wasdale 1999

109 Pages·2016·49.79 MB·English

£
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The Stopfordian 1998-99
EDITORIAL
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? (Juvenal) of anything. Every evening they spent two hours or
(Who is to guard the guards themselves? or Who more in a team meeting to discuss progress, and
inspects the inspectors?) remained in school until 7.00 p.m. or later. After
dinner at their hotel they went off to their individual
There is little doubt that the most keenly awaited rooms to write up the day's findings and draft their
event of the year was the School Inspection. But reports, often until the early hours of the next
who were the Inspectors, and what was the week morning. They were lucky if they got five hours
like for them? sleep in any night. On the Friday, although
exhausted, they had to marshall their thoughts
The team of eighteen (twelve for the Senior School sufficiently to report back orally to Heads of
and six for the Junior School) were all serving or Departments in the morning and to the Senior
recently retired heads or senior teachers from similar Management Team and Governors in the afternoon.
HMC schools. They had been specially trained to Their written reports had to be completed and
meet the standards required by OFSTED and the submitted to the Lead Inspector soon after the end of
HMC inspection scheme. From the time they arrived the week. So busy were they that they had little time
on the Monday lunch-time until the time they left on to do justice to the huge stock of tea bags which we
the Friday afternoon their life was a frenzy of activity, had supplied to alleviate their stress!
discussion and writing.
Our need to produce a formal list of activities for
They were in school before 8.00 a.m. each day, them revealed an amazing average of twenty per day
exchanging notes and opinions before attending - a hundred over the whole week, not including
form periods and assemblies. They observed every weekend games fixtures and visits. No wonder, then,
member of staff teaching at least two lessons, that we received an excellent report, commending
covering the whole age and curriculum range. They not only our academic success but also our lively
went to lunch-time and after-school activities, extra-curricular achievements, many of which are
looked at pupils' written work, accommodation and chronicled in these pages.
libraries, interviewed governors, staff, pupils,
ancillary staff and almost everyone who is in charge M.Harris
Robert Higgins
Claire Metivier
Helen Saxon
CONTENTS
The Year's News Page 3
Activities Page 14
Music and Drama Page 47
Sport Page 57
People and Places Page 76
Junior School Page 82
Stopfordian Parents'Association Page 92
Old Stopfordians1 Association Page 93
Cover photograph of the Sixth Form Quadrangle
by S.E. Helm
The Stopfordian 1998-99
STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Patron
THE PRIME WARDEN OF THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GOLDSMITHS
Governors
Mr. C.E. SPEIGHT, F.C.A., A.T.I.I. Chairman
Mr. M.J. GARNER, B.Sc., F.R.I.C.S., A.C.I. Arb. Vice Chairman
THE WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR OF STOCKPORT Mr. R.J. GRIFFITHS, B.A., J.P. Mr. R.L.E. RIMMINGTON, B.A.
Mr. R.H. ASTLES Mr. N.G.HENSHALL, M.A (Econ.), F.C.A.
Mrs. C.H. BEATSON, M.A. Mr. P.M. KERSHAW, J.P., A.S.L.T.C. Mrs. A.S.R. STEWART, M.S.R.
Mr. J.C.P. BLUNDEN-ELLIS, B.Sc., M.Sc., Dp.B.A. Dr. E.M. MORRIS, M.B., Ch.B., D.Ch. Mr. B. TOMLINSON, F.C.A.
Mr. P.A. CUDDY, B.A., F.I.M.G.T., F.I.P.O. Dr. N.L. REEVE, B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.Path. Mr. R.P. YATES
Mr. E.D. FOULKES, LI.B. F.R.C.Path.
Bursar and Clerk to the Governors Assistant Bursar
Mr. J.H. LEAY, B.A Mr. R.K. TAYLOR
Headmaster
I. MELLOR, M.A.
Proctor Director of Studies
J.P. ASHCROFT, B.Sc., M.A., Dip.Ed.Man. Mrs. M. HARRIS, M.A.
Assistant Masters and Mistresses
A.C. HEATH, B.Sc. Mrs. A.M. FITTON, B.Sc. Miss G.I.A. SHAW, B.A.
