Pocklington School Newsletter Michaelmas Term 2019 | Page 5

Pocklington School Students to build their own Wellbeing App
With the poor mental health of school pupils at
a national high, students at Pocklington have
decided to build their own 'Wellbeing App'
In order for pupils to own their own wellbeing,
open up channels of communication and
provide up to date information, the App will be
managed and updated by students of all ages
and interests across the senior school. Students
will be able to interact with the content and
share their ideas.
much it matters. In running the App, students
will be able to track the mood of the school and
learn triggers which lead to anxiety and
unhappiness.
It is hoped that we will be able to launch at
Christmas - watch this space.
Clare Swann, Head of Pupil Welfare
Putting health and wellbeing at the top of the
school’s priorities has shown the students how
"I want music to be the heartbeat of the school"- new Director of Music
I am delighted to have started work at
Pocklington. It is such a lovely school and it has
been a pleasure to make the acquaintance of
staff, pupils and parents and I offer my thanks for
the tremendous welcome. My background is
that of an organist. I ventured into the cathedral
world before spending eight years as Assistant
Director of Music at Aldenham School,
Hertfordshire. Whilst working in Hertfordshire, I
was the Director of Music at St Paul’s Church,
Mill Hill, NW7. This church was built by William
Wilberforce as his private chapel, so I already
feel an affinity with Pocklington School!
My long-term plans for music at Pocklington
include: integrating music into day-to-day
school life, further celebrating it and enabling it
to become the heartbeat of the school. More
needs to be done to encourage pupils to play
instruments, and the major challenge we face is
the
counter-cultural
nature
of
music
performance. Many attractions on offer for our
young people offer short-term gratification
whereas learning an instrument is quite the
opposite. It takes many years of lessons,
practice, patience and discipline but the rewards
are far greater! Notwithstanding the academic
benefits of music tuition, making music is simply
a fundamentally good thing to be doing and at
Pocklington, we encourage all pupils to
participate. We have a strong department with a
motivated staff, and it is an exciting time to be
part of the Music here. My message to the
pupils, and parents is… Get involved!
Sam Austin, Director of Music
School Remembrance commemorations
Combined Cadet Force members played a
central
role
in
local
Remembrance
commemorations, with impeccable turnouts
befitting the solemn tributes paid to the fallen.
They joined Pocklington’s Remembrance Day
Parade from the School to the World War One
and World War Two memorials, where
commemoration and wreath-laying ceremonies
took place. A Remembrance Day Service at All
Saints’ Church followed.
Also on Remembrance Sunday, the School’s RAF
CCF contingent acted as guard of honour at a
Remembrance Sunday Service at St Catherine’s
Church, Barmby Moor, followed by a
wreath-laying ceremony at its Commonwealth
War Graves Memorial.
The School held its own Act of Remembrance,
led by Head of History Gareth Hughes, with a
prayer by our new chaplain Bill Merrington,
around the William Wilberforce statue. Aleck
Brown played the Last Post before the Lowering
of the School Standards, reciting of The
Exhortation, two minutes’ silence and Reveille.
Staff and pupils then laid poppies on the
Wilberforce Lawn.
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