Prize Giving 2021

AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE

Prize Giving 2021

Prize Giving 2021 A number of school prizes are given out. These prizes are only some of the many achievements of Ampleforth students. All the awards given out are internal; there have been many significant external successes in the course of the year, and although not distributed publicly, some of these are celebrated in the course of this booklet. Indeed it is also true that in any school many achievements are hidden and unsung; they contribute nonetheless to the success and good of the school.

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY PRIZES

ACADEMIC PRIZES SCHOLARS

Senior Prize DF Peers (DO) Cragg-James Prize E Lovegrove (DO)

The following students have been awarded the status of Scholar during the course of this academic year:

SUBJECT PRIZES

ACADEMIC SCHOLARS Upper Sixth IC Rogerson ACMM Barrett DF Peers

(B) (B) (DO)

Middle Sixth LCB Gosling

(B)

Remove FF Collin

(C)

Fifth Form IR Camacho

(B)

MUSIC SCHOLARS Upper Sixth AS Tighe XRH Leitch

(B) (J)

BASIL HUME SCHOLARS AK Ritchie (B) MR Lawford Davies (B) MH Honjo (B) N Shaw (DO) JST Mitchell (H) AJ McKell (J)

Art Design and Technology Design and Technology Drama Music Music

HISTORY PRIZE Awarded annually to the sixth form history student who has demonstrated the qualities that Fr Leo (former Headmaster) so keenly sought to encourage in the very best historians.

Chamberlain Prize for Scholarship in History JST Mitchell (H) WWW.AMPLEFORTH.ORG.UK/COLLEGE | 2

Awarded annually to students who have excelled in the study of Christian Theology.

The Christopher Coghlan Prizes MA Pérez de Castro

(A)

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES SPECIAL PRIZE

Senior Junior Ancient History QD Harmer (H) Business Studies FC Schofield (H) BTEC Countryside and Management

SJR Kilpatrick (J) BTEC Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

MP Watchorn (C) BTEC Hospitality CA Kirwan (M) Christian Theology DF Peers (DO) HM Pettifer (A) IEM Bridgeman (B) FF Collin (C) KMH Armstrong (EW) Classics LC Hirst (DO) JEM Bridel (H)

ACMM Barrett (B) GOLA Akanbi (EW) Computer Science FH Hubbard (J) EC Lovegrove (DO) Drama CGD Pickstone (M) FH Hudson (M) EAL A Schöberl-Goëss (M) G Hinarejos Alamo (A) Economics GJAM de Royere (C) English WG Johnson-Ferguson (C) DC Heintz (A) BGX Aldous-Ball (EW) Geography AJ McKenna (M) FF Collin (C) GOLA Akanbi (EW) History ATA Brown (H) PB Savill (C) JL Connor (T) GOLA Akanbi (EW) Languages AS Tighe (B) AP Carmichael (A)

R Pettifer (M) SE Okojie (EW) Further Mathematics CAAL Lensing-Wolff (DO) Mathematics AS Tighe (B) KTYA Middleton (B) JK Adomeit (T) GOLA Akanbi (EW) Music HE Jaques (B) SFD Skelton-Foord (DO) SE Okojie (EW) Physical Education R Pettifer (M) Politics DF Peers (DO) Biology JL Connor (T) FF Collin (C) GOLA Akanbi (EW) Chemistry JL Connor (T) DC Heintz (A)

CAAL Lensing-Wolff (DO) BJ Barrett (EW) Physics GW Murphy (T) KTYA Middleton (B) L Gould (EW) WWW.AMPLEFORTH.ORG.UK/COLLEGE | 3

Prize Giving 2021 JUNIOR HOUSE PRIZES

MUSIC PRIZES continued

Year 8 - Endeavour - Freeland Award Year 8 - Fortitude - Gethyn Carr Harris Cup Year 8 - Perseverance - Morgan Trophy Year 7 - Attainment Year 7 - Endeavour

ERK Owens L Gould SAL Reeve DA Awan IFAS Paston-Bedingfield

ALISTAIR ROBERTS TROPHY EFR Bett (A) THE ELISABETH DENNIS MEMORIAL SALVER FOR ART Elisabeth Dennis was a much loved girl of St Bede’s House who had a passion for life in all its forms. She was a talented artist and in July 2015 was awarded the Basil Hume Art Scholarship. Sadly Elisabeth died in August 2015. This prize is donated by St Bede’s House in honour of Lizzy Dennis’ bright, creative and quirky existence. We hope this prize inspires the junior members of the College to embrace the creative arts and is to be awarded each year to a junior student who shows great promise in Art. AK Ritchie (B)

