Grammar TAKING School Newsletter

Issue 67 STOCK Autumn 2017

EXPLORERS REACH NEW HEIGHTS IN BORNEO

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PUPILS EMBRACE THE YOUNG ENTERPRISE CELEBRATING CRACKING TIME GREAT OUTDOORS IN TEAM REACH THE EXCELLENT IN CASTLETON GRASMERE NATIONAL FINAL EXAM RESULTS Page 16 Page 5 Page 7 Page 8 Out and about Out and about

OUT AND ABOUT

PARLIAMENT VISIT FABULOUS TIME WHETS PUPILS’ POLITICAL APPETITE HAD ON FRENCH Pupils from the Fourth Year EXCHANGE TRIP and the Sixth Form travelled Fourth Year pupils spent an to London to visit the Houses exciting week in Paris as they of Parliament and the made the return trip to visit Supreme Court with the aim of their French exchange partners MUSICIANS EXCEL ON CONCERT JUNGLE ADVENTURE TAKES developing their understanding at Collège Sévigné in the TOUR TO THE RHINELAND PUPILS TO NEW HEIGHTS and interest in Law, Politics and beautiful 5ème arrondissement. International Relations. Pupils from all year groups enjoyed Concerto, a selection of Piazzolla Intrepid explorers embarked on an The group completed a Padi Scuba The group took in sights a highly successful Music tour of the Tangos, various short sacred and exciting expedition to Borneo where Diving course and enjoyed snorkelling including the Sorbonne, Rhineland in Germany. secular choral items and culminated in they spent 21 days trekking through amongst a host of sea creatures Luxembourg Gardens, the a rousing rendition of Vivaldi’s Gloria. the jungle, climbing South East Asia’s including black tip reef shark, turtles, A demanding schedule included four Pantheon and Notre Dame as tallest mountain, scuba diving and lion fish, moray eels, blue spotted sting concerts and a prestigious invitation Lighter outdoor performances were well as attending several school helping out with community projects. rays, squid, lobsters and clown fish. to sing at a midday service in Cologne given at the Stadtfest in Andernach lessons with their hosts. Cathedral. and as part of the Kulturufer festival Sixth Form pupils took the lead The highlight of the trip was a trek up in Bingen. These featured the Concert in planning the trip and managed Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain The traditional concerts were given at Band, Big Band, Wind Orchestra, their own finances, accommodation, in South East Asia, with pupils pushing the Pfarrkirche in Zeltingen-Rachtig and Saxophone Quartet, Wind Quintet, food and transportation. themselves to the limit to be rewarded Kurpavillon in Bad Münster and included Junior Chamber Choir and Chorus. with stunning views across the whole performances from the First Orchestra, The travelling party flew from of Borneo from the summit. String Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Junior Head of Music, Mr Michael Dow, said: Manchester to Kota Kinabalu via Chamber Choir and Chorus. “The pupils should all Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur. Their first A short stay in Tampat Do Aman in HISTORY TRIP TO be congratulated on their few days were spent in Sepilok where Kudat saw the group walk to the tip These programmes featured the first outstanding singing and playing they were able to see orangutans, sun of Borneo as well as helping local GERMANY BRINGS movements of Mozart’s Symphony throughout the tour.” bears and the long and pink-tailed labourers to complete a community STUDIES TO LIFE No. 40 and Bottesini’s Double Bass macaques on an unforgettable forest project and taking part in the village IGCSE History pupils spent canopy walk. sports day. an engaging, educational and enlightening week in Munich, Nuremberg and Berlin. After arriving in Germany, the PLANNING girls and boys first visited the FOR THE FUTURE Bavarian city of Munich. The city offered them a particularly As they contemplate their good insight into the history of Ethan Howgate was impressed next steps, Lower Sixth Germany after the First World by Paris. He said: pupils visited the University of War and how the country began “It was great to spend time Oxford to have a look around to rebuild itself. the prestigious institution in such a beautiful city.” A visit to the labour camp at and speak to current Dachau was sombering and Charlie Escott added: “It was students and staff. interesting getting an insight thought-provoking for the pupils into what French pupils learn as they learnt more about what in school.” happened at the first of the ARTISTIC INSPIRATION Nazis’ concentration camps. A tour of the Olympic Stadium in Lower Sixth and Fourth Year pupils visited Yorkshire Sculpture Park for research PSYCHOLOGY Berlin brought the trip to a close. for their coursework and GCSE and A-level portfolios. PUPILS ENJOY A Alfred Bradshaw would definitely The Art department ran a workshop looking at key sculptures in the park by recommend the trip to others. DAY AT THE ZOO Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and a temporary show displaying the work of He commented: “The trip Psychology pupils from the Tony Cragg which impressed the pupils in both scale, form and construction. built upon what we learnt Lower Sixth attended an in class and it was good to interactive workshop on experience the culture first- courtship behaviour and the hand. We knew about many evolution of intelligence on a of the places from textbooks visit to Chester Zoo. The pupils but it was really beneficial to then ventured out into the sun see the sites in person.” so that they could see primate behaviour up-close.

