SEPTEMBER 2013

Head’s Lines Dear Readers “Recipe for success: Study while others are sleeping; work while others are Exams Star Performance loafing; prepare while Withington’s outstanding academic results this year have confirmed its position At GCSE and IGCSE level, more than 96% of all entries from a cohort of 81 girls others are playing; as one of the leading schools in the country - and top in the North. scored A* and A grades, with 74% of all papers securing A* grades and more and dream while The Daily Telegraph’s GCSE League tables ranked Withington as the best than one third of its Upper Fifth students achieving a clean sweep of A*s across others are wishing.” performing school outside London and fourth overall nationally, whilst for A all subjects taken. As an aspiring athlete in the late 1970s, before a Levels, results at the elite A* grade showed an increase on last year with the Core curriculum subjects such as Maths and the Sciences, English, the Social School maintaining its place as number one in the North of England. Sciences and Modern Languages all returned exceptional results – and serious knee injury abruptly ended my sporting career, I used to train in all weathers - rain, Withington’s exceptional achievements in examinations bucked the national candidates in creative subjects also performed strongly. At A Level, 100% of Art hail, snow, the lot! What motivated me ‘back downwards trend in elite grades secured in 2013 and followed a recent accolade students notched up A*s - and at GCSE Level, Music and Drama examinations by the Sunday Times in which it was named as the top secondary school in the also scored top grades with 100% in both subjects achieving A* and A grades. in the day’, to get into my tracksuit and trainers North West. Withington’s A Level results have ensured students are able to take up places on dark, soggy mornings to pound around the pavements, was the thought that my From this year’s cohort of 75 sixth formers 94% achieved A*, A and B grades at top universities, with twelve this year going on to Oxford or Cambridge and with 80.4% achieving A* or As and 38% securing the coveted A*. The overall others heading to other leading universities. ‘competition’ for that defender’s place in the pass rate was 100%. Continued on page 2... hockey team, or for that coveted six seat in the Oxford Blue boat, might well have been tucked up in bed at the time; and the more I trained when perhaps they did not, the better my chances of success would be. It was a strategy which paid off! I was reminded of William A. Ward’s inspirational maxim, quoted above, when reading through the first draft edition of this latest Bulletin. It never fails to amaze me that Withington girls can manage to pack in so many – and such high-quality activities during their school days. The powerful work ethic at our school means that Withington girls are self-motivated, well- organised and determined to use their time purposefully, achieving the highest standards possible in everything they attempt. Continued on page 2...... Continued from page 1...... Continued from page 1... “Our Upper Fifth – Year 11 - girls sit 9 GCSEs or IGCSEs as a minimum, often The girls’ results at GCSE and A Level this Said Mrs Marks: more, across a broad and balanced curriculum which includes Mathematics, year were simply marvellous, and were English Literature, English Language and the Sciences and at least one ”We are immensely proud of our girls’ performances this year and delighted for earned through dedicated hours of study, Modern Language. We are particularly pleased that our move to the rigorous all our girls who have worked very hard indeed with their talented, passionate as well as through the girls’ natural ability and challenging IGCSE courses - which in our opinion further stretches our and highly committed teachers to achieve these exceptional results. I am really girls - has proved to be a great success. We are also delighted with the level and the excellent teaching they receive at pleased that our girls continue to do so well in the rigorous academic subjects of attainment in Music and Drama this year which complements the core Withington. The success of our Sixth Form we offer.“ curriculum subjects we offer allowing talented girls to follow their passions.” leavers in gaining places on the courses “Success like this at Advanced Level helps Withington students to win places at “This approach provides our pupils with the necessary foundation for A Level of their choice at the most selective the most selective universities in the country, as was borne out by last year’s study and beyond with their future university applications.” universities in the country is attributable in Sutton Trust report.” no small part to the excellent preparation for adult life they receive from our varied [ AS results in ( ) ] and challenging extra-curricular programme. A-level Results In these pages you will read more about A* A B C D E many of the activities our girls have been Mathematics 21 11 (5) 5 (2) 2 (4) 1 engaged in over the summer and during the Further Mathematics 5 3 2 first few weeks of term. I hope that you Physics 5 1 (2) 2 (2) 2 (1) 1 will enjoy sharing in their experiences, and getting to know a little more about the new Chemistry 9 12 (2) 5 1 (1) (1) 1 members of staff who have recently joined Biology 10 12 (3) 2 (2) 2 1 (1) us. Together, we look forward to working English Literature 4 6 (1) 2 (1) (3) with your daughters this year, to turn their wishes into dreams and, we hope, many of English Language 4 (1) 1 their dreams into reality! History 10 5 (6) 1 (1) Kind regards Geography 9 7 (2) 2 1 (1) Economics 6 5 (1) (1) (3) 1 (1) French 2 5 (2) (1) Mrs Sue Marks German 2 2 (1) (1) Spanish 1 7 (1) Latin 4 1 Greek 2 Religious Studies 3 1 Music 1 (1) Art 4 (1) Government & Politics 5 5 (1) 1 (1) 1 (1) Psychology 4 6 (2) 2 1 Drama & Theatre Studies 2 2 1 TOTAL (Excluding General Studies) 93 104 (26) 32 (16) 11 (15) 3 (4) 2 General Studies 3 17 (11) 12 (8) 3 (3) 1 Updated September 2013 GCSE Results A* A B C D Mathematics (IGCSE) 68 12 1 Further Mathematics 37 1 Physics (IGCSE) 32 5 Chemistry (IGCSE) 32 5 Biology (IGCSE) 32 2 3 Double Award Science (IGCSE) 56 24 6 2 English (IGCSE) 58 22 1 English Literature (IGCSE) 42 33 6 History 49 5 1 Geography 30 12 2 French 23 3 German 7 7 3 Spanish 34 9 3 Latin 9 Greek 2 Religious Studies 20 7 Art 13 6 3 1 1 Music 8 1 Food & Nutrition 5 1 Drama 10 10 (Chinese*) 4 (Russian*) 1 TOTAL 572 165 29 3 1 (* off timetable). Updated September 2013 Why I like A chocolatey Day out! Disney Trip 2013 Science?... On the 11th September, 16 FTT pupils ventured out in search of a chocolatier The Disney Trip was once again a great success and 47 Lower Fourth girls ...Was the the title of the essay that and patisserie named Slattery’s in Manchester’s very own Whitefield, to and 6 members of staff enjoyed sunshine and blue skies. The highlights were Upper Fourth students had to write in the experience a Chocolate Enterprise Day full of excitement. The day began with most definitely the firework and laser display at Disney and the spectacular Daresbury Annual School Science Prize a masterclass from a professional chocolatier where we learned how to create evening show at Futuroscope. The girls made the most of their days exploring 2013. Congratulations go to Fay Pu and our own handmade fully decorated chocolates. We produced beautiful crafted Disneyland Paris, Parc Astérix and Futursoscope theme parks. In addition, Mahaam Saleem who both got through to chocolates and lollipops that were loaded with sprinkles, sweets and colourful we visited the sharks in the aquarium at La Rochelle and had some free time the final where they had to deliver a short chocolate buttons. to discover the centre of this picturesque port. presentation about their essay and answer In the process we ate quite a lot of chocolate while we stood in awe of the Mrs Y Menzies Head of French questions from the judges. Both were luxurious chocolate pouring silkily down from the machine. However, the day runners-up and received honorary prizes. wasn’t all about eating - although it mostly was! We were also presented Fay commented: with the challenge of producing a chocolate-based product complete with “It was a lovely experience and I hope to packaging and then presenting our ideas, costings and how we would market attend more events like this.” our product. Much like The Apprentice really. Mrs L Bradshaw Head of Physics To kick start our ideas we looked around the shop to gain some inspiration; the products ranged from chocolate shoes to iPhones. We then began to design and create our product as well as our presentation - by the end of it we were all covered in chocolate! Our class had many great ideas ranging from Halloween-themed chocolate lollipops to an edible picnic scene. Our judges were all impressed with the quality of our product and the overall standard of our presentation. In the end, the team who created the lollipops won with their excellent display and clear, fluent presentation. They took home a chocolate medal and a book about chocolate written by John Slattery himself. Overall we all thoroughly enjoyed the trip and I would definitely go again, not only because we got a lot of chocolate to take home. We also learnt new things about marketing and packaging as well as broadening our horizons about the different careers available in the future. D Harabaskaran Lower Fifth Head Girls Biology Fieldtrip September 2013 Conference 2013 After only three days back at school, the Upper Sixth biologists gathered Harlech sand dunes on Monday were positively tropical - clear blue sky, blue Twenty-six Head Girls and Deputy Head Girls immediately after school on the Friday to travel to North Wales for the Ecology sea and a perfect sand dune system. Working from the stand line back into the from 6 different schools joined together for Fieldtrip. We have used the Drapers’ Field Centre at Betws y Coed, run by the Field dunes to the start of the deciduous woodland at the back of the system was the the GSA North West Head Girl and Deputies Studies Council for many years and have never been disappointed by the quality of equivalent of travelling back in time over 450 years to see succession in action. Conference at Withington on Wednesday 18th teaching and facilities that they provide. This year the usual six day trip had been The girls measured changes in the vegetation at each of 10 sites and the changes September 2013. condensed down into five days which meant that we had a very busy itinerary. in abiotic factors. After ice cream we returned to the Centre to another excellent The programme for the day was led and put Unfortunately the weather for the first 36 hours was not kind but it cleared on meal and an evening session analysing the data collected and completing more together by Elizabeth Robinson, Head of Sixth Saturday night to set fair for the remainder of the trip. statistical tests. Before leaving for Harlech, the girls collected their traps set the Form, and Abi Parker, Director of Potential Saturday was an action-packed day travelling by coach to Cwm Idwal, a hanging previous evening. A record 13 of the 18 traps set had been activated and in the Directions Ltd. valley in the Glyderau range of mountains in northern Snowdonia, to observe end we found that the girls had caught a mixture of field and bank voles and The day comprised sessions tackling ‘What upland conservation and the management of upland ecosystems and then several mice. The girls were able to use the number of mammals caught to test the makes a great leader?’, public speaking skills travelling on down the Nant Ffrancon Pass down to Anglesey and to Penmon Lincoln Index which is used as part of the Mark, Release, Recapture technique to and how to deal with difficult situations Point to study vertical zonation of species down a rocky shore. Throughout estimate populations of small mammals. through role-play scenarios. the day heavy showers were interspersed with brilliant sunshine and in true The final day on Tuesday was spent knee deep in the River Conway at the At the end of the day, last year’s Head Girl, Withington fashion, spirits remained high. We were lucky to see a pair of harbour bottom of the Centre grounds. The kick sampling technique was used to collect Shriya Anand, and her Deputies, Ellena Cotton porpoises swimming