EVENTS & REUNIONS
VIRTUAL MISSIONS COMPLETE
With Covid restrictions limiting face-to-face events , the OP office set up a number of virtual cycling , running and walking challenges through the Myles Challenges app .
The OP cyclists did the virtual Sydney to Perth challenge with some impressive mileage to cover a total distance of 2310.9 miles in just under 3 weeks ! Andrew Wynn ( 74-81 ) got the challenge underway with a 20-mile ride and John Skinner
( 75-82 ) completed the final stretch of the challenge with a 14-mile ride . The cyclist with the most miles was Will Treasure ( 74-79 ) who racked up an incredible 463.4 miles ! The top and only female rider was Alice Cullen ( 08-15 ) with 214.88 . The top 3 men were : Will Treasure , Andrew Wynn and Tim Stephenson ( 70-79 ).
The OP running team did a virtual Land ’ s End to John O ’ Groats covering 950.7 miles in just under 6 weeks . Andrew Wynn set the ball rolling on 9 March with a 6-mile run and Harry Isenstein ( 06-17 ) brought the team over the finish line on 19 April with a 10k . The runner with the most miles was Richard Sutton ( 81-88 ) with a very impressive 265.54 miles !
The top 3 ladies were : Rachel Dare ( OP office ), Veniese Geraghty ( 00-09 ) and Charli Brunning ( 03-09 ) and the top 3 gents were : Richard Sutton , John Skinner and Andrew Wynn .
The OP walking team did the virtual Paris to Berlin , a total distance of 621.4 miles . Rachel Dare set the group off on 9 April with a 1-mile dog walk , then a little over 7 weeks later , Sophie Guest ( 03-10 ) took the baton for the last 1.5-mile leg over the finish line . The walker with the most miles was Andrew Hetherington ( 72-78 ) with an amazing 245.9 miles .
The top 3 ladies were : Helen Cooper ( 97-08 ), Tara Wright ( 91-94 ) and Joan Gough ( 75-77 )
and the top 3 gents were : Andrew Hetherington , John Skinner and Chris de Jong ( 66-76 ).
VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS DRINKS WITH TLo
On Monday 14 December 2020 , a group of 25 OPs and teaching staff from across the generations Zoomed in for a virtual Christmas drinks event with OP and Pocklington School teacher , Trevor Loten ( 70-80 ), ahead of his retirement in the summer after an incredible 35 years of service .
Trevor ’ s journey at Pocklington started when he was a pupil , attending the school from 1970 to 1980 before gaining a choral scholarship and studying Mathematics at Durham University . After completing his degree and postgraduate teaching qualification , he took up his first teaching post in Penrith , Cumbria , before returning to Pocklington in 1986 to teach Maths . As well as Trevor ’ s sporting involvement , running tennis and squash teams to name a few , he has played a huge role in the school ’ s boarding community . He was Boarding Housemaster of School House and then Fenwick-Smith House for 12 years from 2000 to 2012 , before moving out and then back in again a few years later as Fenwick-Smith House Tutor .
The informal Q & A hosted by OP Liaison Officer , Rachel Dare , gave Trevor an opportunity to share his career highlights and reflect on his 45 years at the school both as a pupil and a teacher . OPs were also able to ask questions and share their own memories of Trevor , before Rachel shared a video compilation of clips and photos showing his fun side and love of the Bee Gees !
Amongst Trevor ’ s many career highlights were his 2007 Fifth Form GCSE Maths set getting a clean sweep of A * s , school tennis teams reaching national finals , and the 1st V squash team winning all their matches in the 1987- ’ 88 season . However , the most inspiring moments for him have been when he has helped students to do their best and achieve better results than expected .
Sarah Peterman ( née Spencer , 88-98 ) Zoomed in from America to pay tribute to Trevor , describing him as a “ top class teacher ”.
Former Fenwick-Smith boarder , Neel Brown ( 07-10 ) thanked Trevor for all he had done to support him with his Maths GCSE and for being
“ a parent away from home ” when his own parents lived overseas .
Several of Trevor ’ s contemporaries were also at the event . Charles Lucas ( 75-80 ) remembered sitting behind Trevor 43 years ago when they were both pupils together at the school . He said : “ Congratulations on your stellar career , I ’ m really pleased to see you this evening and I ’ m glad it ’ s all gone so well .”
Former Head Boy Ian Nisbet ( 71-80 ) commented : “ I wish you a happy retirement ; you ’ ve given a great service to the school and you ’ ve been great for the Old Pocklingtonians . It ’ s appreciated by everyone , congratulations for getting through it and thanks for your dedication and commitment to the school over the years .”
The evening ended with a toast to Trevor to wish him well for his retirement much of which he hopes to spend on the golf course and tennis court , having more time with his daughter Emma ( 03-14 ), and watching his son Tom ( 06-17 ) play cricket for Yorkshire !
Trevor said : “ Thanks to Rachel for organising this . It was lovely to see so many OPs of different ages , bringing back some fond memories . Hopefully there will be an opportunity to share many more after I retire .”
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