​A famous man once said ‘I love it when a plan comes together’.
 
No statement can be more truly spoken of the last two weeks with the culmination of four months of auditions, rehearsals and hard work in preparation for ‘Oliver!’ The Studio transforms itself from a gymnasium into a performance space of professional quality, and a plethora of talent assembles ready to give their audiences one of the best performances that they will have ever seen.
 
Year on year the talent of students, the professionalism of the band and the quality of the set grow and the streets of Victorian London, complete with London Bridge, Workhouse and Fagin’s Den are of an impeccable standard. We could all go on tour tomorrow.
 
If you were able to come and watch this year’s production, you will have been fortunate enough to witness amazing performances from such veteran students as Ellie Cozens (Fagin), Owen Lambert (Mr Bumble), Kieran Robson (Bill Sykes), but also had the opportunity to see new emerging talents on stage, such as Dale Lambert (The Artful Dodger) and Phoebe Carr (Nancy). The top of the bill was claimed and owned by Joe Parkin; an exceptional Oliver who will be going far.
 
There are a significant number of Year 13 students in the production who will be having their final curtain call this year and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you have done for the productions in your time here. You will be greatly missed and we wish you every success for the future.
 
The future of productions at MCHS, however, looks exceptionally promising.
 
Henry Ford once said that ‘if everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself’.  Despite us both working on two different types of production line, I would like to claim that we sold out before Ford did…
 
If you were a cast member, a dancer, a member of the crew or the band, or you gave anything to help with the production of Oliver, we thank you.
 
See you next year.
 
Mr Parker

​On the 3rd May, in an attempt to raise more funds for the MCHS Outdoor Education department, two students, Miles Pearson (Year12) and Sam Hattersley (Year 10) set out to climb the height of Everest by climbing 8848 metres on the school climbing wall in just one day- that equates to a phenomenal 1264 ascents of our 7 metre climbing wall!
 
Head of Outdoor Education Paul Aitken explains the highs and lows of this magnificent challenge:
 
 “The lads had intended to climb together as continuously as they could till they reached their target height.  We estimated it would take them around 20 hours, so they started climbing at 6am.  It became apparent pretty quickly that they were going to achieve their target as they were smashing out between them an average of 100 climbs (700 metres of climbing per hour).  I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing as they just kept climbing despite obvious physical and mental fatigue!  The support from other students and staff popping in and out of the Sports Hall drove them on, as well as a committed crew of students helping with belaying, feeding, watering and counting climbs.
 
Amazingly, after 11 hours of climbing, the lads achieved their goal. Between them they had climbed a total of 8848m.  They finished tired but exuberant to a room full of cheers, 9 hours faster than I expected.  Worn out with very bad blisters on his hands, Sam was done but Miles had other ideas.  He had decided he wanted to keep climbing and attempt to complete the full height of Everest on his own.
 
Miles had already done 711 climbs over half the total amount but he still needed to complete 553!!  After all the energy he’d expended so far, we quickly worked out even if he averaged 50 climbs per hour he would be climbing for another 11 hours but he was adamant he wanted to go for it! 
 
It took him a while to get back into the rhythm but before long he was steadily climbing again.  He was in a lot of pain with blistered hands and feet and achy muscles but with the support of his family and friends he just kept going; only once in the entire time did he doubt himself and say he couldn’t do it! 
 
For me the most impressive part of the day was the last 4 hours of the climb. Miles had become completely absorbed by linking one move after the other and had little interest in anything else around him. He only had one thing in mind- the ultimate goal.  Phenomenally he averaged 100 climbs per hour for the last 4 hours (that is 700m of vertical ascent per hour!) He summited the equivalent height of Mount Everest in 18hours and 12 minutes!
 
Sam and Miles were both outstanding and have hopefully raised a significant amount of money for the development of our wonderful Outdoor Education Department.  They proved to themselves and many others that effort is the greatest reward of all!!
 
 
You can donate on line at;
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Everest-climb?utm_campaign=projectpage-share-owner&utm_content=Everest-climb&utm_medium=Yimbyprojectpage&utm_source=Facebook&utm_term=BxAQ8rd6Y
 
 
Paul Aitken
Head of Outdoor Education