NAILSEA
PEOPLE
2023
2022
Invitation to go on Winter Wanderland
Youngsters from Golden Valley Primary School have devised a festive trail around Nailsea spotting decorated Christmas windows.
Put together by Year 6 members of the School Council the pupils would like to share this with the wider community and invite families to take part.
Called a Window Wanderland you can download a list of addresses and a map to guide you around HERE.
There are a total of 26 windows to view.
Some of the addresses are a little spread out so all good exercise of those who have eaten too much Christmas cheer during the school holidays.
The Window Wanderland runs from Monday, December 19, and over the Christmas period.
Headteacher Kevin Lynch said: “The children hope you will enjoy taking part.”
-
On our What's On page there is another trail for younger children confined to the High Street and involving town centre shops. Collect your Christmas trail map from 65 High Street and find all 15 pictures and letters in the high street windows to win a festive treat.This is a free family event that will be running until Friday, December 23.
IT'S GOOD TO GIVE AT CHRISTMAS: It is the last day of term for many schoolchildren and pupils at two local schools are using the opportunity to fundraise for charity. Nailsea School students will be donning yellow and blue clothes to raise money for Young Minds who support young people with mental health issues and Backwell School students are wearing Christmas jumpers for Aid Box (Bristol Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership) and the local foodbank. Both schools have already collected considerable donations for the foodbank and are busy distributing Christmas hampers in the community. Merry Christmas to all and thank you
FESTIVE GREETINGS: Nailsea School students have again designed stunning Christmas cards which have been printed free of charge. Packs contain five cards, one of each design, and priced at £2.50 per pack, minimum purchase of two packs can be purchased via ParentPay or by emailing nailseapta@nailseaschool.com
Nailsea School GCSE exam results
Smiling faces and shouts of joy at Nailsea School on Thursday, August 25, as students received their GCSE exam results.
The first year group to sit exams after a two-year hiatus – and interruptions to learning, the mood was one of jubilation as nerves faded to relief.Head teacher Dee Elliott said: 'This year's results contained stronger feelings of emotion than in previous years, given how hard it has been for students and staff during Covid times.
"I am incredibly proud of everyone involved. It is really pleasing to know
that a record number of students are returning and some new faces will be joining us from other schools in Year 12 next week.
"I look forward to continuing to see these students thrive in the sixth form.
"Despite negative reports from some media outlets regarding the decrease in results averages, Nailsea School bucks the trend and has achieved some excellent grades, favourable to those achieved in 2019 and as always some great stories of individual students.
‘At Nailsea we know that students are much more than their grades.
"Our talented and inspirational young people will go on to achieve great things.
"I cannot wait to hear about their future successes."
Nailsea School and Sixth Form continues to thrive and if students are interested in learning more about starting in September they should email 6th form head teacher Dave Truan at DTruan@nailseaschool.com.
Backwell School GCSE exam results
Backwell Year 11 students were celebrating on Thursday morning, August 25, after receiving a brilliant set of GCSE results.
The school quad was full of smiles, hugs and words of congratulations as students, staff and parents gathered to celebrate.
As with all other students across the country, the pandemic had a huge effect on their learning over the past few years.
However this year group showed great resilience and applied themselves making the most of the support from their teachers, and these results reward them for all their efforts.
The results show that overall 80 per cent of students achieved five 9-4 grades including English and maths.
Bobby B confirmed that he had found the GCSE period hard work but after collecting his results he felt 'great!'.
He added: "The revision in particular was challenging but it made me feel prepared each time I sat an exam.
"You just have to go for it and try your best. I’m really happy as I have the grades I need to study my chosen courses at sixth form.”
It was extremely pleasing to see that the vast majority of Backwell students had secured a place at the institution and course of their choice for the next stages of their education.
Head teacher Jon Nunes said “Congratulations to our Year 11 students; they should be very proud of what they have achieved.
"They are a wonderful group of young people and we are thrilled that so
many of these students have applied to stay at Backwell School for their Sixth Form studies. We wish all of Year 11 the very best of luck with the next stages of their lives.”
Nailsea School A-levels results
Nailsea School is unable to give out percentage A-level grades because of an exam results delay.
