15 Oct 2021

WEEKLY MAILING

This week’s mailing is:

Letters:

  • To parents with children in exam years (5th & U6th) – 2022 exams

Notices:

From the Headmaster to all parents:

Dear Parents

Today we reach the end of a very busy and productive first half of term. It has been great to see students enjoying the many opportunities available to them. The lifting of year group ‘bubbles’ has meant that year groups have been able to interact and older students have set a fine example for their younger peers and especially our new pupils. It’s been wonderful to be able to welcome many of you to the school site again over the past few weeks too.

As I wrote to you earlier this week, we have seen a rise in the number of cases of Covid in the School over the past couple of weeks. I’m grateful for the flexibility and patience that students have shown in adjusting to the measures that have been put in place to slow down the spread.

You will be aware that today we hosted a team who have been administering Covid and flu vaccinations to students in the First to Fifth Year. It has been a busy day and again I would like to commend the students on their patience and forbearance as they waited for their vaccinations.

I would be grateful if our students could continue their regular twice-weekly lateral flow tests during the half-term break and if you could inform us if there are any positive results. I will be meeting with colleagues to assess the situation on Monday 1 November, the first day back after the half-term break, and will provide an update for parents then. I’m sure we all hope that the combination of vaccinations and a two-week break over half term will result in fewer cases of Covid in school during the second half of term.

For the time being, I hope that our students are able to enjoy some rest and relaxation over the next couple of weeks and that you are able to join them in having some downtime too.

Best wishes, Mike Windsor

 

All parents – advance notice – parental survey – from the Headmaster

Parental feedback and opinion is one of the most important considerations when Governors, my colleagues and I make decisions about the future development of Abingdon School. This is particularly pertinent at the moment as we are in the process of writing the next version of our five-year strategic plan. We are grateful to those of you who have already completed the survey from Baines Cutler directly related to fees and affordability, which remains open until Wednesday 3 November. We would also very much appreciate your thoughts on the wider aspects of school life, current and future, and so will soon be asking parents to complete a further online survey. You will receive the link to the live survey immediately after half term.

5th Year – Into the Sixth Form Evening – Monday 8 November, 7pm

For the Into the Sixth Form information Evening on Monday 8 November we will now be running a webinar for parents and students starting at 7pm.  Mr Crisp will send out more information including login details at the start of next half term.  Please could you make a note of this event in your diaries?  If you are unable to attend the webinar, we will record this event: therefore you will have an opportunity to view it afterwards.

Music:

  • Tuesday 2 November at 6pm – Senior Instrumental Competition – Anthony Williams (adjudicator) –  We are looking forward to hearing our top solo musicians battle it out in our senior solo competition very soon after we resume. Last year’s winner, Oliver Simpson is not eligible to play this time, but we have some really great musicians to hear and Anthony Williams, Head of Instrumental Music at Radley College, will have quite a task on his hands in picking a winner. Parents are very welcome to join us for this exciting event – tickets are free, but please order them from the Box Office in the usual way.
  • Wednesday 10 November at 6pm – Solo Platform No 2 – Our second solo platform of the term gives us an opportunity to hear solo performances from a wide range of instruments and different games and levels. For quite a few of the students, this event gives them an opportunity to try out their pieces before their music examinations later in the month. Do join us, again, please, ordering your tickets in advance from the Box Office.

Other future dates for your diaries (please remember to apply for tickets):

Abingdon Box Office:

Over the next few months, the Amey Theatre are hosting a whole range of events, several of which are listed below:

  • Abingdon Operatic Society present All Shook Up! Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 October
    The music of Elvis Presley comes alive in All Shook Up and we’re bringing it to the stage of the Amey Theatre in October 2021. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, All Shook Up is a rocking, heartwarming tale about following dreams, opening up to love, and the power of music, featuring a whole host of hit songs from the Elvis songbook.
  • Abingdon Film Unit Screening – Wednesday 3 November at 7:30pm
    Abingdon’s filmmakers have been telling stories and documenting lives since 2003. Last year, it wasn’t possible to share their work with a live audience, but now we’re delighted to be able to come together again in person to experience the latest batch of new films from our tireless cineastes. Join us in the Amey Theatre on Wednesday 3 November at 7pm for an evening of eight new films – four fictions, three documentaries and a music video by Film Academy graduate Gena Clarke – each of which reflects in one way or another the strange times we’re living through.
  • Banff Mountain Film Festival – Friday 5 November at 7:30pm
    The Banff Mountain Film Festival (green film programme) features a thrilling selection of films from the most captivating places on earth! Join the world’s top adventure film-makers and explorers as they push themselves to the limits in the most remote and stunning corners of the globe. Witness epic human-powered feats, life-affirming challenges and mind-blowing cinematography – all on the big screen!
  • Andy Kirkpatrick’s Mind Your Head: Holidays from Hell – Monday 15 November at 8:00pm
    Only Hull’s second best climber, comedian Andy Kirkpatrick, could take you on a journey from minus fifty degrees to plus fifty, from gun battles in Nairobi, deportation, battles with baboons, elephants and bears, to mundane things like climbing big walls and bigger mountains. Please note: This event is likely to contain strong language.
  • An Evening with Anton Du Beke – Thursday 18 November at 7:30pm
    Mostly Books brings you an evening of entertainment with BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s legendary Anton Du Beke, as we talk to him about his latest book We’ll Meet Again, and his life on the ballroom, stage and TV screen.
  • A series of public apologies:
    The Middle School Production will be on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 November at 7:00pm. Tickets will be on sale soon.

News from the Week:

Food Menu for the coming week – Week 1

School Calendar

Please continue to consult the School Calendar for up to date information.

Here is the link to previous weekly mailings.