Abingdon Impact Report 2019-2022

T H E A B I N G D O N F O U N D AT I O N | 1 8 he pandemic presented a challenge to the Community Service programme as we were suddenly unable to visit hospitals, primary schools, care homes and charity shops. However, the students were keen to find opportunities to keep our relationships with the local community alive. They wrote letters to residents, delivered afternoon tea boxes to care homes, created board games for primary school pupils and filmed a video of Abingdon’s green spaces to aid the rehabilitation of patients on the Stroke Ward at Abingdon Community Hospital. As the restrictions were lifted, we found that our bonds with the community were as strong as ever. We were welcomed back to the lounges of assisted living residences and our students were as delighted as the residents to participate in quizzes and share the cakes and cookies that they had baked at School. We have received lovely emails praising the work of our students at the British Heart Foundation and Acacia UK charity shops. Even our students’ gravel shovelling skills have been complimented by the gardening team at St Ethelwold’s, where a band of students have been helping to keep the beautiful gardens in trim. We have developed a very good link with the St Ethelwold’s team over the last couple of years and now some of our students are also helping some Syrian refugees with their IT skills there. Another highlight for our pupils has been inviting local residents to our termly tea parties, renowned for their tricky quiz and lively raffle. Our students gain a tremendous amount from volunteering in the community and are delighted when they see the impact their work has on the lives of people both young and older, who live in Abingdon. Victoria Middleton Supporting Our Community And Finally... a few words from our Chair of Governors “Simply put, Abingdon is a school centred around community…”. This quote from one of our current Upper 6th pupils, who has been in receipt of a bursary to support his time at Abingdon (see page 3), encapsulates so much of the purpose and impact of the work of the Abingdon Foundation. Supported by the generosity of many past and present members of the Abingdon community, and by others, we are proud of our growing bursary programme; of our work in partnership with other schools; of our focus on mental health and wellbeing; and of the breadth and scale of our academic and Other Half offerings. The skill and commitment of our staff, matched by the ability, enthusiasm and determination of our students, characterises the vibrant life of the School and allows the positive energy so evident in this report to extend in and across our wider community. By giving, and giving back, our students and OAs are proud and committed ambassadors for an Abingdon education as a wider force for good. As an OA myself, and now Chair of the Governing Body, I am delighted to support the Foundation as a legator and, through my membership of the 110 Club, the Seven years to change a life bursary campaign. I hope this Impact Report will stimulate you to consider helping the further development of our ambitions for the future too. Professor Michael Stevens (OA 1968) Chair of Governors T