An ex-student of Heathfield Community School (now Monkton Wood Academy) and former pupil of Priorswood Primary School has been elected to a prominent political position in London.
Zoë Garbett has become Mayor of Hackney, giving the Green Party of England and Wales its first-ever elected mayoralty.
Born in Somerset, Zoë Garbett was one of four children to teacher parents and previously worked for the NHS.
On winning, Zoë said she was ‘elated’ and promised it was ‘just the beginning’ after the Green Party won with 35,720 votes to Labour’s 26,865. The position had previously always been held by Labour.
A spokesperson for the schools said: “We are incredibly proud to see one of our former students achieve such an important milestone in public life.
“Zoë’s election is an inspiration to current pupils and demonstrates how determination, hard work and a commitment to serving others can make a real difference.
“We wish her every success in her new role as Mayor of Hackney.”
A primary school in Taunton has won an award for its commitment to equality in sport.
Priorswood Primary School received the Barclays School Partnership Equal Access Award, which recognises schools that prioritise equal sporting opportunities for girls.
To read the full story on the County Gazette website please click here.
Priorswood Primary School has seen its commitment to ensuring every child has an equal opportunity to take part in sport recognised through a Barclays School Partnership Equal Access Award.
The award focuses on providing equal sporting opportunities for girls, but at Priorswood, the vision goes even further creating an inclusive environment where every child, regardless of gender, race, background, or personal circumstance, is given the same platform to succeed.
Over the past academic year, Priorswood has significantly increased its participation in local sports tournaments, allowing more children than ever before to represent the school across a wide range of events.
From football, cross country, cricket, athletics, and dodgeball – where this year pupils progressed to compete in a higher-level county tournament – children have been given the chance to build confidence, develop teamwork skills, and experience competition in a positive and supportive environment.
A key part of this success has been the school’s commitment to removing barriers for families. With many pupils facing challenges around transport and access to after-school opportunities, staff have worked hard to ensure no child misses out. By taking the lead in organising tournaments, arranging fixtures, and transporting pupils to events, the school has created opportunities that may otherwise not have been possible.
The diversity of Priorswood’s teams also reflects the school’s wider values, with pupils from a wide range of backgrounds regularly representing the school at competitions throughout the year, showcasing the inclusive nature of sport at Priorswood.
Tournament organiser Jake Ripley said: “The award is important for us because, historically, we weren’t seen as a particularly sporty school, but I’m working hard to help change that narrative.
“While the award focuses on equal access for girls, for us it’s about making sure every child – regardless of race, gender, or background – is given the same chance to succeed.
“A lot of our children don’t always have access to transport or opportunities outside of school, so by taking them to tournaments myself and creating those chances, we’re helping level the playing field. Last year, we attended a huge number of tournaments, which meant more and more children had the opportunity to represent Priorswood, and that’s something we’re really proud of.
“I also want to take the opportunity to thank the parents who consistently offer support and lifts – it makes a huge difference. Most importantly, I’m incredibly proud of our pupils for always showing up, giving it their all, and representing the school with such fantastic attitude. It genuinely makes everything worth it.“
Pupils from Priorswood Primary School thoroughly enjoyed an exciting and educational trip to We The Curious in Bristol.
We The Curious is a leading interactive science centre and educational charity located on Bristol’s harbourside. Formerly known as At-Bristol, it features more than 200 hands-on exhibits, a 3D planetarium, and a range of engaging live science shows designed to spark curiosity and creativity.
During their visit, pupils had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of activities and experiments. Highlights included running on a wheel to power a waterfall, making mint tea, experiencing space in the planetarium, creating giant bubbles, producing their own animations, and even meeting a robot.
Throughout the day, all pupils demonstrated the school’s values brilliantly. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and excellent behaviour were a credit to the school.
A spokesperson said: “We are incredibly proud of how our pupils represented Priorswood School during this visit.
“They showed fantastic curiosity, teamwork, and respect while engaging with the many interactive experiences on offer.
“Trips like this are invaluable in bringing learning to life and inspiring a love of science and discovery.”
Year 5 and Year 6 pupils from Priorswood Primary School recently took part in an exciting Dodgeball tournament organised by the Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP).
The team, formed through the school’s thriving after-school dodgeball club, represented Priorswood with exceptional enthusiasm, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Staff from SASP and teachers from other schools praised Priorswood’s pupils not only for their impressive play, but also for the outstanding support they offered to others. In true Priorswood spirit, team members even stepped in to join other schools when needed, showcasing kindness, confidence, and community values.
The success of the tournament highlights the positive impact of commitment to extracurricular clubs, giving pupils both the skills and motivation to achieve beyond the classroom while working towards exciting goals.
