The Old Pocklingtonian Old Pocklingtonian 2017-18 | Page 35

FAREWELL
lower school science, GCSE and A-level chemistry
with huge commitment and care for the students.
He is an excellent teacher and was highly thought
of by all students. time at home (although Rachel, his wife, has several
odd jobs at home planned for him!). He also plans to
use his time to travel more at cheaper times of the
year – an opportunity which we all envy.
It is hard to imagine the school without him.
His selflessness, his generosity and his genuine
appreciation of others made him a constant source
of pleasure to meet. His ready smile and modesty
concealed a gold standard PhD-mind which he
could apply to all problems, pastoral or bureaucratic,
with balance and compassion. John is a superb classroom teacher, a fine Head of
Department and a delightful and witty colleague
and has turned many reluctant mathematicians
into eager ones through the energy and knowledge
which he has given. We shall all miss him.
(HVT)
David worked at Pocklington School for 30 years.
Wishing him well in retirement doesn’t even begin
to express the warmth of the wishes which continue
to flood his way. If ever there has been one man who
best exemplified the finest qualities of Pocklington
School it is David Dyson. He will be sorely missed.
What’s your favourite event of the year?
Definitely the staff Secret Santa and cooked
breakfast on the last day of every Michaelmas Term.
JOHN CULLEN (02-18)
As well as his accomplishments in the classroom, he
has led several teams of children to success in maths
challenges over the years, sometimes helped by his
own talented daughters.
We have all enjoyed witnessing his talents in various
musical ensembles and of course his willingness
to help out, even stepping in to play the organ in
church. One of the remarkable things about John is
that he seems to know the lyrics to every hymn and
has never been known to glance at the sheet once
the music begins. As a violinist, he is exceptional and
played in the first performance of an Ernst quartet
for over a century not long after joining: a piece
which was both difficult and beautifully played.
John has also been a keen sportsman. He had a stint
with the cross-country teams as well as assisting on
the rugby field, all delivered with characteristic good
humour and flair.
When he leaves the school, he will keep busy by
volunteering at our local primary schools to assist
with maths and is looking forward to some quiet
She loves learning and has always kept up to date
with recent news in Psychology. She also gained a
variety of additional qualifications while here at
Pocklington including an M.A. in Health Care Ethics,
a Dyslexia qualification and a P.G. Cert in Provision
for Children with Development Disorders.
I interviewed Rosemary in the last week of the
Summer Term to find out a bit more about her own
memories of the school.
(AWJH and JMcD)
John joined Pocklington School in 2002 and has led
the maths department in an exemplary fashion.
He speaks so quickly when he gets excited about
something that the rest of us are left trailing behind:
a regular occurrence as he is so passionate about
what he does. He leads by example and without
question is a superb mathematician who is always
able to assist with those difficult further maths topics
that get the better of most!
students at Holme Hall on a Thursday afternoon.
She has been a committed and supportive EPQ
supervisor to a number of our sixth form and also
worked in the Learning Support Department for
all subjects but specialising in maths and A level
Chemistry.
SUE PRATT (02-18)
Sue Pratt joined the chemistry department at
Pocklington School in Jan 2002. She has contributed
extensively to the school community during her
time at the school with many different roles. She
started as Lower School Science Coordinator which
led onto the Science Coordinator role. She was the
founder of Science Club and has remained heavily
involved. She took on Head of Chemistry in 2007.
During this time she was Hutton Housemistress for
3 years. Her care and understanding of the students’
needs and the best way to help them was clearly
evident and instinctive.
Sue has played her saxophone for the swing band
for 10 years and performed in numerous school
concerts and been on swing band tours. She has also
accompanied Dr McNamee and fifth and sixth form
students on the NABOZA (Namibia, Botswana and
Zambia) expedition.
She also contributed significantly to the Tom Stoppard
Theatre in its early days, both as Front of House and
as Director, where she performed all duties with
charm, good humour and ruthless efficiency.
Her lessons were often models of professionalism
and precision, combined with a fearless approach
to new-fangled technology such as interactive
whiteboards. A kind, highly knowledgeable and witty
style characterised so much of her work.
What was your worst moment?
Probably the time when I finished the lesson at
completely the wrong time. I told my sixth form
class to pack up 20 minutes before the actual time
for end of the lesson. They did look confused - but
they didn’t argue!
What’s your most memorable teaching moment?
Having the tables turned on me when I was proving
a point by writing an answer under timed conditions
and the pupils were invigilating (and doing all the
annoying things that invigilators do).
What will you miss the most?
The support and friendship of the staff and, of
course, spending time with the delightful young
people at our school.
What will you miss the least?
Driving in on a winter’s day when it’s snowing - I
really don’t fancy getting snowed in at school!
What’s your favourite lunch?
There’s so much choice, it’s difficult to say. I’d probably
have to go for the goat’s cheese and chutney from
the salad bar.... or maybe baked potato and tuna.
What are you looking forward to most about
retiring?
I’ll be looking after my little granddaughter two days
a week, which I’m really looking forward to. And,
of course, being able to take holidays at any time
of year.
(SMcN)
Sue has invested a huge amount of time to the
school community and we wish her well in her
retirement.
ROSEMARY ANDERTON (05-18)
Rosemary Anderton worked at Pocklington School
for 13 years, initially starting as part-time Psychology
teacher. Over the years she has also been involved
in our activities afternoons, teaching second year
activities (brain gym) and supporting sixth form
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