MAGAZINE 2020 THE MAGAZINE OF BOOTHAM SCHOOL AND THE BOOTHAM OLD SCHOLARS' ASSOCIATION
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MAGAZINE 2020 THE MAGAZINE OF BOOTHAM SCHOOL AND THE BOOTHAM OLD SCHOLARS’ ASSOCIATION
Volume 42 / Issue 2 / December 2020
THE MAGAZINE OF BOOTHAM SCHOOL AND
THE BOOTHAM OLD SCHOLARS’ ASSOCIATION
Headmaster Chris Jeffery
Deputy Headmaster Martyn Beer
Head, Bootham Junior School Helen Todd
President of Bootham Old Scholars’ Association Peter Warn
03 The Headmaster
04 - 25 Bootham Features
- 04 - 07 - A Year at Bootham: Head Reeves’ Speech 2020
- 08 - 09 - Interview with Helen Sharp
- 10 - 13 - Annus mirabilis: Bootham in the time of COVID 19
- 14 - 15 - What makes you Bootham Proud?
- 16 - 17 - Drama at Bootham 2019-20
- 18 - 19 - An unusual year at Bootham Junior School
- 20 - 21 - Design and Technology: the making of a portfolio
- 22 - 23 - Interview with Old Scholar, George Winfield
- 24 - 25 - Retirement of Rob Graham
26 - 27 College II 2020: Summer Term Projects
- 26 - 27 - Elizabeth Reed: The Dying Roads
28 - 31 Student Work
- 28 - 29 - DT work
- 30 - 31 - New Work
32 - 38 Leavers 2020
- 32 - 33 - Photograph
- 34 - 35 - College Leavers’ Results
- 36 - Leavers’ destinations
- 37 - 38 - Staff Leavers
38 - 43 School Record
- 39 - New staff and students
- 40 - 43 - Sport
45 - 61 Old Scholars
- 44 - 48 - Across the months
- 49 - Christmas Reunion 2019
- 50 - 51 - Barry Smith
- 52 - 53 - John Murray
- 54 - 55 - Michael Johnson
- 56 - 58 - Old Scholars remembered
- 59 - Deaths since 2019
- 60 - 61 - Memories of an Old Scholar: Julian Doull
62 Bootham Proud 2021
63 School Reunions 2021
02
The Headmaster
HEADMASTER Chris Jeffery
Waiting for the first students to appear at school To see sports fixtures taking place on the field and the
on the first day of this Autumn Term – bedecked courts; to witness people free to hug each other; to hear
with mask and visor – was a very special moment. ensembles of all ages playing together in a concert; to
know that this wretched season has passed and that
Living in the school site over the previous six Bootham’s community, in all its multi-dimensional and
months had, at times, been a demoralising and cross-generational richness, has returned.
unsettling experience. This place was built to ring
to the sound of young people just being young Until then, I will continue to marvel at the resilience of
our students, who have taken so much in their stride.
people with all the joys, messiness and challenge
And at the sacrificial hard work and commitment of
that this entails. The silence and eerie calm
my colleagues in adapting so readily and successfully
that had replaced that had long worn off, and I to various new and different iterations of teaching. And
was longing to see three-dimensional students at the kindness of parents, Old Scholars and friends of
and colleagues again; such a vast improvement Bootham in the words they have offered in support of
on the virtual, 2-D versions that I had been all we have tried to offer to our young people. And the
communicating with since March. deep, positive and enduring values of a place that I am
proud to call home. And wait.
To see them streaming back on to the site that morning,
armed with their masks, pausing to sanitise their hands
before queuing – 1 metre apart – to have
their temperature checked, was a great
moment. As we all got used to ‘bubbles’
and ‘zones’ and new routines and non-
social dining and rotas for Meeting and
the many restrictions that needed to
be imposed for school to recommence,
it was great to be back together, but
in some ways a pale imitation of the
normal Bootham.
As I write, we are still nowhere near that
chaotic and unique ‘normal’ that I have
learned to love so much. I long to sit in
the Hall in silent meeting surrounded
by the whole school, not just a fraction
of the whole. I can’t wait until we can
resume face-to-face briefings, meetings
and coffee times, as well as those
passing interactions with my colleagues
that are so essential for building of
relationships. I am impatient to walk into
the Dining Hall on a Saturday lunchtime
and see it thronging with families
enjoying the amazing food and each Christmas 2019
other’s company.
03
C: One of the many mantras we get taught here
A YEAR AT is ‘Speak truth to Power’ and throughout the year
Bootham students have done just that. At the
beginning of the year one quarter of the school’s
student community participated in the Friday Climate
Strikes, knowing that if they did so they had to forfeit
their free time on a Leave Weekend, hence proving the
commitment of the school to do what they believe is
right. This was just the start of Bootham’s protesting
story as this later evolved into the participation of Pride
marches around town, to celebrate an egalitarian
identity but also extending that equality in our wider
society, marching together regardless if we are in the
LGBTQIA+ community or not. We think this is a perfect
example of how the Quaker belief of seeing that of God
or good in everyone is clearly exemplified.
T: Along with active protesting, students have been
encouraged to exercise their quasi suffrage this year,
parallel to the 2019 election. Whilst the majority
of the students may not be able to vote, it was the
enthusiasm to explore the political spectrum and
discover contrasting ideologies that was apparent
over the day and hopefully that will translate to later
life, when it really counts to hold those in power
accountable for their actions. This once again is
speaking truth to power, and letting our lives speak.
