THE MAGAZINE OF BOOTHAM SCHOOL AND THE BOOTHAM OLD SCHOLARS' ASSOCIATION
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE MAGAZINE OF BOOTHAM SCHOOL AND THE BOOTHAM OLD SCHOLARS’ ASSOCIATION
Volume 41 / Issue 8 / December 2018
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 Higson
03 The Headmaster
04 - 19 Bootham Features
- 04 - 07 - A Year at Bootham: Head Reeves’ Speech 2018
- 08 - 09 - Interview with Gavin Blackstone
- 10 - 11 - All our futures
- 12 - 13 - Quaker United Nations Office
- 14 - 15 - Boarding at Bootham
- 16 - 17 - A Year at Bootham Junior School
- 18 - 19 - Openshaw Travel Bursary
20 - 21 Ian Small, Headmaster 1988-2004
22 - 31 Student Work
- 22 - 26 - Southall Archaeological Awards
- 27 - DT work
- 28 - Art
- 29 - 31 - New Work
32 - 37 Leavers 2018
- 32 - 33 - Photograph
- 34 - 35 - College Leavers’ Results
- 36 - Leavers’ destinations
- 37 - Staff Leavers
38 - 43 School Record
- 38 - New staff and students
- 39 - 43 - Sport
44 - 61 Old Scholars
- 44 - 46 - Across the months
- 47 - Old Scholars Poetry
- 48 - 49 - Jeremy Heywood
- 50 - 51 - Geoffrey Taylor
- 52 - 53 - Michael Hillas
- 54 - 55 - Old Scholars remembered
- 56 - John Sidney Moore
- 57 - Deaths since 2017
- 58 - 59 - Bootham in the 1960s
- 60 - 61 - Reunions
62 Adverts
63 School Reunions 2019
02
The Headmaster
It’s always good to find the time to step back from the hectic The work of the ISSP, which is so important to children
business of life at Bootham to reflect on where we are, what in the city and which is held up nationally as perhaps the
we have achieved and what matters most about our life here. best example of cross-sector co-operation in the country,
The opportunity to write the introduction to this excellent was recognised in the joint hosting with St Peter’s of a very
publication -for which huge thanks to Elaine Phillips in successful national conference on school partnerships. Our
particular- always provides that. Assistant Head James Ratcliffe deserves enormous credit for
Looking back, we have had quite a year. Most encouraging the successful running of both that event and of such a rich
in many respects was the fact that in September 2018 the programme of activities within school more generally. These
senior school welcomed the largest number of entrants for are aimed both at our own students and the wider community
over 20 years, indicating, it could be argued, that Bootham’s of York: visits from mental health campaigner and educator
reputation is growing at present. The only way that this could Natasha Devon and two beneficiaries of Quaker involvement
have happened, however, is because of the contribution of in the Kinder Transport in the 1930s -Kurt Strauss and
so many people, so much activity and loads of commitment Peter Kurer- were among many well attended and thought
to our life here, day to day and term to term; no school provoking events open to those beyond our gates.
grows in numbers based upon ideas or ideals alone, but on Our own innovative All our Futures Conference brought nearly
the way those ideas are truly exemplified in the lives of staff, 100 young people from various parts of the country together
students and Old Scholars. I thought, then, that I would offer to gaze into the future with the help of some top notch
a selection from the many things that have happened here in speakers and draw up a manifesto for an education for the
the past year. future, the results of which have been recently published, and
This is to be seen in the academic results our students achieve make very challenging reading.
at GCSE and A Level. The latter, in particular, gave great cause The year has, of course, also brought its share of sadness.
for celebration this year with an unusually high percentage of In particular we have marked the very untimely passing of
College leavers securing places on their first choice course, relatively recent Old Scholars Jason Lawn and Ellie Wike, as
and the school proving to be among the top 6% of schools well as much loved staff. Geoffrey Taylor, French teacher at
nationally for adding academic value in the Sixth Form. Bootham between 1981 and 1994 passed away in early October
It is to be seen too in the achievements of our talented 2018, followed shortly afterwards by Ian Small, Headmaster
students on the sports’ field, in the concert hall, on stage, up from 1988-2004. Ian’s memorial meeting in the Bootham
mountains and in many, many other ways. For example, our Meeting Hall on November 11th was packed with Old Scholars,
U13, 14 and 15 basketball teams all won local titles, our senior former parents, his family and both current and past staff of
footballers have progressed impressively in national football the school (among many others) who paid very warm, deep,
competitions against much bigger schools, and various highly affectionate and, at times, hilarious tribute to a man whose
dedicated individuals gained national recognition for their mark on the school and the lives of its members has been
sporting achievements, most notably Angus McMillan (Cross profound, indelible and entirely for good.
Country) Toby Price (Modern Pentathlon), Georgia Haynes In the same week we marked the passing of Jeremy
(Fencing) and Emma Van Dam (Orienteering) Christopher Heywood, son of erstwhile Head of English, Peter, and a
Chivers, Rob Davidson, Zach Chan and Kiran Scott de great servant to the nation in leading the Civil Service with
Martinville have been Arkwright Engineering scholars; our distinction for many years. It was clear from the tributes paid
senior mathematicians (Fuyi Xu chief amongst them currently to him nationally that the values of his Bootham education
despite being only in Upper Seniors) performed especially well were exemplified in his life of service, something we continue
in the UK Mathematical Olympiad for Girls; and a small group to urge from all our young people.
of current College 2 students (Alex Johnson, Lewis Kilbride In closing, it reminds us that the school we love and enjoy in
and Rob Davidson) were presented with awards for the Best the present is founded on the hard work, inspiration and deep
Act of Commemoration in the Country at the Tower of London commitment of past generations of staff and students who
for their work with others from the York Independent State loved it as we do. It is up to the current generation to keep the
Schools partnership on a truly impressive and collaborative flame burning and pass it on. We fully intend to do so!
commemoration of the Great War. There are many other
achievements that could be mentioned, but I hope the above
list gives a flavour.
