Hundreds of biodegradable balloons have been launched from Oswestry School to help raise funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

The grand lift-off was held during the school’s sports day and pupils gave a £2 donation to have their names put on a tag attached to the balloons.

Oswestry School’s Arts and Drama teacher Mandy Price said: “Members of the public are now encouraged to return any tags they find to the school and we will then be able to see whose balloon travelled the furthest.

“The winning pupil will receive £35 prize money and we will also be sending a cash prize to the person who posted the balloon tag to us,” she said.

Pupils and staff at Oswestry School’s prep department are celebrating after two thirds of its drama students gained the highest honours in their exams.

A total of 57 pupils from Bellan House entered the latest London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts exams with 36 gaining a distinction.

“These are outstanding results and we are delighted that our exceptional performing arts programme and our enthusiastic pupils are getting the recognition they deserve,” said headmaster Douglas Robb.

An Oswestry School pupil has been invited to further his musical skills after hitting the right note with judges at an audition with the Royal Northern College of Music.

Cameron Biles-Liddell, 15, will now be given the opportunity to attend the Saturday school at the college’s junior section.

Director of Music at Oswestry School, Julian Cattley, said that Cameron, who is in Year 10, would be studying jazz piano and trumpet at the college.

To see published article click here (Shropshire Star)

Students from Oswestry School proved they were bright sparks by winning this year's Shropshire Fire and Rescue fire safety quiz.

Nine schools from the county competed in the final of the competition at Telford Fire Station.

To see published article click here (Shropshire Star)

To see published article click here (Oswestry and Border Counties Advertizer)

A sixth former from Oswestry School has scooped a top trophy in the finals of a national public speaking competition held in Shropshire.

Joe Collinge, 16, was awarded the Elizabeth Peacock Trophy after being named outstanding speaker of the event by the judges.

He and fellow Oswestry School team members Georgina Mercer and Chris Jones also walked away with the runners-up accolade after the BPW Public Speaking finals held at Moreton Hall.

To see published article click here (Oswestry and Border Counties Advertizer)

Children at Bellan House prep school were given an early taste of Easter when they took part in the traditional annual egg hunt.

Snowy conditions meant that the pupils at Bellan had to search around the school’s interior rather than the playground outside for the mini Easter eggs.

To see the published article click here (Oswestry & Border Chronicle)

To see the published article click here (Oswestry and Border Counties Advertizer)

Students from Oswestry School have taken top honours in a netball competition held for competitors in the north of the county.

The team was awarded the U19 North Shropshire Netball Championship accolade after a series of matches against Ellesmere, The Grove and Walford.

PE teacher at Oswestry School, Claire Turner, said: “This was an excellent achievement by our girls considering we had three of the squad players unable to play.

“Aniza Naim and Rebecca Evans stepped in to help at short notice and we are extremely grateful for their help.”

Oswestry School is preparing to welcome Welsh Poet Laureate Gillian Clarke when it hosts the signature event of this year’s Festival of the Word.

The poet will be taking part in an Audience with Gillian Clarke at the school’s Peter Humphreys Centre on March 17 at 7pm.

Ms Clarke will be speaking about her varied life as a writer, teacher and playwright, her elevation to the post of Poet Laureate and her beloved Wales.

Head teacher at Oswestry School, Douglas Robb, said that the school was extremely honoured to be welcoming Ms Clarke as part of the town’s Festival of the Word.

Oswestry’s Bellan House School has joined forces with the town’s foodbank to help provide meals for needy people in the area.

The school has set up a container in the hallway and is inviting children and parents to donate food items to help the Oswestry and Borders Foodbank.

Head teacher at Bellan House, Jackie Greatorex, said that the school had donated food to the scheme from its harvest festival last year and was now keen to carry on the link.

“We now have a permanent container in the front hall and are asking parents to make a regular donation of food,” said Mrs Greatorex.

“The food needs to be non-perishable and in date, and is then passed on to the foodbank to be distributed to people in the Oswestry and borders area.”