Willoughby-Meade Shield for Musical Improvement GOLA Akanbi (EW) BGX Aldous-Ball (EW) Rigg Salver JST Mitchell (H) (Donated by the Rigg family for outstanding contribution to the Pipe Band) The Pipe Major BJ Robinson Shield KTYA Middleton (B) (Awarded to the best Piping & Drumming students) The Black Watch Quaich Trophy CG MacLellan (H) (Awarded to the most improved Piper) The Drum Major Mace Prize QD Harmer (H) (Awarded for high standards of commitment & motivation) The Corps of Drums Award CG MacLellan (H) DEBATING PRIZES Quirk Debating Prize

HW Wakeham-Dawson (DO)

CHESS PRIZES Individual Chess Championship

AG Dzida

(T)

BERNARD SUNLEY CENTRE PRIZES

CULTURAL PRIZES THEATRE PRIZES Benton Phillips Theatre Bowl

Grossmith Jelley Senior Acting Prize Junior Acting Prize Jester Acting Cup Junior Drama Prize

MUSIC PRIZES

CGD Pickstone (M) RC Blake-James (H) AM Leitch (A) SE Okojie (EW) MM Blake-James (EW)

Detre Music Prize XRH Leitch (J) McGonigal Music Prize ACMM Barrett (B) Conrad Martin Music Prize CWA Towneley (DO) Philip Dore Memorial Prize LB Moss (J) Adam & Nicholas Wright Outstanding Musician Prize HE Jaques (B) Schola Cantorum Prize RF Pomroy (T) Schola Puellarum Prize EG Anglim (B) The Felix Mendelssohn Prize for solo singing AJ McKell (J) The Fanny Hansel Mendelssohn Prize for solo singing AS Tighe (B) Senior Music Endeavour Prize GW Murphy (T) Middle School Music Endeavour Prize EM Elmhirst (A) Music Achievement Prize CH Kong (H) Elizabeth Horobin Shield for Schola BJ Barrett (EW)

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ART U6 Herald Trophy IC Rogerson (B)

Gaynor Photography Cup MB Cain (B) CAM MacPhee (T) WE Bowman (A) M6 V Bolza (B) CR Wishart (M) Remove CML Hewitt (A)

JETJP Lensing-Wolff (B)

VCM Metternich Sandor (DO) 5th Form JM Blake-James (M) DAH Bourke (DO) 4th Form OR Bell (B) GBS Hill (J) Year 8 Leete Art Trophy EM Moss (EW) Year 7 MM Blake-James (EW) DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY Swainston Prize for Technology BMM de Montbel (A) Tignarius Trophy M Dorosz (C) M6 M Honjo (B) Remove AVM Townley (M) 5th Form CT Ng (J) 4th Form CG Robson (A) Saggers Design Cup IFAS Paston-Bedingfield (EW)

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Prize Giving 2021 ST LAURENCE COOKERY PRIZEWINNER OMR Fraser (DO) COMBINED CADET FORCE Individual Prizes The Johnson Ferguson Cup FAH Fawcett (H) Winner of the .22 Small Bore Shooting Activity Competition (non-team) The Ashburton Aggregate Cup Cdt V Sivkovych Best shot at the Annual Target Rifle skills course

(J)

The Under 16 Bisley Cup Best U16 at the Brigade TR SAAM

(T)

LP Durée

The Ampleforth Champion at Arms Trophy Sgt KH Langdale (T) Best overall shot in the shooting team

INDIVIDUAL SPORTS CUPS The Fitzgerald Netball Cup Higgins Hockey Cup The Michaelman Cup

LM Barker IL Saxby SJR Kilpatrick

EQUESTRIAN Achievement Award LCC Evans (M) Achievement Award MG Chapman (A) SPECIAL AWARDS THE ST BENEDICT AWARD for upholding and exemplifying the ethos of St Benedict HE Breese (EW) MARIANA CUP for generosity of spirit M Shaw (EW)

The Armour Memorial Prize The top cadet on the Cadre Course

Cpt JR Chester

(J)

THE ANDREW LYON-TUPMAN READING PRIZE KAO Taylor (EW) MM Blake-James

The Allmand Trophy For Command and Leadership skills

UO PK Heintz

(J)

HEADMASTER’S CHARACTER CUPS EC Kennedy (EW)

The Eden Cup Best Cadet in the RAF Section

FSgt JDM Mansel-Pleydell (DO)

