Ackworth Today - Summer 2023

Ackworth Then and Now

by Jeffrey Swales

Enjoy all the stories from our jam-packed Spring and Summer terms

From business enterprise to football fanatics

AOSA Easter Gathering 2023

Catch up on what’s been happening

On 18 October 1779, Ackworth welcomed its first two studentsbrother and sister, Barton and Ann Gates, from Poole in Dorset. Their journey to Yorkshire must have taken them days, with the associated dangers of travel in 18th century England. We read in the ‘History of Ackworth School’ that ‘they enter the Great Passage, along which two or three oil lamps shed a gleam of dim light, making its darkness visible … thick massive walls, cold stone floors, vast empty halls … but arrived at the housekeeper’s room, the scene brightens; within a capacious grate blazes a real Yorkshire fire, a comfortable meal is spread before the hungry travellers, and, more cheering than all, are the kind, affectionate greetings of the venerable old man and his motherly partner, whom they are now to regard in loco parentis’.

Ackworth then and now

by Jeffrey Swales

Much has changed since 1779, but we can still identify with the description - some students now travel thousands of miles to reach the School, taking a significant time; we still have thick massive walls (not easy to install modern cabling for WiFi); we still have the stone floors (though some are covered in carpet); we still have the large impressive dining rooms and Centre Library.

But we now have electric lighting (gas lighting was installed in 1838, but the School was probably one of the first buildings in the village to have electric lighting - hence the Battery, where the electricity supply was regulated by a room full of batteries); we now have central heating (steam pipes were installed in 1810, though not in the Meeting House - not, of course, our impressive Meeting House built in 1846, but the room currently used by Sarah Rose to teach Art); our caterers produce hundreds of meals each week; we still care for new students and welcome them into the Ackworth family.

Since the School’s foundation, we have been forward thinking and innovative. Indeed, the very foundation of the school, to provide education for boys and girls, was an idea way ahead of its time. We have photographic evidence of a girls’ chemistry class in 1900 - I suspect that chemistry was being taught at very few boys’ schools then, let alone girls’ schools.

We have always valued our activities outside of the classroom - the swimming pool was constructed in 1858, when prosperous towns were building public baths; Sunday walks were a common feature for pupils until fairly recently; Duke of Edinburgh Award has seen many pupils over the years learn new skills, help others, and work to plan and carry out their expedition; the ‘pet hut’ is still marked on the school map in the pupil organiser, though hasn’t seen the goats and rabbits it once did, for some time; the stones around the West Wing still carry the numbers carved in them to mark which garden plot each girl had been allotted.

A reference in one of the books about Ackworth School mentions that in 1804, ‘1000 oaks, 100 elms, and 100 larches were planted in corners of fields on the school estate’. Tree planting is not new! More recently the school has seen the completion of the arboretum, in which at least one specimen of each of the 36 native English trees can be found on the School site. Very few people have had the privilege of climbing into the loft space above Centre Block, but the wooden beams that hold up the roof are a work of art.

Ackworth School continues to manage that difficult challenge of looking forward while at the same time being aware of its heritage. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

International Women’s Day is a day where we recognise how to celebrate, support, and acknowledge ALL women around the world. Supporting International Women’s Day and “feminism” means you support equality within our society. Equality is an important pillar for Ackworth School and throughout history there have been fearless and authentic Quaker women and Ackworth Old Scholars who have compassionately fought with integrity for what they believe.

Pioneering Quaker Women

In 1986 a Friend who participated in the camp described it as “women waiting, watching, just being there, behaving as if peace were possible, living our dream of the future now.”

Influential Female Old Scholars

Fiona Wood (born February 2, 1958, Hemsworth, Yorkshire, England), British-born Australian plastic surgeon who was a pioneer in the field of treating burn victims by inventing “spray-on skin” technology. Fiona was raised in a mining village in Yorkshire and educated at Ackworth School. Fiona’s expertise in burns treatment came to the world’s attention in 2002 in the wake of the Bali bombings but she hasn’t let fame stand in the way of her research or teaching, which she continues at the Royal Perth Hospital, the Princess Margaret Hospital, and the University of Western Australia.

Fry reading to prisoners – The Saint of Prison Reform

One name you are sure to recognise from around School will be Elizabeth Fry (née Gurney). Elizabeth was born in 1780 and was one of the first people to campaign for an end to the death penalty in the UK. Her ideas spread slowly but surely, and eventually, the last public execution in Britain happened in 1964. During her lifetime Elizabeth pioneered initiatives that enabled women prisoners to develop employable skills. This work meant that in 1818 she became the first woman to present evidence in UK parliament. Elizabeth visited Ackworth School as part of the Women’s Committee and helped to conduct inspections of the Girls’ side of School. On top of all this achievement, Elizabeth also went on to have 11 children.

The women

of

Greenham Common. In 1981, a group of women set up a peace camp outside a cruise missile base in Berkshire. Over nineteen years, thousands of women took part in the non-violent actions at Greenham. Moved to act by the peace testimony, a generation of Quaker women was part of this very public objection to war. They included the veteran peace activists Sylvia Boyes and Celia Davies, who, despite sustaining significant injuries as a result of forceful policing at Greenham, campaign against arms fairs to this day.

Anna Haslam (née Fisher) was a suffragist and a major figure in the 19th and early 20th century women’s movement in Ireland. She helped in soup kitchens and became involved in setting up cottage industries for local girls in lacemaking, crocheting and knitting. She was brought up believing in equality for men and women and also supporting the campaign against slavery and for temperance and pacifism. She was also an educational pioneer and taught at Ackworth School.

Female Scholars

Women’s Day is something special for me, because on this day all men treat you very kindly and lovingly. I associate this day with my family, because every year on this day, my dad comes home with flowers and small gifts, and it’s very nice. I hope that all men do the same to please their girls!

Anhelina

(Fifth Form) international pupil from Ukraine

There’s a tradition where on the 8th March, the husband buys the wife a big bouquet of flowers and gives one or two of the flowers to his daughters. And so, when the day came, my dad and my brother would go out and get me, my mom, and my sister some flowers. Although I loved this tradition, I didn’t like that I didn’t get to give back as well. So, every year I would draw flowers, get some sweets, and hand them out to my friends and my family. Sometimes we forget how much people do for us and how important they are in our lives. This day is about giving back and appreciating all the women in our lives.

Tamar (Lower Sixth) international pupil from Georgia

For me international woman’s day is so important and well needed due to the lack of celebration of women’s achievements in past years. We as a society are

SPRING TERM

finally recognising women’s accomplishments and International Women’s Day contributes to this. International Women’s Day not only recognises the achievement of women but allows us to discuss the troubles they face and it helps me as a young progressive woman feel seen in the troubles I face in my day to day life.

Olivia (Upper Sixth)

International Women’s Day is a day to thank women like your mum, your grandmother, your girlfriend, etc. Because they do an amazing job, they take care of us. But, it is especially for your mum because her whole life is to protect and take care of you.

Sunny (Third Form) international pupil from Vietnam

As a Quaker School, one of the testimonies that underpins our ethos is equality. This testimony has a special meaning to me through my upbringing, Quaker education, and work. I expect to be treated as an equal, and strive for all the girls in our school to feel empowered to call out inequality in society.

We are committed to equality for women and girls; I am proud that Ackworth School is working with Aisha Thomas, author of Representation Matters, to make sure the school is exemplary in its equality, diversity and inclusion practice.

Nancy Newlands, Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral & Academic)

Snow days at Ackworth School

A Ukrainian evening

In February we celebrated an evening of Ukrainian food and culture, hosted at the Head’s house. Thank you to Anastasia from the Ackworth community who came and cooked with our Ukrainian boarders it reminded them all of a little piece of home. We as a school continue to find ways to support our students and people within the community.

Steinway Trip

On Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd March, Ackworth School was lucky enough to take 17 students down to London, to perform at Steinway Hall. This group comprised our Senior Choir, and three pianists, who received a masterclass each from internationallyrenowned pianist, Ashley Wass.

The students also received a tour of the Steinway showrooms, learned about the history of the company, and got to play on the piano that is used in the Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms. The first day ended with a recital given in the Steinway Hall by the pianists, Senior Choir and other selected musical numbers. The opportunity to then watch a matinee performance of Hamilton the following day was very well earned!

“I very much enjoyed our visit to London. The masterclass on Wednesday afternoon was extremely interesting and I learned so much from it as it allowed me to develop my skills to a further extent, and explore different aspects of music, exploring the different pianos, and learning about the wider context of Steinway’s pianos. I also really enjoyed exploring the streets of London, and engaging in musical activities such as ‘creating a piano by using only

our bodies’. Hamilton was also extremely exciting. The music was great, and the choreography was phenomenal. The actors were very talented and a great inspiration.”

