Acorns to OAKS INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Frontline Alumni
Boston Manor & Phoebe Green
Jenna Coleman & Christian Day
Lee Blackett & Lord Liggett’s Lads FC
Lytham Gin & Jenny Éclair
Harrison Kenworthy & Issa Patel
Hannah Shillito Boxing Day Rugby AKS at home
It is a little over a year since my AKS adventure began. It is easy to be impressed by where we are – a beautiful school in an extraordinary setting – but it was no time at all before the real magic became clear. That magic is the community, of students, parents and colleagues, past and present, proud of our heritage and excited for the future.
We may be dispersed, and we may be locked down, but it is wonderful to celebrate once again our amazing alumni.
Wherever you are, we are thinking of you, and I look forward to hearing your stories too.
Gareth is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Manchester Royal Infirmary and is a Fellow of the Royal
Gareth, what are your favourite memories from your time at KEQMS?
I always had fun on the rugby tours, whether it was Newcastle or New Zealand although being locked out of my hotel room undressed in the middle of a New Zealand winter wasn't that much fun. I enjoyed being in some of the school shows (especially West Side Story) but I think by far the moment that sticks out in my mind more than anything was our rugby match against Arnold in our final year. We had never beaten them before and it still makes me smile today.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I’ve been fortunate in my career to be given lots of opportunities, teaching, training others and speaking at International Conferences but without doubt the slog of becoming a Consultant is my biggest achievement personally. It was the culmination of 17 years of hard work and exams well into my thirties.
What is it like working on the Front Line during the pandemic?
I don’t get stressed which is why I suit Emergency Medicine. The pandemic has been no different. We’ve been fortunate that the public on the whole have done their part and as a result we’ve been able to work without reducing the standard of care that we deliver. This is our aim and to a certain degree it has given those of us who are experienced in emergency care, a drive to use our full skill set, self actualisation so-to-speak.
Do you feel you have been adequately protected with PPE and support in your workplace?
There have only been a few small PPE issues within my hospital. When we first saw the data coming from China
we began preparing in January so we were very quick onto training onto training and PPE use. However, there have been serious concerns from many in both health and social care which is quite understandable. Having colleagues die from a communicable disease that they were trying to treat is very sobering.
Has your home life been affected?
I do miss the pub, eating out and going to gigs . I initially found myself concentrating on the negatives of social isolation and lockdown. However, reframing it as an opportunity to develop new interests and skills has been really useful. I’ve certainly taken this time to better myself, improving my fitness. I have been gardening which is no mean feat for a man who killed a cactus. I am even starting to enjoy some of the more mundane aspects of adulting like painting the fence. It’s really been quite refreshing. Weirdly the TV has hardly been on… (apparently there's some tiger programme I need to watch!).
Without a doubt having structure to your day really helps. I can’t stress enough the importance of getting some exercise (even if it does involve Joe Wicks). Speak to your family and friends every day via what ever App you use. The isolation can be difficult but it’s important to remember it is not forever. I’d also like to say it’s great what everyone's doing. Being so selfless and keeping to the rules means the vulnerable are far less likely to come to harm and everyone should be proud of their efforts.
Aimee is a Healthcare Assistant in A&E Northern General Hospital Sheffield and is currently waiting for her start date as a Junior Doctor in General Surgery at Rotherham District General.
What are your favourite memories from your time at school?
I joined KEQMS for 6th Form and I really loved my time there! I absolutely loved sport, so PE would definitely have to be high up on my list. Dr Jessop’s Chemistry lessons were fantastic despite a few accidental mishaps (I won’t mention any names!) It goes without saying, I made some lifelong friends from 6th Form.
Tell us about your journey into medicine?
I’ve definitely taken the more scenic route into medicine but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Every experience has been invaluable and has got me to where I am today! I left KEQMS and went to study Psychology at Leeds University, which included volunteering in a care home for patients with dementia, research projects in rehabilitative methods for children with Cerebral Palsy and assessing the anti-anxiety effects of anti-psychotic drugs on mice. After graduating, I worked as a healthcare assistant on a Gynae-Oncology ward at St. James’s University Hospital in Leeds, before applying and eventually gaining, a place to study Medicine at Sheffield University.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I don’t want to sound too cheesy but for me, it’s making a difference, whatever that might be. It could well be, being the person who holds the hand, listens to a patient who is struggling with mental health issues and gets them a cup of tea or sitting with an end-of-life patient to ensure they pass comfortably, dignified and not alone. I’m proud of being a team player and learning from so many other professionals. I’m proud of myself for not giving up despite so many set-backs along the way.
