The Fothergill Theatre came alive with the sound of Sondheim in a fresh take on this timeless classic.
Celebrating Sally Slater’s 17 wonderful years of supporting and inspiring pupils and staff at Coram House.
Sharing the experiences of Jewish refugee children who found shelter and education at Ackworth School.
January saw the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a moment of profound historical significance. It is a time for remembrance—of the millions who perished and of those who survived, carrying their stories forward. But it is also a time for reflection on the values we hold dear: compassion, courage, and justice. These are values that lie at the heart of Ackworth School, shaping our identity as a community that welcomes, supports, and nurtures.
In 1933, shortly after Hitler came to power, the Germany Emergency Committee of the Religious Society of Friends was established to help Jewish people escape Nazi persecution. Alongside other groups, this committee supported Jewish children fleeing Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Poland and assisted them in the countries to which they fled.
Ackworth played a vital role in offering sanctuary to Jewish refugee children escaping Nazi persecution. The 1st to arrive was Hans Joseph Otto Georg Freutel from Berlin on the 18th of September 1935 who went on to become a successful actor under the name Paul Hansard. A steady stream of boys and girls continued to arrive from Berlin, Stuttgart, Vienna, Hamburg and Poland, and entered School up to April 1940. Many were boarders, while some lived with local families, adapting to new lives far from home and developing new friendships – some of which would last a lifetime. Coming from Vienna with his family, Hans Wellisch formed a friendship with Ann Whitworth in 1948. Hans went on to have a successful career on Wall Street and now lives in New York but has kept his connection with Ackworth alive through his wonderful friendship with Ann.
Arriving via the Kindertransport in May 1939, Rudi Schaffer carried with him the hopes of reuniting with his parents.
Sadly, they perished in the Holocaust. Despite this loss, Rudi thrived at Ackworth, excelling academically – his name can be seen for achieving the highest scholarship in 1944 on the board located at the end of the boys dining room. Later he became a world-renowned developmental psychologist and published several books, specialising in child development. It is fitting his work is today studied by our Psychology students.
Our commitment to supporting those Jewish Refugees fleeing was recognised in 2022, when Ackworth was chosen as one of 80 sites across the UK to receive a commemorative tree from the Association of Jewish Refugees. The copper beech, planted in our Great Garden, stands as a living tribute to those who found safety here and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit as well as our commitment to the values of inclusion, kindness and standing against injustice.
Ackworth has long been a place of refuge and support, and it is our responsibility to ensure that its legacy continues—not only in remembrance but in our actions every day.
Award-winning author Annabel Pitcher visited 2nd Form students to discuss My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, which they have been studying in English. She shared how 9/11 and childhood memories inspired her novel and answered students’ questions about writing and tackling complex themes. Annabel also led a creative writing workshop, using engaging techniques—including a beach scene re-enactment—to spark creativity. The afternoon ended with a book signing, making for a memorable and inspiring visit.
The author coming was a fun and also interactive experience. I enjoyed how she listened to our ideas and elaborated on them. It was really interesting to listen to what inspired her and why she wrote her book and to get some of our questions on the story answered. She was a lovely lady with great books and overall, her visiting was a fantastic experience.
Bethan, 2nd Form
We were delighted to welcome actor and dancer Beckie Callow to Ackworth School. Beckie led a dynamic workshop on The Paper Birds’ devising methods, giving students handson experience with industry professionals. It was an inspiring afternoon of creativity, especially valuable for our L6 CTEC Performing Arts students studying the company. Huge thanks to Beckie for sharing her time and expertise!
Having the book author over was an amazing experience. Being able to ask the author questions face to face about the book we studied in class was really interesting, and learning about what influenced her to write her novel was great. It was inspiring for young writers and showed them how they could craft their own stories.
Herbie, 2nd Form
Before Christmas, several students took their Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) examinations— and they all passed with flying colours! Many achieved outstanding results, including high marks and special distinctions.
A huge congratulations to the following students on their achievements:
• Jasmine – Grade 1 Piano (Merit)
• Aoife – Initial Grade Piano
• Florence – Grade 3 Flute
• Winston – Grade 2 Flute (Distinction)
• Vida – Grade 1 Flute (Merit)
• Giray – Grade 1 Saxophone (Merit)
• Maya – Initial Grade Piano
• Lilia – Grade 1 Piano & Initial Grade Violin (Merit)
Well done to all for their dedication and hard work—we look forward to hearing more musical successes in the future!
Oliver McCarthy-Bell, Director of Music
Last summer, Ackworth School welcomed Adena and Brendon from Abington Friends School to explore the possibility of a student exchange program. In November, our Marketing Manager made a reciprocal visit to their historic Quaker school in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1697, Abington Friends School retains its deep-rooted traditions, with a Meeting House and Quaker burial ground on campus dating back to the 1600s. Its values closely align with ours, making it a perfect partner for this exchange.
This April, our students will travel to the USA for a two-week stay with an Abington Friends student and their family. In return, the exchange students will visit us in June, spending two weeks experiencing life at Ackworth and in the UK. This partnership promises to be a fantastic opportunity for cultural exchange and building lasting friendships.
Coram House and Senior School students had a fantastic time at the Santa Dash on the last day of term, raising funds for the Rob Burrow Centre for MND and PSA. Under a bright blue sky, they were joined by Lindsay, her son Jackson, and his classmates from Orchard Head. A lively warm-up led by Michelle, with Wakefield Wildcats and Featherstone Rovers players, set the tone for the fun. Mr Bower made a brilliant Turkey to chase, while Mrs Huddlestone assisted Santa as the perfect Elf. After the dash, everyone enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies. Huge thanks to the PSA and all who donated to this great cause.
Christmas term ended on a high with our spectacular Senior Christmas Concert in the Meeting Hall.
The concert featured wonderful readings from Adam, Catherine, Noah, and Vinnie, and a stunning original composition, Crystal Waters, by Benji. The Chamber and Senior choirs sang beautifully, while the percussion and jazz ensemble, string orchestra, and full orchestra delivered captivating performances. Special mention to Alma for her stunning solo in German of Once in Royal David’s City and Noah for his heartfelt performance of La Fleur de Noël.
Families and friends enjoyed a truly festive celebration of our students’ incredible talent. A huge thank you to everyone who took part, our Director of Music, Oliver McCarthy-Bell, and all our music staff for another unforgettable concert!
We have been expanding leadership opportunities in 6th Form following on from last year when we changed the structure of School Officers to be a team of 6, each with equal responsibility. This year we have introduced student leadership roles for each subject and are continuing to
develop the Peer Mentor program. The new roles are non-selective, with every student given the opportunity to volunteer their time and develop skills in leadership and teamwork. We are excited to see how these roles will develop and look forward to celebrating their successes over the coming months.
Laura Young, Head of 6th Form
To help students to revise for the subjects using my experience and hope to give them good advice to make their revision a little bit more fun and easier.
Marvin, Spanish & Biology
I want more people to understand and love maths!
Kamila, Maths
I want to help develop other students’ future learning in maths and spark their love towards the subject.
Xander, Maths
I hope to encourage people to enjoy English out of the classroom as well as in school.
Ottilia, English
I hope to assist the current GCSE students in their revision and hopefully imparting my love of history onto at least some of them. The lessons of the past teach important knowledge about how to approach the future, knowledge that is often ignored which leads to the repetition of needless traumatic events.
Vaughan, History
I hope to interest more students in the subject by sharing information about how chemistry is used in our everyday lives and industrially for production of important goods. I also aim to raise more awareness about the newest innovations and discoveries in chemistry to promote further independent research of the subject by students.
Stanislav, Chemistry
I hope to inspire people to learn more about themselves and why they behave in certain ways.
Paula, Psychology & Biology
I hope to inspire others to apply psychological principles to real-world situations, while also advocating for mental health awareness and creating opportunities for personal and academic growth within the field.
Yeva Y, Psychology
“As Art ambassadors, we have already been busy creating props and scenery for the school play, we have also used our skills photographing promotional material for school publications and for social media. We have also enjoyed creating posters advertising competitions for younger pupils in school to take part in.
Perhaps one of the things we enjoy the most about our Art lessons is the freedom of creativity and self-expression. Each of us creates artworks on different topics and we don’t have a specific type of Art to stick to. Art lessons give us the opportunity to unwind and focus on something we truly enjoy, while also pushing our imagination to new heights. It’s a space where we can truly be ourselves and let our ideas flow without any limits”.
Sofiia, Alara, Yeva & Elly
As a student leader I aim to increase political participation and awareness across the younger year groups whilst promoting the importance of politics in everyday life.
Abi, Politics
My aim as a student leader is not only to help students achieve great results in their exams, but also to show them that Economics empowers you to build self-confidence and improve your knowledge of the world today.
Sofiia, Economics
I would like to get more people involved in music activities available at school, whether that’s through trying out a new instrument, starting vocal lessons or joining choir and being a part of the performances and concerts in and outside of school.
Alara, Music
I really hope to show how interesting and deep drama is to other people, so they understand how this art works.
Yeva P, Drama
As a student leader I hope to allow people in the younger years to share some of the knowledge I have learnt within this subject and also allow them to take an interest in the building blocks of biology and what makes the subject an interesting field.
Jaspreet, Biology
Giving younger students all the correct information when choosing their A-Levels and why Economics is a good choice.
William, Economics
We are thrilled to have won the Best Digital Campaign – Education Sector at the Northern Digital Awards! This achievement recognises our innovative and engaging ‘Go Ackworth Go Further’ campaign, made possible through the incredible support of our agency, Wrapped, as well as our dedicated pupils, students, staff and parents. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed – we couldn’t have done it without you!
Our music department recently took part in a wonderful concert at Wakefield Cathedral, showcasing performances from our String Orchestra and talented soloists. The event celebrated musicians at all stages of their journey, from seasoned performers to those taking the stage for the first time.
A huge thank you to Rae Strong, Clare Herriott, and Ros Noble for their dedication and support in making this event so special!
Oliver McCarthy-Bell, Director of Music
Dear Friends,
This is my last Ackworth Today address and I feel quite emotional writing this. After 17 years at Ackworth School, I am actually leaving. The time has gone by so quickly and I can hardly believe that I am saying farewell. Ackworth School was a place I used to pass by as a child. A friend of mine was a day pupil here. I knew very little about it and never dreamt that it would one day be such a big part of my life. When I first started here (on the recommendation of a parent, a friend of mine) I honestly felt as a teacher this was my dream job come true. I have always felt, and still do, that Ackworth School offers everything – but you have to search for it! It can fulfil your dreams provide you with confidence and help you realise your aspirations. I tell the children this... and new parents... it is true!
To all the people I have known over the last 17 years – thank you. I am grateful to so many of you and I have made some lifelong friends along the way. There have been some hard times, but these have been far outweighed by the good times. I hope that I have made my mark and that to someone out there I will be known as that inspirational teacher, or as someone who has helped them. I leave Ackworth with some sadness, but I am also
looking forward to some “me time”. I wish you all the very best and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship, kindness and support and I also thank my friend who recommended me to come and work here all those years ago. I would finally like to thank my family who have always supported me and never let anything get in my way. I am grateful for the time they have allowed me to fulfil my role as teacher, Head of EYFS, member of SLT, Deputy Head and then Head; they have been my rock.