03
C:
Beth: “It is sheer good fortune to miss somebody long
A YEAR AT before they leave you.”
Martyn, quoted this to us from the American Novelist, Toni
Morrison, in our first Reeves’ Meeting of the year. With just
days now remaining of our Bootham journey this quote rings
true more than ever. The sense of our time coming to an
end here could conjure feelings of sadness or loss, however
as Toni Morrison implies those feelings show how much we
have enjoyed our time here. In this spirit today we will show
you some of the highlights of our final year here at Bootham.
Tom: Before we get into the good times we have had this
year we would like to take this opportunity to remember the
members of the Bootham community who have left us this
year
- After five years of being director of PE, Alison Moreland,
made it over the final hurdle to retirement at Christmas.
Finishing on a high note with a cabaret act that few of us will
ever forget. We would like to thank her for inspiring the love
of PE within so many students - even if winning matches
hasn’t always been our strong point!
- Another respected member of staff we had to say good
bye to earlier this year was our librarian Steven Oakden
who arrived at Bootham, along with us seven years ago. He
worked with the whole school community, from helping
lower schoolrooms to understand the Dewey decimal
system to finding books for college twos desperately trying
to finish their history coursework. We can safely say all
coursework was completed to the deadline!
WITHBETH GLOVER
Beth: We have also had some new arrivals over the course of
& TOM WIDGERY the past year
Laura Herring our new librarian, has made a good first
impression by conquering the printer in record time and
always remaining warm and smiley, even when having to tell
Berlin Krakov lower schoolrooms to quieten down.
Nicki Husband has taken on the role as Junior Common
Room Supervisor. She has battled with schoolrooms’ tears,
breakdowns and break ups but has successfully survived her
first year down in the common room!
Matthew Parker has joined the design technology
department and made learning fun and accessible for all his
students.
Carrying on the theme of new beginnings we would like
to congratulate Jamie Ralph, our DT technician who got
married last summer to Sonia Russell who he has known
since year 8 when they met at school in Kent. We have had
two new arrivals into the Bootham family this year, with a
big congratulations to both Jamie Ralph and also Hannah
Feehan.
Bootham Challenge 2018
Guitar recital 17.05.18
Emily Watson and Sammy Johnson selected to perform in national ensembles
04
Bootham Features - A year at Bootham: Head Reeves Speech 2018
Tom: Another new addition, we can’t forget is our new Tom: In December, the charities committee set up a
deputy head, Martyn Beer, who through various morning “reverse advent calendar” scheme where instead of
meetings has injected a new wave of Quakerism back receiving a gift, or chocolate, on each day of Advent,
into Bootham. Although Martyn’s youthful vigor and students gave donations to the local Foodbank and
enthusiasm did backfire at the start of the year when he Refugee Action York to support those in need. Student
confidently challenged a group of year 11s in a game of and staff support and engagement in this project was
pickup basketball despite wearing his work shoes. The overwhelming, with a fantastic total of almost 2000
predictable fall happened minutes into the game and he items collected!
was left battered and bruised with a black eye. In spite
Beth: One of the most successful charitable events
of his injuries Martyn soldiered on through his very first
this year, raising money for Amnesty International, was
open morning, which I’m sure would have left a lasting
the fabulous time travel fashion show and an auction
impression with prospective parents.
of paintings kindly donated by Richard Barnes and
Back in October, Martyn joined us on the pilgrimage and Jade Blood, two members of the Bootham School Art
couldn’t resist sharing his love for the 1652 country the Department. Along with a crisis lunch and several bake
entire trip! We would like to take this moment to thank sales, we have managed to raise over £1500 to support
Martyn for being such a good support and helping us Amnesty’s work
thoroughly enjoy our year as head reeves.
Tom: And no surprise to anyone, the music department
Beth: We would like to take this moment to thank our with particular credit to the legend - Paul Feehan, has
lovely deputy head reeves Hannah Long and Rolf Marr once again managed to put on two amazing concerts for
who we couldn’t have made it through the year without! everyone’s enjoyment.
Furthermore, we would like to thank Tom Gray for There have also been some fantastic individual successes
being a groundbreaking clerk of council this year. Our across the year groups in music. Both Emily Watson and
replacements have been selected for next year with a Sammy Johnson have been selected to play in National
Head Reeve team consisting of Georgia Haynes, Rob Ensembles and Emily also won the Open Age Recital
Davidson, Livy Thew and Will Stevens and Kate Hey as the Class at the Haydn Wood Festival.
new clerk of council. We wish them all the best of luck
Beth: Another congratulations has to go to Weiqing Ge
and hope that they enjoy their time in these positions as
in Middle Schoolroom who went through a two-stage
much as we did.
process in the East Coast Young Musician of the Year 2017
Tom: Without any flashy new developments or even any competition to win her class with her cello playing.
new questionable outdoor sports equipment Bootham’s
More schoolroom success came from the Harrogate
appearance hasn’t changed much this year. However, we
Music Festival, with particularly outstanding first place
have once again been visited by the Independent Schools
finishes from Tommy Sun for piano and Yiyang Xu and
Inspectorate and we are pleased to say we passed with
Yilin Xu in the Chamber music class.
flying colours.
Beth: Once again Bootham has flourished in its charitable
giving, from various dress up days, taken full advantage
of by five college two students who have gone above
and beyond the call of duty, taking on many characters
from the nativity to the spice girls to gymnasts! Every
half term has seen bars taken over by bake sales which
have proved as popular as ever. Also a wonderful team
of college two boys (including our very own head boy)
cycled the coast to coast route and managed to raise a
whopping £1300 for Dragonfly Schools Foundation which
was set up by Sue Bretherton, the former head of the
junior school and her husband, Ian.
Other projects Bootham have taken part in, include Kurt Strauss
sending old textbooks to schools in Africa as well as
several upper senior students helping make washable
feminine hygiene kits for girls in developing countries
with pupils from the Mount School.