Teacher and club leader Mr Ripley said: “The children played absolutely fantastically tonight, and I could not be prouder of them.
“Their skills, teamwork and respect were outstanding from start to finish. This evening also wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing parents helping with lifts, so thank you again for giving up your time.”
A huge thank you to Miss Hickey, who came along to support the team and who helps to lead our incredibly successful dodgeball club each week. She has made sure the children never miss a session and has stepped in to lead Mr Ripley hasn’t been available.
Priorswood Primary School is incredibly proud of all the pupils who took part and looks forward to many more sporting achievements ahead.
Four Year 6 students from Priorswood Primary School attended a Mini Model United Nations event held at Queen’s College, Taunton.
Model United Nations (MUN) is an educational simulation where groups of students represent different countries and debate global issues.
Priorswood’s four students represented Brazil and Spain, focusing on how the world should respond to climate change and natural disasters.
After conducting research on their chosen countries in the morning, the students took part in afternoon debates, presenting Brazil and Spain’s perspectives with enthusiasm and insight.
They joined around 50 students from Taunton and the surrounding area, showcasing excellent teamwork and communication skills throughout the event. Priorswood Primary School performed brilliantly, and students Dolly and Nalah won the Best Delegation Award for their outstanding representation of Brazil.
They spoke with confidence, demonstrated respect for others’ opinions, and engaged thoughtfully in the discussions.
Lucy Davis, Assistant Principal at Priorswood Primary School, said: “We are incredibly proud of our students for the way they represented both Priorswood and their assigned countries.
“They showed maturity, curiosity, and real passion when discussing complex global issues.
“Winning the Best Delegation Award is a fantastic achievement and a testament to their hard work and enthusiasm for learning.”
Pupils and staff at Priorswood Primary School were treated to an unforgettable experience when a tethered hot air balloon was brought to the school grounds as part of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta’s Schools Tether Roadshow.
The roadshow aims to inspire young minds by showcasing the science, engineering, and teamwork involved in hot air ballooning. The balloon remained securely tethered, offering pupils the rare opportunity to get up close, explore its vibrant design, and learn about the different parts of a hot air balloon.
Carly Ellis, Principal of Priorswood Primary School, said: “Seeing a tethered hot air balloon is a lovely experience for children.
“It’s captivating size and vibrant colours create a sense of wonder and excitement.
“The balloon’s presence as a centrepiece at events, along with the educational opportunity to learn about the science of flight, makes it a memorable and engaging experience.
“Our school community would like to thank everyone involved.”
The school extended special thanks to Albert Goodman and the Bristol Balloon Fiesta team for their incredible support in making this event possible.
Priorswood Primary School was selected in the Lawn Tennis Association’s schools ballot, with outdoor education lead Jake Ripley and staff member Emily Griffin accompanying the students to the world-famous tournament.
To read the full story on the Somerset Gazette website click here.
Priorswood Primary School celebrated a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after winning tickets to the world-famous Wimbledon Championships through the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) schools ballot.
Outdoor Education Lead Jake Ripley entered the school into the LTA ballot earlier this year, joining thousands of other schools across the country. The school was thrilled to discover they had been selected, granting them a chance to witness tennis history in the making.
Jake Ripley and fellow staff member Emily Griffin accompanied eight lucky pupils on an unforgettable trip to Wimbledon, where the group enjoyed fantastic seats on Court Number 1.
Pupils were captivated by the world-class tennis and soaked up the electric atmosphere of the iconic sporting event.
Jake said: “We couldn’t be prouder – not just because of the opportunity, but because of how our children represented Priorswood.
“Members of the public approached our staff to praise their manners and behaviour, showing real Priorswood citizenship throughout the day.
“The experience was a remarkable milestone for pupils, many of whom had never seen live tennis before. It’s a day they’ll remember for years to come. What an unforgettable experience and one we know they’ll treasure forever.”
Pupils at Priorswood Primary School received a hands-on experience in bike safety and maintenance, thanks to a visit from local company On Your Bike.
As part of their commitment to promoting safe and sustainable travel, On Your Bike offered all pupils a free 40-point bike check and minor repairs, ensuring their bikes were road-ready.
Additionally, the team ran engaging workshops for Year 5 and 6 pupils, covering essential topics such as road safety, basic bike maintenance, and how to repair a puncture.
Carly Ellis, Head of School at Priorswood Primary, said: “We are thrilled to partner with On Your Bike for such an impactful event.
“These workshops have not only taught our pupils practical skills but also instilled a sense of confidence and independence when it comes to cycling.
“It’s been wonderful to see them so enthusiastic and engaged.”
The day highlighted the importance of cycling as a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transportation, equipping pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe on the roads.
