View from the Abbey | Friday 13 February 2026 by Milton Abbey School

Welcome From... Mrs Badley

The second exeat period of the term has been extremely busy Our Digital Leaders have put together posters and videos which they shared with the pupil body in Assembly These looked at the impacts of AI on people and the environment and explores the idea that AI can make us lazier rather smarter and is not always the right approach

Our pupil Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team has been considering how we can celebrate the diverse cultures at the school They have created and edited a video themselves featuring pupils with Cameroonian, Congolese, French, Kenyan, Spanish, Belgian, Colombian, Swiss, Ukrainian and British heritage speaking in their native language about what culture means to them Food features very heavily but culture also music and dance, history and politics, sports, transport, festivals, and the people This was made to bring awareness to the number of cultures and languages we have at Milton Abbey and to introduce pupils to a culture day which will happen later in the term where all pupils get be able to celebrate elements of their own and other pupils’ culture

We have also welcomed our external speaker on Relationships & Sex Education who talked to all the different year groups about different areas of this vast topic The Middle Sixth had an interesting session on Life after school, which is extremely relevant as many of them are receiving offers for their future career pathways Do ask your children about the day and what they have learned from it It has also been National Apprenticeship Week and pupils have been given the opportunity to learn more about apprenticeships as a possible career pathway in their PSHE lessons

Middle Sixth and Fifth Form mocks start directly after half term so we do encourage pupils to be working hard during half term so that they can benefit from this exam period Last but not least the infamous Milton Abbey House Pancake Race took please. Congratulations to Hambro for their win!

Mrs Badley | Head of Personal Development and Community Engagement

In The Classroom

SAFERINTERNETDAY

This year, we are focusing on the responsible use of AI by hosting an interactive AI Showcase, where we demonstrate generative tools to our students while highlighting both their creative potential and the risks they pose, such as misinformation and deepfakes Alongside this, we are producing posters that encourage reflection on how overreliance on AI can make us ‘lazier’ and potentially weaken our critical thinking skills and creativity The posters also explore how easily fake news can be created, not only through text, but also through images and videos

ECONOMICSOLYMPIAD

Congratulations to our Middle Sixth students, Gaëtan B and Gio M, who took part in the first round of the International Economics Olympiad and achieved the highest scores in class

We are delighted to share that Esfandiar Z, Gaëtan B, Gio M and Tessa M-W, all in Middle Sixth, who have qualified to progress the West Country Regional Finals!

ANALOGUEPHOTOGRAPHY

During our Sixth Form Photography Taster Session, students explored analogue photography using in date and expired Polaroid film They photographed details of the Abbey and combined the images into a collaborative photo collage inspired by the work of David Hockney The unpredictability of the expired film encouraged creative risk taking and experimentation, resulting in layered and expressive interpretations of the space The session offered an engaging introduction to Sixth Form Photography, combining hands on making, artistic context, and imaginative thinking

STOPMOTION

BTEC Film and TV Production students are currently developing their own stop motion animations

Having been through the history of stop motion in depth, they have developed their own scripts and built their own sets and are now shooting the initial test sequences that will lead to their own imaginative stories coming to life.

LEARNINGLANGUAGES

A Level French students presented a French charity of their choice to the class entirely in French, demonstrating strong research skills, confident delivery, and impressive use of language. They all did a fantastic job with their pronunciationtrès bien!

Juliet VDB, Lower Sixth, is taking conversational Spanish classes alongside her academic commitments

One of the many advantages of being a small school by choice is the ability to offer ad hoc educational opportunities when the timetable allows, and Juliet has made excellent use of this flexibility She is now practising Spanish in real-life contexts, confidently developing her oral fluency through authentic communication The focus is on real-life language use: building confidence, spontaneity, and practical speaking skills beyond the classroom

THIRDFORMADVENTURE

As part of their Wednesday afternoon adventure programme, designed to develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership through outdoor, skill-based activities, Third Form took on a very muddy 6k walk through the forests surrounding the school, led by Mr Anderson and Mr Vigar

H SO

Lower Sixth students enjoyed an insightful trip to Wagamama, to learn about the history, business and menu creation Students made their own fruit juices, chicken katsu curry and were taught the correct way to hold chopsticks. The trip provides valuable insights into hospitality businesses but will hopefully give some inspiration to students for their upcoming practical assessments in the kitchen this term.

