St Cuthbert's at Manchester United vs FC Barcelona Match and Joe Thompson visits school

Eight students were selected to represent St Cuthbert’s as flag bearers and were responsible for waving the UEFA Champions League flag on the Old Trafford pitch

Students represented St Cuthbert’s as UEFA Champions League Flag Bearers for the Manchester United vs FC Barcelona Match.

Mr Hilton, the Manchester United Foundation, School Partnership Officer said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students here at St. Cuthbert’s. We believe if you work hard to achieve in school, you will be rewarded. This was an amazing opportunity for them to stand on the same pitch alongside some of the most famous football players in the world.

“Eight students were selected to represent St. Cuthbert’s as flag bearers and were responsible for waving the UEFA Champions League flag on the Old Trafford pitch - whilst the players / squads lined up for the pre-match handshake.

“The televised Champions League fixture was on Wednesday 10 April. The eight students selected were Hannah Harrison, Owen Donohoe, Sean McGivney, Annie Johnstone, Reece Thornton, Zak Hughes, Amour Biassala and Josias Kiasuka.”

One of the students who was chosen said: “My grades have gone up in most of my subjects at school and I always try to be a role model student for others. It has made my dream come true to walk out onto ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ with my idols.”

St. Cuthbert's has been a Manchester United Foundation partner school since March 2019.

As a partner school, the Manchester United rewards scheme is offered to all students for various events and rewards that the foundation hosts. Students are selected on behaviour, academic results and attendance within school. This initiative provides students with the focus to work really hard within school and be rewarded for their efforts.

Joe Thompson visit

Former student and professional footballer Joe Thompson came to talk to St Cuthbert's RC High School students this week. He has survived cancer twice, first diagnosed when he was 24, and he talked about resilience, setbacks, sacrifice and awareness.

Joe spoke to all year groups. He told them about how he tries to remain positive and how you can find out about yourself especially when faced with hardship. He also talked about how important it is to embrace other cultures and how discrimination of any kind is wrong.

A spokesperson for the school said: "Thank you, Joe, for your inspirational words, for having photographs with our students and also for taking the time to fit in refereeing a football match with our Year 11s, very brave indeed."