WGS Summer Bulletin 2026

THANK YOU, MRS HASLAM As the school year draws to a close, we bid farewell to our Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Haslam, whose retirement marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the history of Withington Girls’ School. After more than 30 years of service to the school, including a decade as Headmistress, Mrs Haslam leaves a legacy defined by academic excellence, compassion and an unwavering dedication to the wellbeing and success of every pupil.

Under her guidance, Withington has enjoyed sustained academic success while strengthening its reputation as a community defined by kindness, inclusion, aspiration and care. Throughout her tenure, Mrs Haslam has led with integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to the people at the heart of the school.

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During her 10 years as Headmistress, Withington received widespread recognition for its achievements, including seven consecutive accolades from The Sunday Times. Among these was the prestigious title of North West Independent Secondary School of the Decade, awarded in recognition of Withington’s sustained excellence over many years. Yet those who knew Mrs Haslam would agree that her greatest success lay not in awards or rankings, but in creating an environment where pupils felt valued, supported and inspired to achieve their full potential.

Central to Mrs Haslam’s leadership was an unwavering belief that education should nurture curiosity, character and a genuine love of learning. She championed a culture of self-development in which pupils were encouraged to embrace challenge, think independently and pursue learning for its own sake. Importantly, this same approach extended to staff. She fostered an environment where colleagues were supported to grow professionally, refine their practice and pursue innovation, creating a culture of continuous improvement that benefited the entire school community. This commitment to professional growth and excellence was reflected most recently in Withington receiving its first-ever shortlist nomination in the national Tes Schools Awards, for the Teacher Development Initiative of the

Year, a fitting recognition of the tale spirit she helped to cultivate.

A passionate advocate for girls’ ed championed confidence, ambition young women not only to excel ac strong sense of self and purpose. benefited from her belief that edu people to contribute positively to

Mrs Haslam also embraced innova approaches to teaching and learni learning at Withington well before continuity of education during an disruption. She expanded partner curricular opportunities and creat encouraged leadership, empathy a

Perhaps most remarkable was the the school community. She knew p attended countless concerts, prod and made time for conversations, Her quiet acts of kindness, often u

ber how I will remem elcoming warm and w my you were in Year 6. in w ie interv r being Thank you fo ind a constant k ug h o u t presence thro ithington. my time at W

YE AR 12 PUP

IL

Thank you for b headmistress, t better place bec

n into remain wove l il w cy a g le ur ur vision, ur school. Yo o f o c ri b fa e thers will d belief in o n a n io ss a p om munity, ape our com sh to e u n ti on rtured you have nu s e lu va e th nd ls for ithington gir will inspire W to come. many years R A Head Girl

TAR A SUM

You are the epitome of Withington to us.

YE AR 13 PUPIL

ent, dedication and collaborative

individuals involved, helped create a culture where people felt valued and able to flourish.

ducation, Mrs Haslam n and authenticity, encouraging cademically but also to develop a Generations of Withington pupils ucation should empower young the world around them.

Having joined Withington in 1995 as a Teacher of English, Mrs Haslam has dedicated much of her professional life to the school. Over three decades she served as Head of Year, Pastoral Deputy Head and, finally, Headmistress. In every role, she acted as a true custodian of the school’s values, ensuring that what she handed on was stronger than what she inherited.

ation and forward-thinking ing. The introduction of digital e the pandemic ensured unprecedented period of rship work, enriched coted meaningful experiences that and social responsibility.

The legacy Mrs Haslam leaves behind can be seen throughout the school: in its culture of respect and kindness, its commitment to excellence, and in the confidence and character of the young people whose lives she helped shape. Her influence will continue to be felt for many years to come through the countless pupils, colleagues and families whose lives she touched.

e personal impact she had on pupils and families by name, ductions, activities and events, encouragement and support. unseen beyond the

being an amazing the school is a cause of you.

YE AR 7 PUPIL

On behalf of the entire Withington community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs Haslam for her exceptional service, dedication and leadership. We wish her every happiness in the years ahead and remain immensely grateful for all she gave to Withington Girls’ School.

See pages 16 to 18 for a timeline of Mrs Haslam’s decade as Headmistress.

Thank you for your llence dedication to exce l and inspirationa any leadership over m , ive sit years. Your po s ha e calming influenc ol ho enabled the Sc e to thrive and we ar rt pa a privileged to be ! ity un m m of the WGS co

WGS PARENT

MRS HASLAM’S FAREWELL LINES...

Dear Readers Congratulations to everyone on all that has been achieved during this term and during this school year – once again, you’ve been amazing. The breadth and depth of activity, creativity, dedication, talent, courage, and compassion is truly uplifting and inspirational. This bulletin bears testament to the values and character of the remarkable community that is Withington Girls’ School, to its commitment to excellence, and to its core purpose – to instil a love of learning and to empower our girls for their future lives.

Our Upper Sixth are now our Class of 2026 and they leave Withington with our very best wishes and congratulations from all the staff and from the wider Withington community. We hope that they will stay in touch with school, inspire and support the younger pupils who follow. We also hope that they are taking great memories with them, as I certainly am as I retire from Withington this summer. It has been an exceptional honour to serve this school and to be a custodian of its very special ethos and founding principles.

Warm thanks to all who supported the outstanding Giving Day this term, and thank you to all staff, girls, parents, alumnae, governors, trustees for all of your support and for all that you do to sustain and enrich this very special place – I am very grateful to you all. Ad Lucem!

With very best regards

MRS SARAH HASLAM Headmistress

CHEMQUIZ 2

Four Withington Chemistry students represented W Manchester Metropolitan University Chemquiz, com peers from 35 schools to achieve an impressive sev

Aleena Assad and Pia Syal (Year 10) and Nithu Chid Inaaya Mahmood (Year 9) were accompanied by Mis Eckersall in a day of practical experiments, team-b and interactive demonstrations that reinforced key A particular highlight was the exciting ‘flash bang’ students observed a series of impressive demonst exploding hydrogen balloons, a thermite reaction, the freezing of flowers in liquid nitrogen. These cap brought theoretical concepts vividly to life and sig student engagement.

The event provided an excellent opportunity for co critical thinking, and the application of scientific kn world contexts. Our students demonstrated exemp enthusiasm, and a consistently high level of engag the day. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, wi pupils expressing a greater interest in Chemistry a part in similar experiences in the future.

Withington’s excellent seventh place reflects the g effective teamwork. In recognition of their efforts, awarded a scientific dictionary.

Overall, the trip provided a valuable extension to c strengthened practical skills, and further inspired and enthusiasm for Chemistry.

MR KIRK ECKERSALL

2026

SENIOR SCHOOL

WGS in this year’s mpeting against venth place position.

dambaram and ss Cleasby and Mr based challenges, y curriculum topics. show, where trations, including whoosh bottles, and ptivating moments gnificantly enhanced

ollaboration, nowledge in realplary behaviour, gement throughout ith participating and a desire to take

group’s hard work and each student was

classroom learning, students’ curiosity Teacher of Chemistry

Withington’s Music Festival was a wonderful showcase of the talent, dedication and enthusiasm of our pupils.

During the event, held on Wednesday 1st July, it was a pleasure to watch musicians from across our Senior year groups sharing their skills, confidence and passion for performance. From strings, woodwind, brass, piano, harp, percussion, guitar and voice to so much more, our accomplished pupils demonstrated once again just how much music continues to be a central part of life at our school. Many performers competed in more than one class during the day.

Following competitive rounds across Withington’s musical spectrum, pupils chosen by our adjudicators were invited to perform in a special hour-long afternoon recital, giving pupils and staff the opportunity to enjoy and celebrate their talent.

Well done to everyone who took part.

WITHINGTON’S 101ST FOUNDERS’ DAY

LIGHTING THE WAY - CELE

“ Our theme for Founders’ Day this year, ‘Lighting the Way - Celebrating Opportunity’, echoes our school motto, ‘Ad Lucem’, Towards the Light, which has been part of Withington since the very earliest days of the school.”

Headmistress Mrs Sarah Haslam

The Withington community gathered at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on 27th April for the school’s 101st Founders’ Day, an occasion that also marked the 50th anniversary of the WGS Trust and paid warm tribute to Mrs Sarah Haslam, who retires after 30 years at Withington, the last 10 as Headmistress.

Speeches from Chair of Governors Malcolm Pike, Mrs Haslam, WGS alumna Annette Byron and Head Girl Tara Sumra each explored the breadth of opportunity a Withington education offers and its lasting impact beyond school days. In keeping with WGS tradition, the Class of 2026 crossed the stage one by one to receive a book of their choice from Ms Byron, while readings and performances from pupils, instrumentalists and choirs added to the occasion.

A reception held afterwards gave members of the Withington community past and present the chance to say their own personal farewells to Mrs Haslam.

Mr Malcolm Pike, Chairman of Gov how Withington’s founders in 1890 far-sighted vision” that their daug educational opportunities as their be closed to them. That same etho “a community where the pleasure where collaboration, personal cha are the order of the day.” He close

“ I’m immensely grateful for everyt here at the school, and would like incredible contribution you have

Describing Withington as an “exce community,” Mrs Haslam reflected and enriching” achievement includ Times’ North West Independent Sc Excellence, the Wellbeing Award fo accolade from The Telegraph, alon over 17,000 hours to community in £40,000 for charity. She closed wit

“I’ve gained such self-confidence, y

Former Withington bursary pupil A now a partner at Freshfields and la

EBRATING OPPORTUNITY

vernors, opened by recalling 0 had shared a “wonderful and ghters should have the same r sons, so that no doors would os endures, he said, in of learning is its own reward and allenge, inclusion and diversity ed with thanks to Mrs Haslam:

thing you have done and achieved e to thank you in public for the made to its success.”

eptional place of learning and d on a year of “exhilarating ding recognition as the Sunday chool of the Year for Academic or Schools, and a Best Value ngside pupils and staff giving nitiatives and raising more than th the words of a current pupil:

you feel you can do anything.”

Annette Byron (Class of 1982), ast year’s recipient of the

Black Solicitors Network’s Lifetime Achievement Award, told the audience that Withington “gave me credentials that opened doors,” before urging the Class of 2026 to take on challenges “not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” To the leavers she added: “I see in front of me a room of talented women. I hope you’ll continue to be friends and allies for each other, and role models for those coming up behind you.”

To cheers from her fellow pupils, Head Girl Tara Sumra closed the event with the story of her own 11 years at Withington. “Withington doesn’t change you in one big dramatic moment, it changes you quietly in many small moments,” she said. “If you ask me what makes Withington special, I can answer in one word: You.” She left the Class of 2026 with a final thought: “The world’s about to meet you and it has absolutely no idea what’s coming. We don’t step into the unknown alone.”

Reflecting afterwards, Mr Paddy Montague, great-grandson of founders C.P. and Rachel Scott, said today’s Withington still carries the spirit of those who founded it: “ Every leaver gets a prize, everyone is acknowledged, everyone has extraordinary opportunities and everybody is going on from here to a new life, ready and able to cope with whatever comes next.”

TES AWARD NOMINATION In a record-breaking year of entries for the UK’s highly regarded Tes School Awards, Withington was proud to have been named as a finalist in the new Teacher Development Initiative of the Year category.

“ We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for this Tes award. This recognition speaks to our rich learning culture, where curiosity, self development and joy in learning are valued just as highly for staff as they are for pupils.”

Mrs Haslam

One of the UK’s most prestigious and widely recognised education awards schemes, the Tes programme celebrates outstanding schools and educators from the state and independent sectors across the UK. Across all 23 entry categories, WGS was one of only two independent schools in Greater Manchester to be shortlisted, and the only independent school nationally to have been selected in the Teacher Development class.

The shortlisting, decided by a panel of experts including experienced school leaders and education specialists, reflected our learning culture of enquiry and curiosity and recognised Withington’s Non Verbal Feedback initiative, an original research-led review into how teachers’ non-verbal communication shapes learning experiences in the classroom.

“ Central to this work is a genuine partnership between pupils and teachers, with students engaging thoughtfully in the learning process and helping to shape classroom practice. We are proud that this work not only strengthens our own classrooms but contributes to wider conversations across the sector.”

Mrs Haslam

Headmistress Mrs Haslam, alongside Deputy Heads Ms Baylis and Mr Bennett, travelled to London to represent Withington at the Finals in June. It was a fantastic evening celebrating excellence in education and while Withington didn’t take home the award on this occasion, reaching the final in a record year for entries is an incredible achievement.

