Message from the Headmaster
Dear Parents
This last Tuesday was Safer Internet Day and we’ve been encouraging students to reflect upon their relationship with technology. I shared in my assembly this morning the three questions I’d like them to ask themselves before they post anything online: Is it necessary? Is it true? Is it kind?
We want students to embrace the incredible opportunities offered by technology. A great example of this was a Careers Talk on Monday which gave students from Abingdon and partnership schools the chance to learn more about careers at the intersection of technology and art & design. It was eye-opening to learn more about the opportunities in architecture, film and the gaming industry and I was interested to see that so many pupils had taken up the opportunity to find out more about these rapidly developing worlds.
Our careers talks are a regular feature of life here, thanks to the indefatigable efforts of Mr Triff, our Head of Careers Guidance. We are always grateful for the input of current parents into this programme, and Monday’s talk was a case in point.
We really do benefit enormously from the commitment of our parents to different aspects of life at school. Last Friday, Touchliners, our parental rugby body, helped support a fundraising dinner for the forthcoming senior rugby tour, when we hosted Jason Robinson OBE. The Friends of Abingdon School Boat Club gave their usual vocal support to our oarsmen at the recent Hampton Head, inspiring some terrific performances. The Hockey Griffens have been backing hockey for all age groups and I know they are enjoying the unbeaten run of the 1st XI to date. A welcome addition this term has been The Boot Room for football parents.
It is not just about sport, of course, and the Music Society offers loyal and sustained support to our musicians. They are busy fundraising at the moment to support the Orchestra & Big Band tour to France & Belgium this summer. They are currently running a silent auction with some superb prizes – you can find out more in the announcement below.
As we reach the end of this first half term, I’d like to thank you for your support and to commend the students on the dedication and commitment that they’ve shown over the last few busy weeks. We can look forward to some lighter evenings and the arrival of Spring in the second half of term. I certainly hope everyone gets an opportunity for some rest and relaxation over the next few days.
Best wishes, Mike Windsor
UPPER SCHOOL
- Confirmation Class Letter
- Parents of 5th Year and 6th Form Students
This is National Apprenticeship Week, and the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, Robert Halfon, would like parents to read his letter about the opportunities and benefits apprenticeships can bring to young people, and encourage your child to consider apprenticeships when they consider all their post-16 and post-18 options. If you would like to discuss apprenticeships, contact Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance, on [email protected].
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- Confirmation Class Letter
- Parents of 5th Year and 6th Form Students
This is National Apprenticeship Week, and the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, Robert Halfon, would like parents to read his letter about the opportunities and benefits apprenticeships can bring to young people, and encourage your child to consider apprenticeships when they consider all their post-16 and post-18 options. If you would like to discuss apprenticeships, contact Michael Triff, Head of Career Guidance, on [email protected].
WHOLE SCHOOL
- Letter to Parents and Carers re Andrew Tate
- Music:
- Important music dates for your diary in the second half of term:
- Tuesday 21 February, 5.30pm – CHORAL EVENSONG – Chapel Choir, Abingdon School Chapel
- Tuesday 28 February, 6pm – ANNUAL CHAMBER MUSIC EVENING – All instruments, Amey Theatre, admission free
- Tuesday 7 March, 6pm – SOLO SINGERS’ PLATFORM – Charles Maude Room, admission free
- Thursday 9 March, 7pm – SPRING CONCERT – Orchestras, Bands, Amey Theatre, Tickets: Adults £6, Students £4, Family tickets £16
- Tuesday 14 March, 6pm – SOLO CONCERT PLATFORM No. 4 – Charles Maude Room
- Friday 17 March, 6pm – INTERMEDIATE INSTRUMENTAL SOLO COMPETITION – Charles Maude Room
- Thursday 23 March, 6pm – SCHOOL CHOIRS EVENING – in the Chapel, Abingdon Academicals, Chapel and Gospel Choirs
- Important music dates for your diary in the second half of term:
- Our Annual Chamber Concert on Tuesday 28 February features many of the ensembles that rehearse regularly during term time. The programme for the concert can be found here and includes the five ensembles that have successfully won places in the semi final round of the National Chamber Music Festival. This concert is one of the highlights of the year – please join us!
- The Spring Concert on Thursday 9 March is the major music event of the Lent term and includes all our larger ensembles – the three orchestras, the big and the concert bands, the Gospel and the 2nd Year choirs. At this year’s concert, ASMS, the parent body that supports the school’s music, has organised a Silent Auction in order to raise funds to support the Music Tour to France and Belgium in July. Tamsin Keene, the Chair of The Music Society writes as follows: “We have some fantastic prizes generously donated by teachers, parents and local businesses – and we hope to get some generous donations. Parents are warmly invited to click on the link https://app.galabid.com/abingdontour2023 to see what’s on offer – it is live and bidding can commence NOW!”
- From the Charities Committee:
- Many thanks for all the nominations for our charities for this year, we received over 100 suggestions. The charities committee has shortlisted from those suggested and now would like you to select our final choices. Please vote here by Sunday 19 February. Funds raised from home clothes day today will go towards the chosen charities.
- OX14 Learning Partnership Upcoming Events
- News from the week
- Food menu for the week after half term – Week 3
- School calendar
- Weekly mailing archive
- Box Office:
