McNamara scores on debut for Hull FC
OP Ben McNamara ( 16-20 ) made an excellent start to his career at top flight Rugby League club Hull FC , when he scored a try on his debut appearance for the first-team , helping Hull FC secure victory against Castleford Tigers in the Betfred Super League encounter .
Graduating from Hull FC Academy , Ben signed a professional full-time contract with the Club after completing his A levels . He plays regularly for the Hull FC Reserves side and through his training with the first-team has been waiting for the opportunity to make his debut in the League .
The call-up to the team sheet as a substitute for the fixture on 1st October 2020 , only came on the morning of the match , with Ben being brought on to the pitch after only 15 minutes of play due to injury of a team mate .
Charity single and film raises awareness of homelessness in Hull
The debutant ’ s great performance was not lost on Hull FC interim Head Coach Andy Last . In an interview for BBC Sport , Last commented : “( Ben ) has a real good attitude and wants to learn . He ’ s a great young man with a level head on his shoulders . We ’ ve a lot of confidence in him ; we feel he has a good future with us .” ( https :// www . bbc . co . uk / sport / rugby-league / 543 30590 )
Ben has made a great start to his first-team career at Hull FC . He has been named in the England National Academy Performance Squad for 2020 and could feature in the end of season tour of New Zealand and Australia if selected ( http :// www . hullfc . com / team / first-team / ben-mc namara ), so it ’ s all to play for ! We can ’ t wait to see how he progresses !
Wellbeing
Upper Sixth student , George Brignall McDougall , has filmed and edited a music video to promote a Christmas charity single to raise awareness of homelessness in Hull .
The alternative folk / pop Christmas single , entitled ‘ The Ballad of Jimmie Johnson ’, was written by Ben Burt to highlight the problem of homelessness in Hull and in the UK generally . All proceeds from sales will be donated to the Hull Homeless Community Project which assists those affected by , at risk of , or who are currently homeless , as well as campaigning to tackle the issue of homelessness at its root causes . During lockdown , the charity has also delivered food , books , toys and games to isolated and at-risk families .
George explained : “ A friend of the family wrote the song , and they were looking for someone to make a music video to promote the single . Filmmaking has always been a passion of mine since I was young , so this was a great opportunity for me to develop my skills and at the same time , help raise awareness of homelessness in Hull and fundraise for the charity .”
The black and white film is set in Hull and follows a day in the life of fictional character Jimmie Johnson and his dog , as they walk through the city after finding themselves homeless . There is a seasonal Christmas twist , but this does not detract from the main message that homelessness can happen to anyone .
The music video can be seen by going to www . facebook . com / TheBalladofJimmieJohnson , along with details of how to buy the Christmas charity single and donate directly to the Hull Homeless Community Project .
George is studying A level Photography and would like to study filmmaking at university , with the career goal of making it into the film industry as a director .
The return to school has been welcome in order to socialise our community in a more familiar way than during the spring / summer ‘ lockdown ’
Pupils are coping remarkably well with their ‘ bubble ’ existence ; staff and students have more readily been able to support one another due to their shared experience of a new way of working at school . The recognition of these shared difficulties and anxieties has helped everyone .
The second ‘ lockdown ’ and the darker days of winter will no doubt have added an extra layer of difficulty , but we consider ourselves lucky to be able to support one another in school .
As ever , we are ready to respond as quickly as we can to support students , so please keep in touch via House Staff ( Pocklington School ) and class teachers ( Prep School ) if your individual circumstances require our support .
The Wellbeing team wish you all a restful and restorative Christmas .
Clare Swann , Head of Pupil Welfare
Music
A big thank you to all those who took part in this year ’ s Christmas Carol Service . In place of singing the carols congregationally , each year group was invited to put up 15 representatives to be filmed singing one verse of a carol as a group . This was received enthusiastically , and I extend my gratitude to those who took part . The choir piece “ A Christmas Lullaby ” by John Rutter was performed by singers laying down individual tracks accompanied by the String Group which was then pieced together afterwards . Overall , my estimate is that over 100 people took part in the music-making . Happy Christmas from all in the Music Department !
Sam Austin , Director of Music
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