Pocklington School Newsletter Summer Term 2019 | Page 2

Headmaster’s Welcome
The Summer term is one of contrasts. For some
pupils, public examinations dominate proceedings
whilst for others a rare visit from the sun tempts
them out onto Fenton’s for fun at break and lunch.
For my part, I have been delighted to see the
incredible support afforded to all our pupils this
term, in particular those who are taking GCSEs,
A-levels and BTEC examinations. Staff have
delivered extra sessions in breaks, holidays and
evenings and my thanks go to them for this
additional help in the last few weeks.
Our pupils have achieved a myriad of successes.
We celebrated the arrival of our new Prefect
team in June and in church I reflected on the
quality of the applications I received. All Prefect
applicants communicated deep pride at being a
Pocklingtonian and many expressed a desire to
“give back” to the school that had offered them
so much. This term has also seen pupils and staff
at their very best in our House University
Challenge, reintroduced after a twenty-one-year
hiatus and admirably choreographed by Dr
Andrews, Mr Copley and Mr Galloway.
Questions ranged from self-replicating robots to
the School’s Values and with cries of “Come on,
come on” from the quizmaster, one wondered
whether Jeremy Paxman was present. We have
reaped notable rewards in athletics, cricket,
rounders, tennis and horse-riding and my thanks
and congratulations go to all our sports and
grounds staff for their forbearance with the
unpredictable British summer and to the pupils
for their indefatigable energy and enthusiasm
for our sports’ programme. This ebullience was
in clear evidence in our Summer House Sport
Competition earlier this term; a personal
highlight of this term’s sporting calendar.
We are proud of the many academic and cultural
achievements of our pupils. A podium finish in
the Physics Olympics and a place in the finals of
the National Chemistry Analyst Competition are
evidence of our pupils’ success in STEM
subjects. Equally encouraging are the many
examples of commendable academic effort and
achievement
celebrated
via
“Academic
Spotlight”, our new venture in the Senior
School. Culturally, Pocklington remains as
vibrant and diverse as ever. The Pocklington
School’s Music Society performance of Fauré’s
Requiem and two Parry pieces was a truly
uplifting evening. The musicality on show was
astounding as was the sheer range of
participants. With friends, former colleagues
and a host of Old Pocklingtonians operating in
concert, it was a memorable evening. Equally
heart-warming were events held at school. Harry
Kneeshaw’s concert in aid of the RNIB, the Lower
School production of “A Wind in the Willows”
and our joint Prep and Senior School Summer
Concert all showcased our pupils’ ability to
collaborate to such good effect. Our boarders
celebrated the end of the academic year with
gusto and ketchup; their barbecue bringing the
community together in fine style.
It was John Ruskin, art critic and social reformer,
who asked “Was it done with enjoyment?” and
our answer at Pocklington School to all things is
resoundingly “Yes”. I hope your summer break
brings relaxation and enjoyment, alongside the
opportunity for time with friends and family.
Toby Seth, Headmaster
Teaching staff update
Saying farewell to Martin Kettlewell
at the Governors’ Garden Party
At the end of this term we bid farewell to Mr
David Galloway, Rev Dr Jan Goodair and Mr
Martin Kettlewell; well-known members of the
Pocklington community who will be much
missed. Mr Sam Austin, currently Assistant
Director of Music at Aldenham School,
Hertfordshire and Mrs Nikki Scott-Somers have
been appointed as the new Director of Music
and Head of Modern Foreign Languages
respectively. Other members of staff leaving us
after slightly shorter acquaintances are Mr
Richard Wareham and Mrs Joy Myers; we wish
them well in their new ventures.
From
September, Mr Jonny Wheeler will take over the
helm of Rugby, Mr Stephen Greaves takes on the
role of Head of Boarding and Mrs Ann Tomlinson
will be second in department for English.
Join us at the
Driffield Show
Stand U355
17th July
New School Prefects
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