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The News 8 May 2026

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The News 8 May 2026

College

St Bede's

St DO's

St Aidan's

St CT's

Junior House

St Hugh's

St John's

St Margaret's

Message from the Headmaster

Dear Parents, Y11 pupils began their GCSE examinations this week in English Language, English Literature and Latin. Next week ramps up with many more as well as A Level and BTEC papers too. We wish our pupils the very best; they have all been well-prepared and it is a time to remember that stamina and resilience is needed. Open Morning on Saturday was really positive with a strong turn out from prospective families. We are so fortunate to have such excellent pupils. They play a key part in showing visitors our school and we always receive glowing feedback on how welcoming they are, looking parents in the eye, shaking hands, introducing themselves, being helpful and considerate, and answering questions thoughtfully and with openness. We are proud of all of them. I was delighted to announce this week that Alice and Nolan will be Heads of School next year, supported by Kiki and Felipe as Deputy Heads of School. We wish them all the best. Finally, I must say how joyful Confirmation Mass was last weekend. It was a blessing to gather as a community together with families, pupils and staff to support and celebrate this special moment of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Bishop Marcus gave an inspirational homily and thoroughly enjoyed his first visit to the College. I am writing this in New York where I am meeting alumni, friends and supporters of Ampleforth and of Catholic education. There is a strong appetite for partnership and collaboration and I am confident that my time here this weekend will pay dividends as we grow and strengthen our international network. Best wishes, Jon

Confirmation

Confirmation weekend remains one of the most special moments in our calendar, as families, godparents and friends gather in the valley to support those taking this important step in their faith in receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. A packed Abbey Church welcomed the Right Reverend Marcus Stock, Bishop of Middlesbrough, who confirmed 37 pupils and gave an inspirational homily. He left the Confirmati with a beautiful prayer from St Teresa of Ávila. The occasion was made even more memorable thanks to the stunning music of our Schola Cantorum.

House Athletics

We enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of track and field competition at this year’s Inter-House Athletics Competition with some great talent on display. It was a high energy affair full of determination and House pride, with the pupils cheering each other on from start to finish. Excitement peaked during the final event, the ever popular 32 by 200 metres relay - nearly matched by the arrival of the ice-cream van! A huge well done to all who took part and gave their absolute best - your effort and House spirit made it a wonderful occasion. The winning houses were St Margaret's and St Dunstan's & St Oswald's. Well done!

Chemistry Olympiad

Congratulations to our Sixth Form students who achieved outstanding success in this year’s UK Chemistry Olympiad, hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Now in its 58th year, the prestigious competition challenges post-16 students with university-level chemistry problems designed to test advanced scientific knowledge, analytical thinking, and creative problem-solving. The Olympiad serves as a pathway towards selection for the International Chemistry Olympiad. We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of the following students: Hattie (13A), Gabrielle (13A), Sophie (13M), Noelle (13B), Kofi (13CT), Benedict (13CT), Katie (13A), Jonty (13DO) and Antonius (13DO) These awards reflect the students’ dedication, resilience, and exceptional talent in Chemistry. Well done to all involved on this fantastic achievement.

Royal Scottish Pipe Band North of England Solo Piping and Drumming 2026 Contest

Our Highlanders enjoyed great success at the 2026 Royal Scottish Pipe Band North of England Solo Piping and Drumming Contest, achieving a series of impressive results across both piping and drumming categories. In the drumming competitions, Will (8EW) delivered an outstanding performance, winning the Novice Solo Drumming, Juvenile March, and Open March events. Barty (9DO) secured 2nd Place in all three categories, while Sam (11H) achieved 3rd Place in both marching competitions and 4th in Novice Solo Drumming. Max (7EW) also earned 2nd Place in the Practice Pad category. The piping competition brought further success for the College, with Freddie (9DO) winning the Practice Chanter category and Bertie (9CT) finishing 2nd. Henry (7EW) and Ivan (11H) both achieved podium finishes in the Novice events, while Ivan also secured 2nd Place in Juvenile Piping. Congratulations to all pupils involved for representing the College so well.

Robert Thompson "Mouseman"150th Anniversary

On Thursday, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Robert Thompson, the renowned master craftsman whose work is woven into the fabric of Ampleforth, and better known to many as the ‘Mouseman’. For generations, his handcrafted oak furniture and iconic carved mice have been part of daily life here at Ampleforth College and neighbouring Ampleforth Abbey - between us we have the largest collection of ‘Mouseman’ furniture in the world. Apparently, he was most proud of his work in the library which you see in these photos, but Thompson’s craftsmanship can be found throughout the School. His lifelong friendship with Fr Paul Nevill, former Headmaster, started in 1919 with the first commission and the relationship between the College and the family workshop in nearby Kilburn continues to this day. Rooted in Yorkshire tradition, craftsmanship, and timeless design, Thompson’s work has inspired generations of pupils, staff, and visitors alike. More than furniture, these pieces are part of the story and character of Ampleforth itself.

