so many Year 10s at Rugby training this week. It is clear to see that the confidence level will be high going into their next game and we can’t wait to see this grow over the course of the year. 

We welcome any Year 10s interested in playing Rugby for the Academy to come along on Wednesdays. It’s shaping up to be a great season!

 

On Tuesday 7th October 2025, our Year 12 A Level Law students visited the St George’s Magistrates Court in North Somerset. Students witnessed how magistrates, legal advisors and solicitors interact in court and how decisions are made based on evidence and legal principles. They were also given the opportunity to observe several real-life cases being heard, providing a valuable insight into how justice is administered at a local level. 

After the hearings, our students spoke with a legal advisor who explained the role of the court and the importance of ensuring fairness in every case. They also met with members of the Board of Magistrates, who discussed their responsibilities as volunteers serving the community and representatives from the Probation Service, who shared how they support offenders in rehabilitation and reintegration into society. 

The visit was both educational and eye-opening, helping our students to understand the workings of the criminal justice system in a practical and engaging way. 

It all started with an opportunity to try something new. For Year 7 student George, the chance to participate in the school athletics team led to the surprising discovery of a hidden talent in Shot Put. 

George's rise has been fast-tracked. After joining North Somerset Athletics earlier this year, he has wasted no time, reaching county status and breaking the South West record for U13 boys. His throw of 11.2 metres has landed him an impressive second place in the UK rankings for his age group, solidifying his status as a remarkable emerging star.

This outstanding achievement is a testament to George’s hard work, dedication and natural talent. We’re incredibly proud of his success and his curiosity to learn something new!

In September, Year 8 student Riley completed a gruelling three-day charity cycling challenge in Mallorca, taking on a series of demanding rides. Among them was a 100 km route, which he completed at an average speed of 25.3 km/h. He also completed a tough 158 km endurance ride, which involved 1,200 metres of climbing, and he approached it at an impressive pace of 24.2 km/h.

Over the course of the challenge, Riley cycled more than 250 miles and climbed over 10,000 feet, tackling cliff-edge roads and high-speed descents in a bid to fundraise. His impressive efforts raised £1,500 for local charities.

This wasn’t Riley’s first charitable ride. At just 9 years old, he completed a 70-mile route across North Somerset, and last year, he cycled 100 km through Bristol in support of the Bristol Sport Foundation.

To date, Riley has raised over £3,800 across all his charity events.

In recognition of his talent and dedication, Riley has been accepted into the British Cycling South West Talent Pathway — a programme designed to identify and support promising young riders with the potential to compete at national and international levels. He continues to train locally across North Somerset and the Mendips, and there is little doubt he’s a name to watch in the future of British Cycling.