Friday 26 March 2010

Bolton School Blog: 20/3 - 26/3/2010

Messiah Showcases the School Family's Musical Talent

Choirs from the boys' and girls' senior school joined the parents' choir and the School Chamber Choir in a stunning rendition of Handel's Messiah. Four accomplished soloists, all of whom teach at Bolton School, also took part, along with the School Orchestra; all of which were conducted, in his own brilliant and inimitable style, by Head of Music in Girls' Division, Mr Alistair MacKenzie.

Out on the sports' field and the boys were enjoying their usual success in the national biathlon finals. Andrew Keat in Year 9 won the national competition for his age group for the 4th time in a row, an outstanding achievement and he goes on to represent the GB Junior Pentathlon Team with Oliver Walker from Year 10. The Junior Boys also enjoyed a successful day in the national finals held at Crystal Palace National Sport Centre with their Year 5 team recording a 2nd place finish.

Meanwhile Akul Pankhania, a Year 8 pupil, had his eye on the forthcoming general election as he got to interview David Cameron, Alan Johnson, Lembit Opik and others for a special programme to be aired on CBBC.

Junior Girls were focussing their minds on designs for a stained glass window which will be fitted in their new school, Hesketh House, which should be completed this summer.

In the final week of term, Senior Boys enjoyed their annual success in the regional Classics Competition, Sixth Former Ishaq was commended for his work in the community and Nursery pupils took a walk to raise money for MedEquip4Kids.

Friday 19 March 2010

Bolton School Blog: 13/3 - 19/3/2010

An Incredible Day out for Sixth Formers

Twelve very lucky Sixth Formers had a once in a lifetime experience when they travelled down to London to meet the country's most eminent chemist and one of its most revered actors - both of which happened to be a couple of Old Boys of Bolton School - Sir Harry Kroto and Sir Ian McKellen. After watching Sir Ian in Waiting for Godot at the Haymarket Theatre, the group went back stage to meet the Old Boys.


The School's joint production, directed by Miss Amy Liptrott, celebrates 25 years of Les Mis. One hundred pupils and teachers took part showing high levels of professionalism in acting, stage design, costume design and make-up. Miss Liptrott said "This has not felt like work, it has been too much like fun!"


Kim Phuc, the girl photographed running away from a napalm attack in war-torn Vietnam in 1972 visited Bolton School only her second visit to the UK and her first to the North-West. She talked to 250 pupils from our own school and to those invited from Canon Slade, Thornleigh Salesian, Withington Girls and Queen's Chester.


Sixth Form boys presented their cutting edge research at the Big Bang Fair held at Manchester Central.

On the sporting front, Junior Girls once again hosted the AJIS Netball Tournament and Bolton boys entered the world of rugby 7s.

Friday 12 March 2010

Bolton School Blog: 6/3 - 12/3/2010

Funds Raised for Portugal Rugby Tour

The boys' First and Second XV rugby teams received a financial boost for their forthcoming tour of Portugal through an Iberian Wine Tasting Evening. Shirt sponsorship for the tour has been kindly provided by Warburtons and, on the evening, Mr Ross Warburton, MD, handed over the shirts. The polo shirts have been sponsored by local marketing firm, Silk Group.


BBC News Day once again brought out the best of the Senior Boys' journalistic skills as they created their own website and video footage, which would give the BBC itself a run for its money.


World Book Day brought about a transformation in the junior school as girls donned a variety of extravagant costumes in order to depict their favourite characters from literature.



Friday 5 March 2010

Bolton School Blog: 27/2 - 5/3/10

This week exemplifies much of what this School is about. A real range of interesting and diverse news stories across the campus, including:

National Football Champions

The U13s football side beat Forest School from London 2-1 in the final of the Independent Schools' Football Cup. On their way to the final they scored 28 goals and conceded none. We wish them luck, although one doubts they will need it, in their forthcoming tour to The Netherlands.

First Eleven Reach County Cup Final

The School's first eleven football team also enjoyed success this week with a penalty shoot-out win against St Bede's. The victory puts them into the final of the Greater Manchester County Cup.

Unique's U-Shoe Walks Away with Langtree Homes' Business Trophy

A team of six Sixth Form boys overcame all other Sixth Form pupils from both the Boys' and Girls' Divisions to take away the prestigious trophy. Their business proposition of tailor-made footwear won out in Bolton School's answers to the Dragons' Den.

Maasai in the Classroom!

In what is almost certainly a first, Bolton School Year 9 girls linked up with a Maasai tribe this week. As part of their Geography project, the girls had to learn about the effect of tourism on the Maasai tribe. No point beating around the bush so the girls spoke to them direct via a Skype link and some coordination with LivLife, a charity set up in Tanzania by two Old Boys.

Jazz Band is off to Montreux

The School's joint jazz band has been accepted to play at the internationally renowned Montreux Jazz Festival - not a schools' or junior one but the real thing, which attracts the very best pop and jazz musicians.

And talking of Music, this year more than 500 boys entered the Young Musician of the Year competition in the Boys' Division. A close final, watched by parents, saw the genius that is Ben Smith win the senior award and the award for Composer of the Year. Remember his name, he will go far.

As part of World Book Day boys enjoyed spending a day with author John Malam as they learnt how to produce their own book, the Junior Girls have now raised more than £1,000 for the Haiti Disaster appeal and Sixth Form students enjoyed a very interesting lecture from Professor Ross Sibson about Genetics and Cancer Research.

Below the Junior Girls enjoy dressing as a character from a book on World Book Day.