Charlotte

“First, I want to appreciate Mr. McCarthy, Miss Strong, and Miss Younger for planning this wonderful trip to London. I was astonished by the Steinway Spirio’s ability to accurately capture your playing, stimulate the pianist’s style, and actually show the keys moving up and down, note by note. I occasionally join the choir, sometimes with the wrong lyrics, but it’s a lot of fun. I had the great fortune to attend Ashley Wass’ Master class, during which he demonstrated a novel fingering technique and described the importance of breathing properly. I love this trip!”

Brian

A Visit from Roy Leighton

Back in March, Roy Leighton, Founding Partner of Positive Peace Cambridge, visited Ackworth School to speak with students, staff, and committee members about the value of peace. It was a pleasure to welcome Roy into School, and we hope he will return.

Roy said, “It was a pleasure to be in the company of such curious and kind young people. I enjoyed our conversations immensely. I very much look forward to meeting you all again to continue the dialogue.”

King’s Coronation Weekend

Ahead of the Coronation weekend in May, Ackworth School spent the Friday afternoon off timetable being treated to fish and chips out on The Green, a musical concert to mark the occasion, and cream scones good enough for royalty! Even the sun made an appearance.

Ullswater trip for Coram House

Three staff and 27 pupils from Year 5 and 6 took part in an amazing residential at the stunning Ullswater Outward Bound. Activities included cliff jumping, hill walking, absailing, gorge walking, climbing and kayaking. Needless to say they all had a fantastic time and made memories that will no doubt last a lifetime!

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition Practice Review

Before the expedition began, I think it’s safe to say we all went through a range of emotions, we were excited by the prospect of starting a new challenge, and to have fun getting to know each other better over the next two days, yet it was easy to feel that way while sitting in the comfort of the bus, looking out of the window to see wind and rain, and the terrible weather that was ahead.

The Dales threw us into a landscape of stunning scenery, except we could only appreciate the views once the clouds lifted. Before then, the lure of the camp site, flip flops, a warm tent, and dry socks was enough motivation to keep us going. During the expedition, we had to remain completely self-sufficient. This meant that tents, food, clothing and everything in-between had to travel with us over hills, rivers and down rock faces as we carried our own supplies.

Annabel, Lower Sixth

Our Gold DofE practice was English weather by definition. On Wednesday, it was raining and windy. Then on Thursday, there was a bit of sunshine. Although the weather wasn’t the best, I enjoyed the trip and getting to know the people in my group more. The scenery was amazing and I’m excited to do the real expedition in August, when hopefully the weather is a bit better.

Isabel, Lower Sixth

A Trip to Wakefield Archives

As we continue our refurbishment of Centre Passage, a trip to the Yorkshire Archives certainly sparked some inspiration for decor, with one map dating back to 1774. We look forward to welcoming you into school to see the history of Ackworth School on display. If you would like to help support this project, please contact Director of Marketing James Busson at james.busson@ackworthschool.com

Early Years in Photos

Race for Life “muddy run!”

As part of their Archbishop’s Young Leaders Award, some of our Year 6 pupils ran 5K to raise funds for Cancer Research. Special mention to James (Year 1), Henry (Year 2) and Sebastian (Year 4) who joined their siblings in the Muddy Race for Life. Collectively they have raised £2,410 at the time of writing. What an achievement!

Door of Opportunity

Have you ever looked at a door and wondered what might be on the other side? Have you ever wondered where it might lead or what might be hiding behind? At first glance, a door is just a piece of wood, glass or metal that is opened and closed so that people can get in and out of a room, a vehicle or a space. But in the hands of a writer, a door represents a world of possibility, a world where things are not only hidden but often closed off and restricted. Doors are not only exciting for what may lie behind them, they can be designed to invite you into a new world.

Most of the doors that we pass through are familiar to us. We know what to expect when we go through our classroom door, our front door or our bedroom door. However, there is another type of door that we will all experience throughout our lives: a door of opportunity.

On the first Monday of term, I took assembly and talked about doors of opportunities. I asked the children if they could remember a time when they did something new. I asked the children how they had felt. “Worried! … Scared! … Excited!”

On that day, I encouraged the children, and indeed the staff, to open doors of opportunities that would be presented in front of them. Since then, Sofia Year 6N had opened the “door of netball successions and was really proud of herself.” Oscar Year 6N had opened the “door of business enterprise starting a shoe cleaning and polishing business.” Ambar Year 6B and Henry Year 6N then opened the “door of business enterprise too starting a car cleaning business” together. Darcie Year 6N opened the “door of Yorkshire County netball.” Clark Year 5 opened the “door of Ackworth tennis club.”

Our Year 3s explored ‘The door’, poem by Miroslav Holub, shared in assembly on that day, as a starting point for their performance poetry.

“For a few weeks, our English focus has been performance poetry. After an inspiring assembly by Miss Schoukroun, we looked at the poem ‘The Door’. We read this again together and discussed how we could perform it and which techniques we would use. We then edited the verses to make it our own, using techniques such as alliteration and adverbs. Finally, we practiced performing the poems aloud by projecting our voices, using expression and taking pauses for effect.”

Amy Slater, Year 3 teacher and Literacy coordinator

“In illustrating club, we made our own doors of opportunities! Inside our custom doors, we drew our passions. We drew things that we love and for which we would never pass up an opportunity to be there, or with them if it was a living creature. I drew a bamboo door with red pandas inside because red pandas are my favourite animal, and I find them fascinating.

I would never turn down an opportunity to be with them.”

Vida, Year 6N

The best secret to success is always to be ready to find and open the door of opportunity.

Sophie Schoukroun Deputy Head of Coram House

Afternoon Yoga

Our illustration club also drew on this assembly to depict in their drawings what their doors would look like.

CORAM HOUSE

Career guidance and business enterprise

For the first time in the history of Coram House, our Year 6 pupils have embarked on a career guidance programme. Although this is only statutory from Year 7 upwards, I wanted our Year 6 pupils to benefit from this.

Andrew Johnson launched this programme in style. A captivated audience learned about his career path.

Here is what our Year 6 pupils had to say:

What have you learnt from this?

• What you do in school doesn’t determine what job you have

• You can always change career

• You can be anything you want if you put your mind to it

• Keep trying even if you fail

• Things don’t always go your way

• What you choose as a career doesn’t define you

• Careers don’t always go as planned

• Go after what you want to do

• It’s never too late to start something

What life skills did you learn?

• You get to meet lots of people

• How to look inside of yourself and see your passion

Business Fayre

Inspired by their career guidance and business enterprise sessions, our Year 6 have been developing their own business ideas and organised a business fayre. They invited pupils, staff and parents to visit their stalls. All donations will go to Khalsa Aid, an international NGO with the aim of providing humanitarian aid in disaster areas and civil conflict zones around the world.

Well done to all our young entrepreneurs, who successfully raised £466.30 in support of Khalsa Aid. This was part of the Young Leaders’ Award community action project. The children have designed, promoted and run their own business for the very first time. Our thanks go out to all the pupils, parents, carers who supported and visited our event.

• How to talk to a group of people

• Taking on new experiences

• Don’t let any learning go to waste - skills are needed in lots of jobs

• Confidence leads to success

• You don’t have to follow the tracks of others

• Expect the unexpected

• Work as a team and don’t be selfish

• Skills are transferable between jobs

• You can’t be the best at everything

We thank Andrew Johnson for taking the time to come and talk to our pupils and share some important lessons of life with them. I am keen to show our children that anything is possible on our career paths regardless of our initial choices. I am therefore looking for people who have had career changes.

If, like Andrew, you are able to volunteer 40 minutes of your time, please email sophie.schoukroun@ackworthschool.com

Food Technology

Year 6 enjoy half a year in food and nutrition, where they get to make a variety of food products and learn a number of skills. During this time, the Year 6 students grow in confidence and take pride in how the final product looks. They definitely enjoy eating the end product. Year 6 were asked what they liked about coming to food and their responses ranged from:

• I like the new experience and being able to do different products each week.

• I love food because I like cooking and get to cook new things every week.

• I like coming to make food products and being able to learn new skills and recipes.

• I like coming to food to make a new product every week that I can enjoy.

• The eating part!

• I like the fact that I can make the same recipes at home for everyone to enjoy.

