History

Historical Happenings

Mock ‘General Election’ debate

Alexandra Hopkinson and Sarah Ibberson with the temporary memorial that they created to mark Holocaust Memorial Day USA trip, Easter 2015 at the Martin Luther King memorial Battlefields trip (at the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge), October 2014

Sarah Ibberson and Alexandra Hopkinson receive the President’s Award from the Historical Association (with Dr Richard Hoyle).

On the occasion of the Centenary of the Bolton School Foundation, an Old Girl (and soon to be retiring member of the History Department!) remembers History lessons in the Girls’ Division in yesteryear: Old girls will remember the third form (Year 7) textbook ‘From Ur to Rome’, with illustrative material varying from black and white vases to a map of the Tigris and Euphrates. The most exciting trip was a visit to Ripon Cathedral (omitting to mention the historical content of times spent at Cautley). It was around this time that Mrs Tate told stories of fire watching during the Second World War from the top of what is now the Turret library. If you continued your historical studies to A-level, G. R. Elton’s ‘The Tudor Constitution: Documents and Commentary’ became your constant companion. Regarding the staff, Miss Pilsbury was a formidable Head of History and Miss Winfield’s inspirational lessons are partly the reason why this Old Girl decided to teach History.’ As for 2014-2015, this has been another busy year in the History department, with lots going on in and out of the classroom. There have been not one, but two mock elections this year, which have closely mirrored national events. In September, the school voted a resounding ‘No’ to the question ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ whilst in May the ‘Conservative party’ won the most votes in a mock General Election in which all of the major political parties were ably represented by the Year 12 Government & Politics group. In the run up to the mock elections, pupils aligned themselves to a political party, and joined a campaign team headed by Sixth Form Government and Politics pupils. In other news, the Bolton Historical Association have had a successful first year in their new home – the Girls’ Division theatre. Talks have ranged from ‘Robin Hood’ to ‘Cold War Whitehall’ (which was delivered in November by the eminent historian, Baron Hennessy of Nympsfield). Next years’ programme looks just as interesting, with a range of interesting speakers to boot. Girls of all ages are encouraged to attend so that they can widen their understanding of History beyond what is taught in the classroom. We were also pleased that two sixth formers, Sarah Ibberson and Alexandra Hopkinson, were given the Historical Association ‘President’s Award’ for their regular attendance at meetings and for writing up lectures for the branch website. Elsewhere, Sarah and Alex hit the headlines for their moving and thought provoking assembly about their visit to Auschwitz concentration camp in October 2014. Upon returning to school, they designed a temporary memorial of artificial tealights in the Great Hall, each bearing the name of a victim of the Holocaust. On the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz this served as a timely reminder of the suffering of millions and the lessons that can be learned from such a tragic event.

History Club continues to enthuse the younger girls. This year, the craft sessions have been based on Victorian jewellery and basket weaving, amongst others (including mock election vote counting!) In addition, Politics Club has had a committed and growing membership in which the political issues of the day have been discussed and debated. Topics this year have included the rights of prisoners, young people and the vote, making laws in Parliament, and the First Past the Post voting system. Finally, the department has gone global again this year, visiting France, Belgium and the USA. In October, 39 girls accompanied their teachers on a sombre visit to the WW1 battlefields of Ypres and the Somme. It was especially moving for Emma Higginbottom (Y10) who was able to locate the grave of her relative, Herbert Lee. During the Easter holidays, 28 girls were accompanied by four staff on a tour of New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC.