Category Archives: education

John Mason School is hosting their largest exhibition

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John Mason School Art
John Mason School is hosting their largest exhibition with over 1000 pieces of art, craft, animation and design work on display in the main gallery and many of the adjoining rooms.
John Mason School Art
There is one remaining ‘out of school hours’ viewings – Wed 12th 3-7pm. But visits are possible during school hours after signing in at reception. The exhibition runs until Thursday 13th June 2013.
John Mason School Art
There is a painting, by Sophie, just inside the gallery door, showing a scene down Stert Street, and above it all the development work that led to the final very saleable  hyper- realist picture.
John Mason School Art
That is not the only Abingdon scene. Upstairs Abingdon is home of the MG next to what could be Anna Pavlova.
John Mason School Art
John Mason School specialises in the visual arts and aims for ‘excellence through creativity’.

Caldecott Meadow Opening

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Caldecott Meadow Opening
Earlier in the year volunteers, including members of the Abingdon Carbon Cutters and Green Gym and Abingdon Vespers Rotary club, worked together planting fruit trees in the grounds of Caldecott School.
Caldecott Meadow Opening
The trees are now coming into blossom.
Caldecott Meadow Opening
At Friday lunchtime children from Caldecott School congregated round a new shelter at the bottom of the – nearby – newly created meadow area.
Caldecott Meadow Opening
The Chairman (?) of the Abingdon Vespers Rotary Club, and a young lady from Caldecott School, officially opened Caldecott Meadow. It will become an area for outdoor learning for children from Caldecott School and the Children’s Centre alongside.

New School Science Centre

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New Science Centre
A week or so ago Colin and Jenny Wiggins were here for a visit. They emigrated to the US in 1959 to further their scientific careers, and now live on Long Island, near New York. (Colin sometimes sends interesting old pictures of Abingdon and leaves an occasional comment on the blog.)
New Science Centre
Jenny is pictured in the current edition of the Abingdon News where there is a feature on the Early History of Science at Abingdon School. Both Colin and Jenny studied science at Abingdon School (Jenny was at St Helen and St Katherine and used the facilities at S Level). Both went on to become President of the Oxford University Scientific Society.
New Science Centre
Abingdon School have planning permission for a new Science Centre with 21 labs and other facilities. Currently Science subjects are very popular at the school, and they need more space.

The new centre will be paid for out of reserves, a loan, and the generosity of Old Abingdonians, and other sponsors. The new facility will not only benefit teaching of science but will free up space elsewhere for teaching other subjects.

(Last 2 pictures borrowed from Abingdon School website.)

Carswell Community School’s Sensory Garden – Final Report

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Carswell Sensory Garden
The rain kept off on Tuesday 12th June for the opening of Carswell Community School’s Sensory Garden.

Academic, explorer, television presenter and local celebrity Dr George McGavin officially opened the garden by pulling aside a “ Very Hungry Caterpillar” curtain.
Carswell Sensory Garden
Parents toured the garden as pupils sang and performed a MayPole Dance.
Carswell Sensory Garden
The area’s transformation from derelict concrete and scrub
Carswell Sensory Garden
to a place of magical tranquillity for children and staff has brought together people from all over the community, in a project very much in keeping with the school’s title. Teams from Dalton Barracks, Abingdon Fire Station and the Princes Trust joined staff, parents and neighbours to clear the site, and local businesses contributed compost, wildflower turf, a bug hotel and hard landscaping. Nearly all the garden’s plants have been donated by well-wishers in local churches.
Carswell Sensory Garden
The garden will be used as an outdoor classroom by Key Stage 1 children at the school, for Science, Literacy and R.E.

Designed by teacher Katie David and Rosemary Perrow from TrinityLearning, the garden has winding paths and a rainbow seat, leading on to a dark/light path, where children can discuss the journey of life. The children have planted bulbs and woven a willow shelter to emphasise their role in the community. Many of the school’s children have parents serving at nearby Dalton Barracks and The Forces Covenant provided a Community Award in recognition of the garden’s other role – a place of quiet and reflection for children going through difficult times.

Thanks to Rosemary for update reports and this final report and pictures.