29 September 2017

There was excitement in the Great Hall for Year 7 pupils as they attended the launch event for the Bolton Children's Fiction Award 2018! New author Matt Killeen announced this year's shortlisted authors and books: a varied and challenging list that includes themes of racism, anxiety, cyber issues and bereavement, balanced with hope, determination and resilience. The award places the choice of the winner entirely in the hands of young readers.

The week began with a free, public talk on 'Life at Westminster' from former MP John Pugh. He was able to give a fascinating insight into the realities of being a member of Parliament, discussing what the House of Commons is like and how MPs spend their time. He also talked about some of the particular highlights of his political career, which included meeting the Dalai Lama!

John's talk was the first in a series of arts and sciences enrichment lectures to be hosted this year by the Girls' Division. The next event is on 5 October and will feature former Chartered Civil Engineer Isobel Garner, who will talk about 'Engineering the Building Blocks of Life'.

Earlier in the term, pupils were inspired by a visit from Olympic and Commonwealth athletes. Elite athletes from the Girls' Division joined year 11 Boys' Division pupils and Junior Girls in Year 5 to meet Olympic medallist Kelly Massey and two-sport international and Commonwealth Games athlete Dave Readle.

On 19 September, the Boys' Division marked Lord Leverhulme's 166th birthday with a commemorative assembly. Lord Leverhulme played a pivotal role in re-founding Bolton School as two Divisions on the Chorley New Road site just over 100 years ago, and the assembly reflected on some of his work further afield.

Children in the First Steps room at Bolton School Nursery enjoyed a delightful music session with Rhythm Time! They loves playing along on their instruments and hearing the different nursery rhymes.

The Greater Manchester Schools' U14s and U16s' squads recently held one of their training sessions at Bolton School. Two Girls' Division pupils, Lizzie and Anna, are members of the squads as well as being signed up with Tier 1 Regional Talent Centres at Everton and Manchester City.

Children in the Nursery Class for Three and Four Year Olds have visited Park View Residential Home to spend valuable time with the elderly residents there. Research shows that there are many benefits to bringing old and young people together, and so this is the first of several trips to take place through the year.

At the Nursery Class, children had fun learning about healthy world cuisine at cookery school. They joined children from the Butterfly Room at Bolton School Nursery for this informative and interactive session.

On Sunday 5 November, Bolton School's annual Fireworks Night will take place. This year the event promises to be even more spectacular, as the Parents' Association has booked Titanium - the company behind the London New Year display and the Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremony fireworks - to arrange the display to music! There will be the usual stalls and games, great music, and supper including traditional black peas available from the dining all.

The bi-annual Careers and Higher Education Fair hosted by Bolton School will take place on Monday 16 October between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. This event is for all students in Years 9 to 13 and will cover a broad range of careers, apprenticeships and higher education options. There will also be a programme of seminars taking place on the evening.

22 September 2017

Bolton School's water polo players were excited to accept a royal appointment and play in an exhibition match for Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge. The Prince spent some time talking about the sport with Bolton School's players and staff before dropping the ball into the water to start the match. He also discussed the Bolton School teams' achievement of winning all three ESSA titles for three years in a row with their coach, Mr McGinty.

Watch Prince William drop the ball into the water here.

At the start of term, a group of Year 12 girls studying Economics had a first lesson with a difference: they were joined by Old Girl and entrepreneur Ingrid Murray, who offered her insights and advice to the class. She talked about setting up her own businesses, including the circumstances that led to price comparison website Confused.com!

Year 13 students in the Girls' Division enjoyed the opportunity to explore the relationship between history and digital media with Catriona Oliphant and Caitlin Kennedy, who came into School to talk about a docudrama podcast which brings to life the US entry to WWI. They discussed the docudrama and audio format with the Year 13s and were also interested in hearing their ideas about potential uses in school, and how the girls engage with primary sources.