Iceland 2018
Upper Schoolroom and their snowman
05
Tom: This year, the drama department put on an Beth: Two budding engineers in college one, Rob
outstanding performance of J.M Barry’s Peter Pan, with Davidson and Christopher Chivers have done extremely
a brilliant lead performance from college one student, well to secure themselves Arkwright engineering
Freya Collins. scholarships. Rob and Christopher were selected
through a grueling process of exams and interviews all
As well as on stage performers, we must shine the light
while competing against over 1400 other applicants.
on those behind the scenes who make the productions
Arkwright scholarships are only awarded to the most
possible from sound to lighting to props. We would
promising future leaders of the engineering industry -
like to give a very special thanks to James Haynes
good luck with that boys!
and George Johnson who are both Bootham leavers
this year. They have both volunteered their free time It’s not only college students who have excelled
to help with everything from school productions to this year - lower down the school Harry Cooper, an
morning meetings and of course the cabaret over the upper schoolroom student, won a creative writing
past seven years. competition out of over 1800 entries. His mini saga
“My Life Got Twisted Upside Down!” has been chosen
Beth: Keeping with the key mottos of Bootham,
for publication in a book showcasing young adults’
adventurous and liberating, students across ages have
work called Welcome to Wonderland - South Yorkshire
been able to experience a large range of amazing
Marvels. Another schoolroom success comes from
schools trips. Historians travelled to both Berlin and
Carol Chen who came third in a national poetry
Krakow this year over Easter to learn about how
competition with her poem aiming to raise awareness
elements of Nazi, Holocaust and Cold War history
of hunger in the UK.
have shaped the cities. Liz Brown has once again
given geographers the chance to travel to Iceland and Tom: A team of schoolroom students comprised of
experience the blue lagoon and some of the other Grace Wiggers, Benji Alwis, Rohith Raman and Charlie
geographical wonders that it has to offer. Of course, Thornton competed in the UK mathematics trust team
the language department has offered their fair share challenge coming a fantastic second against 22 other
of trips from Madrid to Munich, and a trip to Paris in teams from the Yorkshire region.
February - which of course the history department had
Beth: Individual sporting achievements have been
to latch onto!
plentiful this year. Last Summer Middle Schoolroom
Tom: Bootham students have once again shone student, Ellen Gordon, took part in a national diving
across the board with many personal successes and skills competition at the London Olympic Park.
achievements. Tom Gray, in college two was highly
Also Upper Schoolroom student Emma Van Dam
commended in the Royal Economics Society’s Young
represented England in orienteering this year and
Economists of the Year essay competition with his
Stella Cross and Angus McMillan in College 2, have
essay entitled “Government should raise the public
both competed in the English Schools Athletics
science budget, to boost flagging UK productivity
Championships in cross country running. Angus
growth” - that’s quite something to put on your UCAS
McMillan was also selected to compete at international
form!
level to represent England. Shame he doesn’t always
Another fantastic achievement this year, was the use the same speed to get to lessons on time!
victory of Dominic Bielby (College Two) and Eliot
Watson (College 1) who travelled to GSAL to compete
against other schools from the region in the NE MFL
debating competition.
A level musicians visited London for
a study day
A level results 2018
York Pride
06
Bootham Features - A year at Bootham: Head Reeves Speech 2018
Tom: The international success does not stop there. Beth: We have been privileged to welcome a wide
College one student, Toby Price, competing as part range of visiting speakers who have helped to shape
of the Junior GB squad has enjoyed a successful 12 our way of thinking. For instance, a talk by an inspiring
months in Modern Pentathlon (comprising of five Quaker called Kurt Strauss who as a child was saved
diverse sports: swimming, fencing, riding, running and by kinder transport to a hard hitting story from a man
shooting, disappointingly not all at the same time). who managed to turn his life around after struggling
for years with a life-threatening drug addiction. In
Another college one student who has excelled in sports
addition, we were lucky enough to welcome Natasha
this year is Georgia Haynes who has been selected by
Devon, a Youth Mental Health campaigner, who gave
British Fencing to be part of their Sports Excellence
several talks to both students and parents on the issues
Programme.
of self-esteem, self-image and managing the pressures
Beth: As well as individual successes Bootham has also of teenage life.
excelled in team sports over the past year. Notably, the
Tom: As we have prepared this speech we’ve been
U13, U14 and U15 teams all won District basketball titles
ever more conscious of Toni Morrison’s words. We are
- which Andy Bell informs us is a very impressive feat
already feeling the pain of missing Bootham but we
as we have not won 3 divisions in the same year for a
know that we will always have the good times we have
very long time! Also our most successful football team
had here, to cherish.
this year was the U16 football team who got to one
semi-final and two quarter finals of area and national
competitions. The girls’ sports teams have also had
many successes over the year, with particular note to
the U19 netball team who won the County event.
Tom: A key part of Bootham life, which we will miss
so dearly is the morning meeting. Over the past year
we have heard from many different members of the
community. Chris Jeffery steals the show on a Friday
morning, using his weekly reflections on school and
life in general to try to bring the school community
together while encouraging independent reflection for
every individual.
Other meetings have ranged from Harriet Ennis making
the whole school laugh with videos of chimpanzees
being tickled to Liz Brown along with a team of
students called The world shaper action group (aka
WAG) inspiring the whole school to write letters about
reuniting refugee families in the UK. Some of these
letters were even quoted by Rachel Maskell, our local
MP, in parliament.
Language school in Madrid March 2018
Winners of the German debating
competition Dom Bielby and
Eliot Watson
Peter Pan
07
07
Gavin Blackstone
Bursar
W
hat does the role of bursar
involve?
I’m responsible for everything
in school that isn’t academic. Primarily my
role is to ensure the financial stability of the
school and to plan strategically in line with our
investment strategy. My team provides services
to students and teachers, whether that’s catering,
housekeeping, estates and maintenance,
marketing, fundraising, HR or administration
support. My role is to keep all the plates spinning
at once and I know we’ve done this successfully if
people don’t notice we’re here!
