The News 3 October 2025
College
St Bede's
St DO's
St Aidan's
St CT's
Junior House
St John's
St Hugh's
St Margaret's
Message from the Headmaster
I very much enjoyed the theatrical pieces, musical solos and House songs at the St Aidan's and St John's recital at lunchtime today - a lovely array of talents on offer, much of which was breathtakingly good.
Some of our Geography and Biology examination pupils have been braving the elements on a residential field trip to Blencathra in the Lake District, mixing the panoramic views with expert tuition.
This weekend we celebrate 150 years of the Ampleforth Society - please do keep an eye out for all of the excellent activities which are taking place - in particularly the brilliant mentoring of our Sixth Form students by members of the Society.
Finally, I hope you all keep safe in storm Amy.
Best wishes,
Jon
Geography Field Trip to Blencathra
Our Year 11 Geographers headed out to Glenderaterra Beck near Blencathra for GCSE fieldwork. Their task? To investigate how the river’s velocity changes downstream. After a challenging hike up the rolling hills, students rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into wading through the water to gather data. A brilliant mix of hard work, hands-on learning and plenty of muddy boots!
Essay Excellence!
We are delighted to share the achievements of two students whose essays have received national recognition in highly competitive competitions. Arabella (10M) won second prize in the Catholic Young Writers Award 2025 with her essay explaining why Christians believe Jesus is more than a moral teacher. She will attend a special event at Farm Street, London later this half term, where she will hear from Baroness Hollins. Chloe (12M), has also excelled, becoming a finalist in the prestigious John Locke Essay Prize with her essay on the question “Is atheism implausible?” Chloe will travel to London to find out if she has won the prize on Saturday. Both competitions drew large numbers of entries, making these achievements outstanding. We are immensely proud of Chloe and Arabella for their intellectual curiosity and academic excellence.
The Ampleforth College Chaplaincy is now on Instagram!
St Aidans's and St John's Recitals
The Main Hall came alive on Friday with two more of our House Recitals. St Aidan’s and St John’s filled the room with song, from Lily (12A) and William’s (13J) beautiful solos to full house renditions of Firework by Katy Perry and Love Me Again by John Newman. It was a lively lunchtime in central building for all to hear.
Paras' 10 Run
Last Saturday, Alex (12DO) took part in the Paras '10 run. This is one of the most demanding exercises the army has to offer. Running through challenging terrain in combat boots and with a 16kg rucksack on the back, is not for the faint hearted. Alex struggled but completed the run coming 4th in his age group. Alex commented: "This has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life". Alex showed true resilience at the Paras 10, completing the gruelling 10-mile course in just over 2 hours and finishing 3rd in the under 19 category. Despite painful blisters, he never gave up, and he is already setting his sights on training for next year. Well done, Alex!
Before
After
Message from Mrs Dent
The girls have been rehearsing hard all week for this lunchtime's House Recital - a shared event with St John's House. This has involved early morning and post evening prayers rehearsals, lead by our house monitors, with thanks to Mr Pallister, who has provided his valued direction either end of the day. The recital was made up of a solo performance by Lily, a monologue by Miranda and capped off with a whole-house rendition of Katy Perry's 'Firework'. The recital has served as a warm-up for the main event of the Inter-house Music Competition which falls on the final afternoon of this half term. The girls did themselves proud, making a beautuful sound and approaching the recital with great professionalism. GCSE Geography and Biology A level students have spent the last 3 days at the Blencathra Field Studies Council centre, no doubt getting a bit wet and muddy, but gaining an experience of field work that it is impossible to emulate in the classroom. We're looking forward to welcoming them back later today and hearing all about their learning and adventures. Sixth Form students are looking forward to a weekend of enrichment linked the Ampleforth Society 150 weekend, with attendance at lectures this evening and round table mentor sessions for Year 12 tomorrow. We're looking forward to showing some OA St Aidan's members arount the house too. Ceri Dent, Housemistress St Aidan's House
Snapshots from the week - Hockey
There was great play against the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle on Saturday
Rebecca for the 1st XI, Flora for the 2nd XI and Emma and Willow for the U15s
Snapshots from the week
It was lovely for Year 9 to be invited to St Bede's on Sunday evening for an informal catch up and games
Snapshots from the week- Debating Society
Huge congratulations go to Coco for putting herself up for the first Debating Society Debate of the term. The motion: This house believes that vaccinations should be optional. With Jasmine chairing the debate, it was a good night out for St Aidan's.
