Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
As we approach the end of a busy term, I’d like to thank you all for your support of the School over the past few months.
There have been some notable highlights over the past few days, including the success of our delegation to the Model United Nations conference at Haileybury, the inaugural Robocon Oxfordshire event in the Yang Science Centre over the weekend and the Community Service Easter party.
It’s going to be a busy break too, with many school trips departing, including the cricket tour to India, the CCF Easter Camp, language trips, Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions and adventure trips for the First and Second Year.
I know that those students who have public exams approaching will also be using the holiday for revision, and they have been given lots of advice as to how to structure this to ensure that they are revising in an active and productive fashion. We also encourage students who are revising to ensure that they make time for exercise and social activities; the key to success here is balance.
Wishing you and your families a happy Easter,
Best wishes, Mike Windsor
UPPER SCHOOL
- Revision leave for Upper Sixth begins at 1pm on Friday 12 May.
- Parent Information Evening: Supporting Young People’s Mental Health, Tuesday 28 March 5-7pm, Fitzharrys School, Abingdon. JMF6 is extending its invitation to parents and families of 5th year and 6th formers at Abingdon School. This free event will focus on how parents can best support their child through A-Levels and the transition to university and/or work. Guest speakers include Alice Palmer (Charlie Waller Memorial Trust), Louise Aukland (University of Oxford), Gary Hibbins (The Abingdon Bridge) and CAMHS. There will also be representatives from Oxfordshire Mind and Papyrus and parents will have the opportunity to talk and seek more information. For catering purposes, please complete this anonymous google form to express your interest in attending. For more information, please contact Natalie Hunt (Mental Health & Wellbeing Coordinator) at [email protected]
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- Revision leave for fifth years begins at 5.20pm on Tuesday 9 May.
- For 5th year parents who attended Abingdon Careers Convention 2023: Request for Parent Feedback. If you attended last week’s (Thursday 16 March) Abingdon Careers Convention at SHSK, and would like to provide feedback about the event, we would welcome hearing what you have to say, positive or negative. You may be anonymous. Please use the parent feedback form. Thank you! Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance.
- Parent Information Evening: Supporting Young People’s Mental Health, Tuesday 28 March 5-7pm, Fitzharrys School, Abingdon. JMF6 is extending its invitation to parents and families of 5th year and 6th formers at Abingdon School. This free event will focus on how parents can best support their child through A-Levels and the transition to university and/or work. Guest speakers include Alice Palmer (Charlie Waller Memorial Trust), Louise Aukland (University of Oxford), Gary Hibbins (The Abingdon Bridge) and CAMHS. There will also be representatives from Oxfordshire Mind and Papyrus and parents will have the opportunity to talk and seek more information. For catering purposes, please complete this anonymous google form to express your interest in attending. For more information, please contact Natalie Hunt (Mental Health & Wellbeing Coordinator) at [email protected]
LOWER SCHOOL
WHOLE SCHOOL
- End of term reports will be posted on the parent portal for all year groups (except for Third years) over the weekend.
- Start of next term. Term begins on Tuesday 18 April, with registration and tutor time at 8.35am. Normal Tuesday lessons, using Week B timetable, begin with period 1 at 9.00am.
- Music:
- Summer Music Calendar. We are delighted to give you some important musical dates for your diaries. Please click on the Summer Music Calendar to see what is planned.
- Christine Bovill sings French Chanson – Piaf to Pop! – Friday 5 May. I am delighted to confirm that tickets are now available to book on the website for what will be a spectacular evening of French Chanson. Having seen her sell-out show at last August’s Edinburgh Fringe, I can assure you of a fantastic evening. In addition to the songs, Christine takes us through a fascinating commentary of the journey of French Chanson to the present day. Please see our Christine Bovill poster.
- Hockey Awards Dinner 2023, from Hockey Griffens:
- The annual Abingdon Hockey Awards dinner took place on Saturday 18 March at the Voco Oxford Spires Hotel. A delicious meal was enjoyed by all followed by an ‘interview’ with Todd Williams, a former Australian international and Premier League coach for over 12 seasons with Hampstead and Westminster, Slough Ladies and Surbiton… and soon to be Head of Hockey at Abingdon. There were some great prizes on offer in the raffle and auction and the evening raised a fantastic £1605 to support hockey at Abingdon. Thank you to all parents and players who attended and congratulations to all award winners!
- OX14 Learning Partnership Upcoming Events
- News from the week
- School calendar
- Weekly mailing archive
- Box Office:
- Reminder to book courses and holiday camps for Easter. We would like to remind parents and pupils that we have a variety of excellent courses and holiday camps running over the Easter holidays, with childcare vouchers accepted as payment. Upcoming camps include:
- Development Level Tennis Academy (ages 11 to 15 years), Monday 3 – Thursday 6 April. Take part in what promises to be an enjoyable week full of skill development, gameplay and tactical aspects. This academy is aimed at development level players who understand the basics of technique and can play competitive points. Led by Martin Butler, Abingdon School’s Head Tennis Coach.
- High Performance Rugby, Athletic Development and Wellness Camp (ages 8 to 15 years), Monday 3 – Thursday 6 April. This camp is designed to teach aspiring young athletes to move correctly, efficiently and safely, while building full body strength and balance. Participants will be shown how to fuel themselves with the correct nutrition, to breathe correctly and to help them to achieve a mindset for a happy, positive and successful sporting career.
- Performance Rugby Camp (ages 8 to 15 years), Tuesday 11 – Friday 14 April. This Performance Rugby Camp will allow aspiring young players to fine-tune their skills, from the basics of kicking, catching, passing and tackling through to set plays, attack plays, and defence set-ups. The coaches involved are all from Oxford Harlequins 1st XV men’s team, with a selection of both backs and forward coaches.
- To browse and book the full range, please visit the Abingdon Sports and Leisure website. If you require further information, please email [email protected].
- ADDENDUM:
- School Calendar. Any amendments to Summer Term 2023 events made after today will be indicated clearly on the School Calendar. Parents may wish to consult the term dates page to remind themselves of the beginnings and ends of terms and half-terms.
