Local schools lead the way
Pupils from primary schools in and around Bridgnorth had plenty to celebrate when they joined forces as the Bridgnorth and East Shropshire team for two events… and won both. First up was the Shropshire Primary Swimming Gala, held at Shrewsbury’s Quarry Pool. Bridgnorth and East Shropshire were assisted by Northgate Swimming Club junior coach Gary Barnes, who said, “It was all the more exciting as it was our area’s first win in the 13 years of the competition; the Telford team has won it for the last nine years. It was nice to break that run!”
Next it was the turn of the field competitors, with the Shropshire Primary Schools athletics at Cosford – here, the team triumphed for the third year running.
Castlefields pupil Daniel Galloway won in the pool as well as on track; he also won silver for Great Britain in a biathlon event in Portugal in July. Here, the year 5 pupil is pictured competing in the 600m at Cosford.
Medal haul for Moffats
Moffats School near Kinlet enjoyed some summer sporting successes with the U13 girls’ rounders team becoming ISA Midlands Champions. On the track, the boys’ athletics team bagged two golds, a silver and a bronze at the ISA National Athletics Championships at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.
Day in parliament
Students from Abraham Darby Academy were shown around the Houses of Parliament and met new Telford MP Lucy Allan. The students were given a talk about the work of MPs and an insight into what goes on in Parliament and how it directly affects their lives. Lucy Allan said, “The students were really engaged and it was an honour to welcome them. I’d like to encourage Telford schools to come to Parliament so students can see for themselves what goes on.” To arrange a tour, email lucy.allan.mp@parliament.uk.
Local athletes’ success
Bridgnorth Athletics Club’s record-breaking season continued apace over the summer, with Bridgnorth athletes winning 27 medals at the Wenlock Games and Adrian Lloyd Davies setting a new Wenlock Games record in the U17 boys 800m. Gold medal winners were Ava Martin, Molly Andrews, Lucy Elcock, Beth Loveday, Sophie Kinnersley, Dan Galloway, Kieran Clarke and Adrian Lloyd Davies. Abbey Nolan, Hannah Cashmore, Jess Hibbert, Molly Andrews, Lucy Elcock, Sophie Kinnersley, Louse Jones, Andy Jones, Matt Yates, Sam Owen, Evie Cashmore, Ellie Shotton, Lillian Wilcox, Lauren Lewis and Isobel Martin won silver and bronze medals.
Annual gymkhana a hit
Moffats School near Kinlet held its annual end-of-year riding competition at the end of the summer term. “The gymkhana is one of the highlights of the Moffats year,” said head of riding Kate Killick. “We had a fantastic day – well done to all riders and thank you to all the helpers, parents, judges, families and friends for supporting the day.”
Apprentice jets off for Stateside scholarship
An apprentice at Royal Air Force Museum Cosford has been awarded a scholarship with the Flying Scholarship for Disabled People (FSDP). Bethany Colburn from Albrighton will spend five weeks at the American Aviation Academy in San Diego. Bethany, who was born with mild cerebral palsy which affects her mobility, went through a tough recruitment process which included an intensive four-day selection stage at RAF Cranwell. A delighted Bethany said, “This is a life-changing opportunity. I want to make my sponsors proud and show everyone, able-bodied and disabled, that anyone can overcome limitations given the right opportunities and belief.”
The scholars were presented with their scholarship certificates by FSDP patron HRH Prince Faisal of Jordon and Honorary Air Commodore Sir Stephen Dalton.
Lego® studio ready for business
Pupils at Birchfield School near Albrighton are looking forward to using the new Lego® Innovation Studio created over the summer. “This new facility will maximise and augment learning in new and dynamic ways,” said head Hugh Myott. “And, outside the classroom, the school is offering sports scholarships for prospective pupils in years 3 to 6. For children who excel at sport, be it rugby, netball or tennis, we invite parents and children to come along to an open day to find out more.”
Girls miss out as regional champions
The girls from Bridgnorth Endowed School’s U13 cricket team completed their highest ever finish, coming second in the Midlands Chance to Compete event held at Moseley Cricket Club. Having won their district and county finals, they progressed to the prestigious finals where they finished as runners-up, narrowly missing out on a win by four runs. “We’re very proud of their achievements,” said PE teacher Nicki Bills-Brown. “Congratulations to the team of Izzy Hill, Hannah Cook, Ella Aldridge, Tilly Chase, Bella Cox, Jess Picken, Molly Penny, Mel Ilordanidou, and captain Harriet Rollason.”
‘Crucial Crew’ learning about safety
Thousands of children from all over the What’s What! area attended Crucial Crew events at the end of the summer term. Crucial Crew, which is aimed at year 6 children just about to leave primary education, seeks to raise awareness of safety issues and provide children with life skills and knowledge that will help keep them, and others, safe in the future.
The multi-agency events involve, amongst others, Western Power Distribution, who talk about safety around electricity; West Mercia Police, who give tips on staying streetwise; and the Royal Life Saving Society, who teach pupils about water safety. Funding comes from West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore and local parish and county/district councils.
Pirates of St Johns
Children from St. John’s Catholic Primary School in Bridgnorth delighted their audience with a performance of the play ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’. “They did amazingly well… and we will surely have a few professional actors coming out of the school,” observed head Jane Payton.
Oldbury Wells carnival float
Budding engineers across all years at Oldbury Wells collaborated on a project inspired by BMW to design and build a float for the Bridgnorth Carnival.
Mathematicians in final
Year 6 pupils from Shrewsbury High Prep School are celebrating after reaching the finals of the Jaguar Maths in Motion competition for the second year running.
The team, Joshua Inpong-Pirard, Noah Cherian, Isabel Clarke and Josie Allsop enjoyed the added perk of being chauffeur-driven to the competition in Warwickshire by Hatfields Jaguar of Shrewsbury. Once there, the budding mathematicians had to complete a series of tasks in an effort to produce a perfect car, which was then entered into a race. The team came away with a fabulous bag of Jaguar goodies.
Keepers for the day
Nine lucky pupils from Myddle C of E Primary spent a day at the Animal Care Unit at North Shropshire College’s Walford Campus. The year 6 pupils took part in a range of the duties of a keeper at the unit, starting the day with a tour around Walford’s mini-zoo and helping to feed the meerkats, marmoset monkeys and birds of prey… but the real highlight was getting to hold one of the resident snakes.
Calligraphy demonstration amazes
Pupils from Wellington’s Old Hall School were amazed by Japanese calligrapher Koki Takehara when he visited the school. Mr Takehara, who paints characters using a giant 20 kilogram brush, painted the symbol for joy on a huge piece of material in the school hall. Mr Takehara has demonstrated his art in New York and Paris and works from a studio in southern Japan. He explained to the children that he has been started calligraphy at the age of four and practises his art every day.
Buildwas parents fight for school
Parents of children at Buildwas School near Much Wenlock are determined to keep their primary open, despite a consultation process initiated by Shropshire Council to close it. “This rural school has been serving the local community for 150 years,” said spokesperson Beth Heath. “In January it was put into special measures, but teachers and management took on the challenge. Recent SATs results, which saw 100% of pupils achieving national expectations, prove the progress the school has made in the last six months.”
‘Retail excellence’ rewarded
Fourteen young entrepreneurs from St. Dominic’s School in Brewood were delighted to win a prestigious award at the Young Enterprise National Finals in London. The sixth formers bagged the Retail Excellence Award for their interactive children’s storybooks. The team, who called themselves WRITE, developed a series of three books delivering activities featuring colouring, mathematics, word problems, outdoor games and puzzles, aligning with Key Stage 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum.
Michael Mercieca, CEO of Young Enterprise, said, “WRITE have made the West Midlands extremely proud and I wish them the best of luck for the future.”
Second national award for leading girls’ school
A prestigious award in 2014 has been a catalyst for a drive towards sporting success at Shrewsbury High School, with the school winning the Sports Award at the 2015 Education Business Awards. The school’s Elite Athlete programme, which sees pupils learning about nutrition, sports psychology and time management, was praised by the judges, as was the range of sports at the school. Sports leadership courses and involvement with the Sky Sports Leadership Project help to foster a teamwork ethos.
The Senior School Open Day is on Saturday 10 October, with the Prep Open Morning on Wednesday 14 October. To find out more, email admissions@shr.gdst.net.
New school garden is haven for wildlife
A two-year project to transform an unused patch of grass at a Shrewsbury school into a vegetable garden and haven for wildlife has been completed. Children at Prestfelde School came up with creative ideas for the project, and governor and former pupil Matt Sandford and his family have provided valuable sponsorship, as has the local Wyevale Garden Centre.
Shrewsbury businessman Matt wanted to create a memorial for his father, who was lost at sea in 1978 while Matt was at Prestfelde, and the new area provides a place for quiet reflection as well as the production of fresh vegetables.
To mark the opening, pupils hosted a tea party, selling cakes and tomato plants. The funds were shared between the Nepal Earthquake Disaster Appeal and the garden project.
