14 Mar 2024

WEEKLY MAILING

Message from the Head

Dear Parents

This week we have been marking Neurodiversity Week which has been an opportunity to celebrate the fact that we are not all wired the same way and that the school is stronger for the range of personalities, thinking styles and interests that make up our community. A particular highlight of the week was a short film produced by the Abingdon Film Unit which featured a number of our students reflecting on their neurodiversity – be it dyslexia, autism, ADHD – and how it affected their experiences at school. These students spoke with great honesty and articulated their thoughts in a sensitive and powerful way. The film was shared with all students and staff and was shown in yesterday’s tutor group session.

The week started with a highlight of our sporting calendar; the 53rd edition of the Road Relay. Students – and staff – ran the course around the school and Albert Park in teams of four and it was great to see so many wanting to take part, as well as the enthusiastic support that runners received, especially as they made their way down Park Road at the front of the school. Quinn, in the Upper Sixth, set a new course record shortly before hearing that he had been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Cross-Country Championships in Belgrade.

The football and hockey seasons are approaching their latter stages with a number of our football teams in a good position to win their respective league titles this weekend: indeed, the U15A XI have already done so. Congratulations are also due to the 1st XI hockey team who have reached the semi finals of the National Plate competition after a tense win against Felsted earlier this week. The U16A hockey XI are also through to the quarter finals. We are also rapidly approaching one of the key events for the Boat Club in the form of the Schools’ Head. I wish all our crews the very best for this competition.

Best wishes, Mike Windsor

 

UPPER SCHOOL

  • Understanding Student Loans for University in the UK, Thursday 25 April 7pm-8pm, Zoom
    • A webinar for UK students and parents who are thinking about student loans as part of university study in the UK. In this session you will learn how student loans are funded; who is eligible for such student loans; the two types of student loans available; how much students can borrow; the cost of borrowing; paying back student loans and consequences of avoidance; and how to apply for a student loan.  Presented by Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance.  Register here: https://abingdon.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rxXHhsaTTAazHNzcsxo_Mg
  • For parents of Lower Sixth Students – Update on University entrance tests 2024:
    • Oxford University are yet to announce their plans for assessment dates, we will update you as soon as we know, but in the meantime any students considering applying to Oxford should keep themselves available in the UK for the October half term holiday as previously these tests have occurred over half term.
    • The dates of certain other undergraduate entrance tests for 2024 have been announced. They are during term time in October, but boarders looking to book flights home for half term should take note of the test dates as they are right before the half term holiday:
      • Students sitting the ESAT test for Cambridge or Imperial University science/engineering degrees should note that the test dates will fall on Tuesday 15/Wednesday 16 October. Students should check whether they might need to sit this test for their course on the relevant university websites.
      • Students applying for Computer Science or Economics at Cambridge or Imperial will need to sit the TMUA test and should note that the test dates will fall on Wednesday 16/Thursday 17 October. Students applying for Mathematics at other universities should also check whether sitting the TMUA will aid their application.

WHOLE SCHOOL

  • Music: 
    • Thursday 21 March, 7pm – Spring Concert – Amey Theatre.  Our final concert of term sees the larger ensembles take to the stage. The Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band, Sinfonia and Symphony Orchestra will all perform their term’s work with notable highlights including U6 performances of Shostakovich Piano Concerto, Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto and Vaughan Williams’ ‘Songs of Travel’. Interval refreshments will be served in the Pavilion. Do join us for a wonderful evening of music making to round off the term’s musical activities. Tickets need to be booked at the following link: https://www.abingdon.org.uk/sports-and-leisure/performance/spring-concert/
    • See other upcoming Music Events.