SCHOOL NEWS// STAFF ARRIVALS / NEW ARRIVALS / LIBRARY
STAFF ARRIVALS
for big events such as the Carol Service and in
due course, the Concert Society”.
SAM AUSTIN
HEAD OF MUSIC
Sam is an examiner for two major exam
boards and is currently in training to
become an ABRSM theory examiner.
Sam Austin joins us from Aldenham
School in Hertfordshire where he
was Assistant Director of Music and
Assistant Housemaster in a boys’
boarding house.
Alongside his career in education, Sam
has had an active career as a church
and concert organist and has held posts
at both of the Liverpool Cathedrals and
Birmingham Symphony Hall.
“I am really looking forward to meeting staff,
pupils and parents at Pocklington. My plans
are to increase engagement with the music
NEW ARRIVALS
programme and to drive it forward”.
Sam is also keen to build on the
community work and involving others
with the music.
“Watch this space,” Sam says. “Parents
and OPs will be invited to swell our numbers
THE LIBRARY
Last year was extremely busy in the
library, which is now a real hub of
activity for the whole school. We
continue to have reading lessons as
part of English for First and Second
Year pupils, and there is no doubt that
this is building their reading stamina
as well as encouraging their choice of
fiction. First Years also have a six week
activity session, learning study skills,
which also incorporates a story time
element where they lay on beanbags
and listen to a reading.
To Andrew Woodhall and his
wife Emma: Charles Richard
Woodhall (Charlie) born 6 May
2019 at 16.53 weighing 4lb 13.5
ounces at 34 plus 3.
Sam is married to Siân, a brass player,
and they have a 19th month old
daughter, Elin, and there is another
child due at the beginning of October.
When there is time, Sam and Siân can
be found up the church tower as they
are both keen campanologists!
We hosted a World Book Day quiz,
House University Challenge and
Lectern Society this year, and continue
to welcome groups and clubs to use
this amazing space.
Sixth Formers use the facilities well,
and are becoming more and more
competent with the dark arts of
researching. This is an area in which
the library staff are becoming more
involved each year, instructing on
using electronic resources for research
as well as referencing.
The fiction area continues to expand,
and we have had some wonderful
displays throughout the year, themed
and seasonal. Mrs Saunders perform
artistic miracles with bits of paper!
This new academic year sees a new
catalogue, which is an extremely
sophisticated one-stop shop for
researching. No excuses for lack of
information from now on…
Everyone is welcome to drop in during
opening times, and we are always very
happy to help find information or
books. Come and see us!
AJE
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
13