The Priory School – Extracts from Priory Girls’ School Log Book 1911 - 2000

1911 The school opened in the building by the Quarry in (shared with the boy’s school) under the Headship of Miss Louise Ellison. There were approximately 60 pupils 1916 – 1920 The school moved temporarily to Coleham Junior School when the Priory building was commandeered by the Army Pay Corps as its H.Q. 1931 Miss Ellison retired and was succeeded by Miss A. Hunter 1939 The school moved to the still unfinished and unfurnished building in Longden Road, and for some months shared with Queen Mary’s School, evacuated from Liverpool 1947 Miss Hunter retired and was succeeded by Miss S. L. McKillop 1949 March General Inspection by a team of H.M.I. 1953 A new wing was added to the building and are known as rooms 12, 13 & 14 1954 Agnes Hunt and Wakeman Houses were added to the 5 existing school houses 1961 The School’s Jubilee was celebrated with a speech day in July, a lunch for Staff and Governors, a joint garden party with the boys school, an old girl’s sherry party at Morris’s Café, and a joint dance with the Priory boys school at Morris’s. 1962 The new domestic science and needlework rooms were finished. The conversion and re-equipment of the science laboratories wee carried out during the summer term 1962 Miss McKillop left to take up the post at Clifton High School, Bristol and was succeeded by Miss A. D Ray 1962 Feb 6th form dance to while governors, staff and 6th form from the Priory Boy’s School were invited 1962 March School production of ‘The First Barn’ 1962 May Prize day with guest speaker Miss C. A Smaldon S.R.N. 1963 Nov General school inspection under the direction of H.M.I. M Wakeford 1963 Feb Governors and Prefects Dinner at Priory Boy’s school to which the girls were invited for the first time 1963 Feb Library completely refurbished 1963 July The house system was brought to an end. The school magazine was published in its raw form 1964 Dec The Royal Ballet demonstration group gave a performance at school 1965 Feb Flute and Piano recital – John James & Maija Lielousis 1965 March School play ‘Electra’ 1965 July A special series of ‘Home Making’ after GCE examinations 1965 August A start was made to the dining room and kitchen extensions over the holidays 1966 Dec The School Play ‘Everyman’ 1967 March Thirty girls represented The School at Shrewsbury on the occasion of HM The Queen’s visit to open the new Shirehall. 1967 June Girls attended the meeting of the Archbishop of Canterbury held at Shrewsbury Technical College 1967 Sept Demountable Room 16 is now available 1967 Dec Production of ‘Mikado’ 1968 July Parents Association Fete – Money raised for school minibus 1968 Sept Demountable Room 15 now available 1968 Dec Trip to London to view Van Gogh Exhibition 1969 Jan Re introduction of the House System 1969 April Mini bus purchased 1969 Dec The school play ‘Lady Precious Stream’ 1970 Fund raising for Council of Social Services 1970 April French Exchange Visit – Gueret 1970 Oct C.E.M. Conference on ‘World Religions’ Guest Speaker Rev D Horder, Lancaster University 1970 Nov Founders Day Speaker Bishop of Shrewsbury, Rt Rev F. W. Cocks 1970 Dec School Play ‘The Taming of the Shew’ 1971 Jan PTA Committee Dinner at The Mytton and Mermaid 1971 Dec Bertram E Pugh, Chairman of Governors since 1965 died 1971 Dec School play ‘The Rose and the Ring’ 1972 Nov HM The Queen’s Silver Wedding 1972 Dec School play ‘Dark of the Moon’ 1972 Dec PTA Dinner party at The Lord Hill 1973 Jan School Ski Trip to Austria 1973 April School choir joined with Adams Grammar School, Newport to give a performance 1973 April School trip to Paris 1973 Senior Prize Day – speaker M P E. Mee, Registrar Imperial College London, Presentation also to Sir Offley Wakeman on his retirement as Governor 1973 Oct House warming party for new staff room, deputy head’s room (given by H.M. for Staff & Governors) 1974 April School trip to Russia 1974 July Old Girls Association - Visit of M Hunter (former Headmistress) to make presentations in memory of Miss G. Pritchard who died in January 1973 1974 July Open Day (no prize days held this year and founders day was celebrated for the last time) 1974 Sept PTA Fete proceeds used to purchase a colour TV and Video Tape Recorder (£700) 1974 Oct School on view to parents of Junior School Children 1974 Dec School Play Emlyn Williams ‘Spring 1600’ 1975 April School trip to Paris 1975 July Junior school play ‘Transformation Scene’ 1975 July Staff dinner at Radbrook Hall to mark the retirement of Miss M C Quilleash, Deputy Head after 30 years on the staff 1975 Sept PTA Fete proceeds to purchase new projector 1975 Oct Careers Convention 6.30 – 9.30 pm for upper school forms and their parents 1975 Oct Parents of children in the local primary schools visited the school 1976 Jan The London Opera Players gave a performance of The Barber of Seville. 1976 May School used as a polling station for local elections 1976 July Mrs S Johnes (Headmistress Elect) visited the school 1976 July Mrs M Jones and her group of harpists gave a performance to the whole school 1976 August Miss A. D. Ray resigned as Headmistress after 14 years at the school 1976 Sept Mrs S. Johnes took her place as fourth Headmistress of the Priory Girls School, Shrewsbury 1976 Sept PTA fete raised £664 to purchase a photocopiers for the school 1976 Oct Primary School Parents invited to see the school 1976 Nov New dress material & style for summer dresses chosen by joint staff/girls committee 1976 Nov Priory Girls’ School Art Exhibition at Shirehall 1976 Dec Sale of school magazine ‘Within these Walls’ produced and organised by 3 fifth form pupils 1976 Dec House netball and hockey matches 1976 Dec School play ‘Seven miracle Plays’ 1976 Dec Last day of term – snowed and HM arrived at 11 am! Two girls gained entrance to Oxbridge £125 raised for charity to go towards Copthorne Intensive Care Unit 1977 Jan Blizzard mid day school closed 1.30 pm 1977 Jan School ski trip to Austria 1977 Mch Mr John Evans appointed Head of French 1977 Mch School Trip to Earls Court Ideal Home Exhibition 1977 Mch School challenged staff to a hockey match drew 2:2 1977 Mch Spanish Exchange to Barcelona 1977 Mch Mrs Johnson attended a meeting at Shirehall re Shrewsbury Reorganisation formation of 11 – 16 and 16 – 19 1977 April Miss Stephens appointed to teach French 1977 April Trip to Russia, Leningrad & Moscow 1977 April Mr Marrion (New Head at Wakeman) and Mr Thorpe (Priory Boys) lunch 1977 May Competition organised to send a card to the Queen for Silver Jubilee 1977 May Visit to Director of Education, I Dobson, with Head of Wakeman and Mr Griffiths (Principal of Tech) to iron out division on 16 – 19 provision 1977 June Official notice of an extra form in 1st year of 77-8 – 3 new part time staff to be appointed Maths, Science and English 1977 July Junior choir visit to Llangollen Festival 1977 July Whole school attended year outing to celebate Jubilee Alton Towers, Stratford, Royal Show 1977 July New parents visit school 1977 July School Performance ‘ 1977 Nov Miss Shelly appointed to take over Mrs Lloyd- take up role in April. 1977 Nov Remembrance Day service taken by Rev M.Hill. 1977 Dec School Christmas play, Christmas dinner, old school girls reunion. 1978 April Geography interviews Mrs A.Moores to take over Miss Bilbey in September after 29 years as head of department. 1978 May Summer concert. 1978 July Sports day, swimming gala at the baths. Open day started at 3pm ended at 7.30pm. 1978 Nov School temporarily to be known as “The Priory School” until 1981, governors approved details for boys uniform from Sept 1979. 1979 Feb Parents association committee dinner at Montford House. 1979 May School Mock Election, new craft block, PE staff changing room built. 1979 July Mr Crowe appointed as the new heavy craft ancillary. 1979 Sep School now officially known as The Priory School. 1980 Apr During the holidays a group of students took part in BBC Radio 1 program “Talkabout”. 1980 May Summer Concert. 1980 Jun Governors meeting followed by dinner with staff. 1980 Jul Swimming Gala 1980 Jul Old girls hold a reunion and AGM. 1980 Sep Sixth Form Geography/Biology visit to Arthog. 1980 Sep School Fete raised £1000 for new stage lighting. 1980 Oct Parents association visit to Stratford to see “Romeo and Juliet”. 1980 Oct Discussion starts about introducing a cafeteria system for lunches. 1980 Nov New cafeteria system started. 1980 Nov Mr P.Salman started as new caretaker. 1980 Dec School play “The Dark House”. 1981 Mar Visit to Arthog for the week with S.Bradshaw. 