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www.abingdon.org.uk 3 Abingdon News Congratulations to Jamie Farrow in the Upper Sixth, who has won a place as a tenor in the prestigious National Youth Choir of Great Britain. The second years travelled to Bath to visit the remains of Aquae Sulis, setting for many of the stories they are currently studying in the Cambridge Latin Course. They explored the baths and the temple complex, as well as reading some of the Latin inscriptions on tombstones and defixiones (curse tablets). The trip ended with the opportunity to taste the water of the sacred spring - an experience which was not universally enjoyed! Bellringers pass the test Third years Francesco Bartolini and Joe Nicholas passed Level 1 of the ART Learning the Ropes bellringing course. Having started from scratch in September, they have both made excellent progress and are now able to ring confidently as part of a group. In the prestigious National Schools Chess Championship, Abingdon narrowly defeated a strong Horris Hill team, coached by Grandmaster Nicholas Pert, to reach the regional final, where they will face last year’s national runners up Reading Grammar School. Abingdon’s team was Ray Ren, Joseph Truran, Jeff Abraham, Jerry Yang, Thitipat Ditrungroj and Richard Oh. Ray, Jerry and Thitipat have also been battling for Abingdon in the Oxford and District Chess League, improving with every encounter against tough local opposition. Chess Exploring Latin Under Starter’s Orders The 2017 Road Relay gets underway with nearly 600 boys, staff and OAs competing.