6 - 10 December 2010

The School is already starting to get into the festive spirit as we head towards Christmas, none more so than the Girls' Division Middle School Choir which has entered the Bolton News' X-Mas Factor Song for Christmas. The competition will involve about seven schools, some entering full choirs and others just a few singers, and aims to showcase the singing talents of young people across Bolton. The Bolton News came into school this week to film the 75 strong Middle School Choir, conducted by Mrs Carter, singing "Something Told the Wild Geese". The Years 7, 8 and 9 girls were busy rehearsing the song for the Ceremony of Carols, which will take place in the Great Hall on Tuesday 14 December at 7.30pm. The school was featured in the Bolton News and the video can be viewed on their website here. Voting via text or phone will commence on Monday 13 December.

This week has been a great week for charity efforts in the School! Our sixth form boys donned their wackiest and craziest shirts in order to raise money for Boot Out Breast Cancer – the day was organised by Year 13 pupil Ollie Dowie in order to raise funds for the charity, which was recently founded by his mum Debbie Dowie after she beat breast cancer herself.

Pupils at Beech House have been busy collecting toys and gifts to donate to the Bolton Lions, who distribute the gifts to less fortunate families who cannot afford to buy presents for their children this Christmas. Volunteers at the Lions collect toys from local schools, churches and businesses as part of the 'Caring Christmas Appeal' which is run each year.

And four Bolton School teachers are clean shaven once again after sporting moustaches for the whole of November to raise funds and awareness for men's health by taking part in 'Movember' - a worldwide moustache growing charity event that raises funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Elsewhere, Year 10 Spanish students were treated to an authentic Spanish banquet to help immerse them in the culture and food of Spain. As part of their GCSE course, the year 10 pupils learn all about Spanish food and drink, fiestas and celebrations so it seemed only fitting that they should try out the food for themselves.