

2024-2025
Jesuit education is about formation of the whole person, both inside the classroom but also more broadly through the experiences that help young people form their characters and identify their purpose in life.
The history of the College provides us with a template for the key aspects of an all-round education that helps facilitate this personal growth. These are: Adventure, drawing upon a history of Jesuit exploration, scientific innovation and global travel; Chaplaincy, ensuring our key identity as a Jesuit Catholic school remains at the heart of all we do at the College and in our wider community; Performing Arts where we continue to develop our ability to articulate what we believe in and the confidence to say it before others; and Sport where the shared endeavour of a community that has always been integral to the College comes through most clearly.
Ultimately, what the co-curricular programme aims to achieve is to create well-rounded men and women who can go out into the world with a set of skills and experiences that set them apart, giving them qualities which allow them to become leaders in our world and the catalyst for positive change. Our College motto is Quant Je Puis, As Much as a I Can, and it is this key message of doing more than is easy, more than is expected, more than others would which lies at the heart of the co-curricular programme at Stonyhurst.
Tim Hanley Assistant Head Co-curricular
The Stonyhurst diploma recognises the contribution of pupils to the other half of a Stonyhurst education. The award has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Over the course of their years in Figures, Rudiments and Lower Grammar, all pupils should achieve a Bronze Award, combining as a Playroom community in shared endeavour across the four strands of the co-curriculum. Over the three years they will, as a minimum, take part in the Adventure Programme, complete the Faith In Action Bronze Award, take part in a Playroom production and commit to representing the College and/or their Line in sport.
In Grammar and Syntax, pupils must choose to continue this all-round commitment to secure a Silver Award. Over their GCSE years, they must ensure they engage with activities in each of the four strands.
Finally, in Higher Line pupils must take on the mantle of leaders, ensuring traditions are maintained, strengthened and passed on to the next generation of Stonyhurst pupils. The Gold award recognises those who take up that challenge.
Through the Stonyhurst Diploma, those who go above and beyond and contribute meaningfully to the traditions that make us who we are, are recognised by their teachers and peers.
The Line Competition is one of the weekly highlights of College life. All pupils are assigned a Line named for an aspect of Stonyhurst history: Campion, after St Edmund Campion SJ, the greatest of the English Catholic martyrs; St Omers, after the site in modern-day France where the school was first founded; Shireburn, after the Shireburn family who passed the Stonyhurst estate to the Weld Family; and Weld after Sir Thomas Weld who donated the estate to the Jesuits. Weekly events are fiercely contested but the Line Competition is primarily about fun and sharing experiences with other Playrooms.
• Multisport Tournament (Pupil Induction)
• Table Tennis
• Schools’ Challenge
• Rowing
• Girls’ Football
• Basketball
• Music
• Cross Country
• Boys’ Football
• Debating
• Robert Persons Essay
• Lip Sync Battle
• Rugby
• Hockey
• Chess
• Volleyball
• Kwik Cricket
• Drama
• Swimming
• Environmental Essay Competition
• Stonyhurst Football
• Poetry Recitation (Gerard Manley Hopkins Poetry Competition)
• Netball
• Stonyhurst’s Got Talent
• Dance
• Stonyhurst Cricket
• Tennis
• Sports Day
• Line Dinner
The Adventure strand of the co-curricular programme is all about getting pupils out into the beautiful surroundings of Stonyhurst. The landscape has inspired generations of pupils and staff, most famously Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Gerard Manley Hopkins. Through the Adventure strand, we hope to inspire the next generation of pupils by helping them explore their surroundings, test themselves physically and spark a sense of the adventurous spirit that has characterised Stonyhurst pupils throughout our history.
Activities include:
Archery is an ancient skill as well as an Olympic sport. Pupils can learn the core skills of archery target shooting and build towards competing in regional and national competition.