1981 Mar Mrs Howard leaving for maternity in summer term. 1981 Apr In the Easter holidays there were two trips abroad to Pompeii, Italy and La Bourboule, France. 1981 May County Council elections school used as polling station. 1981 Sep School Fete raised £1200 between fate and raffle. 1982 May 2nd year geography visit to Liverpool, summer concert. 1982 July Parents Association AGM. 1982 July Sports afternoon and staff tea party. 1982 Sept School fete raised £1000 1982 Nov Macbeth Theatre workshop 1982 Dec School production “Dracula Spectacular” 1983 Apr 1st years visit to British Museum. 1983 Jul Swimming gala, Sports afternoon. 1983 Jul 1st year trip to Alton Towers. 1983 Sep Fete raised £1200. 1983 Jul Swimming gala 1984 Nov School Photographer visit. 1985 Apr Groups taken to Switzerland, and Russia in holidays. 1985 Oct Visit to YTS information day organised by City Careers Advisory Team. 1985 Dec Eight secondary schools identified for closure. 1986 Apr 4 student met local MP as part of annual Rotary Club. 1986 Sep Mr Ausell as acting head. 1986 Oct Harvest Festival service. 1986 Nov 50 Geography students to Telford for field work. 1986 Dec Christmas music concert over 400 parents attended. 1986 Dec Staff vs Pupil hockey match. 1987 Jan Mrs Johnes returns. 1987 June School used as a polling station for the general elections 1987 June Field trip to visit Ironbridge and Wroxeter 1987 June Presentation of Record of Achievement Awards Friday 26th June 1987 July Good report on the school based on visits by subject advisors over the last 3 weeks. Chief Advisor, Area Advisor and AEO Secondary 1987 July New pupils visit the school from St. Georges for the day and new parents evening 1987 July First meeting of Governors with parents attending. 1987 August Exam results very good – last of GCE ‘O’ level and CSE. Everyone gained at least one certificate 1987 August Staff in for required training under the 1986 act. 1987 Sept Student joined the school for observation before starting teacher training 1987 Oct School presented a cheque to Shropshire Hospice for £350. 1987 Oct Parent Association Evening Talk by Mr Dawson on walking in the Himalayas £1345 was raised for the school funds 1987 Nov Agreed for building works to go ahead to Open Sept 89. Life, ramps, offices and physio rooms, raise corridor floor levels. Cost £105,000 1988 Jan Staff inset day – theme Preventive Approaches to Disruption 1988 Feb Red nose day raised £87 for children’s hospice 1988 March Presentation of a cheque for £1000 to Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. 1988 March 72 Second Years leave for a visit to Germany with 6 staff 1988 April Headteacher attended a day conference in London on the ways in which all school Heads can work together 1988 May Governors visit to school to be shown adjustment of buildings being proposed for 1989 to received children with disabilities 1988 Oct Parents Association raised £2,000 from promise auction 1989 The school is to be one of 5 secondary schools chosen to be a pilot for a local management scheme 1989 Jan Building work starts on adapting the school to be an inclusive environment 1989 Jan School production of Sweeney Todd 1989 March School Trip wind surfing to Majorca 1989 May 60 students and 8 staff to attend study visit in La Rochelle 1989 May School used as a polling station 1989 July Multicultural evening held dancing, slide shows, refreshments a huge success with 350 people attending 1989 Sept Music/Art visit to African heritage village 1989 Oct GCSE results published Priory School was the best in the county by a wide margin 1989 Oct New telephone system installed 1989 Oct African Dance Group visits and demonstration 1990 Feb Primary Heads and deputies visit for tea and a discussion on liaison 1990 Feb New Computer Admin system operational In the office word processors and bursar file server 1990 March M Fairbank winner of Shropshire Young Musician Competition 1990 May Visit to the British museum London 1990 June Year 4 Work Experience starts for 2 weeks 1990 June Sports Day 1990 July Visits to Drayton Manor and American Theme park 1990 Sept School review starts - numerous advisers present until 5th Oct 1990 Oct Languages Open Day for Year 7 1990 Nov Open Evening 7 – 9 pm 