APS News No. 22

abingdon.org.uk/prep 3 Abingdon Prep News Odd Socks Day Once again, boys and staff at Abingdon Prep took part in Odd Socks Day to celebrate how we are all different and all unique. This was part of a national anti-bullying campaign where assemblies, lessons and workshops during the week reinforced the important theme of ‘Change Starts With Us’. This year, as in previous years, boys and staff stopped for two minutes at 11am on Monday 11 November as part of our own and national remembrance commemorations. The two- minutes’ silence was respectfully observed, and was punctuated by the poignant strains of ‘The Last Post’ and the ‘Reveille’, this year played by Max in Year 8. Remembrance Nightmare Before Death Through the glaze of my tears, I could see him dying - right in front of me. His mouth foaming and blood oozing from his wide eyes, Like sap from a tree. I could see the remaining figures falling like little toy soldiers And being impaled by solid black balls. I could see the Germans with their snarling faces. I stood with my mouth agog as a bomb landed on my right, Blowing fifteen soldiers out of this living hell. I could hear the firing of guns like rain pouring down On all the fearful faces of the English army. I could hear the crash and boom as bombs landed All around me like an avalanche roaring down a mountain. I could hear the headache-inducing shouts and screams As if the men were trapped in an endless nightmare. I could hear the crackling of fire, like bones being constantly broken. I could feel the sweat dripping off my brow, like a tap left on As my finger tightened around the trigger. I could feel the searing pain as a bullet struck my shoulder As fast as a bolt of lightning. Blood pouring out of it like a waterfall. I could feel the paralyzing pain like guts being pulled out of a stomach And then punched back in again, As the blast of the bomb knocked me out - cold. I could see nothing... I could hear nothing... I could feel nothing... by Alex, 8A Boys will have had their own particular people or memories to consider. However, many may have thought back to the previous week’s assembly in which Michael, a local historian and ex-Abingdon parent, came in and taught them about some of the local men who had gone off to fight, and, in some cases, did not return. These included Charles Bond, who actually lived in what is now Josca’s House, before he went to the Western Front. Sadly, Rupert Aldworth, the son of a local farming family who owned land in Frilford, was one of those who did not return. Michael also emphasised the influence of the war on local families, especially the women and children left behind, some of whom suffered multiple losses which inevitably impacted greatly on what was then a largely agricultural community. We are very grateful to their contribution, as we are to those who continue to serve our country. Stefan Gerrard Nasio Trust update Abingdon Prep has continued to sponsor four children through the Nasio Trust, an Abingdon- based charity working to break the cycle of poverty in Western Kenya. Boys have been updated in assemblies about these children and have learnt how their lives are so different from ours: Lorna (Pre-Prep), Joseph (Junior Section), Abraham (Middle Section) and Joseph (Senior Section). Visit thenasiotrust.org for more information. Alison Heaton