10 Sep 2021

WEEKLY MAILING

This week’s mailing is:

Letters:

Notices:

From the Headmaster to all parents:

Dear Parents

It has been wonderful to welcome students and staff back to school for the first week of the school year. The fine weather we have enjoyed has allowed the students to make full use of all our facilities and there is a real sense of excitement and anticipation for the year ahead.

I enjoyed meeting 1st Year and 3rd Year parents at the induction day on Monday, some of whom had not previously had the opportunity to visit the school site. Our thoughts now turn to the next generation of prospective pupils and parents and so I wanted to draw your attention to our annual Open Day, which will take place on Saturday 2 October from 9am till 2pm. This is an important event for the School and all students are expected to attend, except 1st Years who are not involved in an activity such as an orchestra or band.

Usually we would welcome current parents to our Open Day. However, as we have received exceptional interest from prospective parents this year, we regret that we are unable to invite current parents – unless they are visiting with a sibling who is a prospective pupil.

I am keen though for all our current parents to have the opportunity to visit us and so you will be most welcome to join us at sports fixtures, concerts, productions and year group socials, to tour with your own child at a time to suit you and to attend all the other events that are planned for the Michaelmas Term. A full list can be found on the calendar. We are also providing opportunities for current parents to visit Faringdon Lodge, the building opened in September 2020 which houses Computer Science, Economics and Business and two day houserooms; please see the announcement below.

Best wishes

Mike Windsor

Covid-19 testing at home – Reminder

Please be reminded that students should continue to test twice a week at home (on Sundays and Wednesdays) and report the result of their test whether it is positive or negative to the School via this form.  Should your child be displaying symptoms, they should not come into school and their absence should be reported to [email protected]. We very much appreciate the cooperation of parents and students in keeping our community safe.

On-line learning

Students can access on-line learning if they are absent from School for covid-related reasons.  So, please consider whether your children are fit to be in School, and ensure they remain away and get a PCR test if there are covid symptoms.

Parent visits to Faringdon Lodge

Parents of pupils in ANY year group are welcome to come and see the 2 new houserooms and the Economics/ Business department in the half hour before the various ‘Meet the tutors evenings’:

Tuesday 21 September, from 6.30 – 7pm; Wednesday 22 September, from 6.30 – 7pm; Thursday 23 September, from 6.30 – 7pm; Monday 27 September, from 6.00 – 6.30pm

And also on Saturday 25 September from 12.00-12.30pm

Please enter via the east stairs near the entrance to the staff car park.

For Parents of 5th Year Pupils: Morrisby Profile Programme – FINAL REMINDER

Should you wish to opt your child out of the Morrisby Profile Programme, email Michael Triff on [email protected] no later than midnight on Monday 13 September 2021; otherwise, your child will be enrolled in the Programme and the £86 charge will be made. We regret that refunds will not be possible after this date. To read more about the Morrisby Profile Programme, go to bottom of this web page: https://www.abingdon.org.uk/academic/career-guidance/

Personal Reading Books for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Year, from Dr Gardner and Mr Coolin

From Monday 27 September, pupils in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year will be expected to carry a personal reading book on them when in School. Please see this letter for more information, and the relevant reading lists (1st and 2nd year pupils), (3rd year pupils) for book recommendations.

Pupil Drop Off and Pick Up

We have been requested by the local council to remind you not to park on the pavement and across the cycle lane on Faringdon Road, as this makes life difficult for wheelchair users and cyclists.  We need to create an environment which reduces car use locally, and encourages more sustainable means of transport.

Parents should not use the Faringdon Road coach park for drop off and pick up, please, between 8 and 9am, and between 4 and 5.30pm.

Parents are reminded not to drop off or collect pupils from the Park Lodge area, or Lower Field car park, please. This is because the area is already busy with pedestrians, pupils and school traffic. We therefore ask that parents drop and collect pupils in Park Crescent, operating a one-way system travelling clockwise past the private housing to the west of Albert Park, and ending up near the boarding houses. The Crescent ends at a cross roads, where halting is obligatory on these private roads. Wheel clamping operates on Park Road and Park Crescent, so you are advised not to leave a car unattended.  Please also be reminded that there is a speed limit of 20mph along these roads.

Music:

  • Cuillin Sound presents Winds at Sea – a professional woodwind concert – Wednesday 15 September at 6.00pm
    We would like to invite all parents to join us for this concert of four of the UK’s leading woodwind players very early this term. Please apply to the box office for tickets. This quartet includes our very own Maddy Aldis-Evans (oboe) and the ensemble will be running a workshop with our 1st year pupils during the afternoon – so it will be particularly relevant to parents of pupils looking to take up a new instrument this term. The pupils will learn more about musical instruments in their class music lessons this term.  Any pupils who wish to stay at school for the concert may request a supper from the Music secretary [email protected]
  • Music lessons next week
    All pupils have been instructed to check their teachers’ timetables which have been posted on Firefly and they should remember to bring their instruments on the appointed day. If they are struggling with this, please help them – or they can get help from the music office.
  • Music ensemble rehearsals
    Orchestras, bands, choirs and smaller ensembles start rehearsing next week. Pupils should be aware of the ensembles to which they have been allocated and are welcome to negotiate at the office next week.

The Headmaster – Building the Future

Welcome to the first school blog of the new academic year.  The Headmaster begins the contributions to the school blogs with his thoughts on our key role, as a school, in ‘building the future’ for the next generation. Mr Windsor looks at the issues that are important to Abingdon such as widening access, partnerships, equality and sustainability. It is well worth a read, bringing together the principal areas that the School is addressing as we begin to emerge from the pandemic (hopefully) and look to the future.

Abingdon News

In the latest edition of the School’s newsletter there are some really good reads including articles on the School’s student-led Equality Committee, our sustainability projects, a feature on the Film Unit – one of only a few in independent schools – and a round up of examination results and all the news from last term. Take a look.

Book October half term camps: 

We are pleased to inform parents and pupils that we have a variety of high quality October half term camps on offer that we hope will be of interest to you.

This includes:

  • Football Skills Camp – Monday 18 October – Wednesday 20 October
    The camp will offer a structured environment for players to develop their individual skills, team tactics and confidence on the field. Led by experienced UEFA Qualified coaches including staff from Fulham FC and Reading FC. Available to participants aged 11-14 years.
  • Competition Level Tennis Academy – Monday 18 – Friday 22 October 2021
    This academy is aimed at competitive level players who have played for their school or are playing for a club. Led by Martin Butler, Abingdon School’s Head Coach. Available to participants aged 11-15 years.
  • Hockey Skills Camp – Wednesday 20 October – Friday 22 October
    This camp offers fun and enjoyable hockey sessions full of skill development, gameplay and tactical aspects. Available to participants aged 11-14 years.
  • Rugby Skills Camp – Monday 25 – Wednesday 27 October
    This is a high-quality coaching camp let by Premiership Rugby Club Wasps, which focuses on core skills such as catch and pass, tackle, breakdown, support, back play and set-piece play.  Available to participants aged 12-16 years.
  • Development Level Tennis Academy – Monday 25 – Friday 29 October
    This academy is aimed at development level players who understand the basics of technique. Led by Martin Butler, Abingdon School’s Head Coach. Available to participants aged 11-15 years.
  • The World of Games – Coding Camp – Monday 25 – Friday 29 October
    This camp gives participants the opportunity to simulate mechanical puzzles, create special effects and learn how to develop a 2D video game from start to finish. Available to participants aged 11-17 years.

For more information and to view the full range of holiday camps available to pupils this half term, please click here. Please note, all of these courses can be booked directly through the Leisure website.

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.