The Cockerel
BOLTON SCHOOL BOYS’ DIVISION NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 39 - MARCH 2023
Outstanding performances at Young Musician Final
Outstanding performances at Young Musician Final
This year’s Final of Bolton School Boys’ Division’s Young Musician Competition, in its nineteenth year, provided an evening showcasing outstanding talent on 21st March in the Great Hall. Fourteen gifted solo performers, who were already winners in their individual instrumental categories, shared their passion for music with the appreciative and enthusiastic audience.
The adjudicator, Philip Dewhurst (former Director of Music at Cheadle Hulme School and long-standing examiner for Trinity College London) had the difficult job of choosing the ultimate winners. He was extremely complimentary about every single performance and gave detailed feedback to each musician.
Mr. Dewhurst went on to announce the Senior Young Musician of the Year as Laurence Britton on drum kit, and the Junior Young Musician as Mathew Yeung on violin. The Junior Young Composer of the Year Award was given to Charlie Feng and the Senior Young Composer of the Year to Rishi Narla. The Most Promising Performer Award went to clarinettist Freddie Audley.
The competitions began back in January with hundreds of boys performing in the Heats to members of the Music Department staff; 64 musicians were then selected as Semi-finalists (some in more than one category) to perform throughout the
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Laurence Britton - Senior Young Musician
Matthew Yeung - Junior Young Musician
whole day to Mr. Dewhurst on 15th February. The winners of each instrumental category then proceeded to perform at the Final.
Mr. Forgrieve, Foundation Director of Instrumental Music, congratulated the pupils on their wonderful performances and thanked Mr. and Mrs. Hilton, who were in the audience, for their continuing annual contribution towards the prize money as the ‘Walker-Hilton Music Prizes’.
The Junior Finalists were:
Jenson Byrne (Year 8) - vocal
Jamie Chen (Year 8) - piano (via pre-recorded video)
Ike Edwards (Year 7) - bass guitar
Antoine Jodeau (Year 9) - cornet
Tejas Neelam (Year 7) - flute
Charlie Simpson (Year 8) - drum kit
Matthew Yeung (Year 9) - violin
The Senior Finalists were:
Harry Adams (Year 12) - violin
James Bland (Year 12) - oboe
Laurence Britton (Year 13) - drum kit
Dylan Lincoln (Year 12) - electric guitar
Arun Patel (Year 11) - trumpet
Nathan Pierson (Year 10) - vocal
Xuan Wang (Year 13) - piano
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Rishi Narla - Senior Young Composer
Charlie Feng - Junior Young Composer
Chapter 2
Boys win Regional Final in Chess Championship
Boys win Regional Final in Chess Championship
James Logan playing on Board 1 against MGS. At 50 up we had already sealed the victory, but their top player was still hanging on for pride’s sake. Unfortunately for MGS, James was on good form yet again, and after a tight endgame, he completed our 6 - 0 clean sweep.
Well done to our ‘A’ team, who beat Manchester Grammar School in the Regional Final of the ECF National Schools Chess Championship on Tuesday 14th March. If you remember, we narrowly beat MGS at the same stage last year – the first time we had beaten them in well over a decade. And what a difference a year can make – having played in the National Finals last year and competing regularly with schools from all around the country in an online league, the team is even stronger. This year’s result, a clean sweep, 6 - 0 to Bolton! Congratulations to James Logan (Captain), Marcus Fung, Marlon Wen, Amrit Mishra, Laurence Britton and Leon McGuigan-Lazo on a well deserved victory. The team has now qualified for the National Finals in Nottingham at the end of June.
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Chapter 3
Boys enjoy success in Linguistics Olympiad
Boys enjoy success in Linguistics Olympiad
Congratulations to Ben Rimmer and George Houghton in Year 12 on their success in the UK Linguistics Olympiad by securing a Silver and Bronze award respectively. The event sees pupils tasked with solving a range of complex linguistic data problems using a set of new and unfamiliar languages. The organisers commended all participants in an especially challenging competition this year, and so congratulations are also due to Tom Debreczeni, David Chow, Marcus Fung, Alex McKie and Veer Patel from Year 12 and Barnaby Keogh in Year 13 for their efforts and enthusiasm.
