Editor: Mr Ray King Tel: 07768 022 082 DO CALL US DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Publicity Officer AUTUMN TERM 2005 [BEFORE WE CALL YOU!] SEPTEMBER 5th [Mon] Staff In-service Day Pupil absence: 6th [Tues] Term Starts Please would all parents use 9th [Fri] Science Day the following number to inform 12th [Mon] Lower II : Parents’ Introductory Evening 7.30pm the school of pupil absence before 13th [Tues] Upper II : Parents’ Introductory Evening 7.30pm 8.30am on each day of absence. 14th [Wed] Transition & Form 1 : Parents’ Introductory Evening 7.30pm 15th [Thurs] Whole School Photograph [am] Absence line: 21st [Wed] IIIrd Form : Parents’ Introductory Evening 7.30pm 0161 249 3476 30th [Fri] Harvest Festival [Junior School] OCTOBER Senior Late Room: 4th [Tues] Harvest Festival [Senior School] 4th [Tues] Young Shakespeare Drama Day [Junior School] 0161 249 3492 6th [Thurs] PTA AGM & Entertainment 7.30pm SUMMER... 2005 [in the library] 10th [Mon] Y Touring Company [Fifth & Sixth Forms] am or pm Bulletin 16th [Sun] DofE Walk [Lyme Park] All day Junior Late Room: 18th [Tues] Founders’ Day at the Bridgewater Hall 7.00pm 07729 805647 [School finishes at 1.00pm] Developing responsible citizens Head’s Lines 19th [Wed] French Exchange Departs [Upper Fourth] Dear Readers 19th [Wed] Friday Timetable WITHINGTON’S teaching staff and pupils enthusiastically turned the government’s 20th [Thurs] Charity Fashion Show 7.00pm requirement for education to equip young people in the knowledge, skills and understanding As the end of the public examination 21st-28th [inclusive] Half Term Holiday needed to play an active role in society into a whole day of exciting, innovative projects. session signals the conclusion of 27th [Thurs] French Exchange Returns another academic year, we will soon have to bid farewell to our leavers – NOVEMBER pupils and staff. The Upper Sixth depart 2nd [Wed] Gunpowder Plot [Junior School] for the next exciting phases of their lives 3rd [Thurs] Friday timetable with the good wishes of the entire 3rd [Thurs] Open Evening 4.00-6.00pm school community. As was said at the 4th [Fri] Exchange Pupils return to France Leavers’ Dinner in May, they have been a 4th [Fri] Staff In-service Day [No pupils in School] really special year group and will be 5th [Sat] Open Morning 10.00-12.00noon much missed. We also send wishes for 8th [Tues] Parents’ Evening : Junior School good luck, health and happiness to UK Senior Maths Challenge [Sixth Forms] leavers in other year groups and urge 9th [Wed] Sixth Form Open Evening 6.00-8.00pm them all to keep in touch. As will be 11th–13th [Fri-Sun] Ghyll Head Weekend [Third Forms] Citizenship Day, organised by Mrs Julie Buckley, saw both Senior and Junior Schools fully engaged in a seen herein, the six members of teaching 12th [Sat] Model United Nations Conference School [Sixth Forms] range of dynamic events from environmental stewardship to international peacekeeping. Mrs. Buckley told staff for whom this is their last term at 12th [Sat] PTA Dinner Dance, Old Trafford Cricket Ground the Lower Sixth media team, which reported the events and published their own newspaper ‘Widen Our Withington have, collectively, given an 18th–20th [Fri-Sun] Ghyll Head Weekend [Third Forms] World’, that the idea was “to enable pupils to take a step closer to becoming informed, thoughtful and incredible one hundred years of 18th [Fri] Pirate Queens by Charlotte Keatley: World Premiere 7.30pm responsible citizens.” outstanding service to the school. Their 19th [Sat] Pirate Queens by Charlotte Keatley: Gala Performance 7.30pm invaluable contributions will be 22nd [Tues] Parents’ Evening : Lower VI Forms 6.00 - 8.00pm honoured at various events leading up DECEMBER to the end of term and, of course, at 1st [Thurs] A2 Drama Devised Production [Provisional] 7.30pm Founders’ Day on October 18th. We 5th [Mon] Carol Service at St Ann’s Church 7.00pm wish them all that they would wish for 6th [Tues] Rotarians’ Christmas Party 6.30pm themselves in all that the future holds 8th [Thurs] Parents’ Evening : Third Forms 6.00 – 8.00pm for them and, on behalf of generations 9th [Fri] Junior School Theatre and Party Day of Withingtonians, we thank them for 12th [Mon] Senior School Carol Service 7.00m their commitment and inspiration both 14th [Wed] Junior School Carol Concert 6.30pm within and outside the classroom. 16th [Fri] Term Ends 2.00pm Other articles in this bulletin testify to 16th [Fri] Gambia Group departure [Upper Sixth] the achievements of pupils past and Third Formers, aided by the Lower Sixth and members of staff, sallied forth into the community to work present. Over the past few days special SPRING TERM 2006 on environmental enhancement schemes from creating wild flower gardens and planting trees and visitors to the school have given much JANUARY shrubberies, to building footpaths and gravel pits. 3rd [Tues] Staff and Departmental Meetings cause for review and reflection. Hilda 4th [Wed] Spring Term Starts The whole school voted in a mock general election; Lower Fourth pupils, representing five political parties, Hartt, our nonagenarian old girl, (see 13th [Fri] Senior & Junior Entrance Exams [No pupils in School] hit the campaign trail with posters, leaflets and hustings meetings. herein) wrote in an email following her visit ‘I can’t tell you how pleased I was FEBRUARY to see Withington again. I only wish I 20th–24th [Inclusive] Half Term had great-grandchildren to be educated APRIL there. Knocks spots off their supposedly 6th [Thurs] Spring Term Ends elite schools in South Africa and SUMMER TERM 2006 Melbourne!’ Written responses from 24th [Mon] Summer Term Starts somewhat younger ‘old girls’ who attended the Senior Club June Reunion, MAY expressed gratitude for the true life skills 1st [Mon] May Day Holiday they had acquired during their school 29th [Mon] Half Term starts days. Mrs Grace Khakula, long-term Withington Girls’ School, Wellington Road, JUNE friend of Ann Lipson, our Senior Club – Upper Fourth girls staged two Mock Trials, heard before a real judge, Judge Platts, 26 years a Barrister in Fallowfield, M14 6BL. 2nd [Fri] Half Term Ends Kenya link, gave an inspirational courts all over Britain before being appointed a circuit judge in Liverpool at both Civil and Crown Courts. JULY assembly on June 20th and following Tel : 0161 224 1077 Fax : 0161 248 5377 Thanks to a series of presentations from the Ministry of Defence, Lower Fifth girls learned about the 7th [Fri] Summer Term Ends at 2.30pm her visit wrote ‘this is but the beginning Email: [email protected] impact of citizenship on a global basis and took part in role-play dealing with an escalating civil war in an of great adventure in promoting good AUTUMN TERM 2006 imaginary country. ideals in fostering love and unity beyond SEPTEMBER Web: www.withington.manchester.sch.uk Asked what made a good citizen, Mrs Pickering told the media reporting team: “Someone who has respect racial barriers’. 5th [Tues] Autumn Term Starts [provisional] Registered Charity No. 526632 for themselves and is prepared to put others first.” Continued on page 2. Continued from front page. This academic year our pupils have visited the United States, France, An extraordinary life... Germany, Spain, and Uganda and, just before the end of term, Limbering up for Bolivia THE School rolled out the welcome mat for a remarkable ‘old girl’ - prolific Australian our two world challenge expedition playwright Julia Britton, aged 91 - who was a pupil in the 1920s and early 1930s. groups will depart for Bolivia. Julia, who has had around 40 plays produced in the last 20 years - many about English literary figures - Citizenship Day on June 27th was the THE Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues its popularity at all After final authorisation from the award scheme’s head office that the result of the commitment and arrived with a Melbourne-based film crew in tow. They were making a film called ‘Fearless’ about her dedication of a team of staff but, most amazing life. levels despite its rigorous demands. Bolivia Group’s expedition in the summer will count towards a Gold of all, of the enthusiasm, energy and Daughter of the first-ever woman science graduate at Manchester University, Julia – or Hilda Hartt as she Award, nine of the girls heading for South America engaged in a two-day vision of Mrs Julie Buckley. Hopefully it was then - became a Withington pupil in 1925 and left in 1932 to study classics at Manchester University. wild country practice in the Yorkshire Dales just before the end of term. will be the first of many such events to She spent some of the mid-1930s in Nazi Germany before moving to South Africa where she married and enhance our community links and widen worked as a journalist on a left wing newspaper in Natal. our world-view. Whilst we look forward to celebrating, with our pupils, AS/A2 In the late 1960s she arrived in Adelaide, South Australia and taught Ancient Greek and Latin. When her and GCSE success on August 18th and husband died she became a real estate agent and then astonishingly, at the age of 73, embarked on a new 25th, respectively, we continue to prize career as a playwright. the opportunities Withington provides Mrs. Pickering, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to welcome Hilda back. She was fabulous – for personal, social, moral and cultural a real inspiration. She held our current pupils spellbound when she talked to them in the library. growth as equally important as The message she gave to the girls was ‘set your sights high, follow your dreams and really go for what academic success. you want to do’. It fits exactly with our ethos at Withington today.” As you would expect, we continue to Though Julia had joked: “I hope they haven’t still got my report cards”, the school’s Archivist unearthed strive to provide the best possible photographs of her time at Withington and her anecdotes, shared with current pupils, were recorded by educational resources for all our pupils. the film makers. The Science building project, delayed by over a year by the 2003 fire, was Julia Britton’s play ‘Fresh Pleasures’, about the Bloomsbury artist Duncan Grant, opened at the Pleasance completed in May and it was with great Theatre, Islington, London on June 7. relief that we bid farewell to Film producer Rob George said: “She’s led an extraordinary life and at 91 continues to amaze. While most portakabins, scattered grass seeds and people are looking for the comfort and care of a retirement home once they reach their later years, reclaimed the main staff car park. The Julia lives in shared ‘digs’ with a couple of younger men in a house near the beach. refurbished and new laboratories are And, it must be said, it’s a lifestyle of choice. Julia owns several houses in Melbourne and Adelaide but truly splendid, as are the additional chooses to live in a run-down house she rents. And she continues to be as busy as ever. Witness her offices, storage areas, careers room, dark current trip to London for yet another new play she’s written. room and other facilities resulting from the project. The new laboratories will be We have had support for making the film from the Australian Film Commission and we’re hoping to sell officially opened on September 9th by the finished product to an Australia broadcaster.” Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, whose contributions to Science were recognised in the latest Queen’s Birthday Honours List. In the morning, Professor Rothwell, Vice President of Research at Manchester University and MRC Physiology Professor, will give a talk on ‘Life as a Scientist’ to the whole senior school following which Third, Lower and Upper Fourth Forms will depart for Science-related activities at local Gold practice was successfully completed in very wet and cold conditions The Bronze qualifying expedition is taking place in early July following Museums. The Fifth and Sixth Forms in the Howgills ahead for the Qualifier in July in the Yorkshire Dales and practice on a very muddy trek in the Peak District in April. will have an afternoon talk on Silver practice is scheduled for early July with the Qualifier planned for Theoretical Physics by Brian Cox, of the early September. Daresbury Laboratories, followed by in- school activities including Sixth Form workshops and debates led by local academics and theologians. From 2.30pm to the end of the school day parents will be invited for tea and tours of the new facilities. Further details will be circulated later but please put this date in your diaries now. So, as my fifth year as Headmistress of Withington nears completion, I would Cambridge calling... like to thank all parents for their ongoing support and encouragement – and for their wonderful daughters. IN June, Withington hosted an information session on Cambridge Admissions Policy for state I do hope that all readers of this Bulletin and independent schools in the Manchester area. have a super summer holiday. Invitations were sent out by Dr Melanie Taylor, Admissions Tutor at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, for the event, staged against a background of growing controversy over claims that some universities are discriminating in favour of students from state schools at the expense of the independent sector. Mrs Pickering, said: “We were delighted to host this informal session for pupils and staff from state and independent schools. In spite of ongoing articles in the press relating to access to universities, particularly Oxbridge, WGS is maintaining its record of success. I am delighted that all the Admission Tutors indicated their desire to offer places to candidates on the basis of merit, irrespective of their educational and social background.”

Janet Pickering Headmistress Race for life Generally the best! TEN pupils from Lower IVX, Maths teacher Mrs Rebecca Lamey WITHINGTON has been named the best in the country for and parent Mrs Pat McLaren competed in the Race for Life in A-level General Studies by The Good Schools Guide. aid of Cancer Research over a 5k course in Heaton Park in June. The school was named best independent girls’ school and best overall; The morning race had attracted 10,000 sponsored entrants; Mrs. Julie Buckley, Head of General Studies, said: “We’re absolutely the afternoon run, in which the Withington contingent took part, thrilled because the subject has gained in status within the school, involved 2,000 competitors. among the pupils and higher education institutions.” She added: “There’s a misconception that General Studies is some sort of Trivial Pursuit; it isn’t. It very much looks at the breadth of a pupil’s education by bringing in specialised subjects from pure maths to French Rachael Gregg-Smythe Dasha Makarova and examining how they work together. It’s a very rigorous subject demanding a whole span of essays on science and the arts. “It’s a very impressive achievement and demonstrates the calibre of our girls.” The Good Schools Guide is an independent, critical guide to Britain’s top schools ‘written by parents for parents’.

Providing positive Hocus Pocus? DRAMATISATION of one of the final scenes of J K Rowling’s Christine Tan Kamila Kocialkowsksa role models Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone - in Latin - provided an assembly with a difference in April. MANCHESTER’S Assistant Chief Education Officer, Marion VISITORS to Withington in the final weeks of the summer term were deeply impressed by the Simmons, expressed her gratitude in a letter to Mrs Pickering Head of Classics, Mrs Lucy Holden, dressed as the White Queen and Mr exhibition of wonderful artwork displayed in the school’s lobby areas and the Undercroft . for the help given by three Withington pupils who worked as Vincent Sharples took the part of the White Bishop in the game of The new life-size chess. The work had been undertaken as part of pupils’ GCSE, AS and A2 level examinations and demonstrated assistants at the Advanced Learning Centre for Gifted and their marvellous array of talents. Talented Pupils from the city’s primary schools. The performance, using renaissance Among the many superb paintings on display were the prize-winning creations of GCSE entrant Rachael Alex Hanlon, Amy Neve and Lauren Richardson provided valuable support Eton Classics teacher, Peter Gregg-Smythe, featuring distinctive cartoon figures, which will be published in a forthcoming book being to the teachers and developed positive relationships with the pupils Green’s translation, was published by Manga University, . throughout the year, the letter said. narrated by Sixth Former The university’s cover art competition attracted more than 500 entries from young artists all over the world. “Their commitment, energy and enthusiasm have contributed towards the Rosalind Aczel, who has success of the centre and its popularity with pupils. They have been been offered a place at positive role models to the children and a credit to your school.” Clare College, Cambridge, The centre was run under the auspices of the Excellence in Cities to read Classics. Partnership initiative. It was well received by the whole school – and the English subtitles helped. Speaking of drama... A summer of fun! THE school is to open its Sports Hall, sports grounds and arts THIRD form pupil Hannah Redhead entered seven classes in the and crafts facilities to children aged 5 to 13 from across the Buxton Speech and Drama Festival in May and won six first Natalie Wills Harriet Cooper community for three weeks of the summer holidays with the places and one second place. promise that the third WGS ‘Fun Club’ – a major boon for Although she won in Sight working parents during the long break – will be the best yet. Reading and Mime, it was PE teacher and former England international Lacrosse player Miss Rachel the highest combined three Day, who is taking charge over the three weeks from Monday July 25 to marks in Verse Speaking, Friday August 19, says: “There will be an organised timetable so that the Prose Reading and Drama children have the opportunity to take