Tennis Season Underway
The tennis season got off to a great start with almost all our teams seeing wins against Hymers and Pocklington at the weekend - seeing the courts full and hearing the sound of racket on ball really does mark the start of the summer term!
On Sunday we had the great pleasure of welcoming Robin and Penny Dyer back to the Valley for the blessing and opening of the Dyer Cricket Nets. We were joined by parents and Old Amplefordians who had given so generously towards this new facility in Robin's honour, which will be well used not only by our own students, but by students from Yorkshire County cricket, other local schools, and clubs, as well as the MCC outreach programme. It was great to see our girl cricketers playing local clubs after the opening on the astro. My thanks go to everyone who supported this project by their generosity and interest.
Then there were cheers up the valley for our cricketing guests as runners came into the final straight of the annual Ampleforth Mile, a recent popular initiative introduced by Head of Games, Will James. Students from all Houses ran through the Valley to the sound of encouraging cheers of support. Congratulations go to Beatrix (B) Year 9 and Conrad (CT) Year 10 who won for the Inter Girls and Boys and to Anna (M) Year 12 and Iggy (CT) Year 13 for the Senior Girls and Boys.
This week we also had the Summer term Inter-House Shooting Competition. St Dunstan's and St Oswald's took the top spot with Felicity (A) Year 13, Amber (B) Year 12 and Hector (DO) Year 13 taking the top three individual shots. Congratulations to all who took part.
For the first time since the Covid outbreak, I was delighted to join my fellow Benedictine Heads (see photo) for a retreat at Douai Abbey. This was a wonderful opportunity to come together and share our Benedictine mission and how it is at the heart of the education we provide.
Finally, very well done to Dan MacDonald who completed the London Marathon at the weekend (in an impressive 3 hours 21 minutes!) and to Jon Mutton who completed the Manchester Marathon - I hope they have both managed a bit of rest this week!
I look forward to welcoming our Year 7 & 8 parents this weekend for their parents meeting: the Junior House is in good form as spring begins to change into summer!
All best wishes,
Peter