D. SHORT, B.Sc., M.Ed. M.J. COWLING, B.Sc., Ph.D. Revd. S.I.D. WHITE, M.A.
K.A. HOLLIN, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Mrs. L. LAMMAS, B.A. Mrs. N.M. BURNS, B.A.
Mrs. C.E. CONDLIFFE, G.R.S.M., A.R.M.C.M. C.J. WRIGHT, B.A. G.J.AFFLECK, B.A.
J.J. TOWERS, B.A. P.L. GIBLIN, M.A., M.Ed. A.S. HANSON, B.Ed.
D.S. MARTIN, M.A., F.R.G.S. Dr. J. GILBERT, B.A., Ph.D. MissG. HOLDEN, B.A.
AT. GREGG, B.Sc. Mrs. C.A. BECKETT, Dip. A.D. Mrs. H.JONES, B.A.
S.E. HELM, Dip. A.D. Miss R.E. HASKINS, B.A. Frau A. KUSTER, B.A.
D.M. MORT, M.A. D.W. HOWSON, M.A. Miss L.S. WORTH, B.A.
). BOULDING, B.Sc. MissJ.L. HANSON, B.A. Miss J. CLARKE, B.A.
J.R. METIVIER, B.Sc., Ph.D. R.W. WALLINGTON, B.Sc. A.J. BRETT, B.A.
W. KRYWONOS, M.Sc., Ph.D. S.E. PETTIGREW, B.Sc. R. HOWARTH, B.A.
S.R. CROSS, B.A. P.). GRANT, B.Sc. S.J.D. SMITH, B.A., Ph.D.
I.H. BRUCE, B.Sc. Mrs. F.S. FORBES, B.A. S. POWER, B.A., M.Sc.
Mrs. H.K. BRIDGES, B.Sc., M.I.Biol. Mrs. G.J. KELLY, B.A. Miss A. LLOYD, M.A.
Mrs. C.S. MUSCUTT, B.A. Mrs. M.A. BLACKBURN, B.Sc., F.R.G.S. Mrs. S.J. BRAUDE, B.A.
J.P. BIRD, B.A. Mrs. D.A. SULLIVAN, B.Sc. N.P. MELLOR, B.A., M.A.
Mrs. M.S. HIRST, M.A. P.A. URWIN, B.A. Ms. H.R. LAWSON, M.A.
Mrs. D. HILL, B.A. Mrs. A.C. HICKS, B.A., F.R.G.S. Miss A.M. MAINWARING, B.A.
Mrs. V.E. GARRETT, B.A. Mrs. M. SWIFT, B.Sc. Miss B. O'NEAL, B.A.
A.B. CHESLETT, B.Sc., M.Sc. Mrs. D.L. HARRIS, B.Sc. Miss K.A. OWEN, B.A.
Mrs. A.H. ARMITAGE, B.A. Miss R.M. CORDEROY, B.A Miss F. RANK1N, B.Sc.
Mrs. E.J. NOTT, B.A. Mrs. S. BELSHAW, B.A. P. WALKER, B.A.
Mrs. S. FARRAR, B.A. S.M. MASSEY, B.Ed.. S.J. CRELLIN, B.A.
Miss L. WILLIAMS, B.A. Miss S.D. BRAIDFORD, B.Sc Miss H. EDWARDS, B.A.
Mrs. G.M. LOCKWOOD, M.A Mrs. A.J. HALL, B.Sc. MissM.E. HIGGINS, B.Sc.
Mrs. R.G. JOHNSON, B.A., M.A. T.E. PALFREYMAN, B.A., M.A. Miss H.M. JOHNSON, B.Sc.
Mrs. H.F. KENNEDY, G.N.S.M., A.R.C.M., L.R.A.M. MissC.R. HUGHES, B.Sc.