close to the shore at Penmon and they stayed for most of the samples of aquatic invertebrates which were then classified using binocular and Alex Stone came back to give the group afternoon. The real joy at Penmon other than the beautiful scenery is the tea shop, microscopes and dichotomous keys back at the Centre. The abiotic factors in the their thoughts and tips on these important where at least it is possible to get hot drinks and ice cream. river were also measured. The data collected here can be used as a base for the roles of responsibility. chi squared statistical test to look at associations between different individuals. The weather improved overnight and Sunday was warm and sunny as we spent our The 26 young ladies offered excellent ideas Back at school we will also be able to use this data to compare with collections day in the ancient woodland – Coed Hafod, opposite the centre. The girls carried with much enthusiasm throughout the course in organically polluted water from previous years and to see how the different out studies of zonation of mosses and lichens up a tree trunk and compared lichen of the day and their public speaking skills were abiotic factors and levels of organic pollution affect the diversity and distribution distribution on oak and beech trees. We also collected holly leaves to study back already deemed to be very impressive. of species. at the Centre to look at the survival rates and different fates of the small holly An enjoyable yet thought-provoking day was leaf minor. Lunch was supplemented by the plethora of bilberries found within the As always we are indebted to the knowledge and good humour of Peter Kay and had by all and it gave everyone the opportunity woods. An excellent roast dinner back at the Centre set the girls up for an evening all the staff at Rhyd-y-creuau, to Mrs Smith and Mrs Cottam for accompanying for sharing and listening to the experiences session analysing the data collected. The girls were able to set Longworth traps the girls and to the girls themselves for their excellent company and sustained of others. around the Centre grounds in an attempt to catch small mammals overnight. work ethic for the duration of the trip. Dr Sue Madden Head of Biology Chemistry Camp Head Girls 2013-14 On the 3rd to 5th July 2013 we were given NURTURING the opportunity to attend Salters Chemistry Withington’s Head Girl and Deputies have been voted in for the 2013-2014 Camp at Nottingham University. This gave academic year. Helen Wheeldon is Head Girl and Emma New and Rhona Dawson are both POTENTIAL us the chance to work in proper university labs where we could use advanced Deputy Head Girls. All three students joined the School in the Third Form. Supporting Bursaries at Withington One of Helen’s first duties will be to address pupils and parents at Founders’ equipment and chemicals that we would Harriet’s story never be able to use at school. For example, Day at the Bridgewater Hall in October. the hydrochloric acid that we used was “I’m very excited about all the challenges this year will present and Harriet received a Bursary in 2003. She writes: 30 times more concentrated than the acid honoured to have been chosen by my peers. I hope to use this opportunity “Bursaries are invaluable to women such as myself. Those who shine and in our school labs! We attended several to give back to the School,” she said. have a thirst for knowledge when young should be encouraged, for who lectures throughout our stay, the most Helen enjoys netball, has completed her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and knows where their passion may lead, which may be lost if not nurtured exciting of which was the Flash Bang Show is looking forward to joining the annual Gambia expedition in December. and given assistance. Those who receive a bursary, and are aware of the which included recreating real thunder and Out of school, Helen is a regular volunteer at St Ann’s Hospice path their life may have taken without it, will be grateful forever”. lightning. It was definitely the highlight of in Manchester. our visit. In addition, the camp allowed us Currently studying Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology at A Level – Our work for the success of the Bursary Scheme continues as to meet many other students our age who with an AS in Latin – Helen hopes to eventually study Medicine. School heads towards its goal that no bright girl be denied access shared our interest in Chemistry. During Deputy Head Girl, Rhona Dawson also hopes to study Medicine and is to the School due to financial means. Please contact the Development our free time, we explored the university currently taking A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with an AS Director on 0161 249 3491 or email development@withington. campus and were able to get a real idea in Mathematics. manchester.sch.uk if you would like more information about the Bursary of university life. Overall, it was a great Rhona is Captain of the Lacrosse 1st Team, having played the sport at Fund or if you would like to contribute to this worthy scheme. experience and we are privileged to have County level. She has also represented the School at hockey and is working been a part of it. towards her Grade 8 in the Clarinet. Rhona has achieved her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and in her spare Alice Gandee & time is a volunteer at her local RDA (Riding for the Disabled) Centre. Julia McCarthy Upper V Emma New, also Deputy Head Girl, is studying Geography, Economics and Mathematics at A Level, with an AS in Chemistry and hopes to embark on a Joint Honours Degree in Geography and Economics. Having been inspired by a School Economics trip to the Bank of England last year, Emma aims to eventually pursue a career in the City in banking. With an interest in sport Emma is the School’s Hockey 1st team Captain and plays lacrosse - previously at county level and currently for Timperley. She also enjoys music. She is in the School Orchestra and Choir and also plays the flute and is currently working towards her Grade 8 examination. Emma joined the School’s last World Challenge trip to India, personally raising £3,700 to fund her