THORNLEIGH SALESIAN COLLEGE SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026
2 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 HEADTEACHER’S MESSAGE Dear Thornleigh Salesian College Community, As we reach the end of another busy year, I want to thank every staff member and student for their commitment to school. This term has been full of memorable moments that demonstrate what it means to be part of Thornleigh, students who put others first, staff who go the extra mile and families who have supported our ethos. A special highlight this term was the visit of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Father Fabio Attard, who joined us for the Diaconate Ordinations. He offered warm encouragement as we mark 100 years of Salesian presence in Bolton and reminded us, powerfully, to always put the children in our care first. It was a timely and fitting reminder of our mission. I am pleased to welcome Brother Raphael as our new Assistant School Chaplain. His presence will strengthen our spiritual life and I know pupils and staff have already benefited from his warmth and guidance. We were honoured to be joined by the family of Joseph Slupski as we relaunched the ‘Slupski Award’ at the Year 11 celebration Mass. Congratulations to Allesandro Orlando for receiving the award for being an outstanding citizen, a wonderful example of our values in action. We said goodbye to two exceptional cohorts this term. To our Year 11 and Year 13 pupils, thank you for your contribution to the life of Thornleigh. We celebrated your achievements at two very special prom events and in our Year 11 and Sixth Form events, you leave with our very best wishes for the future. This term’s other events included our Confirmation Service, a summer literacy week featuring: children’s author Jamie Fox and the Pavement Poet; a successful sports day; the Let’s Dance 2026 showcase; the Spirit of Cricket Festival at Old Trafford; Rock and Pop night and our end-of-year trips. These experiences enrich our students’ character and broaden horizons outside the classroom. Sporting success stood out too with the highlight being our Under 13 girls’ football team who reached the quarter-finals of the English Schools National Cup and were narrowly beaten on penalties, a proud achievement and a testament to their determination and teamwork. As we pause for the summer, Pope Leo XIV’s words resonate with our mission, to be witnesses of hope, to respect the dignity of every person and to work together for the common good. Let these principles guide us into the new academic year. Thank you to parents / carers, staff, governors and students for everything you have given to Thornleigh this year. May you rest well over the summer, returning refreshed, ready to continue our work of forming young people who are valued, loved and cherished. Mr Fitzsimons Headteacher
3 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 CONTENTS Follow us on Instagram Page 2 Headteacher’s Message Page 3 Contents Page 4 Rector Major Visit Page 5 Diaconate Ordinations Page 6 - 9 RE & Chaplaincy Page 10 - 12 PSHE Page 13 Maths Page 13 Child Development Page 13 Sixth Form Chaplaincy Page 14 - 15 Literacy Week 2026 Page 16 - 17 MFL Page 18 Art Page 19 Sports Day Page 20 - 23 PE & Dance Page 24 - 25 Music Page 26 - 29 Year Team News Page 30 - 31 Sixth Form News
4 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 The visit of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Fabio Attard SDB, was a wonderful and unexpected blessing for the Thornleigh community during this Centenary Year. While attending the Diaconate Ordinations, Fr Fabio took time to meet with the Headteacher, student leaders and members of the school community. His presence at Thornleigh was a significant and memorable occasion, offering encouragement and inspiration as we continue to celebrate 100 years of Salesian ministry in Bolton. His visit served as a powerful reminder of Thornleigh’s place within the worldwide Salesian family and was greatly appreciated by all who had the opportunity to meet him. Visitof theRectorMajor, FrFabioAttardSDB
5 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 As part of the Centenary Year celebrations marking 100 years of the Salesians in Bolton, Thornleigh Salesian College was delighted to host the ordination of 3 Salesian deacons on Saturday 21st June. At 4pm, Br Chin, Br Sixtus and Br Reuben were ordained to the Diaconate by Bishop John Arnold of the Diocese of Salford during a joyful and prayerful celebration in Thornleigh Chapel. In a wonderful surprise for all present and the ordinantis themselves, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Fabio Attard, attended the ordination ceremony. His presence made this special occasion even more memorable and highlighted the significance of the event for the Salesian Family. The celebration was attended by the Headteacher, Mr Fitzsimons, governors, members of staff and student leaders from the college. Salesians from across the country were also present, together with the Salesian Sisters, family members, friends, parishioners and representatives from local communities. During the ordination Mass, Br Chin, Br Sixtus and Br Reuben made their commitment to serve the Church through the ministry of the Diaconate, dedicating themselves to proclaiming the Gospel, assisting at the altar and serving God’s people, especially the young and the poor in the spirit of St John Bosco. Following the Mass, guests gathered in the school’s Main Hall for a reception and felicitation programme to celebrate the newly ordained deacons. The gathering was enriched by musical performances from two of our Sixth Form students, Logan and Neve, who entertained guests with their singing talents. Their performances added to the joyful atmosphere of the evening and were greatly appreciated by all in attendance. It was a wonderful occasion filled with gratitude, fellowship and hope. The ordinations provided another significant moment of celebration during this special centenary year, giving thanks for the rich legacy of the Salesians in Bolton and looking forward with confidence and hope to the future of the Salesian mission. Celebrating100Yearsof the Salesians inBolton: DiaconateOrdinationsat Thornleigh
6 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 RE&Chaplaincy Pilgrim Cross Walk to Walsingham During Holy Week 2026, two students from Thornleigh Salesian College and three others from the parishes, accompanied by the School Chaplain, took part in a remarkable spiritual journey: The Pilgrim Cross Walk from Ely Cathedral to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. Over the course of three days, the group walked more than 65 miles, joining nearly 350 pilgrims from across the United Kingdom in preparation for the Good Friday and Easter celebrations at the Shrine. This pilgrimage was not a fundraiser or charity event, but a deeply personal journey of faith, prayer and reflection. For our students, and the wider group of pilgrims, it was an unforgettable experience - physically demanding, spiritually enriching and marked by a profound sense of community and purpose. We give thanks for the courage, commitment and witness of our young pilgrims, who embraced this opportunity to deepen their faith during the sacred seasons of Lent and Easter. Further information: www.pilgrimcross.org.uk Final Profession of Bro Andre Kankwenda SDB On 29th May, Bro Andre Kankwenda made his Final Profession of Vows, committing himself permanently to the Salesian way of life. The profession took place during a special Mass at which Fr Pascual Chávez SDB, Rector Major Emeritus of the Salesians, received his vows. The occasion also coincided with the celebration of 100 years of Salesian presence in Bolton. During the celebrations, former Thornleigh students who had gone on to become Salesian priests were recognised and thanked for their service. As a mark of appreciation, each received a commemorative memento acknowledging their contribution to the Salesian mission.
