Head’s LinesDear Readers,

At the time of writing, we are well underway with preparations and celebrations for the forthcoming festive season.

We held a wonderful Carol Service at St Ann’s Church and are looking forward to the Junior and Senior School Carol Concerts in the final week of term.

Extra-curricular activities are a vital part of the whole-person education at Withington. This Bulletin is dedicated to a sample of these activities across the age-range. It is good to see that so many of our girls are taking full advantage of the opportunities open to them.

On 15th December, there are 12 Upper Sixth girls, accompanied by Miss O’Neal, Miss McManus and Mrs Browning, departing for The Gambia for one week and we wish them all a happy time and safe travels.

Key dates for next term are given on the back page of this Bulletin.

A separate letter to current parents will accompany this Bulletin.

After a very happy and fulfilling first term at Withington, I would like to send you all my very best wishes for a happy Christmas break and a peaceful, healthy and successful New Year.

Headmistress

DECEMBER 2010Editor: Mr Ray KingTel: 07768 022 082

Music Music MusicWithington’s programme of Christmas concerts wrapped up an Autumn Term packed with wonderful musical events.

The Christmas programme began on 5th December when the Senior Choir took part in the St Ann’s Hospice Tree of Lights service at Manchester Cathedral; their repertoire included a moving rendition of John Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You. The following day the choir assembled early for the traditional Carol Service in St Ann’s Church in the city centre to sing a-capella in the biting cold to hundreds of market shoppers in the Square outside. The girls were joined by Ms Clucas and by the School’s former pupil and new governor, acclaimed singer and composer, Sasha Johnson Manning.

On Thursday 9th December the Rotarians’ Christmas Party took place in the Arts Centre with a selection of sing-along ‘golden oldies’ and a programme of Christmas solo and ensemble vocal and instrumental music provided by Senior and Sixth Form girls. This party for elderly people has been provided by the School for many years. The Withington staff take over the School’s kitchens to make the party teas for the pensioners. Each pensioner also receives a gift very kindly donated by Withington parents and pupils.

At the time of going to press, a 30-strong Withington choir drawn from the Lower School and Senior Chamber Choirs, conducted by peripatetic voice teacher Ms Fiona Clucas, was due on 14th December to sing with international recording star Hayley Westenra at her Christmas Wishes concert at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. The same choir had, in November, been taken by Ms Clucas to perform at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s concert at Christchurch Heaton, Bolton, an event which raised just over £4,000.

The Senior School Christmas Concert on 15th December will feature a full programme of solo and ensemble performances including the debut of the new harp ensemble. In what is now a Withington tradition, the entire Company and audience will close the concert with a rendition (with actions!) of The Twelve Days of Christmas - egged on by members of the Sixth Form in the guise of dancing Christmas trees.

More pictures from the Rotarians’ Christmas Party inside...

Go, Go, Go JosephRehearsals have begun for what promises to be one of the School’s biggest-ever musical productions.Withington secured the performance rights for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat from Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group during the Summer Term and unveiled plans for the spectacular show at an Assembly last month. The response was as amazing as the dream coat itself, with more than 100 girls attending auditions.Director of Music, Mrs Gillian Sargent, said: “The idea was to make it an all-inclusive show where the girls were not only singing and dancing on stage, but also could be involved in the technical side of the production and, with the collaboration of the Art and DT Departments, engaged in the design and production of sets and costumes.”The final casting resulted in the formation of two choirs - one for each half of the show - and the choosing of a harmony ensemble and the leading characters.Mrs Julie Healey, Withington’s Head of FTT, said: “We have also assembled a strong team of designers and we are getting ideas from the girls. Groups will take on different roles in creating props, costumes and technical wizardry.”The performances will take place on March 7th, 8th and 9th next year.

Informal ConcertWithington’s musical ‘season’ began with an Informal Concert at the School in October, featuring performers from Transition to the Upper Sixth. These small informal concerts give all girls who are learning a musical instrument, no matter what their ability or age, the opportunity to perform before an audience - something that is central to both personal and musical development. Director of Music Mrs Gilly Sargent said: “It was lovely for the little ones to see what they could aspire to during their time here.”

Rotarians’ Christmas Party

A very busy term for the Music Department began with rehearsals for the music programme for Founders’ Day 2010 - the 120th since the foundation of Withington Girls’ School.On Friday 8th October BBC Radio 4’s Sunday programme recorded the Senior Choir rehearsing the song Your Life (Go Tell Someone You Love Them) composed by former Withington pupil, Sasha Johnson Manning. Ms Johnson Manning has also recently joined the School’s Governing Body.Pictured is Sasha Johnson Manning and WGS Director of Music, Mrs Gilly Sargent, rehearsing with the girls while BBC producer Carmel Lonergan records in the left hand foreground.The music programme also included the Senior Choir singing Nigra sum et Formosa by Samuel Barber and Dvorák’s Symphony No 9, 1st Movement performed by the Senior Orchestra.

LibrettoYOUR LIFE (Go tell someone you love them)Your life is a story, ablaze with light and glory, you’ve got strength to face the world,So take what you know and let your goodness show along the path you walk each day;And all who will meet you, (even those who will not greet you) will be better for your care,So let your good light keep shining, let it shine for all out there.Now life is a journey, a tapestry of learning of the people in our world,Adventure awaits, experience dictates how best to live our lives each day,But times can be stormy and people can be thorny, you just need to feel their pain,So shine on the world your goodness, let your star be bright in rain.CHORUSGo tell someone you love them. Go show someone you care,Go tell someone who has never heard it, watch them blossom again,It’s just that you have a life so use it, don’t be afraid to fail now and then,Take a chance that your light will touch a heart then do it all over again.Your life is a treasure, it’s precious beyond measure, you have skills to forge your way,So take what you know and let your goodness show along the path you walk each day;For each life is special, it’s brimming with potential and we’re equal in God’s eyes,So take all your brightest feelings and go share your light out there.CHORUSSome days there may be dangers, some days there may be pain,Some day you may know grief, despair and sorrow,Whatever the future brings, remember your hopes have wingsSo don’t stop sowing your seeds of love, keep growing them,Go share your light out there.CHORUS

Founders’ Day Music

Art MasterclassesOn the 6th & 13th October, the Art Department was very excited and privileged to welcome local practising artist John Hamilton to the School to work alongside artists in the Upper Fifth GCSE Art class on their Identity project, developed from the story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. John worked with the girls on two occasions and inspired the girls with his own work which took many different forms, from his sketchbook work and three-dimensional boxes, to etching prints and large-scale oil paintings. This unique and valuable experience allowed the girls to learn more about the life of a working artist and to use some of his ideas and techniques to progress with their own personal projects. They created a number of compositional plans and sketches and also learnt how to transfer their drawings into mono prints.

Mr Hamilton also delivered a fantastic one-off Art masterclass, which was open to all the rest of the school community. Girls, teachers, support staff and parents were all able to experience a small part of the interesting life and working of a contemporary artist as they created their very own artwork inspired by his ideas, sketchbooks and prints. All who enthusiastically participated creatively designed and illustrated a passage from a piece of Greek Mythology. They used expressive and lively collage techniques to realise their vision for their chosen story. The busy Art Studio was alive and buzzing with activity and the end results were a great success. John was extremely impressed with the imagination, enthusiasm and the talents of all.

Whitworth Art Gallery The Lower Fifth Art classes spent a beautiful and sunny October afternoon visiting The Whitworth Art Gallery, as part of their Natural Forms coursework project. The aim of the trip was to gather different kinds of research to support and inspire their practical ideas and compositions back in the classroom. There was a wide range of artwork on display in the gallery, which invited the girls to analyse and appreciate the many forms that art can take. The girls also took advantage of the excellent weather as they created a range of lively observational studies in Whitworth Park next to the gallery. The extremely valuable experience of working outside the classroom environment was enjoyed and appreciated by all and the imagery and information that was gathered has already been used to great effect in the development of their projects.

Junior School Clay Club It has been lovely to see that the memories of summer are still in the thoughts of a group of Junior School girls who have been enthusiastically taking part in the Ceramics Club in the Art Studio this half term. They have been designing and making beautiful framed mirrors using the seaside as their inspiration. Decorative starfish, shells and patterns found in the sea have been carefully and intricately brought to life to adorn their mirrors. The girls have used a range of experimental ceramic techniques and materials including a range of oxides and crackle glazes.

Artful EndeavoursWheeler dealers Lower Sixth Economists visited the Bank of England and the London Metal Exchange before taking a spin on the London Eye on a trip to the capital.

The girls toured the Bank’s Museum featuring the history of forgery, an interactive display on running the economy and the chance to crack a safe code. At the London Metal Exchange the party saw ‘open outcry trading’ in which prices are called out to fix the day’s prices of commodities. Head of Economics Mr Stephen Boddy said: “It was a first-hand look at a dynamic, high-pressure trading environment.”

Cheque for the Kenyan hospitalIn early October, former Withington pupil Dr Claire Smithson attended morning Assembly and accepted a cheque for £3500 on behalf of the Maua Hospital in Kenya. The money was the amount raised through the Dancing through the Decades competition organised by Mrs Buckley and Mrs Robinson. This money brings the total raised over the last 8 years to well over £10,000 which goes directly to the hospital through Dr Smithson, who works there

The Lower Sixth visit to Cranedale, East Yorkshire, in 2010 was an exceptional fieldtrip. The 20 girls were totally focused and very enthusiastic about seeing firsthand the features and processes of coastal erosion we had covered in lessons.

The chalk cliffs at Flamborough Head were spectacular in the sunshine and the awe and wonder of this dynamic subject was only too apparent! The girls completed impressive field sketches of a complex stack formation, measured the characteristics of sand dunes and assessed the management schemes of the rapidly eroding boulder clay coast at Holderness. They gained valuable insight from the experts at the field study centre enabling them to make a superb job of presenting and analysing the information and data for the A-level examiner.

Mrs Julie Buckley, Head of Geography

Geography Fieldtrip to Cranedale Sierra LeoneMiriam Sesay-Mason founder of the EducAid charity, which runs the only free secondary schools in Sierra Leone, gave a talk for Sixth Form girls in November. She has set up schools, many of whose pupils were child soldiers during the civil war in the 1990s. With nothing else to hope for in their lives, they now benefit from an environment where they can learn and develop skills for furthering their prospects and fulfilling their potential. The talk was deeply moving and, in some parts, shocking as we were told of the horrors that occurred in Sierra Leone and their continuing repercussions. It was uplifting to see the difference that Miriam has made to the lives of these children and we all went away inspired to assist her cause. There is no doubt her charity will be receiving much help from WGS in the future.

Molly Deykin and Holly Whiston

Junior Eco Warriors

The Junior eco-warrior group, the ‘Outdoor Club’, reaped the harvest from their vegetable patch in early October. It was a very encouraging first effort, with some lovely cabbages, potatoes and tomatoes. They have also been making bird feeders, looking at fungi and tending the pond with its resident frog.

Crucial Crew Visit

On Friday 15th October, Upper II spent the morning away from School taking part in a ‘Crucial Crew Scenario’. The Crucial Crew project aims to prevent children becoming victims of crime or personal accident; it raises children’s awareness of the contribution they themselves can make in preventing crime and increasing their own safety.

The morning was hosted by the police, fire and ambulance services and Upper II spent the morning looking at accident and emergency scenarios. It was an enjoyable learning experience with just the right mix of presentation and role play.

Jewish Assembly

On 21st October, Junior parent Mrs Anna Kwartz, mum of Tamara in Upper II, came in to talk about Judaism, in particular about the Sabbath day (Shabbat). Mrs Kwartz was extremely informative and engaging and Tamara played a focal part in the Assembly too. The children really enjoyed the Assembly and learnt a lot about Jewish customs, especially relating to the family.

Charity Fundraising

Anna Ticehurst and Viola Baker in Lower II organised a raffle for Smile Train, a leading cleft palate charity. “It was really exciting organising the raffle and holding the Assembly,” said Anna.

The raffle raised £80 for the charity.

Mad Socks Day for Children in Need

Junior pupils raised £126 for Children in Need by paying a fine for wearing very brightly coloured unmatching socks.

Junior PhilSoc

On Wednesday 3rd November, Upper II visited The Manchester Grammar School, Junior Section, for the Junior ‘PhilSoc’ lecture. MGS Head of Geography, Mr Paul Wheeler, gave an inspiring and entertaining talk on What is Geography? The girls returned to School afterwards buzzing with ideas for further discussion.

Book Fair Week

Book Fair Week began on 15th November, giving Junior pupils the chance to buy a book of their own. Pupils will benefit doubly, as a commission on each book bought will go directly to adding new titles to the Junior library. The week began with a talk about the range of books on offer, catering for different ages and interests. Girls then had the opportunity to buy a book during lunch breaks throughout the week. Over the five days the total takings were £779.41, earning £407.65 for Junior library books.

Violin Assembly

Thank you to Mrs Vivienne Blumfield for her fascinating presentation about the violin in Junior Assembly on November 22nd. She showed us how a violin is made and we learnt lots of interesting violin facts. Did you know that there are more than 150 horse hairs in a violin bow? The Assembly finished with a duet performed by Mrs Blumfield and Sixth Form pupil, Joanna Butler.

Young Shakespeare Company

The Junior School girls were delighted to welcome back the Young Shakespeare Company whose Autumn visit has become one of the highlights of the year. This year the girls were treated to the tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet. After the morning’s workshops, which were rowdy and fun, the Company performed an abbreviated version of the play - set in the Sixties - entrancing and entertaining their young audience.

Travelling Nativity

On Wednesday 1st December, the Reverend Jan Wild of Withington Methodist Church visited the Junior School, giving an interactive Assembly for the whole Junior School and additional workshops for Transition and Form I girls. Ms Wild talked about advent and the build up to Christmas. She also spoke about the work that she and her church do to help people at Christmas, especially the homeless and refugees. The girls participated enthusiastically in the workshops which demonstrated the difference between a ‘want’ and a ‘need’.

Christmas Concert

At the time of going to press, preparations for the Junior Concert were well underway with a wonderful Christmas programme planned for our audience. The programme is to include a musical first half with the choir, orchestra, ensembles and lots of audience participation. When Sasha got Sucked up the Chimney is the play for the second half with all the Junior girls taking part.

A Day Back In TimeOn Wednesday 10th November Junior girls received a visit from two ‘time travellers’ from Ordsall Hall in Salford. Lady Margaret Radclyffe and her maid, Mary, spent much of the day with Lower II. Afterwards the girls wrote to the ladies to thank them for visiting.

Extracts from pupils’ letters

Thank you so much for coming to Withington Girls’ School and

explaining to us about your family and how things were different

in Tudor times. I also want to thank you for showing us the

interesting objects and toys. You made learning about the Tudors

a great deal of fun!

It really seemed as if you were real Tudors by the way you acted not knowing who Santa Claus was or what socks or hosepipes were. I learnt a lot of very interesting facts from your visit, although I think it was quite peculiar to put cockroach blood on your lips just to look good. I like the way you dressed all fancy and Tudor like. I really enjoyed your visit to School. I hope you come again in the future to take us back to the past.

I do hope you had a safe journey back to times without post-boxes

and television! I learnt an awful lot when you came, but I hope you

learnt a lot as well!

It was really fun learning about the Tudor lifestyle, how they dressed and what toys the children played with. The fact that those Tudor ladies used poisonous lead powder and mercury for make-up surprised me the most. The dances you taught us and the music you played made me feel as if I was a Tudor.

I am writing to thank you for giving your valuable time to the girls

of Lower II, even though you were on the way to a fabulous banquet

at Lyme Hall. Your visit brought the Tudor times back to life. I could

almost imagine what it felt like for a person from that time. It was

something I could not have learned from a history book.

Kids Lit QuizCongratulations to our team from Lower Fourth, who took part in the North West Regional Heat for the Kids Lit Quiz at the University of Bolton. Demonstrating fine teamwork and strategic skills, they reached second place in this international quiz about literature, having competed against around 20 other teams from the North West. Teams from the UK, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and China take part in this annual quiz devised by New Zealand quizmaster Wayne Mills, pictured here with the girls.

Young EnterpriseThe members of both Lower Sixth Young Enterprise companies Yum and Embark took part in the Christmas Fair held at the Exchange Square in Manchester on Wednesday 8th December. Yum sold stationery items and Embark original handmade Christmas cards. Each company had prepared well for the event and sold over £100 worth of products. I would like to congratulate all members on their professionalism, excellent organisational skills and resilience as they had to face freezing temperatures on the day. Yum is in the process of designing an original recipe book for children and Embark should soon launch an exciting range of customised USB sticks. So, keep your eyes open! Well done!Ms Catherine Ositelu, Young Enterprise Coordinator

Towards a future without cancerThe third WiGS4Life event took place on Sunday 17th October 2010. Blessed with a clear sunny day, Withington girls, staff, mums, aunties and grannies donned a variety of garish mop tops to run or walk 4 kilometres to raise funds for cancer research. Mrs Marks, unable to attend the event on the day, walked the 4k accompanied by her PA Mrs Adshead (see right), on one of the treadmills in the School’s brand new Fitness Suite. This year entry fees and sponsorship has brought in over £3,000 to be donated directly to The Christie, Manchester’s own cancer treatment and research centre.

Withington’s catwalk Liberty Belles raised more

than £7,000, to be shared between Barnardo’s and

Living Water Africa, with their New York-themed

Fashion Show in October. The slick choreography

and dazzling clothes and jewellery paraded before

a sold-out audience demonstrated the huge

amount of work the girls had put into preparation

and planning.

More than 60 models - ten drawn from each of

the year groups from Lower Fourth to Upper Sixth

- showcased several ranges of exciting fashions

lent by supportive fashion houses. They were joined

by ten Upper Sixth Formers from Manchester

Grammar School.

The 13-strong committee of Upper Sixth girls,

who organised finance, sponsorship, the clothing

collection, publicity, construction of the set with

its fabulous Manhattan skyline backdrop and ticket

sales, began working on the production before the

summer holidays.

Tara Adlestone, joint chair of the organising

committee, said:

It was a big challenge, but the show turned out to be amazing in the end. We decided on a New York theme and called the show Liberty after the famous Statue of Liberty. We wanted to make it a little different this year, so we constructed a proper catwalk in the Arts Centre. We all thought it was the best ever.

Main sponsors were jewellers Beaverbrook and the new ICE London Jewellery Collection. Also supported by: Wrapt by Joanne & Yvette, Limited Fashion, Urban Outfitters, Pop Boutique, De Facto Boutique, Akita, Vanilla, Mon Amie, London Rock, Yvette x, missguided.com, Mention Make-up Artists, Allwood Furniture, Sarah Vince-Cain Dietician, Quilter Investment Management, Pan Asia restaurant, Cineworld, Swizzles Matlow and Parquier Photography.

Thank You for your support of the Bursary Scheme here at Withington. Thanks to your donations, School can now offer one in every six girls a means-tested Bursary. The Scheme enables the School to widen access to excellent education for bright girls across the North West and allows its pupils to celebrate the rich diversity the School has become proud to represent among its pupils.

Five years after its launch with an ambition to raise £2 million, the 100 Plus Bursary Appeal has so far helped fund over 250 girls on means-tested Bursary places. Your donations have supported girls who have gone on to study at top Universities on courses such as Law, Music, Economics, History and Medicine.

With such a fantastic start to Bursary support, the 100 Plus Bursary Appeal is drawing to a close; however, Bursary provision at Withington has only just started its journey. Having witnessed the wonderful benefits of a thriving Bursary scheme, we aim to continue our fundraising towards needs-blind access whereby any bright girl shall not be denied access to a Withington education simply due to lack of financial means. We hope you will continue to support Bursaries, which will ensure Withington remains a true centre of excellence open to all.

For more information about contributing towards Bursaries, please contact Clare Flynn, Development Director, on 0161 249 3491 or at flynnc@withington.manchester.sch.uk

Withington’s Development Office and Careers Department joined forces on Monday 29th November to host a ‘Withington in the Media’ event at school, where Alumnae and Former Staff joined current pupils and their parents in the Arts Centre to listen to three former pupils, Laura Yates (1998 Leaver), Judith Moritz (1995 Leaver) and Emma Hardwidge (née Duckworth, 2000 Leaver), speaking informally about their careers in the media.

Judith Moritz spoke first of her career path to date, working her way through the BBC Journalism Trainee scheme to her current post as North of England correspondent for BBC News. Her honest and enthusiastic account of the demands of a career in broadcast journalism held her audience captivated, and she gave those considering a similar path plenty of advice and tips to succeed.

The evening’s second speaker, Emma Hardwidge, is a former assistant Art Director working in the Animation industry who is now co-owner and Strategy Director of boutique digital advertising agency Considered Creative. Emma gave

an engaging presentation on her career to date, and spoke to the audience first-hand about the impact digital marketing has had on the advertising industry.

Finally, Laura Yates, BBC Northwest Tonight’s Health Correspondent, spoke fresh from the newsroom of her love of her job, giving her audience an insight into how she is able to broadcast stories which have a real impact on people’s lives. Laura spoke of her route into the industry via a Postgraduate course in Broadcast Journalism, and advised those thinking of a similar career on the skills and attributes required to achieve.

After taking questions from the audience, the three guest speakers were thanked by Mrs Marks for taking the time to return to Withington to share their knowledge and experience. They then chatted further with guests over drinks and canapés, with all three agreeing that it had been lovely to return to their former school and to meet members from across the school community.

THANKYO ! the Media

During the week of 15th-19th November, the PE Department and the Development Office held the Keep On Running House competition in Withington’s brand-new Fitness Suite, in aid of the 100 Plus Bursary Appeal.

Pupils from the Upper Fourth upwards competed in a static marathon using the equipment in the Fitness Suite, and girls from all four Houses battled to travel the furthest distance over the course of the week. Each evening, a large leaderboard in Reception was updated with that day’s distances, proving an excellent motivation for those taking part in what was already a hotly-fought contest. Not to be left out, the Third and Lower Fourth Forms paid to participate in a House Dodgeball contest, between them raising over £100 for the Bursary Appeal.

At the end of the week-long competition, Scott House emerged triumphant, having travelled 632km, and were awarded house points as their reward. Herford came in second place with 585km, Lejeune were third with 468km, and Simon in fourth place on 378km. Girls are now competing to raise the most sponsorship, with the House that collects the most money for the Bursary Appeal being awarded a further set of house points at the final assembly on the last day of term.

Alumnae Dates for your DiaryFebruary 2011Withington in the City, LondonA chance to hear guest Alumnae speakers recall their experiences since leaving school and their paths into their chosen professions. This is an open event to which Alumnae and guests are welcome.

14th May 2011‘ Sizzling Seventies’ Reunion, SchoolFollowing the success of the ‘Swinging Sixties’ reunion in 2009, an open reunion is planned for all Alumnae who left in the 1970s. Dig out your bell-bottomed jeans and join us!

All Alumnae events are listed on the website. Please register your interest for any of these events with Laura in the Development Office on 0161 249 3494.

WGS OnlineWithington Onwards, our Alumnae Association, is now fully online - on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter! We are keeping in touch with hundreds of Alumnae through our online social networks, which are proving a great way to keep abreast of the latest Alumnae news! The ones to watch for WGS Alumnae are -

Add: Laura J HoldernessJoin: Withington Girls’ School Alumni - group

Add: Development Office - Withington Girls’ SchoolJoin: Withington Girls’ School Alumnae - group

Follow: @WGSAlumnae

D of E at Lyme Park Almost 60 members of Withington’s Lower Fifth - together with parents, friends and dogs - completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme’s Bronze Practice Expedition through Lyme Park under beautiful sunny skies on Sunday, 17th October.

History Girls Withington contestant Holly Whiston produced an outstanding performance both in terms of content and delivery at the History Debate staged at Manchester High School for Girls on 25th November. Holly emerged after a series of heats as the School’s candidate to take on rivals from nine participating schools at the event, run by the Historical Association.

The motion was: Tudor England and Nazi Germany are extensively studied in schools. Justify another period in History equally worthy of study. Despite making a persuasive case for teaching the past 150 years of Irish and Northern Irish history, Holly was pipped for the award by a candidate from Bolton Girls’ School who argued for the teaching of Chinese history over the past 150 years.

Sixth Form historians have also hosted visiting speaker Glyn Redworth from Manchester Metropolitan University whose subject was 17th Century Catholicism and Women: the case of Luisa de Carvajal. Further talks are planned in the New Year.

Diplomatic victories On Sunday 21st November nearly 200 delegates from eight schools took part in a one-day Model United Nations Conference, dubbed WiMUNCH, hosted at Withington in conjunction with Cheadle Hulme School.

The event was designed to bridge the gap between the October and March conferences and geared towards both experienced and inexperienced delegates. The Conference was very successful and provided a platform on which Withington girls excelled. The School’s delegation representing France won the Outstanding Delegation Award - a lovely glass trophy - and there were a host of individual awards.

Earlier in the term a Withington delegation won four individual awards at the tenth anniversary meeting of MUNCH at Cheadle Hulme School. Ms Maher praised the ‘outstanding achievement’ of the quartet, who represented the Czech Republic. The event was attended by schools from all over the British Isles and one from the United States. Withington teams representing Russia and Iran respectively won Highly Commended and Commended delegation awards.

Mathematics Show On Tuesday 7th December, Lower Sixth Mathematics pupils enjoyed an inspirational morning at the Royal Northern College of Music. Presentations were given by well-known mathematicians, including the author Rob Eastaway and John Roberts, member of the London Eye design team. The talks highlighted the dynamic and varied nature of Mathematics and the girls said that the relevance of the subject really ‘came alive’ for them.

Mock Trial Competition Minshull Street Crown Court, Saturday 27th November 2010

A group of 15 girls took part in the annual Sir Rhys Davies Mock Trial competition held at Minshull Street Crown Court. Over a long day the girls prosecuted and defended two cases - one of theft and the other of handling stolen goods - providing the roles of advocates, witnesses, court staff, jurors and reporters.

The game is played in three leagues. We were in the league against Alderley Edge School for Girls, Manchester Grammar School and Manchester High School for Girls. Our team of barristers (Zara Tso, Katy Walsh Glinert, Krupa Thakker and Charlotte Ward) was excellent: they asked probing questions of their witnesses (always careful not to lead!), were incisive in cross-examination and were very successful in convincing the juries of their cases. The witnesses played their characters to the full: Malak El Gonemy was a particularly amusing confectioner who had been present at the theft of some very expensive wedding cakes in R vs Decoeur as well as a most convincing Hillbilly in the case of R vs Ali Capone, where the theft of a crate of alcohol by Capone was being tried. Katie Mulholland played the defendant, Italian Ali Capone, very convincingly with pasta through her hair and an Italian accent the judge thought first-rate. Molly Deykin (as Madison Hatter, a student of French Fashion and hat design!) and Ania Soleimani also fully played their parts as witnesses providing wonderful characterisation.

Nabiha Shariff was an excellent member of court staff, playing Clerk when we prosecuted and Usher when we defended. She was composed, clear and authoritative. Gabby Abrahams wrote a wonderful report on the proceedings in the associated Manchester Evening News Law Reporting Competition.

The final comprises the top two scorers from the three leagues. Although we won our league (beating Alderley Edge and Manchester High School) we only made third place, losing out to the winners of the other two leagues who had more points. Nevertheless, third on the day is outstanding and the girls very much enjoyed the opportunity the event gave them to learn about the law. They were also delightful company for me.

We were helped in our preparations by two local barristers, Mr Kane Simon and Ms Liz Murray, who were excellent tutors in the law as well as great encouragements to us all. Many thanks to everyone who made the day such great fun.

Mr Vincent Sharples

A Day at the MuseumFor ten Lower and Upper Fifth Classics students, the first day of the half-term holiday turned into “an inspirational, wonderful day” as they visited the British Museum accompanied by Ms Holden and Miss French. They saw the Elgin Marbles, followed a trail of artefacts connected with their reading of Virgil’s Aeneid and took advantage of the well-signposted tour around the Museum looking at the History of the World in 100 Objects. A shopping expedition to Covent Garden completed the expedition.

Politics VisitFormer Chair of the Greater London Assembly, the Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Sally Hamwee, gave an erudite and interesting description of the work of a member of the House of Lords in her talk to Withington’s Sixth Form Politics Students during a visit to the School on October 15th. She also answered questions from girls about concerns over rising tuition fees.

The Baroness visited Withington as part of the ‘Peers into Schools Programme’ which is run by the House of Lords to raise awareness of the work and running of the second chamber. Baroness Hamwee has visited a number of other schools in the North West as part of this programme and she was a lively and engaging speaker.

The Girl in the PictureIt is one of the most famous and most influential war photographs ever taken - Nick Ut’s shot of nine-year-old Kim Phuc fleeing an American napalm attack on a village during the Vietnam War on 8th June 1972.

Withington’s devised drama production for A2 and EPQ students examined what it could mean to have your life defined by a single picture taken in a split second by using a variety of dramatic

techniques. By cross-cutting monologues between Kim and Nick the work sought to express the life-changing impact of the picture on both subject and photographer.

The image would change the direction of the war in Vietnam and would have life-changing consequences for the anguished subject and Ut himself. When the photograph was published in America it contributed directly to turning the tide of public opinion against the war, finally forcing the US government to end hostilities in 1975.

The entire piece, which was devised, directed and performed by Sam Drobig, Emma Lau, Nikita Sinclair, and Ania Soleimani, takes place

within a heavy, immovable frame in which subject and photographer remain inescapably connected to this one

picture, and one another.

New HorizonsWithington has broadened its academic horizons and deepened the scope for Sixth Form specialist study by introducing Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs) and encouraging girls to engage in Open University short courses.

EPQs provide the opportunity for girls to explore subjects that hold special interest for them outside the School curriculum, stretching their abilities in a similar vein to the former Advanced Extension Awards which were withdrawn with the advent of the A* grade at A Level.