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 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.
Dear Parents, What another full and exciting week it has been! I’m learning that is the norm.
This week our girls had Biology, Geography, and Art field Trips where learning is taken beyond the classroom, giving our students the chance to explore, discover, and create in inspiring new settings.
The school hosted our Year 13 Parents’ Retreat and Parents Day, which was a real highlight of the weekend. Whether online or in person, it was a joy to connect, share, and strengthen our sense of community. With most of our Year 13 girls away on the Saturday evening, the Year 12s had the Windmill all to themselves, and we were so proud of their excellent behaviour throughout the evening.
At home, the weekends were buzzing with activity. Year 9 had a brilliant Bingo Night on Saturday, followed by a Games Night on Sunday, both filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of treats. These evenings gave the girls a wonderful chance to bond and relax together. Last weekend we enjoyed our brand-new Games Room for the first time. The girls had a great time playing table tennis, a few lively rounds of UNO, and making friendship bracelets together. This coming weekend, we’ll be extending the fun with even more activities, including board games and drawing, alongside their favourites from last week.
The house itself has felt lively and welcoming. Our Tuck Shop has been restocked with delicious new snacks, while the kitchen filled with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked cupcakes—made by our girls. It was to a very professional standard and Matron turning the old fashioned sausage rolls into a gourmet treat that made the whole house smell irresistible.
Looking ahead, this Friday some of our Hockey girls will get the opportunity to take part in Friday Night Live—a wonderful opportunity to enjoy hockey under floodlights at neutral venues. We are also especially proud that our Under 14 Team got through the county finals — what a fantastic achievement! They are now through to the next round - Yorkshire & North East. In addition, many of our Year 13’s are beginning their journeys to open learning events at Universities. This is such an exciting time for them, and we are delighted to see them embracing these opportunities with curiosity and confidence.
Together, these moments reflect the heart of our community: connection, celebration, growth, and joy. Annette Du Randt St Bede's Housemistress
Our U14's through to the next round
Our Girls relaxing in House
Year 9's with their friends from other Houses
Breakfast time in the common room
Baking in House
Our lovely Matron Lori
Views from the House at 6.30am
Some of the changes to our House
Tuck Shop time
Games Room
Rather cold in the library...
Upcoming Events in the House
Ampleforth Society 150th Anniversary WeekendHouse Retreat begins 6pm Wednesday 15th October and all day Thursday 16th October Inter-House Baking - Sunday 19th October House Singing - Wednesday 22nd October Half Term. Departure Wednesday 22nd October from 5pm - ensure forms are completed. Link can be found in the weekly information email.
Keep up to date:
Instagram
Facebook
St Bede's House, Ampleforth College
@stbedeshouseampleforth
Back in the swing...
As the nights close in, the work and pressure increases in school. The boys have adapted to their timetables, activities and co-curricular timetable and this half term is now very much about making the most of the opportunities that this brings.
Rugby season is now fully underway and it is great to see many of the boys involved from U14 right up to 1st XV. I am sure the boys learn much about working as a team in house that they can take into team sports and elsewhere around school.
This weekend we welcome hundreds of guests to the valley to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Ampleforth Society. A strong reminder of the strength of community that is built here at Ampleforth and that starts in houses.
We will have the usual raft of social events, lectures, activities and more to look forward to this weekend. I hope this newsletter gives you a bit of a feel of the last week that has been!
I look forward, as always, to seeing many of you in the coming weeks.
Saturday Socials
Saturday Socials
Saturday Socials
Y13 Parent Concert
Happy Birthday Charles
Happy Birthday Charles!
No Words...
New BBQ
New Coffee Machine
1st XV Rugby
Debate - Well done Daniyal & Benedict
Message from the Housemaster
It was so lovely to see all of our Year 13 parents at the weekend. Rebecca and I very much enjoyed our dinner in the Horse, thank you so much. It makes me quite sad to think this was the last time. On Saturday, it was all victories in Rugby, however some of the boys are still nursing their injuries. We have also started rehearsing for the House Music Competition later this month and are preparing for our house retreat.
Paras '10
Last Saturday, Alex (Year 12) took part in the Para '10 run.This is one of the most demanding exercises the army has to offer. Running through challenging terrain in combat boots and with a 16kg rucksack on the back, is not for the faint hearted. Alex struggled but completed the run coming 4th in his age group. Alex commented: "This has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life".
Paras '10
Paras '10
This is Alex after the run. Poor chap!
Year 13 Recital
Ambrose as part of the Ampleforth pipe band
Year 13 Recital
Double trouble Teddy and Jonty performing Last Request by Paolo Nutini.
Sporting Success
Well done our DO's boys in the first and second XV, as well as our U15 and U14s
Sporting Success
Poor Ambrose was off Games due to an injury sustained during the previous match.
Sporting Success
Richard is unstoppable
Sporting Success
Literally!
Sporting Success
And so is Cassius
Sporting Success
Sporting Success
Benny with a very good offload (is that the term?)
Sporting Success
Charles had one of his best matches.
Sporting Success
The second team (here featuring Javier, Hector and Oscar) won convincingly.
Sporting Success
A proud Teddy sporting the 1st XV tie after getting his first cap.
Sporting Success
7 of our boys made it onto the team of the week sheet.Well done, especially Juanito!
Sunday Mass
Jonty, Bart, Freddie, Juan and Freddie did their bit during mass.
Sunday Night is Deli Night
Sunday Night is Deli Night
Sunday Night is Deli Night
House Council
Our first house council meeting of the new year got under way on Monday.
(Un)voluntary work
Bart, Freddie and Gus doing some much needed gardening.
Last but not least
Joshua and Nolan working hard in the library.
Last but not least
Our boys in the Sixth Form are looking forward to celebrating Oktoberfest in the Study tonight. A feast of Sauerkraut, Wiener sausages, Frikadellen, Bretzel and Spatenbraeu (original Oktoberfest-lager) is awaiting them, plus some accordion accompanied Oktoberfest ditties.
Last but not least #2
Did you know? The chair in the library which is reserved for the chair(wo)man of the debating club was the first chair the Mouseman Robert Thompson ever made.At the time, he had not started to use his carved mouse as a trademark.
Red sky in the morning was indeed a shepherd's warning...!
A message from Mr Viesel
The week at Hugh's started with much of the house crowding into the study to celebrate a Ryder Cup win and, the following morning, glorious sunshine; but it has ended with rather a lot of rain and quite a few boys feeling quite literally under the weather.
Nevertheless, there have been lots of opportunities to enjoy our communal life together. We celebrated House Mass together on Thursday afternoon on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels and Father Ambrose invited us all to reflect on the significance of the prayers that we say in Chapel every morning and evening (you must ask him about his great-grandfather's notebook from the War!). There were matches on Wednesday, a birthday to celebrate on Monday and the second of our Wine & Wisdom meetings saw us discuss the Avignon Papacy.
Hugh's Student Council
On Friday 3 October, the Hugh's Student Council will meet formally for the first time. I am delighted that we have a strong team who will be representing their peers. They are to be congratulated for taking on this responsibility for the year. On the agenda for our first meeting are organising internal House competitions ('deanery' football), improvements to the all-important tuck shop and ideas for the Saturday Socials.
Year 13: Hugo S Year 12: Aliosha P & Digby C Year 11: Seb M Year 10: Harrison Z Year 9: Freddie OB
Rugby
Follow us on social media for updates!