trip. Staying in tents and even once in a school classroom, Emma said: “It was fascinating and very enjoyable – but we didn’t see a proper toilet for three weeks! We learnt how others live, it was very different to life in Cheshire. The trip provided a NURTURING POTENTIAL... valuable insight into Supporting Bursaries at Withington life in a different environment.” Rhona, Helen and Emma with Mrs Robinson Land of Fire and Ice Another amazingly successful trip to Iceland for the Geography a thick swirling mist that temporarily hid the arches and stacks, Mrs B one of the fissures had opened up. A reminder that these plates are still Department! Thirteen Lower Fifth pupils, the majority of them led the way along the coastal path - and for their efforts the group was moving apart! geographers, set off with Mrs Buckley and Mrs Hamilton for the trip rewarded with a brief glimpse of the massive Dyrholaey Arch before Our next two nights were in Rekjavik. A small city by UK standards but of a lifetime, a wonderful 5-day expedition to this fascinating volcanic them as the mist momentarily lifted. What a spectacular view! a complete contrast to our rural Icelandic experience. A film, Haeimaey landscape with its vast emptiness, spectacular features and sheer beauty. The highlight of Day Two however had to be our visit to the Solheimajokul and Eyjafjallajokull, with its breathtaking photography provided an Within half an hour of disembarking our Manchester flight, we were glacier, an ice field marked by rugged and majestic rock formations. insight into the beauty of the natural landscape there and the effect of exploring Gunnivher Hot Springs with its bubbling mud pools and Fitted with crampons and an ice pick and led by two Icelandic guides, the country’s two recent disasters. Later, at City Hall, we put our spatial steaming sulphurous fumeroles. The vastness of black lava fields beyond we explored this wonderland of ice sculptures, ridges and deep crevasses. skills to the test, investigating a huge 3D Model of Iceland that had taken contrasted graphically with home! Soon we were all relaxing in the Geography field work at its very best! The evening was spent outside eight years to create. mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon, an aquamarine sea water lake, in the warm geothermally heated hot tub back at the lodge under an In Rekjavik the girls explored on their own – but they also had some geothermally heated to 37 degrees centigrade. The girls enjoyed this amazingly blue and pink tinged sky with full daylight right through Geography-based tasks to complete, aimed at providing an insight into luxurious open-air spa, taking the opportunity to smother their faces in to midnight! Iceland’s tourism industry. The visit to the city centre culminated in white silica mud, well known for its rich source of minerals. Later we Day Three was spent discovering the volcanic and geothermal landscape a journey up Hallgrinmkirkja, a striking Church tower built of basaltic enjoyed sampling Icelandic delights in the café there. that forms much of Plate Tectonics studies in our classroom teaching. columns that provided a birds-eye view of the city. Home for the next few days was a rural retreat, Hotel Eldhestar, a warm, At Keria we walked inside an amazingly large collapsed crater. Then a Our holiday ended with a fun-packed and relaxing visit to the Capital’s cosy ecofriendly lodge, with views over fields, meadows, and hundreds of trip to The Geysir centre, with Stokkur Geysir being the most memorable, main geothermal pool with slides, hot tubs and huge pool. grazing Icelandic horses. Our first evening, before our meal, was spent on erupting every 6 to 8 minutes as boiling water emerged from the The group returned to the UK with memories that will last a lifetime. a horse-trek exploring the area with our highly knowledgeable guides. ground and shot skywards to a height of 15 metres. Next was the most We hope the expedition opened the girls’ minds to the wonders and spectacular of Waterfalls, Gullfoss, an enormous white glacial cascade The following day saw us exploring amazing waterfalls, impressive uncertainty of our global landscape! coastal erosional features and black sandy volcanic beaches. Waterfalls that dropped 32 metres into a narrow canyon. Tired but excited, we spilt from high basalt fossil cliffs and Seljalandsfoss had the added finally arrived at Thingvellir National Park. We stood on the Mid Atlantic Mrs J Buckley Head of Geography attraction of a footpath behind a thin cascade of water. Undaunted by Ridge where the Eurasian Plate meets the North American, where in 2011 A full version of this article can be read on the School website. Nuclear Class of 2013 Reception Subscription Brochure The Upper Sixth Class of 2013, visited the School on Monday 9th “Towards The Light” Engineering September for their first official school reunion. It has become in the summer a traditional annual event for former pupils to revisit the School This beautifully illustrated book is for all those who have ever for a heartfelt farewell before the girls embark on their gap-year, been associated with Withington Girls’ School in any capacity: Three Withington students gained a hands-on university or placement activity. it will tell the story of your school. The book will include insight over the Summer into careers in the anecdotes and memoirs both drawn from past accounts of nuclear industry. For some of the girls, this was an emotional homecoming feeling, life at the School, and specially contributed for the occasion after an active summer. by alumnae and staff of recent generations. Please do get in Penny Jones, who has recently entered the touch to share your memories of your time here, and to Lower Sixth, Daisy Johnson and Helen Ng, “It’s easy to slip back into school; it’s going to be hard to leave,” said Helen Carrington, destination Imperial College London. contribute old photographs and recollections to what will be a (both in Upper Fifth) attended residential four- wonderful publication. day courses at Lancaster University during the Helen Gourley, who will be shortly studying at UCL said: Summer holidays. The courses are organised Become a subscriber and have your name (or your nominee) listed by the educational charity The Smallpeice “I already feel old coming back to the School, yet I am in the book. already missing it; however, I am looking forward to moving Trust and sponsored by the National Nuclear You can support Towards the Light by pre-ordering your copy in Laboratory (NNL). on to University. It’s nerve-wracking going from Sixth Form to University as I know it will have a different atmosphere, advance of publication as a subscriber. Online subscribers receive A combination of presentations, workshops, but I am really excited.” a £11 discount on the published price of £35, and also have their practical design-and-make projects and name (or their nominee) printed in a special List of Subscribers a Dragon’s Den style pitch introduced the Mrs Sue Marks, Headmistress, led a toast to all, raising a glass of within the book itself. sparkling wine: students to a variety of topical subjects Editorial Board: Sue Marks; Kathryn Burrows; Clare Flynn; including radiation, the environment, health “I am incredibly proud of your achievements, I am genuinely Sarah Haslam; Val Hempstock and safety and decommissioning of waste. humbled by you because you are an astonishingly successful Specifications: Hardback, 250 x 220 mm, 160 pages The programme, which also included a group. I have spent three years getting to know you and I film night, a rocket challenge, a formal dinner look forward to staying in touch! On behalf of the staff and ISBN: 9781908990228 governors, we wish you every success in your careers.” and disco, taught the students a variety of Publication: November 2014, published price: £45.00 skills including teamwork, communication, Director of Development, Clare Flynn, took the opportunity to talk problem solving, time-management, finance to the newest alumnae cohort about their graduation to the WGS and presentation. alumnae community which will include networking and reunions Spokesperson for The Smallpeice Trust, Gemma and a university ‘Buddy’ support scheme. Murphy said: We will be looking forward to keeping in touch over the ”Our partnership with NNL has enabled us coming months and years and wish the Class of 2013 every to enthuse scientists and engineers of success and happiness. tomorrow and highlight the benefits of careers in the field of engineering. This year’s course has been a resounding success and we have been most impressed by the calibre of the students.” Alumna’s Publishing Alumnae Diary Dates Founders’ Day and Journalism Success Tuesday 8th October, 7pm The Bridgewater Hall. Alumna Emma Rowley, Class of 2000, has published a All former staff and pupils are invited to share this lavish book, Downton Abbey Behind the Scenes. The Emily Simon Society has been established in annual celebration of the recital of the Founders. recognition of the generosity of Founder, Emily Simon, For tickets please contact Angela Adshead Emma Rowley is a journalist and currently writes who bequeathed the Playing Fields to School upon on 0161 224 1077. business news and features for the Telegraph, covering her death in 1920. The Emily Simon Society allows Alumnae Careers Networking Forum everything from the US shale revolution to the British School to recognise those who would like to support Thursday 17th October, 6pm The New Cavendish economy and the daily business news. the School’s future through a Legacy gift, enabling Club, London. All former pupils are invited to hear from a panel of alumnae speakers to share in tips Emma has recently written a lavishly illustrated book projects such as the Bursary Fund to grow and enhance the opportunities for all current pupils. School is now for career success and network informally. about Downton Abbey. The book has received excellent Class of 2003 Ten Year Reunion reviews and coverage, most recently in the Daily inviting membership to become a Founding Member of the Emily Simon Society where you will be invited Saturday October 19th 10.30am -1.00 pm, WGS, Mail and Telegraph. The book takes a revealing look Class of 2003 Alumnae are to join the Headmistress and Patrons at the inaugural Bistro, Tickets £7.50. backstage, with in-depth interviews and an exclusive invited for a special reunion, which will provide a insight into the actors’ experiences on set as well as the celebrated creative team behind the Emily Simon Society reception. happy trip down memory lane, offering alumnae award-winning drama. Please telephone Clare Flynn, the chance to catch up with old friends over sparkling wine and cake. Emma says: Development Director, on 0161 249 3494 Withington After Hours, Cambridge “It was a great experience to get this insight into how Downton Abbey is made - everybody is or email [email protected]. Thursday 14th November, 5.30pm, central incredibly passionate about their work and the quality of what they produce. The attention sch.uk for further information or for a Cambridge. All former pupils and staff are invited to detail goes way beyond what the viewer might notice, from the historically accurate confidential discussion. to join us for an informal evening gathering. Your 1920s food coming out of the kitchen of the crew’s real-life Mrs Patmore, to the healthier first glass of wine is on us! engine sounds heard when the show’s vintage cars appear, as they would have been brand For tickets for any of the above events, please spanking new back then.” call Penny Knipe, Development Officer on 0161 249 3494 or email development@withington. Before joining the Telegraph in 2010, Emma graduated from Oxford University in Classics manchester.sch.uk. and English, and from City University with a PGDip in Journalism. She initially started her career working for the Press Association and freelanced in Fleet Street writing news, features and diary items for nationals and magazines. In July, Emma was the first WGS Online female journalist to take an in-depth look at Our Alumnae Association Withington Onwards Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of stays in touch with hundreds of Alumnae through Facebook and author of best-seller Lean In Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter! which advocates and discusses how