What’s it like working on the front line during the pandemic?
This is a really tough question as every shift is very different! In Sheffield, A&E has been split into “clean” and “dirty” (COVID symptoms) sides to reduce the risk of infection for vulnerable people. Initially, the “COVID” side had been particularly busy and if you are allocated to this team, you’re required to gown up
into full length gowns, face masks, double gloves and visors. Patients are typically very poorly, requiring oxygen and intubation in some severe cases.
Now that lockdown has been slightly eased, we’re seeing an increase in non-COVID patients and despite media coverage, A&E is very busy! Although it’s quite a frightening time at the moment, I feel very lucky to have a job in the NHS and also very proud to be playing a part in helping those in need during these unprecedented times.
Do you feel you have been adequately protected with PPE and support in the workplace?
In all honesty, I do! Sheffield has been excellent but I know the story is very different in other areas. Initially, there was a bit of unease as every shift, PPE guidelines were rapidly changing and the high-level PPE was being saved for high-risk aerosol generating procedures such as intubation, but I have never been pressured to treat a patient without adequate PPE. The support in A&E in Sheffield is phenomenal.
Has your home life been affected?
Sadly, my family live up in Newcastle and I haven’t seen them since January due to lockdown restrictions and with me working in such a high risk area as A&E, I don’t want to put them at risk. I’m really excited to meet my Mam tomorrow for a socially-distant walk and picnic in North Yorkshire (her corned-beef pie is the best!). It’s made me realise the importance of taking care of your mental health, debriefing from stressful/traumatic shifts and getting enough rest and relaxation.
Can you give any advice to our Alumni?
Remember that this is not forever! Remember to take care of your mental health and that there is no shame in admitting that you’re struggling. Please open up to your GP, a family member or friend as there is help out there and you are not alone! Do the things you enjoy, be there for your family and friends and try to be responsible by staying safe.
We were delighted to hear that ex KEQMS student Henry Cox's band Boston Manor have released their next album & tour dates! The band’s highly anticipated third album Glue was released on May 1st .
The British punk band have taken the music industry by storm since forming in Blackpool in 2013. ‘Glue’ is the band’s third album. Critics have praised the band:
"Boston Manor are one of the few bands to easily surpass the quality of their debut with their sophomore release by taking everything that made them good in the first place, amping it up 10-fold, and throwing in some new tricks for good measure"
Kerrang magazine gave them their first feature 4 years ago and last month they made the front cover as “The Voice of a new generation—The Band you need right now!”
In light of the current pandemic their UK tour will now be in August. Original tickets still valid. They have also added an extra tour date in Newcastle which is on sale now. Good luck Boston Manor!
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"Starting to outgrow the angsty poetry she wrote in her teens, in 2016 Phoebe released an impressive Moldy Peaches-esque EP called 02:00AM that spawned from a SCHOOL PROJECT and which, despite recording it solo in her bedroom, quietly racked up a cool 3 million plays on Spotify”.
a Phoebe has evolved into the synthy alt-pop Radio 1 regular and has been catapulted into the wider world via her catchy single ‘Dreaming Of’.
Her 2019 single ‘Easy Peeler’ kicked up a storm. Her rising success has gained her recognition as a strong character on the music scene and she is known as a Northern Pop Powerhouse!
“I’d like to think my music sounds like memories; vivid snapshots of moments, people and feelings that are all filtered through this nostalgic, film-like lens. It’s all very dramatic…”
We have loved following the OA’s journey since she left. During her time at Arnold, Jenna was Head Girl and alongside playing various parts in school shows she was a member of the theatre company In Yer Space where she won an award at the Edinburgh Festival for her role in the play ‘Crystal Clear’.
After leaving, Jenna auditioned for Emmerdale in 2005 and landed the role as Jasmine which saw her nominated for numerous NTAs and British Soap awards. After Emmerdale, Jenna’s career has flourished with a succession of leading parts in television, stage and a film Debut in ‘Captain America the First Avenger’. In recent years she has become a television favourite starring in ‘Doctor Who’, ‘The Cry’ and as Queen Victoria in ‘Victoria’.
During the pandemic Jenna participated in the Remote Read of an adaptation of ‘A Separate Place’ via Zoom on May 2nd. The Remote Read is a planned series of online drama performances designed to raise funds for theatrical workers left unemployed by the pandemic and also supports The Felix Project, a scheme that helps redistribute food to charities and schools.
Jenna’s recent interview with Harpers Bazaar on Self Isolation talks of how she is in post-production on the BBC crime drama ‘The Serpent’ , where she will be playing a French-Canadian, so she has been using lockdown to brush up on her French skills. We can’t wait to see her next project!
Old Arnoldian and rugby star Christian Day may have retired from rugby but he has in no way slowed down. After a staggering 17 years as a professional rugby player with 10 years playing for Northampton Saints, Christian moved on to take a full-time role at the RPA as their player liaison officer. Not one to do things by halves, recently (alongside his RPA role) Christian threw himself into the heat of the kitchen and emerged on our screens as a favourite on MasterChef!
Christian made his debut during the 3rd week of heats and impressed MasterChef Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace. Christian describes his journey to BBC Sport:
“Going on MasterChef is something I always wanted to do and I could never do it while playing. You can’t really book a week or two off during the season.
My playing career finished, it was summer and an advert to apply to go on the show popped up on my twitter feed. After four or five interviews, I got through and off we went. I was pretty unfazed when I started the process on MasterChef, as being a professional rugby player, I'd played in front of television cameras a lot during my career. The producers in my interview asked me what I would feel like if I got sent home during the process and, as a sportsman, I just said “well I'll go home then!”
During my career I was used to losing just as much as I was to winning, and this was no different. It was tough. It was five weeks of hell, really.
“They ramp up the pressure and do some pretty weird things, but overall it was really enjoyable and I met a really nice group of people so it was good fun”.
On the 9th April Wasps confirmed that current interim Head Coach, Lee Blackett, has been appointed as the club’s Full Time Head Coach.
Lee attended KEQMS and left in 2001. He played for the school’s 1st XV alongside some earlier rugby at Fylde RFC. Lee then attended and played for Sheffield Hallam University in their 1st XV in Rugby Union. After graduating, Lee’s rugby career took off. He played wing and centre for Rotherham Tigers, followed by 6 seasons playing for Leeds Carnegie in the Premiership.
Blackett scored The Guinness Premiership's Fastest Ever Try crossing the try line after just 8.2 seconds against Newcastle Falcons in the 2007-08 Guinness Premiership
At the age of 30 Lee then became the Youngest Coach in the Championship when he was appointed by Rotherham Tigers where he remained until taking the role as Backs Coach for Wasps in the 15/16 season.
On December 4th, 2012 Jack Clarke, Henry Woodsford and a group of Lower Sixth who had played football every lunchtime together over the years decided to take it up a level and create a club of two teams (the Reds and the Blues) named after one of their favourite teachers Mr Liggett.
Lord Liggett’s Lads FC was formed!
Since forming, the club has grown and has become a fantastic way for them to have reunions. Jack and Henry organise 3 matches every year: Easter, Summer and Christmas, played on the sunken grass tennis courts at the school (affectionately named the Lord John Liggett Arena) .
They play for the Robert J Karling Plate which was bought by the lads to honour Mr Karling their KEQMS Head Teacher who sadly passed away a few years ago.
AKS teacher Mr Rudd taught Lee and so it only seemed right to ask him more about Lee’s school journey, “Lee was a fantastic player (he is still the holder of the quickest try scored in the English Premiership) as a school boy. I was lucky enough to coach him in Year 7 and then in the senior rugby side. He used to come in on the bus from just outside Ormskirk and so had a long school day but was a hardworking young man.
When he was in Year 11 he was already in the school 1st XV at full back and toured with the senior squad to New Zealand in 1999 where he was ever present. His sixth form years saw him gain county honours and become one of the senior players in the side. He also represented the school cricket team where he was again a senior member of his year group’s side and also the senior side (he was a fast bowler).
I am still in contact with him and texted him congratulations when he got the job before the lockdown”.
We wish Lee every success for the future!
After every match the lads hold a social event giving them chance to catch up properly over beers.
Due to the lock down the Lads Easter Extravaganza VII in March was sadly cancelled, however they managed an entire squad zoom call to catch up.
“We are hoping to be able to hold our next event: the Summer Sizzler VII later in the summer but of course that is up in the air at the moment.”
Last Summer we featured former QMS pupil Sara Dewhurst (nee Worden) and found out about how Sara and her husband Paul had secured their licence to distil and sell their own Lytham Gin.
Since then Sara and Paul have won several awards including The Guild of Fine Food Great Taste Awards, The Eva’s 2019 New Business Award and a silver medal at the London Spirits competition. Most recently they have been crowned winners of the Old Tom category in this year’s Gin Guide Awards.
Hundreds of gins from over 30 countries enter the awards every year. All are blind tasted by 17 judges who are industry experts and unlike other spirit awards, only a handful make the finals and to be crowned the winner of a category is quite an achievement!
Having been finalists for the last two years for their Original London Dry Gin, the team at Sandgrown Spirits, the makers of Lytham Gin are absolutely buzzing to be winners of the Old Tom category this year with their Bee’s Knees gin. ‘All of our gins are lovingly crafted using botanicals which are foraged locally. Each bottle contains a little bit of Lancashire. The honey in our Bee’s Knees is from The Layton Bee Project in Blackpool which I helped harvest late last summer and the lavender is grown in my garden. said Sara. It’s amazing to think that a little distillery using local ingredients has beaten some of the best known brands from all over the world to produce this year’s best Old Tom Gin’.
All being well, Autumn 2020 will see the opening of The Sandgrown Spirits distillery to the public. Sara hopes that winning this award will generate more interest in how different gins are made and is looking forward to welcoming visitors to her ‘Gin Factory’. ‘Once a teacher, always a teacher and I can’t wait to share my passion for gin!
In March ex QMS Alumna, comedian Jenny Éclair took part in Channel 4’s Great British Celebrity Bake Off.
Each episode saw four celebrities take each other on to try and impress Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with their baking skills to win the coveted star baker Apron. The celebrities were put to the test with creating a giant decorative biscuit, a classical pastry and a showstopping challenge where they had to create a choux sculpture depicting their perfect day. This had to include 30 filled choux buns and a choux representation of themselves.
Jenny smashed it out of the park and was awarded the Star Baker for her bake of her sunbathing topless in Barbados!
Leith said Eclair was "streets ahead of the others" and dubbed her "a natural baker".
Harrison & Issa left Arnold in 2013 (the last year of the Arnold site), and started careers in their respective family businesses. Harrison works for the SMD & ILIV Group which is a textile converter and wholesaler family business. As a member of SMD's export division, Harrison’s role at the company became redundant as soon the worldwide lockdown travel restrictions were put in place, leading him to be furloughed. However, a meeting in mid-March with Issa and Harrison opened up an exciting opportunity.
Issa has taken time out from his job to help the family business MDS Healthcare/ISSA Group who are a pharmaceutical and medical equipment retail, supply and wholesale business run by a generation of OAs - Mohsin, Mehfuz, Issa, and Munirah. ISSA Group’s MDS Healthcare previously sourced their PPE materials from India. When the government shut the borders for supply due to the pandemic, they needed a new source. Issa knew Harrison had supplier links with China and so the two OAs developed a plan to move forward working together. With the help of Harrison's business partner Weiwei Wu, within four weeks of meeting they were able to establish a supply
Up to now, they have supplied 9 million disposable medical masks (and a further 9 million in the pipeline for June) for NHS Trusts, police forces, local & combined authorities, and central government departments.
“From the prospect of furlough and supply crisis, these men have turned their positions around and propelled themselves into lead contributors in PPE supply. A school connection bringing them together to support each other, and millions of others!”
