Our youngest netball teams had a successful afternoon yesterday. Our U13A, U13B, U12A and U12B teams played those from Mount St Mary's College. Scores were: • U13A won 10-3 • U13B won 10-3 • U12A won 6-0 • U12B won 9-1 Well done all! A special mention goes to each of our players of their matches: Maddy, Louise, Grace and Erin.

Earlier today, students from across all year groups were invited to hear Consultant Neurologist, Dr Gary Dennis from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust share his knowledge in a seminar entitled 'Sleep Deprivation and Memory'. Dr Dennis spoke of the reasons that sleep is so crucial, the impacts of sleep deprivation, what prevents good quality sleep and – helpfully, with the summer exam season approaching – the importance of sleep in learning and retaining information. While most of us know that good quality sleep is necessary, the biological reasons for this are not commonly known. The fascinating lunchtime session opened the eyes of the students in the room as to why sleep is the perfect therapy. Good sleep patterns improve many aspects of life including memory, risk of injury, risk of suffering from dementia, and (remarkably) attractiveness! We are very grateful to Dr Dennis for enlightening us, and hope that the students put their new found knowledge to good use.

At last night's Spring Concert, we were treated to a wonderful array of performances from students from all year groups. Very well done to everyone involved in the evening – you were brilliant! It's now the turn of the Senior Orchestra, Senior Wind Band, Jazz Orchestra, Senior and Junior Choirs and other ensembles to perform for us at the Easter Concert on Tuesday 9 April. There will also be refreshments during the evening, provided by the Parents' Association of Lady Manners School. Tickets (£6 for adults; £3 for students and senior citizens) will be available to buy on WisePay (Ticket and Event Bookings folder) very soon.

Last week, our Young Enterprise team, 'Sorted', took part in an Enterprise Trade Fair in Chesterfield. This involved selling their products to members of the public, and making a presentation about their company to Young Enterprise officials. The team worked hard to create an eye catching stall, and presentation. Their efforts paid off as they sold out of their attractive upcycled wine bottle lights, and then went on to win a prize for the quality of their presentation. The prize awarded was a workshop on presentation and sales skills, which will be arranged prior to the competition final in April, to give them the best chance possible when making their presentation to the judges and a large audience. You can find out more about Sorted on their Instagram page, @sortedcompany

Today is International Women's Day and so it is appropriate that today we tell you of an exciting opportunity brought to us by former student, Stephanie Hill. Tomorrow, Chesterfield Football Club, will stage a 'Women at the Game' event at the club's fixture against Eastleigh. 'Women at the Game' is an initiative that seeks to provide a supportive environment for females to get together and watch live football. The organisers have invited Stephanie, who was crowned Miss World Europe in 2017 and recently appeared on The Voice, to attend and to nominate a charity for which funds can be raised. We are absolutely delighted that Stephanie has chosen our fundraising project to refurbish a science lab as her nominated charity! Our project was initiated by the wishes of our highly respected former Head of Physics, Mrs Sinnott. More information on the event is available at https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/2019/february/20190217-spireites-to-stage-women-at-the-game-event/ Donations to our appeal to refurbish a science lab can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ladymanners We would like to thank Stephanie, Women at the Game and Chesterfield FC for giving us this opportunity to be involved in this event, and for highlighting our fundraising project.