A talented Year 10 student at Penrice Academy has been selected as one of just five national winners in the prestigious National Young Writers’ ‘Fight or Flight’ Competition.

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.

Saturday 8th February was a day filled with energy and camaraderie as Penrice students and families gathered for a memorable community parkrun at Eden Project.

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.

A big thank you to Story Republic who visited Penrice on Friday to share with our students the colourful joy of storytelling.

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.

Careers Education is thriving at Penrice

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.

Penrice Academy is excited to announce that it has successfully won a local funding vote, securing £1,500 for the purchase of new outdoor education equipment.

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

On Monday 11 November 2024, Penrice Academy staff and students came together in the garden square for their annual Service of Remembrance.

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.