Abingdonian 2018

65 www.abingdon.org.uk Summer Term Morning gents, teachers, parents and family. Today marks an important milestone in our lives, as the 14 years of our school careers draw to a close and we prepare to undertake the daunting prospect of entering into the adult world. When deciding what to talk about in the short moments I have with you this morning, I thought it would be a good opportunity to look back and reflect on what our time at Abingdon has allowed us to do and perhaps more importantly, what it has given us and how it has prepared us to face the challenges of the world today. Over the past few years, we have been lucky enough to attend a school that gives us the opportunity to excel to such a high level in so many different fields. While academic success is at the heart of every undertaking at Abingdon school, it is certainly not the only priority. This has allowed pupils to thrive and flourish, supported by superb facilities and guidance, the quality of which I don’t think many of us will truly appreciate until we have left it all behind. Furthermore, what I have been most grateful for and feel sets the boys at Abingdon apart is the sense of community across all the year groups, which, alongside strong friendship groups, is certainly a part of daily school life. I truly believe that our year as a whole has developed a strong sense of companionship defined by the countless experiences that we have shared over the past two to five years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported us during our time at Abingdon and made our time here both successful and enjoyable. Firstly, the Head and Mr Dawswell, for expertly supporting and guiding the prefect team so that the day to day running of the school could be as efficient as possible. On that note, I would also like to thank the prefect team for their mostly dedicated help in all manner of events over the past year, and Patrick, whose work ethic and dedication are unparalleled. I would also like to thank the teachers for their continued support in both our academic and extra-curricular lives, and most importantly the parents, whose undying support we certainly couldn’t survive without, and probably take for granted. As leavers, we are at a point in our lives in which we are preparing to make some significant decisions, the effects of which will likely determine the direction we initially take in life. For many of us, our future seems certain, whether that’s a gap year or a university place; we are all in the privileged position of having countless opportunities available to us. Yet, while I do not feel it is my place to offer any profound advice regarding the decisions that anyone else will make, it is important to remember that plans change and ideas fail. While some of us perhaps believe that our time at school has not taught us to deal with the challenges that we will inevitably face, I am confident that we will all one day value everything that our time at Abingdon has taught us. It is a place that encourages and thrives off its diversity and individualism. It is a place that produces versatile young men with genuine academic curiosity and a desire to push themselves. It is a place that guarantees a kind and safe environment in which students are free to try, to fail, and to succeed across every aspect of school life. Hard work, selfless commitment and dedication are some of the things that dominate the personalities of the boys at Abingdon. These, I feel, are the key characteristics that every boy sitting in this room has developed through their time at school, and are the skills and experiences that we can hope only to strengthen and build on as we embark on the journey ahead. I wish you all the best for the future. Thank you for listening. Ben Hall, 7DCB