2 www.stockportgrammar.co.uk Follow us on twitter @stockportgs 3 Out and about Out and about BORN TO RIDE Nine thrill-seeking pupils spent a day cycling around the UK’s leading forest visitor centre, Llandegla’s Oneplanet Adventure, ENTERPRISING SECOND YEARS WIN HIGH PRAISE as they took part in the school’s Five Second Year pupils travelled to Telford in Shropshire to take part in the final of first ever mountain biking trip. Ryman Stationery’s National Enterprise Challenge. The pupils had a great time The team, who won the school’s qualifying round, presented confidently and in as they rode around the CERN TRIP festival dress to the judges as they spoke about their ‘GloFestival’ idea – a five day 13 miles of black REVEALS CUTTING festival where people can visit Alton Towers at night with the entire park based and red trails. around the Galactica theme. PUPILS EMBRACE CRACKING EDGE SCIENCE THE GREAT CHEMISTS CLAIM Physicists visited CERN and the Palais des Nations on an OUTDOORS IN TOP PRIZE eye-opening trip to Geneva, GRASMERE Second Year pupils Luke Atkinson, Harry Switzerland. Brown, Tiane Mull and Emily Parkinson Second Year pupils enjoyed came first in the Salters’ Institute Festival At CERN, the European canoeing, raft building, hiking, of Chemistry. Organization for Nuclear ghyll scrambling and canyoning Research, pupils were able to on a four day trip to Grasmere The event, which was held at The University observe the daily running of the in the Lake District. of Manchester in conjunction with the Royal centre, learn about the exciting Society of Chemistry, welcomed teams from The first day saw the group, projects that are carried out and as far and wide as Buxton and Windermere. who stayed at the Grasmere have a tour of the facilities, which YHA, embark on a six hour walk The pupils had to complete two laboratory even included crossing the border that took in stunning scenery exercises – a forensic practical and a into ! from the peaks of Heron Pike challenge where they had to plan and The pupils were impressed with and Great Rigg. create a rainbow of chemical colours both the beauty and the history – before watching a demonstration on The canoeing and raft building of the Palais des Nations as they dramatic chemical reactions. activities were based on visited the United Nations’ office. PUPILS GAIN Thirlmere. The canoes proved Sixth Former Elena Varadé VALUABLE SKILLS ON to be a challenge to manoeuvre García enjoyed the trip and was for some and the raft builders impressed by CERN: “I was BUSHCRAFT BREAK had mixed success but everyone SCALING surprised to find out that it Third Year pupils spent an action- agreed it was a fantastic way to THE HEIGHTS ON is not mainly physicists who packed weekend in the countryside as spend an afternoon. work at CERN, in fact most they took part in a Bushcraft experience AMBITIOUS CLIMB The ghyll scrambling in of the staff are engineers and at Cholmondley Castle Gardens. Our climbers have been testing Stoneycroft Ghyll proved as IT technicians who make sure PUTTING GEOGRAPHY themselves on a number of different Throughout the weekend, the girls popular and enjoyable as ever all the machines run smoothly INTO PRACTICE rock faces throughout the year, and boys were taught a number of with all pupils embracing the and work tirelessly to improve including Castle Inn Quarry in North As part of their A-level fieldwork essential survival lessons such as cold water and getting stuck the way things are done and Wales. The boys and girls had investigation Lower Sixth igniting fires, making shelters, hunting into the slides and pools in their devise new technology to a great day scaling the walls Geography pupils walked a and basic first aid. wetsuits. help us discover more about transect through East Manchester and buttresses, with some our world’s past, present and – from Clayton to the Northern On the second day, the boys and girls Canyoning was a new activity achieving 6c grade future.” Quarter – to collect data. were thrown in to a ‘real life’ situation for most pupils and the group climbs. where they had to utilise the first aid showed great team spirit as The pupils conducted various skills they had acquired. Mr Ehegartner, they helped each other to geographical surveys at 15 Mr Byrne, Mrs Goddard and Mr Hanson descend steep waterfalls. sites and they were especially acted as the injured survivors of a plane interested to see the impacts crash and the pupils discussed and put Outdoor Education Co-ordinator, (both positive and negative) that into action everything they had learned. Mr Adam Hughes, said: sports-led regeneration has had “The level of commitment on the area. and support shown for each The geographers also travelled other was outstanding and to the Holderness Coast to even the more nervous study coastal processes and pupils helped support their landscapes. teammates down tricky sections, whilst everyone INTERNATIONAL DEBATE cheered each other as they The Democratic Republic of the Congo, religious freedom and the use of drones in were lowered down steep combating poverty were just a few of the topics debated at a recent one day Model waterfalls.” FASCINATING PHYSICS United Nations (MUN) Conference. Two teams of Third Year pupils enjoyed a trip to The King’s School Chester to Lower Sixth pupil Callum Oakes was ‘Commended’ for representing the United compete in a Physics Olympiad. Both teams did very well, finishing third and States in the Human Rights Council and Third Year pupil James Pickup was ‘Highly fourth out of 26 teams. One of the teams also got the best result in one of the Commended’ for representing Mexico in the Sci-Tech and Media Committee. five individual challenges.

