The Abingdonian 2019

101 www.abingdon.org.uk Staff Farewells She really got to know her students on a personal level and listened to their problems and cared about them long before it became fashionable to focus on mental health and wellbeing. Nelly was a boarding tutor in School House, which she very much enjoyed, and started legendary games such as “Mafia”. Her sunny disposition at breakfast had to be seen to be believed. With her own multi-cultural background, coming from Russia and Israel by way of the United States and Ireland, she was able to understand and empathise with many of the difficulties that our overseas boarders face. As a qualified swimming coach she gave a lot of time and effort on the pool side. Her biggest commitment outside the classroom, however, was undoubtedly the science clubs, she ran, both Lower School science club and Middle School engineering clubs. Over many years groups of boys learnt to make rockets, use air pressure to crush drinks cans and even sample their DNA, as well as create lots of explosions. Nelly is undoubtedly something of a science “geek” herself, and she fostered an environment where “Nelly’s nerds” could feel at home, and many of the younger boys would trail her around like a scientific Pied Piper of Hamelin, hoping to learn more or to tell her their tales of scientific endeavour. On Open Morning, she would spend the whole time on the Van der Graaff Generator, dishing out electrics shocks to potential pupils and their parents, until health and safety rules banned it. Her poise and sangfroid as she wrestled the Biology Department snake back into its home on one occasion only fuelled the rumours that she had been trained by the Secret Service. On the Geneva trip she loved visiting Cern and particularly enjoyed sampling Swiss culture with the fondue restaurant being a highlight. She loved attending the Griffin Ball every year, meeting the parents and saying goodbye to her charges. She leaves us for the sunnier climate of Dubai, where she is now Head of Physics at Sunmarke International School. John Brooks Andrew English Andrew English has contributed in many ways during his time at Abingdon. Having studied philosophy at Lampeter for his first degree, he gained an MLitt from further study at Oxford. He then retrained to teach mathematics and taught at Reed’s School, Cobham and Emanuel School in South London. Originally recruited to teach the full range of maths sets, coach rowing and contribute to the CCF, during the last 21 years he has also taught Lower School science, general studies philosophy and tutored in Franklin’s for 12 years. Forthright in his dealing with tutees, he pushed them academically and encouraged them to think about ways to improve. He believed that boys should work to improve themselves, rather than for rewards. He encouraged reading and chess playing in tutor periods, and also tried such innovations as teaching them to juggle! His most significant contribution has been to raising the standard of chess at Abingdon. Andrew has been fully committed and hugely enthusiastic, running internal competitions (cups for the Lower, Middle and Upper School and interhouse chess), and taking part in a large number of external competitions: the National Schools Chess Competition, the UK Chess Challenge and the Oxford and District Chess league. He has also made use of the giant chess set and run an annual simultaneous display to generate interest and engagement with chess activities. Working with Grand Master Peter Wells, he has developed a three yearly cycle of puzzles for students to attempt each week, sharpening their tactical skills. His dedication, energy and enthusiasm have been greatly appreciated by the boys and chess has certainly flourished in his time at the helm. Andrew has now taken early retirement, aiming to complete a book on Wittgenstein’s philosophy of mathematics. David Dawswell, David Franklin and Martin Poon