2 May 2024

WEEKLY MAILING

Message from the Head

Dear Parents

Today is an important day for the members of the Combined Cadet Force as we welcome Brigadier Peter Baines to undertake the biennial inspection. This commences with a parade in school before the cadets transfer to Dalton Barracks for an afternoon of activities. It’s exciting to see so many pupils embracing the opportunities for personal development offered by the CCF and I am sure they will do themselves proud in the inspection.

This week commenced with another highlight in the school calendar as a number of pupils were confirmed in our annual Confirmation Service in the Chapel, led by the Bishop of Dorchester. The Chapel Choir sang beautifully and it was lovely to be able to welcome family and friends to this happy occasion.

Tomorrow is the final day of teaching for our Fifth Year students before they depart on study leave for their GCSEs. I wish them all the very best for their exams and would like to remind them that their teachers stand ready to support them if they have any concerns or queries.

Finally, I wanted to remind parents that it is still not too late to sign up for Parents’ Association Quiz Night, taking place at 7.30pm on Friday 10 May in the Pavilion. This will be a great opportunity to meet other parents and have an enjoyable and sociable evening testing your trivia. There’s more information in the message that follows from the Chair of ASPA.

Best wishes, Mike Windsor

 

UPPER SCHOOL

  • For parents of students taking external exams this summer – Special Consideration.  During the exam season, unforeseen circumstances may arise which have a significant effect on a student’s ability to take that exam, or on how they performed. Examples could include illness, accident or injury at the time of the exam, bereavement or a domestic crisis. In these circumstances, the school might be able to apply for special consideration. If a situation arises during the exam season that might result in a possible special consideration application, please follow the process outlined below:
  • Message from Graeme May re expectations of students’ representation of the School in sports fixtures during the exam period:
    • Pupils should already know the expectations from their coaches, but to be clear:
      • Rowing – for those in crews, training schedules will be worked around their exam timetable but they are expected to be available.
      • Cricket – Fifth year are expected to be able to play but we do not have U16 fixtures after half term; some may choose to play up in the Seniors. U6 are also expected to play but training is not compulsory.
      • Other Sports – this is more on an ad-hoc basis.
    • We would ask parents to remind their children that keeping physically active during a period of intense study has well known benefits and we would ask you to support them with this.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

  • For parents of students taking external exams this summer – Special Consideration.  During the exam season, unforeseen circumstances may arise which have a significant effect on a student’s ability to take that exam, or on how they performed. Examples could include illness, accident or injury at the time of the exam, bereavement or a domestic crisis. In these circumstances, the school might be able to apply for special consideration. If a situation arises during the exam season that might result in a possible special consideration application, please follow the process outlined below:
  • Parents of Fifth Year students re Work Experience:  
    • Today at morning assembly, all 5th year pupils were advised of what they can/should be doing regarding summer work experience, whether they have a placement confirmed or are still looking for a placement. Earlier this week, all 5th year pupils received an email asking them to report their placement using this online form; once a placement is confirmed, students must report their placement to the School. Placements can begin any time after the GCSE exam ‘contingency date’ of Wednesday 26 June 2024 and should be completed by the last Friday of the summer holiday, 30 August 2024. Some students will continue to be involved in sports at Abingdon in the summer term and those commitments take precedence.  Therefore, please do not schedule a work experience placement on any date that may clash with a sports training or fixture commitment.  There is a work experience checklist that can be downloaded from the ‘Parent Correspondence’ section at the bottom of this web page. If you have any questions about summer work experience, contact Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance, at [email protected].
  • Message from Graeme May re expectations of students’ representation of the School in sports fixtures during the exam period:
    • Pupils should already know the expectations from their coaches, but to be clear:
      • Rowing – for those in crews, training schedules will be worked around their exam timetable but they are expected to be available.
      • Cricket – Fifth year are expected to be able to play but we do not have U16 fixtures after half term; some may choose to play up in the Seniors. U6 are also expected to play but training is not compulsory.
      • Other Sports – this is more on an ad-hoc basis.
    • We would ask parents to remind their children that keeping physically active during a period of intense study has well known benefits and we would ask you to support them with this.
  • Parents of Third Year students: Third Year Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Wednesday 15 May

WHOLE SCHOOL

  • Abingdon News: The latest issue of Abingdon News is now available to read here.
  • Filming at School, Thursday 9 May:
    • We have a film crew coming into school on Thursday 9 May to capture various images of school life.  Please can all students make an extra effort to look neat and tidy.  Your support is very much appreciated.
  • Annual Data Check.  Forms were sent to parents on Wednesday 1 May via isams email.  Thank you to those parents who have already completed the form.  If you have not already done so, please be reminded that the deadline to complete and submit forms is Sunday 2 June.  Even if your data has not changed, a form is still required to be completed please.  The Data Check is an online process that takes a few minutes to complete.
  • Message from Mrs Keevil re Safeguarding on travel routes:
    • Travelling to and from school whether that be by car, on foot or using the JBS routes involves considerable risks from a safeguarding point of view. Wearing seatbelts on all school buses is mandatory, tapping in is part of the process so we have an accurate record of passengers. Latecomers on buses (after 8.45am) must sign in at Faringdon Lodge so we can track attendance patterns, although traffic delays will not affect your children’s discipline record. Finally please can parents remind their children of how important the bus journeys are in terms of fostering an inclusive environment where use of language and behaviour are to be as wholesome an experience as possible. Our reputation in the community must remain positive.
  • Music: