7 Dec 2023

WEEKLY MAILING

Message from the Head

Dear Parents

We are now approaching the end of term and consequently the end of the rugby season. Our rugby teams will be playing Bedford School in the final round of matches and there will be awards events for the seniors, Middle and Lower School. We have fielded more sides than ever this year and a remarkable number of pupils have represented the School this term. I’d like to thank Mr Gold, Director of Rugby, and his team of coaches for their expertise and dedication over the past few months. My thanks also go to all the players for their commitment and enthusiasm, as well as everyone who has supported Abingdon teams.

I thought I’d take this opportunity to highlight some of the events that will mark the end of term. Last Tuesday all our pupils went through their end-of-term report with their tutor and these will be shared subsequently with you via iSAMs on Saturday 16 December. I hope they will give you a valuable insight into progress that has been made this term but please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your child’s tutor if you have any questions.

We will of course be getting fully into the Christmas spirit in the final week of term. Our notorious Christmas chimes will herald the start and end of each lesson and on Tuesday 12 December pupils are invited to wear a Christmas jumper into school (together with school uniform) and contribute £1 for the School’s charities.

There will be carol services for the Lower School and their parents (3pm, Thursday 14 December in St Michael and All Angels in Park Road, Abingdon), for boarders (parents also invited, 6.30pm in St Michael’s) and then for the Middle School and Sixth Form at 11.30am on Friday 15 December at St Helen’s Church in Abingdon. The Chapel Choir, under the direction of our new Director of Music, Mr Stafford, is thriving and we can look forward to some real musical treats.

Next week will also see the Staff Panto, also to raise funds for charity, which will take place in the Amey Theatre at 4pm on Thursday 14 December. The script has been written by a group of very talented Upper Sixth students and we await the results with anticipation/trepidation.

More immediately, I look forward to our two Christmas concerts taking place this week and wish all the best to everyone involved.

Best wishes, Mike Windsor

 

UPPER SCHOOL

  • GCSE and A Level Exam Timetables Summer 2024 and JCQ Notices
    Please see this link to the (i)GCSE and A Level exam timetables for Summer 2024 and JCQ notices.  Exam clashes will be dealt with in due course and on an individual basis and will be shown on candidates’ timetables when they receive their exams pack in February.  Please also note the Exam Contingency Afternoons on Thursday 6 and Thursday 13 June and Exam Contingency Day on Wednesday 26 June.  The contingency afternoon/day is utilised if an event of a national or significant local disruption to examinations takes place in the United Kingdom, therefore candidates must be available on these dates.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

  • GCSE and A Level Exam Timetables Summer 2024 and JCQ Notices
    Please see this link to the (i)GCSE and A Level exam timetables for Summer 2024 and JCQ notices.  Exam clashes will be dealt with in due course and on an individual basis and will be shown on candidates’ timetables when they receive their exams pack in February.  Please also note the Exam Contingency Afternoons on Thursday 6 and Thursday 13 June and Exam Contingency Day on Wednesday 26 June.  The contingency afternoon/day is utilised if an event of a national or significant local disruption to examinations takes place in the United Kingdom, therefore candidates must be available on these dates.

