Grammar TAKING School Newsletter

Issue 62 STOCK Winter 2015/16

Read about the school’s production of Down The Rabbit Hole on Page 5

The battlefields Hockey FINAL Children in need JOLLY JELLYBEAN JAPES Visiting the battlefields Girls’ 1st team Juniors raise an Reception pupils boost of the First World War celebrate impressive £835 their counting skills Page 3 Page 6 Page 11 Page 12 OUT AND ABOUT

OUT AND ABOUT SIXTH FORMERS GET PSYCHED FOR PSYCHOLOGY A group of our Lower Sixth pupils SETTLING IN TO SCHOOL LIFE took part in an exciting psychology conference at the Royal Northern All First Year pupils enjoyed three In the evenings, the group had team College of Music in . fun-filled days on our free induction building activities in their House teams residential in to help them including quizzes and a fashion show. A host of entertaining speakers gave make new friends during their first few With a deadline of just 20 minutes, the pupils insights into how evidence weeks of school. the pupils rose to the challenge of is presented and the differences making costumes out of bin bags and between Psychology and Science. The boys and girls stayed at newspaper. Hartington Hall youth hostel and The highlight of the day was started their first day with a country On the final day, pupils visited the Dr Peter Lovatt who explained the walk through the dales and a treasure and role of dance in cognitive processes. This involved our pupils being hunt in Hartington village. . They all had asked to get up and join in with his great fun playing together on the They spent the second day exploring demonstrations of dance moves. slides, climbing wall and rope walks Chatsworth’s beautiful gardens and before returning home exhausted but Oliver Meech explained the examined the modern sculptures in with new friends and great memories. ‘Psychology of Magic’ and the day the Sotheby’s Beyond Limits exhibition finished with a talk from world before playing with the guinea pigs famous hypnotist Andrew Newton. and other animals at the estate’s farm.

ARTISTIC INSPIRATION Creative A-Level pupils spent a day in exhibition, they got the chance to view “The opportunity to see art in the capital exploring some of the world’s their permanent collection. such auspicious surroundings is most famous pieces of art at London’s hugely important when trying to They visited Tate Modern before heading top galleries. understand the work. Time can be to the National Gallery and the Victoria spent studying techniques. Despite The trip was designed to provide visual and Albert Museum where they sketched arriving back in Stockport feeling and contextual reference material and studied the vast variety of art weary, the day was a resounding to help the Sixth Formers with their on display. success and will no doubt have an portfolios. Mr Davies, Head of Art and Design, impact on the subsequent pieces Pupils explored Tate Britain and along explained why the annual trip is always that are produced.” with the excellent Frank Auerbach so worthwhile:

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BIOLOGISTS ENJOY FIELD RESEARCH TRIP Biology pupils from the Upper Sixth spent four days in Shropshire on their annual research trip. Over the course of the trip, the group studied hydroseral succession, conservation in heather moorlands and freshwater pond ecology. They also learnt more about WELCOME TO STOCKPORT collecting reliable data and analysing statistics to support their future Fifth Year pupils welcomed students centre to do some shopping, a visit to work in the laboratory. and teachers from our partner Manchester climbing centre and a tour school in the North German town of Manchester City’s stadium. of Bad Segeberg as part of the Some of the Fifth Year ventured as annual exchange programme. far afield as London and the Lake Our visitors from Städtisches District with their visitors while others Gymnasium stayed with our pupils’ stayed more local for cinema and families and made lots of new shopping trips. friends while attending lessons at The new friends will be reunited on Stockport Grammar and exploring the return leg of the annual exchange the North-West. next month, when it will be our pupils’ Out of school activities included turn to stay with their partners’ organised visits to Manchester city families in Bad Segeberg.