Additionally, Issa Group has recently launched a major national campaign with Daily Mail's new charity 'Mail Force', through which they will be donating PPE to the Department of Health and Social Care. The Mail online on 1st June wrote:
Through our partners, the Issa Group, we are working with an established family-run manufacturer in Guangxi, where its production line is on the Chinese government’s ‘white list’ of approved suppliers. Most of its 20 million-a-week output of masks is swallowed up by the Chinese state and European health services. Now, a substantial number of them will be added to the UK war chest.
Since leaving school former QMS pupil and Head Girl Hannah Shillito has been teaching English and sharing her passion for books in a few different places all over the world - Tokyo, Cape Town, Milan, London and now she teaches in Roedean - an all girls' school just like her roots in Brighton! She has just released her first book ‘I’m Just Norman’ which made well over a thousand pounds in profit for the NHS in the first two weeks of release!
We caught up with Hannah to find out more about I’m just Norman, her journey into publishing and her QMS days:
“ I have always dreamed of writing my own books - and have freelanced, writing and photographing, for a few magazines. I had my daughter Millie in July last year and it's the first time in a long time I have had time - while she naps - to really sit down and think about my writing ambitions.
Being in Brighton is really great for getting creative and meeting lots of amazing arty people and so I just went for it and wrote the story, for Millie, about our friendly dog Norman. I then sent it out to publishers and was lucky to get a really quick reply from one and an offer of a hybrid publishing deal. Releasing a book in lockdown has been pretty crazy - I have had to postpone potential readings but can't wait to get out there physically with it. It also just made me realise how lucky I am and how much the NHS does for us all - and so all my profits are going to NHS charities. I am now working on a poetry collection with an illustrator based in Rome and am really excited about that.
I have wonderful memories of my time at QMS, I am still very close with my best friends from that time, and I think the all girls' environment has been pivotal to lots of the work I have done with helping girls and young women. I feel passionate about being a strong woman and passing that to my daughter, and I think I have to credit QMS for a lot of that”.
We are beyond excited for any further publications from Hannah. To purchase a copy of I’m Just Norman for the children in your life visit: https://imjustnorman.onlineweb.shop/
All profits going to NHS charities.
On Thursday 26th December the old boys of Arnold and King Edwards faced the historic Boxing Day fixture held at Fylde Rugby Club. It was going to be another wet and wild day for the rugby with our fair share of rain coming down over the days leading up to the game. Arnold had won the previous 5 encounters with the Old Lidunians, so they had to bring something big to gain the coveted ‘Old Boy Cup’ back into blue arms.
Both schools had clearly drummed up a lot of support for the day with 50 old boys taking part in the rugby that afternoon, as well as Mr McIntyre and Mr Rudd running the lines for their respective schools. The setting was perfect for a tough afternoon of rugby.
Mr Jones manged the Arnold side as more than 30 lads wanted to play for the green side, both teams put in a massive effort and truly fought for their schools until the final whistle. The Old Lidunians played a brilliant game and came out on top this year walking away will the well-deserved cup. Well done to all the gentlemen that turned up to play, the referee, linesmen, Fylde Rugby Club and all the families and friends of both schools that made the fixture so special . Match report by
Joe Matthews
Despite the sporting year coming to an abrupt end the AKS students have had phenomenal success across the school this year. Over 24 students have gained County Honours for Hockey. We have students on the England Development Pathway for both rugby and hockey, and finally, our 2022 hockey tour to Australia, with over 60 students already signed up!
• Both our U13 A and B Hockey teams were crowned Lancashire Champions in their relevant competitions, with our U13A team going on to become regional champions
• U14 girls’ hockey team - county champions and regional finalists
• Our teams excelled in our annual U12 Jean Torrance Hockey tournament against a strong field of 18 schools: our A team won the competition; B team won the Plate for their tournament; and our C team came 3rd in their group
• Year 11 netball team crowned Fylde & Wyre champions
• Both U12A and U12B netball teams were runners-up in their respective Fylde & Wyre tournaments.
• U12 footballers made the 3rd round of the ESFA small schools’ competition and rugby tour to North Wales.
• Boys’ hockey began in September with the U13s playing in their first tournament.
• 8 boys across 3 age groups were selected for the Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club.
