Christmas Newsletter 2014 - Thornleigh Salesian College

Sharples Park, Bolton, BL1 6PQ Tel: 01204 301 351
thornleigh.bolton.sch.uk
Christmas Newsletter
September - December 2014
73% 5 A*- C
i ncluding
English & Maths
Headteacher’s letter
Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of Thornleigh Salesian College,
We have had a wonderful term, which started in September with us
unshakeable belief in young people; in their worth, their giftedness,
returning after the summer break to celebrate our best ever GCSE and
their richness and amazing potential”. We are privileged to have so many
A level results; 73% of our students achieved 5 A*- C, including English
adults working with our children that are inspired by St John Bosco and
and Maths at GCSE, and 99% achieved their target grade at A level.
live out his mission every day here.
This is a result of the hard work, motivation and resilience of all of our
We are challenged, as Salesian educators, to “Learn from him, be inspired
students and we are so proud of them.
by him, continue his legacy and be Don Bosco today”.
I particularly want to thank the dedicated, skilled and inspirational staff
May I wish you all a very Happy and Holy Christmas and I look forward
who work with our students, which results in them all achieving their
to seeing you in the New Year.
very best, across all year groups.
At the start of the October half term, we travelled to Glasgow Cathedral
for a Mass to celebrate the ‘Bi-Centenary Celebrations of the Birth
of Don Bosco’. In the homily we heard that “Don Bosco had an
Yours faithfully,
Alison Burrowes
Headteacher
Contents
Bolton’s Remembrance Service
2
Literacy for Learning
Wider Key Skills
15
SkillsBase and Foundation Studies
16
11
Mellors Catering
16
Thornleigh Sixth Form
12
Student Council
17
Religious Education
2-3
Maths
Mission Week
3-4
Science
Chaplaincy
4-6
9
9-10
12 Days of Christmas
6
Music
12
Safeguarding Team
18
Cardiac Defibrillator
7
Creative Studies
13
Anti-Bullying Charter
19
Singing and Signing
7
Latin
14
Individual Student Achievements
20, 23
Modern Foreign Languages
8
Textiles
14
Physical Education
20-23
Remembrance Day
Religious Education
Bolton’s Remembrance
service
Thornleigh Salesian College had the
and Jude Hockenhull walked solemnly
proud opportunity of representing
and respectfully across the town’s
Bolton senior schools by laying a
square and laid the wreath at the foot
wreath at the Bolton Remembrance
of the war memorial. It was a very
service on Sunday 9th November. In
moving and poignant moment as the
front hundreds of people and amongst
town stood in absolute silence.
North West dignitaries, Sienna Borrino
Religious education
We will remember
them
people. We can’t wait until next year!
Embracing Liverpool
On Saturday 1 November a group of 12 students went to Embrace
Together we looked at the
Liverpool, where they were able to take part in a Youth Conference for
power of God’s forgiveness
young adults hosted by Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral/Liverpool
and were able to go to
Christ the King Cathedral. The conference was organised to show how
reconciliation and take
young people can be proud of their faith and that they can always turn to
part in an amazing and
Jesus if they are prepared to make the commitment.
very musical Mass. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to
Powerful motivational speaker was John Pridmore, who in his youth
experience what it means to be part of a wider community within the
became involved in gangs and crime but found faith and forgiveness
Catholic Church and the truly unique experiences that faith brings into
through his work with the Catholic Church.
their lives.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
During Mission Week the RE team taught a variety of themed lessons
using the theme of Creative Creation. We even decided to have fun in
In this time of Mission Week,
our lessons with Everybody Writes Day, which encourages schools and
We pray to God to help us be meak,
workplaces to get creative and engage in creative writing. We asked our
Let us stand on our own two feet,
students to create unique Prayers of Thanksgiving, which are as beautiful
Let us be creative and unique!
with the Catenian Association to host our annual Mass of Remembrance
Literacy
focus in RE
for all former students who have died during conflicts. The service was led
After a great set of results in August
as they are spiritual. The standard of work was so high that we now use
Amen
by the Rector of the Salesian Community at Thornleigh Salesian College,
the RE Department have endeavoured
these prayers at staff briefing each week; we’re certainly giving thanks to
Fr Michael Winstanley SDB.
have such wonderful and creative students.
Dear God,
to enhance our creativity, use of
Although there is a sombre theme to this Mass it is always an excellent
literacy and development of excellent
gifts and talents to the very
opportunity to remember the legacy of loved ones. Alex Raw, Year 11
standards of learning. Our literacy
best of their ability, let them get through tough times
began the service with a solo performance of ‘The Last Post’ and our
techniques are helping other
fantastic choir performed reflective pieces to mark this occasion. This
departments to improve their strategies, students have a constant
Mass of Remembrance gives our students the chance to show their respect
focus on the improvement of work during MAD time, they use different
to those who have died, and an opportunity for the local community to
sentence construction techniques to ensure full mark exam answers and
share with us in ensuring that we do remember them.
we have a constant focus on the use of key words in all key stages. We are
On 9 November Thornleigh Salesian College continued their partnership
excited about the future of
The RE Department attempt
to ‘feed the world’ during
Mission Week, well, some
of it at least!
the department and we are
Our most popular sessions throughout Mission Week were our
Lally’s Year 8 class.
continental breakfast and prayer mornings organised by Mrs Waring and
Mrs Carroll. Many students visited through the week to have a hearty
breakfast and to discuss their faith and progress at Thornleigh Salesian
College.
It is always a pleasure
to discuss matters of
religious importance
with students in
an informal setting
and Mission Week
gives us the perfect
opportunity to spend
time with young
2
loving using and sharing new
teaching ideas.
Pictured is an interactive
Bible developed by Sana
Thagia and Lea Patel in Miss
Our AS classes have really
found using the desk surfaces
and dry wipe pens to construct revision mind maps useful.
Please help everyone to use their
Creative Creation
problems. Let everyone sleep well at night and not have to
During the last week before the October half term creativity flowed
worry about anything.
through Thornleigh Salesian College as we chose to celebrate our Mission
Amen
Week, Monday 20 - Sunday 26 October. We concentrated on the
Bi-Centenary of Don Bosco’s Birth with the overall theme of Creative
Creation. With the story of creation threading its way through the week
we were able to explore our own creative talents and inventiveness in a
huge variety of activities and workshops.
On Monday we invited RISE Theatre Company to perform “Don Bosco
– A Magical Saint” inspiring and mesmerising our students from Year 7 to
Year 11 with a stunning demonstration of the life of St John Bosco.
Saturday we were able to take
a group of students to Glasgow
for a celebratory Mass and after
a long day travelling we all
looked forward to the Seventh
Day when the whole school
enjoyed a well-deserved rest!
Tuesday saw our students embarking on a range of activities as part of
an immersing Super Learning Day. They took part in workshops and
demonstrations, creating characters and designing marketing campaigns.
Year 11 took part in two high intensity revision sessions while Year 12 had
a Citizenship day and Year 13 had practice UCAS interviews with their
Mini-Pilgrimage
form teachers. On Wednesday and Thursday we invited several groups in
During Mission Week the RE Department ran a huge variety of extra-
think about how we can make a difference in the world we live in. Year 8
curricular activities, one of the most popular proved to be our Mini-
and 9 had workshops with Savio House Retreat Centre and the Salesian
Pilgrimage. Students had to move around the school grounds and find
Youth Ministry Office, looking at how creative we are and how we use this
clues and a reflection at different religious statues or places. The idea for
in our everyday lives.
the Mini-Pilgrimage was suggested by Adam Hall in Year 10 and it was
Friday culminated in a series of Celebration Liturgies in the Sports
aimed at encouraging students to think about their relationship with God
Hall. Students and staff came together to celebrate all that is Thornleigh
in a fun way.
