The News 17 January 2025
School News
St Aidan's
St DO's
St Bede's
St CT's
St John's
St Margaret's
St EW's
St Hugh's
Update from the Headmaster
Dear Parents,
What a busy week it has been since I last wrote to you! We had a successful Y10 Parents' weekend where I was delighted to hear from so many parents how well they felt our teachers knew their daughters and sons. Our students enjoyed being able to see teachers with their parents and I feel that this is helpful in building up a united approach with everyone looking for positive ways forward together. On Monday evening I thoroughly enjoyed the warm atmosphere at the St Aidan's House Punch. We celebrated Mass with Fr Philip and then enjoyed a lovely supper. There were great speeches from Lily, Agnes and Calypso and I enjoyed being able to speak so positively about the girls, Mrs Dent and her House team in my first House Punch as Headmaster. Our Upper 6th students enjoyed a talk from criminologist and poet Dr Ella Simpson on the theme of English prisons and teaching creative writing to prisoners. Such experiences are an important part of our well-rounded education and the questions our students asked were most impressive.
Update from the Headmaster
We wish our Year 11 students the best of luck as they begin their trial examinations on Monday. I spoke in assembly about this week showing gratitude in our lives even when things are tough; I had the Year 11s in mind. Not many students enjoy examinations but they should know that they have the support of all our teachers and their tutors. They will have a year group retreat after their examinations where they will come together as a year group in reflection.
With regards to academics, Helen Pepper, our new Deputy Head Academic: Benedictine Scholarship has hit the ground running in her excellent work on teaching and learning and leadership of academic Heads of Department. Please do read her message in today's weekly update.
Many staff who join Ampleforth provide long-service; our longest serving member of staff has almost 50 years of service! Staff celebrating service milestones this year feature later in the newsletter.
Update from the Headmaster
Our sporting year has begun successfully with four strong victories in netball last weekend (the weather made other fixtures impossible) and a very close (and loud!) inter-House swimming gala on Sunday. Our boys are desperate to play their first hockey fixture this weekend. We wish them, our netballers, and our cross-country runners the best of luck.We have many families joining us this weekend for an assessment day for their children to join us in Year 9 2026. We also have an Open Morning coming up on 1st February - please do advertise to any families you know who may be interested. Best wishes,
Jon
Open Morning 1st Feb
Long Service Milestones
Ampleforth staff celebrate long service milestones at a January tea party. • Paula Stringer – 30 Years • Carol Lupton – 48 Years • Paul Nixon – 30 Years • Jackie Wilson – 10 Years • Sarah Smith – 10 Years Amazingly, Carol is not quite our longest serving staff member. That title goes to Viv Almond who has 49 years service this year. What an impressive achievement!
J. S. Bach's St John Passion
Book tickets now
The Shoot
Sports Successes - Netball
Our U15 A & B girls had impressive wins against The Mount
Inter- House Swimming - Girls
Inter- House Swimming - Boys
Warming Up!
As the snow has melted and the valley has seen an increase in temperature, so to has the heat begun to increase around college. Next week sees the Year Eleven boys begin their GCSE trial assessments, a big step towards the summer. Year 13 have resits, BTEC modules along with waiting to hear from University places, so it is no surprise that the year now feels like it is in full swing.
The Year 10 Parents weekend was a roaring success and I was delighted with the quality of feedback and the support that is being given to the boys. It was also wonderful to see so many parents, your support and kindness is appreciated.
Outdoor sports may have suffered due to the weather but we were still able to hold the Inter-House swimming competition on Sunday, resulting in another win for house! Completely student led, our team did brilliantly and it was wonderful to see the mutual support between the boys.
This coming weekend should see fixtures, shooting, House basketball and a busy Social Calendar. Evidence that the term is fully up and running!
Shooting in the Valley
Shooting in the Valley
Shooting in the Valley
Shooting in the Valley
3rd in the country!
Freddie G represented the city of York hockey at the U16 national indoor finals, finishing 3rd overall!
House Swimming Champions (again!)
House Swimming Champions (again!)
House Swimming Champions (again!)
