9 March 2017
Dear Parents, Colleagues, Governors and Boys of Abingdon,
As the mornings and evenings grow lighter and the temperature gradually creeps up, it feels as if spring is on its way and it’s great to see pupils out and about enjoying their Period 8 activities every day.
Many of our pupils were away with the School over half term and I was delighted to be able to join our German exchange at the Ratsgymnasium in Bielefeld to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the partnership between our two schools. The German exchange had organised a wonderful celebration which, alongside speeches and reminiscences, featured interviews with previous participants, including a pair who had first met in the early ‘80s and who are now firm family friends. The event was further enhanced by the brilliant performances from musicians from Bielefeld and our own First Orchestra, who were there as part of their tour of northern Germany.
It has been a pleasure this term also to welcome our exchange partners from France and Spain. It is perhaps easy to overlook the significance of language exchanges when there are so many amazing opportunities available as school trips but they are of great educational value, not just in terms of the linguistic advantages but also with regard to the broader benefits of developing cultural awareness and building confidence. Although organising exchanges presents significant challenges today in a climate of safeguarding and child protection, I hope we will sustain them in the future – and I appreciate parents’ patience in going through the DBS process.
I am conscious that parents had some holiday homework to complete over half term in the form of the questionnaires from School Pulse. I am very grateful to the many parents who completed the questionnaires. These responses will be of great value as I work with colleagues and Governors over the coming weeks to set the strategic course for Abingdon. I will of course keep parents informed about our conclusions. In the meantime, I can confirm that our contractors are making good progress with the enabling works for our new Beech Court development, which will include a Sixth Form Centre, Library and the Art department.
There is much to look forward to over the remaining few weeks of term – not least, I’m sure, will be the finals of Abingdon’s Got Talent. Another highlight is the ATOM Festival of Science and Technology which is running from 22 to 26 March in Abingdon. There is a very exciting programme of talks, workshops and other activities so do visit the website to find out more.
Please do also follow the links below to see what has been happening at Abingdon so far this half term.
Kind regards
Michael Windsor
Abingdon School News – 13 February to 9 March
Please follow the pink links to read more:
- Students undergo space training with former NASA astronaut in Russia’s Star City
- Pupils invited to work with CERN’s particle physicists
- Skiers enjoy snow and sunshine in France over half term
- Linguists practise their skills in Bielefeld, Germany
- AFU films accepted for the “Screentest” National Student Film Festival
- Third year scholars learn the secrets of Bletchley Park
- Chess news – National Schools’ Championship, Oxford and District League, Wiltshire Junior Chess Congress
- Young Enterprise success at Banbury Trade Fair
- CCF training weekend camp
- Bellringing success
Music
- Bielefeld Golden Jubilee Anniversary Music Tour
- Third year string quartet through to national semi-final of Pro Corda Music Festival
- Annual Chamber Music Concert
- Piano Masterclass with Ben Schoeman
- Chapel Choir sing Evensong at Coventry Cathedral
Sport
- Boat Club enjoy a good start to 2017
- Football reports. Matches against: Week 6: Caldicott, Forest School, Kingham Hill School, Wellingborough, Week 7: Oratory, Dragon, MCS and Cokethorpe
- OA and Premiership football referee returns to take charge
- U16 Badminton team take county title
- Canoe Polo team compete in southwest regional tournament
- Cross-country, good performances in the Radley Relays, South East Schools Championship and at Marlborough
- Squash Club’s victory against Stowe
- Bronze DofE sailors complete practice expedition
- Hockey update week 6
- 1st VII tremendous performance at Colston’s 7s