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RAPPER’S VISIT School life SPARKS GENDER EQUALITY DISCUSSION Third Year pupils spent the day discussing gender equality with rapper, BRILLIANT BIOLOGISTS beatboxer and poet Testament. Congratulations to the 33 Fourth Year He spoke to the boys and girls about pupils who were awarded a certificate in the National Biology the importance of tolerance in society Challenge, a competition run by the Royal Society of Biology and sponsored and his new show Woke which YOUNG by the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council). confronts misogyny in hip-hop. ENTERPRISE Twelve pupils won Gold, eight won Silver and 13 won Bronze. These results At lunchtime, Testament performed TEAM REACH THE put them amongst the highest achieving pupils in the country for their an improvised rap in the Library after NATIONAL FINALS biological knowledge. asking pupils for suggestions on advice he could give to his daughter about InStock Technologies gender equality. represented the North West at the National Young Enterprise Finals in London. REWARDING TIME The team, made up of Lower Sixth Formers, went into the FOR PUPILS AT DUKE final as one of the top six Young OF EDINBURGH Enterprise teams in the country after winning the North West PRESENTATION EVENING Final, which was held at the The annual event celebrated the achievements of University of Central Lancashire. the more than 300 pupils who took part in the Award The group, who promote virtual at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. reality headsets, won a series of Young Enterprise awards in the DELVING INTO THE PAST The audience enjoyed an evening of dance, music, speeches and video, before the presentation run up to the National Final. Dr Alistair Dickins from the University of Manchester’s of certificates by special guest, adventurer At the Stockport, Tameside and History Department visited Lower Sixth History pupils Jason Rawles, who has travelled through many Rochdale regional final they to deliver a lecture, seminar and source work on the inhospitable and challenging terrains. were named ‘Overall Winner’ Russian Revolution of 1917, which is part of their new after producing a company A-level course. Sixth Former Seun Odusanya, who recently visited Buckingham Palace to receive her Gold Award, spoke report, preparing a trade stand The pupils looked at the background of the period about her experience and enjoyment of the scheme, and presenting to judges, leading up to the Revolution and they were given the and the many new skills she learnt. teachers and other schools. task of reading and examining a memoir from that In the final, period and giving a presentation on it. the team were crowned ‘Best Overall Company’ and won the award for ‘Best Company MUSICAL SHOWCASE SAM AND BELLA ARE MASTERCHEF CHAMPIONS Report’. The judges stated that they were “one of the Sam Hall and Bella Platt were crowned First Year pupil Bella took the Lower LETS PUPILS SHINE most professional Young winners at this year’s MasterChef School crown with her main of glazed First Year pupils showcased their new-found Enterprise teams we have competition. mirin salmon with rice and spring musical skills at a series of performances in ever seen.” onions and dessert of lemon meringue front of their teachers and classmates. Third Year pupil Sam picked up the pie seeing off the competition. The group then visited Middle School trophy after his starter Every pupil entering the school is given the Pricewaterhouse Coopers in of scallop and sweetcorn puree with Sam secured the overall title and opportunity to receive tuition on a number of Manchester to take part in a crispy parma ham followed by a main a £100 voucher for The Grill on the string, woodwind and brass instruments from Dragons’ Den style pitch. They of rack of lamb with broccoli and stilton Alley after impressing their head specialist teachers throughout their first year. explained how the headsets puree, charred cauliflower, crispy chef Tom Poynter and manager worked and spoke about the The instruments on offer include flute, oboe, potatoes and red wine sauce wowed Viv Taylor-Fletcher. successes of the business to clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, cello, double the judges. bass, trumpet, cornet, horn, euphonium and Second Years Minnie Hall and Fatimah- date. Some of the team also baritone horn. Zahra Hassan came joint third in the headed to the Trafford Centre overall competition. to take part in their Young Anna Whitehall, who has joined the Beginners Enterprise Trade Fair where they Woodwind Ensemble since taking up the received the award for ‘Best clarinet, said: Product/Service Stand’. “I have enjoyed learning how to play an instrument and I really like performing. I will definitely carry on with the clarinet and am looking forward to doing my first exam and joining the Junior Band soon.”

