22 May 2015

This week the School's Senior Saxophone Quartet discovered that they have made it through to the final eight in an international competition! This is no mean feat, as musicians had to be under the age of 35 and entrants could apply from around the world - meaning that some of their rivals would have much more experience. Nonetheless, the four made it through with their excellent performance of the set pieces, and will compete this summer at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, France.

A video of the Senior Saxophone Quartet performing at the recent "Saxophone Adventure" concert held at Bolton Parish Church is available here.

The Junior Boys' football team has also enjoyed recent success, winning the AJIS Cup for the second time in four years! They boys overcame Rossall School in a closely contested final to bring back the trophy.

The Year 8 girls have now finished their examination period, and have a series of extra-curricular activities lined up for the coming weeks. One of the first of these was the annual MFL Day. The girls were treated to a day of interesting workshops, each focusing on a different language or culture. They enjoyed taster lessons in Russian and Italian, a Spanish Salsa workshop, and tried their hand at baking traditional German treats!

Old Girl Baroness Trish Morris has taken over the presidency of Bolton Lads and Girls Club from Old Boy Ross Warburton. Baroness Morris has been involved with the club for two decades, and has watched the club go from strength to strength during Mr Warburton's 15 years in the role. The change was announced at the club's annual celebration evening.

Pupils in Year 3 at the Junior Boys' School have been testing their articstic talents recently as part of a photographic competition. The boys submitted their best photographs to be judged by a professional photographer, with Alex's image 'White Daffodils' winning first place for its interesting composition and the stark contrast of light and shade.

Year 8 pupil Sharon Daniel recently became an ambassador for the English Speaking Board (ESB) after completing ESB awards in the Girls' Division Junior School. She was interviewed about her ESB experience, and the video is now available to view here.

At the end of last week, the second '100 Inspiring Minds' profile was added, celebrating the contribution of Headmaster Mr F R Poskitt. He was the head of the Boys' Division for 33 years and was hugely influential in creating the modern school as we know it today, both literally and figuratively.

This week's profile is dedicated to Girls' Division Headmistress Miss M Higginson, who led the school from 1954 to 1979. She helped to establish better links between the two Divisions - so that they no longer regarded each other as "alien species" - and her visionary approach was a great inspiration both to her pupils and to fellow members of staff.