Lady Manners School

Last week, 24 Year 10 students took part in the adventure offered by our annual ocean sailing trip. The students, who started study for their RYA Competent Crew qualifications at school, were fully involved in all aspects of the week's sailing. It was a true team effort: the students take a role in navigation, sail handling, cooking and cleaning as the vessels explore the waters off the coast of Western Scotland. Our students rose to the challenge, taking the responsibilities and hard work in their stride. It was a fantastic week that they will never forget!

40 Year 12 Geography students have returned from a residential field trip to Merseyside. The trip forms part of the A Level Geography course, which involves fieldwork investigations. The group spent time in Liverpool undertaking activities such as environmental surveys, pedestrian counts and conducting questionnaires. They also visited Formby and Ainsdale where they investigated the human impact on coastal environments and sand dune development. The group had a great time, made progress with their learning and fulfilled an important part of the syllabus.

The glorious weather provided a wonderful backdrop to the school's annual Sports Day, which happened yesterday, Tuesday 19 June. Field events dominated the morning schedule with students from all four houses (Barker, Cockerton, Glossop and Taylor) competing in the likes of javelin, discus, high jump and long jump. The afternoon was devoted to track events, cheered on by the whole school. The day is always a wonderful spectacle, and a highlight of the school calendar and this year was no exception. This year saw Taylor lift the trophy. Well done to Taylor and to all who competed, supported and assisted in making this a day to remember.

Two of our Sixth Form students had a pre-exam treat last month when they were guests at Buckingham Palace to collect their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Lily Carson and Sarah Burton both worked for three years with Youlgrave Duke of Edinburgh Group to complete the gruelling set of requirements to achieve first their Bronze Award, followed by the Silver and lastly the Gold Award. Each award requires a series of sections to be completed: volunteering, physical, skills and an expedition. At Gold Award level there is an additional residential section. In order to complete all of the sections necessary for her Gold Award, Sarah developed her dressmaking skills, volunteered for Cancer Research and became an active member of a local gym. She spent her residential on a narrow boat in London where she gained her Community Boat Leadership Award, which was a highlight of the whole experience for Sarah. Lily took up needlework, developed her horse-riding and volunteered with her local Brownie group, gaining her Adult Girl Guiding Leadership qualification along the way. For the residential element of her award, Lily spent a week sailing in Plymouth, gaining her RYA competent crew award in the process. Both Lily and Sarah explored the Lake District for four days and three nights – one of which was spent wild camping – for their expedition. This is a tremendous achievement and has required much work and determination. Both Lily and Sarah have gained qualifications and so much more along the way, whilst keeping on top of their school work too! Many congratulations to you both – we are very proud of you.

We have an Equestrian Team update from this weekend. This hard working team travelled to Beaver Hall near Leek to compete in the JWS Qualifier for the 2018 Keysoe NSEA Championships. Six teams (14 riders including two who made their debut appearances for the school) represented Lady Manners School. It was a competition of mixed fortunes for our riders, including a couple of 'unplanned dismounts' which are a hazard of the sport! Everyone bounced back and the team finished the day with some rather impressive results. We had one team in the 70cm class. In a spectacular effort, they emerged winners of the class despite one elimination. In addition, Lilli won the class adding an individual qualification to the team's overall qualification to the NSEA National Championships. We had three teams competing in the 80cm class. Some 'thrills and spills' in this class resulted in our teams being placed fifth, fourth and the second place title and, with it, a place at the National Championships. Kitty had a particularly stylish clear round, claiming the individual top spot and an individual place at the National Championships. The 90cm class included two Lady Manners School teams. One of our teams, took a hard-earned second place and another National Championships qualification. Jess rode as an individual in both the 1m and 1.1m classes. She rode brilliantly, collecting a first place (and individual qualification) in the 1m class, and a third place in the 1.1m class. There are more competitions coming up in the equestrian calendar, so more news will be forthcoming. In the meantime, many congratulations to this weekend's riders for a very successful outing.