The Cupola - 2019

Cupola The

ISSUE 03

Ackworth School Year Book 2019

Contents

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RACE CHAMP

8-45

AUTUMN TERM

46-89

ALL-STEINWAY SCHOOL

SPRING TERM

90-147 SUMMER TERM

Summer brings with it the opportunity for the projects we look forward to. It is the only time when we can get access and make a noise. Coram will get its Multi Use Games Area with work expected to be finished by September. The Autism Resource is moving to a customised resource in the West Wing to make better use of the building. The Nursery is relocating to Coram House. These changes make us an allthrough school on one site for the first time.

This year we will start the long overdue and very much welcome rejuvenation of our ageing swimming pool. Much loved by all and at the centre of our partnerships with primary schools and the local community, it is expected to be out of action from the end of this year until early spring. The pool and surrounds will be replaced, and new drains installed. Work has been made possible thanks to a welcome donation from an Old Scholar.

OUR SPECTACULAR SCHOOL A Head Anton Maree

ckworth School ends the academic year in spectacular fashion. Open Day was a wonderful event: a hot summer’s day, excellent food and the attendance of scholars past and present as well as staff, parents and friends. It was particularly nice to welcome a group of Old Scholars from 1977 and another from 1999.

It has been a fantastic year for the school. Our numbers have surged as our Quaker School with its strengths, particularly in pastoral care, sport and music and academic performance, has become better known locally, nationally and internationally. Ackworth School is a very good school and our pupils and their parents know what it offers.

We have been very quick to spot and grasp the new opportunities that have presented themselves to us. It is important to be brave enough to keep looking for these opportunities and better still, to do so without taking unacceptable risks. With incorporation, Ackworth School has become a modern organisation, in control of all of our considerable assets. We remain one of very few debt free schools, with buildings and land that can be developed to sustain a growing school.

The Westwood Building was completed in January 2019 and has added a wonderful new facility for the sixth form whilst bringing back the best of its former use as a large open space mirroring studying arrangements at universities and colleges. The building has allowed the sixth form to follow a programme which encourages responsibility and leadership as well as heightened careers advice and guidance. The sixth form at Ackworth has access to a rounded education, with participation in all that this school has to offer.

It is not only the buildings that will receive attention during the holidays. Education technology continues to advance and next year we will add technology to our classrooms, and provide teachers with iPads to enhance learning. A leased line was the first step in this process and Jeffrey Swales, our new Deputy Head (Strategic Development and Digital Learning), is putting into place our plan. Over £50,000 per year will be spent on this initiative over the next few years.

Sport continues to maintain a high profile at the school.

Several players represent England and we remain one of the best Table Tennis schools in the country. We are still a seriously good Squash School. Our Football Academy continues to attract pupils from all over the world and they have been promoted this year following a good season.

There is always the opportunity to participate at any level and far more choice than many rival schools.

As an All-Steinway School we have attracted the attention of our international agents and have already acquired two young pianists. Next year we should have no difficulty in attracting more music students.

Several members of staff are retiring or are leaving the school for promotion posts in other schools this year; the Nursery will lose Lydia Horobin and Della Rudenko and Coram House say farewell to Sue Armitage and Jackie Tagg, who leave us after 11 and 15 years respectively.

Francis Hickenbottom and Tom Bootyman are retiring after many years of service to the school. Their results have been outstanding and they have inspired many pupils to greater things. They will both be impossible to replace.

We also say farewell to Gill Murray who is retiring. She is a kind and considerate teacher who is very sensitive to the needs of her pupils. John Stephenson, a very accomplished Head of Religious Studies, is also retiring. Carol Francis, a knowledgeable and experienced Special Educational Needs Coordinator is retiring as well. Brenda Hodge is retiring but

staying with us as Head of Girls’ School House. Emma Speake is leaving us for Scarborough College to become Head of Design Technology and Pat Roberts has been appointed as Head of Physical Education at Scarborough College. Will Elliot is moving to Harrogate Grammar School as a teacher of mathematics and Pam Evans, the school’s Nursing Sister is also retiring.

We thank all of them for their service to the school and for the difference they have made to their pupils. We wish them all the very best in their new ventures.

There have been several school tours this year but we saved the best for the end of the year. This year the Choir visited Salzburg, Austria, whilst Elena Clark led a sixth form expedition to Costa Rica to provide significant benefit to a conservation and community project which was co-ordinated

by Projects Abroad.

There are many accomplishments during the course of this year but several are of particular significance: Sam Todd won the UK U23 Open Squash Championship at the age of 15.

Our sixth form Economics and Business Studies pupils participated in a National Business and Accounting Competition and were awarded the Highly Commended Prize Winner Award, as being one of the top eight teams in the overall competition.

Andrey Gizdov qualified to represent the UK at the world’s largest science and engineering fair held in Phoenix, Arizona.

He managed to win the International Science and Engineering Award supported by the University of Arizona, which provides him with a scholarship to continue his studies there.

The Nursery and Coram House continue to move forward.

Most Nursery sessions are now full and the Reception class is also full. We have never been in this position before and are very excited about our future plans.

Our outreach with primary schools is extensive and we now work with 27 schools through our table tennis and tennis initiatives that run throughout the year. We also host events like the Big String Orchestra when 124 talented, local primary school students came together to celebrate music. In addition, we also work with the elderly within our community and host the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party every year.

More recently Coram House performed their dress rehearsal of Beauty and the Beast to senior citizens from the local community as a part of their Young Leaders Award. Olympic Day, a multi-sports event sponsored by the Tim Henman Foundation this year involved 276 pupils from 10 primary schools and it was a great success. Just about every one of our pupils was involved in some way _ a whole school contribution to our outreach programme!

Another initiative is the Community Litter Pick. Our pupils, parents and staff have given of their time to make Ackworth a better, cleaner village. The school has sponsored two new bins and there will be 12 in total, nicknamed the ‘dirty dozen’.

Other projects may include road safety in the village and raising funds for a community bus.

Ross Bolland, a pupil in our Autism Resource who is leaving us this summer, made an extraordinary contribution to the school this year by mobilising the whole community with his commitment to environmental issues. It has been a year in which significant attention has been drawn to the perilous environmental position we are all in. Next year Ackworth School will endeavour to do even more to reverse the trend.

And so, we look forward in many different ways to all the opportunities and challenges of 2019/20, thankful for all we have, and for all we can give.

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Coram House & Senior School 1st Form

2nd Form

Reception

3rd Form

4th Form Year 1

Year 2

5th Form

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Year 4H

Year 3

Year 5B

Year 4D

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Upper 6th Form

Lower 6th Form

Year 6R

Year 6S

Year 5J

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Autumn Term

of the pupils with the planting of the potato field which eventually provided six tons of food for the school.

Service was voluntary and only allowed during leisure time.

There were severe food restrictions during the war.

EB Collinson reported to General Meeting in 1918 that, “The restrictions in diet had not resulted in any grave hardship; though many of the scholars had lost weight during the various holidays, they had nearly all increased it during the term.” At the same time, Hugh Richardson pointed out that, “the greatly increased cost of everything had necessitated an increase in the fees, which seems to have been cheerfully submitted to by the parents”.

Travel restrictions and food shortages meant that Easter Gathering had to be postponed in 1917 and again in 1918. General Meeting had to bring their own food in 1918 and took their ‘private lunch packets’ to various parts of the school grounds, according to Collinson.

REMEMBERING Head Anton Maree

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his year we mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. On Remembrance Sunday 11th November 2018, Ackworth along with many other communities, families and institutions around the world, reflected on the lives that were changed irrevocably, as well as the generation that was lost. Ackworth School held its own Commemoration Service on 12th November which gave us the chance to remember, but also to pray and work for peace, looking forward to a world without war, and with hope.

In 1913, celebrations were being planned to commemorate 100 years of peace between Great Britain and the United States. The beginning of the war in 1914 ended any dream of an isolated, guarded existence as the school, like everywhere else, wrestled with the prospect of war. The Age of Innocence was well and truly over.

The numbers involved in the First World War are staggering; some 65 million men from all over the world were mobilised across Europe during World War One. Nearly a third of them – some 21 million – were wounded.

Another 8.5 million were killed and some 7.7 million were

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taken prisoner of war – many women served too – 34 from Ackworth School – and then there were those for whom taking another person’s life was impossible to contemplate. At the time they took the brave decision to object as a matter of conscience. Nineteen Old Scholars were placed in prison for refusing to comply with the Military Service Act, several after serving with the Friends’ Ambulance Unit, and many were kept imprisoned until 1919. All of them had family and friends whose lives were changed forever by the events of 1914 – 1918.

Ackworth School’s comprehensive involvement in the war is matched by other Quaker schools: 694 Old Scholars served with the armed forces, the Friends’ Ambulance Unit (FAU), the Friends’ War Victims’ Relief Committee (WVRC), the Women’s Land Army, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) or the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD).

The effect of the war was to scatter Ackworth’s Old Scholars all over the globe. Old Scholars served on the Western Front and in Africa, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, Russia, at sea and in the air.

One teacher and 75 Old Scholars fell in the First World War. The first person to be killed in action was Lewis Jackson who died on 13th March 1915. Sadly, two sets of brothers were killed – Wilfred and Edgar Morton and James and William Ineson, who died within six months of one another. Three friends from Sunderland died within six days of one another on the Western Front on 24th, 26th and 30th May 1915 – Arnold Green, Arnold Corder and Wilfred Morton. Three died on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme – James Eaton, aged 24; Phillip Snow, aged 22 and James Swift, aged 31. By the end of the war 60 Old Scholars had fallen on the Western Front.

The Annual Report of 1918 informs of an Ackworth Dinner held in France on Easter Monday 1918, at which twenty Old Scholars, serving with the FAU, met to celebrate an Ackworth Reunion. Seventeen other Old Scholars were prevented by their duties from attending the celebration, but they joined in the message of greeting. The menu was forwarded to the School and contained courses which did not appear, but which they desired, such as corned beef, Cowboy’s Hat, Monday Spinach, Treacle Pudding, and Apple Pie.

Brian Sparkes wrote in 1918 about the external changes beyond the school gates, brought about as a result of the war, citing the gradual withdrawal of familiar foods from the counters of Simpson’s, the shop across the road from the school. Sparkes recalled that iced buns went first, then the short bread glass (bottle) disappeared; most chocolates soon afterwards, and the curious little packets of Terry’s steam-made lozenges with their aromatic flavours of ginger, cinnamon, clove and musk. He added that liquorice, however, remained plentiful.

Austerity affected the school in other ways. The strength to fight infection and the common cold was depleted and the school report for 1919 stated that nearly 300 pupils succumbed to influenza; evidently none died.

Unfortunately, the First World War was not the war to end all wars. There are many wars taking place in our world today; we should think about those who are affected and at Ackworth School we mark Remembrance with a commitment to end war and to invest in bringing about peace.

Two members of the Friends’ Ambulance Unit, Walter Messer and Frederick Taylor were killed whilst helping wounded soldiers and the oldest person to die was Albert Nickalls, who was 51.

During the war school numbers fell markedly and fees rose to compensate for the increase in the price of food and fuel. By 1917 the shortages led to action on the part

Sport in front of the school – 1914 www.ackworthschool.com

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STAFF NEWS

New Staff Jane Burren – Catherine Bradley – Sarah Liddle – Emma Rose – Tom Root – Nykie Brown – Joe McAndrew – Maria Isabel Sanchez – Ann Nicklin – Caroline Chan – Kate Reynolds – Zara Costello – Lauren Philips –

Shed Court Teacher CoramTeacher (Job share Year 4) Coram Teacher (Year 1) Coram Teacher (Year 6) International Recruiter Specialist Learning Mentor Administration Assistant (Finance) Spanish Conversation Assistant Coram Teacher (Year 5) Coram Teaching Assistant Shed Court Teacher Specialist Learning Mentor Shed Court Finance Emma Rose – Coram Teacher (Year 6)

Zara Costello – Specialist Learning Mentor Shed Court

Caroline Chan – Coram Teaching Assistant

New Born

Nursery Role Changes Alexandra Collingwood – Daniel Jones – Ali Boucher – Neil Fitzgerald – Pip Langfield – Ros Noble – Daniel Roots – Alice Robson –

Jane Burren – Shed Court Teacher

Sarah Liddle – Coram Teacher (Year 1)

Congratulations to English Teacher, StevieAnn Harrison! Oscar Harrison Barstow was born in the early hours of Tuesday morning on September 18th, weighing 8lbs 9oz.

Nykie Brown – Specialist Learning Mentor Shed Court

Maria Sanchez – Spanish Conversation Assistant

Head of Sixth Form Assistant Head of Sixth Form Head of Drama Head of Learning and Teaching Head of English Head of Careers Head of PSHE Assistant House Staff Assistant House Staff

Kate Reynolds – Shed Court Teacher

Ann Nicklin – Coram Teacher (Year 5)

NEWS

Round Up

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ursery has definitely benefitted in numbers from the 15-hour entitlement scheme. We now have 21 on roll and have already shown around a further six new families since the start of September. The Nursery children now come over for a hot tea in Coram House where they also have the chance to interact with the older children. This has also helped to bring parents over to Coram House, who have previously not had the opportunity.

The Nursery is (in line with the Junior School) developing opportunities for outdoor learning.

It has enhanced its timetable for utilising specialist teachers from Coram House to deliver sessions in PE, Forest School and French. This has had a positive impact on numbers on the day when these sessions take place. Nursery Staff now have their own specialisms in SEN, Outdoor Learning and Marketing which gives them the independence to develop their own skills whilst enhancing the Nursery, making it stand out from other Nurseries in the area and more attractive to parents.

Grandparents’ Day

To celebrate and recognise the invaluable contribution grandparents make to family life, we held a Grandparents’ Day on 4th October. Children were asked to bring these very special grown-ups to spend the morning with them at Nursery, taking part in all the fun games and activities. Everyone had a lovely time and the morning ended with a well deserved cup of tea and slice of cake!

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Coram House

NEWS

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oram House has seen some recent upgrades.

The area outside the Reception classroom has been extended and much of the continuous provision has been moved to this area. More lessons are now taking place outside, including maths, where number snakes have been created on the ground, along with muddy maths games. At the same time the area is being expanded with chalkboard letters, number boards and new bikes, which have been donated by the PSA.

Inside, Reception has a new digital TV board, on which educational games are played and writing phonics can be practised. A new digital program ‘Tapestry’ is also being used in the classroom. This program has been designed to assess and track students’ attainment against the Early Learning Goals and means that all teachers can input their assessment straight onto the Cloud. The program is being used to monitor the children throughout the year whilst also using the hard copy Learning Journeys to report to parents.

The extended day is popular with parents. Coram House currently offers 20 after school clubs for prep children and additional clubs for pre-prep children, with many staying for tea.

Golden Verity

Race Champ

Polly Hollingsworth

“In the Summer holidays I took part in my first fell race. It was at the Ambleside Sports Festival, which is one of the most prestigious events in the fell running calendar. I was very nervous before the run which took us straight up and then back down the fell side. It was very steep and my legs felt on fire on the climb. The descent was so steep you just had to run as fast as you could! I was thrilled (and so were Mum and Dad) to find I finished first girl. Since Ambleside I have entered the Great Westmoreland Fell Race, where I also came first. I train every Monday with Ackworth Junior Road Runners and I race most weekends at the Junior Parkruns. I currently hold both the Nostell and Pontefract Junior Parkrun Under 10 Girls’ record.”

Isla Ball

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Verity was awarded the very first golden special mention in assembly this term due to her fantastic efforts and achievement.

Not only had Verity succeeded academically in a number of areas, but she has had success across the board.

Verity has competed in a year 7 cross country event, coming 16th overall, she has competed in a swimming gala and won, along with her year 4 team. Alongside her school achievements, Verity and her family have been supported by the fantastic charity Candlelighters while brother, Elliot has been unwell. As she was so impressed with this charity, Verity decided to organise and run her own event in Coram House to raise money for them. Verity went to school council and pitched her idea of the Great Coram Bake Off, which with the help of Mrs Slater and Mrs Hollingsworth, she organised, ran and judged on Wednesday 3rd October. There were over 50 entries from the children and the event was a huge success, raising over £200 for Candlelighters. Here at Coram House we are hugely impressed and proud of Verity for her resilience, positivity and dedication.

Outdoor Learning Week At Coram House we heavily value the impact outdoor activities have on our children’s learning. We now have five highly qualified Forest School leaders who lead sessions in ‘all weathers’ and every class has regular lessons outdoors in our beautiful grounds.

I wanted to know what the children thought about having lessons outside, so we, as a staff, devised a simple questionnaire for the children to complete.

We were staggered by the findings.

In response to the survey, we decided to hold an ‘Outdoor Learning Week’ at Coram. We focussed on teaching the core subjects, English, Maths and Science in our school grounds. The week was a huge success, and even the sun shone!

Katie Staton, Head of Teaching and Learning, Coram House

Green Blue Peter Badges

When we went litterpicking near Ackworth Water Tower in May, we collected six bags of litter and several pieces of car!

The reason we did the litterpick was so that we could help the village look tidy for the Tour de Yorkshire. Afterwards we each wrote a letter to Blue Peter asking if we could have green Blue Peter badges for helping the environment. We sent pictures of us doing the litter pick with our letters. As you can see, we got our badges! We are very angry about all the litter that has appeared since May. Another litter-pick is needed!

David Swales, Katherine and John Bootyman

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Meet the New First Years

What an enterprising idea!

Lower sixth business studies students hosted an enterprise workshop for Streethouse Primary School at the end of the summer term.

The programme has a dual benefit: the lower sixth students develop their enterprise and employability skills through the development and facilitation of the workshop, whilst the year 5 and 6 primary school students develop their skills through their participation.

The workshop was based on the development of a new mobile phone application. Students had to use their initiative to create new ideas for a mobile phone application, understand their target audience, develop a logo and promotional materials and then piece together a presentation to peers to deliver at the end of the session.

“From Coram House to Senior School - wow, what a big change! My first proper day in Senior School was so good. We got our lockers and I was excited to decorate mine. Since I have been in Senior School it has been so much fun. It is so good because you are not always in the same rooms. The lessons are fun and I learn something new every day. Ackworth School is amazing but what I love about it the most is that it’s not just a school: Ackworth is like your family. I feel so lucky to be part of such a lovely school.”

Izzy Harrison, 1st form (year 7)

“When I went to my taster day I had a good feeling about coming to Ackworth. Pupils and students were so welcoming to the school.

As I entered Centre Library and found out my class I was so happy that people were kind and we were introduced to each other. I had the biggest smile on my face. Even better, my form teachers were the coolest.

In my old school we had one teacher for everything, but here we have a teacher for every subject, so we have new teachers every day which is epic!

Now I have got to know my new class more, I love it.

They are the best! All my friends involve me in what they are doing and everyone gets along. The teachers are so kind and they always help me when I need help.

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They always know when I am upset and they always ask me if I’m okay. I LOVE SENIOR SCHOOL!”

Sohni Kaur Varaich, 1st form (year 7)

“March 4th 2018 was the date of my taster day. As soon as I entered the school grounds I knew this was where I wanted to be. The caring and lovely energy of the children and staff were just a few of the reasons I chose this school. Originally I’m from London, so I was super nervous due to the 180-mile journey from home, but Ackworth School made it feel like I’d been here my whole life.”

Adam Santosa, 1st form (year 7)

“Since I have been in Senior School I have loved every minute of it. It has been a big change from Coram to Senior School. I love break times because you can do your own thing and you’re free to play on the grass too.

Breakfast in the morning is great because whatever it is it fills you up for the day. The days seem to go fast. We have all bonded with new people and created much stronger friendships. I had been in Coram from year 4 and am now in year 7, Wow! Since I walked into Ackworth I have known it to be a friendly welcoming place. I have always loved Ackworth and I always will.

Sofia Newnham, 1st form (year 7)

For all the students involved in the project, their personal development during the project has been clearly visible. You could see the year 5 and 6 students growing in confidence and developing their presentation skills as a direct result of the workshop and the lower sixth students developing their leadership, problemsolving, organisation and resilience!

We were invited back to Streethouse Primary School to meet with the students there. They provided a tour of their school to the sixth formers who had facilitated the workshop and shared their experiences of what they had learnt at the enterprise workshop.

The Hepworth

On Friday 21st September we went to The Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield, which is named after the famous sculptor who was born in Wakefield, Barbara Hepworth. We were given a tour by an artist, who immersed us in the art, making the experience entirely interactive and interesting. We chose paintings we liked and were given only a minute to etch them onto the pages of our sketchbook, shown different surrealism techniques and then asked to create our own piece with help from our classmates. One technique was called Exquisite Corpse, where the page was folded in half, a picture drawn by two different people on each side, neither knowing what the other had drawn. Once you unfold the paper, the two foreign drawings become familiar side by side, merging into one surreal piece. Many of us in the A Level art class prefer studying faces and bodies in our work, but we all agreed how exciting it was to look so closely at different art forms and researching sculptures we may never have seen.

Martha Hathaway - L6th (year 12)

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Cakes on MONDAY were amazing. The whole school rushed to be first in the queue to buy one of these extraordinary things and I’m sure many teachers were hassled to let the lesson finish early for people to sprint down the corridor to buy cake.

Cakes were then sold again at lunch which was very exciting for everyone because that has not happened before. By the end of Monday I’d be surprised if we hadn’t all gained ten stones! Monday night finished with Movie Night.

We enjoyed watching Toy Story 2, which we were reminded by Jason in Morning Meeting was a ‘classic’.

CHARITY WEEK TUESDAY was the stocks and for the first time I can remember we had both teachers and students being drenched with water and jelly! It was very funny to see them shivering whilst we stood at the side and watched them, laughing. After school on Tuesday was staff vs sixth form dodgeball and then boys vs girls which was very funny.

WEDNESDAY was the day we were all waiting for: Sixth Form Entertainment. As always it was hilarious.

The highlight in my eyes was the carpool karaoke with Mr Eames and Mr Roberts and also I loved the teacher awards. I died with laughter with Harry’s Dr Aziz impression talking of chloride ions giving electrons. There were many more parts to the show that I thought were great, including punishments from across the world. In other ways, however, we were not looking forward to Wednesday: frugal lunch! But being filled up on hotdogs at break-time helped us along the way. Also, at lunch there was the charity auction that had many items being sold including Mr Hickenbottom’s piñata cake and a giant wolf soft toy which sold for around £135!!

THURSDAY the whole school went out on a Founders’ Day walk. Our year went to Salts Mill in Saltaire. We were dropped off in one town and walked along the Liverpool and Leeds Canal to Saltaire. When we reached Saltaire we found ourselves eating cake in the café (much deserved if you ask me). Thursday finished with bangers and mash and of course the Founders’ Day disco. After coming out of the disco I could barely hear a thing.

Finally, on FRIDAY, we had Own Clothes Day, one of my favourites. Friday also involved doughnuts, with three coloured icings. I think many people had to try them all (like me).

Luckily though, I had triple games in the afternoon.

Charity Week this year was a huge success. The money that we have raised is going to two different charities, one local and one international. The local charity is Candlelighters, who support families facing children’s cancer in Yorkshire and the international charity is Tree Aid who help people in the drylands of Africa lift themselves out of poverty and protect their environment. Tree Aid helps them grow and protect trees for themselves and future generations. After discovering the two charities it really makes it worth eating three doughnuts or throwing water at teachers or wearing your own clothes. I can’t wait to see what Charity Week brings next year.

Ben Cawood, 5th form (year 11)

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Peace Lecture

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n Thursday 4th October, Ann Farr, worker for Quaker Peace and Social Witness, executive member of the British section of Pax Christi and a part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Israel and Palestine, gave a talk about the ongoing hostility in the west bank.

She herself has made several visits to the region, observing a small village surrounded by Israeli settlers.

I found the lecture not only informative, but particularly shocking, as Ann told us tragic anecdotes about those affected. She spoke about Palestinians who have had their homes destroyed, and in many cases, more than once.

In a heart-breaking moment, Ann recounted a time when she and the other humanitarians were walking Palestinian children to school, when the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) threw tear gas into the group. You would expect people who have suffered such trauma and mistreatment to be too exhausted and harrowed to offer any sort of hospitality, but Ann told us this is not the case. All the people she has travelled to and spoken to – some now living in caves due to the demolition of their homes – can still find a bucket or a box for the guests to sit on, always offering them something to eat or drink.

When asked how she contains her emotions during these situations, Ann confessed the difficulty of

refraining from crying, but how she knows becoming upset would not benefit those targeted. As Jason Lok, Head Boy, said, “I think Ann’s talk reminded us all of the existence of constant conflict in the world, but also how lucky we are.”

Martha Hathaway L6th (year 12)

Sublime Science

Ackworth School invited Sublime Science and Pi Tops into school for two days of experiments, slime, and computer coding. We invited Year 5 and 6 students from four local primary schools to another great BECSLink community afternoon.

With an emphasis on experimentation, collaboration and play, Pi Tops helps bring coding, STEAM and physical computing to life via its unique modular hardware and maker-centric projects and kits. It is used by over 2000 schools globally.

Sublime Science provided a series of experiments to showcase how awesome science can be. They took part in creating rockets and making smoke rings.

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Fantastic Fungal Foraging

On Saturday 6th October 2018, Francis Hickenbottom, our fungal expert, hosted an introduction into the weird and wonderful world of mushrooms and toadstools at Ackworth School.

The morning started with an introductory talk, before we ventured out into the school grounds to see what we could find.

We concluded in Centre Library to review our foraging.

Thank you to the members of the local community for supporting the event.

Our wonderful Sixth Form Study Centre, which will be renamed as the Westwood Building, became ready for use after half term. It is already providing quiet areas for studying as well as collaborative learning and teaching.

With modern lighting and advanced technology, it is a welcome addition to our educational provision.

Sixth Form Study Centre Opening www.ackworthschool.com

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German Teacher Exchange “As an avid traveller I have always been keen on trying new things, challenging myself and seeing the world. I feel that especially as a teacher, travelling helps me understand different points of views by experiencing the diversity the world has to offer.

When I learnt about the programme “Host a teacher from Germany” (supported by the German Ministry of Education) I knew immediately that I wanted to take part. The programme aims to match German teachers who are interested in experiencing school life in the UK with British schools that would be willing to host a teacher, to enable professional and cultural exchange.

Through a good friend (and former Ackworth scholar) I was put in touch with Jeffrey Swales to discuss my options. After several emails, application forms and some waiting, I finally received my official confirmation.

Chinese Reality

A Chinese reality programme aiming to educate adult audiences about good parenting and how to be a 'nice parent' was filmed at Ackworth School at the beginning of the term.

After a tour of the School, four celebrity couples were asked to give a speech about all they had learnt throughout their experience on the four-part show which had involved them looking after their own children and following advice from an authority on child raising, who schooled them on how to be good parents.

Some of the celebrities were genuine A-listers in China, and included an Olympic gymnast, a doctor, a classical musician and Zhong Xinyitong the lead singer in a group called Twins.

Filmed in the Fothergill Theatre and Centre Library, the celebrity guests took turns to make speeches before joining the Head for a five course meal, which included a discussion on the difference between British education and the Chinese system as well as the advantages of Ackworth School. The programme is a positive insight into the importance of education and good parenting and will give the school some positive exposure, with an estimated 500 million views of the show in China.

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Coming from a rather large, government-run comprehensive school (1000 pupils and 100 teachers), being at Ackworth does seem like a whole new world. Ten to 15 pupils per course/class means a much calmer and more focused learning environment than teaching up to 30 pupils. I was also pleasantly surprised by the presence of computers and projectors in every classroom as well as the effective incorporation of the equipment into the lessons.

Another tremendous advantage over my school at home is the fact that teachers have their own rooms.

The thematically decorated walls and the helpful equipment that is being stored by the teachers surely supports the pupils in their learning.

As a German and a language teacher I am impressed with the great work of the Department of Modern Foreign Languages. Being able to support Andrew Hilton in the German lessons and helping pupils with one-on-one conversation training has brought me a lot of joy. Additionally it has given me (even more) appreciation and respect for all those who attempt to master my overly complicated mother tongue.

Being officially assigned to the History Department I have been able to observe a large number of different History lessons. I especially liked the visual support through fitting images/presentations and the clear question based structure of the lessons. Even though 40 minutes seems short (at my school we work with 60 minute lessons) I always felt that the pupils left with having acquired new knowledge. I even had the chance to teach a lesson myself, which was a lot of fun and strengthened my wish to further pursue bilingual teaching.

All in all I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Ackworth School. I feel that it has given me interesting insight into a very different school culture which has broadened my horizon. Likewise I hope that I could shed a little light onto German culture and inspire pupils to keep on learning foreign languages.

Last but not least I would like to thank the wonderful staff and administration of Ackworth School for welcoming me and providing me with this unique experience.”

Annika Borrmann

European Day of Languages

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he European Day of Languages takes place every year on 26th September in order to raise awareness of the wide number of languages still spoken in Europe, 225 at the last count, and to promote language learning.

Taking the school’s motto (non sibi sed omnibus) as the inspiration for this year’s quiz, pupils could follow a trail around the school in order to find the school’s motto in ten European languages. Prizes were awarded to pupils who could correctly identify which language was which.

With the number of pupils taking languages at school falling across the country, having a language qualification could be an advantage when applying for future jobs. Hopefully, the European Day of Languages will help to keep languages in the spotlight and to encourage our pupils to continue to take the opportunity to learn French, German and Spanish at school, and maybe to branch out to learn one of the many other languages in future.

Andrew Hilton, Head of German

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Meet Staff

teacher. My mum was also a pastoral head and I know the impact she had on the lives of pupils she worked with.

Guy Emmett on Life at Ackworth & Beyond

When it comes to Founders’ Day, where would you enjoy taking a class, or where has been your favourite place to go?

This year’s Founders’ Day that I went on to Filey was a particular favourite, but any Founders’ Day is a splendid way to spend the day, whether you’re by the sea or at somewhere like Fountains Abbey, especially with groups like we have, which are so impeccably behaved and fun to be around.

If you could do any job, other than Head or Deputy Head Pastoral, what would it be?

I’ve actually thought about this many times! In the Sixth Form, as a pupil, I either wanted to be a journalist or to move into education, but I had dreams about becoming a cricketer as well. Now I’d be a solicitor specialising in child protection matters I think. However, I love the job I have and believe I have made the right choice!

What will be your best memory of Ackworth?

There are so many! Even from this year’s Charity Week… though my best memory won’t be having jelly thrown at me in the stocks! I think the school’s production of The Sound of Music will be my best memory. I went to the first night and wanted to come very evening. What I loved about it was how many staff and students came to watch and support our great cast.

What would be your favourite school meal?

Now that is a tricky one. Sadly I have a sweet tooth so definitely the chocolate puddings, or a fruit pot if my wife is reading this! And I also enjoy the fajitas.

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s our Deputy Head Pastoral, Guy Emmett is leaving the school to move elsewhere very soon, we thought it would be a good idea to do a parting interview to give an insight into where and why he is leaving, his time at Ackworth and himself as a person.

How long have you been at Ackworth?

I’ve been at Ackworth for five happy years.

Where are you going to and what will be your position?

I’m moving to Scarborough College (not the sixth form College) to become the Headmaster.

Have you always aspired to be head teacher?

No, not from the start. I went into teaching with a love of

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This one is difficult I know. If you were to look back, which morning reading would stand out to you and who was it read by?

There are so many, and readings are one aspect of school life that I’ll miss greatly. I think Richard Vergette’s readings about equality are the ones that stand out to me. And I greatly admire the passion and charisma from Mr Bailey and Mr Boucher’s readings.

history and just wanted to work closely with children. As my career has progressed, in the last seven or eight years, I have developed an ambition to become a Head of a Co-ed 3 – 18 boarding/day school.

Is the fact that you want to be a head the only reason you’re leaving?

Having the chance to lead a school is definitely the main reason for the move, but there are actually many other smaller reasons as well. My wife and I want to have our own home, so that we really feel we can settle and Scarborough College is a lovely school. It is similar to Ackworth and we are sure our daughters will be very happy there. As we’re beginning a new phase in our lives, with a new baby due soon, it seemed like the right time to make the changes too.

We sometimes hear songs played in meeting that mean something to the reader. If you were to share a song with us what would it be?

My song tastes have changed since becoming a father, so whereas before it might have been our wedding song, right now it’s ‘This is Me’ because it makes my daughter smile and dance. The words are great too. I prefer it to ‘Baby Shark’!

What has been your proudest moment whilst working here?

Every day there are proud moments, too many to mention anything specifically. I am proud of the school when I see pupils being kind without even realising they’re being kind. There are selfish proud moments too: I like how children from ages 3 to 18 know me, and I’m proud of the School when I see a child leave, ready for the outside world.

I know every teacher is inspirational, but what teacher would you say has inspired you the most?

Although I’m inspired continuously by the people I work with now, it’s actually my Mum! She worked for 40 years in schools, and when she retired they asked her to come back! She never really left and was always there for her pupils, so above all, my Mum.

Though I know there is no favouritism, is there a particular student you will always remember?

Although you never want to pick out a pupil, it’s got to be Ayham Alhalabi. He inspires people, makes you want to be a better person and even brought Mr Maree to tears, so definitely Ayham.

If you could give every child a skill or piece of advice that you’ve learnt or received over the years what would it be?

Before coming to Ackworth, it would have been very simple: work hard, play hard. But actually the school has changed me, so I’d give everyone the advice to live life adventurously. It teaches you to take risks and not be afraid if you fail.

Lastly and the most important question, are you going to come back and visit?

Certainly! It’s the school I’ve learnt the most from, so as long as I’m invited, I’ll come back.

Amelie Harper, L6th (Year 12)

How well does Quakerism sit with you and do you think you’ll be taking it to wherever you go next?

I think anyone who’s worked in a Quaker school will take it with them wherever they go. It’s definitely changed me as a person. To experience periods of silence as a whole school and to work in an environment that has such a strong Quaker ethos will always influence me positively.

How important do you think the role of Deputy Head Pastoral is to pupils?

The only way I can explain it is that if I look back, I know exactly who the pastoral people were in my school life and that’s why I enjoyed school both as a pupil and a

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Community Outreach National Recycling Week During this half term, the 1st Ackworth Boys’ Brigade have had recycling as their project theme to coincide with National Recycling Week in the UK which took place from 24th-30th September 2018.

The Boys’ Brigade approached us to work with them on this project, due to the school’s involvement in the Spring Clean 2018. We were delighted to be able to purchase for them the litter pickers that they needed to undertake their project, which could not be loaned due to health and safety reasons. The boys successfully achieved their aim to learn about the environmental benefits of recycling through their participation in the project.

Friends of Fitzwilliam Station Jackie Tagg and Sue Armitage attended a meeting of the Friends of Fitzwilliam Station to represent Ackworth School as one of the interested parties in the Fitzwilliam Station art competition. Northern railways have authorised for Fitzwilliam Station bridge to have the 16 wheels, designed by the local community. Sue Armitage and Jackie Tagg volunteered to participate in the competition and will be responsible for the design of two of the wheels at the station. The timings of the competition are to be confirmed by the friends of Fitzwilliam station, once funding has been obtained for the project.

What’s planned for later in the year?

We have also been busy scheduling the community activities for the rest of the Autumn term. A summary of these activities is detailed in the table to the right and the school community and local community are all invited to attend.

If you would like any further information on any of these events, please contact Pip Langfield, Community Outreach Co-ordinator at pip.langfield@ackworthschool.com.

Quaker Pilgrimage We spent a weekend at a Quaker pilgrimage.

Following George Fox’s steps, we went up Pendle Hill. Even though strong wind and rain made the climb quite challenging, it was a truly remarkable experience. We visited the Quaker Tapestry and some of the first Meeting

Hogwarts Halloween

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Sona Yavrumyan – U6th (year 13)

Mother Courage Last half term, the drama department took a trip to see Mother Courage. It was performed in a warehouse in the outskirts of Leeds, which was something completely different from normal. The play focused around the life of a mother with three children during a very long war. It dealt with the troubles the war brings, such as children being separated from a mother, violence, and most importantly for her, no trade. The play is one large journey for her with her cart. However, rather than just watching her move around a stage of some sort with her cart, we followed her, moving all around the basement of the warehouse. This made it a promenade piece, and made it feel as though we were part of the journey too. The warehouse itself made it seem more realistic as a place of war as it was very dilapidated inside, dark and not clean.

I thought that all the actors within the play gave very strong performances. There was also a lot of sign language going on and the play dealt with the problem of one of the characters being deaf and

Thank you to all of our bakers, and kind donations for making the Macmillan Coffee Afternoon such a huge success!

Houses, which gave us an insight on the difficulties of early Quaker worship. We also became good friends with the students from the two other Quaker schools. Overall it was a fun trip.

the trouble that caused for the family. Overall, I loved the whole idea of having the play in a warehouse which I thought was very exciting but most importantly created a great atmosphere for the play.

Ben Cawood, 5th form (year 11)

Crucible Theatre

On Thursday 11th October the drama department took a trip to the Crucible Theatre to see Where we Began. The play is a vision of the future where citizens are ordered to return to their place of birth. Five actors from across the world shared their stories about deportation in a non-naturalistic form.

The action merges into real life when the main character, Tafadzwa Muchenje, English, but raised in Zimbabwe, with no connection with his country of birth and not knowing a word of the native language, shares a heart-breaking story about his real life and deportation and the separation from his family. We see that this vision of the future isn't too unrealistic from the modern day.

Ruby Wileman, 4th form (year 10)

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Founders’ Day

The Sixth Form went to Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby to celebrate Founders’ Day.

The Third Form went to Filey to celebrate Founders’ Day.

For my final Founders’ Day at Ackworth School the whole Sixth Form walked from Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby. Aside from falling over and then taking the wrong path, it really was a lovely day.

My first ever Founders’ Day was in 2009, and I remember thinking how strange it was that the whole school went on a walk to celebrate the founding of the school. However, this year I thought about all the amazing memories I have from all the different Founders’ Day walks, such as walking through muddy fields, laughing with my friends, witnessing a cyclist fall into a canal (we did help him out, I promise!) and spending the evening dancing and laughing with friends.

One thing from Ackworth School I will certainly remember is Founders’ Day and October 18th will always bring back the memories that I made with all my friends on this day.

Hannah Wilson, Upper 6th (year 13)

Nursery went to Hemsworth Water Park to celebrate Founders’ Day. The Fifth Form went to Salts Mill to celebrate Founders’ Day.

This Founders’ Day we challenged the students in the Senior School to reduce their plastic waste by bringing their own re-usable bottles rather than have a single use plastic bottle. Many students rose to the challenge and around 150 students brought their own water bottles. The first year were fantastic and ALL of them had their own water bottle! Using our own bottles meant that less waste was generated by Founders’ Day walks.

Reception & Years One and Two went to Temple Newsome

Years Five & Six went to Wintersett Country Park to celebrate Founders’ Day.

Years Three & Four Coram at Fountains Abbey to celebrate Founders’ Day.

Second Form Founders' Day, exploring the ruins of Fountains Abbey 28

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The First Form went to Clumber Park to celebrate Founders’ Day.

The Fourth Form went to Bolton Abbey to celebrate Founders’ Day.

Autism Resource had a fabulous day at ‘The Deep’ in Hull. Everyone really enjoyed it and we came back enthused to make our own art installation around fish and recycling plastic. www.ackworthschool.com

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School Trips

Art in Paris

During half term, we travelled from Wakefield to Paris on the Eurostar with Miss Rose and Mr Bootyman. We were a group of A level artists, but also some who simply enjoy and appreciate art.

International Centre Trip to London

We had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of exhibitions in some of the world’s most renowned art galleries, such as Musée du Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée d’Art Moderne and the Centre Pompidou. The Musée d’Orsay was a particular favourite of the group as the room was so incredibly ornate and featured famous artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh. With such a selection of diverse styles – from classic to cubism – the trip managed to cater for everyone.

Walking the streets of Paris was breath-taking and we had a lot of free time to do things such as buy macarons from the acclaimed Patisserie Ladurée, as well as visit the famous Galeries Lafayette. Everyone experienced a real taste of Parisian culture as we used the Metro every day, ate traditional cuisine and visited prominent monuments in the city, such as the Tour Eiffel and Montparnasse, where we got panoramic views of the city.

We will all remember this trip forever and we want to thank Miss Rose and Mr Bootyman who led the trip and made the experience the best it could be.

Martha Hathaway and Amelia Beckwith, L6th (year 12)

“I liked Oxford Street the best. We can find everything we want in the different shops. I also like the atmosphere in London, the statue people in Covent Garden, going to Chinatown and eating hotpot.

I love London.”

Earlier this term I went to London. It is a wonderful city, though the weather did not make us happy! We had umbrellas though, so it was still a nice trip. We visited some London sights and they were all great.

Tower Bridge was amazing and it was a beautiful and very popular bridge. Also we had the opportunity to go on the London Eye. It is a very famous ferris wheel in England. When we went up we were able to see all of London. I loved London!

Evelina Kalinina, 5th Form (year 11)

Leeds University Visit Recently we went to the University of Leeds with our classmates and teachers. The hosts greeted us and had prepared many interesting presentations that helped us a lot. Two students from the university took us to visit the campus. They were very friendly and enthusiastic. We learnt a lot about university life and understood how they learn, which is difficult. We saw the beautiful library where they have three million books and then visited the fitness centre (where the Chinese Olympic team trained!), a lecture theatre, a room in the halls of residence and the Students’ Union.

There are lots of coffee shops at the entrance that you can enjoy and we had lunch in the canteen. The food was delicious and not expensive. This was a happy day and we all liked the University of Leeds.

By students in the International Centre

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Geography Coastal Field Trips

Meet Staff

Karen Clarke says Farewell

W own CD?

It was a trip to see how the sea Changed Mappleton, Flamborough and Hornsea.

Not with a bang but by eating away, A bit on each tide, a bit every day.

Slowly eroded cliffs crumble and crack, Leaving strange shapes like the arch and the stack.

They leave us in wonder at nature’s great art, But sometimes it’s too much when the cliffs fall apart.

So we set out to learn what we are doing To stop the sea making our coast a ruin.

With great toil and planning we build up defences; Great piles of rock and hardy wood fences.

We call these walls groynes and they save the day, Stopping the sea washing loved homes away.

Morgan Hunt, 2nd form (Year 8)

ho knew that Karen Clarke, one of the first faces many students meet when they arrive at the school, either Coram or the Senior School, has got her very

For 18 years, Karen has worked at Ackworth. She became a familiar face in Coram, working there for 14 years, from August 2000 to January 2014 as the Head’s Secretary. From March 1st though, Karen is saying ‘farewell’ to Ackworth School and retiring so that she can spend more family time with husband Ted, and dog, Bertie.

Arriving from Pontefract General Infirmary, as a Histology Secretary in the Pathology Department, Karen became the first Secretary in the Junior School, coinciding her starting work there with the opening of the new pre prep department. Karen’s arrival at Coram however, was not exactly planned. “I wasn’t looking for jobs at first,” she said. “Someone left a copy of the Pontefract and Castleford Express in my car and I just happened to see the job advertised.”

Karen tells how she remembered Ackworth School from a trip she had made from her own school, Knottingley High School, when she was 14. She had attended a choir competition at the school and had always remembered it, so when she saw the job, she thought what a nice place it might be at which to work.

“I think it was fate. I always think that things are meant to be, and I am so glad that I saw the job and applied here,” she says.

In Coram, Karen’s official title was Secretary to the Head, but in reality, she says, she worked for all the staff and did whatever needed to be done.

“We all worked as part of a team, and I loved working in this little team. I met parents and pupils, I dealt with correspondence, arranged meetings and many, many other things,” she says.

“My favourite memories of working in Coram were the productions. We all helped out in some way and they were really enjoyable. The other thing I really liked was being the first point of contact for pupils and parents.”

Since January 2014, Karen has been one of the two faces of reception in Senior School, leaving Coram when the post was changed to full time and without the school holidays. While she was sad to leave, Karen says that being able to see children that she knew from the beginning of their time in Coram, 32

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right through to when they leave Senior School has been one of her biggest joys.

Karen, who is probably as well known for her range of brightly coloured tights, as being one of the welcoming faces in reception, gets into school just before 7.45am every morning to pick up emails and phone messages regarding absences. As the morning progresses she deals with the registers, logs who is in school and who is not, inputting details onto the databases. She chases up any absences from pupils who have not been in touch with school and throughout the day has to locate any child missing lessons. She records pupils’ attendance at after school clubs, confirms the tea lists and prep lists and deals with day pupils’ check out. At the same time as all this there are external coaches to book for trips and fixtures, covering reception, answering phones, dealing with visitors. The list goes on…

One little known fact about Karen Clarke however, is her ability to make up songs and sing new words to any given track.

“I used to sing the lunch menu to the finance office staff, and I used to sing from a set theme or genre each week, so it might be show tunes, 80s music, boy bands or even just songs with colours. Sometimes I’d even work on them over the weekend. The staff in the finance office knew the theme or genre each week and had to guess the song. Without my knowing it the ladies recorded me and made a CD – Now That’s What I Call Lunch.

“It’s the friendship, support and fun from my friends here and all the people I have worked with over the last 18 years that I will miss so much and also my interaction with the children and parents. I’ve been very happy here for the last 18 years. It’s been the best place I’ve ever worked and I have so many memories that I’ll take from here,” she says.

Now Karen is preparing to move on and to spend more time up in the Lake District walking her dog and spending more time with her husband and children. “It will be sad. The camaraderie here has been wonderful. I’ll really miss Julie in reception. We’ve had a lot of laughs together and a lot of support from a lot of people which helps you get through the tough times.

“I’m not a Quaker, but working in a Quaker School rubs off on you, with the ethos, and even just sitting in the Meeting House.

It can be very comforting.

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Tree Trekkers

Weekend Trips

To Aerial Extreme we go, With our spirits filled with hope, Where we swung to and fro When grabbing on the ropes.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park We visited The Yorkshire Sculpture Park. We saw many trees. Some were made of wood but some were made of metal. The sky was much bigger than in Hong Kong!

Some trees had hands sticking out of them and we even saw a tree inside a tree! The exhibition in the chapel was full of string and paper. We think it was about church music coming out of the piano. It looked like a cobweb but also like a soft fog.

We walked to the lake and saw so much sheep poo, we might have nightmares about it! Sadly, we saw no sheep but we did see a white cow which was not a sculpture.

We also saw some shaggy ink caps which were real toadstools but we didn’t touch them just in case!

Enoch (HK) - 3rd form (year 9) & Vova (UKRAINE) – 2nd form (year 8)

Scarborough

We were hoisted into trees, So we ducked and dived and weaved.

And we could all look up and see An endless space of leaves.

After many obstacles to cross We finally came to a zip wire And launched ourselves right off The horizon, reaching higher.

By Robyn Wickham, 5th form (year 11)

Duke of Edinburgh

Conditions were good for the second day of the DoE Bronze Expedition. After a cold night's camping at Slingsby, the groups trekked around part of the Howardian Hills and finished their walks at Hovingham.

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Cross Country

Sports Round Up Sports

F

ollowing on from the success of last summer, the boys’ tennis teams (Year 7/8 team and Year 9/10 team) participated in the county finals. It was a great day for all the boys involved and made even more special by the fact the Year 9/10 team won all their games, progressing through to the Regional Finals where the boys were narrowly beaten in the final. Well done to Max, Henry, Roman, Oliver and Ben (Year 9/10 team).

