NOTES FROM Stonyhurst
From the Headmaster
Dear Stonyhurst Families,
Who sets the culture at Stonyhurst? We all do
This was the subject of my Monday reflection to the College We share a common vision of the community we want to be and we use our Jesuit Profile of virtues is a framework to help form young men and women of competence, conscience, compassion and commitment.
Schools like families have rules and all schools have many policies and rules. There are Red Lines and sometimes when red lines are crossed there are consequences Ultimately, the most important aspect of my role is to keep everyone safe.
Religious Orders such as the Jesuits or the Dominicans live by what is known as a Rule of Life. A way of living in community. I shared my three rules for the College community:
-No one should be unsafe
-No one should be unwell
-No one should be embarrassed
This week I enjoyed joining Aloysius House for Mass with Fr Christopher as well as their Celebration Assembly on Friday. The Line Competitions got off to a flying start with the Schools’ Challenge and Table Tennis. I also enjoyed meeting parents at the various sports fixtures during the past week. Do remember there are refreshments in the New Ref after matches Teaching and learning is well underway and Syntax attended the Higher Line Open evening to start thinking about their courses next year and how they might ‘change the world’
Meet our Heads of The Line
Mondays Headmasters assembly our heads of the line (stonyhursts term for head boy and head girl) introduced themselves to the college They each gave 3 peices of advise which they thought would be helpful to everyone at the beginning of the school year
Emma and I wanted to take this opportunity to give our Stonyhurst peers three pieces of advice, three things we each wish we’d known when we arrived at the College in 2020
Firstly, get involved in as much as you can You might not know yet what it is that you are really going to love, or who you are really going to get on with, so embrace every opportunity provided and get stuck in.
At Great Academies last year, we got told to accept invitations and to say yes to opportunities. It is too easy to say no or to take the easy route – say yes to opportunities – you never know what that ‘yes’ might lead you to
Secondly, something I have found key throughout my time at Stonyhurst, is finding the right balance of everything that the Stonyhurst life throws at you School can be very full on sometimes, but if you are able to find balance between your academic work, cocurricular activities and socializing and forming new relationships, you will be able to get more out of the Stonyhurst life and really make the most of your time
Thirdly, ask for help No one finds everything easy Everyone struggles with something – ask your tutor, email your teacher, find out when the clinic for that subject is happening. If you ask for help, success will follow.
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to come to myself, Emma, the committee or indeed any member of the wider Stonyhurst community
Advice from The Head Boy
“Say yes to opportunities”
Advice from the Head Girl
“to be good and to do good is all we have to do.”
I’m Emma and I am Stonyhurst Colleges head girl this year. For pupils to get the most out of their time at Stonyhurst I would recommend the following things:
Work hard- time goes by so fast and it is easy to procrastinate By keeping on top of your work your experience at Stonyhurst will be more pleasurable However, while good test results are important, you will most likely remember the memories you make with your friends and not how many marks you got in a certain test.
So as Seb said be involved in cocurricular life, try new things because who knows you might just find the thing you excel at or a new hobby you continue way after your Stonyhurst journey
Be a leader- coming to Stonyhurst Is a privilege most people only realize when they are at the end of their Stonyhurst experience, therefore you must use this short time wisely A teacher once said to me ‘be a shepherd not a sheep’, so Thinkhow can you lead? How can you make a positive difference? what positive impact can you have to become a man or a woman for others
And lastly, Be kind- not just to your closest friends but to your year group, teachers, fellow students and most importantly yourself.
I would also like to mention the committee this year, who have made the most out of their times at Stonyhurst, from academics to sport to music and drama We all want to make your Stonyhurst experience one you will fondly remember
You can always ask us, the committee, and teachers as we are always willing to help with any concerns or questions. Also don’t hesitate to talk to the Rhetoricians in your new Stonyhurst families. Everyone is here to help
‘to be good and to do good is all we have to do ’
Aloysius House Awards
Every Friday Aloysius House celebrate their awards assembly
All of the Aloysius House Staff and the Headmaster come together to celebrate the weeks successes.
