VIEW FROM The Abbey
Welcome From... Deputy Head Cocurricular
The last few weeks of term have been incredibly busy, making it hard to know where to start this welcome As I told the pupils in the End of Term Awards Assembly, their enthusiasm, energy, and commitment has been inspiring
During the Exeat, the senior football squad travelled to Lisbon for a micro football tour As well as playing matches against local schools, they trained at the Benfica Academy and watched Sporting Lisbon The players were full of praise for the trip, with one describing it simply as "the best weekend of my life "
For example, last weekend, a Fifth Form pupil finished lessons on Friday, packed his CCF kit, and headed to Bovington Barracks for a night exercise, successfully repelling a dawn raid! On Saturday he played in a hockey fixture, participated in House football, sang and danced in the House Music competition, and on Sunday completed the 7km Peaks Challenge along with 80 other staff and students to raise money for the school’s 75th Fund and two charities chosen by the pupils. While the Peaks Challenge was underway, 27 pupils participated in the Ocean’s Seven long-distance swimming challenge, swimming from dawn to dusk and collectively completing an impressive 9,840 lengths!
Another highlight in the last couple of weeks was the Character, Values, and Sportsmanship workshop led by Mr Lawes, Ms Nicholson, and myself, where we explored the purpose of sport and its ability to develop positive character traits and values in young people
Next term, the adventure continues and there is so much to look forward to. Surfing in Cornwall, Coasteering, ‘The Audax’ cycle ride, Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, Cricket, Athletics, lawn tennis, Miltonbury (our very own festival) The Third Form Play, Parent Sports Day, Summer Balls aplenty and of course the Leavers Day celebrations. I cannot wait!
Mr Fraser | Deputy Head Cocurricular
In The Classroom
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality students sampled a variety of hot cross buns to explore the growing range of flavours now available on supermarket shelves and to see which ones are the most popular. The students also took a deeper look into the history of the hot cross bun and its cultural significance. The flavours we tasted included the classic original recipe, salted caramel, blueberry and lemon, St Clement’s, and apple and cinnamon. Unsurprisingly, the original recipe was the favourite!
This tasting session marked the culmination of a halfterm project focused on healthy breakfasts. Over the past few weeks, the Third Form have been busy preparing a range of delicious and nutritious breakfast options, including homemade granola, a variety of egg dishes, homemade baked beans, fruit smoothies, brainboosting muffins, and breakfast burritos!
BIOLOGY
Sol B and Rocco T, both Lower Sixth A-Level Biology students, have been conducting their Required Practical 6: Growing Bacteria Using the Aseptic Technique
D OGY
Fifth Form students in Design and Technology have been designing products to support the learning of preschool children. Here are some of the fantastic finished products from Lucy T (clock face), Nadiia S (cube) and Kobi C (helicopter)
To begin, the students ensured their workstations were sterile, then they inoculated agar plates with a strain of E coli Following this, they explored the effectiveness of different Penicillin disk concentrations in inhibiting bacterial growth, cultivating the bacterial colonies at a controlled temperature of 25°C to ensure safe and reliable results
STOP MOTION
Theo B, Lower Sixth, has been working on an impressive stop-motion project for his Film and TV studies. He built the set from the ground up and, with the help of Dr Bradbury, creatively incorporated smoke effects to rise through the scene, adding a dramatic and dynamic flair to his work
PHOTOGRAPHY
Lower Sixth Photography students have been diligently exploring and developing ideas for their upcoming personal investigations, demonstrating impressive independence and creativity
From studio photography to social documentary, with themes ranging from surveillance to liminal spaces, they are tackling a diverse array of topics.
Each student is not only showcasing their individual vision but also their unwavering dedication to their craft
CCF EXERCISE
The CCF Cadets deployed to Bovington Camp Training Area for an end-of-term ‘mini-camp’
During their time in the field, the Cadets honed their skills in patrolling, ambush drills, and section attacks, while also learning vital survival techniques. Despite the intermittent rain showers, morale remained high throughout the camp
The Cadets took great pride in constructing bashas and preparing their army rations, all while enjoying the camaraderie of being out in the woods
A LEVEL FRENCH
The A-Level French course requires that students look at the history of female suffrage. In preparation for this, students were each given a different French feminist to research and deliver a presentation on.
Students are now far wiser about the work and life of Simone De Beauvoir!
ACADEMIC,
COMMUNITY AND COMMENDATION AWARDS FOR LENT TERM
Academic Winners
Lower School Winner - Seb A, Third Form
Upper School Winner - Estee V, Lower Sixth
Community Winners
Lower School Winner - Ben B, Fifth Form
Upper School Winner - Tessa MW, Lower Sixth
Head’s Special Contribution Award Winners
Lower School Winner - Tobes B, Third Form
Total Commendation Winner Tessa MW, Lower Sixth
Total Awards: Community and Academic per House... DAMER!
WORLD BOOK DAY - WINNERS
Students took part in the House competition by creating wooden bookmarks, each featuring a favourite quote from an author or book.
Third place went to Arthur H, Fourth Form, who selected a quote from 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. Arthur shared that this quote teaches us the importance of not judging others and viewing the world from different perspectives
Second place was awarded to Maddie H, Middle Sixth, who chose a quote from 'Anne of Green Gables' Maddie explained that this quote reminds her to stay positive and always look for the best in every situation
First place went to Ben R, Lower Sixth, who picked a quote from 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' by J K Rowling. Ben chose this quote because it emphasizes that what we do is more important than where we come from or what we start with.
Here are the final points for the World Book Day Bookmark Competition:
5th place: Athelstan
4th place: Damer
3rd place: Hughie's
2nd place: Tregonwell
1st place: Hambro, represented by Edi A, Middle SixthHead of Hambro.
PHYSICS DEBATE
The Third Form has dedicated the past week in their Physics lessons to preparing for the highly anticipated ‘Big Energy Debate ’ Each class transformed into an energy resource company, presenting both an economic and environmental case to secure investment from three esteemed VIPs
The effort put forth by each team was outstanding, with well-researched opening and closing statements The atmosphere was charged as the teams engaged in lively and intense questioning, making for a truly energetic and dynamic debate.
After previously winning a ‘Day with the Head of Grounds’ at a Ball, Will P, Lower Sixth, chose some friends to accompany him to the grounds to learn the ropesand of course the machines!
HOUSE MUSIC
It was incredible to watch the school come together for House Music on Saturday before the End of Term
The competition was intense, and it was fantastic to see students from all year groups involved With the theme of 90s Pop, we were treated to performances featuring hits from TLC, Savage Garden, Backstreet Boys, Steps, Spice Girls and La Bouche From the costumes to the choreography and props, each house gave their all in the battle for the crown Each solo, ensemble and House song was marked out of 20 for intonation, tone, energy and quality of outcome by three judges
Solo Performers:
Athelstan - Lachlan B, Middle Sixth
Damer - Lissy A, Fourth Form
Hambro - Emanuel W-Z, Third Form
Hughie’s - Teresa K, Lower Sixth
Tregonwell - Tobes B, Third Form
The solos and ensembles revealed some amazing hidden talents and really brought a sense of unity. It was heartwarming to see all the houses supporting each other and having fun throughout the event, all while wearing big smiles
The Ensembles were all brilliantly choreographed, showcasing an array of fantastic performances Damer kicked things off with a high-energy Spice Girls routine, Athelstan rocked out with drums and guitars for a rendition of Wonderwall, Hughie’s electrified the crowd with a prop-filled performance of Dynamite, Hambro brought nostalgia to the stage with Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae), and Tregonwell embraced their inner ABBA for a show-stopping rendition of Dancing Queen!
Well done to all the Houses for representing their House and performing on stage
The Results...
Tregonwell - First!
Damer - Second
Hughie’s - Third
The real showstopper was the House Song performe the end, chosen at random. Damer was the firs perform with No Scrubs, fully immersing themselve the moment and using the stage well. Athelstan follo with a brilliant performance, winning everyone ove handing out glow sticks to the crowd, which espe impressed Mr Watson, one of the judges Trego took the stage next, delivering an unforge performance of Tragedy by Steps, led by Justin M, M Sixth, with special mention to Alex H and Emmanuel from Middle Sixth, for their creative wedding-the twist. Hughie’s followed with Be My Lover, featur lively routine that brought together all the year gr creating a catchy and unifying performance F Hambro wrapped up the show with Everybody b Backstreet Boys, led by Raffa RVD, Middle Sixth, ca off an unforgettable evening!
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SPORTING NEWS!
HOUSE COMPETITIONS!
As Lent Term comes to a close, the house sports competitions have once again been a thrilling highlight for all!
House Football:
Tregonwell triumphed in both the Senior and Junior competitions, with Hambro and Athelstan sharing second place in an exciting finish.
House Netball:
Damer led in the first half, but a series of brilliant shots from Gemma M, Third Form, propelled Hughie’s to a remarkable comeback, securing the win in the second half
House Rugby:
Damer emerged victorious, with standout performances from Holly O’N, Third Form for Hughie’s, and Tessa MW, Lower Sixth for Damer, both of whom made key plays that kept the game intense and competitive. What a fantastic conclusion to the term’s sporting events!
HOCKEY VS STAFF
Towards the end of the term, our U18A Boys’ Hockey team faced off against some of our staff in a friendly match Mr Mitchell and Mr Denness both netted some fantastic goals, but the standout performance came from Harrison E, Middle Sixth, who scored all four of the students' goals! Both sides played with determination and flair, ending in a well earned 4-4 draw!
