VIEW FROM The Abbey
Friday 14 March 2025
Welcome From... Director of Studies
It has been a busy term in the Science Department where we have been celebrating both International Women’s day and British Science Week. Our very own Forensic scientist, Mrs Deacon, delivered a poignant assembly on this year ’ s theme of “how organisms adapt and change”, linking naturally occurring bioluminescence and the forensic applications of chemical luminescence in crime scenes
We were thrilled to commend Maddie W, Middle Sixth, last week on her amazing achievement in the national UK Biology Olympiad where she achieved a silver medal, only narrowly missing out on Gold Maddie has also now received firm offers to study Biology from both Durham and Bath Universities
Looking ahead to the Summer Term, alongside our usual educational trips to Brownsea Island and Monkey World, the department are thrilled to have secured a position aboard Southampton University’s Marine Biology vessel Callista.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our budding A-Level scientists to gain real world experience sampling marine flora and fauna surrounding our beautiful Dorset coast.
Mr Anderson | Director of Studies
In The Classroom
WORLD BOOK DAY
This year ’ s theme for World Book Day, 'Read Your Way', aligns perfectly with Somerled M, Fifth Form, and his passion for storytelling After years of developing his ideas, Somerled has begun crafting his stories with the goal of self-publishing his own graphic novels His first book, The Unknown - a sci-fi about a resurrected man who battles his past and a city's fear while escaping his enemies, will hopefully be available soon
Mrs Baney’s Public Speaking group prepared for their World Book Day presentation for assembly. The journey began with the students exploring various books and discussing their favourite books and quotations They then collaborated with Mrs Baney and Mrs. Hall to craft their script and create a PowerPoint presentation This culminated in an assembly presentation to the entire school on World Book Day. This year ’ s House Competition involves creating wooden bookmarks featuring their favourite quotations from an author or book We look forward to seeing the winners presented in assembly.
Fifth Form Creative Media students in Tregonwell interviewed members of staff to find out what books they are reading and what they would recommend Watch the interview on our social media pages
NATIONAL HEART MONTH
In celebration of National Heart Month, Mr Anderson guided his Fourth Form students through an in-depth biology lesson on the structure and function of the heart
After mastering the identification of each heart component, from the ventricles to the atria, the students had the exciting opportunity to get hands on experience by dissecting a heart themselves!
LIFE DRAWING
Sixth Form artists had an amazing time at the Life Drawing Workshop, hosted on-site by Head of Art, Mrs Burton.
From exploring the art of monoprinting to crafting stunning sculptures, creativity was flowing all around The students really benefitted from the extended opportunity of having a full day focused on improving their skills
GEOGRAPHY TRIP TO GENECO
At Milton Abbey School, we like to take every opportunity to discover the different ways of learning and our Geography trip to Bristol was no exception!
Geography fieldtrips bring images of strolling on beaches and paddling in rivers, but not on this occasion. Students have been learning about changing cities, renewable energy and sustainable economies at both GCSE and A Level To experience this, students visited GENeco, a Bioresources and Renewable Energy Plant.
NEW ADDITION TO THE SCHOOL FARM
Our Fourth Form Land-Based Studies students were thrilled to welcome a new member to the School Farm –Oswald the Alpaca!
Oswald will provide our students with even more opportunities to develop their animal care skills, and we can't wait to see him strolling alongside our Shetland Ponies around the school grounds.
Students learnt about the processing of food waste and sewage waste to generate biomethane which is then used as a fuel The afternoon was spent collecting data in Bristol City Centre to compare shopping centres, and we finished with an educational ferry trip around Bristol's Harbour
PHOTOGRAPHY
Middle Sixth Hambro student Archie L-W lent a helping hand to Fifth Form student Kobi C, also from Hambro, with his Photoshop work for his Photography lesson
It’s inspiring to witness the camaraderie and collaboration within the same House. Their teamwork and mutual support are a perfect reflection of the spirit that makes our school community so special.
Well done, Archie and Kobi. Keep up the great work!
ANNUAL PANCAKE DAY RACE!
We kicked off Shrove Tuesday with our annual Pancake Race! Each House sent five runners to take turns navigating the course, all while balancing a pancake in a frying pan. At various stations, students had to flip their pancakes before passing the pan to the next runner
A big congratulations to Tregonwell for taking the top spot in this year's race! Well done to all our runners, and the incredible support from all the students, staff and House.
Watch the fantastic video, made by our students with Jamie T and Scarlett H, Middle Sixth, commentating on our YouTube channel here
OPEN DAY
Thank you to all the families who joined us for Open Day under the beautiful sunshine!
