Newsletters

18.7.2025

Be determined and confident,as God will be with you* as we learn, care and share through work, play and prayer. (*Deuteronomy 31:6)

Contact details below, just click on the name, or call 01257 262323 

Andy Purcell,   Headteacher of St George's, and Wrightington Mossy Lea 

Sharon Kellie, School Admin and Bursar

Nic Gregson,    Deputy Head Teacher, Child Protection, SENCO

Naomi Harrison,  Assistant Head Teacher, responsibility for Assessment & Mossy Lea

Rob Horne      Assistant Head Teacher, Responsibility for Teacher Training

 

Two churches. One parish.       

Follow either church for information, worship, church attendance, events

St George's Chorley        Fr Jordan Bentliffe   

St George’s is now in a period of interregnum, as we await the Diocese’s appointment of a new vicar to lead our parish forward.   

Welcome to this week’s newsletter!

Folks, here we are, the finish line, the final approach before we dock for a deep clean, re stock and re fresh.... dare it say it, before we fly again. Don't worry, it'll be here before you know it!

As we stand at the close of another academic year, I find myself reflecting deeply — not just on what we’ve done, but on who we are and how we’ve grown. At St George’s, every term feels like a storybook chapter: full of plot twists, unexpected character development, brave new adventures, and those tiny, quiet moments that make all the difference.

This year has been no exception. We’ve shared so many firsts, triumphant successes, and unexpected setbacks, all woven together by one constant thread: our love for this community and the children at its heart.

The return of old friends like Mark (who clearly realised the magnetic pull of St George’s was too strong to resist!), the joyful return of Katie after her maternity leave, and Nic’s exciting news about her growing family — these moments remind us that our community is always evolving, always full of life and possibility. Siobhan’s temporary and voluntary journey to Mossy Lea has highlighted beautifully how we are not just a single school but a bijou family of schools, each branch supporting the other, each leaf catching the same sunlight at all times pulling eachother up, never using each other to stamp on to raise our selves. 

To our incredible staff: your courage, compassion, and creativity have shone through, even in the toughest weeks. You have shown up for the children — and for each other — with unwavering devotion. From late-night planning to early-morning pastoral moments on the yard, you are truly the lifeblood of this school.

To our PTFA: your energy and unstoppable spirit have made everything brighter. You are the silent engines behind so much joy, and the smiles at summer fairs, bake sales, and events are testaments to your hard work and love for our community.

To our governors and Canon Arnold, thank you for embodying steadfast faith, strategy, and security. Your support and wise counsel shape our journey and allow us to keep pushing boundaries while staying anchored in our mission.

In every corridor and classroom, we have seen kids embody the values — courage, curiosity, compassion, and resilience. We’ve watched them step into roles of leadership, extend a hand to a friend, overcome anxieties, and grow into themselves a little more each day. They’ve been, in the truest sense, brave.

If you'll permit; I was sadly at a funeral this week, a family friend, who died too young. The bible reading struck accord. As the Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." It’s impossible not to talk about love when reflecting on this year.

Love is patient when a child is learning to read at their own pace.
Love is kind when a friend shares a pencil without being asked.
Love does not envy when someone else gets a certificate.
Love does not boast when things go well, but celebrates quietly and humbly.
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

This is the love that has echoed through St George’s this year. It has held us up on the grey days and magnified the sunny ones. It’s the love that encourages us to "just keep swimming" (thank you, Dory), to believe in each other (thank you, Ted Lasso), and to hold on to that precious spark of optimism, even when the to-do list is long and the coffee has gone cold.

On a personal note, I still carry the memory of losing my dad to Alzheimer’s last year, this remains a deep wound, but it has also ignited a fire within me to live out his legacy through this work, in this place, with all of you. His example reminds me that the greatest gift we can give each other is to live, teach, and lead with love.

Folks, thank you for the trust you place in us, for working alongside us, and for modelling to your children what it means to be determined and confident, knowing God walks with us every step of the way.

As your headteacher, I will always champion and defend this incredible school. We are guardians of the next generation — shaping young minds and hearts, building futures, and protecting this beacon of brilliance that is St George’s.

So as we step into the summer, take time to reflect, to zoom out, to truly see the mosaic of beautiful moments that make up this year. Hold tight to them. Celebrate them. Process them. And come back in September ready to do it all again — with laughter, faith, determination, and, above all, love.

I wish you all a restful, joy-filled, love-filled summer. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary story. I’ll see you in September, ready to turn the page and begin another chapter together.

