STONYHURST newsEASTER TERM 2010

AMDG

Rugby 7ssuccessstoriesSee back cover

F R O M T H E H E A D M A S T E R A N D R E W J O H N S O N , B ASTONYHURST COLLEGE

STONYHURST

Stonyhurst College, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ

Telephone: 01254 827047 Fax: 01254 827131 Email: headmaster@stonyhurst.ac.uk

www.stonyhurst.ac.uk Ston

yhur

st: a

com

pany

lim

ited

by g

uara

ntee

.Reg

iste

red

in E

ngla

nd,C

ompa

ny N

o.66

3230

3

Reg

iste

red

Off

ice:

Sto

nyhu

rst,

Clit

hero

e,La

ncas

hire

BB7

9PZ

.Reg

iste

red

Cha

rity

No.

1127

929

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

2

Welcome from the Headmasters

March 2010

This term started with deep snow, which affected transport back to

Stonyhurst and remained with us for some weeks. It is now drawing to

a close with the glorious spring sunshine we recently enjoyed for the

day of the Stonyhurst 7s. Much of this term has been about preparation:

for Easter by way of Lenten reflection and observance, for exams in the

coming summer term, for university entrance, for concerts and dramatic

performances and for the various sports tours taking place during the

Easter holidays.

We are once again delighted that a number of our pupils, six this year,

have received offers of a place at either Oxford or Cambridge. It has

also been very pleasing to see our five excellent Lenten talks so well

attended by pupils, staff, parents and friends of Stonyhurst.

In sport, we have won trophies this term in Badminton, Rugby,

Hockey and Netball. Musically, we have been very busy, with more

concerts than ever this term, including the combined Jesuit schools’

concert at St Ignatius in London as well as a superb Headmaster’s

scholars’ concert and a wonderful spring concert.

At SMH we were delighted with the achievements of our 13+

scholars. In sport our U11s performed brilliantly getting to the finals

of our home hockey and rugby tournaments. Two of our pupils were

selected to play for the Prep School Barbarians. The SMH staff visit to

Zimbabwe has raised our companionship with St Paul’s, Musami to a new

level and we will welcome teachers at Stonyhurst in November. Fund

raising has continued apace culminating in a donation of £3000 sent to

the Cafod Haiti Earthquake appeal.

We wish all members of the Stonyhurst community a joyful Eastertide.

Andrew Johnson Lawrence Crouch

Law

renc

e C

rouc

hA

ndre

w J

ohns

on

Candlemas3

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

Pupils, parents and staff lightened the darkness of a cold winter’s night at the Candlemas Celebration, which began in the Pieta Gallery with the blessing and lighting of candles to symbolise Christ’s light among us. After a procession to the College Chapel, Schola Cantorum sang a mass-setting composed of some very fine tunes, such as The Ash Grove and the hymn-tunes Caswell, Repton, and Slane. Eccard’s When to the temple Mary went was also included.

Instead of a homily, two members Higher Line, Natalie Crouch and Andrew Finn spoke of their experience of taking part in the Lourdes Pilgrimage.

And

rew

Joh

nson

Four Stonyhurst ballet pupils successfully auditioned for a production of ‘Giselle’ with the English Youth Ballet, performed at The Charter Theatre, Preston in March. Paul Bell and Olivia Strain (St Mary’s Hall) and Alice Halpin (Lower Grammar) and Joey Lo (Syntax) auditioned for 2 hours, along with 290 other children, in an intensive rehearsal run by professional dancers. They demonstrated excellent technique and the ability to learn effectively, essential for rehearsals at professional level. “They’ve done exceptionally well and I’m really proud of them,” said their teacher Mrs Natasha Jones.

Photograph shows: Joey, in the centre, and Alice and Paul on the right. Also pictured on the left are Helen and Celina (front).

Stonyhurst dancers join the English Youth Ballet

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

4

They’ve done exceptionally well and I’m really proud of them.Mrs Natasha Jones

“”

In the Lion’s Den!Mr Nigel Evans, Conservative MP for the Ribble Valley and Fulwood, gave a talk to the Politics Society entitled “Parliament and the role of the MP.” He talked about growing up in South Wales and what had influenced his decision to enter politics, as well as his experiences at Westminster, the trials and tribulations of election night and his views on many current issues. The question time afterwards was particularly lively, as the many members of the Politics Society who attended the talk put Mr Evans through his political paces. Questions were asked on a variety of subjects, including Afghanistan, taxation, MPs’ expenses, representation of constituents, Europe, and whether the minimum voting age should be reduced to 16.