Message from Ms Paterson
Dear Parents, It has been a relatively quiet week in St Margaret’s House — although, looking back, perhaps not so quiet after all! Our Year 11 students enjoyed a wonderful retreat to Fountains Abbey, where the theme was vocation. It was a special time of reflection and sharing, and we were delighted that four members of house staff could be there to support them: their tutor Mrs Lloyd, Miss Mayer, Fr Oswald, and myself. Back at school, Moragh has kept the house running smoothly, offering her trademark balance of treats and nourishment, healthy snacks after sports on Wednesday, followed by cake on Thursday. Always a much appreciated highlight of the week! There have also been plenty of trips taking place: girls visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, as well as taking part in Geography and Biology field trips, ensuring that learning extended well beyond the classroom walls. It was also a real joy for Moragh and I to join Year 13 parents on the Friday night of Parents’ Weekend a wonderful evening, and we had a great time sharing in the occasion together. Finally, in house Mass this week, we celebrated the Feast of the Guardian Angels. A timely reminder of guidance, care, and protection, which feels especially fitting as we reflect on all the journeys our pupils are taking both in and outside of school. Wishing you all a restful weekend, Rebecca
House Recital
Well done to Kalina (Y13) and Laura (Y9) our soloists
House Recital
Girls' Hockey v RGS
Girls' Hockey v RGS
Junior House Newsletter 3/10/25
See what our Junior House has been up to this week...
Start!
Message from the Housemaster
It’s been a whirlwind of excitement and energy in Junior House this week!Saturday night kicked off with a fabulous Girls' Night In—complete with face masks, ice cream, and pizzas. Laughter echoed through the halls as the girls enjoyed some well-deserved pampering. Meanwhile, the boys made the most of the evening with a high-energy session in the sports hall, thanks to Mr Metcalfe’s brilliant organisation. Sunday afternoon saw the Village Hall transformed for a lively Birthday Disco! With music, dancing, and plenty of fun, it was a brilliant way to celebrate and bring everyone together. Our sporting spirit was in full swing with fixtures against St Peter’s and Scarborough, where our pupils had the chance to put their skills into action and showcase their teamwork and determination. Well done to all who took part! Looking ahead, we’re buzzing with excitement for this evening’s Fun Swim, and the weekend promises even more adventure with karaoke and a thrilling round of clay pigeon shooting. Junior House continues to be a place of joy, growth, and unforgettable memories. Here's to another fantastic week ahead! Mr Slingsby
Start!
Next
Back
Subject focus - Science
This week in Year 7 Science, our budding biologists have been diving into the fascinating world of cells! From microscopes to models, pupils have been exploring the building blocks of life and discovering what makes cells tick. We’ve looked closely at animal and plant cells, identifying key parts like the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, and mitochondria—and even had a go at creating our own cell diagrams and models to bring learning to life. There’s been plenty of curiosity, great questions, and some brilliant teamwork as pupils begin to understand how cells form the foundation of all living things.
Start!
Next
Back
Girls' Night
Junior House was buzzing with energy this week as the girls enjoyed a well-deserved evening of fun, friendship, and fabulous treats. The night kicked off with pizza galore, followed by a round of pampering — face masks, nail painting, and plenty of giggles as everyone embraced the chance to unwind.
Start!
Next
Back
Sport
The boys delivered an excellent performance in rugby against St Peter’s, York — a match that showcased real progress in skill, strategy, and confidence. Their hard work on the training ground is clearly paying off.
Meanwhile, the girls faced a tough Scarborough side and fought with determination throughout. Their resilience and teamwork were commendable, and it was brilliant to see such strong representation on the pitch.
Across the week, it’s been inspiring to see so many students getting involved in sport — whether competing, supporting, or training. The energy and enthusiasm are what make our sporting community so special. Keep it up!
Start!
Next
Back
Chaplaincy and Mass
This week in Chaplaincy, our spiritual focus turned to Lectio Divina — the ancient practice of sacred reading that invites us to slow down, reflect deeply, and listen to God’s voice through Scripture. Students were guided through the four steps: reading (lectio), meditation (meditatio), prayer (oratio), and contemplation (contemplatio), creating a quiet space for personal encounter and reflection. We also celebrated the life and legacy of St Jerome, whose feast day falls on 30th September. Known for his scholarly devotion and translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate), Jerome reminds us of the power of Scripture and the importance of making it accessible to all. His passion for truth and study was a fitting companion to our Lectio Divina reflections. Mass in House this week was a beautiful moment of community and prayer, with students participating in readings and music. It’s always uplifting to see faith lived out so vibrantly across our school.
Start!
Next
Back
Upcoming Events
Saturday U13 A and B Hockey vs Queen Mary's (Away) - 1;30pm Push Back 4.30pm Return Evening Activities Karaoke Night Sunday Clay Pigeon Shooting 3pm (Boarders Only)
Start!