EXPLORING THE BATTLEFIELDS Third Year pupils stepped back in time to Pupils also visited the interactive In explore the battlefields of the First World Flanders Fields museum, walked through War on the History department’s annual the muddy preserved trenches in trip to Northern and Belgium. Sanctuary Wood and the underground tunnel systems. The first full day was spent in and around the area of the infamous 1916 A second wreath was laid by Katie Hicks Battle of the Somme. and Matthew Rogan at the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres. The group visited the underground museum in Albert where they saw Upper Sixth pupil Alfie Hall joined the artefacts from the Great War and learned trip to visit for a second time: about the weapons used by both sides. “The trip was a moving and Pupils also learned about Old Stopfordian memorable experience bringing Stanley Liddell from who died home the sacrifice of millions yet on 4th March 1917 aged just 26. still showing the respect that is shown to their memory. In this Linton Armstrong and Phoebe centenary period, it was a unique Roberts laid a wreath in memory of opportunity for everyone on the Old Stopfordians lost in battle at the trip to experience the battlefields Memorial for the Missing at Thiepval and where men fought and died to a minute’s silence was held in memory create the world we live in today.” of all those who died in and around the Somme area.

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STAGE SUCCESS FOR PUPILS ARTS OLD AND NEW Current and former pupils joined forces to stage an outstanding production of new musical The Tree of War. The production was co-written and directed by Old Stop Oliver Mills to commemorate 100 years since the start of the First World War. The musical is a tale of love, loss and hope that explores the lives of a group of South Manchester lads and lasses caught up in the trauma of the First World War. Originally a one-act show performed to acclaim in 2014, writers Oliver Mills (OS 2012) and Rachel Mann reworked the show into a two-act West End style production. Oliver said: AUDIENCE DELIGHTED BY “The production is the culmination of a year and a SELL-OUT AUTUMN CONCERT half’s worth of writing and The school’s orchestras, bands and Lower Sixth Form pupil, Emily Howling, six months of production. The choirs performed to a sell-out audience then gave a charming vocal performance 22-strong cast of singers and at this year’s Autumn Concert. of Desmond’s Take Five with the actors contains a large number Jazz Band. This was followed by an of current and former pupils Guests were welcomed with opening extravagant performance of Unsquare from Stockport Grammar performances of Hallelujah, Yellow Bird Dance with improvised solos from School, notably our two leading and Ragtime Roundup by the Second George Dixon on drums, Alex Pollard men Sam Gilliatt (OS 2014) and Orchestra, conducted by Mrs Short. on piano and Alex Jones on double Alex Cosgriff (OS 2014) who This was followed by String Orchestra’s bass. Jazz Band finished with an also led the school production introduction to different styles of upbeat version of Winter Wonderland. of Godspell in 2014.” 20th Century music, conducted The first half ended with stunning The Tree of War is Oliver’s first by Mr Griffith. performances of Rimsky-Korsakov’s project as a professional composer Upper Sixth Form pupil, Becki Smith, Dance of the Tumblers from The Snow / musician having just graduated opened with a solo performance of Maiden and Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance from the University of York. Fauré’s Après un Rêve. The set ended Op. 46 No. 8. by the First Orchestra, with Stravinsky’s quirky Neoclassical conducted by Mr Dow. piece Vivo from Pulcinella Suite.

