Pocklington School Newsletter Michaelmas Term 2019 | Page 6

Equestrian team wins
National Championships event
The Pocklington School equestrian team are
2019 National Champions of the 70/75cm
Jumping with Style (JwS) event after an
impressive performance at the National Schools
Equestrian Association’s annual competition.
The team, which includes both Prep and Senior
School pupils, rode well at competitions
throughout the year to qualify for the National
Championships at Addington Manor Equestrian
Centre, Buckinghamshire, in October.
The JwS 70/75cm team of Martha Lee (Third
Year), Charlie Lindley (Second Year), Emily Jones
(First Year) and Noah Marsh (Prep School Year 6)
and their horses were judged the most stylish
over the combination of show jumps and
cross-country fences - and Charlie also achieved
an individual 4th place.
Other equestrian team members who competed
at the National Championships were: Lucinda
O’Gram (Prep School Year 4 - and aged eight,
only just old enough to compete at
championship level); Julian Brittenden (Third
Year); Izzy Rowley (Third Year); Daisy Shepherd
(Fourth Year); Emma Forsyth (Fourth Year);
Georgia Byass (Fifth Year) and Poppy Shepherd
(Upper Sixth).
Clare Bracken, Deputy Head and Teacher i/c
Equestrian thanked parents and staff for their
tireless support. She added: “We have quite a
special team spirit and comradery; every team
member should be incredibly proud of their
performances.”
HPQ
presentations
reflect students’
hard work
Last year’s HPQ Presentations
Fourth Year students gave some entertaining
presentations for their Higher Project
Qualification (HPQ)s at the end of term, as the
culmination of two years’ hard work.
HPQs are level 2 qualifications worth half of a
GCSE, though colleges and universities see it as
a new, valuable venture for independent
learning and skills development.
The attraction for students, and the true
strength of the HPQ, is that their project can be
about anything! Titles from this year’s students
included:
Students explore Iceland’s
geothermal splendour
• Exploring the application of vaccinations
for coccidiosis on chicken farms in the UK.
• The impact of my female ancestors on
the war effort explored through art.
• The optimum diet for a female
heptathlete.
• Programming and designing an
android-based application with the aim
to help actors learn their lines effectively
and efficiently using researched
methods.
Geography and Chemistry students enjoyed the
breathtaking scenery of Iceland during a half
term trip which took in geysers, volcanoes,
waterfalls, glaciers- and even a fleeting glimpse
of the Northern Lights.
Sixteen students from Year 11 to Upper Sixth,
accompanied by Head of Chemistry Jenny
McDowell and Head of Geography Rebecca
Brennan, began their trip at the Gunnuhver Hot
Steam outlets and the Bridge between the
continents – a real footbridge over the fissure
where the North American and Eurasian plates
are moving apart. They also explored the
volcanism and hot mud pools of the Reykjanes
Peninsular and the Stora-Eldborg and
Litla-Eldborg craters.
Next was the Thingvellir National Park, the site
of Iceland’s Viking parliament on the
mid-Atlantic ridge, which is visibly tearing apart
in a riot of geology. Then a relaxing visit to the
Secret Lagoon, where they took a dip in
Iceland’s oldest geothermal bath, built in 1891.
A trip around the Geyser area of spouting hot
springs included the Strokkur Geyser which
erupts every 4-8 minutes, 15-20 m high –
captured by students in some fantastic photos
and videos. They were also wowed by Gullfoss, a
powerful two-tier waterfall which is one of
Iceland’s most popular attractions.
Students begin their HPQ in January of the Third
Year and finish in December of the Fourth Year.
Each student is allocated a supervisor, and
attends weekly workshops in which they
formulate ideas, plan their projects, learn how to
conduct the same research methodology
carried out by university students and so much
more.
This is the second year the HPQ qualification has
been available. Last year, 13% of our current
Fifth Year took up the challenge and 50% of
candidates achieved an A grade. This year, 20%
of our current Fourth Year have been working
hard on their final drafts and presentations.
Adam Copley, Academic Extension Coordinator
and HPQ Coordinator, said: “Anyone who
undertakes the HPQ at the age of 13/14 is an
enthusiastic and ambitious student. They should
be congratulated for their hard work!”
Adam
Copley,
Academic
Coordinator, HPQ Coordinator
5
Extension