2024 DIARY
Rufford WELCOME TO
Name
Date
RUFFORD HALL
Rufford House is named after Rufford Hall. Rufford Old Hall is a National Trust property in Rufford, Lancashire, England. Built in about 1530 for Sir Robert Hesketh, only the Great Hall, survives from the original structure. A brick-built wing in the Jacobean style was added in 1661, at right angles to the Great Hall, and a third wing was added in the 1820s.
Rufford Old Hall is designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building, The hall’s cottage, coach house and stables are designated Grade II.
Until 1936, Rufford Old Hall was in the continuous ownership of the Hesketh family who were lords of the manor of Rufford from the 15th century. The Heskeths moved to Rufford New
Hall in 1798. In 1846 Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh, 5th Baronet married Lady Anna Maria Arabella Fermor, sister and heiress of George Richard William Fermor, 5th and last Earl of Pomfret.
There is some evidence to suggest that William Shakespeare may have performed in the Great Hall. In about 1580 Shakespeare had been sent, by his Stratford schoolmaster, to be an assistant teacher in the household of Alexander Hoghton at Lea Hall near Preston, and the “Wilim Shakeshaft nowe dwellyngewith me”, referred to by Hoghton in his will, is almost certainly Shakespeare. In his will Hoghton, who died in 1581, had bequeathed to Sir Thomas Hesketh his musical instruments and “playe clothes”. By about 1585 Shakespeare had joined a company of players kept by Lord Strange, son of Lord Derby,probably having been recommended by Sir Thomas. In her 1974 book, Lancashire Legends, Kathleen Eyre claims that although “it may be no more than a fond hope” there is evidence that a “William Shakeshaft” (a common version of Shakespeare’s name) was a youthful member of the “Hesketh Company of Players” who visited in about 1585. The date coincides with Shakespeare’s absence from Stratfordon-Avon following a bout of deer-stealing from neighbouring parks, particularly that of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote.
In 1936 Rufford Old Hall, with its collection of arms and armour and 17th-century oak furniture, was donated to the National Trust by Thomas Fermor-Hesketh, 1st Baron Hesketh.
THE FOUR HOUSES OF AKS LYTHAM Which house do you belong to?
Gawthorpe
Persecutus urso
Pursued by a bear
Welcome to the Mighty Gawthorpe: the house of the go-getters. Our keen sense of community means that everyone matters, and our big-hearted pack will support you on your journey through your time at school. Tenacity and resilience are in our blood and if we are behind, beware, for you are being pursued by a bear.
Leighton
Virtus et fides vincet
Courage & loyalty with prevail
Welcome to Leighton House, a house where every member of our pride is celebrated for who they are, and helped to become who they want to be.
Fiercely loyal is what we are, our house members bravely take on any challenge that is thrown at them, usually with winning ways. Winning is in our nature, but with a determined approach to all aspects of our life we work hard, compete harder and win well.
Rufford
Non desistas, non exieris Never give up, never surrender
Rufford is the epitome of giving everything a try and never surrendering the fight. Mrs Fitzpatrick takes great pride in knowing her house will always turn up, come rain or shine, and push to see their house achieve. Did you know?
Rufford is yellow - the colour of Gold medals and success!
Samlesbury
Collaborantes ad magnitudinem conferimus Working together, contribute to greatness
Working together, we contribute to greatness by combining our unique strengths and talents. Each individual’s effort adds value, and through collaboration, we achieve more than we ever could alone. This synergy fosters innovation, enhances problem-solving, and drives us towards our shared goals.
As a team, we support and inspire one another, turning challenges into opportunities and striving for excellence in every endeavour. Together, our collective contributions lead to remarkable achievements and lasting success for Samlesbury.
2024-2025 EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
• House Bingo
OCTOBER
• House Sing
• Senior Maths Challenge
• Year 8 Upcycling Challenge
NOVEMBER
• House Paper
Plane Challenge
• Year 10 Hard Spell
• Year 7 Remembrance
Poppy Design
DECEMBER
• Christmas Challenges
JANUARY
• Big House Music Quiz
• Upper School Maths Challenge
FEBRUARY
• Year 9 CAD Competition
MARCH
• Poetry by Heart
• House Perform
APRIL
• Junior Maths Challenge
Look out for our HOUSEPOP-UPEVENTS throughout the year
• Year 10 Board Game Design
MAY
• House Engineering
• Year 11 Revision Quiz
JUNE
• Year 8 Hard Spell
• House Hoops
JULY
• Sports Day
• End of Term Event
SPORTINGHOUSEEVENTS
Girls - Hockey, Netball & Rounders
Boys - Rugby, Football
Indoor Cricket