Salesian College and all that we stand for as a Catholic School. However,
Thornleigh Salesian College
and let them help others who are also struggling to cope with
to work with our students. Cafod worked with Year 7 inspiring them to
Mission Week wasn’t over yet!
RISE Theatre Group preforms an extraordinary life of St. John Bosco
Thornleigh Salesian College
3
Mission Week
Chaplaincy
Celebratory
Saturdays!
are given the chance to learn about Don Bosco’s teachings and becoming
part of our Salesian family.
The culmination of these retreat days was celebrated by a Welcome
Mass. Parents and friends of Thornleigh Salesian College were invited
41 of our students saw a very
to celebrate the induction of our newest students. The Mass was led
early start to their October
by Fr Michael and Fr Francise however our students played a vital role
half term when they met at
performing dramas, readings and creating a wonderful atmosphere.
6am to travel to Glasgow to
Although this is the first year that we have held a Welcome Mass, the
celebrate the Bi-Centenary of
students have set the bar very high and it will surely quickly establish itself
Don Bosco’s Birth. The Mass
as a Thornleigh Salesian College tradition.
took place in St Andrew’s
Metropolitan Cathedral where
Thornleigh Salesian College Choir were invited to sing Bread of Life after
Student Chaplains
Retreat Day
Holy Communion and despite our students feeling a little weary their
Year 10 and Year 11 Student Chaplains took part in a Retreat Day at
performance was wonderful. Our Student Chaplains were also present and
Schoenstatt Shrine, Kearsley. Student Chaplains attended from Primary
took part in the service by reading, collecting and processing the offertory
and Secondary Schools across the Bolton area and the students were able
and the entrance procession.
to discus and share ideas.
During our whistle-stop tour of Glasgow we did make time for some light
The day was a fantastic success and we have been able to create links
representatives of the Salesian
Vision of Life
proud of their
The touring Vision of Life Photography exhibition made its debut at
looked fantastic
Thornleigh Salesian College earlier this term. Students and staff from
large scale! Selected
several Salesian schools had entered work, several of our students were
photographs
successful in having their work chosen towards the end of last year. Vision
are available for
of Life was interpreted in many different ways and we were thrilled to
purchase, details
have so many photographs from our students selected to form part of the
can be found on
exhibition.
the Salesian website:
On Monday 20 October we were able to hold a private viewing of the
www.salesians.org.uk or by searching ‘Salesian Link’ on Facebook,
exhibition at Thornleigh Salesian College and our students were presented
Twitter, Flicker, YouTube and SoundCloud.
with framed prints of their work. The atmosphere on the evening was
Student exhibitors from Thornleigh Salesian College and Thornleigh
lovely, with several visitors from other Salesian schools coming specially to
Sixth Form were Erin Platt, Gabrielle Duxbury, Chloe McCreath, Nathan
see this prestigious display. Staff, parents and students were all incredibly
Rothwell (all Year 13) and Emily Gregory and Adam Hall from Year 10.
Chaplaincy
work - the prints
family had travelled from all across the UK to celebrate together.
shopping in St Enoch’s
with Student Chaplaincies from other schools in our local community.
Centre and most of the
Students from St Joseph’s Horwich, Mount St Joseph’s and Thornleigh
staff were grateful for
Salesian College have all committed to regular meetings to share ideas and
a coffee to keep them
achievements in our own schools.
going on the long drive
back to Bolton.
Rainbows
Bolton Muslim Girls
School Faith Day
In November we were invited to take five representatives from Thornleigh
Thornleigh
Salesian College to Bolton Muslim Girls School for a Faith Day
Pilgrimage to Turin
Salesian College
For one fantastic week in
the decision to
August a group of students
deliver training in the Rainbows programme which helps young people
from Thornleigh Salesian
to overcome bereavement, separation, divorce and loss of a loved one.
College joined by a group
Rainbows is used throughout the UK and focuses on ‘guiding children
from St John Bosco Arts
and young people through life’s storms.’ A large number of staff have
College, Croxteth had the
committed to the training programme and together they will work with
Workshop. Our students were
has recently taken
given a tour of the school
opportunity to travel to Turin, Italy. Our students from the North West of
very same streets where St John Bosco first encouraged students to come
small groups of students when the need arises.
England were able to join celebrations with Salesians from every corner of
to school to gain an education. There is also a beautiful Basilica, where
Although this is not perhaps the happiest subject for our newsletter we
the UK to mark the Bi-Centenary of the Birth of St John Bosco.
we were able to pay our respects to the relics of St John Bosco and other
feel it is important that you as parents and students know the options that
We kick-started our trip with two days soaking up the culture (and the
Salesian Saints.
are provided for young people at Thornleigh Salesian College and know
sunshine) in Rome, taking in the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the
Towards the end of the week we visited Colle Don Bosco, the birth place
there is always a place to turn to should there ever be the need for it.
markets on the Piazza Navona before enjoying a meal together overlooking
of St John Bosco. Here we were able to join with the wider Salesian family
the Coliseum. Our second day was spent visiting the home and spiritual
in a day of celebrations including Mass in the Basilica. The trip was a
foundation of the Catholic Church, where students had the opportunity
fantastic opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in the life
to see St Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museum and the Sistine
and legacy of St John Bosco, the Patron Saint of Young People and the
Chapel.
founder of our Salesian traditions.
From Rome we travelled north to Turin, where we joined a larger group
Whilst in Turin we were able to bring together seven generations of
of Salesians on pilgrimage from the UK. During the week we saw many of
Thornleigh Salesian College’s past students. The eldest Fr Brian Jerstice
the places that St John Bosco lived and worked, including Valdocco, the
SDB, to the youngest Lucy Summerton, preparing to sit her GSCEs this
place where Don Bosco founded his first school. We were able to walk the
summer.
Year 7 Day Retreats
and Welcome Mass
Throughout September and October the Chaplaincy Team began their
and an opportunity to visit
different classes and warmly
welcomed into an assembly
where we heard traditional
Islamic prayers and were
taught about Islamic food
cultures.
The Faith Day provided
a unique opportunity for
our students to experience
the importance of faith to
education and the way in
which cultural influences can
inspire and motivate our own beliefs. We were honoured to be invited to
Bolton Muslim Girls School and look forward to exchanging ideas and
experiences in the future.
Year 7 Retreat Days at St Joseph’s Halliwell. These days are an important
part of a student’s transition to Thornleigh Salesian College, where they
Thornleigh Salesian College
5
Chaplaincy
Whole School
Embrace Liverpool
Liverpool, where they were able to take part in a youth conference for
About Bolton ICD
Support Group
young adults hosted by Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
Established in 2006 the Bolton ICD Support Group was
Together we looked at the power of God’s forgiveness and were able to go
founded to support patients and their families after an ICD is
to reconciliation and take part in an amazing and very musical Mass. It was
implanted into a patient.
a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience what it means to
ICD stands for Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator. It is a small,
be part of a wider community within the Catholic Church and the truly
slim, box shaped device which monitors the heart rhythm and
evening on behalf of Thornleigh Salesian College.
unique experiences that faith brings into their lives.
can deliver an electric shock to the heart if needed.