Congratulations to everyone involved in making this possible with particular thanks to Mrs Esther Suttle, Assistant Head Academic, and the staff team who led on this innovative initiative.

BIOLO

At the beginning of Ju Biology Olympiad, an of Biology and UK Bio year of A Level study, their biological knowl papers covering topic

Competing against st Withington students are delighted that ou comprising two gold, highly commended ce

GOLD

Anna Martin & Grace

SILVER

Emily Blackwell, Sara

BRONZE

Saanvi Elaprolu & Be

HIGHLY COMMEND

Olivia Law

COMMENDED

Maryam Ali Sayid, Da Eman Mohammad You

Congratulations to al Their success reflects of Biology, but also th to embrace academic accomplishments.

OGY OLYMPIAD

une, Year 12 Biologists took part in the Intermediate international competition run by the Royal Society ology Competitions. Open to students in their first the Olympiad challenges participants to apply ledge and scientific thinking across two demanding cs from GCSE and A Level Biology.

tudents from schools across the UK and beyond, achieved an outstanding set of results. We ur pupils were awarded nine medals in total, five silver and two bronze awards, alongside a ertificate and six commended certificates.

Ng

ah Knight, Sophie Lau, Emily Wan & Autumn Win th Franks-Townsend

DED

aisy Freedman, Kizzy Kamte Youmeugnie, usaf, Tia Patel & Lydia Samuels

ll of our students on these excellent achievements. s not only their knowledge and understanding heir curiosity, commitment and willingness c challenge. We are incredibly proud of their

10 TO 6 DAY On Friday 5th June our Year 10s took part in the newly revived ‘10 to 6 Day’, which offers an exciting and valuable insight into life in the Sixth Form at Withington.

It was a wonderful opportunity for the pupils to look ahead, to experience a taste of the academic and co-curricular opportunities on offer, and to begin thinking about the next stage of their journey with both curiosity and confidence.

VISIT FROM AN MP

On Friday 15th May, we were delighted to welcome the local Member of Parliament for Manchester Withington, Jeff Smith for a question and answer session with students. The event was well attended by pupils from across the school, who relished the opportunity to engage directly with an elected representative.

Jeff began by explaining the role of an MP and sharing some of his own political journey. He has served as MP for Manchester Withington since the 2015 general election, having previously represented the Old Moat Ward on Manchester City Council from 1997. During his parliamentary career, Jeff has had a number of roles including as a Whip and being a member of the Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport.

Students were also interested to learn that, before entering politics, Jeff worked as a DJ. Jeff answered a wide range of questions from the students and proved to be an engaging and enthusiastic guest. He was particularly impressed by the breadth of topics the students asked him about.

Among these were the future direction of the Labour Party and the possibility of a future Labour leadership contest. Students were also keen to discuss now Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s role within the wider Labour movement and his continued influence on politics both within Greater Manchester and nationally. Wider discussions covered the recent local and devolved elections, their implications for the Labour Party, and the progress being made across Manchester and the role politics can play in shaping the city’s future.

When asked what he most enjoyed about his role, Jeff said that visiting schools and engaging with young people was one of the highlights of being an MP, adding that the enthusiasm and insight of the next generation gives him great confidence in the future.

We would like to thank Jeff Smith for taking the time to visit Withington and for engaging so positively with our students.

MRS JUDE WALLIS Head of Politics

PLAY

Our highly popular en competition, held on nothing short of spec

Inspired by Rudyard K

by Year 12 prefects, e humility. With touchi the very qualities tha choice of theme for M

Our Year 12 prefects a writing and for overs and a heartfelt well d Centre stage with suc

Congratulations to Le

Y IN A DAY

nd-of-year tradition of the House Play in a Day n the second last day of the academic year, was ctacular.

Kipling’s If, the performances saw Year 7s, directed explore themes of perseverance, resilience and ing nods to our outgoing Headmistress reflecting at have defined her leadership, it was a fitting Mrs Haslam’s last official Withington school event.

are to be congratulated for their excellent scriptseeing staging, lighting, sound, props and costume, done to our Year 7 performers, who took to the Arts ch courage and confidence.

ejeune on being crowned this year’s winners.

CAMBRIDGE CHEMISTRY CHALLENGE

During the term, Year 12 Chemistry students took part in this year’s Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, one of the most demanding chemistry competitions for post-16 students in the UK. With more than 7,000 students entering nationally each year, the challenge provides an opportunity for young chemists to extend their knowledge beyond the A Level specification and tackle complex, thought-provoking problems.

We are thrilled that Withington students once again achieved an excellent set of results, receiving one gold award, nine silver awards and nine copper awards.

GOLD

Anna Martin

SILVER

Zara Amin, Emily Blackwell, Harmony Coleman, Alex Cooper, Sophie Lau, Ziyuan Ma, Isha Majid, Xiao Shi & Seb Ten

COPPER

Daisy Freedman, Annie Lu, Seraphina Mark, Olivia McIntosh, Mariam Siddiqui, Jasmin Snader, Zaynab Mustafa, Emily Wan & Autumn Win Congratulations to all of our students on these outstanding achievements.

BRIGHT FUTURES

LEARN

Preparing pupils for life beyond school is a vital part of Withington’s approach, empowering every pupil to explore their potential and to shine. Our Futures department, led by Ms Kober, focuses on supporting each student from Year 7 onwards on “their individual journeys of discovery, growth and ambition”.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE FUTURS PAGES ON OUR WEBSITE

As our Year 12s prepare to take steps towards their next chapter and ahead of university applications in the Autumn, our students were able to attend Futures events to help them navigate their choices and assist them in understanding the UCAS process.

OXBRIDGE INSIGHTS

For those contemplating applications to Oxford or Cambridge, an Oxbridge Information Evening was held on 28th April.

Pupils and parents heard from both teachers and parents who shared advice and guidance on all parts of the Oxbridge application process.

One of the guest speakers, Withington and Cambridge alumna Sitara Bartle-Davies (Class of 2017), shared insights into the full process from selecting a college to student life. Thank you to Sitara for her time and expertise.

Attendees also heard from our Year 13 Oxbridge offer holders about their personal experiences and the dedicated support available at WGS.

HIGHER EDUCATION & FUTURES DAY

An important milestone in our Year 12s journey, this event on 10th June enabled our students to hone interview skills, learn how to craft impactful personal statements, explore the world of work and begin the sometimes daunting task of starting on their university applications.

Two very useful events as our Year 12s explore their next steps.

We asked a range of q abolishment of the H focused on for a whil many of us had reach accompanied by an a strongly believes in a that there are sufficie of government and th

She also spoke about amused when she me up and calling “My Lo became especially liv work. Baroness Pitke she has worked until votes to be called. Sh for peers who live ou votes, making the Ho

Overall, we found the as it brought our clas the processes and ins legislative process ga and responsibilities o

WITH THE LORDS In April, Year 12 Politics and Economics students had the opportunity to take part in a question and answer session with one of the Deputy Speakers of the House of Lords. This experience can only be thought of as an extremely valuable learning opportunity.

Hearing first-hand from Baroness Pitkeathley about her 29 years as a life peer provided fascinating insights into the workings of the UK’s political system.

questions, including her views on the possible House of Lords, a topic our Politics class had been le. Baroness Pitkeathley echoed the conclusion hed, that the abolishment of the House must be adequate replacement. She explained how she a political system with two chambers as it ensures ent checks and balances on the executive branch hat legislation is properly scrutinised.

t her role as Deputy Speaker. We were quite entioned that part of her job involves standing ords” to restore order when debates, and peers, vely. We were also surprised by how late the Lords eathley said that there had been many times that the early hours of the morning while waiting for he explained that this can make it more difficult utside London to participate fully in debates and ouse “London-centric”.

e experience both fascinating and highly valuable, ssroom learning to life. Seeing first-hand how stitutions we had studied operate within the ave us a much deeper understanding of the role of the House of Lords.

HARRIET JACKSON Year 12

DESIGNING THE CITIES OF THE FUTURE

As part of a Year 9 Geography project, students were challenged to design and create a sustainable, liveable and innovative city of the future. Working in teams, they developed ambitious proposals before pitching their futuristic cities to the rest of the class.

The project encouraged students to consider how future communities might respond to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including sustainability, transport, housing, technology and quality of life. In doing so, they combined geographical knowledge with creativity and problemsolving skills, developing proposals that balanced innovation with practicality.

The standard of work was exceptionally high, with students producing imaginative and well-researched designs.

Each Year 9 class selected a winning project and a runner-up.

9W 9X 9Y

ATLANTIS GREENFORD Winner: SUSTAINACITY Runner-up: SYLVASEA Winner: INDUSTRIA Runner-up: MANJESEVE

Winner: Runner-up:

Congratulations to all of our class winners and runners-up, and well done to every Year 9 student who took part in this imaginative and thoughtprovoking challenge.

junior journal...

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE JUNIOR SCHOOL BU This year marked a special milestone for Withington Girls’ School as the Junior School celebrated the 10th anniversary of its purpose-built building.

While the Junior School community has been thriving for much longer, the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on a decade of learning, creativity and growth within a space designed specifically for younger pupils.

Over the past 10 years, the building has become a vibrant hub for learning, offering specialist facilities and inspiring generations of girls as they begin their Withington journey.

To mark the occasion, Junior pupils became reporters for a special edition of Shine News, interviewing students and staff to uncover their favourite memories and experiences of the building over the last decade.

The pupil-led project saw the girls devise questions, conduct interviews and help with filming and sound

recording, show communication discovered the i in shaping intere foundations for

Watch the full vi

UILDING

MATHEMATICAL CHALLENGE

casing their creativity, teamwork and skills. Through their conversations, they important role the Junior School plays ests, building friendships and laying the future success.

Junior School pupils enjoyed outstanding success in this year’s Junior Mathematical Challenge, a competition designed to stretch and inspire some of the country’s most able young mathematicians.

ideo here:

The girls achieved an impressive haul of 11 awards, including one gold certificate, eight silver certificates and two bronze certificates. A special congratulations goes to Robyn, who qualified for the next round of the competition, a milestone that has not previously been achieved by a Junior School pupil. Very well done to everyone involved.

AROUND THE WORLD Upper and Lower II embarked on a global adventure during this year’s Junior Project Day, exploring different countries and cultures from around the world. Throughout the day, the girls learned about the geography, traditions and unique characteristics of Antarctica, Australia, the Caribbean and Japan.

Inspired by their chosen destinations, pupils completed a range of creative projects, including decorating boomerangs, making colourful peg dolls, creating origami cranes and constructing miniature igloos. The event was planned and led entirely by Year 12 students, whose enthusiasm and organisation helped make the day a fantastic success. It was a wonderful opportunity for the girls to learn, create and collaborate while celebrating cultures from across the globe.

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MATHS LEARNING

UPPER II

Transition and Form I pupils enjoyed an inspiring Maths workshop led by the Maths Outreach team from the University of Liverpool, exploring the fascinating world of shapes, patterns and tessellations. Through a range of hands-on activities, the girls investigated how geometric shapes fit together to create repeating designs, experimenting with their own colourful patterns while developing problem-solving and reasoning skills. The engaging session brought mathematical concepts to life and demonstrated how creativity and mathematics go hand in hand.

Upper II pupi programme t deepening pu providing val independenc

During their t York Dungeo Centre. They spent time al evening mea

It was a wond journey.

BRINGIN

OUTDOOR DISCOVERY Lower II pupils embraced the warmer weather through outdoor learning activities around the school pond. Exploring the area in search of signs of new life, the girls were delighted to discover tadpoles and engaged in thoughtful discussions about the changes they expected to observe as the creatures developed into froglets. The experience provided an excellent opportunity to combine scientific observation with curiosity-led learning.

Lower II enjo to Tatton Par a range of im the Egerton f tasks includi preparing tab the roles of t the girls gain life in the pa

I VISIT YORK

PEAK DISTRICT FUN

ils travelled to York on a new residential that offered a rich cultural experience, upils’ understanding of history while luable opportunities to develop ce and strengthen friendships.

Lower II enjoyed several days on their residential trip to the Peak District, taking part in a wide range of outdoor activities and challenges.

Blessed with excellent weather, the girls embraced every opportunity and returned home with many new memories.

three-day visit, the girls explored the ons, Eden Camp and the Jorvik Viking also walked the historic city walls, longside the River Ouse and enjoyed an al together in the city.

derful celebration of their Junior School

NG HISTORY TO LIFE

oyed a memorable educational visit rk, where history came alive through mmersive activities. Pupils explored family home and took part in practical ing scrubbing floors, baking scones and bles for afternoon tea. By stepping into those who once worked in the house, ned a deeper understanding of everyday ast.

