Dear Parent/Carer,

I am delighted to invite you to attend our Open Evening from 5.30pm – 7.30pm on Thursday 22nd September 2022. This evening is designed for perspective Year 6 students and their parents/carers.

It will be a pleasure to welcome you and your child to our exciting and dynamic learning community, a year when we are celebrating our best ever GCSE results! Due to the limited number of seats in the Main Hall I shall be formally addressing parents, carers and students on 3 occasions at 5.30pm, 6.15pm and 7pm. Please complete the Microsoft form to confirm which session you will be attending. Please note, this is to allow us to estimate numbers, places in the Headteacher talk cannot be guaranteed at your chosen time.

https://forms.office.com/r/XirP1AXsaF

By attending our Open Evening, you will be able to gain invaluable first-hand information about our school and see for yourself how our philosophy of ‘educating for life’ is central to our entire organisation. You will have the opportunity to tour the school, visit our classrooms and learning spaces and speak to our talented team of teachers and support staff. You will also have the chance to meet representatives from our superb cohort of students, who are undoubtedly our greatest ambassadors and advocates!
If you have any specific access requirements please contact our Business Manager, Matt Myers, who will ensure appropriate arrangements are in place.

I look forward to meeting you.

Yours faithfully,

Mr C Burns
Headteacher

A massive congratulations to the Y8 football team.  After an incredible and record breaking season that took us all the way to the semi finals of the English Schools Cup before losing 1-0 to the eventual winners, we had the chance to do what no Priestnall team has done before, win the Greater Manchester Cup.

We were drawn against St Ambrose, the Salford champions.  Priestnall were under pressure from the off with St Ambrose taking a well deserved lead after 15 minutes.  In goal Ben was phenomenal and  kept the score respectable making some incredible saves.  As Priestnall tried to regroup we got hit on the counter attack and St Ambrose scored a ‘worldie’ for 30 yards out. Disaster!

2-0 down at half time and with a mountain to climb, Priestnall still nowhere near the type of form that saw them go so deep into the English schools competitions, things were looking grim. 

Priestnall came out battling and made more of a competition of it in the second half with both teams looking dangerous.  Clearly the next goal was going to be crucial. After some near misses from both teams, with 15 minutes to go our captain found himself 1 on 1 in the 18 yard box and Alex calmly placed the ball beyond the keeper making it 2-1.  This galvanised Priestnall and we started to take the game to St Ambrose. Toby went clean through with 8 minutes to go and looked like making it all square when he was brought down on the edge of the box.  Up stepped top marksman Euan who smashed in the equaliser making it 2-2 sparking scenes of jubilation.

With minutes remaining and teams preparing for extra time, Priestnall secured a corner.  The ball was floated in and once again Euan, the man for the big occasion, reacted first and sent the ball goalward.  It bobbled across the line before hitting the inside of the post and going in. Pandemonium! With injured players battling through the pain barrier, Priestnall controlled a nervy last few minutes before the referee blew for full time making Priestnall for the first time in our history the Greater Manchester Champions!

It was a fitting end to a rollercoaster of a season.  This team do not know when they are beat and I could not be more proud of the students who have represented the school with distinction all year long.

CHAMPIONS!

Mr A Morrison

Priestnall Art department would like to invite you to attend our GCSE Art Exhibition, celebrating the work of our Year 11 Art students.  Work from Art: Graphics and Art: Textiles will also be on show.  The exhibition will take place in the art department between 4pm and 7pm and is open to all.  We look forward to welcoming you!

Priestnall History Department awarded prestigious Historical Association’s History Mark Award.

I’d also like to share with you the recent success of our brilliant History team here at Priestnall. We were visited and assessed by the nationally renowned Historical Association this half-term. The inspector spent a full day working closely with the History team, our students and looking at the quality of the History Curriculum. After a very successful day it was decided that our team would be awarded the Historical Association’s ‘History Mark.’ This is a nationally recognised accolade that acknowledges that the quality of the History education received by Priestnall students is exceptional. We are extremely proud to receive this award and I would like to extend my thanks to the History team for all of their outstanding efforts with our learners. Keep up the great work! #Teampriestnall

Many Thanks,

Jo Halfacre- Assistant Headteacher: Quality of Education/ Curriculum Leader of History

On Tuesday, 25 students were invited to a celebratory afternoon tea with myself and the Headteacher. This was in recognition of some student’s outstanding efforts with regards the Super Curriculum or their completion of their Personal Development Challenge Portfolios (PDCP). Students were presented with certificates and achievement badges. A wonderful afternoon was enjoyed by all involved and we look forward to making this a termly event here at Priestnall.

Jo Halfacre- Assistant Headteacher

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On Tuesday (25th January), Priestnall welcomed a guest speaker from Cambridge university. 35 MAWS students in years 8 and 9 participated in a typical Oxplore style debate. Tuesday’s question was:

Can money really buy happiness?

It was wonderful to see so many students eagerly engaging with, (what I think is) such a mature topic. We really can’t wait for our second visit next term! A big well done to all students involved.

Jo Halfacre: Assistant Headteacher