Stockport Grammar School

Year 4 pupils had the opportunity to learn about Zambia from Mrs Threlfall, a parent of a child in 4S.

Mrs Threlfall and her family moved to the African country for a few months last year where the children went to school and immersed themselves in the culture.

Mrs Threlfall is a specialist care doctor who was sharing her skills with the medical team in Zambia and she recently went back for a follow-up visit to see how things were going.

In school pupils got the opportunity to watch a PowerPoint about the family’s experiences, as well as trying some of the traditional outfits and crafts.

Grounds have been hard at work making the school site look amazing.

The daffodils have been rearranged to look more formal. The camelias that were planted two years ago have now fully settled in and are blooming more than ever this year. And the iris reticulata are adding great colour to the prairie garden, showing us that spring is just days away.

There is also a variety of grasses that grow to a height of 1.5 metres, which were cut down at the end of winter. Compost bark is added around the base of the grasses to support the new grass shoots and help give the plants and soil fresh nutrients. Grounds placed compost on top of the soil and allow nature to slowly provide the nutrients to the root.

We can’t wait to see how they all develop over the next weeks and months.

Dr Frankie Kataria joined pupils in the Library to talk about faith and gender.

He spoke of how central Christianity had been for him growing up, but as he started his journey to become a trans man, he had wrestled with questions from himself and others. Through his struggles he had retained a deep sense of being loved by God, completed his PhD in Manchester and set out to find a supportive church community. He is now working to make trans people welcome within faith.

Pupils listened respectfully to Frankie’s experiences before asking thoughtful questions.

Thank you to the generous SGS community who have been donating items to two different collections over the past few weeks.

Firstly, thanks to everyone who donated children’s and teen’s books to our collection for The Children’s Book Project during the week of World Book Day. The Library and Charity Prefects were delighted with the range of books that were handed in and they enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane seeing the covers of some of their childhood favourites.

Secondly, the school’s latest Hygiene Bank Collection for Bare Necessities was another huge success! A huge range of toiletries were donated and the South Manchester based charity will now distribute these personal hygiene products to local people who are in need of them.

Fourth Year pupils learnt why needs mathematicians at all stages of its operations, from making films to running its theme parks, during a visit to .

https://stockportgrammar.co.uk/news-and-events/news/pupils-utilise-maths-knowledge-during-disneyland-trip/

Junior School musicians wonderfully entertained the packed-out audience at the Year 3 and 4 Spring Concert with a wide range of musical items.

The concert began with the School Orchestra performing a version of one of the movements from Haydn’s ‘Surprise Symphony’, complete with extra surprises!

Twenty soloists then performed with confidence and smiles as they presented a varied programme of music including musical theatre, classical, folk traditions, rock, and pop.

The Year 3 and 4 Choir concluded the event with a range of beautiful songs, including a vibrant version of ‘Pop Idol’, complete with dancing!

Sixth Formers studying A Level Art enjoyed a full day life-drawing.

Responding to a series of both short and longer poses, the students learnt how to measure and record accurately using a range of media and techniques, quickly gaining confidence as they became more proficient in the processes established early in the day, leading to outcomes that were impressive, particularly so given this was the first time most of them had worked from the figure.

The work completed on the day will form part of their portfolio and will be seen in the end of year show.

Year 5 enjoyed an inspiring visit to Jodrell Bank.

The children listened to a fascinating talk in the Space Dome and took in lots of interesting facts from the exhibits that were dotted around the museum. They watched in awe as the giant Lovell Telescope moved around whilst they were exploring the outdoor interactive areas.

It was a pleasure to have Professor Simon Garrington, Associate Director for the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, and three of his colleagues spend time with the pupils, talking about the telescope and their research.

Third and Fourth Year pupils put their linguistic knowledge to the test as they embarked on a fun and educational Modern Foreign Languages trip to Munich.

The students made the most of their time in the Bavarian capital as they visited a wide range of historical and cultural sites.

https://stockportgrammar.co.uk/news-and-events/news/mfl-munich-trip-develops-pupils-language-skills/

As part of the Library’s World Book Day (UK & Ireland) celebrations, authors Curtis Jobling and Matt Dickinson spoke to Lower School pupils.

Animator and illustrator Curtis, who designed Bob The Builder and Ra Ra The Noisy Lion, gave an interactive talk to Second Years about how hobbies and passions can become rewarding jobs and how his love of reading led him to fulfil his dream of becoming a writer. More at https://www.instagram.com/p/DG5woMkqerV.

Filmmaker and mountaineer Matt gave pupils a taste of the challenges involved in trekking to Base Camp and making a summit attempt, as well as those faced by the locals living in the shadow of Everest. He also emphasised how reading adventurously widens horizons and ambitions and brings countless benefits and pleasure. More at https://www.instagram.com/p/DG5wyalqKHR.

We will bring you more World Book Day related news over the next few days.

Our Model United Nations pupils are celebrating after their Yemen delegation won the entire competition at Manchester High School for Girls, receiving the Outstanding Delegation award.

The eight students competed against a number of local schools and the success is a significant achievement as our delegates were mostly Second, Third and Fourth Years whilst they were debating against mainly Key Stage 5 opposition.

To mark the success, Head Mrs Sarah Capewell invited the delegates into her office for cake and a chat.

See the image for the delegation members and individual awards.

Five pupils spent a break time in the Head’s office having a chat and piece of cake with Mrs Capewell after they were nominated by teachers for their ‘Outstanding Contribution to SGS’ this term.

Second Years Laurence Glazier and William Lloyd, Third Year Arshma Butt, and Fifth Years Molly Keenan and June Moore were nominated for a number of reasons – some of which included a “superb learning attitude”, being “an absolute joy to have in the classroom” and a “stand out” performance at a Model United Nations conference.

Whilst in the Head’s office the pupils signed the ‘Outstanding Contribution to SGS’ book.

Thank you to The Christie Charity for this lovely case study of the fundraising work the Junior School do.

We are proud to support such a great charity that do amazing work.

The wide-ranging co-curricular programme on offer at Stockport Grammar means that whether your child is sporty, musical, dramatic, thoughtful, competitive, curious, caring or creative, there is something to inspire.

Our most recent (2023) ISI Inspection praised our “extensive selection of co-curricular activities,” whilst the latest (2024) report from the Good Schools Guide noted how enthusiastic our pupils are towards their co-curricular activities, stating that the “extracurricular opportunities lead pupils to say they all feel that they can participate.”

Fins out more at https://stockportgrammar.co.uk/news-and-events/news/enthusiastic-pupils-embrace-extensive-co-curricular-programme/.

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Stopfordian Parents’ Association (SPA) Quiz Night - it was a huge success!

172 attendees made up 25 teams and the eager quizzers enjoyed answering questions posed by Heads Mr Copping and Mrs Capewell.

The winners were The Periodic Table Dancers, and we are thrilled that the event raised approximately £1,900 - profits will go towards SPA fundraising projects.

A final thanks go to Caldwell’s Deli and Deli On The Lane for supplying the delicious cheese platters!