A and B grades are up again to 51%, with 35% securing A* and A grades.

Leading the way were Head Boy and Head Girl James Proudfoot and Victoria Coe with 1 A* and 2 As and 3As respectively. James, 18, has already secured his place at Durham to read law and Victoria, 18, is about to embark on a gap year and confirm her intention to perhaps read medicine.

Eighteen-year-old Naseem Sharif, Deputy Head Boy at Mount St Mary’s, said: “I got two As in Maths and Biology and two A* grades in Physics and Chemistry and now I’ll be off to study medicine at the University of Manchester.”

Deputy Head Boy, Richard Duggan, 18, achieved an A* grade in Religious Studies, an A in English and B in History. He said: “I’m really pleased and I want to say thank you to the school because it has been a great pleasure to come here and they have really helped me to achieve my grades. I am going to go off to Newcastle to do law and hopefully go on to be a barrister.”

With three As in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, Deputy Head Girl Frances Oliver, 18, said: “I am hoping to take a gap year and then study veterinary medicine in 2011. I have loved being at Mount St Mary’s, the teachers are brilliant and I have had the best seven years of my life so far.”

Laurence McKell, Headmaster at Mount St Mary’s, said: “Congratulations to all our pupils on a truly outstanding set of A-level results. We are incredibly proud of all our pupils for the hard work they have put in and the excellent attitude they have shown to study and learning.

“Credit must also go to our talented staff team for the support they have shown preparing and guiding students over the last two years. Although we are a non-selective school, these results demonstrate how we continue to achieve high standards and help pupils to fulfil their potential.

“At Mount St Mary’s, our ethos is focused on developing well rounded young men and women, and these results reflect our commitment to ensuring they leave school ready to face whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.”

Photo: (L-R) Mount St Mary’s A-levels pupils Frances Oliver, Naseem Shariff and Victoria Coe celebrate their results.

Sixth-form pupils from a Derbyshire school have launched a new charitable venture, for children with disabilities and special learning needs.

Mount St Mary’s College, invited local children from Chesterfield charity Home-Based and support group Fairplay, also based in Chesterfield, to come and use the facilities on offer at the College, and enjoy a stay at the Mount’s boarding accommodation.

During the new Children’s Holiday Week, the children had the opportunity to go swimming in the school pool, decorate biscuits in the refectory, take part in a treasure hunt and enjoy an Olympic Games event on the school’s Olympic standard athletics track.
They also participated in a celebration Mass in the school chapel.
Helen McKell, the teacher in charge of the event, said: “This was a really worthwhile experience for all our sixth-formers. They impressed the visiting staff with their enthusiasm, their willingness to get involved, and the work they had put into preparing a range of exciting activities and experiences for the children who participated.”

The Children’s Holiday Week is a new venture for Mount St Mary’s, created to help give sixth formers the opportunity to be of service to others.
The holiday week will now become an annual event, taking place in the last week of the summer term.

Photo: Emma Taylor, head girl of Year 7 at Mount St Mary’s College with Elliot Gaskin, from Home-Based charity

Originally built by Sir Francis Rodes in the 16th Century, Barlborough Hall became a school in 1940.

The party provided an opportunity to commemorate the seven decades with guests enjoying some of the 320-acre estate of protected countryside Barlborough Hall School is situated in.

Current and former pupils, staff and friends came together to enjoy the occasion – which featured a jazz band and hog roast lunch.

Guests were also invited to walk around the school building to relive school-day memories. Pictures spanning the seven decades and diaries of former headmasters were displayed to illustrate how the school has changed throughout its fascinating history.

The day finished with a friendly cricket match between the ‘Parents’ and the ‘Old Boys’, and experience showed as the Parents won a closely-fought match.

Pupils at Barlborough Hall School, a Jesuit preparatory school, still have lessons in the Hall’s original rooms and use the library, top parlour and chapel.

Wanda Parkinson, headteacher at Barlborough Hall School for 12 years, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who attended for making this very special celebration an event that will live long in the memory.

“We appreciate how fortunate we are to have a school with such a rich history, and everyone is looking forward to writing the next chapter in the Barlborough Hall story.”

Barlborough hall is the preparatory school for Mount St Mary’s College and today close links are established between the two schools, providing a shared vision of education for children from the age of 3 – 18.

Photo: 70th Anniversary garden party at Barlborough Hall School

As well as being given tours of each school and the Mount St Mary’s boarding houses, the journalists met with boarding students and the Mount head boy and girl.

The fact finding visit was designed to promote awareness and develop a greater understanding of the UK boarding schools experience among potential Russian students and their parents.

The published journalists’ work will be included as part of the Education UK Exhibition promotion campaign in Russia.

Wessel DuRandt, head of boarding at Mount St Mary’s, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome our Russian friends to the Mount and hopefully it will encourage pupils from other countries to consider boarding school options in the UK.

“We pride ourselves on offering one of the best boarding experiences in the country and we are always looking for more pupils to sample this experience.”

Mount St Mary’s recently invested £500,000 in its boarding facilities. Hopkins House, for girls and Loyola House, for boys, provide shared and single rooms with en suite facilities, desk, study space, wi-fi, common room and kitchen area. ]]> http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/2010/06/russian-journalists-visit-derbyshire-school-for-boarding-best-practice/feed/ 0 http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/2010/06/british-athlete-has-mount-st-marys-college-pupils-jumping-for-joy/ http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/2010/06/british-athlete-has-mount-st-marys-college-pupils-jumping-for-joy/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:20:41 +0000 school http://www.privateschoolnews.co.uk/?p=3722 One of Britain’s best long-jumpers has put a spring in the steps of pupils at a Derbyshire school after teaching them the tricks of his trade.

Nathan Morgan, 31, who won the long jump gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, is holding regular workshops with lucky pupils at Mount St Mary’s College.

The first two hour workshop was a practical session focusing on strength and conditioning exercises that Nathan uses everyday as part of his own training regime.

Nathan, a former British record holder and third on the all time long jump list, also stressed the importance of getting this conditioning right before starting any sporting activity.

Nathan will be visiting the school once a month to continue the sessions, which take place on Mondays in the pavilion.

Paul Scott, director of Sport at Mount St Mary’s, said: “The whole workshop was of great benefit to both athletes and coaches and stressed the need for basic strength and conditioning to safeguard the development of young athletes.

“Unsurprisingly the session was extremely well-attended and I’m sure this trend will continue for the upcoming workshops.

“Everyone is very grateful to Nathan for giving up his time and it is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to learn from one of the best long-jumpers this country has ever seen.”

A general election involving all the main political parties at a Derbyshire school has produced a clear winner – unlike the real thing!

Mount St Mary’s College pupils engaged in some last minute electioneering as representatives from the Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat and UKIP parties attempted to get ‘elected.’

As part of the mock election, each candidate made an impassioned three-minute speech to put across their party’s main policies.

After the speeches, the candidates then had the opportunity to reply to any points and encourage the electorate to vote for them in a one minute summary.

Pupils were finally able to vote for their chosen candidate and the surprise winner was UKIP, represented by George Freeman, with 111 votes followed by the Conservatives with 65 and the Green Party with 30.

Helen McKell, head of the senior debating society at Mount St Mary’s, said: “Our pupils enjoy debating a wide variety of topics and have a real interest in current affairs, so we couldn’t resist an election of our own to see how it compared with the real thing.

“It was a brilliant way for pupils to practise valuable skills like public speaking and forming convincing arguments as well as an opportunity to recognise the role they play in the democratic process.

“I’m pleased to say that, however controversial the issue, all the pupils conducted themselves in a professional and courteous manner!”

Photo: Richard Duggan who represented the Conservatives and George Freeman who represented UKIP

Students from a Derbyshire school were on song at the UK’s biggest amateur choral competition.

The Combined Choir at Mount St Mary’s College performed in the first round of the BBC Choir of the Year event at The Anvil concert hall, in Basingstoke.

Pupils aged between seven and 13 years old sang ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat’, from Guys and Dolls, which featured a solo from student Alex Allt.

Lucy Kitchener, director of music at Mount St Mary’s, said: “The bi-annual BBC Choir of the Year is one of the most prestigious national choral competitions so we were thrilled to represent the school and test ourselves against some of the best choirs in the country. We sang very well and had excellent feedback from the judges.”

Mount St Mary’s College Choir was featured on Songs of Praise last year after impressing the judges with its entry for the BBC TV show’s Choir of the Year contest.

Its Junior Choir was also awarded the Voices Foundation Junior Choirs Award for Excellence at the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham in 2009.

Lucy added: “The choir continues to go from strength to strength and, as the standard improves, we’re keen to take part in more national festivals.”

The competition followed a performance by Mount St Mary’s jazz band at the prestigious black tie snooker event, the Sheffield Cue Ball.

Talented musicians got their big break playing to a high profile crowd which included John Parrott and Dennis Taylor in the city’s Winter Gardens for the charity event, which marked the beginning of the World Snooker Championship.

A Derbyshire pupil is following in the footsteps of some of the most renowned fencers from the past 20 years after winning a prestigious regional prize.

James Proudfoot, head boy at Mount St Mary’s College, fought off stiff competition to take home the winner’s shield in the Lancashire Schools Boys’ Under 20 Foil.

James, who won gold in the Senior Students Fencing competition at Stonyhurst school in Lancashire last term, adds his name to a list of illustrious previous winners of the shield who have gone on to enjoy successful careers in the sport.

Fellow pupil Thomas Cotterill, winner of the Mount St Mary’s Senior Fencing Trophy for 2009, secured silver and Thomas Voice won bronze in the same event, while Benedikt Gers reached the quarter finals of the boys under 17 category.

There was success too for the girls, with Phoebe Lui winning a bronze medal in the under 20 class.

Pupils at Mount St Mary’s have enthusiastically embraced fencing, and the performances in Lancashire are the latest in a series of impressive displays from school representatives.

Nina Zimmerman produced a spirited display against high calibre opposition including several national fencers in the Girls’ Under 16 Foil at the recent British Youth Fencing Championships.

Nina, a year 10 pupil at the Mount, qualified for the competition after fighting her way to a bronze in the Girls Under 16 Foil at the Yorkshire Youth Championships in March.
Mount St Mary’s coach Adam Blight, who has experience of coaching nine British fencing champions, said: “Congratulations to James for an excellent display of fencing. Many esteemed fencers have won the shield in the past, and hopefully James can use this success as a springboard to take his fencing to the next level.

“Our pupils have secured some outstanding results recently. They have all displayed an exemplary coolness and professionalism in competition which will continue to serve them well in the future.”

Photo: Lancashire Schools Boys’ Under 20 Foil winner James Proudfoot

Outstanding educational facilities at a Derbyshire school will be on show to prospective pupils and their parents at an open evening this month.

Mount St Mary’s College will open its doors to families for the event on Tuesday May, 18 from 7pm until 9pm.

It will provide visitors with the chance to enjoy an informal look around the classrooms and boarding accommodation, find out more about the school’s academic programmes and meet pupils, staff and the head teacher Mr Laurence McKell.

The co-educational, boarding and day school, is set in beautiful surroundings at Spinkhill, near Sheffield.

Mount St Mary’s College is the senior school to Barlborough Hall School, which also caters for boys and girls. Both are Catholic schools but welcome students from other traditions. They combine to offer the highest quality educational provision for three to 18 year olds in an environment that ensures the perfect start in life.

To book your place, or for additional information, please contact Lucy Stirling or Mrs Sarah Birks in the Admissions Office on 01246 439317 or email lstirling@msmcollege.com.

A Derbyshire/Spinkhill pupil will compete alongside some of the finest young fencers in the country at a prestigious national championship this weekend.

Nina Zimmerman, a year 10 boarding student at Mount St Mary’s College, will represent her school at the British Youth Fencing Championships to be held at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield.

The event, which takes place from May 1-3, will showcase the very best young swordsmen and women in Great Britain, with national and county fencers among those taking part.

Nina qualified for the competition after fighting her way to a bronze in the Girls Under 16 Foil at the Yorkshire Youth Championships in March.

Mount St Mary’s coach Adam Blight, who has experience of coaching nine British fencing champions, said: “To qualify for such a prominent competition is a fantastic achievement for Nina and I’m sure she will relish testing herself against some very strong fencers.

“Nina has a lot of talent and this experience will be another big step in her development. We all wish her the very best of luck in the championships.”
Fencers at the Mount are beginning to make their mark at regional and national level, and a strong performance at the Lancashire Schools Foil saw the school pick up four medals in its first ever regional competition.

Photo: Nina with her bronze medal after the Yorkshire Youth Championships

A Derbyshire school will be transformed into a miniature House of Commons when its pupils meet for a Westminster-style debate about the upcoming general election.

The senior debating society at Mount St Mary’s College, in Derbyshire, will meet on Friday 30 April to discuss one of the most prominent issues surrounding this election – the leader’s televised debates.

Pupils have chosen to debate the motion “This house believes that the smoke and mirrors of TV debating is good for modern politics.”

They will discuss the effect the TV debates have had on this election and the role they play in deciding the identity of the next man in ten Downing Street.

Helen McKell, head of the senior debating society at Mount St Mary’s, said: “Our pupils enjoy debating a wide variety of topics and have a real interest in current affairs, so we couldn’t resist a feisty political discussion with the election just around the corner.

“The debates are great fun and a brilliant way for pupils to practise valuable skills like public speaking and forming convincing arguments.

“I’m pleased to say that, however controversial the issue, all the pupils always conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner – in fact some MPs could probably learn a thing or two from them!”

It was all aboard HMS Pinafore for youngsters at Barlborough Hall School!

Year five and six pupils put on a hugely successful production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s hit comic opera at the school theatre.

HMS Pinafore is the tale of two lovers, divided by their social class.

Admiral Sir Joseph was played by William Hall, Amelia Massarella took the role of Captain Corcoran, Jasmine Wallis-Leach was Josephine, the Captain’s daughter, while Jack Wilkins played the love-lorn sailor.

Yvonne Salome-Keetley, from Barlborough Hall School, said: “Barlborough Hall School musicals have a reputation for being fantastic and this year was no exception. All the performances were excellent, belying the ages of the cast.

“Thanks must go to all staff and pupils involved in this production and for the support of the parents on the night. It was also lovely to see many former pupils at the production.”

Photo: Barlborough Hall School pupils at the performance of HMS Pinafore.

A 100-year-old lady has made a nostalgic return to the stately home where she lived and worked 85 years ago.

Avis Wilks, who celebrated her 100th birthday in August last year, returned to Barlborough Hall School, in Derbyshire.

Avis worked on the staff at Barlborough Hall for ten years from the age of 16 before leaving for London with the Locker-Lampson family in 1935. Barlborough Hall became a school five years later.

Two close relatives of Avis, who were both called Samuel Wells, also worked at the Hall for many years as gardeners.

Avis, who now lives in a care home in Dinnington, Sheffield, was presented with a canvas-framed picture of Barlborough Hall during her visit – as a reminder of the time she spent there.

A small group of children from the school also met Avis for tea and biscuits and a chat about Barlborough life.

Pupils at the school, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, still have lessons in the Hall’s original rooms and use the library, top parlour and chapel.

Wanda Parkinson, Barlborough Hall headteacher, said: “Avis’ return was a wonderful occasion for her and the school, and we were thrilled to welcome her back.

“She has clearly led a fascinating life and her experience gives us an interesting insight into the history of the Hall.

“To reach 100 years old is an incredible milestone for Avis. Everyone was delighted to meet her and share in some of the fascinating memories she has of Barlborough Hall.”

Photo: Tony Bak, heritage project manager at the Barlborough Resource Centre, with Avis

A pupil at Mount St Mary’s College has qualified for The British Youth Fencing Championships after claiming a bronze medal at a key regional tournament.

Nina Zimmerman, a year 10 boarding student at the Derbyshire school, fought her way to the third place in the Girls Under 16 Foil event at the Yorkshire Youth Fencing Championships.

The British Youth Championships 2010 will be held from 1 – 3 May at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield.

Nina will be the first Mount St Mary’s student to represent the college at this prestigious event.

Mr Adam Blight, Mount St Mary’s Coach, said: “It is a fantastic achievement for Nina to win a bronze medal and qualify for the British Youth Championships, particularly as there were many Team GB and county fencers amongst the competitors.

“It was a great day of fencing and we wish Nina the best of luck for the British Youth Championships in May.”

Mount St Mary’s was also represented at the Yorkshire Youth Fencing Championships by Tom Cotterill, who fenced foil, epee and sabre, and Benedikt Gers in the foil.

Pupils Rosalind Formin and Eloise Brooks competed in the junior event.

Mr Adam Blight added: “Fencers at the Mount are really beginning to make their mark on a regional and national level and these strong performances follow the school’s success at the Lancashire Schools Foil where we won four medals in what was our first ever regional competition.”

Photo: Mount St Mary’s boarding pupil Nina Zimmerman.

Pupils at a Derbyshire school ensured a memorable night of theatre by putting their own innovative spin on a 400-year-old classic.

A range of pupils aged between 12 and 18 at Mount St Mary’s College produced and performed the Shakespearean favourite ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ with an inventive punk rock inspired twist.

The play, a comedy which portrays the adventures of different characters in a fairy-inhabited moonlit forest, is one of Shakespeare’s best-loved productions and combines romantic trysts with occasional high-jinks.

But the adaptation used cultural aspects from the 1980s to turn the fairies into punks, the Athenians into New Romantics and the mechanicals as part of the Northern Soul scene, giving watching parents a walk down memory lane.

Thirty pupils took responsibility for all aspects of the performance, including production, costumes and make-up, lighting and sound, and of course acting, provided by members of the Senior Drama Society.

Pupil Richard Duggan played Bottom – his final role after seven years of impressive performances at the Mount.

Jack Murphy, head of English and Drama at Mount St Mary’s College, said: “This was an ambitious project in a busy term but the pupils have exceeded expectations. Everyone has put a lot of work into this adaptation and they produced a wonderful performance in front of a packed audience.

“Of course the play was not just about our superb thespians, the costumes, make-up and lighting gave the production a distinct visual style and created a fantastic atmosphere.

“It’s always great when pupils are given the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and it is very rewarding to see the combined efforts of pupils from across the school culminate in such a fantastic show.”

Photo: Tatania falling in love with Bottom

Some of the finest school musicians in the country created a symphony of sound during a musical weekend at Mount St Mary’s College.

Musicians from four schools combined their talents to perform as an orchestra and also enjoyed a choral workshop culminating in a rousing rendition of Mozart’s ‘Ave Verum’.

As well as pupils from Mount St Mary’s, in Derbyshire, pupils from Stonyhurst in Lancashire and St Ignatius and Wimbledon College in London took part in the weekend.

A total of 23 pupils were involved in the orchestra, with several, including ten from Mount St Mary’s, being selected for the Joint Jesuit Schools’ Concert in London on March 12.

But the weekend was not just about musical performances – there was time for a bowling trip, formal dinner and, for those not used to it, a chance to sample the Mount St Mary’s boarding experience.

Mrs Lucy Kitchener, Mount St Mary’s director of music, said: “The weekend was a wonderful opportunity for the top musicians from several Jesuit schools to come together and share their talents.

“All the pupils worked wonderfully well together and their performances were a pleasure to listen to.

“We were delighted to welcome pupils from other schools to what was an exciting venture and one we hope to repeat in the future.”

Over the next four weeks, the Derbyshire school will play host to five regional and national sports events.

Kicking off the action-packed March sports events programme is the Mount 7s Hockey and Netball Tournament this weekend (Saturday, March 6.)

It will be followed by the BUCS Championships, which will see 6,000 elite student athletes compete in 26 sports at a number of venues across the region over four days from 10 – 14 March.

Mount St Mary’s first-class sporting facilities will stage the BUCS Lacrosse event on March 11 and the BUCS Ultimate Frisbee on March 13 and 14.

Both events will form part of a highlights programme, which will be broadcast by Sky Sports.

Scottish Rugby training event will take place from March 27-28 before the British Milers Club event over the Easter Holidays, April 16-18.

Paul Scott, director of sport at Mount St Mary’s, said: “The College has a proud sporting reputation and is highly regarded throughout the Midlands and the North of England for our first class facilities.

“The next few weeks are set to be a fantastic spectacle of sport and we look forward to welcoming all the competitors to Mount St Mary’s.”

Sports facilities at Mount St Mary’s include eight rugby pitches, three cricket squares, two football pitches and Astroturf pitch, two grass hockey pitches, six tennis courts, five netball courts, a swimming pool and Grade 1 athletics track.

State-of-the-art facilities at Mount St Mary’s College are playing a key role in attracting prestigious sporting events and national teams to Derbyshire ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.

Mount St Mary’s, based at Spinkhill, features in the London Organising Committee Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, which is designed to give teams and individual athletes a great selection of venues from which they can choose to prepare for the Games.

The College has first hand experience of hosting scores of international events and elite sport training camps including the GB Orienteering squad training camp, the Annual Academy for Great Britain Rugby Football League and the UK Athletics endurance squad training camp.

It is also the home base for the German Exiles Rugby League team, the Scottish Exiles RFU Academy and the North East Derbyshire Chargers RFL team.

Mount St Mary’s is a day and boarding school set in its own extensive grounds. Its Grade 1 Athletics Centre boasts an all-weather, six lane floodlit track and separate floodlit throws and jumps area, changing rooms, a physio/medical room and conference facilities.

Overnight accommodation for up to 178 people is available during the college term and in the holidays, with the majority of rooms having en-suite, tea and coffee making facilities and a TV.

Paul Scott, director of sport at Mount St Mary’s College, said: “Mount St Mary’s has a proud sporting heritage and following considerable investment, we have become a venue of excellence with exceptional athletics facilities and first class hotel style accommodation.

“The opportunity to train and live in one location makes Mount St Mary’s College very attractive to a variety of elite Olympic sports, particularly track and field athletics, and the popularity of the venue as a base for training camps is increasing every year.”

Advised by former British Olympic Association and current Rugby Football League nutritionist Jane Griffin, the catering department at Mount St Mary’s strives to ensure that meals provided to the athletes contain the correct nutritional value.

Jane said: “Having personally experienced the meals at Mount St Mary’s College for a week on separate occasions, the food is of a good quality prepared and cooked to a high standard. Choices and quantities at meal-times have been more than adequate for our elite young Rugby players.”

Photo: Students compete at Mount St Mary’s Grade 1 Athletics Centre.

A Derbyshire school’s equestrian sensation is cantering on to the national stage after being invited to train with the prestigious Great Britain Pony Squad.

Erin Williams, 12, who attends Mount St Mary’s College, was rewarded with the call-up to the squad’s dressage team on pony Danny Boy B after a series of impressive performances in nationwide competitions.

Just ten riders currently make up the GB squad, which acts as a progress group for riders under 16 with the potential to compete at the highest level.

Squad members are invited to compete abroad for GB throughout the season to gain international experience.

Erin, who trains most mornings before school at 6.30am, could practically ride before walking – first getting into the saddle as a toddler. She now rides dressage, one of the only sports where men, women and children all compete on an equal footing.

As well as representing England at Under 25 level, Erin has competed in numerous national events, often finishing above far more experienced riders. If Erin continues this impressive form she is hoping to be invited to represent Great Britain in international competition.

The ultimate aim of the squad is to select the best four members for a place on the GB team at the FEI European Championships in July. This year the championships take place in Hull.

Erin, from Barlow, said: “I’m thrilled to be invited to train with the GB Pony Squad. It means I’ll be training alongside superb riders and takes me one step closer to achieving my goal of representing Great Britain.

“Mount St Mary’s has always been supportive of my riding commitments. I’m very grateful to them for their encouragement and for allowing me to balance riding with my studies.”

Mount St Mary’s headteacher, Laurence McKell, said: “To be recognised nationally is a fantastic achievement, but the fact that Erin is still only 12 makes it all the more remarkable.

“She is clearly a magnificent horse rider and it is brilliant that her talent has been recognised by such an esteemed organisation.

“Everyone at Mount St Mary’s is very proud of Erin. She is an exceptionally talented girl and a superb ambassador for the school.”

Photo: Erin on her pony, Dublin.(By Paul Sands at Photo-kinesis)

International GCSEs (IGCSEs) are playing a key role in preparing pupils for higher education, according to teachers at a leading independent school.

IGCSEs were introduced for six subjects at Mount St Mary’s College in September 2009 to replace the traditional GCSE.

The Derbyshire school offers IGSCEs for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, , French and Spanish and teaching staff are already seeing the benefits, which comes after a major report was released this week on how Maths and Science are taught in schools.

Issued by an expert group set up by the Government, the report demands tougher exams and warns of widespread concern over the content of both the GCSE and A-level syllabus.

It argues there is not enough chance for students to display their depth of knowledge of the subject – in particular in A-level physics and chemistry exams.

Ben Naughton, head of science at Mount St Mary’s, said: “We are moving away from the traditional GCSE to IGCSEs for this very reason. The IGCSE offers more breadth, more synoptic questioning and tests a wider range of mathematical skills. It is also more discerning by being examined terminally. We believe pupils are short changed by the low sub-standard GCSE course, and are poorly prepared for A level.

“Since introducing IGCSEs we have seen increased enjoyment of the course by pupils, and they are stepping up to, and are energised by the higher standard. By starting IGCSE biology in Rudiments, making the course in effect a three year process, we are able to diversify, try different practicals and spend more time on individual topics of interest. At A-level, we are stretching the best pupil through OU YASS degree levels courses which extend their synoptic understanding even further.”

The school is now considering introducing IGCSEs for other subjects next year.

Maxine Smith, director of studies at Mount St Mary’s said: “IGCSEs are about doing the very best we can to prepare pupils for the step up to A-Levels and indeed university or higher education

“The pattern and variety of assessment carried out with IGCSEs means that pupils are able to demonstrate a broad and sophisticated range of skills including knowledge retention, analysis and application of information which are vital for future higher levels of qualification.”

Fencers from Mount St Mary’s College made a point by sweeping the board in their first ever regional competition.

Members of the senior team proved how mighty their swords are by winning a total of four medals at the Lancashire Schools Foil.

James Proudfoot, head boy at Mount St Mary’s, based at Spinkhill, in Derbyshire, won gold in the under 20s boys competition.

Thomas Cotterill, winner of the Mount St Mary’s Senior Fencing Trophy for 2009, secured silver and Thomas Voice won bronze in the same event, while Benedikt Gers reached the quarter finals of the boys under 17 category.

There was success too for the girls, with Phoebe Lui winning a bronze medal in the under 20 class.

The senior team were competing as guests at the Stonyhurst College competition, led by newly appointed Mount St Mary’s coach Mr Adam Blight.

Adam has 15 years experience in the sport and has worked with some of the finest fencers in the country including nine British champions in various age groups and the player ranked number three in the world.

Adam said: “Congratulations to the fencers for their outstanding performances in what was the senior team’s first external competition.

“The results are a testament to the hard work and dedication shown by the pupils in preparation for this event and the coaching support from fencing master Mr Jenkins.

“Fencing has been a popular games option for many years at the school this set of results places us in a really strong position to qualify for the British Youth Championships and the Independent Schools Championships in March.”

Photo: Mr Steven Jenkins (third from the left), long-time fencing master and former head of English at Mount St Mary’s, with members of the school’s senior fencing team.

A ten-year-old boy from a Derbyshire school has been chosen to sing in the prestigious Northern Cathedral Choir.

Jack Wilkins, in Year Six at Barlborough Hall School, was selected for the 200-strong choir after impressing during a tough audition in Harrogate.

Jack, who is a treble, has been part of the school choirs since he was five and regularly sings solos. He also performs with his local Church of St James choir in Barlborough and recently received a Bronze singing award from the Bishop of Derby.

Later this year, Jack will travel to cathedrals and churches across the North of England with the Northern Cathedral Choir, including venues in Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle.

The choir, which is made up of pupils from various schools, spends much of the days rehearsing before singing in evensong performances.

Elizabeth Savage, Head of Music at Barlborough Hall School, said: “Jack is a very talented boy and everyone at Barlborough is delighted he has been selected for the Northern Cathedral Choir.

“This is a wonderful achievement and it will be an absolutely fantastic experience for Jack to be part of one of the finest choirs in the country.

“We know he will do the school proud when he performs.”

Photo: Choirboy Jack Wilkins

A former student at Mount St Mary’s College has been presented a prestigious White House award for his outstanding contribution to the American world of science.

Dr Craig Brown, who was educated at the Derbyshire school in the 1980s, has received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

It is the highest honour bestowed by the United States government on young professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers

Dr Brown, originally from Sheffield, is an instrument scientist for the Disk Chopper Spectrometer at the NIST Centre for Neutron Research (NCNR) in Maryland, where he researches science underlying future energy technologies.

President Obama announced his name amongst a list of more than 100 other early researchers who were presented with the award at a special White House ceremony, which he attended with his wife Yamali and children Nicole and Luisa.

Dr Brown said: “It was a wonderful occasion and the award is recognition of the support I have benefited from whilst working at the NCNR. It reflects upon the creativity and abilities of all of my collaborators as well as the education received at Mount St Mary’s.

“We started the day with a tour of the White House East-wing before the actual ceremony, which was hosted by Dr John Holdren, Science Advisor to the President, who presented me with a certificate and letter of congratulations signed by the President.

“After the reception, the award recipients were whisked off to the White House to meet the President. It was inspirational to hear him speak about his support for education, science and technology.”

Dr Brown excelled in sciences during his time at Mount St Mary’s and went on to read Natural Science at the University of Cambridge. He will return this year to meet staff and students and to give a talk on his career successes.

Mr Laurence McKell, headmaster at Mount St Mary’s, based at Spinkhill, said: “Craig’s success is a tremendous example of how, at Mount St Mary’s, we help each student to develop their talents both in and outside the classroom. Everyone at the school is hugely proud of his achievements. Craig is a fantastic role model and we look forward to welcoming him back to Mount St Mary’s later this year.”

Mount St Mary’s College is an 11- 18, co-educational, boarding and day school, which is proudly non-academically selective and sees many of its students go on to top universities.

Photo:(L-R)Dr John Holdren, Science Advisor to the President (Office of Science and Technology Policy), Dr Craig Brown, and Dr Patrick Gallagher, Director, NIST, Department of Commerce.

A Derbyshire school’s musical prodigy looks set for a harmonious career after successfully mastering the highest possible grade for three different instruments.

Kris Garfitt, 18, who attends Mount St Mary’s College, has achieved a grade 8 distinction for the piano, the euphonium and the trombone.

After taking up the piano aged six, he started learning the euphonium at nine and moved on to the trombone when he was 12.

A school captain, Kris plays in the City of Sheffield youth orchestra and features in the school’s jazz band, brass band, choir, concert band, madrigal group and male voice choir.

Kris, from Sothall, Sheffield, hopes to go on to study trombone at The Royal Northern College of Music and is well on the way to reaching his goal of becoming a professional freelance musician.

But music is not the only field in which Kris is blessed with talent – he has also won several golf competitions, playing off a handicap of just six.

Mount St Mary’s headteacher, Laurence McKell, said: “Kris is clearly a supremely talented young man, because to achieve a grade 8 distinction for one instrument, let alone three, is a truly remarkable achievement.

“We are very fortunate to have a pupil like Kris here, he is very involved in the life of the school and his music is an absolute pleasure to listen to.

“We know he will continue to be a superb ambassador for Mount St Mary’s in the future, whatever career path he chooses.”

A Derbyshire MP has survived one of her toughest interviews yet after being grilled by pupils at a local school.

Natascha Engel, the MP for North East Derbyshire, visited Mount St Mary’s College to discuss a number of important issues with the school’s senior debating society.

Pupils used the opportunity to find out as much as possible about Natascha’s politics and about her experience of life in Parliament.

She was also quizzed on a variety of issues, including the whip system, the Iraq war and whether Gordon Brown will continue as Labour party leader.

Natascha, who actively encourages young people to get involved in politics, said: “It was a pleasure to spend time with the pupils at Mount St Mary’s – even if they did ask me some tricky questions!

“To meet pupils with such an awareness of political issues is always very enjoyable, and I was very impressed with their knowledge.

“Young people should be encouraged to discuss political issues with their peers and the Mount St Mary’s senior debating society is a fantastic example of this.”

Helen McKell, head of the senior debating society at Mount St Mary’s, said: “Our pupils enjoy debating a wide variety of topics and have a real interest in current affairs.

“They appreciated the opportunity to speak with an MP and were very grateful to Natascha Engel for giving up her time. They were also impressed by how down to earth Natascha was.”

Photo: Natascha Engel MP with (L-R) Amer Qaiyum, Charlotta Lorenz and Naseem Sharif from Mount St Mary’s senior debating society

Top performing pupils at Mount St Mary’s College spent a day in Oxford learning more about life at one of the world’s leading universities.

The group, mostly from Year 12 at the Derbyshire school, visited the University of Oxford as guests of the Catholic Chaplaincy, which is run by the Jesuits.

Pupils enjoyed a tour of Oxford’s Christchurch College led by a current student followed by a trip to see some of the city’s most famous landmarks.

The highlight of the day was a session led by Fr John Moffat SJ, who introduced the pupils to the concept of the Oxford tutorial using a power point presentation, a cricket bat and the Chair of Doom.

Along with pupils from fellow Jesuit school Wimbledon College and the Ursuline High School, students were asked to consider the nature of rules – then sit in the Chair to defend their points.

Mr Laurence McKell, head teacher at Mount St Mary’s College, Spinkhill, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for some of our pupils and chance to get a flavour of further education.

“Our students gained an enormous amount from the visit and everyone agreed it was an inspiring introduction to life at a top university.”

Mount St Mary’s College is an 11- 18, co-educational Jesuit boarding and day school, which is proudly non-selective and sees many of its students go on to top universities.

Photo: Pupils from Mount St Mary’s College outside the University of Oxford.

Deprived children living in an African village are to get access to clean water every day thanks to an aqua aid scheme set up by staff and pupils at a Derbyshire school.

Kind hearted teachers and children at Barlborough Hall School are raising £2,000 to pay for a new water tank at Makumbi Mission, in Zimbabwe, by swapping presents for charity vouchers this Christmas.

Barlborough is paired with Makumbi through the Jesuits’ Companion Programme, which was set up to link Jesuit schools in different parts of the world.

The water tank project has been developed following a cultural exchange trip to Makumbi by Barlborough’s deputy headmaster Mr Dave Wilson.

Makumbi Mission includes a senior school with a large boarding community, an orphanage for more than 80 children, a church and accommodation for the Jesuit community, Primary school, a small convent and basic, rural hospital.

During his week-long stay, Mr Wilson taught lessons to the pupils at the Mission’s primary school, delivered letters written by pupils, and brought back post from Makumbi for Barlborough pupils, helping the children to learn more about life in different parts of the world.

The water vouchers would pay for a 6,000-gallon tank guaranteeing the 600 children of Makumbi daily access to clean water.

Last Christmas, Barlborough Hall School completed a similar project with pupils buying food vouchers for Makumbi instead of Christmas presents for staff.

Mr Wilson said: “During the visit, I learnt a great deal about the mission, the Primary school and the needs of the community. I was greatly moved by the kindness, spirit and humanity of the people there and the enormous gratitude they have shown for all we have been able to do, which is why on my return we decided to set up the water tank voucher project.

“Fr Herbert Mueller SJ, who heads up Makumbi, and the other two priests who are both in their 70s and 80s, devote themselves tirelessly to the mission. They are doing everything possible to protect the community as far as they are able to, but it has been severely hit by the economic crisis. It is a much improved situation since last year for those who can afford it but many of the homes are poor and in need of repair, food is in short supply and some children and families have just one meal of porridge a day.”

Mr Wilson’s visit to Makumbi was paid for by pupils who purchased special school ‘air miles’ flight vouchers. He took out suitcase full of 30 clockwork engines for a technology project, water filters, medication, clothes, gifts and letters and pictures from Barlborough

Mr Wilson added: “It was only due to the exceeding generosity of parents and children that I was able to visit Makumbi in the first place. The huge contributions made by Barlborough families over the last four years have been of real importance to the school and especially the children who have benefitted in so many ways.

“The charitable work of Barlborough pupils and their families has already brought improvements to the lives of many at Makumbi and the cultural exchange has enriched our own children and provided a wonderful learning experience which will continue indefinitely.”

It was business as usual for staff and students at Mount St Mary’s College today (Tuesday, January 5).

Despite snowy conditions, the Spinkhill school stayed open and pictured (from left) in their snow uniforms are pupils Matthew Woodcock Fowles (Thorpe Salvin, Worksop), Robert Pattison (Hasland, Chesterfield) and James Sharpe (Hasland, Chesterfield).

It is 250 years since the death of George Frideric Handel but his most well-known piece of work is still proving a hit with pupils past and present at Mount St Mary’s College.

More than 100 singers from the Senior Choir joined with former members, current and former staff, parents and family friends to perform the famous oratorio Messiah at a special festive concert.

Soloists included former pupils Kathy Tang, who studied music at Cardiff and has sung with the BBC National Choir of Wales and the Welsh National Opera, and Octavia McGlashan, in her second year studying music at Trinity College London.

Professional harpsichord player Martin Haywood, who is Mount St Mary’s regular accompanist and is also involved with the Royal Northern College of Music, played the harpsichord continuo alongside the semi-professional orchestra.

Highlights of the evening, which took place in the Memorial Chapel, were the famous Hallelujah Chorus, and the powerful intertwining phrases of the final Amen chorus. The dramatic pause four bars before the end allowed the sound to resound around the chapel, before the choir drew breath for the final dramatic chords.

Lucy Kitchener, director of music at Mount St Mary’s, which is based at Spinkhill, Derbyshire, said: “Our Senior, Chamber and Junior Choirs have achieved much success in local and national festivals in 2009 and this performance was a wonderful way to round off the 2009.”

The concert formed part of a weekend of celebrations to mark 100 years of the Mount Association, which is open to all former pupils, parents and staff. The Association’s Centenary Fund was established in 1942 and awards grants for further education, voluntary work and scholarships.

Photo: Mount St Mary’s Senior Choir performing Handel’s Messiah.

Teachers and students at the Derbyshire school collected £500 for the St Wilfrid’s Centre by organising a host of activities as part of its annual charities week.

Fundraising activities included an X-Box Challenge, the ever-popular karaoke, a staff and pupil rowing competition and a sixth-form cake bake.

Over the last few weeks pupils have also been collecting toiletries which they presented to the St Wilfred’s Centre, on Queens Road, in Sheffield.

St Wilfrid’s Centre supports the homeless, vulnerable and socially excluded in Sheffield by creating a caring community based on Christian values.

Mr Laurence McKell, head teacher at Mount St Mary’s College, at Spinkhill, said: “Our annual charities week provides pupils with lots of opportunities to show they are ‘men and women for others’, the Jesuit ethos we follow here at Mount St Mary’s.

“We are very proud of their fundraising achievements and delighted that the money will be going towards such a worthy local cause.”

Music from the String Ensemble at Mount St Mary’s College greeted guests at the opening of the school’s stunning new Art and Design department.

Visitors enjoyed refreshments at the launch before watching a performance of Yasmina Reza’s ‘Art’ by three members of Mount St Mary’s Senior Drama Society.

The new department, officially opened by headmaster Mr Laurence McKell, features light-filled studios designed to inspire pupils to engage in a wide range of artistic endeavours including fine art, textiles, 3D design and photography.

Mr Laurence McKell, head teacher of the Derbyshire school, said: “It was wonderful to see our three creative arts departments combining for a wonderful evening showcasing the wealth of artistic talent at Mount St Mary’s.

“As well as studying art and design as exam subjects, pupils are encouraged to explore their artistic talents through the many activities run by members of the department.

“This means that all pupils can continue to enjoy art even if they have chosen other subjects at GCSE or A Level. Former pupils have gone on to a variety of careers in the design world, often after studying for art degrees at college and university.”

Photo: (L-R) Art and design technology teachers Mrs Clare White, Mrs Penny Woodhouse and Mrs Lynn Lovatt-Jones.

A Derbyshire school has set up a new educational partnership in Australia providing sixth form pupils with the chance to head ‘down under’.

Mount St Mary’s College has developed an exchange programme with St Aloysius School, in Sydney, whereby every year two leavers can travel to Australia for a gap year.

As part of the exchange programme, Mount St Mary’s will also be welcoming gap students from St Aloysius.

Daniel Westmoreland, Mount St Mary’s Head Boy from 2007-08, was one of the first pupils to benefit from the schools’ links with St Aloysius – spending his gap year at the Jesuit grammar school.

