Exhibition 2024
Thank you very much for the wonderful support of all Ampleforth families towards an outstanding Exhibition.
The weather held, and it was a superb Exhibition of all your sons and daughters have been achieving across this academic cycle. The theme of music-making, both to transport our meditation at worship in the Abbey and through the high standards achieved at the concerts and the musical over the weekend, was a great success. It was lovely that Abbot Robert celebrated at the Exhibition Mass and then to welcome him as our special guest of honour for the celebration of our Leavers and prize-giving in the Sports Hall. In response to your requests, I am pleased to share the texts of the inspiring words of our Father Abbot: Prize Giving and Exhibition Mass
This week, we remembered all those fallen as we commemorated D-Day. For my adopted country France, there is eternal gratitude towards the young British, Canadians, Americans, and Free French who by their bravery and service liberated la Belle France from four years of Fascist occupation. For all of us, D-Day also marks probably our last chance to reach out through the internet and the newspapers to connect with the lives, the sacrifice, and the stories of the surviving veterans. Lest we forget.Despite some cancellations with the weather, our U18 boys and girls tennis players saw wins against Pocklington this week and we are looking forward to a busy weekend of cricket with the boys against Bradford Grammar and the girls against Sedbergh from Year 13 down to Year 7.
Our Art Scholars enjoyed a fascinating learning experience on Tuesday afternoon with renowned Yorkshire sculptor, Rory Menage. His work is dedicated to discovering novel methods of portraying naturalism using various raw materials, including limestone, bronze, and iron, within a digitally biased era.
The annual Nulli Secundus Competition, the oldest competition in the school, saw our Year 12 cadets put through their paces this week. The competition is to select the best overall cadets within the CCF, the top tier 1 Army Cadets who, as Under Officers, will command the three year groups in the Army section and the best cadet within the RAF section. It includes a command task, group discussion, unprepared short lecture, interview, obstacle course, and assessment of methods of instruction. Many congratulations to Amber (B) who was promoted to Cadet Senior Warrant Officer and winner of the top cadet in the CCF, an accolade for her and for the RAF section, to Ben (DO) who was promoted to Cadet Under Officer and winner of the top Army cadet, to Margaret (B) who was promoted to Flight Sergeant (Under Officer), to Anastasia (B) who was promoted to Flight Sergeant and to Mathilde (B) who was promoted to Cadet Sergeant. St Bede’s deserve much credit with their four out of the total of five candidates for this historic and important competition.
Today, Fr Ambrose, Gabrielle Foster and I attended the Bishop's Study Day at York Racecourse. This annual event is when Bishop Terry brings together headteachers, chairs of governors, chaplains and parish priests to discuss and share thoughts and reflections on Catholic education within the diocese. This year’s theme was "Chaplaincy: Call to Mission". The well-known speaker, David Wells, gave an inspirational presentation on the importance of being inspired by the joy of the gospel message and the mission of putting Christ at the heart of all we do at school. This is one of the few events when our school leaders and parish priests come together with the Bishop to celebrate and give thanks for the work of our Catholic schools.
All best wishes,
Peter
