On Thursday 17th July 2025 we were delighted to welcome the Mayor of South Ribble, Cllr Paul Wharton-Hardman BEM, to the Bowmer+Kirkland building site to ‘break ground’ for our new build. The work started on site in June and they are making great progress. We were able to tour the site and hear from the B+K Site Manager, David Baker, about the groundworks that had begun and the plan for works during the summer break. We were also joined by the Department for Education Project Management team, Sarah Seaton and Michelle Hughes, as well as the on site B+K team and representatives from Mace Consultants, who are providing technical support for the project. We will start to see the steel being erected from the middle of September and we are very excited to watch how the site develops over the coming months!
What a fantastic and eventful year it’s been for the MFL department!
We began the academic year with a bang by celebrating the European Day of Languages. Highlights included the popular bake-off, a range of competitions and a lively interform quiz. The bake-off was a particular hit once again, drawing in a record number of delicious entries for our language staff to judge – always a highlight in our calendar! The creativity on display was truly outstanding.
In lessons, students explored the history of the Berlin Wall, linking into the theme of German reunification. Through interactive lessons and thoughtful discussions, they developed a richer understanding of the historical events and the significance of the wall coming down.
We also strengthened our ties with Cardinal Newman College, welcoming their German department to speak with our Year 11 students. This visit gave students valuable insight into college life and studying A-level German, and they made the most of the opportunity to ask insightful questions.
Our international links with partner schools in France and Germany remain strong. Students have enjoyed exchanging letters and working on collaborative cultural projects, which have helped to deepen their appreciation of different cultures and build friendships beyond the classroom. We’re excited to continue nurturing these partnerships next year.
Meanwhile, our extracurricular German clubs have been thriving. The German Spelling Bee proved popular and our German film club has offered students the chance to enjoy a range of films while expanding their cultural knowledge. Students also got a chance to watch “Le Petit Nicolas” this year which students always find entertaining. These activities have been both fun and enriching and we can’t wait to build on them in the coming year!
Year 8 German Picnic with Frau Ingram
In Year 8 German, Module 3 is all about food and healthy living. In class, we have learned all about traditional German foods and how to give opinions on and describe these foods in German. To mark the end of the module and the end of our Summer term, some of our Year 8 classes were super lucky to be able to experience some of these traditional German foods for themselves in their German lessons. We tried Bratwurst, Brezeln, Brötchen and of course Berliner! Students demonstrated lots of curiosity when faced with these new and different foods and they used lots of fabulous adjectives to describe the foods and there were some definite favourites! How many of the German foods can you recognise from the photo?
Board Games with Frau Gill
In an exciting blend of creativity, culture, and education, our school’s German language students have taken on a unique project at the end of this term and we have designed their own German board games. This initiative has not only enhanced their linguistic skills but also introduced them to the rich tradition of German board gaming.
Students were divided into small groups, each tasked with creating a board game that incorporated German vocabulary, phrases and cultural references. The project required them to brainstorm ideas, design game mechanics, create rules and produce game materials, all in German.
The resulting games were fabulous. Some groups developed strategy games set in historical German cities, where players navigated through challenges using their language skills. Others created word games that tested vocabulary and grammar in fun and competitive ways.
One standout creation was “German Cluedo” where the teachers of our school took centre stage and the murder weapons were classroom items and the whole game was set in our school!
To finish the project, a game lesson was organised where each group presented their game and we set up stations around the room and moved from one game station to another, trying out the games. Not only did it reinforce their German language skills in a practical and enjoyable context, but it also fostered collaboration, creativity and a deeper appreciation for German culture.
This project has shown that learning a language can be so much more than memorising vocabulary and grammar rules. It can be a vibrant, interactive experience that brings students together and makes learning genuinely fun.
Two remarkable students have been crowned the winners of Miss Scott’s Chef of the Year Award, receiving shining trophies and thunderous applause for their dedication, passion, and enthusiasm in the kitchen. The KS3 award goes to Erin H, and the KS4 award goes to Lily S this year. Well done Girls!
The prestigious award, created by culinary teacher Miss Scott, celebrates students who go above and beyond in the world of food – from baking and cooking to teamwork and creativity. This year, it was proudly awarded to two special students who have consistently demonstrated commitment to the subject and a true love for all things culinary.
“These two students have absolutely earned this,” said Miss Scott. “Their energy, their effort, and their joy in the kitchen are infectious. Whether they were baking biscuits or trying something new on the stove, they always gave it their all.”
During the award presentation, both students were presented with individual Chef of the Year trophies and certificates to mark their achievement.
Miss Scott, Food Preparation and Nutrition Co-ordinator
Year 9 Baking Club Rises to the Challenge with Jamie Oliver Awards
This year has been a truly exciting and rewarding one for the Year 9 Baking Club. Every week, the Food and Nutrition room was filled with the delicious aromas of fresh bakes and the sounds of students working together, learning new skills, and sharing their passion for baking.
From cupcakes to plaited bread, pastry to pizza, students had the chance to explore a wide variety of recipes, develop their techniques, and grow in confidence. The club was not only about creating mouth-watering treats, but also about building teamwork, resilience, and a love for food.
To add an extra layer of excitement, students took on the Jamie Oliver Awards Scheme – a national challenge designed to celebrate young people’s cooking skills and food knowledge. Throughout the year, students completed a range of cooking challenges that encouraged creativity, healthy eating, and practical life skills.
Their hard work paid off in spectacular fashion. At the end-of-year assembly, every participating student received a special Jamie Oliver Certificate, recognising their dedication and achievement.
We even had a few dedicated Year 10 students stepped up to help lead the club. Their demonstrations, guidance, and encouragement played a huge role in supporting younger students and fostering a positive, collaborative environment. It was wonderful to see such peer leadership in action, and their contribution was greatly appreciated by staff and students alike.
A huge well done to all the members of the Year 9 Baking Club – you’ve truly earned your place among the school’s star bakers!
Miss Scott, Food Preparation and Nutrition Co-ordinator
A group of aspiring young chefs from Penwortham Girls’ High School enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience this week as they visited the Michelin-starred Northcote restaurant, where they were warmly welcomed by renowned chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen.
The students, part of the school’s food and nutrition programme, were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the prestigious kitchen and facilities. They also had the incredible opportunity to meet with Lisa Goodwin-Allen, one of the UK’s most respected chefs and a familiar face from TV shows like Great British Menu and MasterChef: The Professionals.
During the visit, the students explored the inner workings of a high-end professional kitchen, learning about the precision, teamwork, and creativity required to maintain Michelin-star standards. Lisa shared insights into her career journey, from her beginnings as a young apprentice to becoming Executive Chef at Northcote, as well as advice for those hoping to break into the culinary industry.
“This visit has completely opened my eyes,” said one Year 10 student. “Getting to meet Lisa and see how a real Michelin-star kitchen works was amazing. I’ve never been more excited to become a chef.”
Lisa Goodwin-Allen praised the students for their enthusiasm and curiosity. “It’s always such a pleasure to see young people taking an interest in food and hospitality. I was impressed by the questions they asked and their genuine passion for cooking. Who knows—we might just see some of them here at Northcote in the future.”
The trip was organised by PGHS staff as part of their efforts to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. Lead Teacher of Food and Nutrition – Miss Scott, who accompanied the students, said: “This kind of opportunity is so rare and valuable. Lisa and her team were incredibly generous with their time and knowledge. It’s something our students will remember for the rest of their lives.”
As the students returned to school buzzing with inspiration, it was clear the visit had not only offered a glimpse into the elite world of fine dining, but had also ignited the dreams of the next generation of culinary stars.
Miss Scott, Food Preparation and Nutrition Co-ordinator
GCSE Food and Nutrition students from Penwortham Girls’ High School took their learning beyond the classroom this week with an educational visit to Lancashire Farm Education Centre. It provided a hands-on experience designed to deepen their understanding of milk production, food origins, and sustainable farming.
The trip, organised as part of the Key Stage 4 curriculum, provided students with a unique opportunity to see first-hand how milk is produced, processed, and brought from farm to table. As milk and dairy are key components of the GCSE Food and Nutrition course, the visit helped reinforce important theoretical knowledge with real-world application.
Upon arrival, the group were guided around the working dairy farm, meeting both the livestock and the expert team behind the daily operations. Students observed every stage of the milk journey—from feeding and milking the cows to understanding how raw milk is cooled, tested, pasteurised and packaged for distribution.
“It was fascinating to see where our food actually comes from,” said one Year 10 student. “We’ve learned about milk processing in class, but seeing it in person made it so much clearer. I never realised how much science and care goes into every step.” The visit also introduced students to the importance of animal welfare, environmental responsibility and local food systems. Elaine, the farmer at the facility discussed how they work to ensure ethical treatment of animals, reduce waste, and use sustainable practices, a topic that aligns closely with the nutrition course’s focus on food sustainability and environmental impact.
Miss Scott, the GCSE Food and Nutrition teacher who accompanied the class, said: “This kind of visit is invaluable. It links directly to the curriculum, particularly the sections on food provenance, processing and sustainability. It also helps students understand the science behind milk, from pasteurisation to nutritional value and the role it plays in a healthy diet.”
The visit to Lancashire Farm Education Centre not only enriched the students’ learning experience but also reinforced the crucial connection between what we eat and where it comes from.
The summer term Science Club has been one of our most exciting yet; full of squeaky pops, new life and some ‘egg-straordinary’ engineering.
One of the highlights was our Egg-o-nauts Challenge, where students were tasked with designing parachutes to safely land a raw egg from a height. There was a flurry of creative designs, last-minute tweaks and tense countdowns as each egg made its descent. While not every egg survived the drop, the enthusiasm was sky-high and we were thrilled to crown a winning team whose egg landed without even a crack!
We also had a flutter of life in the club this term. Our caterpillars made their transformation into butterflies (albeit sneakily over the half-term break). Luckily, we were able to see them in their winged form, observing them for a few days before releasing them into the wild on a beautifully sunny afternoon.
Meanwhile, our stick insects surprised us with five tiny new additions, much to the delight of our student carers, who have been keeping a close eye on their progress.
And what’s a Science Club without a bit of noise? Our students had a blast testing for hydrogen gas, competing to create the loudest “squeaky pop” in our classic gas tests. The competitive spirit was fierce and it was fantastic to see students predicting, experimenting and laughing as their test tubes popped away.
It’s been a brilliant term, full of hands-on science, team spirit and curiosity. We’re proud of all our budding scientists and can’t wait for more adventures next academic year!
