The Old Pocklingtonian 2016/17 | Page 11

DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL NEWS NEW ART AND DESIGN TECHNOLOGY CENTRE BECOMES A REALITY their generosity so far, and said the total was very close to the £1.9m mark, with a final push underway to meet the £2m campaign target. Last summer the governors gave the go-ahead for the new £2.5 million Art and Design Technology Centre and since then the school community has been very excited to see its construction in progress. On 21 October 2016, the school hosted The Earl of Halifax, who laid the Foundation Stone for the new centre at a special ceremony, watched by pupils, guests and benefactors. Donors who attended the ceremony wore lapel pins specially created by Head of Art, Dan Cimmermann. Mark Ronan, Headmaster, read a note from Old Pocklingtonian and campaign patron, the playwright Sir Tom Stoppard (51-54), who sent his congratulations and good wishes. Sir Tom added: “In such times as these, the establishment of the centre speaks volumes for the affection and regards in which the school is held, quite apart from good news for art and design technology.” The Campaign has continued throughout 2017, and on 7 July invited guests, including donors and governors, were among the first people to have a tour of phase one of the new centre to see for themselves how the new facilities will inspire pupils to develop their creative skills. Christopher Oughtred, Chairman of the fundraising campaign to build the centre, thanked donors for Actress Dame Judi Dench, who grew up in York, has also donated to the fundraising campaign, of which she is a patron. The interior of the new Art and Design Technology Centre has been designed to meet the needs of both traditional art and design students and those specialising in new media disciplines. Local architect Simon Mitchell liaised with Art and Design department staff to ensure everything – from the north light essential to artists, to the cutting-edge technology the building will house – could be used to maximum effect. The gently sweeping silhouette of the brick-built building contrasts with an uncompromising interior, which has bare walls, polished concrete floors and exposed pipework. Open, light-filled spaces for collaborative work combine with purpose-built studios and workshops for the pursuit of digital imaging, editing, animation and computer-aided design and manufacturing technology. Photography students will have a darkroom as well as modern digital facilities, and two outdoor sculpture areas are also incorporated in the design. Phase one of the centre opened for teaching in September. Work continues on phase two, which is expected to open to students in the second half of the Michaelmas term. SCHEME TO SUPPORT POCKLINGTON SCHOOL BURSARY FUND As mentioned in the last edition of the magazine, estate agent Grays & Co launched an exclusive offer for members of the Pocklington School community in 2016, which will also benefit the John Dolman Trust’s Bursary Fund. Grays & Co is co-owned and run by Old Pocklingtonian Chris Ray (82-91). Chris and his colleague Tom Nash (68-77), past president of the Old Pocklingtonian Association and a Director of Grays & Co, developed the exclusive offer together. The John Dolman Trust provides bursaries for the support of children who would not otherwise be able to benefit from Pocklington School’s all round educational opportunities as their circumstances would prevent or curtail their attendance. The school’s priority is to provide a limited number of bursaries available for applicants to the sixth form. Once sixth form bursaries have been allocated, the fund may also offer means-tested bursaries to other students in different year groups. These are primarily intended to support academic scholars who would not otherwise be able to attend the school. For information about the offer visit www. pocklingtonschool.com/local-estate-agent-launches- scheme-to-suppor t-pocklington-school-bursar y- fund/ or contact Susan Kay in the Development office. L-R: Tim Stephenson (70-79, Chairman of Governors and trustee of The John Dolman Trust), Chris Ray (82- 91) and Andrew Wilson (89-99, OP President). 11