C: Furthermore, in light of the tragic events surrounding
WITH CHARLOTTE DEAN George Floyd and countless others, some students
have taken it upon themselves to protest during
& THEO RICHES lockdown, recognising the systematic discrimination
in not only America’s society but Britain’s system too
and campaigning for the fundamental rights that
the Black and Ethnic Minority groups have been
C: Hello and welcome to the first ever, and hopefully deprived of for too long. These students have set an
last ever, Virtual Parent’s Day! It’s a shame we couldn’t example for everyone else that in order for change an
all be meeting in person, and we know you’ll all miss open dialogue has to be cast between us and those in
your annual Bootham curry or BBQ. But fear not, power. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all
Head Chef Nick has created online recipes for all your those who participated in the face of the risks to their
favourite foods and the link is in the programme. My personal health or those who have raised awareness via
name is Charlotte and this is Theo and, we’re here now other platforms.
to talk to you about the year that we’ve had - something
that I’m sure everyone has been looking forward to. T: On a similar note, Bootham has seen a resurgence
in the amount of activities dedicated towards creating
T: That’s right, we’re here to give you some of the a better world around us, some old and some new.
highlights of this Bootham year, whether they have The Eco-brick initiative, spearheaded by Rob Gardiner
been at school or in the comfort of home. has made a reappearance this year in the form of - no
not another bench - but a bin to accompany it, and
it’s proving to be stronger than some people’s will to
socially distance. These bricks consist of single-use
plastics crammed inside a bottle and then being
utilised as a brick to make something. This is just one
example of how Bootham has acted on the newest
Quaker value of ‘Sustainability’ this year.
C: Adding to this, a group of College Girls, led by
Erin Davies and Carina Tsang have been running an
activity throughout the year in order to make reusable
sanitary towels for girls in Developing Countries, thus
combatting the period poverty that prevents young
women from attending school and receiving a basic
education.
T: As I’m sure many of you may know, every year
Bootham chooses a charity to focus its fundraising
efforts on - this year, this has been Slavery International,
and a great deal of work has been done to raise money
for them - including, but not restricted to, collections
taken by yours truly from this year’s Christmas concert
and carols by candlelight events.
04
Bootham Features – A year at Bootham: Head Reeves Speech 2020
Climate Strike Protest 30 visors for South Park
Home Acomb
Christian Aid fundraising
Super Moon
Lower Schoolroom science
Munich trip
BOOTHAM SCHOOL DRAMA DEPARTMENT PRESENTS
U16 Basketball team
The Broadway Musical
Book by Music by Lyrics by
Mark O’Donnell Marc Shairman Scott Wittman
Thomas Meehan Marc Shairman
Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by JOHN WATERS
Bootham
School Hall
Adults £10
Concessions £5
Tickets available at
bootham-school.ticketleap.com
DT project Girls Netball Team
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe)
All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe
www.mtishows.co.uk
Talking about silence Bootham damatics
at BBC Radio York musical production
T: Over the last year, a great deal of work has been The show was an absolute success, selling out on both
done on the topic of refugees as well: We started off by evenings and even the dress rehearsal the day before.
celebrating national refugee week last June by hosting It was an amazing exhibition of both the musical and
a BBQ for refugee families in York, in what I’ve been told dramatic talent of some of the students at the school
was a lovely day with plenty of sun and various matches of and a definite indicator to the exciting shows Andy has
football on the field. Equally, many of our year 9 students planned for the future. Some standout performances
have celebrated this year’s national refugee week by were Lottie Walker in the lead role as Tracy and Raheemah
creating beautiful pieces of art on the topic of refugees Oyekan as Motormouth Mabel.
and racism, It is through activities like these that we truly
T: In terms of Sporting achievements Bootham has seen
start to be global citizens, and let our lives speak. These
countless successes over the past year despite the seasons
artworks have been submitted to an art competition for
being cut short by the pandemic. The Basketball teams
refugee week and we are very proud of everyone involved.
have had universal success including the Under 14s team
C: Not only have Bootham students shown their talent for becoming County and District Champions of 2020, the
activism, but students have once again demonstrated they Under 16s team being unbeaten in the district for the
have no qualms in expressing themselves on stage. Like a fourth consecutive year as well as District Champions and
phoenix from the ashes, cabaret returned this year with second in the 2020 County Competition and the Under 13s
a great display from students and teachers alike. Special playing their way to the District finals of 2020.
mentions go to Henry Calvert and Will Jennings as our
C: The standard of netball played throughout the year has
presenters, the Glee club who gave a great rendition of ‘All
seen a dramatic improvement with many wins under each
I want for Christmas’ and the Taskmaster participants, who
team’s belt. Special mentions go to the First Team, who
lost the vast majority of their dignity.
consistently played to a very competitive level, beating
C: Another example of Bootham dramatics was our St Peter’s on multiple occasions along with many other
first ever Musical, Hairspray directed by Andy Quarrell, victories.
Bootham’s newest edition to the drama department.
05
Girls football Swimming and diving team Zac Edwards
T: The Bootham football teams have had similar successes C: Furthermore, students ventured to Iceland once again,
with the 1st XI being district league leaders when the with the Geography department, where they witnessed
season was cut short, the Under 15, 16 and 18 teams all some of the natural wonders including glaciers and the
played in the National ISFA competition with a very Northern Lights.
promising future in the years to come. What’s more,
T: Finally, last October a group of college students went on
Bootham’s Girls’ team has seen even more improvement
a diving trip to Malta - everyone underwent a great deal
for the second year now, and played exceptionally well
of training beforehand, and by the end of the trip they all
in the two girls tournaments that were held with over 20
walked away with a diving qualification having had an
teams involved.
amazing time in Malta. Of course, there have been plenty
C: The success doesn’t stop there, several students have more trips in the last year, but we only have so much time.
made individual sporting accomplishments over the past
C: Now, we realise that the school year has been cut short
year. These include, Yelena Davies playing at County level
for many of us and it’s been quite a jarring experience for
hockey, Ellen Gordon competing on a national level for
us all to acclimatise to the new Online Learning system.
diving and Oona Gregory the same for swimming. Not
However, Theo and I wanted to know about what some
only this but Benjamin Scurrah Smyth has represented
students have been doing to pass the time. When we
York and District for Cross Country and Zac Edwards has
reached out to students, staff and parents we were not
competed for Bootham in the English schools Equestrian
disappointed with what you gave us. Some students have
event at Addington Manor and placed 26th out of 71.
found their vocation in fundraising for causes that they
Finally, Elliot Chan, Louis Otterburn, Harry Loseby and
feel passionate about and that may need help in a crisis
Charlie Longbottom were all selected to play football for
such as this. Edward Smith is one such student, who
the Under 18s County football team. Well done to all those
with a team of nine others ran and cycled a minimum
involved.
of 450 miles in June to support the prevention of youth
T: Moving on from sports, several of the school’s homelessness in York. We would also like to take a minute
departments have been globetrotting throughout the to recognise and thank all of the staff at Bootham for
year to several destinations. As per tradition, the modern helping us throughout lockdown, whether that was
foreign languages department took students to Munich providing support for students who needed help after
and Nice for German and French respectively, not only to the exam cancellations this year or simply making sure
learn their rich cultures but also enhancing their language students are keeping active and learning. Thank you for
skills. In Munich students enjoyed popular attractions everything you have done for us.
such as the BMW World, the Olympic park and the Allianz
arena. The trip to Nice proved to be eventful after Mark
Shuttleworth’s brush with the law over invalidated tram
tickets and a set of angry French policemen.
Diving trip, Malta Iceland
College 2 lockdown German lesson with goat!
06
Bootham Features – A year at Bootham: Head Reeves Speech 2020
T: Tilly Potten took her geography education into her own C: Finally, as you know this is our last year here at Bootham
hands in June as she orchestrated her own Geography and I think it’s fair to say, it has possibly had the most
field trip to Skipwith Common, discovering a myriad of dramatic end. We want to thank everyone involved in
different flora and fauna throughout her trip. She is just helping us through the year. At this point we wish to
one example of how the Bootham spirit is embodied introduce the next set of Head Reeves, who will take
in its students with their thirst for knowledge despite up our roles next year. Those are, Freya Leaf and Peter
the adverse climate. Furthermore, the entire school has Woodmansey as Head Reeves and Hannah Redman and
been participating in a kilometre challenge throughout Henry Elsome as Deputy Head Reeves. We wish them luck
lockdown in order to stay active. Students have been for the future.
recording the number of miles they do by any means
T: And that concludes our Parent’s Day Speech. I think
of exercise, such as cycling, walking or running. At the
it speaks volumes about the values that each and every
moment we have clocked a huge 3200 kilometres, with
student encompasses throughout the year and is a
the goal of reaching around 9500 kilometers, the distance
testament to the students themselves and their high level
from York to Tokyo, the next Olympics venue.
of enthusiasm and commitment.
C: Perhaps even predictably, Liz Brown has been our
C: Not only have they demonstrated a high calibre of talent
standout lockdown enthusiast throughout these countless
in all forms whether that is activism, dramatics or sport,
weeks. Most notably, her contribution to this year’s House
they have also shown us the amazing things they are
Fashion competition, with not only a questionable cowboy
capable of in the future. It seems clear after relaying to you
outfit, but also a tennis player costume reminiscent of Sue
all these events over the year, that the Quaker values hold
Barker, which makes us question what’s really in those
true and how on the impending 200 year anniversary of
fairtrade chocolates she’s been selling. I’m sure we’ll be
Bootham some of our values have not only stood the test
seeing her at Wimbledon next year.
of time but also some have evolved to reflect the world we
T: Regarding news of some of Bootham’s faculty this wish to live in today.
year, we are delighted to say four staff members have
House Captains 2019-2020
welcomed new babies into the world. Congratulations
to Matthew Parker, Hannah Feehan, Ben Jackson and
Raphaella and Jack Mackenzie.
Geography 2020
Technology winners
Lockdown learning
France trip
Transition
Pilgrimage October
Yorkits
Send
my friend
to school
Maths Awards
07
Interview with
Helen Sharp
HEAD OF COLLEGE
W hat were the highlights and
challenges of your first couple
of years as Head of College?
I think the development of the new College
What are your plans for College in
the future?
We’d like to complete the final phase of the College
renovation with a redesigned social space and work
environment on the first floor corridor. The social
studies was both challenge and high-light
space will have more of a ‘coffee shop’ vibe’ with
for me. The old studies were up in what is
space for informal study and armchairs.
known affectionately as ‘East Berlin’, well-
named as an area seemingly remote from The second thing I intend to launch, as soon as
the rest of the school! The studies were the COVID situation allows, is a College Trip. I have
social rather than study spaces which may been working with World Challenge to design an
have suited some students but many were expedition to eSwatini (bordered by Mozambique
struggling to find a suitable environment for to its northeast and South Africa to its north, west
work. and south). This will be a significant enrichment
opportunity for College students and they will
We wanted the new study space to have a
engage in social action as well as experiencing an
sophisticated office feel that students would
exciting expedition.
find at university. It was also very important
that the design was vibrant and distinctive Did you always want to teach?
whilst retaining the heritage of the building.
No! I wanted to travel and worked in Europe
We asked students for their ideas and we
teaching English as foreign language for a while
decided we wanted a New York loft feel
after university. I then worked for the Devon
with locally sourced furniture and fittings,
Wildlife Trust and spent my time surveying
strong colours and plenty of light by clever
butterflies on Dartmoor, which I loved.
use of mirrors. Kieran Scott de Martinville
(College II – see pages 20-21) volunteered to I started teaching in Devon but mostly outdoor
help with the design process. education. I did a lot of surfing and walking with
students and Outdoor Education is my ‘second’
Kieran spent hours story-boarding the
teaching subject.
concepts, working on the colour schemes,
producing CAD layouts, sourcing products I then went travelling again. I taught English in
and even designing some of the furniture. Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia and worked as a
He worked closely with our design company, conservationist in New Zealand before returning to
Upside Down Design, and even ended up the UK.
working for them in the summer holidays.
Kieran and Upside Down Design were Where did you teach before Bootham?
brilliant and I’m really proud of what they I taught English at a Further Education College for a
produced. while and then at Cheltenham Ladies College.
