Latest News

U11 Hockey Success: Malsis punching well above its weight

The U11 boys’ hockey team returned exhilarated from the performance at the IAPS Hockey Tournament Qualifying Rounds at Repton School on Thursday 4th February. After playing some tough matches against Foremarke Hall, St. Olave’s, Terra Nova and Malvern, the boys beat the regional tournament favourite, Bilton Grange, in the following round. A play off against last year’s national champions, Bromsgrove, saw our side through to the finals on a 2-0 win. Malsis prep school continues to punch well above its weight competing against large schools that have at least 3 to 4 times as many players from which to pick their teams.

High-flying sporting stars

Sam Stewart (10), a day boy at Malsis prep school has won the Giggleswick Under 11 cross-country event racing against about 100 other boys in bitter January conditions. His team, Malsis Under 11’s, came second overall beating off competition from across the North. Sam went on to win the Sedbergh Rawthey Run cross-country event for the second year running.

Along with Patrick Mullins (10), Sam has also been selected to play for North and Midlands Barbarians rugby team against the South and South-West.

George Hill (9) is now officially ranked number 10 in the country by the Lawn Tennis Association for his age group.

New Year - New pupils

Five new pupils started at Malsis prep and pre-prep school at the beginning of the Easter term getting this top private school off to a flying start in its 90th anniversary year. Despite knee deep snow that disrupted most schools in North Yorkshire, there was no delay to the start of term at Malsis with the school doors open to welcome the new children. Aged between eight and 12 years old, the new starters where from as far away as Spain, and as close as Embsay, adding to the delightful mix of children attending the school. Luis Serrano (12) from Granada in Spain was more than a little surprised in the 12 degree drop in temperature from home, but says: " I love boarding at Malsis, I have made lots of friends very quickly and I loved being able to play in the snow when I arrived in England.”

Festive season brings out new talent

Children of all ages at Malsis Preparatory School have acted, sung and danced their way to the end of term. Lower School's nativity ‘Shine Star Shine’ by Niki Davies was a big hit with fresh talent coming to light - literally- with Finn Richards (Year 1) as the troublesome star that wouldn't shine until he was taken to Bethlehem by Gabriel played by Max Ellison (also Year 1). Junior, Chamber and Chapel Choirs performed separately at the carol service under the expert eye of James Ashworth, Director of Music and former professional voice coach and soloist. The finale was an incredibly professional performance of Handel's Messiah, 'And the Glory of the Lord.' Additional support from Mr Ashworth's inexhaustible contacts in the world of music, saw a dozen soprano, alto, tenor and bass adult voices swell the combined choir to about 50 giving the children an amazing experience of what might lie in store for them if they continue their choral singing beyond Malsis. The sound was wonderful leaving the audience with goosebumps. Merry Christmas!

Malsis School's close connections with Forces makes poignant Remembrance Service

Amongst the special guests at the emotional Memorial Service on Saturday morning (14th November) were representatives from both the Royal British Legion and the Bradley Polish Wellington Bomber Memorial Committee, Dr John Syred, father of Lieutenant Paul Syred, the most recent Old Boy of the school to die in service (2002) and Mr Edward Worswick whose father, John Alan Worswick, D.F.C. and Old Boy, died when his Lancaster Bomber crashed in June 1942.

Andrew Balmforth, Historical Interpreter at the Royal Armouries, Leeds, presented ‘When the guns stop firing’ – an extraordinary monologue based on diary extracts from soldiers at the front on the 11th November 1918. 12 year old Caroline Heard, a violin pupil of Bill Leary who teaches at Malsis, played the theme from ‘Schindler’s List’ and wreaths were laid by past pupils David Cutter, now a current parent and Chief Executive of Skipton Building Society, and David Fletcher. Prayers were read by Joshua Knott and Zak Middleton, both Year 5 pupils at Malsis, and whose fathers are currently serving in Afghanistan and the closing prayer was read by current parent, Lt. Col. B Bennett, who has most recently served in Afghanistan.

Award winning War Correspondent enthrals pupils

On Friday 13th November, two times Pulitzer Prize winning journalist John F Burns, London Bureau Chief of the New York Times, delivered the latest in a series of Malsis Lectures. John has reported from war zones around the world, from Vietnam in the 1960’s to the current war in Afghanistan, and enthralled Malsis pupils with his talk covering freedom of the press, his first meeting with Nelson Mandela and graphic descriptions of his experiences as an embedded journalist with British and American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For the sixth consecutive year, Malsis has been chosen to appear in the prestigious Tatler Schools Guide which only reviews the top 100 or so prep schools in the country. Malsis stands out from even this very select crowd as one of only a handful of truly independent co-educational preparatory schools in the North of England.
(October 2009)

Inspiring inventor of the popular board game Bookchase, Ian Rendle, came to Malsis Prep School to teach the children how to play the book knowledge based game. Even for non-avid readers the game quickly hooked the participants who had to visit The Library, Book Corner and The Book Shop to add to their chances of collecting all six books on their book shelf to win. The winner at each game table received a prize from Ian who also donated two Bookchase games to the school’s game library. Visit www.bookchase.com to find out more about the game.
(October 2009)

More than 360 girls and boys from 22 independent and maintained schools across the north of England took part in the 2009 Malsis Cross Country. Teams from Kildwick, Glusburn and Ilkley raced against those who had travelled from as far afield as Windermere and Yarm to this prestigious schools' event. Malsis pupil Sam Stewart came first in the field of 100 runners in the U11 boys category, adding a gold medal to the silver he won at the 2008 event.
(October 2009)