The Royal Irish Fusiliers’ Cup Best Cadet in the Army Section

SUO GW Murphy

(T)

The Silver Platter

CSgt AJS Tubbs (H) Cadet who has displayed the CCF Core Values The Forbes/Stacpoole Bowl

CSgt BEJ Wright For Enterprising Endeavour and Example

(T)

The Pooley Sword CSgt SJR Kilpatrick For outstanding contribution to the CCF

(T)

The Nulli Secundus Cup Best Cadet in the Contingent

(T)

SUO GW Murphy

The Cyprus Bowl A Hare Awarded to a cadet for inspiring others in times of need

(A) (A) (J)

(EW) Runner up

THE HEADMASTER’S SPORTS CUPS The Sports Cups are special awards for students who have shown excellent levels of sportsmanship and commitment to both School and House Sport. The student does not necessarily have to be a top player; the award recognises outstanding levels of loyalty, commitment, fair play, respect and support for others. They go to students who have represented the School and House with equal enthusiasm.

The Headmaster’s Sports Cup (Girls) The Headmaster’s Sports Cup (Boys)

IEM Bridgeman JST Mitchell

(B) (H)

JUNIOR SPORTS CUP IFAS Paston-Bedingfield/BJ Barrett (EW) ELWES PRIZES 2021 EFR Bett (A) CML Hornyold-Strickland (B) WG Johnson-Ferguson (C) SP Morris (A) RF Pomroy (T) IC Rogerson (B)

The Clay Pigeon Challenge Senior High Gun Trophy CSgt GEF Eyston (DO) Best O16 shot at the National Clay Target Championships Best Sporting Shot – Ampleforth College Game Shoot TMJ Scrope (H) WWW.AMPLEFORTH.ORG.UK/COLLEGE | 6

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Valedictions

Gemma Atkins

Annabel Brown continued

Gemma started her career as a Physical Education teacher in Formby, Liverpool in 2004. She quickly rose through the ranks and in 2008 was appointed Head of Physical Education at Range High School. Under her leadership, the School successfully won Sefton School of the Year for Sport and Physical Activity for three years running. In 2013 Gemma relocated to Dubai to become 3-18 Director of Sport at Jumeirah English Speaking School, one of the top notfor-profit schools in the UAE. Gemma focused on reforming the curriculum, establishing IB Sports Science and Extended Level 3 Diploma and enhancing the extra-curricular opportunities for all students. In addition, Gemma was also on the DASSA board of governors and facilitated CPD opportunities for over 180 teachers across the UAE.

When the first lockdown arrived, Annabel managed to find the time after a rather busy first year here to bring out her creative side, thinking of some fantastic ways to keep in touch with the St Aidan’s girls and sharing these ideas with her fellow Housemasters and Housemistresses. She took on roles supporting our online provision in key ways too such as designing parts of the Living and Flourishing course for the Year 13 students and helping with ideas for our first e-Exhibition.

In 2016 Gemma was successfully appointed as the first female Director of Sport at Ampleforth College. With a team of 14 dedicated sports department staff, she set about striving for the aggregation of marginal gains across key areas of Games, Core PE and Academic PE. Most notably is the development of the High-Performance Suite and off-field focus on strength and conditioning, increasing the coaching profile across all sports. With a focus on quality first teaching, Gemma reformed the Core PE curriculum and assessment models and drove significant improvements in GCSE and A Level Physical results.

As a tutor to Year 10 and Year 11 in St John’s House, Gemma has made a valuable contribution. She has been dedicated to her charges, going above and beyond by taking an interest in their whole development and wellbeing.

She has set high standards and has brought the best out of the boys she has worked with. As a tutor, she has been a real mentor to the boys, and very much part of the St John’s community. Her ideas, good humour, and energy have been much appreciated by colleagues in the House; they will miss her next year, as will the boys and their parents.

Gemma leaves us to be Assistant Headteacher at Sacred Heart Secondary School, Redcar.

By Will James

Annabel Brown Annabel is a deeply committed Catholic who has led the girls of St Aidan’s in their spiritual life with great enthusiasm as their Housemistress for the last two and a half years. She has patience in abundance, is always available and willing to listen to the girls and has a caring and quiet approach to everything that comes her way. She is kind and generous, as illustrated by the thoughtful care bundles which Annabel made for the girls sitting exams and the leavers’ gifts. She is quick to offer words of comfort and encouragement. At every opportunity Annabel has encouraged the girls to be kind to one another and to help those less able than themselves. All of Annabel’s time here as Housemistress has been underpinned by her faith and the Benedictine core values which she espoused. She has also had a good sense of fun in St Aidan’s with her contagious laugh echoing throughout the House. She has built lots of positive relationships with her girls and with her staff to whom she has been a strong support.

