St Michael’s Church of England High School Headteacher: Mrs J Jenks BSocSci Hons PGCE Deputy Headteachers: Mr J Chadwick BEd Hons, Mrs C Hooley BA Hons
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Message from the Headteacher Dear Parents and Carers HIGHLIGHTS p2 Badminton b Brilliance p3 Governor elections p4 Shakespeare for Schools p5 Rugby news p6 Physics of flying p7 Celebration Eucharist service p8 Egg drop challenge p9 Christmas celebrations p10 Icelandic adventures p11 Fabulous football p12 Oxfam Unwrapped p13 Online safety p14 Theatre trip p15 Head choristers
strong. The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd JulAfter a very busy, extremely ian Henderson, led a truly productive and eventful half inspirational and moving term the Christmas holidays service reflecting on Mrs are almost upon us and our Armstrong’s 40 years of pupils and staff are now commitment to the Governenjoying the season of Ading Body of St Michael’s vent and reflecting on the before a congregation of true meaning of Christmas. family, friends, former Preparations for the end of headteachers and staff past term Christmas service are and present. Our school very much underway and choirs and instrumentalists we all enjoyed a moving, enhanced the atmosphere traditional Carol Service at and enabled us all to show St Paul’s Church in Adlingour gratitude for the lifeton last week. long service Mrs Armstrong has provided. She will be We are absolutely delighted truly missed at St Michael’s to announce the appointbut we look forward to seement of both a new Chair of ing her at school events in Governors, Mr Chris the future and wish her well Metcalfe, and Vice Chair, in her retirement. Father David Arnold, both of whom bring a wealth of It was our pleasure to welexperience and expertise to come Mr Ian Payne, Store our Governing Body. Mr Manager at Booths in ChorMetcalfe, a primary ley, to present our former headteacher and a commit- Year 11 with their awards ted Christian, has been a and GCSE certificates on dedicated governor at St our Awards Evening. Michael’s since 2008 and We have long standing links Father David, a former St with the Chorley supermarMichael’s pupil, is a familiar ket where their supportive face around school having staff kindly provide work led many Eucharist serexperience for our pupils, vices. I look forward to including help with interworking closely with them view technique and applicaboth and thank them in tion forms. Once again this advance for the support, evening celebrated not only challenge and commitment the fantastic examination they will bring to the life of success of our young peothe school. ple but recognised all they did at school during their A wonderful Eucharist serfive years to enrich our vice has been held this half learning community, and in term in Blackburn Cathedral doing so, fulfil our mission to give thanks for the dedi- statement of ‘pursuing excation and diligence of our cellence, serving God and recently retired Chair of celebrating the uniqueness Governors, Mrs Freda Arm- of each individual.’ We are
very proud of all their achievements and wish them every success in the future! Our present Year 11 are also working hard having just completed their mock examinations. We are encouraged and impressed by their diligence and maturity especially in the light of the pressures they face with a shift to purely linear exams in most subjects and increased subject content. Their determination to succeed is to be commended and we only ask that they take some time to relax and recharge their batteries over the Christmas period! This term has not been without its challenges! It was with great disappointment and sadness that I shared with you the news of the fire which caused extensive damage to the boy’s toilets in the upper languages corridor. This incident was thoroughly investigated and I would like to praise both staff for their quick-thinking calm manner with which the blaze was tackled and the pupils for coming forwards with information. The health and safety of our pupils and staff is