WHOLE SCHOOL

  • Pre-start of term:  Pre-season sport sessions – Lent 2024 – HOCKEY:
    • Wednesday  3 January: U14 & U15 10:30 – 12:00;  Lower School 12:00 – 13:30;  U18 & U16 13:30 – 15:00
    • Thursday 4 January: U14 & U15 10:30 – 12:00; Lower School 12:00 – 13:30; U18 & U16 13:30 – 15:00
    • Saturday 6 January: U14 & U15 10:00 – 11:00; U16 & Lower School 11:00 – 12:00; Senior (2nd & 3rd squads), 12:00 – 13:00; First Team v KES Southampton 14:15 – 15:45
  • Pre-start of term:  Pre-season sport sessions – Lent 2024 – ROWING: 
    • Wednesday 3 January: Seniors
    • Thursday 4 January: Seniors
    • Friday 5 January: Senior & J16
    • Saturday 6 January: Senior & J16
  • Pre-start of term:  Pre-season sport sessions – Lent 2024 – FOOTBALL: 
    • Thursday 4 January: U16s 9:00-10:30; U15s 10:30-12:00; U14s 12:00-13:30; Seniors 1st-5ths 13:30-15:00
    •  Friday 5 January: Seniors (invite only) 09:30-11:00
    • Saturday 6 January: U16s 9:00-10:30; U15s 10:30-12:00; U14s 12:00-13:30; Seniors 2nds-5ths 14:00-15:00; 1st XI fixture v Shiplake 14:00 KO
  • Pre-start of term:  Pre-season sport sessions – Lent 2024 – CROSS COUNTRY:
    • Thursday 4 January: 10:00-11:30 at Abingdon Sports Centre (for those that have represented the school cross country squad this year)
    • Monday 8 January: 14:30 – 16:00 at Abingdon Sports Centre (for those that have represented the school cross country squad this year)
  • From Mrs Keevil, Deputy Head Pastoral to all parents of pupils who use the Joint Bus Service (JBS):
    • I am enjoying meeting and greeting your children as they alight the buses in the mornings and depart at the end of the school day in my role as Deputy Head Pastoral. I write today to update you on the state of affairs with regard to behaviour on the various bus routes to and from school. Whilst the majority of passengers remain respectful, polite and true ambassadors of Abingdon School, there are occasional reports of poor conduct, poor language and a lack of safety awareness when wearing seatbelts.
    • I would be most grateful if you could speak to your children about our high expectations, reminding them that the driver must be able to focus on the road rather than the potential distraction of misconduct. I met with the bus prefects recently for a bacon sandwich and presentation about challenging bystander apathy. The senior students were attentive and supportive in helping strive towards this aim.
    • We will trial a signing in system at Faringdon Lodge over the coming weeks so please ensure your children have their JBS cards to tap in at reception, as well as a general reminder of tapping on and off their buses morning and evening.
    • Thank you for your support in this matter, I look forward to meeting you in person in the near future.
  • All Parents: Volunteer Career Representatives needed for Abingdon Careers Convention, Thursday 14 March 2024 (repeat of notice in 9 November weekly mailing)
    • The annual Abingdon Careers Convention, jointly run by Abingdon School, Our Lady’s Abingdon and St Helen and St Katharine, provides an excellent opportunity for students (and parents) to gather information about occupations of interest and educational routes into those occupations. It features parents and alumni of all three schools, as well as local employers, representing a wide range of different occupations. Students can meet with ‘career representatives’ one to one, participate in small group discussions, and attend presentations. The next Careers Convention will be on Thursday evening, 14 March 2024 at OLA, 6.30-9pm (with set up and buffet supper for career representatives from 5.15pm). Thank you if you have already registered your interest in volunteering as a ‘career representative’.  If not, please register your interest using this online form. Completing this form DOES NOT commit you to being a volunteer; it only tells us of your interest. We will follow up with you to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for considering being a volunteer at this important annual careers event!  Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance
  • Music:
    • Christmas Concert 2 – Friday 8 December.   Just a reminder to parents of the orchestral Christmas concert tomorrow, if you haven’t booked tickets already, please do so.  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.  I would be grateful if parents could remind the students to wear a white shirt to school on this day.   The link to book tickets is here. 
    • Parents’ Carol Service with Boarders – St. Michael’s Church, Abingdon, Thursday 14 December at 6.30pm.  All parents are welcome to join the service.
    • See other upcoming Music Events
  • Development and Alumni Relations (OA Club) Office Privacy Notice:
  • For parents of Lent term Term football players, from ‘The Boot Room parents’:
    • The Boot Room is a group for parents who support and promote football at Abingdon.  We encourage and nurture students’ passion for football in a friendly and inclusive environment where players at all ages and levels, and supporters, are welcome.   Our goals are: to create a sense of community amongst players and families through social events; to raise money for equipment and tours; to provide newsletters and match reports.   Events for the 2024 season include:
      • Refreshments for parents at key home games
      • Trips for players and parents to watch Oxford United games at a discounted price – dates coming soon
      • The Football Club dinner at Oxford Spires Hotel – for both parents and players – Saturday 16 March
    • Annual membership fees to support these initiatives cost £35. You will receive a branded drinking cup and wristband when you join.   Please do join The Boot Room if you are a parent of a football-playing student.  Click HERE to complete a membership form and the cost will be added to your next termly bill.  By joining, you will automatically be added to our mailing list.  Existing members do not need to re-join for the upcoming season.  Please also contact us if you would like to be on our list of helpers and year group reps. There are very few meetings!  Our email address is [email protected]
  • OX14 Learning Partnership Upcoming Events
  • News from the week
  • Food menu for the following week – Week 1
  • School calendar
  • Weekly mailing archive
  • Box Office: