WGS Spring Bulletin 2026

WELLBEING AT WGS

Withington Girls’ School began the Spring term on a celebratory note after receiving the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS), a national accreditation that recognises our school’s commitment to supporting the wellbeing of pupils and staff. This achievement comes in the same academic year that the school was recognised – as reported in our last issue – for the seventh consecutive year by The Sunday Times Schools Guide as the top performing independent school in the North West. We are delighted that this award recognises our sustained commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing. We were also pleased that many of the strengths identified in the verification reinforce that our wellbeing practice is centred around research and evidence and the high level of cohesion across the pupil community, which was previously recognised in our most recent school inspection. The receipt of this award followed a rigorous 12 month process involving the WAS verifier and contributions from pupils, parents, staff and governors. Evidence gathered though surveys, interviews and a school tour was compiled into a detailed report, which affirmed that Withington has a mature, embedded and evolving wellbeing culture. The findings reflect not only our formal wellbeing initiatives but also the everyday culture of care that underpins school life.

Some of the highlights from the report include:

Pupils expressed that they never feel “lost in the crowd” and that their individual needs are recognised.

Pupils identified a range of wellbeing avenues available to them, including wellbeing ambassadors, the school counsellor, and sixth form mentors. They shared that it can sometimes be easier to talk to peers, and the peer support structure is valued.

Pupils also highlighted the wide range of extra-curricular activities available. They reported that these opportunities have enabled them to try new experiences, build friendships, and enjoy social time outside of lessons.

Parents commented that pastoral support is extensive and that wellbeing is firmly embedded within the school’s ethos and principles.

Parents emphasised that the school is highly responsive, and that they have never been left waiting for communication or support. They expressed complete confidence in their ability to access help whenever required.

Parents shared that they continue to be positively surprised by the breadth and quality of support offered. Although the school is widely recognised for its academic success, they highlighted that it also actively celebrates culture and fosters a strong sense of community.

HEAD’S LINES...

Dear Readers

Welcome to our Spring Bulletin 2026, compiled at the end of a very rewarding and successful term during which so much has been enjoyed and achieved.

Our pupils have taken part in a fantastic range of activities, have excelled in many fields, and most importantly, have given of their best and supported each other and their teachers, in our very special WGS environment which nurtures and empowers in equal measure.

Our Spring Term began with the news that Withington had achieved the Wellbeing Award for Schools, the result of a 12 month accreditation process which involved pupils, staff, parents, and governors. Pastoral care and wellbeing are the very heart of our school and we were delighted to receive this external recognition of our ongoing commitment to wellbeing for the benefit of all in our community; pupils, staff and parents.

This theme continued into February with our annual festival of wellbeing - Feel Fab Feb - which once again saw staff and pupils work together to share an enriching programme for body and mind from arts and crafts, dance and yoga, to an opportunity to reflect on the importance of friends, of reading and storytelling, to consider the impact of technology on our lives, and to learn skills in how to disagree well. Our celebration of Greek Theatre was a fabulous evening of scholarly appreciation, dramatic and musical creativity, imagination, and flair. An undoubted highlight of this term has been our Futures Convention when WGS pupils and young people from visiting schools, created a wonderful buzz of... Continued on page 2...

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...energy and optimism as they chatted with professionals and representatives from a wide range of careers. Withington alumnae, current and former parents were among the many experts who gave so generously of their time and we are very grateful to them all. It was a very special event which was our outwardlooking school at its brilliant best.

Throughout this term we have welcomed many visitors into school, all of whom have commented so positively on the warm, calm, friendly and purposeful atmosphere, from educationalists here for conferences to prospective pupils and their parents. It has been a great pleasure to meet the next generation of Withington pupils who will begin their Withington journey over these next few months and we are looking forward to them joining our community.

Our term has come to an end with an uplifting series of showcases, in Music, Dance, and Eco awareness where our pupils’ talents, great teamwork, ambition, courage and kindness have been very much in evidence. Our final assembly of term was testament to wonderful learning across the curriculum and beyond as our pupils’ endeavours and successes in debating, linguistics, philosophy, science, art and much, much more were celebrated, as well as their resourcefulness, determination, generosity and creativity in many fundraising and partnership activities. Very well done to them all.

Next term we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the WGS Trust, which was started with such foresight at the end of the direct grant system, and has since supported bursaries at Withington and many important projects which have ensured that our school has continued to evolve to meet the needs of our pupils and a changing world. Do join and support these celebrations if you can.

We have a school trip to Sicily during this holiday period and our Gold DofE participants are out on expedition at the start of the summer term. We wish them safe travels, and we wish our Year 11 and Year 13 all the very best for their forthcoming public examinations.

I hope you enjoy reading our bulletin and look forward to seeing you in the summer term. With my best regards

MRS SARAH HASLAM Headmistress

The Wellbeing Award for Schools came just as Feel Fab Feb, our annual fortnight dedicated wellbeing and meaningful connection across Across two vibrant weeks, pupils and staff embraced try something new, explore personal interests, ways wellbeing shapes daily school life.

WEEK ONE: HIGHLIGHTS

Feel Fab Feb opened with a Wellbeing Assembly, and positive tone for the fortnight ahead. Throughout pupils enjoyed a rich mixture of activities designed creativity, calm and connection.

• Mini Bridge workshops in the Wellbeing Hub, the strategy and fun of the classic card game,

• Happy Hearts ceramic glazing sessions in pupils created heartfelt gifts for friends or

• Digital Wellbeing Assembly, encouraging about healthy online habits.

• ‘Curious not Furious’ sessions by alumna to disagree well and be open to other people’s

• Inter-school netball match displayed friendly best as a team of WGS and The Manchester pupils played against a team of Manchester and MGS pupils.

• Return to the Dionysia, a special evening celebration theatre that brought our community together memorable cultural experience.

Midweek, pupils also spent Form Time setting for Feel Fab Feb, taking a moment to consider to them and how they might prioritise it in Friday brought a wonderful mix of charity and Own Clothes Day raised funds for our pupils’ the Staffroom buzzed with warmth during the Coffee Morning; and the Wellbeing Hub hosted showcasing musical talent and lifting spirits Year 8 pupils spent the morning stepping into was off timetable in the afternoon to enjoy pupils to relax and connect with their peers

as we were preparing for to personal development, across the school community. embraced opportunities to interests, and celebrate the many

Assembly, setting a reflective Throughout the week, designed to promote

Hub, introducing pupils to game, led by a WGS alumna. in the Art Room, where or family.

thoughtful discussion

Alex Dalton, explored how people’s perspectives.

friendly competition at its Manchester Grammar School (MGS) Manchester High School for Girls

celebration of Greek together for a lively and

setting personal intentions consider what wellbeing means their daily routines. and celebration: pupils’ chosen charities; the Macmillan Valentine’s hosted a joyful Open Mic, spirits across the school. into politics and everyone ‘golden time’, allowing peers just before the break.

WEEK TWO: HIGHLIGHTS

Refreshed and renewed after half term, the second week of Feel Fab Feb built on the momentum of the first, weaving together wellbeing, creativity, and the joy of shared experiences and stories. Inspired by the national Year of Reading, the week placed particular emphasis on the power of stories—whether through reading, listening, or telling our own.

• LGBT+ History Month Assembly, led by staff and pupil teams, celebrating identity, allyship and the diverse voices within our school community.

• ‘A Little Light Reading’ library talks, encouraging pupils to explore reading as a way to broaden perspectives, boost wellbeing and find moments of calm.

• Drop Everything and Read, giving pupils and staff a chance to pause during lessons and open a book the moment the music played.

• Movie Nights, taking stories from page to screen with viewings of The Parent Trap and 10 Things I Hate About You.

• Culture Day, one of the most colourful moments of the fortnight, with pupils and staff dressing to express their cultural identities.

• Cute and Cuddly small animal visits, which proved a particular highlight for pupils across all year groups.

Throughout the week, many pupils took part in Packing for Bare Necessities, assembling essential hygiene items for local families. Those who volunteered to support the initiative attended a special breakfast with representatives from the charity, who shared more about their work and the impact of the donations.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Across both weeks, ongoing activities helped to weave wellbeing into daily life. In PE lessons, pupils in Years 7-9 took part in trampolining, yoga, boxercise and pickleball, while older pupils embraced the House Fitness Challenge. Feel Fab Friends encouraged pupils to decorate a picture of a favourite pet or cuddly toy, and pupils donated much loved books to the Children’s Book Project, helping stories reach new homes.

THE MAGIC OF BOOKS

Year 9 pupil Lena Poole brought a touch of wonder to the Library at the end of term with a spellbinding magic show titled ‘The Magic of Books’. Her performance drew an enthusiastic and curious audience, all eager to see how she would combine her love of reading with her passion for magic. Here is her take on the experience:

“On Tuesday 31st March, I performed a show in the library called ‘The Magic of Books’. I chose this theme because I love reading and magic and wanted to combine two of my favourite hobbies together.

My routine consisted of three tricks that built up to a finale. I began by having a card selected and put back into the deck. Next, I threw the card into the bookshelves. To find the card, five random numbers were generated and searched up on the library catalogue. The book with that number barcode was the one with the card inside!

I really enjoyed creating this routine and being able to perform it in front of my peers and teachers.

About three years ago I became interested in magic, after seeing a trick performed by a family friend. A year later, I was lucky enough to meet a magician in New York. He taught me a trick that I now really enjoy performing and encouraged me to keep doing magic. Last year, I joined the Young Magician’s Club, which is the Youth Initiative of the Magic Circle, and this has led me to appreciate how a magic act comes together to form a show.

Thank you to everyone who came to see the performance, it was a fantastic experience and I hope everyone who came enjoyed it as much as I did!”

FFF A CLOSER

YEAR 8 STEP INTO POLITICS

As part of this year’s Feel Fab Feb celebrations, pupils Here, we take a closer look at two standout additions to

Year 8 pupils were given a lively and inspiring introduction to the world of politics through an innovative activity devised and led by Year 12 student Harriet Jackson.

Working in teams, pupils created their own political parties, developing manifestos that set out their vision and priorities. They then took on the challenge of budget setting, learning how financial decisions shape political promises. To bring their campaigns to life, each group produced a campaign video, combining persuasive messaging with creativity and teamwork.

The year group later gathered to watch all the campaign videos before heading to the polls to cast their votes, giving pupils a hands on understanding of democratic participation.

Harriet’s motivation for creating the project stemmed from her own experience in youth activism. She explained:

“Having young people engaged in politics is so important, especially after the voting age is lowered to 16. I believe all young people should be offered the opportunity to fight for what they believe in and that begins with education within school.”

“ What was truly inspiring was seeing how engaged the Year 8s were with the activity and coming up with such creative ideas for policies they think will change the world. I was so impressed to see how creative and exceptional they were when given the chance to think about what they stand for.”

Her project not only encouraged civic engagement but also showcased the power of student leadership at WGS. Year 8 pupils rose to the challenge with enthusiasm, imagination and thoughtful debate, gaining valuable experience in teamwork, critical thinking and political literacy. A fantastic initiative - and a wonderful example of our pupils inspiring one another.

CLOSER LOOK

pupils embraced a host of new opportunities designed to inspire creativity, curiosity and connection. to the programme: the dynamic Year 8 Politics Day and the spectacular Greek Theatre extravaganza.

