Lewis, 12, Hailed a Hero After Caring for Disabled Mum

WORLE THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL POST

Supporting IN CHARLEY’S MEMORY FREE F PLEASE TAKE ONE @ICMCharity IN CHARLEY’S MEMORY MAKING MENTAL HEALTH MATTER Issue 5, Spring Term 2020 GOOD NEWS FROM WESTON AND WORLE BY JILL DANDO NEWS CENTRE STUDENT REPORTERS

Supporting Charity • Inspirational young people

Visits to see our fantastic academy are welcomed. Please contact Tracy Humphris on 01934 510777 to arrange for a tour of the school. Lewis, 12, hailed a hero after caring for disabled mum

WORLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL

An Academy

• Excellent GCSE results • 30 GCSE subjects to choose from • Dozens of after school activities • Happy, friendly, caring school By Joshua Keyes, 14 • Inspirational teaching Lewis Martin-Edwards has been for charities and finds stories on other crowned Champion Young Carer of heroes, as part of the Jill Dando News Principal the Year - out of 3800 entrants. Centre. Jacqui Scott He cares for mum, Jo, helping with Principal of WCSA Jacqui Scott said: Email [email protected] medication, cooking, checking her blood “Lewis is a superb student and a credit to pressure and other jobs. our academy and young people The Inspirational student raises thousands everywhere.”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

BUSHFIRE BEST IN WORLE STUDENTS HELP BRITAIN HELP SAVE THE PLANET Students raise Big success in Find out what students Olivia and Joshua cash for eco maths comp disaster are doing to boost the environment.

See page 4 See page 5 See page 5 for full details

For the latest news see www.facebook.com/worlecommunityschool or email [email protected] or [email protected]

Why Good News? Did you know... Big-hearted Priory students raise record BRILLIANT YOUNG The Post is a positive newspaper for Weston IN CHARLEY’S MEMORY 1 tonne of Foodbank goodies in one week CARER HAILED A HERO and Worle, covering inspirational stories By Lacey Madge, 14 written by Jill Dando reporters aged 5 to 19. helps hundreds of By Joshua Keyes, 14 11 to 25 year olds PCSA packed hundreds of items for

Their inspiration is former WCSA student Jill IN CHARLEY’S MEMORY Dando. Jill was a positive, smiling, kind and in Weston and Burnham? MAKING MENTAL HEALTH MATTER Foodbank into two vans. compassionate person, and stayed humble It broke all records of school giving across the despite being Britain’s best TV journalist. Thousands of young people help area. And student Lauren Hanson, 16, (pictured) also inspirational mental health charity raised £400 to help the charity at Worlebury Golf Club. The brilliant teen is also now the Junior By Olivia Finch, WCSA, and Lacey Madge, PCSA Captain at the club. Frederique Wigmore of Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust network, said: “This was an unbelievable amount, just breathtaking. Thank you to everyone who donated.” PCSA and WSCA have raised over £100,000 for Our Jill Dando reporters above interviewed charities over the last few years. the Prime Minister in Number 10 and left him with a copy of The Post. WESTON STUDENTS FLOCK TO HIGH-FLYING TPLT Send us your good news. Email us stories of SCHOOL-BASED SIXTH FORM Lewis with fellow student Archie at the amazing children (or adults), acts of kindness, Over 5000 students, staff, parents ICM will now be helped by all schools Jill Dando News Centre or general ‘uplifting’ deeds. and carers marked World Mental in The Priory Learning Trust, just over Health Day by launching their five years since former The King Alfred Lewis Martin Edwards, 12, won inspirational new charity of the School Academy teenager Charley Champion Young Carer of the Year year. Marks took his own life aged 18. award out of 3800 carers in the south The six schools of The Priory Learning Neville Coles, Executive Principal of west. Trust (TPLT) are helping boost the TPLT, said: “In Charley’s Memory is a The 12-year-old cares for his mother Jo and mental health of thousands of 11 to 25- wonderful charity and we are so excited helps with her medication, cooking, year-olds in Somerset by supporting In to be able to partner with it in this way. checking blood pressure and other jobs. Send us your Charley’s Memory (ICM) as its official Last year we raised £20,000 for Weston stories On top of this, Lewis was described as an charity of the year. Hospicecare and we hope this year to superb student at Worle Community School [email protected] once again raise large amounts of by Jill Dando reporters ICM is a rapidly expanding charity Academy, raising thousands for charity, and which helps the mental wellbeing of money for a brilliant cause.” Priory and Worle students are pictured during their ‘taster day’ at the school based TPLT sixth-form inspiring younger students. hundreds of 11 to 25 year olds locally. If you need support from the charity Principal Jacqui Scott said: “Lewis is a It gives encouragement, training and Students from PCSA and Head of Sixth Form Jonathan Gaskell call 01278 557490 superb student and a credit to our academy. JILL DANDO ongoing counselling support for as long WCSA are attending the said: “Our small school-based Sixth Form He is kind, thoughtful, positive and is quite as needed. www.incharleysmemory.co.uk high-achieving, caring is proving to be a popular choice for NEWS CENTRE clearly overcoming challenges with his and smaller school-based Year 11 students looking to study tremendous attitude and resilience.” Our Jill Dando News Centre Student Reporters Sixth form The King prestigious A Level subjects in a friendly Olivia Finch Alfred School Academy and supportive school with high At an award ceremony for young carers in (Senior Reporter, WCSA) in Highbridge - just expectations and high aspirations.” the South West, judges praised Lewis for Joshua Keyes minutes away on the train. being kind and positive all the time and for having the attitude (Senior Reporter, WCSA) The sixth form enjoys excellent results, of never giving up. Lacey Madge, inspirational teaching and a school style (Senior Reporter, PCSA) friendly community atmosphere. He is also a big part of the Jill Dando Aimee Braithwaite Two students have just been offered a (Senior Reporter, PCSA, Social Media Editor) News Centre at place at Oxford University and scores of Leah Duffy Milo Zanelli WCSA, and trains others have places at top universities. Kacey Gazzard Ella McPadden up pupils in primary Lewis Martin-Edwards George Ford It also has six A Level students from schools. Reece Kaye Archie Matthews overseas, all who are staying with families Kayla Lansing Alfie Pocock in Weston. Lauren Burdge Lorenzo Baranello AMAZING STUDENTS: Some of the Cam Calver Murphy Lynn The sixth form is part of The Priory Weston-based international students at TPLT Kiera Wilton Ruby Griggs Learning Trust and welcomes students the school location sixth form at The Want to help? from any secondary school in Weston and SCHOOLS PUT Alex Mawbey Isabelle Lanning As a charity, ICM rely on donations and fundraising. On Somerset Day, King Alfred School Academy beyond. Leah Clarke Tamsen Markham Sunday 10th May, The Priory Learning Trust are planning to do a Oliver Sinclair Gracie Davies STUDENTS IN CHARLEY’S MEMORY MAKING MENTAL HEALTH MATTER circular 12 mile walk to raise funds. If you are interested in joining the Abi Congram Madison Taylor For visits or information about applications to the walk check out @ICMCharity for news and details. Oliver Taylor-Jones sixth form email [email protected] FIRST

For the latest news see www.facebook.com/worlecommunityschool and www.facebook.com/Priorycsa For the latest news see www.facebook.com/worlecommunityschool and www.facebook.com/Priorycsa MESSAGE FROM WCSA PRINCIPAL JACQUI SCOTT New big-hearted Worle WCSA is the best State school in Britain Student Listeners Scheme

We hear a lot of bad news in the Media. But I’m constantly in awe of the students help charity in a Maths Miniatures competition By Alfie Pocock, 12 brilliant students and the amazing things that they do, day in day out. By Lewis Martin-Edwards,12 New Student Listeners Scheme helps Lewis on the front page future. We have quite rightly been seen as high-performing and caring school is a shining example of a school that is ‘going places’. The amazing students finished in the further strengthen mental well-being. some of the incredible Our GCSE results are on the up, and there top seven out of nearly 100 schools - the WCSA have trained up some fantastic achievements of our is much more progress to come. only state school to do so. student listeners as part of their mental students. There are Performing Arts, Maths, English, Science, They produced a short film about well-being programme. hundreds of examples. PE and Sport are all tremendous Mathematics in Sport which hugely In my three years as Principal, I’m strengths. Mental health is valued strongly impressed the judges. WCSA has a high- Not only is the school producing excellent reminded of the kind, thoughtful and in our school. There is also a performing maths faculty. their own and it was great to see the links GCSE results, but it is very well known for generous nature of the vast majority of tremendously positive, encouraging and Maths teacher Hayley Symes said: “The between sport and mathematics its strong care and mental well-being young people. The Post is a collection of friendly atmosphere right across WCSA. students came up with this idea all on demonstrated so clearly.” programme. some of our inspirational students. As an The Post is a ‘taster’ of just what our By Archie Matthews, 12 WCSA now carries out a four-week training programme where students can gain the academy, we are very excited about the students are all about. Wonderful new WCSA students have Parents meet fantastic Fantastic footballers skills to become good listeners – with been raising money for their charity of students during reach final rounds empathy (and) being non-judgemental. the year Students to help Australian bushfire disaster Open Evening of national cup The listeners walk around the school at Alfie, a Year 7 student at WCSA, sold break and lunchtime, looking for anyone greeting cards over lunch to raise money who seems like they need someone to talk for mental health charity, In Charley’s By Archie Matthews, 12 to. Students themselves can approach the Memory. The 11 and 12 year olds have only been listeners. WCSA is a high-achieving school that also at WCSA for three months but are Principal Jacqui Scott said: ”We are very encourages students to help the community already impressing with quality fast excited about this student listeners scheme. and others in need. flowing football. It is an amazing way to encourage other Head of Year 7 Rachel Brace said “We The 11 and 12 year old WCSA side reached students to speak out about their problems.” were so proud of Alfie and his friends. Our round six of the under 16s National Cup out By Joshua Keyes, 14 The super students have also been trained Year 7s have settled in brilliantly well and of a whopping 639 teams. in what to do if they have any safeguarding are already joining in with helping our Hundreds of prospective students, PE teacher Junior Soper said: “The boys concerns about any student. charity of the year.” parents and carers visited our excellent were phenomenal. We have a brilliant crop academy in glorious sunshine at WCSA of students who are already showing great Open Evening team spirit and playing with skill, style and Kind and thoughtful The children were able to enjoy a host of determination.” By Joshua Keyes, 14 student becomes fun activities in a range of subjects WCSA Is a fantastic Academy with a including maths, English, music, thriving PE department and track record of The enthusiastic student climate change members of the Climate Justice Revolution youngest mentor in performing arts and sport. There were success. activists plan to fundraise for the team at WCSA are helping the scintillating science experiments and Australian eco catastrophe with environment. “We want those affected to reading challenge outside fun such as gymnastics. assemblies and events. know that students in Worle care for them By Alfie Pocock, 12 Principal Jacqui Scott said: “We really It is just one of the ways that 22 student and would like to do all we can to help.” TPLT schools are enjoyed meeting all of the children and passionate about Emily Binding, their parents and carers. Our Academy is helping the Is this a future Prime Minister from Weston? Year 10 at going from strength to strength and there is community and WCSA, spent much more to come. the planet By Olivia Finch, 14 When not studying for her GCSE studies, much of her Daisy is helping the school to become even summer Weston’s own Greta more eco-friendly and reduce the amount holidays in Worle students celebrate two years on the Thunberg aims to of plastic and paper used during the school Weston library Weston Youth Council with new measures drive through eco- day. After WCSA took the pledge of the mentoring local change at Worle and Green Schools Alliance, Daisy is working school children. By Olivia, 11, and Alex, 11 the world en route with staff to step up the learning and She was the to become Prime education of students’ carbon footprint. Joshua Keyes, Treasurer, and They are also planning more youngest mentor Minister one day. Daisy said: “Politicians and Prime Olivia Finch, Vice Chair, from community events to raise money for in the reading challenge which aims to High-flying Head Girl Daisy Dennett is Ministers can make such a difference and I WCSA have been attending Youth In Charley’s Memory. encourage British children and students to already making waves in bringing even am excited to use my energy and career to Council, helping to suggest Olivia said “We are planning events read. more green living to her brilliant school, help the planet and also lots of people.” improvements to the town. to help people, the community and WCSA. Principal Jacqui Scott said: “Daisy is an WCSA inspires students to read with a Their suggestions to improve the also charity..” range of measures and by making reading The environmental enthusiast and singer- inspiration and we love her aspirations and town include making Weston a more The Youth Council meet monthly at fun. songwriter is aiming to be Prime Minister ambitions to help the planet and millions of environmentally friendly place with Weston’s YMCA. Joshua said: one day where she can help millions of people. She has already made a big impact WCSA’s Principal Jacqui Scott said: “It’s litter picks and reducing plastic, and "Being part of the Youth Council is people - just like eco activist Greta along with her student leadership team and great to hear that Emily did so much making a statue out of plastic bottles. great.” Thunberg is doing across the world. School Council.” fantastic work during her spare time.”

