This week’s mailing is:
Letters:
- To parents of Third Year and Fourth Year pupils – PSHCE Programme of Study, Lent Term 2021
- To parents of Fifth Year pupils – Parents’ Evening
Notices:
From the Headmaster to all parents:
Dear Parents
As we have commenced a further phase of remote working, until half term at least, I have recorded a short video for you with a few thoughts.
I do hope you find the announcements below helpful and look forward to engaging with you online over the next few weeks.
Best wishes, Mike Windsor
6th Form Parents: Gap Year Advice Webinar, Thursday 21 January 2021, 6.30-8.00pm, on Zoom – REMINDER
Is your child thinking – even remotely – about taking a Gap Year? If he is, this is an event they and you will not want to miss. You are both invited to attend a Gap Year Advice Webinar on Thursday 21 January 2021, 6.30-8.00pm on Zoom. The event kicks off with a 20 minute presentation on electing, planning, and then managing a Gap Year. This is followed by a 15 minute presentation from Independent Gap Advice on travel abroad during a Gap Year. Then, a panel of two SHSK Old Girls and two Old Abingdonians will share their individual Gap Year stories. There will then be an opportunity to ask questions of any of the speakers or the panellists. Please register in advance for the webinar: https://abingdon.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AQ6mdiqoRZWyNDGSXEUggQ. Note: Students can download (from the Gap Year page of Firefly) the Abingdon School Gap Year Guide, which is intended to help them think carefully through all the considerations involved in electing, planning, and managing a Gap Year. Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance.
Managing the Mind in Uncertain Times webinar, Wednesday 20 January, 7.30 pm
After a difficult 2020, Abingdon invites a panel of OA experts to discuss mental health and wellbeing; providing strategies to maintain mental fitness, develop resilience and take a positive mindset into the New Year. Followed by Q&A. Hosted by Abingdon’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, Natalie Hunt in collaboration with the Old Abingdonian Club.
In light of the pandemic and recent lockdown, this webinar is available to all members of our Abingdon Foundation community and beyond as it will be of benefit to all ages, as well as those between the ages of 16 and 30. Sign up to this free webinar here: https://forms.gle/WhQFav5mTWQfMesh7
Music:
- Christmas Concert and last term
My thanks to all parents who were able to support our pupils by “attending” our streamed events and concert recording last term. It was a real boost for me and my colleagues to receive all the kind feedback and messages of support. - This term’s events
With lockdown to half term now upon us, we revert to the zoom lessons from instrumental teachers that proved so successful in the April to July period and the start of the Michaelmas Term. Please encourage your children to check their timetables online. The timetables are all posted on Firefly under Resources-Music-Music Timetables and it would be a good idea for students to share their times with their parents so that they can get back into the habit of logging into their music teacher’s online room in good time for their music lesson. - Music examination success last term
We were delighted for the many students who managed to take their music exams last term. Congratulations to the good number of candidates who achieved distinctions.
Abingdon Box Office:
As we enter the third national lockdown, you may want to pay a visit to our Arts Online page which is regularly updated with a selection of theatre, dance, opera and activities for all ages.
Abingdon News: Leavers’ destinations, Philosophy & Theology and how one family signed up for Independent Education…
The latest newsletter explores the 2020 leavers’ destinations and subjects studied alongside articles on mental health, a look at the Philosophy and Theology department through the eyes of Tom Eames-Jones and an insightful article from one Abingdon family whose attempt to avoid a visit to a local garden centre resulted in them signing up for an independent education! There’s an impressive range of news from students winning prestigious history prizes and cosmic mining to designing a new JBS bus app. Art features include exhibitions by 2020 exam year groups and some great photos from the ghostly art competition. Alongside music and drama reviews you can also read the latest news from the OA Club, Abingdon Development, ASPA and the Abingdon archivist. Read Abingdon News. Hard copies will be posted to families of students in the First, Second and Third Year and to families of boarders.
School blog – Alleviate stress and enhance sleep with a little exercise
The latest school blog by Natalie Hunt from our Wellbeing Team is not suggesting that we should all be out pounding the pavement for miles on end in the dark in pursuit of total fitness but it is a very enjoyable read about how exercise, in whatever form we want to take it, can boost our mental health by alleviating stress and helping sleep. It is very topical at the moment and a refreshing contrast to much of the media directives about weight loss and fitness. It’s a blog well worth sharing with your family and friends. Enjoy the read.
News from the Week:
School Calendar
Please continue to consult the School Calendar for up to date information.
Here is the link to previous weekly mailings.
