20 April 2018

Dr Suzie Imber gave the last talk in this year's series of Science Enrichment Evenings held by the Girls' Division. The winner of BBC 2's Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? reality TV programme, a passionate high-altitude mountaineer and "explorer", and an inspiring physicist studying 'space weather', Dr Imber talked about all aspects of her life so far. It was particularly interesting to hear how her positive approach to failure and her teamwork and communication skills helped her in Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?

There is one further Arts Enrichment Evening to be held on 2 May: a Poetry Festival featuring Simon Armitage and Girls' Division poets from all age groups.

The talk from Dr Imber coincided with a Festival of Science which was hosted at Bolton School throughout the day. Over 800 pupils from Bolton School and local primary and secondary schools took part in physics activities. There was an exciting presentation on finding the Higgs particle from Sam Gregson, and the Polestar Planetarium was set up in the Great Hall to allow pupils to experience space and the night sky as never before.

Two Sixth Form students studying French at A Level have taken part in the National Final of a French-language debating competition. Caroline and Maya performed well in the national round of the competition, and were also interviewed in French for the Francophonie UK Facebook page on the day.

The Junior Boys' School raised over £250 for the NSPCC with a collection at the end of their Spring Concert. The NSPCC recently visited Park Road to tell pupils about their "Speak Out, Stay Safe" campaign, and the money raised will go towards funding this campaign further.

Boys' Division pupils in Manchester House have been collecting items of clothing during a recycling themed week to donate to Bolton Hospice. These will be passed on to Bolton Hospice's charity shops to be sold, raising additional funds.

The Boys' Division Cricket Team kits are now being sponsored by Cowgill Holloway. The Bolton-based accountants and business advisors has sponsored the Cricket kits for all age groups, including the T20 kit.

Year 10 pupil Shreya represented Lancashire in the Under 18 Badminton Inter County Tournament. She was one of ten players selected to play for Lancashire. 32 counties were involved and Shreya played against representatives from 9 of these, winning 10 matches for her team.

Another Year 10 pupil Anna recently helped the Manchester City Academy girls' team to win the U16 FA Cup Final! The match, which was against Reading, was a fantastic experience for Anna.

Bolton School pupils who attend coaching sessions at the Manchester Real Tennis and Racquets Club in Salford received a Royal visit. The Earl of Wessex visited the club during a mini-tournament and handed out commemorative medals, which four boys and three girls who attend Bolton School received.

Year 5 pupil Corbyn had the opportunity over the Easter holidays to play in a European knockout tournament in Tuscany, Italy with Manchester United. He was the youngest player in a mixed Year 5 and 6 team, and played in four successful matches against European teams before the Manchester United side was knocked out in the semi-finals.

The Junior Girls' Year 4 and 5 Swimming Team returned from the Greater Manchester School Games with a bronze medal, adding to Bolton's successful medal haul from the competition. The Bolton School team were one of five Bolton teams to come away with medals.

The Boys' and Girls' Division Parents' Associations are moving with the times and coming up with new, creative ideas to collaborate with the school, engage parents and ultimately benefit pupils' development. The Boys' Division Parents' Association arranges 'Teenage Journey' talks throughout the year to help parents to navigate their sons' development. The Girls' Division Parents' Association also holds instructional events, and last year launched the Parents' Association Future Entrepreneurs event for Year 9 girls. This is in addition to fundraising to benefit all areas of school life, supporting School events and much more.

On 16 May, the Girls' Division Parents' Association has arranged An Audience with Ken Heathcote, a well-known fitness guru who is known as 'The Father of Fitness'. He will be interviewed on the night by journalist Angela Kelly. Ken has written several books, the latest being We’re Going To Live Forever, which will also be the focus of the discussion. Tickets are £5.