This week the Headmaster told the pupils how the College chapel is dedicated to St Aloysius and how the statue at the Glass Doors is also St Aloysius and not St Ignatius as many people think
Then he and the playroom staff congratulated the pupils on what a fantastic start they have made to the college; not least in navigating the corridors and complex spaces
Figures Awards
Leo - for being very conscientious and settling in to school so quickly, and for trying new things He was the only Figures boy to attend cross country club! Fantastic Leo!
Toby - for sharing his love for reading and for reading out loud both confidently and beautifully
Elijah - for helping others settle into life at Stonyhurst.
Arthur - for always having a warm smile on his face, always holding the door open for others, being truly kind and always doing his best!
Rudiments Awards
Freddie - for showing kindness and generosity in French this week
Pippa - for showing brilliant resilience in maths
Annabel - for writing a great personification of anger and then bravely sharing it with the class.
Terry - for making an excellent start in her tennis lessons
Pictures From Aloysius House
Pictures from the mountain bike club
Only At Stonyhurst
On Monday our Cygnets found themselves lost in Aloysius playground.
Thanks to our Security and Grounds team they made a safe return to their home.
Syntax’s Higher Line Options Evening
Syntax took the first steps of their journey into Higher Line last night as they attended the Higher Line Options Evening. They attended a series of talks about Higher Line at Stonyhurst before going to meet the Heads of Department about subjects they would like to consider for Higher Line. The first big decision they face is whether to take 3 A levels, the International Baccalaureate (6 subjects) or the Cambridge Technicals (available in Sport and Business) Having three pathways open to our pupils is part of what makes Higher Line at Stonyhurst so popular. Parents that were able to attend had a sparkling drinks reception in the beautiful Gerard Room, which is the new Rhetoric Playroom and then a tour of the new Higher Line Centre including the Poetry Playroom, the Games Room and The Unicorn, our Higher Line café designed by current Poetry. There will be further tours available at the Syntax Parents’ Conference or please do feel free to ask for a personal tour whenever you are able to visit Stonyhurst In addition, we will be hosting online events for our international and further away UK families
If you have any questions about life in Higher Line, the Higher Line curriculum, careers or the offer in general, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s tutor, or Mr Norton Johnston, playroom leader who will be able to point you in the right direction for the information you need.
Mr Johnston has been in touch today regarding Syntax mocks and the revision process, which will formally begin on Saturday. He will guide Syntax through the GCSE process so that it is as stressfree and fulfilling as it can possibly be.
The Tutorial System at Stonyhurst
Stonyhurst prides itself on being ‘a family like no other’ and part of that is the exceptional tutorial system. Tutors act as guides, mentors, advocates and supporters for their tutees throughout their entire time at Stonyhurst. Tutors conduct oneto-one meetings every half term to discuss what is going well, what could be improved, and to set short term targets and long term aspirations Importantly, tutors give pupils advice about how to achieve these goals and where to find the necessary help and advice to make them a reality. Tutors are the first port of call for parents on academic matters so please do not hesitate to get in touch with them. This short video explains the Stonyhurst tutorial system.
Syntax Boarders
Syntax boarders have hit ground running this term
Sunday morning golf sessions, trips to Super League Rugby and birthday celebrations, all in our first 2 weeks.
Some of our pupils had the privilege of carrying the flag on to the pitch at the Super League Rugby match, whilst the other girls and boys cheered from the side-lines.
Fly Fishing
Last week, the Stonyhurst fly fishing group kicked off their first practice session at the scenic school ponds, under the guidance ofMrJohnston.Thepupilshadthe opportunity to learn and refine essential fly fishing techniques, while enjoying the peaceful surroundings and hands-on instruction.Itwasafantasticstart to what promises to be a rewardingseasononthewater