4 www.stockportgrammar.co.uk ARTS TALENTED TRIO SCORE NATIONAL SUCCESS THREE of our Sixth Formers have been tuition at Stockport Grammar and have Emily has appeared in many drama selected to join two of the country’s been part of many choirs, bands and productions and musicals during most prestigious musical organisations. orchestras during their time at the school. her time at the school including Down The Rabbit Hole. Alex Jones and Simon Fraser have been Mr Dow, Director of Music at Stockport chosen for the National Youth Orchestra Grammar, said: She said: of Great Britain. “This is a fantastic achievement “I screamed when I found out I had been picked because it’s Alex, who has been playing the double as NYO is regarded as one of the most prestigious music ensembles all I’ve ever wanted to do. I will bass for almost 10 years, was first available to young musicians in now be appearing in shows with selected for NYO four years ago and this country. It is exciting for Alex the National Youth Music Theatre. has been promoted to become the and Simon that several years of It’s an exciting time.” orchestra’s principal double bass player. hard work and commitment to Simon, who started learning the oboe Mr Dow said: music-making both inside and when he was 11, has been selected for outside school have now led to “Emily has done incredibly well to the first time. this recognition at national level.” secure a place in the National Youth The pair, who both study Music at Music Theatre. This is the highest Emily Lyons has been chosen for the level of organisation for music A-Level and also take extra lessons National Youth Music Theatre following theatre within the UK so competition at the Junior Royal Northern College a series of auditions and interviews in for places is considerable.” of Music, received instrumental music Manchester and London.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE A cast of 86 pupils from across the The collaboration of drama, dance, school and a production team of over music and art brought the traditional The First Orchestra opened the second 50 pupils and staff collaborated over much loved characters to life as half with a dramatic performance of the just four weeks to create a fantastic Alice met up with, sought advice first movement of Haydn’s Symphony adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in from and gained perspective on No. 104, again conducted by Mr Dow, Wonderland. her journey on how to grow up before Junior Band took to the stage and stand on her own two feet. with Mrs Taylor for a mixture of Costa Over its two night run, Down the Del Sol, Mumbo Jumbo and Thriller to Rabbit Hole had audiences captivated The actors brought their own lighten the mood. as they followed Alice, played by Ella interpretation to their individual Burton, as she was sent spiralling portrayals of such iconic characters. For the finale, a chorus of 140 pupils down the rabbit hole due to the Slick scene changes, excellent sang an uplifting medley from Guys and pressures of teenage life. School acting, singing and dancing gave the Dolls with excellent solos from Libby work, peer pressure, family conflict production a professional air that all Clarence, Molly Royle, Sarah Stretton, and the fear of the future are all too involved can be rightly proud of. The Claudia Thomas and Oliver Sheard. much for her to cope with. adaptation by Drama teacher Mrs Moffatt was amusing, entertaining and thought provoking.

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Sports Inaugural rugby cup success The Rugby First XV stormed to a 40-27 victory against Manchester Grammar School in the inaugural Ben Stollery Challenge Cup at Stockport Rugby Club. A crowd of over 300 gathered to watch the teams play on the SRUFC 1st team pitch. Tries from Max Wood, Thomas Power, George Chatterton, Harry Mellor, Louis Jones and Michael Sidebottom, along with five conversions by Max Lederwerg, secured the match. The Challenge Cup will be contested Miss Withington, Head of Hockey, said: each year in memory of former THE NATIONAL “All of the squad performed pupil Ben Stollery and to maintain superbly, but a special mention awareness for teenage boys of the FINAL…AGAIN! must go to Captain Sophie risk of depression. Our hockey 1st XI have kept their Cunningham who led by example. A talented rugby player, Ben dreams of retaining the National As always, the group of parents had represented the school as a Schools Champions title alive after followed us to Leeds and their promising No. 8. He tragically took securing a spot in the final. support and encouragement his own life last year following a certainly lifted the girls. Olympic The girls were runners up in the North period of clinical depression. Stadium here we come!” Final, beating St Peter’s, York, 3-0, Yarm School 4-0, King’s 3-0 Stockport Grammar School are the A fund set up by Ben’s family to and 3-0 in the heats. reigning champions after beating support the Young Minds Trust Cranleigh 1-0 in the National Finals has so far raised more than The team, captained by Sophie in March last year. £12,000. Read more about this Cunningham, lost 4-1 to Leeds in the story on the school website at final but go through to the National In addition to the team’s success, Lily www.stockportgrammar.co.uk Finals as runners up, giving them the Wolstenholme (who scored eight goals chance to retain their National Schools at the North Final) and Lauren Hunt Champions status at Lee Valley Olympic (who scored twice) have been chosen Stadium in March. to attend the Under 18s Assessment and Training Camp.