IP

TMrs Forster is excited to see whether they can recreate the chicken katsu they enjoyed at Wagamama in our own kitchen. The best recreation will win a Wagamama cookbook!

Third Form students have been developing their practical skills over the past few weeks, experimenting with a range of flavours and techniques. Most recently, they put these skills into practice by baking delicious cheese scones

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Elena T, Lower Sixth, preparing chicken katsu curry

T LA TI Y

Q&A with Mrs Driver from the students!

Fourth Form have been exploring a range of ingredients and cooking techniques as part of their coursework. Recently, they made pitta bread for the first time to accompany their shakshuka breakfast dish with eggs, a delicious combination that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Fifth Form Hospitality students recently visited the Alexandra Hotel, owned by former parent, Mrs Haskins, in Lyme Regis, to observe the health and safety practices they have been studying in the classroom, this time seeing them implemented in a working hospitality environment.

When did you realise you liked cooking?

Sofia G-R, Fourth Form

I first realised that I liked cooking when I was at school and studied Food Technology, I enjoy the joy that can be hard from a good plate of food

Who’s the better cook, you, or Mrs Forster?

Tom H, Fourth Form

That really is impossible to answer, as I have never eaten Mrs Forster’s cooking and vice versa My role at school is to support the students in their practical lessons, so without a cook off, we will never know!

What did you do before joining Milton Abbey School?

Charlie S, Fourth Form

I qualified in early years teaching and used to run a pre-school in Wiltshire before myself and my family moved down to Milton Abbas in 2019

What’s your favourite colour?

Mrs Forster

My favourite colour is yellow as it is such a happy and cheery colour to me

How long have you been at school for?

Henry B, Fourth Form

I started my job here in September 2022, so this is my third year at Milton Abbey

What’s your dream job?

Theo S, Middle Sixth

I would have to say that I am in it wouldn’t I? Though my husband and I did talk about and dream of owning our own campsite somewhere in the west country, but that was before we fell in love with our life here in Milton Abbas

Also, a little-known fact about me, is that in 2021, me, my husband, our 21-year-old daughter, one large dog and four cats lived in a 4berth caravan in our driveway for SEVEN months This was because our then bungalow was pretty much demolished with asbestos removal and a carefully planned rebuild was put into place to become the house that I live in today It was an interesting time that's for sure!

SPORTING NEWS!

FOOTBALL

A superb 1–0 win sent the U16s into a National Quarter final after a hard fought match The team showed excellent discipline and determination throughout The winning moment came from a stunning overhead kick by Keenan P, Fourth Form, one of the goals of the year (and voted the best goal on our Instagram poll) A brilliant performance and a deserved place in the next round

The First XI team produced a dominant display to win 9–0 at home Strong attacking movement and composure on the ball allowed them to control the match throughout. Clinical finishing and focused defending made this an impressive all round performance. A historic result for the school as the 1st XI reached the furthest stage we have ever achieved in the County Cup In tough conditions, the boys produced an outstanding performance full of grit and quality Phanuel A, Lower Sixth, and Khalid A, Lower Sixth, both scored twice to secure a dramatic 4–3 victory A hugely exciting semi final now awaits after half term

The 2nd XI secured a convincing 5-1 victor hat trick from Max Henry W, Lower Sixth from Connor B, Middle Sixth and Seb extended the lead, supported by strong per the pitch Defence and midfield worked tire control