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James’ Swimming Medal Haul
Chapter 4
James’ Swimming Medal Haul
James Vaughan, a Year 8 pupil, came away with an impressive medal haul at last month’s Lancashire County Swimming Finals.
James won four Silver medals in the 200m Breaststroke, 200m Individual Medley, 400m Individual Medley and 100m Butterfly. He also won four Bronze medals in the 200m Butterfly, 1500m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke and 50m Breaststroke. His strong performance helped his team (Wigan BEST) win the age group trophy.
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Chapter 5
Inspiring Author Visit for Years 7 and 10
Inspiring Author Visit for Years 7 and 10
Last term. the Library organised for Boys’ Division students in Years 7 and 10 to hear talks on a variety of topics from published author Matt Dickinson.
approach to writing an article, which fitted in with their English Language curriculum focusing on reading, exploring and writing non-fiction texts. All boys were engrossed and wrote notes throughout and asked some really insightful questions at the end of the fifty minutes. This was then followed up in English lessons, where students were asked to write an article debating whether Mount Everest should remain open, especially with its recent status as a ‘Bucket List’ life experience.
Picture this: an empty Everest. The only sound being that harsh, howling wind at the summit of the prestigious mountain. You look up and around: the only view is the derelict, isolated building. The crippled infrastructure of the local village left bare, visible, vivid. Hopes and dreams destroyed. One decision, one fateful decision. The perfect natural beauty will never be seen again. This is why Everest should be kept open. Zac McAllister (10b)
This is not the first time that Matt has visited the school, but it is the first time speaking to these two year groups. Year 10 were given an insight in to journalism and were supported in a real life
The economic benefits of the tourists who climb Everest are immeasurable; they have turned neighbouring villages from being rural and poor to having proper infrastructure and money to hand. From this, schools were built, roads were laid and shops and businesses were created. Each climber pays £50,000 to climb the mountain, so imagine the profits from a whole group of climbers. Ed
Goodfellow (10d)
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Year 7 experienced a variety of talks across the day, led by their questions and intrigue and as always, Matt used his experience of climbing Mount Everest countless times to entice boys into issues around the environment, geography, science, and even topics such as economics and morality issues.
This year for National Poetry Day, BSBD English and BSBD Eco launched a poetry competition to coincide with visiting published author and adventurer Matt Dickinson, who kindly agreed to judge entries and select the winning prize.
The theme this year was ‘The Environment’ and this clearly inspired boys and we had many fantastic entries. It was certainly difficult to short list and Matt had a difficult task in selecting one overall winner.
‘Rivington’ by Ethan Knight is a worthy winner of this poetry prize. It caught my attention immediately with its bold use of vocabulary and an evocative atmosphere. He connects the ebb and flow of the natural world (rivers carrying fragments of rock) with the human experience (I inhale the recently moisturised air) in a sophisticated way. Nice work Ethan well done! Matt Dickinson
‘Rivington’
As the petrichor set in over the moors, I inhale the recently moisturised air. A scene of layers with all its contours, Creates a place beyond compare.
Meandering rivers carrying fragments of rock, Depositing sediments to outside banks. Constantly flowing around the clock, The time has come to give our thanks.
Terraced gardens, a replica castle, Breathtaking views and hidden gems. Natural landscape that really does dazzle, Unspoilt, unscathed that no one condemns.
So let us be proud of our wondrous outdoors And all that surrounds us nearby. The petrichor set in over the moors, My home, my haven, I cry.
Ethan Knight (7e)
‘Our Forest’
When the sun rises, in the forest evergreen, The birds tweet and sing for everybody to hear
Sometimes it can sound, as if they’re singing for their queen, But if you approach them too loudly, they may fear.
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The decaying leaves, rustle on the forest floor, A home to worms, mini-beasts and insects
If you walk on the leaves, it’s like knocking on their doors Telling them to hide and watch, the sight of the prospect.
