Abingdon News No. 60

22 April 2022 Abingdon Development Abingdon’s annual Foundation Dinner was back on Friday 11 March after a Covid- enforced absence. Over 100 guests came together in the presence of both our Abingdon Foundation Headmasters, Mike Windsor and Craig Williams. The theme for the night was ‘Building the Future’, with each Head speaking on their school’s latest headlines and looking to the future, before everyone moved from the CMR to a transformed dining room for a celebratory dinner. During dinner, Chair of Governors Mike Stevens (OA 1968), spoke movingly of how, just as we have begun to learn to live with Covid, we face a new challenge in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. He reiterated the importance of holding onto our core values; the importance of remaining sensitive to the needs of others; and how the world works best when respect is mutual. After thanking all those present for supporting Abingdon’s partnership and bursary programmes, he went on to welcome OA Henry Carter (2006) as our guest speaker. Henry spoke passionately about his time at Abingdon, how it led to studying Music at Oriel College, Oxford and the support his family received at Abingdon by way of a bursary when it was most needed. Henry’s experience at Abingdon influenced his subsequent decision to become a regular giver to our bursary campaign and to become a member of the 1563 Society. If you would like more information about how you can support our Seven years to change a life campaign please email Alexa Broad or Harriet Alderman in the Development Office: [email protected] [email protected] - or telephone on 01235 849107. It is also easy to make an online donation by visiting the ‘Support Us’ page at: “I have been enormously impressed by the hard work and dedication from the Headmaster and School Community, in championing this impressive campaign that will have a transformative effect on so many young people’s lives.” Henry Carter OA 1563 Society We are looking forward to welcoming our legacy society members back to lunch at Abingdon on 18 June 2022. If you would like to find out more about the1563 Society please contact Harriet Alderman [email protected] Spotlight on supporters We asked Richard and Natasha Ginks to tell us in a nutshell, why they chose to support the School. What is your relationship with the Abingdon Foundation? Former parents - we’ve had two boys at Abingdon Jake (OA 2021) and Will (OA 2019). What were your reasons for wanting to support bursaries at Abingdon? Our boys loved Abingdon and they have always felt very lucky to have been able to go there. We wanted to support other children, whose parents don’t have the financial capacity to send them to Abingdon, to be able to go to the School and benefit in the same ways our boys have. Why did you decide to support our 7 years to change a life bursary campaign with your gift? We supported the 7 years to change a life campaign because the time frame suits our financial situation at the moment. We also like the idea that a pupil’s bursary is secure for the duration of their senior education. We feel that the outreach of the bursary campaign is broad and works hard to ensure that pupils from many different situations are able to find out about the scheme and apply. And for a bit of fun! What piece of music would you take to your Desert Island? The Waterboys - This is the Sea. Foundation Dinner returns to Abingdon once more - celebrating the support of our community abingdon.org.uk/support-us/donate-online