Once again, I am delighted to introduce our latest version of the Vision magazine, which contains some of the activities, opportunities and achievements that our students have been involved with this term.
This introduction is being written at the beginning of the week when we are being asked to vote in General Election 2024. It is a very important time for our country and by the time you read this we will already know the outcome. Our students have been invited to take part in our own general election at Our Lady’s. We really wanted to highlight to students the importance of exercising their democratic rights as well as encouraging them to vote when they reach the appropriate age. When making this significant decision, aside from reading the manifesto commitments, I hope they consider the foundational values of our Catholic community: compassion, service, justice, stewardship, dignity, the common good and the preferential option for the poor.
Away from politics it has been a very busy term (the summer term always is). There have been a significant number of large events including the Year 6 parent information evening, Year 6 ‘Moving on Up’ days, Year 11 leaver’s Mass, the Year 11 prom and we have the summer concert to come. Whilst I am always sad to say goodbye to the Year 11 children, it is always a pleasure to meet our excited Year 6 students and parents eager to start their five-year journey with us.
As the summer term comes to an end we have lots planned to enrich the students learning, including a celebration of culture day, sports days and a rewards day extravaganza which will involve the children having access to a massive selection of treats and rewards
including paddle boarding, yoga, silent disco, crafting activities, cake decorating, inflatables and a visit to Grandpa Green’s luxury ice cream parlour.
We are currently in the middle of what hope will be our final set of large building projects. By September we should have completely renovated and enhanced the indoor sports area and school hall, have an extra 3G pitch and updated the school yard. This will provide significantly enhanced facilities for the students to enjoy. The funding we have received to deliver these projects is provided by Manchester Local Authority and is due to the high demand for places at the school. This year we received 700 applications for the 210 places available, which reflects the
Editor’s Welcome Message
confidence the local community has in the education provided by the school. Thank you for entrusting your child to us.
I hope you all have a great summer break and I look forward to seeing you next academic year.
God bless
L. Ormsby Headteacher
Another school year done and another summer break to enjoy. Before that though school is still super busy with transition activities for Year 6 children, reward days and sports days and a big celebration of culture day.
Alas all of the above happen after we go to print with this magazine so please follow us on social media to see all of the latest news. You can find us on Facebook by searching Our Lady’s RC High and on X (formerly Twitter) @OlhsTweets
Enjoy a safe and happy summertime.
Staff V Students
What’s a more fun way to finish this half term than the friendly rivalry of a student’s V’s staff competition. The Year 11 boys took on the teachers in a game of football and the Year 11 girls selected benchball. Both games were very competitive and the perfect way to relax now that the busy GCSE exams season is well underway.
In the end it was experience that triumphed over exuberance. Thank you to all those who participated and all who came to cheer their team on.
Careers Safari
Mrs Cooke has been busy taking the Year 9 students on a variety of trips out of school to taster day experiences at various local businesses.
They have visited different companies and leaned about their ethos and what steps to success they would recommend. They were all very encouraging and offered the students an invaluable insight into how to break into these industries. We have been to Gallagher’s Insurance, Clarke Telecom, Bruntwood Scitech and the Sharp Digital hub. These employers are all committed to supporting careers education in schools and made us feel very welcome. We also have had visiting speakers in school including Kate Morgan from Norland’s College. All of this is planed around supporting children on their post 16 pathways, helping them with their options choices and giving them insights into the world of work and inspiring them towards a fulfilling career.
Big Night In
The Year 11 summer exams are almost done but before they started Mr Mottershead hosted a big night in after school as a treat for the whole year group.
It was such a wonderful event, there was a live band in the main hall and a DJ set outside. The weather was clement and dry which was appreciated as there were huge inflatables on the field and a bucking bronco! Inside make-up artists and nail technicians offered mini treatments and advice on beauty. A huge rail of donated clothing was made available for those who needed some last minute prom fashion and accessories. There was of course plenty of food and fizzy drinks but the children seemed to get most excited about the prom-proposals which took place. This is a relatively new trend where students officially and publicly ask each other to accompany them to the school prom, it causes quite a lot of whoops and cheers which were lovely to witness. The prom this year is going to be held at The Eiihad Stadium and promises to be our fanciest event yet. First however, there is the business of exams which are going very well. I look forward to sharing the summer results with you soon.