7 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Pope Leo XIV - Magnifica Humanitas - ‘Magnificent Humanity’ In his recent encyclical letter Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the dignity and beauty of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God. He calls Christians to recognise the value of every individual and to promote a culture of encounter, compassion and solidarity. The document emphasises that true human flourishing is found in relationships rooted in love, justice and service. Pope Leo encourages the faithful to become witnesses of hope by respecting the dignity of all people and working for the common good. Encyclical Letter: www.vatican.va Final Service for Year 13 Students On 22nd May, the school community gathered for the final service for our Year 13 students. It was an opportunity to give thanks for their contribution to school life and to celebrate their achievements throughout their time at Thornleigh. The Headteacher, together with members of the Sixth Form Leadership Team, offered messages of encouragement and gratitude, acknowledging the positive way in which students had embraced and lived the values of our Salesian community. We wish all our Year 13 students every success and blessing as they begin the next stage of their journey. Welcome to Bro Raphael SDB Following the May half-term break, we were delighted to welcome Bro Raphael SDB as Assistant Chaplain to Thornleigh Salesian College. Originally from Eswatini, Bro Raphael has recently completed his theological studies in London. He joins us as part of his pastoral ministry and will work closely with students, particularly within the Sixth Form, supporting the spiritual life and mission of the school. We look forward to the many gifts and experiences he will bring to our community.
8 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Confirmation Retreat Young people preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation from various local parishes came together for a shared retreat experience at Thornleigh. The retreat provided opportunities for prayer, friendship and faith formation, helping candidates reflect on their call to live as mature disciples of Christ in today’s world. It was a valuable opportunity for spiritual preparation as they looked forward to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Visit to the St Columba’s Primary School - Feast of St Columba On 9th June, Thornleigh Gift Leaders joined the community of St Columba’s Primary School to celebrate the Feast of St Columba. Students attended the Feast Day Mass before taking part in a series of prayer stations organised by the primary school. The visit also provided a valuable opportunity for our Gift Leaders to meet and interact with Year 6 pupils who are preparing to begin their secondary school journey in September. It was a joyful celebration of faith, community and partnership between our schools. Reconciliation for Year 8 As part of their preparation for Confirmation, all Year 8 students were given the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The reflection focused on the theme of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, encouraging students to consider how these gifts are present and active in their daily lives. The service provided a meaningful opportunity for prayer, self-reflection and spiritual renewal as students prepared for this important step in their faith journey.
9 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Year 11 Celebration Mass and Awards On Friday 12th June, Year 11 students gathered in the Chapel alongside their Form Tutors for their Celebration Mass and Awards Presentation. It was a joyful and prayerful occasion marking the completion of an important stage in their education. In his homily, Fr Steven Lloyd SDB reminded students that they will always have a home at Thornleigh. He encouraged them to continue growing in kindness, courage and patience, becoming people of hope and light in the world. Each student received a copy of the school yearbook and Trust the Road, a Salesian book of reflections and prayers, as a reminder of the support and guidance available to them on their future journeys. Award Winners Mugan Shield - Christopher J Slupski Award - Alessandro O Caritas Award - Lucy W We congratulate all our Year 11 students and wish them every blessing for the future. CAFOD Young Leaders Celebration On Wednesday 17th June, seven Year 12 students attended the final CAFOD Young Leaders training day at Methodist Central Hall. Throughout the year, they have developed leadership skills rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, promoting justice, solidarity and care for others. The event celebrated their achievements and commitment to making a positive difference in the world. Confirmation Service 2026 On Wednesday 17th June, 62 young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation during a special service celebrated by Bishop John Arnold in Thornleigh Chapel. The chapel was filled with family members, friends, parish representatives, staff and students who gathered to celebrate this important milestone in the faith lives of the candidates. In his message, Bishop John encouraged the newly confirmed to live their faith each day and allow it to draw them ever closer to Christ. The celebration was attended by local clergy, Salesians and catechists, while the school choir helped create a prayerful and uplifting atmosphere throughout the service.