John Messent, the Head of the Line, was presented with a bottle of House of Commons wine by Mr Evans to go on the tombola at the Poetry Banquet. In return Mr Evans was handed the latest edition of Stonyhurst’s political journal, ‘The Lion’. Royal Schools of Music

diploma for Mary AnnMary Ann Wootton, a talented pianist in Syntax, has become one of the youngest people in the country to be awarded the prestigious LRSM diploma from the Royal Schools of Music. Mary Ann has already passed Grade 8 with distinction and has given recitals all over the country, including a performance for Her Majesty the Queen. The diploma required a 45 minute recital at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, detailed programme notes for her chosen pieces and a viva voce with two professors.

“I played Bach’s Fantasia in C, Beethoven’s Sonata in D, the second movement of Debussy’s Estampes and Mendlessohn’s Rondo Capriccioso,” said Mary Ann. “The recital coincided with the heavy snow in January and I only just made it to Manchester in time!”

Mary Ann has moved closer to achieving her goal, which is to be a professional musician, after studying music at university.

“We are very proud of Mary Ann’s remarkable achievement,” said Mr Andrew Johnson, the Headmaster. “It really is a joy to hear her play.”

Photograph shows Hayley Stokes, Rebecca Powell and Mr Evans with his copy of ‘The Lion’

5

We are very proud of Mary Ann’s remarkable

achievement. It really is a joy to hear her play... ..

Mr Andrew Johnson, Headmaster

“”

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

6

Stonyhurst’s charity at home...The Poetry Banquet This year’s Poetry Banquet raised a staggering £18,000 for the Stonyhurst Children’s Holiday Trust. Every summer, disabled children stay at the College for a week, cared for by the sixth-form; the holiday gives the children a great time, and respite to their parents. Money is raised throughout the year by Stonyhurst pupils to cover the cost of food, entertainment and a variety of trips and the banquet is one of the main fund-raisers.

As ever, Poetry took entire responsibility for the banquet’s planning and execution, from setting the tables and choosing the menu, to providing the music and washing up! John Golden, from Glasgow and chairman of the planning committee said “The whole year-group pulled together to give parents, staff and guests a fantastic evening. We’ve all learned a huge amount in the process and, crucially, have raised a record amount for the children’s holiday. I’m delighted with how it went.”

Fund-raising got off to a particularly good start, thanks to a donation of 240 teddy bears from Harrods. These proved extremely popular with pupils and staff alike, and can be seen in various places throughout the College!

…and abroadFashion Show for education in ZimbabweThe Stonyhurst Scholarship Fund, to enable children in Zimbabwe to receive an education, was launched in February with a fantastic charity fashion show, organised by Anna Thomas (Rhetoric) and Celia Lupton (Poetry). “It only costs £40 per year to go to school in Zimbabwe, yet this is far beyond the reach of many people there,” said Celia. “We wanted to raise as much money as possible to help children get an education and find a way out of poverty.” The girls won the backing of several businesses, such as Browse in Clitheroe and Renegade Marmalade from Manchester. They raised over £3,500, which will educate 5 children for 4 years each.

Mr Paul Warrilow, Head of Religious Studies, and Sophie le Breton, (Rhetoric) had recently returned from visiting Zimbabwe, and told the audience of over 300 people why the scholarship fund is so worthwhile. “I was struck by how eager the children are to learn,”

said Sophie. “Pupils use every available minute to read and work, even when waiting for a teacher to arrive. They live in absolute poverty, with no electricity or running water, yet their uniforms are pristine because they are proud to be going to school.”

Mr Warrilow told us about 12 year-old Kudzai, who attends St Peter’s Jesuit School, Kubatana, and who is to be the first beneficiary of the new fund: his badly injured father can no longer work or pay for his son’s education.

The show began with an award-winning dress from the London Fashion Week, followed by children’s wear, evening dresses, casual clothing for men, golf attire and bridal gowns, all ably modelled by Stonyhurst pupils themselves. “There are many people to thank” said Anna. “The lighting, sound and music were brilliant, not to mention the help behind the scenes with makeup and dressing. Above all, the pupils themselves were brilliant – they really worked hard as a team and supported everyone’s efforts.”

Above all, the pupils themselves were brilliant – they really worked hard as a team...

Anna Thomas ”“

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

The whole year-group pulled together to give

parents, staff and guests a fantastic evening.

“”

7

John Golden

Chirwirangwe!Stonyhurst’s long-standing partnership with Jesuit schools in Zimbabwe is called ‘Chirwirangwe’ or ‘Let us unite.’ This term, groups from the College and St Mary’s Hall travelled to the country.

Visit to St Peter’s, KubatanaMr Paul Warrilow, Miss Ruth Crossley, Natalie Crouch and Sophie Le Breton (both in Rhetoric) visited St Peter’s in February. Sophie kept a diary of the experience...

Friday• There is such a vast difference between the shiny floors

of the airport in Johannesburg and the shabbiness of Harare Airport.

• The school is very different from how I had imagined it; there are more buildings than I had pictured.

• Pleasantly surprised by our “house”. There are 3 rooms, 2 bedrooms and a living area. We are also promised a TV, to be arriving soon. This shocked us, especially as there is no water, not even a drip, in our outside toilet. The Zimbabweans dream of living like Westerners.They should be focusing on building sewers and making the electricity more reliable rather than technology!

• Tried Sadza at dinner, which looks like mash potato, but much more solid; it was edible.

Saturday• This morning we met two members of the Chirwirangwe

group, both of whom are lovely. We then drove to Mbare, which is a township, and was very upsetting. The smell was like no other you had ever experienced. Litter lay everywhere. As did people.

• The houses too were run down and covered in graffiti. You could stare in and get a real glimpse of how Zimbabweans live: in one room, filled with rubbish and with no sanitation, water or electricity.

• The market was quite scary; people pin-point you because you are white and therefore MUST have money you are willing to spend. We were the first white people many people had seen so many took photos of us.

Sunday• The Church where Mass was being said was about

50 minutes away. We travelled through the countryside; the wild plants are beautiful, such vivid colours.

• The priest was running late (this would never happen in the UK) so we were given a tour of a school. The classrooms were shocking, both in a positive and negative way. The teacher had done an amazing job with the few facilities she had. Bright displays covered the walls. The children, it was good to see, learnt about aids, cholera and food preservation.

• Mass was an all-singing, all-dancing affair.• After Mass, the sisters had prepared a dinner for us.

So generous and unexpected. • Kundai is lovely, very shy. It was very upsetting to learn

that he had lost a sister; it made me glad that we were doing what we can to help him and his family. Luckily the electricity was off as Kundai’s parents had been planning to show us the video of his operation!!! (Kundai has a facial tumour which has recently been partly removed; the surgery was partly funded by Learning to Care.)

Monday• We were welcomed in assembly. The pupils were told

off as they had recently had a non-uniform day where they had dressed inappropriately. It was good to see that some things don’t change even when you are half way across the world!

• We attended our first Chirwirangwe meeting and handed out our gifts which were well received.

• Sat in on a history lesson. The teacher was very enthusiastic and used the few resources he had very well.

• In the afternoon, Mrs Crossley and Mr Warrilow went to visit Kundai’s surgeon while we stayed at school with the Chirwirangwe group.

Tuesday• The librarian did not come to work today, so Natalie and

I were asked to do his job. The library was well used, but there was no fiction section. We spent the morning talking to girls about hair and boyfriends. ST

ON

YH

UR

ST n

ews

8

• The school is quite traditional in that boys do woodwork and metal work while girls do home economics and fashion and fabrics. All the rooms are very poorly equipped, but then you have to remember that they do not have electricity.

• I was very surprised to see that when teachers did not attend lessons, the pupils would carry on working in silence. They really appreciate their education.

• We visited the music room, where 7 girls were having a lesson. Their voices were so powerful it was spine-tingling. We decided at break to return to listen to the whole choir, and they didn’t disappoint.

• We had a great Chirwirangwe meeting. I spent it listening to the deputy head girl, who was so articulate and eloquent, talking about social justice. In theory there

is freedom of speech, but it doesn’t really exist; the press is heavily biased and there is great inequality between the sexes.

Wednesday• We spent the morning in lessons. First with Year 8 Science,

which was very complex. Half way through the lesson we left with the teacher. I assumed that she was taking us to another lesson, but we ended up spending the rest of the lesson together, with the other science teachers talking about life. They said teaching science is very difficult without water and electricity.