Year 11 Leavers Mass
At the start of July, our Year 11 leavers returned to school for a very special event in the Our Lady’s calendar, the Year 11 leavers Mass.
Thank you to all parents, students, siblings and staff who attended our Year 11 Leavers Mass. We appreciate the opportunity to come together as a faith community and wish our lovely Year 11’s farewell.
We would like to give a special mention to some of our wonderful students who played key parts; Darryl (Head Boy) for reading, Ketsia (Head Girl) for reading and Altar Serving for the last time, and Rhianna (Head of Religious Life Prefect) for reading and supporting with the set up.
Some of the students in this year group have been crucial parts of developing the religious life of Our Lady’s over the last five years - and for their time and dedication, we are truly grateful
Thank you also to Father Nicholas for leading us in a moving celebration of the students’ time at Our Lady’s. We wish them all the best on the next stage of their journey.
Oscars Night for the Class of 2024!
It is that time of year again when we say goodbye to our Year 11s, but we do so with huge smiles on our faces as we send them off in style at the Our Lady’s prom.
The Class of 2024 dressed to impress for a very special Oscars theme ‘black tie’ night at the Etihad Stadium for a prom night to remember. Students arrived to a mocktail reception and a professional photographer snapped everyone looking their best. The selfie pod went down a storm as students captured their prom memories to last a lifetime!
With an array of awards and prizes given out, the highlight of the night was awarding our Prom King, Harry Bryan and Prom Queen Hannah Owoseni after votes were cast on the night by everyone in attendance. All the students looked amazing but the pair voted the best dressed guests on the night were Millie Walber and Regan Ololekan-Alo!
As recognition of the hard-work and dedication of the staff of Our Lady’s, our students took time to vote for their most
inspirational members of staff. These awards deservedly went to their head of year, Mr Mottershead and Miss White to huge rounds of applause of appreciation.
Mr Mottershead shared a very special poem all about their five year together as a year group before everyone hit the dancefloor for the rest of the evening. Our year 11s were a credit to the school. The event was fantastic from start to finish and a worthy celebration of their five years here at Our Lady’s.
It was a pleasure to see our students looking so grown up, and they made us so proud. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours and hope that they carry the ethos of Our Lady’s with them for the rest of their lives.
Good Luck Class of 2024!
Award Winners
Prom King: Harry Bryan
Prom Queen: Hannah Owoseni
Best Dressed:
Millie Walber and Regan Ololekan-Alo
Best Excuse Maker: Regan Ololekan-Alo
Loudest Student: Hannah Owoseni
Funniest Person in the Year: Logan Makudza
Best
Ethos
Student with the Biggest Heart: Patricia Nsue Nvomo and Sanjana Kumar
Best Sports Boy: Kelvin Aigbogun
Best Sports Girl: Aleesha Leary
Mr Mottershead’s MVP: Ketsia Makondele
Double Act: Kaiden Mariarty and Eryk Kozuchowski
Award: Rhianna Lock
RHS Bridgewater Gardens
GCSE Photography Trip
Students from Year 10 enjoyed a trip to RHS Bridgewater Gardens in Salford to capture images for their GCSE photography coursework supported by Our Lady’s staff. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
The students were exemplary in their conduct and a credit to the school. They were enthusiastic and professional during the trip, immersing themselves in the landscape. The children were split into two groups, one group focused on ‘close up’ images of texture whilst exploring the walled gardens and the other pupils gathered images for their ‘fantastic and strange’ project around the Chinese gardens and lake. Members of the public were very interested in the photoshoot, asking questions and suggesting locations in the gardens that would be suitable. The images will be manipulated in Photoshop in school, in the style of their own photographer’s research.