women should ‘Lean in’ to their careers. Emma’s article is available on the Telegraph website. Add: WGSAlum Emma is also authoring an article for Join: Withington Girls’ School Alumni - group this year’s Withington Onwards alumnae newsletter, printed in December 2013, about her career, her time at Withington and offering advice for Withington girls and Add: Development Office - Withington Girls’ School young alumnae about a career in journalism. Join: Withington Girls’ School Alumnae - group Downton Abbey Behind the Scenes: The Official Companion to all Four series is on sale now. Follow: @WGSAlumnae for School and Alumnae updates Junior Outdoor Club The Upper II Outdoor Club have already been busy picking blackberries at the end of our field. We have frozen them What the and hope to turn them into something tasty! Trip to Castleton On Friday 20th September Upper II travelled with Junior Girls Transition all the way to Castleton in the Peak District. Did you know that it would take two days to walk from one side to another of the National Park? We didn’t walk that far but it felt like it! Upper II studied the mountain love about environment and Transition looked at Castleton as a settlement. We went up Mam Tor and discovered that the land was moving beneath our feet - very slowly - and saw how the road had slipped away. We looked at the being at rock types and investigated the different properties of slate and shale. It was a great trip and really helped to bring alive our Geography lessons. By Amelie and Ahona from Upper II Withington On Thursday 19th September, Form I and Lower II went on a Geography trip to Castleton. We learnt about rivers and the water cycle. Castleton is situated in the Peak I really enjoyed District National Park. doing shapes with Three guides showed us around the Oden’s Sitch, which is a river named after a Swedish God. He was thought our body in yoga, to be the King of the Gods in Sweden. First we walked to a large circle and we were told that women and girls because you get to ground lead with an iron wheel, while boys and men see how flexible worked in the mines. There were lots of animals in the hills and it was a lovely landscape but it was just a bit you are muddy! Later on we sketched a waterfall then measured its width, depth and speed. After that we walked through the wet and muddy fields, I’m really enjoying some people even fell over a few times! But overall we had better weather than the last time, we had a great pets club because time and we enjoyed learning more about rivers and the water cycle. the pets are fun It was such great fun, that we would encourage people to to hold and they go there too! By Zahra and Rivonia, Lower II tickle a bit Upper II Class of 2013 What the Things I like about WGS is I like the fact that I started at WGS that it doesn’t in Withington this year and Junior Girls have millions everyone can so far I’ve felt and millions of be themselves. at home every love about rules (it only has With lots to do minute. Everyone two – respect and and clubs to join. supports you responsibility) It seems there and everyone and how in the is never a dull being at has so much lessons we go second in WGS! fun - including into depth Withington in lessons. I love about the how the work is subjects, but the challenging but fun way. Also puts a smile on I started at WGS Everybody makes how everyone in Year 4 and your face. you feel welcome is a star in the I have made I love WGS School plays loads of friends. at Withington and Everyone here is gets to know you unique in their in warm way to own way and this school is make you feel at perfect for girls home. Every day with different there is a chance minds, whether to be yourself they are creative or sporty or express Upper II Class of 2013 your feelings Geography Fieldwork Dof E Expeditions The Geography Department have been Gold Qualifying particularly impressed with the current The first week of the Summer holidays saw six girls take on the final expedition Upper Sixth’s compulsory A2 Fieldwork for their DofE Gold Award. They spent four days in the Yorkshire Dales/ Howgills assignments. They had to work extremely area which were some of the hottest of the year. The sunshine made it almost hard on their return to School after more challenging than wet and windy conditions, as there were very few places AS as they investigated the impact of to find shade, but they all coped magnificently and completed the challenge. regeneration on pedestrian movement in Silver Qualifying our City Centre. The Fieldwork involved the At the other end of the summer break 39 girls in pursuit of their Silver Award girls being allocated a regenerated area in walked in eight groups from Chapel le Dale to Grassington via Malham in the the city centre to investigate independently Yorkshire Dales. They were an exceptionally enthusiastic and fit group. It was and therefore they had to not only design good walking weather aside from rain on the third day. Special thanks go to their own fieldwork techniques but also Mrs Lederer who came out to help. give a presentation of the analysis of Thanks too, to Dave Clark who was our assessor for both expeditions. their results. The final presentations were exceptional given the time pressures and it Mrs R Lindsay-Dunn DofE Coordinator demonstrated their rigorous and intelligent approach to fieldwork. The Department felt this reflected a culmination of their approach to fieldwork throughout their years in school and we wanted this year to reward their efforts and so two groups were presented with Certificates celebrating their contribution to Fieldwork. The girls who received the award were Isabel O’Brien and Emma New who worked together in Castlefield and Freya Sykes, Emma Ratcliffe and Georgia Keatley-Barclay who tackled the more alternative regeneration in the Northern Quarter. Studying an environment first hand is so important in Geography and these girls used their skills to produce some exceptional results. Mrs J Buckley Head of Geography For two weeks in the Summer holidays the School came to life ENHANCING Summer Fun! with boys and girls from 5 to 16 enjoying sports, art and drama. The Sports Camps were led by qualified