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Variety's the very
spice of life, that gives
it all its flavour.
THE OTHER HALF
Approach
The Other Half Activities booklet describes the philosophy
which animates our approach to the boys’ activities. We
expect them to take the fullest possible part in all out-of-
school activities. Of course we are happy that a boy should
continue to help others by membership of local groups, but
the boy who confines his attendance to taught periods is
missing many of the best things this School can offer. We
refer to non-timetabled activities as the ‘Other Half’ of the
curriculum, and urge parents to give their utmost support
to this part of their son’s education. Dayboys are welcome
to take their evening meals in the School providing this is
arranged in advance through their tutor. A small charge will
be made.
Sport
The School policy on boys’ sporting commitments is set
out in the Homework Diary and on the Firefly, the school’s
virtual learning environment. All boys who are medically fit
are expected to play school sport at least twice a week, in
proper kit, as a normal part of their education. Requests for
leave ‘off games’ on any occasion will only be granted if
supported by a note from parents, brought beforehand. We
assume, in the absence of written instructions to the
contrary, that every boy has parental permission to use the
swimming pool, under proper supervision.
Abingdon has a strong tradition of participating in
interschool fixtures and we have a comprehensive fixture
list for all the major school sports across all age ranges.
For matters relating to absence from fixtures please refer to
that section of the Handbook.
Responsibility for the purchase of sports kit and equipment
(such as tennis racquets or golf clubs) is the responsibility
+
of the individual, and all items must be clearly marked
with the owner’s name.
Sport is provided as part of our service to our pupils. In
certain sports, for example rowing, specialist equipment
and/or coaching results in small additional charges.
Sports offered include rugby, hockey, rowing, cricket,
tennis, cross-country running, fencing, athletics,
basketball, squash, swimming, karate, soccer, sailing,
badminton, golf and shooting. It should be noted that it
is, in general, against School policy that a boy should
concentrate on any particular sport, to the exclusion of
others, during all three terms of the year.
Service Activities
It is considered important that every boy should
undertake a period of service-type activity during his
time at Abingdon School, and it is therefore a
requirement that all boys should at some stage pass
through one of the following units or organisations: the
CCF, an accredited First Aid course, the Voluntary
Service Unit, the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, the Amey
Theatre technical crews, the library team, the
Abingdonian editorial team, or an agreed equivalent
organisation. There is a compulsory service activity for
Third Year boys on Tuesdays from 4.00 pm until 5.00
pm.
Societies
All boys are encouraged to join one or more of the
officially sponsored societies of the School. Certain
societies may be given permission to levy personal
subscriptions.