APS News No.25

6 July 2020 ABINGDON PREP NEWS My fingers have paused, many times, while trying to write this article about our 2020 leavers. Where to start? For so many years, life has been quite certain for these boys. Their time at Abingdon Prep has been punctuated by the calendar, fixtures, events, trips and a bell that many set their watches by, even though it was the wrong time: it was Abingdon time. Living now in a period of greater uncertainty, their days are dictated by frequent Zoom meetings, inescapable deadlines, and probably at this point in the term by the latest Fortnite update! As I consider the form groups, I cannot escape the associations I have with each of them. Like neighbouring communities, they were similar but had their own distinct qualities. I offer them now, not by way of criticism but as fond memories of a fantastic group of boys. 8M were by far the messiest of the three form groups. You could not be in that room and teach without having a sneaking suspicion that there were traps laid especially for you. Bags strewn across the floor, desks misaligned like a warped jigsaw puzzle, pencil shavings scattered like confetti...and that was just Russell’s area! 8M were so full of chat, so keen to offer ideas and yet so cohesive. While they were always on simmer, ready to bubble over at any given time, they kept you on your toes and were fun to teach. 8A were perhaps the calmest group of Year 8 boys I have ever taught. They played chess in the mornings, drank tea with Anne at break time, and read the FT for fun. Well, they did in my head anyway. In reality they were characterised by good cheer, organisation and good conduct - although I do wonder if they have just been excellent at pulling the wool over my eyes all year! I always enjoyed walking into 8A; they were sparky and interesting to listen to: a genuinely good bunch. As for my own form, 8R, there is much to tell. Yes - they worked hard towards their scholarship exams and they certainly displayed good conduct, but my oh my did they love a good argument. Of course, they called it debate, or more latterly ‘a conversation to sharpen their discourse’, but little was ever sharpened and rarely was anything settled. To bring peace, I offered doughnuts. When this did not work, I did not change my method, I simply offered more, and more and more. In all seriousness, 8R has been excellent company this year. But I too have eaten far too many doughnuts. In closing, I asked the boys to let me know their favourite memories of their time with us and it is no surprise that their friendships and school trips feature strongly. So many of their treasured memories involve the people they have grown up with and their shared experiences. Rugby tournaments in Year 8, the Swanage trip, Bushcraft in Year 6, art and CDT projects, and athletics fixtures are cited time and again. It leaves me convinced that, education aside, what makes a school special is the people and the opportunities. My hope for all of our boys is that they will make the most of their new schools, and that they will forge friendships that really last. Abingdon Prep Class of 2020 by Roger Owen, Head of the Senior Section