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Welcome From... Mr Barnes

It’s been a very positive start to term, as we ’ ve been blessed with wonderful weather for these first two weeks. The pupils have been enjoying the long, light days and the amazing grounds at their disposal, with the golf course and our grass tennis courts proving incredibly popular once again Amidst the beautiful weather, the Fifth and Middle Sixth have been getting down to some serious exam preparation, and the atmosphere has been energetic and purposeful. At the time of writing, our exam season is now under way, and we wish all our pupils the very best of luck over the coming weeks, supported by a wide range of subject clinics and the willing support of staff

The first weekend of term saw all pupils take part in a whole-school 6 km walk through the lovely woods surrounding the school, whilst 12 brave pupils took on a challenging 12 km run, which took them to the top of Bulbarrow and back, a real lung-busting effort, all in aid of raising money for the school’s 75th Fund

A further highlight of the term so far has been the visit this week from Grilli Canning College in Buenos Aires, Argentina, returning as part of their tour of the UK and France The visit included two fantastic football matches, and our pupils were also treated to a cultural presentation involving tango dancing, whilst pupils from both schools enjoyed the opportunity to socialise together

Looking ahead, the Summer Term promises to be as action packed as ever, with end of term, year group adventure trips to look forward to: the Third Form will head to the hills around Milton Abbey, the Fourth Form to the Isle of Purbeck, and our Lower Sixth will be off to North Cornwall for a surf

As ever, we have plenty of opportunities for you to visit this term, and we look forward to welcoming you on site over the next few weeks to enjoy our incredible surroundings

UpTheAbbey!

Barnes | Senior Deputy Head

In The Classroom

HousesofParliamentTrip

The day began with an immersive visit to the London Dungeon, where students experienced aspects of historical justice firsthand, in a memorable and engaging way.

The students were then incredibly grateful to North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, who kindly gave us a private tour of Westminster and hosted us in his office Students asked thoughtful questions and engaged in a lively discussion about politics, democracy, and how young people can become more involved His advice was inspiring: ‘Read widely, think critically, and above all, disagree but be agreeable!’

The day ended with the opportunity to observe part of a live debate and see Parliament in action, bringing everything together and showing how government really works

Thank you once again to Simon Hoare MP for such a generous and inspiring experience

We were delighted to welcome back Ed Burrows (OM‘91) co-founder and Managing Director of the Wildhive Collection, to speak with our Hospitality students He led workshops and talks on careers, leadership, and sustainability, highlighting how skills, initiative, and values shape future pathways

His visit reflected Milton Abbey School’s commitment to meaningful careers education and entrepreneurship, and it was inspiring for students to hear from an Old Miltonian who has forged his own path

We were delighted to welcome Bob Blanden (OM‘67) and a team of fellow campanologists, who led an engaging bell-ringing session for our Third Form Bob shared his passion for campanology, and students enjoyed having a go themselves, discovering that bellringing is as much about teamwork, rhythm and problem-solving as it is about strength They were intrigued by the mathematical patterns and sequences behind ringing methods, and Bob was clearly impressed by their enthusiasm and aptitude.

GeographyFieldtrip

Milton Abbey School Geographers have been on more adventures, taking their learning outside the classroom.

70% of the World's chalk streams flow through Southern England, making them a unique ecosystem The River Piddle is a local example, accessible to us to study in one action packed morning A Level Geography students studied the human and physical characteristics of this beautiful landscape, from the flint built homes to the minnows seen swimming in the shallows

WorldBookDayWinners

Congratulations to our winners: Sofia G-R, Fourth Form, Ottilie G, Third Form, and one anon, for their outstanding entries in the World Book Day graphic novel competition

Each creation showcased remarkable imagination, from a modern-day fable, to a gripping murder mystery, to an adventure filled with castles, kings, dragons, and magic

Special commendations go to Lucinda R, Keenan P, Emanuel W-Z, Kitty N, Mia E, and Jake S for their highly praised submissions And well done to Mr Crane, who took top honours in the staff category

Polo offers a unique opportunity to develop both 'Adventure' and 'Leadership IDEALS. For many students, it’s a chance to step outside their comfort zones and try something entirely new.

Every Friday afternoon, students are given dedicated time to pursue activities that support their growth through the Round Square IDEALS.

