Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
As you know, we are welcoming a team of inspectors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate into school this week. I’m grateful to the many of you who completed the survey that was sent out on Tuesday which will form an integral part of the inspection evidence. The inspection concludes on Friday and the report will follow some time later as it has to go through an editing and quality assurance process.
Tuesday was the final day of teaching for our 5th Year students before their period of study leave during the GCSEs. On Friday we look forward to wishing our Upper Sixth leavers all the best as they depart for their A Level study leave. We have a special day lined up for them as they are welcomed into the OA Club with an address from a recent leaver. I’m delighted we will be welcoming back Toby Marlow (OA 2013) who co-created the international hit musical Six with Lucy Moss. I’m sure our students will be entertained and inspired by his words.
Although our students will be on study leave, a key message is that we are still here to help, support, guide and encourage. Individual subjects will continue to provide clinics and students can also come into school to study if there are too many distractions at home… Teachers are on hand in person or via email to respond to any questions our students might have.
I hope that all our students who are taking public exams stay healthy and that they can approach the exams free of anxiety and worry. They might find it useful to listen to this podcast featuring Lucinda Powell, Assistant Director of Teaching & Learning, and Natalie Hunt, our Mental Health & Wellbeing Coordinator, which discusses the issue of exam anxiety and gives useful practical tips to mitigate stress. It also has some helpful advice for parents as to the best way to support students during the exam period.
Our students have worked hard and I am confident they will be able to do justice to their efforts and ability.
Best wishes, Mike Windsor
MIDDLE SCHOOL
WHOLE SCHOOL
- Annual Data Check – Final Reminder. Forms were sent to parents on Monday 17 April via isams email. Thank you to those parents who have already completed the form. If you have not already done so, please be reminded that the deadline to complete and submit forms is Sunday 14 May. Even if your data has not changed, a form is still required to be completed please. The Data Check is an online process that takes a few minutes to complete.
- Music:
- Junior Solo Competition – Wednesday 17 May at 6pm in the CMR – admission free. Parents and friends are warmly invited to attend next week’s Junior Solo Competition. The pupils eligible to participate are those that haven’t yet taken their grade 6 exam. We have a number of students who are keen to perform and our experienced adjudicator is Sean Fitzpatrick, who is Director of Music at Abingdon Prep School. The competition will be about 60 minutes in length – admission is free and all are welcome!
- See other upcoming events.
