16 Abingdon Prep • September 2022 KATIE SMITH For a long time, one phrase adorned the wall of a display in the hall: ‘We CDT’ This simple statement encapsulates the feeling of so many so well. Maybe it is worth asking ourselves why? • Is it because of the variety and number of activities undertaken - from siege towers to emoji cushions? • Is it because of the pride in seeing pupils’ work displayed for all to see? • Is it because of the Other Half clubs where pupils further hone their skills? • Is it because of the Bazaar games so many have got to make in the past? • Is it because of the whole school projects we have undertaken? The answer to all is a resounding YES! There is one key reason underpinning them all which is simply: Katie. For fourteen years, her talent, commitment, enthusiasm, organisation, creativity, passion, kindness and good humour have AbingdonPrep News is the newsletter of Abingdon Preparatory School, Josca’s House, Kingston Road, Oxford OX13 5NX Tel: 01865 391570 www.abingdon.org.uk/prep Editor: Annabel Gaskell Abingdon School is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales Company No. 3625063. Registered Office: Abingdon School, Park Road, Abingdon, OX14 1DE Registered Charity No. 1071298 STAFF TOM ETTRIDGE Tom joined us soon after school as a Gap Student staying on for three years. He has made a huge impact, not just with the children, but everyone he comes into contact with. He has been involved with many aspects of school life, and made a big contribution during the lockdowns to keyworker school. Naturally, he is a superb sportsman himself, particularly excelling at cricket. It has been a pleasure to work FOND FAREWELLS KYLE TAPPAN Kyle joined us from The Oratory School as a fresh faced and enthusiastic young man who had a great sporting pedigree. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Kyle for numerous games sessions and he has always been a delight to work with. He showed super rugby refereeing confidence made it the subject so many people love, having such an impact on those she has taught. It is not just current pupils of APS who love CDT. Katie has been the school’s Partnerships Coordinator, going into local primary schools to work on CDT projects to encourage their love of the subject too. Former APS pupils also recall their time in the CDT room fondly, including the dispute between brothers over whose salad servers were the best—both sets are treasured to this day. Her pupils have gone on to build furniture and sheds using the skills acquired through her lessons. We wish Katie all the very best for a craftfilled and happy early retirement, and thank her for all she has done. Rachel Pairman with Tom. We wish him all the best as he pursues his Open University degree. I hope that one day he will return to the teaching profession, as it needs people like him. Richard Sutton and his demonstration kicking (spiralling the ball miles) rather put me to shame, and he has really helped our children develop their knowledge and skills on the sports field. Thank you, Kyle, for sharing your knowledge and expertise with Abingdon Prep, you have been a great asset to us over the year. We wish you all the best with your university degree and sporting future. Craig Williams HELEN TYNAN Helen arrived at our school four years ago to take up a part-time teaching role in the Science Department, bringing a huge smile, a sense of fun, a real passion for reading and a love of running with her too, moving into Pre-Prep the following year. As an avid reader, we will never forget her passion for the Mini Grey books and how excited she was when the author joined us at school. Everywhere in the classroom random objects, such as boxes of tissues were labelled with evil names that could then be added to stories the children wrote after that visit. Helen has shared her love for teaching, brought a sense of awe and wonder to the classroom and warmly nurtured the children in Pre-Prep. Alongside this, she has been studying for her Masters Degree (recently completed), competed in triathlons and has been planning her wedding! Helen, we send you huge congratulations for all that you have achieved and wish you the very best for your next adventure. Linda Gaskell LIL PULLEN Many of you have been lucky enough to work closely with Lil over the last few years. I first met her at interview and had high hopes for her smiling and friendly personality. She is also fun, as demonstrated by the 1:1 lesson she gave that day, all done in Lego, and the pupil learnt a lot! She always has energy too! Lil joins in with everything, she cheers you on in your work, in games and generally everything in life. Plus, she can whistle really loudly which is a great skill for playground duty! Lil has been a teacher for all of you but also a teacher for teachers: she is an expert in how children learn and we have learnt from her. The thing with Lil is that she cares: about how you feel and making a difference to that; about your achievements and helping you to reach your targets; and mostly she cares about you being happy and excited about school. We will all really miss you Lil and we wish you great success and happiness in your new role at Radley. Sarah Eastaugh
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