You’ve already had a broad experience
of life at Bootham. Would you give us an
outline of your career at Bootham?
I will have been here eight years in January 2021. I
was a full-time teacher of English to all year groups,
Lower Schoolroom through to College. I have
also managed our EPQ, Oxbridge and Scholars
programmes. I participated in the Independent
State School Partnership masterclasses.
I was a College tutor and this is the year group that
I’ve had the most experience with throughout my
teaching career.
08
Bootham Features – An interview with Helen Sharp
What keeps you at Bootham?
I’m very excited to have the Head of College
role. I had wanted this kind of opportunity for
a while but, with three young children, I had to
wait until they were more independent before I
could commit the time as Head of College.
The students are a great bunch and I’m very
proud of them. I love the interaction we have
and the way Old Scholars are keen to come
back and share their experiences. I also like the
emphasis on activities which go beyond the
curriculum and that students are introduced to
Global Citizenship, Environmental Engagement
and Social Action as this prepares them for the
future.
What is your perception of Bootham as a
school?
This is the friendliest school I’ve worked in by far. Which book has inspired you the most,
I think this is down to the fantastic staff who are and why?
dedicated to their work and consistently go over
and above what they’re expected to do. They I want to be like Atticus Finch! He’s the
show an astonishing level of dedication to our wisest person I know and I aspire to have his
students’ academic performance and pastoral understanding of parenting and approach to life.
wellbeing. They are a joy to work with and I feel So, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ must be the book that
completely supported by my colleagues. inspires me most.
Our teachers are individuals and I enjoy the But, I have other recommendations for you! I’m
mavericks who challenge themselves and each currently reading a lot of Ayisha Malik. I find her
other as this creates a dynamic environment writing funny, irreverent and inspiring because
where we can all change and develop. it helps me look at the world through a different
lens. And, finally, Lemn Sissay’s autobiography,
I also like the use of first names throughout ‘My Name is Why: A Memoir’ is a beautifully
the school. I am very familiar with this as a written book which is both shocking and
Quaker but this is my first experience of it in inspiring.
practice in a school and I think it makes us all
more approachable and generates a friendlier
environment.
How do you think the Quaker ethos is
reflected at Bootham?
One thing I find difficult is people claiming
something is ‘unquakerly’ when they just
don’t agree with it. I think this is problematic
because Quakers recognise that we aren’t
perfect and need to have a tolerance of making
mistakes as this is the way we grow.
I think our core ethos is to find that of good
in each other. This means we are thoughtful,
careful and considered in our relationships and
for students means we are supportive rather
than punitive if things go wrong.
Students can make mistakes and are dealt with
through dialogue and compassion. This isn’t a
‘quick fix’ discipline but a gentler process that
allows students to grow and develop. It may be
a slow process but the outcomes have longevity.
I think our community is particularly strong and
I like the way students, Old Scholars, staff and
parents can all feel that they belong. This is very
unusual.
09
Annus mirabilis:
Bootham in the time of COVID 19
On November 24th 1992 Her Majesty the Queen February; encompassing a couple of the most difficult
-at an event at the Mansion House in London pastoral and disciplinary situations we have ever had to
marking the 40th Anniversary of her accession deal with; all the way to the total state-enforced shut
to the throne- made a speech that has since down of the school on March 20th (and all that both
preceded and has followed that) it has been the year
unerringly made it into any of this Queen’s
that has kept on giving: generously, willingly and with a
greatest hits compilations; expect to see Olivia knowing wink on its smirking face.
Coleman reprising it in the next series of The
Crown. To appropriate another idea from another well known
– this time historical – figure: Lenin (who had quite a lot
Referring to that year, in which three royal marriages to do with some of our Queen’s relatives in his time and
had collapsed, there had been – how shall I put it- a certainly made 1917 their ‘annus horribilis’): “There are
‘digital scandal’ involving one of her daughters-in-law decades when nothing happens, and there are weeks
and a terrible fire had destroyed more than 100 rooms when decades happen.” That is certainly what life felt
in Windsor Castle, she chose a phrase that many have like in March and early April. In some ways, so did the
appropriated since. With typically regal understatement whole year!
she claimed that [1992]: “is not a year on which I shall
look back, with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one
of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned
But…
out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’.” Looking back on it from July – still intact, still smiling,
still alive and most definitely kicking – I’m not so sure
Annus horibilis is not an original phrase (one first
that ‘annus horibilis’ is as apt a description as might
recorded about 100 years earlier) and means ‘horrible
first appear to be justified. In fact – and while I wouldn’t
year’ in Latin (and sounds much more impressive in that
go so far as to label it an ‘annus mirabilis’ (or ‘marvellous
ancient language). And so it was in 1992, for her!
year’ a phrase well beloved of medieval chroniclers and
In a rare moment of reflection a couple of months ago, also sounding much better in Latin) – I think that there
I found the same phrase emerging from the recesses are far more positives emerging from it than I could
of my memory to describe this school year at Bootham possibly have imagined there would be.
and with some justification, I think. Looking back on
Indeed, I would actually suggest that Bootham School
the things we have had to deal with as a school over the
is stronger at the end of the year than it was at the start
past ten months I would have to say that it has -without
of it. Even Richard Burton’s death -about which it is
a doubt- been the most challenging I’ve ever had to
manage in nearly 16 years as a Headmaster. Even Richard Burton’s death -about which it is still
hard to find anything positive to say- at least served to
From the awful and deeply upsetting loss of Richard
reaffirm so many of our values and the primacy of the
Burton at the very start of the year; through two
type of accepting, individualised approach that marks
unexpected and – if I may be so bold as to say so-
out this school from others and makes it special.
quite unnecessary snap inspections in October and
10Bootham Features – Bootham in the time of COVID 19
Even through the debacle of the two no-notice inspections
we endured either side of Christmas there were surprising
positives to be found. Having, in effect, fallen foul of a
procedural technicality in one specific instance (whilst
at the same time being told that there were no systemic
issue at all with the safeguarding of students), all the
comments I received by email and in person from parents
without exception, were hugely supportive. They revealed
the trust that I hope, with confidence, I can say exists
among our parent body regarding our ability to look after
and care for our students, as well as an appreciation of
the straightforward and transparent way that we try to
communicate difficult news whenever we are in a position
to have to. I’m grateful for that feedback; it really helps in
hard times.
