Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
There was a great atmosphere out on Waste Court yesterday afternoon as many pupils, staff and parents gathered to cheer on the U15A XV as they emerged victorious against a brave and skilful Exeter School side in the semi-final of the National Plate competition. I wish them all the best for next week’s final at the StoneX stadium, home of Saracens RFC.
It’s always great to see pupils supporting one another and certainly a feature of the last night of Grease was the vocal and appreciative group of students who were in the audience to cheer on their friends. There are more musical treats coming up next week which I hope will draw in lots of pupils, including a rock concert in the Amey Theatre on Wednesday 8 March which will feature eight Abingdon bands. On the next night, Thursday 9 March, our Spring concert will feature a wide range of ensembles including choirs, orchestras and bands.
Today is World Book Day which always reminds me of the last-minute scrambles that my wife and I undertook to devise costumes for our daughters to wear at primary school. Those days are behind us now and our students will not be dressing up for the day. However, I do still hope that World Book Day will serve as a reminder to them of the joy of reading. The reading habit can often get squeezed, especially in the Middle School, when students are balancing a larger number of subjects and their Other Half commitments, but I encourage everyone to make reading part of their routine. We are blessed with a wonderful library staffed by a great team who are always on hand to make recommendations and to support the more reluctant reader. From a more personal perspective, I’ve recently enjoyed listening to the audiobook of A Killing in November by Simon Mason, a gripping thriller set in and around Oxford and definitely worth a try.
Best wishes, Mike Windsor
UPPER SCHOOL
- For parents of 5th year, L6 and U6 pupils: Abingdon Independent Schools’ Careers Convention 2023: Thursday 16 March 2023, 6pm to 9pm at SHSK
The Abingdon Independent Schools’ Careers Convention, jointly run by Abingdon School, Our Lady’s Abingdon, and St Helen and St Katharine, will take place on Thursday evening, 16 March 2023, 6-9pm at SHSK. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend. There is no event booking; just show up. Please note the following: there is limited parking at SHSK, so you may also park at Abingdon School (after 5.45pm) and walk to SHSK; the event programme will be emailed a week in advance to all 5th, L6 and U6 students so they may plan out how they will spend their time at the event; pupils will be offered a light supper at school before the event (no charge, but booking required) or, alternatively, can go into town and buy food for supper. At the event, there will also be hot and cold drinks and a limited selection of snacks for sale. If you have any questions, contact Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance, at [email protected]. -
Futures Fair, Thursday 4 May, 4pm to 6pm
Mark your calendars for the Futures Fair where students can speak to over 40 universities to find out more about university study, available degree courses, entry requirements and what different universities have to offer. We have an excellent list of confirmed exhibitors including UK, Russell Group and a range of international universities plus information on alternatives to university including apprenticeships.
L6th students are expected to attend and interested 5th Years and U6th students are also very welcome. More information is available here. There is no need for L6th students to book. Booking for U6th and 5th Year students is not required but it is appreciated so we can better gauge expected numbers.