part in the widest range of activities which gained her the – some that they’ve never done before. Junior Festival cash prize. But I don’t want it to be like school. We’ll be helping the children to have The presentation was made fun and play games and to really enjoy themselves.” to Hannah after she had Activities will include imaginative play, team games, ball skills, tennis, performed in the evening parachute games and Rachel’s own take on Quidditch from the Harry concert. Potter stories. She and assistants from Withington’s Sixth Form will also be organising mini-Olympics. Hannah is now working hard towards her Grade 5 Activities start daily at 9am and children can be dropped off at the school Speech and Drama exam, from 8.30am. The main Fun Club sessions end at 4pm but an optional extra to be taken in July. hour is available for parents unable to get to the school at the earlier time. Emily Harding Hannah Baker Details available from the Bursar, Mrs Sharon Senn 0161 224 1077 Music Maestro! Life after WGS SOUTH Manchester will again come alive with the sound of enthusiastic young music makers during the summer holidays. WGS and the Northern Chamber Orchestra are staging their second just gets better Summer Music Course when more than 100 children aged 8 to 13 will get the chance to enjoy making music from round the world guided by skilled professional performers. The sessions over the first five days in August will include every musical style from orchestral and chamber music to Brazilian samba, African and better! 1 2 3 drumming and Club DJ/MC skills. THE successful exploits of former Withington pupils continue to Classrooms at the school will be converted into a series of workshop spaces and filled with dozens of musical instruments from around be remarkable and varied. the globe. In a recent email to Mrs Pickering, Lucy Crystal describes a “fabulous yet The idea, according to course directors and NCO players Tim Chatterton and Rebecca Thompson, who teach brass and violin, respectively, at hectic five years” since leaving the School. After spending her gap year Withington, is to broaden musical horizons and enhance creative skills working for a newspaper in Israel, which whetted her appetite for for all the children whether they already read music and play instruments journalism, Lucy went to Leeds University and has recently been awarded or not. And to have a fun time. a First in Politics and Parliamentary Studies. During her degree course she Said Tim: “Specially arranged ensembles and orchestras will be a daily spent five months in Washington DC working for Senator Joe Lieberman part of the course for those children who already learn instruments. Those who have not yet started will have the chance to try many new – both in his office and on his presidential campaign – then stayed for a instruments and take part in a full range of workshops and performances further seven months working for BBC News. over the whole week.” 6 “It was a truly remarkable experience,” she wrote. “Not only was I in the 4 Rebecca added: “The creative workshops will allow the children to 5 develop music of their own which goes together to form a whole new midst of election fever, I was also closely involved in many other stories piece to perform and record. from the Abu Ghraib scandal to the 9/11 Commission Report. Lucy has Working alongside professionals from the Northern Chamber Orchestra, been offered a place to study TV journalism at City University and hopes all the children will learn different ways to make up their own music, to get a job in a London newsroom later this year. how to lead and to play as a group, how to play solos and improvise. Friends Re-united The sessions are fast moving and great fun.” Lauren Ash, who left Withington in 1994 completed a law degree at Last year’s highly successful course attracted 90 children from schools Nottingham University and spent six months working in the Hong Kong MORE than 60 former pupils returned to Withington for a Once the nerves had been calmed and the shrieks of delight had across , but with Arts Council funding in place and a office of a leading London law firm. In 2002 she switched careers and reunion organised by the Senior Club. subsided, friendships were rekindled and memories relived for ‘old times new partnership forged with Greater Manchester Music Action Zone, sake’ over an excellent display of old school photographs and joined Citigroup, the US Investment Bank and was promoted to a director The ‘girls’ who left between 1985 and 1994, returned to celebrate the there are 125 places in 2005. memorabilia kindly provided by Senior Club Archivist, Mrs Val Hempstock. earlier this year. recent and impending retirements of some of their former teachers and to see just how much ‘the old place’ has changed. This truly memorable event demonstrated how fondly Withington is She writes: “I am very involved in various diversity initiatives at Citigroup regarded by its alumnae and the school is extremely proud of these Following an informal champagne reception in the Marjorie Hulme Arts confident, engaging and successful ‘old girls’. including efforts to recruit and retain more women. So far most of our Centre and a welcome address by Mrs Pickering, the girls were treated to efforts have been focused on girls’ schools in London so I thought I tours by current Sixth Form pupils and Staff before sitting down to a would offer to come to Withington and give a careers presentation…We superb buffet lunch provided by Mrs Cartledge and her team. are targeting young women at an early stage to encourage them towards a career in investment banking and to educate them on the steps we recommend they take in order to break into this profession.”

Kim Parker, currently reading Medicine at St Andrew’s University, is on course to become the UK’s first female flying doctor. She is undergoing pilot training at RAF Leuchars whenever she can get away from her studies and is flying whenever she can. Kim will train at Cranwell when she has graduated.

