APS News 36

2 Abingdon Prep • January 2024 I write this piece in the midst of our Christmas celebrations with the PrePrep Nativity, Junior and Senior Carol Concerts and a Year 6 Pantomime all having taken place in quick succession. It is hard sometimes to remember just how busy the children have been throughout the term and all the great occasions they have been throwing themselves into before the Christmas festivities came to the fore. The children have been on some brilliant trips this term with Pre-Prep visits to Fairytale Farm, Combe Mill, Hill End and Roves Farm. Year 4 explored punishment through the ages at Oxford Castle, Year 5 went on a PGL residential and a great day trip to the Black Country Museum whilst Year 7 went to the Roman Baths and Year 8 spent two days in Swanage studying coastal geomorphology. Children learn so much from trips and visits that further develops their learning and makes everything that little bit more memorable. Every child in Year 3 to 8 has represented APS in sport, with fixtures and competitions taking place in Rugby, Football, Cross Country, Swimming, Squash, Table Tennis and Biathlon. The children take great pride in playing matches and learn a great deal about teamwork, communication and leadership, and failure too when out on the sports field. All of these are invaluable life skills that stay with them. Our U13 Football team and our U13 Cross Country team both reached the National Finals in their respective sports this term which was a fantastic achievement and they should be very proud of their efforts. Music, Drama, Art and Design Technology continue to be central to school life at APS. It is lovely to see the children grabbing the opportunities to learn and participate in these great subjects, producing performances and work that really are far beyond expectations for their age groups. Most importantly, they have fun doing these things and gain huge enjoyment from them, as well as learning some impressive new techniques along the way: the pottery wheel in Year 8 lessons has been used to create some very impressive pieces this term. Best wishes Craig FROM THE HEAD The Head, Craig Williams, reflects on our busy Autumn term at Abingdon Prep. NEWS Behind the wicket Telling Pre-Prep a Christmas Story Countdown Club teapot trophy winner! YOUR SCHOOL COUNCIL 2023-24 The new academic year’s School Council met in October. Pupils from all year groups discussed what changes they would like to see in school. Some excellent suggestions included new Other Half clubs and lunch menu ideas. These will be explored further before a final list is presented to our Head, Craig. ‘Le Louvre à Abingdon Prep’ with Year 5

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