Since EPQs were introduced last July, some 20 girls now in the Upper Sixth are in the process of finishing their projects under the auspices of the AQA examination board. The tasks - which culminate in the production of comprehensive written reports or artefacts - typically require some 90 hours to complete, mostly outside the School timetable.

Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator, Dr Anne Maisey, said that during the summer holidays four girls had completed OU English courses and 28 had chosen to do science modules. “The idea of doing OU courses and completing EPQs demonstrates ability to undertake independent study - something that universities value highly.”

Director of Studies, Dr Lorraine Earps, said: “EPQs are not a replacement for the old Advanced Extension Awards, because the girls can choose to base their projects on literally anything. Their value stems from the development of critical analysis and evaluation - skills that are very important in higher education. The girls have access to the Manchester University Library because their studies are so specialised and in depth as to be far beyond the remit of the School’s resources.”

Arts for goodness sake...Delayed a week by the icy weather, Withington’s GCSE Drama group performed John Godber’s enduring comedy Teechers in the School’s Drama Studio as part of their practical work. The play, written in 1987 as a plea for the recognition of the importance of the arts within the school curriculum, is kept fresh and relevant by the use of contemporary chart music for the soundtrack. Head of Drama Mrs Jen Baylis said: “My hope is that the experience of working and learning together throughout the rehearsal period and their ownership of an evening of live studio theatre will ensure that they leave this section of the course with memories and life skills that go far beyond a GCSE grade.”

Psychology trip On November 26th I took my Upper Sixth Psychology group to London to attend a Psychology Conference entitled Science and Pseudoscience. It was a fascinating set of lectures given by Senior Examiners and experts in their field and it looked at what makes a research study truly scientific. This was very useful for the girls, as an understanding of the scientific process is fundamental to doing well in A-level Psychology. It was a hugely entertaining day, with two lectures from Professor Richard Wiseman on The Luck Factor and how our perceptions and outlook can influence our lives. Professor Wiseman is a prolific researcher in his field as well as being a trained magician so he was able to impress us with his magic tricks as well as his research findings. The day ended with a lecture on Hypnosis by the renowned hypnotist, Andrew Newton and a large number of volunteers were put into a hypnotic trance to demonstrate how it works. One of our own girls, was amongst those hypnotised on stage and she found the experience intriguing. Overall it was a very enjoyable and valuable day for us all. Thanks must go to the girls for their excellent behaviour and good company.

Miss Bernadette O’Neal

Head of Psychology

When the clocks went back to GMT at the end of October, the new floodlighting to the AstroTurf pitches and Netball Courts meant that sports practices and home matches could continue without pause. Along with the refurbishment of the Gym and the addition of the Fitness Suite, sporting opportunities at Withington have been greatly enhanced and expanded this year.

Head of PE, Mrs Mhairi Ferrol, said: “The new developments are really having a major impact. The Gym is much brighter with an integral sound system, computer and projector enabling creative and lively fitness sessions. Mrs Stenhouse’s ‘Legs, Bums and Tums’ and Yoga sessions have attracted large numbers of girls who are less inclined to play competitive sports and her Trampolining Club has answered popular demand.”

The new Fitness Suite is proving a boon for girls from the Upper Fourth to the Sixth Form. Said Mrs Ferrol: “The inter-house ‘Keep on Running’ competition provided a great focus to introduce the girls to the equipment and we hope it may become an annual event.”

“The floodlighting has meant that we can have regular after-school practice sessions throughout the winter,” said Mrs Ferrol. “And we have really good attendances at Lacrosse, Hockey and Netball practices after school. We can also play many more matches here at Withington instead of having to play away at other schools.”

She added: “It’s too early to say yet if our already good results are improving because of the enhanced training. Last year the Senior Lacrosse team maintained an unbeaten record and won the North

Schools Lacrosse Tournament. In Hockey our 1st and U16 teams each finished 3rd in their respective county tournaments. The most measurable improvement has shown in recent Netball results with some wins against schools to whom we have previously narrowly lost.”

Sports practice sessions are structured to enable girls to take part in Netball, Lacrosse and Hockey rather than, as at many other schools, be forced to choose just one. Additionally, the PE and Music departments coordinate schedules so that girls are able to pursue both musical and sporting interests outside school hours.

North Lacrosse and County Hockey and Netball representatives

This Sporting Life

On the bounceSixth Former Sasha Carter won a tremendous second place in the World Trampolining Championships in Metz, France. Sasha, a member of the City of Salford Trampolining Club, has been a member of the Great Britain team for five years and has competed at international level in Sweden, the Czech Republic, Canada, Belgium and Russia. She won her medal in Metz in the under-19 synchronised trampolining event with team mate Sophie Lewis, from Reading.

“I love the sport because there’s always something new to learn,” said Sasha, who captained her age-group in the Great Britain team. She took up trampolining at the age of eight and manages to train six evenings a week despite the demands of her A-level studies.

HockeyWithington recently hosted Mount Mercy College from Cork, who brought two hockey squads on tour to the Manchester area.

Sport is and always will be a major priority at Withington. It must be remembered that Withington’s pupil roll is half that of many of the schools we compete against and our excellent rankings are a credit to the dedication of girls and staff. Our small size also means that proportionally, more of our girls are likely to get the chance to play competitive sport.

