APS News No. 17

abingdon.org.uk/prep 5 In February, Year 6 travelled to Christ Church Cathedral to perform St Frideswide , a cantata with words and music by Debbie Rose, our Director of Music. St Frideswide was an abbess who founded a priory on the site of Christ Church, and she has became the patron saint of Oxford. A talk by Ruth Buckley, a St Frideswide expert, preceded the cantata, so the audience were well informed when the boys performed. Year 6 sang beautifully with pure tone and clear diction, as the saint’s life story unfolded through the nine songs, linked by narration and dramatic action. It was a fabulous experience for the boys to perform in such a venue, and the lively acoustic carried their voices to every nook and cranny of the building. St Frideswide would have approved. Stefan Gerrard Abingdon Prep In and Out Year 6 perform at Christ Church Cathedral Freddie in 6S, tells us more: “We set off in high spirits on the coach. When we arrived we had a practice run before the actual performance that went really well. After that we ate doughnuts and had a drink. Then we were ready for the performance in front of our parents and other relatives. When the moment came we walked up onto the stage and took our places. Debbie gave an introduction, then I started the cantata with narration. We all sang perfectly and engaged our audience. The fire alarm went off half way through but that did not thwart our enthusiasm. The cantata finished off with Tom’s narration and there was a big round of applause for us all. We all had fun and felt pleased with ourselves for doing such an excellent job.” The boys in Year 5 were very excited at the prospect of spending a day full of experiments at the Senior School's Yang Science Centre, (including their first experience with Bunsen burners!). The group split into the two Year 5 classes, and went to the labs. Year 5 get new lab skills One form explored plant biology with starch and sugar tests, and used the microscopes to see further into the structure of algae. The other separated a mixture of sand and a mysterious blue salt using filtration and then evaporation. The two classes swapped over after lunch. A huge thank you to all the teachers and technicians at the senior school who led and helped the boys in their day of experiments. Year 6 worked tirelessly in art to create astounding work based upon the clay creations and paintings of Pablo Picasso. Each boy worked in Picasso’s signature style to create a study in gouache of one of his plates. They then designed clay plates detailing particular insights into their own identity. Working closely with the eminent Aidan Meller Gallery in Oxford, the boys had the opportunity to Year 6 Exhibition at Aidan Meller Art Gallery exhibit the Picasso-inspired creations at their very own private view evening. Congratulations to Archie for his winner’s trophy, and William and Henry who were presented with runner-up certificates from the Gallery director, Aidan (above). Our thanks are given to all at the gallery. We very much hope to work together again in the future! Sherrey Tysom