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Annabel has been a member of the Drama department, teaching and inspiring young people with her infectious personality, her dynamism and vibrancy, whereby they freely express their love of Drama to all. Annabel has instilled a real appreciation of the theatre in her students, many of whom consider her lessons to be the highlight of their week. She has dedicated her time to the students with an unfailing, cheery professionalism. In the classroom, Annabel’s high standards and complete adoration of her subject has inspired our next generation of theatre makers.

Annabel has been very committed to sharing her skills and knowledge in the Christian Living programme, teaching this to almost every year group. She has been instrumental in developing resources for the department that have helped the students engage more fully with what the curriculum offers. She has shared her wisdom and student-centred approach with unfailing good humour.

We wish her every success for the future and know that we will keep in touch with her via the Lourdes Pilgrimage.

By Jon Mutton

Valerie Chan Valerie joined Ampleforth after graduating from the University of Edinburgh in Music. She has been here for one very challenging year in which she has helped in many areas of school life. She has worked with enthusiasm as a music graduate in the music department accompanying choirs, exam candidates and performers during their exams and for concerts and recitals.

She has helped organise lunchtime concerts and assisted with ensemble rehearsals.

She has assisted in the senior houses and in St Edward’s & St Wilfrid’s with prep and bedtimes, getting involved in the lives of the Houses and getting to know students. She has helped fill many staffing gaps often at short notice.

In this Covid year the role has been varied and demanding and we thank Valerie for all she has given and wish her well for her next adventure.

By Gaelle McGovern

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Dr Johannes Depnering

Anna Hare continued

Johannes joined Ampleforth College in September 2015 looking to complete his PGCE under the tutelage of his mentor Anne le Gall and aiming to make a big impact in the German department which he would lead. He is someone who has a fantastic intellect and who always stretches the students he teaches. As Head of German he has strived for high standards for his students and provided much support, whether in or off the timetable. He will be well-remembered for the fantastic opportunities he created for students by securing EU-funding for a major Erasmus+ project, which ran in co-operation with two other Benedictine schools, Egbert-Gymnasium Münsterschwarzach (Germany) and Glenstal Abbey (Ireland). The first phase of this cultural exchange programme started in 2017 and in 2019 the students investigated ‘The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain, Germany and Ireland’. Twelve students from each school collaborated in this project and there were four meetings: one at each school and a last one, in January 2020, at Ampleforth.

Her background in the Primary Sector and as an employee of Countryside Learning Charity, her experience has allowed her to utilise varied approaches to teaching and learning; she never tired in striving to get the very best out of her students. Her named lollipops resonate with me as I write this with a smile on my face! It is a unique questioning tool used with all her classes to keep the students on their toes and to continually assess formatively; brilliant!

Johannes spent a year as tutor in St Dunstan’s House before moving to become Assistant Housemaster in St Oswald’s where he and his wife Liz enjoyed their first taste of the residential side of the school. Johannes and Liz were a big success, making positive relationships which set the tone for their move to St Hugh’s where they took some great initiatives such as the Oktoberfest celebration which was always a highlight for the boys. They were joined after a couple of years by their twins Addie and Nemus who the boys of St Hugh’s got to know very well. As Housemaster, Johannes has dedicated himself to the role, always wanting what was best for the boys and giving thought and effort into everything for them. He has been a true role model for the boys: calm, patient and kind. Johannes has always encouraged everyone around him to pursue their passions, expand their horizons and to see the bigger picture. The boys have always valued his integrity and honesty. He inducted Max Higgs as Assistant Housemaster and Dawn Butler as Matron, forming new team which worked well together.

Anna is a real team player. Her work ethic and organisational skills meant that I could always rely upon her to contribute to the effective teaching of BTEC’s at Ampleforth and offer support and guidance to me and the team.

We are losing a good all-rounder with Johannes contributing significantly to the pastoral and academic lives of the school as well as to the co-curricular side with the Erasmus+ programme as well as archery and wine-tasting society. We wish him all the best in his new role as Deputy Head of Sixth Form at Elizabeth College in Guernsey.

