View from the Abbey | Friday 3 May 2024

VIEW FROM THE ABBEY

Friday 3 May 2024

WELCOME FROM...

Deputy Head Academic & Head of

Sixth Form... Josh

Bradbury

The Summer Term is here but perhaps not the summer weather, and whilst we might bemoan the rather damp start to the cricket and tennis season, we can perhaps be thankful that the pupils have an increased incentive to stay indoors revising for their exams. As I write, the exams are already underway, with many BTEC pupils having already sat some of the long external assessments that underpin their courses. Alongside this, the Language pupils have taken on their speaking exams and the Art and Photography pupils have completed their final pieces. As we return from Exeat the traditional subjects join the fray, with GCSEs in Drama, Science and History leading the field from 9 May onwards.

This will be time of nervousness for many, with the culmination of two years hard work now upon us. The pupils should take confidence from all the hard work that they have put in over the past months, and know that their teachers are right there behind them, ready to offer support and give encouragement, proud of the journeys that each of their pupils have taken. In this last push, determination and resilience will be needed and I would encourage all the pupils to take heed of the revision guidance that they have received by managing their time, remembering to work in short but regular bursts, and giving themselves small achievable targets through which they might work through the material that is needed for each of their subjects. In so many areas, practice and repetition are the key at this stage, alongside measuring themselves against the relevant timings of their assessments so that when they enter the exam room they know exactly what to expect and how to approach it.

Amongst the inevitable anxiety that this time of year can provoke, we should also remember that it is a time of celebration in which the pupils can draw on all that they have done, show off their skills and their knowledge, and hopefully gain results of which they can be rightly proud. As the sun, hopefully, starts to emerge, I wish all our pupils the very best and I look forward to seeing them both in the classroom showing what they can do, and outside of it as they find some time for relaxation amongst the buzz of an exciting Summer term - good luck!

Cultural Visit from Argentina

On Wednesday 24 April, we welcomed 66 pupils and 8 members of staff from Grilli Canning College in Argentina to Milton Abbey School, as part of their tour of UK.

It proved to be an extraordinary day filled with spirited matches in girls’ hockey and boys’ football. While every match was remarkable, the true highlight was the connection forged between the two schools. The students from Grilli Canning treated us to a presentation on the rich culture and vibrant life of Argentina, complemented by an engaging interactive quiz that thoroughly entertained our students.

Our GCSE students used this opportunity to brush up on their Spanish, ready for their upcoming exams. We look forward to the opportunity to reciprocate the hospitality when we visit Argentina in the near future.

Milton Abbey’s 70th Anniversary

The Sixth Form Ball’s Black Tie social, started some of the festivities marking 70 years of Milton Abbey School, gearing up for the grand finale on Sunday 5 May.

In assembly, Mr Watson showed the students a video of Milton Abbey School, taken by student, John Burder (Head of Tregonwell House) in 1954. John was one of the first 25 boys attending the school in its first term starting on 5 May 1954.

John Burder was delighted to be given a cinema camera by one of the Masters which spared a lifetime interest and John was soon responsible for running the school film shows over his five years at Milton Abbey. John took his passion and made it into a career by becoming a well known film expert and film maker.

The video showed just how much life at Milton Abbey has changed and just how far the school has come but also reminded us of the many ways the school has stayed true to its original state.

John sadly passed away just last year, but we will always have his video to reflect back on and remember John.

Learn Differently Conference

On Monday 29 April, we hosted our inagural Learn Differently conference. We are so proud of our unique approach to supporting all students to achieve the very best while getting to know themselves as a learner. The conference invited SENCOs, SLT and teachers from both prep and senior schools to share best practice and get a taste of our learn differently approach.

It was a fantastic day, with sessions led by our brilliant Head of Learning Development and Lead SENCO, Laura Kleiser, as well as insights shared by specialists such as Amber Macintosh from NatureDoc, Rob Jennings from Dyscalculia Network, and Claire Ginty from Achieve Occupational Therapy Ltd.

We look forward to welcoming schools again next year and continuing to share all the sector-leading knowledge we pride ourselves in having.

Milton Abbey School Reunion

On Thursday 25 April, 60 Old Miltonians enjoyed a reunion at the Brewers’ Hall, hosted by the Master of Brewers’ Hall, James Staughton. James left Milton Abbey in 1978, and is the former CEO of the St Austell Brewery, a talented individual who it was great to catch up with.

It was a wonderful evening, a chance for old friends to catch up and enjoy delicious canapes and St Austell Ale. Speeches were made by James Staughton, Milton Abbey Association Manager, Hugo Mieville, and Headmaster, James Watson.

Photo credit: Bartholomew Broadbent (OM’90)

Enterprise Challenge for Middle Sixth

Middle Sixth Enterprise students have been working with the Hospitality Department to run their own events as part of a social enterprise.

The school has been delighted to be treated to lemonade, ice lollies, brownies, waffles and smoothies being sold in the Tuck Shop by the students.

We look forward to other upcoming enterprise events and ideas, we are always impresed by the ingenuity of our students.

They have also organised a staff/student 9-a-side football match and others have set up a successful gardening service.

