The supporting cast of Noughts and Crosses provided backup to the principal players that was second to none.

The McGregors as Noughts in the drama were members of the under-privileged class of society.  Ryan the patriarch holds on to the tradition of being the man of the house, Jude the elder of the two boys with a jaundiced outlook of society seeking change through strife, Lynette  gentle and troubled who is probably closest to Callum and Meggie, the backbone of the family trying to hold on to and making sense of everything in an environment where at times right and reason had become secondary.

Kamal Hadley is a prominent politician heading for high office but for the moment he heads  a broken family having accused his wife Jasmine  of infidelity. She has now taken to drink as an escape from the life's woes. But  for Sephy and Minerva, perhaps hope for renewed sibling joy. Kamal has plans of his own which do not include his family once the elections are over but for now the problems of society and the family's troubles come to him.





All these elements had been brought together by drama tutors Gemma Heald and Helen Coney who at the end of the final show were presented with a floral and some edible tributes by the cast.




It was a production not to be missed and quite the best school play I have ever seen. I realise school days for me were quite some time ago but I really do not recall having seen anything as memorable as Noughts and Crosses. For those who had the misfortune of not being able to catch it, I know of a man who kept a video camera running through the second show.......... Alas, not me I hasten to add.


Further images may be found here


Enjoy my friends!!




Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

Noughts and Crosses was  tale of a segregated society and the pressures it bore on a young couple who despite their roots in opposing camps were to meet and fall in love amidst the disapproval of almost everyone in their respective circles. The Middle School production which culminated in shows on consecutive evenings last week too had it's own tale to tell since despite a relatively short time over which to prepare,  the cast and production staff ensured that a gripping, moving and professionally-executed show was presented to appreciative audiences on both nights.

Alice Tow was superlative in providing a narrative for each developing scene and took to her role in the lead character of Sephy Hadley a Cross, with determined flair and verve.




In Charlie Whitehead was Callum McGregor, Sephy's beau and a Nought, seen here with Lynette his on-stage sibling, the perfect opposite for our stage heroine, a figure who was to be torn between love, family loyalty and finally faced with a choice no young life should be asked to make.




Both Sephy and Callum would also have to endure turmoil at home, all of which pressures I'm sure would make almost any young teenager want to run away to boarding school!! Even there it seems the divisions in life would visit their unwelcome attentions on our teenagers in love.

Tragedy, mayhem and infidelity in the home along with the dark forces of social unrest follow Sephy and Callum throughout the path of their young lives when at last hope and love arise from an unexpected betrayal  though not before  a final calamity when Callum has to choose between saving his own life and ensuring one for his young child.




Noughts and Crosses was a triumph for many reasons, all of which had to do with people. The people on stage several of whom assumed multiple roles and those off it who directed and provided valuable technical support. In them would be found the root to the final triumph of Sephy and Callum.






To be continued.....

As part of experiencing a less-cumbersome version of a United Nations debate, students from Year 9 at Ellesmere College each representing a different country, were assigned the task of producing a policy on the issue of child labour as part of a focus on the world body's work at making humanitarian decisions.


Following several weeks of preparing their allocated country's policy, the students had to present the views of their individual nations prior to making alliances with the representatives from other countries, the aim being to have their resolutions passed at the assembly of member states. Thus there was much discussion









It's fun even if it isn't always games, at SY12 9AB



Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

The match against Rydal wasn't  looking very promising. We weren't batting very well and unsurprisingly the opposition seemed to be getting the better of us. I had intended on shooting some batting today but the opportunities were far and few in between. There was also a chill in the air which made staying out less than pleasant. But then the first team started to dig their heels in


So May 14 turned out to be memorable day after all as following a determined fightback,  Ellesmere's 1st XI walked tall by the close of play.


Please remember you can enlarge these images by clicking on them. More pictures on the match against Rydal here


Can't wait to catch you in June friends. Enjoy your half term.

You may be surrounded by teammates, onlookers, well-wishers and the opposition at times doesn't  feel far away enough but once out there you're on your own. Your hands tightly gripping the bat, your eyes and mind focussed on that ball coming at you. And then as it is hurled, making it's trajectory in your direction, you know your moment has come and everything rests on you.




May 11, 2011 - Ellesmere U14 v Oswestry, another home match, another home win

With energy held in check since the postponement of the competition two weeks ago, the anticipated pulling forces of the annual House Tug of War were finally unleashed on The Terraces during the sunshine and intermittent rain of last Thursday. Muscle power was on show but to no avail


since with an unbeaten run, Wakeman-Lambert went on to prove that when the going gets tough, the toughest simply get going

Roger Paul, seen here with the chapel choir of the college conducts a successful rehearsal in the afternoon

prior to the great summer musical extravaganza at Ellesmere which began in the evening and showcased outstanding performances by singers and instrumentalists drawn from the vast pool of talent at the college beginning with the choir from Lower School led by Rebecca Paul.


The audience were then treated to a rendition of three songs by Gaenor Ellis who was accompanied by Roger on the piano


Then at the helm of The Scholar's Ensemble, the walls of big school reverberated to the
sound of Rossini's William Tell Overture


before the full orchestra unleashed it's might and prowess, performing music from Star Wars, The  Lord of the Rings and Eye of the Tiger to the obvious enjoyment of all present



With much on offer in a packed program, Big School and it's adjacent corridor were cramped with Ladies in Waiting


and their gentlemen counterparts of the Ellesmere College Choral Society



It was another triumphant evening of excellent music making as Roger once again took to the keyboard with an arrangement of Somebody to Love



The evening concluded with a medley from The Phantom of the Opera with all three choirs being on stage




My advise to everyone is not to miss The 3 Choirs 2012!!!


Enjoy my friends



More images here and here

The Year 8 Rugby League Festival, a brainchild of Alex Murphy was held jointly it seems with the coming of summer showers at Parry's Field on Thursday May 12th. Ellesmere battled under trying conditions as may be seen here

They do say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but dinners surely are amongst the most enjoyable 

Talbot House hosted it's formal summer dinner on Wednesday evening. Attended by students, staff and invited guests