Many staff members, families and Old Girls have chosen to mark their association with Abbotsleigh through the endowment of a special prize. While some have chosen to continue generational prize endowments, other have opted to continue the endowment of a prize they won while at School.

 

There are also those who wish to endow a prize in memory of a relative or in recognition of a staff member who made a significant impact in their life. A particularly popular option; however, is to endow a prize for a favourite subject.

 

‘Music making at Abbotsleigh was one of the highlights of my education.’ Old Girl Jennie Shaw (1983) said. ‘It has remained an important part of my life through university and careers in both law and music and is now an important part of my five year old son’s daily life too. Studying music at Abbotsleigh gave me the chance to enrol in music studies later at university in Sydney and then in North America.

 

‘My endowment of the Music 2 in Year 12 prize is a way of giving something back to the School and of acknowledging those students who have achieved outstanding results in their Year 12 Music 2 studies.’

 

Mathematics Teacher Sue Carr said her endowment relates to the pride she has for her subject. ‘When I first started teaching at Abbotsleigh, there was only one Mathematics prize at Speech Day and it was awarded to the girl who came first in 4 Unit Maths. There are a number of talented students who decide, for various reasons, not to do the highest level of Maths, so it was decided to introduce a prize for all levels. This means any girl studying Maths is eligible for a Mathematics prize. I was very happy to endow the Extension 1 Prize, as I have taught this course over many years and have fond memories of many of the girls I have taught in these classes.’

 

For some Abbotsleigh families, the endowment of a prize provides an ongoing connection to the School. Four Davis families joined together to provide two prizes. ‘Endowment of a prize to Abbotsleigh, in the way that we did with the Davis Cup for Cross Country and Centenary Prize at Speech Day, reflected a wonderful association which we have had with the School. The proverb says “all good things must come to an end” and our involvement as parents did just that, but these prizes allowed the connection to continue,’ past parent Bruce Davis said.

 

Mr Davis said everyone at Abbotsleigh could play a part in endowing a prize, saying ‘all gifts are appreciated, and no gift is too small, or too large’.

 

‘We are all very pleased to receive a thank you card from the recipients each year, within days of the presentation. The process of thanking donors is well managed and the recipients understand how important and powerful saying thank you can be.’

 

Several prizes are currently available for endowment, so if there is a subject you are passionate about or someone you would like to honour, please consider getting involved. If you would like more information, please contact Development Manager Tina Faber on fabert@abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au or 02 9473 7847.