A LITERARY-INSPIRED MASTERPIECE

Year9 students from Lakelands Academy in Ellesmere have left their mark on the school by creating a giant mural to brighten up the stairwell leading to the English Department, with the help of a professional graffiti artist. The mural depicts different book genres including horror, poetry, sci-fi and adventure to show how reading can transport you to different worlds. The students spent a day working with artist Nick Halahan to create the artwork, which incorporates their own ideas and designs along with quotes from famous authors.

HEAD’S COLUMN

Two current concepts in education discourse are the disappearance of childhood and ‘infantilised adults’. These concepts are entwined with the modern world’s obsession with technology and hold serious warnings regarding reading. The prevalence of imagery in instant communication, and the reduction in the amount of writing we do, reduce our capacity to read, as we are unable to retain focus long enough to do the required ‘brain work’. That’s where outdoor education comes in, offering children the opportunity to get away from the distractions of the connected world, creating space for them to take risks and figure out things for themselves without adult interference.

In the 85 acres of Moor Park, children explore a world with wide horizons. And just maybe, we’ll be producing young people who enjoy their own time, love reading, and act independently.

opportunity to practise their character skills by role-playing tricky patients, a contribution appreciated by all concerned.

Centre of cricket excellence

Ellesmere College has retained its place in the top 100 senior schools for cricket in the UK for the sixth year running. The College has been chosen from a record number of entries to feature in the prestigious 2023 Cricketer Schools Guide, with its highly successful Cricket Academy and Player Pathway programme noted as a centre of excellence for youngsters keen to develop their talents in the sport alongside their academic studies.

The college has links with Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire county programmes, and is a hub for the local community, providing opportunities to boys and girls of all abilities.

Young Musician Of The Year

Congratulations to Oliver Pearce of St David’s College for winning the ISA Young Musician of the Year award.

Year 8 student Oliver, from Conwy, faced stiff competition from 38 pupils from across the UK. For the finals in Warwick, the gifted cellist chose a fourminute piece called Juli-O by composer Mark Summer. His virtuoso performance impressed the judges and he took home the top prize.

“I love the musicality of the piece,” said Oliver, who is working towards his Grade 8 exam. “I have been practising before I go to school and in the evenings. I was the only cellist in my age category, I was up against lots of pianists, a violinist and a clarinet player. ”

The 12-year-old also enjoys acting and has a main role in the school’s eagerly anticipated production of Matilda