Page 45 - Parents' Handbook - Sept 2021

Day children and boarders alike can enjoy a wide range of activities at the end of the school day.
Children in Years 3, 4 and 5 can do After School Activities from 5pm to 6pm. Day children can then opt to stay for the later Evening Activities as well but these tend to be for older pupils and for boarders.
Children in Years 6, 7 and 8 can do Prep from 5pm to 6pm and then do Evening Activities from 6.30pm to 7.30pm (Tea is at 6pm)
As well as the activities on offer at the end of the school day, pupils can also follow their interests at other times, such as Morning Break and Lunch Time, as well as at the weekends if boarding. Some activities are restricted to the younger age group and some to the older. Children choose their own activities but need guidance when faced with so many choices.
Form Tutors provide this guidance, but parents may wish to discuss options as well.
The list of activities on offer for children is vast and includes: Riding, Bushcraft, Drama, LAMDA, Art, Woodwork, Shooting, Dance, Gardening, Fishing, Chicken Keeping, Sport, Music, Fencing, Mountain Biking, General Knowledge, Debating, Chess. The list could go on.
Most activities are available without any additional charge but there are a few that cost a little extra. These include Riding, Fencing, LAMDA and Tennis lessons.
Parents are written to at the start of each term with a list of activities on offer for the term, which evenings they take place and the member of staff in charge. Where relevant, we will provide you with details of the additional costs that will be incurred.
ACTIVITIES
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
Music
Music lessons should be organised directly through the Director of Music, Toby Dunham.
Music thrives at the school and it enjoys superb facilities. The Music Department is moving into a newly renovated area in September 2021 and we are very excited to welcome children to this wonderful new space.
Every child has a weekly class Music lesson, where they enjoy singing, composing, performing and listening to many different types of music from a variety of eras. Approximately two thirds of our pupils have individual instrumental lessons and these are taught by the Director of Music and a team of highly qualified visiting staff. We offer lessons in violin, viola, cello, double
bass, acoustic and electric guitar, recorder, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, percussion, piano, organ and singing. Many orchestral instruments may be hired from the school on a termly basis or alternatively we can recommend music shops that operate a trial/buy scheme. All Year 3 pupils are introduced to these instruments through a series of informal performances at the beginning of term.
Individual music lessons take place throughout the working day and are on a weekly rotation to minimise disruption to academic progress. Once children are proficient, we encourage them to be entered for examinations through the Associated Board of the Royal
School of Music or other recognised bodies and to take part in our highly successful series of Performing Arts Showcases to which parents are warmly invited. Theory classes and Aural clinics are also held for those who are taking examinations.
Once pupils have reached a certain standard, they are encouraged to join one or more of the many musical groups that meet throughout the week. These include Wind Band, Samba Band, Rock Band and Stringendo.
The Chapel Choir sings at services throughout the year and they also perform outside the school in services and concerts continuing the well-known choral tradition at the school. Younger singers are able to join Junior Choir before progressing on to the Chapel Choir.
Costs for individual music lessons: One instrument - £20.50 per lesson. We offer a 10% discount for each additional instrument.
Hire of instrument - £25 per term to cover tuning and renewal.
There are a minimum of 30 lessons per academic year: the number per term varies slightly owing to the differing lengths of terms.
Toby Dunham, Director of Music, is always available to talk to parents about all things relating to the Music Department. To contact him, please email toby.dunham@abberleyhall.co.uk
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