First Team Supper Out
First Team Supper Out
First Team Supper Out
Happy Birthday Felix!
Midweek football!
Winter Nights in the Valley
Pupdate!
Enjoying the "Finest view in England"
House Spirit was on a high this week as girls cheered each other on in the House Swimming Gala, netball matches, squash matches and Strength and Conditioning training in the gym. Anastasia Wu wooed the whole school in her presentation of College news for assembly this week and also joined all year 13s in a riverting lecture on Criminology from Dr Ella Simpson- (Headmaster's lecture programme). Year 11 have been conscientious all week preparing for mocks and have set a good example for younger years. We have started the New Year off embracing the Pope's Jubilee Year of Hope by shifting House focus on to aspirational Benedictine scholarship and academic excellence this year while balancing social and sporting activities to enhance and motivate us. We continue to cultivate friendships across the Houses and look forward to welcoming visiting schools for matches as the term progresses. Kindest regards, Charmaine
Everything is magic in the Shoot Team with Ophelia there!!
- Bede's academic weapons smashing it again this week!
- In Biology and Geography here!
Embracing the outdoors, fun and free!
Bedes girls giving it their all in the house swimming tournament!
On this weeks menu...
Bedes girls loving the netball term! Thank you Mrs Edgar!
Senior Bedes Netballers leading the way!
Keep training, girls!
- Bede's Girls making Staff Happy again!
Magical Memories of Last term....
..keeping us warm in the cold dark January days
Bedes girls: united in faith, strong in spirit!
Keep up to date with House events on:
Message from Mrs Dent
It's been a week of 'togetherness' and the perfect start to a new term as a house, kicking off on Sunday with an unexpected victory for the seniors and house overall in the Interhouse Swimming Competition. Some last minute heroic entries and the famous Aidan's House spirit made for a set of extremely close and gripping races and saw St Aidan's come home with the trophy. On Monday we held our annual House Punch - an opportunity for Year 13 to invite a special guest by way of saying thank you and also for the whole house to celebrate our community life together. Topped off with superb speeches from Head of House Lily and Deputies Calypso and Agnes, it was a truly special evening.
Ceri Dent, Housemistress St Aidan's House
House Punch
House Punch
House Punch
House Punch
Interhouse Swimming
Interhouse Swimming
A reminder that if you'd like to keep up with the goings on of the House and girls, then do find us on social media. Please do also feel free to drop me a line with news or pictures of interesting or note-worthy things the girls have been up to in the holidays. It's always nice to share their experience more widely on these pages to celebrate the many gifts and achievements of the girls.
Message from the Housemaster
Dear Parents and Guardians, With Year 11 GCSE Mocks around the corner, the Remove boys have been revising with great purpose to get on top of their work. Life here at the College is busy, so it is commendable that they are being so positive about the lead-in to their examinations. As the snow (and ice) thaws, sport is back on the menu here. The Inter-House swimming was brilliant, Golf was on, the Ampleforth Shoot was held and Football at St Peter's for a six-a-side competitiong was well-received by the boys this week. We all look forward to a full weekend of Hockey, Cross Country and Football against Pocklington and Giggleswick. We are pleased with the changes to the prep routine; the boys are working industriously and the Year 9s and 10s are enjoying a full half-an-hour of reading. For what it's worth, I'm reading The Bee Sting by Paul Murray which is a great novel. Until next time, stay warm and see you soon in the Valley. Dan Housemaster, St Hugh's House
Reading lunch
St John's Boys
Inter - House Swimming
St John's Boys
The Shoot
Message from the Housemaster
This week, DO's was successful in yet another sport, after winning the Inter House Swimming Competition on Sunday. As we don't want to be seen as greedy, we are sharing the first spot with CT's. In house, we have been cooking (and eating) a lot and trying new recipes. It was nice to see so many parents at the year 10 parents' conference last week. Well done to Ollie who was performing in the concert.
Year 10 parents' conference
Year 10 parents' conference
Ollie with his brand new saxophone
Year 10 parents' conference
Well done, all of them!