And then, just as the inspectors were leaving, the
wretched virus came into view, providing all of us with the
first hints of dilemmas, decisions and challenges that we
had not experienced before and were thus certainly not
prepared for.
It is often said that adversity builds character. I agree to
an extent, but would argue, with greater nuance, that
although living through adverse situations can refine
certain characteristics within a person, adversity does not
build character as much as it actually reveals one’s true
character.
And I think that’s true of institutions as well. I think it’s true
of Bootham School this year, and of all it stands for; of all
we stand for. And I like what I have seen.
I’m proud of the way that the pandemic has underscored
the sense of community we are developing ever more
strongly here; of how that is increasingly embracing not
just staff and students but parents and old scholars, all of
who have played a role in piloting us through this time.
Old scholars -young and not so young – have, for example
worked with some of our College 1 and 2 students around
university entry and preparation, even feeding into
innovative projects that our A Levels students have been
pursuing.
Parents have continued to turn up – albeit virtually- to
Reflect30 and the parenting sessions which have arisen
from the unique Saturdays parents’ programme we are
establishing here; no other school in the country, certainly
that I know of, is doing anything similar.
Earlier in the year, Elaine Philips instituted our Bootham
Proud campaign. As part of that students were asked to
submit what they were most proud of about Bootham.
The word ‘community’ came out more strongly than
any other. It’s a word I have heard repeated by staff,
students and their parents over and over again in the
correspondence I have had and the surveying we have
done in recent times.
That deep sense of community is clearly highly valued
by people, and, I believe, has only been strengthened by
recent events.
I’m proud, too, of the resilience that all members of the
school have shown in the face of the unexpected, the
unwanted and downright unusual. The resilience that
my colleagues have shown in changing their work habits
and methods and priorities and skills, whilst still seeming
cheerful and, above all, being caring has been astonishing
to observe.
The resilience that parents and families have shown in
providing care and support for each other in our virtual
school world, as well as in life more generally, has been
similarly heart-warming.
11And, above all, the resilience that our young people have received, expressing your appreciation of what
have shown in handling and facing down the my colleagues have prepared and achieved for your
challenges they have been presented with (particularly children. This has kept the whole community buoyant.
the big one for them: being cut off from their friends) You will never know how much that has meant to all of
has been inspirational; the way they have kept going, us working here.
sometimes through tightly gritted teeth and visible Secondly, I would like to thank the students who, on a
uncertainty, is remarkable. daily basis and repeatedly, have reminded us just why it
I am proud also, of the way that our priorities and is that we chose to do this job and just why it is that we
values as a school have been so clearly vindicated over still love it. Their responsiveness, openness, cheerfulness
the past few months. We set out from the beginning and commitedness have been of great importance to
of lockdown to offer ‘care and connection’ as our first my colleagues and, in turn, have helped them to keep
priority; all but a tiny handful of the huge number of going as they have got understandably deeply weary as
emails, letters, cards and other comments received the end of term has appeared over the horizon.
from parents and students over the past three months Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to pay as
have given great cause for believing that this approach warm and heartfelt a tribute as I can to my colleagues,
has been valued, effective and exactly what was who have been simply extraordinary over the past three
needed. months. I don’t want to forget those (mostly support
In particular, I’ve loved reading the many comments staff but also a very small number of teachers) who
about how much parents have loved overhearing have not been able to contribute even though they will
the nature of the interactions between teachers and have wanted to, but had to sit it out on the sidelines, on
students, often covertly through bedroom doors when furlough. They also serve who only stand and wait, as
lingering innocently on the landing, and realised for the John Milton wrote.
first time in fact what they have known in theory: just Others of the support staff have worked hard and
how special that relationship between teachers and consistently behind the scenes throughout, and I’d
students here actually is. make particular mention of the IT team and Luke
In the end, though, as much as I am proud of what Gilliver who have done so much to keep the show on
Bootham as a school community has achieved, of how the road and support both teachers and learners.
it has survived, of how it has responded, of how it has
No words will adequately express what debt I owe to
grown, I am most proud of what its individual members
my wonderful colleagues on the teaching staff. We
have given, to make that possible. So I want to end with
talked together in March as it was getting increasingly
some thanks.
clear just what was coming at us and just how big
Thanks, firstly to our parent body. Thank you for the threat it might be to us as a school, about the
encouraging, helping, cajoling, and otherwise forcing need to trust ourselves to rise to the challenge; how
your children to keep engaged with school; to make the magnificently they have done just that. You will not
most of the as-near-to-normal-as-possible experience know the hours of preparation that have gone into
we have endeavoured to give them. what they have provided your children, the skills they
Thank you for supporting their studies, for picking up have had to master with little advance preparation, the
the pieces when it’s hard and for managing the tears, commitment, patience and imagination that has been
fears, guttural grunts and even tantrums that will poured into trying to make life as normal as possible
inevitably have attended education in lockdown from for our young people.
time to time. Their contribution has, at times, been as sacrificial in the
And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for toll it has taken as it has been selfless in its motivation.
the truly extraordinary number and deep warmth In short, I am in awe of how my colleagues have
of the emails, cards, letters and survey comments I responded and how they have served this community.
12Bootham Features – Annus mirabilis: Bootham in the time of COVID 19
Finally I want to pay tribute to my leadership team who
have been equally extraordinary and who have risen to
every new challenge with unerring focus, positivity and
energy, setting the tone for the whole school. If the sign
of true leadership is humble service, they exemplify it
and I have never felt more fortunate than I have over
the past four months to be part of a team that has so
consistently produced work that is so much greater
than the sum of its already considerable parts.
