High Flyer Issue 58

High Flyer

In this issue

Helen Jeys • Pandemic Challenges Lennie Ware • Dream Destinations The Battle of Hastings... plus much more HIGH FLYER THE MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 58

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HIGH FLYER

What's inside 4

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Helen Jeys My First Term Back

Rising to Pandemic Challenges

Supporting the Bursary Fund

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Alumna Interview: Lennie Ware

Dream Destinations

The Battle of Hastings

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Project Pankhurst Powers On

Warburton Competition

Sports News

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Tennis in Tennessee

Adventures

Helping Others

32 Celebration and Awards 2020

MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Welcome back!

In April, we switched to a digital-only version for issue 57 of High Flyer, at a time when School was temporarily closed for all but the children of key workers, and we were in full remote learning lockdown mode.

2020 has been challenging for everyone, in School and in our wider community. As we near the end of the year, I’d like to wish you well for a happy and safe 2021.

In this issue, I’ve taken a moment to look back on my first term as Head Mistress, as well as to look ahead to an exciting future for MHSG. This year we have adapted in ways we could never have imagined, as we faced up to the impact of Covid-19. Our staff and girls have coped incredibly well and through it all we are confident that our pupils remain on track and no teaching hours have been lost. It’s been tough for all but there have been some memorable moments along the way and, of course, many new ways of working.

Lennie Ware née Keell (Class of 1970), social worker and podcaster, talks to us about her first and second careers and the importance of food, family and education. Our alumnae continue to support today’s pupils in so many ways. In this issue, we talk to mentors and mentees of Project Pankhurst. We also find out more about what our Class of 2020 have gone on to study and where.

Here at Grangethorpe Road we have been marking Celebration and Awards in a new way and MHSG Sixth Form musicians have been competing for this year’s Warburton prize. Our Year 7s reenacted the Battle of Hastings and, on top of all this, pupils raised money for charities to support those in need around the world.

Sport is an intrinsic part of life at Manchester High, and in this issue, we catch up with some of our amazing extra-curricular teams, and talk to Holly Staff, just before she headed to America to study and take her tennis career to the next level.

Thank you to all our pupils, staff, parents and alumnae for your hard work and support in these difficult times. If you are reading High Flyer as a prospective parent or pupil, I hope this publication gives you a glimpse into the life of our vibrant School community today.

Wishing you all Season’s Greetings and a very Happy New Year.

Mrs Helen Jeys, Head Mistress.

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My first term back Agatha Christie once advised “never go back to a place where you have been happy.

Until you do, it remains alive for you. If you go back it will be destroyed.”

Well, I am delighted I did not take Agatha Christie’s advice! As you will know, I spent 14 very, very happy years at MHSG in various roles – from Head of Religion & Philosophy to Deputy Head Pastoral.

And, after four years as Head of Alderley Edge School for Girls, I have – as I have said many times now – come home.

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Yes, I have taken over as Head Mistress during this most challenging of times. However, this is a chance to look forward, as well as reflect on my first few weeks back. I’m choosing to look at the highlights and the positive future that lies ahead.

Firstly, it has been wonderful to see so many familiar staff faces again as well as meet new members of the MHSG community. What unites them all (and me!) is their love of the School, their passion for its ethos and values and their commitment to our pupils. I saw that with every member of staff when I worked at MHSG in my previous roles and I see it still; staff who love their subjects and enjoy enthusing students with this academic passion. But it goes further than this. Our teaching staff genuinely care for our students, their progress and their wellbeing as well as for each other; the collaborative spirit of the staff at MHSG is something that makes working at the School very special indeed.

The majority of pupil faces are less familiar to me but the same MHSG spirit shines through. Our students are bright, full of character and passionate about making a difference.

I am really enjoying greeting them every morning (when I am able) as they come into school and seeing the smiles in their eyes above those masks! It is a priority of mine to get to know the girls themselves. Indeed, one student commented to me today that she likes to live by the adage, ‘be quick to listen’ and I am doing a lot of listening this term.

As well as teaching, which I will always continue to do, I am currently meeting with every Year 11 student individually; trying to discover what they enjoy, what they are looking forward to and what long-term goals are motivating them to succeed during this most strange of years.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be leading this School and with that sense of privilege comes a real sense of responsibility.

This term I have really enjoyed hearing about the students’ joy at returning to school to be with their friends and teachers and reassuring me (!) that it doesn’t matter that there isn’t a full extra-curricular programme on offer at the moment. They are just delighted to be back in school.

Their confidence always impresses me and reminds me of what an alumna I spoke to just this week told me about the legacy of MHSG for her. “MHSG made me into the confident woman I have become”, she said and I see that pioneering spirit all around me.

During the last few weeks, I have been meeting members of the Head Girl Team and listening to their inspiring assemblies and discussing issues with the Student Council.

I am surrounded by pupils who really want to make a difference both to their own world and that beyond the school gates. And for those who do not quite believe that they are up to this yet, I know that MHSG will lay the foundations for this confidence to blossom in the future.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be leading this School and with that sense of privilege comes a real sense of responsibility.

As the guardian of the School as it approaches its 150th birthday, I am very aware of its legacy and the wonderful Head Mistresses who came before me. I was appointed by Christine Lee Jones and worked alongside Claire Hewitt in her Senior Leadership Team and I am very fortunate to have a fantastic team to support me as we all look to the future at MHSG. Our strategy will continue to centre around academic excellence, outstanding pastoral support and a first-rate extra-curricular programme, which – together – will enable our pupils to flourish. I want our pupils to know that they can achieve success in any field; in the sciences, the humanities, the arts, sport and whatever else they turn their focus to … and for them to know that they have a duty to care for those around them.

Manchester High School for Girls is one of the leading girls’ schools in the country and I am looking forward to building on our success in empowering young women of the 21st century. My first few weeks back have confirmed for me that MHSG has a voice of national importance and huge relevance, as we face the future. It’s an honour to be playing a part in writing the next chapter in our long history.

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Rising to the many challenges of the Pandemic 2020 has been a long and challenging year for everyone, as we’ve all tried to come to terms with the Covid-19 global pandemic and felt its impact in our own lives and those of family and friends.

Here we take a look at its continuing impact on School life – and how our community keeps on rising to the challenge!