Why did you choose Bootham?
I’ve lived in York since I was 21 and was aware of
Bootham and role it has in the York community. I
had been bursar at Fulneck School near Leeds for
four years before coming to Bootham. Fulneck gave
me a fantastic grounding but Bootham was my
ideal job, as it had the positives of Fulneck within
my home city. I was delighted when the job came
up and I was appointed.
How different is Bootham from previous
roles?
There are more resources here and more
opportunities for growth. The facilities are well
maintained and modernised. There’s a real sense of
community which is important to me and my family. What attracted you to work in the education
I think Bootham is unique in the way it welcomes
sector?
everyone into things like Reflect 30, Bootham
Breakfast and Saturday lunch. I also think the daily My background was in Public Sector Audit and
morning Meeting is important and am pleased that Advisory and a significant client for me was
support staff are also involved, as it means we all Manchester City Council where I worked with their
share the same experiences and have time to sit LEA on accounting and governance. I also enjoyed
and reflect together. managing major projects in the world of Chartered
Accountancy but, when my firm merged with
another, I thought it was a good time to move into
the ‘real world’ and the role of Bursar appealed as
it was broadly grounded in financial planning and
management.
08
Bootham Features - A interview with Gavin Blackstone
What are you most proud of achieving as
Bursar?
I think I foster a good team ethic where we take
collective responsibility for daily operations and
significant projects. I have a strong team and I
lead by personal example.
At my previous school, I was particularly proud
of the sixth form centre which we renovated one
summer drawing most skills from within my team
as we had limited resources. I am proud of the
facilities we provided and excited that I’ll have the
opportunity to work enhancing College facilities at
Bootham in the next 24 months.
You son is in Lower Senior: what’s your
perception of Bootham as a parent?
My son is thriving here and my wife and I are
delighted with Bootham. He joined the school half
way through the year but he was welcomed by
Would you recommend school finance as a
his peers and within a week had a wide range of career?
friends. Bootham is very accepting of individual Yes, if you are someone who enjoys a very fast
interests and he’s allowed to be himself here. pace of work (it can be relentless at times as the
We’re delighted with his academic development role is so broad) and are resilient. You need to be
and the excellent teachers he’s had across a good communicator and very adaptable and
subjects. The whole family feels very much part responsive to change. No two days are the same.
of the Bootham community and we love to come If you are a perfectionist, then this job is not for
into lunch on Saturdays and join in with school you because you have to move between projects
events such as Carols by Candlelight. quickly and be prepared to turn your hand to
everything.
What are you plans for the future?
It’s hard work but very rewarding and I would
I want to carry on with investment in physical and recommend it.
human resources and to make certain we have
strategic targets and plans that will really benefit Finally, tell us about your ideal weekend
current and future students. Our next major This is about spending quality time with my family,
project at the Senior School will be to centralise particularly with my wife as most of the time
College facilities and provide a modern working we are too busy running the ‘Mum and Dad Taxi
environment. The idea is to house College 1 and Service’. An ideal weekend would be at home with
2 together with areas for individual and group the family, walking the dog and then all five of our
study together with improved social and relaxation football teams winning, which has never happened
spaces. The Junior School will also enjoy new yet!
playground facilities with a wonderful sensory
garden.
09
All our
futures 1
In western society, most obviously, all but a tiny All our Futures Conference
minority of adults will have experienced at least 12 (Bootham School, York; June 10th 2018)
years of public education; a good proportion of those As part of Bootham School’s Development Plan we spent time
will have done up to six years more than that. No during the 2017-18 school year researching the most prevalent
wonder that this is the one area of public policy that and convincing predictions about what the future for which
we are preparing our students for might look like, so that we
politicians seem most keen and confident to change
could interrogate our current curriculum in the light of our
when they take power, and about which the public findings. To that end a group of staff and a group of parents
appears to believe that it ‘knows’ most. spent time reading, researching and discussing about such
And yet the one question that needs to be asked most things.
often and most urgently often appears rarely to be asked As a culmination of our research we held a one day
at all (at least out loud and in the public space): ‘what is the conference, supported and sponsored in part by Tomorrow’s
true purpose of education?’ Or more especially, ‘what is the Company, to which we invited five speakers who shared their
purpose of our national education system?’ vision and expertise about the key areas of interest that had
Is it to equip individuals with knowledge, skills and emerged from that research. They shared the fruits of their
qualifications to achieve a thriving life? thinking with Year 12 students from a variety of schools in and
Is it to ensure that those citizens create wealth for the nation? beyond York.
Is it to ensure that the nation develops a stronger and/or fairer 20 minute TED-style talks from each speaker, followed by
society? Q&A and discussion both in plenary and small groups, gave
the young people plenty to consider, and feedback was
Is it largely to preserve the status quo or radically to change it?
very positive indeed. The small groups ended the day by
Is it to ensure global progress; to make the planet a better considering what they had learned before writing a manifesto
home for all? setting out the key facets that they believed would be central
Is it something else entirely? to an education to fit the next generation of school pupils to
face the future.
Whatever the answer to that question -for governments,
for individuals, for nations, for the planet- one thing is sure:
education is primarily about creating the future. Creating the
Our speakers were:
future by shaping the lives, outlook, skills and ideas of the
young any system produces. 1. Chris Jeffery: Bootham Headmaster and founding
Chair of The HMC Wellbeing Working Group as
It would therefore appear to be sensible -perhaps essential- to
Conference President
spend time trying to understand, as far as it possible to do so,
the likely form of that future, as well as how its emphases and 2. Jules Evans: Policy Director for the History of Emotions
its challenges may be different from those facing us today. at Queen Mary, University of London spoke about
Any education system that solely prepares young people for Wellbeing and Thriving
their next steps in the current paradigm is failing those young 3. Kresse Wesling, MBE: multi-award winning
people; sadly, short term political control of education will environmental entrepreneur spoke about Sustainability
inevitably tend to that approach. and the Environment
Future gazing is very clearly, and by definition, not a precise 4. Mike Shaw: Bootham’s own futurist and Biology and
science; definitive conclusions are unlikely. However not to Astronomy Teacher spoke about Lifespan and ‘Lifepath’
attempt to gaze would appear foolish in the extreme, not
5. Nik Gowing: BBC news presenter, journalist and author
least when the availability of knowledge and exponentially
spoke about Political, Economic and Geopolitical
increasing data about current trends and historic patterns of
Change
change can allow us to extrapolate conclusions that we can
project forward. There are plenty of thinkers employed on 6. Rohit Talwar: futurist, strategic advisor and author
such pursuits; we can choose to ignore them because their spoke about Technology and AI
predictions by very definition cannot be proved, or we can
engage with them and discern where there might be a helpful
confluence of their ideas.
