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UK Team Maths Challenge - LIVE UPDATES

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Following on from their first place finish in the North West regional final of the UK Team Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Maths Challenge held at Birkenhead School on 6th March four Moreton girls are today taking part in the final. The team members were Georgina Lang (12), Rosie Smith-Langridge (14) Phoebe Jackson (13) and Antonia Nicholls (12).

Updates posted below, as they come in, from parent Jo Nicholls. Newest first:

2013 UK Maths Team Challenge winners:
1st City of London school
2nd King Edward's Birmingham
3rd Magdalen College School, Oxford
Moreton Hall came a commendable 51st place, putting them in the top 3.2 % per cent of nationwide schools who entered. Wow!
3.50pm
Children tear around hall delivering their answers at top speed in great fun and hotly-anticipated Relay round.
3.25pm
The calm before the storm... Moreton team members Rosie Smith-Langridge and Annie Nicholls steady themselves for the frenzied and infamous Relay round. One pair from each team has to remain seated while their team-mates - seated across the room - battle to solve a question then race over to "bank" the answer with a teacher. They then "tag" their partner pair, who set about tackling another brain-spinner. Result: chaos (but very intelligent chaos).
We know, at this stage, that a crop of half a dozen League Table toppers are now heading the field (St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey, King Edward's Bham). There are still 60 points to play for in this final (mentally AND physically) exhausting round, but, in truth, if our girls are placed even midway in this high- calibre competition, they will have done brilliantly. What is already certain is they have done their absolute best.
1.50pm
"Play" has resumed after a hearty lunch. List of half dozen or so front-runners so far did not include Moreton, but scores v close. With three more rounds, contestants were reminded, everything still to play for.
Mini Relay round now, requiring teams to split into pairs and tackle further fiendish maths questions. View from the balcony shows Moreton girls with their heads down and not a bead of perspiration visible...
12.10
Poster round ends. Winning entry will be used nationwide to advertise next yr's Team Maths Challenge.
11.30am
And they're off - with a light-hearted maths ice-breaker requiring teams to design posters illustrating some devious maths concept. Another Maths dept staff member, Rachel Holland, has equipped the girls with seriously chunky markers. All-boy teams (and v large number are...) look flustered and get out compasses and set squares. Our girls grin and get on with it.
11.20am
Cunningly, school teachers have all been shuffled so that they are supervising another school's team. Maths dept's Adrian Feehan looks across wistfully across at his Moreton band from time to time...
11.05am:
Invigilator encouragingly reminds teams that they have already achieved a considerable feat in being selected from an initial 1600 schools who took part in regional heats...
Team Maths Challenge is, he stresses, "a totally non-calculator event...no mobile phones either".
Moreton have a team of four girls here (far left of pic) about to pit their wits against school pupils from all over the country any minute now...
The Maths team prepare for action...

Top Three Finish for Moreton in the English Schools Track and Field Cup 2013

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Inter Girls Regional Final – 10/06/13

Moreton finished 3rd overall against schools from Warwickshire, West Midlands, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Hereford and Worcestershire. The final point total of 314 putting Moreton 8th in the region.

Top points scorers –

Olivia Papaioannou 42 points (Javelin and 800m)
Kitty Peel 31 points (1500m and Relay)
Jemima Boroughs 30 points (Javelin and Relay)
Bethany Ashley 29 points (300m and Shot)
Grace Samuel 28 points (200m and High Jump)

Olivia also won three medals at the County Athletics Championships last week.

Junior Girls Regional A Final – 11/06/13

Moreton was one of the top teams from all of the county rounds in the Midlands region and performed very well in spite of the toughest competition.

Top point scorers –

Milly Home 43 points (Hurdles and Long Jump)

Silvia Sancho 36 points (Hurdles and Shot)

Clemmie Baynes 31 points (200m and Discus)

Ellie Russell 31 points (1500m and Javelin)

Izzy Matthews 30 points (100m and Discus)

Lanxi Benady 29 points (200m and High Jump)

Young Business Women to Speak at Chamber of Commerce

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Following their impressive talk at the recent Moreton Hall business lunch, the Moreton Enterprises team has been invited to speak at July's Chamber of Commerce meeting in Oswestry. Managing Director Kitty Robinson (still only 16) along with fellow Directors Josie Mason and Kate Pumphrey will give their talk about their business ventures on July 3rd.

