Abingdonian 2020

91 www.abingdon.org.uk Staff Farewells always be thankful for all their help and support. Emir will return to France to complete his master’s degree. We wish him all the best for the future and hope to see him again soon! Alexandra von Widdern James Taylor Whilst James Taylor has only been at Abingdon for one year it seems much longer due to his previous ties with the school as an OA and Head of School House. James joined Abingdon following his Physics degree at Warwick University and quickly grew into the role as a confident and inspiring teacher. The demands on a new teacher cannot be underestimated - balancing lesson planning, boarding duties and Other Half commitments -but James has taken these in his stride and always been an excellent role model for the pupils in his care. James leaves Abingdon to return to University and complete a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics and I have no doubt that he will very much enjoy going back to play University Ultimate Frisbee. If he decides to return to teaching in the future he will always be very welcome in the Physics Department. Ben Simmons Alix Merrifield Alix Merrifield joined the History Department in September 2019 on a part-time basis to cover for Lucy Moonen’s maternity leave and Helen Wenham’s departure. Alix arrived at Abingdon with a wonderful range of experience both at prep schools and primary schools; this allowed her to offer interesting and varied lessons that were pitched very well to the boys’ interests and abilities. I would suggest that it is accurate to argue that by the end of the year Alix’s name has become a byword for creativity and innovation in the classroom. Although I would usually prefer to avoid cliches, her energy and enthusiasm have genuinely pushed her colleagues to adopt new and exciting ideas. Whether orchestrating a reenactment of the Battle of Hastings in the Charles Maude Room, adeptly carrying out an alliances mission game on the causes of the First World War with the third year boys, or adopting creative role cards to enable first year boys to understand the nuances of the Medieval feudal system better, Alix has always sought to foster the pupils’ enthusiasm and historical imagination. She has also invigorated the Lower School History Club - I have seen cakes and models representing Medieval battlefields, pupils dancing to historical themes, history based songs and raps, digital simulations and so much more that I will ensure future pupils benefit from. She has left a genuine legacy for this club - an impressive feat to achieve in such a short time-frame. I would like to thank her, and a few others in the department I am sure would too, for helping us to hone our own ICT skills, too! Alix is a respected practitioner, and her kind and calm manner has made her a much-liked teacher and an incredibly easy colleague to work with. Nothing has ever been too much to ask. Tim Chase mentored her this year and he attests to her unstinting desire to continually improve her practice. Tim has thoroughly enjoyed their weekly mentor meetings, and says how much of a privilege it has been to discuss educational research, pedagogy, and contend with different schemes of work in the classroom together. Tim has often said how much he has been challenged as a teacher through their conversations, and has been inspired by her meticulous planning, and the admirable care and concern that she has for each and every one of her students. I hope Alix has enjoyed her experience working in the History Department and with the wider school community. Whichever school she next works for will be incredibly lucky to have her. Nick Knowland Pete Summers The national shortage of physics teachers meant that Pete Summers’ plans for enjoying retirement never even got off the ground. Following his ‘retirement’ from the role of Head of Physics at Lord Wandsworth College in Summer 2018, Pete did a term of physics teaching cover at Radley in Michaelmas 2018. In the final week of that term he kindly agreed to come and help us out for two terms at short notice from the start of January. This in itself was a big commitment with a daily commute from Andover. Within a matter of days it felt like he had been in the department for years, cementing himself with the reputation of an excellent teacher and trusted colleague. His friendly and kind nature meant that teachers of all levels of experience have drawn upon his advice, from how to solve difficult physics