2 Jul 2021

This week’s mailing is:

Notices:

From the Headmaster to all parents:

Dear Parents

There were two undoubted highlights for me this week.

The first was the result at Wembley on Tuesday night.

The second was seeing so many students involved at the Inter-House athletics at Tilsley Park on Wednesday afternoon. There are some hugely talented and dedicated athletes in the school and they put in some superb performances that it was a privilege to watch. But the rationale for this event is participation and credit goes to the Housemasters who ensured representation from each House in every event. I’m conscious that not all of the students called into action would necessarily be the first to put their hands up to take part, so all the more credit goes to them for stepping up and doing their bit for their House.

You will have received communications from the School this week as we have dealt with a number of cases of Covid-19. I’m pleased to report that none of the pupils affected has become particularly ill but we are required to follow the Track and Trace procedures provided by the Department for Education, which requires close contacts of cases to self-isolate. I recognise that this is hugely frustrating for those affected and their families.

In view of the number of cases in school, we have decided that students will wear face coverings when they are indoors for the rest of this term. Although the wearing of facemasks does not remove the need for close contacts of cases to self-isolate, I hope that this measure will help reduce the spread of the virus and prevent students and staff from having to enter self-isolation as we approach the summer break.

Best wishes, Mike Windsor

LFD testing over the Summer Holidays and start of Michaelmas Term 2021

We have been advised by Public Health England (PHE) that regular LFD testing of pupils should be paused during the Summer holidays.  That said, should you wish your child to continue to test regularly over the holidays, and perhaps in anticipation of the start of the Michaelmas term, please ask your child to collect kits as required from Faringdon Lodge before the end of term.

We will be in touch with parents ahead of the start of the Michaelmas term to advise of any testing requirements that the DfE may have in place for schools.

Book Collection 

With most students on campus for their last lesson in each of their academic subjects, they should ensure they return their books to their class teachers during their final week, or follow local departmental instructions.

Only the few pupils who are working remotely should bring their books back next term if they are due back in September: they should return them directly to the Second Master in his office on the first day of term.

Many departments number each book, and record the book number.  Students MUST put their name in the book, too. When the issued copy is returned by your child the head of department then knows not to charge parents for the book. If the pupil returns a copy belonging to someone else then their parents are billed for the ‘missing’ copy and the original ‘owner’ is credited with having returned his book.

Teachers do not spend valuable time issuing emails to parents asking for books to be returned, as we expect students to be responsible for this operation.  Please remind your child.

Parents are not reimbursed for the late return of textbooks which have been charged on their bills because heads of department have had to spend resources on buying replacements for books not returned.

Many thanks for your help in this matter.

To parents and carers of Fourth Year pupils from the Head of Wellbeing – Relationships and Sex Education Tuesday 6 July

On Tuesday 6 July we are holding a Relationship and Sex Education morning for students in the 4th year. This is part of their PSHCE curriculum. This year we have an online live visit from Loudmouth Theatre Company who will present their acclaimed play “Working for Marcus”. Sexual exploitation and sexual grooming are important issues for schools to address. “Working for Marcus” has been used in many schools to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation and to train professionals since 1998. Due to a recent rise in interest in this work and growing concerns about the issues from schools particularly in online safety, Loudmouth have updated this powerful programme to include new research into exploitation through social media, gangs and violence against women, girls and boys. The drama production and workshops help young people to gain a deeper understanding of the grooming process and potential risks. There will also be a live follow up session for students to follow up on the play and ask any questions they might have.

In addition, the students will attend a roundabout of workshops which includes topics such as sexual transmitted infections, contraception, consent, practical use of condoms together with men’s health issues. These will be delivered by registered healthcare practitioners and nurses as well as the School Doctor.

If you have any questions about the morning, please email Paul Gooding, Head of Wellbeing on [email protected].

Celebration of the Arts – revised date – Tuesday 6 July – REMINDER

For details please see here.

Rugby Pre-Season 2021

Please find here the summer pre-season schedule for age-groups. Before the end of term, a letter for sign-up will be sent out to parents.

OA Rugby 

On Saturday 4 September 2021, the annual U23 v O23 OA Rugby match (KO 11am) will take place on Waste Court Field.  Spectators are welcome. Further information can be found on the OA Club website.

Mouthguard Fittings

Opro dentists will be coming in to do mouth guard fittings on Tuesday 7 September between 1.30pm and 4.30pm and Thursday 9 September between 1pm and 3pm in the Sports Centre.  First, Second, Third and Fourth Years will have their fittings during their sports lesson on Tuesday.  Third, Fifth Years, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth should attend when available between 1.30pm and 3pm either day. An email with a link to an order form will be sent to all parents later this month.

Driving along roads close to School

Parents are asked to consider local residents when driving round the narrow roads close to School, and also to adhere to the speed limit of 20mph along Park Road and Park Crescent, which are private roads.

Music:

• Tuesday 6 July at 5.15pm – Celebration of the Arts – “All but Classical”.  Our “All but Classical concert” next week will also be a recorded event. Expect jazz, rock, gospel, close harmony singing and much more.
• Tuesday’s Organ Recital in Chapel with Nick Raptakis has had to be cancelled for reasons beyond our control.

Abingdon Box Office:

• Celebration of the Arts – Tuesday 6 July, 5.15pm – a combination of online material from Art, Drama and Music
• Sixth Form Showcase Production – An Ideal Husband – Tuesday 6 July, 8.30pm, onlineHighlights from Oscar Wilde’s classic play An Ideal Husband will be coming to your screens on Tuesday 6 July. The Lower Sixth joint cast of St Helen’s and Abingdon School students will be performing a series of extracts following the devious Mrs Cheveley as she tries to ruin the reputation of Robert Chiltern. Meet the characters of Oscar Wilde’s society comedy, will Mabel Chiltern and Lord Goring ever confess their love for one another, will Sir Robert and Lady Chiltern resolve their differences, and whatever will happen to the devious Mrs Cheveley? We will be sharing this showcase of work with you via the SHSK website and hope that many of you will be able to join us.

News from the Week:

Food Menu for the coming week – Week 3

School Calendar

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

Here is the link to previous weekly mailings.