Abingdon News No.50

Team Maths Challenge A team of second and third years competed in the Team Maths Challenge at the Oxford University Mathematical Institute, against 20 other teams from schools across Oxfordshire. The team was held to a commendable second place in a strong field, and enjoyed tackling a wide range of brainteasing puzzles and problems. Gaming and Social Media Addiction Cam Adair, an international speaker on gaming and social media addiction, gave a very thought-provoking talk to the Sixth Form. The boys found his talk hugely informative as he drew on his own personal experience to explain how many aspects of gaming and social media are designed to keep you hooked. Thought-provoking blogs from the Abingdon Community From the Headmaster’s “Confidence not Swagger” - in reply to The Times, to “Flinging wide the automatic gates - a time for partnerships?”, the School Blog takes a look at the latest views and opinions from the Abingdon community. The wide-ranging contributions make for very interesting reading and are posted fortnightly during term time at: abingdon.org.uk/school_blog Around 80 guests enjoyed the Music in the Community group, delicious chocolate cupcakes, a challenging quiz and eclectic raffle prizes at this term’s Easter tea party. Easter Tea Party Charlotte Higgins, the chief culture writer for the Guardian, gave a talk to classicists from Abingdon and other local schools, plus a few OAs, titled ‘ In the Labyrinth: Catullus, Ovid and Titian ’. The Guardian talks to Classicists Abingdon News Fifth year Freddie Nicholson is celebrating his selection as a Google Grand Prize Winner in the global tech giant’s annual international competition for young coders, Google Code-in 2018. As a prize winner, Freddie will visit the Google headquarters and enjoy some Californian sunshine this summer. Freddie faced tough competition with 3,124 students from 77 countries taking part in the contest. Only 54 Grand Prize Winners were selected. In total the UK had six Grand Prize Winners, behind India which topped the table with 18 and the US with nine. 10 French Debating Competition Sixth formers Henry Pickess and Jimmy Strainge debated three testing motions: the banning of Western social media in China, the morality of worldwide meat consumption and the effects of the global dominance of the English language. Both boys debated fiercely against strong opposition including Radley, Cheltenham and Downe House, winning two out of their three debates and finishing joint winners of their group. Google Champion