EDUCATION NEWS

UPDATES FROM THE CITY’S SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

NATIONAL CALL OUT FOR POLITICAL PLAYWRIGHTS

LUNG, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and Salamander Street have launched a new playwriting competition called Umute. Designed for 11-18 year olds, this competition will celebrate fresh talent that is writing socially engaged and political theatre.

Unmute is a call out to celebrate and hear the voice of Generation Z (or zoomers). Coronavirus has impacted everyone’s lives but schools and young people have in many ways borne the brunt of this upheaval. As teenagers return to the classroom, Unmute wants to amplify their voices and hear what they want to say about the world.

Unmute is inviting teenagers across the UK to submit a monologue of no more than 500 words. The winners (judged by representatives from all the three partners) will have their monologue published by Salamander Street in an anthology which will be distributed worldwide.

• Submissions for Unmute will close at 5pm on 8 May. For more information about Unmute, visit: lungtheatre.co.uk

SUCCESS FOR MILLFIELD

Millfield student Sophia Wilson has created a herb garden on campus to supply school meals. Upper Sixth student Sophia created the honeycombe-shaped raised bed as a tool for the school’s catering provider, Chartwells, to access fresh, locallysourced, sustainable on-site produce. The garden is situated at the back of the school’s Wellness Hut, and provides a peaceful location for students and staff to enjoy. Students recently planted the garden which features oregano, wild garlic, yellow courgettes and sweet lavender. Sophia is a part of Millfield’s Global Goals Team, led by mathematics teacher Mrs Marianne Ashcroft, who provide a platform to discuss how Millfield can contribute to a brighter and sustainable future for all.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: BRISTOL STEINER SCHOOL

Bristol Steiner School is an independent day school for children from the age of 3 to 11 years. Trustees are currently exploring expansion into a Middle School and are asking those interested in Class 6/7 for 2022/23 and continuation into Class 8 in 2023/24 to get in touch with the school directly. New pupils are accepted throughout the academic year. Fundamental to the Steiner Waldorf philosophy is the belief in a child-centred, relational approach to learning and a commitment to promoting the development of the whole child. This is embraced and cherished throughout all aspects of life at school, through lived values rooted in the delivery of contextual learning, with true meaning and purpose. Small class sizes promote the wellbeing and selfbelief of each child. There is an authentic and tangible sense of community and culture that cultivates excellence, within a safe environment, in which the children can be curious. Opportunities to explore are embedded throughout the curriculum and this discretely encourages independence, resilience and respect. Language and oracy play an important part in school life and children participate in activities that enhance this. Mathematics is taught in class and then used across the curriculum in woodwork, handwork and form drawing. Pupils learn science in class and through outdoor learning in the school garden. Eurythmy is an expressive artform that combines language, music and movement. Physical education, swimming, music and forest school complement the diverse curriculum.

• bristolsteinerschool.org