Football Selections Fifth Year pupil Will Callan has been selected to join the National Independent Schools Football Association U16 squad. The talented footballer was picked following a North v South selection match and was invited to attend a special training camp at St George’s Park last month. Second Year pupil Tom McDonald has also been picked to join the ISFA North West squad. He will play a host of matches at a training camp in Shrewsbury later this year. Football teacher Mr Bowden said: “The boys have done really well to get picked for the ISFA and proved that hard work and dedication pays off. Will can look forward to playing teams from schools around the world and this is the first time Stockport Grammar has had someone picked for the ISFA national squad. Tom will really enjoy the experience of playing for the North West squad.” The ISFA is affiliated to The Football Association and is responsible for developing and promoting football in the independent sector.

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WIN FOR WARREN MADDIE’S Friendly rivalries came to the fore when Warren, Arden, Vernon and Nicholson battled it out on the netball court for the Senior House Tournament in the IN THE SWIM Sports Hall. Super swimmer Maddie Crompton is gearing up for the British Warren claimed overall victory beating Arden 5-3, Vernon 3-1 and Nicholson 4-2. Championships in Glasgow in April where she hopes to make it to the Junior Section Finals. Maddie, who trains nine times a BRIGHT FUTURE FOR OUR RUGBY BOYS week at Stockport Metro, is focusing A number of our Senior School pupils Jenson Cullen and Andrew Goodwin on achieving her long term goals have been picked to represent their were asked to train with the Manchester and has her sights set on the counties and districts as well as being District U15s and Jacob Hinton and Zak 2020 Olympics. chosen for the Sale Sharks Player Sebouai and George Ross have joined Development Group and Junior Academy. U14s. Max Gilbert, Seb Walker, Tobey Barnfield-Lee and George Chatterton, Max Lederwerg, Emilio Ramirez joined East Tom Power and Michael Sidebottom U14s and Kieran Langwallner, Bradley were picked for Cheshire U18s while Boyd and Max Crompton were picked Max Wood joined Cheshire U16s. for East Cheshire U13s. They have also George was also picked for Sale Sharks all been selected for the Sale Sharks U18s against Gloucester U18s, where Developing Player Programme. he scored a try, and Max Wood has been picked for the Sale Sharks Player SHOOTING Development Group and Junior Academy. FOR SUCCESS Sisters Beth and Megan Taylor have been rewarded for their fine form on the netball court by being chosen to play for their regional squads. Megan was selected for U16 Greater Manchester County after a string of impressive performances for the school and her club. Her younger sister Beth was picked to join the Greater Manchester U14 academy squad after showcasing her remarkable skills throughout the year. The girls will be training on a weekly basis while continuing to play for the school teams. Head of Girls’ PE, Mrs Goddard said: “Congratulations to the girls. They thoroughly deserve their NETBALL GIRLS UNDEFEATED places after all the hard work they’ve put into their netball Our U14 netball squad are through to In the semi-final they faced Oldham in and out of school, and we’re the next round of the National Schools Hulme and were losing 3-2 at half really looking forward to competition after being undefeated in time but managed to turn the game seeing how they get on!” the regional round. around and win 7-4. Coming first out of 18 schools, our They progressed into the final beating enthusiastic team won the Greater Loreto 14-9 and Bury Grammar Manchester round of the National School 9-6 to win the competition. Schools competition at Wright The winning squad was made up of Robinson in November. Mia Addison, Phoebe Christodoulou, Competition was tough and the girls Daisy Hanson, Beth Taylor, Emily began by winning the group stage, Daniels, Macy Jefferies, Emily Hibbins, beating St Peter’s 14-5, Wright Francessca Cooke, Imogen Belshaw Robinson 9-6, Bolton School 15-5 and Lucie Hanson. and drawing with Cheadle Hulme They are now through to the North School 4-4. West round which takes place on 23rd January. Follow us on twitter @stockportgs 7 School Life