On Wednesday afternoons, Figures and Rudiments pupils will take part in their own bespoke Adventure Programme under the aegis of the Director of Adventure, Mr Tansley. Pupils will rotate through a series of activities and experiences designed to challenge them and develop new skills. Activities include:
• Archery
• Bushcraft
• Camp Craft
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Fencing
• First Aid
• Fishing
• Lazer Tag
• Orienteering
• Mountain Biking
• Mission Garden
The Corps first mustered in 1900 in the Ambulacrum and has been an integral part of Stonyhurst life ever since. Every Playroom is represented within to Corps and enrolment is compulsory for Lower Grammar and Grammar. There are two Field Day exercises for Cadets where they plan operations and camp in the local area and there is also an annual camp at Easter where pupils stay on a military base and go on exercises overseen by serving military personnel. Many OS leave Stonyhurst to take up military careers and 7 OS have won the Victoria Cross and are commemorated in the Top Ref.
Pupils travel to a number of local clay ranges taking part in Trap, Sporting and Skeet versions of the sport. Stonyhurst will also be hosting its first Invitational Clay Shooting Competition as well as competing in the ISA Schools’ Challenge competition.
A very leisurely way to explore the Stonyhurst Estate and the beautiful surroundings of the Ribble Valley!
The Duke of Edinburgh award is an internationally recognised qualification. Pupils of the College can take part in the Bronze Award in Grammar and the Gold Award in Poetry. There are four main sections of a DofE programme: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition. Gold participants will also complete a Residential section. DofE contributes UCAS points to university education but more importantly helps instil values which align closely with a Jesuit education.
The ponds on The Avenue historically provided essential fish for Friday observance to the pupils of the College. Though we thankfully have other ways of getting our fish and chips on Fridays now, the pupils have the opportunity to learn the arts of a traditional country sport, both course fishing and on the fly.
Pupils have the opportunity to travel to Longsight Stables to ride. This can be a first foray into equestrian sports or developing and building upon existing skills.
The rugged terrain of the Stonyhurst Estate provides a perfect environment for mountain biking. Pupils can explore the trails on Longridge Fell or go further afield on courses across the Ribble Valley.
Pupils train in the College Range under the aegis of the CCF. The College competes at the annual NRA Imperial Meeting at Bisley, competing against schools, CCFs and ACFs from across the globe.
Stonyhurst is the leading Jesuit school in the world and the Ignatian foundations of the College inform everything that we do at the College. The directive to become “men and women for others” is at the heart of the Chaplaincy co-curricular programme, alongside curating and developing the religious lives of students, parents and teachers. Pupils of all religions and none are encouraged to engage with our core values, outlined in the Jesuit Profile, and to live this out through the wide range of opportunities to provide service to their peers, the wider Stonyhurst community and beyond.
Activities include:
Altar Servers support the religious life of the College, serving on the altar at all Stonyhurst Masses and special Feast Days. Pupils in Higher Line may be appointed as Head Sacristan.
Poetry pupils work on a variety of social justice project both off and on-site following the Jesuit principles to go where the need is greatest as men and women for others. Examples of projects include a Coffee Stop for retired members of the local community, a reading programme for primary school children and assisting in our second-hand uniform shop, among others.
Pupils in Grammar Playroom and above are invited to complete a catechetical course to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation within the Catholic Church. These weekly sessions include sharing of scripture, studying the teachings of the Church and reflecting on our personal relationship with God.
Pupils carry out creative sewing, knitting and crochet projects to create items for sale at various pupilled charity events.
Pupils carry out active projects in school to reduce the College’s environmental impact and carry out awareness raising campaigns on issues of global significance.
Pupils in Rhetoric have the option to join this formation programme to prepare to be Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers at College Masses.
Lower Grammar pupils may join this nationally recognised CYMFed Award scheme, taking a leadership role in the faith life of the College through involvement in prayer and worship and social justice work.
Open to Grammar and Syntax, pupils may continue the Faith in Action award scheme, progressing to this second stage of leadership in prayer and worship and social justice work.
Pupils who have completed their silver award may progress to this final level, becoming pupil leaders of the Chaplaincy programme through high-level involvement in organising and delivering prayer and liturgy and large-scale social justice projects.
This prayer group has been continuously running since the school’s inception in St Omer. Pupils and staff meet weekly to pray the Night Prayers of the Church and reflect on a variety of religious topics.
