As the Spring Term drew to a close there were lots of exciting events at Bolton School. One of the highlights of the end of term was the stunning Joint Production of Miss Saigon. The show was a sell-out, and the talented cast of pupils from both Divisions offered a mature and sensitive portrayal of the tragic tale.
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Old Boy Jason Appleton paid a flying visit, quite literally, to Bolton School: arriving and departing by helicopter, much to the enjoyment of pupils from the Nursery to the Sixth Form! He is now Station Commander of RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, and was able to give numerous pupils a tour of his Squirrel helicopter during its time on the sports field and delivered an absorbing talk to Sixth Form students over lunch before taking off once more.
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Click here to watch a video of Jason leaving Bolton School by helicopter (take off is at 7 minutes 50 seconds).
Old Girl Katie Clinton, now a Partner at global accountancy firm KPMG's Manchester office, returned to School to launch the seventh year of paid summer internships with KPMG. This exclusive opportunity offers a pair of Bolton School Sixth Form students the chance to work for the company in the Audit and Corporate Finance teams and get an idea of a workplace environment.
There was excitement in the Junior Girls' School as pupils were visited by Bumble, the police horse that has been sponsored by the School! Bumble and his fellow police horse Maxwell, ridden by Chris and Kerry, came along at playtime and were proud to show off some of their special skills, such as moving backwards and sideways.
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This week, Dr Heather Williams considered the history and workings of medical imaging in a fascinating lecture held at Bolton School. From Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical drawings, through the discovery of x-rays and through to the most up to date technology, she talked about how the internal workings of the body have been viewed throughout history and how various different medical scanners work today.
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Dr Williams's talk is available to watch in full on the School website: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
In sporting news, the U14 rugby team reached the Lancashire County Schools' Finals' Day following success in earlier rounds. They played well, and came in second place in the Plate competition.
The Year 7 netball team have become Bolton Town Netball Champions this week following their impressive performance in the Bolton Schools' Netball Tournament. The girls scored 67 goals while conceding just 3 across the whole tournament!
The U12 football team has won the Bolton Schools' Football Tournament, overcoming Rivington and Blackrod High School in the final to be named Town Champions! This followed a close encounter in the semi-final last week.
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Individuals have also been performing well in sport. Jos Winstanley has followed in his older brothers' footsteps and been called up for the England U17 Water Polo squad. He will take part in the European Nations' Tournament in Brno, Czech Republic, over the Easter holidays.
Old Boys Aaron Winstanley and Lewis Daly, along with former member of staff Addison Brown, have been named in the England water polo squad.
Year 8 pupils Lizzie Harkness has successfully trialled and been signed for Everton U14s!
Matthew Mair has received not one but two county vests in recent weeks! He played hockey for North Lancashire and ran for Greater Manchester in the National Intercounties Cross Country.
Children at the Nursery got involved with Sport Relief with some fun hurdling activities. The children were really keen to have a go at the hurdles, which they had never tried before, and everyone who took part received a medal to take home.
The Nursery Class has recently been having lots of fun! The children enjoyed playtime based on the story of 'Hansel and Gretel' after reading the story together.
Eight gifted and talented pupils at Lostock Primary School have been benefitting from extra Mathematics tuition in after school classes with Girls' Division teachers Mr Wrigley and Miss Doran. The aim was to help the children prepare for their KS2 National Curriculum Assessments in the Summer Term.
Mums and Grandmas were invited to Bolton School's Nursery last week to celebrate Mothers' Day with their children. Each of the rooms put on a host of activities for the children to enjoy with the mothers and grandmothers, including baking, games and crafts.
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The Nursery Class also invited Mums and Grandmas in to spend extra time with their children before Mothers' Day as a special celebratory treat.
The Junior Girls were lucky to enjoy glorious sunshine for their Spring Fair over the weekend. A host of stalls, games and raffles provided fun for everyone, and the pupils also offered fantastic musical entertainment and a lovely Maypole dance.
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Sixth Form pupils were given an insight into the government's Budget over lunchtime thanks to Lisa Wilson and Dominic Aspinall of chartered accountancy firm Cowgill Holloway. The audience of predominantly Business and Economics A Level students came with a host of questions for the guests to answer, considering all things relating to the Budget.
The Nursery Class 'ate their words' with a delicious French Breakfast after their morning French lesson. The three and four year olds have been learning the French words for many Breakfast foods, and the meal was a great opportunity for them to try out some of the delicacies!
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A Careers Carousel for Year 9 boys held this week offered pupils a view into the world of work. The afternoon featured a range of industry professionals, including three Old Boys who have taken very different career paths.
