Page 9 - Abberley Adventures - July 2021

ABBERLEY ADVENTURES ABBERLEY ADVENTURES 9
New (old) Theatre
Music
and Drama
at Abberley is such a a a a a a a strength We are all extremely excited to see the the the new (old) theatre taking shape in in the the the old old stable block We can’t wait for for the the first performance in the the Autumn and to invite parents in in in in to see this stunning new space for for our performing arts This performing space will become a a a a jewel in in the Abberley Hall crown once more Leavers 2021
Our 2021
leavers were such a a a a a talented positive hard-working and kind group Some of of them had been with us since the the the age of of 2 and so their moving on marked the the end of an era era Obviously it also heralds the the start of of an exciting new chapter in in their lives as well We had a a a a a number of of wonderful leavers’ events during the the final week of term and the the Leavers’ Service and the Performing Arts Showcase were particularly memorable Thank you so much to our Top Year parents for the kind donations that
enabled us to finish renovating The Summer House This beautiful building has stood on its current site for almost a a hundred years but it was starting to look tired and run down With new glazing renovated woodwork a a a thorough paint inside and out cleared drainage and the addition of paving around the front this building now looks amazing and we can’t wait to use it next year!
We also had a a a a a very generous anonymous donation to fund the renovation The Ashton Fountain This beautiful fountain was based down in the Walled Garden when Abberley was was a a a a a a private home It was was moved up to to its current position in memory of Gilbert Ashton’s wife In recent years the water has has stopped flowing and it has has started to to look rather sorry for itself Thanks to this generous donation the the fountain is is being renovated this summer and we look forward to to seeing it restored to to to its former glory and to to to returning to to to the southing sound of running water again Head Head Boy and Head Head Girl
Harry Angel-James and and Rosanna Carlisle did an an an an outstanding job as Head Head Boy and Head Head Girl
They gave a a a a a a wonderful speech at the end of Prize Giving and and I then announced our new Head Head Boy and and Head Head Girl
as Oscar Hall and Olivia Evington Congratulations to to them both on their appointment I have no doubt at at all that
they will be fantastic When pupils return in September Prefects Heads Heads of Patrol and Heads Heads of Boarding will will be be announced in in Assembly As As always there will will be be ongoing opportunities for promotion throughout the year Staff
Abberley Hall is is a a a a a wonderful place because of its facilities historic building and beautiful grounds but also because we have fantastic staff staff I would like to thank our staff staff once more for the herculean effort that
that
they have put in in to making sure that
that
this year has been such a a a a success despite the disruption we have all faced Some of our staff are are retiring at the the end of this year and others are are moving on to ‘pastures new’:
Michelle Crowther: Retires after after 39 years as a a a a a a a teacher and after after 16 years at at Abberley Hall She has been professional dedicated and she has contributed immeasurably to the school We will miss Michelle but but we hope that
she will come and see us often!
Claire Kennedy: Has been with us since 2008 and she has taught Maths LS and PSHE Recently she has helped shape our new subject LIFE Claire is moving to to Northamptonshire where her her husband will be starting a a a a a a a a new job Thank you to Claire and Mark for all they have contributed to the the school over the the years Hannah Ryann: Having done her her teacher training in in in in South Africa she arrived with us us as as Gap in in in 2017 Hannah has been involved in in in various areas of school life from sport to teaching in in in the Pre-Prep and working as Girls’ Housemistress Hannah is is moving on to new challenges at The Bluecoat School in in Birmingham and we wish her every success Lesley Beesley: Is retiring after many years of dedicated service to the school in in our Learning Support department She has supported countless children over the years and she will be sorely missed We wish her a a a a a very happy retirement and and hope that
she will come and and see us often Gaps: Oliver Taylor Tom Tarlton Ella Felkin and Jemma Freel were with us for a a a a a year and have have now left to to go on to to university They have have been an an excellent bunch of Gaps and we will all miss them hugely We send them our very best wishes for the the future!
We are delighted to to have welcomed some new staff staff to to to the school this term and we we we look forward to to to welcoming more new staff staff in in September:
Tracey Tayar-Bidwell: has joined us as as a a a a a a a visiting swimming coach She has huge experience as as a a a a a a coach for a a a a a a number of clubs and will continue to lead our swimming Joel Smith: arrived this term from King’s Worcester He is is an experienced Maths teacher and and sports coach and and will be doing more of these next year as as well as as continuing to support Mr Hiles in in in the the DM department whilst Miss Green is is on maternity leave