What is the HPQ?

The Higher Project Qualification is a nationally recognised award that allows students to choose a topic they’re passionate about, conduct independent research, and present their findings. A great addition to students' CVs, the HPQ all about developing critical thinking, communication, and project management skills - key qualities for future success.

24th September marked an exciting milestone for our CELT Music departments as five secondary schools came together to form a brand-new youth orchestra under the expert baton of conductor Patrick Bailey. This ambitious collaboration brought together over fifty talented young musicians, each contributing their unique strengths to create a vibrant and unified ensemble. It was also an opportunity for the music teachers from the participating schools to dust their instruments off and join in the music making with the students. Penrice Academy was proud to have almost thirty students representing the academy as part of this collaborative project.

What made this project particularly special was the way it allowed minority instruments - often under-represented in individual school ensembles - to come together and form full, balanced sections. From tubas and French horns to violins and timpani, students experienced the thrill of hearing their parts in full orchestral context, many for the very first time.

The first rehearsal was a resounding success, both musically and socially. It was a joy to see students - many meeting for the first time - bond over a shared love of music. The rehearsal space was alive with energy, enthusiasm, and a growing sense of camaraderie.

The orchestra will meet once every half term, offering students regular opportunities to rehearse, perform, and grow together as musicians. With such a promising start, we are incredibly excited about the journey ahead and the music this ensemble will create in the months to come.

Wales and West Utilities, in partnership with Cornwall Council, will be carrying out essential gas pipe replacement works on Polmear Road, St Austell, starting Wednesday 8th October through to Christmas.

The work will happen in two phases, each lasting about 6 weeks.

Phase One: Multiway traffic lights will be in place at the junction of Cromwell Road, Porthpean Road, and Polmear Road.

Phase Two: Multiway traffic lights will be installed around the roundabout at Polmear Road, Charlestown Road, Mount Charles Road, and Holmbush Road.

Further information is below from Wales and West Utilities.

What work are we doing?

The works will be carried out in two phases;

Traffic Management for Phase One will consist of multiway lights on the junction of Cromwell Road, Porthpean Road and Polmear Road.  We will be there for roughly 6 weeks. 

Traffic Management for Phase Two will consist of multiway lights on the roundabout of Polmear Road, Charlestown Road, Mount Charles Road and Holmbush Road. Again, this Phase will take roughly 6 weeks. 

We will be working for approximately 12 weeks in total and we propose to start early October, taking us up to Christmas.

It’s part of our multi-million-pound, 30-year, gas pipe investment programme across Wales and the South West of England. As part of this programme, old metal gas pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being upgraded to new, long-lasting plastic ones. We replace over 400km of metallic gas mains each year, and we spend around £1.4 million on this programme every week. 

What is Wales & West Utilities:

Every day at Wales & West Utilities, our team of more than 1,300 skilled and dedicated colleagues do their very best to keep our 7.5 million customers safe and warm, with gas connections and a gas supply they can rely on combined with a level of service they can trust.

We don’t sell gas; instead, we use our extensive network of pipes to transport gas to homes and businesses throughout Wales and the south west of England. We respond to gas emergencies, and we invest £2m every week across our network, connecting new homes and businesses, and upgrading old metal gas pipes to new plastic ones so the communities we serve receive a safe and reliable gas supply for generations to come. 

We launched Wales & West Utilities in 2005, and since then we have worked hard to build our impressive and established reputation for delivering excellent customer service with safety, reliability and value for money at the heart of everything we do.

We are there for our customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – it’s a vital service and one that we are extremely proud to deliver.

We own and maintain more than 35,000 kilometres of gas pipes – enough to stretch from the UK to New Zealand and back again. Using those pipes – most of which lie hidden beneath your feet - we supply gas to around 2.5 million households and businesses, serving a population of 7.5 million people. We cover an area that stretches from Wrexham to Redruth, from the mountains of North Wales to the cliff tops of Cornwall, serving a mixture of cities, towns, villages and open countryside

Why are we doing this now:

We have planned these works in the winter months to avoid the summer embargoes. Due to the increase in gas demand in St Austell these work must be completed.

