St. Michael's was host school when representatives from all Stockton secondary schools were given the chance to quiz Stockton North MP, Frank Cook, in a 'Put it to Your MP' session in mid-January. Organised by Mrs. Davies, the visit followed up an idea originally launched by UNICEF and the group of Year 10 pupils had the chance to find out about the roles of Members of Parliament and to ask questions about issues important to them. Among the representatives for St. Michael's were Emma Fairhall (Leader of the Opposition in the 'Motorola'!) and Simon Wright.

* The Evening Gazette came along to report on this special session and a photograph of pupils from the schools represented appeared in its pages the week before last.

The second round of tests for Year 10 students is almost upon us. Revision classes are taking place after school and pupils should now be revising in earnest. The results from the first round of tests were very encouraging. Keep up the good work everybody!

A party of 24 Year Eight pupils accompanied Mrs. Carey, Miss Maddocks and Mr. Carroll on a Geography trip to Lanehead Outdoor Centre in Coniston. The weather was not ideal as it was very wet and windy but the pupils got stuck into some activities nevertheless. The morning started off with an adventure walk up The Old Man of Coniston. One group were able to set a new record for getting 12 pupils over a large boulder, while Georgina Gillespie and others scaled a thirty foot high ‘erratic’. Beth Ford proved herself a champion Scree Skier and the whole party were led on an assault course through road culverts. The walk ended with a visit to some disused copper mines and a chance to view the conditions miners had to endure many years ago.

The afternoon was taken up with using the rock climbing wall at the centre as the weather

worsened, and a number of our pupils including Tom Worton and Nathan Younger proved

themselves expert climbers and abseilers. A night hike later in the evening had every one fully worn out. Sunday turned out to be a much better day and the pupils spent their time on fieldwork exercises in Coniston itself.

A party of 15 Year Eleven students accompanied Bede College Geography Department on a trip to York. The students, including Lucy Buckton and Jordan McGrogan, were able to participate in some Geography fieldwork around York. Work involved looking at the flood defences and the urban development of York itself.

Thank you for all the support for the Numbers Club last year. Your help was very important in

providing extra opportunities and equipment for pupils. Congratulations to our Numbers Club

winners for January. Mrs. Wilcox is always pleased to welcome new members - only £1 per month. Contact her at the reception desk in the main entrance.