Saturday afternoon
A beautiful day for the shoot
Saturday afternoon
Saturday afternoon
Antonius, patiently waiting.
Saturday afternoon
Success!
Saturday afternoon
Well done, all of them!
Swimming Gala
Cold, wet and foggy, but the boys are in good spirit!
Swimming Gala
Last instructions given to Henry, our first swimmer.
Swimming Gala
Ready, steady, go!
Swimming Gala
Henry in action!
Swimming Gala
Nolan swimming to first place in the Senior category.
Swimming Gala
Finbar as our opening swimmer in the 4 x 50m relay.
Swimming Gala
Elliot, cool as a cucumber, before winning his 50m back crawl with ease.
Swimming Gala
Great support by all the boys!
Swimming Gala
Freddie holding his own in a race against year 11s!
Food, glorious food
On Saturday, Paddy cooked a delicious pheasant breast curry.
Food, glorious food
Sunday night is Deli Night.
Food, glorious food
Cheesy nachos and Currywurst.
Food, glorious food
Wednesday first break, Hot Dogs with onions and Sauerkraut
Food, glorious food
Philipp, Hugo and Alois are living proof that Germans can form an orderly cue!
Food, glorious food
Late Wednesday afternoon, a Thai Chicken Curry was awaiting the hungry boys after their last lesson.
Food, glorious food
Ollie certainly approves!
Food, glorious food
Thursday afternoon, home made quiches and mini pizzas with creamy tomato soup.
Last but not least
On Monday evening, the School Council met to discuss topics such as school dress, breakfast issues, mobile phone use, female hygene products in public toilets, prep and council representation.
Year 10 Recital
Netball v The Mount
Netball v The Mount
Inter House Swimming
Birthdays this week!
Happy Birthday to Alice and Olympe!!!
Junior House Newsletter 17/1/25
See what our Junior House has been up to this week...
Start!
Message from the Housemaster
Dear Parents and Guardians, I hope you're all having a wonderful week.It's hard to believe that the snowy days are behind us already! However, the change in weather hasn't dampened the spirits of our fantastic junior house. The children have returned to school life with tremendous enthusiasm, and it's been a joy to see them so engaged in all our activities.From helping out with breakfast in the mornings to our exciting games night with pizzas on Saturday, there's been a real buzz around the house. It was also heartening to see so many children taking the time to write letters after mass – a lovely way to connect with family and friends.A big thank you to all the staff for their hard work in making these activities happen, and of course, a huge well done to the children for their wonderful participation. Let's keep this positive energy going! Warmly, Mike Slingsby Head of Junior House
Start!
Next
Chaplaincy
This week in Chaplaincy, we explored the life and teachings of St. Aelred of Rievaulx, a 12th-century Cistercian monk known for his writings on spiritual friendship. We discussed how Aelred saw friendship as a deep and sacred bond, a gift from God that reflects His own love for us. We reflected on the qualities of good friendships – loyalty, trust, and mutual support – and how these relationships can help us grow in faith and character.
Next
Tutor Focus
Miss Leggett It's been wonderful to see everyone back in action this term! There's been a real buzz in tutor group, with a fantastic focus on organisation and ensuring everyone is well-equipped for their lessons. This positive attitude has set a brilliant tone for the weeks ahead. This week's Star of the Week goes to Ellie! Ellie has consistently demonstrated a fantastic attitude across all areas of school life. Her dedication and enthusiasm were particularly evident in both her netball performance and her contribution to Junior Schola. Well done, Ellie! Keep up the great work, everyone!
Next
Activities
Thursday
Saturday
Activities
Cinema Club -Despicable Me 4
Games Night
Tuesday
"A child's happiness is measured not in possessions, but in the richness of their experiences and the joy of their activities."
Next
Squash Club
Next
Baking Club
Saturday
Wednesday nights are getting sweeter thanks to Baking Club with Miss Leggett! This week, our young bakers created delicious rocky road and classic chocolate chip cookies. The kitchen was filled with wonderful smells and happy bakers. Stay tuned for more baking adventures!
