This week's mailing is:
Letter from the Head (PDF)
Notices:
Meeting the new Headmaster, Mr Michael Windsor – Parents may wish to make a note of the following dates when they will be able to meet Abingdon’s new Headmaster, Mr Michael Windsor, in September:
- Sunday 4 September, 12.30 – New Boarders’ Lunch and Welcome, Sports Centre Hospitality Suite
- Monday 5 September, 3.45pm – Tea and Welcome for First Year Parents, Lacies Court Garden
- Wednesday 7 September 2016, 6pm – Headmaster’s Reception for 2nd Year Parents, Sports Centre Hospitality Suite
- Monday 12 September 2016, 6pm – Headmaster’s Reception for U6 Parents, Sports Centre Hospitality Suite
- Tuesday 20 September 2016, 7.15pm – Parents’ Social Evening for 3rd Year Parents, Amey Theatre and House Rooms
- Friday 23 September 2016, 6pm – Headmaster’s Reception for 5th Year Parents, Sports Centre Hospitality Suite
- Monday 26 September 2016, 7pm – L6 Meet the Tutors evening, Charles Maude Room
- Tuesday 27 September 2016, 6pm – Headmaster’s Reception for 4th Year Parents, Sports Centre Hospitality Suite
These dates will be advertised again at the beginning of term via the school mailing, and parents will be asked to indicate if they wish to attend.
End of Term Reports
Reports for the remaining year groups (1st to 4th year and L6th) have all been posted to the parent portal and sent out to parental email addreses as we have them on our database.
Calendar
As you will be aware the School is not printing a hard-copy calendar so parents should refer to the online calendar which is kept regularly up to date. Each week there is a link from the Friday Weekly Mailing to the 'The Week Ahead' which you will find on the top right of the weekly mailing page. Any amendments to Michaelmas Term 2016 events made after today will be indicated clearly. Parents may wish to consult the online calendar and the term dates page now to remind themselves of the beginnings and ends of each half-term.
Summer Reading – for all parents
Are you worried about how much your son reads for enjoyment? With the summer holidays coming up, now is the perfect opportunity to encourage him to do some reading. The English Department has compiled a new list of summer reading recommendations for boys at all levels of the school. Many boys will have had a chance to discuss summer reading in their English lessons but we feel it's useful for you to see the lists too. The list attached includes thought-provoking and enjoyable books that we know boys here have tried, tested, and to which they have given their seal of approval. To motivate them, we also include a selection of reading and writing challenges and a template to use to complete them. Ideas for books for future lists and any feedback is always most welcome: please contact Emma Williamson ([email protected]). We have also set a separate, more specific, challenge for boys going into the second year (a genre challenge) so there is a further list for them here.
Tennis coaching – Summer Term
Tennis coaching will take place on the school courts throughout the Michaelmas and Lent terms at the following times. If your son would like to take lessons then he will need to sign up through the Other Half choices system in September with his tutor. An amount of £7.50 will be added to the school bill for every (paid) session they attend. The expectation is that every session is attended during the term. In extreme circumstances, contact Mr Ponniah ([email protected]) to inform of any absences.
- Mon 12:10 – 13:10 – Lower School, 2:00 – 2:50 – 4th Year, 4 – 5pm – 3rd Year
- Tues 12:30 – 1:30 – 6th Form, 1:30 – 2:20 – 5th Year, 4 – 5pm – 4th Year
- Wed 2:45 – 4pm – All years (Tennis) – no cost
- Thurs 12:15 – 1:15 – Lower School (Tennis) – no cost, 1:15 – 2pm – 5th Year – no cost, 3:50 – 5pm – 3rd Year
- Fri 1:20 – 2:15 – 4th Year, 4:05 – 5pm – All years (Tennis 1st VIII squad) – no cost (invitation only)
- Sat 9 – 11am
The Summer Term in pictures and a new school Video
If you have a few minutes to spare you may want to take a look at the summer term in pictures and also a video of the school year which are now on the school website:
National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course is being held at Abingdon School Sports Centre. The course will run from Sunday 31 July to Friday 5 August 2016
The NPLQ is a internationally recognised qualification which is valid for 2 years from the completion date. The course will cover vital life saving skills, CPR, first aid and pool rescue techniques.
You must be 16 years old or older and in good health and fitness to attend this course. The course will start at 13:00 on Sunday 31 July, 12:00 on Monday 1, 9.00 on Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3, Thursday 4 with the exam occurring on Friday 5 August. The course will finish no later than 6pm every day, and the day is split into two sessions; theoretical/classroom based activities session and a 2 hour pool session. Upon the successful completion of the exam there is the opportunity of working in the sports centre on certain shifts. The cost of the course will be £275 and all course materials will be provided. The participants will be required to wear shorts and t-shirt whilst in the pool.
Holiday and next Weekly Mailing
The next Weekly Mailing will be on the Friday 2 September, before term starts. Best wishes for the holiday.