For the latest news see www.facebook.com/worlecommunityschool and www.facebook.com/Priorycsa For the latest news see www.facebook.com/worlecommunityschool and www.facebook.com/Priorycsa Excellent Jack thriving Top rugby players train at world-renowned HELP FOR MENTAL HEALTH to be terrific teachers drama college In Charley’s Memory SMILE, WALK, BREATHE By Lacey Madge, 14 and helps hundreds of young Some simple tips to boost your COULD YOU BE A TEACHER AT A TOP LOCAL SCHOOL? Aimee Braithwaite, 14 people every year. It was formed in 2014 by the mum mental health Jack Evison left PCSA and is now at the Dawn offers these five simple tips to people wanting world-renowned Mandy Ellen Perform- of former TKASA student Charley to help boost their own mental wellbeing. ing Arts College in Maidstone in Kent who took his own life after years of after successfully completing his first mental health struggles. His mum wanted to make a difference to year of studies at CPA Studios in make sure there others get the help they need as early as possible. London. 3 Turn off your phone as much as possible. Charity leader Dawn Carey said: “Children’s and young people’s (There are clear links between social media Jack has just had his first ever professional mental health services are incredibly stretched yet the numbers of role, appearing in the Pantomime, Snow use and mental health problems.) young people wanting help continues to rise across the country. White and the Seven Dwarfs and he also 3 Walk every day. (Exercise boosts key “We stand in that gap. If you are a young person needing help recently appeared on the BBC TV pro- happiness hormones in the brain) gramme The Greatest Dancer. please get in touch.” 3 Do a random act of kindness for others. (This simple act boosts our own happiness and that of other people) 3 Talk about your problems (Everyone has them - sharing them with a trusted friend or counsellor is powerful). 3 Take minute breaks to deep breathe from By Dawson Panter-Wray, 12 your diaphragm (breathe in slowly for 5 Ex-England and Ireland interna- Academy in Highbridge. seconds, hold for 5, breathe out for 5). tional Jake Caulfield and Dan Lomax Neville said: “Our teacher training Jack is pictured with Ronan Keating are well known local rugby players school is thriving and we are seeing and now training to be teachers To donate to ICM, for advice and tips or to access their Counselling service, people from all walks of life becoming Free football call 01278 557490 or visit our Website https://www.incharleysmemory.co.uk or see or Facebook @ICMCharity within The Priory Learning Trust excellent teachers. It is a pleasure to which operates six academies across welcome Jake and Dan to train to teach for Under 6s Somerset and North Somerset. in our schools.” By Liam Drury WORLE STUDENTS TAKE WORLD WCSA and PCSA students are enjoy some of Jake is current Head Coach at North Please contact www.theplt.org.uk for CHAMPIONSHIPS BY STORM Petherton RFU having been at PCSA. more details about teacher training Children under 6 Britain’s best careers provision He has played rugby for England and within TPLT. have an hour of free By Archie Matthews, 12 By Lewis Martin-Edwards, 12 Ireland, as well as Bath and Ulster. football at 5pm at With mock interviews, university taster And they get inspiration talks for world- Weston-super-Mare Four students Ruby Lightfoot, Sienna Dan is the Weston super Mare RFC Did you know... days, CV help, employability help and leading experts in their fields, including AFC’s £850,000 FIFA Pitts, Ebony Taiwo and Lauren Baird of player-coach and an ex-student at The Priory Learning Trust real-life experience, students are from ex students who have gone onto great quality 3G training WSA have excelled in nationals and the Worle Community School Academy. is a successful teacher-training prepared extremely well for the wider things. pitch at The Optima Stadium in world championships in baton twirling. Neville Coles, centre, CEO/Executive world. Head of Careers James Wilmot said: “We school, awarded the Winterstoke Road. Principal of The Priory Learning Trust rare and prestigious The students currently compete with Students for example, helped to write a want to give every single student the very is pictured welcoming Jake (left) and National Teaching Weston’s expanding academy is going several different clubs including Pom Pom PCSA best selling christmas ebook which best advice, experiences and to inspire with Dan (right) to The King Alfred School School status. places as it’s now an Official Licensed Corp and Parade Corp. reached number 3 in the amazon christmas visits and talks.” Academy. Now they plan to bring local One of the girls, Sienna, recently competed book chart. Weston, Worle and North Somerset in X Strut, which is an international children right though from the Under 6s to competition for the best of the best. play in the first team. WCSA Principal, Jacqui Scott, said: “We HOWARDS MG Foundation Phase Manager Matt Bazell are absolutely delighted by the girls’ said: “This is free football for children of success. They have done exceptionally IS NOW OPEN all abilities. Our coaches are top-class and well.” make football fun. We are eager to become IN WESTON-SUPER-MARE the best academy in the region.” Email [email protected] Discover the all-new, for more information or visit award winning range westonsmareafc.co.uk/Academy From just £9,495 Did you know... Weston AFC Academy is one of only 22 clubs outside of the Hildesheim Bridge, football league nationally to be a Weston-super-Mare BS23 3PT, Tel: 01934 410990 www.howardsgroup.co.uk/mg licensed Academy

Visits to see our fantastic academy are welcomed. Please contact Tracy Humphris on 01934 510777 to arrange for a tour of the school.

