FROM THE ARCHIVES
ARCHIVES
Our annual delve into the past looks at what was in the magazines 75 , 50 and 25 years ago .
1947 – 1948
The School was reportedly ‘ flourishing ’ with 276 pupils on roll - more than ever before .
Pupils and staff enjoyed an extra-long Leave-out Day owing to an additional day of holiday , given to honour Princess Elizabeth ’ s Wedding Day .
The National Service Act came into force on 1st January 1949 , which continued National Service in peacetime , to maintain high levels of military capacity . It required all physically fit males between the ages of 17 and 21 to serve in one of the armed forces for an eighteen-month period and remain on the reserve list for a further four years . However , boys in fulltime education or apprenticeships could defer their call-up until they completed their studies or training .
The gifted school flag was installed upon the flagpole and was flown regularly , whenever a first team match was played at Pocklington and on other school occasions . There was a suggestion made to fly the flag half-mast when a school match was lost , but this was quickly vetoed !
Swing doors were installed in the corridor close to the school library , which were there to prevent fire . The library was also given a ‘ new look ’ with new shelving and a coat of paint . The sombre green of the table was transformed into a mahogany sheen and so it was noted that ‘ shove-halfpenny is now discouraged .’
The Second Annual Reunion of the OP Club was a dinner-dance held at the Station Hotel in York . During the evening , former Headmaster P C Sands was presented with his portrait in oils by C D Kettlewell ( 15-20 ), the first pupil whom Mr Sands admitted to Pocklington School . The portrait was later generously donated to the School .
The Earl of Halifax , who was also a school governor presented a talk to the School . His subject was ‘ America ’ and reflected on his experiences as British Ambassador in Washington during the war years . Lord Halifax discussed ‘ genial mannerisms of the Americans , their political ideas and their attitude to world affairs ’ and suggested that ‘ the Americans as a whole are beginning to realise that isolationism is not the best policy and that in the future there will be great change in American relations with other countries .’
A Ukrainian Male Voice Choir visited the School and sang some of their national songs in addition to a few English folk songs . It was reported that ’ it would be no exaggeration to say that every single boy in the school was absolutely thrilled by the wild barbaric beauty of this performance .’
The school play was the mighty ‘ Julius Caesar ’ with the principle leads played by J R Bulmer ( 42-48 ) ( Caesar ), R G Moore ( 40-48 ) ( Cassius ) and J R Hargreaves ( Brutus ).
Commemoration took place over two days in late July , with cricketers , swimmers , actors and choristers all displaying their talents during this time . The school cricket 1st XI enjoyed a resounding triumph over the OP team and an open-air tea on the Big Field . The blustering wind apparently chilled swimmers and spectators to the bone , but it also held off the rain which threatened to drench the 850 guests on the Headmaster ’ s lawns after Prizegiving .
1972 – 1973
The school purchased the row of cottages opposite the front of school and the old railway station which after conversion , would become a block for Sixth Form teaching and the school sports hall , respectively . The railway station conversion was conducted under the supervision of a distinguished architect and OP , Arthur Quarmby ( 47-51 ).
The school bid farewell to Mr P R Welwyn ( Mathematics ) and Rev H Bates ( Ancient History ). In their stead , Mr I C Brown and Mr D G Parsons were welcomed to the Maths Department and Mr Ellis helped part-time in the Classics Department .
There were several pleasing academic successes . At the University of Cambridge , St Catherine ’ s College , J C Stewart ( 65-72 ) was elected to an Open Scholarship in English , and D R Buckland ( 64-73 ) was awarded an Open Exhibition in Natural Sciences to read Medicine at Emmanuel College . In addition , places were won by : RJ Brimblecombe ( 63-72 ), Gonville and Camus College ; P Macnaughton ( 62- 72 ), Sidney Sussex College ; N C Laister ( 65-72 ), Gonville and Camus College ; M E Myers ( 65-72 ), St John ’ s College ; R A Melling ( 63-72 ), Fitzwilliam College ; T R Ingarfield ( 64-73 ), Fitzwilliam College .