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WARTIME STREET PARTY

SINGIN’ I

Upper II pupils marked the end of their Second World War topic with a special wartime-themed street party.

The Junior Sc Rain Jr was a the creativity year groups.

The girls created their own decorations inspired by wartime celebrations, helping to bring the occasion to life. They enjoyed making scones in the Food and Nutrition Room before coming together to share food, laughter and memories with friends. The street party was a fitting way to conclude their WWII studies and celebrate their time in the Junior School before moving on to Senior School.

OUTSTANDING BEBRAS RESULTS Junior School pupils achieved exceptional results in this year’s Bebras Challenge, an international problem-solving competition that develops computational thinking, logic and reasoning skills.

A remarkable 150 pupils took part in the challenge, competing alongside millions of students from more than 80 countries worldwide. Over a quarter of the girls achieved a gold award, placing them in the top 10% nationally for their age group. Across all award categories, the results significantly outperformed regional and national averages, highlighting the talent, dedication and problemsolving ability of Junior School pupils.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in this impressive achievement.

Audiences we a giant pink c costumes an

IN THE RAIN

chool’s summer production of Singin’ in the a major highlight of the term, showcasing y, confidence and talent of pupils across the

much-loved story to life. Rehearsals throughout the term culminated in two evening performances attended by family members and staff.

ere treated to an impressive show featuring cake, showstopping dance routines, vintage nd humorous comedy sketches, bringing this

The production provided an opportunity for pupils to develop performance skills while demonstrating the confidence and enthusiasm that characterise life in the Junior School.

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PRESENTING TO GOVERNORS

BUILDING

Three Upper II pupils, Jasmine, Aylin and Izza, represented the Junior School by presenting to governors about their journey from the Junior School to the Senior School. Speaking with confidence, maturity and enthusiasm, they reflected on their experiences and demonstrated the many skills they have developed during their time at Withington. Their presentation showcased both their personal growth and the strength of the Junior School experience.

Form I pupils Heaton Norri Schools’ Link

CHARITY AFTERNOON Pupils demonstrated impressive leadership and community spirit when they organised a charity afternoon in support of A Bed Every Night, the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity.

The initiative was led by Upper II House Captains, who selected the charity and helped raise awareness through a pupil-led assembly. A range of stalls and activities were organised by pupils, including games, races and challenges that proved hugely popular.

The event raised £375 and highlighted the commitment of Junior School pupils to making a positive difference in their local community.

The visit prov together on c friendships a The program communicati young people

Following the project will c

STOCKPO

Upper II pupil history during

Taking part in dressed in pe during the Se on gas masks

The trip prov deepen class important pe

G FRIENDSHIPS

LAMDA SHOWCASE

s visited All Saints Primary School in is this term as part of the Stockport king Project.

The term concluded with a series of LAMDA showcase events that highlighted pupils’ developing performance skills. Audiences enjoyed a range of dramatic and spoken presentations that demonstrated growing confidence, creativity and communication skills across the year groups. The showcases reflected the hard work of both pupils and teachers and provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate progress and achievement.

vided opportunities for pupils to work collaborative activities and develop across different school communities. mme encourages understanding, ion and shared experiences between e from diverse backgrounds.

e success of this year’s activities, the continue next academic year.

ORT AIR RAID SHELTERS

ls immersed themselves in wartime g a visit to the Stockport Air Raid Shelters.

n an evacuee experience, the girls eriod clothing, learned about daily life econd World War and practised putting s during simulated air raid scenarios.

vided a vivid and memorable way to sroom learning and helped bring an eriod of British history to life.

LAMDA EXAMINATIONS Many Junior School pupils completed LAMDA examinations during the Summer term, demonstrating remarkable confidence and courage as they stepped onto the performance stage.

Whether performing prepared pieces or delivering spoken work, each pupil embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and professionalism. Staff praised the girls not only for their performances but also for their willingness to push themselves beyond their comfort zones.

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LEARNING THROUGH MUSIC

COMMUN

Transition and Form I pupils delighted parents and peers with a history-themed assembly that brought classroom learning to life. The audience learnt fascinating facts about life in Roman Britain, journeyed back to the final days of Pompeii and discovered the rituals and traditions surrounding Egyptian mummification. Through performance and presentation, the girls shared their knowledge in an engaging and entertaining way, showcasing their growing understanding of historical topics while building confidence in public speaking and performance.

Throughout t school for a s These inform for parents, p and strength community. T accompanied ensemble, cr for all who at

LEARNIN

Pupils enjoye Shtrosberg, a who spoke ab importance o The session p professional how to care f

NITY CONNECTIONS

the year, families were welcomed into series of Family Breakfast events. mal gatherings provided opportunities pupils and staff to spend time together hen connections across the school The final breakfast of the year was d by performances from the harp reating a warm and uplifting atmosphere ttended.

NG ABOUT DENTISTRY

ed a fascinating visit from Dr a parent of a pupil in Transition, bout her work as a dentist and the of maintaining good oral health. provided valuable insights into a l career while helping pupils understand for their teeth and overall wellbeing.

MUSIC AT THE SUMMER FESTIVAL The PTA Summer Festival provided another opportunity for pupils to perform, with both the Junior Orchestra and Junior Choir taking to the stage.

Their performances contributed to the celebratory atmosphere of the event and demonstrated the enthusiasm and musical talent that continue to thrive across the Junior School.

junior journal...

PUPILS GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR GIVING DAY Giving Day inspired pupils across the Junior School to think creatively about how they could support the Marjorie Hulme Bursary Fund, and many embraced the challenge with impressive enthusiasm, enterprise and determination.

Among those were Upper II pupils Evre, Mia and Cara, who organised a community book and toy sale with support from Didsbury Good Neighbours and the Pavilion Café at Didsbury Park. Through their hard work, organisation and sales skills, they raised an impressive £63.51 for the bursary fund. Their initiative demonstrated not only a commitment to Giving Day but also confidence, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit.

Meanwhile, Ivy in Lower II put her baking talents to excellent use, raising £81 through the sale of homemade lemonade and freshly baked scones. Her fundraising efforts were warmly received and provided another wonderful example of pupils taking personal responsibility for supporting the campaign.

Emilia, also in Lower II, organised a cake sale that raised an impressive £97. Her generosity, hard work and enthusiasm made a valuable contribution to the Giving Day total and reflected the strong community spirit that characterised the campaign.

Another budding baker, Aarya in Lower II, raised £80 after baking, icing and decorating cupcakes

s

PIZZA PARTY FOR LOWER II almost entirely independently.

Her creativity and determination were rewarded with a fantastic fundraising total, and she was delighted to be able to make her contribution to such an important cause.

These individual efforts, alongside the whole-school sponsored walk and many other fundraising activities, helped create a remarkable sense of shared purpose across the school community. The enthusiasm shown by pupils demonstrated not only their commitment to Giving Day, but also their understanding of the life-changing opportunities that bursaries provide for future generations of Withington girls.

Following the success of Giving Day, Lower IIX and Lower IIY were announced as the school’s highest fundraising forms. Their outstanding efforts, which included securing matched funding, contributed significantly to the event’s overall success. In recognition of their achievement, both forms were rewarded with a well-deserved pizza party celebration.

junior journal...

A YEAR OF EXCEPTIONAL SPORTING SUCCESS Sport has continued to flourish across the Junior School, with pupils enjoying success at local, regional and AJIS competitions throughout the year.

The term has been marked by strong participation, impressive achievements and a positive sporting spirit, with girls demonstrating determination, teamwork and resilience across a wide range of sports. From championship titles and individual medals to exciting new competitions, it has been a year to remember.

AJIS NETBALL SUCCESS Withington’s U11 netball team were crowned AJIS Netball Champions. The achievement was particularly remarkable as the team completed their AJIS netball journey unbeaten throughout Years 4, 5 and 6, an accomplishment that has not previously been achieved at WGS. Their success reflects years of commitment, teamwork and determination.

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The success did not end there. The U10 team also enjoyed an excellent season, finishing third in the AJIS Cup competition at Birkenhead. The girls performed superbly throughout the tournament and demonstrated the strength and depth of netball talent within the Junior School.

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Swimming featured prominently throughout the term, beginning with lessons for pupils from Transition to Upper II and culminating in the annual Swimming Gala. It was encouraging to see so many confident swimmers develop their skills and enjoy time in the pool.

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chool enjoyed another successful ason, securing victories against Preparatory School and Wilmslow School. The girls impressed with their ding and teamwork, building confidence nce through competitive fixtures.

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was a great success, encouraging articipation and enjoyment while allowing erience a different style of competition ung people from other schools.

Pupils also enjoyed success at the AJIS Swimming Gala, where Robyn in Upper II won gold in the butterfly event, an outstanding achievement against strong regional competition.

Athletics also brought notable success. At the AJIS Athletics Competition, Upper and Lower II pupils delivered a number of excellent performances, including a gold medal in the long jump and a bronze medal in the 600m race. Throughout the competition, the girls demonstrated resilience, determination and sportsmanship while competing against schools from across the region.

junior journal...

SPORTS DAY Junior Sports Day was a highlight of the summer calendar, bringing the school community together for an afternoon of athletic competition and celebration.

The afternoon was characterised by enthusiastic participation, house spirit and support from families.

A particularly me which was conte Sports Day provi achievement whi teamwork, perse

emorable feature was the parents’ race, ested with great energy and enthusiasm. ided a fitting celebration of sporting ile reinforcing the importance of everance and enjoyment.

TRI-GOLF This year also saw the school’s first participation in the Tri-Golf Competition held at Platt Lane. The event proved to be a tremendous success, combining skill development, teamwork and plenty of fun.

The Upper II team delivered an outstanding performance to secure gold medals, while the Lower II team added to the celebrations by winning silver.

It was a wonderful morning filled with laughter, encouragement and excellent team spirit, providing another example of pupils embracing new sporting opportunities with confidence and enthusiasm.

SPORTING EXCELLENCE Sporting achievement was celebrated during the End of Year Assembly, where Upper II pupils received Colours certificates in recognition of their commitment and contribution to sport throughout the year.

A special congratulations was awarded to Cara, who received the prestigious O’Neal Cup for Outstanding Overall Sporting Achievement. The award recognises exceptional dedication, success and contribution to sport and was a fitting acknowledgement of an outstanding year.

CELEBRATING AN H MRS SARAH J HASLAM

SUMMER 2017

Thirty years is a long time to give to one school, especially when every one of those years is given generously - to lessons prepared, to pupils steadied through difficult times, to colleagues encouraged, and finally to a whole community led. Mrs Sarah Haslam arrived at Withington in 1995 as a Teacher of English.

She leaves in 2026 as the School’s eleventh Headmistress, having spent a decade at its helm and three decades in its service.

Work on the new Sport & Fitness Centre begins. A fundraising campaign ‘Going for it’ is launched in the Spring term to support the new development.

• TEACHER OF ENGLISH • HEAD OF YEAR • DEPUTY HEAD • ELEVENTH HEADMISTRESS

SEPTEMBER 2017

What follows is a timeline of Mrs Haslam’s Headship - the key innovations, accolades and milestones - alongside something harder to add to a timeline: the quiet, consistent care that shaped a generation of Withington girls.

“ Respect for self and others, and personal responsibility, is golden.”

Mrs Sarah Haslam, Headmistress SEPTEMBER 2016

obile learning is introduced for all pupils in the M Senior School based on a Bring Your Own Device approach - it is later rolled out to staff and Junior School pupils.

JULY 2018

Mrs Haslam takes up the headship of Withington Girls’ School, succeeding Mrs Sue Marks.

T he new Sport & Fitness Centre is officially opened by Dame Sarah Storey DBE.

HISTORIC DECADE! 28 MARCH 2019

T he Mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Andy Burnham, visits Withington at an event themed ‘Working together for Manchester’s future’ with a focus on Withington’s extensive partnership work with local schools and community organisations.

FEBRUARY 2020

T he first Feel Fab Feb, a Sixth Form student-led initiative focused on wellbeing, is launched.

It has since become a regular feature on the Withington calendar.

11 MARCH 2020

NOVEMBER 2019

ithington is named North West Independent W Secondary School of the Year in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide (2020 edition) - the start of an unbroken run of seven annual accolades from The Sunday Times.

