During the Easter holidays, pupils at Pocklington School had a variety of co-curricular trips to choose from, including skiing in the Italian Alps, building resilience on the CCF residential and honing their cricket ability in Malta. There was something for everyone!
Lower School pupils travelled to Sestriere, a renowned resort in Italy that forms part of the 400km of groomed and well-maintained slopes in the Vialattea ski area. They enjoyed a very successful week’s skiing, staying at Hotel Villagio Olimpico, which was used to host athletes during the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. Under the close supervision of instructors and Pocklington School teachers, the pupils enjoyed five hours of ski lessons each day. The group learnt to respect the terrain and gained experience skiing in different weather conditions from sunny weather to windy temperatures of minus seven degrees at the top of the mountain.
Patrick Dare, Pocklington School modern languages teacher, was impressed by how well the pupils progressed through the week saying: "Seeing the advanced group searching for every possible jump, groups 2 and 3 improving their turns and ability to stop safely, and the beginners group going from zero to hero made it all worth while!"
Patrick concluded: “The pupils were fantastic; the accompanying teachers would like to thank them for their excellent behaviour and engagement with the trip. We look forward to another trip next year.”
Meanwhile, the annual CCF Adventurous Training expedition took place in Yorkshire. Forty-one cadets from Fourth Year to Upper Sixth enjoyed a fantastic sun-bathed but chilly four days, staying in the QE Barracks in Strensall near York.
The activities included bouldering, mountain biking, orienteering, ghyll scrambling, via ferrata, zip line, axe throwing, archery and an escape room. The training took place across different locations including Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire Water Park and the How Stean Gorge.
Pocklington School CCF Contingent Commander, Sam Hughes, reflected on the experience saying: “Both staff and cadets threw themselves into everything and I particularly enjoyed watching our cadets pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and challenging themselves like never before. The teamwork and resilience they demonstrated were remarkable. That is what the CCF is all about."
In contrast, the Senior Cricket team left the unseasonably poor English weather behind them and were bound for Malta to enjoy their preseason tour. The team played three games against senior teams from Marsa. Once the Pocklington squad got into their stride, they came away with their first win of the season.
Not only did the trip provide excellent cricketing opportunities, but it also allowed the team the chance to participate in some team building activities, including the customary ‘goose chase’ where the pupils were given challenges and competed against each other in teams to earn points. The team of four Upper Sixth students stole the show with an emphatic win over the remainder of the group!
David Byas, Director of Sport at Pocklington School commented: “All the pupils gained valuable time ‘in the middle’ and one can only hope that we get the weather in the UK for them to be able to display their skills. The trip was a great success.”
All in all, Pocklington School’s co-curricular trips during the Easter break offered a variety of activities for pupils to develop existing skills or perhaps be bold and try something new. Sounds like they all had a lot of fun!