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EVENTS PROFESSIONAL DANCER PUTS PUPILS THROUGH THEIR PACES First and Second Year pupils had the Pupils were led through a contemporary opportunity to participate in a workshop dance technique class before they AN INSIGHT INTO OUTSTANDING EXAM SUCCESS with professional dancer Rob Bell who were shown some creative and UNIVERSITY LIFE works at The Lowry in Salford with the choreographic tasks inspired by a Upper Sixth pupils achieved a considerable uncertainty in the Centre for Advanced Training in Dance. painting by MC Escher. Lower Sixth pupils enjoyed a 100% pass rate at A Level with national examination system two day UCAS Higher Education almost three-quarters of results and university admissions conference at the school to help awarded at A* to B. Their success procedures. In their commitment It is the school’s goal to offer as them prepare for university. sees our pupils go onto challenging to a wide range of co-curricular many local children as possible the courses at the country’s most and voluntary activities, they Guest speakers included Jenny opportunity to come to the school Sloan, from the University competitive universities, including have made an outstanding regardless of their parents’ ability to six to the Universities of Oxford and contribution to our school of Manchester, who gave an pay by supporting their education with a insight on choosing the right Cambridge. From a year group of community and developed skills means-tested bursary. The Bursary Golf 109 pupils, 27 were awarded all which are highly prized by subject and university; business Day, now in its fourteenth year, raised communications specialist Ben A* and A grades. universities and employers. We £7,000 for the Bursary Fund. wish them every success in their CRICKET LEGEND Woollen discussed how the Amongst the top performing students future paths.” PRESENTS SPEECH GOLF DAY RAISES The team from F.R Monkhouse pupils might go about presenting were Head Girl Georgia Burns, who Intersport won the competition, themselves more positively at got three A*s and an A and will go on At GCSE, over 81% of results DAY PRIZES £7,000 FOR THE followed by SAS Daniels and Edoocoo. interview; Ania Partyka from to study English at Selwyn College, awarded were A* to B. Forty pupils Former cricket captain Stephen Bullock won the ‘Longest Drive’ Liverpool John Moores University Cambridge, and Francesca Bailey, out of the year group of 135 achieved BURSARY FUND Alec Stewart OBE was the at the 10th and Alan Bullock won the focused on student life and who got two A*s and an A and is at least nine A* and A grades. Eighteen teams of keen golfers guest speaker at this year’s ‘Nearest the Pin’ at the 16th with a Elizabeth Farnhill, from the looking forward to starting a degree took to the course at Stockport Among the top performing students Speech Day celebrations at The hole in one. Visit the website for more University of Sheffield, talked in Natural Sciences at Durham Golf Club for our annual Bursary were Megan King, who got 11A*s and Stockport Plaza. information about the Bursary Golf Day. about study skills. University. Francesca was part of the Golf Day in association with Vernon will now study Biology, Chemistry, 1st XI Hockey squad that reached the Mr Stewart, who is the second Building Society. Alongside our guest speakers, Maths and Art in the Sixth Form and National Finals for four consecutive most capped English cricketer our 2016 leavers came back Gabriel Stewart who got 10 A*s and years, winning in 2015. of all time in Test matches to school to give talks on their will study Biology, Chemistry, History and third most capped in One experience of the application Oliver Robinson will start his journey and Maths in the Sixth Form. Nikita Day Internationals, visited the WINNING BOOKS process, their subjects of study, to becoming an actuary following a Murray got 11 A*s and will study school in the morning to give The Senior School’s Carnegie shadowing gap years and the joys of Maths degree at Edinburgh University Maths, Further Maths, Physics and aspiring Junior and Senior group assembled in the Library to watch university life. after he achieved an A* and two As. Classics in the Sixth Form. School cricketers the benefit of the CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Children’s Book Awards ceremony. Parents were given the Headmaster Mr Andrew Chicken Musical friends Faye Sanders, his experience at a practice in opportunity to find out more said: “I am delighted for our Charlotte Jones and Grace Patterson the nets. Mr Stewart also got to The boys and girls saw their favourite about the path to Higher pupils. With the support of their were celebrating achieving 25 A*s meet up with fellow ex-England book, Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, Education during an Information parents and teachers they have and five As between them. The trio, cricket player and current claim the CILIP Carnegie Medal with Evening, which included a worked very hard to attain who enjoyed the school’s music tour Stockport Grammar School There is a Tribe of Kids by Lane Smith comprehensive overview of excellent examination results of the Rhineland after their exams cricket coach, Jimmy Ormond. taking the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. student finance from Stephanie which will enable them to embark finished, are looking forward to life In the afternoon, Mr Stewart Lee at the University of upon the next stage of their in the Sixth Form. took his seat on the stage at Manchester. education with confidence and Visit the school website for more The Stockport Plaza alongside enthusiasm. They have achieved information about our 2017 Prime Warden of the Worshipful this against a background of exam results. Company of Goldsmiths Judith Cobham-Lowe OBE, Chairman EXPLORING THE of Governors Christopher Dunn, SOLAR SYSTEM Headmaster Andrew Chicken First Year and Junior School pupils went and President of the Old LOWER SIXTH stargazing when a planetarium visited Stopfordians’ Association Tim the school. Stretton. PUPILS TAKE TO Hayley Collins said: “I really enjoyed Mrs Cobham-Lowe continued THE STAGE the 3D feel in the movies and it was the custom of presenting The Lower Sixth Form play – fun and interesting to learn how to medals which have been in which the cast and crew have direct ourselves around in the dark especially designed and made a week to learn their lines, at night,” whilst Rahul Valluri added: by the Worshipful Company of design the set and stage the “We found out where to look for Goldsmiths to the Head Boy, production – saw pupils perform the plough and that there are four George Chatterton and Head Ken Ludwig’s comic play Moon big craters on the moon that Girl, Georgia Burns. Over Buffalo. make a face shape.”