RETURN TO THE DIONYSIA: A CELEBRATION OF GREEK THEATRE

What an incredible evening of creativity and performance! WGS brought new life to the ancient tradition of the Dionysia with an inspiring celebration of Greek theatre that blended powerful retellings of classical stories, traditional Greek music, and elements of modern musical theatre. The result was a magical fusion of the old and the new, showcasing the depth of talent across our school community.

The evening was expertly compered by Ava Robinson and Emily Porter in Year 13, who brought great humour and charm to the event while stepping into the roles of Dionysus and Xanthias respectively. Their lively introductions and witty exchanges provided a wonderful thread running through the performances, capturing the spirit of classical comedy and engaging the audience throughout.

The drama performances were directed collaboratively by staff from the Classics,

Drama, Library and Music Departments, with Year 12 Drama students leading the way by choreographing and directing the dynamic opening piece. Their energy set the tone for an evening filled with imagination and flair.

The programme featured contributions from across the Arts: the Musical Theatre Group, the Senior Choir, and impressive solo performances from Year 13 Music students, alongside beautiful instrumental items on the harp, guitar and flute. Each element added richness and variety to the performance, reflecting the skill and passion of the pupils involved.

Together, these performances created a remarkable showcase of collaboration, creativity and community, perfectly honouring the spirit of the ancient festival that inspired the event.

A tremendous well done to everyone involved both on stage and behind the scenes. The evening was truly worthy of the Dionysia.

STONYMUN

WGS rejoined the Model United Nations circuit, returning from StonyMUN with an exceptional set of results - including a third consecutive overall win.

This victory means that, in the history of this still young conference, WGS remains the only school ever to have claimed the top spot, underscoring the consistency, skill and diplomacy shown by our pupils year after year.

Our second delegation, representing Ukraine, also performed brilliantly, earning a number of individual accolades across their committees. Their achievements reflect impressive preparation, confident public speaking and thoughtful negotiation throughout the event.

Congratulations to all pupils involved on this outstanding accomplishment!

Individual prizes:

Sonia Amonkar Best Junior Delegate in Political

Aleena Assad Special Mention in Youth Committee

Harshini Vijay Special Mention in Environment

Kaaya Hira Highly Commended Delegate in Youth Committee

Inaaya Khatri Best Delegate in Health Committee

Anna Martin Special Mention in Security Council

Tia Patel Highly Commended Delegate in Human Rights Committee

Nabeeha Qureshi Special Mention in Youth Committee

Jasmin Snader Highly Commended Delegate in Historical Committee

Dhaani Singh Best Delegate in Special Political & Decolonization Committee

OXBRIDGE FOR OUR

Withington is proud to our Year 13 students, with from the University of These offers reflect extraordinary enthusiasm for learning The range of subjects of talent across all fields for Computer Science, Oxford, students secured Management, English Beyond Oxbridge, our exceptional range of pathways across the medicine to languages, competitive degree apprenticeships, both ambition and versatility Alongside these university celebrate degree apprenticeship Yasmin Duncalf has accepted competitive Level 7 degree as a Chartered Accountant pathway. This is the same graduates entering the programme also includes MBA with Hult International her apprenticeship. In for a place on Grant Thornton’s well as university places highlights the strength and flexibility of post pathways available to pupils, and the equally regard in which degree apprenticeships and traditional university are held.

These outstanding results are the culmination of of curiosity, ambition hard work, supported expert teaching, personalised guidance and a Sixth environment where students are encouraged to challenge themselves and explore academic passions.

OXBRIDGE SUCCESS OUR YEAR 13s

to celebrate an exceptional set of achievements from with eight Oxbridge offers awarded this year: five Oxford and three from the University of Cambridge. extraordinary dedication, academic excellence and the learning that defines our Sixth Form community.

subjects represented highlights our students’ breadth fields of study. At Cambridge, offers were made Science, Modern & Medieval Languages and Music. At secured places in Computer Science, Economics & English (two offers) and History.

our Year 13 students continue to impress with an offers from leading universities and alternative UK and beyond. From engineering, law and languages, psychology, the creative arts and increasingly apprenticeships, the year group is demonstrating versatility in shaping their futures.

university successes, we are also delighted to apprenticeship achievement within the year group. accepted an offer from EY, securing a highly degree apprenticeship that will see her qualify Accountant (ACA) through the ICAEW accredited same professional qualification undertaken by the accounting profession after university. Yasmin’s includes the opportunity to complete a fully funded International Business School following completion of In addition to her EY offer, Yasmin received an offer Thornton’s degree apprenticeship programme, as places from Bath, Durham and Leeds. Her success strength post 18 to our equally high degree university routes results of years and supported by personalised Form students challenge explore their

SOLVING CRIMES & CRACKING CODES

A group of Year 10 pupils recently took part in an immersive Business Language Champions event at Stafford Grammar School, stepping into the role of real life intelligence officers to explore the crucial part linguists play in international security.

Working collaboratively with students from other schools, our pupils were challenged to apply language skills in high pressure, espionage-themed scenarios. The day included beginner lessons in Greek and Japanese, as well as hands on “spy training” involving cryptography, code breaking tasks and analytical problem solving.

Participants also tackled a range of linguistic challenges: listening to audio clips in French and Spanish, deciphering clues, and even interviewing suspects in the target languages. The immersive format gave pupils a vivid sense of how languages can shape global communication, intelligence work and diplomacy.

We are incredibly proud that three pupils received individual awards, recognising their outstanding leadership and language skills. A huge well done to all who took part in this exciting and intellectually demanding experience.

ARTS AWARD

EXPLORE Juniors

Junior pupils began a new topic this term titled ‘Art movements that changed the world’. Our young artists have already created surrealist hands using watercolour pencils and now they are embracing the next theme by producing brightly coloured Pop Art words using dabber pens and stencils.

BRONZE Year 7

Year 7 Bronze Arts Award students spent an inspiring weekend at the People’s History Museum, where they took part in a thought-provoking workshop led by artist Helen Mather exploring the history of women’s education and rights.

During the session, pupils examined the oldest banner in the museum’s collection, analysing its imagery, symbolism and the messages it conveys about the people and movements that created it. Through discussion and careful observation, they considered how banners tell powerful stories about protest, identity and social change.

Inspired by what they had learned, the group reflected on WGS’s own values and worked together to design and create a banner representing the school’s ethos. Their final piece blended creativity with historical understanding, capturing the spirit of community and empowerment at the heart of Withington.

A brilliant and inspiring experience for all involved!

SILVER Years 8 & 9

Our group of creative students from Year 8 and 9 have recently completed their leadership module where they designed, planned and delivered their own art workshop to their peers. They are now delving into the archive and researching WGS alumnae members who have a range of creative occupations in design, fashion, illustration, fine art and more!

ECONOMICS ESSAY COMPETITION

This term, the Economics Society ran an essay competition open to all year groups, with different titles set according to age. We thoroughly enjoyed reading the submissions and were very impressed by the quality of thought, research and argument on display.

All pupils who entered should feel proud of their work, but there are several essays we would like to acknowledge for reaching a particularly high standard. We would like to highly commend the entries from Keziah Cooke (Year 11) and Aarna Poddar (Year 10) for their thoughtful analysis and clarity of argument.

We are also pleased to announce the winners in each age group:

• Years 7–9: Nithila Chidambaram

For her essay exploring the links between money and happiness

• Years 10–11: Francesca Harrison

For her essay examining why poverty continues to exist in wealthy countries

• Years 12–13: Dhaani Singh

For her essay debating whether rich countries should be responsible for supporting poorer ones

Congratulations to all who took part and thank you to everyone who contributed to such a stimulating and insightful competition.

GRACE NG, AMINA SAFDAR & MARIAM SIDDIQUI Economics Society

CAREERS CONVENTION

This year’s Careers Convention was a tremendous success, bringing together pupils, families, employers and education providers for an inspiring and informative event that filled the school with energy and ambition.

More than 500 visitors attended, including pupils from 16 different schools, all eager to explore future pathways and gather insights into a wide range of professions. With 34 brilliant exhibitors spanning companies, organisations, alumnae, parents and friends of the school, the event offered an exceptional opportunity for students to discover careers they may never have previously considered.

Throughout the evening, guests also enjoyed eight sector specific talks, each one offering expert perspectives on areas such as healthcare, engineering, law, business, technology and the creative industries. These sessions proved hugely popular, providing practical advice, personal stories and honest reflections on the realities of different professions.

We are enormously grateful to all our exhibitors for giving their time so generously and for sharing such valuable knowledge and experience. Our thanks also go to the many visitors who joined us and contributed thoughtful questions, curiosity and enthusiasm.

Events like this highlight the supportive, dynamic community that surrounds our pupils and a network that stretches far beyond the school gates. An enormous thank you to everyone involved for making the evening such a success.

NETBALL

Upper Fifth pupil Keziah netball stage, playing netball in France. Eligible her grandmother, Keziah players helping to establish history-making position

Over the past year, Keziah international tournaments at the national squad’s international commitments, playing for Oldham Netball squad, and preparing Keziah’s national coach and her character:

“Keziah is a committed and resilience. It has throughout her journey numerous Netball she has shown true competition, the crowd just how exciting and her potential We are incredibly proud to the sport, and her academic responsibilities.

Well done to Keziah, beyond Withington.

Good luck to every member stretch of their GCSE

NETBALL TRAILBLAZER

Keziah Cooke is making her mark on the international playing a pivotal role in the rapid growth of high level Eligible to represent the French national side through Keziah has been part of the inaugural cohort of establish the sport nationally - an exciting and position for a Withington pupil.

Keziah has competed for France in several tournaments and has spent multiple weekends training squad’s performance camp in Paris. Alongside her commitments, she continues to balance a packed schedule: Netball Club, training with the Leeds Rhinos U19 PDP for her GCSE examinations next term. coach shared high praise for both her ability

committed athlete who shows great team spirit has been a pleasure to watch her grow journey with Netball France. Featuring in Netball Europe competitions in the past two years, true grit and determination. In the most recent crowd frequently chanted her name, showing her performances were. A pleasure to coach, is nowhere near realised yet.” proud of Keziah’s achievements, her commitment ability to balance elite level training with her responsibilities. and to all pupils pursuing ambitious commitments

member of the Upper Fifth as they enter the final preparations.

REVISION DAY

Three of our Year 11 Latin students attended a revision day held at Stonyhurst College in March. This included talks on language and literature and gave them an opportunity to meet Latin students from other schools. They also received good advice in a lecture from John Taylor, who is the author of their text books and has been a chief examiner for OCR.

MEDICINE THROUGH TIME

Year 11 pupils enjoyed a fascinating and hands on visit to the Thackray Medical Museum, complementing their GCSE studies of Medicine Through Time. The trip brought classroom learning vividly to life, as pupils explored interactive galleries and examined original medical artefacts spanning centuries of healthcare.

From early surgical instruments to modern medical innovations, pupils gained valuable insight into how medical knowledge, treatments and technology have evolved over time. Engaging exhibits and immersive experiences deepened their understanding of key themes from the course and encouraged thoughtful discussion.

junior journal...

MUSIC RECITAL

We were thrilled to celebrate the musical talents of our Junior School pupils at a delightful recital that brought together family, friends and staff for a wonderful evening of performance. Almost a quarter of our youngest musicians took to the stage, showcasing an impressive range of instruments including harp, piano, voice, flute, violin and cello. Their confidence, enthusiasm and commitment to their musical learning shone through in every piece, reflecting the hard work and joy they bring to their practice.

A huge well done to all our young musicians!

CHESS AT WGS

WGS was proud to host the English Chess Federation Girls’ Northern Semi Final, welcoming talented young players from across the region for an exciting day of competition.

Our U11A Team delivered an exceptional performance, finishing as Northern Champions with an outstanding 14.5/15 points. Their focus, strategy and teamwork shone throughout the tournament, and they now progress to the National Finals, where they will compete against the southern champions.

Our B Team also impressed, securing 6th place out of 14 teams.

Congratulations to all our players for their hard work, determination and sportsmanship. A wonderful day of chess at WGS!

Our Junior pupils books to life shoes of their classics to modern filled with an conversations

As part of the Assistants led Pupils were challenged from a short of their answers and well read recognising themes, was wonderful

A delightful celebration the vibrant literary

BOOK DAY BEXWYKE LECTURE

pupils and staff brought the world of this week as they stepped into the their favourite characters. From much loved modern favourites, the corridors were an array of imaginative costumes, joyful conversations and shared excitement about reading. the celebrations, the Junior Library led an engaging and interactive assembly. challenged to guess the title of a book extract - and the speed and accuracy answers made it clear just how enthusiastic read our girls are. Their confidence in themes, characters and writing styles wonderful to see.

celebration of reading, creativity and literary culture within our Junior School.

A Lesson in Turning Adversity into Adventure

Year 5 pupils enjoyed an inspiring and memorable afternoon as they attended the Bexwyke Lecture at The Manchester Grammar School, where they heard first hand from adventurer and Chief Scout Dwayne Fields.

Dwayne spoke powerfully about his extraordinary personal journey - from the challenges he faced growing up to the resilience, courage and determination that ultimately shaped his life as an explorer. He encouraged pupils to be brave, to speak up, to seek adventure in every opportunity, and to stay true to themselves even when faced with adversity.

The lecture offered pupils a valuable lesson in how mindset and perseverance can transform obstacles into possibilities, leaving them motivated and full of questions for Dwayne about his expeditions and experiences.

A special well done to Aarya, whose winning poster earned well deserved recognition during the event.

A truly inspiring afternoon for Year 5, filled with wisdom, encouragement and the spirit of adventure.

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CHESTER ZOO RED NOSE

Year 5 brought their rainforest learning to life with an exciting visit to Chester Zoo, deepening their understanding of one of the world’s most important – and most endangered – ecosystems.

Blessed with lovely weather, pupils spent the day exploring immersive habitats, observing animals such as tropical birds, reptiles and mammals, and discovering how each species has adapted to survive in the rainforest environment. Guided by the Zoo’s expert exhibits, they learnt about biodiversity, conservation efforts, and the impact of deforestation on both wildlife and local communities.

It was a wonderful day out filled with curiosity, learning and adventure!

Laughter, teamwork filled the afternoon Red Nose Day: Guided by the of enthusiastic through a series tasks designed solving skills Across four different gave it their collaboratively turn. After an competition, the coveted A brilliant afternoon rivalry and school

NOSE DAY BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK

teamwork and plenty of creative chaos afternoon as pupils took on a special Day: Taskmaster Edition challenge. the Taskmaster (Mr Dunn) and his team enthusiastic helpers, pupils worked their way series of imaginative and often surprising designed to test their ingenuity, problemskills and sense of humour. different challenges, each class all, thinking on their feet, working collaboratively and embracing the fun at every an energetic and highly entertaining competition, Upper IIY emerged victorious, claiming and elusive Taskmaster Trophy. afternoon of fundraising fun, friendly school wide spirit!

Pupils took part in special science workshops filled with experiments, surprises and hands on discovery. From eye-opening scientific phenomena to aweinspiring interactive activities, the session brought science to life in the most entertaining way. The highlight? Stepping inside a giant bubble!

junior journal... MUSIC ASSEMBLIES

History burst into life as our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils took to the stage with two fantastic musical productions.

Year 5 delighted audiences with a lively Tudor showcase exploring the six wives of Henry VIII. Year 6 then transported everyone to 1940s London, presenting powerful scenes about life during the Blitz and the experiences of evacuation. Both productions highlighted the pupils’ creativity, growing performance skills and impressive historical understanding. From costumes and music to acting and narration, the girls worked incredibly hard to deliver two polished, memorable shows.

CHINESE

In celebration assembly led Beginning with by Victoria, they Zodiac and the special time their favourite delicious foods

MOSQUE

Lower II travelled Manchester, which Withington families. Sandra who guided features of the symbols that The girls also local community cafe, and for prayer to kick learning back differences of

GYM COMPETITION

Our Junior gymnasts brought energy, confidence and enthusiasm to the floor during a lively Junior Gymnastics Competition, showcasing a wonderful mix of solo and duet routines.

celebration of Chinese New Year, we enjoyed an led beautifully by Ivy, Sharon and Victoria. with a beautiful performance on the piano they shared the story of the Chinese the traditions their families enjoy at this of year. They spoke confidently about favourite aspects of the celebrations, from foods to the colourful traditional clothing. MOSQUE

VISIT

travelled to the Khizra Mosque in North which is attended by some of our families. We were warmly welcomed by guided the session and shared important the Mosque, along with the artifacts and hold significance in the Islamic faith. also learnt how the Mosque is used as a community centre by people of all faiths, for its a wide variety of events ranging from kick boxing! The girls have continued their back in school and looked at similarities and of other places of worship.

Pupils performed with focus and flair, demonstrating the skills they have developed through regular practice and dedication. Throughout the competition, the atmosphere was one of encouragement and camaraderie, with all of the Junior students and staff cheering one another on and celebrating each performance.

Adding to the inspiration, a small number of Senior School pupils from Years 7 and 8 also took part, offering younger gymnasts a glimpse of what continued commitment and hard work can achieve.

It was a fantastic event filled with positive energy, teamwork and the joy of movement. Well done to all involved, and a special congratulations to our medal winners and to Anna Kaltenboeck, who took home the overall gymnastics trophy.

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EXPLORING ART HISTORY

Form I were visited by art historian, author and columnist for The Guardian, Katy Hessel. She spoke to the pupils about her background, career and motivation for writing her book The Story of Art Without Men. Throughout the talk the pupils were able to share some of their favourite artists and artwork whilst exploring famous female artists throughout history. A signed copy of Katy’s book is now available in the Junior library for the girls to read.

SYNAGOGUE VISIT

Upper II enjoyed a visit to Whitefield Synagogue. During the trip, they were shown around the prayer rooms and spent time looking at and learning about several Jewish artefacts and items of significance. The girls were shown inside the Holy Ark; heard a reading from the Torah; and witnessed a Shofar being played. It was an informative and enjoyable trip which reinforced the learning they have been doing in their religious studies lessons. The girls behaved with respectful curiosity and were excellent ambassadors for the school.

As part of our promote wellbeing, year groups, workshops tailored aspects of physical, It was wonderful sessions, including and a parent Education (RSE), and home. Throughout February, and Read” sessions activities including Lower II and Bridge playing The highlight day that brought shared stories many proudly their heritage. showed were posters, presentations one offering of our community.

our annual celebration at WGS, designed to wellbeing, creativity, and community across all girls took part in a wide range of wellbeing tailored to their ages, exploring different physical, emotional and social health. wonderful to engage parents with a range of including our digital wellbeing presentation workshop on Relationships and Sex (RSE), strengthening support between school

February, the girls enjoyed “Drop Everything sessions and a carousel of enriching including art, football, dance and card games. Upper II were also taught the basics of playing by a former Withington pupil.

highlight of FFF has to be Culture Day, a fantastic brought the whole community together. Girls stories from their cultural backgrounds, and proudly wore their national dress to celebrate heritage. The colours, creativity and pride they were inspiring. Equally impressive were the presentations and talks they prepared, each a fascinating window into the rich diversity community.

junior journal... ROBINWOOD

Our youngest pupils enjoyed an action-packed, three-day residential at Robinwood in February, returning brimming with confidence, new friendships and a huge sense of pride.

Throughout the trip, the girls embraced a wide range of adventurous activities designed to challenge them, build resilience and encourage teamwork. From climbing and crate stacking to problem-solving challenges and high ropes courses, they pushed themselves to try new experiences, often discovering just how much they could achieve with a little courage and a lot of encouragement from their friends.

by traditions creative class

SHOWCASE

Dance Showcase filled the Arts Centre with and a wonderful sense of community. Our pupils performed an exciting mix of styles, from contemporary and tap to vibrant cultural dances inspired around the world. The evening featured class routines from PE lessons, high energy

pieces from extra-curricular dance clubs, and impressive self-choreographed solos and group performances. With confidence, creativity and infectious enthusiasm, the girls lit up the stage and created an unforgettable celebration of movement and togetherness. A fantastic achievement from every performer.

junior journal...

SCHOOLS LINKING

This term, Form I had an online video call with their link school, All Saints CofE Primary School. They discussed different acts of kindness they have seen, and have been showing, over the past few weeks. Following this, they played a game of animal charades. The pupils from our partner primary then visited WGS for a full day of fun and teambuilding activities. The partnership will continue into the Summer term.

AUTHOR VISIT

Upper II enjoyed a fantastic author visit from Rebecca Orwin, writer of The Monsters at the End of the World. The girls were captivated by her storytelling and fascinated to learn about the writing process from a published author. They particularly enjoyed asking questions about character development and where she finds inspiration for her imaginative plots.

A huge congratulations team who took Lacrosse finals. goal loss in the to the Plate knockouts. final and semi-final St Michael’s Primary game with numerous as runners-up competition.

NETBALL

Our Year 3 Transition afternoon at festival, securing three matches. A special mention Mamas who played team reach the competition. away with silver

congratulations to the Year 5/6 lacrosse took part in the Greater Manchester Pop finals. With two wins, one draw and a onethe group stages, Withington progressed knockouts. Following strong quartersemi-final performances, Withington faced Primary in the final. After an end-to-end numerous goals, Withington finished runners-up and silver medallists in the Plate competition. Well done girls!

Transition girls enjoyed a fantastic Pownall Hall School in a netball securing two wins and one draw across matches. Well done girls! mention to Upper II pupil Despina played up a year and helped the U12 the national final of the Sisters n Sport competition. The Year 7 team and Despina came silver medals.

ATHLETICS

The U11 indoor athletics teams went to Robin Park Leisure Centre to compete in the AJIS indoor athletics tournament. The team competed in a variety of events from track and field against many schools. Overall, they earned three medals in speed bounce, three lap and balance.

FOOTBALL

Our Year 5 and 6 footballers delivered an outstanding performance in the Manchester Schools League, finishing the week unbeaten and showcasing exceptional teamwork, skill and determination. Across their fixtures, the team scored an impressive 13 goals while conceding none, demonstrating strong attacking play and a disciplined defensive line.

LOGIC, LANGUAGE AND CURIOSITY

The Library was brimming with excitement as language enthusiasts from across the school put their code breaking skills to the test in the UK Linguistics Olympiad. Working independently and in small groups, pupils tackled a series of challenging problems designed to stretch their logical reasoning, pattern-spotting abilities and understanding of unfamiliar languages.

Using a range of analytical techniques, participants decoded linguistic structures from around the world, uncovering meanings, grammar rules and translations without prior knowledge. The atmosphere was one of quiet focus, determination and plenty of “aha!” moments as pupils worked their way through each puzzle.

A huge well done to everyone who took part and embraced the challenge. A fantastic celebration of logic, language and intellectual curiosity.

Year 13 biologists took workshop in the Superlab titled What’s in My Lasagne? use advanced laboratory specification, separating different types of meat Pupils put their manual they prepared and ran leading the workshop pupils’ results and their A valuable and enjoyable molecular biology in

BIOLOGY AT MMU

took part in a fascinating Gel Electrophoresis Superlab at Manchester Metropolitan University, Lasagne?. The session gave pupils the chance to laboratory techniques directly linked to the A Level separating DNA from a range of samples to identify the meat present in ready meal lasagnes.

manual dexterity and precision skills to the test as ran their own electrophoresis gels. The MMU team workshop were highly impressed with the quality of the their confident handling of equipment.

enjoyable opportunity to experience real world a university setting.

MRS LIZ CORRIGAN Head of Biology

MFL DEBATING COMPETITION

Our Year 12 Spanish and French debate teams delivered an evening of bold arguments, sharp thinking and outstanding linguistic skill at the annual North Schools’ MFL Debating Competition in January.

Competing against teams from across the region, including those made up exclusively of Year 13 opponents, our students rose to the challenge with confidence and composure. They tackled a series of timely and thought-provoking motions, debating entirely in their target languages:

• Don’t give your child a smartphone until they’re 16.

• Creativity is more important than knowledge.

• There is no point in going to university nowadays.

• You should be able to vote at 16.

Each debate showcased not only their impressive fluency and vocabulary but also their ability to build persuasive arguments, challenge opposing viewpoints and think on their feet.

With one win and one loss each, both teams performed superbly, demonstrating maturity well beyond their years and holding their own against older competitors.

A huge well done to all our debaters!

ICELANDIC ADVENTURES

GCSE and A Level Geography students enjoyed an awe-inspiring five day expedition to Iceland, exploring some of the world’s most dramatic physical landscapes while bringing key elements of the curriculum vividly to life.

Travelling from Manchester to Reykjavík and deep into the Icelandic countryside, pupils experienced an extraordinary range of geographical features first hand. Their journey took them across volcanic fields, past towering waterfalls, along black sand beaches, and onto glacial terrain, offering unforgettable opportunities to observe Earth’s processes in action.

They also enjoyed time in Iceland’s tectonic and geothermal One of the most memorable the Eurasian and North American of plate boundaries and continental breathtaking chance to see the group spellbound.

Blending academic enrichment offered pupils a deeper understanding planet - and an adventure

ADVENTURES

in geothermal pools, witnessing the power of geothermal activity up close.

memorable moments came when pupils stood between American tectonic plates, a powerful illustration continental drift. Another highlight was the see the Northern Lights, a natural display that left

enrichment with outstanding natural beauty, the trip understanding of the dynamic forces shaping our adventure they will remember for years to come.

FROM PAGE TO STAGE

Almost all of Year 7, along with a small group of Year 10 students, enjoyed an exciting and inspiring trip to the Palace Theatre to watch the hit musical Matilda.

From the lively choreography and memorable songs to the imaginative staging and larger than life characters, the show captivated the audience from start to finish. As a cross-departmental trip, it offered valuable enrichment across Drama, English and Music, providing pupils with the opportunity to experience storytelling through performance, text and sound. It was a wonderful opportunity for pupils across year groups and subjects to experience live theatre, deepen their appreciation of the performing arts and enjoy a memorable shared experience beyond the classroom - and a full circle moment for some of the pupils, who performed Matilda JR. as their end of year production in our Junior School.

LIFE IN THE SIXTH FORM

Year 11 pupils enjoyed an inspiring introduction to Sixth Form life during our ‘11 to 6th’ day. After finishing their mock examinations, the day offered them the chance to gain a real sense of the opportunities, independence and academic challenge that lie ahead.

A highlight of the day was a brilliant talk from alumna Elissa Thursfield, who shared her varied and impressive career journey since leaving Withington. Now a lawyer specialising in employment law, Elissa also volunteers with the RNLI, where she serves as a Commander, and has recently embraced entrepreneurship by establishing her own HR technology business.

Elissa spoke candidly about how the skills she developed at Withington, from confidence and critical thinking to leadership and resilience, continue to shape her professional life. Her message offered pupils a powerful reminder of the many pathways a WGS education can open.

Alongside the talk, pupils stepped into the rhythm of Sixth Form life by sampling A Level lessons, exploring Sixth Form study spaces and social areas, and experiencing the increased independence and responsibility that come with this next chapter.

With so much on offer in our vibrant Sixth Form, the day provided just a small glimpse of the excitement, breadth and possibility that await. A motivating and memorable step forward for our future Sixth Formers.

CHANGING CELEBRATING

Withington was thrilled for an inspiring talk on challenging long-standing Katy shared the story an art fair and realising a woman. That striking sharing and championing overlooked or excluded act of curiosity has since Her work now spans multiple bestseller The Story of following, and a vibrant continues to bring attention greater recognition. Speaking to pupils, Katy questions and challenge critically about whose play their part in reshaping We extend our warmest for offering such thoughtful of representation.

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: CELEBRATING WOMEN ARTISTS

thrilled to welcome acclaimed art historian Katy Hessel on her work championing women artists and long-standing biases within the art world.

story of the moment that ignited her mission: attending realising that not a single artwork on display was by striking absence prompted her to begin researching, championing women artists whose contributions had been excluded from mainstream narratives. What started as an since become a major cultural movement. multiple platforms, including her international of Art Without Men, a podcast with a global vibrant social media presence through which she attention to artists - past and present - who deserve

Katy offered a powerful message: stay curious, ask challenge the status quo. She encouraged pupils to think whose voices and perspectives are represented and to reshaping the narrative for the future. warmest thanks to Katy Hessel for visiting Withington and thoughtful insight into art, history and the importance

CLASSICS AT MAULDETH ROAD

Six of last year’s GCSE Latin students –Sofia Ahmed, Sophie Lau, Natalia Mei, Jasmin Snader, Margot Tatton and Emily Wan - continued our partnership with Mauldeth Road Primary School this year, teaching Latin to the Year 5 pupils.

Over the nine week programme, our students built strong and supportive relationships with the children, who responded with great enthusiasm to a subject they might not otherwise encounter. It proved to be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Staff at Mauldeth Road spoke warmly of our pupils’ commitment and impact, noting how much their Year 5s looked forward to each session - with one pupil even inspired to continue learning Latin on Duolingo.

Sophie reflected:

“Teaching Latin at Mauldeth Road provided me the opportunity to practise my public speaking skills through delivering lessons to a large audience. Thanks to the programme, not only did it allow me to reflect on each lesson I gave and to improve on the next one, I was also able to form strong bonds with my class through talking to them.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience for me to connect with local primary schools through this partnership programme as I would not have the chance to otherwise.”

MRS JO HOWLING Head of Classics

MUNHIGH

Fifteen Withington pupils delivered an outstanding performance at the annual two day MUNHigh Conference at Manchester High School for Girls, representing the delegations of China and Pakistan.

Across a weekend of debating global issues, drafting resolutions and negotiating with delegates from schools across the region, both teams demonstrated impressive diplomacy, confidence and teamwork. Their efforts were rewarded with a remarkable 10 individual accolades, recognising excellence in areas such as lobbying, public speaking and committee leadership.

A particular highlight came from the China delegation, who secured second place overall at the conference - an exceptional achievement in a highly competitive field.

Individual prizes:

Aleena Assad Special Mention in Youth Committee

Meerab Fatima Special Mention in Special Committee

Harriet Jackson Commended Delegate in Security Council

Inaaya Khatri Special Mention in Political Committee

Ava Lin Highly Commended Delegate in Youth Committee

Tia Patel Outstanding Delegate in Social and Human Rights Committee

Nabeeha Qureshi Commended Delegate in Future Committee

Jasmin Snader Special Mention in Justice Council

Harshini Vijay Highly Commended Delegate in Future Committee

SCIENCE

A group of keen readers part in an exciting national Young People’s Book Prize, writing for children. The judging group, comprising six shortlisted books, readers with scientific physiology and information. pupils carefully scored they found it, but also and how effectively the Their top scoring book contributing directly to year’s winning title. Staff were impressed judging process. Pupils in thoughtful discussion, and demonstrating excellent scientific literacy. This annual project is science communication heard in a national competition readers across the UK.

A huge well done to all with such enthusiasm, “I really enjoyed reading I found it really fun and our opinions about the different books.” Amaya “I loved how we got a we got to get together forward to joining again

SCIENCE BOOKS

readers and science enthusiasts came together to take national initiative: helping to judge the Royal Society Prize, which celebrates the very best new science

comprising Junior and Senior pupils, explored all each offering a different way of engaging young ideas - from dinosaurs to geology, animal information. After reading and discussing the titles, scored each book, considering not only how enjoyable how clearly the scientific concepts were explained the authors made complex ideas accessible.

book will now be submitted to The Royal Society, to the national results and helping determine this

by the maturity and insight shown throughout the Pupils approached the task with real care, engaging discussion, challenging one another’s interpretations, excellent skills in critical thinking, evaluation and

a fantastic opportunity for pupils to see how communication works in practice - and to have their voices competition that inspires thousands of young UK.

all our pupil judges for representing Withington enthusiasm, curiosity and intellectual rigour.

reading the different varieties of books each week. and I also liked when we came together to share the books we read. It was nice knowing we all liked Amaya Kumar

variety of different books to rate and at the end together to learn about each other’s preferences. I look again next year!”

Sarah Shafiq

WEATHERING EVERY CHALLENGE

Forty four Year 10 pupils travelled to the Lancashire countryside to undertake a practice expedition as part of their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Over the course of a challenging weekend at the end of March, the group experienced almost every weather condition imaginable, from rain, sleet and hail to welcome bursts of sunshine, as they hiked around Pendle Hill.

Undeterred, pupils demonstrated resilience, teamwork and determination while continuing to develop vital expedition skills, from navigation to problem solving. The experience provided excellent preparation for their upcoming qualifying expedition, which they now approach with confidence.

LIGHTS, CAMERA… WITHINGTON

Last summer, we were pleased to host a film crew working on the documentary Becoming Victoria Wood. As part of the filming, an interview with one of Victoria Wood’s school friends took place in our Library. The documentary also features interviews with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Maxine Peake, bringing together voices from across British comedy and performance to celebrate Victoria Wood’s life and legacy.

Becoming Victoria Wood is available to watch on NOW TV.

SENIOR SCHOOL DANCE

The Senior School Dance Showcase was a joyful and vibrant evening of performance, bringing together dancers from across the school for a celebration of creativity, expression and movement.

Audiences were treated to an impressive programme featuring group, duet and solo routines, spanning a wide range of genres and styles. Performances blended traditional

and contemporary influences, showcasing the versatility, confidence and individuality of each dancer.

Throughout the evening, the sense of happiness and connection that dance and music create was clearly felt, both on stage and in the audience. The energy, enthusiasm and commitment of the performers made for a truly uplifting experience.

SHOWCASE ART IN THE CAPITAL

A Level and GCSE Art students enjoyed two enriching days in London, immersing themselves in some of the city’s most iconic cultural institutions. Their itinerary took them from the awe-inspiring collections of the Natural History Museum to the design treasures of the V&A, before ending with the striking portraits and powerful narratives showcased at the National Portrait Gallery.

Armed with sketchbooks and cameras, pupils gathered drawings, photographs and visual ideas throughout the trip, discovering new sparks of creativity around every corner. The visit offered them the chance to observe artworks and artefacts first hand, deepen their understanding of artistic techniques and develop inspiration for their own coursework and personal projects. It was a fantastic experience for students and staff alike.