The Jesuits were some of the church’s most famous missionaries, carrying the word of God across the globe. The ability to stand up before an audience, whatever its makeup, and perform is therefore one of the qualities it was essential for every young Jesuit to have. This has translated into their educational model where performance on stage gave birth to the Playrooms, where each form would put on productions for their peers. Whether it be playing a musical piece for one’s friends in a Playroom assembly or playing the lead in one of our school productions, building that confidence to perform before others remains central to a Stonyhurst educational experience.
Activities include
The College has a number of ensembles where specialists can push the limits of their instrument and share their talents with like-minded musicians. These include:
• Brass Mr Banks
• Strings Mrs White
• Guitar Mr Marks
• Flute Mrs Whewell
• Saxophone Miss Leung
• Vocal Mr Sharples, Mr Henderson, Mr Haynes
Pupils can take lessons in Modern, Street Dance and Ballet provided by our visiting Dance Teacher, Ms James from DanceWorks. Pupils develop their skills to achieve dance examination qualifications and build a routine for the Dance Showcase.
A practical theatre club building towards a small-scale performance. The chosen play will be tailored specifically to the group and will culminate in a performance to an invited audience.
A pre-requisite of taking Grades 6-8 practical musical examinations, this is an essential qualification for all aspiring musicians.
An immersive theatrical experience where the lines between cast and audience are blurred! In tribute to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, the roaring 20s are brought back to life.
Producing music every bit as good as this pun, this ensemble draws together our jazz musicians and will headline the Jazz Evening this year.
Pupils develop debating skills whilst tackling challenging issues. Pupils represent the College at the Cambridge Union Schools’ Debating Competition.
A crucial cog in the Stonyhurst drama machine! The Lights and Sounds team provide technical support for all productions, developing practical skills to a professional level.
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations where students play the role of delegates from different countries and attempt to solve real world issues with the policies and perspectives of their assigned country. Stonyhurst hosts its own MUN conference welcoming schools from across the country to debate the key issues of our time.
The largest musical ensemble at the College, the orchestra welcomes pupils of all abilities to perform a wide repertoire of classical and contemporary music. The orchestra provides the finale to all our major concerts.
The rock groups encourage our guitarists, drummers, bass players and indeed all instrumentalists and vocalists to perform rock music of all eras.
Schola Petri is the main College choir. They perform at all Stonyhurst Masses and Feast Days as well as performing at Farm Street for the annual Association Carol Concert. They often sing alongside professional and visiting choirs and are the leaders of Stonyhurst’s proud tradition of congregational singing.
Continuing the centuries old tradition of Playroom Plays from which our common rooms take their name, every Lower Grammarian contributes to their own production. This year’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time comes to the Great Academies stage in November.
Like the slightly less famous Oxford Union, students debate the key issues that affect them, their school and the world. Pupils represent the College at the ESU Schools’ Mace, Oxford Schools’ Debating Competition and the Cambridge Union Debating Competition.
The ultimate showcase of theatrical and musical talent at Stonyhurst! This year’s production is Guys and Dolls which will be performed on the Academy Room stage in February. Pupils from all Playrooms come together to provide actors, dancers, back-stage hands, lights and sound as well as costume design, makeup artists and hospitality of parents. The best of Stonyhurst drama and music on stage!
Members of the Vocal Ensemble must be recommended by the Director of Music to be eligible. Their repertoire transcends the musical canon, and their performances are a highlight of any Stonyhurst concert!
Stonyhurst education is synonymous with sporting excellence and the dedication of our student athletes, and the tribalism of our supporters, is well known on the circuit. Alongside our frontline sport teams, every single pupil is encouraged to stay fit and healthy through our Games programme but also through a wide range of co-curricular sporting activities.
The Higher Line Games programme provides a wide variety of sports for pupils to experience. These include:
• Basketball
• Badminton
• Cricket
• Cross Country
• Dance
• Football
• Hockey
• Netball
The Lower Line Games Programme focuses on our major sports:
• Cricket
• Hockey
• Netball
• Rugby
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Yoga
• Rugby
• Swimming
Developing another of our racket sports to ensure continuing success at a senior level, this is a chance for our junior players to develop their skills.
Unbeaten at school level for three seasons in a row, Stonyhurst has a great crop of talented ballers. A chance to discover the next generation!