The U15As showed superb resilience to co and earn a historic 4-3 victory against Sherbo an early setback, the team responded bril from Fourth Form students: Keenan P, Aust from Alfie C, including a free kick A fanta from the whole squad A special mention to Charlotte S, Third Form, who had an outstanding all round game Player of the Match: Alfie C

SAILING

The Milton Abbey School sailing team travelled to Queen Mary’s Reservoir for an exciting pre-season training event, highlighting the wide range of opportunities available to our students

Racing Sonar keelboats, three and four person boats with symmetrical spinnakers, gave sailors the chance to develop teamwork, boat handling and race tactics in a new environment

With ideal conditions throughout, students made the most of the experience, training alongside sailors from other schools and building valuable confidence ahead of the season

Find out more about our wide range of sporting opportunities here:

BASKETBALL

The Milton Abbey Basketball team played a fantastic game against Bryanston School Milton Abbey won the first quarter and at half-time it was a tense draw Bryanston went to a nine point lead in the third quarter, but Milton Abbey made it a tense finish, getting it back to a five point game with five minutes left Unfortunately it was a too big of gap to close but well done to everyone involved

HOCKEY

The 1st XI showed excellent spirit in a tough match against a strong Canford side Despite the score line, the team kept working hard, with Captain, Gaëtan B, Middle Sixth, leading by example and showing real determination throughout Plenty of character shown and clear signs of development to build on

The Under 15A Boys’ Hockey side played QE School in Wimborne on the last day before Half-Term, winning 3-0. Two goals in the first half came from Freddie S, Fourth Form and a second from William C, Third Form Milton Abbey, building a good head of steam, scored a third from the stick of Leonard K, Fourth Form, who recorded his first goal of 2026!

NETBALL

A competitive game saw the 1st VII lose 17–27 but with many promising moments Lucy T, Lower Sixth, Phoebe K, Middle Sixth and Nia W, Lower Sixth, drove the attack well, while Elena T, Lower Sixth, Pilar S, Lower Sixth and Rosie W, Lower Sixth, worked hard in defence Estee V, Middle Sixth, and Fran P, Middle Sixth, controlled the centre court effectively A well-played match showing good development across the squad

A confident 25–15 win for our U15A team built on accurate shooting from Gemma M, Fifth Form, and Erin R, Third Form, and excellent defensive work from Chanah L, Fifth Form Mid court play from Flo E, Fourth Form, Lissy A, Fifth Form and Flea B, Third Form, helped control the tempo A strong third quarter extended the lead Players of the Match: Fifth Form students, Chanah L and Lissy A.

A superb 16–8 victory for our U15B team with a strong start that set the tone early Defensive pressure and confident passing kept Milton Abbey in control Impressive debuts from Marion G, Fifth Form and Ruby R, Fourth Form, added real impact Players of the Match: Eliza C, Third Form and Rachel K, Fifth Form.

Keep up to date with our sporting news by following us on Instagram

The annual pancake day race to celebrate Shrove Tuesday saw each House field a team of five runners, who took turns tackling the course while carefully balancing a pancake in a frying pan.

Student Commendations

Tima T | 3D Design

Tima T, Fourth Form, has been chosen as a Pupil of Praise for his outstanding creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication in his Design & Technology project He went beyond the brief by incorporating multiple laminated components into a complex, high-quality design, demonstrating excellent practical skills and attention to detail His commitment to refining his work and meeting the deadline makes him a truly deserving recipient

Tessa M-W, Middle Sixth, earned her Pupil of Praise due to her commitment to improving her work beyond the classroom She has been independently completing additional essays in her own time to refine her technique and strengthen her analytical skills Alongside this, she has demonstrated intellectual curiosity by asking thoughtful, perceptive questions and engaging in wider reading around the topics we study Her dedication, initiative, and enthusiasm for learning have truly stood out.

