APS News 19

AbingdonPrep News is the newsletter of Abingdon Preparatory School, Josca’s House, Kingston Road, Oxford OX13 5NX Tel: 01865 391570 www.abingdon.org.uk/prep Editor: Annabel Gaskell Abingdon School is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales Company No. 3625063. Registered Office: Abingdon School, Park Road, Abingdon, OX14 1DE Registered Charity No. 1071298 This year we are fundraising for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and after a fantastic effort by all, we have already raised nearly £5000. We were very lucky to have two paramedics visit to help us lay the silver coins on our drawing of a helicopter. Some of the boys were given the opportunity to look around the Air Ambulance car, which is sent when the helicopter is unable to reach casualties. The Christmas bazaar was another huge success with the boys running their own stalls and the JPA once again providing raffle prizes to excite everyone. Abingdon Prep Charities and JPA JPA News Thank you to everyone for their support of Firestorm and the Christmas Bazaar. Despite the weather at the former, we had two superb events raising money which will be split between school projects and our charities. We’ve booked next year’s fireworks already - fingers crossed for the weather! We also launched a new event: Gifts For Grown Ups (G4G). Thank you to everyone who donated items, and we’re very grateful indeed to the parents who gave up their day to run the event which was a big success. Dates for your diary: Quiz Night on Friday 1 February and the Easter Eggstravaganza on 23 March. With thanks from the JPA Committee G4G: Gifts for Grown Ups The last week of term saw the much-anticipated inaugural Gifts for Grown Ups event. The Sports Hall was converted into a shopping mall for the boys to buy inexpensive presents for parents, grandparents and other significant adults. For many, this was their first experience of independent festive retail, however, JPA personal shoppers were on hand to advise on the perfect gift, which they then wrapped and popped into the gift bags the boys had decorated earlier. After the exhaustion of shopping, the boys were allowed a few treats to replenish energy levels. An enormous amount of hard work went into this from Karen and her team of parent helpers - thank you! Rachel Pairman Charities In a new venture this year, our Year 7 boys have entered Tycoon in Schools, a Dragons Den style challenge run by the Peter Jones Foundation, and have set up their own businesses. They have been hugely successful entrepreneurs and have donated their profits of over £1200. Finally, thank you for your generous donations to the retiring collection after the Christmas carol concert, this raised a further £750. Thank you once again for your support. Anne Parker