1990 Dec Year 7 Christmas Party 1990 Dec School Trip to France 1991 Jan School Closed due to snow fall Friday 8th January 1991 Feb First year for Young Enterprise Year 9 led by local entrepreneurs 1991 March Year 11 pupils represent the school at Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Society 1991 April Year 8 Visit to the Tower of London 1991 April Engineering Challenge 1991 May Cleaning Contractors taken on by the school 1991 June L. Morris Year 9 winner of logo prize by Zutphen Town Twinning committee 1991 June School Prom 1991 Sept Congratulations on excellent overall exam results again this year 1991 Oct Year 7 activity week overnight stay 1991 10 Oct Duke of Edinburgh Aware group leave for 2 nights 1991 Nov Open Evening – well attended and good displays 1991 Dec Christmas Concert 1992 March Year 10 winners of the County Road Safety Quiz 1992 March G Nobel year 8 National Prize Winner Lions Peace Poster Competition 1992 May Year 10 visit Bramcote to look at army life 1992 June Coleham, Radbrook and St Georges pupils visit the school 1992 June Trip to Wimbledon 1992 Oct Year 7 Language Awareness Day 1992 Nov German teachers visit the English Dept 1993 April Year 7 Visit to France 1993 April Year 7 visit to ice rink in Telford 1993 May School used as a polling station 1993 May Record of Achievement Presentations 1993 June Year 10 Work Experience 2 weeks commence 1993 June Visit by HMI Inspector re careers work in school 1993 Oct Year 8 Bowling Outing at Sundorne 1993 Oct Year 7 Languages Day 1993 Nov Open Day and Evening 1994 Feb Year 10 visit Telford Ice Rink 1994 Feb Flute and Guitar Concert given by students 1994 March Year 7 Planting Trees Morning 1994 March Year 10 visit to Stoke Theatre 1994 March Year 10 students visit to ‘Look at Life’ in the Army 1994 May Year 11 Presentation by M Thorpe (retired Principal SSFC) 1994 July New Intake Taster Day 1994 July Lake Vyrnwy Charity Walk – 10 coaches for 452 pupils, 40 staff, 25 parents took part 1994 £2,500 raised from the Lake Vyrnwy Charity Walk for the League of Friends Shrewsbury Hospital 1994 August GCSE results Outstanding, best in the county 68 pupils with A* - C grades 1994 Sept 80 pupils visit Birmingham Hippodrome to see ‘Forbidden Plant’ 1994 Nov Open Day and Evening 1995 Jan Ofsted Inspection 12 in school for the whole week – results very positive a good school 1995 May Presentation Eventing by C. Adams (CEO of Perkins) 1995 June Year 9 Visit to Arthog 1995 July 5 staff take 42 Year 11 on an outdoor pursuits weekend to Dollgellan 1995 August Re-wiring of the school to be completed by September, ceiling replaced in the dining room, IT equipment installed in room 11 and a new admin IT system installed 1995 August GCSE results all subjects over 60% A – C. History & RE over 90% very good. Increase of 5 + A*-C up on last year. 1995 Sept 154 pupils in year 7 a record intake 1995 Nov Open Day & Evening (40 families visit in the day very busy) 1995 Nov Year 10 visit to Liverpood Art Galleries 1995 Dec Christmas concert at Meole Church splendid evening 1996 Jan 172 pupils requesting places at Priory for Sept 1996. (more than last year) we only have 130 places available 1996 Feb Snow school closed – 14 staff unable to get into school 1996 April Lots of girls took part in ‘Take your daughter to work day’ 1996 May Year 11 visit to Alton Towers 1996 May Year 7 visit Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton 1996 June Children and staff from Coleham Primary School spend the day at Priory as part of their creative arts week 1996 July Activity day 24th whole school out on various visits 1996 August GCSE results published standard maintained excellent overall 1996 Oct Year 11 attend Impact Theatre presentation on careers 1996 Oct Stop Watch Theatre presentation to Year 10 on road safety 1996 Dec School performs at for the local Rotary Club 1996 Dec Christmas Concert at Meole Church – full attendance – good evening 1997 Jan Interview in Daily Telegraph’s Good School guide 1997 March Duke of Edinburgh Expedition 16 pupils 2 staff 1997 June Visit to Arthog Year 9 1997 June Presentation Evening Year 11 presented by C. Heywood (local business women) 1997 June Year 8 Visit to France 80 pupils 8 staff 1997 July GCSE Results – outstanding 80% 5 or more