Abingdon news
11
Year 4 Roam
the Ridgeway
On a wet and windy Friday morning
30 Year 4s began their walk along the
Ridgeway towards White Horse Hill.
This was the boys’ first experience
of an ‘overnight school trip’ and had
been eagerly anticipated. The weather
didn’t dampen spirits and progress
was excellent. Arriving at the hostel the
boys explored the outstanding woods
in the grounds, constructing camps,
drawing battle lines and playing tag.
A very welcome supper followed and,
with renewed energy, the boys returned
to the woods. Early next morning,
following an amazing cooked breakfast,
lethargic legs set off for the last six
miles. The sun shone as we crested
White Horse Hill and touched the trig
point symbolising the end of the trip.
Crispin and parents were met with tired
smiles and the ice creams were most
gratefully received and devoured!
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Sports Day
The sun may not have shone but the rain
just held off for Sports Day this year. Years
3-8 competed in their house teams in
six track and six field events. As always,
competition was fierce but the end result
saw Unicorn winners of the House Athletics
Cup and Victor Ludorum cups for Thomas
Kent, Joe Richardson, who set a new
school record for the 400m and Archie
McChesney. Pre-prep also thoroughly
enjoyed their sports day, gaining points
for their house teams from a variety of
activities including sack and bean bag
relays, throwing the howler, long jump and
hurdles.
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In June a group of very excited Year 8 boys boarded a coach for the overnight ferry
to Caen. Excursions began bright and early the next morning with a visit to a goat
farm. The farmer only spoke French but the boys were satisfyingly good at interpreting.
Tuesday saw the boys at Mont St Michel then on to Alligator Bay to see the reptiles.
Other trips during the week included ferocious rides at the Festyland theme park,
Arromanches, site of the D-Day landings and the Bayeux Tapestry and Cathedral. The
boys were very moved by the visit to the Allied War Cemetery and enjoyed exploring the
bunkers and bomb craters in Pointe du Hoc. A midnight arrival back at school heralded
the end of a great week.
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Une semaine avec Year 8 en Normandie
Science - CREST Success
Year 8 has been working towards their Bronze CREST Awards from the British
Science Association (BSA). The awards require around ten hours of project work and
projects ranged from making the perfect glider to investigating the stretchiness of
chewing gum. Patrick McCubbin explored the properties of antibacterial products,
using yoghurt as his base. His work was so detailed and thorough, that his project
was successfully submitted for the Silver CREST Award, aimed at 14-16yr olds
carrying out extended studies.
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