There have been a few highlights on the football front this half term. The U13s recorded an excellent 1-0 win over Bootham. For the first time in over four years we managed to field four teams on a Saturday morning, where we played at home against Oldham Hulme; this included an U13, U15 and two U18 teams. Both senior teams won their fixtures; two fantastic wins!

This cross country was an exciting experience! All different years joined each other to make new friends and to share the memorable moments. Although it was nerve-wracking, it was worth it. Despite it being a hard course we all completed it with smiles on our faces and we were all supported by our friends and teachers, clapping us on and cheering. We’re glad we went as now we know more people and we are more confident with running.

Hockey has started well. The boys have played a number of games and are making significant progress.

This year we have entered two teams into the National Schools Squash competition and also for the first time we have entered four teams into the National Schools Badminton competition.

It has been wonderful to see so many girls committed each week to the various clubs on offer here at school.

We have certainly had a busy term with hockey fixtures, cross country fixtures and the start of our girls’ football club.

Molly and Ruby Mackenzie

On Wednesday evenings at 4pm the girls’ football club has made a fantastic start. All the girls who attend are ready to learn new skills and have an eagerness to improve their tactical knowledge. The experience of the players varies and it is great to see so many happy faces playing football each week. We are getting fixtures in place so the girls can play in their first football matches and gain more experience.

Hockey is going from strength to strength. We have two hockey training nights per week and they are attended well. We have had many fixtures this term with some girls playing in all age groups. The fixtures have taken place at weekends and midweek and the commitment of the girls has been wonderful to see. It has also been fantastic to see so many parents watching and supporting the teams on a regular basis. We finished as runners up in the U14 Wakefield District Hockey Tournament - the girls played some of their best hockey this year and narrowly missed out on the title by one point. We have more district tournaments coming up and many girls making the transition to club hockey and county level which has been wonderful to see.

We held the first of the Wakefield District Cross Country events at school on 1st October, hosting 12 schools from the area. We had lots of success with runners from all age categories. We also took 16 runners to the 36 l

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English Schools Cross Country event held at Woodhouse Grove. The weather was typical to that of cross country - very wet and windy. All pupils did extremely well in the conditions and gained valuable experience of a cross country team event.

Netball Club has been running throughout the term and the girls are very committed in getting ready to play the first fixtures of the school year.

Hockey

When I started in September - my first year at Ackworth School - I started sports straight away, including hockey. I have tried not to miss a single match. On Friday 12th October, Mrs Donnelly asked me if I wanted to play in a hockey fixture. I was up for it! On Saturday at 7:30am, we set off from Ackworth School and arrived in Nottingham.

Half-way through warm-up, I was called up to play.

Even though we lost, we played better in the second half.

I was the goalie and I saved about 20 shots! The most impressive goal was when the ball ricocheted inside the left post. Sadly, I didn’t get that one! I was delighted to be ‘man of the match’.

Remi Clugston, 1st form (year 7) www.ackworthschool.com

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Meet the Pupils

Football love for Lucas

Lucas found his love for football at a young age. His dad was a coach of a local team, and at five years old Lucas was carrying the bags, helping set up, marking the pitches and even warming the players up! He clearly loved the environment and the game so it wasn't long before he was playing himself.

“I first started skiing when I was three years old. I would go on family holidays to Meribel in France.

About three years ago my Dad started to go skiing at Snozone, Castleford, every week on a Tuesday.

During the holidays I would go with him and over time I got better and better. I joined Snozone’s Ski Academy and passed the gold level. I then tried for the GBX (Great British Ski/Snowboard Cross) selections. I got in and trained with them for a year and I went to Saas-Fee and Les Deux Alps. I then joined Lions Ski Race Club at Castleford and go on early Sunday mornings training for slalom. After that I go to Snozone race training.

At five years old he was scouted by Manchester City. He had training with them three times a week, but the distance became a problem so he withdrew and opted to play locally with his friends. Whilst doing so he was also scouted by Manchester United at six years old and Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United at seven.

He was happy playing with his friends locally, but eventually joined Leeds United when he was eight, training with them on Fridays so he could still play with his friends on a Sunday and train with them through the week.

After a while I was invited to go and train with Lions Race Team on Monday nights. Last year I went to

His local team were superb, full of talented young players and one day his manager arranged for them to play a game against Doncaster Rovers Academy, at Doncaster. Lucas was eight and a half years old at the time and at that age they played a 5–a–side format.

They won the game 5-1. Lucas scored two goals and his team played really well, so well in fact, that at the end of the game Doncaster signed all five players into the Academy. Lucas left Leeds United and signed a threeyear contract with Doncaster, along with his five friends from the Sunday league team. The signing was a big event at Doncaster; the players were on SKY TV and were mascots for the game against Derby County. After the signing, they walked out with the players live on SKY and were introduced to the crowd at half time.

Since then Lucas has progressed through the Junior Development stages of the academy programme, training three times every week for two hours per session and playing games home and away each Sunday.

Lucas has shown great commitment and has made sacrifices over the years. He continues to work hard and

Sam Todd in Youth Olympic Games Argentina

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Success on the Slopes

Pila in Italy and participated in the Artemis British Inter School Competition in Slalom and Giant Slalom where I came 11th out of 46 racers. There I was coached by Impulse Racing. As a result of that competition I have now started to train with Impulse Racing in Landgraaf and Pila. I asked the school if they wanted to enter a team for the National Schools Indoor Open Championships at Castleford. We managed to get two teams of three and won 1st and 2nd for our teams.”

Hannah Morgan, 4th form (year 10)

his hard work and commitment were again rewarded with a new two-year contract extension in May this year, at which point he transitioned into the Youth Development stage which is another step up and an extra three hour night at the Stadium where they have classroom learning and a gym session.

Lucas loves the whole experience, and during his time with the club he has played away at some fantastic places such as Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Leicester, during the season Leicester won the premier league.

“It was a privilege to go to Buenos Aires in Argentina for a week to showcase squash and represent Great Britain in the Youth Olympic Games. It was an honour to be the only male chosen from my country to go and participate in this event. I was able to talk to new people about squash and get them interested. I was also able to go and watch other sports and chat to people from all over the world who had come to take part in the Youth Olympics. Overall I enjoyed my time in Argentina. It was a great experience for me and I would love to do it again.”

Sam Todd, 5th Form (year 11)

Air Cadets

I’ve been in cadets just over a year and so far, I have flown a plane, spent the weekend at an RAF base, flown a glider and shot an air rifle and the new L144.

I joined cadets because I saw how much fun my brother was having and couldn’t resist trying it for myself.

Since joining cadets I have wanted to have a career in the RAF as an engineer.

Cadets has made me so much more

confident and I would encourage anyone in second year or above to consider joining. You can earn badges for doing things such as shooting, flying and radio. You also get to do Duke of Edinburgh when you’re old enough.

You get to spend time at camps which are based at different RAF bases around the country and in other countries. I recently went for the weekend at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Over the weekend I shot the L144 and the Air rifle. We also had a lesson on putting on the face paint in order to camouflage.

Faith Butterfield, 2nd form (year 8) www.ackworthschool.com

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We will remember them

Ernest Edwin Bradshaw

WW1 Scholars B

Ackworth Scholar 1907 - 1911

orn 1893 at Stockton Heath, Cheshire, EE Bradshaw served as a 2nd Lieutenant with ‘D’ Battery 148th Brigade Royal Field Artillery in France.

Born 1893

Died 1917

Ernest Bradshaw was killed as a result of enemy action at Wytschaete on 30 September 1917. At 10pm some camouflage on the gun pits caught fire from an enemy shell or bomb and three of the officers, including 2nd Lt Bradshaw, tried to put out the fire. Some ammunition was nearby and the officers were cutting away the burning camouflage materials. A large explosion killed all three officers and a sergeant. Bradshaw is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetary in Belgium.

Frank Priestman Lees

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Ackworth Scholar 1908 - 1911

Born 1895

Died 1915

alter Messer was born 1895 in Lemington, near Newcastle. After leaving school Messer went to Edinburgh University.

Following the outbreak of war, he volunteered for the Friends’ Ambulance Unit, along with his brother Andrew. His job was to drive ambulances as near to the front line as permitted by the military authorities and to collect the wounded before taking them to the nearest dressing station or field hospital.

Bradshaw joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps (No. 2395) on 17 December 1914 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 26 April 1915.

He was sent to France and Flanders on 30 November 1915 with 151st Howitzer Brigade, RAF but was invalided home shortly afterwards. He returned to France in January 1917 and was twice wounded in June 1917.

Ackworth Scholar 1902 - 1905

Walter Messer

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Born 1890

Died 1916

rank Priestman Lees was born in Workington, Cumberland in 1890. He was a scholar at Ackworth from 1902 to 1905 and reportedly did very well.

At the outbreak of the Great War, Lees was a supervisor at West’s Gas Improvement Company Ltd in Manchester. He immediately joined the 16th Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Commercials) at Newcastle. In April 1915, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 4th Battalion and was sent to France in July 1915.

Walter Messer was killed by an aeroplane bomb on 28 November 1915, aged 20. He had just started his ambulance and was walking round to the driver’s seat when the bomb exploded, killing him instantly.

He is buried in Maloles-Bains communal cemetery near Dunkirk.

George Smailes

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Ackworth Scholar 1907 - 1910

Born 1894

Died 1916

eorge Smailes was born in Whitby in 1894. He was a scholar at Ackworth School from 1907 - 1910.

Smailes served in the Prince of Wales’ Own, West Yorkshire Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant. Smailes was sent to France on 20 March 1916 with his regiment. He died in France on 22 October 1916 aged 22 and he is commemorated on the Memorial to the missing, Thiepval.

Whilst on duty in the trenches near Kemmel, Belguim, aged just 26, Frank Lees was killed by shrapnel from an exploding shell on 17 June 1916. He is buried behind the trenches at La Laterie Military Cemetary. He had been on home leave just a fortnight before.

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‘We Will Remember Them’

On Monday 12th November Ackworth School held a remembrance gathering in order to commemorate the lives of those who joined the world wars and in particular the Old Scholars of Ackworth School.

Old Scholar News

Life in Sharm O mar was right. His friend's new dive shop in Old Market is a little gem. Reasonably priced, good quality stuff and even more reasonably priced if you mention that you are a friend of Omar.

I expect that he is going to find that he has lots of new friends now! When I arrived at the shop for the first time, I thought that I had picked a bad time.

Keemo and his staff were having their evening meal. But this is Egypt. If you are eating and someone else comes along, even if they are total strangers, you invite them to join you. Soon I was seated with them, eating chicken and rice by scooping up the food (not very successfully in my case) in bits of flat, unleavened bread. They made it look so easy. The meal will always stick in my mind, not just because it was so tasty and unexpected, but because of events which took place a few days later.

Where I live in Sharm-El-Sheikh, I have the Coptic Church on one side of me, and the Mosque on the other side; but there is only one community. To a Londoner, the pace of life here can seem rather slow. Indeed an Egyptian minute can sometimes last an hour or more, but the climate here is not conducive to rushing around.

A sense of humour is essential. If the street seller's banter is getting you down, you can politely say "No thank you". You can completely ignore them or you can join in the fun.

“I felt that the 100-year anniversary really moved many people, especially the reading of the names of those who died. These names were read out and there were no sounds but the echoing of the names as they bounced around the room.

Max Cooper, third form (year 9)

“Five hundred people sitting in an open Meeting House in complete silence. One by one 76 people stood up reading out the old scholars’ names who died in the war. The experience was nervewracking but touched people’s hearts. The experience was breath-taking and one I’ll never forget.”

Darcey Ducker, third form (year 9)

“I found our remembrance service quite moving and emotional. I felt like part of a community as I could see the thoughtful faces and how it affected each person differently in the Meeting House.

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When so many people stood up to symbolise the old scholars who died in the war it really emphasised how much it affected our school. As I stood up to represent Ernest Stephenson I really felt like I was in his position – putting myself forward. As I sang in the choir I thought about the lyrics ‘Abide with Me’ and how they are so moving.”

Emily Sanderson, third form (year 9)

“The soldiers who lost their today gave us our tomorrow.”

Lucy Roche, third form (year 9)

“The loud silence was broken by voices: voices which read out names of voices which were broken by war. Light came in through the windows which were once blackened out. It was incredibly moving to be part of this meeting to honour those killed in those four years one hundred years ago.”

Grace Dibb, third form (year 9)

A few days after my meal at the dive shop, I found myself guiding on a boat called Wasser. All was going well until the time to collect the lunch/drinks money arrived. Despite being asked in advance to bring along some Egyptian money, the Italians often bring euros, the Russians always have dollars and yes, we also get English money. It can get very messy. On this particular day, the crew told me that they had spotted the eight year-old English boy, helping himself to a small cup of Pepsi Cola. They demanded that I collect thirty Egyptian pounds (the cost of the drinks package for the day) from his parents. I know that their wages are low and so every penny counts and strictly speaking they were within their rights. So with great reluctance, I asked the boy's parents for the money. They didn't make a fuss, but they only had English money. The crew did make a fuss - they wanted to argue with me about the exchange rate. At that point I told the crew that they had blown it. I wasn't going to waste any more time. The matter was closed, but even as I got off the boat at the jetty, they were still droning on about it. To his credit, the skipper did not call my boss. If he had done so I would have been in trouble, as it states in the staff manual that at the first sign of any dispute you should contact your manager, and he/she will deal with it. When you are sitting in your airconditioned office, writing a rulebook, this makes perfect sense. When you are a dive guide, you still have

the third dive to do, and you are running out of time and you know that if you miss your allocated jetty time, the harbour police can really spoil your day. Sometimes you have to take the initiative.

Which boat do you think they put me on for the following day? You guessed it: Wasser! Unfortunately, this gave me an idea. The food on dive boats is usually very good. I wouldn't dream of taking a packed lunch on board under normal circumstances, but I wanted to make a point to the crew, mainly that I was fed up with them. We got through the morning with no problems, and I had already made it clear to my colleagues that today, someone else could collect the lunch/drinks money. After the second dive, the boat moored up and the guests went into the cabin to get their lunch. At this point I made my way up to the sun deck to eat my packed lunch. Most of the guests stayed below, but after a few minutes I was surprised to see the chef coming up the stairs. I was even more surprised when he sat down right next to me. Then it dawned on me: I was eating; he was not. I felt obliged to offer him some of my food, an offer he enthusiastically took up. I have never seen anyone appear to enjoy a bog standard cheese sandwich quite so much! I had to admire him. What a smart move! We both had wry smiles on our faces. He had taught me a lesson. NEVER BEAR A GRUDGE! David Robinson (Old Scholar)

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Obituary

After a long illness Angela Dale died on 17th May 2018.

Angela was born in Nottinghamshire to James and Nora Dale and had many fond memories of growing up on their farm as the eldest sister to Rosemary, Carol, and Heather. She attended Ackworth School between 1949 and 1955. It was here she met Keith Daniel whom she subsequently married. After training at the Ilkley College of Housecraft she went on to teach domestic science. Angela and Keith have two daughters, Karen and Clare.

Old Scholars Founders’ Day

PSA Flower Arranging

100th Birthday

Recently I attended the 100th birthday party of Old Scholar Leslie Steed. Leslie was at school with my father.

They later both served in the Friends’ Ambulance Unit together during the war and ended up in the same Quaker Sheltered Housing in Bourneville Birmingham, with another of their School mates! Still mischievous boys together! Leslie is the only one of them left and still in excellent health!

Ackworth Old Scholars along the Hampshire & Dorset coast met up to celebrate Founders’ Day. We met up at noon in the New Milton Quaker Meeting House. Pictured are: Geoff Walters,

Margaret Matthews, Karen Housden, Robert Vincent, Angela Dale, Michael and Thomas Hargreave, Judith Vincent, Belinda Walters and Alan Wiltshire.

Janet Blann

Angela was talented in so many ways and yet she was always self-effacing about this; her paintings were amazing; her embroideries beautiful; her sewing perfect and her cooking delicious. Many have commented on her dry and quick-witted sense of humour and her elegance, grace and resilience. They shone through, even during the difficult times.

Angela ensured she made the most of life, in particular embracing as much as she could over the last few years. Angela was a much loved mum, sister, grandmother, aunt, Friend and friend who contributed so much to so many. She will never be forgotten.

Janet Blann

Twenty five Ackworth Old Scholars and friends celebrated Founders’ Day in the usual way with a Bangers and Mash lunch at Worfolk Cottage, Staintondale on 20th October 2018. We were delighted to welcome The Head of Ackworth and his wife, Anton and Alison Maree, on their first visit to Worfolk. After lunch we enjoyed hearing from Anton about Ackworth Today and the many things currently going on in school including areas of refurbishment, updating the rather old pianos and the recent ISI visit as well as the ways Old Scholars can keep in touch using the School’s new system, Graduway.

Fortunately, the weather was nice enough to have a photograph of everyone present taken in the garden.

Annabel McRobert

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East Coast Guild

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Spring Term

The Geography classroom had electronic maps built into the walls and roof and a rotating globe in the centre of the classroom. I also liked the conference facilities with built in video technology that zooms in on whoever is speaking.

In China most pupils carry tablets to school instead of textbooks and expect to use them during lessons. The use of this technology is constant and has, to most intents and purposes, replaced pen and paper, although written exercises are still required because examinations depend upon this capability.

Development across areas like communications, travel and computing during the twentieth century and early twenty first century have made us used to change but we would all agree that technology that requires updating within three years because of the rate at which software advances, was never something we were prepared for.

Throughout this time what hasn’t changed is still relevant today and will be in the future: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and initiative, as well as mental elasticity and complex problem solving.

These elements must remain our focus, together with our values which help pupils to understand their place in a complicated world.

MAKING SENSIBLE

USE OF TECHNOLOGY Head Anton Maree

In this issue Anton Maree discusses education technology and how Ackworth School will enhance learning through its use without replacing the teacher.

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ducation technology is advancing at a frightening rate. Change is constant and keeping up with change is very expensive.

Schools have to prepare pupils for an evolving world and technology will play an increasing part in that world. Ackworth School wishes to capitalise upon the learning potential available to pupils and teachers through digital technology.

Getting the balance right is critical. The teacher is still the most important precipitator of learning. Digital Learning helps to enhance learning and must not replace the teacher, but can keep teaching relevant and exciting. This is the guideline we will adhere to as we increase our use of educational technology at our school.

In October 2018 I was fortunate to be able to visit five schools in China. The state has funded the best Digital Learning technology available with touch screens in every classroom and science laboratories equipped with the latest spectrometers and analytical equipment. It was eye-opening to see this and to find out that it was the norm as China prepared its citizens for a modern world.

I was most impressed with a touch screen at Nanjing Foreign Language School that allowed teachers to use chalk on the screen without damaging it, as well as the use of holograms in several classrooms.

A three-year-old PC or laptop is probably too slow to cope with the latest demands made of it. So what does a school do to keep pace with it all? Most schools either purchase the equipment they need or contract the equipment for three or four years. We will do whatever is the most cost effective.

We will proceed carefully making sure that pupils make efficient and appropriate use of all ICT equipment and will also take into consideration the need for equality in terms of access to digital facilities and the health and safety issues related to digital learning.

We already have pupils using tablets; some even already have their textbooks on their tablets. It costs 50 per cent of a printed version. They use their tablets to do their work in class and for prep and then email their completed work to teachers. This is becoming more and more prevalent and is happening organically.

A school that is helping us to achieve our objectives has told us that they saved one million photocopies last year.

This is worth thinking about! We want to be a sustainable school and educational technology can help us to achieve this. They have TVs in every classroom with Apple TV fitted to them and teachers and pupils have iPads. Apps make easy access to incredible information.

We have the opportunity to learn from the examples of schools that have developed their Digital Learning technology, made mistakes and found the answer. What will be important for us as we evolve is measuring and evaluating pupil progression.

We are in touch with these schools, visiting them, meeting with providers to discuss procurement and talking to our pupils and teachers to make sure that we do the right thing for Ackworth School.

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End of Term Round Up Events

Bake Off

Woolman was the winner in this year’s Inter House Bake Off with the team consisting of Ben Cawood, 5th form, (year 11) and Filip Popovic, L6th (year 12)

“It was a great experience taking part in the Great Ackworth Bake Off once again. This year’s challenge was one I very much enjoyed: it was to bake a celebration cake that was no more than 30cm. Rising to the challenge we designed a lemon, lime and orange checkerboard cake. To construct the cake, we made six cakes, two of each flavour that were coloured in three colours (green, yellow and orange) to match the flavours.

We then cut them out to make a checkerboard. To mix British and Serbian cultures, we designed the outside of the cake in traditional Serbian caramel wafers and it created a very interesting effect. The whole day was a very enjoyable experience and I am looking forward to next year and to find out what the next challenge will be.”

Ben Cawood, 5th form (year 11)

End of term Christmas dinner and tea for Ackworth’s Senior Citizens hosted by kitchen staff and students of the school

Senior Citizens’ Dinner and Tea

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Festive wreath making

Halloween

Girls’ School House Halloween party

Fothergill Quiz

Christmas Parties & Wreaths

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Prof. Dr Fiona Wood Visit Highest Scholar 1975 & Australian of the Year 2005 One of my favourite things about Ackworth is the wide range of opportunities offered to us on a daily basis. An example of this is a fascinating talk I had the privilege to attend, delivered by Dr Fiona Wood.

Dr Fiona Wood is a British-born plastic surgeon working in Perth, Western Australia. She is the director of the Royal Perth Hospital Burns Unit at the Western Australia Burns Service. She helps with reconstruction after people have experienced severe burns.

Fiona explained to us that being severely burnt is not only incredibly painful, but also incredibly traumatic mentally. Understandably people who have these

afflictions can be left with massive scars and permanent alterations to their body, which can critically affect their confidence. By performing plastic surgery on these people, Fiona can restore their confidence and give them a new lease of life – this in itself is incredibly uplifting.

Nursery

News

What makes Fiona an even more remarkable person is the fact that she has managed to overcome many hurdles and obstacles. She was a tremendous inspiration to all the young people she spoke to.

Chinese New Year

We have been celebrating Chinese New Year and have had a lovely visit from Miss Hodge. She helped us celebrate Chinese New Year by making a Chinese-inspired fruit salad with us.

Evelyn Salter, 3rd form (year 9)

We have been delighted to welcome four new friends since the beginning of the spring term and are currently awaiting the imminent arrival of several more.

Nursery have been learning all about the ‘Jungle’ this term. As well as this, Mr Crocodile has needed some teeth! The nursery children have been busy adding teeth and counting how many.

For Valentine’s Day, we have been making cards using different types of materials to glue and stick on. We have also been exploring pattern using shapes this half term.

B@B

A recent business@breakfast featured the Director of Ackworth School’s Football Academy, Jamie Fullarton, speaking on ‘Opportunities’.

Business@breakfast is held every half term and enables local businesses and Ackworth School parents to network, enjoy breakfast and listen to informative and entertaining speakers.

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Coram House

News

Raygen wins at Swimming

Raygen Parkin is a student in Year 6 at Coram House who has a keen extracurricular interest in swimming, has become best for her age in the district and has qualified for a speeding ticket in the pool!

How did you develop an interest in swimming?

I started swimming at a young age with my mum and found out that I really liked it so I joined a club at St Wilfrid’s.

How did your swimming skills develop after you joined your swimming club?

Well, I completed the swimming club at St Wilfrid’s, then I went on to join Marlins at Minsthorpe School for a year. I trained twice a week mainly, but sometimes more.

Were you nervous for your first ever competition?

I was really nervous to begin with. I started in Group C at Marlins but quickly moved into Group A. After the first competitions, we started competing with different clubs such as Doncaster and Scarborough.

How did you qualify to move groups so quickly?

I was the best for my age so that’s why I was able to move groups so soon. I then started competing with people four years older than me.

What are your preferred swimming styles?

I usually swim breast stroke and front crawl.

What is your most recent achievement?

I recently competed in a swimming gala and I won a Speeding Ticket for a 50m breast stroke. I have another competition coming up which is the 100m.

Do you like it when your parents come and support you in your competitions?

Yes, I like it when they come; it can sometimes be pressuring but I love the encouragement.

What would you like to be after you’ve left school?

I would like to be an Olympic swimmer in the future.

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Young Leaders Award Launch This year’s Young Leaders Award (YLA) was launched at Coram House on Wednesday 23rd January 2019. The Young Leaders Award is a unique active citizenship programme which empowers young people to make a difference in their local community whilst growing in key leadership skills at the same time.

Once successfully completed, the children will receive their Young Leaders Award certificate at the awards ceremony later in the year. We can’t wait to find out more about the community project!

The year six pupils are taking part in this Award with the aim of becoming the change they want to see in the local community. This is achieved through a number of interactive lessons, practical challenges and community projects; our children will be involved in serving our local community and making a difference.

Following on from the launch there will be opportunities for parents, family members and the local community to be involved in a community action project that will take place later in the year.

Playtimes

The School Officers have had an idea to improve our playtimes. The PSA awarded the School Officers some money so that we could buy some new equipment. We asked the Prep children about the sorts of equipment and games they would like and then worked together as School Officers to research what we could order. We picked the most requested and popular items, as well as the safest, for example new balls, nets, skipping ropes, and posts. We then presented our work in assembly to the whole school – we hope everyone will be excited with the new equipment, and that we all look after it.

Ruby Canton-Heilos and Ottilia Broadbent, Year 6

STEM Club

What we enjoy about STEM Club We enjoy all the fun experiments that we do in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Club because we are able to have fun whilst learning new types of things. We also really enjoy the competitions that we have, like whose helicopter was the quickest and whose was the slowest?

What we learn in STEM Club We learn a lot of different subjects in STEM Club like architecture, because one of the challenges we did was to build the tallest skyscraper we could create out of paper art straws and sticky tape. We also tested the best design for our balloon rockets and looked at how to reduce friction using washing up liquid.

The best things in STEM Club We really enjoy STEM Club because we can spend more time with our friends and develop our skills in teamwork. We have lots of fun making cool things and testing our ideas. At the end of the session we have a little competition to test our designs. Our favourite activity so far has been the tallest tower challenge and which helicopter design can fly for the longest?

Persia Robinson-Johnson and Zachary Quinlan, Year 4 www.ackworthschool.com

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Coram House

Lego Club

Lego Club took on the challenge of building Mio this half term. Delivered by Mr Maree and coming all the way from China, the robot dog was given to Lego Club in assembly and the children couldn’t wait to take on this project.

Each week the children have taken it in turns to build the next step of Mio, completing it with the optional additions too. This has been a very popular and enjoyable project for Lego Club, so much so that they have asked Mr Maree for more!

Baking Club

Baking Club has taken off this half term and the children have made some delicious creations. From banoffee pie to chocolate truffles, Baking Club has involved lots of new skills and challenges for its members which they have taken on gladly. A firm favourite this half term was making pizzas, for which we used a mini pizza oven to bake them to perfection. We look forward to seeing what tasty treats next half term will bring!

Chinese New Year

On Wednesday 6 February, students from the Senior School’s 6th Form and International Centre prepared a presentation and activities to teach the Reception children about how they celebrate Chinese New Year in their home countries. In the session the children created paper lanterns, dragon puppets, pig masks and learnt how to write greetings in Chinese. The Reception children loved learning with the older students and couldn’t believe their luck when they received a red envelope with money in it at the end of the lesson.

Presentations

Cross Country

Well done to our amazing year 4 and 5 cross country teams who were in action at the Grammar School at Leeds Cross Country event. Our year 5s finished 4th out of the 7 teams taking part, and our year 4 team was crowned champions - an amazing performance, given half of the team was from year 3. Individually both David Swales (3rd in Year 4 boys’ race) and Isla Ball (2nd in Year 4 girls’ race) ran superbly to win medals in their races.

Biathlon

Well done to Ashton Coulson, who has qualified for the 2019 British Schools Modern Biathlon Championships in London.

“The course was really tough with a long steep hill, some slippery forest sections and a killer uphill finish. We were really proud to win our individual medals and crowned overall year 4 team champions. We are looking forward to going back for the team event in March.”

David Swales and Isla Ball, Year 4

Swimming

Lots of informative and creative presentations by Year 6 on medical advancements since 1900 56

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Coram once again welcomed Sandal Castle to our pool for what turned out to be a fantastic display of competitive swimming from both teams. ‘We swam really well and so did the other team. I took part in the individual front crawl, breast stroke relay, medley relay and freestyle relay. Our U9s and U11s groups won their races, and Sandal Castle won the U10s group. The overall scores were Coram 167 - Sandal Castle 125.’

Verity Metcalfe, Year 4

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Academic

London & Parliament Trip

We left on the trip to Parliament on the snowiest day forecast for months. We took in the Natural History Museum before our tour of Parliament. It was certainly a day for making future memories as well as connecting with the past. I was

Maths Challenge

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and we look forward to seeing how the 1st and 2nd form mathematicians get on with the Junior challenge immediately after the Easter holidays.

Susan Swales

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Jason Lok, U6th (year 13)

History

On 7 February it was the turn of the 3rd, 4th and 5th form students to sit their Maths Challenge. As many as 48 students were brave enough to do so and 20 of them were awarded certificates for scoring in the top 40 per cent of all entrants nationally. This year’s was a particularly tricky paper, but Oliver Foster scored highly, qualifying for the extension challenge in March. Both he and Eleanor Morris were awarded Gold Certificates, whilst Silver awards went to Josh Dawson, Izaak Brindle, Rachel Swales, Femi Welch, Jason Jiang, Rhys Wickham, Alex Watson and Alvin Yeung. Bronze recipients were Jasmine Walker, Ruby Chan, Matthew Holliday, Alice Hemeury, Harry Dean, Harry Pearce, Ruby Wileman, Harriet Greenwood, Krystof Klodner and Faris Kourshid.

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overwhelmed to see statues of characters from my A Level History course, particularly John Hampton.

It was a day of enlightenment and joy.

The 1st Form were fabulous this afternoon re-enacting events after the Battle of Hastings.

English: Poetry Day

In January, the English Department took 5th form students studying English Literature to Leeds Town Hall for the GCSE Poetry Live! Revision Day. Many other schools were in attendance, and the event lasted from 10.30am to 3pm.

The experience was very helpful, as for our English Literature GCSE we are required to learn about a selection of poems by different authors, in order to answer a theme-based question and compare one poem in our exam with one from memory.

Macbeth

The authors read their poems aloud, and explained the circumstances in which they wrote the poem, to help us with context in our exam.

Also at the event, was a senior examiner from AQA (the Exam Board) who made clear what content we needed in our answers, where we would gain credit, and how to work efficiently in the exam without wasting time on questions with low reward. The Revision Day was very insightful, and gave us invaluable knowledge for our exams.

Oliver Foster, 5th form (year 11)

On Wednesday 6 February, there was a Macbeth production that our year went to watch, enjoy and learn much from for our GCSEs.

The set caught my eyes straight away before the performance began, as it had a diagonal rocky platform in the centre, which moved during the performance to help create each individual scene.

Lighting also did this, differentiating the dusky day from the artificial light inside a house, and a light fell on Macbeth during his soliloquies to show the internal monologue of struggles happening inside the character.

The play was an interesting adaptation of Macbeth, taking place in a futuristic apocalyptic world, the costumes of the characters clearly representing that it was not taking place in the Shakespearian era. Because of this, there were many scenes portrayed in a different way from

how they may have first been imagined, such as the rave party for King Duncan. There were other differences that set it apart, like the Thane of Ross who was played by a strong and brave woman instead of by a man.

Overall, it was an adaptation that made us comprehend the text differently, which will help us later on for showing multiple interpretations in our exams. It was an unusual, but unique way of showing the story of Macbeth.

Robyn Wickham, 5th form (year 11) www.ackworthschool.com

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Christmas Card Success

Academic

Life Drawing

Earlier this term, the 6th form art students went to the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield, to participate in a life drawing class. This involved sketching a life model - to begin with, clothed around the gallery - then nude in a section of the gallery away from the public. We were all expecting a female model, so you can imagine our surprise when our model was a male! We learned some important skills on perspective, and measuring proportions with a pencil, and though a little embarrassing at first, the whole experience was extremely useful and has given us tools which we will be able to carry forward and make use of in our A level work.

Shed Court Autism Resource

Lauren Nixon L6th (year 12)

Geography

L6th exploring Hull, looking at rebranding around the city and the impact of the City of Culture.

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Ross, Autism Unit

Some excellent edited photographs produced in Shed Court. Well done, Jack!

Art Techniques

1st form Art - learning about Impressionism and plein air painting!

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I designed my own Autism themed Christmas cards for the Shed Court stall at the Christmas Fair. I am so happy to say that they sold out within the hour. Parents and staff, including Mr Maree, helped me raise £150.40 for NAS. Thank you for your support.

Languages

Yasmin and Lucy from Leeds University visited the language department to talk to pupils in 3rd, 5th and 6th form. They shared their language learning experiences and talked about spending time abroad. They also shared some fascinating language facts with us. The students had lots of questions and learnt a lot about learning languages at University and potential career paths with languages.

Elizabeth Rayner, Head of French

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Jazz Club

Music

Jazz Club had a lovely evening at St Aidan’s jazz evening.

Music Trip

Ackworth School is now an All-Steinway School

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his January saw Ackworth School become an All-Steinway School. A concert was held at the school with all ten pianos being delivered into the Meeting House with the whole school present. Our Director of Music, Daniel Marks, composed a piece for 10 pianos together and the concert also featured performances from students, former staff and an old scholar.

The Day of the Steinways

To the Meeting House I went on Wednesday morning To find a musical experience to have a go exploring, Where the pianos were unboxed and were unravelled, After seeing the van outside in which they had travelled.

The pianos were arranged and dusted down, And we all stood there with the pianos all around, And what was a better way to start off the day Than to hear Mr Marks Chopining away.

Our year enjoyed playing our different songs, And played pieces to hum and sing along.

The first years were soon to arrive here Practising ‘Pachelbel’s Canon’ for us all to hear.

By this time, we could now go to have break, But I stayed there with the pianos – it was great!

So I started playing ‘Everything I do’, And Mr Marks came in and joined in too.

The 10 piano-piece was then rehearsed, And then the solo pieces were all heard.

We were all ready for the concert now, Trained in how to do a presentable bow.

The concert was very soon to fall on us As we heard the murmuring audience buzz, And rounds of applause were received highly As we were recorded to stream lively.

And as the Music Centre was silent with no sound, There was still some more excitement to go around.

The pianos were moved and we set the keyboards up, And finally the day had rounded up.

Robyn Wickham, 5th form (year 11)

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January saw the Music Department visit the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool. GCSE Music students found this to be an enriching experience and really developed their knowledge of the Beatles.

Xinyuan Wang piano recital

In February, we hosted Xinyuan Wang for a piano recital and masterclass. Xinyuan recently appeared as a finalist in the 19th Leeds International Piano Competition and won both the 3rd Prize and the medici.tv Audience Award.

Warmly received throughout the competition, Xinyuan was a very popular competitor with audiences, exhibiting his friendly personality, passion and virtuosity.

He returned to Yorkshire for the first time to perform a programme of works which were close to his heart in a piano recital and masterclass. His recital was inspirational and his masterclass was observed with interest by students, staff and over 50 local primary school students.

“I was inspired by Xinyuan's recital and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet Dame Fanny Waterman who attended.”

Tom Wilks, U6th (year 13)

“This concert inspired me in many ways. The pianist showed me what I could achieve if I work hard. I greatly enjoyed watching and listening to him using his extensive skills to play the music pieces. I was moved by his emotions. The masterclass was really helpful. I learned how to attack my mistakes and overall improve my performance. It was such a unique experience getting comments from a great pianist.”

Yanie Chomsin, 4th form (year 10)

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Whistle Down the Wind Drama

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he school production this year was ‘Whistle Down The Wind’. We performed the National Youth Music Theatre's version of the musical which is gripping and dramatic with a beautiful and challenging music score.

The auditions were held in September 2018, and I was fortunate enough to be playing the role of Cathy. Then followed many rehearsals to get this show on its feet!

There was a great cast and dedicated director and team, with a special mention to the orchestra, who all helped make the show a great success.

I recently auditioned for the National Youth Music Theatre and have been recalled for three shows in London. When I was at the audition I mentioned the play to them and they were very impressed that a school could put on such a demanding show.

I appreciate the opportunities that the School has given me and I hope to have a future career in the performing arts.

Lucy Assassa, 5th form (year 11)

“We performed the National Youth Music Theatre's version of the musical which is gripping and dramatic with a beautiful and challenging music score.”

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Clubs & Societies

Book Fair It was the time of year when we celebrated all things bookish! We had Harry Potter Book Night, World Book Day and then our annual Scholastic Book Fair.

The range of books at the fair was the best we’ve ever had. There was something to suit everyone whether you liked fiction or nonfiction, gaming or Harry Potter. As usual, we had stationery, posters and ‘pointy fingers’ whatever took your fancy.

This year’s fair was very well attended with pupils from all year groups. Some bought armfuls of books, while others bought a pencil, but all left with a smile on their face.

Harry Potter Night in the Library A lot of fun was had at the Harry Potter Book Night in the Library. We made dragon eggs!

Don’t worry if you didn’t have chance to come along to the fair this year; you’ll find many of the best titles have found their way on to the Library shelves.

Mindfulness As well as focusing on academic achievements and the benefits of participating in a wide range of extra-curricular activities at Ackworth School, we also encourage students to explore and understand their own wellbeing and mental health.

Mindfulness is a practice which assists students to better understand how their minds behave and to build resilience when faced with different challenges in life. It also teaches them how to approach life thoughtfully for the benefit of both themselves and those around them. All of these characteristics sit beautifully with our Quaker ethos. This year a number of Sixth Formers have been studying a Mindfulness course developed by the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP).

Students are offered the opportunity to learn Mindfulness techniques in the 6th form and also at a weekly club after school. Staff are also invited to participate in Mindfulness sessions once a month.

Katy Devine

“Mindfulness has been of huge benefit to us especially as we are approaching the most stressful period that we’ll face in education with upcoming A Level exams

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and university applications. Mindfulness has become a huge part of how we approach stressful situations and it has had a big impact on our ability to differentiate between useful stress and what’s just overthinking.”

Eleanor White, Hannah Wilson, U6th (year 13)

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Careers

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Careers Carousel

hoosing a career path can be difficult if you’re unsure about what to do when you leave school. It’s best to research all options to make sure you are making the right choices.

To help our pupils to explore different occupations, our Careers Carousel, which functions like career’s own speed dating, gives students an interesting way to investigate different careers and the routes into these different careers in a fun-filled 40 minutes!

There was energy and excitement in the Music Centre, as each year group spent a period off timetable carouselling through a wide range of careers from agriculture, banking, journalism, football, catering, law, publishing, construction, human resources and many more.

In the evening, the professionals from the Carousel exhibited in Centre Library from 67.30pm to provide students with a further opportunity to seek advice and ask questions. A number of students were fortunate enough to be presented with work experience opportunities, workshop opportunities and business visits as a direct result of attending the event.

Overall the feedback from the event has been very positive from both students and exhibitors and we look forward to using their feedback to improve the event for the next academic year.

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Young Doctors

Recently we attended the InvestIN Education Young Doctors Programme at the University of Manchester. The Programme involved various seminars, demonstrations and Q&A sessions which gave us an insight into the life of a medical student.

During one of the seminars, we had to learn how to make decisions when faced with different scenarios on hospital wards and we later learned how to treat people in A&E based upon the symptoms shown by different patients. Throughout the day, we were given lots of useful information about the medical school application process and we even practised suturing a wound using a banana!

Madison Cusworth, Abhi Sankar & Yasir Yaseen L6th (year 12)

Future Medics

Kaplan Test Prep recently delivered a webinar on Medical School Admissions covering UCAT, Work Experience and BMAT for our Lower Sixth pupils.

The session took place at the beginning of term and contained an overview of the UCAT, ways to achieve work experience, and how it can be presented effectively in a medical school application, followed by a BMAT session. There was total concentration from our future medics throughout the webinar. Medicine is one of the most competitive courses in the UK, so they now need to put in to practice what they learned in time for their 15th October 2019 application. www.ackworthschool.com

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Sports

Inter House Cross Country

Charles Broadbent-Rockcliffe, 1st form (year 7)

Ruby Mackenzie, 1st form (year 7)

Hannah Newnham, 4th form (year 10)

Individual Winners Junior Boys - Charles Broadbent-Rockcliffe, 1st form (year 7) Junior Girls - Ruby Mackenzie, 1st form (year 7) Intermediate Boys - Max Cooper, 3rd form (year 9) Intermediate Girls - Hannah Newnham, 4th form (year 10) Senior Boys - Josh Dawson, 5th form (year 11) Senior Girls - Millie Hinchcliffe, 5th form (year 11) 70

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Inter House Cross Country Results First - Woolman Second - Gurney Third - Penn Fourth - Fothergill

Max Cooper, 3rd form (year 9)

Josh Dawson, 5th form (year 11)

Millie Hinchcliffe, 5th form (year 11) www.ackworthschool.com

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Sports Round Up Sports

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port continues to thrive and grow at Ackworth School. We have appointed a new pentathlon coach who will join in the Summer. Pentathlon offers even more opportunities to our students because of the nature of the sport. It focuses on fencing (one-touch épée), freestyle swimming (200m), equestrian show jumping (15 jumps, which will be offered in conjunction with a Pony Club) and a final combined event of pistol shooting and cross country running (3200m).

September 2018 saw the launch of the Ackworth Football Academy, led by Jamie Fullarton. The team has had a brilliant start to its 2018/19 season, winning five out of six of its games and drawing one. The Academy is currently unbeaten in its debut season and is eager for promotion.

The School entered into the National Schools’ Badminton competition this year and participated in the South Yorkshire Schools’ Badminton tournament for the first time this term. Sixteen students from 1st to 5th form competed in a very high standard competition and experienced the skills of many national and international young players. We hope to develop more Badminton matches in the future as our students learn more about the game.

Also well done to the girls’ basketball team for another victory! They beat Kings by a single point in a close fought, physical battle. Ruby was the top scorer with 11 points.

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Well done to the basketball 1st team, who had their best performance to date in a 46-24 win over Bootham. They remain undeafeated this season!

Basketball has continued to flourish at school with success for many of the teams this year. The junior team has won all its games with many new players including Henry Batte (Coram) who is our exciting star player. He has dominated many games and deserves credit for playing in all age groups up to U16 level, despite being 10 years old. It is also great to see a growing number of girls taking part and enjoying a new sport. The Senior team has enjoyed success with wins against Bootham, Woodhouse Grove and Scarborough College this year. They are our best team and their skills and effort on show are impressive to watch. Numbers at training are consistently high as they simply love to play.

An awful run of bad weather unfortunately meant a number of football matches had to be postponed.

However, the teams managed to participate in fixtures against Rishworth, Birkdale, Ampleforth and Hipperholme. All teams (U13s, 15s and 18s) continue to progress and develop.

We have played a number of hockey fixtures. The 1st form hockey players however in particular have shown excellent commitment and dedication. There are a number of exceptionally talented individuals - too many to mention them all.

The team continues to impress with every performance and we Congratulations to Grace look forward to who has been chosen to seeing some excellent represent the county as results as this team part of the West Yorkshire develops and grows.

U15 Squad in Hockey.

Squash Sam Todd has won the Under 23 British Junior Open at the age of 15!

Well done to Asia who came 3rd in the Cezch U17s European Open in Prague losing just one match.

Laser Run

Laser run is a sport developed to encourage young people into pentathlon events. It involves running and shooting targets with a laser gun. On the third Thursday of the month a coach comes to school to give tasters and coach pupils. I have attended the sessions which are open to pupils in both Coram and Senior School. I have enjoyed supporting the younger pupils and improving my own skills. Laser run is a fun sport which I would recommend to others to attend.

Blake Mawson–Burren 4F

Yorkshire Cross Country

Saturday 2nd February was a great day for cross-country running - cold, wet underfoot and a hilly, demanding course! The race was held at Leeds Grammar School and seven runners from Ackworth qualified to run for the Wakefield teams who were competing against Leeds, Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford. We had a significant number of athletes for one of Wakefield’s smaller schools.

All competitors did extremely well, but special mentions go to Charles Broadbent-Rockcliffe, Harriet Metcalfe, Millie Hinchcliffe and me, who all received our Wakefield Colours.

By finishing in 11th place in the Intermediate Boys’ race, I was selected as part of the West Yorkshire team for the National Championships to be held later on. I am looking forward to my next race!

Josh Dawson, 5th form (year 11)

Charles BroadbentRockcliffe

Harriet Metcalfe

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Community

Second Chance Clothing to raise funds In January the PSA organised a collection of unwanted clothing, which parents, students and the local community contributed towards, raising in total over £200.

Second Chance Clothing helps local people to raise funds for their clubs and charities. So far they have helped Team Moo Brotherton, Ferrybridge Junior Football, Mickey’s Boxing in Selby, and Care in Doncaster for the homeless.

Ackworth Spring Clean At the beginning of February we met with the Community Outreach team from Renewi, our local waste management providers and Adam Fletcher from the Community Group which plans the Spring Clean activities in Ackworth. The purpose of the meeting was to plan the School’s involvement in the Spring Clean 2019 activities.

On Tuesday 15 January 2019, we hosted our Post 18 Options Evening. The event was bustling with over 120 students and parents from Ackworth School and our local secondary schools, to discuss their post 18 options with representatives from a wide range of universities and apprenticeship providers.

Talks were hosted throughout the evening, covering a range of topics, in the Fothergill Theatre: University life: A Student’s Perspective; Choosing a Course at University; Apprenticeships; International Students; Student Finance; Work Placements During Your Degree.

Thank you to those who provided feedback on the event, which will be used in the planning of our 2020 event. Overall the event was an overwhelming success with 80 per cent of attendees rating the event as very useful, 8/9 out of 10!

Post 18 Options Evening

Well done to Old Scholar and former refugee himself, Ayham Al Halabi, for teaching a GCSE Chemistry lesson at our Refugee Day.

Following the bin survey carried out by our students in 2018, we are finalising the location and installation of the additional bins. We now need to raise the funds for these additional bins, through local businesses, community groups and Ackworth Parish Council. Rachel Forrester and Abigail Taubman (5th form) have agreed to write a letter to the local Ackworth Businesses and the Parish Council requesting their support and funding for the new litter bins.

In addition to installing litter bins within the village, we are hoping to raise funds for the litter picking facilities installed within the bins in a number of areas, to help local residents to continue to litter pick outside of the organised cleans.

We are hoping to recycle the litter that is picked at the Spring Clean 2019 events by using our local recycling point at the Co-operative in Ackworth.

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GCSE Chemistry www.ackworthschool.com

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Kingswood Residential Trip Trips

My favourite parts were the nightline and laser tag as I found them really good fun and they gave me more courage and belief in myself. Kingswood has built up my trust with classmates, and as I’ve only been a part of Ackworth since the beginning of January, over the three days I felt as though I’d been a part of this class for much longer. Overall, Kingswood has made me overcome fears, tackle obstacles and improve my teamwork and leadership skills. I’m glad I have been fortunate enough to have this experience.

