QPHS magazine - Spring Term 2026 - Magazine - Page 16
TRAILBLAZERS AT STORYHOUSE
On Friday 6 March, an intrepid
group of Year 9 students,
accompanied by Ms MJ, headed
into Chester to take part in the 2026
Storyhouse Women School9s Day
event. Much like a modern band of
Suffragettes, they set off with
purpose and pride ready to
celebrate women and girls as part
of this year9s International Women9s
Day programme.
Now in its fourth year, the
Storyhouse Women festival brings
together a week of events focused
on empowerment, connection and
open conversation. Created in 2023
through collaboration with women9s
groups, young people and
community voices across Chester,
the festival continues to grow and
inspire positive change.
On the walk into the city centre, our
students passed Chester Town
Hall, a landmark with its own
powerful link to women9s history. In
1912, Mary Phillips, a determined
activist with the Women9s Social
and Political Union, was arrested
here after protesting by throwing
flour at Prime Minister Herbert
#GiveToGain #IWD2026
Asquith. Thanks to the support of a
sympathetic local, she was later
released. Stories like hers remind
us of the courage that helped lead
to milestones such as the 1918
Representation of the People Act,
granting voting rights to women
over 30.
organisation9s ethos.
In the afternoon, they explored body
-language skills in the Storyhouse
Studio, learning how posture and
presence can boost confidence in
interviews and everyday life. A final
Q&A session with workshop leaders
offered honest insight into their
career journeys, including the twists
and turns along the way.
Inspired by this moment from
history, our students continued to
Storyhouse, joining peers from
Blacon High School and Winsford
Academy. Everyone gathered in the
Garret Theatre ready to dive into a
busy and inspiring day celebrating
what it means to be a woman today.
This year9s International Women9s
Day theme, 8Give to Gain9 was at
the heart of the whole experience.
Students took part in a wide range
of sessions designed to uplift and
empower. One highlight was a lively
dance workshop that encouraged
self-expression through movement.
As the visit coincided with National
Careers Week, students also met
Storyhouse9s new Marketing
Manager, who offered an inspiring
glimpse into her role. Students then
tried their hand at being 8marketing
officers9, planning how to promote a
Storyhouse event while considering
budgets, competition and the
By coming together at the
Storyhouse events, our young
women are helping to create a
more supportive and
interconnected world.
The students returned to school
energised, inspired and full of new
friendships, well on their way to
becoming strong, independent
young women.
Ms Melhuish-Jones
Independent Study Coordinator