"A member of the Chamber of Commerce attended our business lunch in March and as a result has requested that we talk to their business people. This is a great opportunity for us to tell more people about Moreton Enterprises, so we are thrilled", explain the girls.

Moreton Student Picked for International Study

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Lower Sixth student Madeline Rolfe has been accepted as a participant on an international course "Christianity and Sustainability" - to be held in Poland in late June. The course is funded by the EU Life Long Learning Programme and Madeline has been selected as one of the 15 participants, along with others from Slovakia, Norway, Romania, Bulgaria and a number of other European countries. During the week long course she will be exploring how the Christian faith is related to environmental issues - Madeline will be writing a full report when she returns.

Jonathan Forster's Letter Published in The Times

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Principal, Jonathan Forster, had his letter to the Editor of The Times on the topic of GCSE reforms, published this week.

Read the letter.

Moreton First Prizewinning Artists

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Two Moreton First pupils have achieved top prizes in the Millicent Kaye Memorial Art Competition. Kundai Chipondene (10) won first prize for Two-Dimensional art work and won £50 for herself and £150 for the school. Charlotte Brown (9) won second prize for Three Dimensional art work, winning £25 for herself and £50 for the school.

Lottie Blake (9), Tatyana Khan (11) and Belinda Matthews (9) were also highly commended for their pieces.

The artwork will be framed and displayed in the Qube Gallery, Oswestry, from Monday 17th June with the artists being awarded their prizes at the opening session.

Pictured: Kundai and Charlotte

Whole School Photographs Now Available

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

All parents will shortly receive an email with information on how to view and purchase the Whole School photograph, Sports Team photographs and Upper Five, Upper Six Photographs for 2012-13.

To purchase the photographs please visit www.gillmanandsoame.co.uk.

For further information contact Ruth Brown on brownr@moretonhall.com

Moreton Athlete Top in Shropshire

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Olivia Papaiannou participated in the Shropshire Athletics combined event in Telford. She had to compete in a variety of different events such as Hurdles, Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Putt and the 800m's. After the end of Monday's competition she was in the lead and went onto WIN the event for her age group on Tuesday. It was fantastic performance by a very talented athlete and sports women.

Saoirse Wins Literary Prize

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Saoirse Nyhan (L5) was awarded the Peter Wheeler Prize at the Malpas Arts and Literary Festival for her short story 'The Gift'.

Having been given only the title and an hour to work with in a GCSE lesson in school, she went on to write her winning entry based around stories told to her as a child by her father. The top two entrants from her age group (11-18) went through to the finals and had their entries read out in front of a packed crowd at the Festival.

Having never entered a writing competition before Saoirse commented, "I was very surprised to win, I've always enjoyed writing but this is the first time I have ever won a prize for it." She was awarded her trophy in front of an audience of other competitors and parents.

'The Gift' will appear in this year's Moretonian Magazine.

Moreton Soirée

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Parent, Jonathan Mitchell, writes:

"I’m not sure there is a better way to spend an evening, nor a prouder moment for a parent.

The wonderful Moreton Soirée last Saturday was absolutely fabulous. Musical performances from Moreton students of all ages, all instruments, all with talent, grace and endeavour.

An audience of 200 was entertained by many very accomplished musicians, whilst eating a very nice supper. My daughter Alice Mitchell has so enjoyed her time at Moreton, this was her last of many musical performances and - as has become the norm - she and her friends were outstanding!

Like so many girls at Moreton, Alice’s talent has been nurtured by very competent and committed teaching and I now sit in the audience without any fear of failure, but with absolute confidence of success.

How good does that feel ! And what a solid platform my daughter has for the rest of her life.

I know I share that feeling of parental pride with many, Alice has many talented friends at Moreton, all were wonderful at the Soirée and I have no doubt the outside world will be a better place for having them.

My sincerest thanks to all in the Moreton Music department, your professionalism and commitment are outstanding."