Sixth Form Black Tie Social

To celebrate the 70 years of Milton Abbey School, Mr Fraser organised a magnificent black-tie dinner dance for the Sixth Form students.

Following the candlelit dinner in the Abbots Hall, Mr Watson gave a rousing speech, exploring a popular refrain of Milton Abbey’s first Headmaster, ‘Life is lived forwards but understood backwards’.

Mr Watson urged the students to recognise and embrace life’s opportunities and follow their passions with determination and energy. The roof was practically blown off by an especially enthusiastic chant of ‘Up the Abbey’ to conclude his speech. Students then danced the night away on the King’s Room dance floor. A fabulous start to the 70th Anniversary celebrations!

Weekend Activity: Thorpe Park

One hundred pupils gave up their prized Sunday morning lie-in to attend the popular annual visit to Thorpe Park, one of the UK’s biggest theme parks.

Fears were put to one side as pupils took on the array of dizzying rollercoasters and some of the braver staff embraced their inner youth and climbed aboard too!

Slightly dreary weather couldn’t dampen pupils’ high spirits, with fun and laughter very much the order of the day.

SPORT SPOTLIGHT

Head Boy, Tom M, Middle Sixth, has recently scored his first ever 100 during a 1st XI Cricket Match. We caught up with Tom to ask him about his sporting ambitions.

What is your favourite sport at Milton Abbey?

My favourite sport is Cricket, however, I have represented the school at first team level for Football, Rugby and Hockey as well.

What is your greatest sporting achievement?

My greatest sporting achievment is representing Dorset Mens 2XI last summer, and it is something I hope to build on over this coming year.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get more involved with sport?

I think that sport has helped me not only in a physical way, but also mentally, so I feel like people should be encouraged to play sport for their own well-being. I believe the more you get involved, the more you will enjoy it.

2024 Wiltshire Classic Cycling

The School cycling team completed the 2024 Wiltshire Classic Cycling Event on Saturday 20 April.

This was their first fixture of the year, and it was great to get back to this kind of event. The students worked incredibly well as a team, keeping a steady pace together over the demanding and hilly 30-mile course which started at Salisbury racecourse.

Congratulations to Toby, Nathanial, Paul, Gabby and Sol (making his cycling event debut).

Mr Lucas, Head of Cycling, recently took Toby and Gabby on a trip to visit Nopinz, a cycling and triathlon kit factory. They were treated to a custom fitting before being revealed their new Milton Abbey Cycling Club kit, which Fashion Student, Paul M in Middle Sixth, directed on in terms of design.

We look forward to seeing the students cycling around the Dorset lanes on their training rides in the same kit worn by professional cyclists in the peloton at ‘Le Tour de France’!

Coco | Hughies Award

Coco supported a Third Former when she was upset and helped her find a solution to her problem.

Gracie | Damer Award

Gracie has been extremely helpful during the house weekend and a positive role model to younger students.

Will | Tregonwell Award

William contributed superbly to helping with the upkeep of Tregonwell’s boarding house.

George | Hambro Award

George has been a model student this term. He attends clinics to help with his work and is always dressed immaculate.

Maria | Art Commitment

Maria took on board advice to work in the holidays to help aid her coursework.

Evie | English Commitment

Evie’s Easter holiday prep showed a keen awareness of the texts she has studied so far on the course

Lachlan | Athelstan Award

Lachlan has consistently approached house activities with enthusiasm and is always helpful around house.

Roly | History Commitment

Roly has been working extremely hard in class, completing all of his prep and working well on his investigation in his NEA (nonexam assessment).

IN PHOTOS

Tregonwell’s Third Form led our Chapel service last week, talking about the power of community.

Middle Sixth A-Level English students celebrate completing their coursework essays!

Navy Cadets were provided with an insightful introduction to diving as part of our Round Square Activities.

Damer House enjoyed an evening consisting of puzzles.

Puddle H, Lower Sixth and Biana M in Fourth Form, took their horses out on site for exercise as part of their sport choice.

Third and Fourth Form had a great talk from Jason May from MaxFit about relationships as part of their RSE learning.

Tregonwell’s House Weekend...

Tregonwell had a superb first Summer House Weekend. The sun was shining, and the students were in great spirits after the long Easter break. They enjoyed spending time catching up with friends on the new benches out the front of the boarding house that were bought with our prize money for winning the total academic awards for Michaelmas and Lent terms.

Saturday night was film and games night with a Chinese takeaway and Sunday was very chilled with the tennis courts, golf course and top pitches being well used by all. The Tregonwell community was in full swing in the afternoon with a good amount of students helping move woodchips, and plant new flowers out the front of the house with the Tregonwell flag flying high.

Damer’s House Weekend...

Students in Damer House also enjoyed the beautiful weather by brushing up on their cookery skills with Mr Treadaway’s new woodfire pizza oven!

After spending the morning gardening, all the students had definitely worked up an appetite and the pizzas passed the taste test.

Miss Pull accompanied the pizzas with a beautiful rainbow fruit platter and the students put together a fantastic salad for all to enjoy.