And when the smell of foul dung, creeps into your nostrils, You know an animal has eaten well, and is resting after its meal.
If you steal the remains, you’ll hear a high pitched trill, It’ll chase after you, and the chase becomes real.
But when night falls and the forest settles down, The living in the forest is no longer a game.
Out come the apex predators wearing a crown Coming to attack and inflict pain.
But the real apex predators, Aren’t wild cats, snakes or sharks, But mankind itself, Coming from afar.
Out comes the evil poacher, Looking for huge game to kill, Then he sells for money the deer and the tiger, So his happiness can be fulfilled.
After seeing the poor animals’ health.
But this isn’t only in the woods, Also in deserts, sea and even mud, And on other of the earth’s habitats, Housing reptiles, insects and wild cats. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg, (Which is also another habitat), The food chain goes very deep, With many species that have never been seen.
Nature is vast and unending, From flowers, to squirrels and birds in the garden, It’s not something to be played with, But admired, viewed and protected.
Sochi Umeadi (9a)
Untitled
The sea was full of much litter
The land was piled with many dead critter’
Volcanoes explode
Mountains erode
We will all become fritter
Xuan Wang (13g)
But the animals of the forest should be protected, As it’s a thriving eco-system in itself,
If you damage the forest, you’ll regret it,
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Chapter 6
Inaugural Alumni Award Winners announced
Inaugural Alumni Award Winners announced
Bolton School has announced the winners of its inaugural Alumni of the Year Awards. There were two clear winners. Sir Philip Craven was voted Old Boy of the Year and Dr. Sheila Fisher was voted Old Girl of the Year; there were also two awards for outstanding achievement, which went to Rebecca Turner and to the duo of Max Griffiths and Sam Yates.
Head of Foundation Mr. Britton, presiding over a rare joint assembly of girls and boys from Junior and Senior Schools, lauded all the winners for their valuable contribution to society. Each, he said, had gone out into the world and made it a better place. Three of the four winners were on stage to inspire the next generation of Bolton School pupils and each gave a thank you speech and an overview of their career.
Sir Philip Craven recapped his life, recalling how he had broken his back aged sixteen in a climbing accident, but had not let that hold him back. He told how he had noticed a wheelchair basketball game taking place out of his hospital window and had decided that sport would be his salvation. Whilst he had been given an offer to study at Cambridge, he chose the University of Manchester because it was nearer to his club, the Southport wheelchair basketball team. He joked that he went on to achieve a First Class honours in basketball. Touching on some of the highlights of his career, he reflected upon: taking part in five
Paralympic Games and the two years he spent playing wheelchair basketball in France, winning the national league and cup; his work with the International Wheelchair Basketball
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Federation and as President of the International Paralympic Committee; his employment with British Coal and the Toyota Motor Corporation; and how, somehow, he had squeezed in a year as Chair of the Old Boltonians’ Association! He concluded his talk by saying that the most pleasing thing about the award had been that it was voted for ‘by my peers’ and he thanked the audience ‘for making me feel young again!’
Dr. Sheila Fisher, a Governor at Bolton School for almost 40 years and former Vice-Chair of the Girls’ Division, told how her schooling had instilled in her values for life and provided her with the confidence to live her dream. She broke her journey down into four acts for the assembly. Act 1, she said, was as the first woman Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon, caring for people with cancers of the head or neck and for those who had endured facial trauma. Act 2, she explained, was, after she had suffered from inflammatory arthritis, as a Medical Researcher. Act 3 was as a proud mum to two sons and Act 4, which she is currently in, as a Minister at church, a trustee at her local hospital and as a Director at a Multi-Academy Trust. She told the pupils aged 10 to 18 that life is not about what you get, but what you give and ended by saying: ‘Bolton School has been at the core of my life. This award means more than I can say. Thank you very much!’