Our school is now on course to purchase extra AEDs to keep our
In 2012 Bolton ICD Support Group set up their #defibs4bolton
students, families, staff and visitors safe.
On Saturday 1 November a group of 12 students went to Embrace
campaign to make a difference in Bolton.
School Production
12 Days of Christmas,
a Winter’s Night
Here at Thornleigh
Salesian College we
love to spread a bit of
Christmas magic and
this year anyone who
attended our school
show ‘The 12 Days of
Christmas, a Winter’s
Night’ couldn’t help but be swept up in the spirit of this year’s festivities.
Following on from the success of last year’s variety show of ‘Minced Pies,
Mulled Wine and Merriment’, we decided to capture that same essence
this year with ‘The 12 Days of Christmas, a Winter’s Night.’ It was a
(AED’s) for local schools, sports clubs and community groups to improve
Feeling quite at home, his grotto was adorned with glittering fairy lights,
survival rates in patients who suffer cardiac arrest.
piles of presents and excitable elves. Children could not wait to let Father
They also raise awareness of CPR, recognising cardiac arrest and teach
Christmas know what they hoped to receive for Christmas and left happy
people how to help.
FACTS ABOUT
CARDIAC
ARREST
with their chocolate selection box to feast on during the show!
In September 2014, The Bolton
The school show itself was a wonderful collection of Christmas songs,
ICD Support Group held
scenes from musicals, live music, drama, dance and even an appearance
their first “Heart of Bolton
from the staff choir all following the theme of the well-known Christmas
Ball.” They hit a problem; one
•
It kills more people than lung and breast cancer
song ’12 days of Christmas’. From Years 7-13, students represented
of the entertainers booked
•
Every year in the UK 75,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest
their year group in all disciplines and it was a great opportunity for
to perform at the ball had
students from across the school to come together and share in a passion
to drop out. It was then
•
It strikes without warning taking the lives
for performing. The end of the show was a real treat and saw the entire
that Dharma Anders, a Year
audience join in with the ‘12 days of Christmas’ song and dance that had
10 student at Thornleigh
been recreated from the famous staff performance of 2013. The event was
Salesian College, stepped in
a fantastic occasion and a real success and a huge congratulations goes out
to help out this very worthwhile charity. She was asked at the last minute
to all the students and staff involved.
to open the event by performing during the champagne reception at the
wonderful event, creating a truly festive feel with market stalls, mince pies,
mouth-watering mulled wine, steaming hot Vimto and of course – a visit
from the main man himself… Santa! We really entered into the spirit of
the season and catered the school production much more towards families
and ages of all tastes, whether it was dancing, singing or drama – there was
something for everyone.
All around the hall stood seven large Christmas trees, beautifully decorated
by our local feeder primary schools. Personally designed and decorated
by Miss Derbyshire, our market stalls had a delightful seasonal feel with
Martha Stewart inspired craft, fake snow and tinsel snowflakes! Our
brilliant canteen staff provided our delectable mince pies – all of which
were hand-made especially for the event. The Mama Margaret’s stall and
Fairtrade stall helped to ensure that we continued to support our projects
in Africa this Christmas season, contributing to international aid and
supporting those who are in much greater need than us. Our very own
Science technician, Mrs Finnen, followed on from the success of last year
with another beautifully crafted jewellery stall. We had a new addition to
the markets too, the Eco Group, who were selling hand crafted products
to help and encourage local wildlife.
Mr Smith made his Christmas show debut as he starred as Santa Claus!
6
This group has raised funds to purchase automated external defibrillators
Thornleigh Salesian College
entrance to the ball. She jumped at the chance, felt very proud to be asked
to support The Bolton ICD Support group. She was even more honoured
when she realised that a family member relies on an ICD every day. It was
•
Sudden cardiac arrest is a frequently misunderstood
worldwide killer; it can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime
of 250 people a day in the UK
•
Every week in the UK at least 12 young people
die of undiagnosed heart conditions
•
Less than 5% of victims in the UK survive
•
Defibrillation is the only treatment and defibrillation within
3 minutes increases the chance of survival to over 70%
Twitter: @BoltonICDGroup | Facebook: Bolton ICD Support Group
only fitting that Dharma be the one to receive the external defibrillator
www.boltonicdsupportgroup.wordpress.com
from Tracey Wilkinson at the Bolton ICD Support Group presentation
Year 9
9 Beta Signed Carol Performance
While some people might complain that shops start playing Christmas
hours until our performance was perfect.
songs for too early each year, for part of our population Christmas carols
On 11 December the students performed for an audience of deaf and
and songs are something they have never had the opportunity to enjoy.
hearing impaired at Bolton Market Hall, our selected songs included
This term one of our Year 9 forms, 9 Beta, have
Silent Night, We Wish You A Merry Christmas and
been working in partnership with the Deaf
Let it Go from Disney’s Frozen. We are very grateful
Unit at Bolton College for a Signed Carols
to the staff at Bolton Market Hall for supporting
Performance. The students realised how difficult
our students, 9 Beta have shown real passion for
it can be for deaf people and those who have a
helping in the community and were pleased to have
loss of hearing to enjoy the carols and songs that
this chance to raise awareness for a worthwhile
others take for granted. Together we picked six
cause.
songs and have been practising for hours and
Thornleigh Salesian College
7
Modern foreign languages
Modern Languages
It’s been an exciting start to the year for Modern Foreign Languages. After
a few hectic moving days over the summer holidays and settling into our
new classrooms the department have focused on raising their profile.
Students have been studying a variety of interesting topics from talking
about school, discussing free time activities, sports and their hometown,
descriptions and comparisons and now they can even make plans to go
out!
Year 10 have recently completed their first GCSE written controlled
assessment on holidays and are now preparing for their next one on lifestyle
and Year 11 have studied school life and career/future plans. Thornleigh
Sixth Form students studying French are improving their debating and
discussion techniques by studying the environment and social integration,
Whole School
Paris and Euro
Disney Trip
Word of the Week
We’re very excited to
activities happening in school.
announce the first
Year 8 trip to Paris
and Euro Disney over
the Easter Holidays
2015! The response
from students has
been outstanding;
we’ve actually had
to consider doubling the size of
Each week our Literacy Team focuses on an interesting or unusual word,
wherever possible the Word of the Week is linked to current affairs and
Form tutors should ensure that students write the Word of the Week in
their homework planner to act as a reminder and to prompt students to
challenge their vocabulary.
As we aim to encourage discussion around vocabulary and language,
students spotted using the Word of the Week could be awarded SMART
rewards for their efforts.
You can find our Word of the Week on the school website: Parent Zone
> Literacy for Learning.
including immigration and racism.
the trip to accommodate all the replies we’ve had. Students will spend 6
days in France participating in a range of activities from a full day in Paris
Form Reading Time
Language
Awareness Week
– visiting the Eiffel Tower, a river boat cruise down the Seine, evening
As part of our whole school policy and our drive for more opportunities
Mass at Notre Dame; 2 full days at Disneyland Park and Studios and not
for ‘reading for pleasure’, during some recent registration time,
forgetting evenings at Planet Hollywood and the Buffalo Bill Wild West
myself and Miss Mallion visited a number of form groups to see
Show. And if that isn’t quite enough excitement to fit into 6 days on the
how students were getting on. It was an absolute pleasure to see
Before half term the MFL Department decided to celebrate Language
journey home staff and students will enjoy a visit to a chocolate factory!
all of our students with their own reading books - and a delight
Awareness Week, this was an excellent opportunity for use to share our
to see so many different genres and authors! Not only did we see
love of languages with our students and the atmosphere was incredible.
independent, silent reading; in some Year 11 forms there were
We put on a huge variety of extra-curricular activities such as a film club
articles being read together as a group and some very interesting
and creating a language
debates being held on current affairs! Keep up the great reading!
mural throughout the week
Miss Carroll
and used time in lessons
to think about different
cultures and languages
National Poetry Day
Well Done to Year 7 Poetry
spoken throughout the
Competition Winners! Alex,
world.