Yours forever in friendship, Sally Slater
As you step into retirement, we want to express our gratitude for your dedication, leadership and the incredible impact you have had at Coram House. Your commitment and passion have shaped so many lives. While we will miss you dearly, we wish you all the happiness, relaxation and new adventures that retirement brings. Enjoy this well-earned new chapter! With heartfelt thanks and best wishes from Sophie Schoukroun and all colleagues at Coram House.
After an incredible 17 years of service, we bid a fond farewell to Sally Slater, Head of Coram House, as she embarks on her well-earned retirement. Sally has been a dedicated and inspirational leader, shaping the lives of countless pupils and ensuring Coram House remains a warm, nurturing, and engaging place to learn.
As an important member of the Senior Leadership Team, Sally has played a pivotal role in the school’s development, always championing the best interests of our youngest learners. Her passion, drive, and unwavering support have not only enriched Coram House but also ensured that pupils are well-prepared for their next stage of school life across the road. Thanks to her careful guidance, the transition from junior to senior school has been seamless, giving pupils the confidence and skills they need to thrive.
For those who have had the privilege of working alongside Sally, her wisdom, kindness, and leadership have been truly invaluable. She has left an indelible mark on our school community, and while we will miss her greatly, we know her legacy will live on in the generations of students she has guided.
Sally, we wish you a joyful and fulfilling retirement. Thank you for everything!
Martyn Beer, Head
Jeni Hall, EYFS practitioner and now British Sign Language (BSL) tutor takes us on her BSL journey.
I am Jeni Hall, and I work at Coram Nursery as an Early Years practitioner. Recently, I have started teaching Key Stage 1 British Sign Language (BSL), a passion of mine that began with a small initiative in our Nursery. It all started with a modest BSL area by the entrance and, as children noticed it, their curiosity grew. This led to the creation of a larger display board in our classroom and the exciting opportunity to teach small groups after school. I truly hope this grows and more pupils will join in! In our Nursery, BSL is already a part of our daily routine. We sign the days of the week before lunch and the names of fruit during morning snack time. These small interactions have sparked an interest in the children, which I am thrilled to see.
BSL began with something as simple as signing “please” and “thank you.” The children were fascinated by how my hand gestures had meaning, so I took it upon myself to learn more. I researched and taught myself the basics and soon realised that this language was not being taught at Ackworth. I firmly believe that BSL should be introduced from Early Years all the way through to Senior School. Since I have been teaching BSL, I have learned that some of our Nursery children have families who are deaf and hard of hearing, and it warms my heart to know that I am helping them communicate more effectively with
their loved ones. The children I teach in my after-school club are so engaged and excited to learn. I provide worksheets for them to practise at home and one pupil recently said, “I can’t wait to show my family when they visit.” It is moments like these that inspire me to keep growing the programme and share this wonderful skill with more pupils.
My journey with BSL started many years ago when I worked in retail. One of my regular customers was deaf and I remember feeling helpless when he had to write notes to communicate what he wanted. It saddened me that I did not have the skills to engage with him in a meaningful way. After I trained to become an Early Years educator, my interest in sign language continued to grow, but it was not until I accidentally signed something offensive to the mother of one of my pupils who was deaf in a previous setting that I truly realised how important it was for me to learn. That moment was a wake-up call, and I vowed to never make that mistake again. When I started at Ackworth, I shared my interest in learning BSL with Coram leadership team and, with their support, I was able to make it a reality. Since then, I have attended several BSL courses, and I am currently on track to complete my Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications. I feel incredibly proud of how far I have come and excited for what lies ahead. I hope that as I continue to share this skill with others, more pupils will see the value in learning BSL. Whether it is for communication, personal growth or supporting those who are deaf or hard of hearing, it is a skill that can truly make a difference.
I look forward to continuing to grow and expand my knowledge to help develop BLS throughout Coram.
Our reception children have been building obstacle courses with our new resources. They have had to negotiate with one another building communication and friendship skills and carry the resources, developing their physical skills.
Sarah Perry, Head of EYFS
Huge congratulations to our Coram House Year 3 pupils and their Spanish teacher, Amy Slater, who won the Poésíæ Spanish competition with ‘En mi cara redondita’ by Gloria Fuertes.
Poésíæ is the first Global Modern Foreign Language poem recitation competition. It is open to all pupils and students from primary school to 6th Form around the world.
FELICIDADES!
Our reception class explore words and language on a daily basis and Tabitha said ‘I was dejected and forlorn because I had to go home but I wanted to stay at school.’
This incredible achievement is a testament to the enriching opportunities provided to our pupils at Coram House as we endeavour to nurture creativity and to inspire our young voices to shine.
Max W was shortlisted for the post of West Yorkshire young poet laureate with his poem ‘Seven things found in my mum’s Amazon delivery. This was a fantastic achievement for Max and an extremely exciting time for Coram house! Max was one of six shortlisted pupils in the Year 4 category (there were two categories Year 4 and Year 9) to be appointed the new young poet laureate for West Yorkshire and become an ambassador for poetry in the region!
Max was crowned young poet laureate by Simon Armitage, National Poet Laureate and Professor of poetry and Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire.
Max rose to the challenge and managed to catch the audience with his poem. I had told him ‘So long as you can make them laugh...’ He was a terrific ambassador for Coram House and should be very proud of his performance.
As a short-listed poet, Max took part in a day long poetry master class in Bradford run by professional poets Tshepo Brown, Mohamed Saloo and Lauren Kara for the Year four category. I had the privilege to accompany Max to the poetry master class in Bradford – with our thanks to Max ‘s mum for the lift.
This was also the second round of the competition during which the shortlisted six had to perform their poem. In attendance, six professional poets and judges Jonathan Douglas, CEO of National Literacy Trust and Nick Barley, Director of the first National Poetry Centre.
Max stands before the lectern, heart alight, Shortlisted for laureate, in poetry’s fight. A master class beckons, wisdom to gain, Each word a step closer to breaking the chain.
With pen in his hand and a mind full of dreams,
He learns from the masters, and so it seems,
The road to his future, both sharp and wide,
Is shaped by the lessons the verses provide.
By Sophie Schoukroun
‘Thank you so much for attending the masterclass. We hope you had a wonderful experience – we certainly did! It was truly inspirational. Your pupil is incredibly talented, brave and inspiring and we hope that he was able to take something positive away from the day. Max has been selected as a winning finalist for the West Yorkshire young poet in year four. His performance at the master class was truly exceptional and his talent as shone brightly.’
Sharena Lee Satti, Project manager, Young writers, National Literacy Trust
On Sunday, Max attended a fabulous celebration event at Mind the Gap, Bradford which showcased all the finalist’s entries for Year 4 and Year 9, as well as being treated to some inspiring performances from a wide range of poets including from Mohamed Saloo who had already visited us last term.
Max was then awarded the incredible accolade of ‘West Yorkshire Poet Laureate for Year 4’ – this will provide him with some wonderful opportunities to work alongside poets, perform at high profile events around the region and work to inspire others to write and foster a love of poetry. The judge’s comments on his poem ‘Seven Things Found in My Mums Amazon Basket’ included that they loved his wit and humour, and his poem had them all in fits of laughter. Credit should also be given to Max’s mum who was the inspiration for the poem…all thanks to her love of Amazon!
Beth Jordan, Year 4 Literacy Teacher
Beware my mum will not like you to read this
A flannel to clean my horridly dirty knee.
A plastic bag to control the stench of my Dads Star Wars socks.
Another cardigan with no use except for the cats to sleep on.
A humongous leather handbag to hit people with.
A Leeds knights jersey for my birthday. And some flowers for the DPD guy…
By Max W, Year 4
Why did you want to become a young poet laureate Max?
‘This program means lots to me and it has inspired me to get into poetry a bit more. Now I think if I get to be the young poet laureate, I will get into poetry a whole heap more. It would feel like I had accomplished something. Something big. I would hope to inspire others.’
‘Well you have accomplished something HUGE and we are all so proud of you, Max!’
What does this mean for Max in our School?
Max will be ambassador for poetry across West Yorkshire, helping to inspire a new generation of poets and creatives. He will remain in post for one year following his appointment. He will have the opportunity to:
• take part in a poetry mentoring program.
• engage his peers in poetry session.
• work with the West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and the National Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.
• attend several key and exclusive cultural events across the region with opportunities to perform.
• write poems for commission.
• have his work promoted and amplified by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners.
ArtYear 6 had a treat during story telling week. We visited Reception and joined in with drawing club to write and draw about the adventures of ‘Tiddler’. The children practised their phonics and sounded out many CVC words using their skills. What a successful session.
It’s good.
Rosie reception class
I like it, I think it’s really fun.
Xavier Y6 buddy
Darcey and Tabitha ‘loved it’ ‘Tabitha wrote all of her words by herself, and I just helped with sounding out’.
Year 6 children visited Senior School to investigate the visible spectrum of light.
Mr White set up light boxes and prepared prisms so that the children could carry out their investigations.
Really interesting to think we will be there in September doing more things like this. Elsie
It was fun and exciting because we did a really cool experiment looking at how rainbows are formed. Darcey I really liked drawing the diagram. Ruby
Despite the extreme temperatures the Young Voices concert went ahead at the Sheffield Arena on Wednesday evening last week. Our Coram House choir joined in with around 5,000 voices at the Young Voices concert at the Sheffield Arena in early January.
Sally Slater, our Head of Coram House said “It is the first time we have performed here, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The choir have been working so hard over Christmas learning the lyrics and actions to over 13 songs. I know many of them told me about Christmas gettogethers rehearsing in their bedrooms concentrating really hard on remembering all the actions and all the words to the songs. The atmosphere at the concert was electric and the choir absolutely loved it, with one choir member saying it was definitely worth all the hard work.”
The 4th Form students came to share a book with Year 6 pupils. The Year 6 children had a wonderful time when asked about the experience afterwards.
It was scary at first, but I really liked reading to a Senior.
It was fun.
I really liked reading with my partner.
It would be good to do this again.
This year Coram Choir went to Sheffield Arena Young Voices 2025. We had a great time singing with all the different choirs and our celebrity guests. We had so much fun learning the dances which were choreographed by Andy Instone who is the director of Urban Strides and all the different schools doing them together looked incredible. We all had matching t-shirts and matching torches during the show. The crew at Young Voices made a really cool effect with the lighting and it looked fabulous. All the professional singer there were so good and there was a phenomenal dance crew called Urban Strides. Overall, we had an amazing time and would love to go back next year!
Thank you also to Emma and Elise from our PSA for supporting the trip, and Alison Wise for working so hard to help the choir learn the songs.