Wembley Womens FA Cup Final
On Sunday 12th May, Miss Power and Miss Massey took 14 of the girls’ football team to watch Manchester United Women take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s FA Cup final. This was a reward for the girls who had worked hard all season, attended training and represented our school; especially our Year 10 girls’ team who reached the Manchester Cup Final.
After an early start and a long journey down to London, the beaming sun and electric atmosphere of a packed Wembley made it a great day for a cup final. It was a great match with lots of goals and our girls really enjoyed themselves. The students were an absolute credit to our school, just like they have been all this season when playing for the school football team.
Staff Profile: Getting to Know Miss Massey!
What is your role at Our Lady’s
I am a Maths teacher and Assistant Head of Year 8. However, come September I am looking forward to stepping into the role of Head of Year 7.
How long have you worked here - Can you remember your first impressions; how do they compare to your feelings now?
I am coming to the end of my third year here at Our Lady’s. I felt welcomed into the Our Lady’s community from the get go and am happy to provide that warm welcome to our new staff and students joining each year.
What is your favourite thing about working in secondary education?
Working in education is, at its core, working with people. Whether it is our staff body, student cohort, parental community or wider local community, I get the opportunity to work alongside some excellent people.
What does a typical day for you look like?
I like to get to school before 7am to set myself up for the day. Every day is so different but generally I am busy following up pastoral issues, supporting our students in and out of lessons and enjoying celebrating all the wonderful success of our school community. I love getting involved with the wealth of extracurricular activities we offer as well.
Where is your favourite place you have visited? Do you have any other destinations you would like to visit?
Between finishing my degree and starting my teaching career lived abroad for a few years. Whilst on a trip to Madrid with some friends, applied for a job teaching English in a city I had never heard of in Spain. I love a challenge and the excellent weather, food and atmosphere in Spain was a real draw. I moved out to Zaragoza the following month. It’s a beautiful city between Madrid and Barcelona and I made excellent lifelong friends and memories.
This Christmas I’m planning a trip to Peru. I’ve always wanted to travel round South America so I’m really looking forward to it!
What are your hobbies outside of school?
Outside of school I really enjoy bouldering. I had a fear of heights that I wanted to try to overcome, so tried climbing. Like most sports, I climb enthusiastically rather than with much skill. I also enjoy hiking, reading and any water sports going.
Favourite film or TV show?
In the last couple of years I’ve most enjoyed watching La Casa del Papel, although I have to put the subtitles on sometimes since the Spanish is so fast. My favourite film of all time is a bit of a guilty pleasure, Charlie’s Angels never fails to put a smile on my face.
Favourite book?
The first novel I ever read that I really enjoyed was Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. I’d never read a crime thriller before, and I was immediately hooked.
More recently I’ve enjoyed the first book in the Reina Roja trilogy by Juan Gómez-Jurado.
Religious Life of the School
This term Miss White and Miss Hampson have merged G.I.F.T Chaplaincy and Youth SVP to create one super group of dedicated students who want to serve Our Lady’s in both capacities, Chaplaincy and Charity.
Favourite song or piece of music?
Road Rage by Catatonia. I have an excellent memory of singing it at the top of my lungs with my Mum and Aunty on a family trip down to Cornwall. Nowadays, my car music tends to be Stromae.
Favourite cuisine or meal?
My all time favourite meal is a spaghetti carbonara. Although can’t resist a Balmoral Chicken when in Edinburgh with Miss Barnsley.
Who would you most like to meet and why?
I would love to sit down and talk to Marjane Satrapi. She’s the author of my favourite graphic novel, Persepolis. She grew up in a family engaged in a lot of political activism, has lived all over the world and speaks many languages. I imagine she would be very interesting.
Best bit of advice for students at Our Lady’s
Our school affords you so many wonderful opportunities to learn, develop and grow. Take them! Whether its joining student council, trying new sports or auditioning for the school show; get involved and allow yourself the chance to shine. Now is the time to try new things and push yourselves.
G.I.F.T Chaplaincy Summer Term
During this summer term, the G.I.F.T Chaplains have been busy completing their Faith in Action Award. At the beginning of the year all Chaplains were entered into the diocesan award, which enables them to receive a certificate of achievement and badge from the diocese for their dedication to the religious life of the school.