Installing new pipes in the area will also help us move towards net zero carbon emissions and improve our impact on the environment. It will also prepare the local gas network for the introduction of green gases in the future.

How will residents be impacted:

We always try to keep disruption to a minimum when we are working in local communities. If people need additional support during the time their gas supply is interrupted - such as alternative cooking and heating facilities, or any other assistance such as specific access requirements, we ask that they please contact us as soon as possible so we can put arrangements in place. 

Joining Reuben and Evie in the student leadership team are their Deputy Head Students: Connor, Jamie, Rosie, Maitilda, Levi, and Sophie. Together, this dynamic team will play a vital role in shaping student voice, leading initiatives, and representing Penrice Academy at key events throughout the year.

Reuben

Reuben steps up to the role of Head Boy having previously held the Senior MP role of Secretary of State for Year 10 in the school’s Student Parliament last academic year. His vision for the year ahead is for a more vibrant Penrice community where every year group feels connected, confident, and valued. He is placing particular emphasis on bridging the gap between different year groups.

Reuben explained:
“When we returned to school this September, the Year 11s and Year 7s shared a Community Lunch together. Events such as the Community Lunch really helped to boost the confidence of the Year 7s and made them feel welcome. I still see a couple of Year 7s I sat with around the school, and they'll come up to me and ask me how I am. I feel it is important that we hold more events and opportunities like this, across all year groups.”

Outside of school, Reuben is a keen swimmer and is a member of St Austell Swimming Club.

Evie

Evie steps into the role of Head Girl having played a pivotal role in the school’s Performing Arts, having featured in the last four annual Penrice Academy Productions which included Mary Poppins Jr, Matilda Jr, Oliver Jr, and Rock of Ages (Teen Edition).

Like Reuben, Evie also hopes to drive cross-year-group initiatives to help students feel more like part of a bigger community.

She explained: “In my interview, I pointed out that I would like younger people to have more of a role in their school. I spoke about a culture of older students helping younger students, like Year 7s having pen pals with incoming Year 6s. I think this could really help with the school culture and help younger people have more of a role in their education, making Penrice the best it can be.”

Outside of school, Evie does a lot of volunteering, has been involved in productions like pantomimes, and also has a keen interest in the fields of psychology and sociology.

Penrice Academy would like to formally congratulate the new Student Leadership team on their roles, and we look forward to working together throughout the academic year.

Over the next two days, our focus is on building a deep sense of belonging, ensuring that every student feels known, valued, and excited to be at Penrice, not just as a learner, but as an integral member of our school family.

This morning, Year 7 spent time in their tutor groups, finding out more about the school and enjoying team-building activities. Year 11 kick-started the academic year with an absolutely fantastic talk by motivational speaker Stephen Seki who certainly ignited fires in the bellies of our students – thank you, Stephen!

As the day progressed, the community lunch brought together our Year 7 and Year 11 students, with our oldest students warmly welcoming our new cohort on their very first day. It was heartwarming to see confidence growing over shared meals and conversations.

Here’s to a year of support, kindness, and connection across our school community! We look forward to seeing all year groups back in school tomorrow.

Alistair delivered an inspiring and deeply informative session, offering our aspiring young healthcare professionals a real glimpse into what it takes to become a GP – from training and qualifications to the everyday realities and rewards of this truly noble profession. His passion for patient care and dedication to the field shone through and left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.

Words by: Mrs Stevenson
Future Medics Programme Coordinator:

“The visit was both inspiring and informative. He shared invaluable advice on successful medical school applications and offered practical insights into the profession. Our aspiring medics left the session motivated and better prepared, thanks to the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and learn from his experience.”

The Future Medics Programme launched in September 2024 and is going from strength to strength. If you are a medical professional and would like to get involved in inspiring the next generation, please email enquiries@penrice.org.uk with your email for the attention of Mrs Stevenson.

We are incredibly grateful for Alistair’s generosity in sharing his time and experience. Moments like these help shape future careers and dreams. Thank you, Alistair.

McGowan first delivered an assembly to the whole of Year 8 before spending the rest of the day at Penrice leading workshops with selected students in Years 7 to 10.

Each group of students were inspired by Mr McGowan’s storytelling which was followed by detailed question and answers sessions as the famous writer explained his journey to becoming a published and established author.

