Abingdon News No.55

2 July 2020 During this time of challenge, my touchstone has been the importance of a sense of community. We have all had the chance to reflect on our local communities and the key - and perhaps undervalued - role that many different people play in holding them together, while we have given thanks to those who have dealt directly with the crisis and reflected on the losses of lives and livelihoods that it has led to. In normal times, we’re used to a powerful sense of community around Abingdon, founded on the time we spend together involved in the many different academic and Other Half activities that create the buzz of a busy and purposeful school, underpinned by our pastoral structures. I’ve been delighted that this sense of community has been sustained over the past term of remote working, while at the same time looking forward to the physical return of boys and staff in September; it will be a time of celebration. This edition of Abingdon News captures the creativity and enthusiasm that powered our remote working phase. It includes a couple of longer articles. Our Deputy Head Academic, Graeme May, reflects on the challenge of devising provisional results for our GCSE and A Level candidates while Nick Knowland, Head of History, looks at approaches to the History curriculum in the light of the Black Lives Matter movement. I hope you enjoy reading the magazine and my thanks go to the editorial team for all their hard work. As we approach the end of an extraordinary year, I wish everyone in our community all the very best and hope that a restful and enjoyable summer awaits. Abingdon News Message from the Headmaster 2M spent the weekend of 20/21 June travelling the distance collectively to get them all back to School and home again, to raise money for Cancer Research UK. This included a journey to and from Heathrow Airport for our one boy in lockdown with family overseas. The boys cycled, swam, unicycled, walked and clocked up miles on the tennis court too, allowing many fathers to enjoy spending quality time with their sons on Father’s Day. The target distance was 719 miles, and a fundraising target of £2500 which were both exceeded. Tutor, Mrs McRae, and the boys managed over 750 miles and the parents, siblings and friends supporting them travelled over 925 miles. The boys’ giving page has raised over £3000 with Giftaid. Back to School Challenge