Headteacher Dee Elliot said: "We are awaiting final results for Business and ICT results."
"It appears to be a national issue based on conversations with the boards during the past two days so we can't give final percentages.
"They say we will know within 48 hours.
"However, after days of speculation in the press about A-level and vocational results, smiles dominated at Nailsea School this morning.
"This was always going to be a transition year between 2021, when schools directly assessed, and 2019, the last year of external exams.
"This means that exam boards have stated they have been more generous than in a normal year to bring grades closer to 2021 levels.
"Of course, that does not and should not take away from the huge amount of work that was put in by both students and staff over the last two years against ongoing challenging conditions.
"It is worth remembering that this cohort's GCSE studies were abruptly ended and the very first external exams they sat was this summer.
"Being present today to see students celebrating their achievements and confirming their next steps is a huge privilege.
"Students, staff and parents have all shown great resilience and focus leading to this point.
"We are very proud of the variety of routes that students have chosen after their A-level and vocational results.
"With these fantastic results and the places they have accepted to fulfil their ambitions, we can all be very excited about their futures."
Backwell School A-levels results
Year 13 students at Backwell School received their A-level and vocational subject results on Thursday morning, August 18.
They are the first cohort of pupils, post-pandemic, to sit formal examinations.
However the pandemic caused serious disruption to their education over the past few years, including the cancellation of their GCSE examinations and having to adapt to online learning during stages in their Sixth Form studies.
Despite these challenges, Backwell students received fantastic results – with 14 per cent of grades at A*, 33 per cent of grades at either A or A* and 60 per cent of grades between A* and B.
Headteacher Jon Nunes stated: “I am extremely proud of all of our students who have met the huge challenges they have faced over the last two years with great determination.
"They are a group of well rounded, positive young people with bright futures ahead of them.
"I would also like to thank parents/carers for their support and, of course, the staff at Backwell School for all their resilience and expertise”.
The vast majority of students who applied have already successfully had university places confirmed, many of which are at their first choice universities including a small number of students going to study medicine and veterinary science.
Others have secured highly-prized apprenticeships (including one at the BBC) and other training offers.
Head student Grace Pontin, pictured, is heading off to study English literature and History of Art after receiving 3 A*s.
She said “I am feeling excited about the future; it has been a long build up to today with a lot of hard work – but it has all paid off.
.jpg)
"However I am going to miss Backwell School a lot – it is somewhere I feel at home, full of friendly and supportive faces.”
Sixth Form head teacher Rose Haywood said: “The sixth Form team is delighted to celebrate the achievements of our students.
"Support and guidance for future plans will be available on an ongoing basis for those who want some help or advice.
"We wish them all the very best of luck for their next steps”
Nailsea School sports personalities
After a hiatus of two years Sports Personality Of The Year was welcomed back by Nailsea School students.
The evening at Cadbury House Hotel gave all the opportunity to celebrate their sporting achievements.
Students discarded their track and field attire to dress in their formal finest for the occasion.
Awards included manager’s player, player’s player and most improved were handed out to a wide range of track, field and team after school sports.
Bristol Bears rugby star Daisie Maise gave an inspiring speech and talked about the highs and lows of sporting achievement and her career route before announcing the overall winners.
After a closely contested vote by their peers the winners were Year 11 students Reuben M and Izzy D, deemed to have challenged themselves and worked hard achieving sporting recognition.
Reuben features on the Nailsea People sports page as he has since signed a three-year contract with Hibernian Football Club, from Bristol City FC.
After the presentation students from Year 7-11 enjoyed a quiz and buffet meal before trying their footwork skills out on the dance floor.
A school spokesman said: "The students enjoyed the dancing, the dancefloor has never been so full in previous years—and it was fantastic to see all ages getting involved.
"It was a clear indication that after two years with minimum events—our students were ready to celebrate!
"Congratulations to everyone who took part, to every student that was awarded a certificate and to our overall winners whose names are now engraved on the #SPOTY shield.
"Huge thanks to those that helped with the event organisation and those who have volunteered their time to this and to the many after school clubs that the evening celebrated."
