High Flyer In this issue Helen Jeys • Pandemic Challenges Lennie Ware • Dream Destinations The Battle of Hastings... plus much more HIGH FLYER THE MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS NEWSLETTER ISSUE 58 2 HIGH FLYER MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 3 Wh a t 's i n s i d e Welcome back! 4 6 10 In April, we switched to a digital-only version for issue 57 of High Flyer, at a time when School Helen Jeys Rising to Supporting the was temporarily closed for all but the children of My First Term Back Pandemic Challenges Bursary Fund key workers, and we were in full remote learning lockdown mode. 2020 has been challenging for everyone, in School and in our wider community. As we near the end of the year, I’d like to 12 16 18 wish you well for a happy and safe 2021. In this issue, I’ve taken a moment to look back on my first term as Head Mistress, as well as to look ahead to an exciting future Alumna Interview: Dream The Battle for MHSG. Lennie Ware Destinations of Hastings This year we have adapted in ways we could never have imagined, as we faced up to the impact of Covid-19. Our staff and girls have coped incredibly well and through it all we are confident that our pupils remain on track and no teaching hours have been lost. It’s been tough for all but there have been some memorable moments along the way and, of course, many new ways of working. 20 24 26 Lennie Ware née Keell (Class of 1970), social worker and podcaster, talks to us about her first and second careers and the importance of food, family and education. Our alumnae continue Project Pankhurst Warburton Sports to support today’s pupils in so many ways. In this issue, we talk Powers On Competition News to mentors and mentees of Project Pankhurst. We also find out more about what our Class of 2020 have gone on to study and where. Here at Grangethorpe Road we have been marking Celebration and Awards in a new way and MHSG Sixth Form musicians have been competing for this year’s Warburton prize. Our Year 7s re- enacted the Battle of Hastings and, on top of all this, pupils raised 28 30 31 money for charities to support those in need around the world. Tennis in Tennessee Adventures Helping Others Sport is an intrinsic part of life at Manchester High, and in this issue, we catch up with some of our amazing extra-curricular teams, and talk to Holly Staff, just before she headed to America to study and take her tennis career to the next level. Thank you to all our pupils, staff, parents and alumnae for your hard work and support in these difficult times. If you are reading High Flyer as a prospective parent or pupil, I hope this 32 publication gives you a glimpse into the life of our vibrant School community today. Celebration and Awards 2020 Wishing you all Season’s Greetings and a very Happy New Year. Mrs Helen Jeys, Head Mistress. 4 HIGH FLYER MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 5 Yes, I have taken over as Head Mistress during this most challenging of times. However, this is a chance to look forward, as well as reflect on my first few weeks back. I’m choosing to look at the highlights and the positive future that lies ahead. My first Firstly, it has been wonderful to see so many familiar staff faces again as well as meet new members of the MHSG community. What unites them all (and me!) is their love of the School, their passion for its ethos and values and their commitment to our pupils. I saw that with every member of staff when I worked at MHSG in my previous roles and I see it still; staff who love their subjects and enjoy enthusing students with this academic passion. But it goes further than this. Our teaching staff genuinely care for our students, term back their progress and their wellbeing as well as for each other; the collaborative spirit of the staff at MHSG is something that makes working at the School very special indeed. The majority of pupil faces are less familiar to me but the Agatha Christie once advised same MHSG spirit shines through. Our students are bright, full of character and passionate about making a difference. “never go back to a place I am really enjoying greeting them every morning (when During the last few weeks, I have been meeting members I am able) as they come into school and seeing the smiles of the Head Girl Team and listening to their inspiring where you have been happy. in their eyes above those masks! It is a priority of mine assemblies and discussing issues with the Student Council. to get to know the girls themselves. Indeed, one student I am surrounded by pupils who really want to make a Until you do, it remains alive commented to me today that she likes to live by the adage, difference both to their own world and that beyond the ‘be quick to listen’ and I am doing a lot of listening this term. school gates. And for those who do not quite believe for you. If you go back it will As well as teaching, which I will always continue to do, I am that they are up to this yet, I know that MHSG will lay the currently meeting with every Year 11 student individually; foundations for this confidence to blossom in the future. trying to discover what they enjoy, what they are looking be destroyed.” forward to and what long-term goals are motivating them I feel incredibly fortunate to be leading this School and with to succeed during this most strange of years. that sense of privilege comes a real sense of responsibility. As the guardian of the School as it approaches its 150th Well, I am delighted I did not take Agatha birthday, I am very aware of its legacy and the wonderful Christie’s advice! As you will know, I spent Head Mistresses who came before me. I was appointed by Christine Lee Jones and worked alongside Claire Hewitt 14 very, very happy years at MHSG in I feel incredibly fortunate to in her Senior Leadership Team and I am very fortunate various roles – from Head of Religion & to have a fantastic team to support me as we all look to be leading this School and with the future at MHSG. Our strategy will continue to centre Philosophy to Deputy Head Pastoral. that sense of privilege comes a around academic excellence, outstanding pastoral support And, after four years as Head of Alderley and a first-rate extra-curricular programme, which – together – will enable our pupils to flourish. I want our Edge School for Girls, I have – as I have real sense of responsibility. pupils to know that they can achieve success in any field; in said many times now – come home. the sciences, the humanities, the arts, sport and whatever else they turn their focus to … and for them to know that they have a duty to care for those around them. This term I have really enjoyed hearing about the students’ joy at returning to school to be with their friends and Manchester High School for Girls is one of the leading girls’ teachers and reassuring me (!) that it doesn’t matter that schools in the country and I am looking forward to building there isn’t a full extra-curricular programme on offer at on our success in empowering young women of the 21st the moment. They are just delighted to be back in school. century. My first few weeks back have confirmed for me Their confidence always impresses me and reminds me of that MHSG has a voice of national importance and huge what an alumna I spoke to just this week told me about relevance, as we face the future. It’s an honour to be playing the legacy of MHSG for her. “MHSG made me into the a part in writing the next chapter in our long history. confident woman I have become”, she said and I see that pioneering spirit all around me. 6 HIGH FLYER MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 7 Rising to the many challenges Cast your minds right back… MHSG learnt that School must close temporarily from There were also lots of activities to help keep up morale. 20th March to all but the daughters of key workers, with On social media we got to see teachers’ and pupils’ home very little warning. Jon Haves, ICT Manager, describes the study spaces, and lots of pets. There were quizzes and challenge for ICT in March: “We had five days to turn a plenty of challenges! The TikTok challenge on Flipgrid was a school community, where normally 1,200 of us gather each great success with almost 30,000 views of our video clips. day, into a remote operation with the absolute minimum of disruption to learning, teaching and all the work of support Finn, Year 13, Deputy Head Girl, added, “Despite being of the Pandemic staff that are needed to keep the school operating”. No physically isolated for several long and uncertain months mean feat! The ICT team promptly deployed over 120 last academic year, the sense of school community and new phone numbers, redistributed banks of laptops and togetherness had never felt stronger. I found that following computing equipment for home use and scaled up remote my school timetable from home helped to give structure to desktop services.