10 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 PSHE Welcome to this term’s Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) and Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) update. It has been an incredibly busy and productive year at Thornleigh Salesian College. Our curriculum continues to focus on nurturing the whole child, ensuring our students grow into well-informed, resilient and compassionate young people. Faith and Relationships: Our RSHE Curriculum At Thornleigh Salesian College, our Catholic ethos is at the heart of everything we teach. For our RSHE delivery, we proudly use the Ten:Ten Catholic Programme. This programme ensures that our curriculum is deeply rooted in a Christian understanding of the human person, focusing on: • Our personal relationships with others. • Our individual, unique relationship with God. • The statutory RSHE framework required by the Department for Education. Important Curriculum Update: We are currently in the process of updating our RSHE content to ensure full compliance with the new statutory government guidance due to come into effect in September 2026. We believe that a strong partnership between school and home is vital for effective RSHE delivery. Parents and carers can access all the teaching resources, overviews and session contents via the Ten:Ten Parental Portal. Please visit www.tentenresources.co.uk to explore these materials and see what your child is learning. Further information: www.pilgrimcross.org.uk Wider PSHE: Partnering with Pol-Ed For the wider delivery of our PSHE curriculum, we use Pol-Ed, an educational programme recommended to us by Bolton Council. Both our teaching staff and students are finding these resources incredibly engaging and interesting. Because the curriculum is created with input from the police, the sessions are regularly updated to ensure they are completely up-to-date regarding statistics, specific focus areas and the real-world topics that our young people need to understand to stay safe and make informed choices. You can find the parent section here: www.pol-ed.co.uk/audiences/parents/homes PSHE Club: Creativity at Break Our Wednesday lunchtime PSHE Club has been a massive hit this year! Meeting every Wednesday during breaktime, students from various year groups have come together to unwind, build friendships and express themselves through hands-on crafting. Some of our favourite creations this year have included: • Clay “Jellycat” Marshmallows and miniature clay vegetables. • Seed planting to learn about sustainability and growth. • Intricate origami projects. • Building characters using colourful pipe cleaners. It has provided a wonderful, calm space for students to talk, destress and collaborate outside of a formal classroom setting.
11 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Expert Speakers: Bringing Learning to Life Throughout the academic year, we have welcomed an array of expert external speakers and specialised theatre groups. These sessions are crucial for addressing vital safeguarding themes, citizenship responsibilities and life skills. For our older students in Year 12 and 13, the Safeguarding Team delivered vital sessions focused on Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE). Students explored the legal definitions of consent and bodily autonomy, helping them develop a mature understanding of personal boundaries. Year 12 students also benefited from several specialised sessions. They looked into passenger safety with ‘Wanna Lift’ to evaluate personal risk when travelling in vehicles, and they worked with Fort Alice to raise domestic violence awareness by identifying unhealthy relationship patterns and learning how to spot potential red flags. Safety and social responsibility were major focuses for our lower and middle school lines as well. Our Year 8 and Year 9 students took part in pedestrian safety workshops with ‘The Riot Act’ to boost road awareness and public safety. Meanwhile, ‘Girls Outloud’ ran dedicated leadership and empowerment workshops for our Year 8 girls, helping them build core personal attributes such as self-belief, goal setting and perseverance. Furthermore, students across Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 engaged with ‘One Message’ in sessions designed to challenge misogyny and dismantle unhealthy relationship behaviours. We also addressed critical citizenship and community issues this year. The Anthony Walker Foundation worked with Year 10 and Year 11 students to promote anti-racism, understand hate crimes and foster social cohesion. To address youth violence, Year 12 engaged with the ‘JJ Effect’ for knife crime awareness, looking closely at how crime impacts communities and the rule of law. Similarly, Year 10 participated in split-group sessions with ‘33 Creative’ featuring the theatre production “The Real Story” and an immersive workshop called “On the Frontline” to assess risk and emergency situations. We are incredibly proud of how maturely our students engaged with these invaluable real-world topics.
12 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Student Voice - Listening to Our Students We want our curriculum to be as relevant to our students’ lives as possible. To achieve this, we have been actively conducting Student Voice panels and questionnaires across different year groups. This feedback helps us find out exactly what topics students want to learn more about and how they prefer to learn, directly shaping our PSHE / RSHE calendar for next academic year. Tracking Progress To ensure our students are properly absorbing these crucial life skills and safety topics, we have updated our tracking systems. Along with the continuous, supportive formative assessments conducted day-to-day by Form Tutors, we have now transitioned to termly online assessments. This allows us to closely monitor student progress and understanding throughout the academic year, ensuring no gaps in knowledge are left unfilled. Important Summer Notice: Water Safety As the weather warms up and we head towards the summer holidays, water safety becomes an absolute priority. To ensure our students are fully aware of the hidden dangers of open water, we have recently delivered dedicated Water Safety Assemblies to every single year group across the school. We strongly urge parents and carers to be incredibly mindful of this risk. Please speak with your children about the dangers of swimming in unsupervised open water such as reservoirs, rivers, lakes and quarries - particularly the risk of cold water shock, hidden currents and underwater hazards. Your conversations at home reinforce our vital safety messages at school. Thank you to all our staff, visitors and students for making this a fantastic year of growth!