SENIOR SCHOOL

Food Technology

Throughout the Fourth Form GCSE course of food and nutrition we have made a variety of dishes such as spicy glazed salmon, risotto bolognaise and a mini Black Forest cake. We find food and nutrition an enjoyable subject. We have been focusing on multiple different skills and techniques when creating our dishes. For example, when we made our spicy glazed salmon, we had to marinade it in a home-made glaze.

More recently, we have been focusing on presentation and portion control. This means that when we create our dishes, we have to think about the following: the sizes and styles of plates, garnishes as well as how appetising our product looks. This is all preparation for our practical exam next year. This exam consists of making three dishes with accompaniments. We are aiming to achieve a high

standard, quality dish by having accurate portion control and a high-quality finish due to being able to focus on attention to detail to improve the aesthetic qualities of the dishes.

Food styling is one focus of the Non-Examined Assessment that the GCSE students have to focus on in their threehour practical exam. They need to think about how food is placed on the serving dish. How much of the product to showcase, portion control is important as well as making the dish look aesthetically appealing. Fourth Form has done an amazing job of presenting and styling their food. Each week it seems to be a competition of who can style their dish the best. The standard of presentation skills has improved every week and the competitive side of the students is lovely to see.

Maths

A dictionary definition

from Emma, Becci, Susan, Richard and Dale, staff from the maths department

Every year around one third of the pupils in school enter the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust’s Individual Challenges – JMC (Junior – aimed at First and Second Form), IMC (Intermediate – for Third to Fifth Form) and SMC (Senior - Sixth Form). Coram are not left out of this, with other providers offering a First Maths Challenge (Y34) and the Primary Maths Challenge, which all of our Year 5 and 6 pupils had a go at this year.

The UKMT challenges involve 25 multiple choice questions, “designed to make students think”, to be solved without calculator assistance. Most pupils approach the challenge with enthusiasm. Top set students and Sixth Formers studying maths are usually given little option but to be entered, and some Set two students do occasionally volunteer. We even recently had a Sixth Former participate twice, despite being a languages and arts student. She achieved bronze both times.

We in the maths department take an approach that aligns closely with the reported sentiments of several famous people:

“Challenge yourself; it’s the only path that leads to growth.” – Morgan Freeman

“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” – T.S. Eliot

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

Our students have nothing to lose and everything to gain by rising to the challenge.

Success in the initial challenge (JMC, IMC or SMC) is rewarded by bronze, silver and gold certificates, and the highest performing students may be invited to participate in the next round, taking either a paper named the ‘Kangaroo’ or, at the very top, the Olympiad paper for the relevant age group. In recent years, we have had several stunning performances. There was Jamie, from our Autism Resource, who qualified twice for the Intermediate Olympiad, with distinction in Fifth Form when he also smashed the SMC a year early, and subsequently gained distinction in the British Maths Olympiad Round 1 (BMO1).

In the same year group was Kathy, who in Fifth Form got 24 out of 25 IMC questions correct, and joined Jamie in gaining distinction (and a prize) in the Intermediate Olympiad paper, SMC a year early, and also reached the BMO1.

Two years below them was Dori, who reached the Intermediate Olympiad two years’ running, and was subsequently invited to attend a UKMT maths summer school.

Meanwhile, in the bumper year 2020 when our Senior Team won their way to the Team Challenge finals in London, Aldrich, Anson and Oliver all took the BMO1, with Aldrich earning a distinction.

Most recently is David, now in Second Form, but whose potential was recognised when he was only in Year 4 in Coram, enabling to have earned five JMC certificates (one silver, four gold) with two Kangaroo merits, and full marks in the 25th anniversary special challenge, plus IMC silver and Kangaroo merit last year. This year he’s gone for the hattrick, and has achieved bronze at SMC, silver at IMC (and another Kangaroo merit, with 24 out of 25 correct answers), and gold at JMC, qualifying for the Junior Olympiad paper (results awaited at time of going to press). With three other Second Form students also taking this year’s Junior Kangaroo paper, future successes appear to be assured.

https://www.ukmt.org.uk/challenges

Try these three mind-benders from this year’s JMC, IMC and SMC respectively:

A challenge is something new and difficult which requires great effort and determination.

Geography Third Year Malham Trip

Mayah Bristow

When we got to Malham Cove, we started by getting into partners and writing down the different land use in Malham. This helped us to understand what parts were tourist oriented, and what parts were mainly for locals. When we got to the end of the street, we were able to look out onto the incredible views before us. We could see for miles. We then sat down and drew what we could see so we could analyse it and understand why it was there. We managed to draw diagrams of limestone cliffs, rivers and hills, which really helped with our understanding of how the area was formed. We then walked for a few miles, up stairs, hills, and rocky terrain until we finally reached the top of the limestone pavement. We drew diagrams of a piece of limestone each, and made sure to measure a scale so we knew the size when we

got back to school to help us in lessons. After a quick stop for lunch, we continued our hike through valleys and hills, and we even came across a few animals along the way. When we reached the car park again, we used a table to record the first two letters on cars’ registration plates. We did this so we could track how far cars had travelled to get to Malham, based on where they were registered. I really enjoyed the trip to Malham as it helped my understanding of how limestone was formed millions of years ago, and I enjoyed walking through the fields and hills and taking in my surroundings.

Leia Askew

At the beginning of our trip to Malham, we took note of the land use on either side of the road as we walked through the village.

We then continued to walk until we reached the cove, and sat down to sketch it. After we had climbed the many stairs to the top, we chose part of the limestone pavement to draw - the views were beautiful here. Once we had eaten our lunch, we set back off walking. The walk was quite long and tiring but the scenery definitely made up for it! After a couple of group photos and lots of hills we got back to the car park to collect the car registration data. I enjoyed the trip to Malham because it helped me to gain a better understanding of how the limestone was originally formed.

A-Level Science

Following the chemistry department tradition, A-Level students completed their final practical by making their own silver mirror flasks.

SENIOR SCHOOL Natural History Society

Ackworth school is rumoured to have if not the oldest, one of the oldest Natural History Societies in the country. Our archivist suggests a date in the 1860s. While rummaging through the Natural History cupboard I have managed to find a record book detailing species dating back to 1846. The Natural History Society was originally run as two separate societies: one for girls and another for boys. In 1937 the girls’ society voted to hold joint meetings with the boys’ society but retain their autonomy; today there is just one society and it is open to all and is referred to as the NHS.

One thing is certain, the experiences associated with this institution are often held very fondly in the memory of its members. The majority of information gleaned for this article is taken from records, kept by generations of NHS members, from minute books to bird books, trip reports to editions of Brock (the NHS magazine), with members keen to share their new-found knowledge and insights at the time, as well as reminiscences of members. One member remembers wandering through an empty school to the Natural History Room during the holidays to feed the terrapins and various fish only to discover that one of the piranhas had taken a bite out of its tank mate. Others recall waiting in the dark at the aptly named Brockadale to catch a glimpse of badgers with varying degrees of success.

Ackworth is ideally situated, surrounded by acres of land, providing rich habitats for those interested in the natural world to explore. Over the years there have been quite comprehensive studies of the local flora and fauna, all meticulously detailed by hand in various log books. Today kestrels nest and fledge in the grounds and badgers and otters make their home here. That said, the society has not been reluctant to travel further afield. In 1935 the girls, NHS visited Walker and Hall in Sheffield, learning about the process of electroplating and also made a visit to Howley brickworks. On other occasions lectures were given in house aided by the technology of the day (well not quite) – in the 1940s the Victorian epidiascope, which projected opaque objects onto the wall, a great aid to illustrate a talk, was frequently used. Even then technology, it seemed at times, did not always run smoothly.

The members have in many ways been quite intrepid. Numerous expeditions have been made, from relatively local trips to Norfolk to ring birds where members stayed in a windmill or camping in Kielder before it was flooded, to

further afield. Islands seem to have been quite popular, be it heading up to Fair Isle in 1959 with “thick saturating fog and carnivorous midges”, “birdy bods” ringing birds and recording sighting while others attempted to compile a list of the island’s plants. Southward to Alderney where the weather held challenges although it also benefited from the opportunity to bathe in the sea on sunny hot days. One member was so captivated by their visit to the Scilly Isles that they have visited every year since.

From the outset, the society has had a very practical aspect whether scouring the local area measuring O2 levels in the Went, cataloguing plant and animal species, logging soil types, recording meteorological conditions or viewing constellation’s, running the pet club, or keeping various specimens of their own hasn’t always gone without a hitch. In 1967 it is reported that two Xenopus toads escaped the Natural History room and one was found alive two days later two floors down in the Andrews wing.

