A group of maths-loving pupils from Chetwynde School are counting down to the educational trip of a lifetime to New York.

The 40 pupils will visit the city’s mathematical landmarks including the Museum of Mathematics, Federal Reserve Bank and the world-famous Wall Street giving students the chance to explore and develop different mathematical principles in action.

They will also get the opportunity to visit historic locations around the city including Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.

In preparation, the students are putting their entrepreneurial skills to the test organising fundraising initiatives to help pay for the £1,600 trip in February 2025.

They have been boosted this week by the news that local sportwear company 17Sport is gifting the hoodies they will wear while they are in the Big Apple.

Maths and Computing teacher James Crayston said the trip aims to enhance pupils’ passion for numbers and problem-solving in a real-world context.

“We are aiming to inspire a lifelong love for mathematics while broadening their horizons through cultural experiences,” he said. “The financial burden on students has been lightened thanks to the generous sponsorship from local company 17Sport providing students with their “trip hoodie”. This equates to a donation of over £1,000 and will foster a sense of unity among the group.”

Alex Williams, who is in Year 9 and a keen basketball player with Barrow Thorns, said: “I’m especially looking forward to the maths museum where they relate it to the real-world so, for example, they show how players use angles to shoot basketball hoops.”

Derryn Wearing, of Year 8, said she was looking forward to seeing the Statue of Liberty as part of three full days in the city. “It feels unbelievable that we are going to New York and we feel very grateful to 17Sport for the hoodies, which look amazing.”

So far the students have held stocks at the summer fayre which raised £200, set up a new stationery shop where all profit go to the trip and will run a virtual eco-friendly balloon race at the school’s Halloween event.

Becky Coleman, of 17Sport, said the company was thrilled to support the school’s maths trip and they would be working with pupils on the final hoodie design.

“Being a Barrow-based teamwear supplier of everything from on-field and off-field kit to accessories to trophies, 17Sport are always proud to support schools, colleges, universities and sports clubs as we know the crucial role they play in developing young people and the local area,” she said.

To enquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Chetwynde School on info@chetwynde.cumbria.sch.uk

Kind-hearted Chetwynde School families have donated the equivalent of 300 meals to Barrow Foodbank to help people in need.

Pupils from Year 6 and Year 11 delivered 170kg of food, which was collected at the recent Primary Harvest Festival.

They heard from staff and volunteers how the service works and took a tour to see the supplies.

Pupils at the school, which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, said they felt a huge sense of pride that they were able to support those in crisis.

Among those delivering the food were newly-appointed Chetwynde Primary Heads Vimash Thambeliya and Jasmine Smith and their deputies William Brough and Skyler Story who have pledged to support the community in their leadership roles.

Vimash, who started at the school in Kindergarten aged three, said: “I want to use my role to help other people and raise money for charity.”

Newly-appointed Chetwynde Primary Heads and their deputies have spoken about their love of school as they take up leadership roles.

Vimash Thambeliya and Jasmine Smith are the primary school’s Head Boy and Head Girl supported by William Brough and Skyler Story as deputies.

Vimash who started at the school in Kindergarten aged three, said he was delighted to be appointed Head Boy and to be part of the school council.

“I want to use my role to help other people and raise money for charity,” he said. “We may not be the biggest school but that is what is so great. The teachers all know our names and are always there to start the day with a big smile on their faces.

He says one of the best things about school is the opportunity to do so many sports both inside and outside of lessons.

“We have a big field where we can play rounders and football in our after-school clubs. There is an athletics track on which we can do relay races, we also have a tennis court and sports hall.”

Jasmine, who joined in reception, said she felt lucky to be appointed.

“My presentation went well and I was confident.

“Chetwynde feels like one big family no matter your age you always feel like someone is looking out for you. In Year 6 we are appointed reception buddies for the entire year and we look after them and help settle them into the school.

“After our SATS in Year 6, we get given a big party for our hard work. I personally cannot wait for this.”

Pupils learnt valuable life skills when they took part in a specialist workshop to boost their financial literacy.

Year 6 pupils at Ormsgill Primary School put their knowledge to the test in the interactive session which challenged them to think about ‘needs rather than wants’.

Following discussions about priorities, they created their own budget ensuring that essential bills were paid before treats could be included in the weekly shop.

They then entered the virtual world with a game on the ipads meeting characters from a different world and guiding them through tricky financial choices.

Kiera Wilkins, of international tech company Everfi who led the session in partnership with Cumberland Building Society, challenged the group to look at things they need in life.

Pupils suggested a range of needs including food, shelter, clothing, medicine, money for emergencies and love.

“The idea is to raise awareness of managing money and where it goes and to help the characters in the game make financial choices,” said Kiera. “It is about learning to balance budgets and making sure they are more prepared.”

Jessica Corless is Assistant Head and Year 6 Teacher at Ormsgill Primary School, which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, said it was important to expand the personal development curriculum to include life skills.

“Money is something they will be using as an adult and this will help them to understand this better and improve their confidence with money from an early age.

“There is also a careers element as some of the mathematicians in the class that don’t want to go into engineering might now think more about careers in the financial services industry.”

The first Head Boy and Head Girl of Vickerstown Primary School to be elected in a pupil-led vote have been announced.

Head Boy Rauri Abernethy, Head Girl Niamh Otley and their deputies Henry Doughty and Beau McDonald were presented with their badges this week by MP for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell.

It is the first time the school has enabled the pupils to vote for their top candidates. Previously the roles have been awarded by staff.

Niamh said pupils had put themselves forward for the positions, written a speech and the class had three votes each.

Rauri said he felt ‘very pleased’ that everyone voted for him. “I didn’t vote for myself because I didn’t think it would be fair,” he said.

Meanwhile Henry and Beau said, alongside other qualities, they thought a sense of humour had helped them win votes.

“I can make people laugh and I can help people with a lot of their work and I think I’m a really good friend to them,” said Beau.

Year 6 teacher Correen Watt, who organised the voting and presentation, said they had all done extremely well.

“It is really good for the children to lead the selection process as it has empowered them and it will give those selected the confidence because they were selected by their peers,” she said.

Simon Fell, who also enjoyed a tour of the school led by the school council members, wished them luck in their leadership roles.

“It can be a terrifying thing to put yourself forward but is a real honour to represent your class, your school and your community and I am sure you will all do well,” he said.

Prefects were also announced in the special assembly and Mason Pratt received his certificate as Sports Captain.

Staff from Ormsgill School were delighted to help raise £700 in memory of a colleague who died from Motor Neurone Disease.

Assistant Headteacher Dawn Hubbold worked at the school for 17 years and was the school’s special educational needs and disabilities coordinator. She died earlier this year just months after being diagnosed with MND.

Mike Wilkinson, who is a supply teacher and worked alongside Dawn at the school, organised a comedy night at Cartmel Village Hall in August to raise money for the charity.

Jessica Corless was among the staff supporting the event and said it had been a perfect tribute.

“Dawn was such a funny person and we were always giggling,” she said. “She and her husband Pete went to see one of Mike’s stand-up comedy shows a few years ago at the Duke of Edinburgh so it seemed fitting to raise money doing something that she enjoyed.

“She was a huge part of our daily lives and we miss her every day. It is great that people are continuing to remember the impact she had on the whole community by raising money for a charity that helped her and her family.”