Development and Marketing Librarian Headmaster's Secretary
Mrs. C.M. HENSTOCK Mr. R. TURNER, B.A., DipLib., A.L.A. Mrs. J.E. BAKER
Head Boy STUART NUTTALL Head Girl HARRIET MATHER
Deputies MARK FROST Deputies CLAIRE ALTREE
CHRISTOPHER HODGSON ANNE DOWLAND
MATTHEW MALTBY FLEUR KENNEDY
JANE SHUFFLEBOTTOM
Prefects SIMON AINSWORTH LOIS FARROW REBECCA LEE KATHERINE ROWELL
REBECCA ALSOP ABIGAIL FULLER STEPHEN LOCKWOOD JENNIFER SHAW
ELIZABETH ARTINGSTALL RAKHEE GANATRA KATHERINE LONGDEN GEMMA SHORE
ANTHONY ASH ANTHONY GENT KATY MACDONALD HELEN SKILTON
VICTORIA BATESON SARAH HAMMOND KATHRYN McCOLL GEMMA SMITH
MELISSA BIGGS TIMOTHY HEATH EMILY McCURRIE KATHERINE H.O.SMITH
HOWARD BIRKS EMMA HEPPLESTONE CLARE McDIARMID CHARLOTTE SPENCE
THOMAS BROOMAN JOHN HIBBERT KIRSTY McNAIR LUKE STATON
GRAEME BRUCE ELISABETH HIRST STEVEN MELLOR ANDREW STONE
VICTORIA BUCKLEY WILLIAM HITCH REBECCA MOORE BENJAMIN TILLEY
COLIN BUSHELL TESSA HOOD NICOLA MOSS DAVID TURNER
CHRISTOPHER CARROLL WILLIAM HUNTER RUTH PATEMAN RICHARD WAIND
GERARD DARING RACHEL HUTCHINSON REBECCA PICKFORD FIONA WATSON
MATTHEW DAVIS CHRISTOPHER JONES ROWAN POLLOCK RACHEL WEBSTER
ELIZABETH DEAKIN SOFIA KATSOURIS BEN PRESTON JAMES WIMBURY
JAMIE DOCHERTY THOMAS KNOWLES VICTORIA REDFERN SARAH WOOD
JUSTIN DUPREY AMY LEE LUCY RIMMINGTON CHRISTOPHER WOOLARD
SAMUEL WRIGHT
The Stopfordian 1998-99
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
came as no surprise as, for a number of years, we
have been working towards upgrading the older
accommodation. We have, however, to work within
our financial ability, and expensive improvements
take time. We are working steadily through our
agenda, and following the acquisition of the adjacent
theatre site a year or so ago we have already
improved the traffic flow and parking areas. The
gradual loss of the Government Assisted Places
scheme payments does not help the school, and it
was in anticipation of this loss a few years ago that
we undertook the work to extend the Junior School
to increase the numbers of pupils coming through
into the Senior School.
Another major step forward has been completed this
year. The long-hoped-for possibility of acquiring the
garage premises on the A6 now occupied by Kwik Fit
became a reality. After renewed negotiation the site
has been acquired, and our planned frontage to the
Mr. C.E. Speight, Chairman of Governors
main road is now a practical reality.
When the Junior School extension was
completed two years ago we intended to bring Plans are now well advanced for the next stage of the
the full complement of pupils up to four hundred and improvements to our teaching accommodation, and
fifty. I am pleased to say that this has already been I am hopeful that we shall have planning consent in
achieved, and we now start a new school year at full the near future.
strength a year earlier than originally expected.
From an educational point of view it has been a year
During the year we have purchased the property on of excellent results which reflect great credit on both
Clifton Park Road next to the Junior School to enable pupils and staff.
us to upgrade our facilities in the future.
During the year the Governors have lost the services
The security work I mentioned last year is almost of Prof, lain Gillespie following his retirement. From
complete. The local planning authority refused our his early time in the school, as the first Chairman of
application for the last short section for no good the Parents' Association and subsequently as a
reason, but when the appeal procedure is complete I Governor, he has been of great assistance to us all
am sure we shall obtain the permission we require. over many years, and I am pleased to thank him on
The high level of security at school is proving to be behalf of the School.
very satisfactory.
As you read through the reports here in The
During the year we had a School Inspection, which Stopfordian you will realise what a tremendous effort
is reported elsewhere. Every section of the school everyone puts into all aspects of school life, and I
was involved including Governors and parents, and wish to express the gratitude of the Board to all
I am pleased to say the results were extremely involved.
encouraging. One of the areas of criticism was the
present inadequacy of some teaching areas. This C.E. Speight
(Chairman of Governors)
The Stopfordian 1998-99
HEADMASTER'S REPORT
There has been much to celebrate at Stockport wholly inadequate. Moreover, whilst there is little
Grammar School in the twelve months ended curricula! pressure for modernising our sports
31st. August 1999. My notes are a preface to an facilities, the value of both a Sports Hall and new
anthology of all the successes (and otherwise - changing rooms is undeniable. Our architects have
nothing to hide), and I hope that The Stopfordian's studied our long-term plans and devised a building
readers will feel that it provides a telling and truthful schedule which will bring, as Phase A of Phase 1, a
insight into a school full of commitment, frenetic Technology Centre and a Sports Hall, together with
activity, pride and an ability to mix the right changing rooms, and, as an immediate follow-up,
ingredients of past, present and forward planning to (Phase B of Phase 1), a rebuild of the facade of the
keep a long-running show on the right road for at school, to re-site the administration areas, create a
least another 512 years. new Science area and move Music into the Hallam
building. This is necessarily only an outline of a
It is not mere tradition to emphasise the extent of the detailed project, but I hope that just as The
commitment. The number of pupils involved only in Stopfordian offers a flavour of the immediate past,
study is falling gratifyingly, and many, especially this gives a flavour of the fairly immediate future.
when they join the more senior ranks, seem never to
be away from the place. I have long been We are also on a major curriculum threshold. Years
convinced, not by scientific research but by ago the school introduced, for perfectly cogent
observation, that the fuller the commitment in the reasons, a regime of eight GCSEs, one fewer than the
widest sense, the greater the pupil's chance of norm - why some schools pursue eleven or even
fulfilling academic potential, too. The link is not all twelve I do not know, but each to his own. The shift
that obvious but beyond doubt it exists. To mention from eight to nine is a major change, likely to alter
in advance of its own designated paragraph the the shape of the school day, but it has been in mind
School Inspection : the inspectors wrote that my for a while. In the background, nationally, however,
colleagues give 'unstintingly' of their time and lurked the unknown : the Government's view of the
energy, and this is the essential ingredient which Dearing Report on post-16 education. Only in the
makes the rest possible. All of which creates the last few months has a clearer national picture
need for other support - the grounds are quite emerged, and some discussions are still murky
magnificent, often picturesque, often playable when (notably on Key Skills). But by the end of March it
one could expect them not to be. The premises are was felt that enough was known to hold a major
beautifully maintained, often creatively so - I conference to spell out at least some of the
wonder how many marvelled at the craftsmanship of implications of what was coming.
the Exhibitions Room doors, all in-house work. The
food is excellent, the car parking - even if it does not Briefly, it looks as though almost all students in the
house everyone at all times and on demand land who enter the Sixth Form in September 2000
superb, and it is not coincidence that the incidence will start at least four A levels. (The Government still
of poor behaviour, of disrespect, of complacency, of hopes that they will start five A levels, on the basis -
any of the other enemies of success, is minimal. said by Baroness Blackstone at the conference - that
'we all know that Lower Sixth Formers are pretty
Behind all this is a Governing Body whose idle'). The consequences of such changes would
commitment is equally great. It deals with the also alter a school's curriculum and timetable, and
financial, the educational and everything in we decided to make the GCSE and A level changes
between; it is the body to which all of us who work at the same time. My own view, for what it is worth,
here are accountable, and accountability levels are is that the four A level idea is misguided, for several
higher than they have ever been. But in the end it is reasons. First, the transition from GCSE to A level is
the Governing Body which has to answer to posterity not easy, either academically or in terms of maturity,
for the development of Stockport Grammar School, and if Lower Sixth Formers have a little time on their
and every year it makes many critical decisions : on hands that is no bad thing. Secondly, good Lower
finance, on property purchases, on educational Sixth Formers very frequently use that time to take on
provision, on the use of land it already owns, on responsibilities, to develop interests, to take still
what is likely to maintain and enhance the profile of greater advantage of the wider opportunities on offer
a school which is firmly embedded in the list of the - I hope no-one would argue that the be-all and end-
country's very best schools. all of a school is relentless classroom learning and
homework. Thirdly, the implications of the new
Indeed, we are on the threshold of another major proposed examination system are a) constant
development, allied to the purchase of the Kwik Fit examination pressure and less time for teaching,
site, for which one day - we hope and expect - our b) yet another razor-edged university filtration system,
successors will thank us. The increased emphasis in c) simpler examinations at the end of the Lower Sixth
schools on Technology has changed both the status year. It is hard, except in the case of genuinely idle
and, even more importantly, the nature of the students, to find a solid justification for all this. The
subjects under this title. The present space was still-growing proposals for Key Skills are even less
already limited, but the new understanding of what inspiring.