Next
Back
Follow us....
Sports Fixtures Please follow this link to keep up to date with all our fixtures.
Password - Benedictine 1802
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The News 3 October 2025
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Transcript
The News 3 October 2025
College
St Bede's
St DO's
St Aidan's
St CT's
Junior House
St John's
St Hugh's
St Margaret's
Message from the Headmaster
I very much enjoyed the theatrical pieces, musical solos and House songs at the St Aidan's and St John's recital at lunchtime today - a lovely array of talents on offer, much of which was breathtakingly good. Some of our Geography and Biology examination pupils have been braving the elements on a residential field trip to Blencathra in the Lake District, mixing the panoramic views with expert tuition. This weekend we celebrate 150 years of the Ampleforth Society - please do keep an eye out for all of the excellent activities which are taking place - in particularly the brilliant mentoring of our Sixth Form students by members of the Society. Finally, I hope you all keep safe in storm Amy. Best wishes, Jon
Geography Field Trip to Blencathra
Our Year 11 Geographers headed out to Glenderaterra Beck near Blencathra for GCSE fieldwork. Their task? To investigate how the river’s velocity changes downstream. After a challenging hike up the rolling hills, students rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into wading through the water to gather data. A brilliant mix of hard work, hands-on learning and plenty of muddy boots!
Essay Excellence!
We are delighted to share the achievements of two students whose essays have received national recognition in highly competitive competitions. Arabella (10M) won second prize in the Catholic Young Writers Award 2025 with her essay explaining why Christians believe Jesus is more than a moral teacher. She will attend a special event at Farm Street, London later this half term, where she will hear from Baroness Hollins. Chloe (12M), has also excelled, becoming a finalist in the prestigious John Locke Essay Prize with her essay on the question “Is atheism implausible?” Chloe will travel to London to find out if she has won the prize on Saturday. Both competitions drew large numbers of entries, making these achievements outstanding. We are immensely proud of Chloe and Arabella for their intellectual curiosity and academic excellence.
The Ampleforth College Chaplaincy is now on Instagram!
St Aidans's and St John's Recitals
The Main Hall came alive on Friday with two more of our House Recitals. St Aidan’s and St John’s filled the room with song, from Lily (12A) and William’s (13J) beautiful solos to full house renditions of Firework by Katy Perry and Love Me Again by John Newman. It was a lively lunchtime in central building for all to hear.
Paras' 10 Run
Last Saturday, Alex (12DO) took part in the Paras '10 run. This is one of the most demanding exercises the army has to offer. Running through challenging terrain in combat boots and with a 16kg rucksack on the back, is not for the faint hearted. Alex struggled but completed the run coming 4th in his age group. Alex commented: "This has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life". Alex showed true resilience at the Paras 10, completing the gruelling 10-mile course in just over 2 hours and finishing 3rd in the under 19 category. Despite painful blisters, he never gave up, and he is already setting his sights on training for next year. Well done, Alex!
Before
After
Message from Mrs Dent
The girls have been rehearsing hard all week for this lunchtime's House Recital - a shared event with St John's House. This has involved early morning and post evening prayers rehearsals, lead by our house monitors, with thanks to Mr Pallister, who has provided his valued direction either end of the day. The recital was made up of a solo performance by Lily, a monologue by Miranda and capped off with a whole-house rendition of Katy Perry's 'Firework'. The recital has served as a warm-up for the main event of the Inter-house Music Competition which falls on the final afternoon of this half term. The girls did themselves proud, making a beautuful sound and approaching the recital with great professionalism. GCSE Geography and Biology A level students have spent the last 3 days at the Blencathra Field Studies Council centre, no doubt getting a bit wet and muddy, but gaining an experience of field work that it is impossible to emulate in the classroom. We're looking forward to welcoming them back later today and hearing all about their learning and adventures. Sixth Form students are looking forward to a weekend of enrichment linked the Ampleforth Society 150 weekend, with attendance at lectures this evening and round table mentor sessions for Year 12 tomorrow. We're looking forward to showing some OA St Aidan's members arount the house too. Ceri Dent, Housemistress St Aidan's House
Snapshots from the week - Hockey
There was great play against the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle on Saturday
Rebecca for the 1st XI, Flora for the 2nd XI and Emma and Willow for the U15s
Snapshots from the week
It was lovely for Year 9 to be invited to St Bede's on Sunday evening for an informal catch up and games
Snapshots from the week- Debating Society
Huge congratulations go to Coco for putting herself up for the first Debating Society Debate of the term. The motion: This house believes that vaccinations should be optional. With Jasmine chairing the debate, it was a good night out for St Aidan's.