The key principles which are integrated into the daily life of Milton Abbey and all member schools: Internationalism

Democracy

Environment

Adventure

Leadership Service

This term’s activities:

Our mountain biking group has been making the most of the sunny weather, enjoying rides through the countryside Our newest member, Ernie B, Fifth Form, is already showing great promise as a rider

Square

The Gardening Club

Our popular Gardening Club is getting ready to plant tomato seedlings in the polytunnel, alongside a selection of companion flowers to support healthy growth They’re also looking forward to a visit to a local walled kitchen garden, kindly recommended by the Trowbridge family

Tennis Club

Tennis is one of the most popular sports in our Summer Term With both pristine grass courts and an astro surface available, students can experience a variety of playing conditions and develop a wellrounded game Beyond the courts, tennis provides a full-body workout that blends aerobic and anaerobic exercise, helping to boost cardiovascular fitness, build strength, and improve endurance.

And it’s not just the students getting involved, you’ll often find members of staff out on the courts enjoying a rally too!

Dance

Our pioneering group of dancers at Milton Abbey School had worked tirelessly They helped launch our brand new Dance Programme, and their commitment was outstanding What started as a cocurricular opportunity, is now an evening activity for students to try with a dance coach from Pavilion Dance South West

They also performed brilliantly in the Origins performance in Bournemouth, showcasing their hard work, creativity, and dedication on stage.

Henry L, Third Form, made a delicious Minestrone soup!

SPORTING NEWS!

GRILLI CANNING TOUR VISIT

We had the pleasure of welcoming Grilli Canning College back to our school, as part of their UK tour They are a school from Buenos Aires, Argentina, whom we have hosted several times before and have developed an excellent relationship with

It is always a fantastic afternoon when we host them, and our students thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to get together and talk about life and culture in different parts of the world The staff are absolutely fantastic, and we very much enjoy welcoming them each year This time, the visit included football matches for the boys, which, unsurprisingly, were very hotly contested As always, the games were extremely even, with plenty of high-quality football on display It is fascinating to see how footballing styles can differ so significantly between English and Argentinian schools The highlight of the afternoon is always the cultural presentation, where our students learn more about life in Argentina Grilli Canning students put on a fantastic tango performance, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed

It was a wonderful afternoon, and we look forward to hosting them again very soon Grilli Canning College will conclude their tour with visits to London and Paris, and we wish them all the very best on their onward travels

CRICKET

We always love the Summer term, there is nothing like playing cricket on a beautiful bouncy wicket outside of the main Mansion house in the Dorset countryside

Our lower school played their first fixture against a strong Stonar eleven and although Stonar's bowling attack proved too strong for us on the day, a highlight was Noah R, Fourth Form, who was making his debut for the school, smashed a huge six over the pavilion!

We bowled well and brought great enthusiasm and energy to our fielding

SAILING

We kicked off the new sailing season in style with a fantastic session on the water Despite some challenging conditions, everyone got afloat and embraced the opportunity to shake off the cobwebs

A special well done to Third Form students Archie F and Henry L, who sailed exceptionally well on their first outing, an impressive start

TENNIS

The first tennis fixture of the term saw the girls’ U18 A & B teams take to the courts against Canford School, marking an energetic and promising start to the season Both teams demonstrated impressive skill, determination, and teamwork throughout the matches

Adding to the positive atmosphere, Ms Noble also joined in on the action, much to the delight of the players

Student Spotlight: Euan J, Middle Sixth

Huge congratulations to Euan and everyone at Portland United FC on their superb win in yesterday’s Wessex Premier Division Play-Off SemiFinal.

Portland will now face Laverstock & Ford FC in Saturday’s final, with a place in the Southern Leagues at stake Best of luck to Euan and Portland - we ’ re all right behind you!

BASKETBALL

Our Basketball team enjoyed a friendly game against Leweston School Congratulations to Milton Abbey on their 51-17 win!

