Students and staff from three secondary schools in Bristol were delighted to come together earlier this week for an afternoon of competitive fun on the sports field.

Returning after a two-year absence due to the Covid lockdowns, the Festival of Sports is an annual event which this year included 111 students from Colston’s School in Stapleton, Merchants’ Academy in Withywood and Montpelier High School on Cheltenham Road. The event was held at Colston’s School, with each school taking it in turns to play host each year.

Competing in games of badminton, basketball, rounders, softball, netball and tug of war, all three schools came away with at least one win. Students from Years 9 and 10 gathered together on the Colston’s School sports field just as the rainy day turned into brilliant sunshine.

“I’ve really missed these team events,” said Maddie Rowe, age 15 from Montpelier High School. “The Festival of Sports is one of our summer-term highlights where we always make new friends from different parts of Bristol.”

Following the games, over 50 students representing the three schools, all of which are sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers (SMV), attended a celebration event at Merchants’ Hall.

With plenty of time to network and mingle before dinner and the proud handing out of awards, over 80 guests came together for the final part of the Festival of Sport, including students and staff from the schools, members of the SMV Education Committee and board members from Venturers Trust and Colston’s School.

David Freed, Master of SMV, said: “It’s a privilege for us to be a part of this event and to see first-hand the energy, enthusiasm and team spirit that all the students from across the three schools share. Everyone who took part in the games today put in so much effort and should feel incredibly proud of their achievement.”