2 Abingdon Prep • April 2026 A Term of Purpose: Be Kind, Work Hard, Get Involved As the children skip out of school at the end of term, I find myself reflecting on my first few months as Head of this remarkable school. Joining a new community is both daunting and exciting, and I have been delighted to find here a pupil body that truly embodies our three core aims: Be Kind, Work Hard, and Get Involved. Be Kind: The Foundation of Our Community Kindness is the glue of any successful school, and it has been wonderful to see it practiced so naturally here. Academic success means little if it isn’t paired with character. This term, I’ve been struck by the quiet leadership of our senior section— the way they look out for the younger years on the playground and the genuine empathy shown during house pairings and house competitions. In a world that often prioritises the individual, seeing our pupils prioritise each other has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my first term. Work Hard: Embracing the Challenge “Work hard” doesn’t just apply to the classroom; it’s about the grit shown when a problem seems unsolvable or when a cross-country trail feels a few hundred metres too long. I have been immensely proud of the academic ambition on display, from chess tournaments, to scholarships, to overcoming challenges every day in the classroom. We encourage the children to view mistakes not as failures, but as essential in the learning process. Whether it was the focused silence of the library during Early Birds or the spirited rehearsals for the ‘The Bee Musical’ , the dedication to “a job well done” is evident across the whole school. Get Involved: Finding Your Spark A prep school education is full of opportunity, but our pupils understand that they have to step up and take it! This term, the level of participation has been as great as ever. On the Pitch: Every child in Years 3 - 8 has represented the school in competitive fixtures, learning the value of teamwork and sportsmanship, and our girls made Abingdon Prep history with their first netball fixture. In the Arts: The Other Half clubs, from ‘Make a Sock Monster’ to STEAM, have been oversubscribed and buzzing with energy. 25 pupils had their pictures selected for display in the Ashmolean Museum as Young Art Oxford competition finalists. On the Stage: From Platform Concerts to the Senior Section Spring Concert and ‘Make a Noise Day’, performing arts are thriving at APS with performance opportunities for all our musicians. By saying ‘yes’ to new experiences, our pupils are discovering hidden talents and building the confidence that will carry them far beyond our gates. Best wishes Nicky FROM THE HEAD Nicky Black reflects on her busy first term at Abingdon Prep. NEWS Lunar New Year To celebrate the Lunar New Year, a team of keen JEDIs helped to host a coffee morning for parents. Our young waiters showed excellent manners and it was a lovely opportunity for parents to come into school to speak with staff and children They then watched the videos created by Abingdon School and Abingdon Prep pupils in Mandarin explaining the Great Race and how they like to celebrate at this time of year. It was a very happy occasion of talking and eating rice crackers, mandarins and fortune cookies. First Assembly!
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