Waycroft Academy was full of festive cheer as pupils gathered to enjoy a delightful Christmas dinner.
The school’s kitchen staff truly outdid themselves, preparing an amazing holiday feast.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, some pupils wore their favorite Christmas jumpers, showing a vibrant array of holiday colours and designs that spread joy throughout the day.
A school spokesperson said: “We’re incredibly proud of our kitchen team for their hard work and dedication in making this event so special.
“It’s heartwarming to see the pupils come together to celebrate the season and share in the festive spirit.”
Waycroft Academy celebrated ‘We Are Authors Day’ with a special visit from Bristol-born authors Steve Gunning and Chris Wheeler, creators of the exciting new children’s book Santa’s Secret Agents.
The day was filled with literary magic as pupils listened intently to the authors bringing their story to life during a captivating live reading.
Following the reading, the young audience eagerly participated in a lively question-and-answer session. Pupils posed thoughtful, well-informed questions, showcasing their engagement and curiosity about the writing process and the story’s inspiration.
Many pupils purchased personalised signed copies of Santa’s Secret Agents, as they had enjoyed it that much.
Emma Sweet, Assistant Headteacher at Waycroft Academy, said: “We are thrilled to have hosted such talented local authors for We Are Authors Day.
“Events like this inspire a love of reading and creativity in our pupils, showing them that anyone can be an author if they have a story to tell.
“Watching our pupils interact with Steve and Chris was truly inspiring – they left with their imaginations buzzing.”
Waycroft Academy was delighted to welcome Kerry McCarthy, the Labour MP for Bristol East, for a special visit to the academy.
During her visit, Kerry met with the school councils representing Years 1 to 6. She spoke with pupils about her role as a politician, sharing insights into her work and responsibilities, and engaged in a lively Q&A session.
Pupils took the opportunity to ask questions about politics and public service, sparking great discussions.
Following the session, Kerry was given a tour of the school, where she observed the learning environment and interacted with staff and pupils.
The visit concluded with an informal meeting with staff and parents, where she listened to their experiences and views about the school and the local community.
Adam Smith, Principal of Waycroft Academy, said: “We were thrilled to host MP Kerry McCarthy at Waycroft Academy.
“Her interaction with pupils was inspiring and gave them a unique opportunity to understand the importance of democracy and what being an MP is like.
“It was a wonderful experience for the whole school community.”
Waycroft Academy is bursting with pride over the outstanding achievements of their girls’ football team.
The team has demonstrated exceptional skill, teamwork, and determination throughout the season so far, achieving remarkable success.
The girls secured victory in their area league, showcasing their talent, skill and dedication. Additionally, they competed in the prestigious national English Schools Football Association (ESFA) Tournament.
While they narrowly missed advancing to the next stage, they achieved an extraordinary feat by coming 3rd in their group, which positioned them as 6th overall out of the 200 schools that participated up to this stage.
Adam Smith, Principal of Waycroft Academy, said: “They are a great example of individuals who all support each other and show a high level of resilience.
“We are looking forward to their further sporting achievements later in this academic year. Good luck, girls!”
Pupils from Waycroft Primary Academy recently embarked on an exciting adventure to the local library, immersing themselves in the world of books, stories and the joy of reading.
During their visit, pupils explored a variety of books, delving into new and captivating literary worlds.
They engaged in shared reading activities with adults, read aloud to each other, and encouraged their peers to discover different genres and styles of writing.
The highlight of the visit was a vibrant story-time session led by the librarian, who delighted the children with a tale of bravery.
A spokesperson from Waycroft Primary Academy said: “It was a magical experience that further sparked their love for reading and learning.”
With Christmas just around the corner, Year 3 pupils at Waycroft Primary Academy have been exploring the Nativity story as part of their religious education (RE) lessons, focusing on identifying acts of kindness throughout the narrative.
In a thoughtful activity, the children were tasked with writing down what they believe makes a ‘kind person’. Both classes reached a unanimous agreement: a kind person must show they are ready, respectful, and resilient – values which align perfectly with the school’s ethos.
To further enrich their exploration of the Nativity, pupils had the unique opportunity to learn about frankincense and myrrh, two of the gifts presented by the Wise Men to baby Jesus.
Pupils were fascinated by how these ancient offerings continue to spark curiosity and wonder in modern times.
A spokesperson for the school said: “It’s been wonderful to see pupils connect the values of kindness with the timeless lessons of the Nativity.
“The opportunity to engage with elements like frankincense and myrrh has made the story even more meaningful for them, showing how these age-old traditions still hold relevance today.”
Pupils at Waycroft Academy celebrated individuality and collectively by wearing odd socks to school, marking the start of Anti-Bullying Week – a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and take a stand against bullying.
Odd Socks Day, which kicks off the week, encourages students to wear mismatched socks as a reminder that differences make us unique and valuable.
This gesture aims to reinforce the message that everyone deserves respect and kindness, no matter their background, interests, or personality.
A spokesperson from Waycroft Academy said: “Odd Socks Day is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to embrace their uniqueness while coming together to support a vital cause.
“By wearing odd socks, we’re encouraging everyone to celebrate each other’s differences and stand united against bullying in all its forms.”
Waycroft Primary Academy held an engaging read-along event for Year 2 pupils, welcoming parents and carers to join their children to celebrate reading and learning together.
The event provided a unique opportunity for families to take part in their children’s education, developing a love for reading and strengthening the home-school partnership.
Pupils and their families explored a variety of engaging reading activities, from storytelling to discovering the joy of taking Accelerated Reader (AR) quizzes together.
This interactive format allowed parents and carers to see firsthand how AR quizzes help reinforce comprehension and encourage independent reading in a fun and supportive way.
A spokesperson said: “We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for the read-along.
“It was fantastic to see our children not only sharing their favorite books but also engaging in various interactive activities with you all.
“Events like these help to build a community of readers and inspire our young students to keep exploring the world of literature.”
Waycroft Academy pupils have successfully held their first school council meeting of the year, alongside Miss Pick and Mr Smith.
The meeting was a great success, with pupils brimming with creative and exciting ideas that will keep them busy throughout the academic year.
The next meeting promises to be equally productive, with pupils eager to start developing an official school song that will promote school spirit.
Additionally, pupils will review their playground suggestions, some of which are expected to already be in place by that time.
A spokesperson said: “Waycroft Academy is excited to see the enthusiasm and leadership demonstrated by its pupils and looks forward to the positive impact their ideas will bring to the school community.”
Pupils at Waycroft Academy did a great job of talking to Jamie Notton, one of the school’s Academy Councillors.
Jamie is Waycroft’s link councillor for behaviour, so was visiting lessons, watching transitions and also took time to talk to the school’s House and Vice-House Captains and pupils in class.
For Jamie, it was a return to familiar territory, as he is also an ex-pupil who Mr Smith (Principal) taught in Year 5 at Waycroft.