Anja De Bruin

The adventure started on Friday when we headed down to Kingswood. Everyone was jumping around with excitement. When we arrived mid-afternoon, the wind was blowing and there were lots of grey clouds, however we were all desperate to start our first activity. Kingswood was about getting out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself. We learnt many skills during each different activity, like teamwork, communication, trust and things we will use for the rest of our lives. My favourite part was the campfire on Saturday night. Everyone was cracking jokes, singing songs and having fun with friends. It was great.

Kingswood has been a great experience to try new things and to never give up.

Claudia Cross

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ingswood 2019. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! Kingswood was without a shadow of a doubt already one of my highlights of 2019, not only because it was a weekend away with my best friends, but because of the opportunities and lifelong memories it provided. Over the weekend we were challenged with our greatest fears, but in every activity we would join together as a team and conquer the challenges.

Adam Santosa

At first I was sceptical it would be another long weekend full of pointless activities. However, it was completely the opposite! There were activities that bonded us and made us try something new. The most difficult task was abseiling. On the way up, looking through the holes in the stairs I began to feel nervous but I was motivated by myself and my friends. I think that is what Kingswood is all about: conquering your fears and moving out of your comfort zone.

Benji Roberts

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Extra Curricular

Armistice 100 Prize for Schools Poetry Competition

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our students from Ackworth School were shortlisted in the Armistice 100 Prize for Schools Poetry Competition organised by the University of Lincoln: Noah Clegg (1st form, year 7), Charlotte Glasby (4th form, year 10), Harriet Metcalfe (4th form, year 10) and Cerys Watkins (4th form, year 10).

Their poems, as were all competition entries, were read by the Poet Laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy and her fellow judges, including poet Imtiaz Dharker.

The judges were extremely impressed with the quality of the poems received. The very best were included in a collection published with a foreword by Carol Ann Duffy. As shortlisted poets, Noah, Charlotte, Harriet and Cerys are all published in this collection.

Four Years - A Hero's Return

by Noah Clegg

We thought we'd be greeted with A hero's welcome.

But there were no homes for heroes.

Four years on the dole.

No work for a hero with a limp.

For a man who wakes in the night, Bedsheets soaked in sweat.

Four years of nightmares.

No luck for a hero.

Who is stuck in a wheelchair, Shivering, listening to the deafening silence.

Four years of isolation.

Heartbreak for a hero.

A man who watched the battlefield in agony As Death claimed another victim.

Four years of sorrow.

But there's still hope for a hero, A man who has a future Brighter than the past.

Four years - they're gone now?

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The four students were invited, along with their families, to attend an awards ceremony which took place at the University of Lincoln. At this event Carol Ann Duffy launched the book containing the winning and shortlisted poems.

Congratulations to Noah, Charlotte, Harriet and Cerys.

“On the 15th November I was invited to an awards ceremony for the Armis$ce 100 Poetry Compe$$on, held at the University of Lincoln, due to a shortlisted poem I had wri%en in Year Six. The poems were judged by famous poet Im$az Dharker and the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. It was a fantas$c experience, and even though I didn’t win anything, I got a cer$ficate at the end, and a book with my poem in it! A special thanks to Mr Boucher, because without him, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Noah Clegg, 1st form (year 7)

I am Alive, A Survivor, A Hero

by Harriet Metcalfe

I am alive, a survivor, a hero.

I don’t feel like it, and would rather be dead.

I have two arms, but one leg.

I have a voice, but memories that say what words can’t.

I am alive, a survivor, a hero.

I get congratulated, but those congratulations shouldn’t be for me.

I have a medal, but what is a medal worth?

I have a suit that holds just as many horrible memories.

I am alive, a survivor, a hero.

I have heard silence, but even that was deafening.

I have touched a gun, but that turned me into a murderer.

I have seen rivers of blood running freely.

I am alive, a survivor, a hero.

I lasted six terrifying months, and seen the end.

I have watched lives been taken by others, and themselves.

I have fought for my country, and my country has fought for me.

All Rounder of the Year

Song of War by Charlotte Glasby Numbed sound of music Cheers and claps Minds morphed Lives untouched Saw only the plain façade Deep clunk of a bullet Feet stomping Song of war

The train whistled I scanned the crowd for that one face My heart began to pound heavily Ankles weak with anxiety Cheers turned to howls Footsteps turned to craters Beads of sweat trickled down my face Where was she?

The familiar smell Inspecting the pristine house Hands clench the metal handle Heavy soles imprinted the plush carpet (Feet stomping) Shoulders ram against the soft wood Now watching from afar (Shells obliterating, men howling) A trembling mass of assassination (Deep clunk of a bullet) Whispers of smoke The gun crashing As it left my hand and collided with the floor My wife, limp and swollen in my hands As daylight slashed through her forehead Pen trembling The ink bled as a drop hit the paper “Don’t sign there, do it at the bottom!”

The harsh breath of the warden on my neck Once respected to the highest standard Now sleeping amongst the outcasts (Feet stomping) My heart began to pound The clunk of the prison doors The air was sucked from within me Choking in the deepness of thought (The shell obliterating, men howling) What good peace brought us Nails dug into my scalp To drown out the song of war

Will was voted Yorkshire U11 A-team all rounder of the year - a fine achievement for a very talented leg spinner and hard hitting batsman.

“I have been playing cricket since I was six years old.

I love cricket because of the feeling when you go up to bowl and bat and when you are playing with your friends.

Last season I was lucky enough to play for Yorkshire Under 11s A-Team. I was chosen to be joint captain of the team. Our season went really well winning eight out of ten games and regaining the Cup against Lancashire. We won both Lancashire games with one of them with a single run in the last few overs.

At the presentation evening I won the award of ‘All Rounder of the Year’ which I was really proud about.

I hope to get into the side next year to play with a great bunch of lads again.”

William Cross, 1st form (year 7)

Zac Meakin

Well done to Zac Meakin who came 3rd in Go Kart Racing’s Club Championship at TVKC PF International 4th in the British Championship in Mini X30 category.

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Boarding

Matron Michelle Walker clocks up 35 years at Ackworth

Congratulations Michelle on working at Ackworth School for a whopping 35 years!

This is a milestone of service at our school. You must be really pleased!

Where did your Ackworth School journey begin and how has it progressed over the time that you have been employed here?

In 1984 I came to Ackworth School for a job interview that I was recommended for by a family member. At the time, Ackworth School only employed people that lived in Ackworth itself, so as I lived in the village, I thought that I would have a chance! The job that I initially applied for was within the Catering Department and the Catering Manager at the time was a man called Burt Simonight. I was the youngest person to have ever joined the school in the catering department at that time.

After a long stint of working in the catering department, I left because Heather Jones suggested that I apply for the Matron of Boys’ School House. Although I loved my job in catering, I thought that I was ready for a change so I was delighted to hear that I got offered the role. I am now in my fifth year as Matron of Boys’ School House.

You have obviously seen a lot of changes since you were first employed at Ackworth School. Have there been any significant changes that you have noticed since you first started?

It was so busy at the time that I joined Ackworth School.

We had a lot of overseas boarders, so many that we had four dining halls full of children, so you can only imagine how busy it was for the catering staff at the time. The food itself was served to the tables, and everything was made from fresh. This included the bread, butter and cheese. The bacon and sausages were minced up into the best pies that Ackworth has ever seen! The Old Scholars of Ackworth School still mention those pies and bread to this day!

What the favourite part of your current role at school?

My favourite part of my current role is helping and supporting the boys (and sometimes girls too). There is a large number of boarders, plus the short stay visitors, so I am never short of anything to do! The best thing about the role is that every day is different from the next. Girls’ School House Matron and I help one another each day and we have a fantastic working relationship.

The one thing that I have noticed is that the boys seem to have a lot of laundry because they are forever changing their clothes!

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What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you in the boarding houses?

My funniest memory of working in Boys’ School House happened quite recently. It was July 2018 and I tried to hide all of the boys in the kitchen from Mr Bailey. You wouldn’t imagine how difficult that was, trying to keep all of the boys in one place at one time! The reason we did this was because we wanted to surprise him with a laptop they had all bought him to say thank you. Mr Bailey kept jumping up and down on his chair shouting ‘what is going on here?’ It was a very funny moment.

All of our boy boarders see you as a mother figure.

What is it that they ask you for the most?

At the end of a school day, I always make the boys my famous cheese toasties as a treat because they have worked so hard during the day. They always comment that it reminds them of being at home.

The students are obviously so fond of you in Boys’ School House. What have the students done for you over the time you’ve worked here to show their appreciation of you?

The Boys’ School House students have always treated me as their second mother. They have shown their appreciation so often over the years by buying me flowers, chocolates and Mother’s Day cards. One boy just last year gave me a delicious chocolate cake which he had made from scratch! It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that the boys appreciate me at school. It reaffirms that I am doing my job as Matron. So here’s to the next ten years of the boys keeping me on my toes!

Andreea

Being an HMC student, I came to England full of hopes and motivation to follow my dreams. Being here for two terms so far, I can say it has been an amazing experience.

Apart from studying the subjects that I enjoy, life in the boarding house is a special experience, that I have learnt to enjoy.

Although it is hard to be away from my parents, the staff have been really supportive from the first day I arrived here, helping me with every problem that I have had. It was easy to make friends, as people and teachers were friendly and generous.

As a boarder, I have plenty of opportunities to travel. For example, every weekend school organises trips to different places, so in a short amount of time I had already visited Lincoln, York, Manchester, Leeds and Durham. Even if it seems hard sometimes to live in a boarding school, as you are constantly in the school, the trips give you the opportunity to see different places, discover new cities, enjoy your time with your friends and explore more of England and its beautiful culture. I am really grateful for studying at Ackworth School, as I have met so many beautiful people that have become part of my family and part of this incredible journey.

Andreea Capatina, L6th (year 12)

Polina

Filip

I first joined Ackworth School when I entered the sixth form in September last year through an organisation called HMC, which the school is a part of. Being in a school abroad has really been an interesting experience.

The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, from cooking and crochet to running and archery. A variety of sports is offered as well, including football, basketball, grass hockey or table tennis. I do archery, gardening, cooking, Duke of Edinburgh, and I am in the Fothergill Society, which is a kind of academic society of the school, all of which I enjoy greatly.

The teachers teach passionately, and I joyfully go to their lessons. All of the subjects are taught well and the school offers a wide range of them and full freedom of choice, which I really enjoy.

The building itself is magnificent, huge and like a labyrinth. I still sometimes have to stop and think where I am going if I don’t want to get lost! The rooms in the boarding houses are nice and the staff are very friendly and caring, especially our matron Michelle Walker. I have enjoyed boarding in Ackworth, especially because I was in a room with three amazing guys before being moved into a single room.

Ackworth is a place where everyone can find something that they would enjoy doing, and I will definitely miss it when the time comes for me to leave.

Filip Popović, L6th (year 12)

During the weekend, we have a lot of different activities and trips. Saturdays in the morning anyone who wants can go to Park Run at Nostell Priory and afterwards everyone can go to the sports hall, fitness centre or do art. Also we have trips to galleries, museums and shopping trips of course. On Sundays we can do whatever we want until 6pm. We have our dinner at 6pm and then we have Meeting and reading sometimes.

Polina Novak, 5th form (year 11) www.ackworthschool.com

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Dutch Pupils

Staff News

Heather Jones

After twenty seven and half years at Ackworth in the role of Domestic Administrator, Heather has decided that the time has come for her to put her feet up and retire. I have told Heather that she is far too young to be retiring, but she feels that the time is right to spend more time with Chris and get to know more of the people in her new home town of Wetherby.

“I really enjoyed my visit here.

I have learned so much. It was a great opportunity to improve my English and also to see how it goes here. It is so different from our Dutch school but I wouldn’t want to miss out on this amazing experience.” Tessa

“This week has been super fun. I’ve learned a lot and everyone was so nice. We were helped so well. It was great to see the differences between our schools. Thank you so much for everything. It has been an experience I will remember.” Bushra

“I thought it was fun to stay here for five days, although I wish I could have stayed longer. To eat at school was quite different from what I’m used to, but I think the whole experience was great.” Frizo “The stay was really great! I enjoyed it so much and I made new great friends! My room mates were very funny and we laughed all the time. This was an experience I will never forget and I liked it so much.” Thomas

The Piece Hall We found the Piece Hall on a damp and chilly Saturday afternoon. The extraordinary building, constructed in 1779, (a familiar date!) stands in the typical West Yorkshire town of Halifax. The winter light created a dramatic backdrop with the dark hills and tall steeple and chimneys. The Piece Hall was originally created as a site for the trading of cloth which was one of the main industries of the region. Today it offers visitors a range of quirky and independent retail units. The trip to Halifax Piece Hall was a very enjoyable experience for us. We got a chance to explore local shops, a small gallery and also we had amazing hot chocolate! It was a great day out for us.

Neda and Andreea, L6th (year 12)

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Durham Castle

During her 27 years, Heather has worked with three Bursars, five Heads and seven Clerks to School Committee. I am sure that all will remember Heather as a highly organised person who has always worked hard to deliver whatever is needed for the School to run effectively. The people who book external lettings at the School return year after year because of the customer care they receive from Heather and her team, and I know that they, like us, will miss Heather very much.

We are fortunate that Heather has agreed to deliver one more Easter Gathering for us, but it is her intention to leave us at the end of April 2019 and Heather will not therefore be with us at the start of the summer term.

We will now begin the job of finding someone to fill Heather’s shoes, which I am sure will be no easy task. In the meantime as Heather has not had a summer holiday for 27 years she is going to try to work out what the rest of us do in those summer months.

Heather has made a valuable contribution to School life and she will be greatly missed. I am sure you will all join me in wishing Heather well for her retirement.

Staff Changes

After four and half years at the school, Kate Dawson has decided to move on from the Marketing Department, as has Jane Easter. We thank Kate and Jane for all they have done for School and wish them well for the future.

Both Kuljit Dyal and Kate Wrennall converted from temporary to permanent with us in Learning Support and Shed Court respectively.

Finally, we also welcome back Dave Wilson in the maintenance team who had major heart surgery and Sarah Bentham, Secretary to Deputy Head (Academic), Secretary to Head of Sixth Form and Exams Secretary, who has been recovering after a road traffic accident. It is good to see them both back.

Births

Susan Allen

Guy Emmett with Amelia Boarders’ outing to Durham. Students explored the city and had a visit to the castle!

Beth Jordan and Heidi

Congratulations to Beth and Alan Jordan on the birth of Heidi Sophia on Friday 16 November, weighing 6lbs 4oz and congratulations to Guy and Helen Emmett on the birth of Amelia Charlotte who was born on Tuesday 18 December weighing 8lbs 15oz.

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Glenthorne Weekend

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resident Aidan Mortimer and 42 old scholars, met at Glenthorne, having mostly travelled in glorious sunshine. On Friday evening after dinner we enjoyed an excellent quiz delivered by Stephen Kelsall.

Saturday morning dawned with torrential rain, but this did not deter 13 hardy walkers from their traditional walk, albeit at low level this year. It was one of the wettest walks for many years following an eight mile route from Glenthorne down the western side of Grasmere Lake, climbing a little to Loughrigg Tarn and then on to Rydal. The return to Grasmere followed what is known as the Coffin Route, passing below Nab Scar. Hot showers were welcomed on their return followed by tea and cake!

The less hardy of us enjoyed drier activities such as visits to Allen Bank, the National Trust property behind Glenthorne, to enjoy tea and coffee beside

Old Scholar News

a roaring fire, watching the antics of red squirrels playing in the garden, a short walk round the grounds of Allen Bank and into Grasmere, shopping in Keswick or the more sensible shopping trip to Rheged, a glass roofed Lakeland Heritage Centre and gallery built in a former quarry.

Australia to Ackworth

Saturday evening brought games led by Nici Fletcher Causer and fierce competition as we battled to throw a number six on a dice, then don hats, scarves and gloves before attempting to serve ourselves a piece of chocolate using a knife and fork before the next person threw a six!

Another excellent weekend, a bit of rain failing to dampen our spirits, we look forward to next time – Friday 1 to Sunday 3 November 2019. If you are interested in joining us next year, please contact Mike McRobert via aosa@ackworthschool.com.

Janet Blann

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took my 57 year-old self back to my old school, Ackworth, recently. This was not an insignificant feat given that home is Melbourne, Australia.

Half way around the world and with my husband of 32 years in tow, we went back in time to a different era, a different life, a different world.

boarder travelling back and forth between Hong Kong and school, I experienced terrible homesickness, repeated separation anxiety from family, peer group pressure, academic challenges and all the usual teenage angst during my time at Ackworth.

I remembered the smell of "Dead Man's Leg" coming from the school kitchen at the end of the hall (two pastry roll ups served on a large baking tray, one for each table and filled with strawberry jam, usually eaten with custard, if you were lucky).

My five years of boarding at Ackworth taught me many things and set me on the path to a happy and fulfilling life. I hope to return to Ackworth again within the next 40 years and wish the school every ongoing success in shaping future generations who walk the flagstones of Centre Passage.

I was fascinated with how much had remained the same. Whilst a lot has naturally changed, so much of the school still seemed familiar. I recalled the weathered flagstones in Centre Passage and large radiators along the walls. I remembered how, in the '70s, we used to cling to them for warmth.

I can scarcely believe it’s been 40 years since I left Ackworth; I completed A Levels in the School's Bicentennial year in 1979. I look back at that time with fond memories but it wasn't all plain sailing. As a 84 l

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I realise, like many others, that as you get older, school years seem to become more formative in shaping you.

A dedicated teacher can also play a pivotol role and I particularly remember my Art and English teachers. The Quaker ethos has also stood me in good stead through life's twists and turns, and I often draw strength and resilience from it.

Helen Bain (nee Mace) 1974 - 1979, Form 3 to Upper 6 www.ackworthschool.com

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Old Scholar News

Elisabeth Olga Beeson (1937-41) E

Obituary

lisabeth, also known as Olga, Beeson was born in Canea, Crete. Her father thought it would be easier for Olga to achieve her ambition of becoming a doctor if she had English qualifications. So he selected a school in England for Olga and brother Bill to finish off their studies and perfect their English.

After a 4-day journey by ship they arrived in Marseilles. They boarded the Blue Train to Calais, followed by a very rough ferry crossing, over the English Channel to Dover, then another train journey half way across Britain to York. They finally arrived exhausted and went straight to bed. The following morning, they opened the curtains for their first daylight sighting of England in thick fog!

Not only had Olga experienced her first horror of British weather, imagine a further shock when Olga and Bill arrived at Ackworth, a Quaker School: no robes, crosses, icons or statues and no genuflections or incense – in fact there was nothing to indicate that a Quaker Meeting House was a Christian place of worship.

It took Olga a while to understand and appreciate the quietness and stillness of the Sunday silent Quaker meetings. The next culture shock was breakfast, when a large bowl of steaming porridge was placed in front of her. Used to the sweet aroma of herbs, with views of blue seas, Olga was overwhelmed by the smell of coal and by the greyness of everything.

During her last year at Ackworth, Olga was made vice head-girl, gaining top marks in her final exams as well as passing the highest level in pianoforte. She went to the Royal Academy of Music in London and after receiving her music degree she felt she should join the WRNS. So she marched into the Admiralty demanding to speak with the Admiral and stating her reasons for wanting to join.

One of her duties was to be a projectionist for any naval training films that were being shown. And she was taught how to treat the fragile and volatile film that was made of nitrocellulose. One day a young sub-lieutenant wanted to show a reconnaissance film he had just shot and in her haste to get the film rolling she forgot to grease it. In an instant it went up in flames. A tall, slim naval officer burst in, yelling at her for being so stupid, as a result of which, she burst into tears. Realising what he had done, he then tried

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to comfort her and this was the beginning of a courtship between Olga and Paul. Because of her Greek family connections, Olga was now being trained to be dropped into Crete to spy on the enemy and by this time Olga had been made an officer.

During our childhood, she did not talk much about this time, and only told us that she often worked in Churchill’s bunker, and later, as a trial, she had been sent to Ireland. She had to, as she put it, get friendly and chat with certain people and find out what they were up to, then to report back to the Admiralty, the Government and to the Prime Minister.

Paul and Olga married in February 1944 – in York at St Michael le Belfry. The next day they travelled to London where they were to have a second wedding ceremony, at the Greek Orthodox Church in Bayswater.

After the war Paul and Olga moved first to a large Victorian flat in Ealing, and then to Ainsdale Road where the family lived for some 23 years. Later they moved to Gerrards Cross.

Once her daughters had grown up and some left home, Olga took a job, her first since being married, at one of the airport hotels, working in the gift shop.

Soon she was promoted as its manager and later at another hotel, with a larger gift shop. She always got a thrill when celebrities came into her shop. She even became friends with several football stars of the day, Kevin Keegan being one of her regular customers.

Olga also became a model and whatever she did, she always did it with great enthusiasm. She managed to pack so much into her 96 and a half years.

Olga was a loving wife to Paul, looking after him at home during his illness. She was a wonderful mother supporting us in all that we wanted to do, and a caring grandmother. She really was loved by all who met her.

Carrie Beeson

George Bunney (1938-44) G

Obituary

eorge Bunney was born in 1927 to Helen and John Bunney of Sydenham, South London. In 1932 the Bunney Family moved to Marston Croft in Amersham starting their long association with the town and Amersham Friends Meeting.

George followed his brother John (Jack) to Ackworth for the Summer term of 1938 and left in 1944. His sister Elizabeth joined him in 1941, whilst youngest sister Helen came in 1945. George was captain of a very successful cricket team in his final year and was president of AOSA for 1986-7. The family were strong supporters of the Easter Gathering for many years.

On leaving school George was articled to Bernard Wright, a past president of AOSA, of Robert H. Marsh & Co, another Ackworth and Quaker connection. He qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1950 and in 1951 became a partner of Wood Drew & Co, alongside his father, and with which firm and its successors, he spent his whole working life.

George specialised in auditing the accounts of utility companies and charity associations.

notably as treasurer (29 years), and latterly as chairman and president. He still played for the President's XI into his seventies.

As a lifelong member of the Society of Friends he served in many capacities at both local and national level: as clerk, treasurer, Registering Officer for Marriages for Jordans Monthly Meeting, and for the wider Society as Yearly Meeting Treasurer, and a Trustee to the Friend.

He also served on the committees of Sibford School as Treasurer, Ackworth School and Friends School Brummana (Lebanon).

Helen and John Bunney believed in good manners, sticking to your word and serving your fellow man morals that George, like his brother, followed right to the end of his life.

George registered as a conscientious objector and his National Service was spent working with Friends Relief Service in London. His period of articles was interrupted for three years, which he spent in catering due to his young age and finally on into the information and finance departments at Friends House.

George married Margaret Scaife at Clifford Street Meeting House, York, on 5 March 1955. Even though they were both Ackworth Old Scholars they met when they were delegates from London Yearly Meeting at a Young Friends Conference in America.

They lived in Chesham Bois and Amersham until 2017 raising six children.

George and Margaret were very proud of their family.

Their generosity of care, warmth, advice and resources have given an excellent start in life to 21 descendants over three generations as well as excellent hospitality to their wider family and friends.

Alongside his family George had three main interests in his life: cricket, trains and the Society of Friends. He also took an active interest in the fortunes of Aston Villa and Chesham United. He joined Amersham Hill Cricket Club, and for over 40 years he played regularly for various ‘elevens’ before becoming an umpire. His greatest moment came in July 1969 when he scored 133 runs against Friern Barnet – over 100 of those were scored in boundaries. He served the club in many capacities, www.ackworthschool.com

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Old Scholar News

Constance Gilbey (1955-62)

Obituary

Teacher of French 1955 to 1962, and Housemistress of Girls' School House from 1959 to 1962, Constance Gilbey, who has died at 89, was a long standing teacher and senior manager in education, a West Yorkshire magistrate for 40 years and active in church and voluntary groups.

Born in Wakefield, her father, George Gilbey, was a well-known local figure. She studied at Wakefield Girls’ High School and at Durham University where she graduated first in French and then as a teacher. She taught at Mundella Grammar School and Ackworth School before being appointed senior mistress at Ripon Grammar School. From Ripon she was appointed in 1968 as senior

resident tutor at Sheffield City College. After her retirement in 1983 she moved back to Wakefield.

She was appointed to the bench in 1959 and was made an MBE for her services to the judiciary in 2000. In her retirement, she was an active member of the United Reformed Church at Zion, and later Flanshaw Chapels, and was committed to the Bible Society. She was a long term supporter of the Langley House Trust, for many years a trustee of the Brotherton Charity Trust, and a member of the Civic and Wakefield Operatic Societies. Her brother, John Gilbey, predeceased her and she is survived by her five nephews and nieces, their children and grandchildren.

John Hatter (1948-53)

Obituary

John Frederick Hatter - Scholar 1948 - 1953.

John Frederick Hatter was born on 6 November 1936 in Arnold, Nottingham to parents Harold and Gwendoline Hatter.

Upon Harold’s retirement in 1966, the family moved to Foxton in Leicestershire, where John lived until his sudden death in February 2019 aged 82. After leaving school John joined the RAF for National Service and was stationed at RAF Rudlow Manor in Wiltshire. He then joined Raleigh Bicycles in Nottingham and later moved on to the Nene and Ouse Water Board, which later became Anglian Water, where he worked until his retirement. John was an active member of the Midland Guild of Ackworth Old Scholars.

Obituaries

Anne Fletcher (1949-60)

Anne Fletcher - Teacher 1949 – 1960. Anne died peacefully but unexpectedly on 10 January, aged 92. During her time at Ackworth, Anne taught and inspired many pupils in Maths.

This was her first teaching job. She also joined pupils on regular camping trips to Alderney with the Natural History Society – an interest she continued throughout her life. After leaving Ackworth she joined the Society of Friends and was an active member of both her Local Meeting at Sutton Coldfield and Central England Area Meeting.

From left to right (top row): Elizabeth Tiplady, George Holmes, John Creed, John Castleton, Marion Oates, (middle row): Susan Tyson, David Mellors, Mabel Croll, Brian Charlesworth, (middle bottom) Bryan Hinkins.

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Old Scholars Form 3B 1952

Felicite Tomlinson As we go to print, we are very sad to learn of the sudden death of 18 year old Old Scholar Felicite Tomlinson, who attended Ackworth School as a boarder from January 2013 to September 2014.

Our condolences to all her family and friends.

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Summer Term

popularity and Ackworth School had many strong swimmers representing Yorkshire.

SWIMMING POOL REFURBISHMENT In this issue Anton Maree discusses how much the School’s swimming pool is in need of desperate attention...

Head Anton Maree

mbo architects

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t the western end of Centre Passage is a photograph of Ackworth School scholars enjoying themselves in the swimming pool. The photograph was taken by Ernest Unwin in 1890 and neatly captures the pool’s distinctive shape, rounded at the corners instead of square – it was apparently a revolutionary design to allow for continuous long distance swimming and canoeing.

Today swimming pools are 25 metres, to comply with international standards; ours is 33 yards long. The original swimming pool was built in 1858 as an open pool, and its unfiltered water was replaced only very occasionally. By the end of the summer when the pool was emptied, swimming was no longer an attractive proposition, with the water occupied by more than just the swimmers! For the opening of the newly covered and heated pool in 1898 Joseph Spence Hodgson delivered a speech arrayed in tall hat and frock coat and then dived in fully dressed. He was a great advocate of swimming at Ackworth and was no doubt involved in the visit of the secretary of the London Swimming Club to Ackworth in 1882 to spur on swimming.

In 1917 the pool was in use from the beginning of May to December, except for vacations. At that time the swimming pool was well ahead of what was on offer at other schools. As a result, swimming surged in

In October 2019 Ackworth School celebrates its 240th year since foundation in 1779. I can think of no better project to raise funds for than the refurbishment of our swimming pool. I hope that parents and Old Scholars will support our efforts to raise £150,000, of which £20,000 has already been raised.

Every Old Scholar who visits the school can remember learning to swim in the pool and today that arrangement continues, with a wider usage allowing for thousands of local primary school pupils to be introduced to swimming for the first time.

The pool was last refurbished in the 1970s and it is now desperately in need of attention. Not only is it a vital part of our school, it is also the oldest additional facility we have as part of our educational experience.

We want to preserve the swimming pool’s best features – retaining the shape and the changing rooms but considerably modifying the surface around the pool, with a new drainage system and non-slip area as well as upgrading the changing rooms to meet with modern requirements.

Although there is little to show for it, we spent £100,000 on the swimming pool last year, replacing the plant room and air handling equipment. The windows at the south end of the building were also replaced, allowing light to stream in.

This year we intend to complete the process and, when the work is done, we will have ensured the longer term survival of our pool – a rare facility to find at a school these days, never mind the local community.

In addition to the cafe project over the next few years all of the buildings in the swimming pool complex will receive attention. There are plans for a new fitness suite and dance studio as well as a large area for pupils to relax in during the day and in the evenings.

Let us hope that the changes made in our 240th year last as long as those made in the 1970s. www.ackworthschool.com

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Shed Court

Eco Conscious

Ross, a student in our Autism Resource, has asked the school to collect waste plastic in the form of bottles, lids, packets, wrapping etc, and as long as it has been washed it will be made into ‘eco bricks’ to build into a bench. Ross needs bottles and clean plastic waste which can be pushed into two litre plastic bottles to form a solid building material. A laundry basket will be placed in the Vestibule Foyer to gather the clean plastic waste and bottles and it will remain there until his project is completed and perhaps beyond that point.

‘I am delighted that Ross is leading this initiative. It is appropriate that it is student-led and follows well publicised examples. If we support him, we are enabling an important process to evolve. We are all aware of how much plastic we throw away which ends up in landfill sites.

‘Quite by chance I encountered Ross whilst on my way to test drive a 100% electric vehicle which the School and community is interested in purchasing to transport passengers. We might have an electric vehicle as early as next year. I invited Ross to accompany me and learned about his plan to make the school more sustainable and far more conscious of waste and disposal.’

Anton Maree

Autism Awareness Day

Inspired by the volunteering she has done in Shed Court this year, 6th former, Nichola Sun, wanted to raise some money for Autism Awareness Day.

Autism Awareness Day on Wednesday 8th May was a stupendous success and we raised approximately £600. It was incredible to see the whole school wearing bright colours to support this special event. This gives us a wonderful sense of achievement all because of the enthusiastic participation and generous donations from both students and staff.

Some of the catering staff wore bright coloured tops, Shed Court held an amazing bake sale with many delicious cakes. Likewise, there were some surprises from teachers including Dr McDowell, Mrs Gordon and Miss Clark who all wore rainbow shirts. Without school-wide support, it would not have been anywhere near as successful. I hope this will help us to better understand people with autism and to turn this event into an annual tradition.

Nichola Sun U6 (year 13)

Weather Station Pupils participating in the ‘Outdoor Project’ run with Autism Resource pupils (to support embedding the science curriculum) have been learning about the weather this half term. So far, we have researched cloud formations, identified different weather conditions and started to look at the changes of weather linked to the seasons. Following this we shall be taking measurements of the weather, temperature, rain levels and wind direction. To support us with this we have constructed a weather station which is placed outside Shed Court. Pupils across school are also welcome to visit the weather station and take their own readings.

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Comic Relief

At Shed Court we raised some money for Comic Relief. We raised the money by baking buns and selling them. Mr Hemingway organised 3 by 3 games and people paid money to play them. People put the money into the cup. It is to buy things for children who don’t have what they need.

Jack Carter

Great British Birdwatch

Pupils from the Autism Resource have taken part in the RSPB Great British Bird watch 2019. For two days, pupils completed their identification of bird species and tally charts to contribute to the countrywide initiative to monitor bird population trends.

Pupils enjoyed exploring the grounds of the school to spot the different birds and record them.

Community Resilience Day Ackworth School has hosted its first ever Resilience Day, for year 4 primary school students from Coram House, Ackworth Howard School, Bell Lane School and Mill Dam School. A total of 130 students participated in the event, which consisted of a number of activities aimed at nurturing resilience.

The Resilience Day activities were developed and facilitated by Ackworth sixth form students as an opportunity to develop their leadership and employability skills. www.ackworthschool.com

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Sports

Will’s Success

We would like to say massive congratulations to William, for gaining a two-year contract with Barnsley Football Club U13s, as well as making it into the Yorkshire Cricket U12 A-Team!

Girls’ Sport

It has been a short but very busy half term in Girls’ PE. The rounders’ season has been under way and we have had some great fixtures - at Ampleforth (which was unfortunately abandoned due to hail) and an U13, U15 and 1st team triangular match against Read School and The Mount, where the girls performed some excellent fielding and batting.

Tennis Club

It has now been a year since Community Tennis Coach Alice Robson joined Ackworth School. She has been working with 17 primary schools delivering tennis within curriculum time as well as running school festivals. As well as this she is Head Coach of Ackworth Tennis Club and introduced the coaching programme in June 2018. In the past year over 80 children have completed the LTA’s introductory scheme ‘Tennis For Kids’ and now 50 children and adults play regularly on the coaching programme. The coaching programme is supported by 5th form student Rachel Forrester, who has started her Level 1 Tennis Coaching qualification, as well as ex-student Leona Clarkson, who is planning to complete her Level 2 Tennis Coaching qualification by the end of 2019.

Alice hopes to get more students involved in coaching tennis. She ran a Tennis Leaders’ course at the beginning of June where students learnt the skills needed to become a coach.

Participants learnt the basics of tennis and understood how variations of the game are used to introduce all ages and abilities to the sport. It

is hoped that students will then go on to assist at primary school events this summer and sessions at Ackworth Tennis Club.

The coaching programme has had a profound effect on the membership.

In May 2018 the Tennis Club had 17 members and now it has grown to a staggering 88 members. This success has enabled the Club to develop further. For example, the Tennis Club has entered a second team into the Wakefield and district league as well as hosting competitions and their first Wimbledon ballot.

If you are interested in joining the Tennis Club or the coaching programme, please see the Tennis Club’s website for more information. https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ackworthtennisclub Alternatively, you can contact Community Tennis Coach, Alice Robson on alice.robson@ackworthschool.com

The tennis season is well and truly upon us with a lot of success so far. There have been both league matches and friendly matches in which our pupils have played some very good tennis.

Basketball

They did it! The basketball 1st team managed to win their last game of the season away to New College Doncaster 47-42. This means they have finished the season undefeated!

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four of the five disciplines in Modern Pentathlon on site here at Ackworth School.

Whilst we do not offer horse riding on site, we do have fantastic links with fine equestrian centres in nearby areas. The club aims to provide general fitness through multi-discipline training and events providing the opportunity for everyone to have a go.

All levels are catered for, from complete novices to those competing nationally and internationally, as part of Team GB.

Sports

Meet our GB Pentathlon Coach Steven Mason

Ackworth School

Modern Pentathlon Academy Ackworth School is an up and coming centre of excellence in the UK for Modern Pentathlon and has recently been recognised as a GB Pentathlon Academy.

Developed by the founder of the Modern Olympic Movement, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and introduced in the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games, Modern Pentathlon is a unique and challenging sport for men and women comprising 5 disciplines: fencing, horse riding, swimming and a combination of laser shooting and running.

The Academy is open to the local community and currently has members

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from across Yorkshire and surrounding counties, as well providing world class training opportunities for our own students. We are proud to be able to offer

Born in the south of England into a military family I have always been brought up around sport. Having spent the early years as an aspiring footballer linked with academies such as Southampton and Blackpool, I decided to seek a bigger challenge, Modern Pentathlon.

Having had a successful career as an athlete, representing Great Britain and being a full time lottery funded athlete training at the University of Bath, I managed to secure medals at European and World level. Unfortunately hampered by injuries I was forced to retire in 2013 at the age of 22. Whilst this was difficult for me, it gave me a huge chance to enter the world of coaching.

Over the past six years, I have become one of the country’s leading youth coaches producing numerous National Champions, who have also gone on to represent Great Britain at under 17,19 and 21 World and European Championships. I am now one of three Pentathlon GB Pathway Coaches and the under 17 Great Britain National Coach.

Now, as lead Coach at Ackworth Pentathlon Academy, I am extremely excited to be able to nurture the many talents the students here possess.

I hope to have many enjoyable years here coaching at Ackworth and look forward to instilling my four core values into all those that I have contact with: honesty, determination, grit and most importantly happiness.

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Senior School Sports Day Sports

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Sports

Nursery Sports Day

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Nursery

News Above: Easter Egg Hunt Below left to right: Fun with foam, enjoying the garden and water play in the sunshine and loving the puddles

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Juniors U10 Girls’ Football

Coram House

News Roundup Reception Class

We have been looking at ‘Growing’ and each week have examined a variety of life cycles and how to grow different plants. The class have grown their own bean plants and looked after moth caterpillars to see the changes from egg to moth.

In the outdoor area, there is a new mud kitchen with hobs and ovens which have been kindly donated to us by the Early Years’ parents, as part of a sponsored walk.

A new water wall is currently being made to add to the outdoor area, again made possible from donations raised by Early Years’ parents.

Kindergarten sessions have started in Coram House as a transition into Reception. Each week there is a specialist focus including ‘Messy Science’ week. Junior and Senior School teachers are leading sessions on Music and Art and all the children have coped well with the busy day, which starts with an early morning swim.

Sports Update

Some of the Year 4 and Year 6 girls recently enjoyed success at a rounders away fixture at St Olaves; both teams were victorious gaining convincing wins.

Additionally 18 pupils from years 4 to 6 took part in a biathlon hosted at the School. The children had to swim 33 metres and then run 400 metres.

Children in Year 5 recently took part in Level 1 and Level 2 Bikeability training. The aim of the course was to improve the pupils’ bike-handling skills and confidence, and to prepare them for on-road cycling. The instructors were very impressed with the children’s attitude to learning, their bike skills and their welcoming, friendly nature.

Finally, we would like to say ‘au revoir’ and good luck to Polly Hollingsworth who leaves us to start her maternity leave. Polly plans to return to Coram House next May.

Young Leaders Award

Rothwell Juniors U10 girls’ team played in the semi final of the West Riding Girls’ Football League Cup against Wigton Moor. It was a close match ending in a 1-1 draw thanks to a number of great saves by Ruby Philip (Y5).

Because there had to be a winner the match went to penalties with the goalie from each team taking turns to defend the goal. Ruby saved the first 3 goals and Rothwell scored 3 out of 4 shots putting them through to the Cup final. Ruby’s ‘heroics’ in goal - staying calm during penalties - saw her take player of the match!

Bubble Fun

Following the success of the Archbishop of York Youth Trust ‘Young Leaders Award’ last year, we decided to run the project again in Year 6. The children have been involved in many challenges both inside and outside of school ranging from walking their neighbours’ dogs, sweeping paths and donating clothes to charity.

For their final project, the children have decided they would like to conduct a ‘random act of kindness’ for local elderly citizens by inviting them to attend their end of year production, Beauty and the Beast. Along with this, they will organise tea and cakes to be enjoyed after the performance.

The children organised a visit from Abbey Mason (in our School’s marketing department). She was able to advise and help the children as to how to start to plan their event! Well done, Year 6.

Katie Staton (Year 6 Teacher)

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Alice

The children are very excited to be working in small groups to carry out practical investigations. Our recent ‘bubble inside a bubble’ experiment was a tremendous hit with the group, who are keen to continue with their hands-on learning.

In the Pontefract Music Festival I played ‘Lazy Sunday’ on my flute and won first prize! It was very exciting. I was performing alongside other people in the Grade 1 banding. In addition to my own performance I watched a family perform in the Meeting House – they played the ukulele and sang a song; I would definitely like to take part in the festival again next year.

Ashton

Ashton competed against some of the country’s top school and club athletes. He was competing in the under 11s age group (year 6 boys,) running 800 metres and swimming 50 metres.

Despite being very nervous he gave 100 per cent in both races and although he wasn’t an overall winner, he performed his very best throughout.

It was an amazing opportunity for Ashton. He learnt lot and was able to develop his selfconfidence and self-belief but it was also a thoroughly memorable experience.

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Coram Trips

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he London visit over the Easter Holidays was a huge success with the highlights being the Harry Potter Studio tour and the West End performance of Aladdin. The residential, to Plas Menai, departed on the last day of the half term. Water sports such as kayaking, raft building and windsurfing are such a diverse and amazing choice which were on offer for our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils.

Plas Menai Residential

Plas Menai was an amazing residential trip for both students and staff. Working together in carefully chosen groups, the children learnt new and exciting water sports skills, built confidence in themselves and their team mates, and some even developed a taste for unusual sports, such as sailing.

Each child took an active part in the four water sports: sailing, raft building, kayaking and windsurfing. They were delighted to see the teachers joining in with the fun too!

The children represented Coram House impeccably; a member of the public even commented that the pupils were kind, polite and caring whilst playing with her grandchild during our break at Tatton Park. Here are some of the comments about the trip: ‘Windsurfing was fun even though I got scared of the sail to begin with.’ (Nina)

‘I think the best thing was windsurfing because I had to be rescued by a boat when I was stranded down the river.’ (Noah) ‘I think it was very good and fun because I got to learn something new.’ (Ashton)

York

London Trip ‘My favourite bit was Aladdin and Pizza Hut and my favourite part of the trip was the London Eye and Hard Rock Café!’ ~ Finn and Kasey ‘On the London trip we went on the London Eye, to Harry Potter World, to The Tower of London, The Natural History Museum and a cruise down the River Thames. My favourite bit was Harry Potter World!’ ~ Mela

We all had a wonderful day, even though the weather was a little wet. During our visit the children were able to make a Mayan chocolate drink and they tasted lots of lovely chocolates from the range of stages of development of chocolate production. Everyone found the trip very informative and we have learnt a great deal about the key Quaker families who founded York’s chocolate industry.

‘It was an amazing experience!’ (Tristan Metcalfe)

‘It was nice to learn about people I have never heard of before and I liked the Mayan chocolate drink (xocolatl).’ (Finn Wood) ‘I liked the Aztec version of xocolatl with the chilli in it!’ (Jack Antal-Smith) ‘Making the Mayan chocolate drink was fun.

I would make it again!’ (Phoebe Eddy) 106

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Tectonics

Academic

Salters’ Chemistry Competition

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n 15th May, Dori, Ink, Bani and Billy competed against 16 other schools at the University of Bradford in the regional round of the Salters’ Chemistry Competition. Over the course of the day, the 2nd form students had to carry out forensic tests on unknown samples and devise their own method whilst reacting acids with alkalis. They worked extremely well and showed tremendous teamwork during the day. Their results and result write ups were fantastic but they unfortunately finished fourth overall, narrowly missing out on progress to the national round.

Four second formers. One chemistry teacher. Cooped up in a car, on a journey, to a chemistry competition at Bradford University.

"If you get first place, I will take you to McDonalds", said Mr Jones. Suddenly a strange competitive scent arose. This was getting serious. There was too much on the line. We had to win. So the four representatives of Ackworth School (and Mr Jones) entered the doors of the university, with high hopes. We were all ecstatic, not only because of the

prize, but just to have some fun as well.

We were led to a room with more than ten other schools. After all the safety rules and precautions were explained, it was time for the first task. We were taken to our work stations and we soon began. The clock was ticking, we had no time to lose. We were rapidly mixing chemicals and acids and reading the instructions several times just to make sure we were doing it right. The two hours burned up quicker than we thought, but everything was finished. We returned after lunch. This time we only had 45 minutes to do the task: mixing acids and alkalis to make different colours. I thought that this would be easy. But oh, how I was wrong!

Very wrong! Everything we mixed together made orange.

We could feel the pressure. All of us. After a while we FINALLY made purple but add another drop of hydrochloric acid and it turned clear.

The first form tectonics challenge preps have been handed in with some amazing examples of creativity. These are from 1W. The earthquake proof building design even shakes!

Malham Field Trip The third form had a great start to the term - a field trip to Malham in the Yorkshire Dales in the sunshine!

We stepped out of the room, waiting for the results, nervously fidgeting. The time had come. We were all congregated in a room for the prize giving. It turned out that we didn’t win, but it was such an awesome experience. I’ll never forget it.

Ink Chantima – 2nd form (year 8)

The first challenge was complicated. We split into pairs.

One pair completed a task where you had a base powder called x. Then we had other powders, a, b, c, d and e. We had to find out which chemical was most like x by testing them in different chemicals.

The other pair had to complete a task where they had to find out which ink was most likely, out of f, g, h, i and j, by putting a dot of it on paper and waiting for the water to rise up the paper. This would then cause the ink to smudge leaving a coloured trail behind so we could then match it up to y.

Dori, Ink, Billy and Bani taking part in the Salters' Festival of Chemistry Competition at the University of Bradford.

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After lunch we did a second challenge where we had to create different colours using alkalis and acids. After that we watched a chemical magic show and the results were given out. Sadly we didn’t get a place, but it was still a fun day.

Billy Fitzgerald – 2nd form (year 8)

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Academic

Leavers’ Concert

Junior Maths Challenge

On 30th April, 42 first and second form students, plus one from year 4 in Coram House, were brave enough to take the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust Junior Challenge - 25 multiple choice questions of varying difficulty from tricky to really fiendish! Sixteen students were awarded certificates for coming in the top 40 per cent nationally.

Bronze: Bani Bhinder, Charles Broadbent Rockliff, Isabel Cawood, Ethan Chakravorty, Lucy HoldenStokes, Morgan Hunt, George Philip, Sohni Kaur Varaich Silver: William Cross, Anja De Bruin, Ella Hinchcliffe, Steven Nguyen, David Swales

Gold: Freddie Barr, Ink Chantima, Dori Suntornsuk.

Dori just pipped Freddie to ‘Best in School’, but both of

This term the Music Department said goodbye to students going on to higher education by holding a Leavers’ Concert at school. The standard of performance and musicianship heard was excellent and our leavers are well set up to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to the world of music. And music was the Special Topic

Awesome Accounting

for this year’s Ackworth General Meeting. A concert was held at school featuring students who also spoke afterwards about their musical journeys through the school. The students were very articulate and represented the school very well, many of them performing for the first time!

Congratulations to all.

them qualified for the next round, the ‘Kangaroo’ paper – a dubious pleasure, as it saw them sitting the paper on a day already filled with school exams!

Congratulations to all who dared to participate. How would you have fared?

This was question 20:

Emily writes down the largest two-digit prime such that each of its digits is prime.

Krish writes down the smallest two-digit prime such that each of its digits is prime.

Kirsten subtracts Krish’s number from Emily’s number.

What answer does Kirsten obtain?

A 14

B 20

C 36

D 45

E 50

The Edible Gingerbread Castle!

BASE is the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’ National Business and Accounting competition for students in school or college aged 16-17. A unique and exciting experience, students are able to engage in business challenges that enable them to develop key employability skills and understand what it’s like to be an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

We are delighted to confirm that Ackworth School has achieved a place at the BASE 2019 National Final! The winning team of lower sixth business studies students who will represent the school are Andreea Capatina, Viren Pandya, Dusan Repcak and team leader, Abhi Sankar.

The students will compete at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham, against the top 48 schools in the country, in one final challenge to be crowned BASE 2019 National Champions.

We congratulate them on their achievements so far. The ICAEW commented that “we received a large number of applicants this year and the standard of entry was particularly high. It is a fantastic achievement to reach the final and all your students should be proud.”

