Pocklington School Newsletter Summer Term 2018 | Page 6

Physics Olympics
Pastoral
At Pocklington we have always been quietly
proud of the warm, supportive ethos that has
been built up over the years. Students, staff and
parents have always worked well together - and
this year has been no different. There has been
a tremendous amount of support from parents
on the work the School has been doing, looking
at issues ranging from 'managing screen time'
to education about substance misuse. The
presentations given on these matters by Dr Aric
Sigman and Bob Tait to parents, staff and,
importantly, students have been thought-pro-
voking and genuinely useful - and parental
attendance at these events has been excellent.
House events this year have been as good if not
better than ever. The House System brings the
very best out of students and to see them
teamed up from First to Sixth Form playing and
performing in sport, drama and music is a
highlight of every school year.
On Wednesday 13th June four Second Year pupils entered the Physics Olympics at St Peter’s
School, York, involving 30 schools from across the north of England, and comprising seven events
involving practical tasks, maths skills, precision of measurement and overall teamwork. The pupils
(Adam Barnes, Zac Stewart, Annabelle Medhurst, Anna Wraith) won two events outright and came
second in two others including the prestigious Fermi quiz, resulting in 4th place overall, only a few
points behind the overall winners.
Equestrian team competes at
Great Windsor Horse Show
Pocklington is a wonderful place to live and
work, and the journey through school towards
adulthood may have its challenges but it is, and
always should be, great fun. Working together
we will help ensure that Pocklington students
continue to flourish and to really enjoy the
privilege of being a Pocklingtonian.
Martin Davies, Pastoral Director
Pupil Welfare
The Summer term usually brings with it an array
of worries; exam stress dominates, anxiety
about the next transition (whether that be
Lower to Middle School or Sixth Form to
University), and the usual growing pains, catch
students, parents and teachers unawares!
As hard-working humans, we are all at our most
vulnerable when we are tired and our staff
resources have been well utilised looking after
our pupils this term. Pastoral staff, School
Nurses, Chaplain and the Wellbeing Team have
been working at full stretch.
Members of the Pocklington School Equestrian team competed at The Royal Windsor Horse Show
in May.
Georgina Elliott, Bea Nicholson, Hattie Thompson and Amelia Jackson were up against 27 schools
but they approached the prestigious event positively and all rode well.
The course was challenging. First into the ring for us was Georgina, on Windale Thundercloud; she
rode an elegant and impressive round, going clear in a very good time.
Hattie, on Killough Queen, was next and was unlucky when a light tap of the tenth fence led the
pole to fall. Bea, who had experienced two nasty falls earlier in the week on Blue, jumped a solid
round and emerged with a creditable eight faults.
Last to compete for the team was Amelia on Welton Tarantella, who jumped well under pressure
and was unlucky to have fence down. The team finished 17th overall.
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Communication with parents continues to be of
prime importance, as it is only by careful
networking and ‘safety netting’ that we are able
to provide the individual care and attention that
helps our pupils through the tough times.
As I write I am excited about our first Parents’
Forum, which should serve to further
strengthen our parent body bonds and provide
invaluable support for each other and
ultimately our pupils.
Everyone can benefit from a good break over
the holidays and the Welfare Team wish you a
restful restorative summer and hope that you all
enjoy time spent with family and friends.
Clare Swann, Head of Pupil Welfare