Standout performances came from Aleksei D, Middle Sixth, Sean E, Lower Sixth, and Olly S, Middle Sixth

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Nico E, Fifth Form, playing against Grilli Canning College school

Student Commendations

Tunde A | Creative Media

Tunde A, Lower Sixth, finished the Lent term on a high and it was a delight to mark his stop motion animation assignment over Easter, which was an amazing comedy heist short film which Tunde wrote, built the set for, filmed and edited. Once the Stop-Motion assignment was submitted he focused heavily on preparation for his Unit 8 BTEC assignment, showing excellent attitude towards revision and preparation over the Easter break and into the first week of term

Rahel K, Fifth Form, has demonstrated consistent dedication throughout the year, approaching her Spanish studies with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to improve She actively challenges herself and engages positively in lessons, making commendable progress

Oli W, Middle Sixth, was commended for his leadership and initiative in organising the House “Kitchen Team” football tournament during House Weekend He coordinated fixtures, scheduled and timed matches efficiently, and ensured the event ran smoothly In addition, he has consistently been helpful around House, offering support to the Housemaster and staff.

Rahel K | Spanish

Oli W | Athelstan

ACTIV WEEKEND

HOUSEWEEKEND

The first weekend of the new term is always a highlight in the calendar, House Weekend! It’s a chance for students to come together within their Houses, helping new arrivals settle into the community while giving old friends the opportunity to reconnect after the Easter holidays

Damer House kicked things off with a relaxed takeaway and movie night, followed by a chocolate fountain and plenty of sweet treats to enjoy. Tregonwell House headed out for a social evening at the Royal Oak, sharing a meal before returning for some football on the lawn Hughie’s made the most of the outdoors with a BBQ, games, and s ’ mores around a fire pit

Hambro House, alongside Athelstan House, took full advantage of the school’s facilities, including golf, football, and tennis

A fantastic start to the term, with plenty of fun, laughter, and House spirit on display

VITIES!

12KMRUNANDWALK

Well done to everyone took part in our 12km Run and Walk over the hills and ridges around the school There was a timed run for those of a competitive nature and a more leisurely, shorter walk for others The students were sponsored for their efforts to raise money for the 75th Fund, which had been launched three years earlier to support educational projects leading up to the school’s 75th anniversary in 2029

TENTORS

Our Ten Tors students have been putting in an exceptional amount of effort as they prepare for their expedition

Over recent months, they have trained tirelessly on Dartmoor, tackling challenging terrain, unpredictable weather, and long distances to build both their physical endurance and mental resilience

Good luck to our students taking on this challenge on 8-10 May.

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 Summer Term brings open swim, tennis, public speaking, touch rugby, cricket, chat and relax, as well as our much loved classics

Athelstan House enjoying a game of football out on the front lawn It’s been wonderful to see our STEP students fitting in so well with their House and school community.

Alfie C, Fourth Form, has been touching up on his golf skills in Tregonwell House!

Time Capsule

Nadiia S and Lucy T, Lower Sixth, organised a time capsule to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Milton Abbey School The capsule, which will be opened on 1 May 2054, brings together contributions from across the school community Each House submitted items, alongside staff contributions including letters, departmental photographs, and pieces of clothing, before enjoying a whole school BBQ

Alize E-K, Lower Sixth, shared her personal contribution:

“I put a detailed letter in the time capsule to my 41 yearold self about my hopes and dreams, my current worries that I know I will have overcome, and the best parts of my school years I loved the sentimentality behind the idea” Greg P, also in Lower Sixth, said:

“I just can’t wait to come back to Milton Abbey School on the day we reopen the time capsule It will be the day before my birthday, and I’m excited to see what people are doing, what they look like, who’s here, and who’s not I hope to be the Headmaster of Milton Abbey!”

Q &

W I T H M S O L I P H A N T

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

I am Ms Oliphant and I am the Head of Music at Milton Abbey I have been working here for 2 years now

Q Favourite memory of Milton Abbey?

With so much happening at Milton Abbey, it’s difficult to choose just one favourite, so I’ll pick two First, House Music is always a highlight It’s brilliant to see so many students come together with such enthusiasm and commitment in a competitive setting Even those who aren’t musicians got involved, helping to create lively and thoroughly entertaining performances

My second choice would be this year ’ s Christmas concert It’s always rewarding to see students’ hard work come together at the end of term, but this one felt like a real celebration of success and individual strengths It was especially great to see new students playing such a big role The finale of “Last Christmas”, performed by one of our bands, was truly spectacular

Best and worst subjects when you were at school?

