Private School News

Young writers follow a poet’s footsteps at STONYHURST COLLEGE

Shakespeare, word puzzles and poetry were some of the topics chosen to inspire 80 talented children from all over the North West, at a Gifted and Talented Day held at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall. Pupils aged 9 and 10 took part in a range of English activities designed to stretch and challenge them, including creative writing. After studying a poem by Gerard Manly Hopkins, who lived at St Mary’s Hall in !870, they walked through the same woodland which had inspired him before writing their own poems. They also learnt about the history of the English language and did some exercises in Anglo Saxon!
“Stonyhurst’s philosophy is to engage with an individual’s talents, so it was a pleasure to work with so many bright, engaged and enthusiastic children from across our region,” said Catherine Robinson, Head of English at Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall and organiser of the day.

Photo: children finding inspiration in Stonyhurst’s woodland., following Gerard Manly Hopkins’ footsteps.