• U12 & U15 teams participated in their respective Lancashire Cup competitions.
• Our U14 boys’ hockey team finished 3rd in the North West finals.
• All our lower and middle school football teams were unbeaten in February.
• Hosted 16 schools in both our annual U13 and U15 Nora Lipscombe tournaments.
AKS Archivists Linda Beddows and Cath Stevenson asked members of the community to share their Lockdown Lists, to give them an insight into how they are keeping busy and what they’ve been up to during the pandemic. Many are using lockdown to take up new hobbies, learn new things and to take time to focus on new ventures.
Cath and Linda have shared with us some snippets of their own lists. What’s on yours?
Sewing up scrubs for the hospital and care home staff.
Baking (unheard of in my normal life)
Practising the piano as I have no rehearsals to go to and my joints are in danger of seizing up
Longer cycle rides and finding quieter routes as the Lancashire Coastal Way is chock-a-block with other cyclists and pedestrians on a sunny day.
Shopping for isolated friends
Jigsaws
Longer dog walks
Online Pilates
Hula-hooping
Weekly online choir practice.
Knitting baby clothes for friends new grandchildren.
Weekly Spanish tutorials and practise work.
Washing literally anything that moves!
Planting and tidying the garden.
Learning to play the castanets.
Beach walks.
AKS is inviting students, staff, AKS OAKS alumni and wider community to share their experiences of LIFE IN LOCKDOWN.
These personal accounts will contribute to AKS Archives which record artefacts and insights dating back to the founding of our heritage schools. We know that one day the historic events of 2020 will be studied in history and this is our gift to future generations.
If you would like to share your experience please send contributions to: news@akslytham.com
We’re blessed to have an active group of volunteer archivists who capture, catalogue and maintain the archives from all our heritage schools. This has created a fascinating insight into how the character and values of AKS have evolved. This has included a recent oral history project; the collation of materials and accounts of staff and school children in both WWI and WWII which were donated to local primary schools last year; as well as the forthcoming Heritage Trail which will be launched when we can recommence our larger gatherings.
WWII veteran and Alumnus of King Edward VII school, John Hare, who will celebrate his 98th birthday later this month (on the left of the picture taken last year), recently shared his memories of VE day with AKS Archivist, Liz Bickerstaffe.
He was in the RAF and stationed in Egypt at the time but was on a week's leave in Tel Aviv where he had been keen to visit some of the famous Christian sites. He and some friends were expecting the Jewish community to be throwing their hats up in the air with joy at the declaration of peace but were very disappointed to find that there was just some low-key drinking and dancing in the main square.
He said that it was something of a non-event (and he wasn't kissed by any girls, as he'd hoped!). His RAF comrades back at the camps fared much better. At Alexandria, John heard that the RAF personnel hoisted and spit-roasted an ox on a crane!
Other accounts include Ruth Margolis, QMS alumna,
"And I remember VE Day on 8th May 1945. The Lower VI were dress-rehearsing our production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ when the news came through that the war in Europe was ending... the only drink available was milk! So we drank a toast to peace." "...great was the excitement and rejoicing on the announcement of peace." (QMS Magazine editorial, April 1946).
"The Lytham St Annes Corporation organised a Civil Defence Stand-Down Parade on the grounds of the school on 2nd June 1945 and victory was celebrated in December 1945 with three Christmas parties for the junior, middle and senior pupils." (Liz Bickerstaff, QMS alumna & archivist).
Innocent people gave up their lives to save their country, To serve their country, Every soldier here is a warrior in act and mind, And in this war together we bind, Whether it is from training, Or when it was raining, Because in some case we bind.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you all.
I’m Sarah and I took on the role as Alumni Secretary in October for OAKS alongside my marketing role at a local hotel. In a nutshell; I live locally, have 3 very wild young boys, am a former QMS pupil and my husband went to King Edwards.
I started as a walking Jaffa Cake in 1995. During my time at QMS we merged with KES and I was in the first mixed sixth form. I feel lucky that I got to experience both education types. After years of only seeing boys at the odd party or bobbing over the ‘warpath’ that split the schools to be sat alongside them all was very surreal. Within an hour of mixing however, it was like we knew no different. Not long after the merge girls were allowed to take up rugby which I adored and continued playing until I had my first son.