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SPorts

COMPETITION SUCCESS AT TREMENDOUS PRESTIGIOUS MUSIC FESTIVAL TURNOUT AT INTERNATIONAL Musical pupils in both the Senior and and 6, performed The Lord Bless You ANNUAL MATHS Junior school had a successful time at and Keep You by John Rutter and Sing VISITORS the Alderley Edge Music Festival. a Jubilant Song by Dave and Jean Perry COMPETITION WELL Our U14 cricket boys were The Senior School’s Junior Chamber as they won their section on their first 176 Year 5 children from local delighted to face Sunshine Coast Choir, which is comprised of pupils from visit to the festival. primary schools took part in DONE BOYS Grammar School when the team First to Third Year, came first in their There was also reason for the Junior our annual Maths Competition. Congratulations to our from Queensland visited the UK category and received the Rowell Cup. School’s orchestra to cheer as they The competition, which was U12 Cricket team who for a tour. came joint first in their section of reached the final of the The Junior School’s choir, which was split into two sessions on the The match continues our 10 the festival. Cup to cap off made up of 37 pupils from Years 5 day, saw teams of four pit their year association with the school, a fantastic season. maths wits against each other during which time we have across three rounds which visited them twice in Australia tested both team work and whilst they have made the individual skills in a series of return journey three times. SUMMER REUNION BRINGS OLD STOPS TOGETHER fun activities including relay Our Aussie friends emerged Stockport Grammar School welcomed Old Stops enjoyed exploring the races. victorious in the tie at Trent 200 Old Stopfordians, current and school, revisiting memories and seeing Greenbank Preparatory School College and also faced City of former staff and their guests to this the school’s development, including won the morning session while London Freemen’s School and year’s Retirements and Summer the new Woodsmoor Building. John Primary School were Stowe School during their tour. Reunion barbecue. Boardman (OS 1966), the brother of FOOTBALL victorious in the afternoon. late mountaineer and Old Stopfordian, The event, which included an Old FOCUS Peter Boardman (OS 1968), also kindly Stops cricket match, gave staff and The school hosted an brought in the Boardman Tasker Trust visitors a chance to say goodbye to U13 girls’ 7-a-side anniversary display of Peter’s 1976 departing staff. Independent Schools Football Changabang expedition. Association (ISFA) competition THINKING ABOUT where they welcomed teams STUNNING from across PERFORMANCES THE FUTURE the area. Second Year pupils enjoyed SEE RECORDS hearing from visiting speakers, BROKEN ON including a number of Old Stopfordians, offering their SPORTS DAY advice on a range of careers Warren House were the big including finance, fashion, AWESOME ATHLETES winners on sports day as they veterinary science and It was a strong finish to the Athletics won both the Athletics Challenge information technology. season for our Senior School pupils Our 1st XV Bowl and the T.J. Anderson with high placings at a number of beat a team of Trophy – awarded to the House recent events. Old Stopfordians that has accrued the most 61-46 in the Athletics Standards points. In the ‘B’ Final of the English Schools’ annual Rugby PUPILS’ WORK GOES ON DISPLAY AT ANNUAL Athletics event at Victoria Park in match. Records were broken by Maya Warrington, the inter boys and girls Anderson; Libby Porter; Albert ART EXHIBITION were placed fourth and seventh Bradshaw; Tom Manton; Daisy Visitors from across the country joined governors, staff and pupils at this year’s respectively. Keigher; Oluwalayomi Phillips; GCSE and A-level Art, Design and Technology Exhibition. Taylor Barnett and Lily Rathore. At the North-West ‘A’ final at Robin Park The event showcased the imaginative and inspired work created by pupils in Wigan the junior boys came fourth The overall winners from each in Fifth Year and Sixth Form in which they employed a range of media and and the girls tenth – beating schools year were: First Year – Colleen techniques including painting, sculpture, dypoint and lino prints, colographs, from , Greater Manchester, Devlin and Miles Cooke; Second monoprints, ceramics, plaster, batik and silk painting and photography. Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire. Year – Daisy Keigher and Oluwalayomi Phillips; Third Year Head of Art, Mr Richard Davies, said: “Each of the boys and girls can be The Athletics squads have performed – Lily Rathore and Hassan Khan tremendously proud of all they have achieved in mounting such a brilliantly this year and, looking at the and Fourth Year – Pippa Crook fantastic display. The amount of positive comments received from the potential in these athletes, there are and Emilio Ramirez. guests who came to the opening night is testament and recognition of high hopes for next year. the artistic talent that continues to flourish at the school.”

