Year 8 PSHCE pupils raised £620 through 'Sporting Chance' for a school in IFAKARA, Tanzania, Africa. Priesthorpe will buy sports equipment and basic equipment for the school and it will be sent with the help of PLAN International - a charity who do a lot of wok in this area through the sponsorship of specific children. Fund raising events included selling buns, performing a concert after making our own instruments, African football using a football made out of carrier bags, paying to listen to CDs at break, collecting loose change. The pupils worked extremely hard and were praised for helping others less fortunate than themselves. Pupils will be given certificates as part of citizenship in assembly on March 11th 2003.

Student Achievements
Several of our students have achieved positively whilst working off site as part of an extended learning programme, particularly Richard Waterhouse at CANVAS.

Excellent art work was produced by Thomas Skeet, Jessica Garside, Abigail Nelson, Keldon Ford, Kelly Knights & Damian Pawson, and all have works displayed on the PASS Centre 'Wall of Fame'. Well done everyone!
Mrs Squince

SEN
The Leeds Parent Partnership has been reorganised. If you would like more information, please contact Stephanie Taylor on 0113 2783957 or via email at taylorsp01@leedslearning.net

Irlens Syndrome
For some children with learning difficulties, it has been accepted that the use of coloured overlays reduces visual stress and increases reading fluency. The colour required is specific to the child's individual needs. The colour reduces the perceptual distortions of text, which enables more fluent reading. Rayner Opticians, 12/14 Merrion Centre - 0113 2451190, provide a service which can assess the need for an overlay or coloured lenses at very reasonable cost.

We have sadly said goodbye to two of our Learning Support Assistants. Mrs Lynn Jelic and Mrs Jill Callaby have moved to pastures new. We wish them well for the future. Their dedication and care are sorely missed.
Mr Coyne

MATHS
A number of our Year 10 pupils took part in the recent National Intermediate Maths Challenge. All participants did exceptionally well especially Mark Richardson (Gold certificate).
Silver certificates went to Laura Holdsworth, Emma Lee, Penny Cunningham, Mandeep Khaira.
Bronze certificates went to Ruth Dalley, Victoria Lambert, Jason Coleman, Eva Almon, Ritchie Leach, Becky Rawlings, Alex Rhodes, Jill Hague and Adam Wilson.

BUSINESS
The Business Studies KS4 page contains all revision notes Year 11 will need for exams including the resource pack about the company they have been studying.

Visits
The AVCE GNVQ visited LMU for a Customer Source Seminar Workshop and did some excellent presentations. They will be able to use these ideas in the assignments they are currently working on.

The GNVQ Intermediate group went on a visit to Morley Electric Motors to look at how a leading manufacturer has managed to survive in a highly competitive market.

Planned visits
On March 10th (Year 10) and March 11th (Year 13 Advanced) students have the opportunity to go on a visit to Headingley Stadium, home of Leeds Rhinos, to listen to leading business entrepreneurs regarding how they managed to set up successful businesses. (This visit has nothing to do with Mrs Marsden being a Rhinos fan either!) Costs will be partly met by organisers Blue Skies Events as part of the Excellence Challenge Initiative.

Year 12 Intermediate group are currently working with Asda, Owlcotes Centre on their Customer Service Unit, looking at how this can be improved.
Mrs Marsden

MUSIC
A concert was given at Farsley Methodist Church on Tuesday 11th March for the Ladies Guild. The following pupils played a varied programme which delighted the audience: Kirsty Hodgson - Flute, Hayleigh Nash - Alto Saxophone, Charlotte Maude - Violin, Charlotte Naylor - Violin, Martin Scott - Piano, Kelly Atack - Voice.

Music Travels
Year 7 have been exploring the sound and flavours of Indian music both traditional and modern.
Year 8 now know much more about the music of the Caribbean and Year 9 know a thing or two about African drum music and African rhythms.

The school wind band continues to rehearse every Wednesday and is now preparing for forthcoming events. We now have three new titles to play and everyone in the band seems to be content to rehearse these with interest and fervour.

Some pupils are now trying out their drum skills by having Dhol drum lessons every Wednesday lunchtime and other pupils are having extra special tuition with brass, strings and theory of music lessons during the course of every lunchtime.

Congratulations
Kirsty Hodgson for passing her grade III flute exam.
Mr Atkins

FOOD TECHNOLOGY
This term we have been please to welcome Mrs Mumby back to the Department. Mrs Mumby has been on maternity leave. We are also really pleased that Mrs Moore, who covered the maternity leave, has been able to stay with us on a part time basis.

Just before Christmas Mrs Mumby organised the annual trip to the Clothes Show. 24 pupils and 2 members of staff went down by coach to the NEC and had a very enjoyable and informative day.

Our Wednesday lunchtime cookery club for Years 7 & 8 is still going strong. We average 12 pupils most Wednesdays. This term we are looking at the luxury biscuit market. Nutritionally they leave something to be desired but we are enjoying making them and tasting them!