PLANET PARADE
Mr Vigar and a group of students observed a rare celestial event: the alignment of seven planets in the night sky, known as the planet parade
Using the telescope on the front pitch, they were able to glimpse Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, along with the other planets in the alignment
It was an unforgettable experience for the students to witness such a rare phenomenon!
It was a pleasure meeting prospectus families, learning about their interests, and showcasing the vibrant life at Milton Abbey School. From academics and sports to personal development and co-curricular activities, we were excited to share the full range of opportunities we offer.
A huge thank you to all our students who played a partwhether you were guiding visitors around, discussing your subjects and sports, or warmly welcoming guests to the boarding houses
Our Third Form students thoroughly enjoyed an exciting day at Go Ape in Moors Valley as part of their adventure programme Each student embraced the thrill of the treetop course, conquering heights and tackling challenging obstacles with determination and enthusiasm.
INTERNATIONAL
For International Women’s Day, we invited some Old Miltonians to come and speak with our students about their chosen career path and where life after Milton Abbey School has taken them
Jenny Laarberg (OM’08) is the Director of Education of a tech start-up, and was part of only the second cohort of girls to ever attend Milton Abbey School! Jasmine Owton and Lara Bone both (OM’22) are at the start of their inspiring careers Jasmine is a Fashion student and also benefited from the MAA Gap Year Grant for her travels in Costa Rica, whereas Lara plunged straight into the world of work!
The Art Department marked the day by creating a collaborative artwork which is about making connections Students and staff visited throughout the day to write their name on the edge of the circle and the name of a woman you admire or respect on the other side and connect them using a thread
In assembly, Yazma A, Fourth Form, Tommy G-M, Fifth Form and Lower Sixth students, Neo T and Eliza GDC, spoke about equality, rights and empowerment. This year ’ s theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no-one is left behind Central to this vision is empowering the next generation
Yazma spoke about Iman Abdulmajid (Bowie) and how her Mother always spoke about Iman as someone she sees as a role model, and how Yazma feels encouraged to never stop learning
Eliza chose to share the story of someone deeply meaningful to her, Annemarie Schwarzenbach (pictured above) her great-grandfather’s sister. She spoke of how Annemarie fearlessly lived life on her own terms, undeterred by societal expectations Inspired by those around her, Annemarie pursued her passions with determination, completing a PhD in History at just 23 years old It’s truly inspiring to witness the enduring ripple effect of inspiration, where today’s students continue to be motivated by remarkable women like Annemarie
WOMEN’S DAY!
Staff Spotlight
Ms Nicholson | Hughie’s Housemaster
As a teenager, I was drawn to the military due to the chance to do something adventurous and a bit different with my life I joined the University Officer Training Corps at Birmingham and passed my Army Officer Selection Board, gaining an Army Bursary for my final year
At the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, I discovered that I could apply to join the Army Air Corps, thankfully made it through the interview process, and upon commissioning, started on the Army Pilots Course I flew the Lynx and Gazelle helicopter, the Chinook with the RAF, and the Defender in Northern Ireland, where I was in command of the Squadron
I went overseas a lot, including six months in Belize flying over the jungle canopy and two months in Kenya flying over the savannah I also completed a tour of Iraq doing Liaison work with the Iraqi Border Control, and four tours of Afghanistan flying Chinook During my last tour, I was the second ever female to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a particular MEDEVAC mission
After 24 years of service, I am now Housemaster of Hughie’s House and I love the new experience and challenges that boarding life brings My favourite time of the day is during the evening when I get the chance to relax with the girls and when we can sit and chat about their day and put the world to rights! It is also lovely to be back in the place that I called home for the first 28 years of my life.
SPORTING NEWS!
FOOTBALL
The 1st XI secured a fantastic 5-0 victory against Yeovil Town FC Academy, with Oscar F, Middle Sixth, scoring a hat-trick This win, along with a 2-1 victory over Millfield, brought the team’s record to 17 wins in 20 matches They are now looking forward to their upcoming tour to Portugal
The 3rd XI played a thrilling 2-2 draw against Canford, with Mr Fraser praising the team’s effort
The junior team triumphed 4-1 over Champion, showing excellent teamwork In their subsequent cup match against Budmouth Academy, they fought hard but lost 3-3 after extra time, with Budmouth winning in the penalty shootout
NETBALL
The juniors delivered an excellent game against Leweston School
The girls showed fantastic teamwork and communication, resulting in a well-deserved win They shared and reflected on feedback after each quarter, leading to a fantastic 25-5 victory!
BASKETBALL
Milton Abbey School took on Sherborne School for their last game of the season Sherborne had a strong side, and credit to Milton Abbey for sticking at it the whole game The final score didn’t reflect the effort or progress the team has made Special mentions to Guy W, Middle Sixth, and Lower Sixth students, Kweku O-D, and Aziz A, for some great play and energy. Well done to Oliver H, Middle Sixth, for his organisation and captaincy this season.
