Abingdon News No.55

24 July 2020 Abingdon Development As you can see from the impact summary here, Abingdon’s community gives incredible support to all areas of school life and we are grateful for your generous donations and for the time you have given. Thank you: • to our parent community who run the Music Society, Touchliners, FASBC, Football and Hockey Committees and our uniform shop. Your commitment enables Abingdon boys to experience the rich and varied Other Half activities on offer. • to the OAs who provide friendship, careers support and a lifelong network to Abingdon leavers. • to our donors , whose committed support is making it possible for us to widen access to an Abingdon education for more boys. Thank you also to those parents who have chosen to support hardship bursaries for current Abingdon families during this pandemic. • to everyone who donated in advance of our first Abingdon Giving Day which was scheduled to take place on 18 March but unavoidably postponed. We are delighted to advise that this event will happen later in the year and we look forward to sharing the date with you shortly. 19,000 pupil experiences More than 980 hours of volunteering for careers guidance events over £413,000 of individual donations 13 members of staff volunteer as school governors in their communities From September 2020 59 boys* (6%) on bursaries including 16 full bursaries 50 legacies pledged More than £48,000 raised for external charities by pupils and staff Interim Impact Report Summary September 2018 - June 2020 £225,000 of pledged legacies and grants *towards our goal of 105 bursary places (10%) Until we meet again - thank you virtually 1563 Society Lockdown Afternoon Tea, Friday 3 July - together yet apart 1563 Society members were treated to a cream tea at home, supplied by local UK businesses close to their homes. Lockdown has meant frustrations and social isolation for many, chatting to our members we have heard of missed times with grandchildren and the company of other people. We also heard stories of kind neighbours and devoted sons and daughters, bringing supplies and a smile to those most vulnerable. We look forward to sharing photos of our lockdown 1563 Society tea. At this time of year we usually enjoy thanking in person many of you who support Abingdon over the school year. Whilst COVID-19 has prevented this, you can still hear the Headmaster giving his annual Garden party address here . As the great lady said, ‘we’ll meet again’.