2 0 1 0 / 1 1 The Old Pocklingtonian Note from From the Headmaster’s Desk the Editors It has been another busy year in the OP Office with lots of new initiatives starting to take off in addition to our established programme of activities and events. Joan Gough (née Sawyer, 1975-1977) joined the OP Office in October last year to look after the OP database, keeping it up to date and helping us to grow it as we re-establish links with OPs we have lost touch with over the years. She has also been helping out with the administration of events and reunions and in a short space of time Joan is already proving to be an excellent addition to the OP team. We have made a real effort this year to be better at keeping in touch with OPs with the introduction of a monthly OP e-mail news bulletin. It is a great Dear Old Pocklingtonians placement with Tidy Productions. David Peet (OP) way of keeping in touch and has prompted many and now MD of Tidy Productions gave our son a OPs to contact us with offers or requests for help “Excellent school with sound values that create challenging phone interview, which he followed up by with careers, contacting contemporaries, organising well-rounded individuals who are ready to meet sending some of his own ideas for a programme. He reunions, or just up-dating us with your news. If you the challenges of the outside world. I have seldom will begin a placement with Tidy in April. It appears do not receive the e-mail news bulletin it probably seen such happy and good comradeship from other to be a match made in heaven for James, who has means that we don’t have your e-mail address on our schools compared to Pocklington. Keep up the good some very alternative ideas and loves comedy. We database. Please contact Joan if you would like it to work...” will let you know how it all goes.’ be added. This is not the quote of the Headmaster seeking to You can read further up-dates about how James is Another area that is really starting to develop is the getting on later in the magazine. If you can offer advice OP Careers Network. Both the Headmaster and the promote the school of which he is very proud, but the words of a parent in a recent confidential survey. They and/or work opportunities please do contact Rachel President refer to it in their messages to you opposite Dare, OP Liaison Officer. and you can read some examples of how it is working reflect the good rounded education that Pocklington later in the magazine. Thank you for your support so has provided and will continue to provide its pupils. This is particularly important in an environment Following the successful appeal, work has now started far with this initiative and please do contact us if you on the Archive room. If you do have any memorabilia can offer help or advice, or if you need it! in which one in five 16-24 year olds in the United Kingdom are without work. We have a duty to ensure of Pocklington School that you would be willing to Although you have only just received this magazine that Pocklingtonians are able to access work and give permanently or on a temporary basis, please we are already planning the next issue! So please enjoy their adult lives. We will continue to be a school do make contact with the School Archivist, Angie send in your news, photos, up-dates or suggestions that is welcoming, rounded and supportive, a school Edwards. for articles (don’t be shy!). In fact if you would like with the ability to provide strong academics whilst to write an article for the next issue of the Old still achieving a truly rounded education, all within an Finally, Fiona and I were truly inspired by the Pocklingtonian we would be very pleased to receive inclusive and positive environment. However, we must company of OP John Hughes (1928-1934) at the it. You can contact the OP Office as follows: challenge ourselves to improve further to be a world dinner organised by Malcolm Milne (1955-1962) to celebrate 50 years of the Pixies Cricket Club. If I have OP Office class school so that Pocklingtonians can gain access to the same energy and passion for life at 92 I will be Pocklington School the best universities and/or career opportunities. I am delighted. We do hope to meet up with more Old West Green therefore really appreciative of the work initiated by Pocklingtonians at future events as we move closer to Pocklington, YO42 2NJ Tom Nash, President of the OPA, and his committee our 500th celebrations in 2014. Tel: 01759 321307 in encouraging Old Pocklingtonians to support our Rachel: [email protected] current pupils in providing advice and opportunities Joan: [email protected] beyond school. This is clearly valued as expressed in David: [email protected] the following letter to Rachel from a current parent: Keep in touch! ‘We are so grateful for your help in finding a Best wishes work placement for our son James. Television and radio broadcasting is a difficult industry to break into, particularly when you have no connections. Mark Ronan Prior to your help our son had written over 30 Headmaster applications and had received only one short Rachel Dare placement with Yorkshire Radio, broadcasting some OP Liaison Officer rugby league matches! Thanks to your work with the Old Pocklingtonians he has struck gold with a 1 From the Headmaster’s Desk The President’s View Look out throughout the magazine for OP achievements across the board – we have such OPA diverse talents out there from climber Ed Hamer (2002-2009) pictured in action on the front cover through to the OP golf team who won the prestigious Committee Birkdale Bucket. The school has had records numbers of OPs visiting both on open days and privately, with many amazed both at how some things are exactly as Members they remember them and also at how much has been invested in and improved. OP Elected President: Tom Nash (1968-1977) I would like to thank all the volunteers who have come Vice President: Andrew Wilson (1989-1999) forward this year to offer their support, ideas and Treasurer: Mark Longley (1969-1979) contacts. I hope this is something that we can come to rely on more going forward as an active tradition Jessica Farmer (1993-2000) with more involvement across the board in the OPA. Beth Goodliff (née Binks, 1993-2000) Greater interaction, assistance and help from OPs to Henry Mitchell (1991-2002) OPs and with the School is what we are about after David Moore (1978-1982) all, especially as we warm up for the 500th. Duncan Goodyear (1980-1985) OPs have also helped the school this year in donations, legacies and raising money – including £1,000 towards School Appointed the Archive Appeal from sales of Old Pock Founders Mark Ronan (Headmaster) Ale which helped tip the balance and the scheme can Rachel Dare (OP Liaison Officer, OPA Secretary) now begin in the Summer holidays and should be Phil Donaldson (Teaching staff) open by the end of the year. Sheena McNamee (Teaching staff) Our telephone legal helpline operated by Law Express Ex Officio has helped and assisted a growing number of OPs Mark East (1972-1976, immediate Past President) Dear OPs, (all in the strictest confidence) in matters relating to health, business, property and employment. Obviously I hope that you do not have a legal problem but if We have had a busy calendar again and lots of Can you help? you do they are a great source of FREE advice and activity across the board. I would like to welcome We are always seeking more help on the committee we have had some excellent feedback from OPs so Joan Gough née Sawyer (1975-1977) back as OP and if anybody feels they can usefully contribute please give it a try. Database Administrator after several years on the either by being on the committee or helping out in committee. Together with Rachel and David we have support of the committee please contact Rachel or On the careers side you will also see the growing a first class team and they can organise reunions for Tom directly. We are particularly keen to find OPs number of school leavers and OPs for whom we you and regularly send out bulletins – so please make who could become year group reps for their leaving have secured placements, work experience and sure that they have your e-mail address, or that you year. As a year group rep you would act as the even full time jobs. This is a new positive ambition are registered on the OP groups on Linkedin and communications co-ordinator for your leaving year that the committee has for the OPA and the School Facebook. group and help get people together for reunions and to work closely together on. This will greatly benefit events. Please get in touch if you can help. 6th formers in building strong personal statements The annual summer “Do” was the best yet according to accompany their UCAS further education to many OPs who came. We were once again blessed applications and for OP Undergraduates and Post with glorious weather and in a nail biting final ball of Graduates in what is a difficult jobs market. Please the 1st X1 match OPs just lost out to the School read the case studies carefully and think about how – look elsewhere in the magazine for the details and 2 0 1 0 / 1 1 YOU might be able to offer something through your a report on the OP tennis matches! We had a well work and experience.