Maryam, Megan and Holly were
Mask Competition
awarded their prizes in their
During Language Awareness Week we also took the opportunity
the poetry competition was
to launch a whole school Competition to design a mask. Students
‘Remember’.
chapel assembly. The theme of
needed to think about which culture, country or language their
mask would represent and create with an eye-catching design to
Literacy for Learning
demonstrate this. The entries we received have been absolutely
outstanding, designs have ranged from African, Hebrew, Scottish,
Swedish, Venetian and even a few Mexican – Día de los Muertos!
MAths
The masks have been on display in the Library for a few weeks and
we’re pleased to announce the winners:
•
Zebunisha Yusuf (Year 7) was the overall winner
and has been awarded a Kindle Fire HD.
•
Mia Monteverde, Sean Knowles, Josh Thorburn and
Miran Khan each received a prize of a £25 gift voucher.
All of the entries showed real enthusiasm for their subject and lots
of students have been rewarded for their efforts.
WINNER
Christmas Numeracy
Challenge
If you were to receive all of the presents from
the famous song ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’
how many gifts would you receive in total?
Thornleigh Salesian College
9
MAths
Science
UK Mathematics Trust Senior
Maths Challenge
Fascinating Physics (or A Jaunt Around
Jodrell Bank)
Thornleigh Salesian College has a very proud tradition in the United
To give you some idea of the calibre of our opposition, most were wearing
On Thursday 6 November, a group of our Year 9 students went on a Science
Kingdom Mathematics Trust Senior Maths Challenge. We have entered
suits and waist coats, whereas Rob had opted for some luminous pink
trip to Jodrell Bank where they took part in an interactive day involving visual
the competition once before, four years ago,
trainers and Carl had a Lancashire Hotpots
demonstrations and practical tasks. The theme of the day was Gravity; it
and finished 32nd out of 32 teams. This year,
t-shirt on. When they arrived, most teams
involved the students taking part in a number of activities which relate to their
that elusive top 30 spot was in sight – although
spent those last precious few minutes
GCSE studies in Science.
anything better than dead last would be nice.
cramming key mathematical formulae
There is a nationwide shortfall in the number of students who are choosing
In an attempt to reach our aim, we assembled
into their heads – we went to Mick’s Fried
to study Physics at A Level. Girls in particular are not choosing to continue
the following dream team. Captain Carl Harris
Chicken for a cheese burger and a boneless
studying the fascinating world of Physics. Here at Thornleigh Salesian College
(Y13), and Vice-Captain Rob Singlehurst
banquet.
we are committed to combatting this issue, by inspiring students from Key
(Y12), both with a prestigious A double-star
Stage 3 onwards to delve deeper and unlock the mysteries of the universe.
from their Further Maths GCSE to their name.
Highlights of the day involved students going into an inflatable planetarium
There was new recruit to the Sixth Form,
to learn all about the night sky. Our students were also given the opportunity
Nusheiba Mohammed (Y12), who had actually
to work with another school to design and complete a practical experiment to
entered the competition before at her previous school and finished second
In the end, we finished a
calculate the acceleration of falling objects due to gravity.
to last, so she had the kind of winning mentality and taste of success that
respectable 12th out of
The photograph shows the students standing next to the famous Lovell Radio
we badly needed. Finally, there was Josie Cleary (Y11).
22. Most of the schools
Telescope. When it was built in 1955, it was the largest of its kind in the world.
We had put in months of gruelling training leading up to the
that beat us were private
competition, with most of our time being spent trying to figure out the
or grammar schools, and
rules of the competition and to see if we qualified for extra time for Carl’s
despite having no concrete evidence to back this up, I reckon we may well
visual impairment. Any last minute mathematical practise on the minibus
have been the top performing state school at the event.
to Oldham was shelved in favour of trying to come up with a witty team
I’d like to thank the four students for their efforts, Mr Lewis for driving
name. After 40 minutes we settled upon Real Ma-trig, and felt very
the minibus and Carl for introducing me to the Lancashire Hotpots!
pleased with ourselves.
Mr Barton
Science Live show
On Monday 24 November a group of Year 10 students attended the GCSE
Science Live show at the Manchester Palace Theatre. The show gave the
students the chance to see and hear five of Britain’s top scientists, all working
at the cutting edge of their specialism. The show aimed to inspire a greater
enthusiasm for Science amongst GCSE students as well as giving top tips for
exam success.
Year 11 super
learning day
As part of our Mission Week celebrations, Tuesday 21 October was
devoted to a Super Learning Day where students were given the chance to
learn something new which aimed to challenge and excite them like never
before.
In Maths, the Year 11 students were faced with some interesting activities
which combined a variety of skills they have learnt in their lessons, as well
as development the students problem solving abilities which are key for
the new style of GCSE Maths.
Here is just one example of the work that
a Year 11 student produced on the Maths
Super Learning Day.
Design a Board Game
Highlights of the day included a talk on embryology from prominent
As part of the newly revamped Year 7 Scheme of Learning, students had
provoking lecture on the Evolution of Homo Sapiens from current TV
the opportunity to use their mathematical knowledge about chance and
probability to design their own board games. They were given the chance
to try existing board games, analyse the good and bad points about these
games and use their research to create their very own games. Students had
to think carefully about making the games mathematically fair but also
exciting to play. Quite the challenge!
After the board games were designed
and created, students spent a lesson
playing everyone’s games to improve
them further before voting for an
overall winner. Pictured are some of
the finished board games from Miss
Murphy’s Year 7 class.
Scientist and TV presenter Lord Robert Winston and also a thought
presenter and evolutionary anatomist Dr. Alice Roberts.
Creating Creations &
Evolving Evolution
Flash Bang
Chemistry!
Fifty Year 9 students went on a Science trip to Bolton School on 4
December to watch a spectacular show of Flash Bang Chemistry!
During Mission Week the Science Department challenged Year 9 students to
The demonstrations were carried out by a Professor from the Royal
explore and explain how evolution of a species takes place using any format they
Society of Chemistry who engaged our students and enthused
wished.
them into becoming the Chemists of the future. The students
Groups enjoyed creating their
were treated to exciting colour changes, loud bangs, amazing light
Creative Creations, and the
displays and lots of exciting Chemistry.
variety of different ideas and
demonstrations was astonishing.
Some groups chose stop-go
animation techniques using
modelling clay, some drew
storyboards or others filmed a short video clip. There were many very creative
explanations from the Year 9 students and the day was a great learning experience
for all. The feedback from students was extremely positive.