Some changes are more visible than others. Face coverings in the corridors, visors, hand sanitisers, screens, the one-way system in East Wing, open windows and doors - and all the signage - are perhaps the most noticeable of the more than 50 new measures around School, to help keep our whole community safe; a continuous reminder of the strange new world we live in.

However, to understand more fully we go ‘behind the scenes’ and hear from a range of people – staff and pupils – to find out how our wonderful School community has adapted and even thrived.

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Cast your minds right back…

MHSG learnt that School must close temporarily from 20th March to all but the daughters of key workers, with very little warning. Jon Haves, ICT Manager, describes the challenge for ICT in March: “We had five days to turn a school community, where normally 1,200 of us gather each day, into a remote operation with the absolute minimum of disruption to learning, teaching and all the work of support staff that are needed to keep the school operating”. No mean feat! The ICT team promptly deployed over 120 new phone numbers, redistributed banks of laptops and computing equipment for home use and scaled up remote desktop services.

Pupils and teaching staff in the Senior School switched to software services they had not previously had to use – like Teams and Zoom. “We increased the School’s internet bandwidth to ensure there was no bottleneck and provided video and other digital training materials”, explained Jon. Plans had to ensure that our key worker children, who remained at School, could still see their teachers and classmates who were working from home. Teachers and pupils embraced the technology.

Ms Hodson, Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning) is impressed with the transformation, “We are now experts on Teams and can set and submit assignments with ease!

Teachers have learnt how to run live lessons and how to participate in virtual meetings, whilst pupils have learnt how to collaborate with their peers remotely as well as how to work more independently. We've recorded or watched virtual assemblies on Loom, completed remote assessments, made great use of Forms to give feedback and have used online mini-whiteboards in lessons to maintain engagement.”

There were also lots of activities to help keep up morale.

On social media we got to see teachers’ and pupils’ home study spaces, and lots of pets. There were quizzes and plenty of challenges! The TikTok challenge on Flipgrid was a great success with almost 30,000 views of our video clips.

Finn, Year 13, Deputy Head Girl, added, “Despite being physically isolated for several long and uncertain months last academic year, the sense of school community and togetherness had never felt stronger. I found that following my school timetable from home helped to give structure to my days and ensured that I was in regular contact with my classmates and teachers who offered both subject-specific and pastoral support. We engaged in weekly challenges, ranging from making the best-looking sandwich to doing TikTok dances - watching the teachers try these was certainly challenging!”

Head Girl, Yoonsun, in Year 13, commented on her own experience, “During lockdown we had the same amount of support we would have received if we were in school.

This allowed me to keep up with work and my university application. In some cases we are ahead of the game!”

Mrs Chisnall was one of the teachers finding new and innovative ways to work, “I have always felt that MHSG is a very special place and this was really evident during lockdown when staff and students rose to the challenge of remote learning and maintained our sense of community. It was tough at times but I know my form and our Economics students did their very best during lockdown and I was so excited to see them for our Form Day in June. I feel we have all grown closer in some ways because we had to make it work and the girls were superb in supporting each other when times were tough - and they continue to do so.”

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Ms Hodson agreed, “The past few months have been difficult, but I am very proud of the ways in which members of our school community have come together to have fun and to support each other. The whole school ‘House Kahoot’, a quiz-based learning game, at the end of the summer term was a lovely way to end the year, with the round on ‘guess the teacher from their objects’ proving particularly popular! Our musicians put a huge amount of work into the production of the leaving song for Mrs Hewitt, with pupils and staff recording their parts from home. Watching the finished video with Mrs Hewitt on the last day of term really brought home to me what a fantastic school community we have here at Manchester High.”

During that period, some members of the support team were furloughed and others worked throughout the summer, including taking on new tasks to keep the ‘show on the road’. Michelle McCumesky, PA to the Head Mistress and Office Manager, and two of her team, covered Prep Reception on a rota basis from the start of lockdown to the end of the summer term. “We logged attendance for all years from Prep to Sixth Form and helped girls who were in school. One of the highlights was getting to know the girls, their parents and the Prep staff. The pandemic has really brought my team together in a way that has made me very proud.”

Since September, it’s become clear that we are in a regularly changing ‘long game’ that requires continuous vigilance and the support of our whole community, with everyone playing their crucial part. The guidance keeps shifting and we constantly review and evolve our measures to limit risks. It’s wearing. Schools are designed for a different world – and space is now at a premium. We are teaching Speech and Drama in what was the Staff Dining Room and we have also expanded outdoors with marquees and a Sixth Form gazebo.

Spare a thought for our cleaning - and catering teams – deep cleaning, where required, cleaning high-touch areas throughout the day, serving food on a new rota – and in new areas of School, from Main Reception to the marquee and Crush Hall.

We’re used to celebrating en masse, opening our doors to visitors, and enjoying the stimulation of collaborations across School, whether through senior girls taking on leadership roles or in our many extra-curricular activities.

So it’s great to know that sports and music groups are back.

And new events have appeared in the School calendar like Virtual Live Open Events and virtual ‘Insight Into’ talks, as we’ve moved online, or replaced our Celebration and Awards Evening with a less familiar in-School format.

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We’re a community that keeps in touch and embraces our alumnae. Back in the spring we weren’t able to provide our usual print copy of High Flyer, but we made sure a digital copy landed in inboxes just as we went into national lockdown. Returning to School in September, we’d all missed hearing from our ‘old girls’ and the Development Team have been getting back in touch, making phone calls, sending letters and writing hundreds of emails to keep our Ivies up to date. “Hearing back from our former pupils about the variety of ways they have risen to the challenge of Covid-19 in work and at home has been incredibly motivating. Though we had to postpone many of our alumnae events in the first term back this year, we can’t wait to see everyone again in spring 2021, whether that’s in person or virtually” said Lex Robinson, Alumnae and Development Manager.

“Many of the school activities that make our community unique moved online and maintained those connections between us all.”

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Junior 6t h

Mrs Martin working from home

At the start of 2020, we could never have imagined facing many of the challenges ahead. Going back to Jon Haves, for a moment, some highlights he reflected on were “Parent Information Evenings with live video feeds from six different locations - and stitching together individual pupil videos to create a performance of ‘Sea Wall’ by Simon Stephens.

What makes me most proud is how people responded.

Discovering that a group of teachers had set up their own ‘Remote Learning Support Community’ to share ideas and solutions. Hearing avowed techno-sceptics acknowledge how the remote learning tools have allowed them to successfully continue teaching. Watching in awe the Vocal Group’s talent not only in singing, but also video editing to create multi-part harmony performances.”

