Mar 29, 2022 | Ackworth School, Old Scholar
Our AOS London event turned into a charming evening as a group of Old Scholars came together to reminisce and reconnect. Taking place on a Wednesday in the heart of Fleet Street at Daly’s Wine Bar.
Joined by leaving years ranging from 1954 to 1978. It didn’t take long for a sense of Ackworth School community to be relit as stories of old times began to unveil.
All those who attended said how happy they were to see Ackworth School in London for its first AOS event, and we were happy to see them too. Thank you for coming and we look forward to seeing you at future events!
If you would like to attend an Ackworth Old Scholar event, please click here to keep up to date!
Mar 25, 2022 | Ackworth School
Images which bring the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine into stark focus probably more than we have ever seen before, flashed across our screens through social media and many other communication streams. These images continue daily; for pupils in our school these are images of home, they are not just’ news ‘, they are a lived reality. Our pupils from both Ukraine and Russia have come together to support each other, recognising the shared reality of what their families are facing. Their compassion for each other in the face of such adversity is a strength we are all very proud of.
What could we do as a community – how could we make a difference? We had to do something. We spoke in the Meeting House and pupils were given a presentation in form time to help raise awareness. The response has been amazing. Pupils were asked to consider what they could do in simple terms. To start the process, we had a non- uniform day – on such days we usually raise about £400-500. We raised just over £2000 – how amazing – thank you. We said this would be just the start and it is. Pupils were asked to think about what they could do without to raise donations – their response has been wonderful.
Our community was anxious for everyone to realise that the efforts to support Ukraine would not be a ‘one off’. We realised that this was an emerging and critical need which would require ongoing support. The pupils in school have met and discussed lots of ideas to help maintain a focus.
Currently we have a group who are taking over the ‘Nostell Park Run’ on the morning of Saturday 26th March. Pupils and staff will come together to marshal the course dressed in yellow and blue with buckets to collect donations; yellow and blue ribbon twists have been made again to offer for donations.
We are following up on our Peace Circle by asking pupils to write messages of peace and hope on ribbon twists of yellow and blue which will be hung in our Peace Garden; we will ask for small donations for each ribbon twist. We know every little bit counts and will make a difference.
Our community efforts have been amazing; day on day, bags and boxes of every kind of donation have arrived in school. As each load has been moved, another donation arrives. The community spirit coming together to make a difference has been wonderful. The thought which has gone into some of these has led to many tears being shed.
Next week 3rd form pupils in school are taking responsibility for craft work which has been created to be sold for donations; a range of small items will be available.
Next term we have a concert planned and other events which will be ongoing as our community continues to show how much we all care.
Having packed the third van and extra cars with all the items which have been donated, pupils waved the drivers off as the much needed items went first to Huddersfield to then be taken by the army to Poland. Thank you to the efforts of Rana, Danny, Mark, and Brian for making the delivery process a reality! Additionally, thank you to the Parents Staff Association for the continued efforts and organisational skills in handling all the donations.
Finally, we have periods of silence in school which allow for reflection, an important part of the Quaker Ethos. Pupils and adults know that they can speak at any point within the silence if they wish to share their thoughts or feelings.
At the end of our first week back in school which was about 10 days since the invasion:
One of our pupils stood up in the midst of silence in our Meeting House and spoke from their heart about what was happening in Ukraine. This personal, eloquent moment will never be forgotten by those that were present. Over 300 pupils from the age of 11-19 heard these words and felt the reality of what was happening in the lives of Ukrainian people. As teachers we could only admire the courage and fortitude of this individual. Words made more powerful by the voice that spoke.
Lynda Barker
Mar 11, 2022 | Ackworth School
Tickets for Ackworth School’s annual Summer Ball are now on sale.
Feb 23, 2022 | Ackworth School, Old Scholar
AOS Balpriya Kaur (AOS 10-15)
During February the school had a visit from Old Scholar Balpriya Kaur. Priya (23) met her partner, Lakh, at university in Manchester. Now engaged to marry, Priya got back in touch with Ackworth. She couldn’t think of a better place to have their pre-wedding photo shoot.
Priya left Ackworth School Sixth Form in 2015, where she studied Law LLB (Hons) and LPC LLM masters. She is now a Legal Solutions Specialist. We asked Priya how her time at Ackworth School had moulded her enthusiasm for success.
“My experience at Ackworth shaped me into a responsible and driven individual. After I left Ackworth I had a drive to succeed in the field of law.
I carry values of care, respect, and value for people of all backgrounds and cultures. Ackworth demonstrated to me the value of peace. I learnt the value of silence and how this allows us to reflect and align our thoughts.”
Priya continues to work hard and intends to study further to become a fully qualified lawyer. We would like to wish Priya and Lakh all the happiness for their wedding in May. We wish them well for the start of their lives together.
Want to visit the school as an Old Scholar? Email our Alumni department at Alumni@ackworthschool.com or call us on 01977 233 623.
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.
Dec 10, 2021 | Ackworth School
The Autumn 2021 of Ackworth Today has landed in schools bags and online.
In this issue, we look to the future with our Coram House Global Commmittee. We hear from our boarders about their experiences returning to school or joining us for the first time. Visiting Friend, Zephyrine Babarachild visits the school to speak to children about Quakerism and answers pupils’ questions. And we welcome a world-famous musician to school to inspire a new generation of artists – and table tennis players!
Read the issue below.