• Ash Wednesday. Mass was very enjoyable, the weather and singing made it very special. All the children love to

sing, and there was even an encore for the choir! • After lunch, we visited Father Jo Arimoso, a most incredible

man. He is on the board of commissioners of education representing the Movement for Democratic Change. He believes that education will change the country. He told us:• There is a 13% pass rate of O Levels in Zimbabwe• Most text books are from the 1970s and therefore do not

contain anything about Apartheid ending, the Berlin Wall collapsing or cloning. The exams, however, are English exams and therefore contain current subjects. There is no way for these children to do better in their exams as they cannot learn the required content.

• Children know nothing of the real world. They have been raised watching one TV channel and two radio stations which are filled with propaganda

• Last year the education budget was cut.• There is a further problem with computers; the Ministry

of Education only has two in its entire building. Therefore nothing can progress. The internet, Father Jo believes, is the way forward as it will allow Zimbabweans to see life in the real world.

• Next, we headed to St George’s, the Jesuit school, which is attended by Mugabe’s son. It is in the Mount Pleasant area, which is lovely and such a contrast to most areas of Zimbabwe. There are large houses, with well kept gardens and electric gates. It was shocking to see that the cricket pitches at St George’s were being permanently watered.

I couldn’t believe that they were able to waste something which only 20 minutes away was in great need!

On leaving, we had to drive past Mugabe’s house. But we got stopped before we got there by the police. “Mugabe’s coming”, Mrs Crossley told us. We looked around at the street and it was lined with armed soldiers. Many cars came out of Mugabe’s drive, police, soldiers, many black Mercedes, then his car, a long black Mercedes, with the registration plate ZIM 1. Closely behind his car was a truck full of soldiers who pointed their guns at us as they drove past. It was the scariest thing which has ever happened to me. The only time in the trip when we felt ourselves to be in danger.Mugabe’s house is right next door

to a township, which doesn’t feel right, so three minutes later we were back in an area where the streets were lined with rubbish and even a dead body.

Thursday• In the afternoon, we went to Silvera house to meet Brother

Dominic. He lives in the most beautiful place I have ever visited, high on a mountain where the view stretches out for miles and miles.

• As usual we were running late, 2 hours late! So we quickly had to jump in the van and speed to St Ignatius’ College, which is twinned with St Peter’s. St Ignatius’ College is a boarding school. The classrooms remain basic, but the science labs have much more equipment and the library is better stocked than the one at St Peter’s. There is also a swimming pool and a gym.

Friday• We left the school today at 10am with the choir and

boarded the oldest bus I have ever seen. It was also the slowest bus I have ever been on, often struggling to make it up the “hills” of Harare. Ironically a cheetah had been painted on the side!

• At Arrupe we used the Church to record the choir. They were brilliant, and there were very few occasions where they spoke or shuffled when they shouldn’t have done. Can’t wait to hear the CD!

• The hospitality of Zimbabweans never ceases. There were about 60 of us and yet the college provided a full meal for all of us. The children, not used to such big lunches, went crazy and spent the

hour-long coach journey back to school singing and dancing.

• We had our final meeting with the Chirwirangwe group too. Their presentations were great and really interesting. It was very upsetting to say goodbye, but we all promised to write. ST

ON

YH

UR

ST n

ews

9

•

•

Mr Larry Crouch, Mrs Catherine Robinson and Mr Miller visited St Paul’s. Mr Crouch writes…

Musami has 4 institutions: a hospital, a boarding high school, St Paul’s Primary and the Arrupe Centre for disabled children (deaf and/or dumb and mentally disabled). People live in difficult conditions. It is pretty hot (they are waiting for the necessary rains for harvest) and basic amenities are unreliable. Electricity is off about half the time and when it is off there is no running water. Food is basic – their favourite dish is sadza (corn porridge), which has the texture of wallpaper paste and is tasteless and unappetizing to the British palate.

The school runs well in spite of massive difficulties. In each class (40–50 children) at least 10 have to stand up or sit on the floor because there is not enough furniture. Teaching is very different from here – the main resource is the blackboard from which much copying goes on. The national language is Shona so the children are learning all of their subjects in their second language. Furthermore the curriculum looks something like the books in use in the early 1970s. Teacher morale is low with salaries of $150 a month.

The good news is that all over the school there is evidence of how they value the companionship with St Mary’s Hall; when they visit in November this will be reinforced. Also, all of the things we have bought for them are in use – the computers (when there is electricity) and the textbooks, and they were delighted with all the things we took this time. If there was one thing that stood out above every other experience it was the limitless cheerfulness and the effusive, uninhibited welcome given to us by the children.