Games Night
Tuesday
Squash Club
Next
The News 17 Jan
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Transcript
The News 17 January 2025
School News
St Aidan's
St DO's
St Bede's
St CT's
St John's
St Margaret's
St EW's
St Hugh's
Update from the Headmaster
Dear Parents, What a busy week it has been since I last wrote to you! We had a successful Y10 Parents' weekend where I was delighted to hear from so many parents how well they felt our teachers knew their daughters and sons. Our students enjoyed being able to see teachers with their parents and I feel that this is helpful in building up a united approach with everyone looking for positive ways forward together. On Monday evening I thoroughly enjoyed the warm atmosphere at the St Aidan's House Punch. We celebrated Mass with Fr Philip and then enjoyed a lovely supper. There were great speeches from Lily, Agnes and Calypso and I enjoyed being able to speak so positively about the girls, Mrs Dent and her House team in my first House Punch as Headmaster. Our Upper 6th students enjoyed a talk from criminologist and poet Dr Ella Simpson on the theme of English prisons and teaching creative writing to prisoners. Such experiences are an important part of our well-rounded education and the questions our students asked were most impressive.
Update from the Headmaster
We wish our Year 11 students the best of luck as they begin their trial examinations on Monday. I spoke in assembly about this week showing gratitude in our lives even when things are tough; I had the Year 11s in mind. Not many students enjoy examinations but they should know that they have the support of all our teachers and their tutors. They will have a year group retreat after their examinations where they will come together as a year group in reflection. With regards to academics, Helen Pepper, our new Deputy Head Academic: Benedictine Scholarship has hit the ground running in her excellent work on teaching and learning and leadership of academic Heads of Department. Please do read her message in today's weekly update. Many staff who join Ampleforth provide long-service; our longest serving member of staff has almost 50 years of service! Staff celebrating service milestones this year feature later in the newsletter.
Update from the Headmaster
Our sporting year has begun successfully with four strong victories in netball last weekend (the weather made other fixtures impossible) and a very close (and loud!) inter-House swimming gala on Sunday. Our boys are desperate to play their first hockey fixture this weekend. We wish them, our netballers, and our cross-country runners the best of luck.We have many families joining us this weekend for an assessment day for their children to join us in Year 9 2026. We also have an Open Morning coming up on 1st February - please do advertise to any families you know who may be interested. Best wishes, Jon
Open Morning 1st Feb
Long Service Milestones
Ampleforth staff celebrate long service milestones at a January tea party. • Paula Stringer – 30 Years • Carol Lupton – 48 Years • Paul Nixon – 30 Years • Jackie Wilson – 10 Years • Sarah Smith – 10 Years Amazingly, Carol is not quite our longest serving staff member. That title goes to Viv Almond who has 49 years service this year. What an impressive achievement!
J. S. Bach's St John Passion
Book tickets now
The Shoot
Sports Successes - Netball
Our U15 A & B girls had impressive wins against The Mount
Inter- House Swimming - Girls
Inter- House Swimming - Boys
Warming Up!
As the snow has melted and the valley has seen an increase in temperature, so to has the heat begun to increase around college. Next week sees the Year Eleven boys begin their GCSE trial assessments, a big step towards the summer. Year 13 have resits, BTEC modules along with waiting to hear from University places, so it is no surprise that the year now feels like it is in full swing. The Year 10 Parents weekend was a roaring success and I was delighted with the quality of feedback and the support that is being given to the boys. It was also wonderful to see so many parents, your support and kindness is appreciated. Outdoor sports may have suffered due to the weather but we were still able to hold the Inter-House swimming competition on Sunday, resulting in another win for house! Completely student led, our team did brilliantly and it was wonderful to see the mutual support between the boys. This coming weekend should see fixtures, shooting, House basketball and a busy Social Calendar. Evidence that the term is fully up and running!
Shooting in the Valley
Shooting in the Valley
Shooting in the Valley
Shooting in the Valley
3rd in the country!
Freddie G represented the city of York hockey at the U16 national indoor finals, finishing 3rd overall!
House Swimming Champions (again!)
House Swimming Champions (again!)
House Swimming Champions (again!)