Over the years members of the society have gone on to have careers in the natural sciences. Theodore Payne, a member in the 1880s, set up the Theodore Payne foundation for wild flowers and native plants; a non-profit organisation to perpetuate California’s native flora and was instrumental in setting up 320 acres in Antelope Valley near Llano as a wildlife sanctuary in the 1960s. More recently N Robin Liley, who wrote reports for the NHS on “Plant and animal life of Ackworth House pond” and “Elementary experiments on genetics in fruit flies”, is a professor of zoology at the University of British Columbia carrying out extensive research in fish, and Martin Barker has travelled the world studying plant biology I am sure there are many more.

Things have not however always run smoothly. In the 1990s a special meeting was held where several members resigned due to “lack of interest in the programme” and this seems to have triggered a hiatus in activity. Thankfully later that year the society reconvened and some of the activities planned such as “taxidermy with a competitive aspect” must have reignited interest!

NHS May 1889

NHS May 2023

Today the society is still going, made up of a small but keen group. They no longer breed mice for sale as pets but instead monitor the local wildlife with trail cams, investigate residents of the school pond and care for a range of small creatures in the Natural History room, doing their bit for future generations by growing trees from acorns collected on site. Aquaria and vivaria line the benches housing axolotls and geckos, some hatched from eggs. The taxidermy, many prepared by previous members from years past looks on as they have for generations. Reassuringly, in a way we have come full circle – the society’s publication, Brock – November 1965 –details catching long-tailed field mice and reports that “the female has been putting weight on steadily for a fortnight and is suspected to be pregnant”, while today as I write this article the present members are releasing their own young harvest mice (a priority species under the post 2010 biodiversity framework) into the local environment, perhaps future generations will discover their decendents whilst exploring.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the many members of staff over the years who have shared their enthusiasm and expertise, gladly giving up their time to facilitate the running of this unique Ackworth society.

Joan McCulloch, Science Technician

Art

“Miss Rose invited a group of talented KS3 art students to be a part of creating a whole school display based on our Quaker Testimonies: Simplicity, Truth, Equality, Peace and Sustainability. We were tasked with creating a visual representation of each of the testimonies, in any materials we wanted to use. Jasmine and I chose to do Equality. When researching the theme for inspiration, we decided to focus on the topics of gender equality, equality between different races, as well as sexual orientation. Each response took quite a long time to complete, however it was an amazing opportunity and we are really glad to be a part of the work.” Persia

In addition to the wonderful art work students produced, we created additional displays based on our thoughts about Quakerism. As an inclusive all-through school, we felt it important to ask all of our school community, including Coram and our Autism Resource.

Inspired by the artist Gillian Wearing, who is predominantly known for her method of documenting aspects of everyday life through photography and video, we recreated a piece of her work entitled ‘Signs That Say What You Want Them To Say And Not Signs That Say What Someone Else Wants You To Say’, which were a series of photographic portraits. Wearing approached strangers in the street, and asked them to write what they were thinking about on a placard, before capturing the moment on camera. Wearing felt that through this exercise, people of different backgrounds, religions, ages and social statuses became unified through the art practice.

As a direct influence, we asked pupils to think about what Quakerism meant to them and to write this down, which we then photographed and displayed alongside the Quaker Testimonies.

Gillian Wearing CBE, RA (born 10 December 1963) is an English conceptual artist, one of the Young British Artists, and winner of the 1997 Turner Prize. In 2007 Wearing was elected as lifetime member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

A very big thank you to all of our school community who contributed to this amazing display!

Theatre trips

This year Ackworth School’s drama department has been lucky enough to travel across the country see some fabulous theatre such as:

Barnsley (Lamproom Theatre) – Legally Blonde

Bradford (Light Cinema) – Life of Pi

Leeds Grand – The Commitments, Les Miserables, South Pacific

Leeds Playhouse – Henry V, Nine Night

London (Woolwich) – The Burnt City

Manchester Edge Theatre – Learning To Fly

Manchester Palace Theatre – Lion King

Salford (Lowry) – The Island, Nature of Forgetting, Othello

Scissett (Scissett Middle School) – Mary Poppins Jr

Sheffield Lyceum – The Ocean At The End Of The Lane

Spoken word poetry workshop

A few months ago, I had the privilege of joining the Sixth Form performing arts students in the class on spoken word poetry. And I was extremely thrilled about it. I have been wanting to try spoken word poetry since I was in primary school, so I obviously couldn’t possibly pass this chance up. Rhiannon, the published poet who came in, threw out great starters and prompts for us to create from and I love how even though everybody is inspired by mostly the same things, yet everyone’s work is unique. Hearing the compliments of others on your work always makes you have more motivation to create more pieces, and I have to thank everyone in that room for being supportive (however, if you did judge silently please don’t ever tell me). And now I have so much motivation to create more pieces of poetry or stories and share it with the world.

Nevaeh, Fifth Form

12th of May marked the start of Exam Leave for Fifth and Sixth Formers, with an emotional and memorable afternoon!

SENIOR SCHOOL

Football Tour to Milan

Ackworth School took 42 students to Milan on a Football Tour with Inspiresport and Inter Milan. The students took part in four training sessions at Inter Milan’s Youth Development Centre delivered by the academy coaches. U12, U14 and U16 all played a fixture against local opposition and all teams showed excellent sporting behaviour and conduct in their respective fixtures. The students were given a tour of the iconic San Siro Stadium where players were able to sit in the dressing room used by some of the most well-known footballers, past and present. A tour of Milan – visiting the impressive Duomo di Milano along with visiting the Inter Milan trophy cabinet were also highlights of the tour. The students, behaviour throughout the trip was outstanding. I would like to thank all players, parents and staff for their support with the trip.

Dan Wiseman, Head of Boys’ PE and Trip Leader.

The Milan football tour was jam-packed and full of fun. The coaching was at a very good level, keeping everyone excited for the next session. The teachers were great and never failed to keep us entertained. All the expectations were met and more with everyone always having a smile on their face.

Harry, Fourth Year

Milan was a very enjoyable trip, with every day filled with activities. We had four aaction-packed training sessions, which I think everyone benefited from. We visited the city of Milan and there were loads of architectural buildings with lovely views. There were many laughs along the way as well as some songs. We had a stadium tour of the San Siro. It’s massive and very colourful. We played some very thrilling games and watched some too – these were very entertaining. Overall the trip was wonderful!

Verity, Second Year

On Friday 24th of March 2023 42 pupils went on a tour to Milan in Italy to be trained by Milan coaches and more.

Personally, I think that this trip was the best trip I have been on by far because of everything we did and the people we did it with. My favourite bit of the trip was training with a Milan coach and spending time with my friends during the whole thing. Overall, I think it was a great trip and if another one came up, I would definitely go on it.

Ashton, Third Year

SENIOR SCHOOL

Food Technology

During March, two classes of Fourth Form pupils took part in The Fish in Schools Hero programme, which is run by the Food Teachers Centre, in partnership with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. This equipped the students with the knowledge of how to prepare and cook Pink Alaskan Salmon which was very kindly donated to the school from Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

The programme aims to ensure that every child gets a chance to prepare, cook and eat fish before they leave school.

The students marinated their salmon in a spicy glaze including fresh chilli, ginger and garlic. The GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition pupils involved had a brilliant time gaining new knowledge and skills. These will be highly useful not only for their Non-Examined Assessment next year but also in wherever their cooking skills might take them in the future. Well done to all of those who participated.

salmon to schools for cookery students to prepare up and down the country.

Students at Ackworth school learned about sustainability and nutrition as well as developing delicious spicy glazed salmon dish with the Alaska salmon in their practical classes.

Food and nutrition teacher Liana Peck said, “I am thrilled that we were selected to receive the wild salmon from Alaska. It meant that our students could not only learn about the different tastes, textures and nutritional value of the salmon, but also cook with the fish themselves.”

Rebecca Wilson, Trade Director for Alaska Seafood in Northern Europe commented, “We are delighted to partner with the Food Teachers Centre for their Fish in Schools Hero Programme. We have been working with Fish In Schools Hero programme for over a year to get the Alaska salmon into students’ hands and we are pleased that students will finally get the opportunity to cook with it.”

In a national first, Food Preparation and Nutrition students at Ackworth School have been the lucky recipients of wild Alaska pink salmon to use in their classrooms, in a bid to improve their fish cookery skills.