DECEMBER 2019

F our past Headmistresses Miss Hulme, Mrs Kenyon, Mrs Pickering and Mrs Marks - visit the school for the Emily Simon Society Lunch and join Mrs Haslam for a photograph to mark this special occasion.

MARCH 2020 - MARCH 2021 T he School navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, sustaining teaching, pastoral care, extracurricular activities and community through periods of national closure. Terms such as virtual events, remote and blended learning and lateral flow testing become part of everyday life.

AUTUMN 2020

T he first Manchester Sings performance, a partnership initiative with local primary schools, takes place at Manchester Cathedral. There was no event in 2020 but the event returned in 2021 and every year since then.

T he Ad Lucem Awards, where school pupils and staff nominate and vote for inspirational alumnae, are launched. The first awards are presented at the Founders’ Day ceremony in March 2022.

AUTUMN 2020

APRIL 2023 WGS is named North West Independent Secondary School of the Decade in The Sunday Times Schools Guide (2021 edition) in recognition of 10 consecutive years as the region’s top-ranked independent school.

APRIL 2022

T he 1890 Circle is launched, recognising farsighted donors who have made a significant contribution to upholding the founding ethos of Withington to offer educational opportunities to all girls who have potential, despite economic circumstances and to provide all our pupils with the best educational experience possible.

2024

T he Dining Room extension, conference centre and learning support centre are officially opened after building work commenced during 2021.

AUTUMN 2022 T o mark the 100th birthday of former Headmistress Miss Marjorie Hulme, the WGS Bursary Fund, launched

by Miss Hulme in 1976, is renamed the Marjorie Hulme Bursary Fund in her honour.

series of commemorative events mark the 20th A anniversary of Withington’s partnership project in The Gambia, with £150k raised over those 20 years and 128 Sixth Form students involved.

20/21 MARCH 2024

SPRING 2023

ithington is named among the top 50 schools W in the UK for sport by School Sport Magazine - a remarkable testimony for a girls’ school of WGS’s size - see the national sporting successes achieved during Mrs Haslam’s headship on the next page.

MARCH 2023 T he first WGS Iftar is held with a focus on raising funds for bursaries

S uccessful 36-hour Giving Day raises £84,332 towards bursaries and former England Lionesses Jill Scott MBE and Rachel Brown-Finnis visit the school to support fundraising efforts.

SPRING 2025 full ISI inspection identifies a ‘significant strength’ A in the way the School promotes mutual respect and understanding - an accolade few schools receive.

2025-26 ACADEMIC YEAR The School celebrates 10 years of its bespoke Junior School building.

SEPTEMBER 2025

APRIL 2026

rs Haslam’s retirement is announced to the M Withington community.

Withington is shortlisted as a finalist for Teacher Development Initiative of the Year in the Tes School Awards UK 2026.

10 OCTOBER 2025

JUNE 2026

I nspirational visit by alumna Sarah Burton OBE, designer of Princess Catherine’s wedding dress and current Creative Director of Givenchy.

DECEMBER 2025 Mrs Haslam joins pupils and staff in completing a hugely successful sponsored walk held on Citizenship Day, which raises £82,798 towards bursaries.

AUGUST 2026 rs Sarah Haslam retires after ten years M as Headmistress and 30 years of service to Withington Girls’ School.

r Tom Bennett, Deputy Head Academic, is M announced as Mrs Haslam’s successor.

JANUARY 2026

Wellbeing Award for Schools 2025 - 2028

ithington achieves the W Wellbeing Award for Schools, a national accreditation recognising the School’s commitment to pupil and staff wellbeing.

2026 T he 50th anniversary of the WGS Trust and the Marjorie Hulme Bursary Fund is marked with the ‘50 Voices for 50 Years’ campaign and an event held at the House of Commons in May. The bursary programme supports around 100 pupils across the Senior School.

It is impossible to reflect on this decade fully without mentioning the events and activities not recorded in this timeline. Year in and year out: the music recitals, performances and productions; DofE Award, MUN, Mock Trial and Young Enterprise achievements; Art exhibitions, dance and gym competitions, sporting triumphs, House events, PTA events, partnership projects, 100 Oxbridge places secured and many academic successes... the list is endless!

Once again, from us all, thank you Mrs Haslam!

A DECADE OF...

...ALUMNAE FOUNDERS’ DAY SPEAKERS SEPTEMBER 2016

OCTOBER 2017

Creativity & Connections

Journeys

EMMA CHAPMAN (Class of 2004)

OCTOBER 2018

Dreams & Discover

JUDITH MORITZ (Class of 1995) Journalist and broadcaster

Author

Neuroscientist

OCTOBER 2019

2020-2021

MARCH 2022

Sustaining People & Places

DR KIRSTIE WHITAKER (Cla

Resilience & Determin

DR CAL MAJOR (Class of 2006) Veterinary surgeon, ocean conservation campaigner and world record paddle-boarder

There was no Founders’ Day in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2021, a Founders’ Assembly was held in school at the end of the Summer term with no guest speaker.

DIANE HAWKINS (Class of Lawyer, High Sheriff of Grea the time and now Lord Lieu Greater Manchester

MAY 2023

MARCH 2024

APRIL 2025

Inspiring Futures

Making a Difference

DR LOUISE MAYNARD-ATEM LIZZY BURDEN (Class of 2009) (Class of 2004) Journalist and broadcaster Deputy Director for Data, Insights, and Fraud at the Government Digital Service APRIL 2026

Lighting the way - Celebrating Opportunity

ANNETTE BYRON (Class of 1982) Lawyer and Partner at Freshfields

Memories & Milesto

DENISE PARNELL (Class o First female Championships Referee at Wimbledon

ry

ass of 2001)

nation

f 1975) ater at utenant of

ones

of 1979) s

...MAJOR SENIOR PRODUCTIONS WIT HING TON G IRL S’ S CHO OL PROUDLY PRE SEN T

Kindly sponsored by

Tuesday 3rd July 2018 Matinee 12.00pm Evening 7.00pm

Wednesday 4th July 2018

July 2018

February 2020

W I T H I N G T O N G I R L S ’ S C H O O L P R O U D LY P R E S E N T

A N

A F T E R N O O N

AT

Spring/Summer 2021 G I R L S ’

Music by

S C H O O L

P R O U D L Y

Book by

W I T H I N G T O N

G I R L S ’

S C H O O L

P R E S E N T

P R E S E N T

This is an evening Cabaret celebrating the best songs, dance numbers and memorable scenes from movies and plays set during the Golden Age of Hollywood!

MONDAY 4TH JULY 2022 7PM • THE ARTS CENTRE

July 2022 W I T H I N G T O N

G I R L S ’

S C H O O L

P R O U D LY

P R E S E N T S

Lyrics by

ALAN MENKEN CHERI & BILL STEINKELLNER GLENN SLATER Additional Book Material

DOUGLAS CARTER BEANE Based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture “Sister Act” written by Joseph Howard This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.co.uk

June 2023

Music & Lyrics by

Laurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin

WITHINGTON GIRL S’ SCHOOL PROUDLY PRESENTS

RETURN TO THE

A CELEBRATION OF GREEK THEATRE

W E D N E S D A Y 1 1 TH F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6 • 6 . 3 0 PM ΟΠΟΥ ΑΙ ΚΟΡΑI Λ ΑΜΠΟΥΣΙΝ

Book by

Heather Hach

Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture Legally Blonde JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, NY (212) 541-4684 mtishows.com

June 2025

February 2026

P R O U D L Y

T H E

SONGS AND MUSIC FROM THE WEST END PERFORMED BY WITHINGTON MUSICIANS AND FEATURING A PROFESSIONAL WEST END QUARTET

W I T H I N G T O N

ADAPTED BY CAROL ANN DUFFY AND DRAMATISED BY MELLY STILL & TIM SUPPLE.

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH KNIGHT HALL AGENCY LTD

Evening 7.00pm

...SPORTING ACCOLADES 2018 U15 Netball - Independent Schools National Cup winners 2019 U16 Netball - Independent Schools National Cup bronze medallists 2022 U14 Lacrosse - National Schools winners - first national lacrosse title U14 Netball - National Schools third place 2023 Top 50 for Sport - School Sport Magazine U15 Netball - Independent Schools National Cup winners U14 Netball - National Schools runners up and Sister n Sport winners U13 Netball - Independent Schools National Cup winners 2024 U16 Netball - National Schools runners up and Sisters n Sport winners U15 Netball - Independent Schools National Cup winners for second year in a row U12 Netball - School Sports Magazine’s National Knock Out runners up Senior Lacrosse - National Schools Division One runners up 2025 U16 Netball - Sisters n Sport winners and National Schools finalists Senior Lacrosse - Nationals Schools Championship Top 8 for first time in recent history 2026 U13 Netball - Sisters n Sport plate winners and Independent Schools National Cup runners up U12 Netball - Sisters n Sport runners up U16 Football - Manchester Cup Final silver medallists, first ever football final for WGS Senior Lacrosse - National Schools Challenge Cup semi-finalists

ARTS AWARD

EXPLORE Juniors

BRONZE Year 7

Our Junior cohort of Arts Award enthusiasts have had a lovely term discovering different art genres and movements. They researched Art Nouveau objects in the Victoria and Albert Museum and completed mindful colouring pages based on this style. They produced their own Op Art inspired by Bridget Riley, carefully constructing the repeating patterns and considering the best colour combinations. Our artists also created striking paintings influenced by Abstract Expressionism.

Firstly, the girls prepared the backgrounds of their artworks using watercolour washes. In subsequent classes, they then used funky stencils and acrylic paint. Everyone really enjoyed the opportunity to play with the materials and add extra details with posca pens. To complete the programme, our artists shared their artwork with each other and provided positive and complimentary comments to their peers.

Our group of Arts Award Bronze attendees had a happy final term completing this course. They successfully planned, delivered and evaluated their own Skills Share, where they taught a unique activity to their friends and peers. We had everything from watercolour painting, origami, digital art, animal collages, crochet, mood board making, cake illustrations and more!

Since finishing this section of their portfolio, the girls were invited to research their own choice of artist, and they displayed information, photographs and imagery beautifully in their books. The Arts Award Bronze sketchbooks have now been taken in for assessment and moderation, and students will receive notification of their certificate in the Autumn term. We hope that the girls will wish to continue their creative Arts Award Journey with us and progress onto the Silver course.

M

MISS HANNAH BROWN Arts Award Coordinator

SILVER Years 8 & 9 Our group of focused Arts Award Silver students attended an excellent trip to the People’s History Museum in April. We began exploring the main galleries, guided by an experienced artist. The girls learned lots of background information relating to a diverse range of textile banners and they asked relevant and insightful questions as we observed the artefacts presented in the galleries. We then spent the rest of the time in the education studio where the girls designed and cocreated a colourful banner, using symbols, words and illustrations. Back at school, they presented their findings in their portfolios before moving on to a new module based on careers and study pathways in the arts. We have had a productive year with our Arts Award Silver students, and we look forward to seeing many more fantastic artworks produced by them all in the future.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD

Earlier this year, a number of Year 12 chemists took part in the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad.

Designed primarily for Year 13 students, the Olympiad challenges participants to apply their knowledge to complex problems that go well beyond the A Level specification. For Year 12 students to gain recognition in this competition is a significant achievement and reflects their determination, resilience and outstanding problem-solving abilities.

We are delighted that Withington students secured two silver awards and eleven bronze awards.

SILVER

Emily Blackwell & Ziyuan Ma

BRONZE

Alex Cooper, Harmony Coleman, Erika Hope, Sarah Knight, Anna Martin, Olivia McIntosh, Seraphina Mark, Mariam Siddiqui, Seb Ten, Emily Wan & Autumn Win Congratulations to all of our students on these excellent results.

MATHS MEM CHALLENGE

Five Withington pupils were presented with certificates at a prize giving event during the Summer term after earning recognition for outstanding achievements in this year’s Mathematics Education for Girls (MEM) challenge.

The competition, which was hosted by The University of Liverpool during February half term, had tested problem-solving skills and mathematical thinking with a range of stimulating and challenging questions that were designed to stretch participants’ abilities.

Well done to our pupils who took part and congratulations to our five top performers from years 5 to 13 who received prizes for their excellent performances. Divided into three age categories, they were:

JUNIOR CHALLENGE (Year 8 and below)

• Greta Leung in Year 5 secured an outstanding second prize • Hoomi Mittal in Year 7 was awarded Highly Commended Senior Challenge (Year 10 and below) The Senior competition saw a high level of competition, with students rising to the challenge: • Aarna Poddar achieved an excellent third prize • Trinity Yu received a Certificate of Merit

OPEN CHALLENGE (Year 13 and below)

The Open category featured some of the most demanding problems, aimed at older students: • Zoe Werner earned an impressive third prize

SALLY FLETCHER Teacher of Maths

MUSIC

Two musical recital eve celebrating the talent

From solos to duet per their musical talents a

Well done to all who p

CAL MOMENTS

enings took place on 14th and 15th May and dedication of our pupils.

rformances, pupils took to the stage to showcase and enthusiasm in equal measure.

performed at these enjoyable events.

CURIOUS NOT FURIOUS

A group of our School Council pupils took part in further ‘Curious not Furious’ sessions on 2nd June with Alex Dalton, a founding partner of Leading Ideas and former Withington pupil.

Alex had visited us earlier in the year, during week one of Feel Fab Feb, to lead workshops aimed at helping pupils develop communication skills and the ability to engage thoughtfully and constructively with others.

These most recent sessions allowed members of the School Council to take a deeper dive into this material and develop ideas for future sessions for young people within and beyond our school community. It was a highly valuable experience, and we are grateful to all those involved in making it possible.

ANNUAL TRIPS DAY

Our Annual Trips Day took place on 10th June and saw pupils in Year 7 through to Year 10, singing, measuring, exploring and learning in the rain.

Our Year 9s enjoyed a wonderful day at Chester Zoo, and Year 10 visited the Holocaust Centre North (see report opposite).

Year 7 explored the castles of Wales, a combined visit for a day of fun and learning at Conwy Castle and Basingwerk Abbey, while Year 8 experienced the coastal weather and landscapes of Llandudno, for a day of geographical data collection to tie in with their current coastal unit of study. The day’s experience included spectacular views of the Great Orme, a walk along the famous seaside pier and plenty of seagull interaction.

Mr Bennett reflected in the weekly parents email:

“ These days are such an important part of school life, giving pupils opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, to spend time together in different contexts, and to experience subjects, places and ideas in a more immediate and memorable way.”

HOLOCAUST CENTRE NORTH

Year 10 pupils visited Holocaust Centre North as part of their Religious and Philosophy curriculum.

The visit offered pupils an important opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Holocaust, not only as a historical event, but as a profound moral challenge which continues to speak to questions of prejudice, responsibility, memory and human dignity.

Throughout the day, pupils engaged with talks, exhibitions and testimony designed to help them reflect on the lived experiences of Jewish communities before, during and after the Holocaust. A particularly meaningful part of the visit was a talk given by the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, who is also a former Withington student. She spoke about her grandfather’s experience of escaping Nazioccupied Europe on the Kindertransport, helping pupils understand how the Holocaust affected individual lives and families across generations. Her reflections made clear that history is not simply something we study from a distance, but something carried in memory, testimony and family stories.

The visit also supported wider learning about Judaism, antisemitism and the importance of challenging hatred in all its forms. Pupils were encouraged to think carefully about the dangers of stereotyping and dehumanisation, and about the responsibility each generation has to remember and learn from the past.

The conduct of the pupils was excellent throughout the visit. They approached the subject matter with maturity, respect and thoughtfulness, representing the school extremely well. The talks were informative and closely connected to themes explored in RS, helping pupils to see how classroom learning can be enriched through encounter, reflection and historical testimony.

We are grateful to the staff at Holocaust Centre North for their careful and sensitive work, to the speaker for sharing such powerful family testimony, and to the members of staff who supported the visit. Thank you to the Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust for their support of this meaningful day of learning and reflection for Year 10.

MR ROB LATHAM Head of Religious Studies

SUMMER WRITING COMPETITION

This term, students were invited to take part in our annual Summer Writing Competition, with this year’s challenge set and judged by local author Louisa Reid.

Participants responded to a series of unusual and imaginative writing prompts inspired by real-life events, including a collection of Victorian shoes washed ashore, a lorry-load of chips that met a similar fate, and the sudden collapse of the famous sea feature known as Lover’s Arch. The prompts encouraged students to think creatively and produce original pieces of writing based on these intriguing scenarios.

The competition attracted an impressive number of entries, and Louisa praised the creativity, imagination and quality of the writing submitted. Such was the high standard that, alongside the overall winners, eight students were awarded Highly Commended certificates and a further 23 received Commended awards, recognising the depth of talent among our young writers.

After careful deliberation, two overall winners were selected:

HARMONY COLEMAN (Year 12) & ALLANA FLANAGAN (Year 9)

Both students received book tokens in recognition of their outstanding entries.

All writers who took part will receive a copy of the competition anthology, featuring every entry, in the Autumn term.

Congratulations to Harmony and Allana and to all our writers.

DRAMA

MRS LUCY BERRY Head of Drama

THE DE LA PORTAS CUP PRESENTATION The De La Portas Cup is awarded annually to students who have made an exceptional contribution to Drama at Withington Girls’ School.

This year, the decision was particularly difficult, reflecting the outstanding commitment and talent demonstrated by so many students across the department. We were therefore delighted to recognise three recipients, all of whom have dedicated their time, energy and enthusiasm to a wide range of productions and drama events throughout their school careers.

Poppy Button has been an integral part of Drama since Year 7, performing in every senior production, from Beasts and Beauties through to Sister Act, Legally Blonde Jr and Return to the Dionysia. Alongside her A Level Drama studies, Poppy has actively pursued performance opportunities beyond school, consistently demonstrating exceptional passion and commitment to the performing arts.

Rosie Wallis, who joined Withington in Year 10, quickly established herself as a valued member of the Drama community. Through memorable performances in Legally Blonde Jr and Sister Act, as well as her dedication to both GCSE and A Level Drama and the achievement of Grade 8 LAMDA, Rosie has shown remarkable talent and a genuine love of theatre.

Ava Robinson has also made a significant contribution to Drama during her time at Withington. Alongside studying Drama at both GCSE and A Level, Ava has taken on a variety of notable roles, including performances in Beasts and Beauties, hosting Return to the Dionysia, and playing Brooke in Legally Blonde Jr. Her achievement of Grade 8 LAMDA further reflects her versatility, dedication, and commitment to developing her craft.

Together, Poppy, Rosie and Ava have brought creativity, enthusiasm, and excellence to the Drama department, enriching countless productions and inspiring those around them.

We are absolutely delighted to award the De La Portas Cup 2026 to Poppy Button, Rosie Wallis and Ava Robinson. Congratulations to all three students on this well-deserved recognition.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL DRAMA AWARD (OCSDA) Drama continues to thrive, with students embracing a wide range of opportunities both on and off the stage. From working towards LAMDA qualifications up to Grade 8, supporting productions through the Technical Crew, performing in school productions, and leading House Play activities, our students demonstrate incredible enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to the performing arts.

At this year’s Final Assembly, we were delighted to recognise students who have made an outstanding contribution to Drama.

Congratulations to the following students: • Aaloka Ariyawansa • Nitika Banerjee • Eva Bowie • Poppy Button • Sofia Dhawahir-Scala • Emily Edge • Alice Fines • Orli Garnett • Ciara Halpenny • Maria Khan

• Sophia Khan • Cara Mooney • Emily Porter • Ava Robinson • Sana Sarkar • Olivia Sawney • Nanaki Singh • Paavana Sugamar • Rosie Wallis • Matilda Wright

LAMDA 2026 We are delighted that so many students across both the Junior and Senior Schools choose to take LAMDA lessons as an extracurricular activity. This reflects the strong value placed on the performing arts at Withington by students, parents and staff alike.

On 16th, 17th and 19th June, 140 students from the Third Form to the Lower Fifth took part in their LAMDA examinations, presenting work in Acting, Devised Theatre or Verse and Prose.

These exams marked the culmination of months of dedicated preparation, including performing

to family and friends at the LAMDA Showcases earlier in the term, with students working closely with their LAMDA teachers to develop and refine their performances. The results will be published once they have been released in September.

We wish all our students the very best of luck as they await their results. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to our dedicated LAMDA teaching team, Ms Radcliffe, Ms Hotten, Ms Guest and Ms Paul, for their outstanding support, expert guidance and inspirational teaching throughout the year.

PLAYWRITING SUCCESS We are delighted to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Dhaani Singh in Year 12, whose play You Can’t Say That was selected as one of the winners of the Royal Court Theatre’s Young Playwrights Award 2026.

Chosen from more than 250 submissions from young writers across the UK, Dhaani was one of just six national winners and one of only three recognised in the 16-18 age category.

The Young Playwrights Award is run by the internationally renowned Royal Court Theatre and was established to champion emerging voices and encourage the next generation of playwrights. This year marked the first time the award expanded from a London pilot programme to a nationwide competition, attracting entries from talented young writers across the country.

Dhaani’s winning play, You Can’t Say That, explores the ways in which changing attitudes towards language, identity and politics can create tensions between generations. Recognised for its originality, wit and insight, the play was selected by the Royal Court’s artistic team and judging panel as one of the competition’s winning entries.

As part of her award, Dhaani’s work was professionally staged as a rehearsed reading at the Royal Court Theatre in London during the Young Playwrights Award Festival in July. The production was brought to life by professional actors and directors in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, giving audiences the opportunity to experience her writing on stage. In addition, the play has been published alongside the other winning entries in an anthology produced by Nick Hern Books.

Dhaani’s success is a wonderful reflection of the creativity, skill and dedication she has continued to develop as a writer. To achieve national recognition from one of the UK’s leading new-writing theatres is an exceptional accomplishment and an exciting milestone in her creative journey.

We offer our warmest congratulations to Dhaani on this outstanding achievement and look forward to seeing where her talent for storytelling takes her next.

PINK SUCC

Following their succes Mathematical Challen from Years 10 and 11 w competition: the Pink

The Pink Kangaroo is 25 multiple-choice qu thinking, creativity an their mathematical kn situations.

We are delighted to co gold, silver or bronze Year 10

GOLD: Aleena A BRONZE: Noor Abd

Year 11

SILVER:

Kody Li (B

In addition, Aarna Pod Mathematical Challen even more demanding full written solutions, rigorous logic. We are Merit, an excellent ac the UK’s most talente

Congratulations to all and for representing W mathematics compet

KANGAROO CESS...

ss in the UK Mathematics Trust Intermediate nge earlier this year, a group of gold award winners were invited to take part in the next stage of the k Kangaroo.

a demanding 60-minute challenge comprising uestions. It places a strong emphasis on logical nd problem-solving, requiring students to apply nowledge in unfamiliar and often complex

ongratulate the following students, who achieved awards in the competition:

Assad & Pia Syal (Best in School) dulwahab, Annabel Lama & Emma Tan

Best in Year) & Jasmine Sastry

ddar in Year 10 qualified from the Intermediate nge for the Hamilton Mathematical Olympiad, an g competition that requires students to provide , demonstrating clear mathematical reasoning and e delighted that Aarna was awarded a Certificate of chievement in a competition designed to challenge ed young mathematicians.

l of our students on their outstanding performances Withington so successfully in these national titions.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB

This year we were fortunate enough to volunteer with ‘Friendship Club’ - a community group for young adults with Down’s Syndrome. We enjoyed the partnership so much that we decided to organise our own drama and sport evening for them at Withington.

The evening began with a series of drama activities, including a game of musical statues followed by group performances using props and scripts.

It was particularly rewarding to see participants who were initially a little hesitant grow in confidence, becoming fully immersed in their roles as the session progressed.

The evening then moved into a mini sports day, featuring team games such as beanbag toss, javelin throwing and a basketball dribble relay. The atmosphere was lively and good-humoured, with enthusiastic support for every team throughout.

Overall, it was a fantastic evening enjoyed by all, and a brilliant opportunity to strengthen our partnership with the group.

We are extremely grateful to Friendship Club for the opportunity, and to all the volunteers who gave up their time to help make the evening possible.

Particular thanks go to Ms Kober, whose organisation and support made the event possible.

SAANVI ELAPROLU, OLIVIA MCINTOSH & TIA PATEL Year 12

OUTSTANDING STEM ACHIEVEM We are delighted to celebrate the success of Zara Chakrabarti, who was shortlisted for the STEM Student Award, recognising her passion, innovation and commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.

