SCHOOL NEWS// COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
ACTION
So what do you do on Thursday
afternoons? Is it a time to catch up
on Prep? Perhaps you see it as down-
time in what is a busy 6-day week?
Several sixth formers will develop their
leadership skills through CCF, but a
large number choose to give something
back to our local community; let me tell
you about Community Action.
Across the path of the former North
Eastern Railway line, there is a
collection of bungalows. Their residents
have memories of past times, of a
Pocklington which our students could
not contemplate. Each week, insulated
boxes are carried to the Scaife Garth
residents’ common room. There, the
lunches are served and enjoyed before
the weekly game of bingo. It is a
neighbourly gesture, much appreciated.
Good community action.
In a dozen local primary schools,
Pocklington sixth formers arrive each
Thursday afternoon to act as classroom
assistants. They listen to reading,
encourage artistic talent, or support
games sessions; good community action.
When the most elderly of our society
are unable to look after themselves, they
may move into residential care, such as
those at the Stoneleigh Care Home in
Bielby. They are away from their family,
away from the young. Just the sight of a
young and different face can brighten
their day, give them the chance to chat,
or perhaps play some games. It happens
each Thursday, with Pocklington sixth
formers. Good community action.
Some of the most vulnerable children in
our society spend time at the Kings Mill
School in Driffield. It is a very unique
and special place to learn, and for those
sixth formers who make the journey
each Thursday afternoon, their lives
are enriched through their interactions
which the young people with whom they
spend time. Taken out of comfort and
privilege, they may learn more about
themselves than they might have dared
to imagine; good community action.
And to those who quietly go to
Pocklington Cemetery, who tend the
graves of the fallen of two wars, your
contribution is also much appreciated
by a local community, and generations
of families.
So, what do you do on Thursday
afternoons?
MK
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL celebrations to commemorate 500 years of the school.
Pocklington Prep School pupils were feeling very festive, when
they went to All Saint’s Church, Pocklington, to decorate a
Christmas tree for the Pocklington Christmas Tree Festival,
organised by Pocklington Town Council. Mrs Green said: “It was a lovely festive scene as staff and six
members of the Art Club went over to decorate the Christmas
tree. Thank you to all the Art Club members for your hard
work over the last few weeks. All the trees in the church looked
very cheery and put us in a Christmassy mood!”
There are 20 Christmas trees altogether, which have been
sponsored by charities or local businesses.
Pupils from Year 4-6, in Mrs Green’s Pocklington Prep
School Art Club, have spent the last few weeks making tree
decorations.
The festival was open daily to the public and coincided with
Pocklington’s Festival of Christmas and Carols with the Mayor
amongst the trees.
Mrs Green, teacher of Art at Pocklington Prep School said:
“The tree looked beautiful, adorned with hand-made pom-poms
in the School colours, recycled Christmas card decorations and
wonderful shiny paper chains, all made by the children.”
Sitting on the top of the tree, is a star, made by Mrs Green, by
upcycling a basket from a local charity shop and inserting the
School crest.
Ornaments were carefully placed on the tree by the pupils. Nestled
in-between the branches were bespoke Pocklington School glass
baubles, which were originally made for the quincentenary
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
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