10
Thornleigh Salesian College
Thornleigh Salesian College
11
Thornleigh Sixth ForM
Creative Studies
Children In Need
World Food Project
It has become an unspoken tradition in Thornleigh Sixth Form that the
Year 9 Graphics students have been working on a delicious World Foods
students will arrange somewhat spontaneous charity events throughout
Project. The design brief asked students to produce a range of products to
the year and this term has been no exception. The Sixth Form Student
create a brand identity for a new food range. Students needed to consider logos,
Committee organised dates, publicity and events and on Friday 14
packaging, shop frontage designs and menus. The variety of the work produced
November our students defied the rain and came to learn dressed in
was admirable, some students opting to use their newfound Photoshop
their pyjamas and onesies. Carl Harris and Daniel Naughton arranged a
proficiency while others crafted beautiful hand drawn designs. The level of work
lunchtime quiz in the common
was incredible, it’s clear from their projects that our students possess a real talent
room and there was a bake
for creativity.
sale and challenges throughout
the day to raise money for
Children in Need. Students are
already talking about their next
We are always thrilled that the Sixth Form take such an interest in
charity event ‘Wear Your Worst
extracurricular activities especially when we know they are working hard
Christmas Jumper.’ We promise
for their mock exams. Their enthusiasm for charity work inspires our
to get photos this time!
younger students and shows that they eagerly uphold our Salesian values.
Student Committee
Throughout the autumn term the new Sixth Form Student Committee
has been selected and formed and the students are already tearing ahead
organising events and fundraisers within the Sixth Form.
Chairperson Ben Long says “The Student Committee are very pleased to
announce that our first charity event this year has raised over £180 for
Children In Need. All of the hard work and time the students have put
in has paid off and only motivated us to host many more events, with our
next fund-raiser taking place just before the Christmas Holidays. We look
forward to raising more money for various charities and hope our work
will inspire other students to do the same.”
Music
MCR University Visit
On Tuesday 14 October, Year 13 students were honoured to welcome a
prestigious academic from Manchester Metropolitan University. Lecturer
Sean Threlfall spoke about the importance of a strong personal statement
and gave valuable techniques and guidance to students. Sean provided
some insider knowledge and
was able to advise students on
what admissions tutors look
for in a personal statement
Mission Week - Creative Creation
Some of our Year 9 form groups enjoyed using inks and rollers and having
a go at printmaking. Together they created this year’s ‘Tree of Life’ as
individual leaves were joined together to make a large collaborative piece
of work.
and how to make theirs stand
out from the crowd.
Concerts, Carols and Carol Service at
Christmas Shows!
Hidden Gem, MCR
Christmas is fast approaching and is always a very busy and exciting time
One of our favourite trips
in Music, we’ve been busily preparing Concerts, Carols and Christmas
every year is the Carol
Shows. Rehearsals have taken place all term with Big Band, Rock
Service at The Hidden Gem
Band, Choir, Strings and Salesian Singers as well as with other smaller
in Manchester. We have
ensembles and groups. The Staff Choir have also been rehearsing every
performed at this service for
Friday lunchtime and we’re looking forward to performing at some of the
many years and the Student
Christmas Concerts.
Choir always perform
Holidays are coming!
Everyone has different things that make them feel as though Christmas
is just around the corner. It might be finishing your Christmas shopping,
wrapping presents under the tree, or the iconic Coca Cola advert.
However, I have never known anyone who doesn’t begin to feel the
beautifully. Students perform
Carols and other festive
songs before enjoying a
mini-visit to the Manchester
Christmas Markets on Albert
Square as a festive reward.
Christmas cheer when they attend a Carol Service.
12
Thornleigh Salesian College
Thornleigh Salesian College
13
Latin
Year 10 Wider Key Skills
Introducing Latin
to Year 7 Classes
Trip to Pompeii
This year has seen the introduction of Latin for Year 7’s for the very first
half-term. Once there the group will explore the material remains of the
time and 64 students are now embarking on the same course as their peers
in Year 8. This has included learning how Latin verbs are constructed and
the differences between types of nouns and their cases.
In Thornleigh Sixth Form the new Year 12’s have started their study of
Homer’s Odyssey and have reached the point where Odysseus escapes
from the cave of the giant, blinded cyclops called Polyphemus; whilst in
Greek Tragedy the class has completed Aeschlyus’ Agamemnon and seen
the King return from Troy only to be killed in the bath by his wife. Year
13 meanwhile have almost completed Virgil’s epic Aeneid and have been
studying Ancient Greek comedy via Aristophanes plays Lysistrata and
Frogs.
Textiles
Next year’s trip to the Bay of Naples and Sorrento has received a great
response with 55 students reserving places to fly to Italy next October
AD79 eruption which are now housed in Naples Archaeological Museum
and visit the two main sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The trip will
also include a visit to the top of Mount Vesuvius (still a live volcano) and
Classic Literature
take a ferry to the beautiful island of Capri and the Villa Jovis, infamous
home of the second
Roman emperor,
Tiberius. While
the weather will be
much cooler than
in the summer
months, we’re
hoping it will beat
the British climate!
Birmingham Clothes
Show Live
Year 10 students who show promise in Textiles Technology are given the opportunity
to study GCSE Textiles as an extra option after the school day. As part of the course,
they had the chance to take part in a research visit to The Clothes Show Live at the
NEC in Birmingham.
On the freezing cold morning of Friday 5th December 10 excited students (and a very
excited Ms Roberts and Mrs Cooper) travelled down to Birmingham to see what the
fashion industry has on offer.
The students were overwhelmed by the vast array of stalls exhibiting and selling their
garments along with celebrities such as Peter Andre, Amy Childs,
Soup Kitchen
The Wider Key Skills Group have been working furiously in the last few
weeks to prepare for Thornleigh Salesian College’s annual Soup Kitchen.
On the day of the event students had a terribly busy morning, making
Students undertake lots of planning and preparation to organise this event
soup from scratch and decorating the Home Technology room to create a
and they’ve shown real maturity, developed their problem solving skills
relaxed café atmosphere for the busy lunchtime trade.
and worked together to make this event a huge
We were pleased to receive over 70 members of
success.
staff and raise an incredible £104.10 for the Grub
The students decided that they would like
Tub.
to donate funds raised to the Bolton Food
This event is an invaluable experience for all
Bank, fondly known as ‘The Grub Tub’ which
involved the students have been able to develop
is an organisation that helps families in the
their planning skills as well as their confidence
local area who would benefit from extra food
and self-esteem. The group were able to overcome
around Christmas.
any problems and encourage
After a very sophisticated business meeting
each other to achieve their best
with Mellors Catering, who agreed to supply
we’re sure it’s an event that they
all the ingredients for free, our students had the challenge of
will remember for a long time.
advertising the event, taking orders and sending invitations to
Lastly, the whole group would
staff.
like to thank everyone for their
orienteering &
route planning
This term the Wider Key Skills group have been looking at improving
the weather conditions were perfect and
their own learning, focussing on the achievement of personal, learning
the whole group were able to enjoy a
and/or career targets. There are three main areas which they will need
well-planned walk.
to demonstrate their skills; working with others, improving individual
The Year 10 Wider Keys Skills group
learning and problem solving.
have 3 main areas which they have to
The group have been working
prove that they can demonstrate their
on an orienteering and route
skills in.
planning challenge. They have
They have to be able to:
Lauren Goodger, Andy Jordan, Spencer Matthews, Jamie Laing,
Joey Essex, Tom Pierce and girl band Neon Jungle.
meticulously planned their routes
to Horrocks Fold, taking into
account map reading skills and
precise navigation. On the day
•
Work with others
•
Improving own learning
•
Problem solve
Golf
14
Thornleigh Salesian College
Several of our Sports Leaders have been focusing on
were more likely to play golf compared
how age affects participation in sport. In order to
to other sports. In order to cement
demonstrate this we took a small group of students to
our newfound knowledge of Golf our
Regent Park Golf Club for further investigation. While
students put them into practise on the
we were there we sensitively discussed why older people
driving range.