Pupils train to complete a gruelling 6-hour workout in aid of College nominated charities each March. A great way to get the blood flowing at the end of the week!
Pupils can be selected to take part in nets sessions year-round to perfect their bowling and batting skills under the supervision of the Head of Cricket.
Pupils can develop their rowing skills year-round using our Concept 2 rowing machines and inbuilt virtual race system.
Pupils can sign up to learn a new skill or develop their fencing in any discipline under the tutelage of our new fencing coach.
Mr Moretti
Lower Line pupils can build skills and match awareness under the guidance of the Head of Football. The sport is going from strength to strength for both boys and girls!
Lower Line boys can develop hockey skills as we prepare to return to competitive boys’ hockey in the coming year.
Pupils can develop their skills year-round using our state of the art golf simulator. Pupils can also sign up to the Stonyhurst Golf Academy and be coached one-to-one by our visiting gold professional, Mr Malone from New Generation Golf.
Burns
An Olympic sport and a great general strength and fitness activity, Judo is now available across the College to either complement pupils’ other sporting activities or to discover a new sporting love!
This year, Stonyhurst girls will take to the world-renowned pitches of Rosslyn Park for the very first time. The girls involved with be making history in the next chapter of our rugby legacy.
The Leadership Skills Foundation is a prominent awarding organisation dedicated to the development of leadership skills in young people. The course focuses on developing essential skills through this accredited award in sport leadership and coaching.
Bennetts
This is a programme of specialised exercise overseen by the Head of Strength and Conditioning. All Playrooms have the opportunity to develop safe and targeted exercise to help them build their athleticism.
Stonyhurst has won the Lancashire Tennis School of the Year award in 2020 and 2021, and Stonyhurst Tennis continues to go from strength to strength as the leading schools’ tennis programme in the North of England. The Tennis programme has something for everyone from elite players competing at the top of the national circuit to those who wish to develop social tennis skills and reach their potential in the sport.
Stonyhurst pupils are given the opportunity to start their own societies, as well as taking on the leadership of traditional societies that have been handed down from generation to generation of pupils.
Activities include:
Pupils meet to celebrate pan-African culture and organise events to share with the wider College community.
Named for Conan Doyle’s scientific credentials rather than his literary reputation, this is a society of scientific lectures organised by senior pupils and open to all. Topics range from AI to cutting edge medical research
This pupil-led co-curricular focuses on social justice topics chosen by the group. These topics form the basis for group discussion and awareness-raising projects within College. Past topics have included the experience of refugees and environmental issues.
Model enthusiasts and fantasy aficionados meet to share their passion for miniatures and narrative gaming.
Pupils build and race drones in scenes reminiscent of Star Wars pod-racing.
Aspiring journalists write pieces sharing personal passions, reflecting on global events and interviewing experts and commentators.
The place for pupils to put their concerns in black and white. The Eye offers commentary on College life, reports on College events and offers the opinions of Stonyhurst pupils on all aspects of school life.
Pupils meet to celebrate German culture and organise events to share with the wider College community.
Pupils meet to celebrate Hispanic culture and organise events to share with the wider College community.
Pupils meet to celebrate East Asian culture and organise events to share with the wider College community.
Pupils meet to celebrate Italian culture and organise events to share with the wider College community.
A society with two functions: to share a love of literature through reading circles and discussion; and a support group for GCSE English students who can get help with the course form those who have been though it!
Pupils help to manage the Library collection, learn about Library organisation and the Dewey Decimal System and ensure the Library is a vibrant collaborative workspace.
An idiosyncratic discussion group which meets in the Square Library, formerly the Jesuit Common Room. Pupils discuss topics in a relaxed context where the art of disagreeing agreeably is valued above aggressive debating style.
Alongside our varied curriculum, Stonyhurst provides a range of opportunities for pupils to engage with knowledge for its own sake, either complementing existing interests and studies or offering the chance to engage with something totally new.
Activities include:
Through the generosity of parents, pupils have the opportunity to learn about the vast application of 3D printing and develop products themselves to be printed.
An Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is the most esteemed scholarship of its type in the UK, designed to inspire students to pursue their dreams and change the world as an outstanding engineer of the future. The Scholarships are awarded to hard-working 16-year-old students through a rigorous selection process.
