The Autumn Term has been a fantastic start to the academic year for Priestnall School, with lots of exciting things going on! To end what has been a brilliant year, we have wrapped up some of the highlights from the past few months.
Redevelopment work and the unveiling of the school stage
Back in September, we were all thrilled to return to see some exciting new developments across the school. From improved IT infrastructure and newly tarmacked netball courts, to the return of the main hall stage after almost 50 years!
These new facilities have already been making a difference to students’ learning, and we can’t wait to see how they can be used through the rest of the year!
Students shine in the Trust Great Debate
Back in November, two students represented Priestnall School in the final of the Laurus Trust Great Debate competition.
The final took place at Laurus Cheadle Hulme and saw students from the different Trust High Schools going head-to-head with the hopes of winning.
It was a tough competition, but both of our students presented thought-provoking answers to the question: Which historical place or person from your local area deserves greater recognition?
Congratulations to Edith who came 3rd in the competition! We wish her the best of luck as she prepares to compete in the national Great Debate in the coming months!
A busy term for Dance
It has been a busy term for Dance at Priestnall starting with a trip to The Lowry Theatre to watch Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre perform their iconic triple bill of contemporary dance ‘Ailey 2’.
The talent and technique of the dancers was outstanding and this show is definitely worth a watch if it tours to the UK again!
Our Year 11 GCSE Dancers also participated in a GCSE Dance Workshop at Marple Hall School, collaborating with students from three other secondary schools with a visiting dance artist to further refine their examination pieces.
And we finished off the term with our Year 10 GCSE Dancers and Year 7 and 8 Dance Clubs performing in the Laurus Trust Dance Showcase at Cheadle Hulme High School.
Our dancers gave superb performances, they were a credit to themselves and the Trust.
We look forward to another year of success for our dancers!
Students spread festive cheer with performances for the local community
At the start of December, the KS3 band and the school Orchestra visited Heaton Moor United Church for their annual performance at the Dementia Friendly Heatons’ Christmas Party.
The Dementia Friends and carers were delighted to hear many of their favourite Christmas tunes played live by our talented students.
Our students have been performing at the Christmas party since 2015 after Beryl Whitehead, the session organiser, first asked us to be involved.
Beryl’s grandchildren, Holly and Daniel, attended Priestnall School and Daniel played cornet in the school band.
Beryl began organising the sessions after her husband sadly passed away with dementia in 2013, realising the need for such a group within the local Heaton’s community.
Priestnall Music department are proud to be involved in such a valuable community event, and to see our students put a smile on so many faces!
Last week, the music department also took members of the KS3 Band and KS4 Orchestra into the local community to play some Christmas carols for the residents of Priestnall Court Residential Home and for the children at 0-2-5 Nursery.
It has been fantastic to see our talented young musicians be able to perform for their local community!
Dazzling performances in Winter Wonderland
In the lead-up to the end of term, we had a merry evening at our Winter Wonderland music concert! The concert featured a variety of musical performances from students across the school, all impressing us with their array of talents.
It was a memorable occasion and we’re so proud to have seen so many talented students perform in front of a live audience. Thank you once again to everyone who joined us!
And that’s a wrap!
We hope you enjoyed looking back at just some of the highlights from the first term of this academic year. From all of us at Priestnall School, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!