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

On Tuesday this week, The Headteacher and I, were delighted to host a celebratory Pizza Parlour event. This was to recognise the achievements of 27 students for their efforts with regards the Super Curriculum and their Personal Development Challenge Portfolios. All students involved had shown an incredible commitment to their own learning over the last academic year, and as such we wanted to celebrate their successes! I’d like to extend a massive thank you to all students who have taken part in either initiative last academic year, and challenge every student this year to get involved!!

A huge congratulations to all of our winners: a great afternoon enjoyed by all!

Jo Halfacre- Assistant 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

Dear Parents and Carers

Year 9 will be attending a Knife Crime awareness session on either Monday 9^th May and Tuesday 10^th May for one hour.  The students will attend as a form, so that students can follow up in LC time after having received exactly the same age-appropriate experience.  The aim of the Knife crime session is to raise awareness of the statistics of knife crime, support students in understanding the law surrounding carrying, using or even being aware that someone has a knife and intends to use it.  The sessions are delivered by trained staff from the Youth Offending Service.  The Police service are represented, and we hope to have a surgeon from a Manchester hospital.  The sessions are, as I state, age appropriate, but are also hard hitting.  The team who deliver, have worked in some local primary settings but the sessions are still relevant to students who have attended before.

Unfortunately, the issue of knives in the community both nationally and locally is one of concern.  Education and awareness is a key tool to support our young people make the correct life choices.  This is a session we have run before, and are part of a one year programme to ensure all students in the school receive the experience.  If you or your family have been affected by knife crime and feel your son or daughter may be affected by the session then please contact and discuss this with your Director of College. 

Many thanks,

Jason Kneen

Priestnall School

Assistant Headteacher – Personal Development

Director of Studies - Rylands College

0161 432 7727 Ext 2041

Dear Parents and Carers

Today I have been made aware of a situation where a lone student was followed by a car for a prolonged period of time at low speed.  The male occupant asked them directions, then how old they were and then if they would get in the car.  This has been reported to the Police yesterday by the family.  I felt you needed to be made aware of this.  Below is the email I have sent out to teachers to read to students during p5.

Dear Teachers

Please discuss safety and walking to and from school with your group period 5 today

A student was followed by a car last night on the way home in the area close to school .  They are not physically hurt, but the person in the car did talk to them through the window trying to get them to talk and get in the car. 

When walking home or to school in the morning it is always best to ensure that you are not alone.  Walk with a friend or small group and be aware of your surroundings.  If you feel uncomfortable walking through a short cut then take the long way around.  Try to stay in public view, and pick a route you know well.  Do not talk to people who you do not know, never get into a stranger’s car.

When walking along try to be aware of your environment.  If you have a phone do not be afraid to phone 999 if you feel threatened or in danger.

The majority of the time it is completely safe to be in the local area.  Follow the simple guidelines above and be aware of your surroundings and you can make it even safer.  It is nobody’s fault if they are approached by someone, but we can do things to protect ourselves.

Regards

Rob Jones