Alice Riding High - 4th at Stonar ODE

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Alice Davies-Cooke, a talented young rider in Remove, represented the school on Saturday 18th May competing at Stonar School ODE. She rode her new pony, Felix VIII, a 9 year old, 14.2h bay gelding. She entered Class 1, a very competitive section and scored 32.5 in her dressage test before going double clear in the show jumping and cross country phases. The show jumping consisted of a very technical, twisty course with many questions which Alice and Felix jumped beautifully around and more importantly, clear, before going onto the last phase, the cross country. The cross country was a longer course than in previous years and consisted of three hedges, so Alice loved it as she and Felix galloped around well within the time limit. Well done to Alice and team Davies-Cooke for a very successful weekend.

Meres and Mosses Habitat Survey

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Pupils and staff from the Science Department have attended a meeting in Ellesmere about helping conduct a Phase 1 Habitat Survey in the local area. The meeting was designed to attract attention from anyone who may be interested in helping the protection and conservation of the wildlife and waterside habitats.

The meeting was led by Luke Neal, who is the community officer at Meres and Mosses landscape partnership scheme. The Meres and Mosses is an area of international importance covered by lowland peat bogs, one of the most threatened habitats on earth, and a network of wetlands, the second largest natural network after the Lake District. We were offered the opportunity to attend a training day, which would provide us with all the necessary skills and information needed to be able to carry out the survey within an allocated part of the project area. This meeting allowed us to fully understand the importance of the work that Meres and Mosses do, and inspired us to learn more about the landscape in which we live in. We have agreed to adopt a square kilometre of the area for Moreton Eco team to build up survey information on over the next five years. We hope that this this is something that we can start and leave girls who come after us to continue. - Hannah Williams and Georgina Latham (L6).

Moreton Achieves Eight Trophy Winners at Cheshire Festival of Speech and Drama

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Moreton girls had a successful day at the Cheshire Festival of Speech and Drama on the 11th of May, winning eight 1st places and trophies. Twenty-six girls took part and all performed well, including those participating for the first time. Support from the girls and parents was excellent.

Winners of trophies were:

Morgan Darcy Rees-Deacon came first in Verse Speaking (12-13) and won the James Golding Trophy
Martha Stewart came first in the Verse Reading Recital (13 and under) and won the Walker Trophy
Morgan Darcy Rees-Deacon came first in the Bible Reading (13-14) and won the Crewe Motor Company Trophy
Eliza Kiel came first in the Bible Reading (11-12) and won the Mary Connerty Memorial Trophy
Mary Richardson came first in the Poetry Reading Recital (14+) and won the Meanwood Trophy
Eliza Kiel and Halcyon Gaynor came first in the Duologues (12 and under) and won the Barley Trophy
Louisa Hunter and Helen Norman came first in the Duologues (15 and under) and won the Brook Trophy
Mary Richardson came first in the Bible Reading (15+) and won the Traverse Newton Trophy

A parents perspective by Deborah Rees Deacon:

The nerves started to build as the days edged nearer to this year’s Cheshire Festival Event. As the day arrived the sun was shining and the drive through the scenic countryside to Crewe was a nervous yet focused one, interspersed by the odd dramatic outburst of Wilfred Owen's Dulce Et Decorum Est.

As my daughter and I arrived at Ruskin Sports College, alongside the other 25 girls from Moreton, the nerves reached a crescendo as the reality of what lay ahead confronted all those present. For me as a parent, these events are filled with fascination, anticipation and excitement, feelings clearly shared amongst the strong support from the other Moreton parents who attend these events.

Each and every performance by ‘our’ girls, especially those first timers, left us feeling a mixture of both pride and relief, as our nerves and emotions were catapulted along each 'reader's journey with uplifting Biblical readings through to powerful poems of love and war, and finally to 'what teachers wear in bed?’

Luckily when it all got too much for both parents and girls alike, there was the ‘steady hand’ of Miss Halsall-Williams to guide and advise us all, whilst concurrently ensuring that these events run like clockwork.

As ever the girls excelled as success after success was recorded, and as the day ended and we said our exuberant farewells, having achieved eight first places, and a plethora of seconds and thirds, I felt the strong emotions of pride and reassurance within me. Pride at seeing these young women articulate, with such confidence and belief. Reassurance that the skills and experiences that ‘our’ girls are gaining through such events and through the full ‘Moreton Experience’ will hold them in such good stead for the future, no matter what path life leads them on.

Needless to say the drive home was much more serene!

