Bolton School Primary Division
Junior Boys’ School
Spring Term, 2024 WEEK B
From Mrs. Faulkner
Wednesday 27th March
Verse Speaking Final
House Activities BREAK UP FOR EASTER HOLIDAY, 4pm
Monday 15th April
Staff INSET Day
Tuesday 16th April
Summer Term begins BOYS RETURN TO SCHOOL, 8.45am Chess, 4-5pm Pickleball, 4-5pm Y5 & Y6 Angling, collection 5.30pm
Wednesday 17th April
Squad Development Swimming, 4pm
Wednesday 27th March
Whilst it has been a relatively short term, we have certainly packed a lot in and I am sure that the boys, staff and, of course, parents will all be looking forward to a well deserved rest. I do hope that you all have an enjoyable break and wish all of those families celebrating Easter or Eid the very best for those occasions.
Earlier today, you received an email from me providing you with the inspection report following the recent ISI inspection of Boys’ Division and Park Road. We are all truly delighted that the inspection report illustrates the many wonderful things we do with the boys every day. Thank you very much for your support with that process and each day.
Next term is equally busy with one of the main events being the trips to Patterdale Hall. Alongside this newsletter, you will have received a copy of the programme and kit list for each year group.
This week, we have very much enjoyed the Music Festival, with 120 performances spread over the course of the two days. We really have been treated to a feast of musical talent. Well done indeed to all of the boys who participated, but special mention must go to our Upper School Choir who won the Ensembles class and also very particularly to Max Knight whose fantastic drumming performance saw him winning the individual trophy for the best performance.
Our day today has been filled with much excitement as we have managed to fit in many different House activities, and the final of our Verse Speaking competition. All of the boys have worked very hard to learn their poem, competing in class for a place in the final which took place this morning. Well done to all of our fantastic finalists. The outcome of that competition was:
Year 3 winner Jason Gill
Year 4 winner Sol Tagari
Year 5 winner CJ McDonald
Year 6 and overall winner Ross McVay.
Finally, today we have said a very sad farewell to Mrs Winstanley who has been with us at Park Road since 2013.
During her time with us, she has embodied the values of the school and inspired the boys to aim high.
We do wish her the very best for the future and hope to see her again as she visits from time to time.
Contacting the School Office
Park Road, BOLTON, BL1 4RD. t: (01204) 434735
e: parkroad@boltonschool.org.uk www.boltonschool.org
The School Office is open from 8.15am 4.15pm during term time. Please note that any texts sent by the Office cannot be replied to.
Please direct all enquiries to parkroad@boltonschool.org and always include your son’s first name and surname, as well as his form. Please note that ParkRoadOffice email is no longer monitored.
If your son is going to be absent from School, whether he be off sick or attending dental, medical or any other appointment, please email parkroad@boltonschool.org so that the registers may be marked accordingly. Please use this email address for all day-to-day enquiries relating to school matters to ensure that your enquiry may be dealt with in a timely manner.
For all coach/transport enquiries: Logistics Co-ordinator: Mr B. Gould, t: (01204) 434711, e: bdmgould@boltonschool.org.uk
Thursday 18th April
LAMDA, 4pm
Jujitsu, 4pm
PD Open Evening, 4.30 6.30pm
Friday 19th April Fencing, 4-5pm
Water Polo, 4-5pm Hockey 4-5pm
Monday 22nd April
Y5 & Y6 Hockey Tournament, 4pm, LP
Tuesday 23rd April
Chess, 4pm Pickleball, 4pm
Y5 & Y6 Angling, 4-5.30pm
Wednesday 24th April
Squad Development Swimming, 4pm
Spring Concert, 7pm
BD Great Hall
Thursday 25th April
Y4 Everton Youth Academy Football Festival, all day
Water polo fixture, TBC
News from the Park Road PA
Bag2School thank you for all the donations collected this morning. We will let you know how much was raised in due course.
WhatsApp if you would like to join the PA WhatsApp Group to keep up to date with all things PA, please click on the following link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BRtBl8QwJpS9OxpBm3MHDj. If you would like to be added to the PA mailing list, please get in touch: parkroadpa@gmail.com
The PA would like to thank Mrs Winstanley for her huge contribution to all of the PA activities over the years and to wish her all the very best in her next exciting chapter. We will miss you!
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter/X: @BSPDJnrBoysPA
Achievements
Congratulations to Leo Pilkington in 4A who has been selected for the U11s Interleague team representing the Northwest Cricket League. This is very unusual as he is only 8 and in Year 4 and the team is usually made up of Year 5s and 6s. What a fantastic achievement !
If anyone is interested in joining the U11 cricketers at Leo’s Club, please contact Westhoughtoncricketclub@gmail.com
Friday night training is after Easter, weather permitting, from the end of April and matches are on Monday evenings.