CHESTER ZOO

Year 12 Biology and Psychology students enjoyed an enriching visit to Chester Zoo during the final week of term, taking part in specialised workshops directly linked to their A Level courses.

Biology students embarked on a guided walking tour focused on selection and speciation, exploring real world examples of evolutionary processes through the animals they observed.

From adaptations to environmental pressures to the emergence of new species, the tour offered valuable opportunities to see curriculum content brought vividly to life. Psychology students also took part in a dedicated tour, observing a range of primates, including orangutans and chimpanzees, to deepen their understanding of primate behaviour and its relevance to human

MRS LIZ CORRIGAN Head of Biology

Photography by ALEX COOPER

psychology. Watching social interactions, communication and group dynamics first hand enriched their studies and sparked thoughtful discussion.

Pupils also enjoyed some free time to explore the zoo independently - and were fortunate to do so in dry weather, making the day even more enjoyable.

BRITISH PHYSICS OLYMPIAD

We are delighted to share the outstanding achievements of our students in the British Physics Olympiad Senior Physics Challenge. This prestigious national competition recognises exceptional problem-solving ability, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of Physics.

SILVER: Ziyuan Ma & Natalia Mei

BRONZE:

Zara Chakrabarti, Giorgia Chatterton, Alex Cooper, Evie Jiang, Jessie Liang, Annie Lu, Seraphina Mark, Joyce Ng, Olivia Ng & Zoe Werner

We are incredibly proud of all students who participated. Their hard work, curiosity, and resilience represent the very best of our school community.

SUSTAINABLE STYLE

In the run up to the Year 13 Ball, pupils, parents and staff came together to support a dress swap event, promoting sustainability while helping students find something special to wear for the evening. Generous donations of dresses, accessories and shoes created a wonderful selection to choose from, giving items a second life and offering a more environmentally conscious alternative to buying new.

Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make the event such a success and well done to Nitika Banerjee in Year 13 who arranged the opportunity.

CELEBRATING CLASSICS

Withington was delighted to host this year’s Classics Reading Competition, welcoming visiting pupils from Cheadle Hulme School, The Manchester Grammar School and Manchester High School for Girls for an inspiring afternoon of language, performance and shared enthusiasm for the ancient world.

Students prepared passages in Latin, Greek, or English translations of Greek tragedy, focusing on expression, understanding and accuracy of pronunciation. This year’s event also gave us a special opportunity to remember Lucy Holden, a former Classics teacher who taught at Withington for nearly 30 years. It was a testament to her lasting influence that two of the visiting teachers from The Manchester Grammar School and Manchester High School for Girls had once been taught by her, and reflected warmly on the inspiration she gave them. The standard of performance throughout was exceptionally high. We were fortunate to be joined by an expert panel of adjudicators: Dr Andy Fear, John Taylor and Allegra Hahn from the University of Manchester, along with former WGS and Cambridge Classics student Sitara Bartle Davies and Mr Thorley, our school librarian - himself a former Classics teacher. Their feedback highlighted the poise, clarity and thoughtful interpretation shown by all competitors.

In total, 15 Withington pupils took part, producing confident and engaging performances that resulted in five category wins. Visiting teachers commented on the enjoyment and enthusiasm their pupils felt while preparing for, and taking part in, the competition.

Following the individual category rounds, all winners were invited to perform once more in the Arts Centre, giving the audience the chance to enjoy their outstanding readings. The afternoon created a warm atmosphere of collaboration and celebration, showcasing both the intellectual challenge and creative joy found in Classical study.

Congratulations go in particular to Allana Flanagan, Eden Hamilton, Anna Martin, Lena Poole, Martha Shuttleworth and Elizabeth Tsoi for their winning performances, and to all pupils involved for their dedication and passion.

A wonderful celebration of Classics and of the talent, curiosity and community that continue to thrive at Withington.

MRS JO HOWLING Head of Classics

On Monday 9th March, excitement as our Year Qualifications (EPQs) event offered a fascinating depth of independent Visitors explored an impressive engineering, palaeontology, healthcare, history, politics, and many other fields. initiative and academic their research questions, With over 80% of the was a powerful celebration push beyond the curriculum. research and communication opportunity to explore

A number of students presenting in whole school sparking new interests

A huge well done to all and creativity - a truly its best.

CONFERENCE

March, The Hub was filled with energy and intellectual Year 12 students presented their Extended Project to an audience of pupils, staff and parents. The fascinating window into the extraordinary breadth and independent research taking place across the year group.

impressive array of projects spanning aerospace palaeontology, sustainable architecture, AI driven politics, creative media, veterinary science, fields. Each display reflected months of hard work, academic ambition, with students confidently discussing questions, methodologies and findings.

year group completing an EPQ, the conference celebration of curiosity, resilience and the desire to curriculum. The EPQ not only develops advanced communication skills but also offers pupils a valuable explore potential future pathways.

students also took their work beyond the conference by school assemblies, inspiring younger pupils and interests across the community.

all our Year 12 researchers for their commitment truly impressive showcase of independent learning at

TOP MARKS FOR EMILY

We’re incredibly proud to share that Emily Blackwell, now in Year 12, has been awarded the British Nutrition Foundation Drummond Education Award after achieving the highest score in the country for AQA GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition - an outstanding accomplishment.

The Drummond Award recognises excellence, commitment and academic achievement in food and nutrition education, and receiving it is a significant national honour. Emily’s remarkable performance not only highlights her hard work and passion for the subject but also reflects the high-quality teaching and rich learning experiences within Withington’s Food and Nutrition department.

To mark the occasion, we were pleased to welcome Louise Attwood from AQA, who visited school to present Emily with her award in person. During her visit, Louise also spent time in a Year 9 practical lesson, exploring our newly refurbished Food and Nutrition room. She observed pupils using the live demonstration camera, a recent innovation that enables students to follow complex techniques with clarity and confidence. Louise also spoke with pupils as they prepared fresh meringues, giving her a flavour of the creativity and skill that characterise our practical lessons.

Congratulations, Emily, on this remarkable national recognition - a proud moment for you and for the whole Withington community.

A TERM OF GIVING

Withington pupils and staff were busy throughout the Spring term raising funds and supporting a wide range of charities, demonstrating generosity, creativity and a strong sense of community.

Easter themed fundraising took place across the school, with Sixth Form pupils raising money for Francis House through the sale of charming handmade knitted chicks and ducks, many created by the pupils themselves and adding a pop of colour to Reception. Continuing the animal theme, Year 7 supported the Manchester Dogs’ Home, running a lively stall featuring a ‘guess the number of dog biscuits’ competition and a tombola to win Jellycat dogs. Year 12 raised funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust through a stationery tombola, offering a Jellycat cherry as the star prize. One of the most popular events of the term was the NeeDoh tombola, with 9W raising £350 in just one day, all in aid of the RNLI.

During Feel Fab Feb, pupils raised over £610 for the chosen charities:

Highlights included a Sixth Form charity netball match against The Manchester Grammar School, won by Withington, accompanied by live music from our own Sixth Form band. A henna stall raised £128 for the Bursary Fund, while the ever popular Tea and Talk sessions, run by Sixth Form pupils, created relaxed opportunities for conversation at break time. Lunchtimes were enhanced with music in the Hub, featuring duets and karaoke performances from staff and pupils across a range of genres.

Pupils, parents and staff also generously donated toiletries and sanitary products to Bare Necessities, a Cheshire based toiletry bank run by a Withington alumna. The Head Girl team played a prominent role in raising awareness of period poverty and led a ‘packing party’ over lunchtimes, bringing pupils together to put together items in lovely, colourful paper bags.

Staff fundraising took place alongside pupil activity, with coffee mornings raising over £400 during the year for Macmillan Cancer Support. Most recently, staff organised an Easter egg collection, donating 100 chocolate eggs to Emmeline’s Pantry, which supports local families, including those fleeing domestic abuse.

The Gambia Team was also extremely active, raising funds in preparation for their work supporting Mama Tamba Nursery School in December. Fundraising included a Mother’s Day hamper and a pamper hamper. The team raised an impressive £3,624 over the course of the term.

In total, over £6,240 was raised this term, including funds for the Gambia project. This tremendous achievement is a testament to the kindness, commitment and generosity of our pupils, staff and families. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to parents and pupils for their continued support of charitable work at Withington, every contribution truly did make a difference.

MRS NADINE MORGAN Charities Coordinator

YOUNG

This year, being part of Cards has been such an our brand and designing Braille designs, to understanding scenes in a real business, production and teamwork.

During this process we from taking part in the to a panel, to selling at schools that support us grow in confidence beyond this journey.

Most importantly though, together, sharing ideas only been really rewarding keep running our business have a look at the range free to explore our online

“ Watching our ideas been the best feeling!

YOUNG ENTERPRISE

of our Young Enterprise company Paper Bloom an amazing experience for all of us. From creating designing our greetings cards, including our range of understanding everything that happens behind the business, we’ve learnt so much about marketing, sales, teamwork.

we have also had some incredible opportunities; the Trade Fair at the Trafford Centre and pitching at school events and sharing our cards with visually impaired students. Each step has helped confidence and develop skills that we will carry with us

though, this has been such a fun experience! Working ideas and seeing our products come to life has not rewarding but also really exciting! We can’t wait to business during the next term, so if you would like to range of different designs that we have created, feel online catalogue HERE.

ZOE WERNER Managing Director

ideas turn into real products that people love has feeling! It’s definitely something I’ll never forget.”

UKMT

MATHEMATICAL CHALLENGE

At the start of this term, our Year 10 and Year 11 pupils sat the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, a national competition that rewards advanced mathematical problem solving. Across the two year groups, pupils achieved an impressive 36 Bronze, 39 Silver and 20 Gold certificates. Congratulations to all our certificate winners!

GOLD AWARD WINNERS

Year 10:

Noor Abdulwahab, Aleena Assad, Aamina Bux, Eileen Gazi, Anushka Khunger, Annabel Lama, Ava Lin, Aarna Poddar (best in school), Olivia Shannon, Pia Syal, Emma Tan, Phoebe Xu, Trinity Yu & Sophie Zhu

Year 11:

Eldan Bokre, Tannishtha Ganguly, Kody Li (best in school), Inaaya Majid, Taliah Nourein & Jasmine Sastry

Eleven of these gold certificate winners also qualified for the follow-on Pink Kangaroo round and are awaiting results. Meanwhile, Aarna’s exceptionally high mark qualified her for the Hamilton Olympiad, which requires full clear working to its problems.

Well done to all our mathematicians! We look forward to sharing the next round of results in our next issue.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION REAL WORLD

Year 12 Chemistry students took the lead as they delivered three imaginative, space-themed science workshops to our Year 3 classes, along with visiting pupils from St Paul’s CE Primary School in Withington.

As part of their role as Science Communicators, the Sixth Formers designed a hands on programme that challenged pupils to invent their own planets, create unique alien species, and engineer inventive ways to launch their creatures back into space. Filled with creativity, problem solving and scientific curiosity, the workshops captured the children’s imaginations from the very first moment.

The younger pupils were completely captivated, asking questions, testing ideas and embracing the joy of discovery. The workshops not only strengthened their understanding of scientific concepts but also showcased the enthusiasm and leadership of our Year 12 students.

A huge well done to our talented Science Communicators for their fantastic effort, energy and creativity. An inspiring example of older pupils sparking a love of science and learning in the next generation.

