AN47

www.abingdon.org.uk 21 Abingdon Parents’ Association In support of Abingdon School’s Annual Fund, ASPA and SUS (Second-hand Uniform Shop) are delighted to be contributing towards a number of exciting school-wide projects enhancing the academic, extra-curricular and pastoral activities and opportunities for students. Pictured below is Marilyn Moore of SUS with James Golding and Abingdon students with the Merlyn Bowling Machine. This is a ground-breaking training machine (fully funded by SUS) which helps young cricket players develop their batting skills and confidence against spin bowlers, and is the same as those used by England and international cricket players. The projects benefiting from ASPA and SUS this year are: • Merlyn Bowling Machine (cricket) • Virtual Reality ‘Open Casket’ Computer (GCSE Computing, Computing Club, Design & Technology Activity Groups) • Developing Resilience and Wellbeing through Sport (whole school) • 2 x Tensile Testing Rigs (Physics) • 1 x Analog Film Enlarger (Art department & Photography Club) • SLA Technology ‘formlab’ 3D Printer (Design & Technology) www.abingdon.org.uk/aspa Ground-breaking initiatives supported by ASPA and SUS Joint ASPA and St Helen’s Burns Night and Ceilidh In January the parent associations of both Abingdon and St Helen and St Katharine (SHSK) co-hosted their first event together at the beautiful grade 2 listed Lains Barn near Wantage. 177 parents enjoyed a festive evening packed with Burns Night entertainment and a Ceilidh. Parents were piped into the dining room by Jamie Miller, fourth year parent at Abingdon, followed by the Selkirk Grace given by Tom Hunnings of SHSK. The dramatic arrival of the haggis piped in by Jamie prefaced an Oscar worthy Toast to the Haggis delivered by Ken Welby (Abingdon and SHSK). Dinner was followed by the Toast to the Lassies (Ken Welby) and the pithy reply from Sharon Cooper Watson, Chair of the PA at SHSK. The evening ended with Ceilidh band Bowreed and the Silent Auction which raised £3000 which will be donated to the Annual Fund at Abingdon School. Thank you to all involved for a truly wonderful evening.