This week’s mailing is:
Letters:
- To parents of all fifth year pupils – GCSE Controlled assessment/NEAs 2021-22
Notices:
From the Headmaster to all parents:
Dear Parents
I’m grateful to the many of you who responded to our recent surveys. We’ve had an excellent response which will allow us to develop a thorough understanding of parental opinion. The results will inform the strategic plan which the School’s governors are refreshing this year.
This week our focus in tutor periods and assemblies has been anti-bullying week. Its theme this year is ‘one kind word’ and we’ve all been encouraged to remember the value of kindness and the difference that a kind word can make.
We have also been marking International Men’s Day today which brings a focus on men’s physical and mental health. There can be a tendency for men to feel that admitting that they are struggling is a sign of weakness. We are trying to develop a culture at Abingdon where our students recognise that asking for help requires courage and is actually a sign of strength. It’s heartening to see students coming forward and seeking assistance readily while initiatives such as the Peer Support Lead programme are helping provide further valuable sources of support.
The Peer Support Lead initiative is part of the wider range of partnership activities that we run with five other local schools from both the state and independent sector. Today we hold at the Guildhall in Abingdon the formal launch of the OX14 Learning Partnership which strengthens the relationship between these schools (Abingdon, Fitzharrys, John Mason, Larkmead, Radley and SHSK) and provides a framework for the continued development of fulfilling and rewarding partnership work.
Best wishes, Mike Windsor
Covid-19 and 2022 Public Exam Notices:
- Further to Mr May’s letter about public exams, attached to Weekly Mailing of 15 October 2021, here is now the Letter to Fifth year and Upper Sixth students from the Chief Regulator of Ofqual re arrangements for arrangements for GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2022.
- Pupils aged 16 and 17 years old who have not previously been eligible will soon be able to book an appointment (not in school) for a 2nd dose using the National Booking System if it has been 12 weeks since their 1st dose. The NHS state that they will update the site with more information about when this will be possible and expect this to be from Monday 22 November 2021.
- Pupils in the Second to Fifth year who missed their covid-19 vaccination in school are now being invited to make an appointment (not in school) via the National Booking System. This also now applies to those pupils in the First year who have turned 12 since the beginning of this academic year.
Driving near the School
We would like to remind parents to act with courtesy and consideration when driving near the School and to respect parking instructions and speed limits. If you are waiting in Park Crescent to collect your child, we ask you to switch off your engine to reduce pollution and in the interests of the health of students, staff and local residents.
From the Director of Music, Michael Stinton:
- Sunday 21 November at 7pm at St Helen’s School – Pirates of Penzance, a concert performance. Parents are invited to come and hear students from the two schools in a concert performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Operetta classic under the direction of Miss Helen Coad, Assistant Director of Music at St Helen’s School. There will be pupils both in the orchestra and singing both chorus and soloist parts.
- Wednesday 24 November at 6pm in the CMR – Music Society Violin Masterclass with Sebastian Muller. Maestro Muller, an internationally renowned violinist and teacher in Vienna, Manchester and London will visit to put some of Abingdon’s senior string players through their paces – and he has agreed to play for us, himself, solo. Having heard him, I can tell you this will be sensational playing and not to be missed! Thanks to our wonderful Music Society, admission is free – please join us, especially if you have string players in the family!
Abingdon Box Office:
- Soveida Ensemble’s Charity Concert for Afghan Refugee Children – Saturday 27 November at 7pm. The Soveida Ensemble was first established in 2014. Based on a long since forgotten form of Classical Persian music, the Soveida Ensemble performs on some of the oldest instruments created, including the Tanbour, Setar, Tar, Daf, Tombak and Ney. Funds raised will be used to support MIND in the delivery of specialist mental health support to Afghan Refugee Families.
- Ocean Film Festival World Tour – Tuesday 30 November at 7:30pm. Brought to you by the team behind the Banff Mountain Film Festival UK & Ireland Tour, this carefully curated selection of short films combines epic human endeavour and astounding marine life in a spectacular cinematic celebration of our oceans. Meet surfers, paddlers, divers and oceanographers who have dedicated their lives to answering the call of the ocean in the wildest corners of the planet.
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.
