You are about to enter the next exciting phase in your education - starting at Senior School. There is so much for you to look forward to at The Abbey. As about half the year group will come from our own Junior School and the other half from many schools in the surrounding area, our first aim is to help everyone settle in quickly and make new friends. The day before the beginning of term, Upper III have exclusive access to the school. You will spend some time with your Head of Year and form tutor getting to know your new classmates and playing some ice-breaking games. When school starts you will begin to move around the site which will seem big at first but, don’t worry, there will be plenty of help to find your way around. During the first week of term you will spend a Bonding Day - no lessons, just fun activities to help you settle in and meet lots of new girls.
Unlike at junior school, you will have different teachers for each subject and, as well as more familiar subjects, you will start new ones such as Latin, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Food & Textiles technnology (the latter will be for 6 months each). All the staff are friendly and supportive and when we asked our UIIIs what was the best thing about the Abbey they said 'the teachers'!
We also have a team of Sixth Formers, our Buddies, who are around every lunchtime to be a listening ear if you want someone to talk to. At the end of the first term the Upper III stage a pantomime for the rest of the school which is directed by a Sixth Form team. This is a great way to get involved either centre stage or helping with scenery and costume.We have a Slumber Party in January when you will have fun having a party in your pyjamas, playing games and eating party food.
There are exciting trips out of school - to Winchester with the History Department, a theatre trip to London and an exciting outward bound residential trip in the summer term. All girls study French and during the year girls can choose whether they want to start Spanish or German in Lower IV (Year 8).
There are many extra-curricular clubs for you to get involved in (some exclusively for UIII- from kayaking to chess or cookery). If you are musical you can join choirs and ensembles and sporty girls can enjoy competitive fixtures in school teams and taster clubs for new sports. The description and termly timetable for extra-curricular clubs (some are just for UIII and some are across year groups) is known as 'The Edge' and can be found by clicking here.
You will have a form tutor who will look after you on a daily basis and your Head of Year will always be around if you have a problem or want to talk to them.