Freya & Sophia, Year 6
During this term, the Year 6 pupils have come with excited smiles and have improved their skills, whilst making a variety of different sweet and savoury dishes. They have continued to practice their knife skills, whilst also getting to grips with using the oven and hobs. Just before Christmas all of Year 6 came together to make gingerbread and decorate them. There certainly was some competition similar to Bake Off. All the Year 6 pupils produced some lovely, decorated gingerbread which met the brief. From January to the change over the Year 6 pupils have made quesadillas, fruit slices and rock buns. They were sad to rotate to Design and Technology, but I look forward to their eagerness when they are back with me in September.
The 1st Form are now well into the swing of routines in the Food Room and their organisation and time keeping is very good. They have made scones, pizza pasta and sconebased pizza swirls. As part of this terms work, we have been looking at portion control and quality of product. The students have really worked hard on this and as a result have produced excellent, good quality products. During their theory lessons, we have been looking at the Eatwell guide and evaluation techniques to evaluate their products.
2nd Form love the food practical sessions and always want to find out what they will be doing next. More recently we have been focusing on family-friendly favourites from around the world. They have made bread and bread shapes, pizza, cookies and Chilli Con Carne. During theory lessons, we have been focusing on 8 healthy tips and nutrition and applying this knowledge to answer examtype questions.
3rd Form have been looking at different target groups, specifically Vegetarians, people who have intolerances,
pregnancy and teenagers. They have been applying their knowledge about these target groups to answer exam questions. So far, they have made cinnamon buns, pancakes, and marinated chicken with flatbread. Both 3rd Form classes had to think of how they would present the marinated chicken and flatbread, for some, this wasn’t easy, but they all rose to the challenge and presented good quality dishes.
4th Form have this half term been looking at skilled techniques such as blind baking, lemon meringue pie, rough puff pastry for sausage rolls, fruit tart with crème patisserie, chocolate mousse, meringues, choux pastry and mini–Black Forest cakes. Throughout these practical sessions, we have been looking at skills that can be used in 5th Form as part of their practical exam. Some of the skills we have been doing were not easy for everyone, but the quality of the food produced has improved and they all know that any skill needs to be practiced to get it right. During the theory lessons they have started to look at Macronutrients and Micronutrients.
The students from Autism Resource always enjoy their sessions in food, it is a hive of activity, and the enthusiasm and excitement is clear to see when they have made and can consume their products. During the last term, they have enjoyed making cinnamon buns, quesadillas, rock buns, spaghetti bolognese, fruit slices, and pizza swirls.
Sarah Wilkinson, Head of Food and Nutrition
When I had to choose a third subject for my A-levels, I was initially uncertain whether I should take Art, because a combination of Art, Economics, and Maths seemed doubtful to me. Eventually, looking back at my 10 years of Art School experience in Ukraine, I decided to take it. And I have never been more satisfied with that decision.
My Art lessons bring me a sense of balance because every time I enter Miss Rose’s class and the Sixth Form Art Studios; I feel that I have the opportunity to develop other skills and strengths apart from just being able to solve math equations! I love how I have the freedom to choose what I want to draw and which materials to use, without rules or limitations. A lot of people think that Art is only about creativity and the ability to draw, but it also teaches you to be patient, resilient, to take risks which, in turn, brings about inner confidence and the ability to problem solve.
I am really glad I chose Art as my third A-level, because with the support of my teacher and the freedom the Art department provides, I can not only improve my art skills but also develop so many other personal qualities. These experiences will also help me a lot with my further education.
Sofiia, Lower 6th Form
This term, 1st Form proudly completed their dog lamps, carefully testing them to ensure they were working perfectly. The results? Absolutely fabulous! Their creativity and hard work truly shone through. Great job, 1st Form – we can’t wait to see what you create next!
As part of National Storytelling Week, I had the pleasure of escorting a group of seventeen 4th Form pupils to Coram House on Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th February during Tutor Time.
The mature, friendly and helpful pupils listened to Year 6 pupils read on Tuesday morning. It was noted how many of the pupils’ reading books were very advanced and contained sophisticated vocabulary which challenged several of the 4th Formers on occasion! It was great to see pupils chatting about books, asking questions and discussing characters, events and themes.
On Wednesday morning the same group of pupils listened to Year 3 pupils read. Although at first a bit daunted by the large group of tall pupils, we were soon welcomed into the beautiful Year 3 classroom with bright eyes and eager faces. The positive atmosphere and relationships were obvious, and it was beneficial for both the 4th Formers and Coram House pupils, so we are keen to arrange future visits.
Thank you to all involved!
Mrs Hulse
Merrily We Roll Along begins in the present and moves backwards, tracing the lives of wealthy, jaded composer Franklin Shepard and his two estranged friends through each milestone of their personal and professional lives (good and bad). The show ends with a touch of rueful irony, as the three best friends at the start of their careers face a bright future: young, talented and enthusiastic about the worlds waiting to be conquered.
What I loved about Merrily, from the very beginning when I first met this musical, is how it speaks to everyone at every stage of their lives. I love the fact that the students in our play might look at the Frank, Mary and Charley in the final scene and see themselves in these dreamers, gazing at the stars and at what might be, their futures bright before them, giddy with the intoxication of their indestructible potential. I love the fact that the adults in the audience may watch the same play but take away something very different: far from a play about dreams, for example, this could instead be play about the sacrifices you make and the compromises you strike, trading the dreams of tomorrow for the reality of today. It is the mark of the best of plays – and this Sondheim really is among the very best of them – that the message of the play shifts to fit the need of the person watching it.
It has been such a joy working on this beautiful, challenging play with over 50 students, from 1st Form all the way through to Upper 6th. Everyone has worked to shoulder their responsibility to put on this play, which has made this one a particularly painful production to close and move away from. I am sad that it has ended: this production has felt very different to almost all the plays that we have put on over the last few years. There are lots of things that I have loved about it. It has been closed some time ago, yet I still really miss it; I miss working with such a devoted cast of students and committed staff; I miss being surrounded by such beautiful music almost all the time.
I think one of the things that I have loved most about our production of Merrily was how much the students took it to their hearts. It wasn’t a guarantee at all that they would even like this musical: it was not a given, when we decided to go for it, that they would love this play in the same easy way as, say, Legally Blonde. But they absolutely have – they have completely given themselves to it, and in so doing, for the very time in my career, I really do feel that the students have taken ownership of the production and made it theirs. One of the things I loved most every production night was when somebody did something entirely new – something we hadn’t choreographed or directed – something that the students on stage themselves thought, ‘this makes sense for my character at this moment and I’m going to do it’ – and it was perfectly judged, and utterly exciting. I loved how well our students knew their parts and this production; I loved the confidence they had to experiment and create in the white heat of a live production in front of an audience; I loved, and so admired, their bravery. I have never had an ensemble work like this before.
I also haven’t had an ensemble work with such attention to detail before, either. One of the things I loved most was that wherever I looked on stage at whatever point in the
play we were, everyone on stage was doing something completely in character and with complete commitment and involvement, present in that specific moment. No one had their hands in their pockets, staring out to one side; no one broke character and shattered the imagined world we created. They believed in what they were doing – every single one of them, from the most experienced of Upper 6th to the least experienced of 1st Form – and because they believed, we believed. I am proud of the fact that we don’t turn people away at auditions – we embrace everyone who wants to be part of our play. We prioritise inclusion and togetherness and learning over only assembling, to the exclusion of others, a ‘crack troop’ of 8-10 students whose excellence and experience isn’t doubted. They have proven the sense and reason of this all-embracing approach, because they have shown us all that the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Everyone can participate, regardless of experience; and everyone can excel, regardless of experience. One of the things that Oliver McCarthy-Bell, Georgie Crowther and I concluded at the end of the run was how this play came to become more than the sum of its parts. That is testament to the incredible efforts of every single one of the students, on stage, backstage and on the tech deck.
There were many on stage who were at the very beginnings of their drama life at Ackworth – thank you to them for what they have done, and here’s to the exciting dramatic futures you have – it will be so exciting to see how they will all grow and develop over the years to come. There are some who are at the opposite end of this journey – those for whom Merrily is the last production that they will do at Ackworth, after many (or, indeed, comparably few) years on its stage. For this latter group in particular, this production may well be bittersweet – joyous and sad at the same time. So for them in
particular, hold tight to Sondheim, whose words and music will help in even the saddest of situations:
WE’RE THE MOVERS AND WE’RE THE SHAPERS. WE’RE THE NAMES IN TOMORROW’S PAPERS. UP TO US NOW TO SHOW ’EM… IT’S OUR TIME, BREATHE IT IN: WORLDS TO CHANGE AND WORLDS TO WIN. OUR TURN COMING THROUGH, ME AND YOU, PAL, ME AND YOU!
YEARS FROM NOW, WE’LL REMEMBER AND WE’LL COME BACK, BUY THE ROOFTOP AND HANG A PLAQUE: “THIS IS WHERE WE BEGAN BEING WHAT WE CAN.”
Though, remember, for those students leaving us, you don’t have to leave it years before you come back. Ackworth, the Fothergill, all of us – we will always be your home. There will always be family here for you. Completely take this for granted and never question it.
It has been the biggest privilege working on this production. A brief rest, and then onto the Interhouse Performing Arts Festival, and in the Summer Term, the Junior Production and the Cawood Slot!
Ali Boucher, Director
Having the joy of being in Merrily We Roll Along has been an unforgettable experience that has helped me grow in confidence, teamwork, and creativity. From the first day of rehearsals to the final performance, I learned the importance of dedication, commitment and hard work. Through Merrily I have gained a deeper appreciation for theatre, and I’ve discovered a new sense of understanding that I didn’t have before. Memorising lines, perfecting stage movements and choreography, and working with my amazing cast members and teachers has brought both challenges and excitement. There were moments of nervousness, especially before stepping onto the stage, but the thrill of performing in front of an audience gave it all meaning. I am so happy to have had the privilege of working with Mr Boucher, Mr McCarthy-Bell and Miss Crowther as they have all been there to support me when I needed it and given me all the advice I could ask for. This musical shows the importance of friendship and being true to your own values which has always meant a lot to me, and I am endlessly grateful for the strong friendships that have been made within the process of rehearsing and performing. This musical has been more than just a performance, It has been a great experience of growth, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
Charlotte, 3rd Form
I really enjoyed being a part of backstage and trying something new as I always wanted to be part of a school play but I’m terrible at acting. This was a nice opportunity and I’m probably doing it next year too.
Stefan, 2nd Form
If you told me last year that we would be doing a Sondheim musical, I would have laughed and said never. Merrily is not that well known but it very much should be! The amazing people who worked so hard on this play made it what it was – a phenomenon.
The cast were one of the best I have worked with and the performances across the week only reflected our passion and determination to pull this off. However, we were nowhere near as organised and calm than those incredible people in the tech deck and backstage. We genuinely couldn’t have done it without them and their support.
