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Message from the Headteacher joyed amazing success and, having won the title of Lancashire Champions, they Dear Parents and Carers went on to take second This has, once again, been an extremely busy half term place in the North of England Championships in with the demands of the GCSEs, the start of the new York. academic year and various Our rounders teams have curricular and extraalso celebrated success this curricular activities, including Christian Values Enrich- term with the Year 9 girls taking 1st place in the disment Days, sporting and trict championships and our musical events and visits Year 10 team taking 3rd. from our feeder primary Well done to all who have schools. The details of represented the school so which are included in the well and with so much commany articles in the mitment! ‘bumper’ newsletter which showcases just a few of the varied activities taking place Summer Music was once again a resounding success at St Michael’s. with various talented and exceptional soloists, choirs, Congratulations! ensembles, bands and groups. It was, as in previThis half term there have ous years, a truly memorabeen some very special ble evening and a poignant events and much to celeswansong for Mrs Cheryl brate! For an astounding Winstanley who retires after sixteenth consecutive year Team St Michael’s achieved 25 years dedication to the school Music department. amazing sporting success and we were once again Fond farewells crowned champions at the Chorley and District AthletIn addition to Mrs Winstanics. Even the driving rain ley, Miss Valerie Smiles will did not dampen spirits or be saying farewell to school determination to ‘do the after 19 years of loyal and best they can!’ We have now won this trophy twenty dedicated service to St Michael’s and its young one times out of the last twenty three years, a stag- people. We wish both Mrs Winstanley and Miss Smiles gering achievement which health and happiness in is a testament to the fantheir retirement. tastic ability, commitment, and dedication of pupils and Regrettably, at the end of staff over the years. this term, we must also say Similarly we must commend goodbye to five other valued colleagues. the achievements of our Mr James Curran is leaving other sporting teams. Our to take up a post teaching cricket players have enJuly 2015
HIGHLIGHTS p3 50th anniversary p4 Local History p5 Enrichment Day June 22 p6 Army Day p7 Robin Park success
p8 Summer Music p9 Volunteer needed p10 Miss Smiles p11 Mrs Winstanley p12 Open Water dangers p13 An author visits
p14 Shakespeare trip p15 E-safety p16 Perfect Prom p17 / 18 CVE days p19 Science Olympians p20 Sporting wins p21 A question of faith p22 Carting wins p23 Uniform matters p24 Technological T-shirts
Computer Science at the Institute of Applied Technology, Dubai. Dr Zoe Rosser is taking up a position teaching Science, including ‘A’ Level Biology, at St Mary’s Catholic School, Astley. Mr Nick Donnelly is also leaving us for pastures new. Dedicated Teaching Assistants Mrs Jo Mellors and Mrs Hayley O’Brien are also leaving; Mrs Mellors to take up a position as Deputy Head of House at Tor Bridge High School, Plymouth, and Mrs O’Brien who is committing more time to her family business. We would like to thank them all for the immense contribution they have made to the school and to the lives of the young people they have taught and helped over the years. We would also like to say a huge thank you to Mr Andrew Wood who has been providing essential maternity cover for Mrs Jennifer O’Dwyer in the Languages department. Mrs O’Dwyer will be returning just before the summer following the birth of her second daughter. Special events of the term The Year 11 ‘Prom’ was once again a very special occasion for our Year 11 pupils, staff and parents. Once again, our young ‘celebrities’ arrived at Mytton Fold looking stunning and stepping out of a wide variety of transport to be greeted by an expectant crowd of parents, staff, friends and relatives. P.T.O.