School life

OOH LA LA Second Year pupils put their linguistic skills to the test as they watched and participated in a French production. French theatre company Onatti visited the school to perform Les Garçons, a humorous tale about a FORMER PUPIL SHARES problematic evening of babysitting. The play was performed entirely in THE SECRETS OF HIS SUCCESS French and pupils were delighted Habib Esfahanian, who left Stockport Mr Esfahanian is now actively involved that they were able to understand Grammar School in 2003, made a return in Graduate development and said the almost everything. visit to offer support and guidance to main qualities he looks for in potential Olly Underhill, Taha Ahmed, Elliot current pupils. new employees are enthusiasm and Mills and Josh Furtado-Mendes all passion for the role. volunteered to take part in audience Mr Esfahanian is now Vice President in participation. They delivered lines in Bulk Commodities Trading in one of the He added: French and understood and followed leading US banks. “The trading environment is stage directions from the actors. He spoke about the path he took after extremely competitive. Deep fundamental knowledge combined Head of Modern Foreign Languages, leaving school, telling pupils he studied with competent risk taking are the Ms Gibson said: at the London School of Economics before securing a job at Lehman keys to acquiring results. We look “The pupils really enjoyed for strong candidates with the same the production and it was a Brothers. He was working there in 2008 desire to excel and develop as an fantastic opportunity to hear when the company went into bankruptcy individual as well as adding value the language in a new context. and subsequently moved to Geneva as to the team.” We are looking forward to an Oil Trader before he was offered a having the company back for role back in London nearly six years ago. another play in the New Year – this time a German play for Third Year pupils.” GOING FOR GOLD Former pupils got the royal treatment when they collected their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at St James’s Palace. Matthew Allison, Robert Clarke, Catriona Leggat, Vinayak Mandagere, James Ruddock, Jake Saunders, Elizabeth Worthington and Laura Wynne met HRH Prince Philip, the Award’s patron, before actress Dame Helen Mirren presented them with their certificates. Dame Helen said: “What a fantastic room to celebrate this achievement and what an honour it is to share the celebration with you. You are the gold of our TASTY TREATS RAISE country. You’ve demonstrated discipline, consistency and £750 FOR CHARITY concentration, you’ve faced First Year pupils and the Charity untold challenges.” Reps put their baking skills to the test as they did their bit for Stockport Grammar School is an a good cause. Independent Operating Authority for the Duke of Edinburgh Award The Quad was the place to be when with 324 pupils currently enrolled stalls full of delicious cakes, biscuits, across all levels. sweets and chocolates were set up at morning break. The event raised £750 for Francis House Children’s Hospice.

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OVERSEAS CHARITY MISSION Family holidays are usually a time for She said: rest and relaxation, but Sixth Former “Every time I go to Nigeria, I see Seun Odusanya used her trip to the poverty and I always promise Nigeria to lend a helping hand to that I will do something to help. two worthy causes. This year I decided it was time Seun goes to Nigeria every couple for action. of years to visit family but decided “I can only describe my visit as a that she wanted to do something true eye opener. You don’t realise worthwhile this year. how fortunate you are until you In the week leading up to her visit, experience the conditions some Seun recruited friends and family for people live in. baking duties and held a cake sale at “The staff at both centres were her church. She raised £419 – more so grateful for the time I spent than double her original target. there and the donations that While in Nigeria, Seun spent several I made. Knowing that I have days volunteering at the Living made a difference to these two Fountain Orphanage in Lagos where organisations and changed lives for SUPER SCIENCE the better is an amazing feeling.” more than half the children are HIV Talented physicist Philip Thomas positive. She bought food and basic paid a visit to members of the Café supplies for staff as well as donating Sci group to discuss the potential £200. She also taught the teachers future uses of graphene. new nursery rhymes to sing with Mr Thomas, who is completing the children. a PhD at the School of Physics During the second week of her and Astronomy at Manchester holiday, Seun volunteered at the University, told pupils how Cerebral Palsy Centre which was set graphene is made and how up by Nonye Nweke in her own home scientists discovered how to when her daughter was diagnosed extract it from graphite following with the condition. Seun learnt more years of research. about the work carried out at the He explained that in future, centre and donated £200. graphene could be used for water filtration, flat screen technology and Light Emitting Diodes.