By Jon Mutton

Anna Hare Anna Joined Ampleforth College in 2018 as Teacher of BTEC Countryside Management (CM). Throughout her time at Ampleforth, Anna has epitomised the ideal boarding school teacher, contributing to the College as an impactful teacher of the BTEC, as a member of CCF and as a Sixth Form tutor in St John’s.

Anna has pioneered the CM BTEC Course. Being a very new Post-16 offer at Ampleforth, it was important to be a positive role model and develop this course’s reputation. Anna has achieved this!

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Anna is a keen runner and combines her love of the outdoors with maintaining her fitness and well-being and I am jealous of some of the environments she runs in; truly spectacular!

Anna is passionate and has always taught her students with genuine care and attention. She will go the extra mile for the students in her care too, no matter what!

Anna has recently undertaken the coaching development opportunities at Ampleforth; she seeks to refine and improve her impact with people in education. Her passion for the countryside sees her take on a longer-term commitment to Countryside Learning Charity as their Chief Education Officer.

She is also offering her skills as an educational consultant to the Ryedale Folk Museum, which she will be a success at too!

Anna’s commitment to educating all children in the value and importance of the countryside is truly humbling. I wish her well in her future role in the crucial aspect of education, Anna will excel in everything; we will miss her!

by Graham Muckalt

Dr Tim Keslake Dr Tim Keslake joined the Chemistry department in September 2018, initially as maternity cover for Lizzie Coop. Tim’s appointment became a permanent one the following year and he has proved to be a genuine asset in the Science Department, teaching across the full range of year groups. He has developed positive relationships in all his classes and helped Chemistry maintain its excellent examination results despite the challenges of the pandemic. He has always been willing to provide students with support outside of the classroom to help reinforce their knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Tim has played a key role in online learning through the two lockdowns of the pandemic and in ensuring the effectiveness of the department’s recovery curriculum. He has led some of the extra-curricular activities in the department and this year oversaw students in Years 9-11 who reached the National Final of the Royal Society of Chemistry Top of The Bench competition.

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Dr Tim Keslake continued

Gaelle McGovern continued

He has been a much-valued tutor in both St John’s and St Bede’s, providing invaluable advice to Year 13 students with their UCAS applications.

By Simon Howard

In the last three years her pastoral care for students has moved into the realm of safeguarding as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead where her hard work has been influential in the progress shown, working cohesively as part of a team. As a leader she has brought this sense of unity to the Assistant HSM and Pastoral Graduate meetings which she has chaired. She has led these teams with great sensitivity, always taking time for the needs of individuals as well as the collective.

Gaelle McGovern

Gaelle elicits trust in everyone she meets, whether student, parent or colleague and has been driven by her faith in the unique gift of this school.

Gaelle McGovern joined Ampleforth College from St Mary’s Shaftsbury in September 2007 as the second Housemistress of St Margaret’s House where she was in post for 10 years. She served the girls of St Margaret’s with care and attention throughout her time there, always being a calm presence for the girls in their teenage years. She helped hundreds of girls as they maneuvered their way through the school, helping to establish the role of girls at Ampleforth as a co-ed school. She was very student-centred and willing to go the extra mile for the girls in her care.

By Jon Mutton

Tim moves on to the next stage of his career with a new teaching post in Japan and we wish him all the best for the future.

It is not only with girls which Gaelle has highlighted her pastoral abilities. In the last couple of years, she has been a big support to boys in St Oswald’s and then this year as tutor in St Dunstan’s and St Oswald’s House. She is extremely popular and her genuine affection of the boys in the House is very much reciprocated. Gaelle always puts the students first and will be sorely missed by the boys and the staff alike.

Gaelle is an outstanding teacher of Christian Theology and is deeply committed to Catholic education. She has a rich and diverse knowledge of Theology and her enthusiasm for the subject is infectious with Gaelle inspiring a lot of students to read Theology and Philosophy at university.

Gaelle is hugely respected by her students and is extremely dedicated to them achieving their very best, as apparent in the inspirational lessons she delivers and the extra support she offers students. Gaelle will be greatly missed by the CT department and she will flourish leading the Religious Studies department at her new school.

Gaelle has worked tirelessly and with great creativity on the Christian Living programme throughout her time at Ampleforth. She has been innovative, developing projects with the students on many important elements of their development. As a person of faith, she has unfailingly brought the Catholic, Benedictine perspective on human flourishing into all her work and shared her wisdom and humanity at all times.