I can honestly say my school days were some of funniest and most memorable parts of my life. Looking back I realise how lucky I was to be part of KEQMS and I am ever thankful for the friends I made during this time who still are such a large part of my life.
I will forever remember brown Kickers shoes with the labels kept on, Persephone's chorus, Mr Grundy's art lessons, Mr Stephenson's one liners, Mrs Mayes’ singing, sticky billy (if you have never eaten this you are missing out), hiding in our human sized PE bags and having our skirt length checked by kneeling on the floor to check it skimmed it.
My role as Alumni Secretary is to promote, support and develop the alumni network, working with our heritage to connect us all. As a previous student I am all too aware of the changes over the years. Some of us have lost our sites, and there has been much change but our history and
connections remain strong. I want to honour each alumni but also help us merge into a joint force. There are so many exciting things in the pipeline that I cant wait to share with you all.
The office I work in is one of my old form rooms. I can remember so vividly being here as a student that it was quite overwhelming at first to be back. It is so nice to see though, that despite the years that have flown by, and all the changes in this time, AKS still has the same feel. The environment is buzzing. The passion and care for the pupils ever-present and the sense of community engulfs you from the moment you walk in. If you get the chance, I urge you to come and visit us on Heritage Day. Our archives for each school are absolutely fascinating . Take a trip down memory lane!
On a separate note we love hearing all your stories and updates. If you have any news you would like to share or have a change of details please don’t hesitate to get in touch by contacting me on : alumni@akslytham.com
I hope you are all safe and well during these difficult times.
Sarah
AKS is opening it’s doors to celebrate the Heritage Open Days’ festival on
Saturday 19th September 1pm—4pm
Have a look around, catch up with old friends and check out our Alumni’s archives. From Honours Boards to whole school photos, it’s a great opportunity to see the AKS facilities and to have a trip down memory lane. Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of History and Culture. Every year in September, places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history.
Join us to celebrate yours!
Despite plans being impacted by COVID, there have been lots of developments and successes across the school prior to lockdown.
40% of our students gained medals in both the Senior and Intermediate competitions in the National Maths Challenge; our B team made the plate semi-final of the National Schools’ General Knowledge Challenge; and 45 took part in the UK Linguistics Olympiad. This year’s winner of our Year 7 ‘Poetry by Heart’ House Competition was Scarlett from Rufford.
Our new Performing Arts Department was announced in September, bringing music, drama and dance under Director, Mr Michael Waterhouse’s leadership. In addition to the regular termly Prep and Senior concerts, we have since enjoyed a ‘Christmas Spectacular’ concert with the Prep Giant Orchestra performing alongside Mr Thomas’ award-winning Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band; the dazzling Addams Family school production took place at Lowther Pavilion in January; followed by a collaboration with the Lancashire Student Jazz Orchestra for our ‘Night at the Movies’ concert; however the highly anticipated Evening of Swing and Brahms/ Elgar concerts were sadly cancelled due to COVID. Our Prep children also took part in the ‘Big Sing’ with a host of other schools at King George's Hall, Blackburn. Although the annual LSA Performing Arts Festival did not take place at AKS as usual due to COVID, 100% of our students who took LAMDA exams in March gained Distinctions and Dev (Year 9) won the local and regional district rounds of the Rotary Young Musician of the Year.
In the wider fields of art and design, our Year 12 students have excelled themselves, Abe making it through to the final and J Jay being runner-up in the International High School Arts Festival. Both Prep and Senior School students took part in
the Gazette Young Sesasider's art exhibition; Senior students also featured in 'A Celebration of Art' in Lytham.
Our Prep School contributed to the 'Our Land, Our Schools' exhibition in which Noah (Year 3) and Jayden (Year 6) were highly commended.
We have also continued our enviable track record in this year’s Tycoon in Schools national competition run by the Peter Jones Foundation, with all three of our teams reaching the top of the national leaderboard for their return on investment, with IDOZI also making the final.
