The
PRESIDENT’ S VIEW
WELCOME and turn them into superstrengths, and take any weaknesses and turn them into strengths to ensure its strong and vibrant future.
I feel that the family community and holistic education Pock provides sets pupils up, not just for the next step, but for when they are 25, 35, 45 … that they leave us“ Adventure Ready” for whatever that adventure might be. Importantly, that will be different for everyone, but there is much we can do to prepare them for their adventures. I hope that“ Adventure Ready” will become a bit of a theme for us as we look to our new strategic plan, and welcome your feedback on that.
Well, that’ s quite enough from me for now. Enjoy reading through the articles and I look forward to seeing you soon!
Yours sincerely,
Becky Lovelock Head
Printed on paper from responsible sources.
CBP009738
Dear Fellow Old Pocklingtonians,
As we look back over another year in the life of our school and our OP community, it’ s impossible not to reflect on the changing landscape that independent education now finds itself navigating.
The pressures facing schools like Pocklington are real and growing; rising operational costs, increasing regulatory demands, and heightened public and political scrutiny have all combined to challenge the independent sector in ways few could have predicted a decade ago.
Questions around accessibility, relevance, and sustainability are no longer theoretical, they are pressing, immediate, and demand clear answers and yet, even in the face of these challenges, there remains a firm belief in the value of what schools like Pocklington can offer. Not just academic excellence, but the shaping of character; not just tradition, but a community built on trust, truth and courage. The true strength of any school is measured not by its buildings or rankings, but by the people it sends out into the world and in that respect, OPs continue to be the greatest ambassadors.
Within these pages, you’ ll find stories of Old Pocklingtonians who have gone on to do extraordinary things in business, the arts, science, education, public service, and beyond. But just as inspiring are the quieter successes: the Pocklington Connects service that is growing from strength to strength, mentoring of students, the success stories from the sports pitch and the stories of those starting their new career with resilience and grace. These are not just stories of individual success but
are proof of the value of our education, and the strength of the community it has created.
In a time of change, our alumni network has never been more vital. As former students, we have a unique role to play in supporting the next generation. Whether by offering time, connections, advice, or financial help, we each have something meaningful to contribute. The impact we make today helps secure the school’ s future and ensures that the opportunities we were fortunate to have are passed on to those who follow.
Thank you for continuing to be part of this story. It is one rooted in 511 years of history, shaped by tradition, but open to the future. Whatever your OP story has looked like so far, there’ s always room for more and opportunities for you to be the one starring in the next edition of this magazine.
Charlie Lambert( 01-08) President, Old Pocklingtonian Association
OPA COMMITTEE
OP ELECTED
President: Charlie Lambert( 01-08) Vice President: Matt Atkinson( 85-93) Treasurer: Eszti Pontone( née Gyarmati, 95-97) Jess Atkinson( 97-08) Zoe Hughes( née Backhouse, 01-03) Steven Kyffin( 70-77) Trevor Loten( 70-80) Michael McKinstry( 00-11) Charles Roberts( 11-25) Simon Spence( 74-81)
SCHOOL APPOINTED
Becky Lovelock( Head) Rachel Dare( OP Liaison Officer, OPA Secretary) Lucy Hornby( Teaching staff and OP 02-04) Steve Spruyt( Teaching staff)
EX OFFICIO
Joan Gough( née Sawyer, 75-77, immediate Past President)
AGM 2025-26
ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE
The Annual General Meeting of the Old Pocklingtonian Association will take place on Thursday 5 February 2026. At the meeting the new committee will be elected. The date for the AGM has moved from November to February to accommodate the new OP financial year which runs from1 September to 31 August in line with Pocklington School Foundation.
All OPs are welcome to attend the AGM and / or stand for election. Please make your intentions known in advance of the meeting, if possible, by contacting Rachel in the OP office. Nominations for election to the Committee should be sent to Rachel as soon as possible.
The agenda is as follows:
• Apologies
• Minutes of last AGM
• President’ s Report
• Secretary’ s Report
• Treasurer’ s Report and approval of accounts
• Nomination and election of committee
• AOB( A copy of the OP annual accounts is available upon request).
COVER STORY
This year’ s cover features OP Kerry Downes( 96-05) whose debut novel, That Time Everything Was on Fire, was published earlier this year by Harper Collins. Read more on page 16.
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