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 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.
Dear Parents, What another full and exciting week it has been! I’m learning that is the norm. This week our girls had Biology, Geography, and Art field Trips where learning is taken beyond the classroom, giving our students the chance to explore, discover, and create in inspiring new settings. The school hosted our Year 13 Parents’ Retreat and Parents Day, which was a real highlight of the weekend. Whether online or in person, it was a joy to connect, share, and strengthen our sense of community. With most of our Year 13 girls away on the Saturday evening, the Year 12s had the Windmill all to themselves, and we were so proud of their excellent behaviour throughout the evening. At home, the weekends were buzzing with activity. Year 9 had a brilliant Bingo Night on Saturday, followed by a Games Night on Sunday, both filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of treats. These evenings gave the girls a wonderful chance to bond and relax together. Last weekend we enjoyed our brand-new Games Room for the first time. The girls had a great time playing table tennis, a few lively rounds of UNO, and making friendship bracelets together. This coming weekend, we’ll be extending the fun with even more activities, including board games and drawing, alongside their favourites from last week. The house itself has felt lively and welcoming. Our Tuck Shop has been restocked with delicious new snacks, while the kitchen filled with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked cupcakes—made by our girls. It was to a very professional standard and Matron turning the old fashioned sausage rolls into a gourmet treat that made the whole house smell irresistible. Looking ahead, this Friday some of our Hockey girls will get the opportunity to take part in Friday Night Live—a wonderful opportunity to enjoy hockey under floodlights at neutral venues. We are also especially proud that our Under 14 Team got through the county finals — what a fantastic achievement! They are now through to the next round - Yorkshire & North East. In addition, many of our Year 13’s are beginning their journeys to open learning events at Universities. This is such an exciting time for them, and we are delighted to see them embracing these opportunities with curiosity and confidence. Together, these moments reflect the heart of our community: connection, celebration, growth, and joy. Annette Du Randt St Bede's Housemistress
Our U14's through to the next round
Our Girls relaxing in House
Year 9's with their friends from other Houses
Breakfast time in the common room
Baking in House
Our lovely Matron Lori
Views from the House at 6.30am
Some of the changes to our House
Tuck Shop time
Games Room
Rather cold in the library...
Upcoming Events in the House
Ampleforth Society 150th Anniversary WeekendHouse Retreat begins 6pm Wednesday 15th October and all day Thursday 16th October Inter-House Baking - Sunday 19th October House Singing - Wednesday 22nd October Half Term. Departure Wednesday 22nd October from 5pm - ensure forms are completed. Link can be found in the weekly information email.
Keep up to date:
Instagram
Facebook
St Bede's House, Ampleforth College
@stbedeshouseampleforth
Back in the swing...
As the nights close in, the work and pressure increases in school. The boys have adapted to their timetables, activities and co-curricular timetable and this half term is now very much about making the most of the opportunities that this brings. Rugby season is now fully underway and it is great to see many of the boys involved from U14 right up to 1st XV. I am sure the boys learn much about working as a team in house that they can take into team sports and elsewhere around school. This weekend we welcome hundreds of guests to the valley to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Ampleforth Society. A strong reminder of the strength of community that is built here at Ampleforth and that starts in houses. We will have the usual raft of social events, lectures, activities and more to look forward to this weekend. I hope this newsletter gives you a bit of a feel of the last week that has been! I look forward, as always, to seeing many of you in the coming weeks.
Saturday Socials
Saturday Socials
Saturday Socials
Y13 Parent Concert
Happy Birthday Charles
Happy Birthday Charles!
No Words...
