Pocklington School Newsletter Lent Term 2020 | Page 2

Headmaster’s Welcome
You will be unsurprised to hear that the tone and
content of this newsletter has been substantially
revised over the past few days. Recent events
across the globe, our country and local
community have caused many people anxiety
and worry. What has again struck me about our
community here at the Pocklington School
Foundation is our sense of togetherness,
resilience and care for one another. I have been
so impressed at our pupils’ mature reaction to
media reporting and equally proud of my
colleagues’ calm, measured and committed
approach. I should also like to thank parents and
guardians for their unstinting support during this
period of uncertainty. Despite this, Friday 23rd
March was an upsetting and difficult day for
many, myself included. We cannot wait to see all
of our pupils again and are planning to welcome
them back with our customary enthusiasm as
soon as we possibly can. In the meantime, we
will support and educate all of them using a
variety of online and remote solutions. We ask
that parents and pupils are patient as these
procedures bed in over the first few days and we
adapt to new norms.
For those pupils most directly affected by recent
events – our Fifth Year and Upper Sixth students
– we say that we remain and always will be at
your side. We will carefully monitor
developments with regard to your qualifications
and will be in touch with you regularly. We also
ask that you do your bit. This means completing
any outstanding work, keeping in touch with
teachers and looking ahead to your next
challenge – be it A levels, university or other
pathways. There is more you can do and the
more you do now, the better prepared you will
be for whatever the next steps may be. We will
also do all we can, when possible, to give you
the appropriate leavers’ celebrations you
deserve.
alone. Our cultural calendar boasted two
concerts, one Prep School play (behind closed
doors!) and a myriad of symposiums and
lectures. Our catering crew have served over
forty thousand lunches and teachers have taught
countless lessons. Most importantly, our pupils
have thrown themselves into everything with
typical Pocklingtonian enthusiasm.
This newsletter highlights much that is positive
about our community. In these unprecedented
times, being part of such a community is what
can make us stronger and more hopeful. We will
keep in touch with you and trust you will do the
same with us.
With best wishes,
This has been a period where I can safely say
that our community has demonstrated those
core Values of Courage, Truth and Trust and for
that, I am deeply grateful.
As I am sure this Lent Newsletter demonstrates,
this term has seen the usual plethora of activity.
Despite cancellations our sporting calendar
included over two hundred fixtures this term
Toby Seth, Headmaster
Charity Committee 2019/20
Despite the events of the final week in school
unfolding quickly, the Charity Team were keen to
continue "giving back". We managed to
organise a Non-Uniform Day for Friday 20th
March and thanks to a very quick turn around,
raised over £750 which will be sent to the 4
chosen charities this year. The money the
children spent on "Gunging Votes" and Easter
Eggs has been secured in our school safe and
we are committed to doing this at some point in
the future. The staff are all very happy to
continue with this so watch out, Mr Seth! Thank
1
you to everyone who has supported the many
charity events over the year, now more than ever
these are vital ways of supporting the world
around us.
Helen Alexander - I/C Charities