• When: Thursday 1:45pm - 2:30pm
• Who: Third Year
• i/c: GRM

The Abelard Society is the Abingdon Third Year philosophy club, which runs on Thursday lunchtimes. It is named in honour of Peter Abelard, a medieval scholar well known for his excellence in dialectic, a form of philosophy. Meetings will be in the form of an open discussion arising out of a philosophical prompt.

• Where: B7
• When: Mondays, 1.15pm - 1.45pm
• Who: Lower School
• i/c: GSG

Books and Biscuits is for any Lower School student who likes reading, wants to become more adventurous in their reading choices and enjoys discussing what they like (and don't!) in a book. In the Michaelmas and Lent Terms, we decide which books we're going to read together, and usually get through one every half-term; recent favourites include Ender's Game, The Declaration and Burning Midnight. During the Summer Term, we shadow the annual Carnegie medal, getting together with other local schools to decide the best children's book of the year. Our meetings are lively and opinionated - and always include biscuits (and sometimes cake).

These groups provide an opportunity for anyone who would like to consider the relevance of Jesus Christ today and what it means to have a living relationship with God. Each week we do this by meeting together and looking at God’s teaching in the Bible, often with the help of an outside speaker. Anyone is welcome.

‘The Way’ – Lower School

• Where: CMR
• When: Monday, 1.10-1.55pm
• Who: Lower School
• i/c: HFCP

The Lower School group meets to consider what it means to follow Jesus. Each week we seek to do this together as a group by playing a game and looking at the teaching of the Bible, often with the help of an outside speaker. Anyone in the Lower School is welcome. Snacks provided.

‘Y’ – Middle School

• Where: Chaplain's House, 29 Park Road
• When: Monday 1.10-1.50pm
• Who: Middle School
• i/c: The Chaplain (SMS) / SJC

This is a fun way of exploring the Christian faith by discussing tough questions, watching video clips and by looking at the Bible. Anyone in Middle School is most welcome - whatever your beliefs. All accompanied by good food!

Youth Alpha Course

• Where: Sports Centre, Entertainment Suite
• When: Monday, Lent term, 4.00–5.00pm
• Who: 5th and Sixth Form
• i/c: PDBG

The Alpha Course, attended by millions worldwide, is an opportunity for 5th and Sixth Formers to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed café-style setting. The Alpha Course is designed primarily for those who are not church-goers and is open to anyone who wants to understand more about Christianity, whatever their beliefs. There will be ten thought-provoking sessions, where there will be a short presentation and opportunity for discussion. Pupils get to discuss what they really think and to ask any questions they may have. This could also be of particular interest to pupils studying Philosophy and Ethics to help them formulate their own opinions and arguments. For more information check out www.alpha.org.

Confirmation Preparation

• Where: Chaplain's house, 29 Park Road
• When: Friday lunchtimes 1.10-1.50pm, Lent term
• Who: Middle and Upper School

• Where: CMR (Friday), B12 (Thursday)
• When: Friday, 4.00 - 5.00 pm (open debates) Thursday, 1.00 - 1.40 pm (senior debating)
• Who: All (Friday), Sixth Form (Thursday)
• i/c: RAJ

Allegedly Abingdon’s oldest non-sporting society, the Debating Society is the place to argue and form opinions about a variety of topics and motions. If you love an argument, or generally thrive on controversy, this is the society for you.

Last year we debated everything from the serious politics of the Falklands and the National Health Service to rather more abstract ideas such as whether we should follow our dreams in life, via the thorny issues of organ donation and torturing terrorists. In the open debates on Friday, volunteer speakers put their views across in speeches before the debate gets opened up to the floor, when all the other people who have opinions get their say, and lively disagreement inevitably ensues.

We also enter teams into a number of national competitions in debating and public speaking and run workshops to help you improve your debating skills. Throughout the year, we also arrange popular dinner debates with girls’ schools for the senior members of the society. All are welcome, and anyone interested in speaking should contact MJE or a senior member of the committee. Within the Debating Society there are also opportunities for Sixth Form pupils to meet in smaller groups to hold debates - and there is a workshop aimed at Middle School pupils to help them develop debating and public speaking skills.

• Where: CMR
• When: Thursday, 4pm
• Who: Lower School
• i/c: SW

A chance for Lower school boys to hone their public speaking skills while debating topical issues. Joint debates with St Helen’s can be arranged over the course of the year.

• Where: G201
• Who: Fourth year and above
• When: Tuesday P8
• i/c: KJY

Through the Model United Nations Society we will take delegations along to conferences throughout the year at other schools. At these we will represent a country’s interest in debates. It’s an excellent way of building legal, political and debating experience as well as broadening knowledge of current and international affairs and socialising with other schools. (Also see Debating).

• Where: B7
• When: Monday lunchtime
• Who: 3rd Year

Novels and Nibbles is for any 3rd Year student who enjoys adventurous reading and intense discussions of books and writers (along with pretty much anything remotely connected to those two things). We decide which books we're going to read together and usually get through three or four a term; recent favourites include Flowers for Algernon, Nation and The Lost Art. Our meetings are lively and opinionated, and have covered everything from cliches in dystopian fiction to the possibility of extra-sensory perception.