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ARTS Junior school NEWS TIME CAPSULE GIVES FUTURE PUPILS A TASTE OF DANCERS DAZZLE LIFE IN 2017 Junior School pupils filled a time ON THE STAGE capsule with their favourite toys, Pupils from First to Fifth Year books and school mementos and impressed the audience at this buried it in the school grounds. year’s Lower and Middle School FESTIVAL SHOWCASES PUPILS’ Boys and girls from Reception Dance Show, Back To School. MAGICAL MUSICAL TALENTS to Year Six embarked on the The show kicked off with the First Musical pupils from First Year to the The most promising Lower School project as part of the celebrations and Second Year Dance Club Sixth Form enthralled visitors at this musician title went to Third Year pupil marking the centenary of the performing Revolting Children year’s Senior School Music Festival Joshua Furtado-Mendes. school’s move to the Hallam site. which was held in the Hallam Hall. from Matilda whilst the Third Year In the Fourth and Fifth Year YEAR 3 EXPLORERS In lessons, they talked about PE group’s version of Vogue by Ben Wood picked up first place in the competition, Sonu Thomas’ piano what life was like 100 years ago Madonna was sandwiched between First Year contest with his rendition of interpretation of Willy Wagglestick’s VISIT GRASMERE and decided they would try and solo dances from Cam Wylie Lefèvre’s Sonata No 1. Walkabout secured first place in the As part of their Humanities lessons, give future pupils a glimpse of life (contemporary), Fiona Telfer (tap) instrumental solo contest. Year 3 pupils studied Grasmere and they in 2017. and Hayley Collins (modern jazz). In the Second Year, Daniel Vincent took a trip to the Lake District village to were even given some plants to bring Toys including a Barbie, Beanie impressed as he played Allegro In the vocal solos Lauren Suddards was explore its beautiful surroundings and Emily Butler, Tahlia Smith and back to school. Babies, Lego, a fidget spinner Concerto in Two Movements by Mozart victorious as she sang Stormy Weather put their classroom work into practice. Fiona Telfer then performed a and a Rubik’s cube were put into on the euphonium to win the contest. by Arlen and Koehler. After a well-earned night’s sleep at the ballet to a John Williams’ song A bit of rain did not deter our hearty the box alongside books by Roald Butharlyp Howe youth hostel, the boys before the Fourth Year Games Zoe Shah’s Movement 1, Violin Concerto Alex Jones played Kicho by Piazzolla on adventurers as they boarded a boat Dahl and Jacqueline Wilson. and girls woke up to some sunshine group explored the themes of in G by Haydn picked up the top prize in the double bass to win the Sixth Form to cruise Lake Windermere. The pupils and the chance for a walk to see the Food wrappers including institutionalisation in a piece the Third Year category. prize. then went on a tour of the Beatrix spectacular waterfall, Aira Force. chocolate bars, Heinz baked inspired by De Keersmaeker’s In the junior vocal competition the Emily Howling won the vocal solo with Potter attraction and discovered that beans, Walkers crisps, Ritz Rosas Danst Rosas. winner was She’s Like The Swallow by Minchin’s Loud. the author used the Lake District as Oscar Miller was impressed with the crackers and a Coca Cola bottle her inspiration. They also learned scenery. He said: “It was really good were put in to show future pupils The First and Second Year tap Ella Moran. Sisters Elsa and Zoe Shah picked up the about the plants she had grown and when we were standing on the the kinds of things children group were up next with Born to In the junior ensemble contest Lucy senior ensemble crown with Slavonic consequently drawn in her stories and bridge looking over the waterfall.” eat and drink in 2017. Pupils Hand Jive from Grease before Lucy Grundy, Lola Gurton, Zoe Hon and Emily Dance in E Minor by Dvorák. also included a list of prices for Snell and Cam Wylie changed tack Hull won with their version of Miranda’s Cups were won by Joanna Brown everyday food items and gas and with a hip hop dance. Emily Butler How Far I’ll Go. electricity bills. performed to Bette Midler’s The (Wind and Brass), Alex Jones (String Rose whilst things got funkier with and Adjudicator’s Cup), George Zelhof Other information included a dance from the Third Year Street (Piano) and Jess Lloyd (Flute). average house prices, the most Jazz Club. popular names for girls and boys, the top 5 pop songs, the The First and Second Year new five pound note and various Contemporary Club gave the newspaper headlines. show a more modern feel as they To illustrate what life is like at performed Max Richter’s Memories, school in 2017, pupils put in a Tahlia Smith took to the stage school tea towel, a whole school again for a tap dance and Lilli photograph, a letter from the Ashton and Ellie Rasheed swiftly Headmaster, a brochure on the followed her as they performed a history of Stockport Grammar mixed lyrical and acro piece. FUN AT THE FARM School, the school DVD, a school Pre-Reception pupils visited Stockley Farm Park in Northwich for a ‘hands-on’ Seven of the dancers then tie and the school teddy bear. countryside experience and to find out more about life on a farm. performed a piece inspired by Balletboyz’s The Murmuring and The boys and girls were able to see and touch an array of animals such as rabbits, Ellie Rasheed executed a lyrical chicks, goats and lambs as they visited pets’ corner style solo piece before everyone and the animal shed. They also got the opportunity to came on stage for the finale, a bottle-feed the lambs and kids. performance of We’re All in This The pupils were then taken on a tractor ride around Together. the site before visiting the stable to look at equipment As well as the dancers, the for horses such as saddles, stirrups, bridles, riding lighting, sound, backstage, front hats and horse shoes. They also went on a bug hunt. of house and costume teams did Talking about the trip Zayd Gurjee said: a sterling job to ensure it was a “My favourite bit was when we went on the memorable night for all involved. tractor” whilst Krish Vaish enjoyed “seeing the cows”. Elijah Cope had a great time at the stables and had fun putting on the riding hat. James Woodsmith enjoyed “feeding the sheep” whilst Joshua Chamberlain “loved the sandpit”.

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BRIGHT BOOKS GETTING CLOSER TO NATURE INSPIRE PRE- As part of their Science curriculum on lifecycles, Year 5 pupils experienced RECEPTION PUPILS a hands-on nature lesson with Jan Shone from the Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Pre-Reception pupils enjoyed The workshop, focusing on newts, started with an informative PowerPoint being creative and getting their showing them habitats and the lifecycle of the newt. Each class then had hands dirty after reading Jack the opportunity to carefully hold a great crested newt, carry out some and the Beanstalk and The Very newt research using iPads and ponder the question of whether newts Hungry Caterpillar. would make good pets. They boosted their teamwork and gross motor skills and learnt about shapes and measurement IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY as they used lots of coloured UNDERSTANDING FINE ART DARCY IS A boxes to make a castle for the TO BE ENTERPRISING Year 4 pupils were introduced to British artists Bruce Munro RECORD BREAKER Senior School Business and Economics and Jane Perkins as their Art Day took the theme of giant. Pupils also used much The Athletics team members all teachers Miss Curl and Mr Young visited ‘Recycled Art’. smaller cubes to measure reached the final for their disciplines beanstalks on a piece of paper. the Junior School to hold a number of Inspired by Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, the children at the AJIS tournament. A number enterprise sessions with Year 6 pupils. They planted broad beans as PICNIC AND PLAY were encouraged to recycle a modern day object gained medals and special mention they learnt to care for plants and After learning about the basics of – in this instance a CD and its perspex case – to goes to Darcy Breen who set a new find out how they grow. business, the boys and girls were split IN THE PARK begin a collection of their own. high jump record. into teams and tasked to design a sports Reception pupils spent the day The boys and girls got their Their first CD was transformed into a weaving kit. Whilst doing this they needed to exploring Tatton Park. Upon arrival hands even dirtier when they frame and the boys and girls worked within a think about their brand’s name, logo and the boys and girls went for a went on an insect hunt after palette of warm colours, using different textured a slogan and they had to create a poster. walk through the woods trying reading The Very Hungry to find the Gruffalo and they yarns, to set up their circular weaving frame to Caterpillar. They developed their As well as exercising their creative skills, enjoyed climbing on the logs and form one of the flowers. Sunflower seeds were mathematical ability by counting their mathematical ability was put to the investigating the area looking for then planted in soil, in a clear CD case, so that the the numbers of ‘caterpillars’ they test as they estimated the cost of the different signs of nature. children could develop a unique line drawing recording found. product, decided on a selling price and the growth of their sunflower seeds. calculated their estimated profit.