Murray Happ, St Aloysius’ director of development, recently visited Mount St Mary’s for a tour and to meet and answer questions from some of the hopeful candidates.

Mount St Mary’s headmaster, Laurence McKell said: “We are delighted to be able to formalise this arrangement, as the Australia gap year experience is a wonderful way for our pupils to take a worthwhile year out between school and university.

“We are proud of our connections with other Jesuit schools and committed to developing similar links with schools from around the world. Daniel spent a thoroughly enjoyable year in Australia and we hope many more pupils can benefit from this exchange in the future.”

Daniel was not the only Old Mountaineer to enjoy an exciting adventure abroad courtesy of the school’s international connections.

Adam Gaskell, last year’s Head Boy, spent the summer in Hong Kong where he gained valuable work experience working for Old Mountaineer Geoffrey Chan – a lawyer in a major firm.

Adam said: “The work placement was the experience of a lifetime and I am very grateful to Mr Chan for giving me this opportunity.”

Mr McKell added said: “Both boys had wonderful experiences and we look forward to maintaining and strengthening our international connections so all our pupils can have the opportunities Adam and Daniel did.”

Photo:(L-R) Mount St Mary’s pupils James Proudfoot, Abbie Shearstone and Frances Clarke with Murray Happ, St Aloysius director of development.

A hit West End comedy has been brought to the stage in Derbyshire by arty students at Mount St Mary’s College.

Three members of the Spinkhill school’s Senior Drama Society starred in the performance of ‘Art’, by Yasmina Reza (translated by Christopher Hampton).

The play explored art and the friendship of characters, Serge, Marc and Yvan played by sixth form students Richard Duggan, Edward Massarella and Alex Allt

Art has enjoyed a long and successful run in the West End with the roles played by many noted actors and comedians such as Albert Finney, Tome Courtney, Frank Skinner and Roger Lloyd-Pack.

Jack Murphy, head of English and Drama at Mount St Mary’s, said: “The students performed with a real energy and commitment which kept the pace of the play at a high level.

“It is a real challenge when three actors have to maintain an audience’s interest for 75 minutes without an interval. But the students brought out the comic interplay really well, with good comic timing and characterisation.

“I was also pleased that the students captured the more serious side of the play showing that the characters are motivated by their fondness for each other and not simply by irritability. The audience response was wholehearted – it was an evening of laughter and good cheer and the students earned their thunderous reception at the curtain call.”

Photo:(L-R) Alex Allt of Rotherham, Richard Duggan of Barlborough and Edward Massarella of Brookhouse, Sheffield.

A former student at Mount St Mary’s College is to receive a prestigious White House award for his outstanding contribution to the American world of science.

Dr Craig Brown, who was educated at the Derbyshire school in the 1980s, will be given a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

He is an instrument scientist for the Disk Chopper Spectrometer at the NIST Centre for Neutron Research (NCNR) in Maryland, where he researches science underlying future energy technologies.

Dr Brown, originally from Sheffield, first learnt of the good news when President Obama announced his name amongst a list of more than 100 other early researchers and recipients who also will be presented with the award at a special White House ceremony.

The prize is the highest honour bestowed by the United States government on young professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

Dr Brown said: “The award is quite an amazing recognition of the environment and support I have benefited from whilst working at the NCNR and reflects upon the creativity and abilities of all of my collaborators.

“I am a product of the education of Mount St Mary’s and I have really fond memories of the students and teachers from my time there.”

Dr Brown excelled in sciences during his time at Mount St Mary’s and went on to read Natural Science at the University of Cambridge. He will return next year to meet staff and students and to give a talk on his career successes.

Mr Laurence McKell, headmaster at Mount St Mary’s, based at Spinkhill, said: “Craig’s success is an inspiration to our budding scientists and we look forward to him visiting the school in the coming year.

“We aim to help each student develop their talents both in and outside the classroom and it will be wonderful for our students to hear from Craig about the significant part that science plays in all our lives.”

Young cadets at Mount St Mary’s College have marched to remember fallen war heroes at a special memorial service to mark Remembrance Day.

On Wednesday, November 11, at exactly 11am, students and staff gathered in the school’s Memorial Chapel for a service of remembrance.

The last post was sounded to mark the start of a two minute silence, followed by the reveille and prayers were led by Fr Michael Beattie SJ.

Uninformed members of Mount St Mary’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) read poems and an extract from a letter written by an Old Mountaineer who died in World War One, before taking part in a parade march to the churchyard war memorial to lay wreaths at war graves.

The names of former students who gave their lives in the war are displayed on the walls of the ante-chapel, which is a registered war memorial site.

Head teacher of the Derbyshire school Mr Laurence McKell said: “At Mount St Mary’s we place great store on Remembrance Day and show respect for those who have died in combat for this country and their families.

“Our ethos is about developing men and women for others which is why we feel it is so important to remember the sacrifices that others have made for others, and continue to make.”

The CCF has two sections, Army and RAF, for Year 10 and 11 students, although many opt to continue in to Sixth Form, where they can be promoted up the ranks.

Photo: Mount St Mary’s cadets march to remember fallen war heroes.

Pupils at a Derbyshire school have gone to great lengths to help one of their teachers take off on a cultural exchange trip to Africa.

Youngsters at Balborough Hall School bought hundreds of special ‘air miles’ flight vouchers to help send deputy head teacher Dave Wilson on a visit to Makumbi Primary School and Orphanage in Zimbabwe.

Maths and Technology teacher Dave will fly out to Makumbi today (October 23) for the week-long trip teaching pupils and exchanging ideas with the school’s 15 teachers.

Barlborough has been linked with Makumbi since 2003 as part of the Jesuit Missions’ Companions Programme, which links Jesuit schools in England with deprived schools in Africa.

Over the last five years, Barlborough pupils have exchanged pictures, stories, news and letters with fellow students in Zimbabwe.

Dave will take out a suitcase full of 30 clockwork engines for a technology project, special water filters, medication, clothes, gifts and letters and pictures from the teachers and pupils at Barlborough.

He explains: “Our relationship with Makumbi has grown over the years and the kids have really taken ownership of the exchange project. It’s wonderful how involved the pupils have chosen to be and they have learned a great deal about a very different way of life. My trip will help to make it more personal and real.

“They have been extremely busy, selling cakes, buying ‘air miles’ for my flight, holding raffles and other fundraising activities to raise money for this special trip and I am so grateful.

“We are all hoping that this cultural exchange visit is the first of many and that we can welcome teachers from Makumbi to Barlborough in the future.”

Over the last five years, Barlborough has funded a number of improvements projects for Mukumbi including the installation of perimeter fencing and windows and doors.

The school has also donated towards the local village’s food voucher scheme, bought educational books and paid teachers wages for a year.

Wanda Parkinson, Barlborough Hall Headteacher, said: “The Companions Programme is a fantastic initiative and the schools involved are united by the Jesuit ethos of ‘men and women for and with others’.

“It is a great opportunity to listen and to learn from others across the world and to share a common spiritual inheritance.”

Photo:(L-R)Niamh Woodmass from Wickersley, Rotherham, Dave Wilson, Alexandra Eastwood and Jasmine Wallis-Leach, both from Barlborough.

A Derbyshire school is on its marks for another successful sporting year after appointing two games teachers with experience of coaching at the highest level.

Mount St Mary’s College has appointed a fencing coach with 15 years experience and a rugby coach who worked with the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

The school’s Head of Boys’ Games, Richard Wareham, has also been chosen as the forward coach for England’s Under 16 rugby side. Richard, who also teaches Physics, is already Head Coach for the North of England Under 16 team.

Adam Blight joins with a wealth of experience coaching the finest fencers in the country. He has coached nine British champions in various age groups including the player ranked number three in the world.

Fencing has been a popular games option for many years at the school and Adam will now coach Mount St Mary’s senior fencers.

Under his tutelage, Adam is confident the school can qualify for the British Youth Championships and the Independent schools Championships in March.

Andrew Axelby has been appointed as a rugby coach and History teacher. Andrew, a level three qualified RFU coach, worked for three years with the RFU and has coached rugby at county and school level in Northumberland.

Paul Scott, director of Sport at Mount St Mary’s, said: “Adam and Andrew have hugely impressive coaching records and their appointment is a real boost for the school.

“Richard’s appointment to the England under 16 set-up is a superb personal achievement for him. We are delighted his coaching ability continues to be recognised at the highest level.

“The three appointments reflect the school’s commitment to ensuring we have a first-class sports department with an unrivalled staff. We are sure their appointments will be of great benefit to our pupils and will allow the school to sustain and improve our impressive sporting record.”

Photo: (L-R) New staff Andrew Axelby and Adam Blight with Head of Boys’ Games Richard Wareham

Teachers and staff at Mount St Mary’s College have paid tribute to former head teacher Fr John Grumitt SJ who has died aged 79.

Fr Grumitt, who was head at the Spinkhill school from 1976 to 1990, is remembered with affection by long-serving staff.

The last Jesuit head at Mount St Mary’s, Fr Grumitt was renowned locally for his unique and eccentric teaching style and character.

During meetings with staff about school issues, teachers would emerge having listened to what was on Fr Grumitt’s mind – and forgetting what had been on theirs!

He drove a well-loved RS2 Cosworth Turbo car – an unusual choice for a priest but indicative of Fr Grumitt’s great passion for technology.

In the Jesuit spirit of ‘men and women for others’, he was generous with the money he had inherited through a family trust fund, installing a television studio and an electronic notice board at the school to display sports match results and pupils’ birthdays.

He indulged his love of gadgets at Mount St Mary’s, installing a filming tower on the middle rugby flats, which meant matches could be filmed then edited in school, an unusual feature for a school in the eighties.

It was not only technology that fascinated Fr Grumitt. ‘Hawk Mews’, at the top of the Mount’s St Mary’s distinctive Pineapple Tower, is named after the bird that Fr Grumitt kept at the Tower.

‘Grumbo’, as he was known, was loved for his little acts of kindness, even driving to a nearby town to buy a replacement projector bulb so a teacher’s lesson could go ahead as planned.

Laurence McKell, head teacher of Mount St Mary’s, said: “The affection in which Fr Grumitt was held by all who knew him during his time as headmaster is obvious from the phone calls and emails we have received from former teachers, pupils and parents since news of his sudden death was announced.

“He had a great love for the school and took a real interest in developing talents. He was a truly unique character and he will be sadly missed by many.”