DEBATE DELIGHT Prestigious prizes were claimed by their performances in the general and Social Committee, were commended a delegation of 28 pupils when they assembly debate. while special mention went to Arvin attended a Model United Nations (MUN) Sadeghzadeh-Araghi and Muhammad Ali. Individual winners included Tom Pearse conference in September. who was named outstanding delegate in The Kuwait delegation won the Acting as diplomats from Argentina, the Economic and Social Committee for outstanding award for their performance Kuwait and Lithuania pupils discussed representing Argentina. in General Assembly thanks to their world issues from their researched emotional and rousing speech to more Lili Jones, who represented Lithuania in country’s viewpoint. They were than 500 delegates. the Political Committee, and Max Hulse, successful in contributions to who represented Kuwait in the Economic debates and were commended for

Follow us on twitter @stockportgs 9 EVENTS

EVENTS

ON A MISSION TO MAKE CHRISTMAS MORE MERRY Pupils from the Nursery to the Upper Sixth did their bit to support Key 103’s Mission Christmas campaign, which aims to help children in need across Greater Manchester. Our pupils’ present donations helped make the mornings of local children living in poverty. This is the fourth year the school have supported Mission Christmas. ON TOP OF THE WORLD As well as collecting toys A talented trio of Fifth Year boys proved The Stockport Grammar team – made for Mission Christmas, our their Geography knowledge was second to up of Sam Howard, Adam Keyworth and pupils spent several hours none when they won the Worldwise Quiz. Finlay Nolan – claimed the top prize with a round to spare. spreading festive spirit by Stockport Grammar hosted the quiz carol singing at Handforth with Manchester Grammar School, The quiz is run by the Manchester branch Dean Shopping Centre with Manchester High School, King’s of the Geographical Association and tests all money raised donated to Macclesfield, , geographical knowledge and skills. Beechwood Cancer Care. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Longdendale High School and all taking part. TIME TO REMEMBER Pupils welcomed Old Stopfordians in battle at the Memorial for the Headmaster Mr Chicken said: as they joined in the school’s annual Missing at Thiepval. “The Remembrance Service is a Remembrance Day Service. Former pupils travelled from far and significant event in our school Fifty two Old Stops died during the First wide – including France, the Channel calendar each year. Many of our World War and a further 60 were killed Islands and the Isle of Man – to attend boys and girls have visited the during the Second World War. this year’s event. battlefields of the Great War on our popular annual tour and they The service took place in Hallam Hall, Joe Barnes, who left the school in 1944 learn a great deal from sharing which celebrates its 100th anniversary and who served with the Royal Marines their reflections and responses with this month. from 1946-48 and the Territorial Army former pupils of all ages.” from 1954-81, said: The Old Stops, who attended the school between 1941 and 1962, received a talk “I attend the Remembrance Service from current pupils who had recently every year and it’s something I returned from a trip to the Somme really look forward to. It’s wonderful Battlefields where they laid a wreath to come back to the school and mark in memory of Old Stopfordians lost the occasion with current pupils and see them paying their respects.”