As Housemistress she was a fantastic leader of her House teams, developing her staff with enthusiasm. As Assistant Head (Benedictine Development) and Assistant Head (Pastoral) Gaelle has been in charge of the Benedictine induction of all new staff for a number of years, educating staff in what it is like to work in a Catholic, Benedictine school and helping those staff to form new relationships from day one. All staff who have worked with her have had very positive things to say about Gaelle and she has impacted upon them all. She also inspired the extremely popular parent retreats and will be wellremembered by all parents involved.

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Graham Muckalt After a few years away at Lucton School, the Muckalt family has returned to our shores with Jo becoming the Housemistress of St Bede’s. In the past year, her husband Graham, our former Head of Academic PE and 1st XV coach has taken on a number of roles including; Housemaster of St Peter’s (our quarantine house), and Head of Vocational Studies, where he led the team and oversaw our three BTEC courses. In this year of Q-TAGs (the BTEC version of TAGs), keeping up to date with exam-board updates has been a huge task for him and all Heads of Departments. Working with his team, as well as his contacts in other schools, he has kept abreast of all developments to ensure that all was ship-shape. Graham has also taught the Year 11 GCSE CT short course group. We thank Graham for his hard work this year and wish him well in the next stage of his career.

By John Devitt

Jacqui Ramsden Jacqui Ramsden joined Ampleforth as a part-time Teacher of History and full time Tutor in St Aidan’s House in September 2018 having completed her PGCE at the University of York. I cannot speak highly enough of her work here. To describe Jacqui as an outstanding classroom practitioner, combining excellent subject knowledge with a wealth of skills in teaching and learning and a rapport with her students that is second to none does not do her justice.

Equally, to describe her as a thoroughly professional Tutor who has undertaken all her duties to the very highest standards tells only half the story. Both are true of course, but it is much more the way in which Jacqui has done this that sets her apart. She is as committed to her students, as prepared to do incredible amounts of hard work – especially with regard to preparation of resources and lessons – and as consistently focused on achieving the very best possible outcomes for her charges as anyone with whom I have ever worked.

She truly cares about them and it is this, plus her desire always to give of her best, that has underpinned all her work. I do not know of a single student she teaches or tutors who is not sad that she is leaving, a real tribute to any teacher, let alone someone who has only been here for three years. She is also a teacher who is consistently looking to improve, always a hallmark of someone special.

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Jacqui Ramsden continued

Jodie Rose

She is very much a ‘can do’ colleague. She always offers to help others whenever possible and there are many in the department who will have considerable reason to thank her for the support she has given. She also does everything with a calm, positive ‘let’s get on with it’ attitude that ensures that everything she does is done efficiently, to time and to a high standard – qualities that cannot be overstated. In addition, Jacqui has also contributed beyond the classroom and the House and has always been available to provide extra support for students when they need. Jacqui truly is the embodiment of the part-time teacher who contributes as much as a full-time teacher. She leaves us now to embark on the next stage in her career at Ryedale School.

Ampleforth students, parents and colleagues alike will be enormously grateful for all the work she has done here, and we wish her the very best for the future.

Jodie joined Ampleforth in September 2017 as a teacher of Physical Education and Head of Netball after completing her teacher training at the Grammar School, Leeds. Jodie has been instrumental in the delivery of the Academic Physical Education programme, teaching GCSE PE and GCSE short course. Allied this with Jodie’s involvement and teaching of the Core Physical Education programme, and her management of the Ampleforth College Netball programme she has proven to be a key member of the sports department. Pastorally Jodie has enjoyed her two years as an Assistant Housemistress in St Aidan’s and is a valued member of the tutor team, which can be seen with the positive and caring relationships that she has created who the students in her care. We wish her the best of luck in her new role as Teacher of PE at Bradford Girls Grammar School.

By Paul Connor

By Will James

Judy Simmonds

Eleanor Richmond Eleanor Richmond arrived at Ampleforth as a teacher of English in 2016, having studied English at Queens University Belfast, trained in New Zealand, and begun her career at a state secondary school in North Yorkshire. Eleanor has taught students in every single year group at the school, creating a learning environment that has valued collaboration, independent reading and fun; nowhere has this been more evident than in her shaping, planning and delivering of a series of popular World Book Day activities at St Martin’s Ampleforth and latterly at the College, frequently while dressed as one of her favourite literary characters. Similarly, her contributions to College theatre productions as a make-up and costume assistant have been greatly appreciated by the drama department. She has served as a tutor to the girls of St Bede’s and St Margaret’s alongside her teaching, helping new entrants in particular to make the transition to life at Ampleforth with confidence and success.