HOUSES GET CREATIVE They sold teddy bears and keyrings and had lots of fun pinning the tail on the FOR CHARITY DAY donkey as they raised over £215. Pupils had a fun and innovative Charity Warren pupils got creative as they came Day as they raised money for their MUSICAL to school wearing wacky hair, wigs and Houses’ chosen causes. hats, representing The Little Princess MASTERMINDS The girls and boys were asked to bring in Trust charity that provides real hair wigs Congratulations to Warren House £1 to donate to their charities and they to children who have lost theirs. There who were crowned the overall CONGRATULATIONS also took part in a number of fundraising was also a wacky hair competition which winners of the biennial house TO THE CRICKETERS activities. The day raised £772. raised over £150. Music competition. Our cricketers won the recent IAPS Arden chose Dementia Support as When You Wish Upon a Star benefited The contest, which was judged 6-a-side competition during their charity and the pupils wore by just under £150 as pupils dressed in by Mr Michael Dow – the Senior which they faced St Ambrose rainbow colours in honour of the yellow to represent stars, highlighting School’s Director of Music, also Preparatory School, Pownall Hall charity’s logo. They enjoyed a sponsored the charity that helps grant wishes saw individual winners selected for School and Altrincham Preparatory treasure hunt and sporting activities to terminally ill children. The house Years 3 through to 6. They were: School. They won all three of and raised nearly £250. captains also showed that they were Clara Zelhof (Year 3); Harrison their games. game for a laugh as they were the Wilson (Year 4); Jack Dyson (Year 5) Pupils in Nicholson dressed in purple to willing targets for a wet sponge throwing and Darcy Breen (Year 6). support their chosen charity. competition!

HOORAY FOR PROMISING PERFORMERS THE GIRLS The Junior School Performing Arts Festival was light Year 6 pupils Rosie Lear, hearted and varied as attendees enjoyed a relaxing Annalisa Griffiths, Aimee and informal evening. Reynolds, Amaya North, Libby The Orchestra and Junior Choir went for jazzy styles Goodman and Darcy Breen won and numbers whilst Year 6 pupils performed Mozart the U11 County Netball League and Ragtime in trios and duets. and were runners-up in the Trafford and Oldham regional Mrs Marston’s ‘LAMDA’ pupils performed some short tournaments. poems, the Ukulele group strummed A Tuneful Tune and the Drum group provided everyone with a sound piece evoking a journey through a tree jungle.

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PUPILS ARE ALL SMILES AFTER DENTIST VISIT PUPILS WIN PRIZES AT ANNUAL CELEBRATION Anne Jepson from the Community Vice-Chairman of Governors Philip This year’s Guest of Honour was Wendy Dental Service visited Pre-Reception Cuddy welcomed the audience to Tarplee-Morris who started The Little and Reception to speak to pupils about Junior School Prizegiving before the Princess Trust with Simon Tarplee in dental hygiene. orchestra displayed their skills with 2006 in memory of their daughter, Habanera by Bizet. Hannah. She spoke about the work of Pre-Reception pupils also learnt about the charity and thanked the pupils and their bodies as they transformed the The choir enjoyed their chance to parents for the support they have given. role play area into a doctor’s surgery. show their musical talents with two The boys and girls explored with play contrasting pieces, Sing a Jubilant Song medical equipment and learnt how to by Dave and Jean Perry and The Lord look after themselves and each other. Bless You and Keep You by Rutter.

CLOSER TO NATURE Year 1 pupils travelled to Lyme Park where they went on a nature walk to identify some of the plants and animals they have learnt about in their Science lessons. The boys and girls created wild art from found natural materials in the style of sculptor, photographer and environmentalist Andy Goldsworthy. YEAR 6 PUPILS HAVE A CRACKING TIME IN CASTLETON DOWNPOUR DOESN’T Year 6 pupils had an enjoyable and action-packed trip on the DAMPEN PUPILS’ annual residential outing to the SPORTS DAY SPIRIT village of Castleton in Derbyshire. Pupils completed a long jump, ball throw Pupils took part in a range of and a 50m sprint race. activities including the shelter Vernon won the Year 3 contest, Arden task which challenged them to won the Year 4 and Year 6 contest and work as a team of four to build Warren won the Year 5 contest. a shelter which would not buckle MUSEUM VISIT as a bucket of water was thrown SPARKS AN Infants competed against their friends in over it. They also learnt how to the nerf howler throw, sack race, relay make a fire. INTEREST race and the hurdles before sitting to IN THE PAST enjoy the sprint races as a grandstand On the second day, the event. Pre-Reception children also adventurers climbed Mam Tor hill, Year 6 pupils visited Staircase tried hurdles, a bean bag throw and a a tiring but enjoyable five hour House and Stockport Museum shopping race. trek which was rewarded with a as they delved into the past of trip to the sweet shop at the top. Stockport’s oldest town house. Amelie Batey had a great time at The boys and girls got to discover Castleton: “I loved all of it but how our ancestors lived from the best part was the freedom. the 15th to the 20th centuries I also loved the animals – and learned how the house there were lambs, pigs and was brought back to life after a goats; they were adorable.” devastating fire.

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