Two of our Year 13 students, Cayde Keates and Kieran Carstens, are making waves in the national volleyball scene and beyond. Cayde and Kieran were selected for the England U19 Men’s squad to participate in the prestigious NEVZA Championships, held from October 24-28 in the Faroe Islands. The annual tournament, organised by the North European Volleyball Zonal Association, featured teams from Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, and the Faroe Islands. After intense competition, the England U19 team clinched the bronze medal—a historic win, marking England’s first U19 men’s medal in the NEVZA Championships in nearly 20 years.

Cayde and Kieran’s hard work, skill, and determination have clearly paid off, with both young athletes solidifying their roles as key players for England’s U19 team. Their success adds to their already impressive volleyball careers, and this achievement highlights their bright futures within the sport.

Both athletes are dedicated players and are both part of the Volleyball England Talent Pathway, as well as playing in the Men’s National Volleyball League for Northampton VC and Newcastle Staffs VC respectively. They both also play in the Volleyball England 2024/25 Super Series Grand Prix for the Newcastle Staffs U18 Mens team.

We are excited to share more about our Year 7 student, Millie who shined in her BTDA Exams recently.

Millie, who has been dancing at Unit 17 since she was just two and a half years old, has been impressing family and friends with her talent and dedication. The dance school, known for its bi-annual performances, has witnessed Millie’s remarkable journey over the years, as she has steadily worked towards perfecting her technique.

In recent years, Millie has been focusing on her BTDA (British Theatre Dance Association) exams in Ballet, Tap, and Modern Jazz, earning accolades for her hard work. She successfully passed her Preparatory and Primary exams with merit and distinction, a testament to her growing skill set and commitment to dance.

Even during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic, when lessons were conducted via Zoom, Millie’s enthusiasm never waned. Her perseverance paid off this summer as she excelled in her Level 1 BTDA exams, receiving the prestigious Honours Star—the highest possible achievement—in Classical Ballet. Additionally, she was awarded Honours in both Modern Jazz and Tap, cementing her status as a rising star in the world of dance.

But Millie isn’t stopping there. She is already hard at work preparing for her Grade 1 exams in Classical Ballet, Modern Jazz, and Tap, continuing her journey of growth and excellence.

Her story is a shining example of passion and dedication, inspiring young dancers in the community. Millie’s future in dance looks brighter than ever as she continues to push the boundaries of her talent.

We are thrilled to celebrate an incredible achievement by Lilia, our talented Year 8 student, who competed in the Manchester Globe competition held on 14th April. Lilia's dedication and hard work shone brightly as she excelled in multiple categories across various age groups and dance styles.

Lilia achieved fantastic results, including:

- 1st place in Under 14s Cha Cha and Jive
- 1st place in Under 16s Cha Cha and Jive
- 3rd place in Teacher-Student 12-13 Foxtrot and Waltz
- 3rd place in Under 16s Waltz and Tango
- 4th place in Under 16s Waltz and Quickstep
- 4th place in Under 14s Waltz and Tango
- 5th place in Under 14s Waltz and Quickstep
- 4th place in Teacher-Student Cha Cha and Rumba
- 5th place in Under 14s Cha Cha and Rumba
- 5th place in Under 16s Cha Cha and Rumba

Lilia’s journey in competitive dance began just over two years ago, with her first competition taking place at the end of February 2022. Her rapid progression and numerous accolades are a testament to her passion, perseverance, and talent.

Well done, Lilia! We look forward to supporting all your future success in dance.

We are honoured to share the success of Year 7 student, Emily Buckley, who has been representing CCS in equestrian sports this year.  She rides her own pony, which she has taught everything to herself.