As for the future, I foresee increased correspondence between staff and pupils in both schools. We have agreed a curriculum which will look at Sustainable Environments, Diversity and Social Justice. We have also agreed to donate chairs, desks and text books – the basics rather than the technological.

Visit to St Paul’s Primary, Musami

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

10

Visit to St Paul’s Primary, Musami

SUBJECT:WELD HOUSEDEVELOPMENT NEWS

As many of you who have visited the College will have seen, Weld House is nearing its completion. The building work has been delayed due to the sustained, very cold winter we have had, however the

roof is now almost complete which means the building is watertight and all the interior work can now move at a fast pace.

The en-suite facilities are being installed and the plastering is drying out. All the windows, doors and skirting’s have been made in Stonyhurst workshops and now that some of the scaffolding is starting to come down, evidence of the finer design details are beginning to emerge The stonework looks particularly appropriate and has been cut from a local quarry which in the past also supplied stone used in the construction of Stonyhurst. This has helped the building sit well next to the older buildings of Stonyhurst College. Weld House will be ready for pupils in September as originally planned.

For further information contact Rachel Hindle in the Development Office, Tel 01254 827147 or

r.hindle@stonyhurst.ac.uk”

BlackMamba

BlackMamba, the aspiring rock group, came back to their roots and played for SMH in the Centenaries Theatre. All four members of the band are old-Stonyhurst and three of them spent many years at SMH, themselves listening to concerts in the theatre and getting huge amounts of debits on their Line Cards (and one or two credits, too). The concert was a huge success and a delighted audience really entered the spirit of the occasion, especially when some were invited down to give their own rendition of a famous rock anthem. Rock on!!

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

11

“

Sweeney Todd

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

12

Stonyhurst’s major

production this year was

Sweeney Todd, the award-

winning musical thriller by

Stephen Sondheim.

David Mann (Rhetoric) was a darkly menacing ‘Demon Barber of Fleet Street’, who returns to London after 15 years’ transportation on false charges and vows revenge. His grisly throat-cutting activities were lightened by a hilarious Mrs Lovett, brilliantly played by Natalie Crouch (Rhetoric) and the entire cast acted and sang with skill and energy. An excellent set,

lighting and costumes all created a macabre corner of Victorian England.

The show was directed by Miss Johanna Egar, Head of Theatre Studies and the Musical Director was Mr Greg Mann, under whose direction a band of music teachers and pupils played Sondheim’s complex, atmospheric score.

Photograph shows David Mann and Natalie

Crouch as Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

13

Part of the famous Waterton Collection of preserved animals and birds has returned to Stonyhurst, having been loaned to Wakefield Museum for 44 years. The college curator,

Mrs Jan Graffius, has restored about a third of the Collection (which consists of over 1,000 exhibits) to its former glory in the Long Room. A new portrait of Charles Waterton has been unveiled to mark the return, painted by Helena Callinicos, the first female OS to have her work commissioned by the College.

Charles Waterton (1782–1865) OS was one of Britain’s great eccentrics and early natural historians. Among his fans is David Attenborough who describes him as “one of the first people anywhere to recognise not only that the natural world was of great importance but that it needed protection as humanity made more and more demands on it.”

Waterton established the first bird sanctuary in the country if not the world and was the first person to recognise the phenomenon of acid rain, witnessing the effect of a local soap factory on his estate near Wakefield. His most famous book is ‘Wanderings in South America’ which inspired William Wordsworth and a young Charles Darwin.

Perhaps Waterton’s most famous exploit was capturing an 11-foot cayman from the Essequibo River in Guyana; in doing so he refused to allow his Indian guides the safer option of shooting it, preferring instead to cut its throat, leaving the cayman relatively intact for preservation.

The Waterton Collection is a colourful and fascinating display which includes a platypus, armadillos, a porcupine, a vampire bat in full flight, a 4.3 metre python skin and a king crab holding a crucifix! (Waterton alleged that it had fallen from the hand of St Francis Xavier into the sea in Goa, and was returned to the saint by a thoughtful crab.) Waterton did not stuff the animals and birds but instead soaked them in bichloride of mercury, a highly poisonous chemical. (Hence the need for masks when the exhibits are out of their cases.)