Of course, my best subject at school was music, no surprise there It was the one place I could properly express myself, and I was lucky to have teachers who were incredibly supportive (and very patient!). My worst subject? Geography, without a doubt. Ironically, I love travelling and exploring new places… I just couldn’t tell you much about them once I got there or where they were

Q What advice do you give to our students?

If I could give a piece of advice, it would be to always be unapologetically yourself. What makes you different is what makes you valuable, and you should never feel that you have to fit into someone else’s idea of who you should be Celebrate your uniqueness, take chances, and don’t be afraid to choose your own path

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

I would highly recommend Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom It’s a simple but powerful book that shares the life lessons of Morrie, a former professor, as he reflects on what really matters: relationships, purpose, and appreciating the present moment

It’s an easy read, but one that stays with you In a world where it’s easy to get caught up in pressure and expectations, this book is a great reminder to slow down, value the people around you, and think about the kind of life you actually want to lead

Q What don’t we know about you?

Before becoming a teacher, I spent time working in recording studios across Dorset and London, which gave me a completely different perspective on creativity and collaboration It was an environment where every small detail mattered, and I learned a lot about patience, teamwork, and the value of practice

Outside of school, I play netball, which is a great way to switch off and stay active, but it also reminds me of the importance of communication and trust within a team

I also have a real passion for travelling and try to spend as many school holidays as I can exploring new countries Experiencing different cultures and ways of life has been incredibly eye-opening, and it has helped me become more open-minded and appreciative of perspectives beyond my own, something I think is really important both in life and in education

Head of Music Page - 15

News & Updates

Keep up to date on school news by visiting our news page on the website

SCHOLARSHIP ASSESSMENT DAY

Dorset Scholars who live locally in the county and will contribute as an all-rounder to the life of the school, while benefitting from our educational approach

Academic Scholars who show passion and determination in specific subjects – including Performing Arts, Music and Drama – or across the curriculum.

Sport Scholars who exhibit exceptional skill, leadership and commitment in one or more team sports including Rugby, Football, Cricket, Netball or Hockey With sport every day there is no better school for children who excel in sport

Our upcoming Sport and Dorset assessment days is Saturday 16 May To register, please scan the QR code, or contact our Admissions Team on 01258 881804/admissions@miltonabbeyco uk

WHOLE SCHOOL, HOUSE AND PILOT PHOTOS

Before the Exeat weekend, we had our whole school, House and Pilots photo, which parents and guardians are welcome to purchase through Gillman and Soame’s website

Once you have successfully registered, and whenever additional photographs of your child become available to view, you will receive an email, to your registered email address(es), with a link to log in and view them online This will encompass Portraiture, House Groups, Complete School Groups, indeed everything that Gillman & Soame capture on behalf of Milton Abbey School

To register, please see their website here, or by scanning the QR code.

School Community

75th Fund Development Project

We are delighted to share that the Milton Abbey Association (our community of Old Miltonians) has very generously pledged £40,000 to launch our 75th Fund Development project. This remarkable gift is a powerful vote of confidence in the school’s future, and we are deeply grateful to the alumni board for their vision and support.

Milton Abbey was founded on a commitment to both academic and vocational excellence, and Hospitality has become one of our fastest-growing areas At present, the department operates from the student kitchen behind Abbot’s Hall, practical, but increasingly limited in space To meet rising demand and give the subject the prominence it deserves, we plan to relocate the kitchen to a central position within the school, in the Faraday Block.

To complete this exciting development, we are now aiming to raise a further £20,000. The new facility will be a significantly expanded, purpose-built space, featuring modern cooking stations, ovens and hobs, a teaching area, a mock dining room, and a dedicated preparation space We hope to begin building work over the summer holidays, with the kitchen ready to welcome pupils at the start of the new academic year Students themselves will play an active role in shaping the final design and are already contributing creative fundraising ideas.

Congratulations to all our students and staff who took part in Sunday’s fundraising walk/run on Sunday what a fantastic effort Inspired by the London Marathon, many of our students stepped forward to kick off this exciting fundraising project, and it’s been great to see such enthusiasm and community spirit

To support our GoFundMe page, please see here

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.