McGowan won the annual Carnegie Medal in 2020 for writing Lark, a book that is now part of the Year 8 curriculum at Penrice during tutor time reading sessions. Set up in 1936, the annual Carnegie Medal is the UK’s oldest and most prestigious book award for children’s writing.

Harry, a Year 9 student, said:

“I enjoyed the storytelling element because I had liked reading Lark last year.”

Isabel in Year 10 added:

“His stories about what inspired him were gripping and also quite shocking. But I thought the message about the relationship between truth and fiction was an interesting one.”

Mrs Alison Hague
Reading Champion at Penrice Academy:

“Anthony McGowan has won so many awards for his books that we were thrilled when he agreed to visit our school. His book, Lark, is read in Year 8 and revolves around two boys of similar age to our students. He brought to life the inspiration for this book and had us all gripped with tales of his own schoolboy experiences in 1970s Leeds. The experience encouraged students to see the magic of storytelling in a new light, and allowed them to connect with the creative process. I’d like to thank Anthony for helping to inspire the next generation of readers and writers in such an entertaining way.”

Mr McGowan thanked Penrice Academy for welcoming him, stating:

“It has been a delight, from beginning to end.”

McGowan’s most recently published book was released earlier this year, called ‘The Beck’ – an environmental tale packed full of his signature grit, heart and humour. He is also finishing a book called Birdlands which is expected to be published next year.

They were representing the collective voice of students as part of the Trust’s new catering contract tender process.

Each Year 8 tutor group recently held discussions with their Student Parliament representatives about what they like and dislike about the existing catering provision, and what positive changes could be achieved in the creation of a new contract.

Once at Newquay, Jabez and Nancy attended presentations from each potential supplier, asking them questions based on their year group’s discussions, as well as tasting plenty of dreamy free samples! Their questions today could play a pivotal role in which provider gets selected!

The new format of our Student Parliament is playing a key role in helping us value every voice at Penrice. Stay tuned for more updates regarding other Student Parliament discussion topics that will be announced in the near future.

The winning streak began on Monday evening when the Year 10 Boys’ Team retained their County Cup title with a dominant performance against Truro School. In a thrilling match, the team showcased exceptional skill and teamwork to secure a convincing victory.

Year 10 goals came from Callum (10LS), who netted a superb hat-trick, along with strikes from Peter (10OB), Ollie (10LS), and Ollie (10JS), plus an own goal by the opposition, sealing a memorable win and reaffirming their status as county champions.

Just two days later, the spotlight shifted to the Year 7 Boys’ Team, who faced Falmouth School in a tense and fiercely contested final. Despite the pressure of the big stage, the Penrice players rose to the occasion, demonstrating outstanding determination and composure to clinch a narrow 3-2 victory and secure the County Cup title.

Goals in the Year 7 final were scored by Morgan (7GS), Alex (7GS), and Jenson (7PB), each contributing to a hard-fought and well-deserved win.

Both matches saw fantastic support from the sidelines, with staff, students and families creating an electric atmosphere and acting as the “12th man” throughout. The school extends its heartfelt thanks to all those who came out to cheer on the teams.

Competing against over 16,000 national submissions, Edie’s entry, titled Fate’s Chaos, captivated the judges with its originality, emotional depth and vivid storytelling. Edie captured the judges’ imagination by writing about an omnipresent being – Fate, who was displeased with the state of the world and chose to fight back against humanity.

Her piece was submitted as part of the ‘100 Words’ challenge, a competition that encourages young authors to demonstrate creativity and precision in ultra-short fiction.

Edie said:

“For the 100 words, I felt the need to do a bit more of a poem or prose, because it is so short that I needed to reel my readers in with such a small word limit.”

As well as winning one of the five ‘Best in Book’ awards, Edie also received a cheque for £50, a certificate, and a Young Writers’ Competition winner’s trophy.

Mark Grist, competition judge, said:

“This [story] has such a commanding voice. It’s dramatic, intense, and poetic in its language, like the voice of Fate should be. You’ve created a monologue that feels like it belongs in an epic fantasy novel and I very much enjoyed it. Well done!”