The initiative is part of The Fish In Schools Hero programme which is run by the Food Teachers Centre, in partnership with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. Together they will deliver an unprecedented 20,000 fillets of wild Alaska

Simon Gray, Senior Associate at the Food Teachers Centre said, “94% of our teachers surveyed in 2020 wanted their pupils to use different fish and not to be scared of trying something new, but less than half of them used fresh or frozen fish. This unique opportunity overcomes the obstacles teachers face with regards to cost, sourcing fresh fish, and cooking skills in schools to introduce students to wild, sustainable, healthy and delicious fish. We’ve created training to build teachers’ confidence, recipes to make their lesson run smoothly and delivered high quality fish that schools will love to try. We are excited to see the difference this will make to young people in the future.”

“Students at Ackworth School are the lucky recipients of Alaska salmon to upskill their fish cookery”

Drama Department

12 students participated in the 2022-23 New Views National Playwriting competition run by London’s National Theatre: many congratulations go to Grace, Millie, Adam, Nevaeh, Hannah, Alex, Charlotte, Erin, Eve, Jodie, Tommy and Zoe. Students undertook an eight-month drafting process rooted in weekly extracurricular lessons and workshops run by Head of Drama, Ali Boucher; they were then mentored by Jasmin Mandi-Ghomi, a Yorkshire-based professional playwright, who visited the school twice for teaching and feedback. All students submitted 3000-5000 word plays for consideration by a panel in the National Theatre. Four students – Alex, Eve, Jodie and Millie – had their plays performed by students in Ackworth’s Interhouse Drama Competition 2023. Grace was successfully longlisted, and finally awarded Highly Commended for her play, ‘Parmesan’. Only 43 of the 468 submissions were selected as Highly Commended: the New Views team felt that her piece of work ‘showed something unique and deserves to be acknowledged’. Congratulations, Grace!

I read plays, a lot of them. I read the classics, the contemporaries, the macabre, the brutalist, the feminist, the obscure… the list goes on. I am utterly fascinated with theatre. It reaches me. But when I’ve read these plays, never has it crossed my mind that I could write one. What would I even write about? Time and time again it has been proven that theatre is not all stories of monarchies and

tragic heroes: and personally, I’ve never really been in a situation where I need to kill the leader of my country to avenge my dad. But maybe that’s just me.

It turns out it’s quite hard to write a play. I kept thinking that it was a crazy idea to even be trying: who am I to write a play? It’s like playing God – you can create absolutely anything out of anything and some human has to try and make it happen. But New Views has honestly taught me that it’s ok, it’s even fun to play that part. It is incredibly refreshing to just create. Even the silliest little thoughts can be turned into something beautiful. So, for New Views, I wrote a play about cheese. Parmesan, to be specific. I think a lot of people (who tolerate lactose) have experienced Parmesan in some shape or form, so I hope it’s not too much of a foreign concept.

I learnt a lot about myself, and Parmesan, in the process, and what it means to turn something mundane into art – what it means to fill a blank page with life. I think the whole point is to try everything at least once. I never thought I could write a play. Parmesan probably never thought it could inspire a piece of theatre, either.

For me, writing ‘Parmesan’ was just about the joy of freedom, to say what you want to say without thinking twice. It’s about the gift of human consciousness and experience, and realising that there is art in everyone and everything. Existence is art, whatever ‘art’ or ‘existence’ means, “and here is Parmesan, whatever Parmesan is. It is always something.” Grace

OUT OF SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS

Holly, Year 5, competes in a mounted games team (which is a bit like relay stunt racing). The season starts in around March/April time and from then we’re away at competitions every weekend all the way through to August and go all over the country. Holly has just started training for the season ahead with her new pony Twiglet.

Outside of school, I do drama courses at different schools, focusing on musical theatre and acting. In 2019, I did a summer course at the Beck Theatre, which was two weeks of rehearsals in acting, dance and singing. We performed ‘The Wizard of Oz’. In 2021, I did two courses at ‘West End Stage’. In April of 2021, I did the ‘School of Rock Summer Course’, which was all on zoom due to the pandemic, yet we did put together an online performance. (This was also two weeks.) In summer of 2019, I did a West End stage course at Guildhall School of Music and drama. This was one week. I went there every day, and we had lessons in singing, acting, and dance. We put on the show ‘Sleeping Beauty’. Finally, this summer I did a one-week course at Dulwich College in London. I boarded there for a week, and at the end of the week, we put on a show about plastic in the ocean, and the environment as a whole. All of these schools were in London. Charlotte, Fourth Year

At the beginning of April, Layla took part in the European U19 Individual Championships for Squash in Zurich, Switzerland, performing very well. She came into the competition unseeded and knocked out the 9th seed in the tournament. Layla reached 12th place which is a respectable and huge achievement. Well done, Layla! She is also ranked first for U17, ranked top four U19, 4th U19 British Junior Championships, and is a England National squad member.

OUT OF SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS

At the end of 2021 Caitlin, Fourth Year, became British National Champion in Artistic Gymnastics and moved up a grade in 2022. At the British finals, she won a bronze medal, competing in the World Cup in Belgium this Easter.

Will, Fifth Year, played for Yorkshire U15s and got an EPP contract (emerging players programme) which has been renewed recently and he played for Fairburn men’s 1st x11 and scored over 1000 runs for the year and many wickets. He scored two hundreds and eight 50s. With Fairburn he helped secure promotion and won the league. Yorkshire won a three-day festival in Manchester.

Claudia, Fifth Year, was picked to play in the West Yorkshire U16 hockey team. She also currently plays for the prestigious junior section of Wakefield hockey club U16 A team. She had a fantastic season and is going from strength to strength.

Elliott, Fourth Year, races in the Junior Saloon Car Championship and drives a Citroen Saxo VTR which has roughly 110 horsepower. He races in England at the moment but practises in Spain. He has already won the regional finals in the BIKC karting championship, and was 4th in the young drivers final when he was 11.

Elliott recently raced at Pembrey circuit and won top Rookie in the JSCC and came 8th out of 27 of the top drivers aged 14-17 in the country. Many of the racers are in their second or third year of racing (age 16/17) so for him to be in the top 10 is amazing.

Elliott also volunteers for a charity called the Sporting Bears who raise money for children’s hospices. They offer “dream rides” in cars in exchange for a donation.

Amelia, Lower Sixth, has been playing football since the age of four and started off at a boys’ team. In the Summer 2022, her team, Millmoor Juniors travelled to Italy to play in the San Marino Cup and they won. In the 2021-2022 season her U16 team won Sheffield and Hallamshire women and girls league.

Jack, Fifth Year, High jump updates!

2021-2022 season:

England Development Squad for Athletics

U17 Men’s Northern Inter-County Champion

U17 Men’s Yorkshire Championship Gold

U17 Men’s Northern Championship Gold

U17 Men’s National Championship Bronze

U17 Men’s West Yorkshire Schools Champion

He has a PB of 1.92 metres.

Adam, Third Year, recently competed in the Yorkshire County Swimming Championship Finals at Ponds Forge International Swimming Pool in Sheffield. Adam and his teammates from the Borough of Barnsley Swimming Club were County finalists in the 200m freestyle relay and the 200m medley relay. Adam swam the 50m freestyle leg in each relay clocking a personal best of 29.5 seconds. He has been swimming competitively for four years and trains eight hours each week with the swimming club which includes early morning swims 5.30 to 7.00 am before school.

HOUSE

A Farewell from Mrs Gilbert

This is an Ackworth Today entry that I have not been looking forward to writing.

Boarding at Ackworth School has certainly got under my skin in ways that I never anticipated it could.

My dual role as Head of Boarding and Registrar has provided me with the opportunity to recruit some wonderful pupils into our boarding community. There is something so magical about meeting with children and parents in their home countries, then being here to welcome them as they begin their journey at boarding school.

We have been lucky that in recent months, it has been possible to welcome international families and agents to visit Ackworth School in person. I have been so proud to show them around the boarding house. If you have never visited our boarding house in person, I would strongly recommend it – it is a great place.

As I move on to pastures new, a huge challenge awaits me. My new school needs the same love and care that I have poured into the pupils, my colleagues, and the surroundings here at Ackworth and I am confident that the new Head of Boarding will continue to lead boarding with a similar ethos - based on trust, kindness, equality, and humour.

I am so grateful for every opportunity that Ackworth School has given me. I am especially grateful for my colleagues

– working in boarding allows you to gain greater relationships with out of hours staff, housekeeping staff, catering staff and the wardens. Without these people our job would be very difficult. There are so many colleagues that have influenced me and have helped me grow and learn over the past four years, allowing me to gain the skills and knowledge I needed to move into Senior Management, and I want to thank them all for their time and patience.

