German Partnership Exchange

March 27, 2024/in Events, General News, Language Trips, Trips & Visits /by Presdales School

German Partnership Exchange : 18th-24th March 2024

It was an early start on Monday morning to get to Heathrow for our flight to Düsseldorf at 7.10am! The journey to Germany marked the beginning of a further development in our established partnership with the ‘Gymnasium am Neandertal’ in Erkrath near Düsseldorf. This reciprocal exchange visit was a little different to a traditional Exchange. Our students were matched with a German student of a similar age and with some things in common to help with communication. We stayed together in a local youth hostel and travelled each day to school using public transport to meet with partners, attend lessons and get involved in joint projects together. Our students were immersed in German culture and customs and were able to use the language learnt in class to find their way. Students explored both Düsseldorf and the town of Erkrath in small groups using a Rallye designed by the German students. We ate in school in the canteen, made Pizzas together and parents contributed to a farewell waffle party. We explored the differences between the school systems and the lives of young people in our two countries. We had lots of fun throwing eggs from the fourth floor of the school without them breaking! Each group was given cardboard, polystyrene and sticky tape to design protection for the eggs. Much to my surprise, not a single egg was broken! Every day was packed with activities and negotiating many trains, trams, underground trains and buses but we still found time to shop, visit Cologne, go to the zoo, look at the cathedral, have a ride on the Ferris wheel and go bowling.

Our students took it all in their stride and were wonderful ambassadors for Presdales. They are looking forward to welcoming their German partners to our school 5th-9th May 2024, where they will take part in a similar programme.

Comments from students:

German exchange trip I really enjoyed the exchange trip as I got to meet my partner and her friends and really get to know her. I asked her all sorts of questions and saw what it was like to go to her school. It was interesting to see how everyone learns at das Gymnasium am Neandertal and see how different everything was there. I enjoyed bowling and going to the zoo because it was a very different experience and it looked very different from our zoo and bowling that we have here.

My favourite part of the German trip was das Gymnasium am Neandertal (their school) because I think it was fun and interesting the way their school differs from ours. For example, they had free periods where they could do their homework and how the school uniform system works. I also enjoyed the waffles that some of the Germans made us, it was sehr lecker!! Finally, I really enjoyed going to the zoo and seeing all the different animals as well as getting my Spaghettieis!

Danke!

I really liked the German exchange trip. It was very interesting to see how their school is different from ours. For example, they have free periods and also learn Latin.

My favourite part of the German trip is when we went to the German school, das Gymnasium am Neandertal, and we saw how their school worked. The differences between their school and our school is that they have free periods, no school uniform and they have Latin as another subject.

I went round a German school and got to be a German student for a few days, got to go on a tour around their local area and Düsseldorf, went to the zoo and went bowling! My highlight of the trip was going to the German school and learning about what they learn about. If the German department decides to do another exchange like this, I would highly recommend it because I thought it was a great opportunity to explore Germany a bit further.

I really enjoyed meeting my German Partner and getting to know her. Thankfully, she spoke pretty good English making it easier to communicate. She was very eager to get to know me and asked me lots of questions and conversation starters. I also liked going to their school. They were a completely different feel to our school but it was interesting to learn how it all works.

I really enjoyed the German trip and getting to know about the German schools and their school routine. I enjoyed having a partner for a week, we got on very well and I can’t wait for them to come to us in May. It was a great experience and a lot of fun.

Model United Nations

March 27, 2024/in Events, General News /by Presdales School

by Rachel and Maddie (Year 12)

VolkerHighways and VolkerFitzpatrick Open Doors Event

March 26, 2024/in Careers, Events, General News, Open Doors Event, STEM /by Presdales School

On Monday 18th March, 12 Year 10 students visited Volker head office to explore career opportunities available within the construction industry.

The VolkerVessels trip was an absolutely fascinating session – it was an incredibly eye-opening, door-opening afternoon. The trip started with a short PowerPoint presentation explaining VolkerVessels and who they are as a company, before breaking down many different careers in and paths into construction. We were presented with everything from hands-on jobs like electricians, to more office-based jobs like bid writers and planners. Everyone working there and helping us out was genuinely so lovely and so charismatic, and so willing to answer questions.

Following that, we moved around various different activities based off certain careers! They had all kinds of careers: procurement, HR, the digital work, hands-on electrical work, and more. We got to take 3D scans of our environment on programs, try our hand at wiring a lamp-post, spot risks in real-life situations, and so much more! It really did open my eyes to a whole new field with a world of opportunities, and it truly was jam-packed with knowledge and inspiration. Thank you to VolkerVessels, and to the Presdales Science Department!!!

