2 0 1 3 / 1 4 500th 1514–2014 The Old Pocklingtonian Editors’ Note From the Headmaster’s Desk What a year it has been! The focal point for most activity this year has of course been the school’s 500th anniversary. We have enjoyed meeting and catching up with many OPs from around the world at the numerous Quincentenary events which have taken place here at school or further afield in York, Cambridge and London for example. Some of the Quincentenary events are featured later in the magazine and write-ups and photo galleries can be found on the Pocklington 500 area of the school website, so do take a look if you have been unable to attend or take part so far. The year has also been tinged with sadness as we lost our very dear colleague, David Smith (Staff 01- 14), unexpectedly in March. The plethora of e-mails and messages I received following his passing are testament to the high esteem in which he was held by OPs and the wider school community. Indeed, his friendship and good company, particularly at OP dinners, are sorely missed. We were delighted that his widow, Christine, and his son, Philip (85-95), joined us in May for the Quincentenary black tie dinner in Dear Old Pocklingtonians into Spain in order to be repatriated to England before York and the Minster Service the following day, which being sent off again to North Africa. It was, therefore, On Saturday 24 May the great doors of York David had been so looking forward to. poignant that Clare, my wife’s friend, and her daughter Minster opened allowing over 2300 members of the Amy were able to join the school walk in June. Clare Georgina Booth (née Chapman, 96-06) started in Pocklington School community, current pupils, Old remarked on the politeness of the students and their the OP Office back in November last year as OP Pocklingtonians, teachers, former teachers, parents, support for each other whilst Amy was surprised Assistant to help us cope with the extra workload former parents and governors to gather. Until that that she did not hear as much whinging as she would generated by the Quincentenary. Primarily she has morning, the service had in my mind been a major have expected at her own school in Melbourne, made sure that all the regular OP social, sports and event to plan for, though once Pocklingtonians started Australia had her peers been walking 15 miles. This career networking events have gone ahead as normal to gather in the Minster it became a truly wonderful was reinforced by Sue Woodcock, a journalist in the during this exceptionally busy year and she has been and memorable occasion. The choir encouraged us all Yorkshire Post, who wrote the following recently in a welcome addition to the team. to sing with great joy and energy, and we were inspired her Wolds Diary: by the Archbishop of York’s sermon reminding us of We hope you enjoy reading this year’s copy of ‘The our journey from 1514. I was very pleasantly surprised the other day; two Old Pocklingtonian’. We are very grateful to our guest teenage girls were standing on the corner of my editor, Sarah Gough (96-07), for her help with our This has been a remarkable year for the school with street by the hedge, and as they were obviously features on Graham Usher (81-89) and Ed Sumner a Foundation photograph of the current school there for a while I went out to see what was (82-92). Please do send us your ideas and suggestions community in September; Historia lectures reflecting happening. They were acting as marshals for the for articles and features for future editions of the on the future, 1914, 1814, 1714, 1614 and 1514; a pupils of Pocklington School who were engaged on magazine. We would also encourage you to keep mesmerising performance by Alexandra Dariescu a walk, two more pleasant, polite and charming girls it sending us your news, stories and updates throughout (02-03) at the OP London Dinner; Evensong and would be hard to find. the year for the OP website, our social media groups drinks in the Master’s Lodge and dinner in the Great and, of course, the magazine. Hall at St John’s College helping to rekindle our I continue to be most grateful and deeply appreciative relationship with St John’s; a Foundation play which of the support that Old Pocklingtonians provide Please e-mail, phone or write to us as follows: spanned the 500 years of our history; a Pockfest current Pocklingtonians, for example by offering advice OP Office, Pocklington School weekend with a great evening of music followed by a and opportunities for work experience. Thank you West Green, Pocklington successful OP reunion; and most recently the Master for encouraging our current pupils to make a positive YO42 2NJ of St John’s College, Professor Christopher Dobson, difference, and I hope that through a common sense Tel: 01759 321307 presenting prizes and speaking at Speech Day. of purpose infused through gathering on the same site for 500 years that Pocklingtonians will continue Rachel: [email protected] What has been most important in all these events to make clear and good footprints for the next 500 Joan: [email protected] has been the opportunity for people to reconnect years. Georgina: [email protected] and swap stories. I was struck by the reach of the We look forward to hearing from you! Pocklington community when I discovered that the grandfather of my wife’s friend, Thomas Marton, Best wishes was an Old Pocklingtonian, who served in the Mark Ronan, Headmaster Rachel Dare, Royal Ambulance Corps in the Second World War. OP Liaison Officer Unfortunately, at Dunkirk he was not evacuated, and with others of his corps he walked through France 1 From the Headmaster’s Desk The President’s View Dear OPs, My term as President is coming to an end this November. I have been blessed with a strong OPA By the time you read this the 500th academic year committee whose life is made easier by superb office will be over but there will still be the service at St support from Rachel, Joan and Georgina and a very Paul’s, the London dinner at Haberdashers’ and the supportive and close working relationship with the Committee Requiem Mass in respect of the school’s founder, school executive, governors and parents. John Dowman, at St Vedast’s Church to round off the OP Elected David Smith was a sad loss and an exemplary member Quincentenary celebrations in grand style. President: Tom Nash (68-77) of the OP team – a wonderful man in all regards, but I have been simply overwhelmed and humbled by the I know that he would have been so happy with the Vice President: Andrew Wilson (89-99) numbers that have come from far and wide and from way the year turned out and with the fact that all the Treasurer: Caroline Dale (93-02) across the years to share with the school, the teachers, hard work he contributed paid off. pupils and parents in this remarkable milestone. David Moore (78-82) Perhaps the word “Old” in the Association has been Duncan Goodyear (80-85) Every event has been oversubscribed and uplifting. off-putting to recent leavers in the past but a greater James Sweeting (81-88) The stories and reunions within the main events have involvement by younger OPs is very rewarding for often been uproarious and heart-warming. Tales have all concerned and by making the Association relevant Joan Gough (75-77) ranged from a pupil being lowered past the classroom through fun events and careers support, I hope that Henry Mitchell (91-02) window on a rope to boys writing rude messages the message will continue to spread. Sophie Guest (03-10) to Hitler on the bombs in the waiting Lancasters on the airfield, seeing pioneering girls meeting today’s We are still not seeing a number of year groups Steven Kyffin (70-77) generation and comparing stories and aspirations represented as strongly as others and we wish to School Appointed of life then with what has become a truly equal and share more of the newfound energy and enthusiasm inspiring school of today. among a deeper cross section of OPs. I commend the Mark Ronan (Headmaster) coming years of activity and involvement to you all. Rachel Dare (OP Liaison Officer, OPA Secretary) Overall more OPs than ever and across a wider spectrum from recent leavers and through the Thank you. Phil Donaldson (Teaching staff) decades have joined in. Trevor Loten (Teaching staff and OP 70-80) My one great plea is that you stay in touch and keep Ex Officio involved. PLEASE do not all disappear back into the Mark East (72-76, immediate Past President) woodwork!! Tom Nash, President Staying in touch is mutually rewarding, fun and Old Pocklingtonian Association beneficial as the social, sporting and year group AGM – 2014 reunions prove. The Annual General Meeting of the Old Pocklingtonian Association will take place on Friday 7 November Staying in touch is also proving mutually rewarding and 2014, 7.00pm to 8.00pm in the Gruggen Room at beneficial on the careers, mentoring and job front as Pocklington School. During the meeting the election more placements, work experience and recruitment of the new President, Vice-President and the new of school leavers and graduates is taking place from committee will take place for which nominations are within OPs in what is fast becoming a strong element invited.