13 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Maths Welcome to the Maths update! The Maths department have once again continued to attend the Maths study days delivered by the MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry) and facilitated by the AMSP (Advanced Mathematics Support Programme) to support and broaden the depth of knowledge of some of our more able mathematicians. Mr Fairclough and Miss Youssouf took a group of Year 7 students to Bolton Wanderers stadium, where they had the opportunity to be taught master classes in several key topics in maths, including Ratio and Proportion. The sessions also encouraged the students to become better mathematical problem solvers, with the final task of the day being a team competition against other schools focussed on problem solving. A group of Year 10 students attended their second session from the MEI this term, following on from a previous session last term at Salford University. This session was held at The Sixth Form Bolton and focussed on some important GCSE topics including Compound Measures, Probability and Recurring Decimals. The students also had a tour of the Sixth Form, and a talk from students about their experiences of studying A-Level Maths. ChildDevelopment Our Year 10 Child Development students have made a fantastic start on their Component 2 studies and have shown an excellent understanding of how children can learn through play at different ages and in different environments. The students have really enjoyed the Physical Play section as it lends itself to a more practical approach. We have worked on our hand / eye co-ordination by completing a juggling workshop and we worked on how to help a child’s fine motor skills in a junk modelling activity. We also looked at how to make breakfast time more fun to help with healthy eating, diet and nutrition. SixthFormChaplaincy I am delighted to report that as of next year there will be a new chaplaincy for Sixth Form. Its main purpose is to offer pastoral care and spiritual support to our Sixth Formers. Although the chaplaincy is intended to be the face of God, it is also a safe space for all to chat, relax, play board games and so on. The designated room is located upstairs in the far corner of the Learning Resource Centre. The room is still being decorated. I am extremely grateful to all who have contributed especially the Headteacher, Mr Fitzsimons, Andy Healy, Trish Gibbons, Fr Saju, the Site Team and ICT. In the coming weeks, we will produce a simple leaflet with further information about Sixth Form Chaplaincy. Brother Raphael
14 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 All BookedUp! It has been non-stop for literacy this Summer term and we haven’t had a minute. It’s difficult to decide where to start, but like any good book, we will start at the beginning… After our annual trip to Bolton School to participate in the ‘2026 Bolton Book Awards’ in March, it was pleasing to hear that this year’s winner was James Fox with his book, ‘The Boy in the Suit’. Many of our students loved listening to him and he got many of our votes. If you didn’t sign up to be part of the reading group, you can still take out all three of the shortlisted books from our library. At Thornleigh, we value the importance of reading and recognise the benefits regular reading can have on learning, GCSE outcomes and mental wellbeing. Form time reading plays a big part in helping to ensure our students read regularly. It’s been pleasing to see many forms getting through two or three books already this year, with some forms even creating their own bookmarks or post-reading art. Other forms have been so lost in their novels that Miss Whittle was blown away by their engagement and they were rewarded with hot chocolate in the library!
15 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 As promised in the last newsletter, we held our Summer Literacy Week at the end of June and what a week it was. Our students were spoilt for choice with daily activities in the library which included giant wizards’ chess, wordle, a 100-word saga competition and the Scholastic book fair. The library was a hive of activity at break and lunch times. Thank you to everyone who bought something from the book fair because a percentage of what we spend is issued back to us as vouchers so we can buy more books for the library. Also, during this week, we had a ‘dress as a word’ day where staff dressed up as a word and then students had to go on a hunt to find which words staff were dressed up as. The MFL department was a mixture of emotions; Mrs Rigby was tired out by it all but Mr Hughes didn’t even try; Mrs Allsop shone brightly but Miss Stones was not in the same mood; and, speaking of bright, there seemed to be some competition between Mrs Harrison- Scott’s pants, Miss Whittle’s flowers and Mr Foster’s neon pink tutu! If that wasn’t enough, we had other events running throughout the week. MFL took us on a journey around the world with their literacy quiz. Well done to our winners who received a prize for getting the most answers correct! On Thursday, we had the pavement poet, Tom Stocks, in school delivering poetry workshops which ended in groups writing their poems in chalk around school. Year 6 were even lucky enough to hear him deliver a talk in chapel that had everyone on their feet! Finally, we ended our week with ‘Beaches and Books’ which involved KS3 students bringing their favourite book to the chaplaincy garden, after school. As students shared extracts from their favourite books, we were transported into worlds which made us laugh, ponder or had us on the edge of our seats! It was a wonderful way to end the week by remembering the core aim of literacy week: to foster a love of reading.