Pupils at Barlborough Hall School are having a smashing time reviving a traditional school ground game.

Conkers is proving very popular at Barlborough with children regularly competing to see who has the winning weapon.

Wanda Parkinson, head teacher at Barlborough, said: “It is wonderful that our pupils can still play traditional games at school.

“Children have a natural interest in nature and we’re delighted that the old fashioned activities are still so popular. The pupils are even using all the tricks that parents will remember from their childhood, for example soaking their chestnuts in vinegar in the hope they will be victorious!”

Photo: (L-R) William (the conkerer) Gladwin from Whitwell and Jack Ellingham from Barlborough

Strictly fever is sweeping Barlborough Hall School where youngsters are putting their best feet forward with a former world dance champion.

Pupils at the Derbyshire school are waltzing their way to become the next Darren Bennett or Lilia Kopylova by taking part in ballroom dancing lessons.

The children are taught by two-time World Amateur Ballroom Dance Champion Gill Eakins, from Killamarsh.

Wanda Parkinson, head teacher at Barlborough, said: “Ballroom dancing is really popular at Barlborough, but especially now with the new series of Strictly Come Dancing back on TV.

“It a great way of encouraging physical activity and just one of the many different extra-curricular activities that make school life so varied and enriching.”

Dancing is one of the key elements of the Department of Health’s Be Active, Be Healthy scheme set up to support the Government’s target to get two million more people active by 2012 and achieve improvements in health.

Photo:(L-R) World Amateur Ballroom Dance Champion Gill Eakins passes on her skills to Barlborough pupils Molly Carruthers, from Woodsetts, and Beatrice Fomin, from Chesterfield.

A 100-year-old lady will make a nostalgic return to the stately home where she lived and worked 84 years ago.

Avis Clarke, who celebrated her 100th birthday in August, will return to Barlborough Hall School on Saturday September 19 at 10:00 am.

Avis worked on the staff at Barlborough Hall for ten years from the age of 16 before it became a school. She left with the Locker-Lampson family for London when they sold the Hall in 1935.

Two close relatives of Avis, who were both called Samuel Wells, also worked at the Hall for many years as gardeners.

Avis, who now lives in a care home in Dinnington, Sheffield, will be presented with a canvas-framed picture of Barlborough Hall as a reminder of the time she spent there.

A small group of children from Barlborough Hall School will also meet with Avis for tea and biscuits.

Barlborough Hall, which celebrates its own landmark birthday this year after 70 years as a school, became the preparatory school to nearby Mount St Mary’s College in 1939.

Pupils at Barlborough still have lessons in the Hall’s original rooms, including the library, top parlour and chapel.

Wanda Parkinson, Barlborough Hall Headteacher, said: “It is wonderful that Avis is returning to Barlborough Hall and we are thrilled to welcome her back.

“She has clearly led a fascinating life and her experience gives us an interesting insight into the history of the Hall.

“To reach 100 years old is an incredible milestone for Avis. Everyone is looking forward to meeting her and sharing in some of the memories she has of Barlborough Hall.”

Barlborough Hall, an independent Jesuit Preparatory School for boys and girls aged 3-11, is situated in a protected countryside estate of 320 acres. Built in 1583 by Francis Rodes, the Hall is a Grade 1 listed building which has retained much of its original character.

Picture: Grade 1 listed Barlborough Hall which celebrates 70 years as a school this year.

A Derbyshire athletics club is celebrating after picking up a national excellence award.

2 DASH (Derbyshire and South Yorkshire Harriers), which is based at Mount St Mary’s College, Spinkhill, has achieved Clubmark status – the national standard for high quality sports provision for young people.

Part-funded by Coalfields Regeneration Trust grants, the club was set up in 2007 to cater for Under 13s to 17s from the school and wider community and uses Mount St Mary’s class 1 certified stadium and equipment.

It now boasts more than 100 members made up of students and other youngsters from the South Yorkshire and Derbyshire areas who meet twice a week to take part in a range of track and field events.

Keith Newton, a level 4 coach at Mount St Mary’s who runs 2 DASH, said: “This award is recognition for the tremendous amount of hard work that has gone into setting up 2 DASH and making it such a huge success in only a short period of time. It is one of the fastest moves towards Clubmark status by an athletics club in this country.

“The club was established to cater for our school pupils but also to serve the local community at a grass roots level. In just two years we have gone from a single coach and 18 members to over 150 people training with us under the guidance of 14 coaches.”

2 DASH was promoted to the North East Division of the National Youth Athletics League in its first season of competition and is now holding its own against the likes of the City of York and Lord Sebastian Coe’s old club the Hallamshire Harriers.

It also has satellite clubs at four local schools – Westfield, Eckington, Springwell and Netherthorpe, which run 12-week training programmes and competitions for students and feed into 2 DASH.

Keith added: “The satellite clubs are a way of bringing athletics to the community. They are all inclusive and we welcome members of all abilities from these clubs to our weekly sessions at Mount Stadium. They are hugely popular and a great way for us to develop positive links with the local community and ensure that physical activity is accessible to all.”

Photo caption: (L-R) 2 DASH member Niall Hunt, coach Keith Newton and one of the club’s newest recruits Gemma Smalley.

Eight year old Emilia Thompson stormed the field in charity race to secure a top ten finish and help raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

Emilia, a pupil at Barlborough Hall School, Derbyshire, finished in the top ten girls in the Bupa 1.5km Great Yorkshire Mini Run at Don Valley Stadium.

She was cheered on by sister and fellow pupil Talitha Thompson, plus Natalie Sandi and Alistair McInulty, students at Barlborough Hall, Mount St Mary’s College’s preparatory school. The trio had earlier completed the Bupa 3k Junior Great Yorkshire Run at the stadium.

Leading by example was Mount St Mary’s head teacher Laurence McKell, who ran the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run with deputy head Frank Thompson, Tara Thompson, staff Maxine Smith and Dean Smith, plus students David Broadley, Chris Unwin, Ian Taylor and last year’s head boy Adam Gaskell.

The money raised will go towards Moving Mountains – the umbrella group that covers the college’s chosen charities. These include the Children’s Holiday Trust, Meningitis Trust, Safe @ Last and Jesuit Missions.

Laurence McKell, Mount St Mary’s head teacher said: “It was a fantastic day and wonderful to see the enthusiasm of all our students and staff who signed up for the different races. We are delighted to have raised such a good total for charity between us.

“Emilia produced a brilliant performance to come in the top ten girls in the Mini Run and it was a really proud moment when she crossed the finish line.”

Photo caption: Emilia Thompson (front row, second from the left) with friends and fellow runners from Mount St Mary’s and Barlborough.

Junior boxing champion Luke Rhodes is celebrating a knockout set of GCSE results.

The 16-year-old, a pupil at Mount St Mary’s College, in Spinkhill, achieved nine A* grades and one A in this year’s exams.

Welterweight Luke, from Maltby, in Rotherham, is the current Yorkshire and Humberside, and Midlands Champion, following successful bouts in May this year.

Luke, who was head boy at Rotherham’s Rudston School before joining Mount St Mary’s in Year 7, said: “I am so pleased to get these grades and cap off what has been a great year both at the Mount and in the ring.

“I am hoping to complete A-levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Spanish at Mount St Mary’s before going on to study engineering at university and use my language skills to travel the world!”

Emma Taylor, who was head girl in the same year as Luke at Rudston before joining Mount St Mary’s in Year 7, achieved eight A* and two A grades.

Emma, aged 16, from Whiston, Rotherham, is one of the school’s top musicians thrilling audiences with her portrayal of Nancy in “Oliver!” last year.

She said: “I am planning on studying languages at A-level and would love to go on to fulfil my ultimate ambition of training to become an actress.”

Some of the school’s other top achievers include Hareep Hothi, from Rotherham, with five A* and five A grades, and Kate Woodcock-Fowles, from Thorpe Salvin, who earned two A*s and seven As.

Mount St Mary’s achieved an overall 99 per cent pass rate for A* to E GSCE grades and the results follow the school’s record-breaking 100 per cent A-level pass rate announced last week.

The school’s top set for Maths in Year 10 sat this year’s GCSE exam a year early achieving excellent results, which means pupils will now be able to focus on AS Maths in Year 11.

Laurence McKell, head teacher at Mount St Mary’s, said: “We are extremely proud of the achievements of all our pupils who sat GSCE exams. Supported by staff and parents, they have put in a tremendous amount of hard work over the last two years and these results are reward for their efforts.

“At Mount St Mary’s, we promote an environment of all round education, achieved not only through exams and studying, but with a variety of extra-curricular activities. This unique ethos means we create a balanced school life for our pupils and ensures we support students academically, spiritually and emotionally.”

Photo: Mount St Mary’s junior boxing champion Luke Rhodes celebrates his outstanding GCSE results.

Rising rugby star Brandon Hannam has been selected to represent his country at an international festival in Belgium.

Brandon, a year 13 boarding student at Derbyshire’s Mount St Mary’s College, has been picked for the Scottish Exiles U20 squad.

Scottish Exiles are players with Scottish blood, mostly drawn from English schools. Eighteen-year-old Brandon caught the eye of the selectors at a training session held at Mount St Mary’s over the summer.

It was led by Hugh Campbell, a former Scottish coach who now is a specialist at the National Academy, and former Scotland hooker Stevie Scott, who is now the national line-out coach for the current Scotland team.

The Scottish Exiles will fly out to Belgium for the four team festival on Monday, August 17 and will face host nation Belgium U20s in their first fixture. France U19s and Germany U20s make up the squads taking part.

Brandon, originally from Roundhay, Leeds, said: “I was really pleased to be selected. The Exiles are very highly thought of by the main Scotland set up so it is fantastic to have made the squad. My Scottish blood comes from my Grandma on my Dad’s side of the family

“The trial training session was quite tough but it helped that it took place at my home ground and I also have some previous experience having captained one of the Exiles games last year. I normally play in the back row but have been picked as a prop for the tournament.”

While in Belgium, Brandon will also face an anxious wait to find out his A Level results, which are due out on Thursday, August 20.

Brandon, added: “I have been boarding at Mount St Mary’s for the last two years while I have completed A Levels in Physics, Maths and Accounting and I’m hoping to go onto study Aviation at the University of Leeds. There will be a few nerves the night before and I will no doubt be logging onto the results website from our Belgium base as soon as I can!”

