8 Feb 2024

WEEKLY MAILING

Message from the Head

Dear Parents

Tuesday 6 February was Safer Internet Day and this week has therefore been an opportunity for us to encourage pupils to think about their relationship with the online world and what they can do to make the internet a better place for everyone. This is of course a challenge for us all as we initiate and respond to change online. We want pupils to embrace technology and to take advantage of everything that it has to offer them but we also encourage them to make sure that technology works for them; that they use it to shape their lives in the way they want, rather than allowing it to dictate how they live. This isn’t always easy when there is so much content competing for our attention.

We aim to alert students to the risks that are out there on the internet but also want to encourage them to be positive contributors by creating a healthier climate in the online world, founded on mutual respect and a willingness to listen to the views of others. In many ways, it is easier for us to manage this in school, where phone use can be tightly controlled and the internet carefully filtered and monitored, than at home. We hope therefore that we can encourage good habits and instincts in our students whenever they are online. I often encourage students to ask themselves three questions before they post anything: Is it necessary? Is it true? Is it kind?

It’s been a busy first half term and the students can be proud of their collective efforts over the past few weeks. I hope that the half term break offers a chance for some rest and relaxation, though I am conscious that the Upper Sixth will return to their A Level mocks immediately after the holiday. The start of the holiday coincides with Chinese New Year on Saturday 10 February and I wish everyone all the very best as we enter the Year of the Dragon.

Best wishes, Mike Windsor

 

UPPER SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL

WHOLE SCHOOL

  • Important information for parents re driving near the School:
    • Further to recent complaints from residents in nearby Conduit Road and Bostock Road, please be reminded of the following re parking/drop offs/collection/driving speeds:
      • Parents are kindly reminded not to drop off or collect pupils from the Park Lodge area, or Lower Field car park, please. This is because the area is already busy with pedestrians, pupils and school traffic. We therefore ask that parents drop and collect pupils in Park Crescent, operating a one-way system travelling clockwise past the private housing to the west of Albert Park, and ending up near the boarding houses. The Crescent ends at a cross roads, where halting is obligatory on these private roads.
      • Please also be reminded that there is a speed limit of 20mph along these roads.
      • Parents are also reminded that cars waiting by the Coach park on Faringdon Road impede prompt departure of the buses as well as causing traffic problems.
      • Please take note of the following information that we have been given by Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon (the landowner) and the Head of Operations at PCM (the parking company):
        • Parents may drop off and pick up from Park Crescent in the section of road by Crescent House/the MUSA down towards Park Road.  Drivers MUST remain with their vehicles at ALL times and the maximum waiting time will be twenty minutes with no return within one hour.
  • Music:
    • Mark Stone sings Schubert ‘Winterreise’, Monday 26 February, 7pm.  Following an afternoon of vocal masterclasses, Mark Stone will join forces with pianist Stephen Barlow to perform Schubert’s evocative song cycle, ‘Winterreise’. With an international career both as an opera singer and lieder recitalist, Mark has performed all over the world with some of the premier ensembles and conductors.  Former Artistic Director of the Buxton Festival, Stephen Barlow is in frequent demand as a conductor, teacher and accompanist. As a pianist, he has recorded the complete songs of Butterworth, Delius and Quilter and so, this is an evening performance not to be missed!
    • Annual Chamber Music Concert, Tuesday 27 February, 6pm, admission free.  With a number of Chamber music groups entering for the Pro Corda National Competition, do join us for our annual evening of Chamber Music. With a range of ensembles including Piano duets, String Quartets, Clarinet ensembles and other smaller ensembles across the breadth of the pupil body, this promises to be an exciting evening of music making.
    • See other upcoming Music Events.
  • OX14 Learning Partnership Upcoming Events
  • News from the week
  • Food menu for the week after half term – Week 3
  • School calendar
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