Lastly, and by no means least – my wonderful boarding pupils. Ackworth School would not be the same without the cultural impact that they have on the whole school and the wider community. I will hold a special place in my heart for them all. Thank you to them for making every day brighter than the one before.

A Trip to Harrogate Town in support for our new Football Academy partnership!

The boarding community always enjoy their weekend excursions, which this term have included ice skating, Flamingo Land, shopping trips to York and Leeds, and a student-led chess tournament.

Yoga Session

Yoga offers our students an opportunity to detach from their studies - to switch from the part of the brain which is associated with analysis and learning to that which is concerned with experiencing/feeling. During their yoga classes, students are fully absorbed in the action of their physical body and through the mindful awareness of every nuance - from the slightest shift in muscle, focus of breath, engagement, alignment and control - they gradually become aware of those qualities which are associated with the ‘subtle body’. Yoga is a discipline which is deeply nourishing for the mind, body and soul and it is such a pleasure for me to be able to share it with students at Ackworth School. Katy

Devine

“Yoga class is definitely what I’m looking forward to every Friday after a long and tiring week! I really have a relaxed and enjoyable time.” Linh

U6th

“I’m very grateful to have the chance to do yoga. After a busy week, yoga helps to relax my body and be with my own mind”.

Mariia 4th Year

“The yoga classes are very relaxing indeed. Every time I find my inner peace during Miss Devine’s class. They really help me to cope with the stress from work.” Brian U6th

“I am very glad to have the yoga classes which help me to relax after a hard week. I benefit from the time in the class and even if something is not easy, Miss Devine helps to support us.”

Anhelina 5th Year

“As a goalkeeper, I need to have good flexibility, yoga helps stretching through my whole body. It gets rid of the tiredness and stiffness after training. Apart from that, yoga helps to clear my mind and allows me to feel and focus on my body.” Marvin

4th Year

AUTISM RESOURCE

Mia describes her involvement in Ackworth Scarecrow Festival.

Autism Resource has enjoyed a range of activities over the last few months from outdoor walks to mainstream lessons.

SPORTS ACADEMIES

Table Tennis Academy

Schools National Champion! A big congratulations to Felix who won the school finals in April for Table Tennis without dropping a set the whole day. Well done, Felix, and well done to Rebecca and Ally for finishing in second place at the School team finals. Rebecca also reached the quarter finals of the national championships and beat number three in the U19 at Premier Women’s British league.

ACKWORTH ARCHIVES

Joseph Frankl (AOS 1946 - 1950) passed away in Israel on 21st of November 2021. Having escaped with his mother from his home in Czechoslovakia, he hid from the Nazis for three years in Hungary, surviving the siege of Budapest. He lost many members of his extended family in the Holocaust.

The Ackworth he arrived at in 1946 must have seemed like an oasis of calm after his experiences and the things he had witnessed in war torn Europe. He wrote about these in his autobiography “Under the Castle”. He summarised his Ackworth schooldays thus:

“Four wonderful, carefree years came to their end. Years filled with rich, rewarding experiences. We’d been taught honour, respect, friendship, how to interact with other people……..I’d entered Ackworth with trepidation, a hardened survivor coming from a vastly different world, a young boy who spoke poor English, a foreigner in so many senses. I left Ackworth confident and poised. I’d caught up; achieved much, both academically and socially: I had become a well-adjusted Englishman. I owed my school a huge debt.”

Another Old Scholar who arrived at Ackworth after the war was Coryn Clarke (AOS 1946 - 1948). Coryn’s photo album, letters, diary and cuttings have recently been donated to the archives. They present a truly remarkable story.

“Punishment was very severe if you broke the Japanese rules. By Christmas ‘44, conditions were deteriorating, clothes were getting shabbier and shabbier, anything that could be saved was made into smaller garments, but it became colder and colder in the winter. Rations got smaller and smaller. We wore everything in bed and we didn’t care.”

They were finally liberated by the Americans. Coryn returned to Britain in 1946 and she joined Ackworth School where her older sister had been a pupil before the war.

Ackworth must have seemed a world away from her two and a half years of captivity.

Coryn and her family were interned in Ash Camp, Shanghai by the Japanese in March, 1943. Her father had been employed in Public Works in China. Her diary entries are harrowing as conditions and treatment deteriorated over time.

OLD SCHOLARS

Easter Gathering

“The point in the Easter holidays when the relative calm of a pupil-free School is broken by the return of Old Scholars and descendants of Old Scholars, as well as hangers-on who’ve been adopted into the Ackworth Old Scholar family over the years.”

For decades this annual reunion has brought together families and friends loyal to their school, to enjoy a time of fellowship, reminiscence, worship and varied sporting/ cultural/creative activities, with the swimming pool used by young and old alike. The staff room becomes the social hub, with rather different refreshments to those enjoyed during term, and occupation well past 4 pm! Some who live near enough come as day visitors, but boarding accommodation is available for anyone to stay one or more nights from Good Friday through to Easter Monday, with final departures on the Tuesday morning, and many multi-generational families are represented, enjoying the improvements made in the boarding facilities over recent years.

On the final morning this year, I found myself in conversation with a lady who is not herself an Old Scholar, but is descended from J. A. Barringer, a teacher at the school more than a century ago who met his wife here, and who lived in Ivy Cottage at the bottom of Great Garden, where my family have resided for the last four years. She was delighted to see around the cottage that had been his home, and recognise the backdrop of an old family photograph.

The school caterers keep visitors well fed – full cooked breakfasts, lunch and dinner, with elevenses and afternoon cakes there too, as well as evening snacks. I defy anyone to leave weighing less than they arrive, except possibly Old Scholar Sal Wright who, as Easter Secretary (an entirely

voluntary role which subsumes inordinate amounts of her time throughout the year), scurries around in her Easter Bunny costume prioritising everyone’s needs but her own. Some highlights mentioned by a couple of recent Old Scholars:

• Hearing stories from other people’s times at Ackworth

• Meeting up with friends made at previous Easters

• “It’s always cake o’clock!”

• Doing the Grand March again

• All-age sports on The Green (and elsewhere)

• Egg and spoon race, and other egg-related activities

• “POP’s always fun!”

• The formal dinner - ideal for a reunion meal with old friends

• The local walk - revisit bits of the area that you may have only ever seen on Founders’ Day

• Running (or walking) the ‘old’ Badsworth course – could you beat John?

Easter Gathering was kept alive virtually through two years of lockdown, but its continuity has taken a knock, as with so many things. What it needs is you, Old Scholar or supporter, to come and find out what you’re missing. Ackworth School has a remarkable history, and fascinating stories are shared between Old Scholars over the Easter weekend. This time of fellowship is too valuable to lose. If you too value being part of the Ackworth School family, please consider attending at least for a few hours next Easter. The costs involved are easily outweighed by the benefits. Gather some of your peers and make it a date! 29th of March to 2nd April 2024 or any day/days in between.

Oh, and if you don’t know what POP is, you’d better come along and find out!

Susan Swales

Evening Reading Easter 2023

In Evening Reading a few years ago, my theme was silence and how we benefit from the experience of silence, its effects on body and mind in slowing the pulse and calming emotion, in expanding awareness and understanding. Very often when people look back on their time in school, the influence of silence remembered in a Meeting for Worship or in the smaller silences during the school day are defining memories which they value in later life. I think that school’s gift of silence to those who pass through here is very special.

Tonight we’ll revisit the theme and look at how we can grow in our understanding of silence, how we can develop the habit of silence, consciously making it a richer experience particularly in our connection with the natural world, as Stewart will explain.

In the past 25 years or so I have spent very many hours walking in the hills with a friend and Ackworth classmate and I have often been asked “What did you and Peter talk

about during those long walks?” The answer is we did not talk much at all because we were usually several yards apart and both of us comfortable with silence having attended Ackworth. We soon discovered that we were so much more receptive to our surroundings, the habitat and the weather if we walked in silence and we gradually trained ourselves to become more aware of natural influences. There was time enough to talk when we paused for food or to discuss navigation.

While much of the benefit of training the senses to become more receptive goes unnoticed, there are times when the heightened perception produces rewards. One such occasion was when Peter and I were walking in Glen Etive and heading up the valley to the col between Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhor. It is a fairly narrow and steep-sided valley and we were close to the top in misty but wind-free conditions with Peter several yards ahead of me.

OLD SCHOLARS

We had not been talking on the ascent and the only sound was a murmur from water in the stream below us. I saw Peter raise his hand to stop me and then he pointed to the misty col less than 30 yards above.