Mr Eaton, Learning Support Coordinator was really impressed by how quickly students and staff adapted to the new way of working. “What stood out to me was how so many of the school activities that make our community unique moved online and maintained those connections between us all.” Pastoral support over the phone was another new phenomenon, which over time became relatively normal, as Mrs Goddard, Deputy Head (Pastoral), remembers, “We often talk about the benefits of challenging ourselves out of our comfort zones, but nobody thought that this could be by chatting to your teacher on the phone! I am very proud of everyone who overcame that initial awkwardness and engaged with this process.

The point of these calls was of course to catch up with the students and try and keep the community connected.”

Manchester High, just like most of the schools in Greater Manchester, at this time, has faced some cases of Covid-19 and been forced to isolate pupils in line with all the government guidance, for the safety of our whole community. Do we dare mention “bubbles”? This is a concept nobody had to grapple with in schools before 2020. The pros and cons of alternative approaches have been debated and balanced in an ever changing landscape.

Whilst there is no perfect solution to please everyone, we have seen our school community pull together in adversity to do the best for our pupils. Our values help us at times like this: kindness, mutual support, respect and honesty.

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Mrs Jeys, who joined the School as our new Head Mistress at the start of the academic year, could hardly have arrived at a more difficult time! “Although thrilled to be back at MHSG, taking over the reins from Mrs Hewitt as the pandemic continued has been a huge challenge”, she stressed. “Constantly reviewing the risk assessment to try to keep everyone safe has been a daily exercise. The flexibility and support of both staff and students have meant that the School continues to flourish. I can’t wait to get back to a more normal school life and plan for our future, and I can’t praise our community enough in rising to the challenges facing them on a daily basis.”

There have been some massively supportive parents too.

Mrs Jeys comments, “I have received so many supportive emails from parents which have been hugely appreciated.

I have missed the opportunity to get to know parents personally but I have been very grateful for their support.

It was also great to see over 25 new parents at our first remote PTA meeting of the year. Meeting virtually has certainly not put off our parents and their support for the work of this important part of our community.”

Some of our Year 10 girls summed up their experiences this term. “It was a bit nerve-racking to start with, coming back to School, but it’s been great. School has done well, keeping us safe and not that much has changed for us.”

This year group now has lunch in the Main Hall and the girls are missing clubs at lunch and not playing sports matches against other schools, but they too commented on that same strong sense of community. “It has brought everyone closer together – everyone is trying to help each other.”

Whilst we can look forward to a time beyond Covid-19, for the moment maybe we should be prepared to recognise the huge amount of time, energy, expenditure and creativity that have gone into getting us this far! There will be more challenges ahead of course, but we’re in this together and we know that Manchester High girls will come through this challenge, as they do others, with spirit and resilience.

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Empower Another Ivy Support the Bursary Fund

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Manchester High is not an elitist school and, by donating a small amount each month to the Bursary Fund, you can help us ensure it does not become so.

will buy a bursary girl’s first blazer

will pay for a residential drama trip

will cover a year of musical instrument hire

You can set up a monthly donation online by visiting www.manchesterhigh.co.uk/iviesdonate or email development@mhsg.manchester.sch.uk.

Everyone who signs up will receive an exclusive ivy leaf pin badge (pictured opposite).

If the events of 2020 have taught us anything, it is the value of community, alongside the importance of having access to an excellent academic education and space for personal development.

For a community as special as ours, at Manchester High School for Girls, when times are tough, we come together.

Although we can't physically see you all at the moment, we are thinking about you and are keen to keep in regular contact. Our alumnae play a key part in life at MHSG today and, in these difficult times, we need your help.

There’s this strange notion that women can’t, and don’t, support each other.

That, in general, groups of girls can only accomplish gossip, cattiness and unhealthy competition.

All of Manchester’s bright girls should have the opportunity to become an Ivy and join the MHSG sisterhood

We hope your experience of Manchester High School for Girls has proved the total opposite - that when girls come together, incredible things happen.

We believe all of Manchester’s bright girls should have the opportunity to become an Ivy and join the MHSG sisterhood of bold, brilliant women. As more families face severe financial difficulty due to the impact of Covid-19, the Bursary Fund is more crucial than ever.

Our Bursary Fund honours the intentions of MHSG’s founders – to enrol girls with true potential, regardless of their financial means – but it is also a key factor in preserving the social diversity we see throughout the School, something that enriches our entire community.

Every year we are faced with more applications for bursary places than we can offer. Once a girl has secured her bursary place it’s not just the school fees we cover, we also provide financial help with uniform, school meals, trips and extra-curricular activities.

How a bursary place helped me “I wish I could go back and tell the nervous 11-year-old Tiffany going into high school on a full bursary that she’d be going to medical school seven years later. She’d be so proud. Opening my acceptance letter from medical school this August brought me back to how I felt opening my acceptance to MHSG in Year 6. There were tears of joy from all members of my family as we knew that I’d made it and all my hard work had paid off.

Going from a state school to a private school, I thought there would be such a divide, which Man High disproved.

The sense of community is the foundation upon which Man High is built and is observable within minutes of being in the school. The efforts made to encourage pupils to take part in all extra curriculars including sport, music and languages furthers social mixing and pupil development.

What I love about MHSG is that we are one cohesive group – the Ivies.

‘Being able to give back to a school that has not only invested in me financially, but also physically and emotionally.’ The fact this was my yearbook quote outlining my ‘best memory’ at Man High as Deputy Head Girl shows how much MHSG, and the bursary fund in particular, means to me. I can concretely say that if I wasn’t a Man High pupil I wouldn’t be where I am today, studying Medicine as a student doctor with aspirations of being a surgeon.

The significance of the bursary fund is endless - allowing other prospective students like me to gain access to the opportunities and experiences that Man High gives is invaluable. From encouraging students to learn new instruments in Year 7, to pushing students to give drama monologues in Year 9 to develop public speaking skills, MHSG prepares all students for the ‘real world’; invaluable lessons that must not be overlooked.

I am proud to say I will forever be an Ivy.” Tiffany Agbobu, 18.

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A LU I NT M NA E RV IEW CL A

e i n Len e r a W

SS O F 19 70

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It’s usually Class of 1970 alumna, Lennie Ware, who does the grilling when she interviews celebrities for her award-winning podcast, Table Manners, with daughter and singer, Jessie Ware.

