Abingdon News No. 57

2 April 2021 We all heard the news on 4 January that we’d been dreading; another period of lockdown, another spell of remote working. Once again though, the Abingdon community collectively brushed itself down, took a deep breath and launched itself back into online lessons, assemblies, tutor periods and Other Half. A highlight of this third lockdown was our Giving Day, which celebrated the 150 years since we moved to our current site next to Albert Park. Coordinated from the eerily empty school site, various 150-related challenges served to bring our global community together, such as 150 bicep curls from Hong Kong, keepie-uppies from gardens in Oxfordshire, sit-ups from bedrooms in Berkshire, and so on. I was thrilled to be able to get events underway by ringing the School bell in Big School for the traditional 63 times, before handing over to campanologist supreme Mr Jenkins who took us all the way to 150. The Giving Day was focused on raising funds to support our ambitions for our bursary programme so that we can double the number of students receiving financial assistance. We were delighted with the response and the number of parents, OAs, governors, members of staff and friends of the School who stepped forward to contribute. It sets us firmly on the path to fulfilling our goal of making an Abingdon education available to more young people, regardless of their financial circumstances. Abingdon News Message from the Headmaster At the end of February, ten students took part in the annual Magdalen College School MUN conference online. Abingdon won the Best Delegation Award, for the fourth year in a row, this time representing Japan. Pictured are Robert Sagar and Louis Bhatia receiving their MUN ties for achieving Best Young Delegate Awards. Sixth former, Jonathan Ferry, who has been teaching the third year delegates MUN skills since September, presented the ties. MUN Model United Nations Fourth year Toby Lee turned his DT skills to very good use by making a valuable contribution to a scheme for disabled horse riders. The Happiness Horsebox CIC is designed with a large hydraulic wheelchair lift so disabled people can be transported with their horses (and also use the ramp to mount the horse safely). Toby helped to raise funds to build the horsebox by creating the visuals using CAD to show investors and potential users. CAD skills aid horsebox for the disabled The Lower School Assistants kept in regular contact with lower school pupils during lockdown via Zoom, but it was great to see them back on proper duty in school, organising football and table tennis at lunchtime in the glorious sunshine. Back at school in the sunshine Congratulations to music scholar, Oliver Simpson, who took part in the Rodolfus Choir’s virtual Christmas celebration, which was broadcast nationally on YouTube in December. The Rodolfus Foundation is a charitable organisation that gives choral opportunities to talented young singers on the brink of a choral award or prior to a professional career. Rodolfus Choir