FOOTBALL TOUR TO LISBON
The football team had a fantastic trip to Lisbon, where they competed in exciting matches against Sexial and Benfica In addition to playing, the students had the opportunity to train at Benfica's renowned academy and take a stadium tour They also explored Lisbon's stunning sights and were given an incredible experience at Estádio José Alvalade, where they watched Lisbon face off against Famalicão! View the full gallery here
OCEANS SEVEN & PEAKS CHALLENGE
Well done to our runners and swimmers who participated in the Oceans Seven and Peaks challenge, raising money for the school’s 75th Fund and two charities chosen by the students: Tiny Miracles and Project Planet Earth.
All students showed true Milton Abbey spirit supporting each other about the challenges of the event It was fantastic to see staff, parents, former students and friends of Milton Abbey School join us for the fundraiser
Read the full
on Page 17
Oceans Seven and Peaks challenge story
END OF TERM SPORTS AWARDS
Hockey
1st XV Player of the Season - Arthur W, Middle Sixth
1st XV Most Improved Player of the Season - Egor S and Neo T, Lower Sixth
Junior Player of the Season - Seth B, Fifth Form
Junior Most Improved Player of the Season - Ben B, Fifth Form
Colours – Zac T, William N, Harrison E, Jimmy L, Orlando C, Jamie T, Arthur W and Oliver H
Netball
1st VII Player of the Season – Libby B-S, Middle Sixth
Most improved 1st VII Player of the Season – Francesca P, Lower Sixth
Junior Player of the Season - Flo E, Third Form
Most improved Junior Player of the Season –Kitty N, Third Form
Colours – Libby B-S, Lily F, Lexi P, Charlene M and Lily H
Football
1st XI Player of the Season - Euan J, Lower Sixth
1st XI Most Improved Player of the Season - Alex H, Middle Sixth
2nd XI Player of the Season - Oliver B, Lower Sixth
2nd XI Most Improved Player of the Season - Jayden E, Lower Sixth
3rd XI Player of the Season - Oliver M, Lower Sixth
3rd XI Most Improved Player of the Season - Noah M-S, Middle Sixth
Junior Player of the Season - Keenan P, Third Form
Most Improved Junior of the Season - Alfie C, Third Form
Colours – Dom H, Zach R, James S, Mise O and Lorenzo NDDR
Running
Runner of the Season – Immy C, Fifth Form
Colours – Archie L-W
Swimming
Swimmer of the Season – George D, Middle Sixth
Most improved Swimmer of the Season - Esfandiar Z, Lower Sixth
Colours – Daisy Q, Evie H and George D
Golf
Golfer of the Season – Pablo J, Fifth Form
Most improved Golfer of the Season – Artur A, Middle Sixth
Cycling
Cyclist of the Season - Max H, Lower Sixth
Colours – Wilf W
Basketball
Player of the Season - Yuya Y, Fifth Form and Oliver H, Middle Sixth
Most Improved Player of the Season - Sammy O’C, Lower Sixth
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Shooter of the Season – Charlie H, Lower Sixth
Student Commendations
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Mrs Forster has praised George R, Lower Sixth, for his dedication to expanding his practical skills in every cooking session. He continually strives to enhance his abilities by actively seeking feedback and applying it to his work George makes a conscious effort to practice at home, ensuring he is fully prepared for his practical assessments. In his recent Asian cooking assessment, George went above and beyond, creating three restaurant-quality dishes: Prawn Wontons, Vegetable Egg Fried Rice, and Sweet and Sour Chicken, demonstrating his commitment to excellence.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
CONSISTENT EFFORT
Mrs Badley has praised Puddle H, Middle Sixth, for her dedication and consistent effort over the past two seasons at Poole Hockey Club. Her hard work has earned her a well deserved spot as a regular starter on the Women’s 1st team Fantastic achievement, Puddle!
Ms Nicholson has commended Bianca MTP, Fifth Form, for her outstanding effort in Hughie’s House, particularly noting her punctuality and impeccable tidiness
News & Reminders
PREPARATIONS FOR SUMMER...
Decorating Dorms:
We encourage all our students to bring their own bedding if they’d like to, as it’s a lovely way to personalise their space and make their bedroom feel more like a home away from home Here are a few ideas on what you can bring:
Blankets
Cushions
Buntin
Photo Frames
Toys
Bedding
Summer Sports:
A reminder for students to bring back their tennis rackets if they will be playing tennis at all for their sport choice or perhaps in the evenings.
Revision Hints and Tips:
Teachers will be providing students with a range of materials and techniques to prepare you for the summer exams Dr Bradbury has emailed out to all Fifth and Middle Sixth students a revision guide to help students with their different techniques and planning
Remember: the time you spend over the Easter break will be vital in securing good grades in the summerset up a regular daily timetable and stick to it You will be rewarded!
