THE BLAZER The Blazer How ‘The Blazer’ Made Its Way To You The new magazine exclusively for Lower school, made by Lower school.

Welcome to the new, exclusive first edition of the our sections. Then, we assigned roles to pairs for Blazer! Made by Lower School, for Lower School! different articles. In this first edition, we are going to show you how Step 2 - First Stages this magazine got to your hands. The different pairs then got on to their computers and started writing drafts for their pages. They Step 1 - Ideas used a template created by the Editors. First of all, the Blazer team gathered together and brainstormed the different things we could have Step 3 - Editorial on the pages. This was then narrowed down into The drafts were shown to the Editors and corrected for any mistakes. Special Feature Step 4 - Transfer 4 whole pages dedicated to sport The finished articles were emailed to the Editors, who then copied and pasted the text and images into the main magazine template. Pages 8-11 Miss Lusk: This school is a bit like Hogwarts! Pages 2-3

20 Qʼs Rugby World Puzzles Cartoons Film Reviews Top 10 Songs 1st Yr. Opinions Sports Events G-term/B-Term THE BLAZER

The New School Week

By David Mackney And Charlie Quarterman

Hello and welcome to the debut of the Blazer! This term our topic is the new school week.We decided that the most obvious person to ask was going to be the head, Miss Lusk. We arranged a meeting with Miss Lusk.

For the first years, last year lessons were 35 minutes, lunchtimes were an hour, and there were eight lessons per day. There was no week A, week B structure. As you may have realised, most preps don’t have to be in the next day, because the main curricular lessons are on an alternate day basis.

We decided that to get the real perspective of how the new school week is going, we would go straight to the top. So armed with questions, and ready we went to the Head! So here are the highlights of the interview.

Miss Lusk interview

The school has just started up. You are the first Head, the history is blank, there are no traditions, no pupils. Would you change anything from what the school is like today?

I would find it difficult to set up an all boys school in this modern era. But of course I would keep many aspects of Abingdon. The Other Half, and academic side are great. I would make the buildings bright and vibrant places to learn in, and I would keep lots of outside space.

When you first saw the school what was the biggest flaw in your eyes?

Well I was shown round on a gloomy Sunday morning, when the school was almost lifeless, but I still saw character. I remember one of my first thoughts was that it is almost Hogwarts like. Originally the school was built for three hundred students. But most of all I saw potential.

2 Can you see the comparison?

Can you see the timetable lasting many years, or do you think that it won’t last out that long?

I think that with this new timetable we have got it pretty good. Of course we will always review, and make changes if needed, but I think we have got it.

Miss Lusk would like to thank all the staff, but in particular Dr May ( academic deputy head ) and Dr Willis ( director of studies )

Mr Jenkins Interview

As a teacher do you think your pupils benefit from the 55 minute lessons?

I think that the longer lessons are allowing for a greater variety of activities and I get the impression that more detailed work is being done.

Have any complaints been raised concerning the new timetable with you?

No I think the Lower School boys have been pretty positive about on the whole.

Do you have any ideas for next term’s opinion page??? If so email them to the ‘[email protected]’

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Good Term, Bad Term by Ray Ren and Piers Clark

GOOD TERM : For The Be The Best BAD TERM: For 35 minute Lessons and Legacy Saturday School

To celebrate the launch of Be the Best 35 minute lessons along with Saturday Adam Whitehead, a CommonWealth gold school have been abolished. We think along with many others, that this is a great decision. Piers and I thought 35 minute lessons were way to short for some subjects but for others we don’t enjoy (not naming any) 55 minutes is way too long. For subjects like DT and sport in particular, 55 minutes is too short. Saturday school has ended! For many of us this is very pleasing, but it has ended for a reason. It has ended because many of us have sports matches on Saturday so lots of us still come into school on Saturday.

medalist, Olympian and former world number one swimmer, came to visit our school. He talked about his success story and how he got there. I think the whole of Lower School would agree that it was an inspiring and in some cases slightly moving talk. The Be The Best Legacy is one of the many things that enabled to host the Olympic Games. The campaign is a scheme where Olympians come to schools around the country. Writing this after the first session of Be The Best, I can definitely say that this course is going to give us a big boost in confidence to help us achieve our goals and also educate us on how to do so.