This time we are turning the tables and finding out more about what it’s like being a full-time social worker, author, mother and one half of a dynamic duo.

With over 11 million listens since 2017, the Table Manners podcast has become so popular that it has led to a UK tour and a new book, Table Manners: The Cookbook, “It has been a wonderful experience and I’ve met so many interesting people that I never dreamt of meeting. I’m so lucky to be part of it. I’m also proud of the cookbook. The recipes are all important to us and easy to make. I hope people like it! Sadly, the tour had to be cancelled because of current public health issues but we will rearrange it when this is all over.”

Lennie, who insists, “I’m not famous!”, joined Manchester High School for Girls in 1961 and was known as Helena Keell during her time at MHSG. “I had a great time and enjoyed Manchester High very much. It is a wonderful school that offered opportunity and expanded horizons for young women. I made lifelong friends, and I meet people now who went to Manchester High and there is an instant connection. I was privileged to have such a good education.

I was bright but not the hardest worker up until O-levels but managed to pull it out of the bag, and then I stayed on and worked very hard for A-levels. I loved English, French and History, as well as extra-curricular sports.”

During her time at MHSG, Lennie was in the Girl Guide Troupe, “I only remember making meat and potato pie to get my cooking badge. I’m not sure I was an exemplary Guide but I loved the outfit!”, and remembers enjoying what was then Domestic Science, “It was a fantastic foundation in home cooking and sewing! I clearly learnt a lot! I recall feeling most inspired by Ms Stone, an English teacher, and Ms Butterfield who taught French. Ms Rough, who taught Latin, was legendary with her plaits twisted into two knots at the nape of her neck. She would bang on the table and definitely got our attention.”

After nine years at Manchester High, with her hard-earned A-level results under her belt, Lennie went on to secure a place at university, “I was the first person in my family to ever go to university. My parents were immensely proud that I got a place at the University of Birmingham where I studied Social Sciences (Soc Admin). The course was interesting but could have been a little more exciting. It did set me on track for a career as a social worker though.”

To achieve good outcomes for children and help families change their lives is so important Lennie is famed for bringing her Jewish heritage, love of family cooking and conversation skills together in the podcast, but her background and full-time career for the past 40 years is as a counsellor and social worker in family law cases, “I wanted to be a social worker after a careers talk at school. I have had a wonderful career, and I love my work. I mainly do independent social work now. There are obvious lows in social work but I would say that for me the highs have always outweighed these. To be able to achieve good outcomes for children and help families change their lives is so important. It is a great career and so undervalued.”

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Quick fire questions Away from work, family and culture is at the core of how Lennie uses her downtime, “I spend lots of time with my family, particularly my grandchildren.

I have a house in Greece and visit two or three times a year. I live in London and go to the theatre a great deal. I had tickets to see Timothy Chalamet at the end of April at the Old Vic but sadly it was cancelled!”

Mixing academic and artistic success is a running theme in the Ware household. Daughter Jessie is a singer with four Brit nominations and three top-ten albums to her name, whilst eldest daughter Hannah is an actor in LA. Let us not forget Lennie’s son Alex, who often pops in on the podcast with dessert in tow. Lennie has always made sure her children have support, “All of my children have had a fantastic education. My son is a doctor and studied Medicine at UCL after a Politics degree at Bristol. Jessie has a degree in English from Sussex and Hannah a degree in History of Art at UCL. They all have good academic achievements to fall back on if they need to. As a parent, you should support your children in their own goals, not where you would like them to be. The most important thing in life is to be happy in what you do and that’s always what I wished for my children.”

With people and relationships central to Lennie’s personal and professional life, the uncertainty of 2020 has been quite a hurdle, but not one that couldn’t be helped by food, “I have found this year and the current public health crisis very difficult. I missed being with friends and family and the physical interaction. But, I have cooked and cooked for family and friends; delicious food from a variety of new sources that I found when I couldn’t get groceries delivered and managed to avoid making sourdough bread!”

To round up our conversation we discussed the role social media plays and the impact it has on the self-confidence of women and girls. Lennie knows the challenges faced by women like Jessie, who have such a high profile, “Jessie is much better equipped to navigate social media than I am and she helps me. She is a proud, strong woman who is a great proponent of gender equality and confident in her own abilities as a woman. She knows she has a significant platform and uses it very wisely in expressing views.”

Lennie’s book, Table Manners: The Cookbook is out now.

What is your favourite meal to cook and eat with family and friends?

Who would you love to have on the podcast who you haven’t managed to ‘snag’ just yet?

Friday night traditional Jewish meal or a roast dinner on Sunday.

Anyone from the Manchester United football team past or present.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have given your children?

What is your favourite recipe in the cookbook and why?

To be happy in what they choose in any aspect of their lives.

Obviously the chicken soup and matzo balls. Iconic!

What in turn have they taught you?

What’s your favourite MHSG memory?

To avail myself of new experiences. Who knew I would have a second career in my 60s!

Breaking the sundial and a school window all on the same day. Ms Cottrell was not pleased.

You have had some incredibly well-known guests on your show – David Schwimmer, Emilia Clarke, Mel B, Neneh Cherry and Nigella Lawson to name just a few!

If you had to pick a favourite guest, who would it be?

I loved Alan Carr because he made us all laugh so much but it was a dream to sit with Nigella.

chool s a d n a l ia d sun Breaking the day. e m a s e h t n o window all leased. p t o n s a w ll e r Ms Cott

Also managing to get great A-level results against all odds and predictions.

Who inspires you today?

Like everyone else, I find Malala and Greta Thunberg inspiring. Also Jacinda Ardern.

I admire Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. She is 80, looks wonderful and challenges Donald Trump constantly.

You mentioned the instant connection you feel with other Man High girls; what is it about the school that fosters this connection?

Manchester High is such a highly-regarded school and offers a great education for women. We all had the same experience of a fantastic education and preparation to achieve good careers.

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M A E DE STI NAT

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Yumna A hm ad M edicine, Exeter C ollege

O xford

Amy Anson llege Ox ford Music , New Co

Top choices Medicine is the top route, chosen by 17 of our students as their career path! We’re definitely powering the health sector, with five students going into Dentistry - and a Pharmacy student too.

Every year we love to celebrate the destinations of our Manchester High leavers. We’re sad to see them go – but excited for the next stage in their amazing journeys.