Technology can and must cover makes that space
The Stopfordian 1998-99
I should perhaps say that I have no objection to the week, even though we had been back at school
educational change as such. Out of rather only a few days, the weekend felt more like a half-
unpleasant experiences between teachers and term break - there was a sense of the surreal about
Governments these last fifteen years several very the aftermath. As is well known by now, the
valuable bits of progress have emerged; but the need Inspectors landed on two things only for major
for the above escapes me entirely. It is not even comment : the need to implement staff
going to have the rigour of the International appraisal/staff development, and the need to move
Baccalaureat, except, possibly, for those who may be ahead with a nine-GCSE programme for the Fourth
entered for the fascinatingly titled (I haven't seen any and Fifth Forms. The report contained a lot of other
yet) World Class Tests - is this what we knew as S points for the school's consideration, and no doubt
level? we shall accept some of those and agree to disagree
on others. It is worth recording that the feedback
And then, contemplating a year in which we will be session, we were told, was by about three quarters of
preparing for what are for us big changes, I hear that an hour the shortest which the Lead Inspector had
Mr. Blunkett thinks that far more children should take done - a comment intended as a compliment, in
GCSE early. I hope he will visit all his schools to sort that the major issues were very few. My only
out the practicalities : more teachers; more rooms; disappointment is that if I survive until my allotted
'sink' setting; not-so-able sixteen-year-olds alongside retirement year there will be one more Inspection to
very able twelve and thirteen-year-olds; a complete go through. Valuable though they can be,
re-writing of schedules, with Year 7 (our First Year) as Inspections do intensify the burden temporarily.
a further selection year; how to occupy pupils who
have completed Mathematics, French, English, for So now to look forward, to wonder, in effect, what
example, at thirteen; the knock-on effect on A level next year's Stopfordian magazine will say. It is
choices; university at fourteen or fifteen; grants - or certainly a year of change, a year, indeed, of
will these fourteen and fifteen-year-olds have to work informed speculation, a year when secondary
their way through college, too? Most schools do education in any institution where there are post-16
allow one-off early entries, and some schools already students teeters on the brink, guessing here, calling
enter batches of pupils for certain subjects a year bluffs there. It is easy to feel more than momentarily
early, but other schools have abandoned the idea, ruffled by it all (and to wish it could all have been
recognising that there is no pressing need to teach delayed by a minimum of seven years), but at
doggedly to a syllabus over the five secondary years Stockport Grammar School there is one enormous if
certainly not with the brightest pupils. For immodest certainty: whatever lands upon us, we
university entrance the quality of grades is far more will do it well, and our pupils will remain at the very
important than the number of passes. The good top of the heap. That explains the sincerity of my
news is that since the first fanfare about early entries thanks to all concerned : pupils, all who work here,
I have heard nothing else. Did someone whisper in Governors, parents; for it is ultimately a team effort
an official ear? and I feel privileged to be somewhere mixed up in it.
Central to our purposes, of course, is the pursuit of /. Mellor
examination grades. This summer the A levels came
through with about 63% of A and B grades, down
from 1998 but still the third best year ever (after the
best and second best in 1997 and 1998 respectively).
In general terms the results proved that results can be
gained by sheer hard work, a modicum of intelligent
thought and co-operation with advice. On the
whole we had few complaints about the grades; we
did not go scampering to the Examination Boards
with sheaves of re-mark requests. It was the GCSEs
which proved the icing on the cake, turning out to be
the best ever, and by quite a margin. No-one failed
to get the Government's (arbitrary) Gold Standard of
five Cs or better; 94% of our grades were at least B;
over a third of the year group scored nothing below
an A (which was, in fact, the average grade); and it
was another gratifying piece of evidence that co-
operation and determination are formidable
weapons at GCSE.
