Abingdon News No.54

2 May 2020 What are the positives that you have taken from the coronavirus outbreak? Appreciating not only what other people do, NHS staff, care workers, delivery drivers, supermarket employees – the people who keep our communities going, but also the simple things in life. I have been struck by the kindness in the community. How friendly people are to each other. I’ve enjoyed spending time with my family and not being out in the evenings as much. We are not doing anything remarkable; just having meals together, family quizzes, simple things. But it has given us a chance to connect. We lead very busy lives, perhaps too busy, and the lockdown has given us a chance to reset. What have you learnt from the negatives? Being forced to work remotely has opened up the technological opportunities that are out there, I am sure we can use what we have learnt going forward. The lack of human contact has made us realise how precious our communities are and how much we need the support that they give. It is something to be valued and nurtured. Perhaps we had begun to take for granted the privileges of being able to travel, social occasions, families, sporting fixtures, an abundance of food on supermarket shelves. I think we will look at everything differently and appreciate how fortunate we are. In hindsight, would the School have done anything differently? I am not complacent but I think we were prepared. An enormous amount of work went into the weeks leading up to closure from just about every department. It was five days from having everyone being in school to closure so everything happened very quickly. With hindsight, perhaps we should have seen what was coming earlier? What are you most proud of in the way the School reacted? The collaboration and mutual support. The sense of community. What would you say to our 2020 leavers? My heart goes out to them. They have not been able to finish this chapter in their lives in the same way as previous Abingdonians. They have worked hard and deserve the recognition. When the situation allows, the School will find a way to celebrate what they have achieved. They will always stand out as a year group; a special set of OAs. But they are not alone, there have been disappointments for many, Olympiads, graduates, businesses, job seekers, the list goes on. But we have to keep perspective and consider the tragic losses that have touched many families. The lockdown saved lives. Will school life change when we return? The return will no doubt be challenging, people are understandably anxious and social distancing in schools has difficulties. Fixtures, trips and events are going to take planning so, yes, school life will change but I have no doubt that the character and determination of staff and boys will come to the fore. What effect has the lockdown had on the boys’ education? The boys have been amazing in how they have adjusted. I am very impressed. It’s also testament to the quality of our teaching. I don’t think the boys’ education will have suffered and they will have learnt new skills and the discipline to work more independently. Have you learnt any new skills? Personally, I have been experimenting with Charlie Parker scores on the double bass. Originally written for the saxophone, they are tricky, but worth it. I have also had some time to read and I’m currently enjoying Joseph Roth’s novel , The Radetzky March , about the decline and fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Another good read was A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I’d also thoroughly recommend the Flemish “Stay at Home Museum” – take a look, it’s on YouTube. I now know a lot more about Jan van Eyck, Bruegel and Rubens! Will you change anything about how you live your life? I suspect we will all emerge with a better appreciation of what’s important. The non-material things: interaction with people, bird song, nature, spring – things that we can overlook in ‘normal’ life. Globally I think the need for business travel will decline, office working will become less of a norm perhaps. Benefits could be a rejuvenation of our city centres and better use of spaces. What are you most looking forward to post-lockdown? A pint in a pub! Oh, and of course, seeing my mother! Abingdon News Craig Williams, Headmaster of Abingdon Prep School, gives his reflections on the coronavirus outbreak in Abingdon Prep News. Life in Lockdown At the end of the Lent term, as schools across the UK were closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Michael Windsor tweeted that ‘this has been the most difficult term of my career’ . We ask him for his reflections on what will become a memorable part of the School’s history. Fortunately, I’m a good sleeper but I have to admit that the night following the school closure announcement, I was a bit restless! “ ”