For those who know their musicals, Sondheim is not easy by any stretch and only singing this would be a challenge. This was made 100 times easier by the expert musician and director – Mr McCarthy-Bell and his legendary band who were just as talented. The choreography was no easier and I wasn’t as talented at this at the beginning. Nonetheless, the constant support and enthusiasm from Ms Crowther made it a blast. Of course, this simply would not exist without the unending effort put in by Mr Boucher.
Merrily We Roll Along is truly one of a kind. Being a part of this production has been incredible, and I feel so, so grateful to have been able to do this with such a talented cast because we have all created something so special and unforgettable. Sondheim’s music is legendary but challenging, which is why I want to say how amazed I was by the band and their talent. The music sounded absolutely stunning every show, and it would not have been the same without them. What I really love about Sondheim’s music is that his music is beautiful but also full of deep emotion. His music speaks when words can’t, and this was an element we were able to express through the songs in this show. I’m so happy and grateful that I got the chance to play the role of Mary Flynn. She will hold a special place in my heart forever.
Being on stage is magic. There’s nothing that compares, and seeing the audience laugh and enjoy the show is so wonderful. I’ve had such a fun and thrilling time these past few months. I’ve enjoyed every single moment and experienced the beauty of being on stage once again. Thank you so much to Mr Boucher, Miss Crowther, and Mr McCarthy-Bell for showing so much support, giving me the chance to play Mary, and believing that I could do this. I will cherish these memories forever.
Alara, Lower 6th
However, this would not be the same without the cast we had. Noah— I will never see Frank as anyone else and this is largely part to your limitless charisma throughout rehearsals and during the performances. George— I didn’t even know you could act like that let alone do a whole solo song for at least 5 minutes straight. Alara— I still can’t believe that it is your first production as you’re just so, so good at it. Please do the next one! Two of the best singers must be Millie (Beth) and Alex (Joe). You both brought this production to new heights with your greatness! Erin— you may not be a devoted member of choir, but you are such a phenomenal actress and your performance as Gussie was simply inspirational.
This was a musical to remember and friends (whether old or new) will stay with me for a long time. Thank you all so, so much for bringing this together.
Vinnie, 3rd Form
Whilst I have worked in theatre productions before, by far this play has been the most incredible experience for me and everyone involved. The sense of community and support the cast and crew has for each other is truly phenomenal and rare to find. I loved seeing the little dances and sing-alongs backstage from both cast and crew, showing how collectively we all were committed to this performance. I am so grateful I was able to be part of this beautiful production.
Aurora, 5th Form
Anyone will tell you who was in, or saw Merrily We Roll Along, that something absolutely extraordinary was created on the Fothergill stage.
We are all so privileged to experience the opportunities that we do in the performing arts department at Ackworth. Whether that be in music, drama or other forms of expression – the nurture, care and guidance an Ackworth student receives is an incredible privilege. The most important however, is being welcomed into the performing arts family from as young as 1st Form. I was welcomed in 2nd Form – as I was too preoccupied of the big change of going to senior school than to do the big scary play – but since then, the drama department has been my home. I would never have entertained the idea of musical theatre and acting on stage had it not been for just how welcoming that family was –and is and always will be. Our production of Merrily We Roll Along proved this in sheer excess. To see the whole cast unite every rehearsal and become so in tune with one another is a truly special thing to witness and be a part of, and something that I had not seen done so well in the seven years I have been performing here. Everybody felt compelled to, and felt they owed it to Stephen Sondheim’s wonderful music, give it their all each night. And that is the true definition of an ensemble cast – it’s like a well-oiled machine, each part working together to create a product that was simply joyous and extraordinary to perform each night.
The proudest part for me as I gear up to say goodbye to the creaking panels of the Fothergill stage, is seeing the next generation of performers come through and hone their craft and catch the performing “bug” as I did all those years ago. There is such a wealth of talent in the school when it comes to performing, and I am so excited to see you all blossom and bloom into the incredible performers that you already are and will be. From Alex’s obscenely funny portrayal of Joe (and THAT dance move in “Opening Doors” if anyone saw the show…) to Erin’s incredible characterisation and demeanour as Gussie Carnegie, and Millie’s gut-wrenching performance of “Not a Day Goes By” that made me tear up every night. Those are a selected list. The list is enormous of unforgettable moments in this production. It was truly special.
And what a joy it was to do the show alongside two of my best and closest friends. Alara – you were born to play Mary, you did it so perfectly. And George – I am so unbelievably proud of you; you owned the role of Charley.
You guys were the reason I beamed with a smile every time we performed. You truly are “old friends” and I will cherish the bond we developed through this play forever and ever.
And finally, thank you Georgie, Oli and Ali – you are truly the greatest teachers in the world, and have shaped my life more than you could ever know. Thank you for believing in me, in Sondheim, and this extraordinary production. And thank you for giving a nervous, anxious, introverted Noah a home.
“I had an amazing time taking part in the Senior School production. Everybody really supported me and made sure I was ok. I loved all of the songs but really enjoyed being able to sing on stage. It’s made me want to keep getting involved in drama, and to do more on stage!”
Arthur, Year 3
I’ve done 4 plays now at Ackworth School, all of them as incredible as the others – but doing Merrily We Roll Along was my favourite play. This play was a large struggle to learn and perform especially because I only had 3 weeks to learn it! But I loved every single second of it: the friends I’ve made as well as the skills l’ve learnt have made it worth it!
The drama community is a wonderful place, and I think this play has brought everyone together. I recommend to anyone thinking about doing the play next year TO DO IT!!!
You won’t regret it.
Alex, 5th Form
Oh, my goodness, Ali! Your heart must be bursting with pride for those students! What an absolutely, beautiful, heartfelt performance! I was completely lost in it! Thank you so much for helping them to make that wonderful play happen! Like no school production l’ve ever seen! They will treasure its memory for years to come. Congratulations! (Katy Devine)
Morning Ali, Thank you for last night. The play was excellent and as someone who would usually avoid a musical, I’m certainly pleased I didn’t avoid this one. (Tom Reed)
Morning Ali, the play was wonderful! What talented pupils & You must be so proud. Congratulations on all your hard work. (Laura Hulse)
I hope the last night of the production goes just as well as the rest, it’s truly an amazing play that’s been put together! (Jaspreet N)
Hey sir, I just want to say the play/musical was BRILLIANT! And I’m wondering, if there’s ever another one If could maybe help with backstage? … Seeing everyone on stage inspires me so much and makes me wish I had the confidence like everyone on there, because as a student when I did drama in 1st-3rd Form I was genuinely shy and had no confidence, but I feel like if I push myself to help with a play or a musical it will most likely boost my confidence. (Reuben H)
Dear Ali, Georgie and Oliver, Congratulations on a wonderful performance last night – it was fantastic to see the numbers involved from across the year groups (and Coram and Senior!) and the blossoming of so many talents on and behind the stage. Well done and very best wishes to all of you for the rest of the week – I hope you’re able to ride the wave and see things go from strength to strength. (Martyn Beer)
I should start by congratulating Ali, Oli, Georgie and all others involved in putting together ‘Merrily we roll along’ –it was a fabulous musical production. It went particularly well for an opening night, and I really enjoyed it – thank you and well done to all involved. (James Thomson)
Many congratulations to you for all your hard work and dedication to those superb students. There were some stunning performances, George was incredible! It brings me such joy to see the students really enjoying what they have worked so hard for over the last few months. I always feel so emotional watching; it was nice to be in the audience not as a nervous parent! (Sarah)
We just wanted to send you our heartfelt gratitude and huge congratulation’s for creating such a wonderfully entertaining production. What a fabulous story line, Noah was just born to be on the stage and to see him doing what makes his soul shine is such a heartwarming thing to watch. George and Alara were incredible in their roles and what a voice Millie has, just beautiful. And as for the stage manager/ Piano shifter/ ensemble member well what can I say …. so proud of how he has approached the whole production from beginning to end. (Andrea)
Dear Oliver and Alistair, William and I both just wanted to say that we both really enjoyed the performance on Wednesday. Thank you to you the other staff involved and of course the pupils in front and behind the scenes for their hard work, resulting in a very enjoyable evening. Looking forward to the next one! (Joan)
Hi Ali, Congratulations on the production of Merrily We Roll Along. As ever, you are very brave and ambitious in your choice of the school productions, and it was fabulous to see students’ talent shine through and deliver a wonderful performance. The 3 leads were tremendous, and I would like to mention the performance of George particularly. He was developed a lot more confidence and stage presence, as demonstrated to sensational effect in the interview scene from the first half. Noah as ever is very comfortable and accomplished on stage, during the second half he sat next to me and said hello! I cannot wait to see what Noah does next. Congratulations once again. (Andrew and Suzanne)
We thoroughly enjoyed Wednesday’s performance. We were deeply impressed with what you achieved given that the school is relatively small, and the musical was so complex. (Robert)
What a show, it was truly amazing, one of the best, I could see the time and effort you, your colleagues and the students put into this, it came out beautifully. You mentioned having a few people absent tonight but how amazing you and everyone managed the play because I would never have known you had people absent. It was phenomenal and I wouldn’t have expected anything less from the shows you’ve put on before. Makes me regret never auditioning during my time at Ackworth because seeing the love and brilliance you put into the shows is something that cannot be overlooked. (Olivia)
Dear Ali, Huge and heartfelt congratulations to the cast, band, backstage crew, tech crew, Olly, Georgina and you on the triumph that was Merrily, We Roll Along! As they say, “what goes in is what comes out” and, my goodness, what came out was pure testament to the hard work, teamwork and care invested along the way. It was such a joyful and energetic performance. The cast drew us in from the opening song and managed to invoke a whole range of emotions along the way. I just couldn’t stop smiling! Some notable highlights were
- Alara and Millie’s performances of “Not a Day Goes By” - wow. Their duet, in particular, brought tears to my eyes. Especially Friday’s performance – beautiful.
- George’s epic performance of the TV interview song. What an achievement...how did he breathe? Serious kudos due.
- Noah honing his skills and timing. The way he smiled, took a breath, a milli-second of relaxation before launching expertly into song – it was so professional.
- Erin’s Gussie and the way she used her wonderful disdainful, drawling accent and facial expressions to communicate with the audience!
- the energy and focus coming from the ensemble during the party scenes and the wonderful “buzz” of the Blob.
- the younger and newer actors growing in confidence in their abilities as the week progressed. They were all amazing, gave their heart and soul to their performances and I can’t wait to see them on stage again.
- Frankie junior – what can I say?!
- the joy and pride beaming from the faces of the entire cast as they belted out “Our Time” in the closing scene. They knew they’d earned their applause in spades, and it was so lovely to see.
The band were all so impressive and magnificently brought the soundtrack that has accompanied our school run drives over recent weeks to life!
The whole family and a gaggle of friends from home came to see Merrily. It is no exaggeration to say that every single one of us was genuinely blown away by the quality of the performance. We always knew it would be excellent (of course) but it surpassed even our highest expectations.
