1 Oct 2021

WEEKLY MAILING

This week’s mailing is:

Letters:

Notices:

From the Headmaster to all parents:

Dear Parents

Yesterday the entire school took on the challenge of walking (or running) the ten miles of our sponsored walk along the banks of the Thames. I enjoyed chatting with students and colleagues as we made our way around the course while the rain miraculously stayed away. The walk took place in support of two charities: SSNAP, who support families with sick and premature babies in Oxford, and Agape, who support children in Moldova and with whom we’ve had links for more than 20 years. Having completed the walk, now comes the hard bit, as we have set the ambitious target of raising over £40,000 for our chosen charities. I’d be grateful for any support that you can give our students as they aim to raise at least £40 each!

Tomorrow (Saturday) will be another important day for the School as we will be welcoming around 600 families to our Open Day. I am grateful to our students for giving up their time and to you for helping ensure that they will be able to play their part either by participating in demonstrations or by guiding visitors around the site. I’m sure it will be a busy, successful and enjoyable day. You can find more information about arrangements for the Open Day below.

Best wishes, Mike Windsor

 

Reminder – Arrangements for Open Day: Saturday 2 October – 9.00am-2.00pm 

  • Open Day runs from 9.00am until 2.00pm.  All students, except first years, are expected to attend.
  • Students should arrive at School no later than 8.30am to register in their houserooms before beginning their Open Day activities.  They should arrive wearing full uniform unless directed otherwise for a specific activity.  All students will be guiding our visitors.  Unless involved in an away match, all students will be required to stay until 2.00pm.
  • For students who use the joint bus service, all morning routes will be operating 15 minutes later than the normal weekday schedule.  Students on school buses should go straight to registration in their houserooms when their bus arrives.  For the return journey, buses will depart on all usual routes from the coach park at 2.15pm.
  • Requests for absence at Open Day should, as usual, be made to the housemaster, as for a single weekday absence.

As we have received exceptional interest from prospective parents this year, with regret we are unable to invite current parents – unless they are visiting with a sibling who is a prospective pupil.  However you are most welcome to join us at sports fixtures, year group socials, a tour with your own child at a time to suit you, and all the other events planned for the Michaelmas Term.  A full list can be found on the calendar.

Covid-19 and Flu vaccines for eligible pupils – Reminder notice

  • The NHS letter with the consent/decline form for the flu vaccine was emailed to the parents of First to Fifth year pupils last Friday.  (Please give or decline consent by the deadline of 5pm Wednesday 13 October).  Please note the equivalent year group for your child which is needed for the consent form: First Year = Y7, Second Year = Y8, Third Year = Y9, Fourth Year = Y10, Fifth Year = Y11.
  • The consent/decline form for the Covid vaccine for Second to Fifth year pupils will follow in due course.
  • Details of both vaccines were given in last week’s mailing).

Covid-19 

  • We continue to follow government guidance to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and very much appreciate the cooperation of parents and students in keeping our community safe.
  • All students should continue to test twice a week at home (on Sundays and Wednesdays) as this remains a crucial way of minimising the risks of transmission.
  • In addition, if your child has covid symptoms, please exercise caution and arrange for a PCR test.  In the meantime, they can join lessons remotely.
  • For pupil absence, please email [email protected]
  • As always, please refer to the Covid-19 Information page on the School website.

Alternative route into School during Abingdon Fair 2021

Please refer to this map showing alternative routes into Abingdon School from 6pm on Saturday 2 October to first thing on Wednesday 6 October.

Sponsored Walk

We would like to congratulate all students and staff who took part in the sponsored walk yesterday and completed the 10 mile route in record numbers. Sponsorship is still very welcome, online donations can be made via https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AbingdonSchoolCharitiesCommittee and cash donations accompanied by sponsorship forms should be returned to tutors.

From the English Department: Black History Month

For Black History Month this October the English Department has produced a list of great books by black authors, (suitable for 4th year pupils and up), which is available at this link.

Middle School and Lower Sixth Meet the Tutor evenings – Presentation recordings

The recordings of the above were sent to parents via email earlier this week.

Health Centre

  • If your child is feeling unwell please do not send them into school. It is the school policy that pupils need to remain off school for 48 hours from the last incident of vomiting or diarrhoea. Please see the link which gives advice from the NHS.
  • Abingdon School is a Nut Free School
  • We have several pupils who have a serious nut allergy that can cause anaphylaxis.  Even small traces of nuts on the hand of someone else can be enough to cause a reaction.  For this reason we would like to remind everyone that nuts must not be brought into school.

Music:

  • ASMS – The Abingdon School’s Music Society needs you!  Please find here this year’s newsletter and annual invitation to join the committee of ASMS, a group of parents that does so much to support our music at the school. If you love music, have a musical child or enjoy supporting school concerts, they would love to hear from you.
  • Starting a musical instrument at Abingdon School – It has been great to see a record number of new pupils starting musical tuition at Abingdon School this term. Many pupils’ musical studies are well established but many are also starting music lessons for the first time. The Director of Music is encouraging all 1st year pupils to consider taking up instruments and many will get an opportunity to try some first. We are particularly keen to encourage the “endangered instruments” which give the pupils so many more opportunities to play in ensembles and strengthen our music making at school – bassoon, double bass, French horn, oboe, trombone and tuba are all good choices. Please contact [email protected] for more information and advice.

Reminder: OA Media Monday Event

Abingdon School parents working in the media sector are warmly invited to join Old Abingdonians at a career networking reception to be held between 6.00 pm and 8.30 pm on Monday 11 October 2021 at The National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HE. Booking is available here.

Invitation to connect with the OA LinkedIn Page

The OA Club invites parents in the Abingdon Foundation to connect to the Old Abingdonians LinkedIn Page. With over 3000 OAs and honorary OAs this is a fantastic space to network and connect with fellow members of the Abingdon community. OAs starting out on their career path benefit greatly from the support and advice provided by our LinkedIn community. Join this global Abingdon network and help us to enrich the Abingdon community for all.  Click here to connect with us.

Abingdon Box Office:

  • 5th Year Production

There will be a joint Abingdon-St Helen’s 5th Year Production next term. The performance dates will be on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 January 2022 as well as Tech and Dress rehearsals on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 January 2022.

Auditions will be on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 October 2021 at 5pm.  Rehearsals will begin after October half term every Tuesday and Thursday 5pm-7pm.

The final play has not been decided yet as we would like to see who would be interested in taking part, so please use this Google Form to register your interest in taking part in the 5th Year Production. Please register your interest by Tuesday 5 October at 5pm.

News from the Week:

Food Menu for the coming week – Week 2

School Calendar

Please continue to consult the School Calendar for up to date information.

Here is the link to previous weekly mailings.