English is a strong choice again this year – with nine students going on to study it, often in combination with other subjects – such as a modern language, or Classics and History.

Subjects that have fired up the Class of 2020 It’s great to see a huge range of subjects, reflecting the passion of Manchester High pupils for an enormous range of subjects: including Art, Music, Architecture, Classics, Anthropology, History, Geography and Maths.

Dar a Nylander lege London Psychology, Kings Col

Seven more have chosen to continue their studies in science fields, from Biology to Physics.

Business and Economics remain firm favourites, also chosen by seven students, while five MHSG leavers have started their Law training this year.

We are also seeing an increasing interest in Philosophy, Politics and the social sciences. bridge he ad Eve W hite College C am y, St John’s Land Econom

Noor Al-Saffar Medicine, Manchester University

We are meeting the demand for future engineers, with five new starters in this field too!

Here’s a round-up of where our leavers have started afresh in 2020.

Our girls have gone on to Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol, Durham, Birmingham, Nottingham, York – and have selected universities in Scotland and Wales too. This year, 21 have stayed in the North West, with 14 choosing Manchester University to continue their studies. We are looking forward to keeping in touch!

12 students from the Class of 2020 are now studying in London. Good luck to all our MHSG leavers, near and far!

We look forward to hearing more about their journeys.

Psychology is a popular A-level subject for MHSG and it’s clearly inspired a lot of students in the Class of 2020. Seven students have gone on to study Psychology at degree level this year.

H at tie Fr ew A rt Foun dati and Englis on , Leed s h Literatu re , B rist ol

Our Development Team and archivists are great at keeping those connections going, so that our alumnae can continue to have a prominent place at the heart of our School community.

If you would like to update your details, support our careers programme, make a donation or simply keep us informed about what you’re doing now, then please do keep in touch with the Development Team via: development@mhsg.manchester.sch.uk

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The Battle of Hastings

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Miss Martin introduced the re-enactment to show her Year 7 students what happened on the day, so that they could understand why William the Conqueror won the battle. Today she narrates and steers the action – with help from her trusty megaphone!

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It has proved a great way for Year 7 pupils to get to know each other and do something special as a whole year group in their first term, as well as being truly educational. Pupils appreciate it for many reasons. “It was fun because we got to do it with all the other forms”, said Myesha. Bella summed it up well too, “I enjoyed it because we got to make our own weapons”. Rhiannon enjoyed “how we were able to work together – or against the other forms – and how we learnt each event that happened in chronological order”. Suha liked the battle re-enactment this year “because we got to experience what happened then and it helped me to understand it better”.

After lessons on the Battle of Hastings, the girls are set homework to make their own costumes. “It’s a great chance to get creative. The pupils really get into it with some brilliant costumes and shields and it brings the beginning of the Medieval period to life for them”, explained Miss Martin.

This medieval extravaganza is a real team effort. Miss Welsby is always Harold – and dies every year, despite her wanting to re-write history! Mr Clarke is William, Duke of Normandy, and Mrs Troth is the Viking King. The photos are a great reminder of a fantastic afternoon of fun learning; something to look back on in years to come – and it’s remembered fondly still by girls in Sixth Form!

It’s already become something of a Manchester High tradition!

We all know that the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066, but did you realise it’s already the sixth year that MHSG students have taken to the School lawn to re-enact the events of that day?

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T C E J P RO

PA N K

T S R U H

POW ERS ON!

The 2020-21 academic year marks the fifth anniversary of Project Pankhurst, our revolutionary Sixth Form mentoring scheme.

Over the course of the initiative, former Manchester High pupils from across the generations have risen to the challenge when we asked for their support, giving their time and energy to support our current Sixth Form students as they prepare for a world beyond Manchester High School for Girls.

When we launched the scheme, we were looking for members of the alumnae community to come forward and act as mentors to Sixth Form students who were interested in the area or specific industry in which they work, and over the years, the number who have supported us has continued to grow.

Project Pankhurst allows our current pupils to forge a connection with an MHSG alumna who will support them as they make decisions about their future career and professional development in the broadest sense. Once connected, the partnerships are driven by the individuals involved. This allows our students to grow and develop key skills; networking, communication and forward planning.

The scheme is incredibly popular, and this term we spoke to a handful of the pupils and alumnae involved to find out what they thought.

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PARTNERSHIP ONE

Nihal & Iman Mentor

Nihal Winniczuk (née Philobbos) Class of 1999, Property Manager at Winn Property Limited.

I was at Man High for 14 years and, clearly, they must have done something right since it was the chosen school for both my daughters. I had a happy time at Man High and self-confidence was definitely a gift the School gave me!

I recall being in Sixth Form and, as much as the career advisors tried to assist, it is really difficult if they haven’t worked in your chosen field. To have a mentor to talk to and guide you through a process, who acts as support, I think is invaluable, and so that’s why I joined Project Pankhurst.

This year I was paired with Iman, and I have loved working with her, and getting the chance to see her flourish.

Lockdown has been difficult for so many, so I think it helped Iman that I could be an additional point of support and a motivator through this tough period, especially through the government’s exam results mishap. Iman is such a hard worker, and being able to help her understand that even when things can get difficult, if she has tried her best, good things will come. She will achieve her ambitions and I will happily support her on every step of her journey.

“The students give me so much satisfaction when they meet their goals” Together we have looked at factors that are so important to students; time management and stress management techniques. We have also looked at university applications and Iman’s personal statement together. Iman is hoping to go to Oxford, and they have a different application process to other universities, so I was able to reach out to my network to get assistance for Iman. We check in with each other every few weeks and just make sure she is on track.

Project Pankhurst is a two-way process. The students give me so much satisfaction when they meet their goals, small and large. Our job is simply to get them to be the best they can be, achieving their potential, and for them to just be happy!

Mentee

Iman Sheen Year 13 I am currently studying Further Maths, Economics and German and I already completed my Maths A-level last year. After Sixth Form, I am hoping to go on to study Economics and Management or Economics and German.

I joined MHSG in Reception all those years ago when I was only four!

When Mrs Norton told us about the mentoring scheme, I thought it would be a great opportunity to be linked with an alumna in a similar field to those which I’m interested in. I was looking for support with work experience, my personal statement, interview preparation and general higher education help and advice, because none of my parents did anything to do with Economics or Business. I thought it would also be good to get an outside perspective from school and family on things.

I have found it incredibly fun working with my mentor Nihal.