Kinvara Wins Royal Windsor Horse Show Championship

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Moreton First pupil, Kinvara Garner celebrated stunning success at this year's Royal Windsor Horse Show winning the Show Hunter Pony Championships (122cm) on her pony Woodview Cadenza. The win qualifies ten year old Kinvara for the Royal International Horseshow later in the year.

Kinvara, whose home is in Worthenbury, Wrexham, also competed in the Novice Show Pony (under 138cm) in which she came an impressive second and the Shetland Grand National.

Matthew Dennison Writes About Chelsea Flower Show for The Telegraph

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

On June 3 1956 Ernest Pearce wrote to the Privy Purse requesting a boiler suit. For more than 20 years, Pearce had worked at Royal Lodge, Windsor, looking after gardens belonging to George VI and the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother).

Read the Full Article | Page Link

Midlands Hockey Winners

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Head of Sport, Kate Groves, writes:

"Moreton Hockey players Tira Brown and Kathryn Clarke took part in the JRC U17 Tournament at Stourport Sports Club on Sunday, as part of the Shropshire Hockey Team. They played against Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Northants, Birmingham and West Midlands and Derbyshire, winning all their games and being crowned the U17 Midlands JRC winners. It was a fantastic achievement by the team and great representation by Moreton Hall."

Bronze in National Biology Olympiad

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

The annual National Biology Olympiad organised by the Biology Society attracts entries from schools across the UK. Moreton students shone once again achieving two Bronze Medals, three Highly Commended and one Commended.

“This is a very prestigious competition,” explains Head of Science, Hannah Peel. “We have some outstanding scientists at Moreton, as demonstrated by these results.”

The awards were: Bronze: Julia Duncan (U6); Millie Adams Davies (U6); Highly Commended: Monica Thomas (U6); Grace Hacking (L6); Gong Tianyu (L6); Commended: Hannah Williams (L6).

Annual Sports Awards

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Head of Sport, Kate Groves, writes:

The Sports Awards allows the Sports Department the opportunity to acknowledge and reward all the girls involved in sports teams - including equestrian - and gives all the girls in the school the chance to vote for their U6 Player of the Year. The evening always starts with a photo presentation of some the pictures taken over the year and a round up of all the achievements by the teams and individuals.

Ellie Jones (L6) and Tira Brown (U5) were awarded special awards for 'Achieving Sporting Excellence' for Lacrosse and Hockey respectively. Ellie currently plays for the Senior Welsh B Lacrosse Team and U19 A Team and Tira was selected to play for the Mercia Lynx at the U16 Futures Cup Hockey Tournament one level below national representation.

Rose Booth was voted as the 'Players' Player of the Year' by all the girls at Moreton Hall. Rose has played at 1st Team level for both Lacrosse and Hockey as well as representing the school in Athletics, Tennis and most recently the London Marathon.

John Inverdale and Simon Halliday raise awareness of CRY at Moreton Hall

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

We all enjoyed a different but very entertaining sporting evening in the Musgrave, in early May.

John Inverdale and Simon Halliday came up to ‘talk sport’ to the guests and Inverdale showed why he was catapulted into frontline sports presenting with consummate story-telling and anecdotes from the past. Simon Halliday, the former England rugby player, is now a big time charity fund raiser and the proceeds from the evening went towards the School Foundation and to CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young ), a charity which is close to both of them. Simon is also a main player fund raiser for Help for Heroes and is currently organising a bike ride from Paris to London and a 20:20 Cricket match with Andrew Struass and Shane Warne the two captains.

It was generous of them to give up their precious time but they did seem to enjoy it themselves, they were just about the last to leave. We learnt a lot during the evening about what it was like to work with the likes or Boris Becker and John McEnroe and the problems of Venus Williams’ dog. The mixed audience, could have asked questions from the floor for a lot longer, such was the mood on the night.

It was clear they and everyone else was very relaxed as John and Simon joined in the fun and enjoyed the excellent curry and award winning wine and beer – another memorable night at Moreton.

Chris Dixon, parent

Pictured Left to Right: John Inverdale, Kate Groves (Head of Sport), Simon Halliday

English Lacrosse Clinic

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Fifteen players from Moreton Hall's U12-U14 lacrosse teams attended a clinic put on by the England Women's National Lacrosse Team last month. The girls participated in a variety of games and skills practice with the England players as coaches. They were also shown the warmup routine and drills that the England Women's team uses in training as they prepare for the World Cup in July.

