This week's mailing is:
Letters:
- To parents of Second Year boys – Visit to Roman Bath & Google form
- To parents of Third Year boys – Preference for Fourth Year Subjects for September 2018
- To parents of Third Year boys studying German – German Exchange 2018/2019
Notices:
Bus times and traffic
A plea from the Joint Bus Service: to ensure maximum efficiency, please could you ensure that your sons are at their bus stops 5 minutes before the stated departure time. This allows the buses to run on time, and ensures that the pupils arrive in school in a timely fashion. We are loath to move the bus times earlier if being more efficient can solve the issue. Thank you.
Lost Property
There has been an increasing build up of unclaimed lost property over the past weeks. Given this, next week we are going to have a Lost Property amnesty. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, all Lost Property, named and unnamed will be available for collection from Boarders Hall during breaks and lunch times. If you or your son think that there is an item belonging to you in Lost Property, named or unnamed, then please encourage him to come to Boarders Hall to collect it. All property left in the Sports Centre or changing rooms will be included in this Lost Property. The boys will, in addition, be emailed to inform them that this is happening. Please note that at 2pm on Friday, at the end of lunchtime, ALL items still left in Lost Property will automatically go to SUS for resale.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) – 4th and 5th Year
Parents of the Fourth and Fifth Year are reminded of the introduction of the school's BYOD scheme. The aim is to roll the BYOD approach out to all of Middle and Upper School by September 2018. With this in mind we will be asking all the Fourth Year to bring in appropriate devices after their exams at the start of May 2018. Fifth Year pupils will not be required to bring in a device this academic year, although they are welcome to do so if they would like. They will be required to have device if they then carry on into the Sixth Form. There is an updated Q&A document available and if you have any questions please email Mr Ben Whitworth, Director of eLearning on [email protected]
For parents of fifth year pupils: Work Experience Scheme – checklist of things to consider
February and March are critical months for the 5th Year Work Experience Scheme. If your son has not yet applied for a summer work experience placement, time is running out, and he 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 son can also approach employers of interest who don’t offer formal work experience schemes but may be happy to host a placement if asked. If your son has made applications, but has not heard back yet, some polite but persistent ‘chasing’ may be needed. And, if your son has already received an offer of a placement, congratulations! If he has received more than one offer, he can undertake more than one or request to defer one perhaps to the October half-term next school year. Parents are strongly advised to download from this web page a checklist of things to consider when preparing for their son’s work experience placement; there is no need to register the placement with Abingdon School. If I can be of assistance, just let me know. Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance.
Music Notices
- Dorchester Abbey – Choral Evensong with the Chapel Choir at 5.30pm at the Abbey – All are most welcome to come and hear our Chapel Choir next week.
- Piano Masterclass with Ben Schoeman – Wednesday 28 February at 6pm in the CMR – This is a must for all our budding pianists. Come and hear Ben Schoeman working with six of our senior pianists. Admission is free thanks to our wonderful Music Society.
To all current 4th & 5th Year rugby players – Sign up to the Senior Rugby Tour – South America 2019
Please check your email to find all information regarding sign up to the next senior rugby tour. The tour is not selective and open to all players of all abilities. The deadline to sign up by is Friday 9 March 2018. Please contact Matt Gold (Director of Rugby) directly if you have any questions.
Charities
Many thanks for your support with donations for the Abingdon Emergency Foodbank as we were able to give over 750 items before half term.
Home Clothes Day
Friday 2 March is home clothes day. A contribution of £2 is expected from those in home clothes and will be collected by tutors. The charity we are supporting is Mary's Meals which aims to provide a daily meal, in a place of education, for children in the world’s poorest communities.
Abingdon School Football Club End Of Season Dinner
As a finale to this year’s football season, Middle and Upper School players and parents are invited to attend the Abingdon School Football Club End Of Season Dinner on Friday 23 March. The evening will start at 7pm with a drinks reception followed by dinner, presentations and speeches. It is hoped that ex England Assistant Manager and current Oxford United Caretaker Manager Derek Fazackerley will be able to join us as the special guest for the evening, and more information can be found here. Tickets can be purchased here at the school Box Office.
