View from the Abbey | 26 May 2022

VIEW FROM THE ABBEY Thursday 26 May 2022

The Main Building and Abbey Church (May 2022) taken by Laurie W (Fourth Form)

A positive start to exam season The exam season is in full swing and students have risen to the challenge admirably.

It has been three years since public examinations have been held in the ‘normal’ way. We are so impressed with how both the Middle Sixth and Fifth Form have approached the unfamiliar external exam season, showing determination and maturity.

Entrepreneurs | Page 2

It is also the busiest time of the year for the submission of assignments for BTEC courses and the work that has been produced has shown just how much effort all the students have put in.

There is less than a month of the external assessment season to go, so the end is certainly in sight. It is important over the half term break that students make time for relaxing, as well as revising and putting finishing touches to BTEC assignments.

When they’re back to school, reassure them to keep leaning on house staff and teachers for support when they need it.

CCF exercises | Page 3

They will all make it through the challenges of the term - knowing it is not just an individual effort, but that there are lots of people at Milton Abbey, in their family and beyond who are willing them on.

The summer isn’t too far away now!

Claudia Hindle | Deputy Head (Academic)

Sport highlights | Page 4

VIEW FROM THE ABBEY

Entrepreneurs in action The school has been a hive of commercial activity over the last fortnight, as BTEC Enterprise & Entrepreneurship students complete their practical assignments.

The students have been tasked to set-up a business inside the school to raise money for charity; research who their market it, advertise what’s on offer, source materials and keep track of their profits.

Budding green-fingered entrepreneurs have used skills from their Countryside Management course to run stalls selling tomato and chilli plants, students who also study Hospitality have run a homemade bake sale, and others have capitalised on students’ desires for an endof-half-term treat with pop-up pizza and ice lolly kiosks in the Tuck Shop.

A few students have marketed their ideas to staff too, with a shoe-shine service in the Staff Common Room and a very popular hand carwash and valet service.

Many students have donated their profits towards charities supporting humanitarian causes in Ukraine, with other causes including a charity that supplies shoes to rural communities in Africa.

Rebecca Barton | Head of Enterprise & Economics

COMMENDATION HIGHLIGHTS Marina PJ | Lower Sixth

Antoine S | Fourth Form

Produced a fantastic painting for her mock exam, then went even further by deciding that she would like to complete an ambitious 3D piece to go with it.

Has applied himself exceptionally in Maths: completing all revision tasks, seeking help when needed and obtaining his best results yet.

Fleur H | Middle Sixth

Jamie T | Fourth Form

Gives unfailingly in Classical Civilisation. Her recent revision work and essays show a confident and skilled grasp of the topics to be assessed.

Always goes above and beyond in Art. The time that he commits and his passion for all aspects of the subject can be seen in everything he creates.

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VIEW FROM THE ABBEY

Cadets on exercise It’s been a busy half-term for the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). Hot on the heels of the expedition to Dartmoor before Exeat, our different CCF sections have had their own weekends away.

The Air Section had an exhilarating weekend of parachute training. Unfortunately, the weather on Sunday wasn’t suitable for them to make their first tandem jump from an aircraft, but their learning on Saturday will be essential when we can reschedule the flight.

Meanwhile, the Navy Section learnt about maritime navigation and helped to charter a course from Portsmouth to Cowes (and back). The Cadets were even supervised taking the helm for short periods.

Last but not least, Army cadets joined trainers from Bovington Camp for a survival and weapons exercise in Lulworth.

Giles Vigar | CCF Contingent Commander

A packed diary of parent events The final half-term of the year is always packed with events and, this year, we’re delighted to invite parents to be part of both new opportunities and traditional highlights of the Milton Abbey experience.

A reminder of what’s on offer: Saturday 18 June at 14:00 | Parents vs Pupils Sports Day: Try your hand at cricket, tennis, sailing or golf, or join us as a spectator Thursday 23 June at 19:00 | Third Form production of Carol Ann Duffy’s ‘The Grimm Tales’: Enjoy this retelling of the classic fairy tales Friday 8 July at 13:45 | Speech Day and End-of-Year (open to all): Join us for a traditional leavers’ service in the Abbey, followed by Afternoon Tea and cricket Friday 8 July at 19:00 | Middle Sixth Leavers’ Ball (open to families of Middle Sixth students) To attend any of these events, please click the appropriate link above and complete the RSVP. The closing date for responses to all of these events has been extended until Monday 6 June.

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SPORTING NEWS What a variety of sporting opportunities we’ve had on offer this half-term: from cricket matches with the MCC and a host of tennis fixtures against other schools, to golf tournaments and our first road cycling sportive of the season.

There have been many individual and team triumphs, and many students have earned their place to represent the school in their chosen discipline for the first time. These are just some of the highlights: •

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Golf: The team has had a great year, including a 2-1 win vs Sherborne School this half-term. Toby C delivered his lowest ever round in this match and, throughout the season, other schools and clubs we’ve visited have commended the golfers for their technique and etiquette. We now face our most exciting fixture: heading to the ISGA National Plate Final at Breadsall Priory on 14 June.

Cycling: Our experienced road-cycling duo of George A-M and Javier DS took on their gruelling Jurassic Classic sportive last weekend, taking on the hills and ranges of the Purbeck Peninsula. They finished their course in 1:55hrs, with only one other team posting a faster time on the day.

Tennis: This has been a really popular sport this term, with both our boys and girls fielding junior and senior teams to take on other schools. There’s been a even spread of results, with a highlight being the 5-4 tournament win for our Junior Girls vs Bruton this week. Special mention for this fixture must go to Blanca, who despite taking a nasty fall in her first match, played on for the rest of the tournament to help the team secure a win.

Football: Training has continued for footballers taking part in our Elite Programme, as well as football being available as an evening recreational sport. Our junior team attended a 7-a-side tournament hosted by Champion Football, winning two games and drawing three, with no goals conceded throughout. They took second place in the tournament final, losing to a ‘sudden death’ goal.

Swimming: Our Open Water swimmers have stepped up their training in preparation for the 24hour challenge in London next month. This week they even braved a rainy Weymouth harbour swim as they get used to different conditions.

Well done to everyone who has used this term’s sports programme to try something new or develop their skills in their favourite sport.

Thank you for all the support that you’ve given at the touchline.

Ben Lawes | Director of Sport

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CREATIVE SHOWCASE

VIEW FROM THE ABBEY

This piece is by Lower Sixth Art student Chloe T – it’s the final piece for her project titled ‘Journeys’.

Chloe said: “This is a collage I made using a variety of materials related to my ‘Journeys’ topic.

“I chose to look at the journey water takes and evolved it into the journey some people must make to collect water on a daily basis, as they do not have access to running water in their homes or villages.

“I related it my home country, what people use and feel when making this sometimes long journey to fetch something that is a basic need for all, but only some have easy access to.”

Middle Sixth Photography student Ben M has selfpublished a book titled ‘Faces Across The Atlantic: Portraits taken in London (UK) and Washington (USA)’.

Photography teacher Mr Lynn said: “The book juxtaposes portraits from both countries, forming a visual relationship between the two. It’s a fantastic and professional piece of work.”

Return from Half Term Follow us:

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Boarders: Sunday 5 June from 17:00 to 21:00 (supper 18:00-19:00) Day pupils: Monday 6 June before 08:35 for tutor groups

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