Paul Scott, director of sport at Mount St Mary’s, Spinkhill, said: “Brandon has done fantastically well to be picked for the squad and we wish him the best of luck for Belgium.

“He is a really promising young player who is still only under 19, yet holding his own amongst those at under 20 level. He has a great future ahead and everyone at Mount St Mary’s is really proud of his achievement.”

Photo:(L-R) Hugh Campbell, Brandon Hannam, Stevie Scott and Mount St Mary’s head teacher Laurence McKell.

Kind hearted students from a Derbyshire school have returned from Lourdes in France after helping elderly and wheelchair-bound pilgrims to Mass.

Twenty two students and three staff from Mount St Mary’s College took part in the pilgrimage to the town, which is situated in the Midi-Pyrénées region of France, from June 27 to July 3.

Lourdes, which welcomes around five million tourists and pilgrims a year, is a major pilgrimage destination for Christians, as the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Saint Bernadette there several times from the 1850s.

The students, from years 11-13, made the pilgrimage as part of the Diocese of Hallam. They helped assist the other pilgrims, who were mostly elderly or wheelchair bound, by taking them to various services, enjoying ice-creams together and being available to the pilgrims throughout the week.

Students transported the pilgrims from their hotel to Mass or services each day. As a result, they were able to attend several services, including Mass at the Grotto, which is believed to hold water possessing miraculous healing properties. A torchlight procession led by the Diocese of Hallam was another highlight of the week.

Mary Forbes-Jones, Head of Year 12 at Mount St Mary’s College, said: “We are very proud of the students who gave tirelessly in time and effort to make sure that the needs of the fellow pilgrims were met.

“The pilgrimage was a wonderful experience for all involved, and the students worked selflessly to perfectly embody the Ignatian spirit of being ‘Men and Women for Others’, which is at the heart of Mount St Mary’s ethos.”

Set in beautiful surroundings on the South Yorkshire and Derbyshire borders, Mount St Mary’s College is a Jesuit, co-educational, boarding and day school, catering for 11-18 year olds, and welcoming children of any denomination.

Picture caption: Four students from Mount St Mary’s with a pilgrim in Lourdes, France

Hardworking pupils, dedicated staff and supportive parents at Mount St Mary’s are celebrating after the Derbyshire College recorded outstanding A-level results.

Mount St Mary’s, at Spinkhill, achieved a record-breaking 100 per cent pass rate with 30 per cent of students graded A.

The Head Boy and Deputy Head Boy were among the top performers at Mount St Mary’s, which has exceeded the national average pass rate of 97.5 per cent and 26.7 per cent awarded A grades.

Deputy Head Boy Rahul Ravi, from Ashgate, Chesterfield, achieved four As in Accountancy, Biology, Chemistry and Maths and will go on to study Economics and Maths at Bristol University.

Rahul said: “I am so happy to have got these grades after all the hard work and revision over the last two years and it is fantastic that I have got the place at Bristol University. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family and teachers at the Mount.

“My ultimate ambition after university is to buy Arsenal Football Club so hopefully I can put my Economics and Maths skills to good use!”

Adam Gaskell, from Nether Handley, who is Head Boy and captain of the school’s rugby team, recorded three As in Business Studies, English and Music.

Adam, who is interested in studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics, has just returned from a work placement at a law firm in Hong Kong and will now take a gap year before applying to Oxford.

Science queen Chloe Howard from Holmesfield, Dronfield, is heading to University College London to study natural sciences after earning four As in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.

Some of the school’s other success stories include this year’s Head Girl Lucy Potts, from Firbeck near Worksop, who achieved As in English and Geography and a B in Philosophy.

Tom Ward, from Killamarsh recorded As in Biology, Chemistry and a B in Religious Studies and is off to study Medicine at Queen Mary in London, while Sarah Philips, from Anston, Sheffield, achieved As in French and Spanish and a B in Philosophy. She is going to study Languages at Newcastle University.

Laurence McKell, head teacher at Mount St Mary’s, said: “These truly outstanding results are a testament to the talent and dedication of our pupils, but also our incredibly hard working staff and the pupils’ parents who have played an important part in supporting the students. They should all be hugely proud of their achievements.

“At the heart of Mount St Mary’s is a mission to develop well rounded young men and women, and these results reflect our ethos to support pupils not just academically, but spiritually, physically and emotionally, so they leave school ready to face whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.”

A Derbyshire school choir is celebrating after winning a top national music award.

The talented Mount St Mary’s College Junior Choir was presented with the Voices Foundation Junior Choirs Award for Excellence at the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham.

Mount St Mary’s was one of 22 choirs from across the country chosen to perform in the city’s Symphony Hall following a regional selection competition and one of just four choirs to receive a music award in recognition of choral excellence.

The choir, made up of 30 Mount St Mary’s pupils from years 7 and 8, performed three pieces – the traditional Ave Maria, the contemporary classic Adiemus and the up tempo Get on Board.

It caps off a highly successful school year for Mount St Mary’s. The Senior, Chamber and Junior choirs all won their categories at the Worksop Festival of Music, and the Senior Choir also received excellent feedback from the Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year competition

Lucy Kitchener, director of music at Mount St Mary’s, which is based at Spinkhill, said: “It is fantastic for the Junior Choir to be recognised in the Music For Youth National Festival. We were absolutely thrilled to be presented with one of the four event awards.

“Our students are incredibly talented and they sang beautifully in Birmingham. The judges particularly liked the variety of our programme which demonstrated a range of skills, techniques and sounds. They felt that we had a fresh and vibrant sound and we look forward to developing this in the future.”

Photo: Mount St Mary’s choir members celebrate the award win at the National Festival of Music for Youth.

Young pupils at a Derbyshire school have swapped the classroom for the countryside as part of a special outdoor educational event.

Children at Barlborough Hall School enjoyed a variety of art-based outdoor activities over five days as part of the Great Outdoors Week.

The event included sculpting sessions with an artist from the Harley Gallery, in Worksop, which involved students using recycled materials to create exhibits for the school’s annual arts competition later this term.

Nursery and junior pupils took part in wild woodland art activities, led by Forest Schools, and staged a series of outdoor concerts with a garden theme including ‘Blooming Marvellous’ and ‘The Garden’.

There was also a building day for each class group followed by a charity fundraising barbeque lunch to raise money for Barlborough’s adopted school in Africa – Makumbi Primary School in Zimbabwe.

Ann Westmoreland, art coordinator at Barlborough Hall School, said: “The week of activities was designed to inspire pupils through positive outdoor experiences, yet still link to the school curriculum by combining both art and physical activity.

“It gave us a unique opportunity to suspend our normal timetable and do something really different and memorable with the kids. It was also wonderful for the children to spend some time enjoying the surrounding countryside, greenery and fresh air. ”

Photo caption: Pre-Prep III (Reception) pupil Jamie Osborne, from Gildingswells, near Tickhill, Worksop.

Pupils, staff and parents at Mount St Mary’s College got into the Wimbledon spirit by taking part in their very own version of the tennis tournament.

They gathered at the Derbyshire school for a Wimbledon Sunday competition, which featured a series of fixtures including mixed American doubles in rounds followed by semi-finals and finals.

Organised by the Mount St Mary’s Parents’ Association, there were prizes for juniors, seniors and the fastest serve.

Junior coaching was also organised by Pete Leadbetter from Beauchief Tennis Club and money raised on the day will be used to support other activities in school.

Diane Burkinshaw, Chair of the Parents’ Association at Mount St Mary’s College, said: “The tournament was great fun and fantastic way to encourage pupils, staff and parents to pick up a racket and get into the summer tennis spirit.

“It was also really competitive and there was lots of friendly rivalry for the fastest serve title! One of the semi-finals even lasted an hour, showing the skill and determination of the pairs.”

An enthralling final saw parent Ian Appleyard and school boarder Virginia Faixat, from Spain, beat Mount St Mary’s head of boarding Mr Wessel Du Randt and Winnie Yeung, from Doncaster.

Virginia also won the fastest serve competition, while fellow boarders Joaquim Llimona took the junior male fastest serve title and Max Hassler won the prize for the fastest senior male serve.

Parent Mrs Tara Thompson, from Spinkhill, won the senior female fastest serve.

Four gifted children from Derbyshire have won scholarships for one of the region’s top schools for their academic, musical and artistic talents.

The scholars, all aged 11, have won places at Mount St Mary’s College in Spinkhill, Derbyshire after sitting the scholarship paper as part of the school’s entrance test.

Grace Williams, a student at Camms Primary School, was the top academic scholar and won a place along with her peer Ian Hitchen. Lucy Coughlan and Harry Birch both from preparatory school Barlborough Hall won places at Mount St Mary’s, one of the most highly regarded schools in the region.

To celebrate their success, the new pupils were invited for tea with staff from the school who were involved in their selection, including headmaster, Laurence McKell.

He said: “We are so pleased to welcome these highly talented children to our school. The standard and number of applicants was so high this year; the teaching and development offered by the school helps all of our pupils reach their full potential.

“We welcome scholarship applications from anyone who would like to join us here at Mount St Mary’s.”

Other children selected for scholarships include youngsters from Sheffield; Daniel Connolly and James Thompson both from Mylnhurst Preparatory School.

The school also awards scholarship places for 13-year-olds and sixth formers.

For more information on scholarship opportunities offered by Mount St Mary’s College, please call 01246 433388.

Picture: High fliers(from left to right) Headmaster Laurence McKell, Grace, Daniel, Harry, Ian, Lucy and James enjoy tea in the school’s library

Bullying tackled by budding stars of the stage

Budding stars of the stage will tackle the issue of bullying in schools with a contemporary drama production.

Students at Mount St Mary’s College, in Spinkhill, are staging an adaption of Jacqueline Wilson’s novel ‘Bad Girls’.

The emotive play will be performed at the school’s theatre on Friday, June 26 by a cast of more than 30 Year Seven and Eight pupils.

Jack Murphy, Head of English and Drama at Mount St Mary’s College, said: “The plays takes a sensitive look at the emotions suffered by a 10-year-old girl when she becomes the victim of bullying at school.

“It is our third extra-curricular production this school year and follows the hugely successful production of ‘Oliver!’ at Christmas and ‘The Kiteman’ in April reflecting Mount St Mary’s commitment to providing pupils with a wide range of performance opportunities.”

