8 Dec 2017

WEEKLY MAILING

This week's mailing is:

Letters:

Notices:

Saturday Buses

Saturday 9 December – the Saturday buses are running this weekend but the pick up times will be 1 HOUR EARLIER this weekend in order to get the boys into school in time to depart for the away matches to Bedford.

Weather – snow

Given the weather forecast, this is a reminder that, should travel be affected or the school has to close for daypupils, we aim to send a text message, and an email, to parents by 6.45am.  There should also be a message on the front page of the website.  We aim to remain open, where possible, for pupils and staff who can travel safely. 

 Work will be sent by e-mail to pupils' Firefly accounts, for the lessons they would usually have on that day. The status of the Joint Bus Service might also be a useful page.

Updates will be sent by text message and by email to parents if arrangements for departure need to alter.

Dropping off and collection of pupils by car: not on Faringdon Road

Please do not park on Faringdon Road close to the coachpark over the cycle lane, as this hampers cyclists and car drivers.  Also, the pavement is needed for pedestrians.  Parents are reminded not to drop off or collect boys 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 boys 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. Wheel clamping operates on Park Road and Park Crescent, so you are advised not to leave a car unattended.

Music

  • Lent Term 2018 Music Calendar – Parents are warmly invited to view next term's music calendar which offers some very exciting performance opportunities for pupils and audiences alike.
  • Fitzroy String Quartet comes to Abingdon on Wednesday 31 January – Please do consider joining us to hear this young award-winning string quartet who are playing the programme advertised in this concert poster. This is an event not to be missed – please go to the school's website to book tickets.
  • Music Technology Lessons at Abingdon School from January 2018

The Music Department is again offering an exciting opportunity to a limited number of pupils to learn about its latest state-of-the-art music technology equipment. The lessons deal with how music/sound is composed, recorded and produced within the digital studio environment. This will involve the use of a variety of software packages and hardware equipment to unlock the vast potential of recording musical ideas and sound. Recent pupils have gone onto courses and careers in commercial music and sound recording and an understanding of the use of this essential technology will give future candidates an important edge. The lessons are offered on the same basis as individual music lessons, which, next term, will cost £22.50 for a 30 minute weekly lesson. Places are limited so are offered on a first come, first served basis. If you are interested, please contact the Director of Music by email at [email protected]

School Notices

We are pleased to be a Member School at School Notices, a digital noticeboard for independent school parents that raises funds for schools. Free to join and free to buy and sell goods, rent houses and find work for gap year students. Exciting offers given by advertisers and new notices posted daily from a wide range of independent school parents, whilst also benefiting some of our school causes through the sharing of advertising income. The School Notices website is accessible to all parents at www.schoolnotices.co.uk and please follow this link to register.  You can also browse their Winter magazine here: http://magazine.schoolnotices.co.uk/

Gap Year Advice Evening for Sixth Form Pupils and Parents

Abingdon will host a Gap Year Advice Evening for Sixth Form pupils and parents on Thursday evening, 25 January 2018, 6pm-7:30 in the CMR. The event will focus on the reasons why a leaver might want (or need) to take a Gap Year; some of the pros and cons of a Gap Year; setting goals and finding relevant experiences to achieve those goals during a Gap Year; the likely costs of a Gap Year; and the transition following a return from a Gap Year. No booking is necessary; just show up on the night. Pupils can also download from the University Admissions page of Firefly the Abingdon School Gap Year Guide, which is intended to help pupils think carefully through all the considerations involved in electing, planning, and managing a Gap Year.

Ultimate Activity Camps at Abingdon Prep and Sports Centre for ages 4-14 in Summer 2018 – From the Commercial Director, Kieran Henderson

We are delighted to let you know that we have chosen to partner with Ultimate Activity Camps to run their fun and engaging holiday programmes at Abingdon Prep and Abingdon School Sports Centre next Easter and Summer! They have already been successfully running their camps this year at Abingdon School Sports Centre and have a strong reputation for their quality holiday programmes.

Ultimate Activity Camps offer exciting holiday day camps with over 40 activities every week delivered by engaging and enthusiastic staff who will instruct and encourage children aged 4 to 14 years to try new activities and make new friends – and naturally have lots of fun!  They have a very special Christmas Offer stating on Tuesday 19 December (when bookings are live to book) until Friday 5 January – see the attached flyer for details or visit www.ultimateactivity.co.uk for details or you can call their friendly team on 0330 111 7077 (local rate).

Abingdon Science Partnership

Tickets are still available for the inaugural Abingdon Science Partnership Christmas Lecture 'Dinosaurs and Ichthyosaurs of Britain' on Wednesday 13 December 7-8pm in the Amey Theatre from http://bit.ly/ASPdinosaurs

Food menu for the coming week – Week 1