So, if education is fundamentally about preparing individual
young people -and through them preparing our nation and the
world it is part of- for a thriving future, let’s at least develop an
idea of what that future is likely to be like. Not to try at least
would appear to be an abrogation of our responsibility to the
generations entrusted to us. To echo the aphorism (wrongly)
attributed to enlightenment thinker Benjamin Franklin: If we
fail to prepare for what is coming we must prepare to fail!
Worse still would be for us to fail the young people that we
are responsible for, by not at least trying to read the signs of
the times.
10Bootham Features - All our futures
A Manifesto for an Education for All our Futures • Creativity of thought (arising from secure knowledge),
The following summarises a representative collation of the especially in pursuit of solving problems and new
work of delegates at the All our Futures Conference: approaches in a changing world
We believe that the education our schools and systems • Artistic and cultural creativity
must provide to prepare the next generation for the • Discernment of ‘truth’ in everyday life and discourse
challenges of the future should have as its ultimate purpose • Self-reflection and self-care
the development of successful individuals who flourish by
contributing to the task of making the communities, nation • Collaboration, co-operation and bridge building
and world they live in fairer and better for all • Effective public and interpersonal communication, both
This can be done by nurturing, developing and encouraging written and spoken
individuals who are: • Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges
1. Knowledgeable, curious, and motivated intrinsically to
learn about the world they are part of; able to make 3. The Mindsets and Attitudes we need
connections across differing fields of knowledge
We believe that the education our schools must provide to
2. Aware of how to promote and safeguard their own prepare the next generation for the challenges of the future
mental, physical and spiritual health should prioritise mindsets and attitudes that are:
3. Technologically literate and confident, but not • Entrepreneurial; seeking to develop and implement new
unquestioningly so ideas and approaches at a local level
4. Critical and properly sceptical in their approach to all • Innovative; willing to consider and propose new ways of
sources of information and opinion, and hungry for truth addressing issues, both old and new
5. Aware of their own individual purpose in life and their • Long term; seeking to understand the purpose and
responsibility to wider society and the world; willing to application of their learning beyond the here and now
take action for change and progress
• Ethical; seeking to act ethically in their own lives and
6. Flexible, adaptable and farsighted challenge the unethical in the wider world
7. Original, creative thinkers, having the courage and • Sceptical; seeking to question and critique in the pursuit of
confidence to use their knowledge to be problem solvers truth
and to ‘think the unthinkable’
• Community minded; valuing positive contribution to the
8. Global in outlook; ethical; tolerant of difference and communities of which each individual is a part
empathetic to all
• Global; recognising our connection to and responsibility for
9. Entrepreneurial, seeking to develop and implement new that which is beyond our local or national interests
ideas within the communities they are part of to tackle
• Resilient; developing the mental, emotional and physical
the challenges of the present and the future
foundations for a flourishing life in the face of uncertainty
10. Cultured and active, able to fill leisure and fallow time and challenge
with enriching and life enhancing pursuits
4. The Values we need
In order to achieve this, the following need to be prioritised:
We believe that the education our schools must provide to
1. The Knowledge we need
prepare the next generation for the challenges of the future
We believe that the education our schools must provide to should prioritise the encouragement of the following core
prepare the next generation for the challenges of the future values:
should ensure that the knowledge it seeks to impart should
• Fairness and equality
include or even prioritise the following:
• Personal responsibility and integrity
• The science and maths of AI and Biotech
• Good environmental stewardship and social responsibility
• The environmental challenges facing humanity
• Empathy, kindness and tolerance
• Global history, current politics and economics; how the
world has become what it has become and why it is as it is 5. The Assessment to which we are subject
• Big Data: how it originates and how it is used We believe that the way that the education provided by our
• Global awareness: how others on the planet live and schools is assessed by government and tested by any public
experience life exam/assessment system should value what really matters
• Culture: the rich global and national heritage students for the future rather than what can be most easily measured,
inherit in all aspects of the Arts employing a range of tools to do so. It should value:
• Philosophy: exploring the wisdom of the ages that promotes • Knowledge of topics necessary for higher study and
personal and societal flourishing foundational/crucial to an understanding of the current
world or the future
• Personal finance: what is needed for individuals to be
prepare for long term financial security in a more uncertain • Ability to think critically and creatively with that knowledge
world • Ability to communicate that knowledge and our thinking
arising from it cogently and effectively
2. The Skills we need
• Ability to work with others to achieve a goal.
