Year 9 Trip to Allerton Grange
On Wednesday 16th February, a group of twenty-nine Year 9's who are learning French as a foreign language for their third year went to Allerton Grange High school on a French exchange. We experienced talking to actual French Exchange students and to practise speaking aloud in groups, which hopefully boosted our confidence of speaking French a little more.

We all had to meet at the lay-by just off the ring road leading up to Priesthorpe School at 8:15 at the latest as we needed to get to Allerton Grange as soon as possible. Mrs Lake met us at the lay-by, followed by Mrs Goostrey and then Mrs Squince and we all got on the coach. At around 8:25 we set off to Allerton Grange and we eventually arrived at about 9:15. After we had entered the building, we were briefed on what would be happening throughout the morning and we were introduced to the French Exchange students, one of whom was Cécile.

We all got into groups of three or four. I was with Danny Taylor and Matthew Lambert for the duration of the morning and our French Student was called Sophie. We were given clipboards with vocabulary sheets and a worksheet on and we went to the 'Market Place'. We had to use our vocabulary sheets and what we already knew about Food, Clothing and things in general to get stickers to put on our worksheet to help us with what we would be doing later. We all pretended to be in a shopping situation and I really enjoyed role-play with the French students. It was quite a challenge.

After we had got all our stickers and answers to questions for the worksheet, we headed upstairs for a hot chocolate and a croissant and afterwards we went into the computer room to create a PowerPoint Presentation on what we had bought and said down in the market place and about our French Student. Only one of us volunteered to show our presentation to the group but to fill the time, one of the French students showed us some 'magic' tricks.

I had a great time there and learnt a lot about the French language and picked up on the French accent and pronunciation. I would definitely recommend the trip to others in the future.
Tom Shepherd 9Be

A few weeks ago we went on a French Experience trip to Allerton Grange High school for a morning of intense French!! We arrived at about 9:15 and were taken into the learning centre where we were introduced to all the assistants and then split into groups. We were assigned an assistant, whose name was Fouzia.

We then went into the room downstairs and took part in a 'Market' scenario where we had to read posters and visit the bakers, grocers and the clothes shop. We were given stickers when we bought something. (We had to ask for it in French, though!)

Afterwards we went to have some chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and croissants! They were really tasty!

We then went into the ICT room and had to produce a slideshow. We had to describe what we bought and also describe our French assistant. Everybody wanted me to show mine (Aimee) but I was too embarrassed! In the end I didn't have to show it. This French guy called Jean-Pierre showed us a magic trick that we all found rather amusing.
Aimee Hill 9Be and Helen Stephens 9Br

Our Foreign Languages Assistants Sonia (for Spanish) and Cécile (for French) will be leaving us at the end of May. Here are a few words from Cécile:

PRIESTHORPE
My very first sight of Priesthorpe High School was this huge white and blue building in the middle of fields "Nice building" I thought!

Then I was introduced to the foreign language's teachers by Mrs Goostrey, and finally the best moment came: my first lesson with the children! I can remember it was a Year 7 class, and the they were asking me a lot of questions about France and French people. I was really pleased because they were really interested! Of course we could not avoid the famous question "Do you eat frogs?" … "No, this is a false idea!!"…

I think the pupils in this school are really nice. They have the chance to evolve in such a good environment: Priesthorpe is very well equipped. There is no bell at the end of the lessons (which I find is an excellent idea that should inspire all schools), the teachers always take some time to talk with students and advise them.

This is a very pleasant atmosphere to work in and I really enjoy teaching here!
Miss Cécile

We wish them both every success for the future.
MFL dept

KS4 French visit to Salford University
One student's account of the exam booster day:

Salford University - French GCSE Trip
On the 15th March Year 11 students taking GCSE French were given the opportunity to go to the University of Salford to Maxwell Hall. We went to take part in various lectures to help us learn and revise aspects of French that we will need for our French exam in May.

We all set off from Priesthorpe at 9:15 and we arrived in Salford around 10:35. We were seated and ready to begin at 11:00.

Regis and Richard took the sessions with the use of videos, role-plays and PowerPoint presentations. We were all given workbooks to go through. Inside the books were questions to fill in. The workbooks included sections on direction, lost property, and also practice on Listening and picking up Information.

Personally I found it interesting because Regis and Richard spoke French all day. I wasn't used to this, however I found the whole experience useful and I now know that I need to learn the French vocabulary in order to achieve a better grade in a few months time.

There were almost a thousand Year 10 and 11 students there and I feel that to get even more out of the day it needed to be a smaller group. I enjoyed the experience and now I am ready for the exams, which begin in May.

Good luck to all students taking French!
Emma Archibold 11W

In March the Year 10 GCSE Manufacturing group spent a morning at Pizza Hut in Leeds looking at Pizza Hut's operation. They were given an insight into how a quality standard product is produced, the importance of ICT in a commercial organisation and how personnel are trained and organised. This information has helped as we have looked at production control in the classroom.

The ASDAN Year 11 group set up a company to make and sell goods to support the Leeds Appeal for the Tsunami Fund. They cooked and sold goods over three weeks and added to Priesthorpe's running total.

The Food Technology department has been actively involved with the PASS Centre over the year. Classes have been run not only for some pupils that are referred for help but we have been running "Reward" sessions for hardworking pupils. School provides the ingredients, practical skills are taught and staff and pupils can relax and enjoy working together, the real reward being the end product!
Mrs Rayner

In the Land of the Pink and Purple
Have you ever thought that changing the colour of ordinary everyday things could make the day more lively? Well, that's just what happened when Year 10 artists visited Liverpool to go to the Tate Gallery for the day. Liverpudlian wheelie bins are bright purple. That's right, Purple! The school crossing patrols definitely look like they have been tangoed in their brilliant orange jackets. But stranger still was the pink and green school uniform. Not a popular combination, especially as it included dark green ankle boots.

At the Tate Gallery we worked with two artists during the day, looking at and talking about some of the art works on display as well as exploring them through drawing. The favourite piece of advice from the day was to try and work out for ourselves what the artwork had to say first before we looked at what the gallery had put on the wall about it.

A colourful day was had by all!
Ms Drabble and Mrs Martin

Healthy School Initiative Update
Further to my report in the December 2004 newsletter, I would like to take this opportunity to update you all on our quest to encourage healthy choices in the dining room.

Since January, the school has operated a 'chip free' day per week, which incidentally has now increased to two days (randomly selected), where healthier alternatives are made available. It is our intention that in September 2005 chips will be available on one day per week only.

We have also been concerned regarding the amount of chocolate consumed by Year 10 and 11, purchased in the youth centre. Chocolate products have been replaced with plain biscuits, cookies and cereal bars, and salads and fresh fruit are always available.

It is several years since the school stopped selling fizzy drinks containing additives and we will make any further changes necessary to help our students achieve a healthy lifestyle. We are looking to increase the availability of water in both the vending machine and installing more water fountains in several areas of the school.

I do hope you will continue to support us on this issue.
Mrs Hardaker
Assistant Headteacher