She has helped me hugely with my statement and university advice, especially as she has a vast array of contacts! We text each other with life updates as well as about specific mentoring support, and it’s nice that we’ve developed something that’s not too formal as that’s what works for us.

We managed to meet up in person before Covid-19, but we stayed texting throughout lockdown and continue to do so now.

I would highly recommend linking up with one of the women in the Project Pankhurst scheme. It has been highly beneficial for me and I have formed a lovely friendship with my mentor.

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MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

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PARTNERSHIP TWO

PARTNERSHIP THREE

Nicola & Alika

Laura & Mandy

Mentor

Mentee

Nicola Bird

Alika Mirzoyan

Class of 2004, Architect at Michael Laird Architects.

Year 13

I have the fondest memories of my time at Manchester High. I feel lucky that I attended the school from age 4 to 18, making lifelong friendships, learning the importance and value of a good education, and instilling confidence and a work ethic in me that I benefit from today.

I joined MHSG in 2019 and I am studying Maths, Physics and Biology for my A-levels. I am currently applying for Architecture at university.

Studying Architecture is a long commitment, I wish I had had somebody to talk to and steer me through university, for advice or to soundboard ideas, so this scheme seemed like a great project to get involved in.

Alika and I have been in contact for just over two months now, and it has been a joy. I have been so impressed by Alika’s personal statement for her UCAS application.

It reminded me just how well-rounded and committed the girls are at MHSG. Her interest in the subject and enthusiasm to gain relevant experience, despite the current climate, shone through.

“Judging from Alika’s university application, I think she will be introducing me to interesting buildings and keeping me up to date with ideas!”

My aim is to help Alika gain work experience and stay in touch throughout her career. I am excited to see where her career will take her!

I will always listen and reassure Alika, letting her navigate her own decisions and offering advice from my own experiences should she ask for it. As time goes on I hope we can meet at architecture exhibitions and I plan to keep Alika supplied with a steady stream of architectural journals and books, as well as some encouragement when she finds herself making models and drawing through the night before a ‘crit’ at university. Although, judging from Alika’s university application, I think she will be introducing me to interesting buildings and keeping me up to date with ideas!

Not knowing anyone in the profession, I wanted someone to help guide me through the application process so I asked if I could be mentored by Nicola. Everything was arranged quickly, I was able to contact Nicola on the same day, and I have been in contact with Nicola regularly for over two months now. She has helped me greatly with my personal statement, and gave me advice on choosing universities to apply to, as well as what to include in my portfolio.

At the moment we are keeping in contact via messaging but are planning to meet up in the future. Nicola has also kindly offered to send me her architectural journals. Without the mentoring scheme, I would not have had access to advice and materials like this, which help me learn more about the profession.

I would fully recommend the Project Pankhurst mentoring scheme to anyone wanting guidance from someone who has gone through the exact process you are currently going through.

Mentor

Mentee

Laura Butler

Mandy Yang

Class of 1998, Private Client Manager in Private Banking.

Year 13

Following my time at Manchester High School for Girls, I read History at UCL and then gained an MA in Medieval Studies. I now work as a private client specialist for a large bank, helping clients with the opportunities and the problems that money might bring.

I was living in China until I came to the UK to take my GCSEs at Bolton Girls School Division, and then I started at MHSG in Year 12. I am currently studying Chemistry, Computer Science, Maths, and Further Maths at A-level, and I am really enjoying it. The girls here have been so welcoming!

I am very proud to be a part of Project Pankhurst. Every year that I have been part of the programme, I gain a lot of pleasure out of it. It has been very rewarding and I would recommend it to anyone.

I’ve just sent off my UCAS application and my hope is to study Computer Science at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. Eventually I would love to work in Artificial Intelligence or perhaps Cyber Security in the banking world.

It is my aim to give guidance and support, provide advice and be someone independent to talk to, though I certainly don’t have all the answers! It’s about helping the girls investigate the options in life and come to their own decisions and conclusions, and it’s lovely to celebrate their successes as well.

I applied to be a part of the Project Pankhurst scheme because I wanted to get more knowledge from people who had experience and industry understanding to share. Laura mentioned in her profile that she managed relationships, and that was a skill I specifically wanted to grow. Laura’s industry, as well as her journey from studying History at University through to working in Private Banking are what also drew me to applying for her as my mentor.

This year I was matched with Mandy and it has been great to get to know her. She has a quiet courage; she works very hard and has an impressive determination to achieve her goals. She has focussed ambitions and I know she will be successful in achieving them. We have had conversations over email, the telephone and managed to meet in person to have a proper chat.

Sixth Form seems a particularly important age. It was a time in my own life when I felt a lot of pressure. A new door was opening and it was a big world out there. I was in awe of the alumnae at MHSG and what they had gone on to achieve. I’m pleased I can now play a small part in the lives of the current students at Manchester High.

I have really enjoyed the partnership so far; Laura is so nice and answers the many questions I send her way. Before Covid-19, we had a phone call every couple of weeks and we would talk as much about our families as we would talk about specific career support. We talk about everything from the university application process and Laura’s experience of being a university student in the UK, to sharing my experiences in China.

It has been so great to have a mentor that really cares about you and what path you might take. As a student, I don’t often get the chance to get to know a lot of people with this kind of career experience outside of school, and Project Pankhurst has really filled that gap.

If you would like to know more about becoming a Project Pankhurst mentor, please contact Alumnae and Development Manager, Lex Robinson via development@mhsg.manchester.sch.uk

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Warburton competition

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MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

The Warburton Competition 2020 took place in the Main Hall on 5th October, with 11 top musicians from MHSG Sixth Form showcasing their musical talent across multiple pieces and instruments for the School’s coveted prize, which has been awarded every year since 1935. The standard was incredibly high again this year and the prize was ultimately awarded jointly to Natasha Oldbury and Christina Maxfield, for two of their performances.

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This year’s competition was judged by Philip Dewhurst, former Cheadle Hulme School Director of Music, who gave fantastic detailed and constructive feedback on each performance. He commended all the musicians, not just on their technical ability but on their stage craft, the strong culture of performance in the School and the maturity with which performers “let the music breathe”. Philip recognised the wealth of talent among our MHSG Sixth Form students and commended the School’s Music teaching team.