As for Inspection, it is an opportunity to sort out and
to have tested all the things that constitute normal The Headmaster with the Head Boy and Head Girl
practice. There is inevitably some psychological
impact in the process of inspection, and at the end of
The Stopfordian 1998-99
STAFF NEWS
In September 1998 we welcomed four new school was enormous. She was a talented teacher,
members of staff : Mr. S.J.Crellin replaced Mr. incredibly hard-working, and set the highest
N.G.Waters in the French Department; Miss standards for herself and those she taught. But the
H.M.Johnson joined the Physics Department in place demands she made were always tempered by
of Miss L.Farrow; Miss M.E.Higgins became the genuine care and concern for the individual, skills
ninth full-time member of the Mathematics she employed to the full in many years of Form and
Department; and Miss H.Edwards returned to her Warren House tutoring. Outside the classroom she
old school for two terms to teach Geography during energetically supported overseas Classics trips and
the absence on maternity leave of Mrs. A.Hicks. In organised numerous London and local theatre trips.
January 1999 Miss C.R.Hughes replaced Mrs. Who can forget Mrs. Nott striding out in front,
D.A.Sullivan in the Chemistry Department. leading the group with her legendary red umbrella
raised aloft? In extra-curricular terms perhaps the
We were sorry to bid goodbye in December 1998 to most important contribution she made was
Mrs. D.A.Sullivan, who had taught Chemistry here 'Timewatch', and, more recently, 'Infowatch'.
since 1991. Dawn Sullivan first came to the school Setting up and running these clubs for more than ten
as a student teacher, and on her return was Form years was an immense achievement. It enabled
Teacher of 1T and Head of Warren House for a countless pupils who might not have been involved
number of years. She also helped with girls' netball in sport or music to enjoy a very diverse range of
and aerobics, and was well-known for her successes outings and activities. In recent years she took the
with 'potty putty' at Open Day displays. We wish her school archives under her wing, and worked
and her husband, John, and young son, George, tirelessly to preserve the valued past as well as
much happiness as they begin a new adventure in improve the school's links with the wider
New Zealand. community. Few areas of school life were
untouched by her. She accompanied MUN trips
At Christmas Mrs. Margaret Birchwood retired. She both at home and abroad; walked in the Peaks with
had been the school's Librarian since 1988, and had First to Fifth Formers; tramped the Lake District at
been instrumental in setting up the bookshop and the Wasdale; was a conscientious supporter of all
electronic security system in the Hallam Library. We theatrical and musical events in school. Her
hope that she will enjoy happiness and improved boundless enthusiasm put us all to shame! Two
health in her retirement. Mrs. Mellor, the things stick out about her : she was an unfailingly
Headmaster's wife, nobly stepped into the breach to loyal colleague and friend, and a spiteful or petty
look after the library until the arrival of our new remark was never heard to pass her lips; but she also
Librarian, Mr. Richard Turner. refused to tolerate sham or pretence - there are
many amongst us who can bear witness to that! The
A number of teachers left us at the end of the school will be poorer without her and we all wish
Summer term: her a happy retirement, impossible though it is to
imagine her taking things easy.
Miss Joe Clarke left us after teaching for four years in
the English Department to take up a teaching post at
Fallibroome High School, Macclesfield. Whilst at
Stockport Grammar School, she contributed hugely
to the expansion of activities for the Duke of
Edinburgh's Award. Her energies and organisational
skills in this area were matched by her contribution
to the development of IT. in English, her work as a
stage manager and her involvement in Wasdale and
Salcombe trips. Her love of modern poetry by, in
some cases, unpronounceable poets, will be much
missed!
Mrs. Anne Hall moved on to Stretford Grammar
School as Head of Mathematics. She was always a
Mrs. E.J.Nott
cheerful and encouraging teacher, patient,
Mrs. E.J.Nott retired from the Classics Department in understanding and particularly sensitive to the needs
July 1999. Liz Nott joined the department in 1985, of individuals and offering sound advice when
initially part-time. Not only did she teach Latin, needed. She was in turn a Third and First Form
Greek, Ancient History and Classical Civilisation but Teacher, and worked tirelessly as Head of Arden
also English and History in her early years at S.G.S. House and with the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. We
Her contribution to and mark on the department and wish her every success in her new post.
