APS News 19

abingdon.org.uk/prep 7 Abingdon Prep In School The Show Must Go On! The weather forecast was not good this year, but our fireworks evening still went ahead. As always, it began school-side where everyone enjoyed food and drink and the boys ignored the rain to play on the field with their lightsabers. When we moved over to the field for the display, we really felt the gusting wind and torrential rain. Sadly, the Battle of the Houses between the giant Dragon, Griffin, Phoenix and Unicorn effigies was mostly washed out. However, Titanium Fireworks’ main display was full of fizzes, bangs and wows at the gorgeous colours and effects, even if some spectators opted to watch from their cars! A huge thank you to everyone who helped on the day. The JPA, parent volunteers and staff all worked together to run stalls, park cars, set up the field and marshal the event, not forgetting those who returned to clean the field the next morning before the rugby matches later. Finally, thank you to the Titanium Fireworks team for the brilliant professional display. Here’s to next year and some better weather! Near the end of term, the Middle Section held its annual Public Speaking Competition. For this event, five pupils were asked to consider what they thought was the most important event of 2018, and give a speech of five minutes in length about their choice to a panel of judges. Topics included the Skripal poisonings, the death of Stan Lee, ongoing plastic pollution, rising fuel taxes in France and the extinction of Spix’s macaw. After some hugely informative and entertaining speeches, What have Year 3 been getting up to? Meanwhile, in Science... Year 7 explored the colours in fireworks chemicals by flame-testing metal salts. Rain on the camera lens gives interesting effects! L’invitée française Year 5 was able to practise all they have learnt in French this term when one of our French speaking parents visited to answer their questions and ask some of her own. She explained some Christmas traditions typical of the southern region of France and the boys particularly liked the idea of the 13 different desserts which adorn the festive table on Christmas Eve. They also learnt that having larger feet was a distinct advantage at this time of year as shoes are left beneath the tree to be filled by Papa Noel. Public Speaking Competition the judges eventually deemed Josca (6R) to be the winner, with George (6R) as the runner-up. Well done to all other pupils who took part, namely Archie (6R), Patrick (6N) and Arjun (6N). Many thanks also need to go to the panel for giving up their afternoon to help us judge the competition, namely Olga Senior, an Abingdon Foundation Governor, Matthew Coolin, Head of English at Abingdon School, and Patrick McCubbin, an Abingdon Prep Old Boy who left the school in 2013 and is currently studying Biochemistry at Oxford University. Rob Shaw As part of their study of World War II, Year 3 made model gas masks complete with carry cases and some wonderful models of Anderson shelters. Nicki Thornton Author Visit Nicki, who some may know as the previous owner of Mostly Books in Abingdon, won The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition for her debut novel The Last Chance Hotel, a magical mystery story, which could be described as Agatha Christie meets Harry Potter. She came to talk to Years 4-6 about her book and worked with the boys on how to create a fictional detective. As part of their light topic in Science, groups of Year 3 boys gave shadow puppet shows full of castles and monsters to an intrigued Pre-Prep audience.