tennis coach, Matthew School was led by Mrs Fiona Paul, an experienced performer OPPORTUNITIES Nichols. Matthew runs the fitness sessions at Withington for and workshop leader, who, among many other things, teaches Sixth Formers and Staff and also takes the extra-curricular LAMDA Drama at Withington. Fiona’s most recent television Annual Fund 2013 tennis and fitness sessions for Junior and Senior pupils. role was in the BBC’s Holby City, aired in April 2013. He coaches tennis at a number of venues around Greater The Enhancing Opportunities Annual Fund aims to raise money annually Performing Arts participant, Abby, said: for special projects in School designed to enhance the learning of all girls. Manchester, including David Lloyd Leisure. “I didn’t want the week to end - and I even enjoyed the sports Through the generosity of former pupils in 2012, parents and staff, we Matthew was assisted by Katy Morris, who is in her sophomore games in the early drop-off hour!” raised funds for three special projects purchased in early 2013 and we are year at the University of West Alabama, majoring in Physical now raising funds towards this year’s Annual Fund projects: Education. Supporting mainly the sport, but also the other The 2013 Art Workshops also ended with a show in the Arts • A programme of external speakers designed to enhance the opportunities activities, was former Withington pupil Annie Jefferies, now Centre, with the children performing a magnificent millinery of girls at university entrance interviews and broaden their future career studying Economics at University College London. fashion show, modelling outrageous hats based on colourful insects. Thirty-one lucky children spent a week of messy understanding and options. Boys and girls ‘had a ball’ trying out all sorts of sports creativity, ending not only in the fashion show, but with a full including football, tag rugby, tennis, netball and badminton to • Geography: Mobile fieldwork devices (15 Nexus tablets) for recording, portfolio of their own and a big exhibition displayed on the name just a few. Matt, Katy and Annie, who also took care of researching and transforming fieldwork data. The devices will enhance the Arts Centre stage. use of technology in studies whilst equipping students with skills required for the early drop-off and late pick-up children, all plan to be back University courses and the world of work. in the summer of 2014. The Art Workshops, held in Withington’s superb Art Studios, were led by Mrs Samantha Joice, who was Acting Head of Art • Physics spectrometer. Atomic Line Spectra is an essential part of the advanced The Performing Arts Course ended with a fantastic show at WGS covering Mrs Fildes’ maternity leave in 2013. Mrs Joice study of Physics. We would like to bring this field to a greater number of featuring four musicals. The participants worked on a musical- was assisted by Withington’s two Art Technicians Ms Hannah pupils in the classroom at Withington by purchasing a spectrometer which will a-day before performing their show in full costume on the Brown and Ms Christine Evans. connect to the computer, allowing students to advance their studies using the Friday. Entitled Stage Door, the Performing Arts Summer most up-to-date equipment. • ActivExpression learning tools, shaped as a smartphone, will enhance the learning and participation of all students in lessons using the latest technology to encourage full class participation and engagement in a fun way. Feeding back information in real time to the classroom teacher, this system will also help students build confidence with every answer where they can track their progress through both instant feedback and scores tallied over time. If you would like further information about the Enhancing Opportunities Annual Fund, please contact the Development Office on 0161 249 3494 or at [email protected] Girls go Gold World Challenge To India - July 2013 Mrs Ferrol and Miss Richards accompanied 14 of our GCSE PE students and elite Thirteen girls excitedly gathered at Manchester Airport on Sunday 7th July, athletes to the fourth GSA Girls Go Gold! ready to begin the adventure they had been planning and fundraising for the conference which was held at Merchant previous 18 months. Taylor`s Girls School in Crosby. Girls took part One night in hot, sticky Delhi was enough so after a short flight the group in a bootcamp activity, a Sports Psychology were enjoying the slightly cooler and infinitely healthier Ladakh region of the lecture, a practical dance session and a Himalayas. Acclimatisation in Leh (at over 3000 feet) took place whilst on lesson on how to produce homemade sports the project at a local school. Teaching English, painting classrooms, designing drinks. In addition they saw a beating heart murals and organising a Sports Day was huge fun and enjoyed by all. via ultrasound and listened to the amazing The trek which followed was far more of a challenge but some incredible Dr Greg Whyte, himself a former Modern scenery interspersed with Buddhist temples and prayer flags decorating Pentathlon Olympian, and now a lecturer the hillsides helped weary footsteps find their way to camp sites with some at Liverpool John Moores University and ‘interesting’ and ‘varied’ facilities for the next few nights. MD with a Harley Street practice. Dr Whyte Returning back to Leh the group was able to do plenty of souvenir shopping gave us insight into the limits of physical interspersed with yoga and meditation classes as well as the ‘when-in-India- endurance and described his exploits for got-to-have-it-done’ hand painting. Chilled time out was followed by a few Comic and Sports Relief, assisting and days of whistle-stop travel to Jaipur and Agra. The elephant ride to the accompanying celebrities such as David Amber Fort was a highlight but even this was eclipsed by the vision of the Taj Walliams, Eddie Izzard, John Bishop, Gary Mahal at sunrise. Such a sad but beautiful sight. The expedition was topped Barlow and Cheryl Cole in their various off with a Bollywood movie en route to the airport and flight home. sporting challenges. India left the group with a host of memories and experiences. There were The day was opened