What an amazing team. So much hard work and dedication deserves full credit. You, Olly and Georgina must be exhausted but, I am sure, extremely proud. I hope you can all get some good rest! (Rowena)
What a great performance! I came, with my husband, to see the production on Thursday evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. There were some really strong performers, and we were impressed with the ambition and achievement. I’d heard so much about the drama and music at Ackworth and it was fabulous to see it in action. Huge congratulations to all involved on and behind the stage –and the music of course too – brilliant! (Mary Hartshorne)
Hi sir !! :) I just wanted to write to you to congratulate you and the whole cast of Merrily We Roll Along. It was absolutely amazing!! I am so proud of Alara. She was so so, so great. I also thought George sang extremely well and I never realised how good an actor he is!! He’s so talented. Noah was amazing as always and Paula looked so confident. I’ve always admired Paula, but I’ve never been so proud of her when I saw her on stage on Friday night. She’s such an amazing actor. I thought Erin did such a fantastic job with her singing role and I loved her character so much. Jacob and Tilly had me and Harvey rolling on the floor with laughter and Vida was icon as usual. Millie’s singing was such a delight. I actually got shivers every time she opened her mouth. The ensemble was so great, and it was so lovely seeing everyone performing. It was so nostalgic sitting the audience and coming back to Ackworth. I missed everyone so, so much and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to come and see everyone. You always create such brilliant performances every year and I loved this one so much!! I still have the songs stuck in my head. (Charlotte)
Just a little message for the cast.
Oh my god. What can I say. It was amazing. It has been a very, very long time since I’ve sat in the audience for an Ackworth senior production and to see this musical as my first was amazing. I can tell just how hard you have all worked to put on this amazing show. You all did amazing.
Noah. Oh my god. I didn’t know you could dance like that. My teachings have clearly paid off. As now you can do a box step in your sleep.
George that was amazing. I was in awe of your performance during the news interview. My mum and I absolutely loved it.
Alara you were soooo good. Your confidence has shot through the roof you owned that character.
Erin well done you. Singing solo’s when it’s not your favourite thing. You did so well. And your costumes were amazing. I couldn’t wait to see what you would wear next.
Alex. You nearly brought me to tears of laughter during all of your stage time when you tried to steal the show.
Everyone did so well. You should all be so proud of yourselves. And I hope to see the lower years in many more productions.
Love Freya. Your ex-Drill Sergeant. (Freya)
I just wanted to say what an amazing night Friday was! The hard work that everyone connected with the production had put in shone through and it certainly did not feel like I was watching a school production. Yourself, Ollie and Georgina have done a phenomenal job in empowering the students to excel themselves...and it felt like they totally owned the whole night. It did not feel like it was an easy musical to be a part of and every single one of them should be super proud of themselves. I loved how many younger students had taken to the stage and there were some really stand-out performances. I felt quite sad when it came to an end as I wanted to see more....
(Jennie Foreman)
Hello all, please can I congratulate you and the pupils on a fantastic show! Wow the talent, it could have been a West End Show! I had never heard of Merrily We Roll Along before other than the nursery rhyme! I play in a lot of school productions in my job and this was the best by a mile. The pupils at this school became the characters of the story. It was a real pleasure to watch and see a great team of pupils enjoy dancing, singing and acting together. Well done everyone, you should be so proud of yourselves. I am still singing old friends now. (Carol)
Hi Ali, Now the dust has settled & I’ve bought the new cast recording on vinyl!... I feel you should be congratulated on delivering such a superb production of that “too damned complicated” musical….you’ve left this family with many new ear worms! (Jasper)
Building the set for Merrily We Roll Along has been a fun experience. The school productions are always special in the way they blend together many subjects. The Art and Design Technology departments have been busy building set pieces and painting them to create the world in which our performing students could immerse themselves in.
friends are just starting out in their careers. We want this to be represented in the design, and this is where our idea for the changing panels came from. As the show goes through time, we remove more and more panels from the set, representing the more basic lives the friends lived, finishing with a very empty framework.
We started with a blank canvas, neither me or Alistair Boucher had seen any other versions of this production, so we decide to keep it this way. We chose to not look at past performances to not be influenced by what has been done before, allowing us to come up with an original idea. The concept for the shape of the set design was based on abstract paintings of New York from the 60s. It has a tall, towered shape to mimic the New York Skyscrapers without being too realistic, allowing us to move from scenes set inside to outside easily. We took influence from 60s decor, lots of browns mixed with bold wallpapers. The show is performed in a backward chronological order, with the start of the play set after the friend’s success, and the ending when the
One of the most important factors when coming up with an idea, is how we can include our Art students in the making of this, and the new skills they will learn. This set was perfect for this and allowed us to use many different textures and scenic art techniques, including brickwork, wood, and crumbly paintwork textures. Sarah Rose, Head of Art, and myself worked with the Lower 6th Art Class each week, learning new techniques and allowing us to all collectively contribute our part to the set build.
Kirsty Brien, Art & DT Technician
Participants: Aimee C (Florence D and Olivia H). Adam S and Joel W. Arria. Oscar S and Herbie. Ambar, Rose and Bethan H. Tayana. Bella and Kria. Kyra and Matilda. Sohni.
The tree: John Gurney had 13 children, many of whom continued his legacy of enacting social justice and acting out the Quaker testimonies in their lives. He fathered: Elizabeth Fry who is known for causing huge prison reform; Louisa Hoare who wrote on education; sons who continued the Barclay bank; and others. The social changes which emerged from his family, still live on today. Much like that of a tree; natural phenomena that stand the test of time, springing new life year on year. The tree reflects the East Anglian countryside the Gurneys come from and is a testament to the enduring legacy they left. Adam and Joel, Upper 6th Form
My design was purely from the heart. I chose a red pattern with the letter ‘P’ to represent my house- Penn. It was very difficult to bake the second layer as it was too soft, and it kept giving way whenever I tested it. I chose red velvet as my base as I have never done it before, and I thrive for a challenge. I entered the bake-off because it is something I have never done before and I thought it would be fun as I would make new friends and put my baking skills to the test. Arria, 1st Form
The cake that I made was a little red panda in its natural environment around bamboo trees. I chose this design because I wanted to symbolise the mascot of Penn House. It was also a red velvet cake because Penn House’s colour is red. I mainly chose this design because it was cute! I’ve never taken part in the bake-off before but always wanted to, so as it was my last chance to participate, I had to take part. We started the competition by making cupcakes which I did with Zara, the good feedback from our spider cupcakes gave us the encouragement and motivation to try and win the bake-off. I found the experience more relaxing than I thought, despite the moments I was doubting I would finish in time. It was a productive break from revision! Sohni, Upper 6th Form
The junior winners were Bethan, Ambar and Rose from Fothergill and the seniors were a tie between Adam and Joel, and Aimee, Olivia, and Florence, all from Gurney. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone that took part.
During the 6th Form Art trip we visited three incredible art venues in London: Tate Modern, The National Portrait Gallery and the Saatchi Gallery. Each place offered a very different and unique insight into the world of contemporary and classic art, and we learned so much along the way.
Tate Modern is housed in a converted power station and holds a vast collection of modern art from 1900 to the present day. It is in the top ten most visited galleries in the world. We looked at various artistic movements, from abstract art to minimalism, and discussed how artists experiment with materials and challenge traditional art forms. The Tate’s interactive exhibits allowed us to engage directly with the artworks, deepening our understanding of their meanings and the processes behind them.
Next, we visited the National Portrait Gallery, where we explored the representation of human beings through portraiture. We learned about the different techniques used by artists to capture not just the physical likeness but the personality and histories of their subjects. The collection ranged from classical to contemporary portraits, offering us a deeper appreciation of how portrait art has evolved over time.
Our final stop was the Saatchi Gallery, which focused on contemporary and emerging artists. The bold and often provoking installations gave us a fresh perspective on how art can challenge societal norms and push boundaries. We saw works that incorporated new media, photography, sculpture, and even performance art, which sparked stimulating discussions about the role of art in today’s world.
Throughout the trip, we had opportunities to sketch, take notes, and discuss the works with our teachers. It was an inspiring experience, and we left feeling more connected to the world of contemporary art. We would love to revisit these galleries in the future to continue exploring and gaining new insights. Yeva Y, Lower 6th
Our Table Tennis Academy has enjoyed a fantastic run of success, with players excelling in top-level competitions across the country. Their dedication, skill, and commitment have led to impressive results, further cementing the academy’s reputation as a powerhouse in school table tennis.
Alex represented the academy at the Cambridge 4*, the highest level of junior competition, where he teamed up with Starry from Warwickshire in the U19 doubles. The pair remained undefeated throughout the tournament, battling through close matches to claim the title – a remarkable achievement!
Our U19 team also showcased their talent at the English Schools Northeast Area Finals. Hiko, Alex, Peter, and Charlie dominated their opening matches against Harrogate Grammar and Bradford Grammar, winning 8-0. In the final, they faced defending champions Grantham College. Despite Alex securing two victories, including an impressive win over England’s number 6, the team finished runners-up after a hard-fought 6-2 loss.
At the West Yorkshire Schools Individuals competition, our players continued their winning ways. In the U19 category, both Hiko and Alex won their groups and semi-finals, setting up an all-Ackworth final where Hiko triumphed 3-2. In the U16 event, Jaron, Charlie, and Peter reached the last eight, with Peter eventually securing a 3-0 victory in the final to become the West Yorkshire U16 champion. Both Hiko and Peter have now qualified for the National Finals in April, where they will represent West Yorkshire.
The success continued into February, as Peter, Charlie, and Jaron competed in the Junior British Clubs Table Tennis League. Facing teams from Leeds, Derby, and Barnsley,
they secured two wins and one loss, finishing as runners-up in the top division. They now look forward to the final round of fixtures, where they will compete for medals.
A key factor in the academy player’s success is its holistic approach to training. Alongside table tennis coaching, players take part in strength and conditioning sessions, yoga, and mindfulness to enhance their physical and mental performance. They also receive nutritional guidance, ensuring they are in peak condition for competition.
With these fantastic achievements and a well-rounded training program, Ackworth’s table tennis players continue to thrive. Congratulations to all on their success—we can’t wait to see what’s next!
Ackworth School’s football teams have made history with a series of incredible victories, showcasing resilience, skill, and determination across multiple competitions.
The U16 Boys Football Team made school history by becoming West Yorkshire County Champions, defeating Brooksbank School 7-4 in a thrilling final. Despite being reduced to ten players for nearly 60 minutes and trailing 3-4 with 20 minutes to go, the team staged an extraordinary comeback. With grit, determination, and moments of individual brilliance, they finished strong, scoring decisive goals to secure the title.
James Bower, Head of PE, praised the players, saying: “The boys have been amazing to work with over the last three years. From reaching the last 32 in the country last year to becoming county champions this year, it’s a credit to their hard work and commitment. I’m extremely proud of them all.”
The U18 1st Team continued the school’s success, winning the West Yorkshire County Schools Cup with a commanding 6-1 victory over Boston Spa at Shelley FC. After an early setback, the team responded with confidence, equalizing through a stunning long-range strike from Jordan. As the game progressed, Ackworth took control, displaying ruthless finishing with goals from Andrew, Jordan (2), Charlie, Tar, and Reece.