We believe that the education our schools must provide to
prepare the next generation for the challenges of the future
should prioritise the knowledge needed for the cultivation of
the following core skills:
2 3 4 5 6
11From 2014 - 2015, I worked with the Quaker QUNOs work is obviously not a science and successes
United Nations Office (QUNO) in New York, are not always immediately evident, but for a small
organisation there have been some considerable
to support their diplomatic work pushing achievements. In 1996 for instance, the QUNO office in
for a more peaceful and just world. Present Geneva played a crucial role bringing diplomats together
since the 1940’s, this small office has, much to discuss the indiscriminate and destructive nature
like Quakers throughout time, packed a of land mines – a process that ended up leading to
something called the Ottawa treaty which bans the use
considerable punch despite quite limited and production of land mines and has 133 states signed
resources. up. While, at one time it was thought that over 40% of
Historically, Quakers have always spoken out against the diplomats working at the UN in New York, had been
war, injustice and violence – and their work at the United to Quaker House and witnessed the way Quakers seek to
Nations is no different. There are many organisations overcome conflict and division.
and religious traditions that share a similar mission to During my time at QUNO, I was lucky enough to
the Quakers at the UN, but QUNOs approach is unique. contribute to some particularly exciting and historically
QUNO does not shout the loudest, or chastise those who significant work. In 2014, negotiations were in full swing
articulate different, often incompatible visions of the to decide a new global development framework that
world. Instead, a way of working that detaches ego from was due to replace the Millennium Development Goals.
the individual and the organisation is professed, with QUNO, together with some likeminded peacebuilding
efforts concentrated upon working behind the scenes organisations, worked to ensure that this new framework
to try to advocate for people-centred approaches to acknowledged the well-known links between peace
international efforts to maintain peace and security. and development, but that did not make its way into the
Through this mission, there are two main, intertwined MDGs. Over the course of 12 months, QUNO ran a series
threads to Quakers’ work’ at the United Nations – of quiet convenings with diplomats from key negotiating
facilitation and influencing. In a nutshell, Quakers attempt countries, to push a consensus towards ensuring the
to bring together, bridge divides between, and carefully replacement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
advise diplomats, UN officials and decisions-makers recognised that development cannot happen without
to make choices and pursue policies that will prevent peace, and must address conditions that prevent peace
violent conflict and build international peace and security. from happening, if it is to be successful.
In this work, Quakers are of course not neutral actors. When every Head of State came together in September
We are not neutral on issues of chemical weapons use, 2015, they unanimously signed off on what is now known
on foreign intervention and occupation, on the arms as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
trade, or on human rights abuses. Yet, we attempt to – complete with a standalone goal (Sustainable
overcome divisions on these issues, in a way that is not Development Goal 16) that is focused towards building
confrontational or hostile. a peaceful, just, and inclusive society. The universal
The Quaker UN office tries to do this by facilitating quiet agreement that peace is a global development priority
dialogue for diplomats, to enable a space where critical was a long time coming, and without organisations like
issues can be explored, ideas exchanged, perceptions QUNO working to quietly influence policymakers, may
shifted, and hopefully, new, more peaceful, directions not have happened.
set. This work includes advocacy – a nicer, version of what Aside from work to support this process, I was tasked
might be referred to as lobbying – but always directed with supporting QUNOs efforts to progress a peace
towards achieving a world without war and conflict, and process in Palestine and Israel. This work reflects Quakers’
never with ulterior, or paid-for, motivations. long-standing commitment towards supporting a just
Over the years Quakers have focused on a range of peace in the Middle East. Quakers have in fact been
different issues, but in a world comprised of so many present in a peacebuilding capacity in this region since
challenges – there is obviously a limitation on what can before the State of Israel existed. Tellingly, the American
be covered and prioritised. The New York office, in any Friends Service Committee (AFSC) – the branch of
one year, can cover issues such as the war in Syria, the American Quaker relief work – were trusted to be the
elections in Burundi, through to the latest negotiations official custodians of Palestinian refugees in 1947 after
on a new UN policy direction for peacekeepers – but with they were displaced from their homeland when Israel
just a handful of staff, cannot focus on everything. was created, before the responsibility was handed over to
the United Nations. Over the past seventy years, Quakers
in Britain, the United States, and around the world have
continued to search for an elusive peace in Palestine and
despite the many setbacks have always stayed true to
this mission. QUNO have been part of this commitment,
given that New York is the home of the UN Security
Council and the lever of power in issues of international
peace and security.
12Bootham Features - All our futures
When I arrived at QUNO, the third assault on the Gaza for organisations focusing on peace and reducing violent
Strip had just ended – where over 2,200 Palestinians were conflict. The organisation I work with now, Saferworld, is
killed and approximately 70 Israelis lost their lives. Over a close partner with QUNO, and allows me opportunities
the following 12 months, an already dire humanitarian to continue my advocacy work at the United Nations
crisis in Gaza worsened – with little aid reaching residents while additionally offering new experiences such as
due to a blockade by the Israeli Government. It was travelling to East Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and
a time of serious frustration with the inability of the South-East Asia. In this role I can take forward the work I
United Nations to do anything to prevent the violence did at QUNO to help influence the new global Sustainable
and protect the lives of those in need of help. Not to Development Goals (SDGs) and get to see first-hand how
be overwhelmed by this inertia, QUNO and a few other they can positively affect people’s lives.
organisations, worked behind the scenes to explore if
I would certainly recommend pursuing a career in
any new momentum could be created to push the UN
international affairs or international based work, as it is
security council to renew negotiation to end the blockade
certainly a very fulfilling path. However, unfortunately
and the unsustainable situation in Gaza and catalyse
it is not the most lucrative or well-resourced – and is
a new course of action that leads to an end to the
a competitive field with too few jobs. The best advice
occupation and a peaceful future for the people of Gaza,
I can give to any aspiring seniors or college students
and, indeed, for all Palestinians and Israelis.
who are interested in pursuing such a path is to take full
To do this, we devised a strategy that would force the advantage of Bootham’s extra-curricular clubs such as
members of the UN Security Council to have to attend Amnesty (and if they don’t exist, start them up – like my
a session where they would have to listen to the first- peers and I did with our Peacejam group), while making
hand experiences of Palestinians and Israelis that were sure that you choose a university course that allows you
suffering because of the violence and humanitarian crisis. to delve deeper into international issues. For those who
What transpired was the first time in 18 years that the are slightly older, perhaps currently at university, have a
UN Security Council held a meeting on Gaza, and the look into the QUNO Geneva Summer School – a yearly
Ambassadors of the UK, the US, France and China hearing two-week course that takes 30 students a year and
how their inaction has had disastrous consequences provides helpful exposure to what life and work is like at
for so many. If it was up to the American or British the United Nations.
delegations at the UN, this meeting would probably not
While I only worked at QUNO for 12 months, I am by
have happened, but Quakers believe it is important that
no means a Bootham one-off. In fact, this year, two
we speak truth to power – which sometimes involves
ex-Boothamer’s will be working for QUNO – Mimi
saying and doing things, that major governments oppose.
