VIEW FROM The Abbey
Friday 24 January 2025
Welcome From... Deputy Head Admissions
The start of 2025 has been a busy and enjoyable time at Milton Abbey, with plenty of sport, activities and lessons to get the year started as we mean to go on We haven’t let the rather dreary weather cancel our fixtures and have seen many successes across the various matches and sports A particularly impressive achievement came from Maggie H-G in Fourth Form, who competed with her horse Huckleberry in the NSEA competition and was awarded First Place in the 80cm class
A huge highlight so far this term has been having Ben Keen, an inspiring Impact and Sustainability Entrepreneur, in school this week We were fortunate to have Mr Keen, our fantastic Entrepreneur in Residence, leading our students in fantastic sessions guiding them through entrepreneurial workshops, business planning and a Dragon’s Den style competition at the end of each day Please turn to page 6 to read more and hear what our students thought!
We are so pleased to have had three students, Puno T, Namo K, and Caesar J, join us on a Round Square Exchange from Regent’s International School, Bangkok. As part of the Round Square International Community, it is a privilege to welcome students from around the world to enjoy and experience Milton Abbey School for themselves All three boys have said that they have thoroughly enjoyed their first three weeks and already feel at home
I was really buoyed this week to have three visiting prospective families make a point to comment on how polite and positive Milton Abbey students are Time and time again, parents say to us how impressed they are with our students and how eloquently the students share their experience of the school with them We’ve started trying to bottle the joy of how the students feel, so keep your eyes peeled for some upcoming interviews with a wide variety of our students
With mocks around the corner for Middle Sixth and Fifth Form, a ski trip and Spring sunshine on its way, we have a lot to look forward to and to keep students challenged this term
Claudia Hindle
In The Classroom
CREATIVE MEDIA
Fourth and Fifth Form BTEC Creative Media students will be investigating the impact of Anime and how it impacts audiences for their component one assessment this term
To help with research, students found some of the school’s biggest Anime enthusiasts and interviewed them for their primary research Students got great first hand perspectives as well as developing their note taking and data collection skills
ENGLISH
Language and Literature Fifth Form students have been working on analysing an extract and answering a practice IGCSE language paper
Our Fourth Form students are mastering the art of distancing in their writing, building tension and excitement as they describe the journey toward a place With each step closer, they layer in rich, vivid details until they finally arrive and reveal what (or who) awaits inside
To fuel their creativity, many of our students find that music is the perfect companion for their writing process It's just one of the many ways we celebrate different learning styles and empower our students to tap into their unique creative potential
3D DESIGN
Lower Sixth 3D Design students are currently exploring a material of their choice to enhance their skill sets. Their brief challenges them to design contemporary homeware while experimenting with various 3D design materials, techniques, and processes
Wilf W is venturing into woodturning, creating a pine bowl, an entirely new technique for him, pushing him beyond his comfort zone Toby A is honing his skills with the bandsaw, further developing his expertise in precision cutting and shaping
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT TRIP
Students from the Debating and History Society had an enriching and exciting day exploring the iconic Palace of Westminster The group was given an exclusive tour of the House of Lords and the historic Regency Rooms, offering a fascinating insight into the workings of the British Parliament.
The highlight of the day was attending a live debate in the House of Commons, where prominent figures David Lammy and Priti Patel engaged in a lively discussion on foreign policy
Afterward, the students enjoyed a delicious lunch at Borough Market before heading back to school. A special thank you to Simon Hoare MP and his office for their support in organising this memorable trip
ENTREPRENEUR RESIDENCE
Students have been diving into the exciting world of entrepreneurship with our Entrepreneur in Residence, Ben Keene at Milton Abbey School
Entrepreneur, Mentor-led structured workshops have guided our students in exploring ways to solve problems for a range of demographics
Typically, our students came up with creative solutions, building business plans before pitching to some of our teacher ‘dragons’ in a Dragon’s Den style format
Ferdi R, Fifth Form, reflected on his experience:
“Our day began with an inspiring talk from guest Entrepreneur, Ben Keene, on all the challenges faced by school leavers We were then split into groups and discussed these difficulties further I quickly realised how eye-opening this topic was
We chose to focus on travel and the financial obstacles that often make it difficult for students to explore the world Initially, we considered getting a job to fund our travels, but it became clear that many students on a gap year want to experience life without being tied to a traditional work schedule This led us to explore the idea of balancing travel with online work
We researched remote job opportunities that paid based on completed tasks rather than hourly rates, allowing for greater flexibility and efficiency. We discovered numerous online work options that could enable students to earn money while traveling.
“Today was a fantastic day for our team as we brainstormed ways to assist dads traveling with their new-borns. We discovered that a successful business doesn’t need to start with a grand idea; even a small concept can grow into something significant Our team came up with an innovative solution: a chip connected to a smartphone that plays soothing music to calm babies during travel It was inspiring to see everyone ’ s creativity in action and learn the importance of collaboration This experience taught us that with teamwork and innovation, even simple ideas can make a big difference ” Fifth Form Runners Up (pictured above)
This experience was not just an academic exercise; it was a lesson in problem-solving, creativity, and real-world application It gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges school leavers face and sparked ideas on how to overcome financial barriers while pursuing personal dreams ”
CCF Cadets ventured on a challenging four-mile 'Forced March' through the rural countryside, testing their endurance and teamwork.
HOSPITALITY
The Third Form had a great time preparing their own spaghetti carbonara, with everyone giving it a thumbs up as they enjoyed the delicious Italian dish
Meanwhile, the Lower Sixth are immersing themselves in Asian culture by cooking dishes from six different countries across the continent. Next week, they will venture on an exciting behind the scenes trip to Wagamama’s, where they will gain insight into the creation of these dishes and learn about the business behind the brand.
FASHION
Lower Sixth Fashion students have been exploring fashion materials, techniques and processes that are used in the fashion industry to make a garment
Olivia B has explored two pattern techniques, one being flat pattern cutting and the other draping fabric over the mannequin The outcome was packaging for her pattern that was designed to appeal to a target market. The packaging contains a full shirt pattern and instructions on how to construct the pattern into a shirt.
Olivia already has a friend who wishes to make the shirt for themselves and she has also started making the shirt from fabric she purchased on the recent school trip to London
Fourth Form Countryside Management students were very keen to show off the new uniforms, despite the cold weather!
SPORTING NEWS!
COUCH TO 5K
Mrs Hall has introduced 'Couch to 5K' this Lent Term, to provide a supportive environment for students to gradually build their running stamina
It’s truly inspiring to witness students embracing new challenges, taking full advantage of the stunning Dorset countryside, and enjoying their runs with Mrs Hall.
ISFA QUARTER FINAL
The 1st XI Football team delivered an exceptional performance in their ISFA Quarter Final match against St Paul’s
Despite a narrow 3-2 defeat, the game was incredibly tight and could have gone either way The team's determination, skill, and collective effort were outstanding Reaching this stage of a national competition is a remarkable achievement, and the entire squad should be immensely proud of their performance Pushing a school with over 1,000 students so close to victory is a testament to the talent and commitment of the Milton Abbey team
Overall, it was a thrilling afternoon of football, played in great spirit A big thank you to St Paul's for a fantastic game, and we wish them the best of luck in the semi-finals
SHOW JUMPING
Congratulations to Maggie H-G, Fourth Form, who competed in the NSEA competition and secured 1st place in the 80cm class, earning a well-deserved qualification for the NSEA Summer Championships at Hickstead!
HOCKEY
Congratulations to the 1st XI hockey team for their fantastic performance at the County Cup The team should be incredibly proud of their rapid improvement in such a short space of time We look forward to representing Dorset at the Regional Cup in Millfield later this term
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!
Congratulations to Charlie S, Fourth Form, who has been signed to ride for Plymouth Gladiator’s development team - The Centurions!
Although Maggie had an unlucky rail in the 90cm class, she still posted the third-fastest time overall. Well done to both Maggie and Huckleberry for their outstanding performances! Page - 11
NETBALL
Our junior netball team had a fantastic turnout for their fixture against Thomas Hardy School. With a few new players stepping onto the court and this being their first game of the season, the girls displayed great teamwork and adaptability, taking on new positions with enthusiasm
The final score was 27-10 in favour of Hardy’s, but Milton Abbey fought valiantly with strong shooting and solid defence
Holly O’N, Fourth Form, was named the opposition's Player of the Match for her exceptional performance, playing both centre and goal attack
Hornets
Student Commendations
EXCELLENT COURSEWORK
Mrs Baney has commended Finley G, Fourth Form, for his excellent coursework on ‘The Woman in Black’ demonstrating a deep understanding of the novel's themes, character development, and atmospheric tension.
HELPER IN ATHELSTAN
RESILIENCE AND HARD WORK
Ms Richardson has praised Libby B-S, Middle Sixth, for her exceptional resilience and dedication in preparing for her Unit Three exam and Unit One retake Libby demonstrated outstanding effort, producing high-quality work and effectively incorporating feedback into her revision Over the course of four days, she completed nearly 19 hours of exams, showing remarkable commitment and perseverance.
Mr Le Gassick has commended Somerled M, Fifth Form, for consistently meeting expectations in House and being a helpful and polite member of the Athestan community
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES!
HOUSE WEEKEND
The first Weekend Activities of the Lent Term were a success, with all boarders bonding through fun activities
Damer House enjoyed a grazing board and Wicked on Friday, followed by a scenic walk, pampering session, and pizza on Sunday.
Tregonwell House snacked and watched a film before a 5k walk in the woods, finishing with a visit to the local farm shop.
Athelstan House had fun with crazy golf, pizza, and shopping in Bournemouth
Hughie’s House stocked up at Tesco, enjoyed coffee, crafting, a quiz, and poster-making, and ended with a film night
Hambro House hosted a ‘mini Olympics’ with dodgeball, swimming, and a gym challenge, adding energy and competition.
A great start to the term, with something for everyone!
TRIPS TO RESTAURANTS
SILENT DISCO
Third and Fourth Form students enjoyed a silent disco as part of their weekend activities The King’s Room was transformed into a vibrant dancefloor, with students donning headphones to immerse themselves in the experience Each set of headphones offered a choice of music stations, ensuring there was something for everyone ’ s taste.
Our students are usually treated to meals out as a way to bond as a House, but this time, Sixth Form took the initiative and handled every aspect themselves from organising the meal to arranging transportation. Tregonwell enjoyed a meal at Nando’s
ON-SITE ACTIVITIES
Our students are surrounded by a range of on-site activities such as a gym, swimming pool, recreational sports hall, sports fields and so much more, that sometimes they don’t need to travel far to have fun, just simply out the door of their boarding house!
Page - 15
News & Reminders
Iceland Residential Trip |
17 - 22 October
We are delighted to be offering an overseas residential trip to Iceland in October 2025 for 5 nights/6 days
Iceland offers a unique educational experience for young people and is at the very top of any school's trip wish list The destination offers an enriching experience, with its stunning natural landscapes like geysers, glaciers, and volcanoes, rich Nordic culture, and numerous educational opportunities such as exploring geothermal areas and learning about sustainability The adventure activities and the chance to witness phenomena like the Northern Lights make it an exciting destination, while the exposure to a different culture helps students develop independence and a broader worldview
We are going with the reputable and recommended tour operator Discover the World Education. Places will mostly be assigned on a first come, first served basis, though geography and science A Level and G priority
Cost for 30 students: £1880
Cost for 20 students: £2050
This cost is dependent on numbers fluctuate within reason If desir encouraged to fundraise and we wil individuals or groups of students wishi
TO SECURE YOUR PLA
charlotte cavallaro@miltonabbey co uk deposit. You can pay the full balance or follow the payment plan below Bank details can be found overleaf
The Environmental Committee have been hard at work planting tulips as part of their Round Square activities
O T
Tessa MW, Lower Sixth, recently received a thank-you card from a student who will soon be joining us, in appreciation of the Christmas gift we sent them
Gordon Wilson (OM) shared his inspiring journey with our Sixth Form, recounting his experiences as one of the
Students who have their horses down at the School Stables enjoyed a hack through the countryside with Ms DaSilva as part of their sporting choice.
Dates For your Diary
Tuesday 20 January
Wednesday 29 January
Wednesday 5 February
Tuesday 11 February
Friday 14 February
Wednesday 26 February
| Online consultations for Third Form 17:00 (parents who could not make it)
| Annual London Drinks Party
| Online consultations for Middle Sixth 17:00
| Parents and Old Miltonians’ dinner with Headmaster in Madrid
| In person consultations for Fifth Form 12:30
| Online consultations for Fifth Form 17:00 (parents who could not make it)
The Michaelmas Term Award winners were treated to a delightful afternoon tea with Mr Watson.
Photo Credit: Justin M, Middle Sixth