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I decided to make an edible castle because I thought it was something a little different and my family likes to bake and cook. I thought it would be a nice thing to do with their help, especially my sister Jemima.

It took a long time, but it was worth it. It was a fun thing to do, although we did have times where we wanted to stop because it was not going so well, but we didn’t – we kept going!

It took about two days and at the end the kitchen was a little messy, but it did smell good – and

eventually, so did Mrs Gordon’s classroom.

We decided to put a moat on and we did that with marshmallow, icing and food colouring. We also made little gingerbread figures to bring it to life. We used hot treacle to make the windows and then put them in the fridge to set. And to give the castle more detail, we purposely burnt the edges of the castle and used a blowtorch on the marshmallow. I really enjoyed making my castle!

Isobel Harrison, 1st form (year 7)

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Success for Andrey

Pupils

Andrey Gizdov (U6, Year 13) has been selected and funded to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the USA.

Elliot’s One Wish

Elliot was asked to write a piece in English entitled ‘If I had one wish’.

This is what he wrote...

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f I had one wish it would be that there was more research to find cures for cancer. This is a topic that means a lot to me as I have a cancer called Rhabdomyo Sarcoma. I have had six months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and my tumour has shrunk and all is going well. I’m not the only one in my family to have cancer; my Grandma Barbara had cancer and sadly died from it and this is why it means so much to me.

Some people would say cancer research would cost too much money and that the money could be used more usefully on what we do know about. Others may say that the money which the NHS has should be spent on a wide variety of illnesses, rather than focusing on cancer research.

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As I have cancer I know how horrendous it can be. I know the treatment is there to make me better, but one of the worst things for me is the nausea. During a chemotherapy cycle I can’t eat or speak for a week. I feel terrible, but after a few days I recover, only to start the cycle again. I dread going into hospital. I liken it to going into a prison and getting locked in. It hasn’t just affected me however; it affected my whole family. My mum and dad have had to learn to do things they probably didn’t think they would.

My little sister (who is 9) has had to stop doing things she loves because I have needed help.

Together we can make a difference

However, I think the money should be spent on cancer research as cancer affects 12.7 million people a year and there are currently more than 100 identified cancers. Some cancers are rarer than others and rarer cancers have less funding, so we are a long way from fully understanding the cancer and therefore are a long way from a cure. Around 7.6 million people die from 112

cancer and evidence shows that 30 to 40 per cent of these deaths could be prevented and one third can be cured through early diagnosis and treatment.

I know many cancer treatments have advanced, and survival rates for many cancers have improved greatly, however there is still a lot of work to do, especially in rarer childhood cancers like mine. More research requires more money, but cancer is one of the biggest illnesses in the world and I think we need to do more.

He was selected by The Young Scientific Instrument Maker 2019 because of his work on a project entitled 'A novel method for skeletal age estimation based on cranial suture analysis'. Andrey's method for assessing how well the cranial suture had healed was to use an instrument that took the subjectivity out of the assessment of gap width in the suture from cross sectional scans of the skull. The instrument accurately measured the mix of light and dark pixels in an image of the scan, and used a mathematical algorithm to put an accurate measure on the degree of healing. Tests had shown the repeatability and accuracy of the method.

He won the award “Young Scientific Instrument Maker of 2019”, which provided him with a £2,000 bursary for his further education and an apprenticeship in the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers. Following that, he had the opportunity to represent the UK at the world’s largest science and engineering fair for undergraduate students, in Phoenix, Arizona.

All his expenses were covered to attend the science fair, along with only two other representatives from the whole of the UK. Well done, Andrey!

Slalom Hannah

Hannah Morgan, (4th form, year 10) came first in her Under 16 girls’ slalom race at the Artemis Interschool Ski Challenge National Indoor Championships in Pila, Italy, on 29th April. There were 23 in her category.

Hannah came 2nd overall out of 57 senior girls and was only beaten by a competitor in the U18 category.

Congratulations, Hannah.

Best of the Best Earlier this year Demi Charlesworth competed in the Malta Open Karate Championships, where 18 countries, 45 associations and 406 competitors attended.

‘Day one was the synchronised set routines where my GB team mate and I performed our set routine, getting through to the finals and gaining a bronze. After that I performed another routine with two other GB team mates, and this time we won a gold medal,’ she said.

Demi went straight into an individual routine where she was 0.1 points off a gold, coming out with a silver medal.

On day two, 34 girls took part in the points competition. Demi won the title and subsequently qualified for the Nations Shield, which she won, gaining the title of ‘Mediterranean Open Champion’ and ‘11 & 12 Year Girls’ Best of the Best Champion’.

Well done, Demi!

Racer Zac

I first began racing at the age of 7. I attended a kids’ club every Monday at 4pm, but one day I came to my dad and said that I wanted to be a racing driver. He rang one of his friends to find a race track.

After racing for a year indoors my teacher finally said that I needed to go outdoors, so we found the nearest track which was 40 miles away called PFI in Grantham. I’m lucky because it’s actually the best and longest race track in England!

In February I attended my first race at the track and I did really well in it, but then, two months later I won my first ever novice trophy. Throughout the year I won a lot more and then at the end of the year I won the best novice award which meant a lot to me.

Zac Meakin - First form (year 7)

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French Trip

Careers

Trips

Handelsbanken The purpose of the Handelsbanken trip was for students to find out more about careers in banking, what banks do, the different job roles within the bank and the qualifications and training required. Pupils were provided with the opportunity to tour the branch and to undertake activities which enabled them to see banking in action! They also had a question and answer session with Amy Walker, who is the Branch Manager.

‘Our trip to Handelsbanken was incredibly interesting and highly informative about the world of banking.

We started with a small introduction to the bank and its ethos. Handelsbanken does not work like other banks; it is service-based more than product-based which means each customer has their experience tailored to them. Because of this, it is rated number one for customer satisfaction. Next, we did a small case study in which a prospective client, Joe Bloggs, comes and we have to fill out a sheet about his assets and liabilities. This taught us the importance of asking open questions rather than closed ones so we can get as much information as possible. Then, we learnt about prioritisation within the bank because of course bankers have a lot to juggle. Finally there was an opportunity for us to ask any questions we

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t the beginning of the Easter holidays a group of students went from Ackworth School to the Opal Coast, in France, staying in a hostel in the small town of Le Portel, not far from Boulogne-SurMer.

had. Overall the trip was great fun and we learnt a lot. We had an excellent time!’

Evelyn Salter & Max Cooper – 3rd form (year 9)

‘Following on from attending the Ackworth School Careers Carousel, we were delighted that six of the students spent an afternoon at the Handelsbanken Castleford Branch.

‘As a local relationship bank looking after personal and business customers we believe it is important to support our community. All of the pupils were fully engaged and gained a greater insight into how we prioritise on a daily basis to ensure that we continue to deliver exceptional service to all of our customers.’

Handelsbanken

Saturday: Our French trip started at school. We were all buzzing with excitement as we left school. When we arrived at Folkestone we got on the Eurotunnel and it was so cool. After a 50-minute ride we arrived in France.

Now we were really excited. An hour later we arrived at our accommodation. That night we had dinner at the hostel and then unpacked.

Mathew O’Donnell (2nd form, year 8)

Sunday: The next day was very exciting. In the morning we went into town for a French workshop. We learnt useful conversational skills that we could use. In the afternoon we went to a snail farm. A man told us about how snails live their lives. According to the snail man, the mucus could be used in cosmetics and skincare.

We had the pleasure of being able to eat the snails after we had just made friends with them. To be honest, they were quite nice, but the thought of eating a snail put many people off, not including me though!

The snail farm day was a success and we got back on the party bus tired and happy.

Grace Dibb (3rd form, year 9)

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Monday: On Monday, our third day in France, we started the day with a continental breakfast and arrived at ‘Boulangerie Escoeuilles’ at about 11am. While we were there we watched a demonstration of how they made their bread. It was all in French, so we had to work hard to understand but we got used to it. We tried some freshly baked bread and it tasted really good. At the end of the visit we were all given a pain au chocolat.

After that we went to the beach at Berek, where there was a kite festival. We went on the Ferris wheel and got a view of the whole town. Later that day we went to a small shopping centre and spent some euros in the supermarket. When we got back to the hostel we ate tea and did a quiz.

Emily Sanderson (3rd form, year 9)

Tuesday: The journey to the chocolate factory didn’t take too long and the presentation on how they made chocolate was very interesting. At the end of the presentation there was a quiz to see if we were paying attention. I won the quiz and got a nice prize of chocolate at the end. Despite the journey home being long, it was made enjoyable by our friends. Bus driver Steve was amazing! Thank you to all the teachers who came along and took care of us.

Freddie Barr (2nd form, year 8)

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Trips

Contributions from Estelle Nicholson, Harriet Metcalfe, Jasmine Walker, Niamh Anderson, Reven Singh, Lulu Johnston-Knight, Madison Cusworth and Amelie Harper.

We then visited Iceland’s Lava Centre to learn more about the history and formation of many Icelandic volcanoes before travelling to two stunning waterfalls.

Later that day we saw the Sólheimajökull glacier and Miss Clark could not contain her excitement!

The glacier looked like marble with black veins of sediment running through the sides. I am studying glaciation in geography at the moment and found it amazing; it was incredible to see something I’ve studied for months in real life. We next went to the black sand beach and the basalt columns that have formed hexagons in the caves next to it. The landforms were very impressive, and the guide also pointed out all the rock subject to Icelandic mythology – there were two large trolls with their boat that were frozen into rock by the sun as they could not reach their cave in time.

up on ‘diamond beach’ and we got to touch, photograph and even taste this ancient ice.

Day 4: On our last day we did the Golden Circle tour.

We started at the Secret Lagoon, a natural geothermally heated swimming pool which everyone enjoyed. We then saw some of the most famous sites in Iceland: Geysir, where hot water erupts approximately every 10 minutes, and Gulfoss, the incredibly dramatic double waterfall. Finally we visited Þingvellir National Park, where it is easy to imagine how the earth is ripping apart at this amazing place.

In the evening we went to the lava show where we were told of the history of the area of Vík and how dangerous it is to live there now. Then we saw lava melted at o 1100 C and were allowed to break it up with a metal bar when it began to solidify. We were given a piece to take home. Although the room was very warm, it was an amazing experience.

Easter Iceland Trip

Day 3: It was cold and windy, but we saw some fantastic mountains and glaciers from the coach. Our furthest destination was the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón where perfect blue icebergs float out sea. Some get washed

Day 1: We had an early start to the day and a long journey down to Luton. We arrived at Luton at 4am and quickly got through check-in. We arrived at Keflavík at 8.50 and then drove to the plate boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. After, we visited the eggcellent hot geothermal springs and found out information about them; the smell was eggstravagant!

On our journey to the Perlan in Reykjavík we had an opportunity to stop off and take some photos on a black sand beach along with its stunning surroundings.

When we arrived at the Perlan we went to the top floor and had a bird’s eye view of Reykjavík itself. We had some free time in Reykjavík where we visited the church and shopped or ate.

Day 2: On day two we travelled from Reykjavík to Vík.

We started by visiting a lava tube. We put on helmets and crampons and walked down into the tunnel created by flowing lava thousands of years ago. We learned how the tunnel formed and saw sparkly bacteria that is found on Mars. The tour guide turned off the lights and we were in complete darkness in the tunnel.

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Meet the PSA

Trips

Biology Field Trip

Parent Staff Association

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ckworth School’s PSA is an association of friends who offer assistance, helping pupils, teachers and parents make the journey through their school years. It creates an opportunity for families and staff to get to know one another, and at the same time, makes a real contribution to the quality of school life for all.

Whilst fund raising is a major part of the PSA’s activities and directly contributes to the improvement of the school, it also contributes to the ethos of the school, building our whole school community and strengthening our links with wider society, all of which benefits the school and offers a positive influence within the Ackworth area.

This academic year, the PSA has funded and helped to run over 70 extra-curricular clubs for pupils free of charge. These activities help our children to explore interests and create broader perspectives, provide social opportunities and improve their self-esteem, as well as improving academic performance and developing essential life skills.

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n Saturday 26th May, the A level Biologists arrived at Blencathra Field Centre near Keswick to start their ecology field trip. In the evening, we explored the Castlerigg Stone Circle after setting traps for small mammals in the Centre. The traps contained straw, various seeds and a piece of apple. The following morning, we opened the traps, finding four field mice. They seemed quite refreshed after spending the night in the relative comfort and safety of the traps.

On the first morning, we set off to the beautiful rocky shore at St Bees to identify the organisms which inhabit the littoral zone and consider their adaptions and zonation. We then followed the coast south to the sand dunes at Drigg where we investigated psammosere succession, using a stratified sampling method. There were clear changes in species composition and abiotic factors as we moved from the embryo dunes near the sea, through the yellow dunes and finally to the grey dunes further inland. We then looked for significant correlations and considered some of the strengths and limitations of the techniques.

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The PSA has organised over 30 social events, which help to bind the school community.

It is knowledgeable about the school and is enthusiastic to

enhance its reputation in the wider community. Events have included the Christmas Fair, Party on the Green, the Summer and Winter Balls, seasonal flower arranging, discos, raising funds through to recycling second hand clothing, organising the children’s toy appeal for The Yorkshire Children’s Trust and more recently the creation of a second hand uniform shop in school. The wide range of events means that there is something for everyone!

So far this academic year the PSA fundraising has totalled £5,500. Over the years, this money has funded a number of key school projects, such as the lighting in the Fothergill Theatre and a £10,000 contribution towards the funding of the Multi-Use Games area and Pre-Prep areas in Coram House.

We are blessed to have such an active and supportive PSA and would like to say thank you to each and every one of them for their hard work and continued support.

The PSA is looking for friends to join them, to support the PSA committee and to support the upcoming PSA events. If you are interested in finding out more, or offering your services, please contact Emma Quinlan emmajquinlan@hotmail.co.uk

For a freshwater ecosystem, we visited St John’s beck on a peaceful hill farm about six miles from Keswick.

There were a number of different animals on the farm including a particularly confident turkey who took a lively interest in our activities. We investigated the abundance of invertebrates in pools and riffles, using kick sampling to capture the invertebrates and measuring the velocity, pH and depth of the water at each sampling site. After lunch, we studied the moorland in Mosedale, considering the effect of burning on the species composition by randomly sampling different sites. Upon returning to the centre, we evaluated our methods and analysed our data using statistical tests.

The field trip was a great success and it was wonderful to hear the centre staff and other adults commenting on the knowledge, curiosity and impeccable manners shown by the students throughout the course.

Christopher Bailey

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children and the way they approached things with humanity and compassion.

Staff News

Francis Hickenbottom and Tom Bootyman Interview

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rancis Hickenbottom and Tom Bootyman, who are retiring this year, have clocked up more than 50 years of service to the Physics Department at Ackworth School. Francis arrived in 1991 to teach Physics and took over as Head of Department in 1993 when Grenville Needham retired. Tom has worked here twice: he came in 1982 to teach Physics and work as an assistant in Boys’ School House, left in 1987 and returned in 1998 to run Boys’ School House and to teach Physics with Francis.

How long have you both been here?

FH: 28 years TB: 27 years in two parts!

If you can remember, how did you both find out about Ackworth?

FH: A relative told me that there was a job available in the physics department at Ackworth School.

TB: Times Educational Supplement. I was on my way into the school where I was working, and I had an inkling that I might like to work abroad, but all the good jobs abroad demanded experience in a British boarding school. I knew nothing about British boarding schools apart from reading Jennings books as a kid. Anyway, I walked into a shop on the way, came out and there were some of my fifth form hanging around.

“What’s that under your arm Sir?” “It’s the Times Educational Supplement.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s where teachers get jobs”.

And they said “come on guys”, snatched the paper and said “let’s get him a job, let’s get rid of him.” So they opened it up. A is for Ackworth so that was first and ooh, British boarding school, physics teacher, okay. It was as simple as that, I spoke to the Head Teacher, Gordon McKee, that afternoon and was appointed a week later.

After working here would you have ever chosen to teach anywhere else?

TB: Yes, I did. I worked here for five years and went away and got jobs at other places. I went to two sixth form colleges, then was pursuaded to come back.

If you weren’t a teacher, is there anything else you have a passion for?

FH: I’d be a farmer.

Really?

FH: Yes a farmer, or I’d be in a greenhouse being a horticulturalist growing something very specific, like orchids or cacti.

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TB: I don’t know. I’ve always said that I’m just teaching until I find out what I really want to do. (That’s a joke, BTW!)

Other than teaching physics, what else do you take part in or contribute to at Ackworth?

TB: After you..

FH: Well over the years I have done beekeeping, mountain biking, calligraphy, star gazing, natural history, Duke of Edinburgh, there are more but I’m struggling to think of them off the top of my head.

TB: I used to help run junior orchestra and choir. I’ve always run the chamber choir, done photography clubs, produced junior plays, stage managed plays, been in plays, been in the senior choir, run electronic clubs.

Bizarrely for a while I was the South Yorkshire under14 hockey coach and I’d umpire hockey. We did Battle of the Bands for many years before the deputy head said it was too loud.

FH: People who were students here some years ago each remember us for a different thing, not necessarily the ones we do now.

What kind of things do you get up to outside school?

TB: I look after my children, photography, I sing. That’s pretty much what I do these days.

FH: Drawing, painting, researching fungi. As everyone knows by now I’m runnning the Wakefield Peregrine Project and public speaking. Those are the main things.

What was it that kept you at Ackworth for so long?

FH: The fact that it’s a nice school.

TB: It’s a lovely school. Successive headmasters have tried to pin down what it is that Ackworth does that is quite so special, but they’ve never been able to. If I had a fiver for the number of members of the SMT that have said if we could distill it and bottle it and sell it we’d make a fortune. It’s the Quakers to be honest. The Quakers on the staff when I arrived had huge effect on me as a young man, the way they taught and listened to

What is your favourite thing about the school?

TB: The fact that it’s a nice place to work, the children are nice, my colleagues are nice. Each day I come away feeling like I’ve made progress with somebody.

FH: I love that here it’s not a comprehensive school, there’s nobody telling me how to teach. I can do it my way and not have to teach to a specific plan or formula.

You both have some seriously funny stories to tell and as I’ve been taught by both of you during the six years I’ve been in the senior school I’ve probably heard quite a few. What has been your strangest experience here at Ackworth?

TB: Erm, it used to be that there was this bizarre thing that we used to have to hand in reports by midnight on a set date. The staff work room was room 8 where the PE room is now, and me being late as usual, I was on my way from Boys’ School House to hand my reports in at around two o’clock in the morning. It was fully dark and there were no lights or anything, but at the behest of the housemaster, I had trained to be able to walk all the corridors in the dark by pacing the corridors, so I knew exactly where I was in the dark by counting steps.

So I’d come down those steps by Girls’ Dining Room and there were those two little steps. I stepped off… and the floor crunched beneath my flipflops. I thought, “what’s going on?” I had a torch with me, turned it on, and the floor ran away. It was covered in cockroaches.

Hundreds and hundreds of rolling, broiling cockroaches that all ran away at the light of my torch. How I didn’t leap up and down screaming I don’t know.

FH: On the creature theme I have two things… which are the strangest. I was taking a natural history trip and we were in Southern Scotland and I was helping some children downstream, and I thought it was a bright idea to sit in the stream, and I sat on an eel. I shot several feet into the air and I screamed like a girl.

TB: Excellent!

FH: The other one was when we had a bloke who was a taxidermist in with natural history society. He was stuffing an owl. And when we were in the middle of the process of stuffing an owl, there was a scratching sound from the cupboard. And I emptied the cupboard and could still hear scratching, so I got a screwdriver and took off the back of the cupboard… and an owl jumped into the room. That was spooky.

What is your fondest memory of Ackworth?

FH: Natural history trips. They were very enjoyable, being out there with the children. You could pick any one of those natural history trips.

TB: Sitting in Centre Library watching the lady who would become my wife walking in the door. When I left the first time I was just sitting in Centre Library at break time, and in walked this vision of loveliness. The headmaster brought her over and said “will you show this lady round? Nobody knows your job like you do.”

“Yes sir,” I said, she got the job and the rest is history!

Will you miss each other when you both go into retirement? We can only imagine how close you might get to someone In that length of time.

FH: We’ll definitely stay in touch.

TB: Yes. We’re not going to lose contact.

What are you both planning to spend your time doing once you’ve left Ackworth?

TB: I’ve told my children that I’m going to put my feet up and watch Netflix. And stroke the guinea pigs. But right now I’m in the process of applying to be an Appropriate Adult, which is someone who goes to the police station accompanying juveniles or vulnerable adults when they’ve been arrested. I’ll also be doing more photography so if anyone wants to like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram that would be lovely.

FH: I shall be doing more public speaking. I want to develop my ability to do botanical art and more drawing. I want to draw in Wakefield Cathedral for instance. And I’m campaigning to have Wakefield declared as a city of swifts so that when people build new buildings they’ll have to make provisions for swifts to nest, inserting swift bricks into the structure or adding cavities.

Amelie Harper, with Lucas Culff and Frazer Kirkland (L6th, year 12)

Staff Changes Senior Staff leavers The following staff will leave at the end of the Summer Term: Tom Bootyman Physics Teacher, Senior Year Tutor 4th form William Elliott Mathematics Teacher Carol Francis Head of Learning Support Francis Hickenbottom Head of Physics Gill Murray Mathematics Teacher Patrick Roberts Head of Boys’ PE & Games, Assistant House Staff Emma Speake Design Technology Teacher, Assistant House Staff, Senior Year Tutor 2nd form John Stephenson Head of Religious Studies Nursery and Coram staff leavers Susan Armitage Teaching Assistant and Childcare Jackie Tagg Teaching Assistant and Childcare Lydia Horobin Nursery Assistant Della Rudenko Nursery Assistant Non-teaching staff leavers Michael Atkins Director of Marketing, Admissions and Communication Pamela Evans Nursing Sister

We wish them all the very best for the future!

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Basketball

Boarding

The Junior inter-house basketball event was arranged with all four houses playing one another in a round robin competition. Gurney and Woolman

played off for 3rd and 4th positions with Woolman being victorious. In the final, Penn just held off Fothergill by two points to be named the overall winners. Penn actually won every game and were deserving champions this year. The event was played in great spirit with everyone having a good time.

Dutch Pupils’ Visit

Junior Bake Off

Leeds Art Gallery visit

We were looking for enthusiastic Junior School bakers to take part in the Inter-House Great Ackworth Bake Off and we certainly got them. The challenge was to produce a celebration cake. The whole event was a lovely day and the students were all amazing. Thanks also go to Heather Gordon and Helen Batty for their amazing support. The competition was close with only nine marks between them all. The overall results are as follows:

Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh Silver Practice at Nidderdale! Well done to all students for completing their expedition in wind and hail!

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3rd place (equal): Penn and Gurney 2nd place: Fothergill 1st place: Woolman Congratulations to all who took part!

School Officers New School Officers Martha Hathaway (Head Girl), Henry Hackwell (Head Boy), Madison Cusworth, Kian Unwin, Amelie Harper, Oli Stultz, Baitong Phonthaweewathanachai, Lucas Culff.

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Old Scholar News

James Westwood – Teacher (1902-42)

Dr Mags Portman (1988-91) A

Obituary

n Ackworth Old Scholar and one of the leading pioneers of a drug that prevents HIV has died from a rare form of cancer aged 44.

Dr Mags Portman was a prize-winning HIV consultant at London's Mortimer Market Centre, a cutting-edge sexual health clinic. She championed PrEP and helped bring about the biggest reduction in HIV diagnoses in British history long before the medical establishment.

Leading figures from across the HIV sector have paid tribute to her "inspirational" work and dedication to patients — as well as her limitless energy and humour. Dr Portman died at a hospice in her home town of Leeds. For two years she had been receiving treatment for mesothelioma, a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs.