Mr Paul Connor Fundraising for Cancer Research UK

Mr Paul Connor, Head of History, is one of Ampleforth's longest serving and much respected teachers. Last weekend, he took on the Race for Life for Cancer Research UK to give support and hope to those affected by cancer. Having personal experience of cancer in his family, Paul has seen first hand what a horrendous ordeal it is, both physically and mentally. While running 5k may not seem much to some, having suffered an accident as a young man that sliced his left calf muscle in half, for Paul even walking is painful. Last Sunday it was cold and wet, and Paul says he was overtaken by two six-year-olds and a dog, but the great news is that he made it! Well done indeed Paul – and for so far raising nearly £10k! Tap on the photograph of Paul if you would like to contribute.

Exhibition Play

Step into a unique immersive theatre experience spread across eight different spaces, following the mysterious story of three sisters who disappeared in the 1950s. Their tale unfolds across 400 years in a captivating series of performances. There will be 12 performances, each lasting approximately 20 minutes and limited to audiences of just 20 people per showing. Performances will take place on Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 May at 19:00, 19:30 and 20:00, with an exhibition event on Saturday 23 May at 14:00, 14:30 and 15:00. Tickets can be booked by tapping the poster to the right.

Message from Mrs Dent

This week has been full of energy, teamwork and quiet determination, both on and off the track. Interhouse Athletics provided a brilliant focal point, with girls from across the House throwing themselves into events and cheering one another on from start to finish. A real highlight was the 32 x 200m relay, where everyone played a part and the House spirit was impossible to miss. We were delighted to finish second overall among the girls’ houses – a fantastic result and a real credit to the enthusiasm and togetherness on display. Well done to the Inters, who came first in their competition. Alongside this, it has been a significant week academically. A level Language speaking exams have been taking place, and our students approached them with impressive focus and maturity. For many of our younger girls, it also marked the start of public examinations, with GCSE written papers in English and Latin getting underway – an important milestone handled calmly and sensibly. To round off the week, we said a slightly muddy farewell this morning to those heading off on their Silver Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition. They set off in high spirits two nights on the North York Moors, ready to test their resilience, teamwork and navigation skills. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to hearing all about it on their return. All in all, a busy, varied and very characteristic week in the House.

Ceri Dent, Housemistress St Aidan's House

Confirmation

Congratulations to Emma, Edie and Victoria, who received the sacrament of confirmation last Sunday. It was a privilage to share in this important moment of commitment to their faith alongside their closest friends and family in a packed Abbey Church. Thanks must go to Isabel, our House Catechist and Fr Philip as House Chaplain for their parts in preparing the girls for this step.

Chemistry Olympiad

Congratulations to Year 13s Katie, Gabrielle and Hattie, who achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards respectively in the recent Chemistry Olympiad competition.

Interhouse Athletics

Celebrating Antonina's success: The Arkwright Scholarship

We are thrilled to share some wonderful news from the House: huge congratulations to Antonina (Y11), who has been awarded an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. This is an exceptional achievement and reflects her hard work and real passion for engineering.The Arkwright Scholarship is one of the most highly regarded awards for students interested in engineering and technology. It is awarded after a challenging selection process, designed to identify young people with strong technical ability, creativity, and the drive to solve real‑world problems. Being selected places Antonina among a nationally recognised group of future engineers and innovators. The scholarship supports students throughout their A‑level (or equivalent) studies, offering mentoring from professionals in the field and access to a wide network of engineering employers. Scholars also take part in exciting enrichment opportunities, including industry visits, workshops, and events that give a real insight into what engineering looks like beyond the classroom. For Antonina, this is not just a recognition of everything she has achieved so far, but an exciting step towards the future. It provides brilliant opportunities to develop her skills, explore new ideas, and gain confidence in pursuing a career in engineering. We are incredibly proud of Antonina and delighted to celebrate her success. She is a fantastic role model within the House, and we cannot wait to see what she achieves next.

Jasmine

Friendship Ball

Some shots from the Friendhip Ball two weekends ago, all in aid of the friendship project.

Cricket

It's great to see the girls getting so much enjoyment from the summer sport programme

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.

The News 8th May 2026 St Bede's House

Our Year 10's enjoying a meal together to celebrate the end of their exams

Our Year 10's enjoying sweet treats together to celebrate the end of their exams

Friday Evening catch up with our Year 9s

A beautiful night...

St Bede's Year 9 hosting the Saturday Night Social