Withington was delighted of Undergraduate Admissions engaging and thought-provoking insight into sustainability, interdisciplinary learning.

Dr Reeves led pupils through on managing environmental groups, pupils were challenged social and environmental world scenarios. The activity and strategic choices of the pressures faced practitioners.

At lunchtime, Dr Reeves Global Sustainable Development programme’s interdisciplinary world issues, and the analysis to critical thinking opportunities for study range of career pathways and international development.

The visit formed part which connects pupils them explore academic growing clarity and confidence.

A huge thank you to Dr motivating experiences global issues can shape

WORLD CHALLENGES, WORLD LEARNING WONDERFUL WEAVING WORKSHOPS

delighted to welcome Dr Katie Reeves, Director Admissions at the University of Warwick, for an thought-provoking visit that offered pupils a valuable sustainability, global development and the power of learning.

through a highly interactive simulation focused environmental crises such as flooding. Working in small challenged to weigh up the complex economic, environmental factors that shape decision-making in real activity highlighted how probability, chance influence outcomes, giving pupils a vivid sense faced by leaders, policymakers and sustainability

Reeves delivered an inspiring talk on Warwick’s Development (GSD) degree. She highlighted the interdisciplinary nature, its emphasis on tackling real transferable skills students develop - from data thinking and project work. Pupils also heard about study abroad, collaborative modules, and the wide pathways connected to sustainability, policy, business, development.

of Withington’s expanding Futures Programme, pupils with universities, employers and experts to help academic interests and future career directions with confidence.

Dr Reeves for giving our pupils such insightful and experiences - and for showing them how their passion for shape future study and career ambitions.

WGS was pleased to welcome local textile artist Sally Craig back to school for a hands on weaving workshop with our Year 8 students.

Under Sally’s expert guidance, the Art Room quickly transformed into a vibrant studio space, with tables covered in colourful wool and pupils eagerly experimenting with new techniques. Students explored pattern, texture and colour as they learned the foundations of weaving and developed their skills through practical creative tasks.

The session was lively, imaginative and thoroughly engaging. It offered pupils a fantastic opportunity to experience textile art first hand and gain confidence in a new craft.

DRAMATIC TIMES

LAMDA EXAMS & SHOWCASE EVENING

The Drama Studio was alive with talent and anticipation as 28 Upper Fifth and Lower Sixth pupils completed their LAMDA Grade 6, 7 and 8 examinations between 2nd–4th March. Across the three days, students presented polished repertoire pieces and confidently answered questions from visiting examiners, demonstrating the depth of their preparation and performance skills.

On the final evening, families, friends and staff were welcomed to two special showcase events. Lower Fifth performers opened the night with expressive, heartfelt work,

LAMDA RESULTS

followed by the Lower Sixth, who presented their impressive Grade 8 pieces. The range of repertoire, spanning eras, genres and styles, took audiences on an emotional journey from laughter to reflection.

Our sincere thanks go to our outstanding LAMDA teaching team: Ms Guest, Ms Hotten, Ms Radcliffe and Ms Paul, whose expertise, care and dedication have shaped these exceptional performers. For our Lower Sixth pupils, this showcase marked the culmination of their many years of LAMDA at WGS, and we are immensely proud of everything they have achieved.

Following the spring LAMDA examinations, we are delighted to share that all 28 students achieved a Merit or Distinction, giving Withington an outstanding 100% success rate across Grades 6, 7 and 8.

These Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal qualifications represent significant accomplishments, reflecting each student’s talent, discipline and resilience.

Congratulations to every performer on this exceptional achievement.

GCSE SCRIPTED SHOWCASE

On Thursday 26th March, our Upper Fifth pupils shared examples of their scripted work which they had performed for the visiting examiner on Wednesday 25th March. Our audience thoroughly enjoyed the showcase and were treated to two exceptional performances which showcased the hard work and dedication of the students.

SHAKERS by John Godber

Performed by Farah Aldawoud, Lucy Brown, Elspeth Hill & Evangeline Waldron

Set in a bustling cocktail bar, Shakers shines a light on the expectations and challenges faced by the women working behind the scenes. Through rapid fire multi-role performance, comic precision and rich social commentary, the cast captured the humour, pace and poignancy of Godber’s writing. Monologues from the play added depth, revealing the characters’ inner lives and unspoken pressures.

GIRLS LIKE THAT

by Evan Placey

Performed by Aiyla Ahmed, Ayana Chowdery, Sophie Curry, Lara McManaman, Amba Vij & Willow Ward

This urgent, contemporary play explores the fallout when a compromising photo of a girl, Scarlett, spreads rapidly online. Through physical theatre, ensemble movement and sharp character work, the cast examined themes of gender inequality, peer dynamics and the pressures of growing up in a digital world.

DRAMATIC TIMES

YEAR 12 DEVISED SHOWCASE

GIBLO

Performed by Rosamunde Faithful, Sophie Forster, Nya Grant & Eilidh Milner

Our Year 12 Drama and Theatre students captivated audiences with their original devised piece, Giblo, performed in the imaginative and physically playful style of Theatre Alibi.

Inspired by the company’s signature blend of physical theatre, multi-role performance, puppetry and minimal staging, the ensemble explored themes of nostalgia and childhood memory. The story followed Toni as she reflected on her primary school years, her relationship with her twin sister Maeve, and the children who shaped her early life. The piece built carefully towards a deeply moving final sequence that left many audience members visibly moved.

A highlight of the performance was the beautifully crafted puppet of Giblo, the class bear, designed by Rosamunde, which became a poignant anchor in Toni’s memories. Performances by Sophie, Eilidh and Nya demonstrated exceptional versatility as they shifted between characters with clarity, humour and emotional nuance.

This was a beautifully realised, highly imaginative piece - a testament to the students’ collaborative spirit, creativity and understanding of complex theatrical language.

YEAR 13 SCRIPTED EXAMINATION SHOWCASE

Families and friends joined us on 2nd April for the A Level Scripted Examination Showcase, celebrating the exceptional standard of work produced by our Senior students. Each performance reflected deep research, technical skill and mature artistic choices.

TALENT

By Victoria Wood

Performed by

Ava Robinson & Matilda Wright

Drawing on the practitioner influence of Nicholas Hytner, Ava and Matilda balanced comedy and pathos in their portrayal of two young women navigating ambition, insecurity and friendship. Their detailed characterisation and strong partnership on stage captured the bittersweet spirit at the heart of the play.

PLAYHOUSE CREATURES

By April De Angelis

Performed by Poppy Button

Portraying Mrs Betterton, Poppy employed the rigorous naturalistic methodology of Katie Mitchell, creating a deeply textured performance that honoured the resilience and ambition of one of theatre’s early female pioneers. This methodology brought depth and emotional truth to Poppy’s portrayals, allowing the historical reality of the character’s life to be illuminated with sensitivity and authenticity.

THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES

By Kendall Feaver

Performed by Rosie Wallis

Rosie delivered a powerful and profoundly moving portrayal of Anna, exploring trauma, treatment and identity with honesty and vulnerability. Working in Katie Mitchell’s detailed naturalistic style, this methodology allowed for a deeply sensitive and authentic portrayal, capturing both the raw anger and the fragile longing for understanding that underpin Anna’s search for truth. The result was a moving, grounded, and beautifully controlled performance.

WORLD BOOK DAY

World Book Day brought a joyful burst of creativity and literary excitement to WGS, with pupils and staff taking part in book themed activities across school.

One of the highlights was the staff ‘Shelfie Challenge’, which proved an instant hit. Pupils eagerly examined 23 photographs of bookshelves, hunting for clues to match each one to the correct member of staff. From distinctive genres to quirky trinkets tucked between the books, the challenge sparked lively discussion.

Pupils also enjoyed the chance to choose a free book from the Library, selecting from surplus stock ready to start a new chapter in a new home. The Library was a hive of activity as pupils browsed, swapped recommendations and discovered new favourites.

Throughout the day, students and staff shared book recommendations that reflect who we are, broaden our perspectives, and transport us to new worlds. These suggestions will help shape a vibrant new display celebrating the diverse stories and voices within our community.

A wonderful celebration of reading, imagination and the joy of storieseverything World Book Day is meant to be.

DEVELOPING DEVELOPING

Year 8 and Year 10 pupils workshop this term with energy, humour and even unicorn, brought a fantastic Through a series of highly practical techniques for speaking skills, and learning moments that feel challenging. something as simple as transform the way we communicate to others.

The session was brilliantly pupils valuable tools of our Futures education develop key employability understanding of how

A huge thank you to Loudspeaker empowering experience.

DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE, DEVELOPING FUTURES

pupils enjoyed an unforgettable confidence building with Jonathan from Loudspeaker Live, whose even a surprise appearance from a giant inflatable fantastic buzz to WGS.

highly interactive activities, pupils explored for building confidence, strengthening public learning how to “fake it until you make it” in challenging. Jonathan also demonstrated how as posture and body language can completely present ourselves - and the messages we others.

brilliantly motivating and thought provoking, giving to draw on both in school and beyond. As part education programme, the workshop helped pupils employability skills, build self belief and gain a deeper how to express themselves with assurance.

Loudspeaker Live for such an engaging and experience.

ECONOMIC EXCELLENCE

At the end of February, five Year 12 students travelled to Lancaster University to take part in the regional round of the Economics Olympiad, following an initial qualifying stage in school where pupils completed a challenging 40 question paper.

We are thrilled to share that four of our competitors have secured a place in the national final, placing them among the top 50 economics students in the country. This achievement is particularly impressive given that the competition is predominantly entered - and often dominated - by Year 13 students from other schools.

So far, the Olympiad has tested pupils’ understanding of core economic concepts as well as their ability to problem solve, interpret data and apply analytical reasoning across a rigorous written examination and discussionbased activities. Their success reflects not only strong subject knowledge but also confidence, resilience and intellectual curiosity.

A huge well done and congratulations to all five pupils for their outstanding performances so far. We are incredibly proud of them.

The national final brings with it an extraordinary opportunity: the top placed students will go on to represent the UK at international level. We wish our national finalists the very best of luck as they prepare for the next stage of the competition.

GREAT DEBATE

Withington pupils have enjoyed remarkable success in this year’s Historical Association Great Debate, a national public speaking competition that challenges students to deliver a historical argument in a compelling three minute speech.

In January, Year 12 students Dhaani Singh, Zoe Werner and Eve Willey travelled to The Manchester Grammar School to compete in the regional heat. The standard this year was exceptionally high, with 15 competitors, an increase from last year’s 10, yet all three pupils delivered confident, thoughtful and well-researched speeches.

This year’s competition asked the question: “How important are personal and public records as evidence for explaining the story of your local area?” Students were encouraged to explore historical public and personal records and use them to tell a story that mattered to them personally, while also highlighting the importance of their local area and its history.

We are delighted to share that Dhaani won the regional round, securing her place in the national semi finals. Eve and Zoe also performed impressively and were close contenders for recognition on the day.

Following her regional success, Dhaani progressed to the North West semi final, where she once again impressed the judges and earned a place in the national final. This prestigious event took place at Mary Ward House, London, gathering around 30 finalists from across the UK.

At the final, Dhaani delivered a polished, insightful argument that stood out to the panel, earning her the accolade of Highly Commended - one of only four awards presented nationally (Winner, Runner Up, and two Highly Commended). This is an exceptional achievement and a testament to her historical understanding, clarity of expression and exceptional public speaking skills.