Evagora-Campbell (2008 – 2014) in New York, and Cassidy
This milestone UN Security Council meeting created Mckenna (2004-2010) in Geneva. Mimi will be working
new momentum, which led to the Security Council with my former colleagues to support their peacebuilding
passing a resolution calling for the end of illegal Israeli and prevention work, and Cassidy will be part of the
settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in Human Rights and Refugees program that is housed out
2015. Unfortunately, a change in policy for the new United of QUNOs Geneva office. Perhaps you could be next?
States government in 2017 has curtailed this positive
drive, but when the time comes to reignite progressive
alternatives in the Middle East, QUNO will be well placed - Jordan Street, Bootham 2004-09
to help shape and drive this process forward.
Since leaving QUNO in 2015, I have continued to work
13Bootham Boarding
An International Community
One of the joys of living in a boarding The diversity of the boarding community here and
what it means to come together and build a home
house is having the opportunity to spend in the boarding houses has also been a theme of this
time with and form bonds with people term’s boarders’ meetings. As well as allowing a rare
from all over the world and this year the and precious moment of stillness for the boarders, the
meetings give us a chance to reflect on ideas and values
boarding community at Bootham is a truly that help us to build a community that both celebrates
diverse one. Our one hundred boarders diversity and strives for unity. So far this term Chris
come from as nearby as York and as far Jeffrey has spoken with the students about the impact
that they make in the school and how they would like to
away as the other side of the globe. With be remembered, Sarah Allen led a reflection on peace
boarders hailing from America, Bosnia and and Beth Steer and David Swales both spoke on the
Herzegovina, China, Denmark, Germany, theme of home. David’s meeting took place on World
Quaker Day, the theme of which could not have been
Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malta, Nigeria, more apt for our boarding community; “crossing cultures,
Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, sharing stories.” The boarders thought about the passage
Spain, Switzerland and Thailand we are from Quaker Faith and Practice which begins “Do you try
and make your home a place of friendliness, refreshment
lucky at Bootham to be able to live in an and peace?” and used Lego to reflect on how we each
environment in which we can learn from bring our own unique characters and experiences
and celebrate a range of individuals and together to turn the boarding houses into homes. The
later meetings in the term led by Emily Harper and
cultures with each bringing their unique Russell Newlands both drew on the suitably autumnal
attributes to boarding life. theme of leaves to think about each person’s unique
characteristics and how we can embrace change.
The autumn term has seen this lived out in the boarding
community with a Mid-autumn festival organised and Alongside our international students we have been
run entirely by the College boarders and an upcoming pleased to welcome increasing numbers of domestic
Thanksgiving celebration which will involve time for boarders into the boarding houses through our weekly
reflection on the things for which we are grateful and a and flexi-boarding options this term and a number of
lot of turkey! As we move through the year we will be our day students have taken advantage of our occasional
looking to mark significant events from various boarders’ boarding system to have a taste of boarding life and a
homes; recognising how different cultures have shaped chance for a slightly longer lie-in!
who we are and teaching each other about the times
of the year that matter most to different countries and
peoples. Indeed, the food committee have already
started planning Chinese New Year!
14Bootham Features - Boarding at Bootham
A New Team Activities
The start of the school year is always an opportunity The first weekend of the year saw the boarders all get
to welcome new people into the school community involved in the first annual Boarders’ Sports Day! The
and this year was no exception as September saw a winning team showed agility, speed and skill in mastering
number of new faces in boarding. As well as welcoming the egg and spoon race, the three legged race, the bean
35 new boarders into Evelyn, Rowntree and Fox, Beth bag race and a sack race that saw an impressive and
Steer joined the school as the new Director of Boarding bewildering range of approaches! A particular highlight
and Wellbeing having worked for ten years at St of the evening was seeing Fox housemaster David
Edward’s School, Oxford and the Rowntree girls have Swales sprinting down the hall to lead his adopted team
been delighted to welcome in a new house team of to near-victory in the relay race. This was just the start
Emily Harper as Housemistress and Helena Landau as of a term packed with activities including a chocolate
Assistant Housemistress. Emily has been in boarding at murder-mystery tour, a Harry Potter movie marathon
Bootham for a number of years, previously as Assistant and the ever-popular cinema trip. The highlight of the
Housemistress in Rowntree and Helena is an important activities schedule for many of the boarders this term
member of the Learning Support Department. The came on the 6th of October when they celebrated
Rowntree girls have loved welcoming both Emily and National Boarding Day. This is an annual initiative run by
Helena who have brought with them a high level of the Boarding Schools’ Association to highlight the very
warmth and care, and a love of Harry Potter, Colin the best of boarding across the country. To celebrate, our
Caterpillar cakes and the very popular games of Cat boarders made handprint art for each of the boarding
Bingo and Tiddliwinks! All of the boarding houses have houses (including a dog paw on the Evelyn canvas!)and
also been fortunate to welcome new Resident Graduates all took part in a hotly contested quiz night. For those
this term with Laura and Jemima joining Rowntree, Zak who knew their literature, song lyrics, sports and national
and Eetu being welcomed into Fox and Georgia and flags and who were able to identify the boarding staff
Erica becoming the newest members of Evelyn. The as babies there were prizes to be won including a lucky
Res Grads bring with them huge amounts of energy and dip in the mystery box! With lots of activities planned for
enthusiasm and the boarders can often be found in the the next half of term including a ghost tour, a shopping
evenings enjoying a range of activities run by the Res trip and Christmas festivities, keep an eye on Twitter (@
Grads including badminton, basketball, board games and boothamboarders) and Instagram (Bootham Boarders) to
baking. see what the boarders get up to next!
Leave weekends
For the first time in recent years, the September leave
weekend saw boarders being offered the opportunity
to stay in the boarding houses. Whilst many of our
boarders are invited to stay with day students or go to
friends, family or guardians across the UK, a mixture of
our boarding community from the youngest to the oldest
were able to rest in their own beds, continue to enjoy
the very popular weekend boarders’ brunch and make
the most of facilities including the sports hall, the music
block and the library. They were also able to take part in a
range of activities beginning with dinner in the beautiful
surroundings of the city’s old Grand Assembly Rooms
and including other treats such as chocolate lolly making
and food making classes. The highlight of the weekend
was undoubtedly a trip to the fairground at York Balloon
Fiesta which saw the boarders summoning up their
courage on the rides and testing their skill to win teddy
bears, all culminating with a spectacular hot air balloon
show and a fireworks display.
15A year at Bootham Junior School
Children from the Junior School wanted to
share the high-lights of their year.
Early years Year 3
Our year sped by with a bustle of exciting adventures. Year 3 have had a year full of adventure and creativity,
The children enjoyed being in the classroom and beginning with our Global Arts week in which they
outdoors but the highlights for many were our weekly learned about all sorts of art from around the world
trips out of school. Forest school, with Mr. Thorpe was including Japanese origami, Mexican sugar skulls, African
a firm favourite and children developed their resilience, drumming and Aboriginal painting. Particular highlights
adventurous natures and love of outdoor learning. since then have included travelling all the way back
We took trips to the theatre, the park, the library and to Victorian times at the Ripon Workhouse museum,
the riverside, among other places. All of the children mummifying oranges and casting pewter amulets as
finished the year with a wonderful outdoor concert for part of our Ancient Egypt topic, and putting on a whole
the families where memories were shared and made play about the Rainforest in the space of one day for
together. their families! They also had a wonderful time on their
residential to Helmsley, including taking a trip on a steam
Key Stage 1 train and hiking to see a waterfall.
We have spent a lot of time learning outdoors this year.
We had the exciting chance to spend a night away with
Year 4
our friends, at Helmsley Youth Hostel. Mr Thorpe took During Anti-Bullying Week, Year 4 celebrated their
us on a late night walk and showed us the different star strengths and talents. They discussed what makes
constellations. The next day we all went to Dalby Forest them unique and special. Each ring of a paper chain
to meet the Gruffalo. Later in the year we faced Arctic represented a talent, a difference, or a strength in their
conditions when we visited the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. class. They decided to put together all their differences,
We battled hail and snow to learn about polar bears and strengths and talents to help each other grow stronger
found out how they are suited to their habitat. We have and build a safer and better world. They also spent a very
also had a lot of fun lessons outdoors instead of learning exciting four days on a residential at Osmotherley. They
in the classroom. We finished the year with much sunnier joined in many adventurous activities including climbing
weather when we visited Filey to explore animal habitats, the cliffs of Wainstones, worming, building dens, studying
learn about the human and physical geographical rock pools and roasting marshmallows. They also
features and have fish and chips and ice-cream! learned that working collaboratively is the surest route
to success and happiness. Year 4 left Osmotherley awash
with wonderful memories and stories to tell. Finally,
they turned wildlife explorers and went pond dipping
at Moorlands Woods. From pond snails to whirligig
beetles, they uncovered a variety of weird and wonderful
creatures. They learned to use identification charts and to
name living things in their local environment.
16Bootham Features - A Year at Bootham Junior School
Year 5 And finally…
Over the course of the year, we have covered topics Congratulations to all children in Years 4, 5 and 6. They
about space, rivers and the most favourite of all - have been successful in completing Trinity Colleges
chocolate. We spent several messy sessions creating Art Award at the Explore Level. This is an Entry Level
chocolate sweets to sell to our parents. We enjoyed Qualification. More information about the award and the
an even messier time at Marrick Priory climbing ropes, next levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold can be found on the
abseiling, walking in the Dales and generally covering arts award website.
ourselves in mud. During the Summer term we learnt all
In order to gain this award children have explored a wide
about Rivers and had a second short residential so that
variety of art forms over the course of the year. Their
we could follow the River Tees from its source to the sea,
journey began with our Whole School Global Arts Week
with some enjoyable fish and chips along the way. An
and open exhibition back in September. More work, trips
exciting year all round.
etc followed and an external moderator visited to validate
Year 6 assessments.
From Extreme Earth and War and Peace to Economics
and The Fiver Challenge, there’s never a dull moment in
Year 6! We’ve studied Biology, Physics and Chemistry this
year with The Human Body Forces and Changing States
and Reactions, as well as investigating mathematical
concepts such as Pi, Fibonacci numbers and Pythagoras’
theorum linked to DT. Our English work included writing
character descriptions through action and speech, as
well as formal letters of complaint, narrative flashbacks
and balanced arguments. We’ve read the works of great
war poets and Shakespeare; our study of Macbeth gave
way to a timely visit to the pop-up Rose Theatre in York
to watch the ‘Scottish Play’. We’ve created flood-proof
housing, sewed our own ‘Mini-Me’s’ and coded computer
programmes. In addition, we’ve been awarded cycling
proficiency certificates, achieved distinctions in Mandarin
and won two regional SumDog competitions! We’ve also
had some invaluable experiences within our Outdoor
Education curriculum learning archery, hand-carving
hammers and cooking outdoors , as well as visiting
Flamborough Head and the North Yorkshire Moors as
part of our Geography work. Our week-long residential in
the Lake District in October included fell-walking, ghyll-
scrambling and climbing in a mine. Water-sports and
water safety were undertaken on the glorious Allerthope
Lake, and the year ended with a spectacular performance
of ‘Who’s Your Mummy?’ - what a jam-packed, diverse
year for the end of our primary school education. We’re all
set for the next exciting chapter!
17You can also read