- For Upper Sixth Students and parents: Griffen Ball, from Clare Butcher, Financial Controller
- Tickets are now on sale for the annual Griffen Ball which will be held on Saturday 1 July 2023. If there are any Upper Sixth parents or students who have yet to book, you are encouraged to place your order via the email sent last week as soon as possible as tickets are selling quickly.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- For parents of 5th year, L6 and U6 pupils: Abingdon Independent Schools’ Careers Convention 2023: Thursday 16 March 2023, 6pm to 9pm at SHSK
The Abingdon Independent Schools’ Careers Convention, jointly run by Abingdon School, Our Lady’s Abingdon, and St Helen and St Katharine, will take place on Thursday evening, 16 March 2023, 6-9pm at SHSK. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend. There is no event booking; just show up. Please note the following: there is limited parking at SHSK, so you may also park at Abingdon School (after 5.45pm) and walk to SHSK; the event programme will be emailed a week in advance to all 5th, L6 and U6 students so they may plan out how they will spend their time at the event; pupils will be offered a light supper at school before the event (no charge, but booking required) or, alternatively, can go into town and buy food for supper. At the event, there will also be hot and cold drinks and a limited selection of snacks for sale. If you have any questions, contact Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance, at [email protected]. - For parents of 5th year pupils: Work Experience Scheme – checklist of things to consider. March and April are critical months for the 5th Year Work Experience Scheme. If your child has not yet applied for a summer work experience placement, time is running out, and they should make applications as soon as possible. There is a special 5th Year Work Experience Scheme page on Firefly with links to employers who offer work experience placements, and your child can also approach employers of interest who don’t offer formal work experience schemes but who may be happy to host a placement, if asked. If your child has made applications, but has not heard back yet, some polite but persistent ‘chasing’ may be needed. And, if your child has already received an offer of a placement, congratulations! If they have received more than one offer, they can undertake more than one during the summer holiday or request to defer one perhaps to the October half-term next school year. Parents are strongly advised to download from the bottom of this web page a checklist of things to consider when preparing for their child’s work experience placement. Note, we do not require students or parents to complete any work experience forms for Abingdon School. If you have any questions, contact Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance, at [email protected].
WHOLE SCHOOL
- Music Events next week:
- Solo Singers Platform – Tuesday 7 March at 6pm, Charles Maude Room. Another favourite concert presenting the pupils of our singing teacher, Andrew Yeats. Mr Yeats accompanies his pupils at the piano – and the performances will cover a range of repertoire from classical to popular. This is a lovely opportunity to hear these young voices – do join us.
- Annual Rock Concert – Wednesday 8 March at 7pm, Amey Theatre. This new venture is spearheaded by music teacher, Mr Fox. The groups were auditioned for the concert before half term and this is an opportunity to hear the burgeoning rock music at Abingdon School in a short concert of about 75 minutes (no interval). Admission is free.
- Spring Concert – Thursday 9 March at 7pm, Amey Theatre. This is the major music event of the Lent term and includes all our larger ensembles – the three orchestras, the Big and the Concert Bands, the Gospel and the 2nd Year choirs. At this year’s concert, ASMS, the parent body that supports the school’s music, has organised a Silent Auction in order to raise funds to support the Music Tour to France and Belgium in July. Tamsin Keene, the Chair of the Music Society writes as follows: “We have some fantastic prizes generously donated by teachers, parents and local businesses – and we hope to get some generous donations. Parents are warmly invited to click on the link https://app.galabid.com/abingdontour2023 to browse and to bid!”. Tickets for the concert can be ordered from the box office here. Parents should note that there are rehearsals after school on Thursday and we are expecting all the pupils to have a school supper unless we hear from parents to the contrary.
- Looking further ahead:
- Solo Concert Platform – Tuesday 14 March at 6pm, CMR. Another great opportunity to come to listen to some of the burgeoning solo talents from all year groups, all instruments and at different stages of development. Do join us – admission is free.
- Intermediate Solo Competition – Friday 17 March at 6pm, CMR. These competitions serve to give a platform for some of the more ambitious solo instrumentalists, adjudicated by a visiting professional musician. At this level, you can expect to hear a range of pupils and instruments working at between grade 6 and grade 8 levels. Do join us for this event. It is always fascinating to enjoy the performances and to hear the feedback. Admission is free.
- Abingdon Football Dinner and Awards, Saturday 18 March, CMR, Abingdon School, 7pm – 10pm. This is going to be a celebration of the football term with a three course meal and a welcome drink. The evening will consist of awards for each age group plus a special guest talk! The evening is open to any age group and is a Lounge Suit or Black Tie event. Tickets are on sale now: adults £35; students £30. Please follow this link to purchase your tickets.
- OX14 Learning Partnership Upcoming Events
- News from the week
- Food menu for the following week – Week 2
- School calendar
- Weekly mailing archive
- Box Office: See upcoming Box Office events
