Unveiled The Science Fusion Tower www.abingdon.org.uk News | No. 41 Abingdon April 2016 Inspirational is a much overused word but when referring to the Yang Science Centre (YSC) sculpture, unveiled in January, it’s not an exaggeration. The Science Fusion Tower, as it is officially named, was designed and built by sculptor, Matthew Lane Sanderson. Matthew asked the boys to learn for themselves about the many themes incorporated into the sculpture, the Fibonacci sequence, tokamak nuclear fusion, biomass and biodiversity, the Tree of Life - and to consider their The sculpture was made impact on our future. possible by a donation from OA Martin Iredale and family. Abingdon News Felicity Lusk reflects The Abingdon community puts questions to Miss Lusk as she begins her final term at Abingdon. What would you like to be remembered for? Improving the lives of boys and staff, through a combination of things such as ending academic lessons on a Saturday, emphasis on pastoral care, perhaps changing the ethos to be more open. If you had to pick one highlight from your time at Abingdon what would it be? So many highlights, very difficult to pick just one. Perhaps the sixth form leavers singing at their final chapel service each year, it’s lovely to see how much they are moved by the occasion. What tips would you give your Miss Lusk enjoying a game of successor? pool with the Lower School Keep looking at the ‘big picture’. You can’t do everything, so leave the minutiae to What attracted you to Abingdon? Magdalen College School is now others and concentrate on looking ahead Abingdon has ambition; it’s really going following Abingdon’s lead having and adapting to change. places and has enormous potential. I like to appointed a female Head; do you have stimulate change and I felt that there was any tips for the incoming Ms Pike? Of the Headmasters of Abingdon School a lot I could do at Abingdon. It also has a Be a strong leader, be yourself and enjoy it. that have gone before you – who do you most admire and why? strong sense of community. What have you learnt from this headship? Sir James Cobban. He made a huge Such a lot, I am surprised by little these When you got the job at Abingdon there difference to boys’ lives on an individual days. You are very privileged as a Head was much talk about a woman taking basis. Our OAs credit him with making a over – did that surprise you? to be given access to other people’s lives real difference. He poured himself into the Completely – I was very surprised at the and you soon realise that an individual’s school. level of surprise! I really had no idea it well being is so much bigger than passing would be that much of a story. It was a exams in education. If you could start one last project or full time job just managing the interest. development for the school what would What are you going to miss most about it be? Equally though, I was surprised when I got being a Head? Now that would be telling – it may still here, I had expected it to be much more Being part of making things happen, it happen! testosterone filled but it really isn’t. can be quite an adrenaline rush. I also like And all the interest in your clothes etc. – the routine and rhythm of the School and What’s made you smile most about how did you feel about that? seeing the boys completely absorbed in Abingdon? It was all a bit silly, and got very ‘wearing’! what they are doing. Dudley’s Dilemmas in the Martlet*. The boys have a very keen sense of humour! What was it like to deal with boys What won’t you miss? (*Dudley is Miss Lusk’s dog. He is very after 12 years with girls at Oxford Managing difficult parents’ expectations! much a part of school life.) High School? Have you achieved what you set out to Absolutely no different. The only thing achieve six years ago? What’s the funniest thing that has I would say, if pushed, is that girls More. happened to you here? sometimes need more encouragement to There was the mystery of the single trainer Is there anything you failed to do that aim high but the same could be said for that appeared in the most unlikely places you would have liked to? some boys. The pupils are very similar at around Lacies Court and the time when the No. both schools, lively, intelligent, great fun. All Blacks defeated England and my NZ You opened the new YSC to educate flag in the garden was found mysteriously How does Abingdon compare to your the next generation of scientists – if you time at other schools? lowered to half mast. could hope for one of them to go on to Abingdon is just a lot bigger with a huge discover something that would change Do schools have a character? What Other Half programme. It has certainly the world, what would that be? would Abingdon’s be? taught me to prioritise, you cannot do A cure for loneliness, especially for the Yes – civilised, aspirational, surprisingly everything and you have to manage elderly in the UK. gentle and very nice! expectations. 2 April 2016 Abingdon News So now you’re turning the page – What have you missed most about NZ what next? over the years? It’s yet to be written. The smell of the Bush, where I live. Soil, pohutukawa flowers – it’s so evocative Will Dudley be staying? almost ancient, primeval. Come September, I think his position will be filled as well as mine. Do you miss NZ less now than when you first came over? What will Dudley miss most about I’ve never missed home. As my roots Abingdon School? are there, I will always be a Kiwi but I love Senior Leadership Team meetings. He England. knows absolutely everything about what happens here and he is very discreet. Where will you be in ten years? Somewhere having a really good time! Ten What TV will you be catching up on with years is actually not very long, just 3650 your free time? days and time goes so quickly. I have All the Scandinavian dramas – I have not an army of friends to catch up on, more watched one. trekking, being active - health willing - there’s so much I want to do. As a musician, which piece of music Framed extracts from Dudley’s Dilemmas adorn the Head’s office would you take to a desert island Where will Abingdon be in and why? ten years time? If Abingdon was an animal, what would Schubert String Quintet C major, 2nd I pass that mantle over to Mike Windsor! it be? movement adagio. Formidable and A Lhasa Apso, of course. unforgettable, it holds my soul. The ISI’s findings add to an increasing list of independent accolades for Abingdon, including The Week magazine which, in its Best of the Best feature nominated Abingdon as “Great for extra-curricular”. Plus the Tatler Schools Guide 2016, that considered Abingdon to be “most parents’ top choice” of the “excellent schools in Oxfordshire”. ISI found the School to be, “Highly successful in achieving its stated aims in educating boys and young men of talent and potential to a high level.” And we are equally proud of the following findings: An Excellent All-round Education “Every pupil is known as an individual.” “The pupils’ achievements Every school talks about offering an “There is a caring atmosphere throughout excellent all-round education, its extra- the school.” and learning are excellent, curricular activities and the strength of its “The pupils are proud of their school and as a consequence of the academic performance. At Abingdon, we are fortunate to be able to leave the there is a true sense of belonging.” excellent curricular and talking to others. In January we received the findings from our latest Independent And not to forget our Prep School, which extra-curricular provision and Schools Inspectorate, ISI, inspection, received a tremendous independent accolade from ISI. The inspection gave teaching.” - ISI Inspection which gave an Abingdon education a ringing endorsement. To receive such the School the highest rating in all aspects November 2015 an endorsement from this independent of the education provided, including the body is praise indeed. But we are not very rare rating of “Exceptional” for “pupils’ The full ISI reports can be found at complacent; we constantly review and achievement both inside and outside the www.abingdon.org.uk/inspection develop the education we provide. classroom.” www.abingdon.org.uk 3 Abingdon News Cryptogram King Congratulations to fifth year James Hogge who finished as runner-up in the National Cipher Challenge, run by the University of Southampton Mathematics Department and sponsored by Trinity Lower School College, Cambridge. In the annual Challenge, competitors attempt Public Speaking to break cryptograms - a type of puzzle that consists of a short piece In January, the entire First Year enjoyed a public speaking workshop run by two trainers of encrypted text. James showed from the English Speaking Union. They took part in a range of activities designed to help enormous initiative and resourcefulness them understand how to deliver a good speech including content, linking arguments and in solving the challenges so quickly. He how to engage with their audience. The boys also considered how to act as a chairman, a is a member of the School’s Code main speaker, and to give a vote of thanks - all of which will prove invaluable to them in the Breaking Club, which runs during the Lower School Public Speaking Competition.