Eleanor has made a considerable contribution to the College’s extra-curricular programme by raising the standard of the cross-country team through regular training sessions and inter-school fixtures; by supporting students undertaking the annual Big Walk overnight trek to raise funds for the College’s charities; and, for a number of years, overseeing the popular Friendship Holiday, a summer term exchange programme in which members of the Middle Sixth receive visitors from a school for children with physical and neurological disabilities, working with them to complete a range of challenges. To each of these undertakings Eleanor has brought her abundant enthusiasm, hard work and compassion and it is to her credit that many of these events have already become abiding memories of Old Amplefordians’ school days.

Eleanor has been an energetic and optimistic presence, who has played an important part in the development of the students and staff with whom she has worked during her time at the College. She leaves the College to pursue other avenues in education and departs with our thanks and with our very best wishes.

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When dismissing her Upper Sixth Economics class at lunchtime on 30 April 2021, Judy Simmonds could not have envisaged that she had taught her last lesson. A freak accident the following morning (occasioned by trying to assist some forlorn animals) then left her with a broken leg and, following a two-week wait for surgery, a long road to recovery which continues at the time of writing. In many ways it was an unhappy end to a teaching career which had begun in 1981, yet in the context of almost 40 years (there was a single interruption of three and a half years) in the profession, it does not overshadow the outstanding contribution Judy has made to the education of so many young people over those years, particularly at Ampleforth for the past 15 years.

As all who know her will attest, Judy is an intensely private person and one who seems always to look forwards rather than back, so teasing out details of her past has not been easy. Nevertheless, it is a matter of record that Judy was one of only six girls when she took her A levels at St Peter’s School in Bournemouth, a de La Salle school; following this she proceeded to Southampton University where she completed an Honours degree in Economics and a PGCE. However, rather than going directly into teaching, she undertook a short service commission in the army for three years, reaching the rank of Captain. At that point an opportunity presented itself at her old school, St Peter’s, to teach Economics and Geography thereby launching her on a career path that would take her in the coming years to Canford School, King’s College Taunton and Christ’s Hospital in Horsham as Head of Department for many years before eventually returning to her Catholic roots and joining Ampleforth College in September 2006. Between her spells at Canford and King’s Taunton, Judy ‘dropped out’ (as she put it) for three and a half years spending the time on her beloved Arran where she worked at Arran Pottery and at the local tourist board amongst other things. Arran is the place where Judy feels most at home and where she intends to live permanently in the house she owns there.

Although she has taught Business and (rather less happily) Politics during her time at Ampleforth, Economics has always been Judy’s chief interest and she has been the stalwart of its teaching here since 2006.

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Judy Simmonds continued

Amanda Toone

In that context she has helped to establish Economics as one of our most popular A level subjects and one with a solid track record of success in public examinations. Her classroom has been an arena in which students are encouraged to think for themselves, to debate and to contribute their views, but at the same time to acquire knowledge and understanding as a firm foundation for those views. Warmth and good humour have always underpinned her interactions with students. Her expertise in the intricacies of examination technique, acquired through her experience as an A level examiner for Edexcel for a number of years, lent particular authority to her pedagogy and her appetite for marking belied the usual declining enthusiasm of long-serving teachers for such tasks. It was a source of pride and pleasure that so many of her students went on to read Economics or related disciplines at university, for which of course they had acquired the firmest possible foundation. By the same token, Judy expected and demanded of her colleagues equal enthusiasm for and academic competence in Economics.

One occasion exemplified her high standards in this regard: after observing a candidate (ultimately unsuccessful) for Head of Department teaching a lesson to her Year 13 class, Judy was asked for her assessment of his performance.

The response was laconic and withering – “not really an Economist!”

Amanda has spent much of her life working with young people, both as a mother of four Amplefordians (Max, Emmanuelle, Chiara and Maria) and as co-leader, and official and unofficial counsellor with the Catholic Youth Movement - Youth 2000 for most of her adult life.

A person who carried herself with dignity at all times, as a colleague Judy was reserved and could come across as guarded, yet at the same time she was a great friend and support to those closest to her. Tough and resilient, traits no doubt developed by her army training, she was never afraid to work in an overwhelmingly male environment; at Christ’s Hospital she was resident Assistant Housemistress in a boys’ boarding House, whilst for most of her time here at Ampleforth she was an effective Middle School Tutor in St Edward’s & St Wilfrid’s House, albeit with a brief sojourn in St Margaret’s. As someone who taught only in the Sixth Form, her role as a Middle School Tutor was invaluable in providing her with a link to the rest of the school and meant that she was able to welcome at least some familiar faces into her Year 12 classroom each September. Judy was also well known in the local community for her work with animal welfare charities, both re-homing rescued dogs and assisting with dog fostering.

