www.abingdon.org.uk 11 Abingdon News Over half-term, a group of 4th Year history students visited Berlin - a city rich in historical significance. On day one, the students visited the Reichstag, the seat of Government, which provided an insight into Germany’s pathway from democracy to dictatorship; as well as memorials to those who were persecuted and lost their lives during Germany’s tumultuous past. This was followed, on day two, with a trip to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp and the Wannsee Mansion, where in 1942, leading Nazi’s and SS met to discuss their so-called Final Solution to the Jewish Question. On day three, students were plunged into Cold War life in East Berlin with an immersive experience at the DDR museum; followed by a tour of Checkpoint Charlie which left many in awe of the inventive ways people had managed to successfully escape. Then it was on to the Topography of Terror, an exhibition located on the former site of the Gestapo headquarters. On the final day, students visited the Stasi Prison Camp to gain a better understanding of life under the Soviets; the Soviet War Memorial and Cemetery in Treptower Park; and the Berlin Wall and documentation centre. Berlin history trip Experimental chemistry A group of top-set chemists made ice-cream using common table salt to depress the melting point of ice; although the results weren’t spectacular it was a great extension following their end of year exams. Scrapheap challenge Lower School pupils from Abingdon and St Helen and St Katharine joined forces for a scrapheap challenge in June. Having been provided with a basic remote controlled vehicle, their task was to improve its design using items of scrap in order to navigate round a track as quickly and accurately as possible. Congratulations to Abhi and Wilf, members of the winning team. A history of the school The 1st Years spent one afternoon in June learning more about the early history of the school. After an initial talk from Mrs Wearne, the school archivist, they walked into Abingdon to visit sites connected with the school including the school room created following a donation from John Roysse in 1563. They also got to enjoy the spectacular views from the roof of Abingdon Museum.
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