Boarding
In the Lent term, our boarders get to choose two short courses as part of their Saturday morning programme. Each course is three weeks long. This year, our boarders have had the choice of some fabulous activities run by experts in their fields. The course choices have been: professional DJ-ing skills, MasterChef cookery, Grandmaster chess lessons, Fantasy story writing, and two different Art classes:‘ Street Art and Graffiti’, and ' Capturing Winter – a drawing and painting workshop.’
Sport
In its second season, the transition for all boys from First to Third year to be on hockey has seen a further positive development. Never have we had more success at the regional level in two age group events as we have this season and this is testament to the hard work of colleagues and the desire and passion shown from the students. The U12’ s, 13’ s and 18’ s all losing finalists in their respective age groups.
Following the Michaelmas Community Sports Day, the boys’ hockey Community Sports Day was another huge success with over 120 students participating, a true reflection of the camaraderie within the sport.
On the rugby front, we have opened our doors and welcomed over 22 schools across four‘ tens’ festivals, it always provides a wonderful
Alongside this, the boarders have had some excellent Sunday trips – including ice skating and Foot Golf – and a trip to see Hull City win! They have also enjoyed a fabulous start to the Lunar New Year( Year of the Horse) with some wonderful food chosen by boarders as well as a joint‘ German and Spanish tea’ and an Easter Roast Dinner( with free Easter Eggs) with an introduction and grace led by Rev. Bill.
Steve Greaves, Head of Boarding
spectacle to see the grounds overrun with rugby in preparation for the“ sevens” season.
We gathered silverware for the hard-working U13’ s as they won the‘ plate’ at our own U13’ s sevens festival and our senior boys had tremendous success at the Scarborough College‘ sevens’ coming away as‘ Bowl’ winners.
Rosslyn Park beckons for four age-groups and we wish the seniors, U14’ s, 16’ s and 13’ s good fortune as they head down to the capital.
Our netball continues to flourish with upwards of 225 pupils regularly playing and representing the school across fixtures and tournaments through the whole Foundation. One of the standout events was the Community Sports Day, which brought together pupils and families and helped promote participation and engagement in sport.
We entered the Oundle Super League Tournament, this provided further competitive opportunities and valuable match experience for pupils. The Lower School also enjoyed an excellent residential trip to Condover Hall, where pupils were able to develop their skills and teamwork through a range of activities.
We were also proud to host the U15 tournament, welcoming visiting schools and providing our pupils with the opportunity to compete on home courts. In addition, pupils had the opportunity to attend a Super League fixture and watch Leeds Rhinos play, which was an inspiring experience and gave pupils insight into elite-level sport.
Our basketball program continues to expand and with five senior basketball fixtures( one being a triangular fixture with Ackworth and Birkdale) against a mix of independent and state schools this term has proved exceptional for our international students. Over the past four years we have added an additional fixture every year to build an exciting schedule enjoyed primarily by our senior boarding community.
I hope we can sustain this level and more moving forwards.
Cross Country continue to thrive, following on from last terms ESAA Cross Country Cup National Final, we now have five students qualify for the English Schools Cross Country Championships. Our first year girls became the regional champions, the U13 girls won the annual Terrington Hall Cross Country Festival which was even more impressive when you learn it’ s the largest number of schools they have ever had and in the National Prep Schools ' Cross Country Championships, the girls came 14th and the Boys 18th in the country! The boys came 32nd last year so what an improvement!
And finally, the equestrian team enjoyed a fantastic event at Epworth in early March picking up numerous wins and placings both as a team and individuals.
Chloe P made her Pocklington School debut a winning one in the 60cm grassroots class, jumping a quick clear round to finish equal 1st and then later in the day, the team finished 1st in the 80cm class.
We then had a clean sheet of clear rounds in the 90cm with the team winning the team section and finishing individual second.
The 90cm was a qualifier for the ' Windsor Challenge ' at Addington, which we have now qualified for twice, winning both of only two qualifiers in the area.
The team are showing outstanding consistence and commitment to their training and competing, and this is definitely reflecting in the recent results and we wish them continued success at Windsor.
It has been another term that has seen many outstanding contributions across so many disciplines, without question we should celebrate those students but we should also acknowledge the significant contribution made by so many other unsung heroes.
David Byas, Director of Sport
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