From Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, Work Experience placements to GCSE controlled assessments, this term has been busy and varied! Well done to the 55 strong group of students who camped and walked in ‘extreme’ conditions on the Mendips (28 degrees and dreadful moaning from James ‘Old’ Bailey) as part of their bronze award. Despite a few hiccups with putting up tents and over cooking risotto, the students did really well demonstrating great team and navigational skills, coping admirably with camping in the wilderness and life without ipods. We look forward to seeing how their community and sports activities develop for them to complete the award.

On June 7^th, Year 10 undertook work experience placements for a week. This was a great chance to see students in a new environment, learning vocational skills and working more independently. It’s fair to say that most students were a little apprehensive before the week but were impressive in the way they fitted into placements so confidently and maturely. Eve Gibson worked at the Egg Theatre in Bath and said, ‘It was fun to be out of school and trusted with the responsibility of working on things paid employees would be doing! I’ve definitely become more confident and learnt more about working in this sector’. Amongst all the positive feedback from employers, a couple letters really stood out. Jasmine Chung worked at. Specialist Publications for a week. Her employer said, ‘Jasmine’s contribution has been outstanding this week. Her creativity and flair has been exceptional. We wish her all the best and feel sure she has a bright future ahead of her’.

On the Performing Arts front, students have been as active as ever. Well done to Lauren Holland for helping to direct the Lower School performance of ‘Private Peaceful’. On the 6th July, Steph Baines took part along with four other students from Chew Valley in the Music For Youth National Finals for Choirs in Birmingham with Cantilena. Students performed 4 songs in front of around 100 people and two adjudicators. All participants received a certificate and some amazing comments. Well done, Steph!

Sports News

Year 10 have been busy participating in a range of summer sports. There have been some notable impressive individual performances, namely Jack Morris who has shown decent pace bowling and for superb leadership skills. Well done to Harry Macdonald for his unorthodox yet effective batting, Ben Melhuish for consistent good batting and Harry Winsley for excellent ‘vocal motivational skills’ in the field. The girls rounders team have also been impressive with victories over Oldfield School and performing well in the BANES tournament. A special well done to Ellie Finch who has demonstrated excellent all round batting and fielding skills.

We’d also like to say thanks and farewell to Mr Hounsell who is joining the Sixth form team, to Mr ‘Tidy’ Edwards and Miss Parry who will taking over the new Year 7s and finally to Mr Jory who is retiring. Thank you for all your support and hard work with this year group! Come back for the prom!