Seb A, Fourth Form, has been selected as Tregonwell House Pupil of Praise in recognition of his consistently positive and helpful attitude He approaches all his house responsibilities with enthusiasm and reliability, and his quick wit regularly brings smiles to both his peers and staff. Seb takes great pride in his appearance and surroundings; his uniform, room organisation, and timekeeping are all exemplary. He is a wonderful role model within the House community

Tessa M-W | Economics

Seb A | Tregonwell House

ACTIV WEEKEND

SEALIFECENTRE

A group of students enjoyed a trip to Weymouth’s Sea Life Centre as part of their Sunday off-site activities They were delighted to explore the wide variety of fish and marine mammals that live beneath the sea. Being located in rural Dorset provides the perfect opportunity for enriching trips to attractions such as the Sea Life Centre

Lower and Middle Sixth students came together to celebrate ll things Scottish at a lively Burns Night celebration The evening began with the traditional Procession of the Haggis, followed by the much-anticipated Address to a Haggis, delivered by Mr Anderson

Our two Heads of School, Neo T and Eliza GDC, Middle Sixth, recited two poems by Robert Burns, "John Anderson" and "Red, Red Rose", before the audience enthusiastically joined in a rousing rendition of "Flower of Scotland" celebrations truly came alive when the ceilidh began A iece band and an expert dance caller ensured everyone nvolved, with students dancing late into the night, rming reels and traditional Scottish dances

VITIES!

MEALTRIPS&

BOWLING

The Lower School enjoyed a meal out in Dorchester, with students choosing their preferred restaurant for the evening Many opted for Zizzi’s, where they tucked into freshly made pizzas and pasta

Third Form enjoyed a game of bowling at Hollywood bowl, scoring many strikes!

CHINESEBANQUET

The Lower School rang in the Lunar New Year with a Black Tie Chinese Banquet in Abbott’s Hall, followed by an evening in the state rooms. With music, a DJ, dazzling lights, selfie booth and even a bucking bronco, students enthusiastically yee-hawed their way through the ce fantastic time was had by all

Life in Boarding

Life in boarding is always a busy one, with our evening and weekend activities.

With the start of a new year comes new, exciting activities for our students to get involved with

The Lent Term brings Craft Club, 5-a-side football, Model United Nations, indoor hockey, as well as our much loved classics

Hughie’s enjoyed a mindfulness afternoon of choosing one word, and painting it. A beautiful mix of minds, meanings, emotions all in watercolour, all enjoyed with some homemade cookies

Athelstan House had an exciting evening watching the Six Nation’s France vs Ireland game. The event was coordinated by Seth B, Lower Sixth, drinks and snacks all around and music by Jos S, Middle Sixth at half-time. Excellent tidying up from Geordie M, Middle Sixth

Q &

W I T H M R V I G A R

Q Who are you, what do you teach and how long have you been here?

My name is Mr Vigar I teach Physics and have been at Milton Abbey for over ten years I also lead sailing and a wide range of adventurous activities. In addition, I am involved with the House system, which gives me the privilege of working across all the boarding houses and supporting our students in many different aspects of school life

Q Favourite memory of Milton Abbey?

So many fantastic things happen at Milton Abbey that make it an absolute joy to work here In my third year, we had an exceptional group of sailors who developed the confidence and skill to handle a yacht in strong winds, sailing from the Isle of Wight to Poole It was a proud moment to sit back, relax, and simply enjoy the exhilaration of the journey, knowing they were completely in control and that everything was going smoothly

Q Best and worst subjects when you were at school?

I failed my English Literature O level, but perhaps unsurprisingly, I achieved my strongest results in Maths, Physics, and Geography I went on to study these subjects at A level before pursuing a degree in Engineering, specialising in Naval Architecture, at university

Q What advice do you give to our students?

Q What book, play or film would you recommend on every student’s bucket list?

I would highly recommend the 2022 film All Quiet on the Western Front, based on Erich Maria Remarque’s semi-autobiographical novel It is not an easy or uplifting watch, but it powerfully portrays the futility and tragedy of war Its message feels especially urgent at a time when conflict and suffering remain all too present in our world

Q I be s driv

Try everything, you never know what you might enjoy As a student, it’s impossible to predict where life will take you When I left school, becoming a teacher was the last thing I imagined for myself That’s why it’s so important to build a wide range of skills and experiences You never know which ones will open doors or prove useful in the future

Hughie’s enjoyed touching up on their creative side with some fantastic face painting!

