12 Oct 2018

This week's mailing is:

Letters:

• For parents of boys in Fifth, Lower & Upper Sixth – SHSK Government Inspector Drama Rehearsal Schedule
• For parents of all language learners in the middle and upper school – Support Clinics: Dates and Times
• For parents of Fifth year boys – Sixth Form Information Evening

Notices:

Reports: First cycle of the year

Reports will be posted to the Parent Portal over the course of Saturday 13 October.  For years 1-4 and L6th, this report is designed to give a quick snapshot about how things have been going over the first few weeks of term and will comprise grades from subject teachers along with overall communication from Tutor and Housemaster. Years 5 and U6th will have a fuller report this session, balanced by a shorter report at the end of term. Abingdon's grading system for subject reports remains unchanged  and an explanation of how grades are awarded is given on the report (we have updated the grade descriptors to acknowledge the arrival of number grades at GCSE).  All of the grades get turned into two average Effort and Achievement percentages which are also listed on the report; these offer an instant view of how a particular boy is getting on. As a rule of thumb, percentages in the 60-70% range indicate that things are going well, percentages reaching 80% and above mean that things are going extremely well indeed and percentages dropping into the 50s and below indicate that some things may be going awry. We do not report on Other Half or instrumental lessons in this session; those reports come at the end of term. Parents may like to note that, as well as the Tutor and Housemaster comment they can see on the reports, all the reports in a year group will have been read by a senior member of staff before they are sent out. This allows the senior team to keep in touch with trends and concerns across the school. Parental feedback on reports is welcomed – in the first place you should contact the relevant Housemaster.

For Parents of 5th Year Pupils: Work Experience Scheme – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please read about the 5th Year Work Experience Scheme here and how you can support your son as he seeks to secure a placement for summer 2019.

Parents of 6th Form Boys: US University Advice Evening, Thursday 22 November 2018, 6pm-7.45pm, CMR

Is applying to US universities right for your son, especially since there are so many excellent universities in the UK (and other European countries)? If this is a question you and your son are pondering, you are invited to attend the US University Advice Evening at Abingdon School on Thursday 22 November 2018, 6pm to 7.45pm in the CMR. This event will provide detailed insights into all the important considerations required to decide whether or not to apply to—or attend—a uni in the US. There is much to consider! No booking is necessary—just turn up on the night. For more information, contact Michael Triff, Coordinator of Non-UK University Applications, [email protected], 01235 849129.

Public examination contingency date 2019 : Wednesday 26 June

The School is still awaiting confirmation of certain dates for the public examinations in the summer of 2019 but wanted to make you aware of one change that the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) have brought in for future examinations. For the first time a national contingency examination day has been arranged for I/GCSE and GCE (A/AS-level) examinations ‘should sustained national or local disruption arise during the examination series’ and therefore any examinations need to be rearranged. The date that has been set aside as the contingency day is Wednesday 26 June 2019. This means that all examination candidates must be available to sit examinations on Wednesday 26 June as well as for their timetabled examination dates. This is not a school decision and applies to all candidates in all schools.

Plans for DofE walking have therefore needed to be changed to:

Silver walking assessed expedition (5th years): Sunday 30 June – Wednesday 3 July.  This now creates a clash for the musicians who are on tour to Japan, and these boys will be contacted separately by Mr Dempsey. 

Gold walking assessed expedition (L6th): Sunday 23 -Thursday 27 June.

School Uniform

Half term is a good opportunity for parents and boys to check that School Uniform fits, and purchase any larger items if necessary, as well as getting ready for colder weather.  School Uniform, Sports Kit lists and the Dress Code for all years are on one website page: School Uniform.  Boys are expected to have their shirt top buttons done up.  Dates of opening of the Second Hand Uniform Shop are on their usual page, together with details of how to sell your second hand uniform.  Many thanks to all involved in SUS, as the boys benefit from money raised which is donated to the School.

Sixth Form Dress and Appearance

As has long been our practice, boys should have clean-shaven faces, unless this has been agreed, for religious reasons, by the Headmaster.  Full details of the dress code are available on the School Uniform Page.  

ROH Live: Mayerling – Monday 15 October, 7.15pm

Mayerling is a classic of the Royal Ballet repertory, with its emotional depth, haunting imagery, and one of the most demanding roles ever created for a male dancer.  

AOS Present: Top Hat – Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 October, 7.30pm (2.30pm Saturday Matinee)

Top Hat is based on the 1935 RKO movie and brings the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and the glorious, tap-dancing magic of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to the stage in one of the greatest dance musicals of all time.  

ROH Live: Die  Walküre  – Sunday 28 October, 5pm

Wagner’s Ring cycle is one of the greatest works of all opera.  Keith Warner’s production is conducted by Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera, and this final revival is cast with an outstanding international array of Wagnerian specialist singers. 

Food menu for week beginning Monday 29 October – Week 1