From the Headmaster: Michael Windsor, BA, MA

1 September 2017 Dear Abingdon Prep School Parents I hope that you have all had a good summer break and are feeling refreshed and ready for the new academic year. For those families joining the Prep School for the first time - a very warm welcome to the Abingdon Foundation and I look forward to meeting you in due course. For those families returning to the Prep School a warm welcome back. A further welcome is, of course, needed for Craig Williams as the new Headmaster of Abingdon Prep. Craig joins us from Thorngrove and I know that he and his wife Hannah are looking forward to meeting you. Many of you will remember that I wrote to you in March about various exciting developments. I am delighted to be able to confirm that after a very busy summer these have all been completed, and when term starts you’ll see that most areas of the school have changed in some way with all year groups benefiting. I have included some photographs later in this letter but in summary:

• We have installed an all-weather pitch for hockey, football, tennis and general playtime use, a so-called ‘MUSA’ or Multi Use Sports Area.

• Reception, Years 1 and 2 now have the benefit of a new fenced play area around the ‘mound’ at the front of the School.

• Years 3 and 4’s classrooms have been completely refurbished for a much brighter, fresher and more modern set of classrooms.

• Year 5’s classroom in Josca’s House has been similarly refurbished, as has Learning Support and the communal areas in Josca’s House generally.

• Year 6 has two new classrooms that have been built in the Quad to the rear of the school - our ‘Quad classrooms’.

• Years 7 and 8 are now fully housed in the John Driver wing as opposed to having had Year 8 classrooms spread around the school.

• Externally, the front of the School has been heavily remodelled with new entrance gates, an improved ‘drop & go’ zone and more open space to improve the School’s appearance as well as security and safety in the car park. Included with this letter is a plan showing the new layout and I’d encourage you to take a look before dropping off for the first time.

I hope that you’ll agree that these developments have lifted the fabric of the School significantly and will help build on the first-rate teaching and learning both inside and outside the classroom. Again, welcome to the start of a new and I’m sure happy and successful academic year.

Yours sincerely

Mike Windsor

MUSA:

Quad classrooms

External view:

Overview of new layout of Abingdon Prep School:

In particular, please note:

• No changes to parent car parking in the playground at beginning and end of the day. • Drop & Go zone should only be used for that purpose - no parking/waiting please • Visitors parking to be used during school day only • The minibus drop-off crescent should only be used by minibuses • No parking in front of Josca’s House