Abingdon News No.53

6 April 2020 Abingdon News The Sixth Form Team hosted an ‘After Abingdon’ evening for the Lower Sixth from Abingdon and other local schools which introduced boys and their parents to some of the many options available after school. The topics included the UK university application process, what makes a strong application, alternatives to university, a talk on Oxbridge from Dr Katherine Clarke, St Hilda’s College, Oxford, and a panel led by current upper sixth boys reflecting on ‘If I’d known then what I know now’. The latter was particularly well received. Lower School Pool Doubles Tournament A new competition this year has seen first and second year boys pairing for games of doubles on the pool table. After group and knockout stages, a very tense encounter, saw Edward Millbourn (1C) and Oliver Sherratt (2M) narrowly beat Ralph Allen (1C) and Jack Veal (2G). 150 Abingdon and St Helen’s sixth form students and their parents discussed the merits of taking a gap year with a panel of OAs and past St Helen’s pupils. The aim of the evening was to help students make an informed decision about whether or not to take a gap year and to understand what is involved in successfully planning and managing the year. Opera debut Third year Edward Bennett made his opera debut this term with three performances of Amahl and The Night Visitors with Kennet Opera. With several of the cast falling ill at the last minute, Edward was very professional in adapting and worked really hard to make the performance a success. It was a great experience and he received wonderful encouragement from everyone involved. Ancient History comes alive Third year students studying Ancient History got a taste of the realities that a Roman soldier stationed in Britannia might have faced. They visited the Roman Fort of Caerleon in South Wales to see the remains of the barrack blocks where the soldiers lived, the amphitheatre that provided them entertainment, and the bath houses where they enjoyed some of the comforts of Roman civilisation. Interested in a Gap Year? After Abingdon