Stopfordian 2010–2011 - Stockport Grammar School

The Stopfordian 2010–2011
EDITORIAL
Multi-tasking appears to be an increasing necessity in modern
life. There is a lot written about it. Many argue that too much
multi-tasking results in too little attention being given to any
task being done simultaneously, frequently citing the example
of today’s youth who so often hold unfocused conversations
while simultaneously texting on their mobile phone. Many
argue that men are less adept at multi-tasking than women.
Multi-tasking can also be considered as being involved in
many different activities, which is what life at Stockport
Grammar School is all about.
Our pupils have become adept at multi-tasking, balancing
their demanding academic studies with a whole host of extracurricular
pursuits from athletics to debating, travel to violin
playing. This term I have been covering for an absent
colleague writing references for students applying to university
and I am so often impressed by the wide variety of pursuits that
so many of our Upper Sixth have undertaken during their time
at SGS. Many of their successes are celebrated in this volume;
the list of distinctions and achievements and representative
honours seems to get longer every year and participation in cocurricular
activities continues to grow. This year we celebrated
20 years of the school’s participation in the Duke of Edinburgh
Award scheme, and you can see some snap shots of the
activities and award recipients this year on page 32.
We are also very fortunate at this school to have a collection
of dedicated and talented teaching and support staff who are
also such willing multi-taskers. In addition to their planning,
teaching, assessing and reporting responsibilities, pupils
appreciate the time and expertise that so many staff bring to
these extra-curricular pursuits. It is hard work, but ultimately
very rewarding to see pupils enjoy and achieve in these
activities, whether it be the awe inspired when taking pupils
onto a glacier in Iceland, watching pupils debate topical issues
confidently at Model United Nations conferences or
remembering their lines in the Christmas Nativity production.
Some of the best, and sometimes forgotten, multi-taskers,
however, are the parents of our pupils. Many balance busy
working lives with raising their children; all make sacrifices,
whether financial, emotional or in terms of time, in order to
support their offspring. It is common to see parents waiting in
the car park for one, two or more children to finish a sports
practice, music rehearsal or meeting, or collecting children at
all hours when they return from theatre trips, History tours or
Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. I am sure many of the Junior
School parents, often with younger siblings around their
ankles, spend evenings testing one child on their spellings
while washing and ironing another child’s nativity costume and
baking cakes for the Christmas fair: multi-tasking at its best!
Two of my own children are now Junior School pupils and at
aged seven and five they have already enjoyed trips out of
school and lunchtime and after school clubs that range from
Recorders to Gardening, Science to Dance. While I
sometimes struggle to encourage recorder practice, I
appreciate the patience and time that their teachers offer to
nurture new interests and develop their talents; I hope that I
can support my children in whatever extra-curricular activities
and trips they choose to do in the future. I trust that seeing
the enjoyment and achievements documented in these pages,
parents, pupils and staff feel that their multi-tasking has been
worthwhile and appreciated.
My thanks, as always go to the Fine Print team, especially
David Ayre, for their hard work and creativity in putting the
magazine together. I would also like to thank Laughtons for
the sports team pictures, Dr Krywonos for his photo
contributions and my willing team of proof-readers; Vicky
Barrett, the External Relations team and Debbie Flint really
helped as my deadlines loomed. Thank you also to all the
pupils, staff and parents who make these activities happen,
support these events and submit photos and articles about
them; I hope that you enjoy reading about them.
Karen Palfreyman
Editor