Thornleigh Salesian College
15
SkillsBase
Student Council
SkillsBase
In SkillsBase our Year 8 and 9 students
Our students will have to carefully
have been busy planning and creating
consider the instructions, questions
tasty treats. Firstly they have to plan what
and rules. We also wish them luck
type of item they would like to bake,
on their personalised targets and an
then they have to find and prepare a
entrepreneurial term in the New Year.
recipe. After careful planning it’s time for
Year 8 and 9 students have been busy in
the hardest bit, working together to cook
SkillsBase recently, they are working on
and then complete the finished dish.
their own individual targets. They have
Finally, and luckily this is the easiest bit
been listening, working well together and
for staff and students, it’s time to taste.
planning some themed work. One of the
After all, the proof is in the pudding!
main tasks has been planning what they
Each of our students work towards their
would like to bake, finding a recipe and
own individual targets in SkillsBase,
then the hardest bit is working together
often relying on listening, working well together and planning some
to prepare and then complete the finished dish.
themed work.
We look forward to the group on their next challenges as they work as
We’re all looking forward to their next challenges where they will be
young apprentices producing an Olympic board game with instructions,
working as young apprentices to produce an Olympic themed board game.
questions and rules. We also wish them luck with their own personalised
targets which they are working towards.
Operation Bright
and Beautiful
At the beginning of this term the School Council wanted to
make our school community more aware of environmental
issues, such as tackling concerns about litter and improving
our surroundings. At a Student Council meeting just before
October half term, eleven volunteers took it upon themselves
to take this on – Thornleigh Salesian College’s Eco Group was
born!
The students felt that our school site would benefit from a
splash of colour! Having discussed what they wanted to do, a
plan emerged. They toured the site to identify areas where they
could plant spring flowering bulbs and other areas where they
would plant winter flowering perennials. With a colour scheme and a plan
in hand they spent one very wet lunchtime choosing heathers, ornamental
cabbages, primroses and winter-flowering pansies from a local garden
centre.
The Eco Group came into school on Saturday 15 November. They met
to tidy and prepare the garden areas (careful not to harm the worms) and
The Eco Group held a
market stall at this year’s
festive production ‘12 Days of
Christmas’. The Eco Group sold
bee eco-friendly wild flower
seeds, seasonal bird feed cakes,
cookies, honey scented soaps
Mellors
then planted different types of daffodils and tulip bulbs ready for Spring.
Foundation
Learning
Catering
UPDATE
who are committed to improving the school environment for everyone
The Foundation Studies programme at Thornleigh Sixth Form provides Year 12 students
We have been working with Mellors to improve the
with a supportive learning environment in which they can consolidate and develop further
environment in the canteen and during summer have
their core skills and access a range of exciting study experiences that will prepare them for
painted downstairs and put up new signage. The
progression to employment or further study at college.
weekly menus are updated on the TV screens around
Anti-Bullying Conference
As part of the course they participate in Sports Leader and Retail. As part of the BTEC Level
the site so students can check daily on what is on
Last October, 12 Year 11 Student Council members attended an anti-
Childline, for young people who would prefer to remain anonymous.
1/2 in Retail Knowledge they develop their skills relating to employment in the retail sector.
the menu for lunch. There have been various new,
bullying conference, along with other schools in Bolton, at Westhoughton
Over the coming weeks we will keep this theme alive by placing a copy
Recently they have been learning about the production line and how products finally end
exciting items added upstairs including hummus dips,
High School. The aim was to provide our young Anti-Bullying
of the school’s Anti-Bullying Charter in each classroom - (please see next
up in the shop. They had a rare opportunity to consolidate their learning by visiting Carr’s
fresh melon slices, various salad boxes and new types
Ambassadors with some basic awareness training to support them in their
page) along with information about key people to contact in school. Our
Pasties Factory and see the process from raw product
of sandwiches on speciality breads. We also a provide
role in school. During the weeks leading up to National Anti-Bullying
Ambassadors are very aware of their responsibilities, which include being
to the end result! The students learnt so much to
a range of chicken products including chicken joe’s,
Week (21 - 23 November) we prepared the presentation, video clip and
available every lunch time in the Library to chat with anyone who is in
support their BTEC knowledge and were very happy
chicken kebabs and chicken sandwiches which are
role play for use in the assemblies that our Ambassadors delivered to all
need of some help. They also are aware that as Ambassadors we look to
when they could sit down and sample the products!
available as a halal or non-halal option.
year groups.
them to try to intervene or get help if they spot anyone who seems to be
These assemblies were designed to make all our students aware of
in trouble or needs some support. They are a fantastic group of young
Thornleigh Salesian College’s Anti-Bullying Policy and to give advice
people who have given up their free time willingly and unselfishly. Keep
about where to go to for help in school. We reminded students that as a
up the good work!
school we want to promote students to be: Respectful, Understanding,
After the Christmas break we will move our focus onto cyber bullying
Considerate and Pleasant. We also made our students aware that we have
which is not always easy to spot and can cause real distress to those young
two dedicated anti-bullying notice boards in school, where practical
people who get caught up in it. We will let you know next term how we
information is displayed, such as telephone numbers of agencies such as
get on.
Foundation Studies
16
Thornleigh Salesian College
This was the one of the ideas of the recently formed School Eco Group
to enjoy. They spent the morning, clearing away the autumn leaves and
planting flowers in the tubs and borders.
and bath scrub as well as lots
of home-made craft products
made by members of the
newly formed Eco Group.
Thinking ahead to spring, they also planted 100 daffodils on the banking
between the main playground and the Creative Studies block.
Thornleigh Salesian College
17
Safeguarding
Team Who do I contact?
Don’t put up
with bullying tell someone!
Need help?
Student Council
Anti-Bullying
Charter
d Responsibilty
n
a
t
h
ig
R
s
t’
n
e
A Stud
It is your
Responsibility
to be...
Respectful
Ta l k t o u s !
Mrs Crowley
Mrs O’Callaghan
Deputy
Headteacher
Deputy
Headteacher
Assistant
Headteacher
Year Teams
Year 7
Mr Bingley
Year 8
Ms Moss
Lead Learning
Mentor
Student Progress
Co-ordinator
Lead Learning
Mentor
18
Mrs O’Grady
Student Progress
Co-ordinator
Mr Dootson
Lead Learning
Mentor
Year 10
Mr Whiting
Year 9
Mrs McCorriston
Student Progress
Co-ordinator
Year 11
Mr Angus
Lead Learning
Mentor
Miss Mckinnon
Student Progress
Co-ordinator
Thornleigh Salesian College
Mr Owen
Lead Learning
Mentor
Conside
Mr Kelly
Student Progress
Co-ordinator
Sixth Form
Mr Kirk
Director of Thornleigh
Sixth Form
afe
s
l
e
e
F
arm
from h
Understand the
een banter
difference betw
ents
and other comm
or
which may hurt
.
threaten others
Mrs Ferguson
Miss Leaf
Student Progress
Co-ordinator
Know
e
Try your best to b
pleasant
someone who is
’t take
to be around. Don
g hurt
pleasure in causin
to someone else.
Know
for help who to go to
worryin if something
g
is
it dealt you and to ha
with
ve
and eff sensitively
ectivel
y
rate
Treat oth
ers the w
ay
you wou
ld like to
be
treated w
ith kindn
ess
and cons
ideration
.
