Message from the Head
Dear Parents
The first half of term was capped off in melodious fashion as we enjoyed the annual House Singing event in the Amey Theatre yesterday. Each House rose to the challenge and combined thoughtful arrangements with enthusiastic participation and it was fantastic to see every single member of the School up on stage performing. It’s no easy task to pull together everyone in a House to contribute to a piece of music but the song selection was effective, the standard was high and all our students can be proud of their contribution. I’m grateful to Mr Stafford, our Director of Music, and his colleagues for coordinating the event and my thanks also go to the Heads of House and their tutors for all the work they have put in to encourage their students. It’s a great event to bring together each House in a spirit of camaraderie and cooperation.
As we approach the end of the first half of term, I hope our new students are feeling that they are settling into school life now and that they’ve enjoyed the start of their Abingdon careers. There are a number of school trips scheduled to take place over the half term break but I also hope that all our students are able to enjoy some time for rest and recreation.
Best wishes, Mike Windsor
UPPER SCHOOL
- Parents of L6 Students: North American Universities Advice Evening Webinar – Monday 4 December 2023
- You and your L6 child are invited to attend the North American Universities Advice Evening Webinar on Monday 4 December 2023, 6.30pm to 8.15pm GMT on Zoom. Register here to get the webinar link and password. This webinar will provide detailed insights into all the important considerations required to decide whether or not to apply to or attend a university in the USA or Canada. The focus of the webinar will be primarily on American universities, with some information on Canadian universities. Both North American options will also be compared to and contrasted with UK universities. There is much to consider! If you have any questions, email Michael Triff at [email protected].
- Medic Interview (MMI) sessions
- St Helen’s have kindly invited Abingdon U6 Medicine applicants to their Medic MMI evening on Wednesday 15 November 2023. They have asked if we know of people in our community who are willing to help. These are multiple mini interviews and are a style often used for the Medicine Undergraduate selection process. If you have experience of this style of interviews and are available to help, please email [email protected]
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- FAO parents of 5th year pupils – ‘Into the Sixth Form Information Evening’ on Monday 20 November, 6pm – 8.40pm. Please make a note of this date. This event is for students and parents and comprises an evening of presentations about the A Level curriculum, the options process and individual subject courses. More details will be given in due course, however the overall format of the evening is as follows:
- 6pm – Introduction to the curriculum & process in the Amey Theatre
- 6.40pm – 8.40pm – Individual subject presentations in various rooms
- The evening represents the start of the A Level choices process, and final decisions will be made in February.
WHOLE SCHOOL
- Music:
- Senior Music Competition – Thursday 2 November – CMR – 6pm – Free. We are delighted to welcome Paul Harris to the school to judge this years’ Senior Competition Final. With a range of performances across a breadth of instrumental and vocal disciplines, do come to listen to the more experienced and accomplished performers in the school.
- Violin Masterclass with Andrea Gajic – Friday 3 November – CMR – 6pm – Free. Following on from the Piano Masterclass earlier in term, our violinists will be treated to a masterclass with internationally acclaimed violinist, Andrea Gajic. Pupils will have the opportunity to perform but also work on technical, musical and interpretational aspects of their performance. Attendance is welcome for all but especially pupils who learn a string instrument.
- Remembrance Concert – Friday 10 November – Chapel – 7pm – Free. A new concert in the music provision at Abingdon School, the Remembrance concert will be an evening of vocal music, instrumental solos and readings associated with conflict. Largely centred on WW1, the Chapel Choir will perform a number of items alongside solo vocal songs from a number of pupils. Refreshments will be served in the CMR before the concert from 6.15pm.
- Solo Concert Platform – Tuesday 21 November – CMR – 6pm – Free. The second solo concert platform of term takes place on Tuesday 21 November with an evening concert of contrasting musical items. All are most welcome to attend.
- See other upcoming Music Events
- Save the date for Abingdon Giving Day 2023 – Wednesday 8 / Thursday 9 November. This fast-paced 36-hour online fundraising and awareness building initiative starts at 9am on Wednesday 8 November 2023. 100% of funds raised on Giving Day will go towards helping us to reach our goal to increase the number of bursary places we can offer at Abingdon. Our recent bursary video explains more. Watch here.
- ASPA Events:
- Save the date – Saturday 27 January – Burns Night Dinner and Ceilidh. ASPA are delighted to invite you to a Burns Night Dinner in the new Pavilion at Abingdon with live music from the Guerrilla Ceilidh Band. Tickets will go on sale after half term.
- OX14 Learning Partnership Upcoming Events
- News from the week
- Food menu for the week after half term – Week 1
- School calendar
- Weekly mailing archive
- Box Office:
- AOS: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 October
- Abingdon Film Unit Annual Screening – 20th Anniversary. The AFU marks its 20th anniversary this year. The next annual screening of new films promises to be a belter. Whether you’re a veteran of previous AFU screenings or you’ve never been to one before, do consider coming to this year’s free event on Wednesday 8 November at 7pm in the Amey Theatre. Free admission – please book a ticket to help us plan.
- See other upcoming Box Office events
- A final reminder to book October half term sports camps – Bookings will close on Thursday 19 October:
- Competition Level Tennis Academy – Monday 23 – Friday 27 October – ages 11 to 15 years. Take part in what promises to be an enjoyable week full of skill development, gameplay and tactical aspects. This academy is aimed at competitive level players who have played for their school or are playing for a club and focuses on developing each player to their maximum potential. Led by Martin Butler, Abingdon School’s Head Coach.
- High Performance Rugby, Athletic Development and Wellness Camp – Monday 23 – Thursday 26 October – ages 8 to 15 years. This camp is designed to teach aspiring young athletes to move correctly, efficiently and safely, while building full body strength and balance. Participants will be shown how to fuel themselves with the correct nutrition, to breathe correctly and to help them to achieve a mindset for a happy, positive and successful sporting career. Led by Sy Wiggall, who is a Strength and Mental Performance Coach with Oxford Harlequins and founder of the Oxford Youth Strength and Conditioning Academy.