A WCSA kindness culture - Olly Murs support act inspires Talented Artist to become Army Dog Handler Rich, who has a family member who has fallen victim to cyber bullying, performed for the A super-talented students before speaking to them about artist and former keeping safe online. As an ambassador for an deputy head girl of anti-bullying charity, he discussed the potential WCSA is leaving risks of social media, following up with ways behind her art to to avoid and tackle problems linked to online pursue a career as bullying. He also spoke about the importance a dog handler in of privacy settings on social media accounts the army. and how to report cyber bullying and posts if Dionne Mentjes, 18, presented some of her students feel uncomfortable about them. incredible artwork to Neville Coles, Executive By Archie Matthews, 12 Principal Jacqui Scott said, “Rich went down Principal of The Priory Learning Trust, just 18 Pop star Rich Cottell, 22, who has very well with our students. It’s so important months after leaving WCSA. Her artwork was supported acts such as Olly Murs, The to encourage safe behaviour online, we are so outstanding, it was widely admired and praised, Wanted and Conor Maynard, paid a visit to lucky to have such a brilliant role model visit and is now displayed around the WCSA site as WCSA to discuss online safety and cyber our school.” well as TPLT. bullying with Year 7 and 8 students. Dionne though is looking to embark upon a top career in the Army as a dog handler, and is now Budding Einsteins enjoy Worle students thrive studying Public Services at Weston College. England’s first ever ‘Maths Week’ in Future Chefs finals Remarkably, when arriving into England aged only four from South Africa, Dionne could not By Murphy Lynn, 12 speak any English. Before going to WCSA and becoming Deputy Head Girl, she was taught by Two students from Lisa Dadds at Worlebury Primary School; Lisa WCSA excelled in a is also now at TPLT. tough cookery com- She said: “Dogs are a huge passion of mine and petition similar to the I am so excited for a career in the army as a dog BBC’s MasterChef handler when I leave education.” TV series held at the By Lewis Martin-Edwards, 12 regional finals in Taunton. WSCA wins Environmental WCSA students delivered some great Pictured left, Lorenzo Baranello, 14, and right problem solving and challenging maths tasks Ashdon Bailey, 12, had to cook their own two- Travel Award as part of ‘Maths Week’, a national project course meal consisting of a hot main choice and founded by Nrich. a hot or cold dessert for two people in a budget By Joshua Keyes, 14 Some of the Year 8 and 9 students took part in a of £7. School with electric bikes, cycle training, live ‘webinar’ to interact with other students Lorenzo produced a mouth-watering fish main bike fixing, a travel ‘champion’ and across England. course that included his Italian mother’s recipe excellent walking and road safety skills Others got to test their detective skills in a for home made pasta. wins top award murder-mystery style coding activity. Principal Jacqui Scott, said: “We promote the The sensational WCSA is officially the best Head of Maths Sean Wood said: “Our part in very best in effort and resilience in all our school in the region for environmental travel Maths Week proved to be a great success and students and Lorenzo and Ashdon demonstrated to school award. They won the best school in our students have really enjoyed participating.” those skills so well in this competition.” North Somerset award after use of their electric bikes for staff, promoting cycling on open days for new students, and promoting a journey sharing platform for all staff across JILL DANDO GARDEN EXPANDS... The Priory Learning Trust. By Joshua Keyes, 14 Some 30 apple trees have been planted They also have created a buzz about cycling, in primary schools as Jill Dando’s and appointed a school travel champion to and Lacey Madge, 14 Garden expands across Somerset. show inspirational role models to students on Sanders Garden Centre are donating the safer travel. The award was also for having trees while TV Gardener Alan Titchmarsh cycle training for students and resources to is helping green-fingered students with get their bikes fixed regularly, as well as the advice on how to plant them and see them proposed electric car charging port that the flourish. school will install over the summer break. There are still some trees left for primary Principal Jacqui Scott said: “We are so proud schools who would like to plant them in of our students and staff. We make every their school grounds. If your school would effort to help to promote an sustainable travel like a Jill Dando apple tree, please contact to school plan and are delighted to have been [email protected] given this award.”

Produced by the Good News Post www.goodnewspost.co.uk