Abingdon News No.56

22 January 2021 Abingdon Development We were delighted to be able to invite those in Abingdon’s legacy society to a virtual tea party on Friday 3 July. As we were unable to invite members of the 1563 Society to Abingdon for our annual gathering, we thought we’d bring tea to them. Those who live near Abingdon had their tea delivered by Harriet and Alexa from the Development Office and some members added a bottle of fizz to their delights! If you would like to find out more about the work of the 1563 Society, please contact Harriet Alderman in the Development Office. Afternoon Tea for the 1563 Society Abingdon’s Giving Day Support our growing bursary programme We are delighted to let you know that our first ever Giving Day, originally planned for March 2020, has now been rescheduled and will take place on 3 and 4 February 2021. Abingdon’s Giving Day is a 30- hour digital fundraising and awareness campaign. The ambition of Abingdon Foundation is to double the number of bursaries we offer and Giving Day is a very important step in raising awareness and support for this aim. We want to inspire the whole Abingdon community to get behind this initiative - save the date - it all starts at 10am on Wednesday 3 February. If you would like to be an ambassador and help share our messages, inspire others to give on the day by becoming a matched funder or would like more information please visit: www.150givingday.abingdon.org.uk or contact Harriet Alderman, Development Manager, at [email protected] Tel: +44(0)1235 849107 . Spotlight on supporters We asked two of our Abingdon families to tell us, in a nutshell, why they choose to support the school. Gill and James Bowen What is your relationship with Abingdon School? James is an OA (2019) and I am a former parent. What were your reasons for wanting to donate to Abingdon? Gill - As recognition of an outstanding school; high standards and great values! James - To encourage learning of English and creative writing in particular. Why did you decide to support our growing bursary programme with your gift? We decided to support the bursary programme at Abingdon so that the School could offer more places to bright, talented pupils who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend. We feel that this can only encourage the atmosphere of excellence and challenge promoted by the School and ensure its future development, reputation and success. And for a bit of fun! If you could listen to one piece of music or song what would it be? James: Wagner’s Ring Cycle and Gill: Handel’s Messiah. Terence and Carolyn Libby What is your relationship with Abingdon School? I’m an OA (1961) and former Governor. What makes you want to support Abingdon? I feel that I am fortunate to have attended Abingdon when it was a Direct Grant School, under the inspiring headship of Sir James Cobban, one of the great headmasters of his period. As long term supporters of Abingdon what particularly inspired you to support Abingdon’s partnership programme? I decided to support The Abingdon Partnership programme because it helps the School to maintain and develop its relationships with its local constituency, which was very much a feature of the Direct Grant system. We are delighted at the initiatives which Abingdon School in Partnership (ASiP) has launched with other local schools, not least in non- academic fields and life skills, which is evident, for example, in the provision of music education and peer-led mentoring. It is an important aspect of the charitable mission of the school. Finally, for a bit of fun! If you could listen to one piece of music or songwhat would it be? Carolyn’s choice of music would be the Pie Jesu from Faure’s Requiem and I would choose pieces from the English Folk Song Suite by Vaughan Williams. Giving Day 3-4 February 2021