The talent, achievements and dedication of pupils at Derbyshire’s Mount St Mary’s College have been celebrated at special awards ceremony.

More than 60 awards were presented to students at the school’s Grand Academy annual prize-giving weekend.

They were presented by VIP the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire Mrs Helena Muller in recognition of academic achievements, sporting successes, positive contributions made to school life and voluntary work.

Top prize, the Headmaster’s Award for outstanding contribution, was won by Head Boy, Adam Gaskell, aged 18, from Nether Handley.

Mrs Muller gave an inspirational speech about her own memories of school and talked to students about her role and distinctive High Sheriff’s costume.

Laurence McKell, headmaster at the Spinkhill school, said: “It was an honour to share this year’s successes at Grand Academy with Mrs Muller. It confirmed that our pupils have many reasons to give thanks for their talents.

“The awards ceremony is designed to celebrate a whole range of student achievements from those who have raised lots of money for charity to academic successes.”

The Grand Academy awards presentation followed a number of other school events including Sports Day, where Mount St Mary’s three houses competed in all the traditional track and field events around the athletics track.

Top music students played concerto movements, accompanied by a professional orchestra, at the school’s Academy Concert in the Memorial Chapel and Academy Mass was celebrated by Father Kevin Fox SJ.

Parents and pupils were also able to enjoy a variety of exhibitions and events ranging from a production of ‘Teechers’ performed by senior drama students to abseiling down parts of the school’s building.

Photo caption: (L-R) Headmaster Laurence McKell, pupil Jack Lamb and the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire Mrs Helena Muller.

Enterprising students at Mount St Mary’s College have completed an Apprentice-style business challenge to help raise money for a special summer disability sports event.

Sixth form pupils at the Spinkhill boarding and day school raised more than £3,000 by organising and hosting a charity fundraising ball for staff, parents and their friends.

They designed and printed the tickets, decorated the refectory where the ball was held, provided the music and entertainment for the tables and even served drinks and food to guests on the night.

Money from the ‘World of Love Ball’ will be used to fund a Holiday Week for Disabled Children at Mount St Mary’s, which will take place during the summer break and provide youngsters with the opportunity to stay at the College and try a host of sporting and leisure activities.

Lucy Potts, head girl and chair of the organising committee, from Firbeck, near Worksop, said: “This was the first time we have done anything like this before and it was a great experience. We organised the whole event from start to finish, including everything from selling tickets and decorating the venue to planning the entertainment and serving food on the night.

“It was a bit like being on the Apprentice, but just without Alan Sugar! It is great that the money we raised will be put towards such a worthwhile cause.”

Money collected from a Christmas card campaign at Mount St Mary’s and its preparatory school Barlborough Hall will also go towards funding the Holiday Week.

Laurence McKell, headteacher at Mount St Mary’s College, said: “The students worked incredibly hard, all in their own time, to plan every aspect of the event right down to the last detail and it was a huge success.

“Thanks to the generosity of parents, we raised over £3,000, which was a great boost and will help give the children a memorable week’s holiday.

“It is a great example of how extra-curricular activities can support our mission to develop the whole person, not just academically, but spiritually, physically and emotionally, so that our pupils leave school ready to face whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.”

Photo caption: (L-R) Mount St Mary’s pupils Luke Longthorne (Newark) and Rahul Ravi (Chesterfield).

A series of master classes from one of the world’s leading pianists was music to the ears of students at Derbyshire’s Mount St Mary’s College.

They were joined by pupils from a number of other local schools for the sessions with internationally acclaimed musician and teacher Professor Ekaterina Murina

Chair of Piano at the St Petersburg Conservatoire, Professor Murina also gave a concert to a packed school theatre playing a repertoire of music by Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff.

Laurence McKell, headteacher at Mount St Mary’s, at Spinkhill, said: “It is the first time that Professor Murina has been in this country for about four years, so we feel extremely lucky to have had the chance to meet her.

“It has given our pupils, staff and families a wonderful opportunity to hear a world-class musician and, for our most talented pianists, it was a unique opportunity to benefit from her teaching.

“Pupils from other schools were also eager to take advantage of this unique experience and we even welcomed boys all the way from our sister Jesuit school, St Ignatius, in London, for the occasion.

“Professor Murina was awarded the title ‘Honoured Artist of Russia’ and normally teaches the world’s top musicians, so the pupils really have had an exceptional experience.”

During her three day visit, Professor Murina also visited Mount St Mary’s preparatory school, Barlborough Hall, where her grandson Vladimir Windle, from Mosborough, is a pupil. She gave a concert to upper school pupils and enjoyed a tour of the school.

Play rehearsals, sporting displays and classroom tours are just some of the activities on offer to prospective pupils and their parents at a Summer Open Evening at Mount St Mary’s College.

The co-educational, boarding and day school, at Spinkhill, will open its doors to families for the event on Tuesday, May 12, at 7pm.

It will provide visitors with the chance to enjoy an informal look around the outstanding facilities, find out more about the school’s academic programmes and meet pupils, staff and the Headteacher Mr Laurence McKell

There will also be a showcase of some of the vast range of opportunities on offer at Mount St Mary’s including a fencing display by current students and a rehearsal of the forthcoming Junior Drama Production, ‘Bad Girls’. Also open for tours will be the newly refurbished boarding accommodation.

Mr McKell said: “The event is an open invitation to anyone who would like to find out more about the exceptional facilities at the school, and the first class education, learning environments and extracurricular activities we provide for our students.”

Mount St Mary’s College is the senior school to Barlborough Hall School, which also caters for boys and girls. Both are Catholic schools but welcome students from other traditions. They combine to offer the highest quality educational provision for three to 18 year olds in an environment that ensures the perfect start in life.

Visitors are welcome to turn up on the night, but guests are encouraged to confirm their attendance in advance to help in planning the event. For more information contact Helen McKell on 01246 432 872 or email hmckell@msmcollege.com.

Everyone had the chance for fifteen minutes of fame when a film crew visited Mount St Mary’s for the day.
Their purpose was to capture the life of the school in three minutes- a hard task when there is so much going on!
The theme of the short film will be “Developing the whole person”, and during the day filming took place in the chapel, the library, the science block and outside on the first fifteen pitch and national standard athletics track.
“Developing the whole person” will become part of a longer film profiling the HMC that will be premiered at its forthcoming conference.
Pupils at the Mount are now looking forward to watching their moment of fame in school shortly afterwards.
“Developing the whole person” is a central part of the school’s ethos, and is shown in the school’s commitment to developing each pupil’s talents academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally.

Pupils at Mount St Mary’s achieved some outstanding results in their GCSES this summer. Among those celebrating were Joseph Jackson of Clowne and Naseem Sharif from Rotherham, who both got 8 A* and 3 As. Joseph was awarded A* for Statistics last year, bringing his total to 9* and 3 As. The top girls were Morwenna Egan from Renishaw, who was awarded 8 A* and 2 As, and Vicky Fairclough-Coe from Rotherham, who got 7 A*, 3 As and a B.

One of the most outstanding candidates this year was Maria Navarro Fraile from Malaga: she only joined the school in Year 11, as a boarder from Spain, but managed to gain 2 A*, 3 As and 2 Bs. One of her top marks, not surprisingly, was for Spanish, but she also managed to gain an A* in French. “When we remember that she was sitting this exam in a foreign language to start with, she really did do well, especially as she only studied for GCSEs for a year,” said Mrs Maxine Smith, Director of Studies at the College.

There were also successes for younger pupils at the school, who sat Statistics in Rudiments (year 9). James Kulmer, Isaac McDonald, Amer Qaiyum and Alex Simpson all achieved As.

Mount St Mary’s College, the Jesuit Boarding and Day school in Derbyshire, achieved its best ever A Level results this summer. 73.1% of results were awarded A-C grades, reflecting the school’s continuing academic success. Oliver Burkinshaw (18) achieved 5 As, and is off to Cambridge to study Natural Sciences. He achieved success in Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics and French. Meanwhile, Rotherham boy Adam Foster’s 3 As in Biology, Chemistry and Physics see him setting off for dentistry at Leeds, while Paul Andrzejowski, from Woodhouse, Sheffield, won his place for Medicine at Nottingham.
Boarder Charles Gregor MacGregor from Matlock also achieved 3 As and will be starting at Durham in October. Nottingham-based boarder Sophie Strongman is having a gap year then taking up her place to study Biological Sciences at Exeter.
Octavia McGlashan, who was Head Girl this year, will be studying music in London, having delighted audiences throughout her time at the Mount with her singing. Mr Laurence McKell, the headmaster, said: “I am delighted with the achievement and success of all the Mount St Mary’s pupils, in particular the increase in the number of A grades and A-C grades, which gives us our best ever performance.”
“What is even more pleasing is our value-added score,which reflects the wide ability level of our pupils.”

Young Enterprise has only been running for two years at Mount St Mary’s College, the boarding school in Derbyshire, but this year’s team managed to reach the East Midlands Regional Final, beating off competition from other school teams in the area, then the whole of Derbyshire, to do so.
In the Regional Final, one of twelve held throughout Britain, the school’s team Ellipsis… managed to scoop the Marketing Trophy. It was the highpoint of an exhilarating ten months for the 11 pupils in the team, who have generated over £5000 worth of income with their business idea.
The Year 12 pupils were inspired to offer fellow pupils a range of personalised hooded sweatshirts and managed to persuade more than half of the school to do so. The business was so popular that they even managed to sell a special commemorative top to all the school-leavers in Year 13. The members of Ellipsis… also had success with their products outside of school, setting up orders with a local sports club and a police force.
The team, headed by their Chairwoman Lucy Potts (age 17) agrees that it has been an amazing experience to achieve such success. Lucy said: “We have learned so much about business, and also about working with and managing other people.”

Top mathematicians in Upper Elements and Figures at Mount St Mary’s College in Derbyshire entered the Junior Mathematical Challenge, run every year from Leeds University.
They achieved some excellent results, and were awarded 6 golds, 3 silvers and 11 bronzes.
Special congratulations to the gold winners: Gregory Foster, George Daly and Fabio Grassi (Figures) and William Robinson, Chloe Gaskell and Gagan Shiralangi (Upper Elements). Gregory and William were joint Best in School.