Earlier, I said that we were not prepared for the
challenges that the arrival of Covid-19 would throw at
us. Perhaps, on reflection, that’s not completely true.
From one point of view it is: in that we didn’t have
the knowledge and experience that we now possess,
and we’ve had to make it all up as we’ve gone along,
encountering unforeseen obstacles and decision points
along the way. Nothing could have prepared us for the
specifics.
On the other hand, whilst the practicalities were new
to us, time has shown that we were actually very well
prepared. Well prepared in terms of the firm and
enduring foundations upon which we have been able
to build our response.
We have been well prepared through the time-tested
Quaker principles of our school, which compel us to
put love of people, the building of community and the
primacy of higher purpose at the very heart of all we do,
and that have served us very well indeed.
Well prepared in being able to tap deeply into the
aquifer of heartfelt commitment and service that
my colleagues bring to work everyday; into the life
affirming responsiveness of the young people that we
serve; and into the support we all get from the parent
body.
Given all that, it is perhaps not so surprising that at
the end of what should by rights have been an annus
horribilis we have seen enough evidence of it being
much closer in outcome to an annus mirabilis to truly
encourage, reward and sustain us for what is still to
come.
I have been proud of Bootham School from the
moment I was chosen to lead it. But never more so than
during the Covid Summer of 2020.
– Chris Jeffery July 2020
13What makes you
PROUD Bootham Proud?
In March 2020 we asked students and Old Scholars to tell us what made them proud of Bootham. This
was part of the build up to what was meant to be Bootham’s first Giving Day in April 2020. Lockdown
intervened and the Giving Day has been postponed until March 2021 but we still wanted to share some of
the responses to our question: What makes you Bootham Proud?
Here are some of things I suggested:
Our history
A Quaker school Science: some Bootham Astronomers
Bootham will celebrate its bicentenary in 2023 and we
Lawrence Richardson (B: 1881-86)
have a long history of providing education based on
Quaker principles. The school has come a long way since Discovered a new star, S Andromedae, in the Great Nebula
its foundation in the early nineteenth century as a school in Andromeda on 1 September 1885 ‘two days, probably
for boys denied access to university on the basis of their more, before it was observed in any other part of England’.
faith. Established patterns of education based on Quaker Lewis Fry Richardson (B: 1894-98)
faith, interests in science, enterprise and social reform
Drew and painted the spectrum of the Sun made with the
adhered long into the twentieth century, with the best
help of the spectroscope in 1896. In meteorology he has
elements still incorporated into Bootham’s current ethos.
had a number named after him. It is called the Richardson
We are proud of our current co-educational status and the Number.
way the school has grown and developed after the first
Michael Bodin (B: 1945-51)
girls joined the school in 1983. The number of Quakers
may have declined over the years but the school is still Astronomy was a lifelong interest and he had always
committed to its Quaker ethos and values. Bootham intended astrophysics as his career. Early developments
remains an important part of the national Quaker network in the field of manned space flight, however, diverted
and students and Old Scholars are justly proud of their his attention to the challenge posed by new areas of
Quaker heritage. biophysics, and he took up a research appointment at the
Institute of Aviation Medicine. Subsequently, he was a
Observatory founder member of the Space Rescue Studies Committee
Bootham is lucky to have its own purpose built of the International Academy of Astronautics, an advisor to
observatory with a beautiful telescope dating from the the NASA moon project, a council member of the British
1850s. Interplanetary Society, and was a Fellow of that Society for
more than thirty years. He was awarded a medal by NASA
After a disasterous fire in 1899, the Old Scholars quickly
for his contribution to the Apollo Space Programme.
raised money to rebuild which included a completely new
science building. The old observatory (at the bottom of the Michael Hillas (B: 1947-50)
playing field) was knocked down and a new one perched Michael was a pioneer in many fields of high- and ultra-
on the new science block. The instruments were moved high-energy cosmic ray research and he developed
from the old to the new observatory and they continued to key ideas and concepts for gamma-ray observation
be used as before. with imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. He
generously bequeathed money for a new telescope that is
Observatory ready to be used by our astronomers of the future.
Jeremy Heywood Liv Garfield Dominic McGregor
George Fox
Juliet Bedford George Winfield
14 UN Peace DayBootham Features – What makes you Bootham Proud?
Old Scholars
We are proud of all our Old Scholars and love to Not for Profit
follow their rich and varied career paths. Our Jordan Street
recent publication Great Lives: How they made Jordan joined Saferworld in April 2017 as a Policy and
a difference documents the lives of some Advocacy Adviser with particular focus on the United
prominent Old Scholars from the nineteenth Nations, Sustainable Development Goals, youth, peace
and twentieth centuries. and security, and promoting peacebuilding responses
to terrorism and migration. He has 7 years’ experience
I talked about some more recent examples: working with international peacebuilding and conflict
prevention organisations, including at the Quaker United
Public Service Nations Office in New York, the World Federation of United
Nations Associations, and Caritas in northern Kenya.
Jeremy Heywood (B: 1973-80)
Jeremy had an extraordinary career in the Civil Service Harriet Andrews
where he served four British Prime Ministers: as Principle Harriet is director and co-founder of The Politics Project,
Private Secretary to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and an organisation that encourages young people to find
Cabinet Secretary to David Cameron and Theresa May until their political voices. The organisation provides support
his resignation in 2018. He was also Head of the Home Civil to teachers and educators to discuss political and social
Service from 2014 to 2018. issues.
Business Leaders Creative Arts
Liv Garfield (B: 1991-93) Harriet Wood
Liv is the chief executive of Severn Trent, and formerly the Harriet works under the name ‘Hazard’ as a graffiti artist,
chief executive of Openreach, a BT Group business. She is illustrator and designer. She was recognised in The
still the youngest CEO of a FTSE 100 company to date and Guardian’s Top 5 female graffiti artists in the UK, followed
one of only five women CEOs of FTSE 100 companies in by the Top 25 female street artists by The Huffington Post.
