ASHVILLE NEWS
Easter 2026
PERFORMING ARTS
Performing Arts are fundamental to a wellrounded curriculum. While standard academic subjects teach pupils how to process information, the performing arts teach them how to express themselves and interact with the human experience.
Over 70 pupils in Senior School from Years 7 to 13 performed in the annual big production which this year was Sister Act the Musical. To give as many pupils as possible the chance to shine, two casts performed over three days in four performances. The production was a huge success!
Romeo and Juliet
Pupils in Year 4 in Prep School wowed the audience with their performance of Romeo and Juliet. Well done to everyone. They showed incredible teamwork, creativity and commitment, performing Shakespeare’s words, and creating atmospheric and memorable scenes.
It is always wonderful to see our Prep School actors going from strength to strength with their drama skills, thanks to their weekly lessons and regular performance opportunities.
Thank you to Mrs Weilding who adapted and directed the performance, and all the staff and parents who helped with learning lines.
Well done to our very talented Prep School Head of Performing Arts, Mrs Weilding who recently starred in the Great British Bake-Off Musical at Harrogate Theatre with Harrogate Phoenix Players, alongside her husband. A comedic and heartwarming celebration of baking, self-discovery and the joy of community, served with a generous helping of British charm!
Ashville Raises the Roof with Sister Act the Musical!
Stuart Hutchinson Reviewer, Musical Theatre Performer & Director
Having been a favourite on the amateur theatre circuit for over a decade, Sister Act the Musical continues to captivate amateur groups, schools and audiences alike. Based on the beloved 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg and the late Dame Maggie Smith, the musical follows the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer whose life takes an unexpected turn after witnessing a crime committed by her boyfriend, Curtis. To protect her, Deloris is placed in a convent under witness protection, where she struggles to adapt to the strict rules - until her musical talents breathe new life into the convent choir, bringing joy, laughter and a touch of showbiz to the sisters’ otherwise quiet lives.
I was delighted to be invited to watch a performance by pupils at Ashville in Harrogate in their fantastic purpose-built auditorium, The Soothill Hall. The set was simple but highly effective, with digital pixel screens shaped like church windows displaying a variety of backdrops for the different scenes.
The show opens with Deloris Van Cartier flanked by backing singers Tina and Michelle in the toetapping “Take Me to Heaven.” From the very first note, Deloris commanded the stage with confidence, demonstrating strong acting ability alongside an impressive vocal performance. Originally played by Petina Miller in the West End, this young performer certainly held her own, hitting the demanding score with ease.
Curtis proved a convincing antagonist and showed strong stage presence and vocals during his musical moments. Joey, TJ and Pablo brought great energy and comic timing to their roles, shining in “Lady in the Long Black Dress,” where their cheeky, cabaret-style performance provided one of the evening’s most entertaining numbers.
Sister Mary Patrick delighted with her comedic timing and bubbly personality, while Sister Mary Lazarus gradually warmed to Deloris as the story unfolded. Together with the other sisters they delivered the uplifting “Raise Your Voice,” capturing the growing confidence and joy within the convent choir. One of the standout moments of the evening came from Sister Mary Robert in “The Life I Never Led.” Sung with genuine emotion and a beautiful tone, it was a touching performance that marked her out as a young performer to watch. The stoic Mother Superior also impressed, bringing authority and strong vocals to the role.
Monsignor O’Hara and the large ensemble added wonderful enthusiasm throughout, helping to maintain the show’s vibrant energy. The direction by Karl Boyd, combined with choreography by Karl Boyd, Jude Humphries, pupils Jasmine and Toby and OA Gabby Salvin, kept the production slick and well paced. The sound at times sat slightly underneath the magnificence of the live band, expertly led by Musical Director James Rodgers, but overall the musical element remained highly engaging.
Costumes were bright and effective, perfectly complementing the lively 1970s aesthetic of the show. The production culminated in the joyous finale “Spread the Love,” bringing the entire cast together in a celebratory end to the evening.
Having performed in the show myself a decade ago as TJ, it was wonderful to see Sister Act brought to life once again by a new generation. With a cast of over 70 pupils, this production is a true testament to the excellent Performing Arts provision available at Ashville. Ashville have delivered a vibrant, uplifting and thoroughly entertaining production.
Ashville takes Beth to the Edinburgh Fringe
In August 2026, we will be taking 25 talented actors from Years 9 to 13 and 8 OAs to perform a weeklong run of Beth at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Beth is our homegrown, rock musical, gender swapped re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic tale of flawed ambition - Macbeth; what better story to take to the capital of Scotland!
The Fringe is a massive undertaking with over two million people descending on the city over the three weeks and close to 240 shows taking place at any one time across hundreds of venues. We are so proud to have secured a venue for the final week of the Festival in the prime time theatre slot of 3pm. Ever since the start of the process, we have been adamant that the pupils should take part ownership of the project – they should be raising the funds to finance the project. This project has an estimated cost of £18.5k – so fundraising is no mean feat. Each pupil has been given a target to raise and they are well underway.
There have been many fundraising initiatives set up - high end raffles, cake baking, musical theatre concerts to name but a few. We have also set up group fundraising events such as a Ceilidh (coming in May), performance events and even a whole school nonuniform day.
We have received generous support from the New Friends of Ashville and have actively sought sponsorship from local companies. Additionally, a proportion of the ticket cost from Sister Act has gone towards the project and all the proceeds from the bar, merchandise, and sweet stalls. Another key fundraising initiative is our JustGiving page – if you wish to support please feel free to donate! Your generosity would be greatly appreciated by all concerned. This truly is an exciting and prestigious venture that will be remembered by all participants for many years to come.
We have been thrilled to receive a very generous sponsorship donation of £2000 from Robinsons Gas in Hampsthwaite. It is greatly appreciated and combined with the outstanding efforts of our cast’s fundraising initiatives, moves us much closer to our target!
If your company would be interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mr Boyd - k.boyd@ashville.co.uk
SPRING MUSICAL CELEBRATIONS
Ensembles Concert
What a fantastic evening in The Soothill Hall for our Ensembles Concert! With 12 musical groups performing from Senior Strings, Jazz Bands and various Choirs to a lively Folk Band finale on St Patrick’s Day, that had the audience dancing in the aisles, it was a true celebration of talent and teamwork. A marvellous and fun culmination of the hard work and dedication of both pupils and staff. Thank you to everyone who took part and made it such an enjoyable, memorable concert!
Harrogate Competitive Festival
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Harrogate Competitive Festival in March which saw record success for pupils!