All the best,

Andy

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So why the weird clothes? From waistcoats, to Bavarian Braces, from suits, to sloganned T Shirts.... I’ve had plenty of comments, and a few behind the scene critisisms, this year about my “unique” outfit choices — the bright shirts, the slogan T-shirts, and yes, even the pineapple shorts. Some might call them questionable; some say "he's a headteacher, he should set the standards" (ironically, thats exactly what i've done) I call them a method in my (mostly) cheerful madness! Some might think it’s just a bit of daft fun (which it is!), but there’s a deeper method in my (mostly cheerful) madness.

It’s easy to opine these choices are just for show — but actually, there’s always a reason. You see, when I throw on a T-shirt with a funny slogan or a loud, patterned shirt, it’s not just about dressing up; it’s about dressing in. Dressing in a way that says to every child and adult, “I’m approachable. I’m human. We can laugh together.”

When I pull on a silly shirt or a loud pair of shorts, it isn’t just about making the kids curious, a distraction to the anxieties of the day,  (though that’s a big part of it). It’s about being seen to be approachable. It’s a silent message to every child — and just as importantly, to every adult — that this is a place where you can be yourself. A place where there’s no need for masks, no need to pretend to be perfect, and no fear of judgment.

I know that for some of us as adults, school memories aren’t always filled with warmth and positivity. Especially secondary school — that’s often our last memory of school, and for some, it wasn’t kind. If we don’t process those experiences carefully, we can carry them forward and end up disliking school as a whole, maybe even disliking us as a community, for no real reason other than the weight of old, unchallenged memories.

My silly shirts are my way of helping rewire that narrative. Of showing that a school can be formal in standards and meticulous in curriculum, have high standards of behaviour, but still wrapped in joyful informality. After almost 20 years as a headteacher, I dont need to wear a suit, shirt and tie to prove im serious about education, to show im the boss, to instil on amazing behaviour from the kids, to add gravitas. 

It’s like the lesson from Winnie-the-Pooh: “A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” Or as Ted Lasso so brilliantly puts it: "Be curious, not judgmental."

If a pineapple shirt makes a child feel brave enough to tell me they’re worried about SATs, or makes an adult stop and smile instead of bracing for bad news — that’s worth more than a thousand perfectly ironed, grey suits.

So next time you see me in something that looks like it escaped from CBeebies, remember: it’s an invitation. An invitation to connect, to smile, to share a worry, to rewrite an old school memory. To see school not as a place to be feared or endured, but as a place to belong.

Because that’s what St George’s is really about — warmth, openness, and shared humanity. And if it takes a bright orange pineapple shirt to help us remember that, so be it. 

Whats the plan for next year? I've no idea yet....

Can I now express my gratitude to the parents of the Reception intake 2025.

You had a choice. You chose us. Thank you.  A highlight of the last few weeks has been the arrival of our new reception children.

Transition with Nurseries has been great. We know it is crucially important to get this transition right and we appreciate the support of parents and our Nursery feeder schools in helping make this work so well.

KIds, relax - you'll be fine, i promise. I'll have you processing your power within you before you know it! 

Ready for another year with us?

For those children returning to us, our new term starts for children on Wednesday 3rd September, with kids being let in from 8.45am… see you all then! 

Breakfast club will start as usual and is staying in the same room, the hall, and Late Stay will be in business from the first day – as long as your bills are cleared. We have made a minor change to Late Stay. Late Stay will always start in the hall, and pick up will always be from the hall. We have increased staffing in late stay, so a member of staff will always be in the school hall, and will walkie talki to get your child, who will make their way to teh school hall. 

Over summer I will update the web cal with dates that I know – so please either sync or set up a calendar app for all the dates of the year.

Alas, finishing in Decile 2...... nevertheless, a brilliant year for attendance. I'll be writing to all kids who have attendance greater than 94% over the summer! Thanks for your continued, and valued support. 

On behalf of all the staff and governors at St. George’s, thank you so much. And now… let’s once again look forward…

To our outgoing Year 6 – a massive well done, and an even bigger thank you! You made it! I'm not sure how, but you did! You're amazing, each and every one of you, and remember in the future when things are not going so well, ask yourself a simple question - can I cope with this? I don't need to like it, but can I cope with it? The answer will always be yes. You've got the power within you to thrive in life. Promise.

You’re now going to seize the tremendous opportunity that secondary school poses with gusto, with determination. You have proven yourselves in Year 6 to be much more mature than perhaps some people thought. Much stronger than we expected. And much more resilient than, as adults, we hoped you would have to be at this time. You’ve shown your many qualities, and you are, I promise, now perfectly equipped to “leg it” into high school and rugby tackle to the ground and flatten any challenges that it sends your way. You can run into high school safe in the knowledge that you are perfect. You are equipped. You’re good to go and fly… and show the entire world what you are made of.

