4 Abingdon Prep • January 2023 Their responses to Mahler’s first symphony included a stunning poem by Theo in Year 7 and comments in the chat zone from ‘this sounds just like a soundtrack’ to ‘this music tells a story even though there are no words.’ FOND FAREWELLS - BIG THINK GEORGE OWEN George has been a fantastic addition to APS since his arrival at the beginning of September. Having also left Abingdon School in July, he has been a huge asset to the Sports department and has involved himself in all aspects of school life. He has helped out in lessons and on the games field, refereeing matches at all age groups superbly well and proving himself to be a natural with all the children. We will be sorry to see him go after his term with us, but wish him well on his gap year travels in January and beyond. CHARLIE LLOYD Charlie came to us straight from the senior school having completed his A Levels in the summer, and he has made a huge impression in his time at APS. He has slotted very easily into life at APS and has been a cheerful presence throughout the school, both in lessons and on the games field. A former 1st XV Captain at Abingdon School, his knowledge of rugby has been very well received by the pupils and he has been an excellent referee and coach. We wish him well on his travels in 2023 and at university thereafter. SUZANNE SKELTON It is with great sadness that we say farewell to Suzanne at the end of this term when she leaves to explore new ventures. She has been a very valuable and dedicated member of the Prep School team for over eight years. Initially, she joined us teaching Science to a number of year groups. She then became a Year 3 form teacher and latterly, in the last four years, a Year 5 form teacher and a Middle Section Head. Suzanne has not just been an exceptional teacher of academic subjects, but she has also been part of the Sports department as well as putting her creative skills into action by producing and directing the fabulous Junior Section production ‘Dragon Days’. She has also been on hand to help with the Senior School productions and is a very talented makeup artist. Charlie and George, with Liam and Jake She will be remembered by the pupils, and staff alike, for her kindness, her caring spirit, her teamwork as well as her sense of fun! We will miss Suzanne’s contacts, including sourcing the freshest hearts and lungs from a game butcher for dissection in Science, or arranging an egg delivery for staff during COVID. She has fully immersed herself in all aspects of life at Abingdon Prep, whether it be organising and taking part in events as Head of Dragon House, dressing up for World Book Days, joining in at the Black Country Museum playing the Victorian games or organising ‘It’s a Knockout’ and treasure hunts at the ‘Year 5 Camp Out’. We thank her for all the energy and enthusiasm she has brought to the school, she will be sorely missed. We wish her all the best in the next exciting chapter of her life. Louise Batho The Alchemist Deep in the mountains, Feet in the snow, No-one knows where the Alchemist will go. A spotted mushroom, An Arctic wind, Mix the ingredients with a sinister grin. Far in a cave, The scurry of mice, The water dripping, A look so pale, The Alchemist is nowhere anymore, Just an icy statue and a cauldron lay on the floor. Theo, Year 7 THE BIG THINK This term’s ‘Big Think’ day gave every pupil the opportunity to take time out and purposefully concentrate on how they felt in response to a piece of music. Moving around different zones, the pupils wrote poems, drew art, made dough models, chatted or simply listened to the music.
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