English Song Class
1st Charlotte
Foreign Language Art Song Class
1st Charlotte
Baroque Aria
1st Evan (Honours)
2nd Arina (Commended)
Folk Song (Year 10 and under)
1st Olivia (Honours)
3rd Charlotte (Commended)
Solo Song - Show pre 1970 (Years 9 and 10)
1st Amelia (Honours)
2nd Olivia (Honours)
3rd Molly
Solo Song - Show post 1970 (Years 9 and 10)
1st Amelia (Outstanding)
2nd Olivia (Outstanding)
Solo Singing (Years 11 and 12)
2nd Charlotte (Merit)
Solo Singing (Years 7 and 8)
3rd Ava
Music Colours
Congratulations to the following pupils who have been awarded Colours for Music:
Inter - Max, Joel, Quinlan, Tom, Ruby and Molly
Solo Singing (Years 9 and 10)
1st Evan (Honours)
2nd Amelia (Honours)
3rd Arina (Commended)
Duet
1st Amelia and Olivia (Outstanding)
Solo Song - Show Pre 1970 (Years 7 and 8)
2nd Ava
Joint 3rd Bella and Freddie
Piano Duet
1st Irissa and Kieton
Piano Year 6 and Under
2nd Asher
Choirs
1st Piccolo Choir
1st Junior Choir
2nd Elmfield Singers
2nd Una Voce
3rd Ashville Cambiata
3rd Ashville Singers
LANGUAGES
Ashville offers a wide range of global opportunities for pupils to immerse themselves in their learning. School trips abroad often form the highlights of a pupil’s education, and for good reason. They push learning out of the classroom and into the real world, turning abstract concepts into tangible experiences.
Before half term, 18 budding Spanish linguists set off bright and early from Leeds Bradford Airport for an adventure in Granada. The drive from the airport offered the first glimpse of Andalucia’s breathtaking scenery with rolling hills stretching into the distance, endless olive groves patterned across the landscape, and the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
On a guided tour of the city, with a stop off for chocolate con churros, pupils learned about Granada’s rich Moorish and Muslim heritage, the influence of the Reyes Católicos and the historic connection to Christopher Columbus. The first day was rounded off with a delicious tapas meal. On Day 2, after a breakfast of pan con tomate, pupils took part in a cooking workshop delivered entirely in Spanish and learned how to make gazpacho, paella and crema catalana. Day 3 began with Spanish classes followed by a visit to the impressive Granada Cathedral, where pupils were struck by its vast white interior, towering columns and the sense of space and light. A walk through Albaycín with its narrow, cobbled lanes and whitewashed houses, offered stunning views across to the Alhambra. The evening’s flamenco show was truly unforgettable with the passion, intensity and extraordinary footwork leaving everyone captivated. The following day a visit to the extraordinary Alhambra,
Granada 2026
set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, truly lived up to expectations. Exploring the palaces, courtyards and gardens, pupils learned about life under Moorish rule and the remarkable achievements of the Nasrid dynasty.
The final day began with a flamenco lesson accompanied by live guitar at the Escuela Carmen de las Cuevas where pupils embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Then followed Spanish lessons where pupils were presented with certificates as recognition of their progress. We rounded off our Spanish adventure with a tapas tasting experience and reflected on an extraordinary few days filled with language, culture, challenge and laughter!
French Festivals
In Year 5 this half term’s topic was French festivals, with a special focus on Carnival. Pupils learned about the famous Carnaval de Nice, exploring its colourful parades, large floats, costumes, and traditions. They discovered how people celebrate with music, dancing, and creative disguises. As part of their work, the pupils designed and made their own carnival masks inspired by the styles seen in Nice. In the final lesson of the half term, they proudly wore their masks to celebrate and bring the spirit of the carnival into the classroom.
German Film Evening
Pupils took part in an exciting German Cultural Event after school, combining language learning with a taste of authentic German culture. The event provided a fun and practical opportunity for pupils to use their German skills in a real-life context. A highlight of the evening was the delicious food prepared on site by a German company. Pupils were able to choose between traditional Currywurst and Käsespätzle, ordering their meals in German following roleplay practice completed in lessons. Food was served outside the Soothill Hall and enjoyed together in the dining hall, where German music created a lively and authentic atmosphere. After the meal, pupils gathered in the Soothill Hall to watch a German film provided by the GoetheInstitut. The film was a huge success, with many pupils saying they had “the best time ever.” Overall, the event was a fantastic celebration of language and culture, and a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Japanese Club
Japanese Club currently has a group of around 15 pupils who meet regularly to explore the language and writing system. Over the past few weeks, pupils have worked hard to learn all 48 hiragana characters, which form the foundation of the Japanese alphabet.
Reaching this milestone means they are now able to read and write simple words using the basic phonetic script. Now that pupils are confident with hiragana, we have started learning how to express what we do in Japanese using present tense verbs. Pupils are beginning to build short sentences to describe everyday activities, helping them move from recognising characters to using the language more actively.
It has been great to see their focus and enthusiasm as they continue developing their Japanese skills each week.
SPRING TERM EVENTS
Mother’s Day
In Reception, Little Acorns and Acorns we celebrated Mother’s Day by inviting children’s mummies, grannies and other special ladies in their lives to join us for a lovely morning of craft activities. In Reception we made bracelets, colourful rosettes, bookmarks, and tissue paper flowers and we also had time to snuggle up with a book in the reading corner. At the end of the day, the children proudly went home with a handmade card and a biscuit as a small thank you for all the love and care these wonderful ladies give every day. In Little Acorns and Acorns we decorated gifts, made bouquets, and enjoyed spending time together exploring our classrooms. All the parents had a lovely time and said how much fun they had.
Easter Bonnet Parade
What a joyful afternoon we’ve had! Our wonderful children in Acorns and Reception proudly showed off their beautiful Easter bonnets and shared a selection of songs. As a Methodist school we love marking this special season of hope and new beginnings and the children captured that spirit perfectly with their smiles and enthusiasm.Thank you to our families for joining us and supporting the children - your encouragement means so much.
World Book Day
In early March, Prep School was full of creativity, with fantastic costumes ranging from princesses and characters from Harry Potter to plenty of Minions and many more wonderful favourites from the world of books. In the Lower School, pupils and teachers took part in ‘Drop Everything and Read’ sessions throughout the day. Lessons paused for ten minutes or so while everyone enjoyed some quiet reading time before carrying on with their learning. It was a brilliant celebration of stories and the joy of reading.
BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK
Science Week at Ashville was a fantastic celebration of curiosity, with a wide range of speakers and activities giving pupils the opportunity to explore how science shapes the world around us.
We welcomed a lecturer from Cambridge University who spoke about the ongoing battle between pathogens and the human body, offering fascinating insight into how our immune system works and how research continues to deepen our understanding of disease. A research scientist from the University of Leeds also led an engaging session introducing pupils to scientific studies and sports cardiology, highlighting how research is used to investigate heart health and performance in athletes.
Pupils also enjoyed a fascinating talk exploring how mathematics can be used to predict the existence and behaviour of particles, demonstrating the powerful connection between maths and our understanding of the universe. Another session focused on wind farms and renewable energy solutions, helping pupils consider the role of science and engineering in tackling global energy challenges.
Younger pupils were equally inspired, with a Year 7 talk encouraging pupils to listen to what their bodies are telling them, linking closely with this year’s Science Week theme of Curiosity and prompting them to think about how we observe and understand our own health.
We were also delighted that our very own Mr Hedges spoke to our budding engineers about his previous career as a fire engineer, giving pupils an insight into how engineering principles are applied in real-world situations.
Alongside the talks, it has been wonderful to see so many activities taking place across the College, creating a real buzz around the school. Events such as House Science and the Lower School Science Fair have given pupils the chance to get involved, share their ideas and celebrate their enthusiasm for science.
Overall, the week was a brilliant opportunity for pupils to engage with a wide range of scientific ideas and careers, sparking curiosity and showing how science is applied in the real world.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
All Senior School pupils learned about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in our annual DofE celebration assembly. We were delighted to welcome Sophie Wood, who works for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as a Regional Operations Officer. Three of our DofE Leaders, Lincoln, Allison and Hermione talked us through the history and aims when the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded by Prince Philip together with the educationalist Kurt Hahn in 1956. Their idea was simple, but powerful: that young people are capable of far more than they — or sometimes the world around them — realise.
The Award was designed to build character not through exams or classrooms, but through challenge, service, commitment and adventure. Seventy years later, the spirit of that idea remains unchanged: courage, commitment and service. And today, that spirit is certainly alive here at Ashville in the pupils who have chosen to take on the challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Congratulations to the following pupils in Year 11 who have achieved their Bronze Awards - Aaron, Joel, Jude, Grace, Jasmine, Zach, Adelaide, Daniel, Archie, Ruby, Louis, Emily, Ollie, Harry, Nolan, Bella, Sasha, Ben, Alice, Lily, Max, Sophia, Trevor and Luke. In Year 13 Gold Awards have been achieved by - Luke, Monty, Lucy, Olivia and Layla.
Bronze DofE Training
Year 10 pupils took part in a Bronze DofE Training morning as part of their preparation for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Mrs McHugh, Chair of Governors Mr Styles, Mrs Styles, Mr Gavancho, Mr Taylor, Ms Riggs and our Sixth Form Young Leader, George, delivered a carousel of dynamic and highly focused sessions to prepare pupils for both their practice and assessed expeditions. Throughout the morning, pupils developed essential expedition skills including navigation and map reading, route planning, equipment preparation and bag packing, meal and menu planning, and a clear understanding of the Countryside Code, including the memorable reminder that you cannot bribe a farmer with a pot noodle. The atmosphere was purposeful and energetic from start to finish. Pupils demonstrated impressive engagement and teamwork, and the sense of anticipation for the first expedition in Nidderdale this May is already building.
Gold Award Winners
Bronze Award Winners
CHARITY, COMMUNITY AND WELLBEING
Prep School Move to Make A Difference Event
Prep School have been participating in the “Move to Make A Difference” event organised by Mrs Wells and the Charity Club. Parents and pupils were invited to a sponsored run around the playground and tennis courts, and record their distance with the aim of collecting running all the way to Africa – the location of our Lend With Care project. It was wonderful to see the children taking part with such enthusiasm and joy, knowing that their efforts were supporting an important cause.
Red Nose Day
What a fantastic day we had celebrating Red Nose Day! All Ashville pupils and staff were invited to wear non-uniform and a dash of red.
In Prep School, organised by the Charity Club, pupils began the day with a ‘Wake Up, Shake Up’ dance session in the playground. Some pupils embraced the charity’s ‘Design Yer Nose’ theme and created incredible red noses. At breaktimes, they played ‘pin the red nose on the teacher’.
In the Senior School, pupils enjoyed a range of lunchtime activities, including a paper aeroplane throwing competition, a ‘guess the teacher’ challenge and stand-up comedy. There were also several stalls where pupils could purchase books and sweets.
Our catering team also joined the celebrations and prepared a special selection of cakes
As a whole school effort, £2,413.20 was raised for Comic Relief. Thank you to everyone for their contribution in support of the charity.
BounceTogether
We are pleased to be launching BounceTogether, a new software platform that will be used across our whole school community. BounceTogether is an evidence-based tool designed to measure and support mental health and wellbeing, reflecting our commitment to placing wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. The platform offers a wide range of carefully designed surveys focused on mental health, wellbeing and attitudes to learning, enabling us to gather and analyse meaningful data from our college community. This will help us gain a clear understanding of wellbeing needs and identify key action points, ensuring that any changes we make are directly informed by the needs of our setting.
BounceTogether reinforces the high value we place on mental health and wellbeing as we continue to support all pupils within our school.
Reception Wellbeing Day
As part of Children’s Mental Health Week, the Reception class enjoyed a special Wellbeing Day. The children came to school in cosy pyjamas and spent the day learning about emotions, positive mindsets, and how to look after their minds and bodies. From making healthy smoothies to yoga, mindful colouring, Lego building, hand massages and even a relaxing foot spa, it was a calm, happy day filled with smiles and meaningful conversations.
Wellbeing Day
HOUSE NEWS
Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in House events this half term. The House system is a great opportunity to take part in a wide range of competitions, and therefore to try something new and develop skills. It is competitive, but inclusivity is at the heart of it.
House Drama
The annual House Drama competition took place at the end of term. This year’s theme was jukebox musicals, and each House brought something completely different and creative to the stage. We saw imaginative takes on Alice in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet, Legends of King Arthur, and Peter Pan all brought to life through well-known songs.
It was brilliant to see how each House interpreted their story, combining music, drama, their given artwork and movement in such fun and original ways. The competition was close but Windermere took the win in the end, well done to Drama Captains Grace and Carmen and the cast for such a great performance. It takes a lot of courage to get up and perform in front of your peers, and everyone who took part should be really proud of what they achieved.
Drama Colours
Congratulations to the following pupils who have been awarded Colours for Drama:
Junior - Eva, Molly, Olivia and Greyson
Inter - Beth, Camdyn and Molly
Senior - Jasmine, Carmen and Jasmine
House Swimming
After a long absence from the Rigg Cup, House Swimming made a triumphant return this term, thanks to the efforts of Ashville’s Swimming specialist, Miss Dixon.
The standard of competition was high, and the final scores were incredibly tight, but the most important thing was the huge smiles on the faces of everyone that took part. There was a fantastic buzz in the pool, and it proved to be a really fun event! Congratulations to Duckworth who won the Junior competition, Ellis who won the Inters, and Windermere who claimed victory for the Seniors!
House Swimming
After a long absence from the r
House
Hockey
In a busy term of Rigg Cup action, the boys took to the astro pitches for House Hockey, and first up were the Seniors. In a physical and fiercely competitive afternoon of Hockey, Josh stood out as a particularly strong player for Ellis, helping them to a convincing victory. The Junior and Inter boys were in action on the morning of our Open Day. Blessed with great weather, Ellis found themselves basking in glory as well as sunshine. They won both the Junior and Inter competitions, making it a clean sweep in the boys Hockey.
House Netball
In the Sports Hall on Open Day, the Junior and Inter girls were competing in Netball. Miss Rasbuary described Duckworth’s Junior Girls as being “totally dominant, especially in attack” as they stormed to victory. However, the Duckworth Inters were not so lucky as they were narrowly beaten by Riverdale who showed great determination to take the win. The Senior girls completed the House Netball competitions in the last week of term with Ellis demonstrating a masterclass in Netball, showing why they were the pre-event favourites, and they delivered the goods to seal the win.
House Quiz
Miss Jones delivered a series of three outstanding general knowledge quizzes for our Junior, Inter and Senior Teams. Competitors were challenged with wide ranging questions and picture rounds which included identifying currencies and druits among other things! Windermere exerted their quizzical dominance as they completed a hat-trick of victories!
House Science
As part of the Academic Cup, pupils competed to show their scientific prowess. The Senior and Inter competitions involved undertaking several practical challenges from identifying an unknown material through its density, sorting solutions by concentration through osmosis of a potato, identifying an unknown chemical, an electronic quiz on general science knowledge, to several fiendish bonus tasks on science trivia.
All of Years 7 and 8 competed in the Junior competition in lesson time where the practical task was to construct the best crumple zone to protect a sheet of lasagna attached to a dynamics trolley released down the highest slope.
House Colours
Duckworth
Senior House Colours are awarded to Ben Ellis
Senior House Colours are awarded to Katie Riverdale
Senior House Colours are awarded to Jasmine, Matthew, Ava and Jess Windermere
Junior House Colours are awarded to Skye and Ava Inter House Colours are awarded to Olivia and Joel Senior House Colours are awarded to Grace, Harry and Lennon
Term Shield
The Term Shield is awarded to the House that has scored the highest total points across all the three main competitions each term and the Winner is Windermere!
Rigg Cup
Duckworth are still in the lead with a total of 426 points.
Festival Trophy
Duckworth are also leading in the Festival Trophy after securing second place in House Drama.
Academic Cup
Windermere are still sitting in first place in the Academic Cup.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Describe your roles at Ashville.
As a teacher I’m a geography specialist and teach Years 7-13. I’ve always been fascinated with the natural world, but also in the complexities of human interactions. I also love history, so I feel very lucky to be able to teach this to Years 7 and 8.
I’m also Head of the Competitive Houses. This is largely about liaising with the amazing staff across the school who volunteer to run a broad range of House competitions and arranging when they’ll take place. However, it’s also about trying to ensure that the House system evolves in a way that is sympathetic to the traditions of Ashville but continues to offer something for everyone in present times, whatever their strengths and interests. I work with a great team of other Heads of Houses and the Senior House Captains. As Head of Duckworth House, it’s all about encouraging pupils to get involved with everything the House system has to offer. Yes, it’s competitive, but the most important thing is having the chance to try something new and just have lots of fun!
Finally, I recently became the Head of Year 7. This is a broad and varied role, but ultimately, it’s about trying to provide the pastoral and
academic support that pupils need to make strong progress academically, but also in their personal development. Ashville’s strength is the holistic education we provide, and I want all our pupils to look forward to coming to school every day, so they really make the most of it when they get here!
How long have you worked here?
This is only my second academic year at Ashville, but everyone has been so welcoming that it feels like I’ve been here a lot longer!
Tell us about your typical working week.
With the variety of roles that I have, it’s difficult to describe any week as ‘typical’, but that’s why I love my job. I’m in the Year 7 Hub most mornings by 8am to welcome pupils as they arrive. It’s a good chance to check in with them and make sure they’re ready for the day ahead. There are House events most Tuesday lunchtimes, and often at other times too, but there is always something House related that I’m busy working on.
NICK GARBUTT
Geography Teacher
Head of Competitive Houses
Head of Year 7
When the lessons end at 4pm, I have something on most evenings, either revision sessions for exam groups or meetings, and I also supervise a gym club once a week.
In between this, I’m busy teaching and enjoying supporting Year 7.
What have been your highlights and the milestones you have reached?
Ashville is such a great community and it’s the range of experiences I’ve had with pupils and staff that I’ve really enjoyed whether they be House events, trips, playing staff football and cricket, speech day, or our Christmas service at Ripon Cathedral. I’m also about to go on the trip to Iceland which I’m really excited about.
What are the top skills young people need to acquire today?
I think all the classic skills still stand; resilience, hard work, good communication, and forward-thinking, but I think more than anything young people today need to be adaptable. The labour market is obviously drastically different to when I left school almost 25 years ago, but the rate of this change seems to have accelerated phenomenally recently, and with advances in AI I’d say this is only going to continue. Pupils need to be globally aware of how our lives are changing and be prepared to develop the new skills they need to navigate this. This is why Ashville’s Future Ready Programme is an excellent asset to the school.
What makes an inspirational teacher?
I’ve always been inspired by those teachers who are genuinely passionate and enthusiastic about what they teach. They immediately draw you in and keep you hooked through their crafted storytelling, realworld applications, or the posing of challenging questions. While I was a Year 11 form tutor, I attended the Upper School academic assemblies in which teachers deliver an assembly on their subject simply for the love of learning and broadening our knowledge and understanding. I really enjoyed having the chance to watch these as a pupil rather than a teacher and being inspired all over again!
How do you relax in the school holidays and at weekends?
I have two children who keep me busy but generally I enjoy being outdoors. We enjoy getting out for walks, finding things in nature and generally getting muddy! I really enjoy gardening, so I’m looking forward to the warmer weather and being able to spend more time doing this. Apart from that I enjoy most sports. This is mostly limited to spectating these days, but I’m a bit of a fair-weather cyclist too!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself that we don’t know!
I used to be a Police Officer!
OUT AND ABOUT
Year 11 and Year 13 Trip to Leeds Art Gallery
Year 11 and Year 13 Art pupils recently enjoyed an inspiring and enriching visit to the Henry Moore Institute and Leeds City Art Gallery. The trip was carefully arranged to support pupils in gathering invaluable research and first-hand experience for their exam themes, ‘Found’ and ‘Origin’.
The day began at the Henry Moore Institute, where pupils explored the groundbreaking exhibition ‘Beyond the Visual’. This is the UK’s first major sculpture exhibition in which blind and partially sighted practitioners are central to both the curatorial process and the majority of the exhibiting artists. The exhibition challenged traditional expectations of how sculpture is experienced and encouraged pupils to think beyond purely visual responses to art.
Pupils were fortunate to receive a guided tour from Emily Binks, Engagement Curator, who provided thoughtful insight into the exhibition’s themes, processes and artists. A particular highlight for many pupils was the rare opportunity to physically interact with and touch the sculptures, an experience that is seldom possible in gallery settings. This hands-on engagement prompted meaningful discussions around sensory experience, materiality and perception, directly linking to their exam projects.
Following the exhibition, pupils were granted access to the Institute’s extensive library and archive. The librarians kindly sourced a wide range of books, journals and materials tailored specifically to the pupils’ exam themes.
This dedicated research time enabled pupils to deepen their contextual understanding and gather high-quality references to inform their exam preparation.
To conclude the visit to the Institute, pupils participated in a practical group workshop where they constructed their own sculptural responses inspired by the exhibition. This active, creative session allowed them to experiment with ideas and materials, further embedding the concepts explored throughout the morning.
After lunch, the group visited Leeds Art Gallery. This provided a fantastic opportunity for pupils to sketch directly from original artworks, make connections to their own developing projects, and seek fresh inspiration from the diverse collections on display. The visit also included a well-earned stop at the gallery’s iconic café, where pupils enjoyed refreshments and reflected on a highly productive day.
Overall, the trip was an invaluable experience, enriching pupils’ understanding of contemporary sculpture and broadening their approach to their exam themes. The enthusiasm, maturity and engagement shown by both Year 11 and Year 13 pupils made it a thoroughly successful and rewarding visit.
Leeds Art Gallery
Year 3 Trip to Danum Gallery, Library and Museum
Pupils in Year 3 enjoyed a trip to the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum. They started the day by learning about Ancient Greek life and took part in an archaeology workshop. Within the workshop, they looked at various Ancient Greek artefacts. Pupils also examined Ancient Greek coprolites, identifying food from an Ancient Greek diet. In the afternoon, Year 3 explored Ancient Greek plays. They made their own masks and performed a play that the children created inspired by Medusa.
Year 1 Trip to Yorkshire Wildlife Park
As part of our Animal topic, Year 1 children went on a trip to Yorkshire Wildlife Park. We looked closely at the animals and discussed how we could categorise them. The children ended the day with a lesson delivered by one of the zookeepers. They were taught all about animal habitats and how animals can adapt to their environment. The children even had the opportunity to hold some of the animals.
Year 3 Harlow Carr
Year 3 enjoyed a trip to Harlow Carr to learn about how plants grow. They first sorted seeds by the method that they thought they had been transported, either by wind, water, explosion or animals. The children then enjoyed planting their own pea seeds and exploring the gardens.
Year 10 Classics Trip to London
Fourteen Year 10 Classics and Latin pupils went on a trip to the British Museum to view the artefacts from Greece and Rome with a particular emphasis on the Elgin marbles- the sculptures and metopes and freizes from the Parthenon which they study for Classics. The Latin pupils enjoyed seeing artefacts from the Roman ruins, learning all about Roman life and the extent of the Empire. It was great to see so many artefacts that they actually study.
They then went to the Mithrauem Experience in the City - a unique opportunity to stand inside the ruins of a Roman temple. It is a temple that was unearthed back in the 1950s and when Bloomberg wanted to develop their building they agreed to finance its restoration. You can see some of the 14,000 objects they discovered such as a Roman baby’s bottle and sandals. Pupils also got the opportutnity to go down seven metres into the temple ruins where it is dark and very atmospheric with Latin voices and sounds as if you are actually there in Roman times. It was a temple to the god Mithras, a sort of mystery cult worshipped by Roman soldiers far from home.
Literally bringing their lessons to life! It was a lovely day full of learning about the ancient world and pupils really embraced and enjoyed it. Walking through London, pupils spotted the different styles of columns on buildings – they have learnt this in class and was great to see them using their knowledge in the big wide world!
Danum Gallery, Library and Museum
Yorkshire Wildlife Park Harlow Carr
SIX @ ASHVILLE
Six Success Stories
As part of the Academic Pathway of SIX@Ashville a number of Lower Sixth pupils entered the international Future Thought Leaders essay competition. The essay competition acts as part of the broader aim to encourage Sixth Formers nationally to consider the challenges of tomorrow and how to face these. The questions posed to pupils ranged from whether ‘brain fingerprinting’ should be admissible in court to ‘ownership of space’. We are delighted to celebrate that the essays of Harry, Hermione and Sejal have been credited with merits – and have been placed in top 5%, 10% and 20% respectively of all entrants, from the hundreds of international essays that were submitted. All three pupils have now been encouraged to apply for an in person leadership event this summer, where Sixth Form pupils from across the country will discuss key ideas with academic experts.
Congratulations to Harry, Hermione and Sejal in particular, and for all who submitted essays – pushing their thinking and analysis, and battling with key questions that will challenge future generations.
We are thrilled to hear that Layla has been awarded a full scholarship to study Biomedical Sciences at North Carolina Central University. This is an impressive achievement to be selected out of tens of thousands of applicants!
There is certainly lots to celebrate in the Sixth Form, if you would like more information about our academic offerings or the next steps following the Sixth Form please do get in touch: sixthform@ashville.co.uk
A key component of SIX@Ashville is our academic offerings that go beyond the subjects that pupils study, we have a broad array of essay competitions, guest lecturers on the academic pathway and external speakers. Central to our determination to challenge pupils, and for them gain tangible experiences they can use in University and Apprenticeship applications is the EPQ. The Extended Project Qualification allows pupils to research or create an object in any area of interest they hold, and when we say anything, we truly mean this. Some of the offerings this year include research into the Linguistic Implications of War, the Male Gaze throughout Art History, and the Sustainability of the NHS. While the artefact pathways is seeing pupils create a range of objects from unique garments, original pieces of artwork to models of differing wing types on aircrafts.
Ultimately, the EPQ allows pupils to explore an area in detail of their choosing while also gaining the independent skills that universities and employers deem so important. The work is very much pupil led, and the research that pupils undertake, the self-direction and time management skills they develop are so valued by universities and employers alike, many universities even make reduced offers depending on achieving certain grades in the EPQ as it is very similar to the type of work undertaken at university.
Upper Sixth pupils have the majority of their offers and are making their choices, using these to motivate their final push on revision and preparations ahead of the summer. Our Upper Sixth have applied to courses as varied as Chemical Engineering, Architecture, and History alongside Physiotherapy, Business Management and Economics. Pupils already hold offers from UK institutions such as Durham, Warwick, Manchester, Bristol, Exeter and Edinburgh. International destinations include US Colleges such as the highly selective Rice University, as well as the University of Berlin. We also have pupils exploring competitive apprenticeship routes, with one offer already received for the Ernst Young Apprenticeship scheme, for the second year in a row.
LIFE AFTER ASHVILLE
SAM UTLEY
Studying MEng Mechanical With Automotive Engineering at the University of Bath
Sam recently got in touch to let us know how he has been getting on these last few years at University since leaving Ashville in 2021.
I am currently in my final year of studying an MEng in Mechanical with Automotive Engineering. I have been really enjoying the course and my chosen modules, but my main highlight these past two years has been my involvement in Formula Student. I joined Bath’s team (Team Bath Racing Electric, TBRe) in October 2024 as a mechanical design engineer. The team designs, builds and races a small formula-style race car to compete across Europe and is currently the second-best team in the UK. I initially worked on the removeable firewall that separates the driver from the HV battery we make in-house and was responsible for its design, drawing release and manufacture.
This academic year, I have been promoted to Head of Chassis and am now responsible for the team’s carbon fibre monocoque chassis which includes large amounts of material testing, design work and project management. I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and am gaining lots of technical and professional skills that will help me in my graduate life. This extra-curricular activity has been a great way to apply my theoretical knowledge into the real world. The team will be competing at Silverstone and Hockenheim in Germany this summer.
Prior to this (Sept 2023-Oct 2024), I did a 14-month placement at Evolito. This was my first experience in a professional engineering environment, and I really enjoyed working on their electric motors and learnt a lot about how the Aerospace industry works. The main project I was responsible for was developing a bolted joint
calculator and conducing physical testing of bolted joints to validate my tool. This was great fun and allowed me to take ownership of something through design, procurement and assembly that would make a real difference to the company.
Post University, I have accepted a position at Martin-Baker as a Graduate Engineer. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity, and it will be a really cool project to get involved with. They have great facilities just outside of London and look like a great team to be a part of.
None of this would have been possible without the skills and knowledge I gained whilst studying GCSE and A Level Design Technology at Ashville with Mr Hedges and Mr Griffiths. I would like to express my gratitude for their teaching and dedication.
We look forward to welcoming Sam in to speak to pupils soon!
Old Ashvillians who would like to share their story about Life After Ashville can contact oa@ashville.co.uk
©Formula Student Germany media team
WORKSHOPS AND SPEAKERS
Emma Thewlis Broadcast Journalism
With the Football World Cup on the horizon, we were delighted to welcome Jesse Marsch to Ashville as part of our Sixth Form Speaker Programme.
A former manager of Leeds United and current Head Coach of the Canadian Men’s National Soccer Team, Jesse shared insights from an extraordinary journey in elite sport. From playing college football at Princeton University, to 14 seasons with D.C. United and representing the United States men’s national soccer team, his playing career laid the foundations for a coaching pathway that has taken him to the Premier League, the Bundesliga and now to the global stage. Speaking with great authenticity, Jesse reflected on leadership, culture and identity, the extreme highs and lows of elite sport, and the importance of cultivating true ‘bounce-back-ability’.
His thoughtful and engaging message about resilience and purpose resonated strongly with our pupils and staff alike. We are grateful to Jesse for giving his time in such an important year and wish the Canadian team every success this summer.
Old Ashvillian Emma Thewlis came into the College to give an engaging talk to a group of Sixth Formers on the Academic Pathway about her experiences in broadcast journalism, and the state of the media today. Her talk covered issues such as misinformation and disinformation, a career in journalism, as well as regulation of the press and other media outlets. Emma was also frank in discussing her own career, and the path from university to journalism via student radio. Emma’s absorbing style and willingness to answer questions was appreciated by the group, who were keen to quiz her on the realities of working within the media landscape and how she had found her experiences. As with all speakers on the Academic Pathway it was wonderful to put a different voice and perspective in front of pupils, and to challenge their thinking. We’ve also heard from History Lecturers and Entrepreneurs. We thank Emma for her time.
Dr Kersten Hall Professor
In the last week of term we were lucky to have University of Leeds Professor Kersten Hall speak to pupils about East Prussia – an area of land that under modern borders would have been part of Germany, Poland and Russia throughout the 20th century. This offered a gateway into broader discussions of geo-politics, as well as morality during war through individual stories of fascinating individuals such as Lev Kopelev. As always Dr Hall brought his engaging and enthusiastic speaking style which pupils on the Academic Pathway enjoyed.
Business enthusiasts across the Lower Sixth joined our regular attendees on the Academic Pathway to hear about, Old Ashvillian, Ian Brown’s varied career in business – discussing the range of start-ups he has had, including his experiences as a boarder here at Ashville itself. Ian’s principle business interests lay in his work with biodegradable plastics. Ian was happy to take questions from pupils about the realities of business start-ups, and the key skills required for success in a rapidly changing world.
This term has seen the successful launch of our Academic Pathway as part of SIX@Ashville – we have seen a range of speakers across the term. We are always keen to hear from those across the OA and school community. If you are keen to speak to pupils as part of either our Academic Lecture series or Speakers Programme in the Sixth Form please contact: sixthform@ashville.co.uk
Jesse Marsch Leadership in Sport
Jesse Marsch
Ian Brown Entrepreneur
COMPETITIONS
Entering regional and national school competitions offers a wealth of benefits that go far beyond winning a trophy or a certificate. It is an excellent way to extend learning outside the curriculum and the classroom.