Pleasant
t
Expec
t
to behothers
appro ave
priatel
y
Feel
ng
Understandi
Director of Care
Guidance & Support
Expec
Respect others
(and their dive
rsity) and
their points of
view which
may be differe
nt from
your own.
Care Guidance and Support
Mr Hockenhull
You have the
Right to...
Be Safe
n using
e
h
w
e
f
a
Be s
gy and
technolo rnet
the inte
Ta l k t o
us!
Physical Education
Personal Achievement
Mairead Williams enters World Dance
Championships
Boys Football
While most students in Year 10 at Thornleigh Salesian College are busy
nut that has eluded her several times in the past. She has competed at the
regularly attending practices and fixtures. We have played
settling into their chosen GCSE subjects and revising for mock exams,
Regional Championship for the last 4 years and always come away with
a significant number of matches this year in a variety of
one of our students Mairead Williams has a few extra challenges to fit
2nd and 3rd. This year
competitions including the Bolton School Merit League,
into her schedule. Mairead has been Irish dancing since the age of 4,
she said “I really want to
Bolton Schools Cup, Greater Manchester County FA Cup
competing competitively since 2010 and this year has been her busiest,
win and win outright.”
and the English Schools FA Cup.
travelling all over the UK and Ireland.
Luck must have been
In April she attended the 2014 World Championships, Oireachtas Rince
on her side, this year
We have experienced many positive results and have
Na Cruinne, in London. This is the toughest competition you can attend
all the practise and
progressed well in many of the cup competitions. A special
with participants from all over the world. Out of nearly 250 dancers
hard work have paid
mention must go to the Year 7 team who are still in three
Mairead came 43rd in the final results with two judges placing her in their
off. Mairead Williams
competitions and assembled a fantastic cup run to make it
top 15.
won it outright from
to round five of the national cup. A huge thank you must
In October she danced at the Great Britain Championships a competition
all 3 judges; next stop
go to Mr Angus, Mr Russell, Mr Smith and Mr Lewis who
that also bring dancers from all over the world and achieved a fantastic
Montreal for the World
all give up their time to contribute towards ensuring we
result of 12th place. Next came the All Irelands and some would say this is
Championships in
the hardest and biggest! Mairead was shortlisted and received a great 35th
March / April 2015!
Football continues to prove hugely popular amongst
Cup Competitions
students at Thornleigh Salesian College with huge numbers
Opponent
Year Group
Competition
Result
Ashton-On-Mersey
9
ESFA
D 4-4 (L 9-8 on pens)
St. Wilifreds
7
ESFA
W 8-2
Loreto High School
8
ESFA
W 3-0
Bolton School
7
Bolton Cup
W 5-0
St. Catherine’s
9
Bolton Cup
W 5-3
Westhoughton
10
Bolton Cup
W 6-1
Rivington and Blackrod
11
Bolton Cup
L 3-2
St. Gabriel’s
8
ESFA
L 3-2
Bolton School
8
Bolton Cup
W 3-0
Sir Thomas Boughey
7
ESFA
W 7-1
Alder Community High
9
GMCSFA
W 5-1
have the maximum amount of fixtures possible. Well done
Manchester Academy
7
GMCSFA
W 4-1
to a positive start to the season and keep up the hard work.
St. Bede’s
7
ESFA
L 3-2
place was awarded an All Ireland Medal and a qualifying place for the next
World Championships.
Bolton Schools’ Merit League Results
With all these amazing results Mairead really wanted to crack the regional
Physical Education
Hockey
Girls Football
Hockey is a popular sport at
The girls’ football season will run from January to Easter 2015, with the
Thornleigh Salesian College,
Key Stage 3 team consisting of students from Year 7 and Year 8 and the
with a large number of
Key Stage 4 team made up with students from Year 9 to Year 11.
students who attend weekly
As a taster before the season commences, Bolton Wanderers organised
practices and also represent
a 6-a-side U13s League Cup tournament with schools from Bolton and
their year groups on a weekly
Chorley in attendance. The following eight students were selected to
basis against other schools
represent Thornleigh Salesian College at the tournament: Hannah Lowe,
in the Borough. Thornleigh
Codie Corless, Ruby Yates, Katie Currie, Krystina Hayes, Lucy O’Mara,
Salesian College hosts the
Molly Young and Francesca Edwards.
Bolton Schools’ Hockey
The girls topped their group by convincingly defeating St. Joseph’s,
Tournament and the fixtures will be taking place
Rivington and Blackrod, Westhoughton and St. Michael’s, amassing
over the next few weeks. The Bolton School league fixtures have now
fifteen goals in the process and setting up a semi-final against Holy Cross
finished for this season and we look forward to finding out the final
from Chorley. A comfortable 2-0 win in the semi-final set up a great
standings in the near future. Well done to all students that have been
final against Turton who were also undefeated going into this stage of the
involved.
tournament.
Our team managed to secure an early lead in the game but eventually
Opponent
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
KS4
gave-in to pressure from Turton and unfortunately lost the game 2-1, to
Mount St. Joseph
W 3-0
W 5-0
W 2-0
W 2-1
finish tournament runners-up. The weather conditions were horrendous
ESSA
W 1-0
W 1-0
Opponent no team
Opponent no team
Ladybridge
D 2-2
W 5-0
W 3-1
L 3-0
Rivington
D 0-0
L 2-0
W 6-0
W 2-0
Turton
L 3-0
L 6-0
L 1-0
L 6-0
Sharples
W 5-1
W 5-1
W 5-1
L 10-0
with cold winds and persistent heavy rain, yet our students demonstrated
outstanding resilience to perform superbly throughout the tournament
and conduct themselves in a sporting and professional manner - well
done.
Practices will run every Tuesday evening after the Christmas holidays and
all students are welcome to attend.
20
Thornleigh Salesian College
Week Commencing
Opponent
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
8th September
Smithills
W 7-0
W 4-1
W 2-0
L 5-1
D 2-2
15th September
St. James’s
D 3-3
W 3-0
-
W5-2
W 6-0
22nd September
St. Joseph’s
-
D1 - 1
-
W 3-1
-
29th September
Little Lever
L 3-1
W 3-0
W 4-2
L 3 -2
W 5-3
6th October
MSJ
W 7-0
L 4 -1
D 5-5
L 6 -1
Opposition
Conceded
13th October
St. Catherine’s
D 2-2
L3-1
W 5-3
Opposition
Conceded
D 4-4
20th October
Harper Green
-
-
L 6-1
-
-
Rugby
Date
Year Group
St Jame’s
Ladybridge
Little
Lever
15th September
9
L15 - 10
L 10 - 0
-
50 students; we have even enlisted the specialist support
22nd September
7
W 25 - 0
W 25 - 5
W 25 - 0
of Bolton Rugby Club, to whom we are thankful for
22nd September
10/11
L 10 – 5
D 10 - 10
-
29th September
8
W5–0
W 10 - 5
W 15 - 0
29th September
9
L 15 - 5
-
L5-0
6th October
7
PP
PP
PP
6th October
10/11
PP
PP
PP
13th October
8
L 15 - 10
W 15 - 0
W 15 – 0
13th October
9
-
-
-
20th October
7
W 20 - 0
W 15 - 0
W 15 - 5
20th October
10/11
L 10 - 0
L 10 - 5
-
Rugby practices have been vibrant and well attended so
far this academic year with regular attendances from over
their continued support. Thornleigh Salesian College also
enters the Bolton Rugby Emerging Schools Competitions
which take place each Monday at various venues across the
Borough. Games are fiercely competed in a 12v12 format
which enables students to develop their intricate passing
skills to outwit their opponent, whilst ensuring that they
are physically tough enough to break down an attack from
the opposition.
