Abingdonian 2018

91 www.abingdon.org.uk House Reports in helping to make this happen. The debating competition was especially tough this year and despite some fantastically eloquent and confident presentations, we did not place. In terms of sport, we had a slow start to the year but did win the fencing, football and hockey events in the Lent Term. Our third years were particularly strong in the inter-house athletics competition, as were our rowing squad, and I will look forward to seeing them perform next year in the hope that we pick up more silverware! As per last year, we adopted a house theme each term, which provided a focus for house assemblies and tutor periods. This year the themes were, in term order, determination, curiosity and creativity. Alongside this we had a whole house challenge during the last six weeks of term, which was an opportunity for year groups to mix, and was a huge success. Each team was allocated a country and they could undertake challenges that would gain them points. Challenges included making a dish from that country, taking a team photo with the national flag, doing an assembly or speaking a couple of sentence in the language of their country. Brazil ended up being the winners, and Mr James made the most amazing trophies as prizes. We once again had our annual 5-a-side football and pizza evening to welcome the new third years into the house, and this year we also had a similar sixth form event, which despite not being as well attended, provided some much- needed entertainment on the pitch. Our trip to Rush Trampoline was another well attended social, as were the summer drinks for the parents at the end of the year. At the end of the year we bade a sad farewell to the Upper Sixth, who will be sorely missed. The leavers’ dinner was a lovely occasion, and it was great to see the Heads of House do a presentation in honour of the year group. I am sure that they are going to make a big impact in the world and make a positive impression on everyone they meet. In keeping with the house theme at the time, I read them the following quote from Stephen Hawking as a reminder to stay curious and enjoy learning: “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.” Our successes this year are down to each and every one of the boys getting stuck into helping out. I know that sometimes they do not really want to compete or do an assembly, but they do, and for this I am extremely proud and pleased. Each time they put themselves outside of their comfort zone they are learning something new about themselves, gaining confidence and growing as individuals. Emily O’Doherty