Abingdon News No. 60

www.abingdon.org.uk 5 Abingdon News The Austin House boarders and staff had a wonderful time celebrating the year of the Tiger in February. Decorated with Chinese lanterns and Spring festival carpets, the Sports Centre Hospitality Suite was transformed into a magnificent banqueting hall. It was a lovely evening of celebration and a good excuse to tuck into some truly delicious Chinese food. On Sunday 16 January a group of boarders went to Escape Hunt in the Oxford Westgate Centre, to take part in the challenges of their escape room puzzles. Two groups attempted two separate rooms, and each had an hour to complete it. One group successfully completed The Fourth Samurai with time to spare, while the second group cut it much more fine, completing Escape the Wild West in 59 minutes and 58 seconds! With pizza as a reward, a fun afternoon out was had by all. Escape hunt Boarders celebrate Chinese New Year Abingdon’s Woman of the Year 2022 is … … Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II To mark International Women’s Day, the Junior Equality Diversity and Inclusivity Committee ran a poll amongst students and are delighted to announce that, in her Jubilee year, the Queen topped the poll as our woman of the year. She is recognised for her integrity, her sense of duty and the extraordinary seventy years of service she has given to this country. Her Majesty was closely followed by Emma Raducanu. Nature films to aid rehabilitation Archie Wood and Milo Lennox have been filming and editing videos of the parks and riverside in Abingdon. Their collection of short films will be used to help patients with their recovery at Abingdon Hospital Stroke Unit in collaboration with Oxford Health Arts Partnerships. Dragons Den The Young Enterprise team “Ecocraft” entered the YE online Dragons Den style event in March. The representatives from Ecocraft had to outline their business plan, give a progress update and explain plans for the future. The presentation was conducted via Zoom and the team did well answering several detailed questions. In February, two of our Lower Sixth took part in the annual regional heat of the Joutes Oratoires, a debating competition where teams of pupils from local schools go head to head on a number of controversial topics. Joe and David won their last round where they argued passionately and articulately in French for the motion “Black Friday is a scourge and should be abolished.” Les Joutes Oratoires