Abingdonian 2018

101 www.abingdon.org.uk Staff Farewells boys here worked hard for him. He was also soon immersed in a variety of other endeavours - he was master in charge of badminton, a sport that seemed to have an unusually large number of fixtures at the time. He also ended up subbing in for various musical ventures with a memorable tour of Barcelona being the highlight. In fact, he constantly seemed to be helping out on trips and visits. He had inherited the hemlock cup that was the annual history trip to Berlin from a very relieved Ed Davies and it was typical of James that it was so well organised despite its complexity and various stresses. James also helped out in the boarding house and would often have the whole house he was tutoring in round for dinner and a film. He was always generous to a fault, going far beyond what was expected of him. A particular highlight for James from this time would be a languages trip to the Rhineland with the second years who were allowed no mobile devices but expected to behave on a 19 hours coach journey. I think this trip tested his normal stoic resolve but he still went on it again the following year. James now heads off to another public school with language and customs similarly impenetrable to his Alma Mater - Winchester College is after all a school that calls its teachers dons, drawing an entirely spurious parallel between being a teacher in a public school and being a professor at one of the best universities in the world. We wish him well. David McGill Jane Mansfield Jane bought her house on Bath Street before she knew Abingdon School even existed, long before she came to cover a maternity absence here 12 years ago, decided to stay at the school, and became Head of French. How Jane has maintained her energy over those 12 years is a mystery. She may be the only person who can actually multitask effectively. Her flexibility and willingness to adapt continued to show after meeting Mr Mansfield, at the time a Design and Technology teacher at Abingdon: she left her comfort zone to go on hikes, motor- bikes and ski slopes. Whatever Jane starts, she does with full commitment, and her recent taking-up of running is only one example. She has not only turned into a very good runner, but is also willing to give up her time to marshal smaller and larger races within the community. She was also keen to encourage the boys to give back to the community, running the third year services scheme at Abingdon for many years. All third years not involved in CCF will, no doubt, fondly remember their Tuesday afternoons. Jane’s influence on the Modern Languages Department cannot be overestimated either. After many years of teaching, you would still never find her entering a classroom without a meticulously planned and resourced lesson or thoroughly marked books. Her energy in lessons would stir even the most lethargic third year boy into action – even post-sport! There was no question that she put the boys and their achievements first. Old Abingdonians praise her unwavering support, commitment and enthusiasm for her subject. When she handed over the French Department in 2017, it was obvious how fastidiously she had organised and run the department. As a long-standing examiner and moderator, she is a treasure trove of knowledge on everything IGCSE related, which the exam board recognised by sending her jet-setting round the world to train other teachers. As a colleague, the Modern Languages Department will miss her the most as she leaves us for a well-earned retirement. This is not only because of her teaching expertise, her outstanding resources, her willingness to listen and give advice, her offer of a shoulder to cry on or a room for stranded colleagues, but mainly for her hilarious sense of humour. Alexandra Widdern George Moody George Moody joined the school in 2003 and has been Head of Religious Studies ever since. He has overseen the development of a strong and creative department and played an important role in the introduction of philosophy A level, an increasingly popular choice among sixth formers. George has also strengthened the philosophical component in the religious studies curriculum lower down the school. George is appreciated by his students for the clarity, conviction and creativity of his teaching while his colleagues have valued his collaborative, caring and compassionate leadership. George served for a number of years Jane Mansfield