4816 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 MFL International Schools Update We are in the process or applying for reaccreditation of our International School Award. As a school we are committed to enhancing our curriculum further to include many international and global activities. We have been engaged in exchanges and visits over the past 3 years, which have featured in our many newsletters and we hope to bring you successful news in September. Turing Scheme Following four years of success with the Turing Scheme, we applied for funding for next year and we are pleased to announce that we have received more funding to support our International School activities. In the meantime, we have another experience planned with our Year 12 students. Following many applications, 6 students - Joseph, Enrique, Grace, Annabelle, Vicky and Danas - are about to embark on a two-week work experience in Gibraltar with our international friends - The Nautilus Project. During the 2 weeks, the students will participate in many activities in the field of marine biology - from dolphin and whale watching, to beach cleans and lab work. This is a fabulous opportunity for our Sixth Form students and we look forward to their presentations and feedback on their return in the summer. The students have been fundraising together to help support their internship. A special recognition needs to go to Joseph who planned, trained and completed the 3 Peaks challenge on his own and has raised over £1000. We are so proud of his individual efforts. Modern Foreign Languages Over the last term we have been learning some exciting topics in Spanish. The Year 7s have been learning to talk about ‘Mi Tiempo Libre’ and their free time activities. They are going to consolidate all their learning this year by studying “Encanto” and creating their own character for the film. In Year 8, the students learnt all about “Mi Vida Digital” and social media. They have then finished with the topic of ‘School’ and this is supported by the film study of “Zipe y Zape y el club de canicas”. The Year 9 students have been learning all about “Las Costumbres” and festivals in the Hispanic World and studying all about El Salvador before the film study of “Voces Inocentes”. Institut Escola Feixes Thornleigh Spanish students have been improving their language skills by linking up with pupils at a school in Spain. The group of 38 Year 10s have been exchanging emails in Spanish with young people from Institut Escola Feixes in Terrassa, near Barcelona. Among the topics they discussed were family and friends, free time and customs and traditions, all themes they study as part of the GCSE course. The programme, which will continue next year, has helped with the development of language skills and given students a valuable insight into different cultures, with many of the Spanish students also having South American or North African heritage.
17 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 At the beginning of the final half term, all Key Stage 3 students completed their End of Year assessments in the four skill areas of Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Students were able to prepare answers for their speaking and writing assessments with teachers in class, before taking them home to learn. During the year the students have been developing a deeper understanding of Spanish phonics, and part of the speaking assessment was reading an extract in Spanish with accuracy. There was also dictation involved in the writing component. The Great Spanish Book Hunt Over in the library, the energy was electric as Years 7, 8 and 9 teamed up for a high-stakes Spanish Literacy Quiz. Armed with their best decoding skills, students had to channel their inner detectives to translate famous book titles from Spanish back into English. Seeing our Key Stage 3 students collaborate, spot linguistic patterns, and realise just how much Spanish they actually know was a massive highlight of the week. A Stylish Reminder To cap off the week’s events, the department also sported matching t-shirts bearing a simple but powerful message: “Es un buen día para leer” (It’s a good day to read). The Takeaway: Literacy knows no borders. Whether you are reading in English, Spanish, or any other language, books have the power to connect us all. A huge thank you to Ms Whittle and all the students who brought so much enthusiasm to our events. ¡Hasta la próxima! We look forward to leading more extra-curricular activities such as cinema and tapas trips as well as an enhanced Language Club. We hope you all enjoy a safe summer break and we look forward to our new adventures in September. ¡Qué paséis un buen verano! Students have also enjoyed participating in on-line activities with Manchester Metropolitan, Manchester and Liverpool Universities learning about the importance of studying languages and trying their hand at learning Chinese and Italian. Inside Out and Words Out: MFL Brings Literacy Week to Life! Literacy Week is a highlight of the school calendar, but this time, the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) department took things to a whole new, cinematic level. By blending the power of words with the magic of the silver screen, we brought a distinctly international flavour to the celebrations with the theme ‘Emotions in Translation’. If you walked past the MFL classrooms on Tuesday, you might have done a double-take. Inspired by Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’, the languages team ditched their usual attire to literally dress up as vocabulary words! Students were delighted (and perhaps a little amused) to see their teachers personifying the Spanish emotions: Mrs Cunningham represented Alegría (Joy) - radiating positivity. Mrs Lyon represented Tristeza (Sadness) - bringing the blue hues and deep thoughts. Mrs Campbell represented Asco (Disgust) - looking appropriately unimpressed. Miss Plaza represented Ansiedad (Anxiety) - perfectly capturing that frantic, wide-eyed energy! It was a brilliant, visual reminder that literacy isn’t just about reading books; it’s about understanding the universal language of emotion and expression.