Zara’s passion for engineering and aviatio age. Growing up close to Manchester Airpo frequently as a child sparked a fascination has remained with her ever since. Her love STEM subjects naturally complemented th her to explore the science and engineering

Zara was thrilled to be named a finalist, describing the recognition as particularly meaningful because of her long-standing enthusiasm for STEM subjects.

During her time at Withington, Zara has her interests through Design and Techno the important role the department has p her ambitions.

“ I’ve always been passionate about STEM, so being able to develop my interests and share them with others means a lot to me.”

“ Doing DT at GCSE really helped me devel because of the opportunities, resources support from the DT department. I am ve

The project that led to Zara’s nomination combined her technical skills with her desire to encourage younger children to engage with STEM. Inspired by her fascination with aerospace, she developed a computer program designed to introduce primary-aged children to the wonders of space. The programme explores topics such as constellations, different types of spacecraft and live information from NASA, making complex concepts accessible and engaging for young learners.

Her achievements extend beyond this la recognition. Zara is also an Arkwright Sc national scholarship that supports talen with aspirations in engineering, design a

Reflecting on the project, Zara explained that she simply wanted to share her enthusiasm with others and was delighted by the impact it had. “ I didn’t really expect much to come of it, but I’m really happy that I made an impact.”

Looking ahead, Zara hopes to pursue a c particularly in aircraft design, while also renewable technologies can help shape future for the industry.

Away from engineering and aerospace, Z accomplished musician who enjoys play songs and taking part in GarageBand an at school. She also has a keen interest in demonstrating the breadth of her intere

We congratulate Zara on this fantastic a

MENT

on began at an early ort and travelling n with aircraft that e of mathematics and his interest, helping g behind flight.

further developed ology, acknowledging played in supporting

lop my passion available and ery grateful to them.”

atest award cholar, a prestigious nted young people and technical fields.

career in aviation, o exploring how a more sustainable

Zara is an ying the guitar, writing nd Open Mic sessions n creative writing, ests.

achievement.

WITHINGTON CONNECTIONS SHINE ON THE INTERNATIONAL LACROSSE STAGE Across the summer, the Withington community had plenty to celebrate, with current staff members and alumnae playing at the very highest levels of lacrosse.

In July, Head of PE, Mrs Steph Roberts, travelled to Tokyo to represent Scotland at the Women’s Lacrosse World Championships. Competing against 15 other nations, Scotland entered the tournament aiming for a top-eight finish in one of the sport’s most prestigious international competitions.

Adding to the strong Withington presence in the Scottish squad were former pupils Carys Bucknall (2024) and Chess Gray (2015), while the team’s Head Coach is Ailsa Stott (1998). With three alumnae and a member of staff involved, it was a fantastic example of the continued sporting success and influence of the Withington community on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Mr Drew Bickerton, Lacrosse Coach, represented Great Britain in a series of fixtures against Australia as part of preparations for the forthcoming European Olympic qualifier. With only 20 players selected for the squad, his inclusion placed him among the country’s leading men’s lacrosse players.

Adding to an extraordinary summer of lacrosse success, Mr Tom Hallam, a new member of the WGS Site Team, represented England at the European Box Lacrosse Championships in Prague. Competing against the best players from across Europe, Mr Hallam and his teammates reached the knockout stages of the tournament, further highlighting the breadth of sporting talent within the Withington community.

We congratulate them all on their achievements and wish them continued success in their sporting careers. Their dedication, commitment and passion for their sport are an inspiration to our pupils and a wonderful reminder that Withington connections continue to thrive long after students leave school.

SPIRITED ARTS COMP

Withington’s Religious Studies Department is delighted to celebrate this year’s talented Spirited Arts Competition 2026 winners.

Spirited Arts is a national NATRE (National Association of Teachers of Religious Education) competition which invites students to explore religion, belief, ethics and worldviews through creativity. Students do not have to be religious to take part; the competition is about asking big questions, thinking deeply, and using art to express ideas about meaning, hope, responsibility, community and the world in which we live.

Students chose from six themes and the aim was not simply to create visually impressive pieces, but to produce work that made people pause, reflect and think more deeply.

The judges were looking for originality, care, creativity and thoughtful RS insight. We were especially impressed by entries that connected visual ideas with deeper reflection about belief, morality, community and the kind of future we might create.

Withington’s first-place winner, Zoe Werner (Year 12), chose the theme Sacred Spaces and created a piece called More Than Stone. Her artwork explored religious places of worship from different faiths, cultures and societies across the world. What made her piece especially powerful was that she did not simply focus on the beauty or architecture of these buildings. Instead, she asked a deeper question: what actually makes a place sacred? Zoe argued that sacred spaces are more than buildings or locations. They become meaningful because of the people who gather there, the relationships formed there, the memories created there, and the sense of belonging they can give to a community.

In her artwork, two children holding hands symbolised the connections that can be built through learning about one another. Although the buildings in the piece came from different religious traditions, they stood together, showing that difference does not have to divide us.

Our second-place winner, Wei Ann Ho (Year 8), chose the theme Prayers for all that lives and created a piece called The Ark of our Future.

Her work took inspiration from the story of Noah’s Ark but reimagined it for the modern world and its fragile future. Inside the outline of the ark, she included contemporary scenes, such as a polar bear on a drifting ice cap, asking what the story of the ark might mean today. What made this entry stand out was the depth of questioning behind it. Wei Ann asked: if we had to begin again, what would we take with us, what would we leave behind, and who would decide? Her artwork included an ark within the ark, suggesting that even our attempts to save the world can contain new problems and questions. It was visually imaginative, but also philosophically rich, inviting the viewer to think about value, responsibility, human nature and whether there can ever be one shared idea of paradise.

Third-place WGS winner was Aafreen Bux (Year 9) who explored the future of humanity through an Islamic perspective, focusing on hope, responsibility and moral choice. Her artwork used the image of a giant hourglass divided into two contrasting worlds: one showing destruction, war, greed and environmental collapse, and the other showing trees, rivers, clean water and peaceful coexistence. This contrast powerfully suggested that the future is not fixed but shaped by human action. Aafreen linked her artwork to Qur’anic teachings, including the idea that Allah does not change the condition of people until they change what is within themselves. Her work reminded us that faith is not only about belief, but also about responsibility: caring for the Earth, helping those in need, and choosing to build a better future.

Well done to all three prize winners, and thank you to everyone who entered. The standard of work showed real creativity, imagination and depth of thought. At its best, Religious Studies is not just about learning what people believe.

It is about asking what matters, how we should live, and how we might understand one another better. These entries did exactly that: they made us stop, look and think.

The winning entries will now go forward for judging in the national competition.

MPETITION

HITTING THE HIGH NOTES

Withington’s week commencing on 22nd June began on a high note as literature and music came together in a relaxed Open Mic event.

In a calm, feel-good session filled with music and storytelling, the informal event - held over lunchtime in the school library - brought staff and students together to share songs inspired by books.

NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC THINKING CHALLENGE During the Summer term, 55 Year 10s were awarded certificates for their success in the National Scientific Thinking Challenge.

Placed within the top 10% of entrants nationally, 20 Withington pupils achieved the gold standard, while a further 15 were awarded silver (top 25%), and an additional 20 each secured a bronze certificate, placing them in the top 40%.

This challenge, which took place in May, is designed by top academics with industrial and research links to test students’ critical reasoning and their ability to tackle unfamiliar problems.

What is so impressive is our pupils’ can do attitude. No preparation or control of the papers were possible, so it was risk taking and effort which led to success.

MR ROB LATHAM Head of Religious Studies

DR JO SMILES Head of Science

‘TRASHION’ SHOW

Pupils from The Ryleys Prep in Alderley Edge visited our Art and Design Technology departments for a fun-filled day of creative garment recycling in preparation for their school’s own ‘Trashion’ Show.

From rubbish to runway, the aim of the practical workshop, held on 24th June, was to create fashion items using waste, while combining creativity, problem-solving and sustainability in an imaginative way.

The group of 19 Year 4 - 6 pupils, accompanied by three members of staff, enjoyed a warm welcome assembly and school tour before spending time learning new skills and experimenting with a variety of materials to bring their ideas to life. It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm, teamwork and originality on display.

UNITE WORK

Over the May half-term experience at the Unit

UNON is the UN headq currently they are und will reconstruct the ca

It was really amazing t in two aspects: projec management included forecast and make pre as accurate as possibl the contractors and a parties: clients, contra

One of my main takea like learning from a bo learned on the job, as organisations. From th prospects, especially witnessed entailed. I w in work experience of the lessons learned w

ED NATIONS K EXPERIENCE

m, I had the opportunity to undertake work ted Nations in Nairobi, Kenya (UNON).

quarters for the world’s southern hemisphere, and dergoing the Conference Facilities Project. This ampus and upgrade all their conference halls.

to be a part of this project and I was involved ct management and construction. The project d cost and risk analysis, where I learned how to edictions mathematically to ensure they were le. I also spent lots of time on site, overseeing attending meetings which involved the different actors and consultants.

aways is that the world of work is really nothing ook at school. Concepts and methods are s well as how to work with different international his, I am much more open minded to my future job because I hadn’t realised what some of the jobs I would strongly encourage everyone to participate any sort during your summer holidays because will be eye-opening and valuable!

SOFIA AHMED Year 12

JUDITH CHALMERS OBE

(Class of 1954)

In May, we received news that Withington alumna, Judith Chalmers, had sadly passed away. A much-loved TV presenter, she was best known for the popular long-running travel series Wish You Were Here which she presented for almost 30 years. She was awarded an OBE in 1994 for her services to broadcasting in a career that spanned over 60 years. Judith was in the public eye for most of her life, beginning her career whilst she was still at Withington on the popular radio programme, Children’s Hour. She opted to leave Withington after her O Levels to pursue her broadcasting career.

Judith maintained links with the school, visiting with her sister Sandra, also a Withington alumna and who also worked in broadcasting, to open the Arts Centre in 1982. She last visited Withington in 2017 with Sandra’s children. It was heartening to see her many achievements being celebrated in the national media following the announcement of her death. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.

DofE

GOLD AWARD

It is always a real pleasure to see so many pupils in Year 12 signing up for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award every September.

This scheme continues to be very popular at Withington, with pupils and their families seeing the benefits that this scheme brings. The opportunity to get involved with a range of activities on a weekly basis including learning a skill, a physical activity and some form of volunteering enables the development of a wide range of personal skills including teamwork, leadership, resilience, determination and self-reliance. The participants undertake a wide range of different weekly activities over periods of time ranging from 12 to 18 months.

The expeditions are the most well-known aspect of the scheme, with a practice and qualifying expedition, organised and led by a team of highly qualified mountain leaders.

The practice expedition to the Yorkshire Dales saw the teams training around Malham, before hiking through to Horton-in-Ribblesdale and finishing in Ingleton. The weather was generally very good for the time of year and the conditions meant that the teams were able to hike up and over both Fountains Fell and Ingleborough, enjoying glorious views from the top.

At the start of the Summer term, the teams reassembled to take on the qualifying expedition. The gold route for this final expedition in the Lake District is more demanding. On day one, teams walk from Pooley Bridge at the top of Ullswater, around to Glenridding to camp for the first night. On arrival at Pooley Bridge, the teams confirmed their routes with the DofE team and set off in the sunshine. We were very lucky with the weather and all teams reached the camp at Glenridding to get the tents up and cook their evening meal before it became dark.

Luckily the teams all awoke to remained sunny and warm for the mountain day and the team down into Ambleside and up to choose including Grisedale and the teams to see spectacular v camp site at Rydal Hall is excel the valley and a new, large and phone charging facilities and u very good time and were able t best use of the campsite facilit

Day three saw the teams hiking i Common and down into Borrowd With a very quiet camp site and to celebrate the end of three tou easy walk down into Keswick on

Everyone was very keen to be o had left camp before 8am. It is into Keswick along the side of with the weather.

The groups were organised, effi expedition and thoughtful and the debrief sessions. They were positive attitude throughout an

DR

sunshine on day two and the weather the rest of the expedition. Day two is ms have to plan a route from Glenridding o Rydal. There are several routes to d Scandale passes, all of which enable views of the area from the summits. The llent - flat, private, a great view down d very well set up shower block with underfloor heating! All the teams made to enjoy the opportunity to make the ties.

into Grasmere then over Grasmere dale for their last camp of the expedition. a clear, sunny evening the group was able ugh days, with the promise of a relatively n the final fourth day.

off early on the last day and all teams s a pleasant walk from Borrowdale down the lake and again we were very lucky

fficient and cheerful throughout the reflective about their experiences in e excellent company and maintained a nd thoroughly deserved to be successful.

