NOTES FROM Stonyhurst
From The Senior Deputy Head
Dear Stonyhurst Families
It has been such a wonderfully busy and fulfilling half term in which so much has been achieved by your sons and daughters. It is hard to now imagine life at the College without Figures and Rudiments who have astonished us all with how well they have become attuned to College life. From Figures to Rhetoric, we are so proud of the Stonyhurst family and their Quant Je Puis spirit seen every day in the chapels, in the classrooms , in the studios and libraries, on the lawns and galleries and on the pitches. You will see some snapshots of this within this newsletter. We wish you all a restful half term and we cannot wait to welcome everyone back in two weeks’ time
Please take a moment to watch our new video here which offers a glimpse of life at Stonyhurst. With very best wishes
Higher Line Physics students spent the day at Jodrell Bank Observatory learning about the operation and history of the Lovell Telescope, and taking part in a workshop where they were able to interpret data from one of the smaller telescopes on site.
Higher Line Physics
On Sunday, 13th October, a Stonyhurst team comprising eight members of Rhetoric and 10 members of staff travelled to Manchester to join the 24,000 other competitors on the start line of the 2024 Manchester Half Marathon Everyone had spent the last three or four months training to take on the 13.1 miles of this iconic course, and now it was time to put that training to the test. Of course, at the same time, each runner had committed to raise funds for the Stonyhurst Foundation. For all the pupils and some of the staff, this was their first attempt at an event like this, and the furthest many of them had run, so it was with some serious nerves that everyone got underway on a route that took them from Old Trafford down to Sale and back again. With each of our runners in their Stonyhurst Foundation running tops and one of our team choosing a unicorn outfit for his running attire, the team raced through Manchester streets, packed with bands, DJs and Choirs along with thousands of spectators all the way along the route. Soon, the finish line loomed, and for each of our Stonyhurst Foundation runners, it was mission accomplished. Whilst finishing times are not important, well done to Peter and Johann, who were our first pupil finishers, crossing the line in 1:38, and Mr Johnston, who roared home in 1:27.
However, the most fantastic news is that between the team, they have raised over £6500 for the amazing work of the Stonyhurst Foundation as of last night. A special well done to Josh, who has personally raised over £1000. This money will go towards the Rhetoric 2025 gift to the Stonyhurst Foundation’s Rhetoric St Aloysius Fund, which is being grown through pupil fundraising at Stonyhurst and will support a future pupil to come to Stonyhurst. Find out more about The Stonyhurst Foundation here: Homepage - The Stonyhurst Foundation
Congratulations to Rhetoricians: Lillia, Hima, Sophie, Philippa, Lea, Peter, Johann, Josh, Simon; and to the Staff: Mr McGarvey, Mr Johnston, Ms Nolan, Mr Whittle, Mr Lightbown, Mrs Hartley from SMH, Ms Barr from Admissions, Mr Sharples fr Experience and Major Cartwright-Terry from the Foundation
Their Fundraising pages are still open, and you can still support them via Stonyhurst Foundation Manchester Half Marathon 2024 - JustGiving
The Stonyhurst Foundation plans to take a team to the 2025 Manchester H Marathon on 12th October 2025, so keep your ears and eyes open for informat on this if you want to be a part of next year’s Stonyhurst Foundation team on t amazing challenge!
Stonyhurst foundation at the Manchester Half Marathon 2024
Current Parent Family Room (Oscar Romero)
We are delighted to be able to announce the use of a family room for our current parents. This will be open and accessible via an external door to the right of the main entrance (Glass Doors) for parents to wait for children who are late from fixtures, are unwell and need collecting, or just waiting to collect their child or children It will also be open first thing in the morning
There are tea and coffee making facilities available on a self-serve basis.
Access times are:
Monday to Saturday 7am-9am
Monday to Friday 4.30pm until 7pm
Wednesday afternoon from 1-30pm to 6pm
Saturday afternoon 12-30pm to 5pm
If you are waiting for your child outside of these times, please advise the receptionist who will provide access.