On any estimation Judy’s final year of teaching was a difficult one. The loss both of her brother and sister within a few months of each other, losses she bore stoically, brought much sadness. Extended periods of on-line teaching, a poor substitute for the real thing, were then followed by the cancellation of public examinations with the burden of assessing and awarding A level grades thrown onto teachers supported by a minimum of guidance from the statutory authorities; no sooner had she devised and begun to deliver a suitable programme of assessment for her students than Judy suffered the untimely accident which deprived her of the professional satisfaction of seeing her final cohort of students through to the conclusion of their school careers.

Confident, however, that Judy will make a full recovery, all of her colleagues wish her a long and happy retirement. In our mind’s eyes we see Judy enjoying Arran life in the company of her dogs and indulging her love of the natural world. She will be much missed by colleagues and students alike.

She started as a SMA Teaching Assistant in September 2012, and became Careers Research Assistant in January 2013, bringing to the role the wisdom and listening skills gained from her training as a Counsellor. She took over as Head of Careers in2015, having gained a further qualification in Careers Guidance.

She has brought to the role a quiet professionalism, making sure that the students receive the full range of careers education throughout their time here. She has been insistent throughout that the goal of Careers Education at Ampleforth is more than getting as many students as possible to Russell Group universities, and under her watch those students whose route is not this have had role models and career paths put before them: her goal is well summed up by the rebranding of the department as Careers and Vocations.

The outstanding event of every year has been the Higher Education Conference in March, which she has steadily extended both in the year-groups involved and the outside guests invited. This is a monster of organisation, with up to 80 speakers, 200 Ampleforth students, dozens of guest students, parents, and a cohort of school staff hosting and participating. That it happens every year without apparent drama is thanks to Amanda’s tireless commitment to it, her efficiency and mastery of detail, all of which are carried out with sensitivity and a gentle politeness which nevertheless disguises adamant determination. Then more recently, she has had to do the same thing online!

Countless students have benefited from 1-1 advice meetings with her. She listens to them and with insight provides them, and their tutors, with careful and detailed advice on the range of options they might look into.

An innovation was the networking event which she organised with the Ampleforth Society - an evening of talks from young OAs in a range of careers and an opportunity for selected sixth formers to talk with them. This linkup with the Society has borne further fruit this year and Amanda has organised a number of excellent speakers for Year 12.

In her quiet unassuming way Amanda has also given her time, ideas and support to the Catholic life of the school, from helping organise worship evenings led by students, to supporting a young Alpha course, to joining student rosary sessions.

Few people will know the full range of wisdom, kindness and advice which she has given our students over these years. She will be greatly missed.

By John Devitt

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Aaron Virr Aaron joined Ampleforth after graduating from York St John. He has worked tirelessly and committedly as a sports graduate for two years and in his second year has been tutor to Year 10 in St Hugh’s. He has worked principally in St Hugh’s and St John’s getting involved in the lives of these houses. He has also assisted in other senior houses when required often at short notice. He assisted in the quarantine House during this extraordinary year. His flexibility and generosity have been very valuable. He goes on to train as a teacher at York St John next year and we wish him every blessing in his teaching career.

By Gaelle McGovern

Shirley Ward Shirley has given eight years of magnificent service as Assistant Librarian and is now embarking on a well-deserved retirement. Her appointment fulfilled her original desire to be a school librarian after a life-long career as a librarian in higher education. Her substantial qualifications and experience made her the ideal person for the position and happily coincided with her life’s circumstances; she was exactly the right person in the right place at the right time.

Both students and staff found Shirley to be consistently welcoming, helpful, and patient. She fulfilled every aspect of her role with ease and efficiency from the outset and has been a dependable and committed asset to the library. Our level-headed librarian blotted her copy book just once, when she broke her leg and missed the second half of the summer term 2017, and we had to manage for a few weeks without her calm presence. Shirley’s professional expertise is coupled with a plentiful supply of unflappable common sense; for these qualities, and particularly for her generosity, she will be much missed by her colleagues and friends.

By Denise Raine

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An Ampleforth education is a compass for life

Co-educational boarding and day school for Years 7 to 13

Ampleforth College, York, YO62 4ER 01439 766863 admissions@ampleforth.org.uk

www.ampleforth.org.uk/college