Girls performed solo, together, or were accompanied on piano by Claire Dunham and Jenny Heslop. Natasha and Cristina’s winning performances were Tchaikovsky’s ‘Ne ver moy droog’, sung in Russian, and Ysaye’s ‘Sonata No.2, movements 1 and 2’, on violin, respectively.

“A musical extravaganza, showing the breadth and depth of talent in MHSG Sixth Form” The programme of 26 works – across piano, voice, cello, violin, viola and flute – included a wide range of styles, interests and eras. It was a musical extravaganza, showing the breadth and depth of talent in MHSG Sixth Form, continuing in the tradition of Miss Annie Warburton, the accomplished musician and composer, who taught at Manchester High from 1925 to 1946.

This year’s competition did not have the same audiences as in previous years, owing to Covid-19 restrictions, but Mr Bradley, the School’s Head of Music, commented on the quality of performances and the continuing improvements made by all the musicians during lockdown.

One of the many highlights was Anyi Wong’s performance of her own composition, written during lockdown, called ‘All In My Mind’; a performance which included fellow Year 12 student Charlotte Dobrev on the cello.

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Sports News

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What a team!

On top of fantastic individual performances, we love to celebrate a full team effort at Manchester High. And our sports teams have been enjoying great success, right up until the world paused back in March.

Our Under 13s hockey team won the National Schools Greater Manchester round and went on to compete in the North West semi-finals at Sedbergh School last year.

In March our indoor rowers went to the Citywide rowing finals and performed superbly. The Year 9 team came first in their team relay, our Year 8 team came second in theirs – and individually Year 9 MHSG pupils came 1st, 2nd and 3rd across Greater Manchester!

We have some rising stars in gymnastics too. Our Under 13 gymnastics teams came Ist and 2nd in the North West Milano Gymnastics competition back in January and qualified for the National Finals in Stoke, held in March.

It was great to see our young tennis players thriving too last year. In the AEGON Tennis Tournament, the Year 7 and 8 team reached the North Regional B Final in Leeds where they were crowned champions.

The School dance competition in February is a great opportunity to bring together creative and sporting talent.

We saw fabulous performances from all houses, with group dances across a great variety of styles, all choreographed by the girls themselves.

The full range of extra-curricular sporting activities usually available at MHSG includes: athletics, basketball, cricket, fitness training, football, gymnastics, handball, hockey, netball, rock-climbing, running, strength and conditioning, swimming, Tae Kwon-Do, tennis and water polo.

At the time of writing, we're back with hockey, netball, rock-climbing, dance and fitness, as well as some new Greater Manchester virtual PE competitions, to keep that competitive spirit firing. All Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils are taking part in the “Manchester Mile” virtual competition as well as competing in the “gym fitness” challenges against other GM schools. Go girls!

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Tennis in Tennessee Holly Staff has left Manchester High after her Junior Sixth year to take up a tennis scholarship at Vanderbilt University in America.

With A grades in AS Maths, Physics and Economics, she’s following her dream to become a professional tennis player. Just before she caught her plane, we talked to her about her plans - and her life at Manchester High.

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Congratulations Holly!

Why did you choose to go to Vanderbilt?

They have a really, really good tennis team so I already knew about Vanderbilt before I got in touch with the head coach. Also Vanderbilt's very academic, so it's got the best of both worlds for me. I went to visit them back in February and I was pretty sure that I wanted to go once I got home.

What are your goals for the future?

I want to get my degree. After that I'm hoping to make it as a pro in my tennis career. That's the plan. I get back when I'm 21 so that's quite a good age to start.

When did you first get into tennis?

When I was little my parents got one of those swing ball things in the garden. I used to play with that and then they took me to the local tennis club and I started playing properly. At six, I probably started doing kids camps and then having tennis lessons. I did quite well and won the national under 9s, under 10s and under 14s. That really set me up.

What advice do you have for other girls who want to balance sporting plans and their studies?

I’d definitely say believe you can do it. And don’t waste time! I knew when I had, say, an hour or two hours, I’d make the most of that. Man High is really supportive of people who do sport, so it’s a good environment.

You have to stay focussed and make sacrifices. Good time management!

How has lockdown and Covid-19 impacted you?

Teachers were great and would send me work, so there was always something to work on when I was away.

How did you juggle tennis with all your studies at MHSG? It was quite hard to do that. I was just always trying to catch up! Every single day I’d train from 7 til 9 o’clock in the morning. And two or three times a week, I would go running from 6.30am until 7am, then train from 7am to 9am and go straight to school. I always trained first thing and focussed on my school work in the evenings. I worked really hard – I didn't just breeze through.

I joined Manchester High in Year 7, back in 2014. They’d heard about my tennis and from the start they were very good, letting me have time off for tennis all the time, so that I could go to all the competitions. Teachers were great and would send me work, so there was always something to work on when I was away. That helped a lot!

I’ve never had that amount of time without playing tennis before. It felt like a long time! I've never really had time to just wind down and do normal things. I did workouts over Zoom. I frequently ran past my nan and grandad’s, because they live quite close and they have a balcony so I could talk to them from outside. As soon as we were allowed to play tennis, I went to the park with my dad. He can't play tennis but he tried his best!

I started training and then I was quite lucky really. The LTA put on a series of tournaments for pros in this country and I entered as many tournaments as I could. Some of them were televised as well, so my family could watch me on the BBC red button, which was good. It was a great experience to play against really good players. I held my own quite well.

I had about two months without playing and then played about 30 matches in the space of two weeks!

What do you think you’ll miss most?

I’ll miss my friends. I’ve made some good friends at Manchester High. It’s been really fun, especially A-levels.

Sixth Form is a lot different, with small groups, so you really knew everyone in your class and it was a fun environment.

I'm going to miss my mum’s cooking – it’s one of my favourite things about being home. And I'll definitely miss my cats – Tipsy and Topsy - everyone knows I'm obsessed with them!

Good luck Holly! We’re all rooting for you!

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Adventures

Gold Stars

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is always a massive test and this year was no exception. On the weekend of 26th September, 15 Senior Sixth girls successfully completed their Gold qualifying expedition in the Peak District.

Over four days they walked a total of 55km, traversing Kinder and going over Snake Pass. The weather was kind, thankfully, and the girls enjoyed some amazing days together, crossing rocky moorland terrain.

Meera, one of the team, explained: “The expedition allowed me to combine my sporting and teamwork skills.

I found that working through challenges as a team was significantly more rewarding as we collectively felt the sense of achievement. I am going to miss DofE so much!”