To see published article click here (Oswestry and Border Counties Advertizer)

Fundraising proved to be a walk in the park for pupils and staff from Oswestry’s Bellan House School when they took part in an event to help combat polio.

The entire school could be seen striding out in the sunshine for the sponsored crocus walk which involved four laps of the Cae Glas Park.

The school joined forces with Oswestry Rotary Club for the event, which follows on from their involvement last year when they helped plant 5,000 crocus bulbs in the park to symbolise the End Polio Now Campaign.

To see published article click here (Shropshire Star)

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A 12-year-old pupil at Oswestry School has taken top national honours in a fencing competition held in Cardiff.

Eleanor Regnart-Butler was competing in the Welsh Youth Foil at the Welsh Institute of Sport.

After the initial pool in which Eleanor had six matches, she was in second position and made her way through the direct eliminations to the final.

Playing against an opponent who had beaten her earlier in the day, Eleanor went on to win the competition 10-2.

To see published article click here (Shropshire Star)

Pupils from Oswestry’s Bellan House School enjoyed an early Valentine’s Day treat when a special café was set up in the school by parents.

The fundraising event was organised by the school’s Parents’ Association and held on the last day before the half-term break.

Bellan House headteacher Jackie Greatorex said: “During break time the pupils were able to visit the café and buy a cake for a friend which they then sat down and ate together – it was really fun for them and a nice way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

“I was delighted to be taken to the café by one of our Reception children which was a very nice treat and the whole event proved to be a great success.

“Thanks to the tremendous effort by parents, the children brought in cakes to be sold in the cafe with many having a heart-shaped theme.

“The children are a bit young for the romantic side of Valentine’s Day but were really excited about the break-time treat.”

Mrs Greatorex said that the café looked wonderful and thanked the Parents’ Association for organising the event.

The school will be involved in another fundraising effort later this month when staff and pupils take part in a sponsored crocus walk to help combat polio.

Bellan House is joining forces with Oswestry Rotary Club on February 23 for the fundraising event in the town’s Cae Glas Park.

Mrs Greatorex said that the school had helped Rotary last year to plant 5,000 crocuses in the park to symbolise the End Polio Now campaign.

“During our sponsored walk we will hopefully be able to see the flowers in full bloom and will again be helping to raise funds for this excellent cause,” she said.

More than 100 guests braved snow and ice to attend a night of glamorous chic at Oswestry’s Wynnstay Hotel for the Bellan House Masked Venetian Ball.

L-R: Debi Lumley Edwards,Lyndsey Haycocks and Jackie Counter

The ball was organised by the Parents Association of Bellan House – Oswestry School’s prep department – to raise funds for the school.

Jackie Counter, a Bellan House parent who did much of the organising, said that the evening was a huge success which raised more than £1,600.

“A handful of people couldn’t make it because of the weather but the feedback I’ve had from everyone who did come was fantastic,” said Mrs Counter.

“We had pre-dinner drinks and then a lovely three-course dinner, during which guests were mesmerised by Magic Matt the magician.

“Guests were then entertained by two opera singers from The Very Nice Production Company and this was followed by a 10-minute show from Magic Matt who revealed his skills as a pickpocket.

“Various watches and ties were given back to owners whose pockets he had picked during the tour around the tables earlier!”

A raffle and an auction provided the bulk of the funds raised for the evening.

Mrs Counter said a day’s pheasant shooting , a fun-filled day for eight at Mount Severn Activity Centre, VIP tickets for Osfest and two stunning Newgate clocks were some of the most successful lots in the auction.

“There are so many people to thank for the evening, especially those who were so generous with the auction prizes they donated,” said Mrs Counter.

“Without their generosity we would not have been able to raise the sum achieved.”

Young football enthusiasts are being invited to improve their skills by taking part in a popular soccer week held at an independent school in Shropshire.

Easter Soccer Week will be held at Oswestry School and has been organised for boys and girls aged five to 14. It will run from Tuesday April 10 to Friday April 13.

Darren Hollingsworth, Oswestry School’s Director of Sports who is one of the event’s organisers, said there were still places available for anyone wishing to take part.