Signing off, Beatrice Davis 🙂

Ski Trip 2024

March 15, 2024/in Events, General News, Trips & Visits /by Presdales School

During February half term, 78 students from Year 10-13 and 10 teachers travelled to Claviere in Italy for the school ski trip. The journey passed quickly, chatting, watching films and sleeping. We arrived on Saturday afternoon to settle into our lovely hotel, do our ski fit for ski equipment and early bed!

The weather was sunny all week, chilly at times but we did get snow on Thursday, making for some wet conditions on our final skiing day! We all had such great fun – the instructors were all so experienced and knowledgeable and everyone made great progress. The beginners were on red slopes on the second day!

We enjoyed our evening activities too; bowling, pizza night at a local pizzeria and karaoke – thank you to those amazing singers, treating us to some classic songs! Our hotel was in great location, just a short walk from the slopes, in the middle of a quiet town. We were treated to some great food; pasta, lasagne, burgers, hot dogs, chicken, salad, soup etc! We were so proud of the progress everyone made and for showing great resilience on some very challenging slopes, which at times were icy and covered of moguls!

We hope you all had a great time and made some lovely memories with your friends! Thank you to all the staff who came on the trip and accompanied the students during half term and Ms Young for her support with the administration and finance.

Mrs Dann and Miss Stitson

News from Art & Photography

March 15, 2024/in Art, Events, General News /by Presdales School

Year 7

‘Alfred Basha’ inspired animals

Year 7 have shown so much enthusiasm designing their pen animal illustrations. I think you would agree that they have designed some wonderful, imaginative designs.

Well done!

Year 8

‘Mexican Day of the Dead Festival’

‘Dia De Los Muertos’

Year 8 have made wonderful, creative, colourful Clay skulls inspired by the Mexican festival.

Year 9

Flight mixed media pages

Year 9 have been exploring a variety of materials – layering watercolours, markmaking with pen, colour pencil blending and collage. The students have produced beautifully presented double pages based on the theme flight. This project is leading to a selection of surreal outcomes from box Art, Playing card designs and mobiles. We shall post their final pieces after Easter.

Year 10

Year 10 have been working on studies of sweet treats. They have been exploring a range of media and creating colourful compositions. The next stage of their project is ‘Meal times’ which is leading towards Final individual outcomes for Year 10 mock exams.

We are looking forward to sharing their outcomes with you in future PressTales.

Year 12 Photography

Exciting collection of Year 12 photography exploring portraiture, focal points, exposure and contrast.

Careers Week 2024

March 13, 2024/in Careers, Careers Week /by Presdales School

Careers Week : Lunchtime Talks

March 1, 2024/in Careers, Events, General News /by Presdales School

If you would like to attend any of these lunchtime lectures, please pop along to the Lecture Theatre at 1.10pm. All Year Groups welcome.

Matilda Jr the Musical

February 16, 2024/in Drama, Events, General News, Music /by Presdales School

Congratulations to the cast of Matilda Jr the Musical, what an incredible production! The double cast performed 4 performances over the last 3 days to sold out audiences who were blown away by their talent! The Wormwoods were hilarious, the Trunchbull’s terrifying and both Matilda’s demonstrating incredible skill and talent! The named children carried the show with their hard work on vocals and routines and brilliant lines responding to the events. The chorus got better and better every show building the atmosphere with their energy! In the last week we brought in our technical team and backstage crew who were so dependable and professional! A particular mention to Aston Williams in Year 12 on the sound desk multi-tasking like a pro! The audience have been blown away with the standard of this production and could see all the hard work that each member has committed to this since casting last Summer! A huge well done to everyone involved and thank you to all the staff, family and friends who came Along to support us!

We will print another article once we have Year 12 photographs in and all of this pictures will also later be on the website to view.

Miss Mack, Miss Sargent and Mrs Hardiman, Drama and Music

News from Art

February 16, 2024/in Art, General News /by Presdales School

Year 7 Alfred Basha Research

Year 7 have been studying the Illustrative Artwork of Alfred Basha. They have created research pages using the departments ‘ARTY’ outline which breaks the information into paragraphs; A -Analysis R-Research T -Techniques -Y Your opinions and thoughts.

The ‘ARTY’ template has been a great success and used across all key stages by the Art Department. Students have said it has helped them to plan and understand how to complete a research page.

Well done Year 7 *

The Art Department

Year 10 Art GCSE – Observational studies

Year 10 students set up still lifes of mixed colourful vegetables and photographed from various angles. They demonstrated beautiful colour pencil blending, layering of tones and a selection of compositions.

We are so pleased with their wonderful results.

Mrs Page and Mrs Harmer

Year 10 and 12 Print Workshops 2024

We have run two very successful printing workshops this term. The Year 10 learnt the process of lino printing producing a vast amount of exciting prints for their sketchbooks. The Year 12 learnt about procion dye prints using a screen and squeegee, lino and drypoint etching. The results were beautiful and will now be developed using further media.

All students acted maturely and were inquisitive about learning more knowledge about the techniques.