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A matter of evolution

Students studying Biology at Priestley got hands on with the subject of their own evolution when they made a trip off campus to the Nowgen Centre in Manchester.

The one-day educational workshop allowed the students to work with their own DNA and classify themselves into one of three common genotype groups. They were then able to compare their own sequence with that of chimpanzees to understand the process of evolution.

The day of practical activities linked closely to the specification being studied and gave the students a further opportunity to bring Biology to life in a unique way and setting.

As well as extracting their own DNA, the students also looked at Polymerase Chain Reaction, Restriction digestion and Gel electrophoresis.

Commenting on day, Emma Foster who is studying Biology alongside Chemistry, Maths and History at Priestley, said, "Visiting the Nowgen Centre was a really interesting experience and thankfully I was able to complete all the tasks successfully, hopefully I will have the opportunity to visit again."

Words by Nat Ashurst

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Sporting success rewarded at Priestley

Over eighty trophies were awarded to a whole host of sporting talent at Priestley during the College's annual awards ceremony.

Sara Bayman, an English international on the netball court was the guest of honour and handed out the trophies to those who had been successful both on the sporting field and also academically in the classroom.

The main two awards for the Sports Personality of the Year went to Brian Gallagher and Jodie Cunningham.

Brian is currently representing the North West in a Youth Ambassador role and as well as being an accomplished runner was also involved in numerous volunteering projects including those associated with the Wolves Foundation.

Jodie, meanwhile continued to excel on the rugby league field making some stand out performances for Warrington Wolves Ladies and England.

The two main awards were all the more special as they were voted for by the College community using an on-line poll on Priestley's virtual learning environment.

Speaking with regard to the ceremony, Curriculum Manager, Nige Howells, commented, "Once again it was really great to unite all of the people involved in such a fantastic year for Sport Priestley under one roof."

Adding, "I'd like to relay my own words of praise to all the award winners as we look forward to another year of success and the completion of our new all weather pitch facilities, which will allow our students to develop yet further."

Words and Pictures by Nat Ashurst

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Second learning award for Warrington Mum

Adult learner Julie Davies has gained a 1st Class Honours BSc in Applied Psychology and has won a British Psychological Society Prize, after taking up learning when a progressive heart disease forced her to leave her job.

Her dedication and commitment to learning was recognised with the Outstanding Individual Learner in the North West Award as part of Adult Learners' Week.

When progressive heart disease, forced her out of her job with Royal Mail, she decided, aged 30, to get her life back on track by signing-up for an adult learner programme at Priestley which has led her on a journey to winning a British Psychological Society Prize.

Ten years on from the initial Level 2 literacy, numeracy and CLAIT courses, Julie has gained a 1st Class Honours BSc in Applied Psychology from Liverpool John Moores University – studying part-time while bringing up two children – and aims to become a clinical psychologist.

Glennis Hassall, her nominator and first tutor at Priestley, all those years ago, said: "Julie felt she was on the scrapheap. She has a huge personality, which I believe to some extent masked her lack of self-confidence." But the keys to success were her have a go mentality. "She also has a generosity to contribute time and effort both to others who find themselves in the same boat as herself and to the local community."

Julie said hard work and determination helped her excel at her studies and win the British Psychological Society Prize as the outstanding graduate at her university. "My learning journey has made an incredible difference to my life and, as an advocate of lifelong learning; I expect it will continue to do so."

Picture by Nat Ashurst

• Link to story on ALW website (external)

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Priestley victorious in penalty shoot-out drama

An exhausting campaign on the football field had a fitting end for Priestley's first string football team who were crowned Play-Off Champions for the entire Northern region with a 3-1 penalty shoot out win over Aquinas College.

After a gruelling regular season, the league entered a play-off format with Priestley who had finished the North West season in third, making it to the final to play Aquinas from Stockport at Salford City's Moor Lane Stadium.

Priestley found themselves under pressure in the first-half in the big match but were still able to hold the interval advantage with Josh Smith despatching a penalty for a 1-0 lead.

Aquinas went onto equalise in the second period and were then unlucky not to take the spoils as they struck the woodwork in the closing moments. With both teams tiring, extra time followed but still the deadlock couldn't be broken.

And so the contest moved into a penalty shoot-out with Joel Brownhill, Mike Wilson and Mike Southern all scoring for Priestley and goalkeeper Tom Coyne proving to be the hero of the hour with a string of fine saves to secure the 3-1 victory on penalties.

Commenting on the success, Coach Rich Donnelly, said, "The season has been a huge success with the lads also reaching the last eight in the national cup but to be crowned northern champions was a great way to end things. Penalty shoot-outs are always a lottery and so it was obviously great that we were on the right end of it. My commiserations go to our opponents who performed well throughout the two hour epic."

Words and Pictures by Nat Ashurst

• Photo Gallery

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Students meet the Priestley Challenge

A College wide quiz at Priestley tested students to their limits in a fun and competitive environment.

The 2010 Priestley Challenge saw a total of sixty tutor groups enter the competition in a knockout style quiz, with each team of four answering a wide range of questions set by tutors.

The competition was loosely based around University Challenge with the quartet of Rhian Bardsley, Sarah Mckinley Brown, Robert Savage and Matthew Lambert proving victorious.

The winning team did fantastically well and faced a number of severe challenges along the way. As a reward they then went onto face a team of tutors in a special challenge match, which again they were able to win, to complete a clean sweep.

Commenting on the success of the competition, Tutor, Mark Salmon, said, "The students have really enjoyed the contest and this has brought out their competitive spirit."

Adding, "The Priestley Challenge is just one of many College wide initiatives aimed at enriching the student experience, yet further."

Words and Picture by Nat Ashurst

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