14018 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Art Year 10 Art Department Trip In May, our Year 10 Art students took part in an inspiring trip to Smithills Hall as part of their current nature project. The visit provided students with the opportunity to gather valuable first-hand observations through photography, drawing, and painting, helping to support the development of their coursework back in the classroom. Throughout the trip, students were highly engaged and demonstrated excellent creativity and focus while exploring natural forms, textures, colours, and patterns. They produced a wide range of high-quality observational studies and photographic references that will form the basis of future work. It has been exciting to see the enthusiasm and artistic potential shown by the group, and we look forward to seeing how these initial ideas and studies develop further in the coming weeks. Follow us on Instagram Thornleighsc_art
19 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 SportsDay2026 We just about missed the heatwave and ended up with absolutely perfect weather for this year’s sports day. Students from Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 took part in the event with over 600 students running, throwing and jumping their way to success for the glory of their form group and all students took part with great pride and enthusiasm. We also had superb groups of leaders from Year 10 and Year 12 assisting on the day, as well as support from various groups of staff throughout the school. Thank you to everyone who made the day run smoothly. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Y7 Boys Zeta Beta Theta Gamma Delta Omega Sigma Alpha Lambda Kappa Y7 Girls Beta Omega Gamma Sigma Delta Kappa Zeta Lambda Y7 Com Beta Theta Zeta Omega Alpha Gamma Delta Sigma Kappa Lambda Y8 Boys Theta Kappa Gamma Alpha Zeta Lambda Omega Sigma Beta Delta Y8 Girls Gamma Sigma Theta Zeta Lambda Kappa Delta Omega Beta Y8 Com Theta Gamma Alpha Zeta Kappa Sigma Lambda Omega Beta Delta Y9 Boys Sigma Beta Omega Theta Delta Lambda Alpha Kappa Zeta Gamma Y9 Girls Beta Alpha Sigma Zeta Omega Kappa Lambda Theta Y9 Com Sigma Beta Omega Delta Alpha Theta Zeta Lambda Kappa Gamma Alpha / Theta Alpha / Theta Gamma / Delta
20 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 PE&Dance Let’s Dance 2026 Showcase This year saw the return of our annual Dance Showcase ‘Let’s Dance 2026’, celebrating the incredible talent, commitment and creativity of our dancers across the school. Over 120 students from Year 7 through to Sixth Form took part across two sold-out performances, showcasing an exciting range of work including BTEC Dance examination pieces, Core Dance performances, extra-curricular dance clubs, and choreography from our Paris Dance Trip. The showcase was a fantastic opportunity for students to perform in front of a live audience and celebrate the dedication, teamwork and passion they have developed throughout the year. The standard of performance was exceptional, and we are incredibly proud of every student who took part, whether performing on stage, supporting behind the scenes, or contributing to the success of the event. A huge congratulations to all our dancers for creating such a memorable evening and representing the school with confidence and professionalism. We are already looking forward to seeing what our dancers achieve next year! Girls’ Football Our U13 Girls’ Football Team enjoyed an incredible run in the English Schools National Competition this year. The girls booked their place in the quarter-finals with an outstanding 7–4 victory over Middlewich High School in the last 16, taking an early 3–0 lead and producing a fantastic team performance. Layla scored four goals, while Sienna added a superb hat-trick to seal the win. In the quarter-final, the team travelled to Cherwell School in Oxford and once again showed tremendous determination and quality. After a closely contested match which finished 1–1, with Layla scoring, the game went to extra time and then penalties. Following a dramatic sudden-death shootout, the girls were narrowly defeated 6–5. Although their cup journey came to an end, the team represented Thornleigh with pride and resilience throughout the competition. Reaching the national quarter-finals is a fantastic achievement and every player should be extremely proud of their efforts. Boys’ Football Following a heavy schedule throughout the winter months which we reported in our previous newsletters, our season came to a head at the end of the spring term, just before Easter. Our two most notable performances came from our Year 7 and Year 10 teams, who both made it to their respective town cup finals but unfortunately both finished runners-up in competitive games. We are looking forward to going one step further next season.
21 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Boys’ Cricket This has definitely been a summer of two seasons with far too much rain and even far too much sun in some instances! Between battling with the weather, we have played in a variety of fixtures in both the Lancashire Schools’ Cups and the Bolton Cups. It was great to see many of our Year 7 students getting their first taste of cricket, with many of them playing in their first ever hard ball fixture - hopefully there will be many more to come. Uncharacteristically, we crashed out in the early rounds of the Lancashire Cups at most age groups, and our biggest success this season has been our U15s team who, at the time of writing, were waiting to play St. James’s in the Bolton Cup semi-final. Well done to all involved this year. Girls Cricket The U13 girls competed in the county finals of the indoor cricket competition at the end of March. They continued to show fantastic progress and improvement with every game they played. Reaching the county finals is a brilliant achievement in itself, and the girls should be extremely proud of their efforts. Well done to all those who have been involved throughout the competition. Cricket Event - Spirit of Cricket Festival On Thursday 14th May, ten Year 7 students attended the Spirit of Cricket Festival, hosted by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation at Old Trafford Cricket Ground. The festival was held to celebrate the upcoming Women’s Cricket World Cup this summer. Only 15 teams from across Lancashire were selected to attend, and we were thrilled to be chosen as one of them. Throughout the day, the students took part in a variety of activities designed to help them develop new skills and build on their existing abilities. They participated in a carousel of challenges, competing against other schools while coaches observed and awarded points to teams demonstrating the true spirit of cricket. In addition, the students had the exciting opportunity to meet a professional cricketer, who shared her journey and experiences and answered questions about the opportunities available at their age. It was a memorable day for everyone involved. Athletics English Schools Athletics - Track and Field Cup At the beginning of May, our students travelled to Longford Park to compete in the English Schools’ Athletics Association (ESAA) Track and Field Cup. The competition saw students representing the school across a range of track and field events, with all four teams producing excellent performances against strong opposition. - Junior boys (Year 7 and 8 combined) finished 6th - 197 points - Junior girls (Year 7 and 8 combined) finished joint 4th - 230 points - Intermediate boys (Year 9 and 10 combined) finished 5th - 243 points - Intermediate girls (Year 9 and 10 combined) finished 7th - 241 points A special mention goes to the following students who scored 15 or more points for their respective teams: Hugo C - 1500m - 15 points Aine B - 800m - 27 points Charley P - 1500m - 20 points Sienna K - 1500m - 20 points Mya S / Charley P / Aine B / Charlotte S - Relay - 15 points Lucas O - 100m - 20 points Jacob S - 300m - 28 points Daniel A - 800m - 19 points Oscar P - 1500m - 16 points Connor H / Harper H / Oliver S / Mason M - Relay - 17 points Daisy P - 100m - 16 points Yasmin H - 200m - 17 points Amelia W - 1500m - 16 points Elise H - High Jump - 20 points Yasmin H / Amelia W / Maddie S / Angelina M - Relay - 7 points