The Stopfordian 1998-99
Miss Jayne Hanson decided to swap the rural skills she acquires as a sports therapist. A zest for life
delights of her Buxworth home for the equally was the hallmark of Miss O'Neal's personality, and
bucolic surrounds of Ulverston, in moving on to a this was reflected in the diversity of her interests -
Head of Department post at Chetwynde School after football, squash, badminton, Irish dancing,
almost a decade teaching French at S.C.S. Her new hypnotherapy, folk guitar and voluntary work for the
school is fairly close to the nuclear power plant at Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage and Francis
Sellafield, so we are sure that we shall hear glowing House Children's Hospice. In her short stay here she
reports of her progress! She shared with us the endeared herself to pupils with her endless patience,
smells, sights and sounds of France in the course of entertaining anecdotes and approachable style.
visits to goats' cheese factories, the Mirapolis Theme
Park (which closed down shortly after our visit!) and Shortly after Mr. Stephen Power arrived at S.C.S.
karaoke extravaganzas which revealed us in a new strange baskets began to appear attached to the tops
but rather dim light. of long posts. Some suspected this was an attempt to
attract ospreys to nest in the area, but it turned out to
Miss Gail Holden left us after five very busy years at be the school's first introduction to the sport of
the school. She was an inspired hockey coach, and korfball. He left us after three years, having
recent teams were the most successful ever. We shall developed the reputation of being an outstanding
miss her cheery "Hi, girls!", her curly hair done up in teacher of Mathematics. His teaching room had
a variety of slides and scrunchies, silly hats and fascinating wall displays which were continually
teddy-bear fleeces and the laughs shared with updated, and he was a real enthusiast about his
colleagues in the hockey office. She was proud of subject. We wish him well at his new school near
the enthusiastic way hockey was played at S.C.S. Winchester.
and the success which came with the pleasure of
competing. Revd. Simon White joined the school as Chaplain in
1994, and contributed a great deal, so much so that
Into her three years at S.G.S. Miss Amanda Lloyd it was hard to tell that his post was officially part-
packed more than some would in thirty. First and time. In addition to facing the intimidating
foremost she was a gifted and natural teacher of audiences of Senior and Junior Assemblies, he also
Classics. More than that she was a caring and taught Life Studies, General Studies and English and
positive Form Tutor and an active member of Warren introduced us to a wide range of visitors, stimulating
House. Sixth Formers involved in debating, MUN both interest and debate. Moreover, all members of
and latterly the European Youth Parliament owe the school, be they staff or pupils, were sure of a
much to her tremendous interest and skills. She listening ear and an empathetic response to the daily
directed school drama productions and was much gripes of school life or to something more serious.
involved in concerts and music generally. School He goes to his new post with our thanks and best
sport also felt her impact, for she helped to introduce wishes.
the Dutch game of korfball, and both Mull and
Wasdale trips benefited from her enthusiastic Mrs. Maureen Tindall retired from the catering staff
participation. We all wish her well in Australia, but in July 1999. Mrs. Tindall had been a 'dinner lady'
secretly hope her departure from teaching is short- at Stockport Grammar School for twenty four years,
lived! and we shall miss her dry sense of humour and her
ability to write the menu board so neatly every day!
After two years in the Psychology department Miss We wish her a long and happy retirement with her
Bernadette O'Neal left to pursue her long-standing husband Denis and family.
interest in sports psychology. This ambition was not
unrelated to her passion for Manchester United, We congratulate Mrs.A.Hicks on the birth in October
whose fortunes she hopes to influence through the 1998 of a son, Benjamin.
7
The Stopfordian 1998-99
SCHOOL REMEMBRANCE SERVICES November nth. 1993
O n the 80th. anniversary of Armistice Day the Gemma Smith and James Boulding. The service in
School held two special services of the Main Hall was also attended by a number of
Remembrance for pupils in the Main and Governors, former members of staff and Old
Woodsmoor Halls, led by the Headmaster and the Stopfordians who appreciated this opportunity of
Proctor and incorporating two minutes of silence at joining with the pupils in this act of Remembrance.
