GRIFFEN 2024 | 11 ummer 2023 marked the end of an era as David Dawswell stepped down from his role as Second Master. David was appointed to Abingdon as Head of Maths by Michael St John Parker (Headmaster 1975-2001), and he subsequently served as Deputy Head (Academic) before Mark Turner (Headmaster 2002-2010) promoted ichael Stinton came from St Paul’s to be Director of Music 36 years ago. The 1997 history of the school – The Martlet and the Griffen – already attributed much success to Michael and his predecessor, as they sought to use the new Amey Theatre, but much has happened since. The music department were early adopters of IT in the late 1980s, and musicians then included members of Radiohead. In 1993, the first House him to Second Master in 2007. He supported Felicity Lusk (Head 2010- 2016) in this role for six years, before I arrived as Head in 2016. I have felt enormously fortunate to have David as my right-hand man during my time at Abingdon. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the School and if there is ever a tricky question to be answered, it rarely takes long before someone suggests: ‘Has anyone asked David?’ He is of course well-known for his little black book; once something is in the book, there can be no doubt that it will happen. David inspires great loyalty and affection amongst both pupils and colleagues, not least because of the care and consideration he shows, always going the extra mile to ensure others can give their best. He has been a valuable visible presence for the Senior Leadership Team, showing Singing competition was introduced, later dropped, but is now a constant component of the first half of the Michaelmas Term, with accompanying bands. Since the millennium the facilities have twice been expanded, as demand for individual lessons and small ensemble work has grown and been sustained. From a terrapin hut attached to the back of the Amey Theatre, via a temporary department housed on the grass tennis courts, the music department now occupies all of the ground floor, and much of the first floor, of the Amey Arts Centre. Michael has been committed to achieving high standards, insisting this is only accomplished by pupil attendance at rehearsals, by students having every opportunity to enjoy playing together, and by performing in the many small solo concerts and competitions which happen both during the daytime and in the evenings. enthusiastic and exemplary support for the vast array of events that take place as part of our Other Half provision. He has also provided Heads with wise counsel, playing a critical role in shaping the direction of the school over the past years. He has always ensured that the focus has remained on the experience of the pupils, managing the requests of the School Council with patience and acting as a strong advocate for them. We are fortunate that David will continue to teach Maths at Abingdon; we should not overlook the fact that he is first and foremost a superb teacher. I know my predecessors and colleagues share my gratitude for everything that David has done for the school. He will be a tough act to follow. Michael Windsor Michael introduced the overseas tours, the Joint Choir with SHSK, and it was under him that the Big Band was formed and that jazz was introduced. In fact, the music department expanded hugely both in the instruments taught and the number of pupils involved. It has, of course, produced some very fine musicians who have won competitions, scholarships and gone on to professional careers in music. Michael’s aims, which he expressed in an early Abingdonian, have been to give the greatest opportunity to the largest number of pupils, to stretch and stimulate the more advanced and gifted and to introduce them all to the joys of performing. We wish him and his wife, Clova, well in their retirement, with exciting plans for music making in France. David Dawswell Tributes to Staff David Dawswell Michael Stinton S M
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