New BBQ
New Coffee Machine
1st XV Rugby
Debate - Well done Daniyal & Benedict
Message from the Housemaster
It was so lovely to see all of our Year 13 parents at the weekend. Rebecca and I very much enjoyed our dinner in the Horse, thank you so much. It makes me quite sad to think this was the last time. On Saturday, it was all victories in Rugby, however some of the boys are still nursing their injuries. We have also started rehearsing for the House Music Competition later this month and are preparing for our house retreat.
Paras '10
Last Saturday, Alex (Year 12) took part in the Para '10 run.This is one of the most demanding exercises the army has to offer. Running through challenging terrain in combat boots and with a 16kg rucksack on the back, is not for the faint hearted. Alex struggled but completed the run coming 4th in his age group. Alex commented: "This has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life".
Paras '10
Paras '10
This is Alex after the run. Poor chap!
Year 13 Recital
Ambrose as part of the Ampleforth pipe band
Year 13 Recital
Double trouble Teddy and Jonty performing Last Request by Paolo Nutini.
Sporting Success
Well done our DO's boys in the first and second XV, as well as our U15 and U14s
Sporting Success
Poor Ambrose was off Games due to an injury sustained during the previous match.
Sporting Success
Richard is unstoppable
Sporting Success
Literally!
Sporting Success
And so is Cassius
Sporting Success
Sporting Success
Benny with a very good offload (is that the term?)
Sporting Success
Charles had one of his best matches.
Sporting Success
The second team (here featuring Javier, Hector and Oscar) won convincingly.
Sporting Success
A proud Teddy sporting the 1st XV tie after getting his first cap.
Sporting Success
7 of our boys made it onto the team of the week sheet.Well done, especially Juanito!
Sunday Mass
Jonty, Bart, Freddie, Juan and Freddie did their bit during mass.
Sunday Night is Deli Night
Sunday Night is Deli Night
Sunday Night is Deli Night
House Council
Our first house council meeting of the new year got under way on Monday.
(Un)voluntary work
Bart, Freddie and Gus doing some much needed gardening.
Last but not least
Joshua and Nolan working hard in the library.
Last but not least
Our boys in the Sixth Form are looking forward to celebrating Oktoberfest in the Study tonight. A feast of Sauerkraut, Wiener sausages, Frikadellen, Bretzel and Spatenbraeu (original Oktoberfest-lager) is awaiting them, plus some accordion accompanied Oktoberfest ditties.
Last but not least #2
Did you know? The chair in the library which is reserved for the chair(wo)man of the debating club was the first chair the Mouseman Robert Thompson ever made.At the time, he had not started to use his carved mouse as a trademark.
Red sky in the morning was indeed a shepherd's warning...!
A message from Mr Viesel
The week at Hugh's started with much of the house crowding into the study to celebrate a Ryder Cup win and, the following morning, glorious sunshine; but it has ended with rather a lot of rain and quite a few boys feeling quite literally under the weather.
Nevertheless, there have been lots of opportunities to enjoy our communal life together. We celebrated House Mass together on Thursday afternoon on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels and Father Ambrose invited us all to reflect on the significance of the prayers that we say in Chapel every morning and evening (you must ask him about his great-grandfather's notebook from the War!). There were matches on Wednesday, a birthday to celebrate on Monday and the second of our Wine & Wisdom meetings saw us discuss the Avignon Papacy.
Hugh's Student Council
On Friday 3 October, the Hugh's Student Council will meet formally for the first time. I am delighted that we have a strong team who will be representing their peers. They are to be congratulated for taking on this responsibility for the year. On the agenda for our first meeting are organising internal House competitions ('deanery' football), improvements to the all-important tuck shop and ideas for the Saturday Socials.