“They were absolutely brilliant and probably the strongest Gold cohort we’ve had in a very long time”, said Mr Holmes, who leads on DofE at School. “I’m lucky to be supported by some amazing staff. We were glad that Mrs Jeys was keen to have expeditions go ahead in the current climate. The girls have worked really hard in the other sections of the DofE award and it was good to give them the opportunity to finish the expedition section”.

The DofE charity works with organisations like ours to help young people gain essential skills, experience, confidence and resilience to successfully navigate adult life.

This year there were a few temporary rule changes to the expedition in response to Covid-19 – no camping or residential trips, unfortunately, at the moment, so girls had to go home at night. Our hardy team spent four days on the hills, travelling long distances, working as a team and preparing food in the great outdoors.

Looking ahead, it’s going to be a busy year for the DofE team as girls finish off Silver and Bronze expedition sections from last academic year and the new cohort of around 140 girls tackle the three tiers of the Award scheme.

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Helping Others Ivies give back in a time of need As the world continues to face the challenges brought by Covid-19, a number of our students decided to take action and raise funds for other causes close to their hearts during their downtime this summer.

Safa in Year 8 helped to raise £1,400 for Yemen when she climbed Mount Snowdon with her family in September.

With 80% of Yemenis needing humanitarian support through the Coronavirus crisis, Safa took part in the challenge as part of Team SYF. SYF is a registered UK charity, providing emergency aid to the people of Yemen with water & food aid.

It was such a rewarding experience knowing that we were doing our bit for charity “It was pretty exciting being part of the expedition. We had planned it for a long time, and it was great to take on the challenge with a group of fun people, including some of my friends. Even when it was tough going, they helped me get through it. It was such a rewarding experience knowing that we were doing our bit for charity by getting to the top!”

Maryam in Year 9, meanwhile, saw the impact of the recent explosion in Beirut, and immediately wanted to help.

“Me, my mum and my grandma decided to come together and make some homemade food to sell outside our house in August. With a gazebo set up outside and safe social distancing always in place, we raised £500 by selling treats to our neighbours and passers-by. I’m really pleased with what we raised!”

We are so proud of all their hard work.

Well done girls!

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We usually hold our Celebration and Awards Evening every year in October at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. We listen to reports about the previous year and are inspired by brilliant musical performances from the huge Bridgewater stage and celebrate the achievements of our pupils.

Celebration and Awards 2020

Cheryl Clarke

With restrictions on large gatherings at the moment, this year we did all of that from the Main Hall at School, with amazing musical performances and virtual speakers in a series of assemblies, throughout this very special day.

Mrs Jeys welcomed pupils and introduced the theme of this year’s Celebration and Awards Day, ‘making a difference’.

She reflected on her pride in our girls today and how they will continue to flourish into young women who will go on to make a difference in the world.

Class of 1990 alumna, Cheryl Clarke, was our virtual key note speaker. Cheryl is one of the founding directors of Mushroom Media, a specialist media public relations and sustainability consultancy. In a year characterised, not only by Covid-19, but also by protest - on climate change and on racial discrimination, with the Black Lives Matter movement, Cheryl talked to the girls about their role in making a difference in this complex, and often unfair, world, supporting others and respecting our planet and other people. Whilst recognising progress on many levels, she said there is still “a ton of work to do” on the issues that make for a better world. She focussed on the value of community connections and urged girls to be generous and find strength in their ability to help others.

Girls were then awarded prizes, trophies and cups to mark their academic effort, achievement and citizenship, services to the community, progress and commitment. Awards also covered sporting achievement, musical composition, poetry, leadership and initiative and much more.

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Mrs Jeys congratulated award winners and the whole year group on their achievements, sharing a modern Hebrew word with the girls. “The word is ‘firgun’ and means a genuine, unselfish delight or pride in the accomplishment of another person.

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Celebrating over the years Manchester High has a long and proud history of celebrating pupils’ achievements.

The first MHSG Speech Day was held on 26 July 1892 in the Free Trade Hall in Manchester.

In the early days, girls wore white dresses and yellow sashes for the ceremony.

It is often translated as ‘sympathetic joy’ but relates to the pleasure that comes from delighting in other people’s wellbeing. There is no real equivalent in the English language but is a characteristic that I would like you all to emulate as you progress through the School. As you flourish, let us be genuinely and unselfishly delighted in the flourishing of others.”

Olivia Trenaman

She advised pupils to follow their dreams and not to worry, especially if they haven’t worked out what they want to do yet

Alice McMahon

The ceremony continued with some pre-recorded words of wisdom from two more recent alumnae - Olivia Trenaman, from the Class of 2012, and Alice McMahon from the the Class of 2017. Olivia is now a Senior Policy Adviser at the Cabinet Office, working in an international role in the Civil Service and has also worked for the charity Mind. She advised pupils to follow their dreams and not to worry, especially if they haven’t worked out what they want to do yet.

Speech Day in the 1890s –Emmeline Pankhurst was a guest at the 1901 Speech Day ceremony. Her daughters, Christabel, Sylvia and Adela, were pupils at MHSG and her great granddaughter, Dr Helen Pankhurst, was the guest speaker at the 2018 ceremony.

During the First World War, girls donated the value of their prizes to War Relief and received a certificate instead.

Head of Music, Dr Annie O Warburton, conducting the orchestra in 1946. The Warburton Trophy is named after her.

Speech Day has always been about celebrating achievement – academic, sporting, musical, drama and service.

Director of Music, Mr Aidan Bradley, conducting the School Orchestra in 2012.

The contribution of the School Orchestra is always one of the highlights of the occasion

Guest speakers are prominent figures in their field, many of them former MHSG pupils; recent speakers include Emma Barnett, Professor Fay Dowker and Chief Constable Dee Collins.

Guest speaker 2016, alumna Emma Barnett.

Dr Helen Pankhurst in the Bridgewater Hall in 2018.

Alice McMahon is now Football Production Management Assistant, with BBC Sport, and works on Match of the Day, having completed her BBC Apprenticeship. Alice gave useful tips to her younger self – on homework and cutting yourself some slack, rather than putting yourself under unnecessary pressure.

To bring the occasion to a close, Mrs Jeys and the Heads of Year looked back on the highlights of last year and this term, with each year group, drawing on the theme of making a difference and reflecting on the strong sense of connection within the MHSG community and her pride in the girls.

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