R SUE MADDEN DofE Gold Coordinator

BRONZE QUALIFYING EXPEDITION Seventy-one Year 9 students successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award qualifying expedition on 28th and 29th June, demonstrating impressive determination, resilience and teamwork throughout the weekend.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Derbyshire’s Hope Valley, the expedition challenged students to work collaboratively as they navigated their routes, carried and managed their equipment, and supported one another along the way. They embraced every aspect of the challenge with enthusiasm, maturity and a growing sense of independence.

Blessed with favourable weather conditions, the groups were able to enjoy the spectacular scenery while putting their expedition skills into practice. The combination of physical challenge, problem-solving and time spent in the outdoors made for a rewarding and memorable experience.

Staff were particularly impressed by the way students encouraged one another, overcame obstacles together and maintained positive spirits throughout. Their perseverance, resilience and commitment were evident at every stage of the expedition and reflected great credit on both themselves and the school.

Congratulations to all students on this fantastic achievement and an important milestone in their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey.

MS ALEX KUSZNIR DofE Coordinator

ECONOMICS OLYMPIAD NATIONAL FINAL At the end of June, Year 12 students Sofia Ahmed, Lily Doherty, Harriet Jackson and Zoe Werner travelled to London to compete in the national final of the Economics Olympiad, having already progressed through several highly competitive stages of the prestigious competition.

Reaching the final was a remarkable achievement in itself, placing the students among the top 3% of Economics students nationally.

Throughout the competition, they demonstrated their ability to analyse and debate a wide range of economic issues, applying their knowledge to real-world scenarios and competing against some of the country’s most talented young economists.

Alongside the competition, students also had the opportunity to hear from a number of leading figures in the field of economics. Talks were delivered by renowned economists Linda Yueh, Ha-Joon Chang and Soumaya Keynes, who shared their insights on contemporary economic challenges, policy-making and careers in the profession.

The trip provided a fantastic opportunity not only to compete at the highest level, but also to engage with current economic thinking and learn from experts working at the forefront of the discipline.

Congratulations to all four students on reaching the national final and representing Withington so successfully. Their achievement reflects the dedication, intellectual curiosity and analytical skills that are central to the study of Economics.

2 7 T

Withington welcomed this year’s WGS Model

Held on Saturday 27th J collaboration and diplo truly came to life throu

Deputy Head Academi

“ These are always suc representatives from with pupils from scho in various UN commit problems. It’s an imp public speaking and

Congratulations to Alt home the top two spo

Attendees were also h Drugs, Laboratory and special video message

Thank you to our WiMU showcasing student le

H

J U N E

2 0 2 6

XVII MMUNIT FOSTERING CO

Y

d around 200 delegates from over 20 schools for l United Nations Conference, WiMUN XVII.

June, in a day of thought-provoking debate, omacy, the 2026 theme, ‘Fostering Community’, ugh the energy and ideas shared across committees.

ic, Mr Bennett, commented:

ch special events, with pupils role-playing m member states of the United Nations, joining ools across the region, deliberating resolutions ttees, and working together to solve the world’s pressive demonstration of research, diplomacy, collaboration.”

trincham Grammar School for Boys who took ots.

honoured to hear from Dr Justice Tettey, Chief of d Scientific Services at the United Nations, via a e.

UN Committee for organising a successful day and eadership in action.

WELCOME BACK CLASS OF 2025!

It was wonderful to welcome back the familiar faces from the Class of 2025 who returned to speak with current Year 12 students about their first year away from Withington. They spent the afternoon sharing their university experiences, what they’ve been doing on gap years and offered insights into degree apprenticeships - an invaluable experience for Year 12 as they begin to make their own choices about life beyond Withington.

Following this, the Class of 2025 enjoyed their first alumnae reunion where they had the opportunity to reconnect and catch up with each other and with staff.

CHEMISTRY PRIZE AT STEM OLYMPICS Outstanding efforts and impressive teamwork at this year’s STEM Olympics, held at The Grange School on 23rd June, saw Withington’s Year 9 team of four take home the competition’s Chemistry prize.

It was a fantastic achievement by Aafreen Bux, Aarna Thakur, Aleena Shahzadi and Kiana Mehta, who all worked extremely hard to represent our school. The four pupils competed in a wide range of practical challenges designed to develop teamwork and apply key scientific principles from across the Key Stage 3 curriculum, spanning Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

The pupils demonstrated enthusiasm, resilience and excellent problem-solving skills throughout the event - and they should be extremely proud of this excellent result. Not only did they thoroughly enjoy the experience, but they also gained valuable insight into tackling complex, real-world problems collaboratively.

DR JO SMILES Head of Science

FARE CLAS

After our Year 13s com became our Class of 2 in the final assembly they’ve made to our s

Their final week in sch shortage of creativity group transform into Kens of every variety. fun, with each form ch maximum group cohe characters all feature teamwork, with even challenge. The Barbie preparing to embark o film reminds us, “Barb young women of this world and pursue the

And then, on 6th May, Leavers’ Concert and new beginnings. From a meal, it was a wond to reflect and to recog their time with us.

In their final assembly them that with hard w they can achieve.

We’re incredibly prou community. Wishing o and in the exciting jou but until then, enjoy t

EWELL SS OF 2026

mpleted their A Level exams in June and officially 2026 leavers, we bade them all a formal farewell and thanked them for the countless contributions school community.

hool was filled with celebration, laughter and no y. A series of themed dress-up days saw the year everything from Trolls characters to Barbies and . An inter-form costume competition added to the hallenged to interpret a theme while achieving esion. Spies, fairies, Shrek, Halloween and Disney ed in an impressive display of imagination and Form Tutors enthusiastically embracing the e theme felt particularly fitting for a year group on the next stage of their journey; after all, as the bie can be anything”, and so can the remarkable Class of 2026 as they prepare to step out into the eir ambitions.

, it was the grand finalé for the Class of 2026 - a Dinner to mark this special occasion and celebrate m impressive performances to shared moments over derful opportunity for pupils, parents and staff alike gnise all that our Class of 2026 have achieved during

y, Ms Robinson, Director of Sixth Form, reminded work and determination, there are no limits to what

ud of them and all they’ve contributed to our our Class of 2026 every success in the weeks ahead urneys to come. We’ll see you again on Results Day the break - you’ve definitely earned it.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDEN PARTY Six WGS alumnae attended the prestigious Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award celebration at Buckingham Palace earlier this summer.

Ms Kusznir, our DofE Coordinator, had the pleasure of meeting them at the event, catching up on their journeys post-Withington and sharing in this achievement.

The Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the highest level of the programme and requires a considerable commitment of time, perseverance and dedication.

Attending the celebration at Buckingham Palace was a wonderful opportunity to recognise their hard work and a fitting recognition of all they have accomplished.

SUCCESS FOR BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS

WARM WI

Withington’s innovative Young Enterprise Paper Blooms Cards team beat off competition from seven other companies at the YE North West Regional finals to secure the Creativity prize for their affordable, sustainable range of plantable cards and gift tags.

After winning the earlier Greater Manchester round, our Year 12 group were invited to the North West regional final at the University of Salford where they impressed the judges with their for-purpose range of seeded cards that can be planted to grow wildflowers; an ecofriendly alternative to traditional greeting cards.

Having pitched their business idea and showcased their products at the event, held on 15th May, the team was praised for their exceptional designs but also for their inclusive approach - which alongside their customisable year-round offering - features a range of Braille products that make celebrations accessible for all.

A truly heart-warming moment came when a University of Salford student ambassador bought Paper Bloom products for her father, explaining how rare it is to find Braille on greetings cards. Following their win, the team also connected with VICTA, a charity supporting children and young people who are blind or partially sighted.

Commending the research and authenticity behind the range, VICTA shared the following Paper Blooms post amongst its 4000 Facebook followers, promoting their collection: “All of our Braille cards are carefully hand-embossed by our team and can be fully personalised with a custom Braille message chosen by the customer, making every card unique and personal. We offer a growing range of designs for birthdays, thank you cards, congratulations, seasonal celebrations and many other occasions.”

Withington’s Paper Bloom Cards team had originally made it through to the North West final after taking on a full day of challenges including a trade fair, a deep-dive interview on their report and finances, and a four-minute presentation in front of judges and fellow teams. Their hard work paid off, with their products, report and presentation achieving the best in group award.

AND FOND

MR FELIX DELSIGNOR Teacher of Physics

A genuinely unique idea making a real difference. We couldn’t be prouder. Well done, Paper Bloom Cards.

MRS ESTHER SUTTLE Assistant Head Academic

ITHNGTON WELCOME...

LESSONS IN ORAL HYGIENE

The pupils of Terra Nova School in Jodrell Bank were shown just how much fun good oral hygiene can be when Withington’s Year 12 aspiring Dentistry and Medicine students visited its infant department on Tuesday 9th June.

In a lesson planned and delivered by the WGS group, the children - aged two to seven - were treated to a toothbrushing song, a human flossing game and had to guess how many sugar cubes were in common foods.

Head of Futures, Ms Kober, said afterwards: MR TOM HALLAM Site Services Assistant

D FAREWELLS...

RE

MRS KAREN DRURY Development Officer

MISS NIAMH HAYDEN Marketing & Digital Comms Officer

E

MISS REBECCA THORPE Teacher of Biology

MRS HARRIET WALKER Registrar

“ Our pupils were praised by the teachers at the school for keeping all the children engaged so well and for such imaginative and thoughtful activities.

The Year 12s learnt a great deal as they had to adapt quickly to each age group, keep smiling and have lots of energy.

Many thanks to Terra Nova School for hosting us.”

SUPER SICILIA Over the Easter break, the Classics department organised a trip to Sicily. The group of 25 mainly Year 8 and 9 girls was led by Mr Houghton and accompanied by Mrs Howling, Mme Humblet and Mr Hunnisett. With its mixture of Greek and then Roman colonisation lasting well over a thousand years, Sicily offered superb archaeological examples of both cultures.

Hoping to arrive to brilliant Sicilian sunshine, we instead found rain, fog, wind and grey skies as we headed to explore the winding streets of the beautiful town of Taormina and tasted ice creams.

It was so foggy in the Greco-Romano theatre that we could barely see the stage, let alone the wonderful views of Mount Etna.

The following day dawned with similar cloud and rain and we thought we might not be able to visit Mount Etna, a living volcano 11,000 feet high. We trundled through the snow in great 4x4

trucks, grateful for the hot choco fog cleared as we started to desc views. From there, our weather w we visited the Roman villa at Piaz mosaics depicting gods, heroes, w everyday life including the depict the ‘bikini girls’.

Our third day started at the Valley where our Sixth Form student was knowledge of Greek Religion and a younger girls, looking at the spect some of which are better preserve then travelled to the town of Noto in 1693, the town was rebuilt 50 ye style, with churches, piazzas and s

AN SOJOURN

olate at the top but luckily the cend, revealing some wonderful was more typically Sicilian as zza Armerina, with its amazing wild animals and scenes from tion of women athletes known as

y of the Temples in Agrigento, s able to demonstrate her architectural features to the tacular remains of Greek temples, ed than anything in Greece. We o. Destroyed by an earthquake ears later in the Sicilian Baroque sweeping staircases galore!

Our final two nights were in Syracuse, where we spent our last full (and hot!) day on a walking tour which included the archaeological museum, ancient theatre, the quarries where Athenian prisoners were left to die after Athens’ failed attack on Syracuse and then the fascinating cathedral on the island of Ortygia, in the walls of which can be seen the columns of the Greek temple of Minerva.

While this was a busy cultural itinerary, the girls enjoyed the Sicilian meals and ice-cream and were able to explore the streets and shops of these various sea-side towns, with an opportunity to rest on the coach in between sites. Their enthusiasm made it an enjoyable trip.

MRS JO HOWLING & MR MICHAEL HOUGHTON

Classics Department

A TERM OF GIVING BACK

The Summer term may have been a short one, but Withington pupils and staff certainly made the most of it, raising an impressive amount of money for a wide range of local, national and international charities.

Following the end of examinations, pupils quickly turned their attention to fundraising, demonstrating the enthusiasm, creativity and generosity that are such a strong part of life at Withington.

Year 8 pupils led the way with some particularly successful initiatives. 8W raised more than £200 for the Born Free Foundation through a popular balloon pop stall, combining fun with support for wildlife conservation.

