{"id":57677,"date":"2026-10-15T16:37:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T15:37:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/prep\/?post_type=weeklymailing&#038;p=57677"},"modified":"2026-10-15T16:37:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T15:37:57","slug":"weekly-mailing-15-october","status":"publish","type":"weeklymailing","link":"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/prep\/weeklymailing\/weekly-mailing-15-october\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Mailing 15 October"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Message from the Head<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ka4wCymJLDM?si=iQolJ0tXgS7m8IDH\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Letters<\/h3>\n<p>Letter to all Parents &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/prep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/Letter-to-all-parents-re.-Remembrance-November-2026.pdf\">Remembrance Day<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Letter to all Parents &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/prep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/Firestorm-Safety-Letter-2025.docx.pdf\">Firestorm 2026, Safety Information<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Letter to Parents of pupils in Y7\/8 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/prep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/Normandy-initial-letter-Letter-to-all-parents_-guardians-of-pupils-in-Year-7_8.pdf\">Normandy Trip, 20-24 April 2027<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Letter to Parents of pupils in Y7 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/prep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/Letter-re_-Year-7-Parents-Evenings-November-2026.pdf\">Parents&#8217; Evening, Thursday 12 November<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Notices<\/h3>\n<p><b>Message from Charles Newbury, Deputy Head Academic<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>National Writing Competitions<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dear parents,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We would really like pupils to engage with their love of learning outside our curriculum as this can really enhance their development and accelerate their progress. One of the ways of doing this is to enter national competitions. I appreciate that they cannot do this in every subject and many are already excelling in sport, drama, music and art\/design. However, if they are a budding writer (or they want to improve their English), here is some more information on two excellent writing competitions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1) For Years One to Six, there is the wonderful 500 Words story competition which is run by the BBC. \u2018<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children are encouraged to write a story they would love to read themselves.\u2019 Further details are available on the website (there are two age categories) and the deadline is on Friday 6th November. The entry must be submitted by an adult and also include the school\u2019s name.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further details are here:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/teach\/500-words\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">500 words<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2) For Years One to Eight, there is the coveted Chaucer Heritage Trust competition and this year&#8217;s theme is \u2018Transformations\u2019. You can choose from one of the three ideas and there are three age categories. The closing date for this is 28 February 2027 and pupils are very welcome to speak to Mr Newbury about further details on this competition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional information about this competition can be found here:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/chaucer.org.uk\/canterbury-tales-writing-competition-2026-7-transformations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chaucer Writing Competition<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many thanks indeed,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charles Newbury\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Deputy head Academic \/ More Able and Talented Coordinator)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Christmas Shopping Fair, Saturday 21 November\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abingdon Prep School Christmas Shopping Fair is taking place on Saturday 21 November 2026, 9.30am to 2pm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join us for an exclusive day of festive shopping as we bring together over 40 high-end boutique stalls, offering a wonderful array of luxury gifts, festive treats, and holiday inspiration. Entry to the Fair is free.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We look forward to welcoming you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Last chance to book October half term sports camps<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Rugby All-Stars Performance Camp &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Welcoming boys and girls aged 6 to 16 years. Monday 26 October &#8211; Thursday 29 October\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This camp provides budding rugby players with the perfect balance of skill development, high-quality coaching and age-appropriate training in a fun, supportive environment. Whether they\u2019re looking to develop their skills, build confidence or take their game to the next level, our Performance Camp is not to be missed!<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/sports-and-leisure\/courses\/rugby-all-stars-performance-camp\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click here for more information and to book<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Netball Camps &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Welcoming boys and girls of all ages and abilities. Our one-day netball camps and masterclasses run between Wednesday 28 October &#8211; Friday 30 October<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have teamed up with Inspire Netball to provide fun, inclusive and high-quality netball coaching. With a focus on developing confidence, skills and a love for the game, Inspire Netball combines elite coaching insight with an enjoyable learning environment where every player feels supported to reach their potential.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/sports-and-leisure\/courses\/netball-camps\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click here for more information and to book<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Join us for Family Science Club!\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delivered by Abingdon Science Partnership, join us for a Saturday morning filled with exciting challenges, hands-on exploration, and plenty of fun! Designed for curious minds of all ages, our Family Science Club offers a unique opportunity for adults and children to work together as they investigate the wonders of science through creative, interactive activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Family Science Club runs once per half-term, with the next one taking place on Saturday 21 November.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/sports-and-leisure\/courses\/family-science-club\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click here for more information and to book<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Upcoming events at the Amey Theatre<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 October, 6pm &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/sports-and-leisure\/performance\/rbo-live-macbeth\/\">RBO Live: Macbeth (Met Opera)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baritone Quinn Kelsey is the Scottish king haunted by the ghosts of his murderous ascent to the throne, opposite soprano Lise Davidsen as the power-mad Lady Macbeth, whose ruinous ambition damns them both. Met Music Director Yannick N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin takes the podium for a penetrating production by Louisa Proske. Rounding out the all-star cast are tenor Freddie De Tommaso as Macduff and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as Banquo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">27 &#8211; 31 October, 7:30pm (2:30pm Sat mat) &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/sports-and-leisure\/performance\/aos-present-come-from-away\/\">AOS present: Come From Away<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The show is set around the shocking events of 11 September 2001, when terrorist attacks using airliners rocked the USA. As a result, all US airspace was immediately closed to planes, and suddenly the small Newfoundland town of Gander had 38 international aircraft and over 7,000 passengers diverted to their small airport. The story that you will see unfold shows how the frightened, confused passengers and the townspeople gradually come together and find common bonds that create lasting, life-affirming friendships.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The show includes great joy and compassion, new-found love, as well as tragedy and heartbreak. It\u2019s an experience that will lift you up and show the depths of our shared humanity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For this show there is a special under 25&#8217;s ticket price, of just \u00a316. Perfect for some of Abingdon\u2019s older students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13 November, 7:30pm &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/sports-and-leisure\/performance\/danny-hart-wont-sit-down\/\">Danny Hart &#8211; Won\u2019t Sit Down<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Presented by Speakers from the Edge<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Danny Hart is one of Downhill Mountain Biking\u2019s racing elite; 2x World Champion, Red Bull Hardline winner, multiple National Championships winner and 2x World Cup overall silver medal winner, the \u2018Redcar Rocket\u2019 has secured his place in mountain biking history, including an iconic first World Championship winning run that is still legendary today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0In \u2018Won\u2019t Sit Down\u2019, Danny will bring his dry wit and cool composure to take audiences on a journey through his life and impressive racing career and give a glimpse behind the scenes of what becoming a World Champion really takes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14 January, 7pm &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/sports-and-leisure\/performance\/nt-live-hay-fever\/\">NT Live: Hay Fever<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emmy and Tony winner Christine Baranski makes her West End debut alongside Academy Award-nominated stage and screen legend Richard E. Grant in No\u00ebl Coward\u2019s irresistible comedy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Judith Bliss retired from her life-on-stage and she misses the applause. Idling away at their country home, the rest of the family are too self-involved to be a good audience. So, Judith invites a young fan as her guest for the weekend. But unbeknownst to her, each of the Blisses has a guest of their own arriving at the very same time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Filmed live from the West End, Emily Burns directs this stinging new production.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4 March, 7pm &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abingdon.org.uk\/sports-and-leisure\/performance\/nt-live-the-motive-and-the-cue-encore\/\">NT Live: The Motive and the Cue<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fierce and funny five-star play returns to the big screen. Sam Mendes (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lehman Trilogy<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) directs Mark Gatiss in an Olivier Award-winning performance as John Gielgud.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1964: Richard Burton (Johnny Flynn), newly married to Elizabeth Taylor (Tuppence Middleton), is set to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under Gielgud\u2019s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From multi-award-winning writer Jack Thorne (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adolescence<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), this acclaimed production was filmed live during its sold-out London run in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Thursday Thought<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking a break doesn&#8217;t mean stopping\u2014it gives your mind and body the chance to recharge so you can come back stronger, brighter, and ready for whatever comes next.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What is one thing you can do this half term that helps you reset and brings you joy?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please have a think and discussion about this over half-term. The children can then join Lenka on Monday at morning break to discuss.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Message from the Head Letters Letter to all Parents &#8211; Remembrance Day Letter to all Parents &#8211; Firestorm 2026, Safety Information Letter&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-57677","weeklymailing","type-weeklymailing","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Weekly Mailing 15 October - Abingdon Prep School<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Weekly Mailing 15 October - Abingdon Prep School\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Message from the Head Letters Letter to all Parents &#8211; 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