Abingdonian 2017

79 www.abingdon.org.uk Summer Term generosity when we have stumbled, and who have also celebrated with us in moments of triumph. On a personal note, I would like to say a special thank you here to Mr Southwell-Sander who from the very first day of third year has made Abingdon one of the most welcoming places I know, whether it be through his assemblies, chats in his office, or his interpretive dance during the Staff Panto last term. And gratitude last but by no means least for our parents, who have given so much up for us to be here, and supported us at every step. We cannot ever adequately repay this debt. And as we will rightly be reminded many times, we must not forget the distinct privilege we have had - indeed not just for an Abingdon education, but for an education full stop, considering how many millions around the world don’t have even that luxury. So I started by saying this is an ending, but if it is, it is of course also a beginning. We don’t leave all of the baggage we’ve picked up at Abingdon behind - we take our friendships, experiences, and teachers’ frustrated report comments along with us. Whilst entering the real world today might seem less like life in the fast lane and more like life in the oncoming traffic, I cannot wait to see how we all fare. Good luck, and thank you. Jonah Walker, VIDRM Jonah Walker