Page 186 - Bellfort Magazine 2025

Another school year has come and gone, and it has been another eventful and successful year for
the year 11 pupils. From the first days back to school in September 2024, year 11 have been busy
both inside and outside of the classroom. In September the year 11s spent a session with ‘Digital
World Sessions’ in which they were spoken to and discussed the importance of online safety,
keeping your content private and how to be on the look out for different dangers online, including
methods people use to scam others. An essential lesson for all involved with pupils leaving school
that day with more essential life skills in the bank.

Year 11 enjoyed a festive fun day for Christmas 2024 in which they were joined by the team from
Mo McDowell Coaching. Mo made the day fun and entertaining for the year as they got to take part
in several different games and activities. This included nerf guns, indoor bowls, basketball and
dodgeball. We carried the festivities into the afternoon with Christmas movies, crafts and well-
deserved hot chocolate and popcorn. Miss Dunlop used her expertise in the Science departments
and pupils used the Bunsen burners to make smores.
In January, year 11 pupils were also able to take advantage of an excellent Young Enterprise
programme which taught them about their personal finances and how to manage them. Pupils were
taught the importance of saving money, spending wisely and the different elements of finance they
may face when they get older such as mortgages and household bills. The pupils were thoroughly
engaged as they learned key life skills for the future that will serve them well as they progress
through life.
Year 11 pupils also took a prominent role in performing arts once again with several pupils stepping
up to perform through the various showcase events of the school year. Several pupils took
prominent parts in the school show ‘Les Misérables’ including Lacey Aiken as Eponine, Kyle Houston-
Brennan as Marius Pontmercy and Scott Turtle as the Foreman. The pupils embodied the characters
to highest level and it’s fair to say, blew audiences away with their sensational performances
throughout. Other performing arts have taken place throughout the school year with year 11 pupils
being involved in the carol service as well as the Spring concert.