Director of Football, John McDermott expressed his pride, saying: “I’m very, very proud of the players’ achievements. They’ve made history as the first football academy team to bring silverware to the school. Well done, boys!”
A highlight for the development squad was when they took on St Mary’s of Hull, determined to overturn a previous 3-2 defeat. From the kick-off, the team showed their intent, playing at an exceptional tempo with precise passing. Their efforts paid off with a stunning 8-0 victory, leading 5-0 at halftime in what was described as their best performance of the year.
The Football Academy’s U18 1st Team achieved a historic milestone, reaching the ISFA Bowl final after a stunning 4-3 comeback win against Bishop Stortford.
After falling behind 3-0 before halftime, the team refused to give up. A second-half penalty from Jordan sparked a comeback, followed by goals from Charlie and Anton, levelling the score at 3-3. Then, with just two minutes left, Luka broke through to score the decisive goal, securing an unforgettable victory.
Ackworth School’s U18 team has reached the quarterfinals of the ESFA National Super Cup, a prestigious competition featuring the top schools and colleges from across the country. As one of the final eight teams, Ackworth represents Yorkshire, with most of the remaining schools coming from the south of England.
The team has secured a home draw and will face either Thomas Telford School or Hartpury College, both former winners of the competition. Any home fixture is an advantage, and defeating one of these highly regarded teams would be a significant achievement. Reaching this stage highlights the academy’s growth, and the team is honoured to represent Ackworth School in such a highprofile competition.
With both the U16 and U18 teams crowned West Yorkshire champions and the Football Academy reaching new heights in national competitions, it has been an unforgettable season for Ackworth School Football Academy. Congratulations to all the players and coaches on their outstanding achievements!
John
McDermott, Director of Football
Last summer, at 17, I underwent a life-changing experience that broadened my perspective. I volunteered at a childcare centre in the slums of Faridabad, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, and later at a Turtle and Marine Life Conservation Centre in Ambala Goda, Sri Lanka.
It was a challenging but rewarding journey that pushed me out of my comfort zone and exposed me to entirely new experiences. The decision to travel alone wasn’t easy the idea of going to unfamiliar countries, working in new environments, and meeting people I didn’t know was daunting. But I wanted to make a difference, however small. While both parts of my trip were impactful, the experience that resonated with me the most was my time in India, where I saw firsthand the realities of life in one of the world’s most densely populated countries.
Arriving in the middle of monsoon season, I was met with flooded streets, relentless humidity, and a constant battle against mud and mosquitoes. The slums were a collection of cattle, rubbish, and fragile makeshift homes. Open drains overflowed, and the air carried a mix of sewage, exhaust fumes, and damp earth. Yet, despite these difficult conditions, life carried on. Children played barefoot in the waterlogged streets; their energy undeterred by their surroundings. They welcomed me into their homes with pride and enthusiasm.
The school where I volunteered was incredibly basic a single room with a collection of benches, broken chairs, and makeshift tables. The walls had holes in them, and a lone fan did little to alleviate the 40°C heat and oppressive humidity. Each day, up to 60 children, ranging from toddlers to young teens, arrived eager to learn, play, and interact. Many came from families where their mothers needed to work to help provide for them. The school offered a safe space for them for four to five hours a day.
During the day, I helped teach basic English and Maths such as days of the week, learning the alphabet, and simple addition and subtraction and played games with the younger children. The language barrier was challenging at first, but I quickly picked up some Hindi and learned that communication isn’t just about words. A smile, a thumbs-up, or shared laughter was enough to build connections. The children were enthusiastic and determined, eager to learn and make the most of their time at school.
Volunteering in India wasn’t just about giving, it was about learning. It opened my eyes to the stark divide between wealth and poverty and made me appreciate the things we often take for granted, such as clean water, a bed, a
roof over our heads, and a safe home. We live in a world where millions of children grow up without these basic necessities. While we can’t fix everything, we can make a difference.
For anyone considering international volunteering, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s challenging and, at times, overwhelming, but it is also eye-opening, rewarding, and humbling. The experience changed me in ways I never expected.
Since my trip, I have started a Level 3 Diploma in Global Citizenship and International Volunteering, which is helping me understand the impact of volunteering, my motivations for choosing to volunteer, and the wider effects on communities across the world. I have decided to continue my volunteering journey and will be heading to Ghana in the summer of 2025.
Abi, Lower 6th Form
I was lucky enough to discover a competition run by Reach Cambridge, a summer school program allowing students to grow academically in subjects of their choice. This essay competition required selecting one of 5 topics given by the program. I chose to discuss the philosophy of freedom and its implications. I was lucky enough to receive support from Ms. Axton, I sent off the essay, a video personal statement, my references & reports and hoped for the best. Fortunately, I received an email notifying me that I had been selected for the semi-final round, an interview scheduled for the following Thursday. The interviewers were kind, and we had a lovely discussion about the contents of my essay as well as my background. Whilst I wasn’t able to receive the full scholarship for the summer program, I received a 30% scholarship. This experience was nevertheless very eye-opening & helped me develop new skills.
I was privileged to be called to attend my country’s U17s national team camp at the end of last year. It was a proud moment for me, my family and friends. I really thank God for the opportunity I had to be part of the camp. Psalm 28:7 in the Bible says, “The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.” which sums up how I felt about the call-up. The experience of the camp itself was amazing, I learnt a lot from the training and the multiple friendly matches we had. I also got to meet different Ugandan players from different places. 38 players were initially called up and a 20-man squad was later selected at the end of the camp to play in the U17 AFCON Qualifiers tournament, which Uganda went on to win. I unfortunately wasn’t in this squad, but I am still really thankful for the privilege to have been called up to represent my country and I’m looking forward to what is next.
For the past year, I have been working with my three closest friends from the SMS Course at Leeds Conservatoire on our new band. We’d all had lots of experience playing in pubs, clubs and festivals before we decided to flesh out each other’s demo recordings. We’re called STEELERS. We’ve been described by the BBC as a “homage to the 1980s” pop music with jangly guitars, big drums and catchy choruses. But to be honest, we blend all our individual influences of jazz, musical theatre and metal to create something completely new and refreshing!
We’ve achieved a lot over the past six months since our first single “The Part that Hurts The Most came out which I am incredibly grateful for – we’ve performed at some of Leeds’s biggest venues, such as supporting Dutch Criminal Record at Hyde Park Book Club, headlining the Lending Room and Royal Park Cellars. We also have amassed 20,000 streams on two of our songs across all streaming platforms and have been interviewed and played on BBC Radio. And now our song “Come Get Your Man” (a song I wrote after being told I have terrible dance moves…) is shortlisted for the Top 40 on Future Hits Radio! These are all achievements I never envisioned I’d achieve in my life, so I am forever grateful.
The band is so unbelievably collaborative, which is the best part of it all. We all contribute, all have ideas and uphold that Quaker idea of equality. I hope this wild ride continues in the future, as we plan to do a national tour in the summer!
Lower 6th Form student, Alexandria, has been a passionate advocate for Neurodiversity, earning her the British Dyslexia Association’s Outstanding Young Person of the Year in November 2024.
Now, she’s driving real change with a Government petition to improve neurodiversity support in education, calling for:
• Neurodiversity training for all teachers in training
• Dedicated funding for schools to support neurodivergent students
• Universal screening for early identification
Alexandria’s inspiring story, including her own personal journey with Dyslexia, has already gained national attention, with features in The Yorkshire Post as well as interviews on Radio Essentials – Sheffield & South Yorks, BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Radio Merseyside.
To get a Government response, the petition needs 10,000 signatures. To support Alexandria’s petition, please use this link: https://petition.parliament.uk/ petitions/701461
3 years ago, Jacob attended a training session with me to have a go at this strange sport flyball I’d heard about, only because I didn’t have anyone else to babysit that day! He quickly found himself a job as a ball collector when he learned there were points to be earned and awards to be gained. As his confidence grew and he understood the sport, he’s progressed onto partnering with one of our dogs Cosmo and runs him weekly in our team, managing some amazing hand/eye co-ordination to get the best out of his dog. Their ‘crosses’ (the changeover in the relay from one dog to the next) are better than a lot of the adults in our team!
Going to Crufts in flyball is equivalent to being in the World Cup in football, it’s for the best of the best. For most adults it’s a pipe dream (me included) as you need not only a dog that’s fast enough, but also a personal calmness to potentially race under pressure in front of 5000 people in a televised arena.
Alongside the adult competition, every year there is a Young Kennel Club competition, where 8 teams of under 18s (plus one under 24 for chaperoning and one adult captain) get to walk the hallowed green carpet at the NEC. Usually around 30 teams attempt to qualify during the previous year. In our regular flyball team we don’t have enough kids or dogs of that calibre (we run equivalent of the Premiership) but our kids worked out if they teamed up with some other good kids/dogs in a new mix up team, they could give the qualifiers a shot. So, in July last year, we threw dogs, handlers, an epic ball collector and a box loader together, who had never raced with each other, to train for the first time. The current Young Kennel Club flyball record is 16.42 seconds to race 4 dogs cleanly. The first run for our kids was 15.90 seconds! Over the next month they talked tactics and running orders, decided on a team name, created social media posts and hashtags, got themselves sponsorship for kit and made the important decision of team logo and kit colours (purple as a sign of the elite and pink as a nod to breast cancer that has unfortunately touched most of the kids in the team in some way).
No matter what happens at Crufts this year, everyone is immensely proud of what these kids have achieved. If hard work and dedication was enough to get the winners’ rosettes, they’d already have them. Experiencing the adrenaline rush of being there alongside them is something I can’t wait to feel at Crufts this year!
Em, (Mum of Jacob, 2nd Form)
At the qualifiers in August, under their new team’s name of Groove Armada, we held our breath and watched them officially become the fastest flyball kids in the sport’s history. Since then, they have trained hard, gelled as a team and shown professionalism and dedication way superior to their age range of 7-17.
Most observers would say that the kids running the dogs are the important ones, but without the support team including Jacob as ball collector, running the dogs wouldn’t be possible. 40 plus tennis balls on the floor in each race would be a distraction for the dogs and a trip hazard for handlers. It’s also the ball collector’s job to get the dogs worked up so they run faster land also help get balls out of dogs’ mouths that don’t want to let go (not easy when they’re trained to keep hold of that ball!)
Update: Well, we are thrilled to share that Jacob and his team, Groove Armada have been crowned Crufts Young Kennel Club Flyball Champions 2025!
They absolutely smashed it! Not only did they deliver a flawless and professional performance in front of 8,000 spectators, but they also set not one, but TWO new speed records!
A truly well-deserved victory—huge congratulations to Jacob and the whole team on this amazing achievement!
On Thursday afternoons Autism Resource pupils have been exploring different locations and activities in the community.
