17 May 2019

A Junior Girls' School pupil in Year 4, has recently launched Engines Off: a campaign to encourage parents to switch off their car engines while waiting for their children at the end of the school day. Harriet's efforts to combat air pollution around school began with a letter to her headteacher and Engines Off has now been promoted across different areas of the School.

The Girls' Division's series of free, public Arts and Sciences Enrichment Evenings recently came to a close for 2018-19 with two final events. Science communicator Dr Pete Edwards gave a fascinating and informative lecture on 'The Dark Side of the Universe', in which he talked about dark matter and dark energy.

In the same week, poet Liz Berry gave readings of her poems alongside the School's young poets at the annual Poetry Festival. Planning is under way for next year's series and you can subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates and reminders about forthcoming events.

This week, voting has been open for the Bolton Children's Fiction Award 2019! A friendly competition between the Boys' and Girls' Divisions saw pupils counting the number of votes to see which half of the Senior School could cast the most.

133 local primary school football teams competed in this year's Football Festival held on Bolton School's pitches. Over 1,000 pupils played across the two days. Years 3 and 4 enjoyed playing 'round robin' matches against the rest of their group, while Years 5 and 6 played in the A Team, B Team or Girls' competition, each with its own cup awaiting the overall winner.

An excellent performance from the Under 14 football team saw Bolton School winning the Greater Manchester Cup for that age group at the Vestacare Stadium in Oldham. This added to the team's Town Cup trophy, which was won before Easter.

There was a strong Bolton School water polo presence at the recent U17 men's European Championships Qualification Tournament: two current pupils and three alumni played in the tournament itself and in exhibition matches. A member of staff is the U17s' team manager, while an Old Boy is also their assistant coach.

Year 13 students in both Divisions began their study leave ahead of A Level Examinations this week. The Boys' Division held a reception on the Headmaster's Lawn after school, and the Girls' Division's annual Leavers' Celebration saw pupils enjoying rounders in the sunshine and a lunch in the arts centre in Musicals-themed fancy dress.

We wish the whole of Year 13 all the best in their upcoming examinations and future lives.