Chaplaincy News
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Church’s life, so it is fitting that we begin every academic year with Mass Fr Tim preached on the Parable of the Talents and Mrs Wright led us in the Dedication of Studies prayer. Our half-term concludes this afternoon with a service of Choral Vespers for the feast of Saint Luke. The strong tradition of congregational singing continues and the latest edition of the Stonyhurst Cantionale has just arrived in the pews As well as to our musicians, we are very grateful to the altar servers, to our readers, eucharistic ministers and all who help to make the liturgy both prayerful and beautiful
As a Jesuit school, we also have a dedicated time each day to pray the examen, and it has been wonderful to see pupils in Aloysius House keenly offering to lead this reflection for their classmates This half-term, as well as examens on virtues from the Jesuit profile, we have used the themes of relationships, finding God in all things, and care for our common home. Talking of the wonder of creation, many of us were blessed to have the opportunity to see the truly awesome phenomenon of the Northern Lights here last week.
During this month of October, several pupils and staff have taken up the invitation to pray a decade of the Rosary during First Rec, and in May we are hoping to extend this prayer initiative to involve families who may be interested in a Rosary relay, so please look out for details in the spring
The RS department’s Core RE programme has supported the faith life of the school, helping Higher Line pupils to engage with the Season of Creation via the work of Jesuit Missions and to consider ministry to those on the margins with a powerful talk from Pastor Mick, founder of local charity Church on the Street. The Poets in the Arrupe programme have also been active in service in different ways on Thursday afternoons, from wheelchair dancing to charity fundraising.
Standing up for faith and freedom is in Stonyhurst’s DNA and in November we have two significant days coming up: Red Wednesday, when we raise awareness of religious persecution and raise funds for Aid to the Church in Need, and Campion Day, which this year will be celebrated on Friday 29 November
After half-term, classes will begin for those in Grammar and above who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2025. Any final sign-ups should be made via the Microsoft form in pupils’ inboxes. Finally, huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to the fundraising efforts over recent months for the Jesuit schools in Lebanon, and please join us in i tl f i ld!
Recognition and Awards
Aloysius House Awards
Toby for sharing his excellent subject knowledge on cells during his science lesson.
Carlota for attentive listening, trying her best and always smiling in her EAL lessons!
Imogen and Fatima for their excellent effort in singing during mass.
Fatima for showing kindness and generosity and staying behind after studies to help Mrs Joseph tidy the classroom.
Zach for working brilliantly in French with Mrs Wright when taking part in the speaking exercises. and for his random act of kindness. Providing a snack for Dr Sharp after a wet afternoon of adventure
Frankie for having a great attitude to learning in science.
Suha for having an excellent attitude and great performance in German.
George for having a 'Quant Je Puis' attitude and being a supportive friend.
Finley & Theo for being very engaged and enthusiastic towards fishing.
Harry for attentiveness and active participation in Spanish lessons.
Chelsea for her hard work and ' can do' attitude this half term in maths
Lower Line Recognition
Allyson, Martha, Indie, and Ava for outstanding commitment to the LG Play this half term.
Allyson, Elizabeth, Alfie, Alfie, Martha, Apryl, Moin, Jack, Isaac, and Leo for demonstrating particularly strong engineering skills during LG Stem day
Henry for outstanding practical work making crystals
Henry for outstanding engagement with independant learning of ‘Macbeth’
Tiffany for her excellent effort in class and studies. Well done Tiffany
Higher Line Recognition
Bosco and Morgan for 121 tutoring of a Syntax pupil
Vincenzo for being extremely helpful in developing a library dashboard for Italian and also instrumental in the creation of a Spanish Dashboard. He is very dedicated to developing the language resources for other students and staff.
Charlotte for her immense effort for studies.
Katie for her continued support for chaplaincy this half-term, especially at the activities fair and also for reading and leading us in prayer so beautifully at Headmaster’s Assembly on Monday.
5th November | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Fireworks Display at 6:30 PM
At St Mary’s Hall’s Rugby Pitches
£5 per person (All proceeds go to the SMH Playground Fund) Entry fee will be added to your bill at the end of term
Join us for an enchanting evening filled with awe and wonder as we light up the sky with a breathtaking firework display! Bring your family for a night of dazzling lights and joyous celebrations.
To book please use the link below and use password Firework24 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-ojynonp
The Stonyhurst Foundation
Cordially Invites Stonyhurst Parents to
The Christmas Ball
On Wednesday 11th December 2024
At 7pm At Stonyhurst College
Purchase Tickets Here
Carriages at 12am Dress Code is Black Tie
