Page 8 - Abberley Buzz - Issue 1

ABBERLEY BUZZ
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
What is your role at Abberley?
Head of Pastoral Care, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Saturday Enrichment Co-Ordinator and Head of Year 7 and 8.
Tell us about a typical weekend at Abberley:
Where to start?! Weekends really are action-packed!
On Saturday mornings the Discover programme runs for
all prep school pupils. Whilst the activities are currently run
in ‘bubbles’, the pupils have the opportunity to select and participate in a wide range of exciting cross-curricular activities, both onsite and offsite. Each activity falls into one of the following categories:
What do you think is special about Abberley’s pastoral care?
Each tutor really knows their tutees and Abberley’s pastoral system allows for each and every pupil to be supported in their own individual way. Furthermore, the close-knit and dedicated staffroom ensures that all staff have a good understanding of all pupils and their needs.
For many children, their time at Abberley Hall begins in our Nursery and Pre-Prep, where our youngest children are nurtured in a happy, warm and caring environment. Personal, social and emotional development is one of the prime areas of the Early Years curriculum and encompasses all that
we do throughout the day. We focus on individual needs, encouraging and supporting pupils in every aspect of their learning journey as they form new relationships and learn about managing their own feelings and behaviour.
The 24/7 support for pupils provides a genuine family feel, as well as the opportunity for all pupils to flourish and develop holistically. The proof of the pudding is in the eating; children are happy here at Abberley Hall.
What’s your favourite thing about Abberley?
The pupils! The grounds certainly are amazing too, especially on a summer’s day. However, I feel that a school’s pupils
are the best way to truly judge a school. The openness, confidence and charisma of Abberley pupils is impressive and something that really must be judged for itself. People often talk about the ‘Abberley Spirit’ and when asking for volunteers, going on school trips or teaching lessons or running activities, the willingness of our pupils to have a go and try their best is something I truly love about working at Abberley.
• Performing Arts
• Physical and Active •
• Outdoors and Adventure •
• Arts, Crafts and
Technology Academic Enrichment
Community Service and Life Skills
These categories enable pupils to explore new skills or focus on
areas that they really enjoy.
After any afternoon fixtures, the boarding pupils change into their ‘home clothes’ and enjoy free time on our amazing school site.
During the rest of the weekend there is a plethora of different activities (capture the flag, offsite trips, swimming, mixed sports, letter writing, discos and much more!) which are run by teaching and boarding staff. The variety of activities cater to the different ages and interests of the diverse boarding community. The tuck (or sweet) shop is of course a highlight for most!
8 BUZZ | ISSUE 1
Mr Bennett-Tomlin
Head of Pastoral Care