and closed by the such contrasts – from the snow-topped Himalayas to the bustling, oppressive truly inspirational Beth Tweddle, Olympic cities; the gentleness of the Ladakhi people to the armed soldiers evident at bronze medal winner in London 2012 and every public building; from the richness of its architecture to the degrading it was encouraging for our students to hear poverty of its hospitals and outstretched hands of its beggars. how a pupil at Queen`s, Chester had gone Ms J Maher on to achieve her sporting goals, through both adversity and triumph. We also heard the recent successes of Jamie Burdekin, a Paralympic tennis player and world champion, and Abby Fitzpatrick, an England football hopeful who found athletics by chance and is currently World Under 23 champion at 400m hurdles. Mrs M Ferrol Head of PE A Warm Withington Welcome... Mrs Deborah Odeyinde has joined the Miss Sarah Deadman has returned to Mr Paul Reid, a ceramicist, is providing Junior Department as a Form I teacher, having the North West to provide maternity cover maternity cover as a DT Technician in the recently returned to the UK after a stint in the PE Department following a Summer Art Department. teaching overseas in Africa. She graduated posting overseas as a volunteer in Laos Mr Reid, who graduated as a mature student from Queen’s University, Belfast with a degree teaching English as a foreign language. from Manchester Metropolitan University in in psychology and followed this with a PCGE She is a former Head of PE, Head of PSHCE 2010 with a degree in Design and Business has Primary from Homerton College, Cambridge and Head of House at the independent girls’ a part-time role at the School, combining his University. She has since completed a Masters school, Francis Holland School, based in post with furthering his freelance art career. in Educational Leadership and has taught Sloane Square, London. Specialising in functional tableware, in both the state and private sector. At one A netball specialist who has represented Mr Reid has a studio in Levenshulme and time she taught on a ship with a charitable Greater Manchester and Hertfordshire in has previously shown his work at various organisation and enjoyed making the most the sport, her responsibilities include school exhibitions throughout the UK and abroad. of the countries she was visiting to arrange netball as well as tennis. She is also a GCSE school trips. She tries to visit ‘home‘(Ireland) moderator in PE. Amira Khurshid Akhtar, who has whenever possible, though has very much recently left Withington’s Upper Sixth, Miss Deadman graduated from De Montford enjoyed Manchester so far! has returned to the School on a six-month University, holds a degree in Secondary project as Assistant Archivist. Mr Chris Forrest, who has a First Class Education (PE and English) and also achieved Masters Degree in Physics from the University a Masters degree in Literature from the Open Amira has been tasked with helping to of Manchester, has taken up his position at University. Originally a pupil at Altrincham organise Withington’s 125 years’ worth Withington as Teacher of Physics and Maths. Grammar School, she has moved back to the of archives, which includes newsletters dating back to the early days of the School Mr Forrest joins the School from St Wilfrids C area after 18 years and has chosen to make as well as photographs, other documentation of E Academy in Blackburn where he taught her home in Hale. and mementoes. for four years. Originally from Kent, he moved “It’s really lovely to be back here and living to the North West for university nine years close to my family,” she says. Currently enjoying a gap-year, Amira hopes to work in an elephant orphanage in Asia as ago and has chosen to stay in the area. Miss Deadman has a strong interest in sport a volunteer before going on to University to A keen rock climber, he also enjoys playing and particularly netball and also enjoys the study Biology or Geography. the guitar. theatre and literature. “I have always been fascinated by elephants Mrs Jenny Stockton has joined Mrs Julia Johnston has joined the Art - my gap-year will give me the perfect Withington as an English teacher. Mrs Department as a part-time teacher. opportunity to work with them as well as Stockton has been teaching for nine years Mrs Johnston, who lives in Wilmslow, holds helping out at Withington for six months. having achieved a BA Hons in English and a BA in Illustration with Animation from I am delighted to have this opportunity,” German at Leeds University. Manchester Metropolitan University and says Amira. Her teaching experience includes working at achieved her teaching qualifications at Amira joined Withington in the Junior School. Sale Grammar School and she has recently Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Her elder sister Saira left Withington in 2010 returned from Australia where she taught in Further Education. and she also has a younger sister in the Melbourne. Following a career which has included Upper Fifth. From Heaton Moor, Mrs Stockton has a young positions as Head of Art at Windsor Boys’ toddler. Her interests include running and School, Berkshire and Hurlingham and Chelsea two years ago she completed The London School, Fulham, Mrs Johnston is also an Marathon. experienced A Level and GCSE moderator. Although she uses a Kindle for holiday reading Originally from Lancashire, Mrs Johnston is she is passionate about ‘real’ books. returning to teaching from a maternity break after the birth of her two sons and is currently half way through illustrating a children’s book. The Third Form of 2013-14 Pictured on their first day at Withington. Can you spot Mrs Marks and Mrs Menzies?

Do call us (Before we call you!) Pupil absence: Please would all parents use For contact after school please use these numbers: Withington Girls’ School, Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BL 0161 249 3476 to inform the School of pupil Senior Late Room: 0161 249 3492 Tel: 0161 224 1077 Fax: 0161 248 5377 Email: [email protected] absence before 8.30am on each day of absence. Junior Late Room: 0161 224 1077 Web: www.withington.manchester.sch.uk Registered Charity No. 526632