There at a clearing in the mist and outlined against the lighter sky behind stood a stag with antlers. For a minute or more it moved slowly from rock to rock oblivious of our presence until the mist closed and it was lost from view. That remains as a time which I shall never forget due to our senses being so heightened by the silence that surrounded us.

What I am trying to say is that although silence only directly relates to one of the senses, that of hearing, it improves the perception of the other senses.

It was Peter who introduced me to the work of an author called Nan Shepherd who died in 1981 having written four books (including a poetry anthology) in the 1930s followed by only one further book in the late 1940s entitled The Living Mountain. The manuscript for this book lay untouched for more than thirty years before being published in 1977.

In this short excerpt Nan Shepherd has been sleeping out of doors; her experience on waking is similar to Peter and Stewart’s seeing the stag:

‘ ... my eyes were closed, and now they are open, nothing more than that; and ten yards away from me a red deer is feeding in the dawn light. He moves without a sound. The world is entirely still. I too am still. Or am I? Did I move? He lifts his head, his nostrils twitch, we look at each other. Why did I let him meet my eyes? He is off. But not for far. He checks in his flight and eyes me again. This time I do not look at him. After a while he drops his head, reassured, and goes on feeding.’

Nan Shepherd spent hundreds of days and thousands of miles exploring the Cairngorms into which she went on foot in all seasons, by dawn, day, dusk and night, walking sometimes with friends, but mostly alone. She often spent nights alone on the mountains with or without a tent. The Living Mountain draws on her lifetime of mountain experiences and Peter appreciated that the long periods of silence she encountered enhanced her perception of the other senses. What is clear is that silence enabled her to discipline her mind and body to quiescence and that for the ear the most vital thing that can be listened to is silence.

‘Having disciplined mind and body to quiescence, l must discipline them also to activity. The senses must be used. For the ear, the most vital thing that can be listened to here is silence. To bend the ear to silence is to discover how seldom it is there. Always something moves. When the air is quite still, there is always running water; and up here that is a sound one can hardly lose, though on many stony parts of the plateau one is above the watercourses. But now and then comes an hour when the silence is all but absolute, and listening to it one slips out of time. Such a silence is not a mere negation of sound. It is like a new element, and if water is still sounding with a low far-off murmur, it is no more than the last edge of an element we are leaving, as the last edge of land hangs on the mariner’s horizon. Such moments come in mist, or snow, or a summer night (when it is too cool for the clouds of insects to be abroad), or a September dawn. In September dawns I hardly breathe - I am an image in a ball of glass. The world is suspended there, and I in it.

Once, on a night of such clear silence, long past midnight, lying awake outside the tent, my eyes on the plateau where an after wash of light was lingering, I heard in the stillness a soft, an almost imperceptible thud. It was enough to make me turn my head. There on the tent pole a tawny owl stared down at me. I could just discern his shape against the sky. I stared back. He turned his head about, now one eye upon me, now the other, then melted down into the air so silently that had I not been watching him, I could not have known he was gone. To have heard the movement of the midnight owl - that was rare, it was a minor triumph.’

Nan Shepherd through many years of practice trained herself to listen to silence, reaching a level of awareness that many of us can only imagine. Most people in the modern world rarely have the chance to hear and certainly not to listen to silence at all. But recent events gave us a rare opportunity to live through an absence of the usual sounds of everyday life.

When the Covid pandemic swept over us and lockdowns were imposed, the skies were empty of planes, the streets were almost without traffic, businesses and industries contracted and many people experienced a strange hush, a pause for the first time in the world outside.

When they could be outdoors, people began to hear and then to listen to this strange new world stripped of the usual overload of noise. They noticed the awakening of birdsong as the spring advanced, the different sounds of trees on a still or breezy day, the rustling of creatures previously unheard.

The deafening overlay of industrial society was replaced by gentler sounds and by silences.

The pandemic was a hammer blow to the world as we knew it and the aftermath continues, but out of it there came a pause, a quieter time, a chance for people to reconnect with a different world and a different way of being. We’ve heard from people how their lives were enriched, how they felt they grew emotionally and woke to a new way of hearing and seeing.

In a Meeting for Worship, we gather to join with others in silence, to be receptive and open to wisdom that may come to us. Silence for this community and this school is not a shutting out of the world, but about connecting with it positively and creatively.

Remembering Old Scholars

We were sad to hear of the passing of Marilyn Deakin who was a Scholar at Ackworth School 1950-54.

It is also with sadness that our friend and member of the East Coast Guild for so many years, Marjorie Bliss, passed away in February.

Our thoughts are with Marjorie’s and Marilyn’s families during these times.

50 Year Reunion

– Easter at Ackworth 2023

Easter at Ackworth is a regular fixture in my diary – what better place to spend a few days catching up with friends young and old? The sun was shining on our arrival and the magnolia on the terrace just beginning to bloom. The youngest visitor was just four months old and the eldest well into their 80s. Coincidentally the two of the youngest were not children of Old Scholars, but children of a number of young people who come every Easter, having met because their parents are Old Scholars, came at Easter Gathering as children and have been attending ever since! This year, my year group was celebrating 50 years since leaving school – some of us had left earlier but have kept in touch through the joys of the internet. This year 18 of us and some partners met over the weekend, some attending for the whole weekend, some overnight and some just for our reunion lunch on Easter Sunday. We were able to enjoy time together having our lunch in the Housekeeper’s Room with Champagne provided by one of our group! Some of our group who had attended previous reunions were unable to come this time, but others who had not been back since leaving were able to join us. After lunch, we enjoyed a tour of the school by Deputy Head Jeffrey Swales noting the many changes since our time at school – in particular the library now where our boys’ Sixth Form studies were, the Westwood Centre – previously our library, Coram House – opened in our second year as 1st and 2nd year boys’ dormitories, now a fabulous Music Centre equipped with Steinway pianos

60 Year Reunion

- Easter at Ackworth 2023

I was aware of the year group 1956-63 when I first started as an Ackworth pupil. They were in the Lower 6th and seemed almost like adults to us. Some were to

as the school is now a Steinway School and most of all, gone are the dormitories of 20+ pupils replaced by smart, twin, en-suite study bedrooms!

We spent an enjoyable, leisurely weekend catching up, some now enjoying retirement, others still looking forward to it, friendships formed more than 50 years ago rekindling as though not a day had passed.

The weekend was the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends without the busyness of a School Open Day which is full of school activities (although several of us also attend this event). I recommend the Easter Weekend as a perfect opportunity to arrange your year group reunion – if you have a 10-year reunion coming up, contact the school to arrange it now.

Janet Blann (née Green)

become prep supervisors and prefects, leaving us with positive memories that were rekindled by meeting them once again during the Easter weekend.

These Ackworth Old Scholars are five years older than my own year group, so it follows that the “50 years on” group members are five years younger than us. One of that younger group remarked of the older ones: “I hope we look as good as that in ten years’ time”. Indeed, despite being in their later 70s, the 60-year Reunion group members were remarkably dynamic in mind, body and spirit.

Both groups included Old Scholars who regularly revisit the school, as well as others who had never been back since they day they left, up to 60 years ago.

David Wood

1 Anne Kenyon (Gibson)

2 Cath Jones (Lilwall)

3 Pamela Paget (West)

4 John Speirs

5 Judith Jones (Lister)

6 Anthony Lodge

7 Bill Wicksteed

8 Martin Smiley

9 Helen Smiley (Nicholson)

10 Melissa Wragg (Baxter)

11 Mick Osgerby

12 Annette Dickinson-Flint (Alonso)

13 Charlotte Pendlebury (Dakin)

14 Martin Wragg

10 Mick Avern 11 Jane Tordoff 12 Janet Green 13 Roger Leech 14 David Stevenson 15 Mike McRobert 16 Penny Brown 17 Annie Vincent

Kay Rush

1 Paul Crossley 2 Steve Burgess 3 Diane Pugmire 4 Jenny Bennett 5 Melanie Westerman 6 Shazad Qureshi 7 Jonathan Bedford 8 Pete Causer 9 Colin Kay

Where are they now?

I came to visit UK for a graduation ceremony in March, it was a visit of six days, for the first time after leaving Ackworth. I had a chance to re-experience England from a new, slightly distanced perspective, and while everything else seemed even more extravagant than I’d remembered, coming back to Ackworth felt as homely and heartwarming as I could dare to expect. The experience has left me overjoyed and I am beyond thankful for the warmest welcome there could’ve been.

