2 0 1 1 / 1 2 The Old Pocklingtonian Note from From the Headmaster’s Desk the Editors We decided to go with an Olympic theme for the magazine cover this year and we are grateful to OP John Skinner for providing us with such a unique opportunity to do so! The front cover also represents another theme which we hope is evident as you read through the magazine and that is one of achievement. We hope you enjoy the magazine and reading about all the achievements, however big or small, of Old Pocklingtonians. Many of our readers love the Personalia section of the magazine which gives short updates about what In my report last year I thanked OPs who have OPs are up to. We would like to encourage as many Dear Old Pocklingtonians supported our careers networking and referred to OPs as possible to send in a sentence or two about James Pratt who had been given support in terms life post-Pock for next year’s magazine and send it to I had not anticipated that one of the duties of a of TV film-making. As an update, James has recently the OP office as follows: headmaster would be to judge the ‘Best Presented Polo Pony’ at a recent competition at the White Rose secured a contract in Bristol as a result of the OP Office Polo Club, Yorkshire’s largest polo club. I recovered opportunities provided for him. As the challenges for Pocklington School my composure when OP Joan Gough (née Sawyer, young people in securing employment continue, any West Green 75-77) offered technical assistance to ensure that I offers of support are much appreciated. Pocklington, YO42 2NJ made an informed decision. This was a remarkable Tel: 01759 321307 event as a Pocklington School sponsored polo team, The Archive Room has been completed, thanks to Rachel: [email protected] I presume our first, won. The team included Lord the generosity of donors, and we will be opening Joan: [email protected] Manton, a current Lyndhurst parent, and Guido, a the Room officially in the Michaelmas term. Angie David: [email protected] supportive and enthusiastic Argentinian. We certainly Edwards, the School Archivist, continues to appreciate Finally, please visit the new OP web site at hope to repeat the success of this event, when 70 all memorabilia sent to her. www.oldpocklingtonians.com for all the latest OP parents, pupils and OPs joined us for an enjoyable news and event information. Keep in touch! afternoon. The polo competition referred to in my opening paragraph was one of our Pocklington 500 events. I Best wishes As part of our own holiday to Hong Kong and would like to thank those Old Pocklingtonians involved China, Fiona and I enjoyed an excellent afternoon and also the Old Pocklingtonian Association for their at the YMCA in Kowloon, entertaining 50 people support of the inaugural Golf Day in May. I still remain connected with Pocklington School; current parents disappointed that I was not selected for the staff team and pupils, and OPs. I was surprised on the arrival of in spite of securing a comprehensive victory against Rachel Dare one parent, an Inspector in the Hong Kong Police, to Trevor Loten (1970-1980) and Malcolm Milne (1955- OP Liaison Officer be presented with his business card, kindly informing 1962) in December. However, I clearly need to move me that should I get into trouble I needed to phone on! this number. He then provided me with a second Ask Your Parents to Contact Us! business card which was that of his son, who is a I do hope that if you have an opportunity to join an lawyer, and stated “if you then do get into trouble, Old Pocklingtonian event you are able to do so as Over the years the school has lost touch with phone this number to get out of trouble”. Fortuitously, we move towards September 2013 when we will many of its former parents, but as we approach I needed neither card on this trip! I was struck at the commence our celebration of 500 years. the Quincentenary in 2014 the school is trying to reception by the remarkable warmth and support of get back in contact with as many former parents parents and Old Pocklingtonians towards the school as possible. Please can you help by asking your and here we were, 6,000 miles away on a terrace parents to get in touch via Joan in orthe by OP completing Office overlooking Hong Kong Island in 30 degrees heat. We [email protected] are a richer community for the different perspectives the enclosed postcard and sending it back to the and experiences which overseas students bring to the Mark Ronan school as indicated. Thank you. school. Headmaster 1 From the Headmaster’s Desk The President’s View OPA Committee Members OP Elected