Year 6 Bikeability
Bikeability will take place in the last week of Summer Term for all of the Year 6 boys. Further information, as well as the Bikeability consent forms, will be sent to parents next term. It may be a good time to dig out your son’s bike over the Easter holidays to make sure that it is in good, working order and for him to get some practice in!
Bikes will be available to hire from Bolton Council if your son does not have a one.
Annual Friends of Bolton School Plant Sale
Orders for the Friends of Bolton School plant sale should be placed before the end of March and plants will be available for collection from Saturday 11th May. View the plants in the A-Z guide linked here. Orders can be placed using the QR code opposite or by e-mail bsbdpa@gmail.com
Feel free to pass on details to all of your friends and family. There are full instructions included within the order form but if you have any questions, please email Amanda Valentine at bsbdpa@gmail.com
Visits to Patterdale Hall—Important Dates
Please note the date of your son’s visit to Patterdale Hall this year :
Year 3: Thursday 9th to Friday 10th May
Year 4: Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th May
Year 5: Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd May
Year 6: Monday 29th April to Friday 3rd May.
Following on from the recent Information Evening, please find below the link to the video recording of the event, should you wish to re-cap anything or weren't able to attend:
https://youtu.be/3qzfhVhBt7s?feature=shared
March Geography Mission: Ready, Steady, Cook !
Choose a country or city of your choice. This could be a country you have visited, are going to visit or would like to visit in the future.
Choose a meal native to that country to cook at home with your family.
Take pictures of the different stages of the cooking and then take a picture when it is ready to eat
Write a short paragraph to explain how you made your dish and which country it is native to.
How to submit the pictures and review of your meal: email lgillibrand@boltonschool.org.uk with your submission by 4pm on Sunday 31st March
PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS!
WHO CAN CREATE THE MOST INTERESTING AND GEOGRAPHICAL MEAL?
Sports News
The U9s travelled the short distance over to Cheadle Hulme School for the annual Football Festival last Wednesday. The conditions were very wet underfoot but that didn’t deter over 150 pupils attending and it was a great spectacle to observe. Well done to all the boys who took part. MD
Save the Date—Upcoming School Events
The Bolton School Summer Festival will take place on Sunday 23rd June, from 12 midday. It will be an afternoon of activities for all ages, open to all Bolton School families, as well as the wider community. There will be lots of entertainment, music and food as well as sport and art competitions. Ticket sales will commence shortly, at which point more details will be provided. The event is being arranged by the Parents’ Associations from across the whole Foundation. If you are interested in helping with the event in any way, then please get in touch by emailing bsbdpa@gmail.com
Similarly, please do let us know if you or your business would be interested in sponsoring an element of the Festival or donating prizes for our Grand Raffle.
We are also looking for small business vendors who would like to have a stall. Initially, these stalls are being offered to parents and guardians of pupils before being offered to other companies. We have only limited space available, so please express interest early in order to avoid disappointment by emailing us at the above email address.
To prevent duplication of stalls, please let us know in your email the nature of all goods being sold. We actively encourage traders selling locally produced (nut-free) food, drink, craft and other items.
The 2024 Hulton Lecture is taking place on Tuesday 7th May, 5pm in the BD Great Hall. It is compulsory for all Y6 boys to attend and other invited G&T pupils – invitations have been sent to those to whom this is relevant.
Easter Holiday History Challenge
You are all, without knowing it, a part of Park Road’s history! You will always be a part of our very special school. Why not now try and leave a legacy for the future generations of ‘Park Roaders’!?
I would like you to be creative and design a Roman shield or suit of armour. It may be that you write some hieroglyphics from the Ancient Egyptians, or design a sarcophagus? Maybe you will create a make a piece of art work illustrating what you’ve learned in history so far this year. It may be that you create a portrait of Henry VIII, or one of his wives. You might design a memorable piece about World War One?
The best, most creative and eye catching pieces of work will make it onto our Park Road history staircase, where your work will be combined with that of previous Park Road boys, to create our ‘living history wall’. There are lots of ideas already there, so do take a look when you walk past. The work can be submitted in school any time, until we break up for half term at the end of May, so you’ve plenty of time to get creative! Thank you for your help in making our wall brilliant! PC
Trips and Visits
Y5 History Trip to Ordsall Hall
Year 5 spent a super day at Ordsall Hall in Salford learning all about life for rich Tudors and poor Tudors.
Our day started in ‘The Great Hall’ where lords, ladies, merchants, farmers and a jester all sat down to dine on sumptuous food (though only if you were rich!). We learned that poor people ate vegetables and horse bread! Following our introduction to Tudor life we learned all about the Lord and Lady of the Hall. We learned that a servant would sleep under the master’s bed, to get him anything he needed in the night and that chain mail is incredibly heavy! Following this, we made our own posies, choosing our herbs from lemon, lavender, rose petals and chamomile. The Tudors believed lovely smells would keep bad things away!
