The Old Pocklingtonian Old Pocklingtonian 2017-18 | Page 12

DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL NEWS over the world. As guests toured the new building, they saw some of Tom’s work on display alongside that of students in one of the several art studios specially designed to make the most of the North light essential to artists. Guests also bid for three artist’s prints donated by Old Pocklingtonian Professor Xavier Pick, a former war artist in Iraq who now teaches art in Hong Kong. The proceeds will be used to help buy equipment for the new Centre. together to create new ideas and represent them through the Centre’s work.” Tom Wood, the Internationally-renowned artist, was a guest at the event. Tom’s portraits of Prince Charles, Professor Robert Winston and Alan Bennett have all been exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery, and his paintings hang in galleries all POCKLINGTON SCHOOL’S ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME RECEIVES BOOST in the third year and runs through to the sixth form. Its aim is to enable the students to develop their fitness levels, coordination, strength, power and energy systems, appropriate to their age, to help The Athletic Development Programme at Pocklington School has received a boost recently with the addition of new equipment and technology, which will significantly enhance the current programme undertaken by over 85 students at the school. The new items cover the following areas: • Data monitoring – which focuses on the collection and analysis of objective data to monitor performance and progress, assess form, screen for injuries and asymmetrics and reduce injuries • Rehabilitation – which provides resources to enhance the ability of injured students to maintain strength and conditioning levels Send news and updates to Rachel in the OP office [email protected] 12 Pocklington School’s Head of Athletic Coaching and Development, Jonathon Wheeler said: “Having this new equipment puts Pocklington School at the forefront of athletic development provision for students, giving them facilities normally reserved for professional sportsmen and women. The kit is already in use and we have received great feedback from the students on what a difference it’s making to their development.” The new equipment and technology has been purchased for the Strength and Conditioning Programme following a kind donation from a supporter of the school. Students involved in a range of sports, including hockey, rugby, cricket, tennis, trampolining, swimming, netball, skiing and dance are offered a place on the Strength and Conditioning Programme, which starts your news! them consistently improve their performance levels in their chosen sports. Jonathon, who studied Sport and Exercise Science at Bath University, has an impressive range of experience within professional sport, including playing rugby league for Great Britain Pioneers and Gloucestershire, and undertaking coaching roles with Leicester Tigers and the England Girls u15, u18 and u20 national rugby squads. He is currently a coach for the Yorkshire Carnegie England Rugby Developing Player Programme and is studying for a Master’s degree in Sports Science. • Coaching and training – which uses technology to facilitate coaching and training improvements We want Christopher Oughtred, Campaign Chairman, said support from the Pocklington School community had been strong from the moment the fundraising campaign for a new Centre was launched. A special commemorative ‘Book of Benefactors’, to be placed in the school’s Archive Room, records the campaign’s progress and the many enjoyable and well-attended events of the three year campaign. OP s VISITING SCHOOL We have had a number of OP visitors to school during the year from the UK and as far away as Hong Kong, Canada and Australia. As well as the new Art & Design Technology Centre, there are many other smaller changes to see as the school evolves and keeps pace with the demands of a modern school. If you are thinking of coming back to visit, please do, we would love to see you! It would really help us if you are able to plan in advance and ring ahead so we know to expect you and we can make sure we are free to accompany you on a tour of the school. You can also come and visit the archive although these visits are strictly by appointment to fit in with the availability of our archivist. It is easy to arrange a visit, simply phone the school reception team on 01759 321200 and they will put you straight through to me, or you can send me an e-mail: [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you!