grade C-A+ 1997 Sept First meeting of Shrewsbury Science Festival Planning Group 1997 Sept 693 on roll 1997 Sept Year 7 attend a weekend of getting to know you at Manor Adventure Camp 1997 Sept Impact presentation to year 11 on choices 1977 Sept Language awareness day very successful 1997 Nov Open Day 60 families attended in the day packed in the evening 1997 Nov 3 Secondary School German Teachers visit for the day 1997 Dec Year 8 take part in Shrewsbury Community Woodland Project 1998 Jan Year 7 visit to pantomime Aladdin at Wolverhampton 1998 Jan Work on the new wing commences 1998 March Year 7 Bowling Trip to Sundorne 1998 April Year 7 trip to Chester Zoo 1998 May Presentation Year 11 Evening presented by Bishop of Shrewsbury 1998 June Trips – Year 8 field trip to Radbrook, Year 8 ice skating trip, 50 year 9 pupils and 4 staff to Arthog 1998 July 90 pupils and 6 staff on study visit to Germany 1998 July Year 7 & 8 Argentine Choir sing to pupils (shrewsbury music festival) 1998 July Science Festival 10 pupils spend day demonstrating Priory Science at Pride Hill as part of the week 1998 August GCSE results 64% 5 A* - C grades very good 1998 August New Library Suite Completed all very good 1998 Sept 142 year 7 pupils on role 1998 Sept Year 9 visit Styal Mill 1998 Nov Open Day and Evening 68 families in the day 1998 Nov Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Aware Expedition 1998 Dec Carol Concert in School 1999 Jan Year 8 Tree Planting 1999 Feb Prince of Wales Regiment Bank workshops and practice all day for Year 7 & 9 1999 Feb Royal Navy Presentations for Year 10 & 11 1999 Feb Admissions for Sept 1999 – 202 applicants for 147 places 162 allocated 1999 May Year 10 Field Study Trip to the Berwyns 1999 May Annual Year 11 outing to Alton Towers 1999 May Year 8 study visit to Rochelle 89 pupils 7 staff 1999 June Year 11 Presentation Evening 1999 June Year 10 Work Experience 1999 June Year 7 visit to Manchester Science Museum 1999 June Year 11 Latin Visit to Chester 1999 June Year 7 Geography Trip to Church Stretton 1999 July Year 10 Visit to Wimbledon 1999 July Year 10 Food Tech Visit to Minsterley Creamery 1999 July Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition 1999 August GCSE results very good – improved on 1998 – Art 100% A* - C 1999 Sept Musicians from Year 8 – 11 join the light infantry workshop at 1999 Sept Year 9 Visit to Styal Hill for Technology and History 1999 Sept Year 11 Language Study visit to Wolverhampton University 1999 Sept A Bigley Year 8 Winner of Borough Council Millennium Design Competition for presentation goblet for the year 2000 1999 Sept Poetry Day Trip to Wolverhampton 50 year 11 3 staff 1999 Oct Year 7 residential visit getting to know you at Manor Adventure Craven Arms 1999 Oct Royal Navy Careers Presentation to 50 year 10 & 11 1999 Oct Impact Theatre Presentation re careers Year 11 1999 Oct Year 11 presentation Evening 1999 Oct Year 7 Annual Languages Awareness Day 1999 Nov Open Day and Evening very well attended 1999 Nov Year 11 Danceathon 1.30 – 9.30 pm raided £1,500 Children in Need £1,000 Riding for Disabled £500 1999 Nov Most Able Day – organised by year 10 great success 1999 Dec Ofsted in all Week – feedback very good report 2000 Jan 730 on role 2000 Feb Year 11 Visit to Millennium Dome 2000 March Year 7 Sept 2000 – 200 applications – 147 places available – 168 allocated 2000 March Year 11 French Visit to Birmingham University 2000 March Eisteddfod Competition year 7,8,9 2000 March 16 pupils 1 staff visit All Open Badminton Challenge 2000 March Year 8 Maths Challenge 2000 April Year 7 visit to Alexandra Theatre Birmingham – Dr Doolittle 2000 May Year 11 Farewell Outing to Alton Towers 2000 May Priory Exchange to Bezier for the week 2000 June Year 8 study visit to Germany departs 84 pupils 8 staff 2000 June Year 11 presentation evening speaker L Nicholson, Corporate Director of Education and A Jones, Director of Shrewsbury Town Football Club 2000 June Presentations of West Mercia Police Good Citizen Awards to J Wenlock, year 11 and C. Brayne, year 10 2000 July Year 7 Induction Day 2000 July Farewell dinner to Headteacher at The Lord Hill presentations by Governors, LEA, Past and Present Staff and Students 2000 August Headteacher hands over to Acting Head J. Ansell