On top of this the Chaplains have entered the Catholic writers award that encourages our G.I.F.T Chaplains to write a letter to a friend on the topic of Matrimony or the Eucharist. We hope to hear back with positive news that one of our lovely Chaplains has been successful in the competition.
We have led on so many initiatives during this term! To join in the celebration of 180 years of SVP we wrote 180 postcards for members of our school community to show them our appreciation. We collaborated with the
Continuing on with our weekly Mass and form Mass, the G.I.F.T Chaplains have supported Father Nicholas with the liturgical readings during Mass. Chaplains have also been keen to train up as new altar servers in preparation for the end of year Masses.
Finally, we have said “goodbye” to our wonderful Year 11 Religious Life G.I.F.T Chaplains. We will never forget the hard work and dedication they gave to Our Lady’s and in particular to the G.I.F.T Chaplaincy Team. We wish them the best of luck with all that they do!
Geography Department to write a prayer for Earth Day which they used in their lessons. We have been working on our celebration of Pride Month by facilitating a form quiz where 4 forms won some sweets for their high scores and we are working on a banner with the theme of ‘imago Dei’ to encourage inclusion, celebration of difference and equality within our community. On the 19th June we celebrated ‘Thank a Teacher’ Day. To spread some positivity we delivered bookmarks to all staff which were personalised to their roles in school. Finally we are looking forward to our SVP Community Picnic on July 4th. This is our 3rd year hosting this in our Forest School. This year we have invited some local primary school children, as well as some other people from our wider community, to join us for an afternoon of food, sunshine and games. We look forward to what the next academic year brings for our Religious Life groups, hopefully we can continue to make a positive impact on our faith community and keep growing in faith together.
Youth SVP Summer Term
Outdoor Athletics
Congratulations to our year 8 boys who won the Manchester Athletics League and to our Year 9 boys athletics team who won the Manchester Championships in May.
Football
Our year 10/11 girls football team became Catholic schools Champions after winning a penalty shoot-out in a tense and nervous encounter against Newman College.
Congratulations to our year 8/9 girls Football team who are also Catholic Cup Champions.
Well done to our year 7 boys Football team who have won the Manchester Northern Premier League and the Manchester League Championship trophy.
Basketball
Our Year 10/11 boys team won the inaugural running of the Manchester Excel Basketball League with some tough games against our Manchester opposition. From 9 games, the boys won 8, finishing in 1st position with a point difference of +170 points. Highlights include a 38-20 victory over St Matthew’s, a 71-38 victory over St Peter’s and a 78-58 victory over Wright Robinson.
Our Year 7 boys got bronze medals in the Manchester Championships where they remained unbeaten throughout only to lose out on points difference at the final stage.
CHEER
A huge well Done to the year 9 and 10 girls at the UKCA Championships.
In true Our Lady’s Spirit- the girls received the SPIRIT AWARD, for amazing support to all teams there.
The Team are pictured on the right.
Sport Leadership
The last half term we have had a new cohort of year 10 sport leaders completing a cricket leadership course in which they delivered a cricket fun festival at Our Lady’s on the 22nd May to 60 primary pupils. The pupils have responded amazingly to this opportunity and shown a real growth in maturity and confidence as well as developing key life skills with this experience which they will be able to transfer into the future. This event was a huge success with all leaders showing outstanding leadership qualities, enthusiasm and maturity, creating an enjoyable, engaging environment for all. The feedback from the staff and pupils were amazing, praising their creativity and manner with the pupils in which they were
asked to host more events in the future. Congratulations, we are all very proud!
“I have had THE BEST time at your school, it has literally been the highlight of my year, so thank you very much for that. The sessions all went so well, and the leaders were amazing too, and all your staff were so lovely and welcoming!!!
If you could tell the leaders, from me, that I am so proud of them, and they absolutely smashed the leadership sessions, and from asking the children they absolutely loved it too!! They did the most amazing job and are all so talented” Hope AndersonLancashire Cricket Foundation
