Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
We are looking forward to welcoming many prospective pupils and their parents to Abingdon for our Open Day on Saturday 1 October. This is a key date in our calendar and I am grateful to all the students (with the exception of the 1st Year, who aren’t expected to attend) who will be in school to showcase our academic subjects and Other Half activities. Last year’s Open Day unfolded in monsoon-like conditions and the students did an exceptional job as ambassadors for Abingdon. I’m hoping the weather might be a bit kinder this time round and am sure the students will again do us proud.
My colleagues and I recognise the many personal and social challenges that young people face today and we believe that a close partnership between home and school helps ensure that they receive the best possible support. I hope therefore that you will find this pastoral handbook helpful. It gives detail about how we approach a number of issues affecting young people. There are also details in the handbook about a webinar we are running for parents on Monday 7 November 2022 called ‘Navigating the Teenage Years’ which I hope will be of interest to you.
Best wishes, Mike Windsor
UPPER SCHOOL
- From the English Department – Black History Month. For Black History Month this October the English Department has produced a list of great books by black authors, (suitable for 4th year pupils and up), which is available at this link.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- To parents of Fourth Years studying Geography – Rivers’ Fieldwork Letter
- From the English Department – Black History Month. For Black History Month this October the English Department has produced a list of great books by black authors, (suitable for 4th year pupils and up), which is available at this link.
WHOLE SCHOOL
- Reminder – Arrangements for Open Day: Saturday 1 October – 9.00am-1.30pm. Bookings for Open Day are almost at full capacity and, as a result, we regret it will not be possible to invite current parents (unless they have booked to visit with a sibling who is a prospective pupil). However, all parents are most welcome to join us at sports fixtures, year group socials and all other events planned for the Michaelmas Term, a full list of which can be found on the calendar. We thank you for your understanding.
- Abingdon Michaelmas Fair: Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 October. Parents should expect that traffic flow in Abingdon will be severely disrupted by the Abingdon Fair. From 11pm on Saturday 8 October the entrance to the School is via the gate to the north of Park Crescent, on Faringdon Road. Gates at Victoria Road and Conduit Road will be locked until early morning on Wednesday 12 October. Please refer to this map showing alternative routes into Abingdon School during this period.
- Music:
- Abingdon Twinning Concert – Friday 7 October at 6.30pm. Parents and friends are very welcome to join us for a celebration of music from across the town. The concert will include our own Chamber Orchestra playing four movements from Peter Warlock’s Capriol Suite and there will be other acts from Larkmead School, St Helen’s, two Abingdon bands and the exciting finale of Lambeth Walk from Abingdon Operatic Society’s forthcoming production of Me and My Girl. Tickets can be booked here.
- Dates for your diary after half term:
- See other upcoming Music events.
- OX14 Learning Partnership Upcoming Events.
- OX14 Learning Partnership Letter to Parents
- Madrina Oxfordshire is a local initiative set up to collect Prom dresses and suits that are no longer needed and distributing them to students who can’t afford outfits to go to their Prom. The initiative is inspired by a successful campaign in Birmingham called Madrina (Italian for godmother). The response so far has been incredible – a testament to how much people value the idea of supporting all students to celebrate their educational successes and also from an environmental perspective, reusing expensive clothing that otherwise may never be worn again. Please see this flyer to donate.
- News from the week
- Food menu for the following week – Week 2
- School calendar
- Weekly mailing archive
- Box Office:
