This week's mailing is:
Letters:
- To parents of boys in First Year to Upper Sixth – SHSK Government Inspector Drama Rehearsal Schedule & Sunday Rehearsals
- To parents of boys in Second Year – Third Year Induction Day
Notices:
For 5th Year parents – Elevate Education UK, Tuesday 19 March 2019, 7pm-8pm, Amey Theatre
Elevate is running a fifth year parents' seminar on Tuesday 19 March on revision techniques for GCSE. Please make a note of the date.
For Lower Sixth boys and their parents: UCAS
UCAS: An introduction to the UK university application process: Tuesday 12 March, 7pm, Amey Theatre. Part of the L6 parents' evening, this is an important opportunity for boys and their parents to learn about some of the key features of UK university applications, the admissions process and key dates. Mrs Caroline Taylor, Assistant Upper Master, Universities, will give a presentation outlining the UCAS process and what is expected of the boys at each stage, as well as outlining key factors to consider when choosing degree courses, universities and writing the personal statement.
Following this presentation, at 7.45pm in Beech Court, Mrs Taylor and Mrs Gibbard from the UCAS office, as well as other members of the Sixth Form staff team, will be available to answer any questions. There will also be the opportunity to chat to current U6 boys who have recently applied to UK universities through UCAS. Refreshments will be available.
National Citizen Service 2019 Programme
A member of the Oxfordshire team of the National Citizen Service will coming into the 5th Year assembly on Thursday 24 January to inform our pupils about the NCS Summer 2019 Programme and let them know how they can sign up to this scheme. All the information about his scheme is included in the attached letter.
National Wellbeing Survey
We have been invited, as a school, to join in with a national wellbeing survey, run by University College London and Manchester University, in conjunction with hundreds of schools across the country. As a school, we think this is an exciting opportunity to get involved in, not least as it intends to run for at least 3 years. We will be inviting our students from year 8 and above to take part in March 2019. The survey will take, on average, about 25 minutes for students to complete.
Please refer to the standard letters from the research team at University College London for further information. As these are generic letters which are sent to all schools we have a few adjustments that we would like to make you aware of when we do the Abingdon survey.
In terms of data transfer, Abingdon school will not be sharing any identifiable data with the researchers (eg name/surname) only unique anonymous identifier numbers which only the school has access to. The only other three bits of data we will be sending to the study are gender, year group, and school name. We will not be sharing data on any other characteristics, such as special education needs or emotional wellbeing for example.
The survey will be entirely voluntary but we would hope that to help with the study, the overwhelming majority of boys will want to take part. If however, you do not want your son to take part please discuss this with him and sign and return the form on the attached letter from Dr. Jessica Deighton and return to me. Also, on the day of the survey if your son decides that he does not want to take part he does not have to; the whole process is entirely voluntary.
If you have any questions about the project, in general, please contact Paul Gooding (Head of Wellbeing) and if you have any data protection questions please contact Amy Hadden (Compliance Officer) or Dr. Jessica Deighton (lead researcher at UCL) as shown on the attached information.
Auction of Promises – Thursday 24 January at 7pm, Amey Theatre
We are hosting a silent auction of promises (listed below) to support the First Orchestra and Big Band Tour of Japan. There are some truly incredible lots and all parents can make a bid. Successful bids will be announced by the Headmaster at the Japan Benefit Concert this coming Thursday 24 January, but our two “Star” lots will be open to bids until the start of half term (6pm on Friday 15 February) – this will give you time to confer with family or friends, join forces perhaps and enter that winning bid!
There will be opportunities to bid on the night of the Benefit Concert, but if you can’t attend, all you need to do is contact Caren Hardiman with your lot preferences and maximum bid – it’s that easy! Please follow this link to more information on the lots.
- One week in a beautiful 17th Century farmhouse in the Lot region of SW France (sleeps up to 12 plus exclusive swimming pool).
- A Theatre Weekend in Chelsea/Kensington, including a two-night stay at an exclusive 2-bed apartment and theatre vouchers to the value of £100 – and champagne!
- A Sunday lunch for 4 people at the Vineyard Spa Restaurant, Nr Newbury.
- City Mazes Escape Room Experience for 6.
- Loose Cannon Brewery Tasting and Tour for 4 People.
- A Pair of Tickets to hear the world famous CBSO – and an orchestra conducting experience at Abingdon School.
- A Meal for 2 with a Bottle of Wine at the esteemed Pierre Victoire restaurant in Jericho, Oxford.
- A Deer-Stalking Experience in the Cotswolds for one person with a qualified and licensed countryman.
- A two-day Cookery Course for up to three teenagers (or pre-university students) to learn to cook excellent recipes (3 lots for separate bidding).
- A Seasonal Supper for 4 and a bottle of organic wine at a pop-up refectory in an ancient threshing barn at Sandy Lane Farm near Thame.
Music Notices
Japan Tour Benefit Concert – Thursday 24 January at 7pm, Amey Theatre. Blow away the New Year Blues with our talented musicians – 2nd Year Choir, First, Second and Chamber Orchestras, Brass Band, Lower School Band, Big Band and Jazz Ensembles, We also have an exciting silent auction of promises (see above), with the Headmaster presiding. Please come early to bid and see details of the lots on offer. We'll have an extended interval to facilitate further bids. Boys will be expected to have supper at school from 6pm. Please bring your friends – proceeds go to the tour fund!
Christmas Concert DVDs. These are nearly ready for distribution and we hope to do so at Thursday's concert. The DVD looks great – many thanks to Keith Hoult and his brother at 3rd Strike Films for filming and editing. If anyone else would like a DVD priced at £10 each (in aid of the tour), these will also be available at the concert.
Ultimate Activity Camps
We are delighted to let you know that Ultimate Activity Camps are returning to run their fun and engaging holiday programmes at Abingdon School Sports Centre and now at the Prep School this Easter and Summer. They work with some of the best independent schools in the country and have a strong reputation for quality holiday programmes.
Established by a team with over 25 years’ experience of running high quality Ofsted-accredited holiday camps, children aged 4-14 years will have the chance to try over 40 exciting sports, games and creative activities each week. Their activities will be delivered by engaging and enthusiastic staff who will instruct and encourage children to try new activities and make new friends – and naturally have lots of fun!
See their information leaflet and website for full details of their activities and offers or call 0330 111 7077.
ROH Live: The Queen of Spades – Tuesday 22 January 2019
Loserville – Wednesday 6, Thursday 7 & Friday 8 February 2019