“We have been running soccer events such as this at Oswestry School for several years now and they always prove highly popular,” said Mr Hollingsworth.

“The course is designed for children of all abilities with an emphasis on the participants having fun and at the same time improving their skills and understanding of the game.

“This is taking place at a tremendous time of year because the weather should be getting warmer but won’t be too hot.

“Qualified and experienced coaches will supervise throughout the course which is taking place daily between 9am and 2.45pm.”

Mr Hollingsworth added that all those attending must bring full soccer kit including boots and trainers, and they will need a packed lunch.

For further details and bookings telephone Martyn Leonard on 01691 681117 or Darren Hollingsworth on 01691 681109, or email d.hollingsworth@oswestryschool.org.uk

Parents from Oswestry’s Bellan House School have organised a fundraising Venetian masked ball which will be held in the town next month.

The school’s Parents’ Association is inviting businesses and members of the public to join them for the gala event at the Wynnstay Hotel in Oswestry on February 4.

Parent Jackie Counter said that the masked ball promised to be a hugely entertaining event featuring Italian food and drink, a magician, opera singers and a DJ.

A fun fundraising auction will also be held during the evening and money raised from the event will be donated to school funds.

“There are still a number of places left for the event which I am sure will be a great night’s entertainment,” said Mrs Counter.

“There are various places where you can get your masks and guests should feel free to wear them for as long or as short a time as they want at the ball.”

Mrs Counter said that Shrewsbury-based company the Masque Boutique had offered to help with the fundraising by donating 10 per cent of their mask sales for the evening to the Parents’ Association.

Anyone interested in attending the masked ball can contact Mrs Counter on 01691 610274.

Shropshire’s Bellan House School will be holding an open morning for prospective pupils and their families to enable them to view the premises and meet staff.

Bellan House, which is the prep department for Oswestry School, will be opening its doors to the public on Saturday, March 3 when current pupils will also be attending.

“This is a great opportunity for parents and children to visit Bellan House and to have a leisurely look around,” said headteacher Jackie Greatorex.

“We teach our pupils in a warm and caring environment in the centre of Oswestry and are always keen to share our happy school with others.

“We are also inviting prospective reception pupils to join us for a special discovery day on March 6 when they will get a real taste of the school.”

Bellan House in Church Street is for youngsters aged four to ten and also has a nursery wing next to the school.

Anyone wanting more information about the open morning, which runs from 10am to 1pm can contact the registrar on 01691 653453 or visit admissions@oswestryschool.org.uk

Pupils and staff from Oswestry’s Bellan House School will be striding out this spring when they take part in a sponsored crocus walk to help combat polio.

The school is joining forces with Oswestry Rotary Club on February 23 for the fundraising event in the town’s Cae Glas Park.

Bellan House headteacher Jackie Greatorex said that the school had helped Rotary last year to plant 5,000 crocuses in the park to symbolise the End Polio Now campaign.

“During our sponsored walk next month we will hopefully be able to see the flowers in full bloom and will again be helping to raise funds for this excellent cause,” said Mrs Greatorex.

“We are lucky here in Britain to have had no cases of the polio infection for nearly 30 years because as children we are routinely given the vaccine.

“Rotary decided 26 years ago that the time had come to ensure that every child worldwide should have the vaccine and we are delighted to be helping out with the sponsored walk to raise funds for this project.”

Worldwide cases of polio have been greatly reduced from 300,000 in 1985 to just 553 so far in 2011.

The sponsored walk is being held on World Rotary Day and anyone wishing to sponsor the children and staff from Bellan House can call 01691 653453.

A former pupil at a Shropshire school is calling on other ex-students to get in touch after taking on the role of running the Old Oswestrian Society.

Rachel Bowd left Oswestry School in 2002 but has this term re-joined in a new role.

As Old Oswestrian Co-ordinator, she intends to build on the current database of ex pupils and to keep them informed of the current happenings at the School.

“I am extremely keen that as many Old Oswestrians as possible get in touch with me,” said Rachel, who joined Oswestry School from Derwen College where she taught vocational skills.

