Headmaster ’ s Welcome
About two weeks ago , an audience of considerable size delighted in “ Lectern Society ”, an evening of superb entertainment with music and high-quality debate . Ten or so participants offered their view on whether an individual can really effect change in today ’ s world , and they enthralled us for a couple of fabulous hours .
Afterwards , a colleague commented to me that this was an example of Pocklington “ at its best ”. I agreed wholeheartedly and then , over the next few days , reflected on this observation . Certainly , Pocklington “ at its best ” was evident in the enthusiastic and intelligent discourse to which we listened . The music , of the very highest quality , was also in the same vein . But then again , it ’ s not just academic or intellectual pursuits that show Pocklington at its best . Our passion for sport and drama has been very much on show these past few weeks as has our desire to bond together and throw ourselves into a whole range of activities . House Music , our levels of participation on Saturday and Charity Week are several examples .
The classroom also shows Pocklington at its best . Few things give me as much joy as a pupil or teacher clearly revelling in their learning . We ’ ve seen this in our current crop of HPQ candidates , the Geographers at work in their field studies and in the Spanish students who trekked off merrily to London to watch “ La Casa de Bernada Alba ” ( all in Spanish !).
No doubt this latest newsletter will contain numerous other showcase examples of our School at its best . But I should like to end with some of the less obvious but perhaps even more important instances of “ our best ”. These include Mr Taylor ’ s enthusiastic introduction to his organ music that heralds our exit of All Saints every Friday . The way in which our boarding community welcomes newcomers be they here for a term , a year or for the longer haul . The heartwarming feedback we receive from those who apply to work at Pocklington about their day in our School – including those who are unsuccessful in their quest . The First Year pupil who , without being told , just knows that it ’ s the right thing to do when they hold the door for one of their friends or an adult .
It ' s these little things to me that show off Pocklington at its best and these things that make our community that extra bit special . Enjoy this newsletter !
Message from our Chaplain
Many years ago , living in a large vicarage , I walked into the lounge , only to hear a noise from above . The wallpaper on the ceiling was cracking ! I headed to the door , thinking I would get a broom to hold the ceiling up ! A good ‘ man idea .’ As I got to the door the whole ceiling collapsed , lath , horsehair , and plaster , 2 inches thick . It demolished the lounge . For the next six months , everywhere I went , I would look up at the ceiling , just checking it was safe . My assumptions in life had been shattered . A ‘ Good Friday experience .’ This term has been rather like that for many as we adjusted to Covid , pressures in the school and the threat of world war . The good news is that Sunday follows Saturday . I regained my confidence in ceilings , and I ’ m sure next term we will all become more hopeful for the future .
Happy Easter , Canon Dr Bill Merrington , Chaplain
Sixth Form Spanish students enjoyed a cultural trip to London to see a production in Spanish of their A level set text , ‘ La Casa de Bernarda Alba ’ at the Cervantes Theatre .
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