All three participating pupils will share their speeches with the school community in assembly, offering a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their scholarship and inspire younger pupils.

Congratulations to Dhaani on her outstanding national recognition and well done to Zoe and Eve for their excellent contributions to this year’s competition.

CRANEDALE

Year 12 Geography students in Yorkshire, taking part directly to their A Level During the residential, investigations, developing evaluation while refining proved invaluable preparation requirements, as well critically and engage

CRANEDALE FIELDWORK

students spent four days at Cranedale Field Centre part in an intensive programme of fieldwork linked Level studies. residential, pupils carried out a range of geographical developing confidence in data collection, analysis and refining key fieldwork techniques. The experience preparation for both coursework and examination well as the opportunity to work collaboratively, think fully with geography beyond the classroom.

A SEAT AT THE HALLÉ TABLE

Year 13 student Emily Edge has spent this year contributing her insight and leadership as a member of the Hallé Young People’s Advisory Group, a panel that offers valuable guidance to the Hallé’s Board of Directors on matters affecting young musicians and participants. Selected to represent youth perspectives within one of Manchester’s most significant cultural institutions, Emily has embraced the opportunity with maturity, curiosity and enthusiasm. Here, she shares her experience:

“ We are asked to attend the quarterly board meetings, and discuss the operations of the Hallé, including the branding, social media, outreach initiatives and what has worked well or needs to be improved within our own ensembles. I have really enjoyed being a part of the board and feel I have learned a great deal about the operation of formal meetings, and of businesses, including how the music industry plays such a vital role in the culture of the city of Manchester.”

MUSICAL NOTES

A LEVEL RECITAL

Our A Level Music students took to the stage for a beautiful recital that showcased the depth of their musical study, commitment and growth over many years at WGS. Performing the pieces they have been preparing for their examinations, the students demonstrated impressive technical skill, expressive maturity and a clear passion for their craft.

The recital offered a wonderful opportunity for family, friends and staff to appreciate the culmination of sustained practice and dedication, reflected in confident performances across a range of styles and instruments.

A huge well done to Emily Edge, Alice Fines and Orli Garnett.

SHOWCASING SENIOR SCHOOL TALENT

Senior School pupils stepped into the spotlight in January for a wonderful evening of music making, sharing their developing skills and enthusiasm with an appreciative audience of family, friends and staff.

The concert celebrated performers at every stage of their musical journey: from our newest Year 7 musicians, taking to the stage with confidence and excitement, to our more seasoned Senior School performers, who displayed maturity, technical skill and

expressive flair. The varied programme highlighted the richness of musical life at WGS, with pupils performing a mix of solo pieces, small ensemble items and larger group works. The atmosphere throughout was warm, supportive and full of pride as pupils encouraged one another and celebrated each performance. It was a joyful reminder of the hard work, creativity and dedication that go into developing musical confidence. Well done to everyone involved!

Across the school this year, pupils from different year groups have achieved remarkable success in national piano competitions and examinations, showcasing not only exceptional musical talent but also commitment, maturity and a deep love of performance. From elite level diplomas to national prizes and competition wins, these achievements highlight the strength and breadth of piano music at Withington.

DISTINCTION AT DIPLOMA LEVEL A WINNING PERFORMANCE

Huge congratulations to Natalia Mei in Year 12, who recently completed her LTCL Diploma, achieving the highest level of award: Distinction. Natalia has long been an integral part of musical life at Withington, and many will have enjoyed hearing her perform on both piano and flute at school concerts and events. As part of her diploma preparation, she shared a preview of her programme in a lunchtime recital, offering pupils and staff an insight into the enchanting and demanding repertoire she had prepared. Her performance highlighted her technical assurance, expressive depth and musical maturity.

The Trinity LTCL (Licentiate of Trinity College London) is an advanced performance qualification, equivalent in standard to a final year undergraduate recital, making this an extraordinary accomplishment for a Withington pupil.

Huge congratulations to Marisa Enunwa in Year 7, who has achieved an outstanding musical triumph this term, winning first place at the grand final of the European Piano Teachers Association UK Piano Competition 2026, held at the prestigious Steinway Hall in London.

Marisa’s journey to the final saw her progress through the Manchester regional heats before going on to win the Intermediate II regional final in Leeds, securing her place among the country’s most talented young pianists. At each stage, she impressed adjudicators with her musical sensitivity, technical control and expressive performance.

At the national grand final in London, Marisa performed with exceptional poise in a highly competitive field and was awarded first place, a tremendous achievement for any young musician.

Alongside her piano studies, Marisa is also a dedicated cellist, playing not only in the Middle School Orchestra but the Senior Orchestra too.

TOP MARK IN LANCASHIRE

Huge congratulations to Wei Ann Ho in Year 8, who has achieved an exceptional result in her recent ABRSM live examination, earning the highest mark in Lancashire.

Wei Ann was awarded a remarkable 148 out of 150, placing her at the very top of a highly competitive field and earning her an ABRSM award, along with a £150 prize in recognition of her achievement. Such a score reflects not only exceptional technical control and musicality, but also confidence and composure under examination conditions.

This remarkable result is a testament to Wei Ann’s dedication, discipline and passion for her music, and a wonderful achievement at this stage of her musical journey.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT WITHINGTON: A TERM OF THOUGHTFUL

It has been a busy and rewarding term for Religious Studies at Withington, the year groups engaging in philosophy and ethics in ways that stretch well

POPPER ESSAY PRIZE

Our Year 10 students recently took part in the Popper Essay Prize, an inter-school competition that challenges students to think carefully about some of the most profound questions we can ask about human life. This year’s focus was on death, the afterlife and immortality, with essay questions including whether we should want to live forever and whether it is rational to fear death. Students were required to construct extended arguments, drawing on philosophical ideas and developing their own line of reasoning.

We are delighted to recognise Ngano, Eva and Serena for their excellent entries, all of which showed real care, ambition and engagement with difficult ideas. From these, Ebube was shortlisted, producing a particularly strong essay that combined clear structure with thoughtful analysis.

Special congratulations go to Noor, who was awarded first prize and received £200. Noor’s essay explored whether it is desirable to live forever, weighing the appeal of immortality against the possibility that an endless life might lead to a loss of meaning, purpose and fulfilment. It was a mature and carefully argued piece of work, and a fantastic achievement at this level.

PONDERING PLATO

We have also been very fortunate to welcome, virtually, Professor Angie Hobbs, who delivered a lecture on Plato. By the time this newsletter is published, students will have had the opportunity to engage with one of the leading scholars in the field, gaining insight into Plato’s thought and its continuing relevance. Opportunities like this allow students to encounter academic philosophy in a direct and accessible way, and to see how the ideas they study in class are developed at a much higher level.

FAITH & REASON

Our Year 12 students also led by Dr Peter Vardy, and reason. The event, from a long-standing question relationship between Across the day, students in greater depth, including role of religious experience, the event particularly evaluation. Students were the arguments, but to and form their own considered opportunity to see how academic debate.

PHILOSOPHY

Our Philosophy discussion Manchester Grammar strength. This term’s session and his ideas about moral factors beyond our control considering examples seem to shape responsibility about fairness. The discussion was thoughtful, with over 20 students see the group continuing dialogue, where students as well as contribute their

ENGAGEMENT

Withington, with students across well beyond the classroom.

also had the opportunity to attend a conference centred on the relationship between faith event, titled Athens or Jerusalem?, takes its name question within Christian thought about the philosophical reasoning and religious belief. students explored key areas of the A Level course including arguments for the existence of God, the experience, and the nature of God itself. What made valuable was the emphasis on discussion and were encouraged not simply to understand weigh them carefully, question assumptions considered judgements. It was an excellent how the topics studied in lessons connect to wider

DISCUSSION

discussion group in partnership with The School continues to go from strength to session focused on the work of Bernard Williams moral luck. Students explored the extent to which control can affect how we are judged morally, where outcomes, circumstances or character responsibility in ways that challenge our intuitions

thoughtful, wide-ranging and at times challenging, in attendance. It is particularly encouraging to continuing to grow and to retain its sense of genuine students are willing to listen carefully to one another their own ideas.

SHREWSMUN

Our exceptional Model United Nations team returned from Shrewsbury School with an outstanding overall win at ShrewsMUN - marking the second consecutive year that WGS has secured the top prize at this conference.

Both of our delegations performed brilliantly throughout the conference, demonstrating confident debating skills, thoughtful diplomacy and impressive teamwork. Several pupils were also recognised with individual awards, highlighting the depth of talent and commitment within the team.

This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work our pupils have put into developing their research, public speaking and negotiation skills.

Well done to everyone involved - a superb result!

Individual prizes were awarded to: Sonia Amonkar, Harriet Jackson, Inaaya Khatri, Ava Lin, Anna Martin, Tia Patel, Nabeeha Qureshi, Srinika Saravana, Jasmin Snader, Emily Wan & Harshini Vijay

A CRACKING SUCCESS

Creativity, humour and historical knowledge were on full display at the end of the term as pupils took part in the History Club’s Historical Egg Competition, and the results were nothing short of egg-cellent.

Tasked with transforming a simple plastic egg into a historical figure of their choice, pupils rose to the challenge with imagination and flair. Many entries featured clever egg-related puns, detailed backdrops and carefully researched information cards, bringing historical figures to life in playful and inventive ways. From artistic craftsmanship to witty wordplay, the standard across the competition was impressively high.

Mrs Haslam was particularly impressed by the quality and originality of the entries, praising the creativity and commitment shown by all who took part. The competition proved to be a cracking success, delighting staff and pupils alike.

Congratulations go to all prize winners and to everyone who entered for producing such thoughtful, humorous and historically inspired creations. A wonderful reminder that history can be brought to life in the most imaginative ways.

Best Artistic / Creative Effort

Winner: Marie Antoin-egg Runner Up: Freder-egg Chopin

SUCCESS READING CHAMPIONS

Related Pun egg-a Kahlo

Winston Church-shell

Best Historical Information

Winner: William Shell-speare

Runner Up: Henry VIII’s Eggs Wives

A group of Year 7–9 pupils enjoyed an inspiring day of literary challenge and cultural discovery as they travelled to Wirral Grammar School for Girls to compete in the National Literacy Trust’s Reading Champions Quiz.

Competing against 24 teams from across the region, both of our Withington teams performed superbly, showcasing excellent comprehension, teamwork and quick thinking. Their hard work paid off with two impressive finishes, securing 3rd and 4th place overall.

After the excitement of the quiz, pupils rounded off their day with a visit to the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight. Surrounded by beautiful collections and fascinating exhibits, the pupils enjoyed a peaceful and enriching afternoon, perfectly complementing the literary focus of the morning.

A huge well done to all our participants for their enthusiasm, teamwork and fantastic results!

RUTH BAYLEY ILLUSTRATION

This year’s Ruth Bayley Illustration Competition invited pupils across the Senior School to respond to the theme ‘Inspiring Faces’, and the outcome was an impressive showcase of creativity, reflection and technical skill. The competition attracted a wide range of entries, with students exploring personal stories, admired individuals and powerful expressions through illustration. The standard across all year groups was exceptionally high.

RUNNERS UP

We were delighted to welcome as our guest judge. Chloe sensitivity and skill shown thoughtful interpretations The competition concluded a special video message from

COMPETITION

welcome Chloe Cox, professional artist and illustrator, was deeply impressed by the imagination, shown in the submitted work, praising pupils for their interpretations and strong visual storytelling. concluded with the announcement of the winner, shared in from Chloe Cox, which was shown in final assembly.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Congratulations Layla and all pupils who took part in this competition.

