Pre-Prep Nativity
As always the Pre-Prep nativity proved to be one of the highlights of the year. Every child from Nursery to PP2 took part with PP1 acting as the narrators and PP2 playing the various parts in the nativity story. This year the production was entitled ‘Angel Express’ and was told through the eyes of a paper boy. Joseph Horn made an excellent paper boy introducing the audience to each part of the story. Our lovely angels conducted by Gus Living learnt a song to sing for the baby Jesus and we enjoyed their fabulous acting as they transformed from terrible to terrific singing angels. In traditional style we also had Joseph played by Thomas Barker, Mary played by Xenia Nettleton as well as Shepherds, Kings and Innkeepers. All of the children did a marvellous job singing beautifully and speaking in lovely clear voices. Special thanks to Mrs Majewski and Mrs Feeley for designing and making the scenery and to all the Pre-Prep ladies who work so hard to put on a great production.
Astroturf handover
Last Monday was a big day for Mrs Walkland: after years of planning and pestering, her dream of an AstroTurf on Cundall grounds became a reality. Just 10 weeks after the start of work on the site, the contractors effectively handed over responsibility of the pristine pitch to the Games Department. After a quick photocall, (Mrs Walkland’s and the players’ eagerness to get going hastening the formalities!) Mrs Walkland blew the whistle for the start of the first ever game on the carpeted pitch. It was an emotional moment for Mrs Walkland, and a very exciting one for the players who certainly seemed in their element.
GCSE Certificate presentation evening
We were delighted to welcome so many of last year’s Thornton pupils back into school last Thursday evening for an evening of celebration and presentation of their hard earned GCSE certificates. The Library buzzed as former pupils and their parents caught up with one another and brought their old GCSE teachers up to date with the latest news of their A level studies and Sixth Form adventures.
House Singing
What a diversity of themes we had in this year’s Christmas House Singing competition. First on stage were Stuarts whose unique take on the highly popular and ‘of the moment’ song ‘Let it Go’ from the Disney film Frozen included a stunning performance from Charlie Wild in a rather fetching ice blue satin full length frock! The Tudors managed to follow that very successfully, with an uplifting song that brought a flavour of both South America and the Mediterranean to the gym. We were treated to sombreros, flamenco dresses and even a rather frisky young bull! The Normans took a more traditional approach with a lovely rendition of the Drummer Boy song, with the added ‘aw’ factor of a full nativity scene performed by the youngest members of the house. Last to perform were Saxons who, like Tudors, brought a bit of sunshine into the gym with a song that combined summertime wishes with festive costumes. Judging this year was in the hands of our peri music teachers Mr Simpson and Mr Ball who, following the traditional criteria of musicality, costume and fun, deemed the winners to be Tudors! Well done everyone, especially Tudors, for treating us to such an entertaining and humorous house singing competition. (You can catch the highlights of their performances on our school YouTube Channel)
Boarders’ Christmas trip
The Boarding House celebrated the end of term this weekend with a trip to the Winter Wonderland at York. After a successful shopping trip the Boarders took to the ice, exhibiting a few priceless moments as they struggled to stay upright on the ice! This was followed by a welcome hot chocolate and a snack and rounded off with a few rides on the fun fair. Mr Coates and Mrs Conway would like to wish all of the Boarders and their families a very happy Christmas and look forward to welcoming them back in the New Year.
Chamber Choir sing with Easingwold Singers
Last Saturday the Chamber Choir joined local choral society the Easingwold Singers for a festive concert of seasonal music in Easingwold Methodist Church. It was a great opportunity for the chamber choir to practise singing with an adult choir ahead of the carol service on Monday evening, and the Easingwold Singers were very impressed by the high standard of their singing. Special mention must go to Francesca Banks and Sarah Sullivan, who performed their solos beautifully. Some of the choir were even lucky enough to win some chocolate in the Christmas raffle!
Carol Service Ripon Cathedral
On Monday evening, the whole school came together with family and friends at Ripon Cathedral for the annual service of carols and readings. This is always a very special occasion, made more so this year by the superb singing of the Chamber Choir and wonderful performances by Francesca Banks, whose solo of Once in Royal David’s City filled the cathedral; Sarah Sullivan for an assured duet with singing teacher Paula Dunford, and Alannah Creed, soloist in the choir’s rendition of ‘Torches’. Thank you also to all parents and staff who sang alongside the Chamber Choir; the sound really was magnificent.
Christmas lunch
Thank you to Sylvia, April and all of the Catering Staff for once again treating us to the most spectacular Christmas lunch at the end of last term. The team do a phenomenal job providing a full, varied and healthy menu every day of the school term, and their Christmas offering always surpasses expectation.
Cundall Clay Shoot
It was a chilly but beautifully clear day that greeted the guns and guests at the Cundall Clay Shoot last Sunday. Hosted by Mr and Mrs Bell (parents of former pupils Chloe and Toby) at Breckenbrough, the shoot attracted teams and individual shooters from all over the county. With U16 and U18 team classes (for both schools and other groups) as well as individual classes, competition across the five stands was fierce. The day also offered a wonderful opportunity for novice shooters to receive expert caching from BASC coaches as well. And no doubt everyone relished the wonderfully warming stew laid on by Mr and Mrs Bell and their team at the end of a successful, albeit chilly day! All the proceeds from the Clay Shoot go towards the Upper School Summer Expedition, this year to Canada, so a huge thank you to everyone who supported the event. Thank you too, to Mr and Mrs Bell for organising and hosting the event, and to Kevin and Mandy Tonks for offering the coaching services throughout the day. The winners in the various classes are as follows: Best U16 Team Pocklington School Edward Wraith, Jack Nutt, Jimmy Wraith, Ashley Johnson Best U18 Team Ampleforth Harry Huddleston, Jack Ogden , Roddy Saxby ,Seth Smith Best Open shot team Hunting Crew M Parker, G Cribbs Steve Tate, Kevin Handley Best U16 Individual Jimmy Wraith Best U18 Individual Harry Huddleston 1st Open Individual Kevin Handley Best Lady M Parker Best Cundall Junior Sam Bentley 2nd Cundall Junior Luke Bourne-Arton Best Cundall Father Simon Young 2nd Cundall Father Jonathan Turner
Classics Bake Off
Inspired by the popular TV Show, Mrs Richardson and her Form 6 Classics class organised their own pre-Christmas Bake-Off with a very unique twist: A Classics Cake-Off! Not only did the pupils devise the format of the competition, they designed posters and chose a charity to whom the proceeds would go. On the last Tuesday of term, the freshly baked and magnificently decorated cake creations were assembled ready for judging by Mrs Kirby (as Head and Baker Extraordinaire) and Miss Stroud (as a Form 6 tutor). With two key criteria – taste and design – the overall winner was Henry Calvert with Medusa themed chocolate cake. His prize was a WHSmith voucher. Later in the day the pupils cut up the cakes and sold them off in the carpark outside Upper School and also at the school disco. Not only was the event highly enjoyable, it raised a superb £74.42 for Shelter. Well done and thank you to everyone who supported the event.