22 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Congratulations to all students who took part in the competition. The Track and Field Cup challenges athletes to compete in both a track and a field event, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and demonstrate determination and resilience. The students represented the school brilliantly and should be extremely proud of their achievements. Bolton Town Athletics Championships The Bolton Town Athletics Championships took place on Wednesday 17th June for Year 9 and Year 10, and Friday 19th June for Year 7 and Year 8 at Leverhulme Park Athletics Track. Students got the opportunity to compete against all the other schools from across the borough of Bolton in their individual events. Results: Year 7 Girls - 4th Year 7 Boys - 6th Year 8 Girls - 4th Year 8 Boys - 5th Year 9 Girls - 4th Year 9 Boys - 4th Year 10 Girls - 3rd Year 10 Boys - 3rd Congratulations to the following students who won their respective event meaning that they are the number 1 athlete at their event in Bolton. Year 7 Girls - Sienna K (200m), Abigail M (Shot Put) Year 7 Boys - Ruben H (Triple Jump) Year 8 Girls - Aine B (800m) Year 8 Boys - Bryan M (High Jump) Year 10 Girls - Elise H (Javelin and High Jump) Year 10 Boys - Jacob S (300m), Connor H (Triple Jump)
23 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Rounders Our rounders teams have taken part in a series of rounders fixtures, and during these fixtures they have shown both skill and determination. The matches were an opportunity for students to put their skills into action after working on these during after-school practices against other schools in Bolton. We also look forward to the annual Bolton Schools’ Town Rounder Tournament before the end of term. The girls have worked together as a team, sharing their knowledge and giving each other tips between innings - and celebrating each others’ success when they have done well. They have shown great improvement during the fixtures and have listened to each other and, most importantly, staff from both schools when they have been offered support. Every player has made progress and shown a positive attitude. Well done to everyone who has represented school!
24 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Music Rock, Pop and Musical Theatre Night on Monday 29th June A huge thank you and well done to our wonderfully talented musicians and singers at the Rock, Pop and Musical Theatre Night on Monday 29th June. The sell-out gig was a huge success and all performances were outstanding. It’s so wonderful to hear live music and the atmosphere at the gig was electric. The concert was recorded with many students using the night as an opportunity to prepare for upcoming GCSE and BTEC L3 Performing Arts assessments. Many of our super talented musicians were performing on stage for the first time although you would never have known! Thank you to Mia G and Logan A for compering the evening and for Year 12 BTEC musicians George, Alfie and Logan, for ensuring all students were supported on stage before performances. Finally, a huge thank you to parents, family, friends and students who attended on the night and we hope to see you all again at the next gig in November. If you are interested in performing at our next event, or just want to get into performing with a band see Miss Birtley for further information. If you’d like your child to start instrumental or vocal lessons contact Bolton Music Service on 01204 333533 or sign up on their website: www.boltonmusicservice/parents-and-pupils Unwanted Instruments / Donations Do you have any unwanted instruments that you could donate to the school? If the answer is ’yes’, please contact Miss Birtley or bring to reception.
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26 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 Year 7 As we come to the end of another fantastic school year, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our Year 7 students for their hard work, resilience, and positive attitude throughout the year. The transition from primary school to secondary school can be a big step, and every student should be proud of the effort they have shown in adapting to new routines, subjects, and challenges. This year has been full of achievements both inside and outside the classroom. Our Year 7 students have represented the school brilliantly in a range of sporting events, including girls and boys football fixtures, dance and cricket competitions. The commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship shown by all those involved have been outstanding and a credit to the year group. We have also celebrated the success of our Students of the Week throughout the year. These awards have recognised students who consistently demonstrate our school values through excellent effort, positive behaviour, kindness, and determination. It has been fantastic to see so many students recognised for their achievements and contributions to school life. A huge well done must also go to all students who have worked hard in their lessons and participated in extracurricular activities. Whether it has been joining clubs, taking part in sports teams, attending enrichment activities, or supporting school events, Year 7 students have embraced opportunities and shown great enthusiasm throughout the year. Attendance continues to play a vital role in student success. We would like to thank all students and families for their efforts in maintaining good attendance. Being in school every day helps students make the most of their learning, build positive relationships, and achieve their full academic potential. Every lesson counts. Good attendance remains one of the biggest factors in achieving success at school. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to all parents and carers for their continued support throughout the year. Your encouragement, communication, and partnership with the school have played a vital role in helping our students thrive. We greatly appreciate the support you provide at home and the positive impact this has on your child’s education and wellbeing. As our Year 7 students prepare to move into Year 8, there are many exciting opportunities ahead. Students can look forward to taking on new challenges, developing greater independence, participating in more leadership opportunities, and continuing to grow both academically and personally. We are excited to see what they will achieve next year. Finally, we would like to thank all of our Year 7 students for making this year such a success. We are incredibly proud of everything you have accomplished and the positive contribution you have made to our school community. Have a wonderful summer break, stay safe, and hopefully enjoy plenty of sunshine. Well done Year 7 Ms Salisbury and Ms Farrelly Year 8 As we come to the end of another fantastic school year, we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate everything our Year 8 students have achieved. It has been a year full of success, growth, opportunities and memorable experiences, and we are incredibly proud of every student. One of the highlights of the year has been the outstanding commitment our students have shown to supporting charitable causes. Through a range of fundraising events and initiatives, Year 8 has raised an incredible amount of money for charity. Their generosity, enthusiasm and willingness to help others have been truly inspiring and demonstrate the caring values that are at the heart of our school community. Learning has extended well beyond the classroom, with students taking part in numerous educational visits throughout the year. These experiences have enriched their learning, broadened their horizons and created lasting memories. We were also delighted to welcome an author into school, whose engaging visit inspired our students, encouraged a love of reading and provided a fascinating insight into the world of writing. Year 8 students have continued to excel in sport, achieving success across a wide range of sporting competitions. Whether representing the school in team or individual events, our students have demonstrated determination, resilience and excellent sportsmanship. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the positive way they have represented the school. A particular highlight of the year was the Savio Retreat. The retreat was a tremendous success, giving students the opportunity to reflect, strengthen friendships and enjoy a range of meaningful activities together. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience that was appreciated by everyone involved. Sports Day provided a fantastic end to the sporting calendar, with students giving their all in every event and creating a wonderful atmosphere of encouragement and teamwork. Congratulations to everyone who took part and a special well done to all of our event winners. This year’s overall House champions were 8 Therese, who finished in first place, followed closely by 8 Goretti in second and 8 Acutis in third. The enthusiasm and support shown throughout the day made it a memorable occasion for all. YearTeamNews
27 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2026 As we look ahead to Year 9, there is plenty to be excited about. Students will begin the important process of choosing their option subjects, helping to shape the next stage of their learning journey. We also have an exciting programme of educational visits planned, including opportunities to visit Disneyland Paris, Rome and New York - experiences that promise to inspire, challenge and create unforgettable memories. Thank you to all of our students for their hard work, enthusiasm and positive attitude throughout the year. We would also like to thank parents and carers for their continued support, which plays such an important role in our students’ success. We wish everyone a safe, relaxing and well-deserved summer break and look forward to welcoming our Year 8 students back as confident and ambitious Year 9 learners in September. Ms Porter and Ms Turner Year 9 As we come to the end of another successful academic year, I would like to thank all of our Year 9 students, parents and carers for their continued support. It has been a busy and rewarding term, with many opportunities for our students to develop both academically and personally. Throughout this final term, our focus has been on encouraging students to make the most of every opportunity and to develop a growth mindset when faced with challenge. We have reminded students that setbacks are not failures but opportunities to learn, improve and grow. Our assemblies have been inspired by The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and the remarkable true story of William Kamkwamba, a young boy from Malawi. Forced to leave school because his family could no longer afford the fees, William refused to let his circumstances define his future. Using books from a small local library and materials salvaged from a scrapyard, he taught himself about engineering and built a windmill that generated electricity for his family and helped provide water for his village. His story demonstrates that determination, curiosity and resilience can overcome even the greatest obstacles. William’s journey has reminded our students that success is not determined by where you start, but by your willingness to keep learning, persevere through challenges and make the most of every opportunity - a growth mindset. I would like to congratulate all Year 9 students on the mature and positive attitude they demonstrated during their end of year assessments. It was encouraging to see so many students preparing thoroughly, attending school well-equipped and approaching their examinations with confidence and determination. A sincere thank you must also go to our parents and carers for the invaluable support you have given at home. Whether this involved helping students to organise revision, encouraging positive routines or simply offering reassurance, your partnership has played an important role in helping our young people succeed. A huge congratulations to all of the Year 9 students who graduated from the Girls Out Loud programme this term. It has been wonderful to celebrate your commitment and recognise everything you have achieved throughout the project. The confidence, resilience and self-belief that you have developed over the course of the programme has been evident to everyone around you. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the mentors who generously gave their time, encouragement and expertise. Their guidance has made a lasting impact, and it has been fantastic to see how much each student has grown both personally and academically. As we reach the end of the school year, we are all looking forward to celebrating the many achievements of our Year 9 students. Our end-of-year celebration trips to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the cinema and a walk around Rivington promise to be a fantastic way to recognise students’ hard work, excellent conduct and commitment throughout the year. These experiences provide a well-deserved opportunity for students to spend time with friends, create lasting memories and celebrate everything they have accomplished before beginning the exciting challenge of Year 10 and their GCSE courses. We hope everyone enjoys these special days and makes the most of the opportunities they provide. We are incredibly proud of everything Year 9 has achieved in what is arguably one of the most challenging years of their educational career. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow and succeed as they begin their GCSE journey in September. We wish you and your families a happy, healthy and restful summer break. We look forward to welcoming our students back refreshed and ready for another successful year. Mr Pierce and Ms Farnworth Year 10 As we reach the end of the summer term, we are incredibly proud of all Year 10 students for the dedication, resilience, and maturity they have shown throughout the year. In particular, their efforts and commitment during the PPE examination period have been outstanding. Students approached their assessments with determination and professionalism, demonstrating the progress they have made and the positive attitudes they have developed towards their learning.
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