DEATHS AND OBITUARIES
Towards the end of his school days , Matthew was in the Square ( previously Jasper ’ s Folly / Bayernstubl and now Judson ’ s ) in Pocklington when he caught the eye of Amy ( the girl from his nursery class all those years ago ). The two hit it off brilliantly , falling madly in love and forming a strong and enduring bond .
Following A levels in 2004 , the couple moved to the North East , where Matthew studied Video and New Media at Sunderland University . Upon finishing university , they returned to Pocklington to be closer to friends and family and settled down into a new home . Matthew took up work in IT , first at the Press Association , moving on to York College and then JTRS in 2013 . He immediately clicked with the team at JTRS , working in schools across the country to provide technical support and making very good friends . Matthew was loyal and hardworking ; he stayed at JTRS for seven years , only moving on in 2020 when his dream job came up at Pocklington School .
In 2012 , Matthew and Amy tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at Pocklington church . They decided to start a family and baby Amelie was born in 2014 , followed by Wilf and Francesca . Matthew was a loving and proud husband and father , giving Amy and the children so much care and support . He was kind and patient , realised what was important in life , and cherished his children .
Matthew was overjoyed to be appointed as Network Engineer at Pocklington School in 2020 . He described this feeling as ‘ coming home ’ and he was so very proud to work there . However , just three months later , Matthew was diagnosed with advanced renal cancer in a devastating blow to him and his family . It is testament to his grit and determination that he continued to get up and provide for Amy and the children . He continued to go into work whenever he was able , and was shown so much care , compassion , and generosity from the school staff at such a difficult time .
Matthew spent Christmas and New Year 2021 with all of the family at Barmby Road , and on Christmas day , in a classic “ Matty ” move that showed the playfulness and humour that everyone loved so much , he worked with mum to have his brother Nick believe , just for a minute , that he ’ d won the jackpot on a scratch card at lunch on Christmas day .
Matthew passed away at the family home on 2 January 2022 , surrounded by family . He is gone from this world but will never be forgotten .
( The Pimm family )
Ian Sheppard ( Former Staff , 88-10 ) started teaching at Pocklington School in 1988 . The School was just changing from having been a very traditional all boys environment to welcoming girls . Ian thoroughly enjoyed his time for over 20 years . He taught Maths , was a day house master for Hutton , a year master in Middle School and an organiser of many school outings , including day trips to Alton Towers and Lightwater Valley .
Ian masterminded the logistics for the very first all school walk – a circular 15 mile walk up into the Wolds , with several hundred pupils , forming a gigantic crocodile striding out from Pock at timed intervals . Other school walks included Bolton Abbey – up through the Valley of Desolation to spectacular views from Simon ’ s Seat . And a memorable day out doing the White Rose Walk – 35 miles from Roseberry Topping to the White Horse at Sutton Bank .
Ian organised Peak District expeditions and Wales trips as well as a European adventure with visits to Venice , Innsbruck and Nîmes and including a wide range of activities such as white water rafting , caving , gorge trekking , windsurfing and bivouacking . He was also part of a Sicily trip where he enjoyed practising his Italian . Other school activities he led on were riding lessons and equestrian team events . Ian taught himself how to design and manage the lighting for the School ’ s Tom Stoppard theatre , as well as training and managing a lighting crew of pupils who joined him behind the scenes learning about lanterns , programming the computer and drawing up cue sheets .
After leaving Pock Ian went to live in Guernsey and taught at a girls ’ school . He then taught Maths on short term contracts at Oundle , Oakham and Uppingham schools . He rose to the challenge of adapting to new school environments and getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of new pupils . In addition , he taught intensive revision courses in Cambridge and helped several students in the York area with 1:1 private tuition .
After Ian ’ s retirement Ian and his wife became volunteers for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and along the way adopted two of their dogs . His two cockapoos , Kodi and Riley , brought new friends via a dog walking group .
A thanksgiving service for Ian was held at Allerthorpe church on 3 October 2022 . The church was full and his family were delighted to see so many friends and to hear everyone ’ s memories . If anyone would like to share additional memories about Ian and Maths or school activities Ian ’ s family would love to hear from you .
( Ruth Sheppard )
Brian Slater ( 49-57 ) was born in July 1938 at his auntie ’ s house in South Shields . He grew up at the Priory Cottage in Warter and started his education at Nunburnholme Primary School . On passing his exams , he won a scholarship to Pocklington School as a day boy and from the age of 11 cycled to school every day . His favourite subject was Physics taught by John Derbyshire , the Physics master and housemaster of Dolman boarding house . He was actively involved with the Combined Cadet Force ; he ran the Signals Platoon and , in 1961 , attended annual camp to lead the section with marked success .
After Pocklington , Brian went on to Hull University to study for his Bachelor of Science , majoring in Physics . During the latter part of his sixth form and as an undergraduate , he was a part-time laboratory assistant at Pocklington School , setting up apparatus for A level and O level practical examinations in Physics and Chemistry and for complicated sixthform demonstrations . In 1959 , Brian met Margaret . After graduating , he went into the aviation industry , working away during the week at English Electric in Lytham St Annes , near Blackpool . He worked on the Blue Streak missile development , but the programme was unexpectedly cancelled in 1960 . Brian was now at a crossroads in his career . However , John Derbyshire , whom Brian kept in such high regard , was influential in his quick change of career to become a teacher . He qualified in 1963 and embarked on his teaching journey at Kingston High School in Hull going on to teach two generations of students at the school .
Brian married Margaret in 1964 and soon welcomed much loved children Katriona , Carol and Richard . He was an exceptionally hard-working man even working during the school summer holidays on his friend ’ s farm , bringing in the harvest and much needed extra earnings .
For 13 years from 1965 , Brian travelled with around 30 boys to the Lake District for the annual Braithwaite Camp . This was his favourite ‘ out of school activity ’. Camping and walking for a week , sharing experiences , and overcoming obstacles remained a fond memory for Brian and for lots of pupils too over the years .
In 1987 , he became Deputy Head . By now , he had an intimate knowledge of the school , its pupils , and families . He had a special rapport with even the
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