Abingdon News No.59

4 January 2022 Abingdon News Sir Vince Cable, former Liberal Democrat Leader and Coalition Cabinet Minister, was a guest of the Economics department this term. He visited school to talk about his book, Money and Power . Over 150 staff and students attended including students from neighbouring schools. Rifle Club Captain, Oscar Bennett, receives a new Club Captain board from Will Shorrocks, (OA, 2021). First year griffens First years were set an optional summer challenge of creating a piece of art based on the Abingdon griffen. There were some very imaginative entries that made use of a wide variety of different media - first prize went to Henry Lowe for his very detailed Minecraft rendition. Money and Power Entomology Club Students studied a female dead leaf mantis deroplatys lobata , which is native to south east Asia. It is a deadly ambush predator using amazing camouflage and specially adapted front legs to catch prey. Rifle Club The History Society hosted visiting speaker, Professor Jeremy Black, who gave an entertaining lecture about the Seven Years War and the American Wars of Independence. Lower School Assistants Throughout the term, Lower School Assistants from the Lower Sixth organise a range of indoor and outdoor activities for the younger pupils. Six local schools have formalised their collaborative activities to create the OX14 Learning Partnership which was launched on 19 November with Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon. John Mason, Radley College, Fitzharrys, Abingdon, St Helen and St Katharine, and Larkmead have worked together very successfully over the last 5 years. The aim of the partnership is to raise educational aspirations across the OX14 postcode by providing opportunities for students and staff to be challenged, inspired and learn from each other. OX14 Learning Partnership