2 WINTER NEWSLETTER 2025 HEADTEACHER’S MESSAGE Dear Thornleigh Salesian College Community, As we approach the festive season of spiritual reflection, prayer and anticipation of Christ’s birth, I am delighted to reflect on a term filled with remarkable achievements and memorable moments at Thornleigh Salesian College. Our Performing Arts department delivered a tremendous production of The Addams Family, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our students. Mission Week, themed Honouring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future, was a poignant celebration of our 100 years of Salesian education, faith and community. A particular highlight was the visit of Harry Clarke, winner of the BBC’s The Traitors, who shared his inspiring personal journey of faith with us all. The Opening Mass of our Centenary, celebrated by Bishop John Arnold and concelebrated by Fr Gerry Briody, our Father Provincial, was a truly special occasion. It was wonderful to welcome back former students and teachers from across the country to join in this momentous celebration. The PSHE programme featured powerful drama performances from the 33Creative Theatre Company and The Riot Act, delivering important safety messages. We were also privileged to welcome authors Mike Garry and Catherine Johnson, alongside former student Amber Yearsley, who led an inspiring workshop. Sporting success continues with a special congratulations to our Year 7 boys who triumphed in the Bolton Cross Country Championships. Meanwhile, 70 of our Spanish students enjoyed a Tapas meal at a local restaurant and our Dance students had the unforgettable experience of competing at the International Festival of Dance at Disneyland Paris. Our Rock and Pop Night was a fantastic showcase of student talent, highlighting the creativity and energy of our students. The revitalised enrichment programme, led by Ms Hulme and Ms Ogden, has been a great success, complemented by the launch of a new student magazine that brings a fresh and vibrant voice to our Sixth Form community. Additionally, the Sixth Form team did wonderful work creating Christmas hampers, spreading festive cheer across the school. We are also incredibly proud of our students for raising a significant amount of money for Urban Outreach through various activities, supporting vulnerable people across Bolton. Since the introduction of the five-period day in September, we have been delighted with the positive reception from our students, reflected in their consistently excellent behaviour and attitudes. A recent student survey, involving 700 pupils, revealed that 96% feel very safe within the school environment, underscoring our commitment to their well-being. Additionally, the enthusiastic responses to our weekly video bulletin, which highlights the unique talents and diverse activities of our students, have been very encouraging and affirm the vibrant community spirit at Thornleigh Salesian College. Finally, our Christmas Fair was a resounding success, bringing together the whole community in a joyful celebration. We look forward to making this a cherished annual event. I would also like to remind you that our Christmas Carol Service is on 17th December at 6.30pm and the Christmas Eve vigil mass is at 7.30pm in the chapel. Thank you for your continued support. I wish you and your families a peaceful and joyful Christmas. Warm regards, Mr Fitzsimons Headteacher
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