Our Nursery and Prep School have had a raft of exciting developments, after starting the year with a change of name from the previously named Junior School. The new name reflects the focus on building foundations for life and preparing children for a seamless transition to Senior School. They introduced a literacy champion in Nursery to support the preparation for and transition to our Reception class; as well as a Raising Attainment Teacher in Prep, working in a dedicated space called ‘The Beehive’ to support and challenge students to achieve their Academic Ambition
Other Prep School developments included establishing an 80piece orchestra; opening a new library; commencing a new Outdoor Learning Programme and the introduction of a new immersive audio learning experience (Now Press Play), drama lessons from Year 2 and a debating club for Years 5 and 6.
In Prep School sport, Our U11 girls’ Hockey team became Lancashire Cup Winners for the 4th consecutive year, as well as AJIS champions for the second year running; our U11 Boys’ Hockey team was crowned joint plate winners and our athletics team was Fylde and Wyre indoor athletics finalists
Over the holidays, the AKS Creative Arts department offered students the opportunity to discover new design projects. Challenges included activities such as creating mini vehicles, photo displays, family games, den making, pebble decorating and computer aided design.
AKS has always encouraged extra-curricular activities outside of the realm of academia. This has been further promoted throughout quarantine, even having it’s own hashtag- #AKSAtHome.
AKS regularly posts great ideas to stay active and interested without having to leave the house. This closely follows the school ethos and Round Square values, encouraging a spirit of voluntary contribution both to AKS and our wider community.
Pictured on the left is Pippa with her ‘Pebbles of Hope’ Project!
“The aim of the Pebbles of Hope is to remind people that they aren’t alone, we are all working together to help one another in this memorable time. They are also in support of the key workers who work selflessly to keep us safe.
I hope that people will see the pebbles and smile, adding a little colour and light to their world. They can take their rainbows home and carry a little reminder of joy and hope. I was inspired by human tenacity and unity in times of hardship and struggle.”
Even during lockdown AKS has continued to lead the way in delivering an outstanding education through it’s remote learning provision, ‘AKS At Home’. We have delivered our full curriculum through live lessons, ensuring that our students continue to progress - not only in their academic studies, but through our enrichment and co-curricular programmes. Co-curricular activities continued following a raft of Easter-inspired competitions in Prep school and a community wide family ‘Ping Pong Ball Run’ competition. Musicians recorded a series of ‘Cover Song Challenges’, and our Virtual Chamber Choir wowed us with a performance of ‘The Rose’, all of which can be viewed on our YouTube channel. In sports, challenges have included a multitude of fitness and skills tests and in art the ‘album cover/painting’ replica challenge proved very popular, as did a series of DT challenges. In drama, a series of ‘Lockdown Legend’ challenges, covering a variety of fun activities which encouraged participants to ‘Live their Best Lockdown’ – a mantra we’ve all been keen to abide by!
Whilst we are unable to open school for visitors, we continue to welcome applications via our Remote Admissions processes.
For further information, please contact Registrar, Liz Wyatt
Tel: 01253 784104 Email: admissions@akslytham.com or complete the form on our website www.akslytham.com
to arrange a Skype call with Mr Harrow, Headmaster; Mrs Ilhan, Head of Nursery and Preparatory School; or Liz Wyatt, Registrar.
Can you help by becoming a member of our Careers Support Network for AKS Sixth Form students?
If so, please visit: https://www.akslytham.com/sixth-form/enrichment-opportunities
We would like to say a massive thank you to Joe Matthews for all he has done at AKS. Joe has been a great colleague and will be sorely missed. He has strong links with OAKs and is himself an Old Arnoldian. His parents, siblings and many of his family also attended Arnold and AKS so a big part of AKS will be leaving with him.
Joe qualified as a teacher during his time at AKS and then took up a full time role in the PE department after balancing his teaching commitments with being Alumni Secretary
Joe is moving on to the Police Force and we know he will be a huge success. From us all here at AKS we wish you
Good luck
Saturday 19th September
1 4pm OAKS Heritage Family Fun Day
Saturday 5th December
7pm PTA Winter Ball
Saturday 12th December
11am PTA Christmas Fair
Saturday 26th December
2pm OA vs OL Boxing Day Match Fylde RFC
Dates of our Community Events may be subject to change or be cancellation due to the COVID-19 advice. We will keep you updated on any changes.