4 May 2018

The Girls' Division hosted a Poetry Festival featuring poet Simon Armitage this week. The event included pupils from all year groups reading their own creative work, which had been written throughout the year, followed by an inspirational address from Simon himself. In addition, he read a wide selection of his own work and offered commentary on the background to each piece. The floor was then opened to questions, which he answered candidly.

The cups and colours assembly in the Boys' Division recognised pupils' successes, often on a regional and national stage. Almost 60 boys received awards as part of this celebration. In addition to full and half colour for traditional sports and the Arts, there were also colours for Outdoor Pursuits for the first time. Dominic Hardy received a new trophy, the Trevor Pledger Award for Volunteering in Sport.

A group of Girls' Division pupils in the Physics and Astronomy clubs visited Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry to take a closer look at astronaut Tim Peake's Soyuz descent module, which returned him to Earth in 2016. They also saw the Sokol KV-2 emergency spacesuit he wore as he travelled into space as well as various other exhibits.

Sixth Form Boys received an insight into the Cowgill Holloway apprenticeship scheme recently from Cowgills partner Lisa Wilson and Old Boy Adam Flynn, who went on to the apprenticeship after finishing his A Levels in 2016. They were able to give students tips on the application and interview process and Adam could talk about the skills he found useful and what the apprenticeship is really like.

Boys' Division pupils in Year 10 were put through their paces on an Army Leadership morning. The Army North West Outreach Team offered a carousel of challenging activities designed to improve boys' teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills as well as their resilience. They enjoyed thinking on their feet and working together to complete the tasks set.

Pupils from both Division were involved in the Royal Northern College of Music's Wind, Brass and Percussion Festival. Members of Bolton School's Senior Concert Band became part of a massed wind band for rehearsals and a performance on Sunday 22nd April. They also enjoyed a performance from the RNCM's Wind Orchestra.