Over the first half term, they have visited the Hepworth Gallery and The Art House to explore different mediums used in art and design. Pupils enjoyed the immersive light display at the Art House and making sketches of the sculptures at the Hepworth Gallery. On the drier days, we manage to explore the grounds of Nostell Priory and visit the animals at Wigfield Farm. The visits give opportunities for pupils to gain confidence in different environments. They can communicate choices and make exchanges for items in shops or cafés. We have lots of exciting activities and trips planned for the half term including fishing at Lady Bower Reservoir, visiting the Royal Armouries and helping at the autism allotments.
(Song Lyrics/Poem – inspired by ‘7 Rings’ by Ariana Grande)
I doubt this will come much of a shock, My favourite thing on Earth are my dogs. Wilma and Tilly, Just love to be silly, When running for big sticks or logs. They are a part of our family, With my mum, dad, my siblings and me. I love my home, Never feeling alone, They are my entire world, you see!
I love these things, the happiness they bring, Life wouldn’t be the same, so I’ve just got to sing!
I love these things, the happiness they bring, They make me feel like I’m wearing fairy wings!
I don’t like the sound of my alarm ‘beep,’ Because I really do enjoy my sleep. It’s good to relax, These are the facts, So shh, don’t let me hear a peep!
I love these things, the happiness they bring, Life wouldn’t be the same, so I’ve just got to sing! I love these things, the happiness they bring, They make me feel like I’m wearing fairy wings!
When I’m out I like to shop ‘til I drop, But not just for Oreo’s or fizzy pop. I love Anime clothes, So that everyone knows, What I love by just seeing my top!
I enjoy going to Ackworth School, And swimming in our very own pool, I especially love Art, And baking tarts, And the tuna jackets make me drool!
I love these things, the happiness they bring, Life wouldn’t be the same, so I’ve just got to sing!
I love these things, the happiness they bring, They make me feel like I’m wearing fairy wings!
Mia, Autism Resource
Once a week over the last term Autism Resource pupils have been taking part in leisure activities in the community. This has allowed them to take part in a range of different activities including climbing, ice skating, golf and visiting a trampoline park. Pupils have shared ideas for the activities and have mentored their peers to take part. They have become more confident and familiar with routines when going out into the
Our Founder John Fothergill and the American scientist and statesman Benjamin Franklin were great friends. They met and corresponded with each other and between them, tried to prevent the American War of Independence. Fothergill gave a gift to Franklin of a silver cream jug, and on it were inscribed the words ‘KEEP BRIGHT THE CHAIN”. These words have become part of our School’s history.
This story reminds us of two Ackworth Old Scholars who have recently been in touch with School. Hans Wellisch (AOS 1941-1948) and Ann Whitworth (AOS 1943-1949) met at school in 1948.
Hans and his family had escaped Nazi persecution from Vienna. He recently wrote: “It was in my last year at Ackworth that I met a little girl called Ann Whitworth. She
sat exactly behind me…. She was a quiet child, clever, composed. But many years later we re-met at a 1997 reunion of AOS, and we got quite chatty. Ann mentioned that back at school she would sometimes wonder what was going on in that black haired kid’s head in front of her. My response was I had no idea; it was a mystery to me. I was probably just numb. Numbness of course is a classic response to trauma.”
“Thereafter Ann and I conducted a long correspondence, sharing anecdotes of our respective lives in Derby and New York City and exchanging memories of school and school friends. Actually this 80year friendship has continued to this day.”
Hans and Ann have certainly “Kept Bright the Chain.”
We are saddened to say that since this article was written, Ann has passed away unexpectedly. We have included the article with the blessing of her family.
Celia Wolfe, Archivist
Old scholar Dominic Sanderson (AOS 2004-2018) released his sophomore album entitled ‘Blazing Revelations’ on the 28th of February. Dominic made quite a stir in the progressive rock world with his first album ‘Impermanence’ which was released in 2023. The album received great critical acclaim:
‘The young musician’s debut could be the start of something big…Dominic Sanderson has proggy talent in spades’ – Prog Magazine.
‘Recurring motifs flow from dreamy passages to emotional outbursts and back. They are romantic, sometimes gloomy, then terrifying. As far as we are concerned, this student has passed his exam – IO Pages.
Dominic was an integral part of the music department whilst at Ackworth School, performing in the choir, bands
We were saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Ann Hutchinson. Her daughter Miranda writes “Our mum, Ann Hutchinson (née Whitworth) left us peacefully on 27th February 2025 aged 92. When people who only got to know her recently ask us what she did it’s been hard to summarise – so here’s a quick overview: Quaker, Social Worker, Magistrate, Tribunal Chair, Citizens Advice volunteer, Exeter University graduate, Ackworth Old Scholar, co-founder and editor of Out and About magazine (with Jane Steer), Member of Derby Civic Society, Walbrook Housing Association, 41 Ladies, Allestree Wine Bottling, Bridge Club, WEA, Art Society, Music Group. Mother, spouse, sister, grandmother, aunt, Godmother. Resilience personified. Much loved and admired.”
Language teacher, Gordon, sadly passed away on News Year’s Eve. Gordon was a passionate language teacher, teaching Spanish (1962-1975) and later returning to teach French (1992-1996). Many Old Scholars have fondly remembered him on the Ackworth Old Scholars’ Association Facebook page, recalling how he inspired a love of languages in so many.
and solo performances both as a singer and guitarist. Now based in Liverpool, the 25-yearold solo artist from Ackworth, Wakefield places his foot firmly in the progressive rock field with current influences being Pink Floyd, Van der Graaf, King Crimson and Caravan.
Dominic’s second album ‘Blazing Revelations’ was recorded and mixed in an abandoned radio station over 10 months in 2024. A labour of love for Dominic and his band, the album showcases an eclectic array of styles, from symphonic Prog to Canterbury-esque excursions and acid folk. The album is available to pre-order from Dominic’s Bandcamp page, and his previous releases can be heard on Spotify.
We are also deeply sorry to share that Martin Gosney, a much-loved former teacher, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in January. Martin dedicated 36 years (1974-2010) to teaching PE at Ackworth and was responsible for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
We were sorry to hear of the passing of Catherine, who died on the 11th of August – one week after her 90th birthday. Her husband Donald said how Catherine always looked forward to receiving her copy of Ackworth Today and to seeing how the school was surviving in our mad world. The photo shows Catherine in Form 1a, 1946.
Obituaries are continued on page 45.
Easter Gathering 2025 is a special one for the following Old Scholar year groups who are celebrating milestone anniversaries, plus one that missed out due to Covid and also an egg- stra one for all those who are celebrating their 70th birthdays next year! So please do get in touch if you were at school in any of the following year groups - or if you worked at Ackworth School during those years - and would like to attend one of the reunions:
5 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 2020 (at school 2015 -2022)
1 0 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 2015 (at school 2010-2017)
15 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 2010 (at school 2005-2012)
20 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 2005 (at school 2000-2007)
25 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 2000 (at school 1995-200 2) org anised by Jenny Martin
30 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 1995 (at school 1990-1997)
32 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 1993 (at school 1988-1995) organised by Sal Wright
35 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 1990 (at school 1985-1992)
4 0 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 1985 (at school 1980-1987)
45 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 1980 (at school 1975-1982)
50 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 1975 (at school 1970-1977)
o rganised by Andrew Ford
55 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 1970 (at school 1965-1972)
60 Years On - end of 5th Year Summer 1965 (at school 1960-1967)
o rganised by Mary Dower
70th Birthday Reunion - for everyone turning 70 in 2025
o rganised by Janet Blann
I would also be very grateful to hear from anyone in groups which don’t yet have a named organiser - especially if you might be interested in helping to contact your contemporaries.
We look forward to welcoming you all back to school to meet up with friends & reminisce, visit familiar haunts, see what has changed /what is still the same in and around Ackworth, and c atch up and celebrate Easter in the beautiful school buildings and grounds in Spring 2025. Hope to see you all there in (at the time of writing ) just 189 sleeps! If anyone is interested in giving a talk or running an activity on the 2025 Easter programme, please let me know as soon as possible. The deadline for all bookings is 31.03.25 so please make sure we have received your booking form and payment by then.
Best wishes - Sal
(Sal Wright - AOS Easter Secretary ���� )
CONTACT DETAILS FOR PERSON MAKING THE BOOKING: Please complete all your details; they will be kept confidentially but may be used if we need to contact you prior to the weekend.
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE / MOBILE:
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NAME AND CONTACT NUMBER OF SOMEONE WE COULD CONTACT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY:
FURTHER REQUESTS: Please use this box to detail any special requests regarding your visit, including any allergies, food requirements, and if you would like to share a room with specific people. We will do our best to accommodate your wishes. Please continue on a separate sheet if nec essary.
Sally Ann
At age 88 Sally died peacefully at her flat in London with her friend and received a cheerful and appreciative send off at her local church, St. Saviours, on 6th December.
Sally was the eldest of four sisters. Sally was evacuated from Croydon to the north to be with family during the second world war. It was then that she attended Ackworth and loved her time there. Sally exemplified a life of service to bringing people together in different contexts supported through her strong Christian faith. Sally had a good sense of humour and loved colour and adventure even into her 80s. She was a devoted wife to Gordon who died in 2008. Sally leaves behind a daughter and two grandchildren, sisters, nieces and nephews. They remember her with great affection and as a great support and mentor. Her generosity stands out.
Sally maintained a lifelong connection with Ackworth, and she would want people to know how much her life was influenced for the good by her time here.
Wishing you all well.
Vimokshaja (Sally’s stepson)
My lovely mum, Robin Greaves, died on 3rd December. She had so many fond memories of her time at Ackworth School, first as a pupil then as Mistress on Duty in 1949 and 1950. Later, we returned as a family in 1960/61 when my dad, Kenneth Greaves, taught English there. We lived in a flat at Flounders Hill.
Mums’ parents were also associated with the school. Her father, Robinson Percy Foulds was a pupil. I believe that his name is on a board in the reception hall as he was cross country champion! Her mother, Elfrida Vipont Foulds was chair of the committee for many years, and she wrote a book about the school.
My brother John Daniel Robson (Danny) aged 72 died on Saturday night, 18th/19th January of a cardiac arrest during his sleep. Danny had been very happy in the residential care home Cysgod-y-Gaer, Corwen where he had been living after his heart attack last April which was treated at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. He was happy and well fed and had re-connected with many friends during his time at Cygod-y-Gaer. I would like to hear from Danny’s closest friends whom he talked about often from his school days at Ackworth 1963-1968.
Elin Robson – elin.robson@talk21.com
2023 she was unwell, so she came down to me and stayed on. We laughed often and she enjoyed visits from her other three children, her 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was such fun and had so many great stories to tell.