We have made positive starts across the majority of year
groups but a special mention must go to the Year 7 team
who are currently undefeated at this stage of the season,
winning all six of their fixtures.
Physical Education
Physical Education
Badminton
Netball
Cross Country
The badminton season
A large numbers of students have attended and participated in netball
In the expert hands of Mr Owen and Mrs Crosby and with the support
began just after October
this term. With weekly practices and fixtures there have been lots of
and enthusiasm of Mr Dootson, Thornleigh Salesian College took
half term and the side
opportunities to get involved. We still have the tournaments and the
students from Y7-Y10 to the annual Bolton Cross Country
have made a mixed start
knockout finals to play and we are sure that there will be lots of successes
Championships hosted by Rivington and Blackrod High School. This
after many promising
to come. Well done to all involved so far.
gruelling event tests the resilience and motivation of all its competitors.
performances last year.
Basketball
Injuries have been too
frequent this season and
Basketball practices have been well attended and the season had only just
have meant that the side
started at the time of going to press. Throughout the year we compete in
have not been at ‘full-
the Bolton School League, in which we had many successes last season,
strength’ in most fixtures
continue to play committed and exciting badminton.
Many students are still relishing the challenge of stepping up into the
team and there are regularly over 30 students attending practices every
Monday after school and many more attending Monday and Wednesday
OOSHA sessions. After-school sessions have also been supported this term
by a specialist coach from Markland Hill who is working with players to
develop and enhance their technique; and a special thank you must go to
Mr Fairclough who is a great support at match fixtures, providing players
with expert knowledge. We hope to produce lots of positive results as the
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is going really well this year with over 30 students regularly
attending practices. This is the fifth year that gymnastics has been running
at Thornleigh Salesian College and it is going from strength to strength.
Students attend a weekly extra-curricular practice to prepare floor work
and vaults to compete in the Bolton Schools’ Novice, Intermediate and
Advanced Competitions. We have been extremely successful in recent
years and are looking forward to hosting the competition in February
2015. Good luck to all the gymnasts involved.
For the first time the gymnasts also featured in this year’s Christmas
production of ’12 Days of Christmas.’
They dazzled the audience as they
tumbled, flipped, rolled and sprung
high standard of commitment, we had some excellent performances that
contributed to teams finishing in the following positions (see below).
Position
Practices run on Tuesday
Year 7 Girls
10th
evenings for Year 9, 10 and
Year 7 Boys
4th
11 students and Thursday
Year 8 and 9 Girls
8th
lunchtimes for Year 7 and 8
Year 8 and 9 Boys
3rd
Year 10 and 11 Girls
12th
Year 10 and 11 Boys
9th
students, with matches running
weekly throughout the season.
Hopefully, we will be able to
report further success in the
At Thornleigh Salesian College we have a huge pool of sporting talent
with many students representing their town, county, area and in some
cases representing their country. Whilst we are aware of many individual
successes through communication with students and parents, every term
we discover that we have new talent that we didn’t know about. The PE
staff are always eager to know what your talents are and we love to share
them with students so please
share your successes with us
so that we can celebrate them
and possibly add support when
possible and appropriate.
Here are two of our
recent success stories
from the past few
months.
Notable individual performances included:
spring term.
Nathan Livesey
Student
Category
Position
Table Tennis
Ted Moulden
Year 8 and 9 Boys
1st
James Critchley
Year 8 and 9 Boys
12th
Table tennis is again proving to be popular with students from all year
Tobias Bentley
Year 8 and 9 Boys
19th
Club and he was crowned National Champion at one of the most recent
groups and this is demonstrated every Friday night when over 30 students
Elizabeth Caldwell
Year 7 Girls
24th
competitions. Nathan won hands down in the 62kg category at the British
regularly attend table tennis practice to hone and develop their skills and
Marcus Grundy
Year 7 Boys
14th
Championships, which is one of the highest levels of competition and
techniques. Fixtures had just started at the time of going to press and the
Jaden Hilton
Year 7 Boys
16th
he is one of five national champions at his club, a brilliant achievement.
Reese O’Mara
Year 7 Boys
25th
Isobel Dean
Year 8 and 9 Girls
14th
Grace Williams
Year 8 and 9 Girls
18th
Joe Pennington
Year 10 and 11 Boys
19th
Lauren Holt
Year 10 and 11 Girls
19th
season progresses and look forward to reporting our successes at Easter
time.
demonstrated outstanding self-belief and teamwork. Due to the overall
Team
especially the current U16 team who finished runners-up in their league.
but the students still
All students that competed were an absolute credit to the school and
Individual
Successes
team started with a resounding victory over Turton, winning 35-3.
If any students are interested in playing table tennis (no experience is
necessary) they just have to have the self-belief and motivation
to give it a go.
then bring your
PE kit to the
sports hall on a
Friday evening
after school.
Well done to all students involved!
Nathan is one of a handful of successful Olympic Wrestlers that we have
at Thornleigh Salesian College and he too has been hitting the headlines
on the national stage. Nathan represents Bolton Olympic Wrestling
Nathan will be looking to the future and possibly setting his sights on
the next Commonwealth Games in Australia where he will be hoping to
represent his country – well done and we look forward to hearing more of
Nathan’s success!
Alex Bradshaw
Year 10 student Alex Bradshaw currently represents Great Britain
at Trampolining and is the current English Schools Under 15 Elite
Trampolining Champion. Alex has been training with the Great Britain
across the stage in the ‘10 Lords a
squad and travels up and down the country on a regular basis to a
Leaping’ section. Well done to the 10
variety of different training camps to hone and develop his skills. Alex’s
girls who were selected to perform.
most recent achievement was representing Great Britain at The World
Trampolining and Tumbling Competition at Daytona Beach, Florida!
As trampolining is a self-funded sport, Alex and his family worked
tirelessly to raise the funds to support the trip and Alex’s performance was
tremendous, finishing 6th out of over 60 competitors from countries all
around the world. Well done Alex – we look forward to hearing of more
successes in the future months!
22
Thornleigh Salesian College
Thornleigh Salesian College
23
Dates to Remember 2014 - 2015
Term Dates Academic Year 2014 - 2015
Summer Term 2015
Spring Term 2015
Term begins
Monday 5 January 2015
Term begins
Monday 13 April 2015
Inset day (students not in school)
Friday 9 January 2015
Bank Holiday
Monday 4 May 2015
Bank Holiday
Monday 25 May 2015
Half term holiday
Monday 25 - Friday 29 May 2015
Half term holiday
Monday 16 February - Friday 20
February 2015
Last day of term
Friday 17 July 2015
Return to school Monday 23 February 2015
Summer holidays Monday 20 July - Friday 4
Last day of term
Friday 27 March 2015
September 2015
Bank holiday / Good Friday Friday 3 April 2015
Bank holiday / Easter Monday Monday 6 April 2015
Inset Days (students not in school)
Easter holidays
Monday 30 March - 10 April
Friday 9 January 2015
Autumn Term 2015 (Academic Year 2015 - 2016)
First day of term
Tuesday 8 September 2015
Christmas Newsletter
Sharples Park, Bolton, BL1 6PQ Tel: 01204 301 351
thornleigh.bolton.sch.uk