We also experienced a Tudor kitchen, creating our own spice blend, using pestles and mortars to get the right consistency. The boys were great company and we even ended the day with a dance! PC
Y4 Trip to Martin Mere
Year 4 had a fabulous time at Martin Mere last Thursday!
We learned all about the difference between climate and weather and impressed the ranger with our vast knowledge of climate change!
We put animals in their correct habitat and discussed why there were differences in climates of particular continents. Watching the otters being fed was a highlight, the rangers hide fish and crustaceans to mimic the wild so that the otters have to hunt for their food! Time on the adventure playground was a blast, fun on the umbrella swing and zip wires was the perfect way to let off steam before we enjoyed a walk around the park. We spotted so many different types of birds and enjoyed a very, very muddy walk!
A great time was had by all! PC
Easter Holiday Club Programme at Kidzone
Bolton Children’s Fiction Award
Author Visit
Last Friday, Year 6 eagerly trekked across to Senior School to meet two amazing authors, SF Said and Lily Bailey.
The authors explained to the boys all about the writing process and how they got their inspiration for the books they have written. It was a fascinating listen and to also ask our own questions to the authors was so informative.
Many of the boys will now go and read three special books - ‘Tyger’, 'While the Storm Rages' and ‘When I Feel Blue‘, then decide which they will vote for in the upcoming Bolton Children’s Fiction Award. MJP
Lost Property
Once again, we have accumulated a large amount of lost property from around the building this half term. Named items are, of course, returned to their owners. Unnamed items will be on show to the boys next week for them to see if any belong to them.
Please help your son and staff by naming all items brought into school and showing your son where they are labelled. At 4pm today, Wednesday 27th March, all unnamed and unclaimed lost property will be recycled. CDH
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Please find linked here all the details of the upcoming Easter Holiday club programme for Kidzone. As always, book early to avoid disappointment !
Year 6 Summer Production : Aladdin
At the start of this term, Year 6 boys discovered that their musical production at the end of this year will be Aladdin! This will take place in the Girls' Division Theatre at 7pm on the 26th, 27th and 28th June. Information about how to purchase tickets will be emailed after the Easter holidays.
We would all like to say a huge congratulations to all boys who auditioned this year.
We have all been extremely impressed by the hard work and efforts already shown by Year 6 boys working together. We are all looking forward to getting rehearsals underway after Easter!
Due to the busy Summer term, including the week in Patterdale, there are a number of rehearsal dates planned at the theatre.
We would therefore request that when making any appointments next term, that every effort is made to avoid the following dates and times below where possible. Please see the provisional theatre rehearsal dates below:
Tuesday 16th April 2.45-3.45
Wednesday 22nd May 9-12, Thursday 23rd May 9-12
Wednesday 5th June 9-12, Thursday 6th June 9-12, Wednesday 19th June 9-12, Thursday 20th June 9-12 (dress rehearsal),
Friday 21st June 9-12 (tech rehearsal), Monday 24th June 9-12 (dress rehearsal), Tuesday 25th June 1.30-4, Wednesday 26th June 912 & 1.30-4
Performance dates - Wednesday 26th, Thursday 27th and Friday 28th June 7pm
Thank you from the Year 6 Teachers !
School Uniform Shop—Opening Hours
Please note that the last trading day for the school uniform shop will be Saturday May 25th , it will then be closed from Monday May 27th and will reopen on Monday June 3rd
The shop will also close on Friday July 6th and will be closed from Monday July 8th until Monday July 22nd .
News from the Art Room
Mr Minta has been invited to add a poem to a selection of street art currently on display on the streets of Chinatown in Manchester.
The artworks and poem are there to celebrate the fantastic contribution which the long-established Chinese community has made to the city.
If you find yourself near the arch in Chinatown over Easter, be sure to drop by and take a look.
There are never any mistakes in a workshop!
Year 4 artists have been learning about natural dying techniques, observational drawing and painting from nature and the work of William Morris, to create their own nature-inspired flags.
There were some great results from the tie-dyeing, especially from the use of rust, and some stunning examples of teamwork. Looking forward to finishing and installing these great pieces.
Well done boys! JPM
Free Easter Holiday Activities
In April, the 'Town of Children' project will take place in the former Crompton Place in Bolton as it transforms into a Creative Innovation hub for 2024. Youngsters lead conversations on positive change, inviting teachers and the Bolton community to collaborate on transforming the space into an inclusive innovation centre for a more vibrant and creative town. All are welcome! The full story can be found here. Art workshops, action painting, social design and film making projects, community forums, projects for teachers and a new community-designed mural for the town will all be created. Explore further and enrol for sessions here
It will be delivered by Creatives Now and international artists, BASECLAN. Creatives Now is a Bolton Cultural Education Partnership project delivered by representatives from our School and Bolton at Home. The Easter offer is produced with funding support from Bolton Council and Arts Council England via a Greater Manchester Creative Health Region #BeeWell initiative with Curious Minds.