11.00 a.m. and the playing of 'The Last Post' by
FOUNDER'S DAY 1999
The time of year to pay our respects to Sir Edmond The readings and prayers were led by the President
Shaa had come round again, and the service was of the Old Stopfordians' Association, Mr. S.E. Helm,
held on the morning of Friday, 19th. March - our the Chairman of the Governing Body, Mr. C.E.
512th. birthday. As ever, St. George's Church was Speight and the Headmaster himself. We were also
filled with the whole school and the Governors and graced with the presence of the Dean of Manchester
Old Stopfordians who also came to pay their who gave the address. In his positive, spirit-lifting
respects. speech he clearly highlighted that the biblical terms
of faith, hope and love will never be 'old-hat'. They
Starting on time, the whole service went very well can be translated into the confidence, commitment
and I did hear several remarks that it was the most to the future and the partnership which we each
enjoyable service that some had ever attended. This have within us today. It was a meaningful service,
year we were joined by the Junior Choir, who sang and to top it all we were blessed with a lovely sunny
beautifully, and the Chamber Choir, who sang with day!
their usual vivacity, one of the pieces having been
written by a member of the Lower Sixth Form, Fiona Kim Street (L1)
Asbury.
LENTEN VISIT <!„ Yer Facer
In a new departure for the Lenten visit, this year we During the half week of the visit the school met the
invited into school not an individual but three company in a variety of ways. Assemblies were a
people, known to us as Rick, Jude and Colin of 'In fast-moving magazine of participation, sketches and
Yer Face!' Theatre Company. The group works personal testimony. Lower School Life Studies
chiefly in the Manchester area sharing their Christian classes were treated to a frenetic programme about
faith through drama in schools and colleges, youth right, wrong and forgiveness. But some low-key
groups and churches. Their style lives up to their encounters were also appreciated, such as the
name. Would they be too blatant, too simplistic for discussion of sex, faith and politics with one of Mr.
Stockport Grammar School? A fair question. Howson's English Literature groups, and
conversations over work in progress in the Art
A series of personal recommendations encouraged Department. Talks over coffee in the Sixth Form
us to invite them in, initially to take a couple of Common Room were sometimes controversial but
assemblies. Comments were positive : 'Thought- never boring. The company's parting shot was a
provoking'; 'Their loudness and forthrightness made thirty minute presentation of drama sketches in the
a change'; 'You didn't have to agree with them, but Hall to an audience of about one hundred and fifty.
you could enjoy them'. We suggested the two-and-
a-half day Lenten residency and they were delighted Our thanks go to Rick, Jude and Colin for a lively
to accept. visit. I know they would love to come back to see us
again.
Revd. S.I.D. White
The Stopfordian 1998-99
S.G.S. INSPECTION April 1999
Monday, April 26th. was the start of Inspection
Week at Stockport Grammar School. The
Inspectors came from HMC (the Headmasters' and
Mistresses' Conference) and arrived at school just
before lunch. Everyone tried their best to welcome
them to the school and to behave in their normal
manner. The Inspectors came into lessons and
school activities and talked to pupils about school
life - favourite subjects, teachers, hobbies and
interests both in and out of school. They held an
interview evening on Wednesday in the Hallam
Library to ask individual pupils a range of questions
about the school. Most pupils said that the
inspection didn't affect them at all. The Inspectors
were in school for a week in all; despite their
presence the week went on as normal, although by The Inspection Team
the end of it the staff were quite relieved to see them
go!
Oliver /ones, Scott Trinder (2P)
SPEECH DAY 1999
The annual prize-giving ceremony was held on
Thursday, July 1st. in the Dining Hall. The
Chairman of Governors, Mr. C.E.Speight, reviewed
the year's events and spoke of his hopes for future
developments, and the Headmaster gave his report,
voicing his concerns about the Government's plans
for post-16 education. The prizes were presented by
the guest of honour, Professor P.E.Easterling,
Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge,
who reminisced about times spent in Stockport as a
student and reminded us of the empowerment
afforded by the kind of educational opportunities
which pupils have at Stockport Grammar School.
The Headmaster with Prof. P.E. Easter I ing