Ksenija, (AOS 2016 – 2018)

My Uganda Volunteering Project: Play Action International

Volunteering Activities & Involvement

Over four weeks in July, two mates from university and I will be travelling to Jinja, Uganda, for a volunteering project with the charity Play Action International. We will be working alongside local craftspeople to transform an uninspired area around a local underprivileged school into a fun, exciting and inspired playground. All money raised is designated to the cost of sustainable building materials and equipment. The overall goal is to promote the confidence, growth, physical and psychological development of school children through the language they know best – play!

National Three Peaks: < 24 hrs Challenge

As three members of the Cardiff University Squash Society, we strongly felt that getting involved with a project

abroad relating to improving the facilities of play would be appropriate since we often take the benefits of physical activity for granted.

In order to financially support our endeavours this summer, we’d welcome sponsorship towards the challenge we have set of climbing the National Three Peaks in under 24 hours in June. This will involve thorough planning and navigation during the climbs of the three largest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon respectively.

Blogging & Just Giving

You can track our progress over the course of our National Three Peaks Challenge as well as blogging our volunteering activities and provide cultural and geographical insights from Uganda (WIFldependent) https://haroldeanio.blogspot.com

If you would like to contribute and read more please visit my Just Giving page - www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/ugandeano

Play action international website: www.playactioninternational.org

I would appreciate any support you may offer that will contribute to a more exciting, healthier, and enjoyable schooling experience of underprivileged children in impoverished Ugandan communities.

Harry Dean

(AOS 07 – 21)

Mindfulness with Katy Devine

This year, staff have been offered a lunchtime mindfulness session every half term. Due to demand, a further weekly session has recently been introduced which has also given junior school and auxiliary staff the opportunity to attend. Here are a few words from some of the attendees:

“We are kind to others but do we remember to be kind to ourselves? A wonderful opportunity to stop and reset.”

Paula (Junior School staff)

“Not many people look forward to Monday, but it’s quickly becoming my favourite day of the week due to the staff mindfulness session I attend at lunch time. Spending 30 minutes with Katy Devine in meditation, contemplation and true focus of all the senses allows me to return to the Library refreshed and relaxed. Although I have only taken part in three sessions I have already felt the benefits and imagine Katy’s soothing manner when life becomes busy and challenging.”

Erica (School Librarian)

How times change

We would like to officially congratulate Anton and Alison Maree on becoming grandparents!

“The mindfulness sessions have not only helped my mind to relax but my body too. During and after sessions the muscular tension from stress is markedly reduced. I now try and fit some in every day and make a point of noticing the world around me and how that makes me feel.”

Joan (Science technician)

“The mindfulness sessions have been a valuable tool by allowing yourself to take a step back, think and breathe. Being able to have an outdoor session in the sunshine adds to the benefits.”

Jane (Junior School staff)

“A great way to force yourself to stop and focus on you. The glitter bottle is an amazing focal point.”

Susan (Maths Teacher)

“Well after my only session but not my last, I felt very relaxed, I had a lovely night’s sleep and on the back of this I did look at podcasts regarding mindfulness, I could listen to Katy’s relaxing voice all day. Thank you.”

Janet (Receptionist)

PSA NEWS

What a lovely evening of Spring Flower Arranging we had back in March and thank you for those who attended!

Please welcome to Ackworth School…

Leaving us this term…

Lynne Ward

“With very mixed feelings, it is time to hand over the baton to Hannah, our current Resource Deputy, and I hope that she has as much fun as I have had! Retirement, new interests and opportunities, and grandchildren beckon, but it has been a wonderful 12 years at Ackworth as Head of Autism Resource. The school’s small Resource, ‘Shed Court’, housed just four pupils and members of staff in 2011, and with a remarkable and wonderful growing staff team, we have pursued our vision to promote a positive

and inclusive view of autism and related conditions, and to provide a safe, bespoke and therapeutic environment for our young people, now numbering 25 staff (including some part-time staff) and 21 pupils in new accommodation in the West Wing. June Pease has served the school for 40 years, having been with Autism Resource since its inception. She retires alongside me, and the Resource’s ethos and pupil-centred understanding of autism owes much to her wisdom, patience and skill.

One of the key things that strikes everyone who knows Ackworth is the genuine regard and acceptance for diversity throughout the whole school. My thanks go to all who have supported such a different type of provision under the Ackworth umbrella – Anton, the leadership team, teaching and support staff and pupils. Ackworth is a very special place, and I leave Hannah and the team with my very best wishes as they take the Resource on to new successes.”

Rosie Whitham – Head of English

Charlotte Oades – Autism Resource

Peter Egan – Finance

Wayne Egan – Porter

Pauline Oakes – Secretary

Louise Cullen – Domestic Assistant

Sarah Redgwick - Visiting Music Teacher Maternity Cover

June Pease – 40 years of service in Autism Resource

Nicola Gilbert – Head of Boarding, promoted to SLT at Dallam School

Joe McAndrew – Finance

Mike Windsor – Design and Technology relocating to the south

Carl Pearson – Physics, leaves us to become a science tutor

Catherine Cooper –Geography Maternity Cover

Allain Baigent-Brown – History Maternity Cover

Jeffrey Swales – Deputy Head, Digital Learning relocating to Wales

Susan Swales

“When Rachel was born in 2003, I lost my identity. I was no longer Susan Swales (née Burchell) – I was ‘Rachel’s mum’. When we moved to live at Ackworth School in 2006 I gained a split identity –‘Rachel’s mum’ and ‘Jeffrey’s wife’.

It’s hard to relocate to any community when you’re really just the ‘plus one’ – responsible for everyday life whilst your ‘significant other’ gets stuck into the on-site job for which they have been employed. The Ackworth family was very welcoming and I was taken out for a meal by the resident female staff before term had even begun, but that barely scraped the surface of my need to belong.

How times change.

First I was given a few periods of one-to-one maths (the nearest I’d been to using my maths teaching qualification for a few years) and an excuse to mix a little with staff in school. Exam invigilation also featured briefly. Then Coram House urgently needed sickness cover for their secretary . . . so that was my foot firmly in the door, in the thick of it, getting to know pupils and staff, and doing what I do best – sticking my oar in! Giving birth on site (as planned!) was also a good way of gaining attention, even if it did add ‘David’s mum’ to my confused identity.

And then, timetable requirements for September 2015 meant a (very) part-time maths teacher was required. Just the job for a resident housewife whose younger child was now entering Year 1. The rest is history.

I’ve had obliging Heads of Department, who’ve put me where I am happiest, teaching GCSE and A level groups as well as picking up U6 Further maths. [That was preceded by an intensive summer holiday reawakening long-unused knowledge!] I’ve taken on varying quantities of teaching, as pupil numbers have dictated. I’ve had a lovely set of colleagues and some delightful and complimentary pupils and parents, as well as a share of moments I’d rather forget … My involvement musically with recent drama productions, as well as choir and string orchestra, has for me put the icing on the cake. My feelings as I leave are too conflicting to put into words. However, Wales beckons and with it a chance to rebalance our family life. I will keep the maths books out though, as I’ve heard that online tuition has become quite the thing…”

– Promoted to Deputy Head

“I leave Ackworth School with many happy and fond memories. I would like to thank parents, pupils and staff for their support and friendship during my four years at the school. I wish Ackworth and the community the very best for the future.”

Lee Whittaker – Learning Support Supply

“I would just like to thank all the staff for making me feel welcome and giving me this opportunity to learn all that I could in this short space of time. The students have been a pleasure to teach, and they have given me some great memories. It is a shame I had already planned my PGCE at another school, as I really do enjoy working here. To all those leaving and staying on, I wish you all the best for the future.”

“I have been at Ackworth for 12 years and have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Ackworth has provided me with such a wide range of opportunities and it is a place where I have made lifelong friends. Many of my favourite memories have been from all of the overseas trips I have led, where I have been privileged to watch the growth of pupils’ awe and wonder in the world around us. I will miss my Ackworth family and the wonderful site that we get to work on every day, however I am looking forward with excitement to the next stages in my career.”

Belle Wagner – Returning to Dubai

“It has been an absolute joy working with such well-rounded and focused individuals during my time at Coram House. I will miss the students and staff alike and wish the children every success on their future educational endeavours.”

Jane Donnelly – has taken a role at a new school

“I have been at Ackworth for seven years. I have loved my time here and will miss the school community immensely. The commitment from the girls for hockey and netball in particular has been incredible and something that I am extremely proud of. Over the past seven years I have learnt that it’s ok to take time and reflect as well as silence being very thought provoking. It is going to be very strange in September not to put my Ackworth PE kit on and walk around The Green amongst my school community. I will miss Ackworth very dearly. It is a magical place to be.”

Dan Wiseman

Eli Clarke – Change of career