OP SOCIAL EVENTS AND REUNIONS
ANNUAL LONDON BLACK TIE DINNER
From World War II to post-millennium , OPs spanning 70 years attended a successful London black tie dinner held at the RAF Club on Friday 25 November 2016 .
Following the dinner , guests returned to the Churchill Bar to round off an excellent evening .
The date for this year ’ s dinner is Friday 24 November 2017 and the venue is the Cavalry and Guards Club .
RAF Club member , Chris Smith ( 71-76 ) sponsored the event which took place in the newly refurbished Ballroom ; a fabulous setting for the 60 guests including OPs , current teaching staff , Governors , former teaching staff and their guests . A group of ’ 76 leavers took advantage of the event to celebrate 30 years since leaving school and a number of other year groups got together for a catch up at the dinner .
The evening started with a pre-dinner drinks reception in the Churchill Bar before guests moved to the Ballroom for the dinner . The Headmaster , Mark Ronan , gave a welcome speech in which he updated OPs on progress with the construction of the new Art & Design Technology building and thanked OPs for their tremendous support for the fundraising campaign .
After the dinner , the OP President , Andrew Wilson ( 89-99 ) proposed a toast to the school and spoke of two OP events that had been personal highlights for him ; the Leavers ’ Day Assembly introducing the new cohort of OPs to the OP Association , and the Dinosaurs Club Luncheon , for OPs who left the school 50 years ago or more . He emphasised the vast experience of OPs and how the OP network could support younger OPs and sixth formers through the mentoring programme and providing assistance with careers .
L-R : Patrick Dare ( staff ), Bill Wu ( 12-14 ), Alex Engler ( 39-44 ).
NEWCASTLE DRINKS
A successful OP drinks event was held in Newcastle on Wednesday 15 March 2017 . OP Committee rep , Steven Kyffin ( 70-77 ), Teacher and Housemaster Patrick Dare and OP Liaison Officer , Rachel Dare , hosted the event which was held at ‘ As You Like It ’ in Jesmond from 6.00pm to 7.30pm .
Newcastle and Northumbria are still two of the most popular university destinations for Pocklington School students , so there were plenty of recent leavers who came along to have a break from their studies and to catch up with each other . Also at the event were Jack Arthurs ( 82-89 ) and Michael Weeden ( 54-69 ) who live in the area .
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening and are already looking forward to the next one . Watch this space !
The full list of those who attended were : Michael Weeden ( 54-59 ), Steven Kyffin ( 70-77 ), Lynn Kyffin , Jack Arthurs ( 82-89 ), Lucy Snowden ( 06-13 ), Matt Besford ( 15-14 ), Charlie Boyes ( 07-14 ), Lily Laverack ( 06-14 ), Toby May ( 07-14 ), Jack Rhodes ( 13-15 ), Becky Adamson ( 14-16 ), Poppy Bell ( 11-16 ), Tash Leach ( 09-16 ), Will Oughtred ( 05-16 ), Amy Rehead ( 06-16 ), Ryan Sun ( 11-16 ), Dan Tunnicliffe ( 09-16 ), Ted Weeks ( 09-16 ), Ed Wightman ( 15-16 ), Matthew Wilde ( 05-16 ), Emily Wright ( 08-16 ).
SUMMER REUNION 2017
The annual Summer Reunion got off to a great start with numerous OPs descending on the archive room to look through old photographs , magazines and sporting records . This was particularly pertinent for the leavers of ’ 67 , ’ 87 and ’ 97 who were all reuniting for their respective 50-year , 30-year and 20-year school leaving anniversaries .
After lunch in the dining hall , during which the headmaster , Mark Ronan , gave a warm welcome and brief address , cricket resumed , tennis matches started and school tours got underway .
Chemistry teacher , David Dyson , led the tour for the ’ 97 leavers whilst former Head of Art , Peter Edwards , was pleased to take the groups into the Art & Design Centre to say a final farewell to the ‘ fun palace ’ before it was demolished to make way for the new Art & Design Centre . Everyone seemed impressed with the changes and improvements to the campus that have taken place over the last few years and as the tours progressed , the reminiscing was in full flow !
After tea in the dining hall , guests departed , happy that they had taken the plunge and returned to school for the reunion . Hope to see many of you there next year !
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