The Abingdonian 2019

5 www.abingdon.org.uk ‘Think like an artist’. This was the challenge that was thrown down by Will Gompertz, BBC Arts Editor, when he visited Abingdon for the official opening of Beech Court in the Michaelmas Term of 2018. In a highly entertaining speech, he invited us all to engage with the process of turning ideas into reality and to learn from the great artists as we do so. His speech captured the spirit of Beech Court. I hope our art students will be inspired to new flights of imagination by their surroundings and by the views from the top floor. We certainly saw some remarkably original work from our A Level and GCSE artists at the Celebration of the Arts in the summer. The library represents the intellectual heart of the School and it’s been great to see pupils taking full advantage of the facilities, working silently or collaboratively, or finding spaces to take time to read more widely. The Sixth Form Centre has not just provided important spaces for socialising and relaxing but also for intensive study and consultation with our wider sixth form team, including Careers and University support. With its sense of purpose and buzz, Beech Court stands as a useful microcosm of the School as a whole. 2018-19 was an exciting year which saw Abingdonians display their customary commitment, dedication and flair. I was particularly delighted that the establishment of Abingdon School in Partnership, under the leadership of Robin Southwell-Sander, provided so many exciting and meaningful opportunities for our students to collaborate with their peers in local maintained schools. The year was also marked by a renewed commitment to developing the wellbeing of both students and staff under the leadership of the Rev. Gooding. 2018-19 also saw exciting developments in teaching and learning under the direction of Mrs Reading and her team. It’s great that the events of the year are captured so colourfully in these pages and I hope you’ll enjoy reflecting on everything that made these 12 months so enjoyable and successful. It takes an enormous amount of time and dedication to put together a publication of this quality so I am very grateful to Mr Jenkins and the editorial team for everything they have done. Michael Windsor Head’s Foreword