2020. Her work takes her all over the world. Look on her website
for an example of her work on the 79th Floor of 3 World
Dominic McGregor Trade Centre, New York:
Dominic is the co-founder and, until recently, COO of social https://www.hazardone.co.uk/about
marketing company, Social Chain. He is also a strong Lawrence Abu Hamdan
advocate for mental health issues.
Lawrence Abu Hamdan is an artist and audio investigator,
George Winfield whose work explores ‘the politics of listening’ and the role
George, Founder and CEO of SPYRAS has been announced of sound and voice within the law and human rights. He
as the UK’s most promising young entrepreneur in creates audiovisual installations, lecture performances,
technology and engineering by the Royal Academy of audio archives, photography and text, translating in-depth
Engineering Enterprise Hub. research and investigative work into affective, spatial
experiences.
Juliet Bedford
Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Helen Cammock, Oscar Murillo
Juliet founded Anthrologica in 2008 and is recognised and Tai Shani shared The Turner Prize 2019 as a group,
as a global leader in the application of anthropology in after asking that the jury consider them together; a
global health. She is an Adjunct Professor at the College request the judges agreed to unanimously.
of Global Public Health at New York University and is a
Research Associate at the Institute of Social and Cultural Our students
Anthropology at Oxford University. Our students are committed to our Quaker testimonies
and actively engage with enrichment projects by
Harriet Andrews supporting International Peace Day, volunteering in the
local community, supporting York Pride, and actively
engaging with environmental issues whether through
Bootham initiative such as BEAST or national protests such
as the Climate Strikes
What makes you
Bootham Proud?
When I asked
students and Old
Scholars the word
repeated most
Jordan Street often (by far) was
‘community’ and
this has also been
reflected in the way
we have all worked
together through the
summer term 2020.
Lawrence Abu Hamden Harriet Wood College Leavers 2020
15Drama at Bootham 2019-20
What a year 2019/2020 was for the Drama department at being the key theatre company that our Lower Senior
Bootham School. I joined as a new Head of Department students were learning about as part of their GCSE Drama).
and could quite early see a lot of potential for the things In addition to this, the drama department teamed up
the Drama department could achieve. Unknowingly with the drama team at St Peter’s School for a workshop
at the time our academic year would be cut short but lead by a representative from Frantic Assembly to give
thankfully we managed to squeeze as much as possible our students direct experience of the company’s key
into those first two terms. Theatre trips were very much at techniques and style for them to then put into their own
the forefront of our thinking early last year. As a believer examined practical work. November saw our first evening
that one of the best sources of education is attending showcase of practical work from students in College 2,
live theatre we wanted as many Bootham students Upper and Lower Senior and Middle Schoolroom. It was
as possible to have this experience. We arranged six an enjoyable evening of outstanding theatre that students
different theatre trips between September and January. had developed in lessons during the first term where
These included the Senior and College Drama students many supportive parents came to celebrate the work of
attending productions of ‘A View from the Bridge’ and their children. In January the drama department began to
‘Woman in Black, Upper Schoolroom students enjoying focus on our students in Upper Schoolroom. It being their
a night of Abba songs at the smash hit musical ‘Mamma final year of Schoolrooms Drama, we wanted to give them
Mia’, while the school production cast went to see a as many opportunities to engage with theatre as possible.
fully realised production of ‘Hairspray’ in the early days Working closely with York Theatre Royal we organised
of rehearsals to give them the drive and ambition they for all students to take part in backstage tours of the
needed to achieve their own (which they did, but more on theatre followed by a workshop in school lead by Theatre
that later!). Lower Schoolroom students travelled across Royal staff. The intention was to introduce students
to Leeds to see an outstanding production of ‘The Wizard to all career options linked with theatre outside of the
of Oz’ and finally Lower Senior students traveled through obvious performance related roles. Students responded
to Liverpool to witness internationally successful physical well to these experiences and we may even have some
theatre company Frantic Assembly in their most recent considering careers in the wide range of opportunities in
production of ‘I think we are Alone’ (Frantic Assembly the theatre industry.
16Bootham Features – Drama at Bootham 2019-20
It would not be possible to give an account of last year into the world we had created. What next? How could we
without referring to our production of ‘Hairspray’. In possibly top it? I hear you ask. The Drama department is
March Bootham hall was transported back in time to adamant that it will not allow current times to cause us to
early 1960’s Baltimore. Mashed potato was a food and lose the momentum that ‘Hairspray’ provided. Although
a popular dance, the sweet smell of hairspray filled the we may have to look at doing things quite differently, the
air and on your living room TV, smiling teens danced time to be creative is now and we will be back in the new
the jitterbug and cha-cha to the latest tunes. However, year with something bigger and better!
it all started back in September when 39 students from
In the last term Bootham entered its phase of remote
all year groups came together to create our production
teaching. As I am sure you can imagine this was a
cast. Over the following 5 months students dedicated
challenge for a primarily practical subject like Drama.
much of their time to ensuring we achieved the highest
However, it didn’t take long for the drama activities to
quality production possible. Late night rehearsals were
commence. LAMDA sessions, led by Simon Benson, which
common, weekend and half term rehearsals became
had been a regular feature throughout the school year,
regular and as you walked round the school halls during
moved online to allow the LAMDA students to further
breaks and lunch it was inevitable that you would stumble
perfect their craft even during the height of lockdown.
across a group of students choreographing dances,
In addition to this, the drama department provided ‘The
singing songs, playing music or rehearsing scenes for this
Monologue Challenge’ which allowed students in Seniors
West End hit. It brought together students from all year
and College to work remotely 1-1 with staff to create and
groups and established friendships that may never have
perfect a monologue performance. Recordings of these
happened without the opportunity to work together to
were showcased during our virtual Parents’ Day in June.
create something special. Little did we know at the time
Very much continuing the theme of monologues, as part
that only two weeks after our production school would
of their lessons all Schoolrooms students were required
abruptly close for the remainder of that academic year,
to submit a monologue performance based on the work
making us all even more grateful that it happened in the
they had been doing during remote drama lessons as their
first place. I am confident in saying that in a year that
final assessment. It brought the drama staff so much joy
provided multiple significant challenges for the staff and
to receive many well thought-out, crafted and ambitious
students at Bootham School, ‘Hairspray’ was a pinnacle
monologue performances from Schoolroom students
highlight. I cannot communicate strongly enough the
proving just how essential work in the arts was at quite a
hard work, dedication, commitment and overall talent
difficult time.
that the students and staff put into the school production.
