5 Oct 2023

WEEKLY MAILING

Message from the Head

Dear Parents

Last Saturday we welcomed a large number of visitors to Abingdon for our Open Day. We were blessed with fine weather and the School looked splendid in the sunshine. I’m grateful to the students who came in on Saturday to support the Open Day. They did a fantastic job and were a real credit to the School. It was heartening to hear them talking about their perspectives on school life with enthusiasm and maturity and many visitors commented on the excellent impression that they made. I’d like to thank you for ensuring that so many students were able to take part, either as tour guides or as leaders or participants in the many activities that ran on the day. I was very proud of them.

The Open Day was a great advertisement for the high standards that our students can reach. I’m sure you would agree that it is important that these high standards apply as soon as students step onto school coaches in the morning and I’d be grateful if you could pay particular attention to the message below about safety and behaviour on the Joint Bus Service and discuss it, if relevant, with your child.

I write today having just returned from the annual HMC Conference in Stratford-upon-Avon. Inevitably there was a strong Shakespeare focus (including an excellent production of The Merchant of Venice, now on in the Swan Theatre) but it was also a valuable opportunity to meet up with other Heads and share initial views on the Prime Minister’s announcement about his intended replacement for A Levels; the Advanced British Standard. Implementation of the new qualification is not intended until the 2030s and I understand current Year 1 primary school children will be the first to take the qualification. We still have time, therefore, to see how this will shape up.

Best wishes, Mike Windsor

 

UPPER SCHOOL

  • Parents of pupils studying German – Oxford German Network: German film evening – Filmabend
  • Oxbridge Applications – A webinar for L6th students and parents
    • On Thursday 12 October at 7pm Richard Taylor (Deputy Head of Sixth Form) will be hosting a webinar to provide guidance on preparing for a university application to Oxford, Cambridge and other top UK institutions. This is aimed at L6th students and their parents.  Applying to these types of universities takes more than just great A level grades so, to make yourself a strong candidate, it is important to start doing the right things now. The webinar should last about 45 minutes and we will aim to record the event and make it available afterwards for anyone who can’t attend.  The invitation link and password to the webinar will be sent to parents via an isams email.
  • Parents of 6th Form Pupils: 6th Form Careers Evening with the Old Abingdonian Club, Friday 17 November 2023, 6-9pm, Yang Science Centre, Abingdon School
    • The Old Abingdonian Club, Abingdon School’s alumni association, will host its 10th annual 6th Form Careers Evening on Friday 17 November 2023, 6.00 to 9.00pm in the Yang Science Centre at Abingdon School (supper will be offered to all attending day students). Old Abingdonians (mostly at early and middle stages in their career) will provide insights and advice about their education and career journey to date. The event can help students decide what options to pursue after leaving Abingdon, and can inform longer-term career thinking and planning. Tomorrow, all 6th form students will hear about this event at 6th Form Assembly, and they will receive an email next week inviting them to register for the event. The deadline to register is Friday 3 November 2023. Please find a moment over the upcoming October half-term break to encourage them to register and attend. Please note that the event is for students only. Thank you for your support!  Questions? Email [email protected].

MIDDLE SCHOOL

WHOLE SCHOOL