OLD MILTONIANS VS STUDENTS
We welcome Old Miltonians back for a hockey match against our current students It was a fantastic, sunny game with both nets bulging regularly as the goals rattled in. The Old Miltonians team eventually triumphed by six goals to four, but the real victor was the friendship and sense of shared community felt by current and Old Miltonians. Players of the match were Puddle H and Libby B-S, Middle Sixth, and Jonty Ellis for yet another hat-trick!
CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING
Milton Abbey School were represented by two teams this year and were in competition against 37 other teams from schools across the South of England
Despite some very difficult stands of international standard, the teams performed well and rose to the challenge showing teamwork and resilience This hard work and dedication saw Team A coming fourth against some very strong schools
As a school, we were the third best team in the tournament and credit goes to the team captains, Will P, Lower Sixth and Tiggy M, Middle Sixth, for their leadership Best shot went to Will P and Charlie H, Lower Sixth, with William N, Middle Sixth, hot on their heels!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!
Archie S, Fourth Form, completed the Mount Kenya Classic Race over halfterm. Even after facing a puncture, Archie showed incredible determination, finishing in 50th place overall and 2nd in the under-16 category!
Hornets
Page - 11
Student Commendations
DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT
Olive A, Middle Sixth, has shown outstanding dedication and commitment to her externally set assignment in ALevel Photography. Olive has been exploring the concept of ‘Divided and Joined’ with remarkable creativity and insight Her work showcases a diverse range of media and outcomes, reflecting her ability to think deeply and experiment boldly. Congratulations Olive!
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Mr Ratcliffe has commended Will W, Lower Sixth, for his outstanding leadership in both filming and editing the fantastic pancake race film. Will consistently goes above and beyond, volunteering his time to set up, film, and edit an interview with Mr Watson Additionally, Will is making excellent progress on his assignment in stop-motion animation!
Mrs Burton has praised Holly O’N, Third Form, for taking great care with the work she undertakes and her attention to detail and artistic ability are evident in her outcomes Fantastic work Holly - you should be very proud!
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES!
LASER TAG!
Our students had an exciting, actionpacked adventure in the woods when ‘Laserguys’ visited! Armed and ready, everyone ventured into the forest just across from the school for some friendly competition
Students from Third Form to Middle Sixth had the opportunity to enhance their teamwork skills, and everyone had a great time in the process!
THIRD AND FOURTH FORM DISCO!
Third and Fourth Form students had a blast at their exclusive DJ party and dancefloor during their weekend activities programme. The Sixth Form Centre was completely transformed into a vibrant dance venue, complete with dazzling lights and a selection of snacks, offering the perfect opportunity to unwind and reconnect with friends.
FILM NIGHT
Hughie’s and Damer House frequently come together for movie nights, and this time, the students decided to watch Barbie in celebration of International Women’s Day. With plenty of snacks and cosy duvets, it was a fun evening
INTER-HOUSE DRAMA
Congratulations to Hughie's for their outstanding victory in the Inter-House Drama competition! The theme, focused on Charles Darwin and his Theory of Evolution, was brought to life brilliantly by every House. Be sure to check out the video on our social media to see their incredible performance!
CASINO BLACK TIE
Sixth Form students had a blast at the James Bond-themed casino night held in the King’s and Prince’s rooms The event was expertly set up and hosted by the professional team from The Fun Experts, who delivered a thrilling experience! With delicious pizza, and a variety of exciting casino games, students spent the evening dancing, and enjoying their night
Hughie’s enjoyed having some photos in House before heading over to the social
News & Reminders
The 75th Fund | An update from Mr Watson...
The 75th Fund has been a great success since it was launched two years ago and, with your generous support, we have so far financed the Boat House gym (which still sparkles despite being our most used facility each day), the rejuvenated astro, the grass tennis courts (which will shortly re-appear after winter hibernation) and a programme of boarding dorm refurbishments As one of the only truly ‘full’ boarding schools in the country, we believe we provide a much-needed service, and the quality of the environment for our pupils needs to match our high aspirations We are now almost halfway through our five-year dorm refurbishment programme and I know the students sleeping in the new dorms greatly enjoy the enhanced decoration, furniture, lighting and bathroom facilities In the last year our wonderful estates team have delivered upgrades to Athelstan, Hambro and Hughies, but all houses need some refurbishment. With that in mind we are raising money this year for two school projects: to quicken the dorm refurbishment programme and to finish off our equestrian facilities.