The Outstanding Achievement for an Old Girl went to Rebecca Turner, who left in 2006 and is now a primary school Design Technology teacher. Rebecca told how, in 2020, she lost her
brother Tom, aged just 20, to leukaemia. She said that she chose to be positive and, rallying his friends and family, pledged to support Blue Sky Hospital Funds. In the first year of fundraising, she raised £15,000 and in the following a year, a further £10,000. She explained how she will continue to raise funds every May, which is the month in which Tom died. She finished her talk by saying: ‘I loved my time at Bolton School and I still have some very special friends from that time. Thank you so much for this award.’
The award for Outstanding Achievement amongst Old Boys went to Max Griffiths and Sam Yates. The pair had other commitments on the day and joined the assembly via a pre-recorded video message. They explained about LivLife, a self-sustainable charity that they had set up, which offers education and empowerment to young people in Tanzania. It is a project that the School has, in the past, raised funds for and sent students to help out with. Max and Sam looked back on their days at Bolton School with fond memories and recalled how it inspired their interest in travel and the world and how it had doubtlessly influenced their setting up of LivLife.
After the assembly, the award winners delivered more personal, fascinating sessions with year groups from across both Senior Schools before attending a special lunch, where they were formally presented with their awards.
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Patterdale Joint Creative Writing Retreat
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Chapter
Patterdale Joint Creative Writing Retreat
Boys and Girls in Years 7 to 12 visited Patterdale Hall during the February half term to participate in a creative writing retreat. During their stay, they participated in poetry and prose workshops facilitated by experienced writers, drawing inspiration from the stunning natural surroundings of the area, including visits to Aira Force and Dove Cottage.
The young people's passion for writing and their remarkable talent shine through in the pieces they have produced. We are incredibly proud to present two anthologies, one of poetry and one of story extracts, that showcase the creativity, imagination, and skill of these young writers. We invite you to immerse yourself in their works and be inspired by the next generation of literary voices.
Sixth Form students elected the title of the 2023 Patterdale anthology from themes and ideas that arose in their work over the course of the residential. You can read their work here and here.
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Chapter 8
Year 8 Boys impress in Gymnastics Final
Year 8 Boys impress in Gymnastics Final
Seven Year 8 finalists took part in this year’s much anticipated Gymnastics Vaulting Final. The contest, one of the oldest running in the School, saw boys competing and preparing during their curriculum lessons and extra-curricular lunchtime club.
The finalists, chosen from the whole year group, performed in four disciplines in front of their peers: the through vault, the long fly, the rotational vault and the double box vault.
Mr. Johnson, Head of PE, said:
It has been an outstanding final. The standard has been high this year, but there was a clear winner; in fact, one of the best performances I’ve witnessed in the twenty years I have been watching boys take part in this competition. Toby Hazelton won with a magnificent display of control, flight and precision. Congratulations to all the boys who reached the final. Second place went to Ben Quillium and third place to Tristan Bennett.
The awards were presented by Head of Foundation, Mr. Britton.
Earlier in the week, congratulations had gone to Daniel Bleakley, who won the Year 7 Gymnastics Competition, with second place going to Tom Davies and third place to Brody Shum.
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Old Boys’ Mentoring Scheme shortlisted in Awards
Chapter 9
Old Boys’ Mentoring Scheme shortlisted in Awards
Bolton School Old Boys Peter Acton and David Seddon have been shortlisted in the Mentor category in the BusinessDesk.com’s Northern Leadership Awards, in recognition of their stewardship of the Old Boltonians’ Association’s ‘Find Your Path’ mentoring scheme.
Peter and David established the Find Your Path scheme in 2017 to give back to the School and its pupils after both received state support to attend the Boys’ Division in the 1960s through the Direct Grant system. Founded upon David and Peter’s shared belief in the vital role that mentoring can play a part in helping young people to successfully join the world of work, Find Your Path has been supporting young Old Boltonians with careers advice tailored to meet their individual needs for nearly six years. During this time, over 70 young Old Boltonians have been mentored by their fellow Old Boys as they enter the job market post-graduation or after leaving school.
The awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner at the Midland Hotel, Manchester on 30 March, when the North’s business community will come together to celebrate the best in business leadership.