First Team Supper Out
First Team Supper Out
First Team Supper Out
Happy Birthday Felix!
Midweek football!
Winter Nights in the Valley
Pupdate!
Enjoying the "Finest view in England"
House Spirit was on a high this week as girls cheered each other on in the House Swimming Gala, netball matches, squash matches and Strength and Conditioning training in the gym. Anastasia Wu wooed the whole school in her presentation of College news for assembly this week and also joined all year 13s in a riverting lecture on Criminology from Dr Ella Simpson- (Headmaster's lecture programme). Year 11 have been conscientious all week preparing for mocks and have set a good example for younger years. We have started the New Year off embracing the Pope's Jubilee Year of Hope by shifting House focus on to aspirational Benedictine scholarship and academic excellence this year while balancing social and sporting activities to enhance and motivate us. We continue to cultivate friendships across the Houses and look forward to welcoming visiting schools for matches as the term progresses. Kindest regards, Charmaine
Everything is magic in the Shoot Team with Ophelia there!!
- Bede's academic weapons smashing it again this week!
- In Biology and Geography here!
Embracing the outdoors, fun and free!
Bedes girls giving it their all in the house swimming tournament!
On this weeks menu...
Bedes girls loving the netball term! Thank you Mrs Edgar!
Senior Bedes Netballers leading the way!
Keep training, girls!
- Bede's Girls making Staff Happy again!
Magical Memories of Last term....
..keeping us warm in the cold dark January days
Bedes girls: united in faith, strong in spirit!
Keep up to date with House events on:
Message from Mrs Dent
It's been a week of 'togetherness' and the perfect start to a new term as a house, kicking off on Sunday with an unexpected victory for the seniors and house overall in the Interhouse Swimming Competition. Some last minute heroic entries and the famous Aidan's House spirit made for a set of extremely close and gripping races and saw St Aidan's come home with the trophy. On Monday we held our annual House Punch - an opportunity for Year 13 to invite a special guest by way of saying thank you and also for the whole house to celebrate our community life together. Topped off with superb speeches from Head of House Lily and Deputies Calypso and Agnes, it was a truly special evening.
Ceri Dent, Housemistress St Aidan's House
House Punch
House Punch
House Punch
House Punch
Interhouse Swimming
Interhouse Swimming
A reminder that if you'd like to keep up with the goings on of the House and girls, then do find us on social media. Please do also feel free to drop me a line with news or pictures of interesting or note-worthy things the girls have been up to in the holidays. It's always nice to share their experience more widely on these pages to celebrate the many gifts and achievements of the girls.
Message from the Housemaster
Dear Parents and Guardians, With Year 11 GCSE Mocks around the corner, the Remove boys have been revising with great purpose to get on top of their work. Life here at the College is busy, so it is commendable that they are being so positive about the lead-in to their examinations. As the snow (and ice) thaws, sport is back on the menu here. The Inter-House swimming was brilliant, Golf was on, the Ampleforth Shoot was held and Football at St Peter's for a six-a-side competitiong was well-received by the boys this week. We all look forward to a full weekend of Hockey, Cross Country and Football against Pocklington and Giggleswick. We are pleased with the changes to the prep routine; the boys are working industriously and the Year 9s and 10s are enjoying a full half-an-hour of reading. For what it's worth, I'm reading The Bee Sting by Paul Murray which is a great novel. Until next time, stay warm and see you soon in the Valley. Dan Housemaster, St Hugh's House
Reading lunch
St John's Boys
Inter - House Swimming
St John's Boys
The Shoot
Message from the Housemaster
This week, DO's was successful in yet another sport, after winning the Inter House Swimming Competition on Sunday. As we don't want to be seen as greedy, we are sharing the first spot with CT's. In house, we have been cooking (and eating) a lot and trying new recipes. It was nice to see so many parents at the year 10 parents' conference last week. Well done to Ollie who was performing in the concert.
Year 10 parents' conference
Year 10 parents' conference
Ollie with his brand new saxophone
Year 10 parents' conference
Well done, all of them!