Battle of the Books - Winners
Two teams of four pupils in Year 9 and Year 10 attended the popular Battle of the Books competition at St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate. This annual event celebrates the literary talents of pupils from various schools, and we are incredibly proud of how brilliantly our pupils represented us. Our Year 9 team achieved outstanding success, bringing home the prestigious Michael Rosen Trophy! Congratulations to Olivia, Bryony, Emma and Finlay on this fantastic achievement.
UK Mathematics Trust Challenges
Ashville placed fourth in a recent regional mathematics competition, our best ever placing. Four of our most talented mathematicians recently represented Ashville at the Year 8 and 9 Team Maths Challenge, set by the UK Mathematics Trust, in Leeds. Daisy, Oscar, Orla and Tim prepared hard for the event by practising past questions and working together to solve increasingly difficult problems under the guidance of Mr Brookes.
Our intrepid problem-solvers competed against teams from across the region, aimed at developing their teamwork and communication skills (as well as answering a huge number of maths questions). Rounds included a cross-number (a crossword but with digits rather than letters) and a relay race; some teams even changed into trainers for this one!
Trip leader and Head of Mathematics, Mr Brookes, said, “Daisy, Oscar, Orla and Tim were exceptional. They were a great team supporting and challenging each other to be the very best. They tackled every round with determination and good humour; their fourth place was well deserved. They were excellent ambassadors of Ashville College; it was an immense
privilege to spend the day with them and to celebrate in their success.”
Earlier this term, 65 of our top mathematicians from Years 9, 10 and 11 took part in the UK Mathematics Trust Intermediate Mathematical Challenge and achieved our best results on record.
Eight pupils achieved Gold certificates, placing them in the top 10% of competitors nationally, and seven of these scored highly enough to qualify for the next round of the competition. The Pink and Grey Kangaroo rounds take place soon and we wish our pupils the very best of luck.
Alongside these top scorers, 15 pupils achieved Silver certificates and 19 pupils achieved Bronze certificates, which is a fantastic result. Excellent problem-solving skills and resilience were shown by all participants. We are incredibly proud of all the pupils who took part, and these results reflect their dedication as well as the support of our Mathematics department.
DT Rotary Club Competition - Winners
Sixteen pupils from Years 9, 10 and 12 took part in the annual Rotary Club Technology Tournament at St. Aidan’s Church of England High School. They were competing against other schools from the North Yorkshire area. The challenge the pupils faced involved designing and making a bridge that included an opening mechanism to enable tall ships to pass. Marks were awarded for the performance of the device as well as for the quality of the pupil design portfolios.
We are delighted to report that our Year 9 team of Rosie, Natasha, Oscar and Rand came first place for their age category, producing the best practical and portfolio pieces.
The Year 12 team of Allison, Curtis, James and Henry came second overall in the Advanced age category. The two Year 10 teams produced some ambitious ideas but luck wasn’t on their side on this occasion.
FUTURE READY
Driver Safety Workshop
The session was delivered to Year 12 pupils by Police Officers and the content was based around the ‘fatal four’ causation factors - speed, drink/drug driving, mobile phones and seatbelts, as well as other issues such as inexperience and passenger responsibility. The session also covered the safe and appropriate use of new technologies in vehicles, advice on driving safely in adverse weather, and general safety advice appropriate to the rural context of Harrogate. The Police Officers discussed the legal responsibilties on drivers and riders, as well as their own story of policing the roads, attending collision scences and acting as family liaison officers.
Now that many of our Year 13 pupils have passed their test and are driving independently, it is important for them to consider the steps they can take to keep themselves and other road users safe through regular maintenance of their car. A mechanic from Kwik Fit brought in a car for a practical demonstration.
Healthcare Workshop
Year 13 pupils covered basic First Aid, CPR and an Epipen demonstration. The session also covered practicalities such as how to register with a GP at university.
Personal Safety Workshop
The personal safety session gave our Year 12 pupils the confidence and knowledge to make danger-avoiding decisions, often before trouble occurs. The session focused on three steps: Detection, Defusing and Deference. The session supported pupils in developing the skills and strategies to stay safe.
Financial
In this term, Year 9 and Year 13 have taken part in a Financial Awareness Workshops.
Year 9 pupils have been exploring the topics of understanding payslips and taxation, and how this will apply to them in the future.
Year 13 pupils had the opportunity to think about managing their finances in the future. The session covered interest rates, tips for saving money, understanding bank statements and taxation.
Pupils also learned vital lessons for entering the world of work, such as the information their payslip will give them, and the various working patterns and forms of employment that might be available to them. They also considered the impact of their next steps on their financial situation.
Car Maintenance Workshop
Awareness Workshops
Careers Fair
The annual Future Ready Careers Fair took place during this term. With 39 stands representing a wide range of business sectors, creative industries, higher education providers and public sector careers, the afternoon was a great success.
Year 7, Upper School and Sixth Form pupils had the opportunity to meet and speak with representatives from a range of UK universities and employers, including law firms, engineering companies, medical providers, and services such as the police and armed forces.
Many pupils took the opportunity to begin exploring potential career pathways and university destinations. They also gained invaluable advice to guide their next steps, both within school and beyond Ashville.
Year 8 Careers Event
Thank you to the Lower School parents who came in to speak to Year 8 about their careers. We had a chiropractor, scuba diver, GP, solicitor, surgeon and physiotherapist. We also heard about what it is like to work in advertising, engineering, manufacturing and investment management.
Year 12 Business Studies pupils benefited from an interactive leadership workshop delivered by Glion and Les Roches, two worldrenowned institutions in hospitality and business education. Pupils learnt about the importance of communication and leadership skills. After completing the Lego Leadership task, everyone reflected upon their own interpersonal skills, alongside their ability to work in a team and respond to pressure.
Career Appointments
We believe that all our pupils should carefully consider whether they should go to university, or whether they would like to investigate alternative routes such as degree apprenticeships or employment, or setting up their own business. To help pupils explore next steps they can now book a 1:1 career appointment.
Les Roches and Glion Leadership Workshop
SPORT
Basketball
This season has been excellent for our basketball teams. The U18 boys finished with an impressive 11 wins and 2 losses. This success earned them 3rd place in the league. We would like to give special mention to Anthony, Ebube, Matthew, Kuzi and captain Jaden whose dedication and leadership over the past six years have been a huge part of team success.
Hockey
The Boys’ Hockey season has been a tremendous success across all age groups. The U12A team has demonstrated clear progress and secured notable victories. The U12B team has been equally impressive, reflecting the depth of talent within the year group. Barnaby deserves special recognition for his outstanding contributions throughout the season.