It is not too dramatic or hyperbolic to say that the children leaving school now are the most confident, the most able, the most accepting, and the most enthusiastic ever. They are brilliant, whether 11 or 16. They will go on to achieve great things, see great things, and indeed be great “things.” I’m in no doubt that this generation of young people is the best that the country has produced. I am proud of them, and I am excited to see what they become.

And for one last time in your lives, anyone want a Purcell Poem? 

On behalf of all the staff and governors,
Thank you so much for your unwavering support.
As we look ahead, let’s celebrate and report.

To our outgoing Year 6 – hats off to you!
You’ve made it through with courage anew.
Remember this as you face what’s ahead,
“Can I cope with this?” – always “yes” instead.
You’ve got the power to thrive and grow,
The strength within you, more than you know.

Secondary school is calling your name,
A new adventure, a grand new game.
You've shown maturity, strength, and grace,
Ready to meet challenges face to face.
Run into high school, head held high,
Show the world your wings and fly.

You are the best, no doubt in mind,
Confident, able, accepting, and kind.
Great things await, achievements bright,
I am proud of you, ready for flight.
This generation, the best we’ve seen,
A future so bright, a brilliant sheen.

A Time to Grow

In the hush of the playground’s corner,
A sapling gazed up, small and shy,
At the oak who danced with breezes,
Branches etched across the sky.

“How did you grow so mighty?
How did you stand so long and true?”
The oak in whispers ancient,
Shared secrets only oaks once knew.

“Every gust of wind that bent me,
Every drop of rain that fell,
Every golden sunlit morning —
They all shaped my bark and shell.

I did not stretch to heaven quickly,
Nor claim the stars in just one spring;
I grew in silence, grew in seasons,
Ring by patient, sacred ring.”

So it is with all you children —
Each friend, each test, each play rehearsed,
Each stumble on the muddy field,
Each time you came in last or first.

And in this school, we stand for more —
For faith, for hope, for strength that shows.
Our mission from Deuteronomy
Is one your heart already knows:

Be strong and full of courage;
Don’t be afraid or shy.
The Lord your God walks with you,
And lifts you when you cry.

At St George’s we believe in you,
Each soul a spark, a flame, a song.
No label, grade or whispered doubt
Can tell you that you don’t belong.

You are perfect as you stand right now,
Not once too much, not ever less.
Don’t let a single voice convince you
You must shrink to fit their guess.

Our St George’s Cross, bold on the wall,
Is more than symbol, cloth or thread —
It shines as calmness, strength and grace
When skies turn grey or fears are spread.

As Ecclesiastes whispers softly,
“To everything there is a time —
A time to start and time to wander,
A time to climb, a time to shine.

A time to weep, a time to dance,
A time to ask, a time to try.
A time to take a trembling step,
A time to leap, a time to fly.”

And yes — let’s not forget the voice
Of Ted, moustached and brave and true,
Who told us in three letters
What we already deeply knew:

Believe.
Believe in your strange and mighty selves,
Even when the path feels tight.
Believe that kindness changes things,
That gentle hearts still win the fight.

So no, today’s not a farewell,
But a pause before the dance —
A moment caught in golden breath,
A bold, audacious chance.

Go forth — be kind, be wildly curious,
Grow rings beneath your skin.
And know that here, at St George’s,
We’re always cheering from within.

Thank you. God bless.
And don’t forget… to believe.

And finally…

As we prepare for next year, may I just remind you of our protocol regarding extreme haircuts, and cosmetic jewellery?

I am determined to maintain our high standards at St George’s, to that end; if you intend on letting your child have ears pierced or hair coloured please do so at the beginning of the holiday. (Earrings, indeed any cosmetic jewellery is not allowed in school, and hair should be of natural colour, contain no ‘step’ or line and shaven no shorter than a number 2 grade.)

Whatever you are doing in the Summer I hope you and your family have a relaxing, safe, enjoyable time, and come back refreshed for a very busy, yet hopefully more predictable year.

May I conclude the letter by thanking you all most graciously for your support, encouragement and forgiveness over the year, and in line with my imperfections, apologise to you all for any mistakes I've made, offence I've caused, or request I wasn't able to grant.  Whilst it may not be obvious my decisions were always made with the very best of intentions.

I would like to reiterate my thanks to you all. Without the network of positive relationships and trust that we have built between school and yourselves, my job would be a lot harder and the experience of school for our children would be a lot less positive - so let's keep working together and moving forward as one. St George's is a great team and I for one am proud to be a part of it. 

May I wish you all a pleasant, calm and relaxing holiday, and I look forward to working with you all again next year. Take care everyone, All the very best,

Having said all of that, I'll see you MOnday! 

Andy

My thanks to everyone, for everything! 

Same again next year please? 

Andy