Years 7 & 8

Picture this...

A year in pictures of Year 7. Amongst other things, this year the Year 7s have enjoyed a trip to Stratford, and completing their work experience.

Highlights of the year from Year 8

India Day

Year 8 took part in a set of activities connected with Indian culture.

Patterdale Trip

My favourite part of Patterdale was gorge walking because I kept slipping and at the end we got to jump off a cliff. The instructors defi nitely made an impact as they were all funny and helpful. Overall, it was fun and useful, as I learnt skills like teamwork and trying something I was scared to do.

Guide Dogs

We enjoyed making cards in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind very much. We came up with the idea when brainstorming possible ways to raise money for charity, planning out the details of how to make the cards later on. All the cards we made were dog-themed, ready to be used as a fun greeting to friends. We sold them in our form’s cake sale, and found them to be quite successful. We’re very pleased with how well they sold and are glad we could support the guide dog charity. By Sameera Mohammed, Fiza Hussain and Nicola Li, Taylor Healy, 8D

Careers Day

I really enjoyed the session on Microbiology, it was incredibly interesting and informative and made me think more about what it takes to have a career in Science, especially Biology. Jessica Hindley, 8S

Civil Engineering workshop

Year 8 girls had the opportunity to take part in a workshop in which they learned all about Civil Engineering. This was a wonderful opportunity to show them the skills that are needed in this kind of job.

All things English...

This has been an exciting year for the Girls’ Division English department. A wealth of new initiatives have placed creativity at the heart of a varied programme of curricular and enrichment activities.

Banner Project

The Year 9 20th century poetry banner project has made the ‘A’ corridor a colourful place to be. This year’s featured poets have been Carol Ann Duffy, Gillian Clark, John Agard, Simon Armitage, Ted Hughes and Wilfred Owen. The use of collage and mixed media has shown the girls that poetry is a visual as well as oral art form.

The View

The fi rst edition of the new school newspaper ‘The View’ was successfully launched by an adventurous team of girls from Years 10-13 in the Autumn Term. The editorial team, headed by Ananya Baksi, produced a range of exciting articles, which explored issues including life in Iraq, local charities, political icons, the NHS and school bands.

Harriett Gribben, Year 12

Guitar amps, microphone leads and a chord of nervousness. Bolton School’s Battle of the Bands is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the school calendar.

Once the Prefects’ Panto is done and year 10 has finished entertaining us with their mash up of various celebrities in Christmas Post, what else could there be to look forward to over the coming year? expect some familiar faces from last year’s bands such as Cynical City and Absolution amongst a mix of newbies to compete for that winning title. Maybe there will even be a return from last year’s winners Off Piste to reclaim the throne and prove that they’re good enough to win it twice.

Battle of the bands is the chance for the older students to listen to some music performed by their friends, socialise and turn their noses up at the year 8’s who have somehow managed to sneak in. Not only is this one of the most exciting parts of the year for the huge audience that turns up, but also an opportunity for the next generation of musicians to showcase their talents to the school and The pressure is on for the bands, as this event is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated during the school year and certainly the one with the biggest turnout from the students. After the huge success of last year’s competition, it’s going to be tough to match those levels of excellence again this time. But we know they’ll manage. teachers. The general feeling in sixth form at the present moment is that of worrying about UCAS forms, getting the hang of finishing coursework on time and making sure it’s all up to scratch. As well as these stresses being carried by the sixth form, some of the students are preparing for something much more exciting and which takes just as much effort to perfect as getting a good grade on that piece of work. Over the coming months, various bands will be rehearsing nonstop for the Battle of the Bands contest to be held in the summer term. Students may Last Year’s winner Off Piste

Discover Your Voice!

The whole of Year 7 enjoyed a day debate training with the English Speaking Union who sent their experienced student mentors to work with the girls. Subjects as diverse as the infl uence of the media on body image to whether we should enforce a school uniform were discussed with lively enthusiasm.

Poetry in motion

Gary

A spotted dinosaur peeks Up at me from the pages of a heavy anthology Resting on the keyboard. He inquires as he looks To my day And my week And the essay that I am supposed to be writing. I cannot help but notice His little face In all the places it ought not to beAppearing now On cover after cover, Books, notes, handouts, coursework, A product of a wandering hand And a deep black sharpie. Wide spaced eyes are boring holes Into my mind And my conscience… Maybe I will get back to work. ALEX BROWN YEAR 12

iLove You

You know, iHave come to realize, iLove you. Like a fi fth limb, you’re part of everything iDo. Although iGet mad sometimes and throw you at a wall, iDrop you, iLose you, but, really, you’re my all. Without you, I’m lost, I can’t function alone, Although, iMust apologize for some places you go. In the pocket of sweat soaked jeans at a gig or stuffed in my shoe, In my bra, the waistband of my PJs, iEven take you to the loo. iTake you everywhere, you’re my lifeline, without you, iCannot be, For it’s just a fact of life, iNeed you with me. HANNAH MITCHELL YEAR 13