Pupils can take part in still life classes, explore new techniques or find some artistic expression amidst their other studies.
Based in the Victorian Observatory, the birthplace of “The Stonyhurst Lens” still used by astronomers worldwide, the Astronomy Society continue to collect data for the Stonyhurst Archives, picking up the astronomical work the Jesuits started over a century ago.
Budding chemists will develop critical problem-solving skills, learn to think more creatively and get a chance to test their knowledge in new, real-world situations. They could even find themselves representing the UK at the prestigious International Chemistry Olympiad.
Whether it’s riding the wave of competitive chess following the success of The Queen’s Gambit, or submersing yourself in a 10 week game of Risk, this is a great context to interact with pupils from all Playrooms in person, not on your phone!
A club celebrating the classical world in all its richness across language, literature, history, culture and the enduring influence of all the above.
A fun way to practice French over a boardgame!
Crest Award Ms McGarry
CREST is a nationally recognised scheme for student-led project work in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).
Lower Line pupils can come to discuss their historical passions, complete projects and push their knowledge beyond the curriculum.
Pupils in Lower Line study the Waterton Collection, learning about one of Stonyhurst’s most extraordinary alumni and how to curate his collection for the next generation.
Syntax and Higher Line pupils work towards creating their own exhibition using the Stonyhurst collections.
Named for Charles Waterton, one of Stonyhurst’s most colourful and influential alumni, this society continues his interest in flora and fauna though talks, discussions and practical dissection.
Pupils take part in choosing the shortlist and nominating the overall winner for this prestigious award through a project of supported reading and discussion.
Chemistry at its most explosive…literally.
A society exploring the great thinkers of history and today, helping Lower Line pupils develop a foundation of knowledge for topics explored at A Level and IB.
The UK Maths Trust is the leading charity that advances the education of young people in maths. Pupils complete mathematical challenges to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.
Mrs Rigby
Aspiring medics of all ages can join this group that discusses medical research and for Higher Line pupils gives them practice and relevant material for university entrance examinations.
Pupils meet to discuss the current issues surround psychology and build towards entering universityled competitions in this increasingly central scientific discipline.
Mr Mellows
Pupils use their engineering skills to build robots to compete in the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge, an international competition where young people pit their developing skills against others to complete challenges which test their creations.
Based on University Challenge, pupils compete regionally, nationally and internationally, testing their general knowledge against their peers at other schools.
The chance to represent the College in a national competition that will help pupils to learn more about economics, develop their writing, research, and analytical skills, and give them a better understanding of the policy issues and challenges facing national decision makers.
Judo: Juniors
Centre
17.00-17.45
Club De Jeux De Société (French Board Game Club) MFL
17.00-17.45
Historic Libraries: Waterton Project
Biology Crest Award B1 17:00-17:45
17.00-17.45 Lights and Sound Academy Room 17:00-17:45
Tennis: Starter Improver Figures Tennis
17.00-17.45 Maths Challenge Line 17:00-17:40
Lancashire Book of the Year Xavier