4 Film Reviews By Alexander Dalgliesh And Ben Pearson

Johnny English Reborn Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Running time: 137mins

Review: Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing Running time: 101mins paths with Angelica (Penélope Cruz), he's Review: not sure if it's love or if In the years since MI7's top spy she's a ruthless con artist who's using him vanished off the grid, Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) has been honing his to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When unique skills in a remote region of Asia. But she forces him aboard the "Queen Anne's when his agency superiors learn of an Revenge," the ship of the legendary pirate attempt against the Chinese premier's life, Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds they must hunt down the highly unorthodox himself on an unexpected adventure in agent. Now that the world needs him once which he doesn't know whom to fear more: again, Johnny English is back in action. Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he With one shot at redemption, he must employ the latest in hi-tech gadgets to shares a mysterious past. unravel a web of conspiracy that runs throughout the KGB, CIA and even MI-7. With mere days until a heads of state conference, one man must use every trick in his playbook to protect us all. For Johnny English, disaster may be an option, but failure never is.

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My Top 5 Youtube videos

By Rory Patisson

Storm freerun volume 1 by stormfreerun A great video with amazing freerunners at their best with great editing good music, jaw dropping stunts, good quality camera angles and millions of views and subscribers, this is the ultimate video!

Asdf movies by Tomska Amazing animation combined with comedy makes a very good and a very funny video. It is very, very popular and millions have subscribed this is definitely worth watching!

Dubstep Guns - CorridorDigital Dubstep Guns is a video that shows a secret agent who is sent to kill a terrorist leader but fails. The Organisation then sends in “Drop Squad” a team that uses guns that shoot dubstep. This is an amazing video with great special effects that shows how good people can be with editing and music.

!!!Danny Macaskill Industrial Revolutions - cutmedia1 This video shows a mountain biker at his best with great editing, an amazing environment and a huge amount of skill this has got to be one of my top 5. The rider, Danny Macaskill has been a YouTube sensation over night with his first video and has been on channel four’s concrete circus.

laser pointer dog attack - tbert03 There is only one way to describe this, hilarious. When I watched this I nearly fell out of my seat with laughter. Who thought dogs could be so funny!

If you know any good videos, please email us with suggestions...@ ʻ[email protected]ʼ 6 Songs of October and November!

By Abi Gunurajah & Matty Johnson

1. Song: Moves Like Jagger!! ! 6. Song: Someone Like You Artist: Maroon 5 (feat. Christina Aguilera) ! Artist: Adele : Hands All Over Album: 21

2. Song: Sexy & I Know It!! ! 7. Song: Without You Artist: LMFAO Artist: David Guetta (feat.Usher) Album: Sorry For Party Rocking!! ! ! ! !

3. Song: We Found Love 8. Song: With Ur love Artist: Rihanna (feat. Calvin Harris) Artist: Cher Lloyd (feat. Mike Posner)

4. Song: Earthquake 9. Song: Good Feeling Artist: Labrinth (feat. Tinie Tempah) Artist: Flo Rida

5. Song: 10. Song: Paradise Artist: (feat. Adam Levine) Artist: Coldplay Album: The Papercut Chronicles II Album: Mylo Xyloto

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England’s On and Off Field Behaviour: Right or Wrong?

Over the course of their 2011 Rugby World Tindall had disrupted their campaign. Three Cup campaign, ’s team and team members had to be reprimanded after management made some very controversial inappropriate behaviour towards a chamber decisions, on and off the field. One was maid. These were , Dylan their notorious night out at an Hartley and . night club, where was seen England’s on field performance seemed to embracing an unknown female figure, be affected by these antics, with shortly after his marriage to HRH Zara unconvincing displays in three of their four Phillips, the Queen’s granddaughter. It was pool matches (versus Georgia, Scotland all over the papers the next day, and there and Argentina). They upped their game in was fiery debate among former their 67-3 demolition of Romania (although Internationals as to whether this behaviour their opponents did put out a second string was acceptable, especially from a vice- side). They proceeded to the quarter finals, captain. It also sparked the debate as to where they were duly beaten by France what approach was required from an (19-12). It was an unconvincing display England manager at a major sporting (especially defensively), and Martin tournament. Johnson’s decision to start both Last year, at the 2010 Football World Cup, and (when he had an Fabio Capello opted for an entirely different experienced centre like stance, not allowing his side out at all, and big old on the bench), enforcing a curfew. He was slated in the was definitely debatable. media for this, and it was believed among England’s World Cup continued to get experts that this choice to not allow his worse as was fined for players any time to “have fun” hampered his jumping off a ferry in an Auckland Harbour teams progress in the competition. (see our column devoted to him for more However, England coach, Martin Johnson details). allowed his players to socialise together in the evening and gave his full trust to his Their behaviour was acceptable players. Unfortunately, his team didn’t deserve the respect he’d given them, they disobeyed him, and continued to show ill- discipline off the field, even after Mike

8 Manu Tuilagi has trouble at his first rugby World Cup

The England centre, Manu Tuilagi was fined £3000 for jumping off a ferry in Auckland on October 9th,after England’s defeat to France in the quarter final the day before. Once he was in the water, he swam a short distance to a pier.

