DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL NEWS
FACILITY HIRE LEAFLET LAUNCHED
The wide range of facilities onsite at Pocklington School have been hired out to many different organisations over the years , predominantly during the school holidays . From orchestras , theatre companies and youth groups to sports camps , conference organisers and families celebrating special occasions , the campus is busy throughout the year !
A new facilities hire leaflet has now been published and is available to download from the school website . So , if you or someone you know is looking for a venue with a difference , take a look .
L-R : Bev Corduff ( Catering Manager ), Andrew D ’ Arcy ( Domestic Bursar ) and Moira Blenkin ( Domestic Services Manager ) outside Fenwick-Smith House .
INAUGURAL SPORTS DINNER
OPs joined forces with Pocklington School for the inaugural Pocklingtonian Sports Dinner at The Oaks Golf Club on Friday 21 October 2016 . The guest of honour was cricketing star Michael Vaughan OBE , who took part in a fascinating and entertaining after-dinner Q & A session hosted by OP Marcus Townend ( 72-82 ).
Over 120 guests enjoyed the evening which celebrated a long history of sport at the school . A specially created timeline of some of Pocklington ’ s sporting achievers through the ages was on display along with a collection of sports photographs from the school archive and a booklet of current pupils
David Byas with Michael Vaughan . identified as ‘ rising stars ’ in their chosen sport .
A raffle and impromptu auction was also held to raise funds for building projects for a school in Namibia , which were undertaken by pupils during a recent trip there . The top prize kindly donated by current parents Mr and Mrs Bayston was a pair of tickets to the England versus Australia rugby match at Twickenham . Although initially won in the raffle , the tickets were donated back and auctioned off by OP Martin Swann ( 66-76 ), a professional auctioneer who was a guest at the dinner . The winning bid went to another OP , Richard Cox ( 83-88 ) and the total funds raised from the raffle and the auction were £ 1470 . Other prizes kindly donated were a spa day for two at The Oaks Spa and a luxury food hamper .
The highlight of the evening was the Q & A session with former Yorkshire and England cricket captain and Ashes winner , Michael Vaughan . Led by Daily Mail Racing Correspondent , Marcus Townend , the Q & A session saw Michael give a frank and open insight into his playing career ; his skills as a professional presenter and seasoned raconteur came to the fore as he entertained guests with amusing stories and anecdotes .
David Byas , Director of Sport at Pocklington School and himself a former Yorkshire cricket captain commented : “ It was an excellent start to the school ’ s biennial sports dinner and a great celebration of sport at the school ; it will be a hard act to follow to find someone as eloquent and at ease as Michael was , so if anyone has any ideas or contacts , please let us know !”
The next Pocklingtonian Sports Dinner will be held in 2018 . If you have any useful connections or thoughts on who could be the next guest of honour , either as a speaker or as part of a Q & A session , please contact Rachel Dare .
CCF MARKS RETIREMENT OF WING COMMANDER MIKE EVANS
Pocklington School ’ s longest-serving Combined Cadet Force Commander , Wing Commander Mike Evans , was honoured at a CCF dinner to mark his retirement .
Mike also retired as the school ’ s Head of Chemistry at the end of the summer term , 32 years after joining as both a Chemistry teacher and a supernumerary Signals Officer in the Cadet Force .
The CCF Mess dinner , held in the school dining room , was attended by HM Lord-Lieutenant for the East Riding of Yorkshire , the Hon . Mrs Susan Cunliffe-Lister .
Guests learned Mike was commissioned to the CCF in 1980 and spent five years in the RAF Section at Victoria College , Jersey , before moving to Pocklington .
During his time at the school , he ran numerous annual CCF summer camps , as well as Adventurous Training expeditions over the Easter holidays . He and his officers also led the Pocklington cadets to success in many skills and leadership competitions .
His citation said : “ It is almost impossible to quantify Mike ’ s dedication , enthusiasm and commitment to the CCF . Simply put , he is the heart of the Contingent and he has built it into the strong , successful team that it is today .
“ He has gone above and beyond what could possibly be expected of a Contingent Commander and has forged great friendships with school colleagues , Old Pocklingtonians and many serving and retired members of the British Forces .
“ Each and every one of his Officers , both past and present , is hugely grateful for the support , sound counsel and good humour he has given them over the past few decades . Mike will be hugely missed .”
The event coincided with a signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant , a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces , and their families , are treated fairly .
Headmaster Mark Ronan and the Chairman of Governors , Tim Stephenson , signed the covenant on behalf of the school , witnessed by Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty , Commandant RAF Air Cadets and Colonel Neil Smith , Chief Veterinary Officer ( Army ) and Queen ’ s Honorary Veterinary Surgeon . The ceremony took place in the presence of HM Lord-Lieutenant , who was hosted by Head Boy and Company Sergeant Major Rob Smith .
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