Malsis pupils, parents and staff travelled to Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Sunday 4th October to watch Leeds Carnegie's premiership match against Gloucester and, more importantly, to see the Malsis Colts XI play a 10 minute match against Ampleforth St. Martin's during half time. The Malsis prep school boys performed well taking the pressure of playing in front of a 6000 strong crowd in their stride and narrowly missed a win in the exciting three-try game.
(October 2009)

On Wednesday 23rd September, the Malsis Chapel Choir, members of the Royal British Legion and the Polish Airforce Association gathered at a memorial to the Polish crew of a Wellington bomber which crashed at Bradley 67 years ago. The talented preparatory school choir lead the singing at this moving service on the banks of the Leeds Liverpool Canal. In November 2008, combining history lessons with outdoor pursuits, Malsis children canoed to the site and scattered poppies in remembrance of the crew.
(September 2009)

Music enthusiasts, Headmaster Mr Peel and Director of Music, James Ashworth took a group of Malsis pupils to 'The Sound of Music' at Bradford Alhambra on Friday 18th September. Bitter disappointment that a technical hitch stopped the show almost as soon as it got underway was quickly dispelled by a chance meeting with celebrity ‘Maria’ - Connie Fisher – winner of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC competition in 2006. Connie and her co-stars from the cancelled performance happily posed for photographs and chatted to the children turning the trip into a very unusual and memorable treat.
(September 2009)

On Sunday 13th September, Malsis boarders enjoyed a wonderful day out at the Bolton Abbey Steam Railway 1940's day. Entering into the spirit of things, the children and staff raided the school props and costumes cupboard and dressed up 1940's style. With home made gas mask boxes and labels, the children quickly attracted attention from other visitors who thought they were part of the show! Visit http://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/news.html to find out more!
(September 2009)

“Admissions for independent Malsis School have been up 10% this year despite the credit crunch, which is a great tribute to the staff and what we offer here.” Said Headmaster Marcus Peel. He also announced that from the start of the new academic year, pupils will be swapping the classroom for the 42 acre grounds. The restructuring of the timetable allows the main academic curriculum to be delivered from Monday to Friday with an earlier finish at 5 pm on most week days for younger day pupils. Malsis ensures the very best all-round educational experience with ‘hands-on’ learning to boost the understanding of classroom theory, and Saturday mornings will be devoted to practical learning outside utilising the beautiful woods and facilities. Younger pupils in Years 3 and 4 will be welcome to join in for no extra charge, but Saturday mornings for this age group will not be compulsory.
(July 2009)

The famous brass band, Brighouse and Rastrick, ranked number five in the world took an unprecedented detour from playing to large audiences in places such as York Minster and The Royal Albert Hall to play at Malsis School on Saturday 4th July. Twice winners of the World Championship and seven times National Champions agreed to come and inspire budding musicians at the school. The members of the band enjoyed playing to the enthusiastic pupils and general public so much, they will come back and play again in July 2010. Anyone interested can order advanced tickets from admin@malsis.com or call 01535 633027
(4th July 2009)

Year 8 leavers have been celebrating their exams success with a programme of special outdoor pursuit trips, such as rock climbing, camping, sailing and go-carting. All have secured places at secondary schools including Eton, Bradford Grammar and Oundle School. A third of these leavers have been awarded rare and coveted scholarships, facing fierce competition from 13 year olds across the country.

William Downey – All rounder Scholarship to Stonyhurst College, Lancashire
Sam Phillipson – Sports Scholarship to Rugby School, Warwickshire
Francine Ellison - All-Rounder Scholarship with Music to Giggleswick, North Yorkshire
Sadie Milbourn - The Graham Watson Academic Scholarship (the top academic award) to Giggleswick, North Yorkshire
Douglas Johnson - Academic Scholarship to Uppingham School, Rutland. Douglas is the third Malsis boy in three years to win an Uppingham Academic Scholarship.
Hector Nelson -Drama Exhibition to Repton School, Derbyshire.
(July 2009)

Young musicians from Malsis School in North Yorkshire, have passed Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music’s examinations for piano, singing, clarinet and guitar with flying colours. Thirteen children were entered and the results included six Distinctions, five Merits and two Passes. Further successes, including a Distinction and two Merits, were achieved by students who were entered for Drum Examinations with Trinity Rock School – the fastest growing music exam board dedicated to rock and pop. Our picture shows the candidates that achieved Distinctions.
(19th May 2009)

Under 11 boys make National Hockey Championship Finals and scoop Clifton Cup

Malsis played impressive games of top grade hockey against large schools like The Beacon, The Abbey, Queens College and Hazelgrove at the finals of the National Independent Association of Preparatory Schools Championships (IAPS) at Clifton College, Bristol on Monday 16th March The Beacon went on to become National Champions to whom Malsis had only conceded two goals. The Malsis team was then entered into the Clifton Cup which they won. Demy Dowley, International level 3 hockey coach at Malsis, said "Malsis U11s are a band of fierce warriors, determined never to give up, always working for each other and possessing an admirable courage. The boys conducted themselves with dignity and honour throughout and were a credit to Malsis Prep School, the North and the game of hockey".
(11th March 2009)

Pupils from the North Yorkshire prep school, Malsis, proved their bravery by abseiling 80 feet off The National Glass Centre in Sunderland to help raise £790 for the Royal British Legion. No one bottled out, largely due to the practice that everyone gets climbing and descending the school’s very own high-rope tree equipment in the 42 acre grounds.
(2nd February, 2009)