Abingdonian 2018

89 www.abingdon.org.uk House Reports equally memorable. Inter-house sports were less so (save for David Harding’s badminton victory). Debating was strong though, with Teds Woodfin and Smethurst making the third year semi-final, Samuel Miles and James Gibson contesting the fourth year final, and Tom Mills and debutant Tom Batchelor (stepping in for Howard Hawkes) winning the sixth form final in front of some 300 people. These successes represent a collective effort, with tutor groups coming together to prepare motions (a reminder of how strong our tutor team is - something I am continuously grateful for), and our supporters always outnumbering the opposition. This togetherness made Lent perhaps my most enjoyable term in charge of the house to date (that and the snow day!). In the summer, revision ‘nests’ came and went in the house study room, and goodbyes were said to the Upper Sixth at a leavers’ dinner – a convivial occasion, and one which I will remember fondly. James’s was very well represented at Prizegiving, with Howard Hawkes, Joseph O’Shea, Jack Bevan, Max Carter-Keall and James Hogge amongst the recipients – recognition of contributions which stretch the full gamut, from services, through elite sporting performance, to intellectual endeavour. Further success came in the Middle School with David Harding being nominated for a prestigious Arkwright scholarship, and Freddie Nicholson being selected from over 23,000 students for the Cyber Start Elite Camp for up and coming cyber security experts. And before we knew it, the end of term was upon us. In the penultimate week of term, every available member of the house contributed to an overall third place in inter-house athletics, where the Middle School boys excelled at lobbing things – discus and shot victories for Youssef O’Sullivan and Karum Sangha respectively, and third year George Owen throwing the javelin further than any other member of the school! – and the sixth formers proved quick on their feet – Richard Oh (100m), Tom Mills (400m) and Jacob Henney (800m) winning their events, before our relay team of Richard, Jacob, Billy Haist, and Howard Hawkes stormed to victory. Strong inter-house performances were also seen on the basketball court, golf course and croquet lawn. Just as pleasing, probably more so, was the burst of productivity from our fourth years, who proceeded to raise £57 for our house charity (Confident Children out of Conflict) and redecorate the front of the houseroom, in spite of energy-sapping temperatures. Whilst the earlier parts of term were characterised by individual accomplishments, these final days of the year were very much about collective achievement. The efforts of Thomas Rolfe, James Gibson and Freddie Nicholson (not to mention Mrs Reading!) with the cake sale, and Hugo Leedham (supported by Freddie, James and Harry Batchelor) with the painting, rather summed up what it can mean to be part of a house here at Abingdon: the opportunity to have an ambitious idea, and through collective effort see it to fruition and in so doing, make the world a slightly better place. Simon James