The Collection and the new portrait were officially unveiled on Saturday 13th March. After a short burst of Mad dogs and Englishmen from Schola Cantorum, guests were treated to a recital of Charles Waterton’s readings given by Mrs Catherine Robinson, Miss Johanna Egar and members of Lower Grammar.

the

“ one of the first people anywhere to recognise not only

that the natural world was of great

importance but that it needed protection as

humanity made more and more demands

on it.” David AttenboroughST

ON

YH

UR

ST n

ews

14

Waterton Collection returns

the

15

In our second Annual Series of Lenten Talks, the speakers talked about their ministry in the light of the Lenten Sunday readings, and broadly on the theme of “Hold Firm and Take Heart” (Ps.26:14).

Bishop Peter Doyle, Bishop of Northampton, gave an account of his recent ad limina visit to Rome, in which he described his sense of Pope Benedict XVI’s peace, joy and intellectual sharpness. He then spoke of his Jesuit education and early vocation, and said that his guiding principle was always ‘to walk humbly with our God.’ His candid and heartening talk urged us to take heart in God’s unconditional love.

Fr Robert Halshaw, Chaplain at RAF Kinloss in north east Scotland, gave the second talk. Like forces’ chaplains of all denominations, he has worked alongside commanders and personnel on all deployed operations, often in very harsh and demanding environments. Quoting from Exodus 14, “The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still,” he said that the emotional resilience and strength amongst the forces springs from hope; to find stillness and therefore hope in our busy lives is worth striving for as it brings us closer to God.

The Rev’d Sam Nicholson talked about the message of love and forgiveness in the parable of the Prodigal Son. In the course of her ministry she has met people who, for one reason and another, consider themselves unworthy to attend church; part of her role as a priest, she said, was to show love and to tell people of God’s eternal love for them. She talked about her vocation to live and work in extremely challenging parishes affected by unemployment, drugs, poverty and crime.

The following talks were given by Fr Michael Holman, SJ, Provincial of the British Jesuits, and Fr Nick King, SJ, OS, from Campion Hall, Oxford.

Lenten Talks

Six Stonyhurst students have won places at Oxford and Cambridge this year. Oxford offers have been awarded to Allamin Daggash (Engineering at St Edmund’s College), Haruki Kawano (Mathematics at Lincoln College), Eleanor McClelland (OS 09; Arabic and Islamic Studies at Pembroke College) and Rebecca Powell (Chinese at Hertford College). Destined for Cambridge are John Messent, Head of the Line, who has a place at Gonville and Caius to read History, and Pawel Rzemieniecki, who has an organ scholarship at Fitzwilliam College and will read Mathematics.

“The competition for a place at Oxford or Cambridge is tougher every year”, said Mr Andrew Johnson, Headmaster. “I am immensely proud of our successful candidates, and of Stonyhurst’s record at Oxbridge entry. This is now the third year in a row we have had at least five conditional offers.”

“The interviews were every bit as challenging as you might expect” said Rebecca. “As well as closely examining some of the things I’d written on my personal

statement, they asked complex, thought-provoking questions; for example, ‘what are the problems involved in making ancient Chinese philosophy accessible to the man in the street?’”. John had three interviews: “They really tested my ability to engage with historical questions. The interview process is largely concerned with how you think things through.”

Oxbridge Success

From left to right: Allamin Daggash, Rebecca Powell, the Headmaster, Pawel Rzemieniecki, John Messent and Haruki KawanoST

ON

YH

UR

ST n

ews

16

World Book WeekHodder House celebrated World Book Week by coming to school dresses as their favourite storybook characters. Darth Vader rubbed shoulders with Mog the Cat, Sleeping Beauty and the Little Mermaid, and a variety of Knights in shining armour encountered King Henry V! Everyone looked wonderful as stories leapt out of their pages for a day, which inspired the creation of many new tales.

New PlaygroundChildren at Hodder House are delighted with their new playground equipment which was officially unveiled this term. The children flex their muscles as they climb, clamber, slide and weave around it, as well as exercising their imaginations, as the framework becomes a castle, house, galleon or fire-engine… the possibilities are endless!

Hodder House

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

17

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

18

Several pupils have taken the initiative in raising money for the Haiti Disaster Relief Fund this term. In January, David Seed (Syntax) gave a Haiti Benefit Concert in the College Orchestra Room. He sang songs he had written himself, such as ‘3rd of October’, and covers, such as ‘Where is the love’ to an enthusiastic audience of pupils and staff, and raised over £80.

Lower Line girls collected everyone’s loose change this term, with the aim of lining it all up to make a mile of coins. As you can see from the photograph, they devised a new art-form!

Enterprising Rhetoricians from ‘Learning to Care’ made £200 for Haiti by selling roses, just in time for Valentine’s Day. There was no shortage of takers, who were invited to compose a special message for the recipient as they ordered their roses in advance. Each rose was hand delivered to blushing pupils and staff alike.

Westminster Cathedral

Choir returnIn 2008 the world renowned Westminster

Cathedral Choir performed a concert at Stonyhurst. On Thursday 22nd April at 7:30pm they return for

what will undoubtedly be another very popular event. Tickets are free (donations are accepted on the night)

from the Admissions Office. Call 01254 827073/93 or email admissions@stonyhurst.ac.uk

Action for

snow on snow...This term started with a very snowy scene at Stonyhurst making the start of the new term interesting to say the least! The advantage was being able to build up a file of the most spectacular pictures of our wonderful grounds and buildings as you can see here.

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

19

Tim trains with England’s Cricket Board

Tim Le Breton (Syntax) has been invited to attend an England and Wales Cricket Board Spin Bowling Program at the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough University. The invitation came from Peter Such, the England off-spinner and official Consultant Spin Bowling Coach. Tim trains three times a week at Old Trafford and his coaches include Lancashire Cricket’s Gary Yates.

On Wednesday 10th March Stonyhurst College hosted the U19 Boys Red Rose County Badminton Championship, and entered an unprecedented 3 teams.

The Stonyhurst C Team came 7th; the Stonyhurst B Team reached the Semi-finals where they narrowly lost 3-2 to the Stonyhurst A Team, who went on to beat Hutton Grammar School 3-2 in the Final. This was the sixth County Trophy for Stonyhurst College Badminton in the last eight years.

On Wednesday 3rd March, the U19 Girls Badminton Team competed in the Red Rose County Championships held at Westholme and finished in second place behind Runshaw College.

This is the best ever performance by a Stonyhurst Girls’ Badminton Team.

Pictured with their badges and certificates are (from left to right): Hannah Phoenix, Wendy Leung, Rebecca Powell (captain) and Vanessa Vaghetti

Stonyhurst Sport

Badminton

Cricket

Congratulations go to the four A team players (pictured from left to right): Adrian Lau, Hayman Chan, Alex Chung (captain) and Greg O’Connor

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

20

U18 National Rugby Representatives Conor Clancy and Freddie Cruz have been selected for their respective national U18 rugby teams in preparation for the U18 World Cup to be held in Italy this Easter. Conor has been selected for Ireland and Freddie has been selected for Spain.

Junior Barbarians trials

Two boys from Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall have been selected to play for the Independent Association of Prep Schools Barbarians. Favour

Maduka will play for the Under 13 side and Chidiebere Nechi for the Under 11’s. The IAPS have been holding trials all over the country to

select a squad of players to play in Ireland soon. Hundreds of boys have gone through the selection

process and have anxiously awaited the decision of the selectors, who attended a final session at Rugby School a few days ago . Both boys received “Man of the Match” awards in their final trial games.

Bravo!

Our photo shows Favour (aged 13, left)

and Chidiebere (11, right).

Brian Ashton puts SMH through its paces!

Brian Ashton, MBE, the former Head Coach of the England national rugby team, visited Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall this term. In a talk to pupils, he described the atmosphere among the England players as they prepared to play World Cup matches, and talked about

some of the many top players he has coached. After taking lots of questions from his spell-bound audience, he then coached the rugby teams. Brian Ashton taught rugby and history at Stonyhurst for 8 years in the 80’s, where his pupils included Kyran Bracken and Will Greenwood who both played for England.

Stonyhurst SportR

ugby

Freddie (left) and Conor

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

21

Following a very successful Football season, the Senior Squad will undertake a challenging tour of Malta over the Easter break. The squad, a combination of 1st and 2nd XI players, will follow in the footsteps of their predecessors who toured the island 2 years ago. Led by 1st XI captain Declan Walsh, the team will play five games against Melita FC, Pembroke Atleta FC, Lija L’Iklin FC, Marsa FC and a Maltese OS XI. In between, they will also visit Valletta, Gozo, Luqa and St Julian’s Bay, and look forward to meeting up with the large Maltese OS community, who are very welcome to come

and support the team. Mr Kaaber, Head of PE, will lead the tour, supported by Mr Hardwick, Mr Smith and Mr Soars. Photograph: Back row (l to r): Alex Pizzoni, Karl Sullivan, Dominic Bennett, Christian Lowe, Nnamdi Iheme, Rahul Daswani, Marcelino Fernandez Puiggros, Ian OrFront row (l to r): Conal Mackenzie, Sigmund Kripp-Gutierrez, Hadley Harthern, Declan Walsh (Tour Captain), Olawanle Adeyemi, Tosan Wiltshire.(Absent: Allamin Daggash and Gustavo Ranera)

