30 Nov 2023

WEEKLY MAILING

Message from the Head

Dear Parents

I would like to thank our Hong Kong parents for making me so welcome in their city this week. I’ve also enjoyed meeting Old Abingdonians and prospective students with their families but lunch with current parents was a particular highlight as it also allowed those parents to meet up with one another and share experiences.

There is undoubtedly a large and passionate community of support for Abingdon in Hong Kong and I will return with further ideas as to how we can sustain and improve communications and connections.

The hotels and shopping malls of Hong Kong are festooned with Christmas decorations and on my return I’m looking forward to hearing the Chapel Choir sing at our first Christmas service of the season, as we welcome Old Abingdonians to the Chapel for an evening of festive music and readings in the Chapel on Friday 1 December. I also can’t wait to see the Middle School drama production which opens tonight in the Amey Theatre. I know students have been working hard on their double-bill of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and James Saunders’ Over the Wall and their show will be a great welcome back to the UK after my trip.

Best wishes, Mike Windsor

 

UPPER SCHOOL

  • To parents of Lower Sixth students who wish to drop a subject, from the Head of Sixth Form, Simon James
    • As outlined in the pre-parents’ evening webinar, I talked to Lower Sixth students during Assembly last week about potentially dropping a subject. Oliver Lomax will write to them with details of the process they need to go through on Friday, with the google form accepting responses from Monday (to allow for conversations with parents to happen over the weekend).  Please find the details here.  Please note that there is no compulsion to drop a subject, and that there will be other opportunities to drop a subject at later points should they wish.
  • To parents of pupils studying A level Geography – Independent investigation holiday work
  • For Lower Sixth students and their parents: After Abingdon webinars:  On Tuesday 16 January from 7pm we will be holding webinars to introduce the Lower Sixth to the options available to them after they leave school. This is an important opportunity for students and parents to learn about the UK university application process and alternatives to university.  The evening will include:
    • After Abingdon, 7pm-7.50pm –  A keynote presentation introducing the UK university (UCAS) application process, key considerations for choosing degree courses and how Abingdon supports our students in their future pursuits. All L6 students are expected to attend and parents/guardians are encouraged. Presented by Jen Hoddinott, Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Universities.
    • Alternatives to university, 8pm-8.40pm – An optional session on alternatives to going to university, including studying for vocational qualifications and undertaking work-based learning, such as apprenticeships and school leaver programmes. Presented by Mr Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance.
    • Further details including links and session registration information will follow.
  • 6th Form Parents: Gap Year Advice Evening Webinar, Tuesday 23 January 2024, 7.00-8.15pm, on Zoom.
    •  Is your L6 or U6 child thinking – even remotely – about taking a Gap Year? If they are, this is an event they and you will not want to miss. You both are invited to attend a Gap Year Advice Evening Webinar on Tuesday 23 January 2024, 7.00-8.15pm on Zoom. The event is being co-hosted by Abingdon School and St Helen and St Katharine and is open to all students in the OX14 Learning Partnership. The webinar starts with a brief presentation on electing, planning, and managing a Gap Year. This is following by a further presentation from Independent Gap Advice (https://independentgapadvice.org/) on travel abroad during a Gap Year. Then, a panel of school leavers from Abingdon School and SHSK will share their individual stories of what they did during their Gap Year and how they felt about the choices they made. This will be followed by a Q&A session for any of the speakers or panellists. To attend, you must register in advance: bit.ly/GapYearAdvice2024.  Questions?  Contact Michael Triff on [email protected].

WHOLE SCHOOL

  • Music:
    • Christmas Concerts: This year’s Christmas Concerts take place on Wednesday 6 December and Friday 8 December. We have made a change to the programming for these concerts and unlike in previous years, the concerts will involve different ensembles on each evening rather than a repeat of the same concert. The concert will commence at 7pm in the Amey Theatre and should conclude, without an interval, at approximately 8.30pm. After the concert there will be refreshments available, provided by the Abingdon School Music Society, with all proceeds going to the projects of the Music Department. A supper will be provided and charged at cost to your child’s bill.  If this is not required, please email [email protected] by Monday 4 December as the charge will still apply after that.  I would be grateful if parents could remind the students to wear a white shirt to school on those days.  If you would like to book tickets then please use our online event booking and select the concert you wish to attend.
    • Christmas Concert 1 – Wednesday 6 December
    • Christmas Concert 2 – Friday 8 December
    • See other upcoming Music Events
  • Second Hand Uniform Shop (SUS).  SUS will be open every Wednesday (12.30-1.30pm) and Saturday (11am-12pm) during term time.  Dates and times for the Lent term are available here.  SUS is overflowing with track suit tops and other sports kit at the moment.  We are also offering 5 shirts for £10 (white or blue not striped) and 3 trousers for £10.  Get ready for next term early and visit SUS before we close for Christmas.  When visiting the shop, please park at Faringdon Lodge Reception.  The postcode for this is OX14 1BQ.
  • OX14 Learning Partnership Upcoming Events
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  • Food menu for the following week – Week 3
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