Here are some of the comments from our food club members about why they come:
"I think cooking club is great fun." Michaela Conley 8Me
"A chance to have a great time and not feel pressured to get it right first time like you do in class." Rebecca Chamberlain 8Me
"I like cooking club and enjoy tasting and cooking different things." Katie Deacon 8A

Our male members come to the club because they would all like to work in the food industry. Four boys come on a regular basis.

Biscuits made and sold by the cooking club contributed £8.40 to the Comic Relief total.

On a Thursday morning the PASS Centre moves to the Technology area and we put into practice some of the knowledge gained in other areas. We learn to weigh and measure accurately, the price of goods are worked out and then some sold. Under adult supervision the pupils handle the money and give the correct change. While we work we chat and all the pupils join in, even the ones who normally find it difficult to talk to adults so we extend their language skills as well. While we are working, questions arise naturally and we touch on Science when we explain why the cakes rise, or the mixture sets. Then at the end of the morning we have something to show for all our hard work.

23rd - 27th June is Technology week. This year we hope to organise some events in school to celebrate our subject. Mrs Mumby is in touch with Marks & Spencer and we hope they will work with us to celebrate how things have developed in the Design and Technology area.

ART
Students from Priesthorpe are participating in a 'Leeds Wedge' (Crawshaw, Grangefield, Intake, West Leeds, Farnley) Art exhibition to be held at Crawshaw on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th July 2003. They are creating oil paintings under the theme, 'The Future' and students and parents will be invited to the Private View on 2nd July to see the show.
Students will be invited to attend Art workshops at various wedge schools to take part in learning new art skills.

GEOGRAPHY
The Geography Department have used their e-learning credits to buy a series of Internet enquiries that allow pupils from Year 9 to 6th form to investigate topics such as population, volcanoes, earthquakes and weather hazards in a structured way. Year 12 have also been impressed with a virtual tour of the new Leeds Supertram which we've acquired on CD Rom.

Mr Ziltener is planning a trip for a small group of Year 7 pupils to The Deep in Hull. The trip will take place during the summer term.

Year 12 enjoyed excellent weather for their 2 day field trip in March. We visited 7 varied locations in Leeds looking at variations in quality of life across the city. The group then travelled to Newton House Field Centre and spent the second day at Coatham Sands near Redcar looking at sand dune ecosystems. The students are now well under way with completing their Environmental Investigations using data collected on the field trip.

OUR DAY OUT
Bombay Dreams
During the last half term, a group of Year 11 & 12 pupils went to see the West End play 'Bombay Dreams'. Although it was a long day (travelling by coach) it was well worth it. The production was great and so were the pupils that went on the trip. Where next……………maybe 'Grease'?
Mr Saimbhi

For all those that went to see Bombay Dreams. I am sure you'll say the same, that the play was BRILLIANT. I think you should all take the trip down to London and see it. I wouldn't mind going again.
Jaspreet Buttar 12B

Hey! Bombay Dreams was a wicked play filled with great music and exceptional dancing. We all had a fabulous time and would love to go again. It kept us entertained during it all. There wasn't a dull moment! I advise anyone to go see it - you wont be disappointed as overall it was fantastic!
Thanks Mr Saimbhi.

We were going to London, to watch the West End play Bombay Dreams. Going on a coach sounded a hassle and the early morning put us off a little but still somehow I managed to get to the Civic Hall on time (Wow!) The journey seemed never ending and after a crazy five hours we arrived at London, went to Oxford Street shopping (got to check out Selfridges!) and then later on arrived at the Victoria Theatre. Us girls arrived on time and the boys came late! But all the feet aching walks were worth it because the play was amazing! Never seen anything like it, bright, colourful and full of energy!! Everyone was dancing in their seats and the whole thing was wicked! We would all definitely go and see it again! Cheers to Mr Sambhi for taking us out. It was successful and a laugh. Well done Sir!!!
Year 11 girls

Higher Education Focus Day
On Wednesday 26th March I took four Year 10 girls on a trip to Leeds Metropolitan University, Beckett Park Campus. The girls had shown an interest in becoming teachers and this day was for students with this aim.

We had interesting talks from several people including Sarah Briggs who won the National Teaching Awards for Best Infant Teacher and an opportunity to have an interactive session with Martin Williams the National Teaching Awards winner for best practice in Secondary School Teaching.

After our picnic lunch we were entertained by Shakespeare Primary School who have children attending from 21 different countries, speaking 20 different languages. This was followed by a talk from a representative from Leeds United - very controversial questioning followed!

The girls were a little overwhelmed at the start of the day and were a bit unsure as to if they wanted to go to University at all. By the end of the day they couldn't wait and were asking loads of questions of the 3rd Year PE students who were our mentors for the day.
Mrs Pickering

Aprica 2003 - a personal view
42 pupils and 7 staff travelled to the Italian Alps at February half term. We were blessed by perfect weather and exceptional conditions for skiing. It had snowed on route and was still snowing when we arrived. The clouds lifted, the sun shone and did so for the rest of the holiday. Skiing is an excellent sport once you master those rather long pieces of wood they expect you to get about on. It is one of those sports where all, albeit at different rates, make progress. Master is perhaps an unfortunate term. I must have been skiing 15 times without a serious tumble. My time on the slopes came to a sudden and spectacular halt on the second day. The sun was shining, conditions were perfect and it was an easy blue piste. So what went wrong? My daughter (who was not there) presumed I would be showing off on my ageing legs.

I can recommend the Italian National Health Service. Sondrio, the nearest hospital, was about 30km down the mountain. I eventually persuaded Mr Hardaker that a taxi rather than the local bus was the best method of getting there. I was in and out, X rayed, assessed and strapped up within 2 hours. The fractured upper right arm is now well on the way to recovery. It's amazing how much you miss your right arm.

It was an excellent holiday with a group of students who are a credit to the school and their families. We look forward to next years trip to Zell am See. Such is the popularity of this venture that I have had to organise two trips for 2004. The Year 9's will go to Zell am See as planned. The Year 10's and 11's will ski at Easter at Rizoul, France.
Mr Pickles

Holly How
45 Year 7's have just returned from Holly How, the Coniston Youth Hostel, following a menu of climbing, canoeing, walking, mountain biking and team activities. An excellent week was had by all and the weather was kind yet again.
A highlight for the group was being able to work with Stuart Price, one of the North of England's leading mountain biking coaches!
The staff of Messieurs Robins, Goldthorp, Byrne, Dalley and Mesdames Morrell, Squince, Morgan and Gray are now trying to catch up on their sleep!
Mr Robins

Twelfth Night Drama Workshop
On the 2nd April a Theatre Company called 'Say Two' came into school to perform Twelfth Night and do a workshop with us. This was to help us understand the play for the SAT's. First we were asked how much we knew about Shakespeare. Andrea, one of the actresses, gave us some background information on his life. Four pupils were then asked up onto the stage to do some spacial awareness. They had to walk around shaking hands and making eye contact. This was to teach us that when you are acting you use your eyes to talk to people.

Then they got eight more people up from the audience to dress in costumes that the characters wore. Two of the groups had to go and perform a freeze frame from each scene, the other two had to do gestures, one group did Love, the other group did Madness.

The actors then performed the play :
Andrew played: Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Malvolio, Antonio and Feste
Andrea played: Viola, Cesario and Maria
Emma played: Curio, Olivia and the Captain
Richard played: Sir Toby Belch, Duke Orsino and Sebastian.

They shortened most of the scenes down to make it easier to understand and easier for them to act as there were only four of them.

I really liked the Workshop and I would recommend it to other schools.
Jenny Lee

When we began to go through the script of the Twelfth Night I thought "I am never going to be able to do the SAT's!" After annotating the script I began to understand the language but it was still too complex. During the Twelfth Night Workshop we had the opportunity to ask questions about the characters and some of us dressed up as the characters from the play.

After we had seen the group perform the play, which was excellent, we made up six scenes of the play to act out. Also, some of us in our group got to direct the scenes to get a feel for what directing is like because some of the SAT's questions may include directing a scene. I thought it was amazing how four people can learn three characters' lines and get changed so quickly. They were really well organised.

After seeing the play I understand it much more clearly and I think it will help me do better in my SAT's.
Laura Whelan 9W

On the 2nd April a theatre company called 'Say Two' came into school to do a Twelfth Night Workshop to help us understand the plays and help us with our SAT's. The company was made up of Emma, Andrea, Andrew and Richard. The first thing they did was ask us some questions about Shakespeare and Twelfth Night. Then they got four pupils up to do some spacial awareness skills, shaking hands and glancing at people to build in gestures and eye contact. Eight more students then tried on the costumes of each character and some love and madness gestures and got the whole audience to join in.

The play was shortened because there were only four of them. It was easier for us to understand and it wasn't too long as they didn't have loads of time.

In the last hour we did some freeze frames. We were split into four groups. We then had to come up with six freezes to represent the play. Our group freezes were : The shipwreck, Viola going to Orsino for work, Viola telling Olivia about Orisino's love for her, Maria and Toby setting Malvolio up with a letter (he thinks it is from Olivia), Malvolio tells Olivia that he loves her and he is wearing his yellow stockings, Malvolio finding the letter.

I enjoyed Say Two's visit and found it really interesting. I also got a lot out of it; it helped my understanding of the play a great deal.
Hannah Brown

Once the company had got out of costume they were hot seated and we had chance to ask them some questions (about acting about the questions on the characters they were playing). The scenes they actually did were Act 2 Scene 4 and Act 3 Scene 1. The Workshop began at 12.00pm. For the next twenty minutes we had to write down ten things (in general) that we had learnt from the play and three things on what we had learnt about on the main characters (Olivia, Viola/Cesario and Orsino). The play helped my understanding of Shakespeare's language a great deal.
Daniel Holah

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