Celebrations as the new Art & Design Technology Centre is officially opened
Our new Art and Design Technology Centre was officially opened on 18 May 2018, in a ceremony attended by more than 150 guests including campaign donors, governors, staff and students. Three years after we launched the campaign to raise £ 2m of the £ 3m needed to build the new Centre, guests were able to see how its success had made the School’ s vision to continue its great tradition of inspiring creative minds a reality.
Campaign President Lord Halifax cut the opening ribbon at the ceremony, helped by three Pocklington School students. Lord Halifax praised the‘ fantastic support’ of the Pocklington School community for providing the facilities for future generations of art, design and technology students to develop their talents.
Headmaster Mark Ronan delivered a heartfelt thank you to all who had supported the campaign, and included a special message from campaign patron and donor, Dame Judi Dench. Old Pocklingtonian Professor Steven Kyffin, now Pro Vice-Chancellor( Business and Enterprise) at Northumbria University and campaign patron, praised the School’ s longstanding recognition that creativity and innovation are the driving force behind any successful workplace. Professor Kyffin said:“ When I came here in 1970 it changed my life for ever. It made me creative, it made me a trader, it made me understand what it is to connect all the disciplines – all the things this department does so well, and will continue to do to well, to equip present students to go on and lead in the future.”
Christopher Oughtred, Campaign Chairman, said that raising the £ 2 million was a remarkable achievement. He showed guests the special commemorative‘ Book of Benefactors’, which will be placed in the School’ s Archive Room and records the story of the campaign’ s success and all its generous supporters.
Focus on Senior Boarding
“ Boarding has prepared me in many ways – from interacting with new people, to learning to manage my time effectively – clearly useful skills for university and everyday life. Take the opportunity and get stuck in! It’ s been amazing and well worth it! The bonds you build here will change your life forever …” – Faircote House Deputy Head Girl
Faircote House( Senior Girls)
This year we are approaching the end of 30 years of girls boarding at Pocklington school and look at how far we have come! Weekly and flexible boarding numbers at Faircote continue to grow, with girls choosing to take advantage of the structured prep sessions and facilities that promote a constructive learning environment for exam season. During their leisure time this term the girls have enjoyed shopping at Meadowhall, fun at the beach in Scarborough and a day out to Flamingo Land along with home cooking sessions, Yoga, self-defence classes, BBQs and a whole boarding community fun day. It is always with a tinge of sadness that have to say goodbye to our leavers. We would like to wish the best of luck to our 13 inspiring Upper Sixth boarders and 4 hardworking Fifth Year girls, who move on to pastures new in July.
Cassie Thackray, Housemistress, Faircote House
“ I am a day pupil but have boarded and I think it’ s amazing. It’ s fun being with your mates and I get all my work done. At the moment I am boarding full time due to my GCSE exams and I am getting lots of revision done – much more than I would at home. It’ s very productive at the boarding house and teachers are always there to help when it is needed.” John Wright – Fifth Year pupil
Fenwick-Smith House( Senior Boys)
This has been yet another positive year for Fenwick-Smith House. A growing number of day pupils have tried extended day boarding, ad hoc short stay boarding and flexi-boarding for several nights a week when parents have been away, or for additional support with their academic work. Flexibility is our middle name and we are really pleased to be able to support families as pupils negotiate the trials and tribulations of GCSE and A levels. On the trips front we have enjoyed sporting fixtures supporting Hull City( football), Yorkshire Carnegie( rugby union) and York City Knights( rugby league). Several tribute bands featured this year, with Absolute Bowie being one of the best concerts for some time. Games nights, where boarders have taken on the day pupils who they have invited as guests for the evening, have proved popular, with snooker and indoor football being the favourites. BBQ evenings in the warm weather have proved a welcome break from exam revision. It is a pleasure and a privilege to look after such a fantastic set of lads. As we say goodbye to some of the Fifth Year and Upper Sixth leavers we wish them all the best as they fly the Fenwick-Smith nest. Patrick Dare, Housemaster, Fenwick-Smith House
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BOARDING OPTIONS CALL:
MARTIN DAVIES ON 01759 321200
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