17.00-17.45 Hockey: Figures and Rudiments Astro 17:00-17:45
Junior Debating Society Ward
17.00-17.45 Rock Group Band Room 17.00-17.45
Football: Figures and Rudiments Girls Flats
17.00-17.45 Winter Cricket Nets Sports Hall 17.00-17.45
Tennis: Figures and Rudiments Squad Tennis Dome
17.00-17.45
Hockey: Boys Astro
Schools’ Challenge Southwell
Philosophy
17.00-17.45 Knitting/Sewing/Crochet Bayley Room 17:00-17:45
Tennis: Figures Improver/Advanced
College Swimming 3 Pool
17.00-17.45 Classics Club Catherine of Sienna 17.00-17.45
Football: Figures and Rudiments Boys Flats
17.00-17.45
Netball: Figures and Rudiments Ambulacrum
17.00-17.45
Basketball: Figures and Rudiments Sports Hall
17.00-17.45
Figures and Rudiments Vocal Ensemble: Boys Choir Room
17.00-17.45
Figures and Rudiments Vocal Ensemble: Girls Orchestra Room
17.00-17.45
Rugby: Figures and Rudiments
17.00-18.00
S and C: Figures and Rudiments Sports Hall
17.00-17.45
Judo: Juniors Sports Centre
17.00-17.45
Club De Jeux De Société (French Board Game Club) MFL
17.00-17.45
Historic Libraries: Waterton Project
17.00-17.45
Lancashire Book of the Year
17.00-17.45
Junior Debating Society Ward
Crest
17.00-17.45 Hockey: Figures and Rudiments Astro 17:00-17:45
Football: Figures and Rudiments Girls
17.00-17.45
Tennis: Figures and Rudiments Squad
Tennis: Rudiments
Tennis: Starter/Improver Rudiments
College Swimming 3 Pool 17.00-17.45 Programming Society DT1 17.00-17.45
Football: Figures and Rudiments Boys
Netball: Figures and Rudiments
Rugby: Figures and Rudiments
Basketball: Figures and Rudiments
Figures and Rudiments Vocal Ensemble: Boys Choir Room
17.00-17.45
Figures and Rudiments Vocal Ensemble: Girls
German Society Higher Line Common Room
20:30-21:00
17.45-18.30
Tennis: Lower Line Team Tennis Dome
17.45-18.30
Grade 5 Music Theory
Selosse
17.45-18.30
Rugby: Scholars Ambulacrum
17.45-18.30
Archery Playground
17.45-18.30
17.45-18.30
German Society
Higher Line Common Room 20:30-21:00
Tennis: Lower Line Team
17.45-18.30
Grade 5 Music Theory Selosse
17.45-18.30
Rugby: Scholars Ambulacrum
17.45-18.30
Archery Playground
17.45-18.30
13:30-14:30
Land of Literature
Peter and Paul 17:45-18:30
Tennis Starter/Improver Seniors
Tennis Dome
17.45-18.30
Stonyhurst Union (Senior Debating)
Xavier
17:45-18:30
Schools’ Challenge Southwell
17.45-18.30
Jazzuits
Orchestra Room
17:45-18:30
The Eagle Zita 17:45-18:30
Rugby: Syntax Ambulacrum 17.45-18.30
China and Hong Kong Society Higher Line Common Room 20:30-21:00
German Society Higher Line Common Room 20:30-21:00
Hispanic Society Higher Line Common Room 20:30-21:00
Golf Simulator Practice
Golf Simulator 17.45-18.45
The Eye
Peter and Paul 17:45-18:15
Sodality Prayer Group
Sodality Chapel 18:30-19:00
Tennis: Higher Line School B Team
Tennis Dome 18:30-19:15
Grade 5 Music Theory Selosse
17.45-18.30
Rugby: Scholars Ambulacrum 17.45-18.30
Archery Playground
17.45-18.30
African Society Higher Line Common Room 20:30-21:00
Arrupe:
Arrupe:
17.45-18.30 20:30-21:00 17:45-18:15
Stonyhurst Union (Senior Debating)
Xavier
17:45-18:30
Schools’ Challenge
Southwell
17.45-18.30
Jazzuits
Orchestra Room
17:45-18:30
Hispanic Society Higher Line Common Room
20:30-21:00
Sodality Prayer Group
Sodality Chapel
18:30-19:00
Tennis: Higher Line School B Team
Tennis Dome
18:30-19:15
Grade 5 Music Theory
Selosse
17.45-18.30
Rugby: Scholars Ambulacrum
17.45-18.30
Strength and Conditioning: Senior Girls
Sports Centre
17.45-18.30
Archery
Playground
17.45-18.30
Arrupe:
Arrupe:
Arrupe:
Xavier
17:45-18:30
Schools’ Challenge
Southwell
17.45-18.30
Jazzuits
Orchestra Room
17:45-18:30
20:30-21:00
18:30-19:00
Tennis: Higher Line School B Team
Tennis Dome
18:30-19:15
Grade 5 Music Theory
Selosse
17.45-18.30
Rugby: Scholars Ambulacrum
17.45-18.30
Strength and Conditioning: Senior Girls
Sports Centre
17.45-18.30
Archery
Playground
17.45-18.30