NOTES FROM Stonyhurst
From the Interim Operational Head
Dear Stonyhurst Families
It has been wonderful to welcome pupils back this week and to hear about all the work (for Syntax and Rhetoric) and the experiences of our pupils over half term. A particular highlight has been the New York City trip for Poetry. We also have welcomed pupils from Wah Yan College, a Catholic and Jesuit boys' school in Hong Kong for the week. We are so proud every day of Stonyhurst's global reach - we really are a family like no other! We have also invited lots of prospective families this week and it has been so exciting to show families around College.
It has been such a busy week. We have had a scholars' STEAM day, an Oxbridge humanities talk, a visit to Oxford for a two-day Model United Nations Conference, many sporting fixtures and yesterday was also Anti-Bullying Day. It is wonderful to see the pupils' engagement in initiatives which celebrate our ethos. Being Men and Women for Others is a real focus at the moment and our anti-bullying ambassadors, from all school Playrooms, very much embody this.
We are so proud this week to be recognised in the top 0.6% of schools nationally for progress at A level. Our average is six times higher than the independent school average which is testament to the hard work of the pupils and the staff in equal measure! This means that, having chosen Stonyhurst, your children are likely to make more progress in relation to their starting point than at the vast majority of indepedent and state schools in England. A real cause of celebration.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to welcoming you to Stonyhurst soon, whether for our whole school musical Hadestown, for a parents' conference, an online meeting, a bespoke visit or Great Academies in May.
With all best wishes
Stand-Up to Bullying Event
Our pupil Ambassadors were out in force on Friday for our first Stand-Up to Bullying event, collecting pledges and raising awareness across the school.
With pledge boards, pink displays, stickers and sweets, pupils came together to show their commitment to kindness, respect and standing up for one another.
We're proud of our Ambassadors for leading such a positive and important initiative.
Enrichment Workshop
Our Academic Scholars and MedSoc pupils took part in a hands-on enrichment workshop, using scientific skills and critical thinking to solve a murder mystery.
Delivered by Thinkers in Education, Lower Line pupils explored blood groups while Higher Line tested for toxins.
Congratulations to the Grammar and Syntax team who achieved a record score in the challenge!
wah yan college
We are delighted to welcome pupils and colleagues from Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, to Stonyhurst this week. Hosted by our pupils, they will join lessons, games and activities, explore the Stonyhurst Museum and Collections, and experience the North West.
It is a pleasure to host pupils and teachers from a fellow Jesuit partner school!
Important Information
A gentle reminder that the speed limit for vehicles on campus is 10mph. Ideally this should be treated as maximum rather than a target speed.
Additionally, the speed humps on the road network across the campus are placed to encourage road users to reduce their speed below the maximum.
Many thanks for your assistance in this matter.
Upcoming Fixtures
Great Academies
Our Stonyhurst Families are invited to attend this year’s Great Academies celebrations, taking place on Thursday 21 Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May 2026. This special occasion offers a wonderful opportunity for the entire Stonyhurst community to come together, celebrate another full and vibrant year of college life, acknowledge the achievements of our pupils, and bid a fond farewell to our Rhetoricians. st, nd rd
On Friday there will be events taking place for families across every Playroom from sporting events, exhibitions, concerts, and plenty more.
As with last year, arrangements will vary for each Playroom, and a detailed programme of events will be shared with you shortly. The Prizegiving ceremony and Mass for Figures, Rudiments and Lower Grammar will be held on Friday 22nd May. Pupils in these year groups are therefore not required to attend the events on Saturday 23rd, unless they have siblings participating and wish to join their families.
For Grammar, Syntax, Poetry and Rhetoric, Mass and Prizegiving will take place on Saturday morning, and pupils in these Playrooms are expected to attend. Half term will begin for Figures, Rudiments and Lower Grammar on the evening of Friday 22nd May. For Grammar, Syntax, Poetry and Rhetoric, half term will begin at 1pm on Saturday 23rd May.
Further information will follow in due course, including details on how to register for the various events taking place throughout the weekend.
We very much hope you will be able to join us for Great Academies this year, and we look forward to welcoming you over the course of the weekend.
Week Ahead Calendar
Monday 02 March nd
12.10 - 12.45
Tuesday 3 March rd
8.30 - 14.30
8 30 - 9 00
13.50 - 17.00
17 00 - 17 45
19.10 - 19.30
LawSoc talk from Charlie Wilson
Poetry Trip to UCAS Fair, Manchester Central
World Book Day Assembly, Figures to Grammar
Syntax English Coursework Afternoon
Pupil Council Meeting
Boarders’ Night Prayers
Wednesday 4 March th
16 30 - 17 30
19 00 - 20 00
Thursday 5 March th
8.30 - 9.00
16.00 - 17.00 19.30 - 22.30
Friday 6th March
All Day
All Day
19.10 - 19.25
19 30 - 22 30
Saturday 7 March th
All Day
16.15 - 17.15
17.15 - 17.30
19.00 - 20.00 20.00 - 22.00 19.30 - 22.30
Sunday 8 March th
11 00 - 12 00
13.00 - 16.00
13 00 - 18 00
Line Competition: Aloysius House and Lower Line - Kwick Cricket
Syntax and Higher Line - Senior Debating
Finding Purpose Talk
Lenten Service
Sacramental Preparation
Hadestown School Musical
Women’s World Day of Prayer
Stonyhurst Celebrates World Book Day
SMH Boarders’ Night Prayers
Hadestown School Musical
College Open Day
Adoration & Confession
Benediction
Boarding Activity - Lower Line - Board Games and Baking
Higher Line Social: Lazer Tag
Hadestown School Musical
Sunday Mass
Optional Pupil Retreat
Afternoon Tea/ Sunday Roast (by boarding houses)