abingdon.org.uk/prep 3 NEWS AND FAREWELLS Rachel leaves us after 9 years at APS during which she has been Head of RE, taught History, Core Skills and in Learning Support. She has been a super house leader of Unicorn, and was a memorable Hagrid once on World Book Day. She also led our Big Thinks and Thursday Thunks, encouraging us to empathise more, think deeply and more wisely. RACHEL WHITMORE As always, pupils and staff at Abingdon Prep gathered at 11am on 11 November to mark Remembrance Day. The two-minute silence was perfectly observed. The silence was played in and out by Rohan, in Year 8, and Russell on their trumpets. Many pupils chose to wear poppies enthusiastically sold by volunteers from Year 3. REMEMBRANCE Demons Swamped by the Tortille stream. A place of unfathomable mystery, The eerie woods… The cry of gas. Nameless men, Weeping men. Shouting. Crying. The cry of gas. I came blundering I came stumbling I came plunging I had That icy sensation That demons were watching Demons. They had come. They had come. Aubrey, Year 8 A found poem based on an extract from ‘Storm of Steel’ by Ernst Junger, a German frontline soldier in the First World War. KAREN CORNFORD Our super School Secretary, Karen, hung up her heels at half term and retired! After 7 years at APS she took the tough decision to retire to spend more time with her lovely family and her newest grandson. In true Karen style, she fully intends to embrace retirement with holidays, shopping and lots of family time. She was excited to experience a new pace of life but looks forward to keeping in touch with us and hearing the latest news from the school. Staff gave her a huge send off and the children all contributed to a special book they made, with lots of thank-yous and happy memories shared by them all. Karen, we know you will be reading this, so we wanted to say a final thank you - we will miss you! The COVID days of Christmas The last Big Think AIMEE WHITEHOUSE Aimee leaves us to go on maternity leave. We send much happiness and our best wishes to her and husband Alex for their impending arrival in the new year. We can’t wait to meet baby Whitehouse too! Rachel is moving to take on a full-time role with her church as Families Pastor, something she has already been doing in her spare hours! It’s a role where her kind and nurturing nature will find another happy home. We send Rachel and her family our best wishes and every happiness for the future.
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