Year 13: Hugo S Year 12: Aliosha P & Digby C Year 11: Seb M Year 10: Harrison Z Year 9: Freddie OB
Rugby
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Message from Ms Paterson
Dear Parents, It has been a relatively quiet week in St Margaret’s House — although, looking back, perhaps not so quiet after all! Our Year 11 students enjoyed a wonderful retreat to Fountains Abbey, where the theme was vocation. It was a special time of reflection and sharing, and we were delighted that four members of house staff could be there to support them: their tutor Mrs Lloyd, Miss Mayer, Fr Oswald, and myself. Back at school, Moragh has kept the house running smoothly, offering her trademark balance of treats and nourishment, healthy snacks after sports on Wednesday, followed by cake on Thursday. Always a much appreciated highlight of the week! There have also been plenty of trips taking place: girls visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, as well as taking part in Geography and Biology field trips, ensuring that learning extended well beyond the classroom walls. It was also a real joy for Moragh and I to join Year 13 parents on the Friday night of Parents’ Weekend a wonderful evening, and we had a great time sharing in the occasion together. Finally, in house Mass this week, we celebrated the Feast of the Guardian Angels. A timely reminder of guidance, care, and protection, which feels especially fitting as we reflect on all the journeys our pupils are taking both in and outside of school. Wishing you all a restful weekend, Rebecca
House Recital
Well done to Kalina (Y13) and Laura (Y9) our soloists
House Recital
Girls' Hockey v RGS
Girls' Hockey v RGS
Junior House Newsletter 3/10/25
See what our Junior House has been up to this week...
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Message from the Housemaster
It’s been a whirlwind of excitement and energy in Junior House this week!Saturday night kicked off with a fabulous Girls' Night In—complete with face masks, ice cream, and pizzas. Laughter echoed through the halls as the girls enjoyed some well-deserved pampering. Meanwhile, the boys made the most of the evening with a high-energy session in the sports hall, thanks to Mr Metcalfe’s brilliant organisation. Sunday afternoon saw the Village Hall transformed for a lively Birthday Disco! With music, dancing, and plenty of fun, it was a brilliant way to celebrate and bring everyone together. Our sporting spirit was in full swing with fixtures against St Peter’s and Scarborough, where our pupils had the chance to put their skills into action and showcase their teamwork and determination. Well done to all who took part! Looking ahead, we’re buzzing with excitement for this evening’s Fun Swim, and the weekend promises even more adventure with karaoke and a thrilling round of clay pigeon shooting. Junior House continues to be a place of joy, growth, and unforgettable memories. Here's to another fantastic week ahead! Mr Slingsby
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Subject focus - Science
This week in Year 7 Science, our budding biologists have been diving into the fascinating world of cells! From microscopes to models, pupils have been exploring the building blocks of life and discovering what makes cells tick. We’ve looked closely at animal and plant cells, identifying key parts like the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, and mitochondria—and even had a go at creating our own cell diagrams and models to bring learning to life. There’s been plenty of curiosity, great questions, and some brilliant teamwork as pupils begin to understand how cells form the foundation of all living things.
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Girls' Night
Junior House was buzzing with energy this week as the girls enjoyed a well-deserved evening of fun, friendship, and fabulous treats. The night kicked off with pizza galore, followed by a round of pampering — face masks, nail painting, and plenty of giggles as everyone embraced the chance to unwind.
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Sport
The boys delivered an excellent performance in rugby against St Peter’s, York — a match that showcased real progress in skill, strategy, and confidence. Their hard work on the training ground is clearly paying off. Meanwhile, the girls faced a tough Scarborough side and fought with determination throughout. Their resilience and teamwork were commendable, and it was brilliant to see such strong representation on the pitch. Across the week, it’s been inspiring to see so many students getting involved in sport — whether competing, supporting, or training. The energy and enthusiasm are what make our sporting community so special. Keep it up!
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Chaplaincy and Mass
This week in Chaplaincy, our spiritual focus turned to Lectio Divina — the ancient practice of sacred reading that invites us to slow down, reflect deeply, and listen to God’s voice through Scripture. Students were guided through the four steps: reading (lectio), meditation (meditatio), prayer (oratio), and contemplation (contemplatio), creating a quiet space for personal encounter and reflection. We also celebrated the life and legacy of St Jerome, whose feast day falls on 30th September. Known for his scholarly devotion and translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate), Jerome reminds us of the power of Scripture and the importance of making it accessible to all. His passion for truth and study was a fitting companion to our Lectio Divina reflections. Mass in House this week was a beautiful moment of community and prayer, with students participating in readings and music. It’s always uplifting to see faith lived out so vibrantly across our school.
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Upcoming Events
Saturday U13 A and B Hockey vs Queen Mary's (Away) - 1;30pm Push Back 4.30pm Return Evening Activities Karaoke Night Sunday Clay Pigeon Shooting 3pm (Boarders Only)
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