Page 10 - Abingdon News

PREPARATORY SCHOOL
10 April 2013
House Music
Competition
With the majority of the Prep School boys
now learning at least one instrument, it
was extremely difficult to choose just four
from each year group to go through to
the final round of this year’s House Music
Competition, which was held in front
of the whole school on February 22nd.
Our adjudicator was Michael Stinton,
Director of Music at Abingdon. He is a
very experienced musician and teacher
and was impressed with the standard
of playing and singing. He gave the
performers some helpful and encouraging
remarks, before choosing a winner from
each year group. The overall competition
winner and winner of the House Music
Cup was Max Wedmore (Unicorn) for his
sensitive violin performance of Wiegen Lied
by Brahms. n
World Book Day
The Prep School was transformed for
World Book Day with boys and staff
dressed as a plethora of characters. A
winner from each form was chosen by
teachers and the overall winner was
Robin Collins as Goldilocks. Some staff
arrived as characters from traditional
tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and
Pocahontas, others channelled a more
wizardly or scholarly look. Lessons then
took on a book-related theme with teachers
discussing their favourite books and
characters with boys. n
Years 1 and 2 went back in time to
visit Oxford Castle. They thoroughly
enjoyed squeezing into a prison cell,
hearing about a day in the life of a
prisoner and the history behind some
of the former inmates. The boys tried
some of the hard labour meted out to
prisoners including cranking a handle
and pushing on the “stepper” - they
decided it definitely wasn’t for them! n
The Prep School’s production of Lionel
Bart’s musical, Oliver! enjoyed a very
successful run at the Amey Theatre. Ably
supported by girls from St Helen’s and St
Katharine’s, Headington, Rye St Anthony
and The Manor, the boys rose to the
occasion as expected and convincingly
portrayed their Victorian characters. As
always in a production of this size there
was a huge team effort. Superbly backed
by the small orchestra, the cast produced
a memorable performance. They fully
deserved the enthusiastic support of the
appreciative audiences. n
Oliver Pre-prep explore
Oxford Castle