Spring Term 2011JANUARY

4th [Tuesday] Staff In-service Day (No pupils in School)

5th [Wednesday] Term Starts

Parents’ Evening: LV (rescheduled) 6.00pm

5th - 14th [Wed - Fri] Upper V Examinations

10th [Monday] Senior School Entrance Examinations (No pupils in School)

11th [Tuesday] Monday Timetable

13th [Thursday] Lower Sixth: Presentation Evening 7.00pm

15th [Saturday] Junior School Entrance Examinations am

29th [Saturday] PTA Winter Party

FEBRUARY

5th - 6th [Sat - Sun] Winmarleigh Hall: Upper II

9th [Wednesday] Parents’ Evening: Lower VI 6.00 - 8.00pm

10th [Thursday] Informal Concert 6.00 - 7.00pm

11th - 12th [Fri - Sat] Art Gallery/Research Trip: Upper V, Lower and Upper VI

13th [Sunday] DofE Bronze Walk (Marple to Hayfield)

17th [Thursday] Gym Display 6.00pm

17th - 24th [Thurs - Thurs] German Exchange: Lower V - Upper VI

Spanish Exchange: Sixth Form

21st - 25th inc [Mon - Fri] Half Term

19th - 22nd [Sat - Tues] History Trip to Paris: Lower VI

19th - 26th [Sat - Sat] Ski Trip

MARCH

1st [Tuesday] Parents’ Evening: Junior School 4.00 - 8.00pm

3rd [Thursday] Parents’ Evening: Junior School 4.00 - 8.00pm

Parents’ Evening: Lower IV 6.00 - 8.00pm

3rd - 10th [Thurs - Thurs] Spanish Exchange Pupils in School

6th [Sunday] School Musical Technical Rehearsal 10.00 - 4.00pm

7th [Monday] Year Group Photographs: Upper V and Upper VI

School Musical Dress Rehearsal 5.00pm

8th [Tuesday] School Musical 7.00pm

9th [Wednesday] School Musical 7.00pm

9th - 16th [Wed - Wed] French Exchange Pupils in School

17th [Thursday] Parents’ Evening: Upper VI 6.00 - 8.00pm

17th - 18th [Thurs - Fri] Junior School Trip to the Peak Centre: Transition and Form I

20th [Sunday] DofE Silver Walk: Upper V

22nd [Tuesday] Parents’ Evening: Upper V 6.00 - 8.00pm

24th [Thursday] Informal Concert 6.00 - 7.00pm

25th [Friday] History Trip to Styal Mill: Lower IV

28th [Monday] Geography Fieldtrip to Castleton: Third Forms

29th [Tuesday] AS Drama Performance 7.00pm

APRIL

1st [Friday] HPV3 Vaccinations: Lower IV & Upper V

2nd [Saturday] PTA Spring Fair 10.00 - 1.00pm

3rd - 4th [Sun - Mon] DofE Bronze Practice Expedition: Lower V

6th - 8th [Tues - Wed] GCSE/A-level Music Performances

7th [Thurs] Senior Concert 7.00pm

7th - 14th [Thurs - Thurs] French Exchange: Lower V - Upper VI

FTT/Spanish Trip to Madrid: Lower V - Upper VI

8th [Friday] General Studies A2 Mock Examinations: Upper VI am

8th [Friday] Term Ends 2.00pm

9th - 14th [Sat - Thurs] History Trip to Russia: Lower V - Upper VI

Pupil absence: Please would all parents use 0161 249 3476 to inform the school of pupil absence before 8.30am on each day of absence.

For contact after school please use these numbers:Senior Late Room: 0161 249 3492Junior Late Room: 0161 224 1077

Do call us (Before we call you!)Withington Girls’ School, Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BLTel: 0161 224 1077 Fax: 0161 248 5377 Email: office@withington.manchester.sch.uk Web: www.withington.manchester.sch.uk Registered Charity No. 526632

Thank youI’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all girls and parents who have supported three of the School’s charity initiatives this term. We had a very successful Harvest Festival in September and your donations of food items have been gratefully received by our friends at the Booth Centre to aid their work for homeless people in our city. Our Festival of Lesson and Carols at St Ann’s Church is held in conjunction with the Wood Street Mission and it was great to see so many people there supporting what they do for less fortunate people in Manchester and Salford. More recently you were very kind in helping support the annual Rotarians’ Concert when, through your generosity, we were able to give a tea party, concert and a gift to over 100 local elderly people. They appreciate massively all your efforts on their behalf. It is a huge joy and a privilege to us to be able to help a group of our neighbours celebrate Christmas in this way.Mr Vincent Sharples, Head of Religious Studies and Assemblies Coordinator

World Challenge newsThe World Challenge team sent the picture below via MMS from their training camp near Buxton on Sunday 12th December. The freezing weather provided excellent preparation for the conditions they will encounter when they climb Mount Kilimanjaro in July 2011. In a busy week for the team, the girls will be hosting a local version of the BBC’s Question Time in the Arts Centre, chaired by Gordon Burns and featuring a panel of local MPs and academics. The event will raise money for the social project element of their expedition to Tanzania.