Meanwhile, 8Y achieved an outstanding total of £726 for WaterAid through a NeeDoh tombola, helping to support access to clean water for communities around the world.

The warm weather also inspired several entrepreneurial fundraising efforts. Ice lolly sales proved especially popular, with 10Y making the most of the sunshine to raise funds while helping classmates stay cool. 12AD followed suit, running a successful ice lolly stall at Sports Day. Well done to both forms for their creativity and commitment.

The Gambia Team continued to support our long-standing link with Mamba Tamba Nursery School in rural Gambia, a partnership that this year celebrates its 22nd anniversary. Through a jewellery stall at the PTA Summer Festival and a tuck shop at the WiMUN Conference, the team raised approximately £500 to support projects.

Staff once again played their part, hosting their regular coffee mornings in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that holds special significance for many members of the Withington community. Together, staff raised almost £300 through these events.

The PTA Summer Festival was another highlight and proved a tremendous success, raising a record-breaking amount for the school community.

Our Junior School pupils also embraced the spirit of giving, raising just under £500 during the term. Through home bake sales and stalls selling cookies and lemonade, they raised money for the Alzheimer’s Society, demonstrating impressive initiative and generosity. A huge well done to everyone involved.

Alongside these fundraising activities, the school community continued its regular support for the Fallowfield and Withington Foodbank and Emmeline’s Pantry through weekly donations. We are incredibly grateful to pupils, parents and staff for their generosity. As demand for these services continues to grow, these contributions make a genuine difference to local families.

Taken together, the school’s fundraising efforts this year have been truly remarkable. Excluding funds raised through the Giving Day walk, the Withington community has raised more than £26,700 for charitable causes during the 2025-26 academic year.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our fundraising activities, whether through donations, volunteering or participation. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps to make a positive impact on the lives of others, both locally and globally.

MRS NADINE MORGAN Charities Coordinator

CELE OF T

This year marks the 5 established to ensure from a Withington ed circumstances. For fiv uphold the school’s v opportunity through

In April, we celebrate reception at the Hous Chair of the WGS Trus parents, former pare together to celebrate on the life-changing i

Lord Lee, whose two spoke of his pride in what education shou accessible to all.

Headmistress Mrs Ha bursaries continue to

EBRATING 50 YEARS THE WGS TRUST

50th anniversary of the WGS Trust, e that talented girls could benefit ducation regardless of their financial ve decades, the Trust has helped values of inclusivity, equality and its bursary programme.

ed this important milestone with a se of Commons, hosted by Lord Lee, st. Donors, alumnae, staff, governors, ents and friends of the school came e the Trust’s achievements and reflect impact of bursaries.

excellence go hand in hand. She also thanked the Trust’s generous donors, whose support is more important than ever as families face increasing financial pressures.

Guests also heard moving personal reflections from two former bursary recipients, Kea Bell (Class of 2020), former Head Girl, and Shenara Maguire (Class of 2024), former Deputy Head Girl. Both spoke eloquently about the difference a Withington education had made to their lives and the opportunities made possible through bursary support.

daughters are Withington alumnae, leading a Trust whose work embodies uld be: transformative, empowering and

Governor and alumna Diane Hawkins toasted the Trust and reaffirmed her commitment to keeping bursaries at the heart of Withington’s mission. This message was echoed by Mr Tom Bennett, who becomes Head of Withington in September, as he affirmed his commitment to ensuring talented girls from all backgrounds continue to thrive at Withington.

aslam highlighted the vital role o play in ensuring opportunity and

Thank you to Lord Lee for his hospitality and to all those who continue to provide opportunities by supporting the Marjorie Hulme Bursary Fund.

IT WAS A

Withington was buzzing with excitement as our community came together for this year’s Giving Day to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bursary provision at Withington and what a fantastic success it was! Thanks to the incredible generosity of parents, pupils, alumnae and friends, we are delighted to share that we reached an outstanding total of £82,798.48 for the Marjorie Hulme Bursary Fund from an incredible 660 donations.

At the heart of the day was a true whole-school effort, as pupils took part in a sponsored walk to raise funds and show their support. This echoed the very first fundraising effort over 50 years ago when pupils also took part in a sponsored walk. In assemblies before they set off, Diane Hawkins, Withington Governor and alumna, shared her experience of that first walk, alongside words of encouragement for this anniversary walk.

Senior School students rose to the challenge with an impressive 10 mile walk, while Junior School pupils completed a brilliant 5.8 mile route. The energy, determination and sense of fun on display throughout the day made it a memorable experience for everyone involved. A huge thank you to Year 12 students who, sporting outfits reminiscent of the 1970s, the era of the original walk, supported staff by walking with different forms across the school, acting as a great source of encouragement to younger students.

From the very first moment to the across the school was truly inspir size, played a vital part in helping milestone. We are especially grat whose matched funding and spec additional funds and encouraged

Equally impressive were the indiv great enterprise in organising the outside of school. From bake sale commitment and kindness showe awareness of the bursary fund, a through their fundraising efforts.

As they returned to school, pupils specially made Giving Day Walk b during the day by pupils remainin department to create over 800 ba ice lollies and delicious 50th anni our catering team from Aramark.

There was also the element of fri forms which proved to be a very c

TO REMEMBER!

e final push, the enthusiasm ring. Every gift, no matter the g us reach this remarkable teful to our challenge donors, cial challenges helped unlock d even greater participation.

Congratulations to 9X who claimed victory in a close finish and enjoyed their well-earned pizza party.

In the Junior School, the competition was incredibly close.

So close, in fact, that two winners were declared, Lower IIX and Lower IIY! This shared victory delighted both forms and is a wonderful reflection of the enthusiasm and teamwork shown throughout the day.

vidual pupils who showed eir own fundraising initiatives es to toy sales, their outstanding ed through raising both s well as contributing to it .

Giving Day is always about more than just fundraising. It is a celebration of the strength, spirit and generosity of the Withington community. From pupils eager to see their forms on the leaderboard, to staff, families, alumnae and friends of the school supporting from near and far, this year’s event truly brought everyone together.

s and staff were presented with badges that had been made ng in school, working in the DT adges in a day! There were also iversary cupcakes provided by

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part in the walk, donated, shared messages of support or helped spread the word. Your kindness and commitment make such a difference.

iendly competition between close-run thing.

It was, without doubt, a fantastic Giving Day, full of energy, generosity and community spirit and one that we will all remember for a long time to come.

the sport report

SENIOR SPORTS DA

Withington’s 2026 Sports Day was another great example of Withington at its best.

Filled with energy, teamwork, determination and a generous dose of friendly competitive spirit, there were plenty of smiles as our four school Houses took part in a range of sporting activities.

The event - rescheduled to take place on 30th June due to this summer’s exceptionally hot weather - began in

SPORTS DAY RECORD BREAKERS:

true Withington competitors wo as last year’s vic proceedings, lea house songs an all our teams wa taking photos to the buzz and ex

Y7 ROUNDERS BALL Imaya Selvaraasan - broke a 2 year record by 1.85m with a throw of 36.35m

Y8 DIS Ishya L 2 year a huge

AY

n tradition with a vibrant House parade as ore their House colours with pride. Herford, ctors, began the opening ceremony ading an incredible display, with booming nd loud cheers. The atmosphere created by as nothing short of electric and a drone o capture the start of the event added to xcitement of Sports Day 2026.

SCUS Lancaster – broke a record by 1.52m with e throw of 21.32m

Across field and track competitions, from races to fun challenges, participants gave their best and showed great sportsmanship and enthusiasm.

Thank you to all participants, the event organisers and the many supporters who turned out during the morning to cheer from the sidelines - your support made the day even more special.

The final House positions were:

1st HERFORD 2nd LEJEUNE 3rd SIMON 4th SCOTT

Y10 HIGH JUMP Scarlett Walker - tied a 24 year old record by clearing an impossibly high 1.44m

Y10 RELAY Herford equalled a 20 year old record, with an incredible time of 58.28 seconds.

Congratulations to Ebube, Nicole, Zoe and Serena

the sport report

A SUMMER OF SPORTING SUCCESSES

It has been another outstanding summer of sport at Withington, with pupils representing the school across a wide range of competitions and achieving suc at local, regional and national level. From cup finals and championship titles to medal-winning performances on the track and field, the season showcased the determination and teamwork that characterise sport at Withington.

FOOTBALL

The summer sporting season began in spectacular style as one of our footba teams played in the school’s first-ever football final. The U16 team had battle through strong opposition in the Spring term to reach the Area Cup Final and after a closely contested match that was decided on penalties, they proudly returned with silver medals.

S

ccess o e talent,

all ed d,

ATHLETICS

Athletics proved to be one of the standout sports of the summer, with Withington athletes amassing an impressive total of 15 championship and invitational medals: six gold, six silver and three bronze.

At the start of the season, Year 10 athletes were crowned champions at the Manchester Schools Track and Field Championships, securing medals in nine different events, including five golds, three silvers and a bronze. Gold medal performances came in the 4x100m relay, shot put, 80m hurdles, 300m and javelin.

There was further success at the Manchester Schools Championships for younger athletes. In the Year 7 competition, pupils collected two silver medals (800m and long jump) and one bronze (high jump), while in the Year 9 event gold was secured in the long jump. Athletes also enjoyed podium finishes at the Sale Harriers Invitational Competition, adding a further silver and bronze medal to the school’s tally.

Team performances were equally impressive, with the Year 7/8 team finishing third in the Greater Manchester round of the ESAA Track and Field Cup and the Year 9/10 team securing second place. Athletes also represented the school with distinction in regional and league competitions, achieving numerous personal bests along the way.

the sport report

TENNIS

Tennis continued to grow in strength, with large numbers of pupils representing the school throughout the Summer term. Friendly fixtures against Manchester High provided plenty of competitive matches in an enjoyable and supportive atmosphere, with 17 pupils from Years 7 to 10 taking part.

Both the Year 7/8 and Year 9/10 teams remained unbeaten throughout the season and progressed to the semi-finals of the FAGE LTA Youth Schools Cheshire competition, underlining the depth of talent within the squad.

NETBALL

Another great year of netball concluded on a high as the U12B team were crowned Manchester Schools Knockout Cup Champions. Their success was a fitting reward for a season of hard work, commitment and excellent teamwork.

ROUN

On a Saturda Hulme Schoo popularity of fielded two Y alongside a Y teams record with pupils d determinatio

There was ev Schools Leag their final-ro Champions, w defended the Champions fo teams demon and composu league titles

NDERS

ay in June, five teams travelled to Cheadle ol for a morning of fixtures. Such is the f rounders at Withington that the school Year 7 teams and two Year 8 teams, Year 9 side. Across the five matches, the ded three wins and two narrow defeats, demonstrating excellent teamwork, on and enthusiasm throughout.

ven greater success in the Manchester gue finals. The Year 9 team won all of ound matches to be crowned Manchester while the Year 10 team successfully eir title to become Manchester or the fourth consecutive year. Both nstrated excellent skill, determination ure throughout the season, earning their in impressive fashion.

SWIMMING GALA

The annual Senior Swimming Gala once again provided a fantastic display of enthusiasm, resilience and house spirit. Pupils from Years 7 to 9 competed across a range of events, supported by an energetic team of Year 12 students.

The standings were:

1st LEJEUNE

2nd SIMON

3rd HERFORD

4th SCOTT

Congratulations to everyone who took part and contributed to another memorable gala.

CRICKET

The cricket season got off to an excellent start as the Year 7/8 team enjoyed a closely fought fixture against Manchester High. In a match that went down to the wire, Withington secured victory by just three runs, demonstrating great teamwork and promise for the future.

SUMMER FESTIV

From start to finish, this year’s Summer Festival was a fantastic event full of smiles, laughter and a real sense of that special Withington spirit.

Organised by our hard-working PTA, the Festival, held on Saturday 20th June, brought members of our school community together to raise funds that will help to enrich the experience of pupils, including through contributions to the school minibus, guitars and music equipment, and a range of other valuable resources.

A host of brilliant m within our school al tombola, raffles, var entertained through

A huge thank you to helped make the da at its best.

VAL 2026

musical performances showcased the incredible talent longside a wealth of pupil-led stalls, games, giant slides, rious competitions and other activities that kept families hout the day.

o everyone who came along, supported, volunteered or ay such a success. It truly was a celebration of Withington

Withington Girls’ School, Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BL 0161 224 1077 office@wgs.org wgs.org withingtongirlsschool withingtongirlsschool @wgsjuniors

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