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

22

Malta Tour for Football

Squad

NetballPhotographs of the winning

Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall

U13 team which won the

tournament held on

March 10th

Stonyhurst won the Rydal Penrhos Hockey 7s Tournament on March 7th. Captained by Emily Smith, our team scored an impressive

28 goals and conceded none, playing what Mrs Luker describes as ‘beautiful hockey’!

Photograph shows, from left to right: (Back row) Miss Atherton, Lucy Lloyd, Faith Aylward, Claudia Mastrobouni, Ellie Butschok-Brain, Mrs Luker(Front row) Helen Finn, Emily Smith (Captain), Emma Leach, Anne Marie Conolly

At the County U14 Hockey Championships at Stanley Park, Blackpool on Tuesday March 9th,

Stonyhurst were runners up to Arnold – no mean feat, as they are the National U14 Champions.

At the Stonyhurst U16 Hockey 7s Tournament on Saturday 13th March, our A team were runners up to

Casterton. They lost by only 1 point, despite having scored the most goals!

Photograph shows, from left to right: (Back row) Faith Aylward, Lottie Morris, Emily Smith, Mrs Luker, Courtney Thompson and Helen Finn. (Front row) Lottie Timmins, Clare Lupton (Captain) and Claudia Mastrobouni.

The U18 A Team won the Austin Friar’s U18’s 7s Hockey Tournament on Wednesday 3rd March, winning all

three matches in their group before going on to win the semi’s and beating QEGS Penrith in the final by 2 goals to 1. 15 goals were scored throughout the tournament with 1 conceded.

Squad: Melissa Gulcimen, Jessica Pye, Adaobi Anah, Casey Davis, Clare Lupton, Camilla Copping, Livvy Carefoot, Hilary Harrison, Francie Page

We then went on to win the Mount St Mary’s U18’s 7s Hockey Tournament on Saturday March 6th. The girls won all their group matches; the first goal took just 12 seconds and was scored by Livvy Carefoot, who did the same thing in the second match!

We beat Mount St Mary’s in the final, 2 goals to 1. 20 goals were scored during the tournament with 1 conceded. Squad: Melissa Gulcimen, Anna Marlborough, Jessica Pye, Adaobi Anah, Casey Davis, Clare Lupton, Camilla Copping, Livvy Carefoot, Hilary Harrison

7s

U14

U16

Hockey has a great term!

U18

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

23

STONYHURST | LANCASHIRE BB7 9PZT 01254 827073/093 F 01254 827135 E admissions admissions@stonyhurst.ac.uk W www.stonyhurst.ac.uk

The sun shone on a great day of Rugby at this year’s Stonyhurst Sevens where 500 players from all over the country provided a spectacle of open running rugby. 25 Senior teams, 16 U16 teams and 12 U11 sides battled it out in glorious Lancashire sunshine, with some outstanding Sevens on show. Stonyhurst proved to be worthy competitors in the U11 and Senior competitions, reaching the final in both. The Oratory however were the stand-out performers, achieving the unprecedented feat of reaching the finals in all age groups. In the U11 competition, they ran out worthy winners against Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall. In the U16 competition St Ambrose College took the spoils.

The Stonyhurst 1st VII, captained by Richard Ayres (St John’s Beaumont), urged on by vocal home support, exceeded expectations, beating Rydal Penrhos in the quarter-final and then facing Bradford GS in the semi-final. In an epic confrontation, the game ebbed and flowed until Stonyhurst were able to score the decisive try and secure a 22-14 win.

The final, against an excellent Oratory outfit, was a bridge too far for a by-now tired and embattled Stonyhurst side, who despite showing great resolve, were unable to contain the abundant pace and deft handling of the worthy winners. All in all, a great day’s rugby.

Rugby7sSt

onyh

urst

1st V

II

U16

STO

NY

HU

RST

new

s

24 LDS

SMH

U11

U18

U18