A Young Author in the Making

Recognition in this competition is Edie’s second national award in the last two years. In December 2023, Edie successfully won the ‘Best in Book’ award for the Young Writers’ Ghost Stories competition which allowed a 500-word count.

Writing supernatural content is a hobby of Edie’s with many of her stories themed around werewolves, vampires and people with mystical powers, mainly aimed at young adults.

Two of Edie’s inspiring authors are Adalyn Grace, author of bestselling gothic fantasy romance Belladonna, and Cassandra Clare, author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles series.

Mrs Alison Hague
Reading Champion at Penrice Academy

“We are absolutely delighted for Edie. To be recognised at a national level for her writing is a tremendous achievement. Her success is a testament to her talent, imagination and dedication. We are so proud to support and celebrate her creative journey”.

The National Young Writers’ Competition is a celebrated platform for emerging literary talent, with thousands of entries received each year from students aged 4–18 in age-relevant categories. Edie’s achievement places her among the very best of the UK’s next generation of storytellers.

After an early start with the coach departing before sunrise, students reached Bristol in good time. They had an amazing day listening to famous poets discussing their work and reading their poems live on stage. Performing poets included Simon Armitage, John Agard, Carol Ann Duffy, Imtiaz Dharker, Daljit Nagra and Owen Sheers.

With the crisp February air providing the perfect setting for a morning of fitness and fun, participants of all ages came together to take part in the 5k run.

The atmosphere was vibrant, as families laced up their running shoes and there was an undeniable sense of community as everyone, whether running, walking, or cheering, came together.

After the run, many members of the Penrice community gathered for a warm drink in the café, offering an opportunity to chat with fellow Penrice families, form new friendships and reflect on the run.

As always, the event was made possible thanks to the dedicated Parkrun volunteers at Eden who helped organize, cheer, and ensure everything went smoothly. Their hard work allows the local community to come together each week, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.

Future Community Events

Saturday’s Parkrun was a wonderful reminder of the joy of running, the warmth of community, and the simple pleasure of a shared experience. We hope to all gather at another parkrun after half-term and we will announce a date for this in the near future.

After half-term, we will also be opening ticket sales to the highly-anticipated annual School Production. This year’s show is Rock of Ages (Teen Edition) and will run over three nights on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd April 2025.

Debbie and Becky covered the role of the midwife during the antenatal period, during labour and birth, and then the postnatal period.

Students were fully engaged in their roles as Student Midwives for the session and it was great for them to be able to sample midwifery as a career as they head into Post-16 education in September.

With a range of stories, poems and songs, Story Republic ignited Year 7 imaginations in assembly before surprising our Year 9 and 10 students in lessons with short classroom visits.

There was also time for some performances in the Library at breaktime where a number of students enjoyed the spectacle.

Arranging visitors like the wonderful performers from Story Republic is a key part of our curriculum enrichment at Penrice. Visits like these help students to find a lifelong love of reading and language whilst also encouraging them to look beyond the classroom and how their learning can be used in a range of creative careers.

The funds were raised before Christmas when students gathered in the Penrice Library for a meaningful sponsored 2-hour read to support the local hospice.

They raised £640, which they used to buy books to give to the babies, children and young people and their families who use the Little Harbour Hospice in St Austell.

Last week, the top fundraisers from the event were allowed to visit the hospice in Porthpean (St Austell) to drop off the books, look around the hospice’s facilities and even meet some of the families.

Bethany Rudge, Area Fundraiser for CHSW, said:

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the readers at Penrice, as well as Mrs Hatch and Mrs Hague who helped the school raise vital funds for CHSW. Every page turned brought them closer to making a real difference!”

Run by CHSW, Little Harbour provides free support to babies, children and young people with life limiting conditions and their families 365 days a year, including respite, palliative care, end of life care and bereavement support. The hospice also offers resilience stays, as well as support in families’ own homes.

“We are really proud of the group for fundraising for such a special place in the heart of our community. Our students were delighted to support the charity, and were really looking forward to delivering the books.”

Mrs Hague stated

We are delighted to share that we have reached 100% of our Gatsby benchmarks.

These benchmarks are the national standards for careers education and curriculum which are:
1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

This score is not only a testament to the dedication and hard work of our Careers Team, but also a reflection of the successful partnerships we have with local employers and professionals who share their valuable time with Penrice students. Thank you to all of you who work with us to deliver careers experiences!

Community Outreach – Can You Help?

We are constantly seeking to improve and develop our provision with the aim of helping every student to be ambitious in life. If anyone wishes to join our programme, or support with work experience placements, assembly presentations, or mock interviews, please get in touch via: enquiries@penrice.org.uk.

The event saw over 125 students participate in a variety of endurance activities, including dancing, rowing, cycling, and more, all to support three worthy causes.

This year’s chosen charities were:

• Young People Cornwall
• Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust
• The Salvation Army

The challenge began on Thursday 19th December at 1:30pm and involved teams of students taking shifts, performing physical tasks to keep the event going around the clock. With a spirit of camaraderie and determination, students danced, cycled, rowed, and engaged in other sporting activities to raise funds and awareness.

Spectating students and teachers gathered around the edge of the Assembly Hall for the final dance at lunchtime on Friday 20th December, greeting Year 11 with rapturous applause when the clock struck 1:30pm, marking the end of the challenge.

The poll took place between April and June this year when shoppers at Tesco, St Austell were invited to vote for one of three local initiatives each time they exited the store.

Thanks to the support from the community and Tesco Stronger Starts, the school has been able to invest in a range of equipment that will enhance its outdoor education programmes. The funds have been used to purchase essential new tents and backpacks, providing a significant boost to the school’s commitment to enriching students’ learning experiences and encouraging active outdoor learning.

“We are thrilled to have been selected for this funding, which will make a big difference in the lives of our students.”
 
“Outdoor education plays a vital role in developing teamwork, resilience, and a love for the environment, and this new equipment will give our students even more opportunities to learn and grow outside the classroom.”

Words by Ms Penrose

Emilie Rowe and former Penrice pupil Jody Ford visited from Role 1 Medical to deliver an insightful classroom session before heading outside to showcase the ambulance to students.

The classroom session explored both university and alternative routes into the sector, as well as the potential for future sector growth.

Once outside, students were shown and talked through the equipment found in the back of an ambulance before a very memorable highlight whereby each student was allowed to activate the sirens.

Students from all year groups and a variety of organisations – from Scouts and Guides to Army and Sea Cadets – paid their respects to service men and women lost in combat around the world, dressed in full uniform.

The ceremony started with The Last Post, performed by Music teacher Miss Minear, followed by a poignant 2-minute silence observed by staff and students.

Thank you to all students who represented their various organisations today with great pride.

The Future Medics Programme increases awareness of what it takes to study Medicine and Healthcare subjects through fun, inspiring and interactive teaching focused on medicine, health and science.

There are a range of opportunities that provide advice and hands-on experience, including guest speakers, webinars and practical exercises, allowing Penrice students to gain detailed insight into possible future careers in the sector.

Representatives from Peninsula Medical School (University of Plymouth), Brighton and Sussex Medical School, the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust and Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust have assisted in setting up the programme, offering a range of opportunities.

Levelling the Playing Field

The Future Medics Programme forms a new part of the existing Penrice Scholarship Programme, offering opportunities that remove common ‘ceilings to success’ for the most academically able in state secondary schools. The Penrice Careers Team have set up the initiative in an effort to ‘level the playing field’.

“In 2019, a report from the Sutton Trust identified that whilst just 7% of Britons are privately educated, they make up 39% of the leading professions. Children in St Austell deserve the best, and we are playing our part to level the playing field by striving to offer Penrice students the best careers opportunities and experiences possible.

I know from being a parent that it is so competitive to get into Medical School, and if you don’t find out about a lot of the application processes and the challenges until A-Levels, then you are already at a disadvantage. Building strong personal statements is one thing, but there are so many other considerations. For example, the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) exam must be sat in October the year before a student applies to university. This translates to a student’s first two months at College or Sixth Form in Year 12. If they only become aware of the UCAT requirement after this deadline then some medical career pathways may already be closed, or delayed by a whole year at the very least.”

Words by Mrs Stevenson, Careers Curriculum Lead