Fond Farewells

Dr H Christie

During my time at Bolton School Girls’ Division, I have had the opportunity to work alongside outstanding teachers, the most enthusiastic students and fantastic colleagues from departments throughout the whole foundation. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be part of such a strong Physics and Science department. One of the highlights of my time in the Physics department was helping to found the Girls’ Astro-Physics Club. We have gone on to host an evening observation, a trip to see Tim Peake’s Soyuz Space Capsule as well as providing a platform for students across the year groups to come and discuss new discoveries in Physics and Astronomy. Outside of the classroom, I have enjoyed my role in recent years as Head of Year. My favourite part of this role has definitely been taking students to Patterdale Hall where we have braved the elements and taken part in a whole host of outdoor pursuits. A sincere thank you to everyone who has made my time at Bolton so enjoyable and unforgettable. I wish all the very best for the future to my colleagues and students.

Mr P Linfitt

I started work at Bolton School in 1999, so last century! When you are busy every day, 23 years fly by and it seems incredible to me that I have now worked at the school since long before any of the current pupils were born. Teaching at Bolton School was my second career but, undoubtedly, it has been my most satisfying and rewarding. After completing a Masters in Electrical Engineering from Manchester University, I spent many happy years working as a design engineer in the electricity industry. Privatisation of that sector nudged me towards a new start and a new way of life. During my PGCE year, I happened to do a placement at the Boys’ Division. This included a visit to Patterdale; great fun and lots of new ideas to explore and inspire. My first teaching job was at Lancaster Royal Grammar School - all boys, including a young Mr Owen for whom my Y7 physics lessons inspired a lifelong love of history. When a vacancy showed up at BSGD (in a real newspaper of course!), I applied immediately. I still remember the warmth and enthusiasm of the staff and pupils I met during my first visit. After being interviewed by the then headmistress, Jane Panton, I was delighted to start in a newly created Head of Department role. My first impressions from that day were happily confirmed. The outstanding professionalism of the Technology colleagues has endured – I could not have been luckier. The Technology Department was undergoing changes and exploring new ways of delivering the curriculum. We changed the physical layout too, impossibly creating four classrooms where only three had stood. The space was designed by us and made real by Bolton School’s own in-house estates team. This time of change and the autonomy to make important decisions was a really exciting start for someone relatively new to teaching. The school’s staff room, then and now, was a supportive and encouraging environment and I happily took on new responsibilities such as Year Tutor, then later helping Dr Cath Brown with the management of the school’s operational systems. I’d like to say I’d crafted a master plan of career development, but that is very much not the case. As time moved on I became part of the Senior Leadership Team and, as a result, got involved in aspects of school life that were new, challenging, and fascinating to learn. In a very rewarding way it also meant working with an even wider range of talented colleagues across the Foundation. My early education and work in engineering fuelled my love of problem-solving. It has been a great privilege to see the creative work of so many young people, and to share with them an enthusiasm for practical and imaginative solutions. Probably the most ambitious project was a cross-curricular science-maths-technology challenge to design and built a full-size working trebuchet…risk assessments were much smaller documents back then. Of a very long list of enjoyable things I never planned or expected to do, school trips rank high. Through rain and shine, and occasionally snow, I’ve enjoyed excursions with almost every teaching department, including D of E. My top favourite was being co-opted into the History Department visits to New York, Washington and Boston. The headmistress at the time, Gill Richards, brought her boundless energy to these trips, but a full account of this would fill another article on its own. I look back with real affection and enormous thanks, and recognise the very good fortune I’ve had to work alongside so many hard-working, entertaining, and intelligent colleagues. This has impacted my whole family since both our daughters came through the school (yet another great serendipity) and both had a fabulous education. It also meant wonderful fun for me, every day. I hope the same will be true for all of you too.

Mrs A Elkin

It has been a pleasure to finish my teaching career at Bolton School. I started out as an English teacher in the mid-eighties at Glossop School in Derbyshire before moving to Bedfordshire and then on to be Head of English at The Rochester Grammar School for Girls in Kent. Following spells at schools in Bury, I joined the School Improvement Service in Salford and worked as a literacy consultant in the many high schools there. I have always been fascinated by language development and reading and I decided to pursue further study in dyslexia so I could better understand and support students with specific learning difficulties. So, nine years ago I arrived as your Learning Support Co-ordinator. I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting students with their studies and watching them grow to be independent, confident and accomplished young people who refuse to let their difficulties define them or be a barrier to their fantastic achievements. I am always impressed by how cheerful and resilient they are. It is so lovely to hear from past pupils and I always feel immensely proud of any part I played in helping them on their way. I have loved being part of the traditions which give Girls’ Division its unique appeal: singing in assemblies; taking the odd assembly myself (nothing beats wearing the gown and feeling like Mr Chips!); chuckling at the staff “ribbing” in the Prefects’ Pantomime; enjoying all the excellent music and drama; and of course, going to Patterdale Hall. The Creative Writing retreat has been another highlight. I hope to see more of our young writers in print in the future. There is some great talent to be nurtured. Finally, a big thank you to my colleagues on the staff and very best wishes to everyone connected with the school. I will remember this as a very special time.

Ms A Cossey

I am leaving Bolton School after six busy years to spend some time as a full-time mum to my two young children. Whilst excited for this change I know I will miss working with a fantastically supportive and motivated body of staff and the bright and bubbly students in Girls’ Division, who have been a pleasure to teach. During my time here I have taught a subject I love to classes from Year 7 through to Year 13, with topics ranging from debates about the existence of God to the controversial ethics of abortion. I have also enjoyed leading the Law Society and helping Sixth Formers looking to pursue a career in law embark on this path. However, I feel without a doubt my key educational achievement has been ensuring my Year 10s don’t go through the rest of their lives believing they are directly descended from orangutans. I will take away many fond memories from these years, from regularly debating with classes whether something is an actual Test or just a “test”, to the palpable excitement that accompanies annual traditions such as the Easter Egg hunt or Prefects’ Panto. I have to admit that even if I stayed another six years I still I don’t think I would ever understand the unfathomable madness that is Christmas Post, but it will certainly stick in my memory when I look back at my time here. To all those I have taught and to those I have worked with I would like to say a big thank you for making the past six years so enjoyable. I will miss you all and wish you the very best of luck for the future.