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Boys climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Chapter 10
Boys climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Three Bolton School Boys’ Division pupils recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world. The group made this expedition to raise money for various charities.
The boys who made the climb were Abbas Khambalia in Year 7 and Year 9 pupils Xavier Jones and Milan Pitalia.
Abbas is potentially the ninth youngest person in the world to have reached the summit, which stands at a height of 5,895m above sea level and about 4,900m above its plateau base, and his parents said that it has been a truly memorable experience for him.
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Chapter 11
English Speaking Union - Performing Shakespeare Competition
English Speaking Union - Performing Shakespeare Competition
Across the Spring Term, all boys in Lower School participated in the our School heat of the ESU's Performing Shakespeare Competition. The boys put a huge amount of hard work into this competition. Finalists from each English class performed for visiting judge Ruth Allison, the Octagon Theatre's Youth Director. They all demonstrated an impressive depth of expression and we thoroughly enjoyed each and every performance. Shortlisting to two overall winners was extremely di ffi cult. There was much deliberation and we selected two performances from 450 entries across Lower School. Our winners were George Burrows and Charlie Simpson with their humorous performance from ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ and Gabe Payne and Thomas Sibley with their dramatic rendition from ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
They boys went on to represent the School in regional finals with Thomas Sibley and Gabe Payne progressing to the next stage of the competition –huge congratulations to them! Our other duologue, George Burrows and Charlie Simpson, was superb, and narrowly missed out being the second performance through to the next round by one point.
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Chapter 12
Stunning Gala Concert at Bridgewater Hall
Stunning Gala Concert at Bridgewater Hall
Taking to the Bridgewater Hall stage as the curtain came down, Head of Bolton School Foundation, Philip Britton, praised the 600 musicians and performers saying: ‘It has been a sublime evening of music-making by pupils from Years 2 to 13. Every seat in this great hall has been filled and our School community has come together to deliver a joyous Gala Concert. What a wonderful opportunity it has been for our pupils to play at such a prestigious venue and for our younger girls and boys to be inspired by older ones, showing them what they can become. Behind all these stunning performances – musicianship of this calibre is, of course, taught – thanks must go to the Music Department and to all those that have helped with the logistics behind the scenes.’
The evening had begun with pupils from the Infant School,
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Junior Schools, Senior Schools and Sixth Forms – the Foundation’s Massed Ensemble - performing Bach’s dramatic Toccata and Fugue.
Everyone’s foot was then set-a-tapping when the Tuned Percussion Ensemble, comprising pupils from across Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions, launched into Mr. Forgrieve’s Bridgewater Bash, specially written for such nights. The entertainment continued apace with a polished performance of Circle of Life by the Intermediate Concert Band, featuring pupils from Years 7 to 10 from both Senior Schools.
The Primary Division Choir brought a tear to many an eye when they performed Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sing. The Senior Concert Band, featuring pupils from both Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions, was on fine form with their renditions of Cantina Band and Imaginarium. The first half of the programme closed with the Massed Voices of Year 7, along with older pupils, performing old classics Africa, I’m a Believer and Mr. Blue Sky.
The second half of the evening opened with the Girls’ Division Senior Choir, made up of pupils from Year 10 to Year 13, singing She Used to be Mine and the Chamber Choir offering up impressive renditions of How Can I Keep from Singing? and Sogno di Volare (A Dream of Flight). The Boys’ Division Lower School Choir, comprising pupils from Year 7 and 8, offered an equally enchanting Somewhere Only We Know before the joint Senior Orchestra o ff ered up Intermezzo and
Tchaikovsky’s 1812
Overture . The evening drew to a climatic end with a Massed Finale singing an emotive and uplifting version of Elbow’s One Day
Like This . Bolton School last performed at the Bridgewater Hall, pre-Covid in 2019, and, before that, in 2015 in celebration of the School’s 100th and 500th birthdays and in 2010.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 29
Footage of the concert can be viewed in sections:
Chapter 13
Joint Theatre Festival
Joint Theatre Festival
This year's theatre festival was a huge success, featuring a diverse range of performances from Shakespeare classics to original pieces written and directed by pupils in Years 7 to 12 over two evenings. The festival was produced by Miss Talbot, with support from Mr. Kyle, who handled set construction, lighting, and sound. Miss Putt and Miss Lord were responsible for managing front of house and backstage activities. During the interval, attendees were treated to a set design exhibit, and refreshments were provided by the Parents’ Association.
