SCHOOL NEWS // STAFF LEAVERS
JONNY WHEELER
Jonny Wheeler leaves us after six fantastic years . Jonny started as a sports grad and leaves us as Head of Rugby and mastermind behind our strength and conditioning programme – he has really developed his role , and himself , in his time with us and we will miss his tactical nous on the touchline , his high standards for his teams , and his camaraderie with colleagues . He leaves us for very good reason – to join Sian in the East of England – and we wish him well with his future venture of developing rugby in the community . Part of his legacy is the newly designed sports scholar programme – and we thank him for all his efforts on this and all else he has done .
MOIRA BLENKIN
Moira joined Pocklington School in January 2004 , as a domestic services assistant , where she was a hard worker and made some good friends along the way .
In 2014 , she became the Domestic Services Manager , and the role just grew and grew as the school did . Moira always had time for people and not only led her team but worked alongside them . She noticed when people were struggling and it seemed like she could sort anything .
In 2018 , Moira decided she wanted to try something different before she retired , so she joined the Dolman Boarding team – this is when I really got to know Moira and found out what a wonderful person she is .
Now , the role of housekeeper in Dolman Boarding is not like a housekeeper in any other area of the school , for example , the morning challenge we face each day is unique and varied , but Moira rose to this challenge the way she does everything and the boys loved her . She would have the Prep School boys up and dressed in a flash , washed , brushed and ready for school . Then she would sit with them whilst they watched TV and waited for the rest of the house to get ready , whilst finding spare ties and trousers that had mysteriously disappeared overnight , at the same time as ensuring the Prep boys stayed immaculate and ready for school – which I assure you is no easy feat !
In December 2020 , Moira retired from Pocklington School and has been missed by many of us . I miss our little chats in the morning and knowing she was always one step ahead of the boys , and I know she is missed by many people in school for all the things she did and because she is such a wonderfully warm person .
So , from the Dolman boys and staff , and all the people who had the pleasure to work with Moira , we wish her a very long and happy retirement .
ADA HARRISON AND HEATHER MACLEOD
Ada Harrison and Heather MacLeod leave us after ten and fifteen years ’ service respectively . As a key part of our domestic services team , both have contributed to keeping the school looking incredibly good – indeed the presentation of the school is one of the things that impresses me most on a daily basis . It is also one of the things that impresses all our visitors , and influences the way we as pupils and teachers behave when in work . So , Heather and Ada , thank you for all your efforts in this area . Good luck for the future .
CHLOE SCARTH
Chloe joined us in September 2020 and immediately made a great impression on the sports and boarding areas of school life . An enthusiastic netballer , Chloe was the first member of staff to take the lead in the ‘ technical netball skills ’ lunchtime sessions , which attracted large numbers of girls wanting to hone the more advanced skills in the game . As well as being flexible and willing to try her hand at most sports , Chloe had a warmth and kindness which many staff and students benefitted from and , for this reason , she was popular amongst the colleagues and students alike .
Chloe enjoyed her final term at Pocklington getting involved in tennis and cricket coaching , but her real passion lay in teaching the Prep School children . It was this that formed the basis of her decision to apply for a Primary PGCE , enabling her to move back home to Redcar to start her training for her career in teaching .
Although only with us for just a year , we would like to extend our thanks to Chloe for her contributions to the school , both in coaching sport and her role as tutor in both Faircote and Orchard Boarding Houses . We wish her all the very best for the future .
TRISH FERGUSON
Trish Ferguson has taught maths for two years at Pocklington , cajoling and challenging our mathematicians with her extensive knowledge and experience .
Then practically at the last minute , Trish revealed a hitherto hidden talent for tennis – we ’ d have got you out on the court more frequently if we ’ d known !
Trish – thank you for your support and good luck for the future .
THE POCKLINGTONIAN 7