News & Updates

INTHENEWS...

Keep up to date on school news by visiting our

Many schools operate on the assumption that some students have learning difficulties and others do not At Milton Abbey, our philosophy is different: all learning is challenging, if you are doing it properly Every child learns differently, whether or not they have Dyslexia, Dyscalculia or Dysgraphia, and all students benefit from opportunities to develop and refine how they learn

Headmaster Mr James Watson recently shared his perspective on SEND provision, including how to identify a school where your child will truly thrive and how parents of children with SEND can approach the school application process with confidence With our guidance, you can feel well prepared to find a school where your child can succeed, both in the classroom and beyond

Mr Watson explains “An important consideration for parents should be the subject pathways and qualifications on offer Many employers and universities are looking for quality over quantity; gone are the days of recommending children sit 10+ GCSEs When children feel they have choice they will invest themselves more in their own learning and therefore see better outcomes ”

Read the full article here:

MOCKPREPARATIONS

We hope you enjoy a well-earned rest over the half-term break However, mock examinations for Fifth and Middle Sixth students will be taking place immediately after we return, so it’s important that you use some of the break to prepare Please make sure you:

Check your class Teams pages regularly

Look in the Assignments section for clearly labelled revision materials.

Follow the instructions carefully so you know exactly what to revise and how to complete any tasks set

Share the guidance with your parents/carers so they can support you with your preparation if needed

If you are not sitting a formal assessment straight after half term, you should still use the time productively by:

Completing any outstanding work so you can start next half term with a clean slate

Working through any preparatory materials set by your teachers to ensure you are ready for the next topics (listed as Holiday work/Half Term work)

Staying focused and keeping up with your learning will make a real difference Make sure you check Teams, complete the assigned work, and return ready to make a strong start

School Community

As a small by choice school, we take time to make sure that every student is known, noticed and nurtured.

Congratulations to our Gardening Club on achieving Level One of the Royal Horticultural Society School Gardening Award, which supports schools in nurturing a love of gardening and sustainability.

Club members have worked tirelessly to care for our school grounds and location, inspiring others to respect and protect the environment. As an 'On Board' community member with BSA we are always looking for more ways to support our school and local community. Level Two, here we come!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Races

To celebrate Shrove Tuesday, we held our annual Pancake Race before half-term

Each House sent five runners to take turns navigating the course, all while balancing a pancake in a frying pan. At various stations, students had to flip their pancakes before passing the pan to the next runner

A big congratulations to Hambro for taking the top spot in this year ' s race! Well done to all our runners, and the incredible support from all the students, staff and House

Thank you to our Creative Media students for producing a fantastic video of the race, which you can see on our social media channels

We welcomed students from Sherborne Prep, Budmouth Academy, and Chafyn Grove School to Milton Abbey, offering an opportunity to those who might not normally have the chance to try the sport.

The students took part in friendly matches against one another, coached by Mr Bonner and Mr Lawes, before enjoying match tea and receiving medals in recognition of their fantastic play

U11 Rising Stars Hockey Festival

DATES F YOUR

The Milton Abbey Story

diary

Mr Ratcliffe’s book is available to purchase on Amazon, the only illustrated book that tells the story of Milton Abbey, blending history with a light touch suitable for younger readers from age seven through to the history curious adult. Written and illustrated by James Ratcliffe, a teacher at Milton Abbey School, this book promises an engaging journey through history.

Monday 16 February

Sunday 22 February

Monday 23 February

Wednesday 25 February

Saturday 28 February

Sunday 1 March

Tuesday 3 March

Thursday 5 March

Friday 6 March

Wednesday 11 March

Thursday 12 March