The Junior Girls in Year 4 were enthralled when a Roman soldier visited their classroom. They learned all about Roman Britain and were even able to try on some of the soldier's gear for themselves!
The Junior Boys welcomed the new season with a wide variety of music at their Spring Concert. This was a delightful occasion which showcased the talents of the musicians in the Junior Boys' School, and culminated in a fantastic Elton John Medley sung by the whole school!
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Girls' Division pupils in Year 11 were given an enlightening talk about stress and depression, delivered by Old Girl and Consultant Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr Lynne Daly. She talked about a range of symptoms for stress and anxiety and offered some tips to pupils on how to combat these, then moved on to discuss depression.
The whole of Year 2 enjoyed an exciting trip to Jodrell Bank to learn more about space. They took part in workshops about astronauts and constellations and were able to see the telescopes up close.
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All six Junior Girls who recently took Trinity Music Exams have received Distinctions after achieving scores of over 90! This is a wonderful achievement for them all.
Earlier in the Spring Term, the Girls' Division held a non-uniform day in support of Birtenshaw, a charity providing a range of services for children and young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The girls raised over £700 for the charity, which was suggested by Year 13 pupil Alex Duxbury, and on the last day of term a cheque was presented to Birtenshaw for the full amount.
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After the Easter break, art historian Michael Howard will give a free, public talk on 'The Poetry of Art and the Art of Poetry' at 7pm on 27 April in the Girls' Division Sutcliffe Studio. Michael is President of Bolton Decorative and Fine Arts Society and taught in the History of Art department at Manchester School of Art and Design at the Manchester Metropolitan University for over 30 years. He is married to the artist, Ghislaine Howard and is a practising artist in his own right.
There are two Inspiring Minds this week.
The first is Commonwealth Silver and Bronze Medal-Winning Swimmer Emma Saunders. Emma left the Girls' Division in 2012, having already won Commonwealth Silver and Bronze medals at Delhi in 2010 while still a pupil! In her profile, she talks about the importance of balancing her studies with her athletic achievements.
The second is Major William Ainsworth, who was the highest ranking officer connected with Bolton School to die as a result of either the First or Second World War. He was killed in action on 16 April 1917, aged 39. His profile is based upon his entry in Remembered with Honour by Eric McPherson, the book commemorating the Old Boys and staff of Bolton School who died in the two World Wars.
Old Boy Jason Appleton paid a flying visit, quite literally, to Bolton School: arriving and departing by helicopter, much to the enjoyment of pupils from the Nursery to the Sixth Form! He is now Station Commander of RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, and was able to give numerous pupils a tour of his Squirrel helicopter during its time on the sports field and delivered an absorbing talk to Sixth Form students over lunch before taking off once more.
Click here to watch a video of Jason leaving Bolton School by helicopter (take off is at 7 minutes 50 seconds).
Old Girl Katie Clinton, now a Partner at global accountancy firm KPMG's Manchester office, returned to School to launch the seventh year of paid summer internships with KPMG. This exclusive opportunity offers a pair of Bolton School Sixth Form students the chance to work for the company in the Audit and Corporate Finance teams and get an idea of a workplace environment.
There was excitement in the Junior Girls' School as pupils were visited by Bumble, the police horse that has been sponsored by the School! Bumble and his fellow police horse Maxwell, ridden by Chris and Kerry, came along at playtime and were proud to show off some of their special skills, such as moving backwards and sideways.
This week, Dr Heather Williams considered the history and workings of medical imaging in a fascinating lecture held at Bolton School. From Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical drawings, through the discovery of x-rays and through to the most up to date technology, she talked about how the internal workings of the body have been viewed throughout history and how various different medical scanners work today.
Dr Williams's talk is available to watch in full on the School website: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
In sporting news, the U14 rugby team reached the Lancashire County Schools' Finals' Day following success in earlier rounds. They played well, and came in second place in the Plate competition.
The Year 7 netball team have become Bolton Town Netball Champions this week following their impressive performance in the Bolton Schools' Netball Tournament. The girls scored 67 goals while conceding just 3 across the whole tournament!
The U12 football team has won the Bolton Schools' Football Tournament, overcoming Rivington and Blackrod High School in the final to be named Town Champions! This followed a close encounter in the semi-final last week.
Individuals have also been performing well in sport. Jos Winstanley has followed in his older brothers' footsteps and been called up for the England U17 Water Polo squad. He will take part in the European Nations' Tournament in Brno, Czech Republic, over the Easter holidays.
Old Boys Aaron Winstanley and Lewis Daly, along with former member of staff Addison Brown, have been named in the England water polo squad.
Year 8 pupils Lizzie Harkness has successfully trialled and been signed for Everton U14s!
Matthew Mair has received not one but two county vests in recent weeks! He played hockey for North Lancashire and ran for Greater Manchester in the National Intercounties Cross Country.
Children at the Nursery got involved with Sport Relief with some fun hurdling activities. The children were really keen to have a go at the hurdles, which they had never tried before, and everyone who took part received a medal to take home.
The Nursery Class has recently been having lots of fun! The children enjoyed playtime based on the story of 'Hansel and Gretel' after reading the story together.
Eight gifted and talented pupils at Lostock Primary School have been benefitting from extra Mathematics tuition in after school classes with Girls' Division teachers Mr Wrigley and Miss Doran. The aim was to help the children prepare for their KS2 National Curriculum Assessments in the Summer Term.
Mums and Grandmas were invited to Bolton School's Nursery last week to celebrate Mothers' Day with their children. Each of the rooms put on a host of activities for the children to enjoy with the mothers and grandmothers, including baking, games and crafts.
The Nursery Class also invited Mums and Grandmas in to spend extra time with their children before Mothers' Day as a special celebratory treat.
The Junior Girls were lucky to enjoy glorious sunshine for their Spring Fair over the weekend. A host of stalls, games and raffles provided fun for everyone, and the pupils also offered fantastic musical entertainment and a lovely Maypole dance.
Sixth Form pupils were given an insight into the government's Budget over lunchtime thanks to Lisa Wilson and Dominic Aspinall of chartered accountancy firm Cowgill Holloway. The audience of predominantly Business and Economics A Level students came with a host of questions for the guests to answer, considering all things relating to the Budget.
The Nursery Class 'ate their words' with a delicious French Breakfast after their morning French lesson. The three and four year olds have been learning the French words for many Breakfast foods, and the meal was a great opportunity for them to try out some of the delicacies!
A Careers Carousel for Year 9 boys held this week offered pupils a view into the world of work. The afternoon featured a range of industry professionals, including three Old Boys who have taken very different career paths.
The Junior Girls in Year 4 were enthralled when a Roman soldier visited their classroom. They learned all about Roman Britain and were even able to try on some of the soldier's gear for themselves!
The Junior Boys welcomed the new season with a wide variety of music at their Spring Concert. This was a delightful occasion which showcased the talents of the musicians in the Junior Boys' School, and culminated in a fantastic Elton John Medley sung by the whole school!
Girls' Division pupils in Year 11 were given an enlightening talk about stress and depression, delivered by Old Girl and Consultant Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr Lynne Daly. She talked about a range of symptoms for stress and anxiety and offered some tips to pupils on how to combat these, then moved on to discuss depression.
The whole of Year 2 enjoyed an exciting trip to Jodrell Bank to learn more about space. They took part in workshops about astronauts and constellations and were able to see the telescopes up close.
All six Junior Girls who recently took Trinity Music Exams have received Distinctions after achieving scores of over 90! This is a wonderful achievement for them all.
Earlier in the Spring Term, the Girls' Division held a non-uniform day in support of Birtenshaw, a charity providing a range of services for children and young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The girls raised over £700 for the charity, which was suggested by Year 13 pupil Alex Duxbury, and on the last day of term a cheque was presented to Birtenshaw for the full amount.
After the Easter break, art historian Michael Howard will give a free, public talk on 'The Poetry of Art and the Art of Poetry' at 7pm on 27 April in the Girls' Division Sutcliffe Studio. Michael is President of Bolton Decorative and Fine Arts Society and taught in the History of Art department at Manchester School of Art and Design at the Manchester Metropolitan University for over 30 years. He is married to the artist, Ghislaine Howard and is a practising artist in his own right.
There are two Inspiring Minds this week.
The first is Commonwealth Silver and Bronze Medal-Winning Swimmer Emma Saunders. Emma left the Girls' Division in 2012, having already won Commonwealth Silver and Bronze medals at Delhi in 2010 while still a pupil! In her profile, she talks about the importance of balancing her studies with her athletic achievements.
The second is Major William Ainsworth, who was the highest ranking officer connected with Bolton School to die as a result of either the First or Second World War. He was killed in action on 16 April 1917, aged 39. His profile is based upon his entry in Remembered with Honour by Eric McPherson, the book commemorating the Old Boys and staff of Bolton School who died in the two World Wars.
