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2020vision Merchants Connected ArchivesHistory & Politics Events
Year 11 History Trip: World war One Battlefields
In October 2011, Year 11 History GCSE students visited World War One sites of France and Belgium, travelling by coach, and ferry between Hull and Zeebrugge. In Belgium, we spent most of our time in the area around the Ypres Salient, the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the war. We saw trench remains, a number of the more significant British and Commonwealth cemeteries, and the shell-created Hooge crater. We also visited the Langemark German cemetery, which, shrouded by high trees, was particularly dark and eery. We also attended the Last Post ceremony, carried out every day at 8pm at the Menin Gate in Ypres and a particularly moving occasion. On the final day of our tour we made a stop at Tyne Cot Cemetery (so-called in tribute to the Tyneside origins of the battalion which fought in the area), the largest British and Commonwealth World War One cemetery, and notable for the number of un-named graves it contains.
In France we visited the area around the Battle of the Somme, a British offensive which took place between July and November 1916 and was notable for its meagre land gain at the cost of a huge loss of life. The most memorable features of the day included the preserved battlefield at Newfoundland Park, the valleys which formed the centre point of the battle and the Lochnagar crater, which resulted from a massive explosion, heard in London, carried out by the British in an attempt to blow up German trench lines. We also visited the Devonshire Cemetery and Railway Hollow Cemetery (which contained the remains of many members of the 'Accrington Pals' battalion, killed on the first day of the battle). The following day we visited Vimy Ridge and then explored the Grange Tunnel, where allied soldiers had lived and prepared for an attack on Arras in 1917. The tunnel was particularly atmospheric as it retains a lot of the objects which would have been present when it was occupied by the troops, including evidence of where they would have eaten and slept. There was also a small chapel which they had constructed underground.
We were escorted by a guide provided by the tour company, who, in addition to giving detailed background information to the sites we visited, told us many of the personal stories behind the events which had taken place there. Overall, the trip was an informative and moving experience. It enabled the students to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of developments on the war's Western Front, and it was not lost on them that many of the soldiers whose graves they visited were only a few years older than themselves when they died.
December 2010 - Y9 trip to Styal Mill
On 2nd December 78 Y9 girls donned their thermals and snow gear to brave the freezing conditions in Manchester. They learned how the production of cloth moved from peoples own homes into factories and experienced the noise and dangers of the machine rooms. They also visited the Apprentice House where they really appreciated how cold it would have been in the dormitories. Playing in the snow was an added bonus!
July 2010 - Y7 trip to Conwy Castle
On 2nd July 98 Y7s invaded Conwy Castle for the day to learn about the defences features of this beautiful site, walk the town walls and have lunch in the park. They also enjoyed the delicious ice cream.
May 2010 - British General Election
MTGS threw itself whole-heartedly into Election fever with a series of events to raise coincide with the General Election. Rachael Brookes, Sarah Harding, and Ellie Tedford volunteered to represent the three main parties in debates, assemblies and a mock election. Everyone at MTGS was able to vote in our Polling Station (the Library) and Sarah Harding won a convincing victory for the Liberal Democrats
March 2010 - Y8 Say Two Theatre Company performed play about Tudors and
Stuarts
November 2009 - Y9 trip to Styal Mill
October 2009 - Y 10 and 11 trip to Belgium and France to visit the WW1 Battlefields
On October 16th, 44 willing recruits from the GCSE History groups, set sail for Belgium to visit the WW1 battlefields, war graves and memorials. The trip was a memorable and moving experience for all the girls. Visiting Tyne Cot cemetery near Passchendaele, and the Accrington Pals trench on the Somme, brought home both the scale of the tragedy and the more personal experiences of individual Tommies. Girls also appreciated the wide range of culinary delights on offer in Ypres - chips, chocolate and waffles!
June 2009 - Y7 trip to Conwy Castle
Recent Events
March 09 Year 8 Theatre Company Visit
On Friday 27th March the Year 8 girls walked down to MTBS to watch a play performed by the Say Two Theatre Company. It was a speedy journey through the Tudor and Stuart periods and the favourite character was "Black Death" who popped up throughout the play. Several girls then took part in a workshop on the stage.
March 09 - Arif Ansari Visit and Lecture
Arif Ansari, recently appointed Political Editor for the BBC North West and Old Boy of MTBS, kindly made time in his busy schedule to conduct a very successful workshop with L6 Politics students. He then stayed on to be the keynote speaker for the Spring Term, addressing a wider audience of Sixth Form and staff. His talk on ‘Making Headlines - How the News Works' was inspirational and entertaining and certainly gave us all an insight into the personal qualities and skills required to be successful in this field.
Arif Ansari
July 08 - Battlefields Trip
November 08 - Styal Mill
As part of their study of the Industrial Revolution and working conditions Year 9 visit Styal Mill. They had a tour of the mill to show how the factory system developed from the domestic system. A tour of the Apprentice House focused on a typical day in the life of a child worker.
Autumn 08 - Urban Voices Workshop: As part of Black History Week ‘Urban Voices' came into the Girls' School for an afternoon of music, history and food. The group held interactive workshops with Years 7, 8 & 9, who by the end of the afternoon were singing, clapping and dancing along. Even the staff got involved and dressed up in traditional African clothing! The afternoon taught girls about prominent black figures throughout history and slavery and its legacy as well as giving them a taste of Caribbean food.
Urban Voices Workshop