School News From the Second Master he 2022–2023 academic year began with the formal opening of the new buildings at Abingdon Preparatory School (APS), providing a brand new music school, second science lab, purpose-built CDT room and new classrooms for its Year 5 and 6 pupils. During the year, a new temporary sports pavilion was built close to the bridge at APS, improving the changing space and hospitality for all the teams and visitors out at Cox’s Fields. On the day of writing this article, the crane was being taken down from Abingdon School’s new Pavilion – the extension to the Amey Theatre foyer – to provide dining and hospitality space. The two boarding house extensions to Crescent and Austin (formerly Waste Court), will provide substantially enhanced facilities for boarding and day students. The King’s Coronation was marked by another CCF parade organised by a sixth former, with a school barbeque at lunchtime and celebratory cake at 4pm. Shortly before the Upper Sixth departed for study leave, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) visited both Abingdon School and APS. The reports continued the pattern of the last two decades of making very complimentary comments, focussing this time on students’ achievement and personal development. Investment in the facilities on the campus has been bearing fruit, with increased numbers choosing art for A-level. Departing staff have now returned to pre-COVID numbers. Very recent OAs will recall the contributions made by this summer’s staff leavers: Alice Perry, Mike Davies, Tim Chase, Katherine Burrows, Raquel Fraile, Joe McDonnell, Richard Jackson and Pete Bignell. Despite the interruption of COVID, Pete Bignell, Director of Sport, has ensured there are now significant numbers of students representing the school at weekends across a broader range of sporting activities. Elliot Birkbeck transferred to APS to be Director of Sport and Michael Stinton, Director of Music retired. Current students continue to benefit greatly from the input of OAs of various vintages as they think about their professional lives beyond Abingdon, and it has always been a pleasure to welcome OAs back to school. David Dawswell Second Master July 2023 T GRIFFEN 2024 | 10
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