Performing for an audience in a studio configuration presented a unique challenge for the pupils involved, many of whom were performing in this setting for the first time; however, through supporting each other's original work, they were able to overcome any initial nerves and create a truly memorable experience for both themselves and their audience. The camaraderie displayed during the festival was truly inspiring, and highlighted the resilience and creativity of our young performers. Through their hard work and dedication to their craft, these pupils proved that anything is possible when you have a supportive community behind you.
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Boys fundraise during Neurodiversity Week
Chapter 14
Boys fundraise during Neurodiversity Week
Pupils in the Boys' Division of Bolton School raised funds for two charities during Neurodiversity Week (13-17 March). A non-uniform day in which boys wore jumpers raised £107.68 for the British Dyslexia Association and £107.68 for the National Autistic Society. Further monies were also raised through the selling of neurodiversity themed badges during the course of the week.
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Sports News
Chapter 15
Sports News
Well done to Kyran Chitre who represented the Greater Manchester Under 15 Hockey team, which won the North West Regional tournament recently. They will now progress to the North of England Tournament.
Congratulations to Sixth Formers Joe Carolan and Sam Fitzsimmons and Year 11 Robert Bentham on their selection for Great Britain Under 17 at the European Qualifiers in Malta.
Congratulations to brothers, Finlay and Toby Hazleton who completed in the English Gymnastics Championships in Telford recently. Finlay competed in the English Championships in his new age group, Under 16 (probably the youngest competitor in that age group) and achieved an amazing 6th overall. Toby competed in his very first English Championship and finished a fantastic 8th position overall. Both brothers have qualified to compete in the British Championship in Liverpool in three week’s time.
Congratulations to Corey Morgan, Dev Hasija and Cooper Atherton from Year 10 along with Will James and Noah Haseldine
from Year 9 for being part of the North West DPP. A partnership programme between Sale Sharks Academy, Cheshire County, Lancashire County & England Rugby.
The Under 13 Rugby team recently travelled to AKS Lytham to take part in their 7’s tournament. They were placed in a tough group following a very successful domestic season. The boys showed great athleticism and were a formidable side, who went
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undefeated against some tough opposition, one of them being the hosts. They won three games and drew one which placed them in the Trophy competition. The boys then went on to win the trophy showing great resilience, coming back from two tries down against Kirkham to win all their games and secure the Trophy. Well done lads – we are very proud of you all.
Despite several setbacks on the day of the Lancashire Plate Final, with players being ruled out through illness and injury, the remaining
Under 15 rugby players put in a very resilient performance against Stonyhurst to come back from a 15-0 half time deficit. A superb start in the second half put Bolton on the front foot and they remained there for the rest of the game. Tries came at regular intervals, as the 17 available players rotated on and off the field, and kept the momentum going until the final whistle, when Bolton eventually beat Stonyhurst 33-22. It would be wrong to single out any individual players as the whole squad contributed to a fantastic win against a very good rugby
school. Captain Nathan Pierson lifted the trophy in front of his team mates as the celebrations began.
Bolton School were pleased to host the first ever Bolton Spring Speedcubing Competition 2023 in Great Hall over the weekend. Three Bolton School boys took part and well done to Luke Burns, 2nd on the podium for his amazing average speeds, pictures here of the top performers and you can read more about the event here.
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Credits
Editor: Miss K.S. Wrathmell
Contributors: MCCM, Mr. M. Power, Mr. J. Newbould, Miss A. Bradshaw, Mr. I.K. Forgrieve, Mr. P. Costello, Mrs. C.A. Brace, Ms. J.Z. Sigrist, Mr. P.J. Britton, Miss N.R. Lord, Mr. M. Johnson, Mr. T. Benbow
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Credits