Dr Portman was part of the team at the Royal London Hospital, who in 2014 delivered an internationally renowned study, proving beyond doubt PrEP's efficacy. She later enabled fellow doctors to recommend the medication to at-risk patients and ensure they were monitored, before the NHS had made it available. She brought key PrEP activists into sexual health clinics to train doctors, and such interventions, in particular from 2015 to 2016, helped prevent thousands from becoming HIV-positive.

While continuing to fight for PrEP however, Portman faced her own personal obstacle: mesothelioma.

After 20 years as a doctor, having been both a GP and an HIV and sexual health consultant, she brought her passion for public health to the field of cancer, writing a blog where she charted the few highs and many lows of a little-known form of the disease.

As well as keeping loved ones abreast of what was happening in her treatment, Portman hoped to educate and demystify the condition. She wrote of the horrors — the chemo, exhaustion, weight loss, anxiety, and depression — as well as the greatness of human compassion, embodied in those around her, and delivered by the institution for which she devoted her career that now fought to preserve her life: the NHS. Portman's former colleague at the Royal London Hospital, professor Chloe Orkin, chair of the British HIV Association, said: "Mags Portman will always be an unforgettable human being. Her deeply felt convictions translated into true activism — an activism which helped to unite health professionals and the community to achieve PrEP for all. She has been widely recognised within her lifetime as being a prime mover, someone who has shaped the history of PrEP in the UK. It was a true privilege to work with her at the Royal London and to know her as a friend.

She is loved by so many and will be so deeply missed."

Dr Mags Portman is survived by her husband Martin and their children, Edward, and Freddie. The name of her blog was ‘Not Doing Things By Half’ — a name befitting her life.

Original content and photograph sourced from Buzzfeed.com.

For the full article please see: https://www.buzzfeed.com/patrickstrudwick/apioneering-doctor-who-helped-revolutionise-hiv -prevention?fbclid=IwAR0gT6--YeJsFmoKU3LQRWKOap3eY9XNWU-

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he elder son of James and Isabella Westwood, James was born on February 1st 1877 in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, moving a few years later to Dunfermline.

He attended High School in Dunfermline as “Dux” the top pupil in the school with £40 in prize money. While at school he was organist at Carnock Parish Church, aged 13, for which he received a salary of £20 per annum.

In 1894 he entered St Andrews University with a scholarship of £120 and stayed for seven years with further scholarships and coaching posts. He took his Master’s Degree in Arts (Hons. English, History and Political Economy) and was active in the athletic, social and musical life of the University, prominent in the Football X1, Tennis Club, Golf Club and a member of the editorial staff of the University Magazine.

His first teaching post was at Sidcot School (1900 – 1902) after which he joined the staff at Ackworth, where he remained until his retirement in 1942.

In 1913 he married Lilian Beatrice Jones (Scholar 19011903) and throughout his long and faithful service as Master and later Librarian, their home always gave a warm welcome to colleagues and pupils past and present.

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During the First World War he served with the Friends’ Ambulance Unit at York.

He was the School’s first Librarian and his neat handwriting and meticulous attention to detail laid a fine foundation for those who succeeded him in that office. A visitor acquainted with many famous schools said of the library in James Westwood’s time ‘it is, in my opinion, one of the best school libraries in the country’.

James served Old Scholars for many years both as Easter Secretary and Editor of the Old Scholars’ Report, corresponding with Old Scholars all over the world, one of his greatest pleasures being receiving and answering their letters. He also served as Old Scholars’ President from 1945-1946.

James died aged 87 on 31 May 1964. In remembering him the closing verse of his Presidential Address at Easter 1946 seem most appropriate: ‘Ever to be the best. To lead in whatsoever things are true; not stand among the halting crew, the faint of heart, the feeblekneed, who tarry for a certain sign to make them follow with the rest – O, let not their reproach be thine, but ever be the best.’

Taken from the Old Scholars Report of 1964

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Mabel Croll – Teacher (1945-1953)

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abel Croll was born in Edinburgh in 1922.

From the age of seven Mabel expressed her wish to become a teacher and in her final year at Tynemouth High School she was given the opportunity to undertake classroom experience in local schools.

In 1940 she gained a place at Northern Counties College of Cookery and Domestic Science. There her main subjects were supported by studies in the Theory and Practice of Education, English, and Applied Science.

She specialised in Advanced Needlework and Textiles in her final year. In 1943 the University of Durham awarded her a ‘Three Year Certificate in Domestic Science’ (with Credits). In 1945 she was offered a position at Ackworth School.

The Headmaster, Philip Radley, and the staff at Ackworth extended a warm welcome to Mabel and she quickly settled in to her new environment. She was accommodated with another member of staff in a cottage called Coram located just outside the school grounds. Occasionally one or two 6th form pupils resided there too. All meals were taken in school. In time she enjoyed the special friendship of staff members including Victor Mendham and his wife and family who lived in Ackworth Village, also Elizabeth Taylor, one of the administrative staff.

Domestic Science was only introduced to the curriculum of Ackworth School in 1943 and Mabel went on to further develop course content and delivery. Her

teaching included subjects in nutrition and food preparation, housecraft and needlework and she worked with Victor Mendham, one of the Science teachers, to develop an applied science element to support the work undertaken in domestic science.

External examinations in the subject were offered at Ordinary and Advanced level.

As well as formal teaching Mabel speaks of 6th form boys in the 1940s and 50s working in her classroom, sewing on the machines — which suggests that the School was ahead of many other schools in Britain, as it was the 1970s movement towards sex equality that resulted in the acceptance of boys in the domestic science area.

Mabel was a form teacher at Ackworth. At first the group was made up of girls only, but when the school became co-educational in 1946, the form included boys and girls with an accompanying male teacher. The boys and girls in the school remained separate and were not allowed to speak to each other during the week.

However, after the Quaker Meeting on a Sunday they were permitted to walk and talk to each other for an hour.

Whilst Mabel left Ackworth School in 1953, her interest in it never declined. She remained in touch with friends on the staff for many years and kept informed about the progress of the school, its staff and pupils via content in the Old Scholars’ Association literature.

Today, a framed photograph of Ackworth staff and pupils runs the length of a shelf in her room. There is also a framed picture, produced by Mabel, showing the layout of the school and its grounds, a picture representing one that used to hang in Ackworth School entrance.

After eight years Mabel moved from Ackworth back to Northumberland to take-up a lecturing post in her former Domestic Science teacher training college.

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Old Scholar News

Throughout her teaching career Mabel built on her experience and proved that she was not only a formidable teacher, developing student knowledge and skill, but she also showed that she was adaptable and able to lead and manage new course developments and meet the uncomfortable challenges metered out

by Government.

Mabel has always had that special quality of focusing all her attention on the person to whom she is speaking, making them feel special — and it could be one of the reasons why so many former students and teaching colleagues have kept in touch. Some send her a card or letter, some telephone. Others have called on her at her home or met her again at a student reunion — of which there have been many. Facebook presents an occasion in 2016 when Mabel met a group of old students marking fifty years since they left Northern Counties, and beneath a photograph of Mabel they write ‘Still Sharp as her Needles Were’, a phrase filled with meaning. At that time Mabel was 94 years old.

From 1979 Mabel was pro-active in creating a new life for herself. She took-up voluntary work — helping to teach adult literacy, taking books to people isolated in their homes, visiting those in care and nursing homes, in hospital and hospices. In addition the church played an important part in her life and charities were also a focus for her attention. At the same time Mabel cared for close family members when they suffered from failing health.

Whilst Mabel experienced difficulties with complex health problems in recent years she remained independent, her interests and activities hardly less than when she first retired. However, in 2017 her health deteriorated and she finally had to accept that she could no longer manage in her own home and no longer drive her beloved car. Instead, she now conducts her affairs from a care home, welcoming visitors and news from family and friends.

B@B

Our most recent business@breakfast featured Mike Croft who spoke about the art of decision-making and the development of the ‘This is Ackworth’ project.

Twenty five guests including current parents, old scholars, local businesses, staff and students attended.

Business@breakfast is held every half term and enables local businesses and Ackworth School parents to network, enjoy breakfast and listen to informative and entertaining speakers.

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From left to right (top row): Old Scholar Victoria Pang (2000-2004), Head Anton Maree and Ernest Li (1982-1987) in Hong Kong.

Old Scholars in Hong Kong

Old Scholar Fixtures

Amelie Harper Graphite and oil paint on textbook paper, 2018

Ruby Chan Watercolour pencil on paper, 2019

Harry Dean Gouache, 2019

Jasmine Edwards Scraper board, 2019 128

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Alexandra Kinch Watercolour, 2018 www.ackworthschool.com

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Senior Theatre

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Coram Theatre

Beauty & The Beast

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Olympics Day Opening Addess

I want to tell you a story about a man named Lawrence.

Aged 32, he made the Canadian Olympic team for the 1988 Olympic Games held in Seoul, South Korea.

On the day of the final race, Lawrence battled his way up the leader board. His times were so good that all he needed to do was finish the race and he would win a silver medal overall.

But Lawrence stopped racing. He had seen the boat of the Singapore team overturn, injuring both members of its crew. One crew member, Shaw Her Siew, was stranded and injured in open water; the other, Joseph Chan, was clinging to the boat’s hull, too hurt and too weak to pull himself to safety. Lawrence turned his boat and headed towards the capsized Singaporean team. He dragged Joseph Chan on board his boat, then sailed to rescue Shaw Her Siew. With both men safely on board, Lawrence held his boat steady and waited until a Korean Navy boat arrived to take the injured men to shore. Only then did Lawrence resume the race.

His silver medal was long gone. Lawrence finished the final race 21st in a field of 32 boats. He finished in 11th place overall.

But he did win a medal.

The de Coubertin medal is rarely awarded, and is one of the most prestigious awards in all sport. It honours athletes who exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship. This is the medal that Lawrence won. “By your sportsmanship, self-sacrifice, and courage,” he was told, “you embody all that is right with the Olympic ideal.”

Lawrence’s story reminds us all of how important sport can be. Sport gives you pleasure and pride. Sport allows you to challenge yourself so you can become “swifter, stronger, higher”.

But sport does more than this. Sport takes you to places that you have never been to; sport leads you to others, and enables you to help them. Sport allows you to do things that you never thought you could. The effort and determination and commitment that Lawrence displayed in training and practising for all those months and years was ultimately used not for his benefit, but for the benefit of others. Lawrence started the day competing in a race, and ended it by saving the lives of his fellow competitors. There is no greater competition to win than that of kindness, fairness and human care.

Ackworth Gala

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Alistar Boucher

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Coram House Sports Day

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Party on the Green

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Work Week

Work Experience Amirul

Amirul worked as a Table Table coaching assistant for the week. He went into primary schools to do some coaching and and helped out out with after school activities.

Jay Jay & Daniel

Jay Jay and Daniel spent the week with the PE department helping out in lessons and on fixtures at home and away. They also helped by tidying and sorting the equipment in the battery!

Dylan, Jeanne & Maylis

Dylan, Jeanne and Maylis worked as teaching assistants in Coram House. They helped individuals to complete work and worked with different groups on things such as reading and and writing.

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Ben

Ben worked at Pontefract Squash Club.

He gained knowledge and experience of the day to day running of a busy squash / leisure club. Some of the tasks he did were based around customer service and administration duties. He also also observed and assisted where practicable in the gym.

Cayetana, Mishel & Monika Cayetana, Mishel and Monika worked as drama assistants for the week. They were able to teach starters for lessons and helped with with the day to day running of the drama department.

Estelle

Tadei & Indi

Tadei and Indi worked in the Kitchens.

Tadei shadowed and supported the the Head Chef with various food preparation and cooking tasks.

Indi worked mainly with the front of house team serving food and helping with maintaining the kitchens.

Adam & Torin

Adam and Torin worked over in the Autism Unit.

They spent the week acting as support assistants and helped the team with a range of activities.

Hannah

Estelle worked at Mount Pleasant Hotel. She mainly worked in the reception.

Some of her roles included customer service, assistance with checking guests in and out and insight into booking reservations.

Hannah worked at Paddlin Paws which is a canine hydrotherapy centre who specialise in rehabilitation and fitness for dogs. She participated in fun swim sessions, and worked on assisting with paperwork, assessments and general cleaning and house keeping duties.

Harry

Harry (and Hannah) worked as Music Assistants for the week. They helped with with general maintenance in the department but also

with lessons and the Coram House production.

Jade

Jade worked at Cohen and Wilks International as a fashion design assistant.Most of her work was around shadowing a design team. She also helped with with drawing, finding out about pattern cutting and fabrics. She was able to take part in a task identifying trends and creating mood boards.

Jasmine

Krystof

Jasmine worked at St Joseph’s R.C. Primary School. She assisted teachers, helped with with indoor and outdoor activities. She also supported children in learning and helping with with daily routines.

Krystof worked as a DT assistant.He helped with the general running of the department but also worked on some projects such as one for Olympic Day.

Maisie

Maisie worked at Ultima Furniture Solutions.

She mainly worked in the kitchen showroom. She shadowed various members of staff to gain an insight into their roles. She also spent some time with with sales and observed customer service. Part of her week was spent with the design team to learn about the software design programmes, 3D planning etc. www.ackworthschool.com

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Matthew

Matthew worked worked at Action First Physiotherapy. He was able to observe assessments and treatment of clients with musculoskeletal problems. He also observed physio, podiatry, pilates and yoga sessions. Part of his role was also to assist on reception with bookings and greeting clients.

Matthew

Matthew worked with Limitless Digital. He shadowed designers to gain an insight into various aspects of design work.He gained an insight into software programmes used: Photoshop, InDesign etc. Matthew was also also tasked with completing his own project for a presentation at the end of the placement.

Matthew

Matthew spent the week at ADVA Optical Networking.

He worked in a range of departments to understand how the business worked. Some tasks included data inputting but also warehouse stock movement.

Nathan

Nathan spent the week at Liddy’s Solicitors.He assisted with office administration tasks. During the week he gained an insight into a solicitor’s role and an overview of the work carried out by reading of some past case files.

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Rhys

Rhys spent the week at Little Fish Accountants.

He spent spent time shadowing and observing the work of various accountants. He was able to assist the team with general finance and admin tasks i.e. excel spreadsheets, accounts prep, VAT returns. He also gained an understanding of various software programmes used by accountants.

Ruby

Ruby worked at the Lamp Room Theatre Theatre in Barnsley. She mainly worked in the theatre office and box office.

Some of her duties included: word processing, internet research, photocopying, filing, post duties, assisting with the handling of routine enquiries and provision of information to customers.

Alex

Alex worked at Dr Mellor and partners GP practice. He was able to gain an insight into the Practice Manager’s role.

During the week he gained an overview of business continuity planning, practice accounts and general admin tasks.

Georgia

Conditional University Destinations Okemdi Liverpool, Mechanical Engineering Harry Bristol, Chemical Physics Tom Leeds Beckett, Psychology Paige Liverpool John Moores, Law Joshua Manchester, Biology Bruce Glasgow Caledonian, Occupational Therapy Tom Keele, Accounting and Finance Brian Nottingham, Pharmacy Emma Edinburgh, International Business Andrey USA Callum Liverpool, International Business Grace School of Oriental and African Studies London, Arabic Roy University College London – Engineering Alex York, Economics Olivia Edinburgh, History of Art Peter Huddersfield, Business Management Elliott Leeds, Mechatronics and Robotics Jason Hull, History

Dillon York St John, Business Management Dele Newcastle, Business Management Neda University College London, Physics with Medical Physics Holly Sheffield, History Alex Leeds, Economics and Finance Nichola Buckingham, Counselling and Psychology Sam Imperial College London, Molecular Bioengineering Kevin Birmingham, Business Management Eleanor Manchester, Dentistry Tom York St John, Music Performance Hannah Hull, Psychology Sona Warwick, Mathematics Eddie Queen Mary London, Computer Science with Management Vincent Hull, Psychology Marlo Newcastle, Biomedical Sciences

GCSE & A Level Prize Winners A Level Prize Winners Biology - Eleanor White Business Studies - Jason Lok Chemistry - Elliott Leslie Design Technology - Dillon Machemba Economics - Alex Rudkin English - Louisa Young Further Mathematics - Alex Rudkin Further Mathematics - He Shan (Roy) Geography - Olivia Howden German - Holly Rice History - Olivia Howden Mathematics - Sona Yavrumyan Music - Tom Wilks Physical Education - Emma Forrester Physics - Jamie Dobbie Religious Studies - Paige Booth

GCSE Prize Winners Art - Harry Dean Biology - Oliver Foster Chemistry - Joshua Dawson Design Technology - Joshua Dawson Drama - Lucy Assassa English - Oliver Foster Food & Nutrition - Abigail Taubman French - Harry Dean Geography - Harry Dean Geography - Izaak Brindle German - Rachel Swales History - Benjamin Cawood Mathematics - Oliver Foster Music - Rachel Swales PE - Millie Hinchcliffe Physics - Eleanor Morris Religious Studies - Oliver Foster Spanish - Alvin Yeung

Georgia worked at Vintage Hair and Beauty.

She assisted with various tasks around the salon such as greeting customers, observing and assisting stylists, passing foils, rollers etc. She also assisted with general housekeeping, washing colour bowls and sweeping up. www.ackworthschool.com

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Trophies & Prizes 2019

Annabel Locock Chemistry Bani Bhinder French Zac Meakin Design Technology Benjamin Roberts Drama Charles Broadbent-Rockliff English Annabel Locock Food & Nutrition Ink Chantima Food & Nutrition George Philip Geography Nicolas Robisson-Barthelemy German Dori Suntornsuk German Bani Bhinder Religious Studies Lucy Holden-Stokes Religious Studies Claudia Cross History Dori Suntornsuk Mathematics Freddie Barr Music Dori Suntornsuk Physical Education William Cross Physical Education Dori Suntornsuk Physics Ink Chantima Spanish Intermediate Prize Winners

Pre A-Level Prize Winners Pre A-Level Prize Winners

EAL Jason Jiang Mathematics Jason Jiang Physics Jason Jiang Chemistry Kiko Zheng Biology Kristy Yang Business Studies Evelina Kalinina PSE Evelina Kalinina British Culture Stephanie Chen Geography Tengis Erdenetuya Games Alex Zhou Athletics Champion Trophies

Junior Girls Annabel Harper and Dori Suntornsuk Intermediate Girls Harriet Metcalfe Senior Girls Alice Mason Junior Boys William Cross Intermediate Boys Roman Khela Senior Boys Oliver Stultz / Gelegu Fakuma-Ilagha McRobert Cup for Sporting Achievement

Emma Forrester has been awarded this Cup for outstanding commitment and dedication to sport throughout her time at Ackworth. Emma has always been there to offer support, both as a player and as a coach, to younger pupils. The time given so willingly is valued and recognised. Thank you.

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Alice Greenwood Cup for Sporting Endeavour

Jade Bashall has developed confidence and selfbelief, showing superb resilience throughout the year.

Within every activity she is keen to learn and develop her awareness of how to perform more successfully.

The recipient of the Boys' Alice Greenwood Trophy this year goes to a young man who has shown outstanding commitment to school sport. He has represented the school sports team in Football, Hockey, Athletics, Tennis and Squash and has done so with great effort, energy and passion. This student is always willing to take on new challenges and continually willing to learn to enhance and improve his game. This student epitomises the term ‘true sportsman’: he is competitive yet gracious. This person really is a proficient, skilled and gifted all round sports performer in addition to being a tremendous athlete. This year's winner is…

Roman Khela.

Special Award 2019

Ross Bolland - In recognition of his commitment to climate change and for gathering support for his EcoBench initiative

Junior Prize Winners Abigail Brooke Art Annabel Locock Biology

Mia Kirkland & Hannah Newnham Art Evelyn Salter Biology Jasmine Walker Chemistry Jasmine Walker English Jasmine Walker Food & Nutrition Jasmine Walker German Jasmine Walker Physics Jasmine Walker Religious Studies Femi Welch Design Technology Ruby Wileman Drama Harriet Greenwood French Max Cooper Geography Charlotte Glasby German Charlotte Glasby History Rhys Wickham Mathematics Rhys Wickham Music Nebiyu Abraham Physical Education Lucy Roche Physical Education Josephine White Spanish

Emily Sanderson Jasmine Walker Charlotte Glasby Harriet Greenwood Emily Greenwood Josephine White Cerys Watkins

Special Mention Awards Abigail Brook Claudia Cross Annabel Locock Bani Bhinder Annabel Harper Eleanor Santiago-Martin Neve Clayton Jasmine Edwards Asia Harris Jade Bashall Charlotte Glasby Josephine White Andreea Capatina Madison Cusworth Lauren Nixon James Sandison

Lower Sixth Prize Winners

Martha Hathaway Art Martha Hathaway Spanish Viren Pandya Business Studies Henry Hackwell Chemistry Henry Hackwell Mathematics Boris Bao Further Mathematics Dusan Repcak Economics Andreea Capatina English Andreea Capatina History Alice Mason French Mikkel Termansen German Madison Cusworth Physical Education Alex Wu Physical Education Alexandra Kinch Psychology Gibson Awards Grace Hughes Annabel Locock Noah Clegg Claudia Cross Annabel Harper Dori Suntornsuk Bani Bhinder Ella Hinchcliffe

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Open Day Ackworth School

Open Day Welcome to our

Ackworth School

Together we celebrate the achievement of the last academic year with students, staff and friends

Old Scholars’ Cup

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his student has been fully immersed into the life and spirit of the school making huge contributions to community events. This student took part in the Enterprise workshop with the local primary schools, the purpose of which, was to develop the enterprise and employability skills of the L6 business students and Street House Primary School Students.

This student was also involved in the Community Litter Pick - one of 95 volunteers who took part over the two days, giving a combined total of 190 volunteer hours, resulting in over 240 plus bags of rubbish and a totally phenomenal 860kgs of rubbish collected. All of this involved working together to make a better, cleaner Ackworth.

Linked to this, this year’s winner created and analysed a survey of the local community on where litter issues are in the village and therefore where new bins could be allocated to prevent litter (subsequently we have contacted local businesses in Ackworth and they have sponsored 12 new bins nicknamed The Dirty Dozen - that will be placed in the village within the next six to eight weeks!

This student also facilitated a number of activities aimed at nurturing resilience in younger pupils from the local area. A formal evaluation of the event said that the Resilience Day “was amazing!”

This year’s winner was very supportive of other members of the school community (particularly our younger cohort) when taking part in the Tenner Challenge. They took part in the competition, which

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is aimed at helping to develop an enterprising mindset and prepare for the world of work.

This student pushed for the school to become involved in Autism Awareness Day. She was not put off by another event taking place on the National Autism Awareness Day; she thought laterally and ensured that it happened at a different time, making it a non-uniform day of wearing bright colours. As well as this she worked hard at organising a book drive to increase the books available for younger students in Shed Court.

Her volunteering at Shed Court cannot go unmentioned. She has volunteered more than any other student this year, including spending time with students at break and supporting so many of her peers.

During Mental Health Awareness Week she supported every single event held and was the mastermind behind the thank-you cards for staff.

She came up with lots of ideas for the week, and was keen to celebrate the concept of kindness as a way of promoting our own (and others’) mental health.

She has been a very engaged and supportive House Captain. She is often to be found at events giving her House members pep talks, and really encouraging students to get involved in events. She took her role very seriously, especially at Sports Day (2018).

Of course, the winner of the 2019 Old Scholars’ Cup is awarded to Nichola Sun!

Ackworth School Pontefract Road, Ackworth, Pontefract, Wakefield, WF7 7LT Tel: +44 (0)1977 233600 l Email: admissions@ackworthschool.com www.ackworthschool.com l M /AckworthSchool l N @ackworth_school