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Old Girl Sian ‘Wins her Wish List’

Old girl Sian Stephens (nee Evans) 1980-87 was sitting at her desk one Monday morning opening emails to the busy careers enquiries mailboxes she managed as the national Recruitment Manager for a UK luxury boutique hotel chain when an email from a TV Company caught her eye. Looking for lively couples to apply for a TV quiz show to win their dream wish list by answering general knowledge questions on a range of topics against the clock and is hosted by Shane Ritchie on the BBC Lottery show on Saturday night. Sian saw this as an excellent opportunity to try and win their dream holiday to visit their best friends who had moved to Perth in Australia and as both her and her husband enjoy quizzes and know their general knowledge and trivia so Sian applied. A few weeks later Sian had forgotten all about the show until she got a phone call from one of the show’s producers who invited her to audition there and then over the phone. Sian’s husband Phil also received a phone call which was somewhat of a surprise as Sian had forgotten to tell him! However they both passed the initial audition and were then invited to a live audition with 6 other couples in Manchester. We were very nervous and I made a few comical errors Sian recalls, but managed to win over the producers who selected them for the show.

In August 2015 the couple along with 5 of their friends who were invited to come and watch for support, travelled up to the BBC studios in Glasgow to film the show in front of a live studio audience.  It was very nerve racking but Shane Ritchie was lovely and really made us feel at ease Sian remembers and we overcame our nerves to win an amazing 6 out of our 7 prizes which totalled £35,000 including our dream holiday to Thailand and Australia, a festival in our garden with live band, DJ and Hogroast, room makeover, a man cave for Phil and a spa weekend by answering all our questions correctly beating the clock to even get some as an instant win. Sian’s topics included nature and popular culture and has credited her Merchants education as helping to give her the thirst for knowledge and keeping up to date with current affairs – I knew my General Studies A Level would come in useful one day she states!

The couple had become somewhat celebrities after appearing in the local paper twice so decided to organise an evening for friends and family at a local tennis club when the show was aired to help raise money by holding a raffle for their friends charity Believe Organ donation (believe-ods-org.uk) started by the widow of local boy Stuart Bates who was tragically killed with his young son by a speeding driver last Christmas as they walked home from a family party. They continued their fundraising by collecting donations for the charity at their recent festival in their garden.  Sian is a keen athlete and charity fundraiser and with her previous company Lloyd’s Register EMEA (marine surveyors) was chosen by the CEO as one of the runners in an international team from offices around the world to compete in the gruelling 250,000 anniversary Athens marathon in 2010 raising over 40k for various marine charities. In 2010 Sian also started a charity project called the Breakfast Club for local homeless shelter the Whitechapel Centre in Liverpool which involved volunteers from her office serving breakfasts to the Homeless on a weekly basis which launched the volunteer programme still going today.

After Sian left school she attended Surrey University achieving a Joint Honours in English and Sociology then continued living and working in London in Health Club Management for over 13 years. She then moved back to Crosby in 2002 and married childhood sweetheart Phil Stephens whose sister Elizabeth was deputy Head Girl in 1986/7 and eventually buying her childhood home which she shares with Phil and their 3 children.

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🚨 We’re Hiring: Head of Computer Science

We’re looking for an inspirational and forward-thinking educator to lead our dynamic Computer Science department at Merchant Taylors’.

If you’re an experienced teacher with a passion for the subject, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to academic excellence, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more via the link in our bio ⤴️
Our youngest footballers brought the energy yester Our youngest footballers brought the energy yesterday! ⚽💥

A brilliant one-day camp with @bobbygrantcoaching saw our 5–8 year olds scoring goals, showing off their skills and having a blast on the pitch. 

What a day 🔥
Last week, our talented Stanfield Drama Club broug Last week, our talented Stanfield Drama Club brought ancient Greece to life in their fantastic production of Greece the Zeusical 🎭⚡️

With imaginative storytelling, bold characters and plenty of laughs, the performance captivated the audience and showcased the pupils’ growing confidence on stage.

A huge well done to everyone involved! 👏🎬

More photos available on our Facebook page 📸
As part of their Design and Technology project, Ye As part of their Design and Technology project, Year 4 pupils are building their own mini greenhouses. Working collaboratively in groups, they’ve planned and designed their creations, considering frame structure and ventilation as part of the challenge.

It’s been a hands-on and engaging experience, showcasing their organisational skills, persistence, resilience and teamwork. 👏
Our little superheroes soared through an afternoon Our little superheroes soared through an afternoon of fun last week, designing their own superhero characters, learning a special superhero dance, taking part in a heroic parade and tackling superhero-themed sports! 💥🕺🏃‍♂️🎨

Thank you to everyone who joined it was a joy to see so much imagination, energy and enthusiasm in action. We can’t wait to welcome you back for more adventures soon!

To find out more about our events please contact our Admissions Team via 0151 949 9366.

More photos available via our Facebook page.
Stanfield is 80! 🥳🎉 We celebrated in true S Stanfield is 80! 🥳🎉

We celebrated in true Stanfield style today, with a joyful assembly, plenty of laughter, and cupcakes topped with special ‘80’ stickers. The ‘80’ glasses were out in full force and the birthday spirit was everywhere. 

Here’s to 80 brilliant years, and many more to come! 🎉
Congratulations to Claudia, David, Jude and Ruby w Congratulations to Claudia, David, Jude and Ruby who had the privilege of attending the annual wellbeing conference at the @merchant_taylors Hall in London, where this year’s theme centred around safe spaces and belonging.

As part of the event, they were invited to present to delegates on how our TENDO programme helps foster a strong sense of belonging and creates safe, supportive spaces within our School community.

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Train like a pro this May Half Term! ⚽ Our Foot Train like a pro this May Half Term! ⚽

Our Football Camp is led by Marine FC Manager and UEFA licensed coach Bobby Grant, giving young players the chance to sharpen their skills, grow in confidence and enjoy a brilliant day of football.

Places are limited - book now via the link in our bio! ⤴️
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