In January our cast was joined by 13 student musicians to Theatre and other performance companies may remain
create the first full production orchestra that the Bootham closed at this time. It is therefore even more important that
Drama department had ever incorporated into their within school we are providing a range of safe experiences
productions. After 6 weeks of intensive band rehearsals in Drama and Performing Arts. However, students at
they joined the cast to pull the final product together. Bootham can rest assured that once theatres are safe to re-
After only two weeks on sale, tickets for ‘Hairspray’ sold out: open Bootham will be knocking on their doors once again.
a first for a Drama Department production in many years! We have some lost time to make up for!
This then caused us to put on an additional afternoon
performance to welcome more of our school community Andy Quarrell Head of Drama
17An unusual year
at Bootham Junior School
September 2019 workshop about ‘Space Travel’. At the end of November
Bootham Junior School was a ‘top 3 county Coding league
The year started well with Year 2 creating magical
table winner’ in York.
Victorian fairy gardens and learning about Victorian toys
and games. The Reception class visited woods and used December 2019
materials they collected to make mice. Year 3 had fun
at RHS Harlow Carr, where they tried out the art of Hapa All the children enjoyed the holiday celebrations. Years
Zome: a Japanese way of transferring dye from plants onto 3 and 4 enjoyed a Pop Up card workshop and the BJS
fabric. They created pictures of plants using whatever they Spanish Club made special Spanish Christmas cards. Year
could find. Year 5 practised speedy mental addition by 2 kept busy writing letters to the Three Kings, who are the
creating a pop up shop in pairs before taking the role of ones who bring presents to children in Spain on 6 January:
buyer and seller. The buyer worked out the cost of items they asked for sweets. Years 1 and 2 made their teachers
with a calculator and the seller used mental methods. very proud with a fantastic nativity performance. Everyone
enjoyed the annual Carol Concert and Bootham Recital
October 2019 programme.
Year 1 were learning about plants and trees. They went on January 2020
a nature walk to look for signs of autumn and decided to
have a Quaker silence in the Peace Garden. Meanwhile, Our Year 2 students’ wishes came true and they were left
Year 6 went on their residential to the Lake District where sweets in their made up shoes by the Three Kings as part
they enjoyed outdoor activities in the sunshine. Year 4 of the Spanish Epiphany celebrations. Our Early Years
made ECO bricks and became the proud owners of a children were excited to be back at school and enjoyed
prototype ECO stool. Their collection of plastic saved over making pitta bread in the cob oven. Year 3 enjoyed a visit
55kg of non-recyclable plastic from going into landfill. to Howsham Mill where they made and tested solar ovens,
Year 2 had a fabulous time travelling back to the Victorian mini water wheels, an Archimedes screw and toasted
era at the Ripon Workhouse Museum. Year 4 tried to marshmallows on the fire. They spotted features about the
improve their fitness with circuit training in the school hall. river and kept looking for otters that live on the river bank.
Year 5’s hard work paid off and they came first in the York Year 5 also enjoyed outdoor education on the Residential
Sumdog Maths competition! with a sea level traverse and a walk out on Humphrey
Head and Year 6 mathematicians worked together in
November 2019 the York round of the @ExploreLearning competition.
They really showed super collaborative and reflective
The children were delighted to receive the International
mathematical thinking.
School Award at Intermediate Level from the British
Council. This is a celebration of their work in languages,
cultural studies and global citizenship. Year 2 visited
Moorlands Woods and created some beautiful art based
on the work of RFJamesUK. Year 6 took part in a fantastic
Maths workshop with Explore learning. Year 5 went to
Jodrell Bank and had the opportunity to engage in a
18Bootham Features – An unusual Year at Bootham Junior School
February 2020
Year 2 did a fabulous job of building
their own walls from wattle and daub
in their Outdoor Education session,
as part of their Houses and Homes
Through the Ages topic. They also really
enjoyed their drama workshop at the
Theatre Royal based on the Enormous
Crocodile! Early Years students enjoyed
a morning of learning with Stick Man
and friends. They enjoyed whittling and
some wonderful stories. Year 6 visited
Eden Camp and tested out Morisson
and Anderson shelters. Year 4 went to
Staithes and did lots of rock pooling,
finding a long-spined sea scorpion,
shore crabs and a baby sand eel. They
also worked together to make a massive
dragon city. All the children worked
collaboratively and creatively. Year 3
children enjoyed exploring a ‘river in
a van’ from the Yorkshire Dales River
Trust. They found out about erosion and
deposition and labelled all the features
in a river from its source to the sea.
March 2020
Year 5 visited the woods and created art
from nature in the style of artist, Andrew
Goldsworthy. They also enjoyed reading
their explanatory texts to Year 1 and Year
1 shared their reimagined stories based
on The Tiger Who Came To Tea. What a
talented bunch of writers and budding
teachers! Year 1 enjoyed their trip to Pizza
Express, making pizzas and learning
about the healthy ingredients that go
into them. Year 2 travelled back to Tudor
times when they visited Barley Hall,
where they got to experience what life
would have been like for both servants
and rich lords and ladies. They also spent
time at Moorlands Wood where they
learned about habitats, built shelters and
found time for hot chocolate and smores.
Summer Term 2020
Lockdown meant that most of the
children were learning from home and
we had some lovely pictures of the
work they were doing. Some children
continued to come into school where
they enjoyed lessons with their class
teachers and some extra fitness fun with
Helen Todd.
19You can also read
