Pocklington School Newsletter Lent Term 2018 | Seite 2

Spotlight
on Boarding
Headmaster’s Welcome
Congratulations to all pupils for the hard work
they put into Charity Week, which rounds off a
term in which they have shown real commitment
and stretched themselves to achieve personally
and collectively.
Walt Disney, whose films inspired this year’s
Charity Week theme, said: “Whatever we
accomplish belongs to our entire group, a
tribute to our combined effort,” words which are
particularly apposite in this case.
Trampolining Championships in Northern
Ireland this weekend, as well as our equestrian
and U15 rugby teams.
Neola Thorpe (swimming), Lucas Walton (cross
country), Adam Swaine (skiing), and Scarlett
McMullen (trampolining) are among the pupils
to achieve notable individual sporting success
this term. Alex Todd was also called up to rugby
club Yorkshire Carnegie’s U18 Academy squad.
Once again, our Sixth Form has done a superb
job in motivating the rest of the school to come
up with enjoyable activities to raise money for
their chosen charities. I’d like to thank everyone
for their contribution, no matter how small -
because it made a difference. Mention of excellence – and teamwork - cannot
pass without the inclusion of our dedicated
estate team who pulled out all the stops during
the recent heavy snow to clear the grounds and
keep the school warm so we could safely remain
open. I would like to thank parents, pupils and
staff for their extra effort at a challenging time.
The Musical Theatre Society’s Musical
Extravaganza last week was another example of
teamwork and cooperation at its best. Sixth
Formers Emma Burke and Sarah Jackson
directed, a talented 50-strong cast performed,
and ten other students worked on the set,
lighting, sound, paint, props and management
to produce a wonderfully varied and
entertaining show, Musicals Through the Ages. This term included a few days which were
anything but normal – when radio, television
and newspaper journalists focused on our
reaction to former pupil Kyle Edmund reaching
the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Thanks to
parents who brought their children in for 6am so
they could be part of BBC Breakfast’s coverage
from the Sports Hall, and to staff who also
showed their support.
At the beginning of term almost half of the
whole senior school (49%) took part in our Sixth
Form-led House Music Festival - some feat when
you consider how few of us would consider
ourselves “musical”. But pupils were still keen to
be involved… not necessarily to take the
spotlight but to experience the thrill and
satisfaction of working together to produce
something worthwhile. Kyle’s success, which recently led to him being
declared Britain’s No 1 male tennis player, lifted
our spirits and made us very proud. It also
showed current pupils that with hard work and
dedication, they too can make their mark on the
world. To quote Walt Disney again: “If you can
dream it, you can do it.”
The same camaraderie and enthusiasm for joint
enterprise is evident in our sporting teams,
when pupils encourage and support each other
to reach new heights. The following pages detail
the success of our U13 trampolining team, who
are in the finals of the National Schools
Have a wonderful and restful Easter break and I
look forward to welcoming you all back on 17th
April.
This Lent term may have been a shorter one,
but it has been as busy as ever for our boarding
community at Pocklington. Pock Boarders are
fully involved in school life, whether it’s House
Music, School Parliament, sport or drama. This
year there seem to be more boarders than ever
representing Pocklington School across all
sports – which is always great to see.
Whilst some of our boarders like to make the
most of the opportunity to relax at the
weekend, others have been enjoying a huge
range of trips and activities: intensive bouncing
at Energi Trampoline Park; getting up close and
personal with a golden eagle at York Bird of
Prey Centre or enjoying a bit of Bowie at a
tribute concert at Fibbers - there really has been
something for everyone. Ice skating, Karting,
York Castle Museum, a ‘Scarbados’ seaside visit,
cinema and shopping trips… the list goes on!
We were delighted to welcome Kim Miller to
Fenwick Smith House as the new Day Matron.
Kim has been a fantastic addition to our
boarding community and we wish her all the
very best. Faircote bade a fond farewell to Day
Matron Glenda Smith at Christmas and now the
girls are enjoying the arrival of Jill Dowson who
has brought energy and great sense of fun to
the House. I think the girls are already in training
for a fun run she is leading – good luck to Jill
and the girls!
At the end of this term Eliza Burg will be moving
back to Australia having been a fantastic
Resident Tutor at Faircote for many years. We
wish Eliza, Mike and Nancy all the very best as
they begin a new chapter “Down Under.”
Boarders who need to stay in over the exeat
weekends now have that option, as our “exeat
trial” continues. We will be in touch about the
longer bank holiday weekend exeat in due
course.
With exams coming up in the Summer Term,
boarding will once again enter the revision and
exam season with calm, focus and routine. It is a
popular time for some of our students to opt for
a spell in boarding so if you are interested,
please do get in touch. We wish you all a great
Easter break!
Sarah Jackson and Emma Burke
Martin Davies
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