New cricketing kid on the block Praharsh Parikh has enjoyed a summer of success: he has played for Best of Bunbury (England) U15s, North of England U15s, Lancashire County U15s and Winton CC First XI. He is now in the England Development Programme and the Elite Player Programme with Lancashire County Cricket Club!

On Friday 22 September, Bolton School is looking forward to welcoming former MP John Pugh for an evening talk on 'Life in Westminster' at 7pm. This free, public talk is the first of this year's series of Arts and Sciences Enrichment Lectures, which are organised by the Girls' Division. Last year, the list of speakers included virtuoso percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, aurora scientist Dr Melanie Windridge, TV historian Susannah Lipscomb, and particle physicist Professor Jeff Forshaw.

Next month, the Girls' Division Theatre will host a special production of Antigone by the Actors of Dionysus. This performance will follow two sell-out nights at the Lowry Theatre and has been arranged for Bolton School pupils.

Finally, watch Ingrid Murray's inspirational Presentation Evening address and hear her advice to the newest set of Old Girls:

8 September 2017

A new term has begun at Bolton School, and the Girls' Division started the year with the annual Presentation Evening. The guest of honour was entrepreneur Ingrid Murray, who presented girls' with their certificates and prizes and gave an interesting address which was full of fitting advice for the future. She encouraged the Year 13 leavers to celebrate their friendships, find out what drives them, and "ride the waves of change".

Earlier in the summer, Junior Boys' School pupil Alex Bowen-Heaton helped Team Europe overcome the USA to win the Styal Junior Ryder Cup! He won his individual match in the 8-16 year old category.

Former MP John Pugh will give a talk at Bolton School on Friday 22 September at 7.30pm. He will talk about 'Life in Westminster' and his career in politics, including his seventeen years as Liberal Democrat MP for Southport. This free event is open to members of the public and all are welcome to attend.

This academic year, the Girls' Division will once again host a series of lectures arranged by the Historical Association (Bolton Branch). These fascinating monthly talks take place from September in the Sutcliffe Studio and are free for Bolton School pupils and staff, with a small charge for guests.

Over the summer holidays, the staff at Bolton School Nursery presented When You Wish Upon A Star with a cheque for over £1000, which was raised through a charity duathlon. Three members of staff completed the duathlon as a relay team to raise funds in memory of toddler Scarlett Walker, who died last year.

A group of four Old Boys are remembering the loss of their friends Jonny Sharples and Danny Harrison, who died in a car crash ten years ago, by completing a gruelling charity bike ride from the Sharples family home to Jonny's beloved West Ham United. After discussion with Jonny's parents, the group has decided to support When You Wish Upon A Star with their efforts. Click here to support them on JustGiving.

1 September 2017

Earlier this week, Girls' Division Headmisstress Sue Hincks and the Chair of Governors, Mike Griffiths, received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service from The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester on behalf of the Bolton School Foundation. They were joined by a group of pupils, teachers and Governor Eric Fairweather for the ceremony, which was held at Gorton Monastery.

Two Girls' Division pupils have received prestigious Arkwright Scholarships for the duration of their A Level studies! Aaliyah Ascroft and Grace Palmer aced the tough selection process and will now gain access to exclusive enrichment events and the mentoring of an industry sponsor. Arkwright Scholarships are awarded to potential future leaders in engineering, computing and technical design.

Before the start of the new term, a final look back at the summer and some of the fun the children had on Sports Days!

The Junior Girls enjoyed a host of different activities on their Sports Day! From sprints to long jump to 'obstacle course' relays, and of course including the traditional sack race, there was plenty to get the girls active.

The Infants at Beech House took part in not one but two Sports Days. A carousel of activities including egg and spoon races, sprints and even welly throwing got the Reception children enthused about sport. Closer to the end of term, pupils in Years 1 and 2 had fun competing in sprints in the sunshine for their sports day as well.

On the last day of term the Junior Boys' School houses went head to head in the last competition of the year on Sports Day! They were cheered on by a great crowd of family members and the sun shone for much of the event. The boys gave their all in a variety of different running races.