Horse riding has always been a strong facet of life at Milton Abbey, but in the last year we have invested in the department to take it to new heights, and Miltonians Maggie H-G, Fourth Form and George T, Middle Sixth, have recently been making headlines in national competitions, while the polo team regularly smash other public schools. Led by the enthusiasm of Mrs DaSilva and Miss Ruckley our superb countryside team have recently built a new grass arena and a gallops, something very few schools have. Now we need to finish off the equine offer by building a small allweather arena to complement the larger grass arena, and to make the most of the new Riding School Licence we have secured, which will spread the sport and subject of equine to more of our pupils and the wider community. As the father of two ‘pony-mad’ daughters I have seen first-hand the huge benefits horse riding, and the general care of animals, brings to young people, in terms of physical health, well-being and sheer enjoyment, and it is a terrific complement to our traditional strengths in agriculture and environmental stewardship
The cost of our all-weather arena is £35,000, with our estates team doing everything they can to keep costs to a minimum, while each new dorm costs an average of £8,000, depending on the size of the room and the various ‘ unseens ’ of wiring, plumbing, window, and other expensive items
We are very grateful for all the support given by our community, especially our current parents who bear the burden of fees As a charitable institution we do not profit-maximise from our fees and we rely on generous donations to upgrade the facilities and to provide bursary support to families As parents there is no expectation for you to donate to this challenge, but please could you pass this fundraising on to any interested friends, relatives or Old Miltonians The students will be doing all they can to raise funds for their chosen charities and the 75th Fund
Oceans Seven and Run Challenge | Whole School Fundraising
On Sunday 23 March, more than 100 pupils and staff will be taking part in a day of challenges to raise money for the school’s 75th Fund and two charities chosen by the pupils, Tiny Miracles and Project Planet Earth Some pupils will take part in the Milton Abbey Oceans Seven Swim Challenge, some the Milton Abbey Peaks Challenge, and some brave souls are aiming to complete both challenges
Oceans Seven
The Oceans Seven Swim Challenge consists of seven long-distance open-water swims across the most dangerous sea channels in the world For extreme swimmers it's the ultimate test the equivalent of climbing ‘the seven summits’ in mountaineering Milton Abbey students and staff will be completing these lengths in the school pool in a single day Swims range from 15km up to 41km, with the swimmers covering between 4km to 21km each in teams of two to six
Peaks Running
The Milton Abbey Peaks Challenge is a muddy, undulating, 7km or 12km running route around the hills and valleys of the school, including the infamous King Eddie’s Drive and The Shoot hill climbs A tougher test of endurance is not to be found in any other school
Parents and wider family members are most welcome to join us to run the Peaks Challenge, or to visit school for Sunday Chapel, a dog walk in the hills or afternoon tea If you are attending, please contact will fraser@miltonabbey co uk
Order of the Day:
8:00am Start of Ocean Seven Swimming Event
12:15pm Visitors are welcome to arrive at Milton Abbey
12:30pm Sunday Chapel Service in the Abbey
1:00pm Meet for Peaks Running Challenge
1:15pm Start of Peaks Running Challenge
2:15pm-4:00pm Match team in the Abbots Hall for pupils, staff and visitors
8:00pm Ocean Seven Finish
If you would like to donate to support the pupils’ fundraising efforts, please scan the QR code here.
It’s
We are excited to add dance to our
activities, with many students getting involved with ‘street’ and ‘contemporary’ style!
O T O
Our CCF students enjoyed an intersectional march around the countryside as part of their Round Square activities
Lower Sixth students ventured to UCAS Discovery Fair in Exeter to find out more about Universities
safe to say that Zach J, Fourth Form, is loving Oswald the alpaca!
Fifth Form students in Damer were treated to a meal at Wagamama’s with Ms Pull and Ms Cooper
Damer had a blast making their own pancakes for Shrove
Tuesday Thanks to Lexi P and Libby B-S, Middle Sixth for volunteering to make the batter!
Round Square
Drone footage from the MAA vs students hockey match, taken by Ben B, Fifth Form.
Dates For your Diary
Sunday 16 March
Sunday 23 March
Sunday 30 March
Wednesday 30 April
Wednesday 7 May
Sunday 11 May
Saturday 14 June
| Boarders return 17:00-21:00 (supper served 18:00-19:00)
| Oceans Seven and Run Charity Challenge
| Ski Trip - La Thuile
| Fourth Form Parent Consultations (online)
| Lower Sixth Parent Consultations (online)
| Confirmation Service
| Parents’ Sports Day and Annual Milton Abbey Summer Ball
Maggie H-G, Fourth Form, competed in the 85cm arena eventing class, securing a well-deserved victory and qualified for the championships!