The rugby season was reported as being ‘ the best rugger season for years .’ Mr Young ’ s enthusiastic and expert work helped the 1st XV to a fine record and apparently ‘ the best since J N Shaw ’ s ( 54-64 ) team .’ The U16 team went through until their last match without defeat . The U14s were undefeated and had a great season ; the U13 and U12 teams played good rugby and were a ’ pleasure to watch .’
For the first time , Sports Day was introduced into the Summer term calendar and the profile of athletics within school was raised , with the introduction of an U14 team and the AAA 5-star award scheme . There were notable successes in the East Riding , Yorkshire Schools and the Hull and District AAA Championships including : F G C Smith ( 63-74 ) in the senior 400m and hurdles ; P A Clarkson ( 68-76 ) in the intermediate hurdles ; A M Addison ( 69-76 ) in the intermediate 200m ; T Gardner ( 70- 75 ) in the junior sprints ; M A Hodgetts ( 72-77 ) in the junior throwing events and D Rose ( 72-78 ) in the lower junior events , where he set a total of six new school records .
The 1st XI cricket team , captained by Alistair Woodhead ( 68-73 ), had another successful year , winning 10 schools ’ matches out of 16 losing only twice . Alistair was said to be ‘ the best equipped competitive cricketer at school for some years .’
The 2nd XI , under C J Spetch ( 63-73 ) also had an excellent season , remaining unbeaten for the second consecutive year .
The swim squad were congratulated for achieving an unbeaten record at the end of the season , something which had not been accomplished for many years . Included in the commendations were Mr Watt for leading the team , D Rose in the Juniors , P Oliver ( 67-75 ), S Martin ( 69-74 ), T Fisher ( 69-74 ) and M Stephenson ( 64-74 ).
From the beginning of Michaelmas term , Thursday afternoons became the CCF afternoon , providing a longer session to offer more advanced training . After building two fibreglass canoes , the cadets and their vessels were put to the test . They passed their canoe proficiency test which included capsize and righting of a canoe in the icy waters of the Pocklington Canal .
A Natural History club was set up in the Lent term called SCENE ( Society for the Conservation and Enjoyment of the Natural Environment ). In its first term , the club members set to mass production of nest boxes and helped to plant many young trees given to the school , as part of the public rally to ‘ plant a tree in ’ 73 ’.
Pocklington School entered the national Business Game for Sixth Formers , organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in association with International Computers Limited . A record number of 268 schools took part in the competition which consisted of four heats and a final held between the three surviving schools . The Pocklington team were C J Petch ( Chair ), G W Kennedy ( 68-73 ) and J R Sawyer ( 67-74 ) ( Marketing ), A J Penkethman ( 66-73 ) and R G Sarraff ( 67-73 ) ( Production ) and R C Ludlum ( 66-73 ) and G M Puckering ( 66-73 ) ( Finance ). Unfortunately , despite a show of entrepreneurial skill to close the gap on their competitors , Pocklington went out in the first round .
1997 – 1998
This year marked the end of the Government ’ s Assisted Places Scheme , which enabled many pupils to attend the school irrespective of financial means . The Governors pledged to continue to offer up to five local bursaries worth up to the remission of full tuition fees .
To accommodate the growing number of admissions , the Junior School extension was completed , incorporating extra classroom space , a library , resource centre and reception area .
The deaths of Mr Andrew Baker ( Head of Geography and Housemaster for over 30 years ) and Group Captain Robin Chambers ( Bursar , 88-98 ) were announced .
Retiring in this year were Mrs Josie Robinson , after 31 years ’ loyal service in the Catering Department Mr Lawrence Anderson after 25 years ’ service and Mrs Peel , Assistant Secretary to the Headmaster for six years .
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