The U13 team has been nothing short of phenomenal, losing just one match all season. Arthur has been superb, while Louis provided strength and reliability in defence. In goal, George and Rigo have both performed admirably. Further up the pitch, Henry and Griffin have led the attack with great effectiveness.
The U14 and U15 teams have also enjoyed excellent seasons, particularly within the 11-a-side format, where their progress has been clear. The U14s have added to Ashville’s proud record by reaching the regional finals once again, while the U15s produced a standout performance in keeping Scarborough College quiet, with Sandy proving to be an excellent addition to the squad.
At Senior level, the commitment and enthusiam of players has been clear with several players stepping confidently into new roles and responsibilities.
U18 Basketball Team
U15 Boys’ Hockey Team
Netball
It has been a fantastic season of Netball at Ashville. The U12 team is undefeated in their Saturday fixtures and the B team has also made significant progress. The A team finished the season on a high taking the Harrogate and Craven Area title, while the B team came third in their area tournament.
The U13 girls has shown great commitment to training and fixtures and, as a result, they have made fantastic progress this season.
The U14A team has been outstanding - reaching the semi-finals of the Sisters In Sport Trophy and competing in the county round. The U14B team has also shown steady improvement, earning a couple of well-deserved wins along the way.
Despite a challenging season, the U15 teams have shown outstanding effort and determination. We are incredibly proud of each and every player for their tireless performances.
The Senior Netball teams have had a productive and enjoyable season. With a full Wednesday programme, the First Team have had some very competitive fixtures. They have been a pleasure to work with and led wonderfully by Orla and Sienna. The Second VII have had a fantastic season. Under the outstanding leadership of Daisy, who received Opposition Player of the Match title four times this season. We have lost girls to injury and also to promotion to the 1st team, well done Sadie!
As our Year 13 girls leave us, we would like to thank them for their commitment to Netball at Ashville and wish them much success in the future. In particular we thank Olivia who was rewarded with a Player of the Match double header at her last matches.
Rugby 7s
Ashville Rugby 7s 2026 has been fantastic with all year groups contributing.
The U12 boys proved their worth at the Woodhouse Grove Festival with some close encounters in the first two rounds to then go up against a talented Sedbergh team -narrowly losing 2 tries to 1. Big performances from Hugh and Barnaby and exciting times ahead for the Year 7 boys.
The U13 boys also attended the Woodhouse Grove 7s Festival and came up against some tough opposition. They toiled away in the group stages playing 7 games in quick succession. Rugby 7s is unforgiving, but there were some gallant efforts from Louis, Frank, Arthur and Henry. A cameo substitution - William bagged a brace of tries in the final game against GSAL.
Our U15 boys travelled to the Durham Schools 7s Festival and faced some tough opposition. Liam and Walter were the standouts but it was a tough day unable to find a win.
Senior boys went to the Rosslyn Park 7s Festival. Felix and Ben showed true leadership skills, and physicality came from Arran, Dillon and Luke.
Player of the 7s season goes to Felix for his sheer determination that sets him apart.
Football
In Football, the boys and girls have both had good seasons. Although fixtures were affected by the weather they have made excellent progress.
The Senior boys progressed to the last 16 of the ISFA shield. The Senior girls lost narrowly on penalties to QE after leading for long periods of the game and after a wonder strike from Esmay. In respective friendlies they have both been excellent. Our Year 11 boys got through to the semi final of the Area Cup losing to St Aidan’s 5-2. Both our Under 12 Boys and Under 13 girls reached the semi finals of the Area Cup.
Individually the biggest honour fell to Luke who represented England Independent Schools and has also been signed by Bradford City Academy.
Rosslyn Park 7s
SPORTS COLOURS
Congratulations to the following pupils who have been awarded Colours for Sport:
Junior Basketball and Football Colours
Gabriel
Junior Basketball, Hockey and Football Colours
Ben
Junior Hockey Colours
Joshua, Griffin and Rigo
Junior Hockey and Football Colours
Arthur, George and Charlie
Junior Hockey, Football and Rugby Colours
Henry
Junior Hockey and Rugby Colours
Louis
Junior Netball Colours
Kate, Flo, Sophie and Eleanor
Junior Football Colours
James and Leo
Inter Basketball Colours
Matthew, Trevor, Ollie and Mac
Inter Hockey Colours
Zach
Inter Hockey and Football Colours
Will
Inter Hockey and Rugby Colours
Aaron
Inter Rugby Colours
Archie, Jake and Ben
Inter Rugby and Football Colours
Pharis
Inter Netball Colours
Molly, Amelia, Lily and Tilly
Inter Netball and Football Colours
Alexa and Grace
Inter Football Colours
Harry, Miguel, Esmay and Lydia
Senior Basketball Colours
Jaden
Senior Hockey Colours
Matthew and Connor
Senior Hockey and Football Colours
Harry and Ollie
Senior Hockey and Rugby Colours
Luke and Ben
Senior Rugby and Football Colours
Aaron
Senior Netball Colours
Katie and Ava
Senior Football Colours
Ollie, Josh, Lennon, Johnnie, Zack,
Tobias, Alex, Olivia, Lucy and Grace
ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE SCHOOL
Cheerleading
Sisters Allison in Lower 6 and Kaylie in Year 10 competed at Jamfest Northern Jam in Blackpool. This major two-day event featured some of the top All-Star Cheerleading programs in the UK.
Both girls competed on three teams each, performing a total of six times against very strong competition over the two days.
Ice Hockey
Samuel in Year 6 has been working hard in ice hockey while playing with the Leeds Junior Knights. He helped his team achieve victory, scoring his first-ever goal in a hard-fought game against Hull. He was recognised as the game MVP for the Leeds Junior Knights and we are so proud of his dedication, teamwork and love for the sport!
Rugby
Congratulations to George, Henry and Hugh and their team - (Leodiensian) Leos Under 13s who competed in the Under 13 Yorkshire Cup (Bowl) final V Beverley. This is the culmination of various matches starting back in September.
It was a nail biting game with lots of supporters but all the boys showed so much spirit, determination and grit. After being down at half time by three tries they pulled it back in an outstanding second half to draw the match 30 all!
We are very proud of them for their outstanding performance. George also won Player of the Match for his tackling and having to move to scrum half when there was an injury, Henry scored two unbelievable tries and Hugh was outstanding in attack and tackling.
Pupils who would like to share their story about Achievements Outside School can contact sharemystory@ashville.co.uk
Samuel
Kaylie and Allison
Hugh, George and Henry