Katie Lee, who is currently at Oxford University with her sister and twin brother is to become the first physics and philosophy undergraduate to 8 9 participate in the year-long exchange set up between Oxford and 7 Princeton University in the United States. Pic 1: Jane Solomon, Ludia Chambers & Helen Whitworth Anna Fidalgo, who left Withington in 2001, has just been awarded a First Pic 2: Rachel Sluce, Eleanor Barnes & Maryna Brochwicz-Lewinski Class Degree in Art for Design & Communication at Chelsea College of Pic 3: Mary Rawsthorne, Freya Gee & Emma Loat Art & Design (she also won the Budweiser 2005 T Shirt competition). Pic 4: Melanie Hill, Clare Garety, Emma Jewell, Elizabeth Jones & Nina Jarman Pic 5: Jessica Read, Clare Johnson & Roxana Sethi Clare Moran, a leaver in 2001, has obtained a First Class Degree from Pic 6: Back: Joanna Johnson, Sally Holloway, Margaret White, Debra Jones the University of Manchester in Geography. She is planning to travel & Sue Bracegirdle next year. Front: Nicola Trevelyan, Maya Cronly-Dillon & Rosalind Artley Pic 7: Three Heads: Miss Hulme, Mrs Pickering & Mrs Kenyon Bonnie Turnbull, a leaver in 2001, has been awarded an Upper Second Pic 8: Lucy Kelly, Leila Abbas, Jessica Read, Clare Johnson & Roxana Sethi Class Degree from the University of Liverpool in Combined Arts. Pic 9: Sarah Gresty, Helen Newsome & Elizabeth Jonas Pic 10: Daniella Moss, Lisa Parker, Joanne Stonehewer & Reiko Tazaki Further news of degree successes will appear in the September issue. 10 11 Pic 11: Liz Dixon, Karen Stubbs, Lucy Kerr & Rumana Jalaluddin Edinburgh Festivities THEY always claimed she was the best ‘man’ in the Cabinet. So when the Northern Youth Theatre – including four girls from Withington - takes its production of Steven Berkoff’s biting Falklands War satire Sink the Belgrano! to the Edinburgh Festival this summer, they’re taking the legend literally. Sporting successes... Niraj Dave, a Sixth Former at Manchester Grammar School, has been cast in the role of Maggot Scratcher, Berkoff’s spoof version of Margaret Thatcher, the play’s leading role. He plays her complete with blonde wig, blue twin set and, just for good measure, a white cat beloved of the Bond films’ arch villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. WITHINGTON girls have gained representative honours across a The Northern Youth Theatre was formed in 2002 at MGS with the aim of range of sporting activities. producing and promoting top-quality theatre with students from all schools in Manchester. Its first venture to the Edinburgh Fringe - with Sink the Belgrano! and their own adaptation of Richard Kelly’s fast-moving comedy sketch show, Not the Footlights - features boys from MGS and girls from Head Girl Michelle Goulty was chosen to play for the England Lacrosse Withington and Manchester High. Senior ‘B’ team for their matches against Scotland and Japan during a Both plays will be performed at the MGS theatre in September. The first- four-day international tournament at Monmouth. ever NYT production was a spectacular and highly successful Romeo and Juliet performed in the MGS Quad with students from 15 different Michelle’s selection follows in the footsteps of several Withington old Manchester schools. girls who have played for England and those of current sports and PE teacher Miss Rachel Day. Kathryn Hurrell Ailsa Stott was a key member of the England ‘A’ squad that travelled to Annapolis in Maryland, USA, for this summer’s World Cup finals. Her hat A taste of trick in one match was reported in the National press. All three are members of the thriving Timperley Lacrosse Club. the Orient FIFTH former Amy Neve travelled to Sweden to train with Japanese THE Third Form Concert, billed as an evening of drama, music, Kenshikan karate master Soke Sensei ahead of the martial art’s national poetry and song, had a distinctly oriental twist, climaxing in championships in Bristol. the performance of a Japanese play, the singing of a Japanese Amy, who holds a Second Kyu and practises at the Wilmslow Leisure folk song and the recital of a Japanese poem. Centre, says the sport is a key to fitness, self discipline and self The drama, The Tale of Issun Boshi, was performed partly in Japanese expression. and partly in English, leaving nothing lost in translation. The poetry programme included The Walrus and the Carpenter, Matilda, Witches and Old Sir Faulke and the girls performed some of their own FOLLOWING their medal-winning exploits at the Manchester School’s cautionary tales. Each form sang songs ranging from A Whole New Athletics Tournament at Sport City, three girls were asked to attend a World and Friends To The End to Can You Feel The Love Tonight and the sprint training session led by Olympic Gold medallists, Linford Cristie and Third Form Choir sang Flying Free, Vertue, Eiskay Lovelit and Come To Darren Campbell. The Fair. Kathryn Hurrell, Charlie Paul and Antonia Adebambo were coached along Parents had ample time to meet each other over the interval coffee with other athletes from the area and competed in an 80m sprint and inspect a beautiful display of shell art that the year group had challenge in which Charlie came third. produced in their art lessons. The session was to promote the new partnership between Manchester City Council and Reebok, which hopes to encourage new athletes into British athletics and to offer them the same opportunity that the three girls had. Young volunteers -

Withington’s medal haul at the Tournament was impressive. Lily Vickers Michelle Goulty and Caroline Thompson won Bronze at the Year 8 & 9 and Year 10 & 11 ‘Most Committed Discus and there were Silvers for Felicity Elder (Year 10 & 11 Shot), Charlotte Hughes (Year 10 & 11 800m), Kathryn Hurrell (Year 10 & 11 200m), Alana Livesey (Year 8 & 9 800m) and Antonia Adebambo (Year 8 & Fundraising Group’ 9 100m). The Year 10 & 11 relay team: Charlotte Paul, Hannah Martin, Lexi Brown and Kathryn Hurrell, also took Silver. IN the Autumn Term forty pupils ranging from the Lower Fourth to Lower Sixth took part in the St Ann’s Hospice Young Volunteer Lexi Brown (Year 10 & 11 Hurdles) and Charlotte Paul (Year 10 & 11 100m) both struck Gold and Kathryn Hurrell, Charlotte Paul and Alana Livesey all Awards Scheme. achieved new school records. They formed groups and embarked upon planning different ways to raise money for the charity. Many ingenious ideas were put forward and groups held discos, sweet and cake sales and sold toys at Christmas, amongst other activities. THIRD Form pupil Sasha Carter was selected to represent the North West in an international trampolining competition in Sweden in May. Though More than £1,400 has been raised for the hospice during this school year. she had represented the region in an international tournament in Kent At an Awards Ceremony at the Manchester Conference Centre in May, the last year, this was her first ‘away’ honour. Linford Chrisie & Darren Campbell Withington participants were presented with a shield for being the ‘Most Committed Fundraising Group’, much to the delight of all concerned. World Challenge A thoroughly trip to Bolivia is theatrical weekend back on track! AFTER the last-minute lifting of Foreign Office advice for travellers to avoid Bolivia, Withington’s World Challenge

Expedition to South America’s heartland was put back on track. Amisha Patel & Naomi Chadderton Kate Healey & Katie Rowland Kate Bentley & Sophie Ramsden

Organisers had swiftly devised a ‘Plan B’ – switching their destination to Ecuador – but were able to revert to the original itinerary with just days THE Leavers’ Ball, held for Upper Sixth girls and boys from to go before departure. Withington and Manchester Grammar Schools was a great success. Geography teacher Miss Kaeren Browning, English teacher Mrs Clara Edge, Latin teacher Mrs Elizabeth Robinson, Venezuelan-born Spanish It took place on Sunday 29th May in the Tyldesley Suite at Lancashire County Cricket Club, Old Trafford. teacher Mrs Maria Lopez and 31 girls from the Upper Fifth and Lower Sixth Forms, will set out by coach for London’s Heathrow Airport at 3am There was a drinks reception followed by a buffet dinner and disco. on July 7 for their month-long adventure, featuring treks through the ‘Motty’, a band formed of friends of Withington and Manchester ON the weekend of the 14th and 15th May, a group of staff and Grammar School pupils, finished the evening in spectacular style. high Andes, Amazon rainforest and along Inca trails in the Chaco. over 20 girls from the Lower Fifth upwards enjoyed a cultural Many thanks to Clare Sibley, Michelle Goulty and the rest of the School The girls spent more than a year raising £3,000 each to pay for the trip, weekend in Stratford, seeing two plays, Twelfth Night which was Committee for putting so much effort into organising a fantastic event which also includes community work in orphanages in the Bolivian thought provoking and amusing and A New Way to Please You that was enjoyed by all. Capital, La Paz, and the provincial city of Cochabamba. by Thomas Middleton which involved a dance mat competition, cake throwing and incredibly glittery costumes. After spending the hours up to their departure checking camping kit, The pace was relentless as we rushed from the performance to the stage assigning team leaders and packing, they were flying first to Miami door for a back-stage tour, pausing only to have photographs taken with where the party splits into two, one heading for La Paz, at 12,000ft, the the decidedly good looking hero of the afternoon’s play. The following world’s highest capital, and the other to Santa Cruz. From then on they morning saw us in action again – this time at a theatre workshop will follow different itineraries, not meeting up again until they reach organised and run by Ali Troughton who made everyone think about the Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest lake, towards the end of their Shakespeare plays they had studied in a new light. After a lightning tour expedition. of Stratford’s shops and cafes and a brief interlude feeding bread to the Avon’s famous swans, we boarded the coach feeling exhausted but “There have to be acclimatisation phases built in between the trekking extremely cultured. and the community work – but there’ll be some rest and relaxation too,” said Miss Browning.

“The girls are doing everything from finding the hostels and the transport to managing the budget.”