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Junior school NEWS

YORK BOUND FOR ROMAN FUN York was the destination for Year 4 as Frazer Assheton-Smith said: they embarked on a fun-filled, action “The Victorian street was really packed overnight trip. interesting with a real sweet The excited group spent their first shop, dungeons and an old toy day in Roman fancy dress at Murton shop. There were sounds played Park’s Danelaw dark age village. The to make us believe we were children faced a day of hard work to actually in Victorian times. both maintain and defend their new The toy museum had a lot of ANIMAL ART ATTACK settlement – once they’d worked out things from the past 100 years – how to see through their helmets. the teachers all recognised FOR OUR JUNIORS a lot of toys from when they Our Year 1 pupils brought their reading Some of the pupils were guards while were young.” to life when they made animal masks. others practised weapons training and made oil lamps. After lunch in the Merchant The children have been reading Adventurers Hall the pupils visited The Tiger Who Came to Tea in class The next day, the group visited the the Jorvik Centre. Inside there was and invited their parents in to get Castle Museum in York. a glass floor which showed a Viking involved with their art session. house underneath. Teacher Miss Ripley said: “The mask making complements the book we have been reading and the children really enjoyed making their tiger faces. Parents also enjoyed the chance to see what kinds of activities their children do in school.”

CHILDREN IN NEED Our younger pupils got stuck into a host own while the Infants made medals of teddy bear themed activities to show for their teddy bears, enjoyed teddy their support for Children in Need – and bear-themed Maths lessons and coloured their efforts raised an impressive £835. in Pudsey Bears. Pupils across Nursery, Infants and The highlight of the day was a Teddy Juniors learnt more about where Bears Picnic where children enjoyed the money raised is used and the tasty treats with their favourite toys problems faced by some children while listening to animal themed music. around the world. At the Nursery, pupils hosted a Junior pupils wore superhero capes with presentation ceremony where they gave some even designing and making their medals to each other’s teddy bears and read Goldilocks and the Three Bears LEARNING MORE ABOUT before enjoying a bowl of porridge. HEALTHY EATING Pupils were visited by Jackie Harte, a food and health advisor from Stockport Council, to find out what should be on their plates at dinnertime. Mrs Harte explained the importance of a balanced diet and told pupils what vitamins they need to keep them healthy. The children sat around a giant plate divided into different food groups while Mrs Harte told them about portion sizes.

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BRINGING SHAKESPEARE TO LIFE Year 5 pupils experienced a dramatic Volunteers from the audience were performance of Macbeth when the Young also given the chance to take speaking Shakespeare Company paid a visit. parts in the play and were encouraged to explore the motives, thoughts and The theatre group brought Shakespeare’s feelings of the characters throughout. tragedy to life using the children to help create dramatic scenes. They made the Pupils are now learning about sounds of thunder and lightning as the Shakespeare’s plays in more detail actors performed the mysterious scene before going on to perform some of his of the witches on the heath. works in the courtyard in the summer.

TIME TO GET TECHNICAL Year 5 pupils enjoyed all the fun of the fair when STEMworks scientist Simon Kettle shared his computer programming skills. The children designed and built their own fairground model before using control boxes and specialist Knex software to make it move. The exciting session was designed to tie in with pupils’ ongoing computer and design PUG PALAVA technology work. Author Philip Reeve and illustrator The pair – dressed in bright yellow Callum Horsley from 5SM said: Sarah McIntyre entertained our Junior and blue – began by reading extracts “We were told about how to School pupils with an afternoon of from their book before challenging the program the Knex models by pug-tastic fun. children to design their own board game. using the computer program and then built a simple Pupils were full of enthusiasm for the The visit ended on a high with a ukulele- fairground ride, then we made dynamic duo as they came to launch led singalong before pupils were able to a more complicated version their third book Pugs of the Frozen North, get their books signed. and tested our models with which tells the tale of a race to the top of lights and music.” the world by a pug-powered sledge.

JOLLY JELLYBEAN JAPES Our Reception pupils boosted their counting skills with the help of hundreds of jellybeans. The children spent a fun-filled day colouring virtual sweets using a special computer program, making their own pictures with jellybeans dipped in paint and mixing colours to create their own jellybean flavours. The highlight was a baking session where pupils made jellybean shaped biscuits which they topped off with their favourite colour of icing.

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