“I know there are a great many ex students in Shropshire and surrounding counties and I will be looking to keep them informed of everything that they might be interested in.

“For that to happen as effectively as possible I really need help from Old Oswestrians to keep me posted on what is happening in their lives.

“Keeping the database as full and as up to date certainly plays an important part in my role but I am also looking forward to organising activities and get-togethers, such as year group reunions and sporting fixtures.

“This is such an exciting opportunity for me and it is one which I am greatly looking forward to.”

Many Old Oswestrians will be well acquainted with both Rachel and her family.

She is the daughter of Peter ’PS’ Jones’, who taught at Oswestry School for more than 30 years, many of those as housemaster in old Holbache on Welsh Walls.

Rachel is also married to another Old Oswestrian, Phil Bowd, who is the school’s bursar.

*Any Old Oswestrian who would like to get in touch with Rachel can telephone her on 01691 681137 or email her on r.bowd@oswestryschool.org.uk

A Shropshire music teacher has been announced as the winner of the Oswestry Games anthem competition.

Julian Cattley, the new director of music at Oswestry School, submitted the winning entry which will be performed at the Oswestry Games in the summer.

This is a community event which will take place in and around Oswestry in the weeks leading up to the Olymnpic Games.

Mr Cattley, who took up his post at Oswestry School after spending 10 years at Walford and North Shropshire College, said he was delighted to have won the competition.

“I submitted my entry which is a powerful, stirring anthem for Oswestry and the sporting ambition of the Olympics,” said Mr Cattley.

“I heard over the Christmas period that I won the competition and I was absolutely delighted because it is an extremely exciting opportunity.

“The concept of a community choir being developed with this performance in mind sounds brilliant and is a potentially powerful community event to celebrate the Olympics.

“I thank the Oswestry Games sincerely for their supportive and enthusiastic reception.”

Mr Cattley is a big fan of English music and his composition was inspired by the music of composers like Vaughan Williams and Sir Malcolm Arnold.

The Anthem will be played at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Oswestry Games and a short fanfare, based on the anthem, will played at the medals ceremonies.

Susie Hancock, from the Oswestry Games committee, said: “I can’t believe that we have such a beautiful piece of music for our anthem.

“Julian has put a lot of work into it and written some wonderful words too and I can’t wait to hear it performed.

“We are so grateful to Julian, who has just been appointed as director of music at Oswestry School, and we are doubly honoured that the Porthywean band has agreed to play it for the Games.”

Youngsters from Oswestry’s Bellan House School had a special visitor at their nativity service held in the town’s St Oswald’s Church.

Bubbles the donkey was on hand to add to the Christmas theme and greeted pupils as they arrived at the church.

“Parent Sarah Evans, who has a smallholding at Llandrinio, kindly brought Bubbles along to provide an extra authentic element to our nativity,” said Bellan House head teacher Jackie Greatorex.

“We are very grateful to Mrs Evans who also brings baby animals such as ducklings and lambs into the school for the children to meet.

“It is a wonderful extra boost to their studies and they are always delighted to welcome the animals.”

The nativity service, which was held on Wednesday, was called Little Angel Gets Her Wings and featured youngsters from the school’s nursery section and up to Year Two.

The nativity was just one of the events planned for pupils in the run-up to Christmas at Bellan House, which is the prep department for nearby Oswestry School.

A special Carols by Candlelight service was held in the run-up to the Christmas holidays with youngsters from year three to six taking part.

A number of pupils travelled to Weston Park for a Santa Special where they took part in a tinsel trail in the wood, had a ride on a miniature railway and also paying a visit to Santa.

A Christmas party day was staged when the youngsters were entertained by a disco followed by their Christmas lunch.

“Our Parent Teacher Association did a wonderful job of decorating a grotto for our party day at the school for Santa and his helper,” said Mrs Greatorex.

“After lunch the children met Santa and were given a present. Party games were also arranged for them to enjoy during the afternoon.

“This is always a wonderful time of year for the pupils and it is a joy to be able to see them having so much fun.”