All the girls present at the clinic were a part of a question and answer session where the England players covered topics including time management as an athlete, nutrition, how each of them had made the team, what the training is like at the National level, and advice for improving as a lacrosse player. The question and answer session was followed by a competitive match between all the players at the clinic, with several Moreton girls scoring goals and playing strong defensively. It was a very successful day for all who participated, and the Moreton Hall players learned a lot from these incredibly gracious and talented athletes.

Confirmation 2013

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

David Reffell writes:

“The Bishop of Shrewsbury, Mark Rylands, presided over Moreton Hall’s Confirmation service at St. Oswald’s Church, Oswestry in a service led by its Vicar, Simon Thorburn. The choir sang a series of inspiring anthems and the vocal ensemble performed “Make me a Light” whilst candles were lit and presented during the service. Lessons were read superbly by Emma Tilley, a friend of our Upper 5 candidate Georgie Eyre and Roisin Ni Chulachain, our Chapel Prefect.

This was a very happy occasion in which 16 girls from Lower 5 and Upper 5 were confirmed. In his sermon, the Bishop referred to how much he had enjoyed meeting the candidates for tea and how challenging and intelligent (and amusing) their questions had been. He also referred to the biographies and thoughts on their faith which all the candidates had written for him. His reflections on the example of Nicodemus were a clear message to the girls about their opportunities to “stand up for their faith.”

At tea afterwards in the school dining hall, whose murals were painted by the Bishop’s mother Denise Rylands, (whose life and commitment to the school we celebrated last year in a special Memorial Service) the girls were surrounded by parents and godparents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, and they were presented with special ‘Book of Prayers to Keep for Ever’ from the school.

During tea, the girls presented gifts to the teachers of the Confirmation classes, Sharon Crossland from Glod and Anne Ryan who has for a number of years assisted with Catholic and now ecumenical Confirmation preparation. Roisin, in a short speech at the close of the tea also thanked the Bishop and Vicar plus the fantastic church staff from St. Oswald’s and they were presented with edible and drinkable presents.

The tea was a magnificent celebration for the girls and their families and the dining room was full of smiling faces, delicious cakes, sandwiches plus our special Confirmation cake.”

OM Jessica Hatcher Nominated for Journalism Award

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Old Moretonian Jessica Hatcher has reached the finals of the One World Media Awards which took place on 7th May at Kings Place London. Jessica is one of three finalists nominated for the New Voice Award which is given to the journalist who has made the most outstanding contribution to international journalism during the year. The One World Media Awards is one of the foremost Awards events in the UK. It rewards the most outstanding media coverage of the developing world, and recognises the unique role of journalists and filmmakers in bridging the divide between different societies and raising awareness of vital development issues. This year the event was hosted by ITN journalist and presenter, Jon Snow.

Jessica is currently based in Narobi, Kenya, working for Time Magazine. She left Moreton Hall in 2000 and went on to graduate from Oxford University with an MA (2:1) in Modern Languages in 2005. Her career has seen her working in television and broadcast communications as a project manager, producer and director. Credits include a number of 30-second television commercials and the BBC's Apprentice. She then started writing features for UK newspapers in 2009 and moved to Nairobi at the end of 2011, regularly contributing to TIME Magazine and IRIN news.

Dance Showcase

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

This year's Dance Showcase took place on Wednesday 1st May in the Musgrave. The dancers had been working towards the show for the last year and what a spectacular it was! This year specialised lighting was added to the performances which enhanced the music, dancers and created the right atmosphere for each individual and group performance. The dancing ranged from modern to ballet, with the Michael Jackson whole cast piece, for many, being the performance of the night!

Head of Moreton First Catherine Ford commented:

"Can I say a massive thank you for inviting MF to the dance showcase...the pupils were really enchanted by the whole thing and are now desperate for Moreton First to have more dance lessons . It was a great show and obviously the senior girls had worked very hard.

Thanks again

MF staff and pupils"

View the Dance Showcase Gallery | PAGE LINK

Jonathan Forster's Letter Published in The Times

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Jonathan Forster's letter to the Editor of The Times newspaper was published on May 1st. Click below to read the letter.

Read the Published Letter | PDF

Read the Original Letter | PDF

Artwork exhibited in the Downs Malvern