Feb 15, 2022 | Ackworth School, Old Scholar
Dr. Dorothy Gertrude Walker Robbins, 100, of Wolfville died peacefully on October 15, 2021. The youngest daughter of Frank Walker and Gertrude Andrews, both of whom came to Canada from North Yorkshire, England, she spent her early years happily at Ackworth School at the age of 12 where she stayed to complete her high school education. Her parents and sisters had attended Ackworth, where her grandfather, Frederick Andrews, was and still is known as the longest standing headmaster. She loved her years there and felt they were responsible for equipping her for the direction she chose in her life.
Independent, outgoing, hardworking, determined, fun-loving, generous, and stubborn at times, Dorothy wanted to be remembered as someone who “maybe made a difference”. Her family, friends, colleagues, and students can certainly attest that she did! Dorothy remained in touch with Ackworth School where she attended virtual events during the pandemic.
Dorothy was our last direct contact with Frederick Andrews. Read more about our Ackworth Old Scholar community by clicking here.
Feb 10, 2022 | Old Scholar
Back in November 2021, Ackworth Old Scholars came together for the first Old Scholar Reunion in the Middle East. There had been plans in place for this to happen sooner, however the pandemic have prevented the opportunity to connect face to face.
Old Scholars Saad Ansari and Julie Lewis attended the event. They were met by Ackworth School representative, Tom Shennan-Barker (Director of Marketing and Admissions)
Julie remembered her time at Ackworth School, “41 years ago, I graduated from Ackworth School and I was very proud to be Head Girl in my final year 1979 – 1980. I am absolutely delighted to be here in Dubai at the Ackworth Old Scholars reunion reminiscing of the joys and the pleasures, sometimes the challenges and the pain of being at a boarding school from 11 years young to 18 years old. I am super excited to go back in July 2022 for the Open Day”.
The Ackworth Old Scholar event in Dubai has been a great experience for OS to reconnect with the school, sharing fond memories. These AOS events are also an opportunity to forge new connections overseas.
Both Julie and Saad recounted their unique experiences of boarding life and how they differed, being over 20 years apart in their time at the school.
Tom Shennan-Barker said, “It was wonderful to connect with our Old Scholars in Dubai and enable them to connect with each other. We know that there are Old Scholars all around the world who are eager to rekindle connections with old classmates and forge new ones with other former pupils. These events are a great way to do just that.”
If you would like to come to our Ackworth Old Scholar events, visit our Ackworth Old Scholars events page!
Oct 5, 2021 | Ackworth School
Sunday 3 October was World Quaker Day and this week we celebrate Quaker Outreach Week. Ackworth was founded as a Quaker school in 1779, to educate Quaker children ‘not in affluence’. Much has changed since then but we still state in our aims that Quaker values underpin the school. At the heart of the Quaker faith is the statement in the first Advice:
Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts. Trust them as the leadings of God whose Light shows us our darkness and brings us to new life.
Hence the emphasis on silence which still shapes our day at Ackworth and which is such a feature of the school, giving as it does a reflective feel to our daily lives. Having listened, a Quaker tries, however imperfectly, to translate faith into practice. This year’s theme is Hope and Resilience – so what did our pupils have to say about what Quakerism means to them and how it has helped or affected them over the last 24 months…
- Quaker beliefs and values allow you to connect with other people who may also be going through their own personal challenges. Quakerism gives you the ability to bring people together in friendship for the mutual benefit of all. Climate crisis’ need a collective response. That single solidarity can be found when people are brought together equally, something found in Quakerism. (Rhys)
- The world has been in a severe pit of crisis (due to COVID-19) for almost two years and as a result we have all endured an immense struggle. Quakerism may be perceived as more than a religion, it is a community that highlights core values which are beneficial for positive human interaction. One Quaker ritual that people may be able to draw strength from is meeting for worship -period of silence. Silence presents vital opportunities for reflection, stimulating many parts of the brain, which encourages awareness and gratitude of the now and present moment. This will enables the ability to focus on the positives of the situation as opposed to the negatives linked to the time of crisis. I attend Ackworth School, a Quaker boarding school, which has a motto of ‘Non Sibi Sed Omnibus’, meaning – not for one self but for all. This values the process of working together in a small community, in order to benefit the larger community. This approach embodies the simplicity and sustainability values of Quakers. Even if we don’t believe our small change will be impactive upon global warming or other global climate change, one small step made by a smaller population will in turn help the greater picture in the future. (Emily)
- Quakerism helps me to clear my mind to be able to perceive the truth and help me enlighten my outlook on my peers and allows us me to connect even through trying times like COVID-19. (Matthew)
- The Quaker faith allows you to draw strength in many different ways. In a time of crisis, living in truth provides clarity and simplicity to your life and allows you to reflect on what is important. The silences that are carried out throughout the day, allows me to reflect and learn more about the community and gain perspective about the world around me. Quakerism also helps me deal with the climate crisis as it allows me to be educated on the resources that I am using and the sustainability of the products being used in everyday life. By being mindful about the worlds natural resources and learning how to live a simple and sustainable life, allows you to help fight against the climate crisis in an informed and effective way. (Abrielle)
- Quakers are kind and peaceful followers of their practices and through every action, the thread of equity and empathy is evident. As we approach a global warming crisis, it is important that we all accept responsibility in improving the state of our Earth as we all live here together. Quakerism is against the blame culture of who initiated the potential crisis, instead it focuses on the positive impact each individual can have on recovering from global warming. The motto of Ackworth school – non sibi sed omnibus, not for oneself but for everyone is a reminder of the impact and importance of selflessness and it’s powers. (Harriet)
Feb 11, 2019 | Ackworth School
On Sunday I played tennis with Miss Robson. At the start it was a bit more challenging because I had not played since during the Christmas Holidays but once I got the rhythm it was excellent. I love playing tennis! by Elena Ferreres
Feb 5, 2019 | Ackworth School
Our visiting Dutch students had great fun making mozzarella and tomato tarts with our year 7-12s.