This term has been an exceptionally busy and rewarding one for Withington’s academic partnerships, with the successful delivery of our five week SHiNE Together programme welcoming 60 pupils from 15 local partner primary schools.

SHiNE Together is one of Withington’s longest running outreach initiatives and reflects the school’s commitment to widening access to high quality learning opportunities. Aimed at able pupils in Years 5 and 6, the programme offers free Saturday sessions taught by specialist teachers, designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and nurture a lifelong love of learning.

This year, pupils followed either a STEM pathway, exploring subjects such as science, computing and design, or a Creative pathway, which included opportunities in areas such as art, drama, music and creative writing. Across the five weeks, pupils engaged enthusiastically with new ideas, practical challenges and collaborative tasks in Withington’s specialist teaching spaces.

A key strength of the programme was the support provided by 40 Year 11 and Year 12 pupil volunteers, who worked alongside teaching staff throughout the sessions. Their enthusiasm, encouragement and leadership played a vital role in creating a welcoming and supportive learning environment, while also allowing them to develop confidence, communication skills and a sense of social responsibility.

SHiNE Together continues to have a lasting impact, helping pupils from across Greater Manchester to grow in confidence, stretch academically and form new friendships.

GREEN THEATRE

Green Theatre was launched as a collaborative project between the Junior Eco Club and the Senior Green Club, with the aim of exploring important environmental issues through drama and performance.

Senior pupils were divided into groups, and each assigned a key environmental topic: deforestation, water waste, noise pollution and fast fashion. Their task was to write a script which would both educate and engage the audience on their chosen issue.

After writing the plays, they collaborated with Junior girls over three months to bring these productions to life. They planned all the acting, sound and lighting and any costumes and props were made in school, sustainably, by a designated team of pupils, reflecting the project’s environmental values.

These plays were performed showcase. The girls impressed their thoughtful understanding meaningful lessons for the can make to make the world

The showcase was a great creativity and perseverance

Thank you to Mrs Cotton, support in this project!

THEATRE

performed to Years 5 and 6 and parents in an afternoon impressed us with not only their theatrical talent, but understanding of the environmental theme. The plays had the audience, illustrating small, daily changes we world a better place.

great success and a credit to the commitment,

perseverance of all the pupils involved.

NITIKA BANERJEE 13M

MUSIC EXAMS

The final weeks of term saw pupils take part in three full days of Musical Theatre examinations, offering an opportunity to showcase their technical skill, performance confidence and expressive ability. Pupils across the school rose to the challenge, presenting polished performances that reflected their hard work, preparation and growing stage presence.

HMC CONFERENCE

We were pleased to welcome Heads of Geography from a range of schools within The Heads’ Conference (HMC) for a professional development event hosted at Withington.

The day provided a valuable opportunity for colleagues to share best practice, exchange ideas and explore new approaches to teaching and learning within Geography. Through discussion, collaboration and practical sessions, delegates reflected on curriculum development, assessment strategies and innovative classroom practice.

The event fostered open, thoughtful conversation and reinforced the benefits of working collaboratively across schools. It was a stimulating and rewarding day, highlighting the strength of the HMC network and our shared commitment to excellence in Geography education.

WGS IFTAR

On 26th March, Withington families gathered for the second Iftar event to be held at WGS. The evening was expertly hosted by Year 13 pupils Maisa Farrukh and Azka Noor, who warmly welcomed pupils, parents, staff and friends, and introduced guests and fellow pupils throughout the programme.

A recitation and translation of the Qur’an was delivered by Fatima Jeilani in Year 13 and Dalia Mahmood in Year 10. Head Girl, Tara Sumra, spoke thoughtfully about how learning more about Iftar had encouraged her to reflect on her own faith and recognise that the importance of community

and sharing meals is a value embraced across all major religions. Imam Rehan Salim echoed this theme in his insightful address, highlighting the power of shared experience and togetherness. In the 50th anniversary year of the WGS Trust and the establishment of bursary provision at Withington, the evening also raised funds for the Marjorie Hulme Bursary Fund. Sixth Form bursary ambassadors, Olivia and Faqiha, spoke eloquently about the impact bursary support can have and what it has meant in their own lives. Withington parent, Mr Nabeel Chowdery, reflected on the power of education and the

“Hosting the WGS Iftar event was something I never envisioned myself doing when I first started in Year 7. Back then, I didn’t have an ounce of confidence to stand in front of an audience. Seeing people from all different backgrounds come together during this festive month for a great cause was a powerful reminder of generosity and connection that I will carry with me.”

MAISA FARRUKH Iftar Host

“From the moment the reflection and connection was the sense of unity together to listen, learn It was a powerful reminder something that strengthens

2026 WARM WGS WELCOMES...

opportunities Withington has provided for his own daughters. He also expressed gratitude to Mrs Haslam for her years of service and presented her with flowers.

We extend our sincere thanks to all our pupil volunteers, who were outstanding ambassadors for Withington. We are also deeply grateful to our sponsors and the parents who helped organise the evening. All proceeds from the night were donated to the Marjorie Hulme Bursary Fund, helping to support future generations of pupils at Withington.

the speakers began, there was a real sense of connection in the room. What stood out to me most unity as people from different backgrounds came learn and share in such an important moment. reminder that Ramadan is not just personal, but strengthens community as a whole.”

AZKA NOOR Iftar Host

CHRIS HARGREAVES Site Services Assistant

SENIOR MUSICAL

The final week of term began with a fantastic Senior Musical Showcase, celebrating the breadth of musical life at WGS. The event featured performances from over 170 pupils across both the Junior and Senior Schools, spanning an exceptional range of instruments, styles and genres.

From confident soloists to ensemble pieces, the Showcase highlighted pupils’ enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to music, bringing the school community together for an uplifting and memorable finale to the term.

A wonderful celebration of performance, collaboration and musical excellence.

MUSICAL SHOWCASE

the sport report

NETBALL

Following a strong start to the season last term, Withington netball teams enjoyed an outstanding year, with success across all age groups at county, regional and national level.

The U13A team had a particularly exceptional season, becoming Sisters n Sport Plate Winners after a determined run at the National Finals, and in the same week, they finished as runners up in the Independent Schools National Cup (ISNC). A special mention goes to Polly Ansell (Year 7), who stepped up to play with the Year 8s during this campaign and helped secure two national medals, demonstrating confidence and maturity beyond her years.

Our U12A team reached the final of the Sisters n Sport National Cup, finishing as runners up, while the U12B team

remained undefeated in the Year 7 Manchester Schools League and have progressed to finals day in April, alongside qualifying for the final of Manchester Schools Knockout Cup. The team was supported by Despina Mamas (Year 6), who played a valuable role in helping the Year 7 squad achieve silverware, showing composure and well beyond her age group.

At senior level, the U18 team reached quarter finals of the ISNC and competed in Round 3 of the Sisters n Sport Cup, with strong performances also recorded by the U16A, U15A and U14A teams throughout the season, including tournament success.

A remarkable season showcasing resilience and ambition across the netball programme.

and April, of the Cup. Despina valuable achieve and skill reached the competed Cup, recorded teams county depth, the

LACROSSE

It has been another impressive year for Withington lacrosse, with strong performances from junior to senior level.

The season began impressively for the U18 team, who finished in the top four at the Challenge Cup in November, a significant achievement that set the tone for the remainder of the year.

Building on this momentum, the team went on to compete at the National Schools Championships in March, progressing into the top 16 teams nationally. While the U14 team delivered

a strong campaign in Division 1. After progressing confidently through pool play, they reached the quarter finals, producing some of their most accomplished lacrosse of the season.

At North Schools, both the U12 and U13 teams finished as runners up, while the U15 team secured third place. .

The U15 squad also enjoyed a highly successful tour to Edinburgh in January, remaining unbeaten throughout their fixtures and strengthening team cohesion off the pitch.

the sport report FOOTBALL

Football teams across KS3 and KS4 enjoyed a competitive and successful season.

The U13 squad finished third overall in the Manchester Schools KS3 League, alongside an excellent run in the Manchester Cup, reaching the semi finals against a side that has dominated the competition in recent years.

The U16 team recorded strong results in the Manchester Schools KS4 League and reached Withington’s first ever football final, marking a landmark achievement for football at WGS.

Across KS3, knockout fixtures provided exciting competition, with teams progressing deep into cup runs and demonstrating strong tactical development.

HOCKEY

Hockey U12, U13 training season, At senior against Hockey in the county place in excellent

Hockey continued to thrive across the age groups, with U13 and U14 teams enjoying high attendance at training sessions and competitive fixtures throughout the season, including county tournaments and multiple wins. senior level, the U15, U16 and U18 teams competed against strong opposition in the Independent Schools Hockey Competition (ISHC). The U16 team finished second county tournament, while the U18s secured second in the T3 North West Regional Tournament, an excellent achievement.

A SEASON OF SUCCESS

Huge congratulations to Melissa Hargreaves, who enjoyed an outstanding Dressage season in elite competition last year, marked by national success and international recognition.

Melissa was selected to represent Great Britain, a significant achievement that placed her among the country’s top competitors in her discipline for her age. Her season began in impressive style last March, when she claimed victory in her first Premier League class, setting the tone for what would prove to be a remarkable year.

Building on this early success, Melissa continued to perform with consistency, confidence and determination throughout the season. So much so she represented her country in France at the European Championships during the summer. It was the first time British Dressage has ever been able to enter a team into an International Children on Horses class. A huge honour. Her hard work and resilience culminated in a major milestone in September, when she secured her National title.

Melissa’s achievements reflect not only her talent but also her dedication, focus and ability to perform under pressure at the very highest level.

The final of this year’s Poetry by Heart competition took place in the Arts Centre at lunchtime on Tuesday 31st March, showcasing confident, thoughtful and beautifully delivered performances from pupils across the Senior School.

After progressing through preliminary rounds earlier in the year, the finalists performed a wide and carefully chosen range of poems, spanning classic and contemporary works, as well as original ‘freestyle’ creations. Each poem was recited entirely from memory - a core element of the Poetry by Heart competition - requiring not only a deep understanding of the text but also clarity, precision and emotional connection in delivery.

The standard of performance throughout was exceptionally high, with judges praising the pupils’ enthusiasm, accuracy, expressive control and interpretative skill. Judging was carried out by Teachers of English, Ms Amos, Ms Donachie and Ms McKenna, whose combined expertise brought valuable insight and thoughtful feedback.

Adding a special dimension to the event, staff were also invited to perform, giving pupils the opportunity to hear poetry brought to life by members of the wider school community.

This year’s final also builds on a record of terrific success in Poetry by Heart for Withington in recent years. Both Serena Omeje (Year 10) and Nitika Banerjee (Year 13) previously progressed through regional rounds to reach the national finals, a significant achievement that highlights pupils’ confidence, commitment and skill in spoken performance.

From quiet, reflective pieces to bold and dramatic recitations, the afternoon was a wonderful celebration of language, confidence and creativity.

WGS Poetry by Heart winners are:

KS3 Freestyle: Jia Kochhar & Aarna Thakur

KS3 Classic: Akhila Chendra Shi & Mara Dumitru

KS4 Freestyle: Safiya Rajpura

KS4 Classic: Dalia Mahmood

Withington Girls’ School, Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BL office@wgs.org wgs.org

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