Carlie Gardener, Rosalind Aczel & Anna Mathew Michelle Goulty, Sophie Sugarman & Nicola Jaffa

Some of the Bolivia Challengers Kate Waldon, Anna Barnard, Dominique Finnegan-Parsons, Clare Sibley, Elissa Bowell, Michelle Ghatan, Michelle Goulty & Clare Sibley Delia Hewitt, Alexandra Patrick & Michelle Goulty

Picture courtesy of South Manchester Reporter Heavenly by name, New physics laboratories heavenly by nature! WITHINGTON’S Physics Department is AT Easter, a group of Withington and Manchester Grammar see how the least fortunate people in the country were helped. It was celebrating individual successes and School pupils accompanied by Mr Hand, Miss McKenzie and also amusing to see the kids try to eat the cream eggs we had brought collective delight at moving into the from England as an Easter treat with the wrappers still on! AND a heavenly time was had by 31 girls from Third to Upper Fouth Forms on the ski slopes School’s new science laboratories. Dr Burn travelled to Southern Uganda for two weeks to visit the of Nevada, above Lake Tahoe, over the Easter holidays. grammar school’s link school, Busoga College Mwiri, to see the The next part of the trip took us to Maria’s Care Orphanage in Kumuli. Jessica Brush has gained an Arkwright work of The Busoga Trust, a Water Aid charity supported by Two pupils who hope to study medicine visited the hospital to observe It had been a long and gruelling journey by air via Atlanta and San Francisco, then battling through heavy Scholarship and Rosalind Whiteley has a MGS and to visit orphanages in Jinga and Kumuli. Ugandan medical facilities, and we spent the rest of the day playing snowfalls to reach the final destination. Nuffield Bursary for a medical project at Manchester University this summer. It also gave participants an opportunity to get a flavour of games such as football frisbee and catch with the children at Maria’s The resort of Heavenly, however, really did live up to its name with the trip’s leader, American-born Ugandan and African life. Care. We also got them to do the hokey cokey and conga around the Geography teacher Mrs Sheila Bradford describing the conditions as “astounding – perfect powder snow.” Highlights of the term included the grounds of the compound. The next day we travelled into Kumuli town Lower Sixth visit to a particle physics Sixth Formers Sarah Parr and Jane Hooper write: We arrived in Uganda on a Piki Piki motorbike taxi. The reactions of the locals ranged from It was the third ski trip to the United States following a very successful – and supposedly “one-off” – master class at Daresbury and the Upper after a ten-hour flight and stayed the first night in Banana Village, just waving to crying! expedition in Millennium year, 2000. Sixth participation in Einstein Year outside Entebbe. The next day we travelled to Jinja to stay at the Busoga Said Sheila, who is retiring at the end of this term: “I have taken 22 trips in my time at Withington and lectures at Salford University. Trust Guest House. The seven boys were crammed into one room whereas Following a ten-hour drive (and a 5am start!) to Queen Elizabeth National this was one of the best, on which our relatively advanced skiers, those with intermediate skills and the we two girls had a huge room complete with 4 poster beds! We walked Park, we stopped briefly at the Equator for photographs and an girls who had never been on skis before, all had a wonderful time.” around Jinga town absorbing the local culture and way of life. A group of opportunity to witness the coriolis effect. In exchange for a few Ugandan ‘bazungu’ certainly attracted a lot of attention, and as Ugandans consider shillings, a man with a bowl of water showed us how a leaf spun down Euro MP it polite to engage in lengthy hand shaking with everyone they meet, the plug hole in different directions in the northern and southern meeting the locals was an enjoyable but time-consuming experience! hemispheres and went straight down when it was actually on SIXTH Former Rachel Heydecker, who is the equator. intending to study Politics and French at We visited Busoga College Mwiri, a school on top of a hill surrounded by university in 2006, has been invited to beautiful scenery and were welcomed by the Headmaster, his deputy and From the luxury of Mweya Safari Lodge we embarked on several game shadow a north west member of the some of the pupils. We were surprised to discover how much we had in drives, observing lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles, in Strasbourg, common with them, such as music, sports and a love of dancing, Uganda Cob, waterbuck, mongoose, and an amazing range of birds. providing valuable experience of politics however bad our dancing was compared to their energetic, vibrant within the wider European context. African moves. After returning to Banana Village we visited Kampala, the capital of Uganda to buy souvenirs and, following a welcome upgrade on the That afternoon we visited an Orphanage called Mama Jane’s, where we return flight, we arrived home exhausted but exhilarated by our were greeted by traditional dancing and singing. It was really touching to Ugandan adventure. Seeing is believing A unique exhibition of contemporary works of art representing themes inspired by the world’s major religions, was visited by the Upper Sixth Religious Slugs and snails... Studies A-level group at the Tate Gallery in Albert Dock, Liverpool. FOSSIL hunting, pond dipping, scenic walks and plenty of fun and games filled an action- The collection of modern and abstract paintings and sculptures stimulated packed weekend at the Castle Head Field Studies Centre for 23 Lower II girls from the much evaluation and comment amongst Junior School. the girls about the sources of inspiration Set in a secluded spot near Grange-over-Sands, between the Lakeland fells and the shores of Morecambe for each of the artists and their Bay, the 18th Century Georgian mansion was built by iron master John Wilkinson. Its environs provide a interpretation; bringing together much vast array of habitats including salt marshes, sand dunes, tidal rivers, moorland and fell; a wonderful of what they had studied during the two outdoor classroom for a range of study. years of their course. Works ranged from slabs of concrete The girls enthused about finds including rare woolly caterpillars and crested newts and expeditions to said to represent Adam to Craigie fantastic viewpoints; activities devised to encourage the girls to gain independence. Aitchison’s Crucifixion 9, a startling and And the purple woolly worm and energy games were enjoyed by all. thought-provoking depiction of a dog staring at Jesus on the cross. Vision Aid GIRLS of Lower VY raised the magnificent sum of £320 for Vision Aid, the charity dedicated to helping needy people in the Third World who suffer from poor eyesight, particularly where spectacles would help. The girls organised a cake sale and sold ‘Third Eye’ badges they had made themselves around the school. They also collected 150 pairs of glasses which the charity matches up with the needs of young people overseas who might not otherwise be able to go to school because of impaired sight. Music to Fond farewells our ears WITHINGTON is bidding farewell to six members of THE School struck a symphony of the teaching staff this summer who between them high notes in the latest examinations set by the Associated have spent 100 years teaching at the school. Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Longest serving – just – has been Mrs Hilary De Maine who Withington pupils gained 56 passes is stepping down as Head of the Junior School after 28 including 17 merits and a distinction. years. Remarkably, given such a record, Mrs De Maine never But underlining the school’s breadth of musical achievement was the fact that intended teaching as a career at all, having graduated from the results were achieved across a range university in law. But inspired by her love for her own of grades with seven different former junior school, she wanted “children to enjoy their instruments, including guitar, piano, junior days as much as I enjoyed mine.” violin, flute, alto saxophone, clarinet and percussion - plus singing. Mrs De Maine champions the fact that Withington Junior The results were especially pleasing for School allows pupils “the time to get on with the job of pupils at WGS Junior School, who earned 19 of the passes, including seven being little girls; I think that really matters”. merits and one distinction. The school offers the full range of orchestral Her last task with Withington will be leading a party of senior girls sailing around Scotland’s Western Isles. instruments plus bass and electric guitar. History teacher Mrs Gail Dawson, who joined Withington’s staff 27 years ago, is retiring with her husband Withington’s Arts Centre is playing host Roger to make what has been their retreat at Avening, near Tetbury in the Cotswolds, for more than two to the Incorporated Society of Musicians’ annual competition on July decades, into a permanent home. They look forward to having the time to make the most of their 9th, open to children from all membership of the Cotswold Canal Trust. backgrounds in Junior and Intermediate Grades for any acoustic instrument Mrs Dawson cherishes her time at Withington because it has enabled her to teach her subject in depth, or voice. passing on her love and fascination of history to others. The Young Musician’s Platform is devised by the ISM’s Manchester Centre Mrs Sheila Bradford, who has spent 24 years of her 36-year teaching career at Withington, bowed out on Chairman, the distinguished Renna a colourful note by dressing as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz at assembly. Mrs Bradford, born in Illinois THE life of William Shakespeare was the inspiration for Swan of Avon, the latest Kellaway and its secretary, singer Joyce in the United States’ Mid West, says: “The picture links all sorts of things from being my favourite film of Junior School musical. Lindley Parker, to provide encouragement and opportunity for all time with Judy Garland; my Master’s thesis on tornados and my belief that we all have to look for our The original work, written specially for the girls and performed before a charmed audience of children studying acoustic instruments inner strengths.” parents in the Arts Centre, was the result of an 11th musical collaboration between Transition or voice. teacher Monica Hastings and composer Sasha Johnson Manning. The geography teacher is excited at the prospect of playing more golf, swimming, playing piano, writing Withington’s departing Director of Sasha, from Bowdon, Cheshire, a former pupil at Withington, is composer in residence for the Music, Andrew Dean, will be one of some Key Stage 3 geography materials and joining a ‘leaf peeping’ tour of New England during the professional St Louis Chamber Chorus in Missouri, USA, and sings regularly for the BBC and on the adjudicators. fabulously colourful fall. European concert tours.

TALENTED Year 4 pupil Sonia Azimi Mrs Alison Bailey, stalwart of the School’s burgeoning Music Department for 13 years, is looking forward Swan of Avon included many songs, dancing and acrobatics and involved all Junior School pupils took three first prizes at the to planning her travels – including visits to the ‘music capitals’ of Europe. An accomplished musician – performing in specially-made period costumes. Alderley Edge Music Festival for her principal instrument is the viola – she joined the music staff when her own daughter was a pupil in playing violin and piano. the Junior School. Sonia took first prize for her piano solo with a stunning mark of 89 out of a Mrs Bailey says: “That meant I knew the School very well before I came as a teacher. I’ve very much possible 90 and won first prizes for enjoyed it here; at times it has felt like working in a conservatoire with such good standards of violin Year 4 and 5 at grades 2 and 3. musicianship and I’ve loved conducting the senior orchestra and working with various choirs.” It was the third year in a row that Sonia, whose teacher Rebecca Thompson is one In fact it’s virtually all-change in the Music Department because its head, Mr Andrew Dean, is also leaving of the organisers of WGS’s successful during the summer. Mr Dean has been at Withington for three years, following 16 years at Manchester summer music courses, had made such a dramatic impact. Grammar, eight as Director of Music. He is now moving into freelance work - including teaching at Last year she won two first prizes for Chetham’s School of Music and Junior RNCM, conducting three choirs plus choral work at Leeds piano and two for violin and in 2003 Metropolitan University, establishing the Northern Organ School and examining for the Associated Board. took two top prizes for violin and one for piano. “Just as busy, but in a variety of places,” he says. “I will miss my colleagues and pupils at Withington very Her mother, Mrs Esther Azimi said: much and look forward to keeping in touch with many and hearing about how all the musicians progress. “Sonia is following in the footsteps of I will always remember the wonderful choir tour to Italy in July 2003; hearing the choir sing in St Mark’s, her brother David, who is 17 and a very good musician. She’s been attending Venice was an extremely moving experience.” festivals since she was a very little girl.” We also bid goodbye to Biology teacher and Head of Year 9, Mrs Rebecca Smith, after five years here. A former Withington pupil, she taught at Cheadle Hulme School before joining the Withington staff; now the prospect of heading the Biology Department at Altrincham Girls’ Grammar School beckons.

“I’ve always loved the friendly atmosphere as soon as you walk through the doors at Withington. I’ll certainly miss that.”

Stuart Childs, the school’s excellent Drama and Reprographics Technician also leaves this summer to commence his degree course at Leeds Metropolitan University.