Saturday afternoon
A beautiful day for the shoot
Saturday afternoon
Saturday afternoon
Antonius, patiently waiting.
Saturday afternoon
Success!
Saturday afternoon
Well done, all of them!
Swimming Gala
Cold, wet and foggy, but the boys are in good spirit!
Swimming Gala
Last instructions given to Henry, our first swimmer.
Swimming Gala
Ready, steady, go!
Swimming Gala
Henry in action!
Swimming Gala
Nolan swimming to first place in the Senior category.
Swimming Gala
Finbar as our opening swimmer in the 4 x 50m relay.
Swimming Gala
Elliot, cool as a cucumber, before winning his 50m back crawl with ease.
Swimming Gala
Great support by all the boys!
Swimming Gala
Freddie holding his own in a race against year 11s!
Food, glorious food
On Saturday, Paddy cooked a delicious pheasant breast curry.
Food, glorious food
Sunday night is Deli Night.
Food, glorious food
Cheesy nachos and Currywurst.
Food, glorious food
Wednesday first break, Hot Dogs with onions and Sauerkraut
Food, glorious food
Philipp, Hugo and Alois are living proof that Germans can form an orderly cue!
Food, glorious food
Late Wednesday afternoon, a Thai Chicken Curry was awaiting the hungry boys after their last lesson.
Food, glorious food
Ollie certainly approves!
Food, glorious food
Thursday afternoon, home made quiches and mini pizzas with creamy tomato soup.
Last but not least
On Monday evening, the School Council met to discuss topics such as school dress, breakfast issues, mobile phone use, female hygene products in public toilets, prep and council representation.
Year 10 Recital
Netball v The Mount
Netball v The Mount
Inter House Swimming
Birthdays this week!
Happy Birthday to Alice and Olympe!!!
Junior House Newsletter 17/1/25
See what our Junior House has been up to this week...
Start!
Message from the Housemaster
Dear Parents and Guardians, I hope you're all having a wonderful week.It's hard to believe that the snowy days are behind us already! However, the change in weather hasn't dampened the spirits of our fantastic junior house. The children have returned to school life with tremendous enthusiasm, and it's been a joy to see them so engaged in all our activities.From helping out with breakfast in the mornings to our exciting games night with pizzas on Saturday, there's been a real buzz around the house. It was also heartening to see so many children taking the time to write letters after mass – a lovely way to connect with family and friends.A big thank you to all the staff for their hard work in making these activities happen, and of course, a huge well done to the children for their wonderful participation. Let's keep this positive energy going! Warmly, Mike Slingsby Head of Junior House
Start!
Next
Chaplaincy
This week in Chaplaincy, we explored the life and teachings of St. Aelred of Rievaulx, a 12th-century Cistercian monk known for his writings on spiritual friendship. We discussed how Aelred saw friendship as a deep and sacred bond, a gift from God that reflects His own love for us. We reflected on the qualities of good friendships – loyalty, trust, and mutual support – and how these relationships can help us grow in faith and character.
Next
Tutor Focus
Miss Leggett It's been wonderful to see everyone back in action this term! There's been a real buzz in tutor group, with a fantastic focus on organisation and ensuring everyone is well-equipped for their lessons. This positive attitude has set a brilliant tone for the weeks ahead. This week's Star of the Week goes to Ellie! Ellie has consistently demonstrated a fantastic attitude across all areas of school life. Her dedication and enthusiasm were particularly evident in both her netball performance and her contribution to Junior Schola. Well done, Ellie! Keep up the great work, everyone!
Next
Activities
Thursday
Saturday
Activities
Cinema Club -Despicable Me 4
Games Night
Tuesday
"A child's happiness is measured not in possessions, but in the richness of their experiences and the joy of their activities."
Next
Squash Club
Next
Baking Club
Saturday
Wednesday nights are getting sweeter thanks to Baking Club with Miss Leggett! This week, our young bakers created delicious rocky road and classic chocolate chip cookies. The kitchen was filled with wonderful smells and happy bakers. Stay tuned for more baking adventures!
Games Night
Tuesday
Squash Club
Next