Mum was lively, funny, rebellious and loving. She and Dad moved to Yealand Conyers to help to look after my gran when they retired. My dad had been Head Teacher at Brookfield Friends School and Sibford Friends School. She loved gardening and watching the birds in her garden and she took an active part in the life of the meeting and the village. In lockdown, she started to spend the winters with me here in Shropshire. In the spring she would return to Yealand to grow fruit and vegetables. In September
She told me once about climbing out of a classroom window to chase the teacher’s pet monkey across the roof. And she recalled how, as a new pupil, she had been excited at the prospect of the first swimming lesson. The girls all lined up on one side of the pool in their swimsuits and the boys lined up on the other side, all naked. As one of four sisters she was fascinated!
Mum had been in hospital for almost three weeks, but she so wanted to come home. She managed that on the Saturday evening, and she died peacefully in her own bed on Tuesday morning, with me by her side and the little ginger cat curled up at her feet.
Her funeral took place in December at Yealand Meeting House, and she was buried next to my dad, close to her parents and grandparents.
Caroline Bagnall
As the 80th anniversary of the liberation of AuschwitzBirkenau was marked on Holocaust Memorial Day this year, we have been reflecting on our own quiet but significant role in offering sanctuary to Jewish refugee children during the Second World War.
When Hitler came to power in 1933, the Germany Emergency Committee of the Religious Society of Friends started working with other humanitarian groups to aid Jewish people fleeing Nazi persecution. It helped Jewish children escape from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland to safety in Britain. Ackworth School, with its deep-rooted Quaker values of peace and compassion, became a refuge for over 20 Jewish children who had been forced to flee their homes, often without their families.
The first to arrive was Hans Joseph Otto Georg Freutel from Berlin, who entered the school on 18th September 1935, aged 13. A talented musician, he became a member of the School Orchestra, finding solace and community through music. More children soon followed, including Hans Deutschland (aged 15) from Berlin, brothers Hans (aged 12) and Manfred (aged 10) Odenheimer from Stuttgart in 1937, and Heinz Rudolph Schaffer from Berlin in 1938. Over the next few years, boys and girls continued to arrive from Berlin, Stuttgart, Vienna, Hamburg, and Poland, often listed in the Admissions book under British addresses provided by guardians. Some lived as boarders, while others lodged with families in Ackworth village and attended as day pupils.
Among the boys who found safety at Ackworth before the last Kindertransport in May 1940 were Gunther Wertheim (who arrived in 1940, aged 13) and Hans Wellisch (who arrived from Vienna in 1940). While less is known about the girls, records show that Ilse Wiesenthal (from Berlin, aged 15) arrived on 21st January 1937, Nicolette Deutsch (an Austrian refugee, aged 14) arrived on 31st October 1938 and Ingrid Bondel (from Vienna, aged 14) arrived on 2nd
May 1939, joining her brother Konrad, who had arrived the year before in September 1938.
Ackworth did not just provide education and safety—its staff also sought ways to support refugee children as they adapted to their new lives. Committee Meeting minutes from March 1939 mention Jeanette Windholz, a Jewish girl from Czechoslovakia, who was to assist with German language lessons, receiving a small allowance for her work. Maria Oppenheimer, another refugee from Germany, was also noted for helping with German conversation practice.
Many of these children went on to rebuild their lives and achieve great success, overcoming immense trauma and loss. Hans Freutel, Rudi Schaffer, and Hans Wellisch are just a few examples of gifted individuals whose potential was preserved. Their time at Ackworth gave them the foundation to forge outstanding careers, demonstrating resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. Their achievements are a tribute to both those who were lost and those who were saved.
As we reflect on this anniversary and prepare for the 80th anniversary of VE day, we remember not only the horrors of the past but also the acts of kindness and humanity that shone through even in the darkest times. Ackworth’s legacy as a place of hope and sanctuary continues to inspire its students today.
Celia Wolfe, Archivist
Exciting progress is underway—our West Wing Cupola has now been collected by the master craftsman, and the full restoration has begun! As you may know from our recent fundraising campaign, years of exposure to the elements have taken their toll, making this restoration essential for safety and preservation. The photos show the full extent of the damage, and the intricate repairs needed.
Thanks to your generosity, and with a couple of exceptionally kind donations, we are thrilled to share that we have exceeded our £15,000 fundraising target! We are truly grateful for the incredible support from our school community—it has made this vital restoration possible.
Since our first pupils arrived on 18th October 1779, the Cupolas have stood proudly over The Green, witnessing generations of Ackworth students create memories that last a lifetime. Now, we are closer than ever to restoring
the West Wing Cupola and ensuring that both continue to stand tall, watching over a new generation of students.
We simply couldn’t have done this without you. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated, purchased items, or supported the project in any way. Your kindness and commitment to our school heritage mean so much.
Keep an eye on our school website and Facebook page to watch the progress of repairs and find out when the West Wing Cupola will once again rise above the rooftops.
Girls School House Stairs
Pencil Illustration
– £15 (includes p&p)
A beautiful, unframed, print of a pencil drawing by G C Ashworth, dated 1969, of the Girls School House staircase.
Main entrance and Friend’s Meeting House print – £15 (includes p&p)
A beautiful, unframed, print of a pencil drawing by G C Ashworth, dated 1969, of the main entrance to Ackworth School and Friend’s Meeting House.
Please email Alumni@Ackworthschool.com if you would like to purchase either of these prints. They will also be available to buy at Easter Gathering.
We were delighted to welcome local Senior Citizens back to school for their annual Christmas Dinner. With a minibus service ensuring everyone could join in, guests were treated to a delicious three-course feast prepared by Thomas Franks. The beautifully decorated dining room added to the warm and joyful atmosphere.
The afternoon was filled with laughter, conversation, and fantastic live entertainment, making it a truly special occasion.
A huge thank you to Thomas Franks for the superb meal and to everyone who helped make the event so memorable!
Families enjoyed a magical morning at our first-ever Breakfast with Santa, filled with festive cheer, delicious food, and a special visit from Santa himself!
Guests soaked up the joyful atmosphere as they gathered with family and friends to celebrate the season. Laughter and excitement filled the room, especially when Santa arrived to greet the children and hand out small gifts.
The beginning of December saw the annual PSA wreath-making evenings take place, where creativity was in full bloom! Attendees crafted stunning wreaths, adding a personal touch to their holiday décor. A huge thank you to everyone who joined in or purchased a pre-made wreath – your support is always appreciated!
After an incredible 36 years at Ackworth School, we say a heartfelt farewell to Rebecca as she leaves for new adventures.
Rebecca first became part of the Ackworth family on 18 January 1988, when she joined as a Clerical Assistant. Over the next 17 ½ years, she became a familiar and trusted presence, working tirelessly and always with kindness, efficiency, and a warm smile, in various roles before leaving in July 2005.
She returned to Ackworth in September 2006, this time bringing her talents to the Marketing & Admissions team. For the past 18 ½ years, Rebecca has played a key role in welcoming new families to the school. She has guided prospective students and their families through the admissions process, showing them around the school and making them feel at home as they took their first steps into Ackworth life. Her dedication extended beyond the office, accompanying 3 ski trips to the USA and Coram House residentials, and working in the Boarding House as a non-residential tutor, ensuring students had everything they needed to feel settled and supported with her welcoming, calming and reassuring manner.
As we move through the school year, don’t forget the PSA uniform shop is open every Thursday from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm during term time. Located in the old Nursery building across from the main school, it offers great-quality preloved uniform at fantastic prices. Donations of uniform are always welcome and can be dropped off during shop hours or left in the Vestibule baskets.
Rebecca has truly left her mark on Ackworth, and her positive impact has been felt by all who have had the pleasure of working with her. We thank Rebecca for her unwavering dedication, care, and hard work. She has truly shaped the school community, and she will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best for her next chapter and the years to come. She will always be part of the Ackworth family!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone for making my time here so enjoyable. It’s been a true privilege to work at Ackworth School. I will miss everything about the place including the pupils, families, and colleagues. You’ve all made this journey unforgettable, and I’ll cherish the memories always.
After trialling for a place in the European Championships in the Czech Republic in March 2024 the hard work began in preparation for the event in July— this involved cardio and strength sessions in the gym and on the water practice. GB training sessions were held monthly in various locations including Liverpool, Stockton-on-Tees, Wraysbury and Henley.
There is no funding to represent GB in dragon boating competitions, it is a big financial commitment to make. I would like to say a big thank you to the Autism Resource staff and staff across the school who supported with contributions. The pupils in Autism Resource created bird boxes to sell and generated £100 to contribute which was greatly appreciated.
It was a fantastic experience to be taking part in such a big event, we felt proud walking through the airport in our GB kit. Being around some of the best teams in the world was quite daunting but very exciting. We had Germany next to us in the Team holding area who had a huge crew, they brought crews for specific races. Our paddlers rotated around the crews for races. Although the German team were quite intimidating in their physique and stature their coaches were impressed with our performances commenting on our improvement.
post-competition exploring Prague which was a very welcoming city.
The GB senior A team came away from the event with two bronze medals for the Mixed crew 500m and 200m. In the 1000m, there was 1 second between first and sixth place, it was an exhilarating experience. I felt proud to join my team members on the podium and collect my medal. After the event, we enjoyed a couple of days
So, after the event, there is a bit of a period when you are not too sure what to do. The structure of the training and focus of an event has gone. I enjoyed the rest of my summer with my family and continued to maintain my fitness. During the process of training last year, I lost 12kg and made a commitment to myself to try and stay healthy for the future. I feel my overall well-being has improved and can definitely advocate the benefits of becoming more active.
In September I committed to training for the forthcoming World Championships in Germany, in July 2025, I knew I had more to give. To optimise time training as a crew before the event the trials were moved to December. So, as the Autumn term came to an end, I travelled to Liverpool for gym trials and on the water assessment (during a stormy weekend). I am pleased to announce that I have been selected to be part of the GB senior A ladies crew. We will be racing as a small boat with 10 paddlers, a drummer and a helm. So, the hard work continues for another exciting journey, with the dream of a medal amongst the big International teams of Canada, China, and Australia as well as the giants of Europe, Germany, Hungary and Ukraine. I will keep you posted on my adventure, if you would like to get involved in dragon boating drop me a line.
Jane.Burren@ackworthschool.com
We would like to give a very warm welcome to the Ackworth family for all our New Starters!
Sadly, we said goodbye to…
Gavin Parkin, Management Accountant
Polly Benn, Coram Teacher
Natalie Borowicz, Afterschool Assistant
Jill Wright, Receptionist
Natasha Lennox, SLM (AR)
Jane Rowell, Teacher of EAL
Nancy Newlands-Melvin, Senior Deputy Head
Angela Hancock, Invigilator
Chloe Phillips, School Nurse
Kelsey Douglas, SLM (AR)
Sally Slater, Head of Coram House
Rebecca Stephenson, Admissions Manager
Congratulations to Maths teacher, James Mangelloes, who was 14th in Age Group and the first Brit at the Oceanman World Championships Dubai 10km swim! This was a nonwetsuit swim in water of 26 degrees and, according to James, big waves!
Coram House staff member
Sean Hunt and his wife Ruth welcomed their second child, Elijah Lomond Hunt on Thursday 28th November 2024, weighing 9lbs 4oz.