Oceans Seven and Peaks Challenge | Fundraising Extravaganza
On the last Sunday of term, we hosted an exhilarating day of challenges to raise funds for the school's 75th Fund and two pupil-chosen charities: Tiny Miracles and Project Planet Earth Over 100 enthusiastic students and staff participated in this remarkable event. The day featured two main challenges: the Milton Abbey Oceans Seven Swim Challenge and the Milton Abbey Peaks Challenge Some daring participants even attempted both!
Swim Challenge:
The Oceans Seven Swim Challenge was inspired by the world's most treacherous sea channels, akin to mountaineering's 'seven summits ' Our students and staff replicated these swims in the school pool, covering distances from 15km to 41km Teams of two to six swam between 4km and 21km each, showcasing their endurance and teamwork Special mention must go to Leila P, Lower Sixth, who swam 600 lengths, Mrs Burg who completed 15km and Mr Hanney who completed 20km! We are incredibly proud of all the students who took giant steps out of their comfort zones to complete this ambitious challenge In total the 27 team members swam over 9,840 lengths (246km) from 8:00am in the morning until 9:00pm! Mr Hanney, Head of Swimming said “What a pleasure it was to be involved in another fantastic challenge with the students It was amazing to see so many pushing themselves to achieve something special Thanks must go to Mr Strong, Mrs Forster and Mr Denness, who helped run the event Well done to everyone involved!”
Peaks Challenge:
The Milton Abbey Peaks Challenge offered a gruelling 7km or 12km run around the school's incredible landscape, including climbs up Bulbarrow Hill, Bogey, King Eddie's Drive and The Shute This challenge tested the mettle of even the most seasoned runners.
The determination and resilience of our pupils throughout the day were truly inspiring. They pushed through fatigue and discomfort, demonstrating remarkable perseverance and a strong sense of camaraderie Their efforts were a testament to their character and commitment to supporting worthy causes. We were delighted to welcome back some former students who thoroughly enjoyed their 'run down memory lane' amidst the spectacular scenery they sometimes took for granted during their time at Milton Abbey. Their presence added a special touch to the event, and it was wonderful to see them reconnect with the school community
The charity challenge day was a terrific example of the Miltonian spirit. From dawn until dusk, pupils, staff and alumni tirelessly stomped over the hills and propelled themselves through the waves to raise money for very worthy causes. It was a cornucopia of perspiration, lactic acid (some tears) and sheer perseverance, and we are truly proud of them all. Up the Abbey!
James Watson
Thankyou to all parents, former students, staff and friends of the school for their generosity in supporting the school's 75th Fund and the chosen charities With y that w
End of Term Chapel Service
As the Lent term drew to a close, students and families gathered in the Abbey for the final Chapel service of the term
The Heads of School service took on an Easter theme, featuring scripture readings, beloved hymns, and a stirring rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine by the Milton Abbey Voices. Rev’d Pearson delivered a sermon of Easter hope, drawing a poignant analogy between the death of sunflowers and the promise of new life, how, though the flowers wither, their seeds are scattered to give rise to fresh, unexpected growth. Sunflowers were even gifted to some fortunate members of the congregation as a symbol of this renewal. A recurring message from the readings echoed, “love is stronger than death ”
The service concluded with a rousing rendition of the school favourite, Jerusalem, sending the Lent term off on a high note
Hughie’s organised a vinted clothes sale before the end of Term and raised a whopping £649 for their chosen charity - Shelter
It was wonderful to see so many enthusiast prospective students for our
Some of our Pilots have been discussing the importance of character, values, and sportsmanship, when on a sports pitch
Well done to our Couch to 5K runners who have completed the nine week training and can now run for 30 minutes without stopping!
H O T O
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Mrs Gilbey, Mrs Bartoli and Ben R, Lower Sixth, have translated Mr Ratcliffe’s book into Spanish, German and French!
Movie and Media Experience Day
Damer enjoyed making some sweet Easter treats in House!
Dates For your Diary
Sunday 30 March
Tuesday 22 April
Wednesday 23 April
Wednesday 30 April
Saturday 3 - 5 May
Wednesday 7 May
Sunday 11 May
Saturday 14 June
Friday 23 May - 1 June
Friday 20-22 June
Saturday 28 June
Thursday 3 July
| Ski Trip - La Thuile
| Boarders Return 17:00-21:00 (supper served 18:00-19:00)
| Return of Day Pupils and Start of Summer Term
| Fourth Form Parent Consultations (online)
| Exeat
| Lower Sixth Parent Consultations (online)
| Confirmation Service
| Parents’ Sports Day and Annual Milton Abbey Summer Ball
| Half Term
| Exeat
| Black and Gold Day
| Speech Day