President: Tom Nash (1968-1977) Vice President: Andrew Wilson (1989-1999) Treasurer: Mark Longley (1969-1979) Henry Mitchell (1991-2002) Dear OPs, opportunities to enjoy Old Pock produce from locally David Moore (1978-1982) produced food, the hampers, with Old Pock mustard, Duncan Goodyear (1980-1985) There is lots of activity to refer you to in this year’s coffee, wine and our very own Old Pock Founders School Appointed magazine and calendar. We have been able to share ale! and celebrate far more in each other’s lives and the Mark Ronan (Headmaster) Pocklingtonian family is increasingly coming together We had the inaugural Pocklingtonian Golf Day with Rachel Dare (OP Liaison Officer, OPA Secretary) over 60 participants and a date has already been set with the school, teachers, pupils and parents in a Phil Donaldson (Teaching staff) vibrant community. to hold it again in May next year. The OP Golf Society has a number of new players on board and the team Sheena McNamee (Teaching staff) From the heights of Carnegie Symphony Hall to the is qualifying for the major tournaments such as the Ex Officio bottom of a muddy ruck, climbing a mountain face finals of the Grafton Morrish. Mark East (1972-1976, immediate Past President) to volunteering in Africa, from Cabinet Office to the front line, serving God, our community, farming, health The OP Summer Reunion was well attended with care and business, OPs are a wide and varied group lunch, tea, tours, year group reunions and tennis AGM – 2012 – although the cricket was rained off. I went with with a zest for life and a proud heritage going back The Annual General Meeting of the Old Pocklingtonian 40 other OPs, staff, governors, parents and friends 500 years – nearly! Association will take place on Friday 30 November of Pock on the WW1 Battlefields tour. An OP won 2012, 7pm-8pm inThe Gruggen Room at school. Please the first VC of WW2 awarded to the army and many We had an OP selected for one of the boats on the contact the OP office if you would like to attend. Drinks others gave their lives in both wars, so it was a special Queen’s Diamond Jubilee river pageant, we have an and nibbles will be available. All OPs are welcome. time to learn about and remember them for their OP Olympic torch bearer, we have OP players at Agenda as follows: national level in golf, rugby, climbing and hockey coming exploits and sacrifice. • Apologies back to give coaching and inspiration. We have OPs in local, national and international business coming back This year’s Leeds dinner is in October and the • Minutes of last AGM to give lectures to the Entrepreneurs Club. We have London dinner is at the prestigious East India Club • President’s/Secretary’s Report in November. The Archive, which many of you OPs in the arts and theatre performing on stage and • Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Accounts screen from the telly to the Albert Hall returning to contributed money and memorabilia to, will open in perform at school. We have OPs in touch with the autumn for you to visit and research. • Nomination and Election of Committee school from around the world – from California, New • AOB York, Malaysia and Hong Kong. OPs in South Africa We are making events more relevant to a wider are helping with this year’s school sports tour. audience. Hence meetings with a twist, such as a speaker, a performance, a tour, a focus, with specific This increased level of engagement is good for the friends, a year group, a trip or team reunion, a careers OPs themselves, for the school and especially today’s and networking bias. I can confidently say that you are pupils. You have lots of opportunities to get involved increasingly missing out if you are not there. and that you will find socially enjoyable, intellectually stimulating and career-wise very helpful. I want to thank all of you who have contributed and participated this year and the committee and team of Leaving Pock with or without going on to further Rachel, Joan and David for all their hard work. education, qualifications and associated debt, is tough at the moment. On the careers front, making So please let us know your news and keep in touch faceless e-mail applications often without a response with what is going on, and thank you all for being is depressing for our graduates and their families. By involved and for giving something back. networking with OPs and parents we are able to mentor, assist, encourage, provide office experience, Kind regards Cover Story CV help, interview coaching and access to employer OP John Skinner (1975-1982) carried the Olympic decision makers.