“I’m really sorry. It was a silly thing to do and I apologise for any inconvenience,” Tuilagi said.

The ferry general manager said “It was a very dangerous act that could have had tragic consequences as Tuilagi jumped off the back of the boat as it began reversing.”

Once he was out of the water, the police met him and took him away to the station for around an hour and a half. There was no evidence that he was pushed off. The fine will be paid to the Rugby World Cup’s Christchurch earthquake appeal.

Earlier in the tournament, Tuilagi was fined £4,800 by the International Rugby Board for wearing an unapproved mouthguard which had the name of a sponsor on it. Tuilagi(Leicester) was also banned for punching Chris Ashton(Northampton) in May in the Premiership. Sam Warburton banned for three weeks

Wales Captain Sam Warburton missed ’ World Cup third-place play-off against Australia after receiving a three week ban for a dangerous ‘spear’ tackle on French winger . Wales were defeated 9-8 by France in the Semi-Final who went on to lose the Final against New Zealand.

Wales had not got to the Rugby world cup semi finals since 1987. Wales didn’t appeal against Warburton’s punishment.

"Alain Rolland's decision to give Warburton a red card was absolutely correct," said referees’ manager Paddy O'Brien. “If a player is lifted and is dropped to the ground from a height with no concern over the player’s safety then it is a red card.” ” Alain Rolland is a highly experienced referee and had an easy view of the tackle.”

Their behaviour wasn’t acceptable

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Sports Reports By Seb Mulford and Oliver Gray Highlights of by Tom Haynes, both of which were the season so far converted. The tone was set for the rest of the game, and Tom scored again KCS Wimbledon around 7 minutes before halftime. Magdalen did score around 5 minutes U13A When KCS Wimbledon came the A’s had had before halftime, but their cheers were not only 25 minutes of contact before because they had that strong. After a few strong words from only got their mouth guards that morning. As soon as their coach, they came back hard and KCS came into sight, the A’s knew they were hard (but got a try and conversion within the first 3 only because they were big) and as soon as they were minutes of the second half. But after that, near them they looked monstrous. Thomas Bishop won the As were ruthless, turning over the ball the toss and they kicked to the A’s. At half time it was lots, tackling well, and dominating them in 22-0 to them – the A’s weren’t playing very well. the scrum. After their try, Tom scored, However, the score didn’t signify that they were playing then again, and again! Then Charlie quite well when they got the ball and how they were Quarterman ran from the halfway line, getting the ball close to the try line quite a few times. At handing everyone off and ending it with a the end of the match it was 27-5 to KCS. Oliver swallow dive under the posts. After that Lovibond scored a great try after the A’s got the ball out spectacular run, Tom scored once more, and he dived over the try line. and they ended the game five minutes U13B The score line here doesn’t represent how much early. Special praise to Tom Bishop, who effort and how much the B’s tried in this game. When converted all his kicks, and Tom Haynes, the B’s got the ball out wide they played really well, it’s for six tries! just that they didn’t get the ball out often, no fault of their own, they rucked well. The KCS B’s forwards sent 6 men into each ruck, clearing our men out. Overall, a good effort against some big guys. Magdalen

U13A As the U13A’s came into this game, there was a lot of pressure because the team had only just beaten them last year, and Magdalen were coming to us on our Open Day, with a big crowd watching. After a very long warm up and a bit of downtime, they were ready. Unlike the other two games the A’s came out of the blocks flying, and Sebastian Mulford scored a try within two minutes, which was quickly followed up with another try

10 ! U13B As soon as the whistle went the B’s contested, but the ball generally stayed flied off the line and were raring to go – they between their 22 and the halfway line. Then, couldn’t lose. Within the first five minutes we won a lineout around 15 metres out and, Piers Clark scored: Matthew Johnson ran on the last play of the game, Tom Dingwall most of the pitch, then drew in the right scored a try through fantastic hands from winger and passed it to Piers Clark who Oliver Lovibond and Harry Hoareau. scored. At the end of the first half, Piers Clark had scored two more tries and Abingdon were ahead. Unfortunately, they then scored U13B The B’s didn’t have a very competitive two tries but only converted one. The B’s game, keeping a clean sheet and running in fought back and they were rewarded from a three tries, two from Matthew Johnson and try from Harry Fishpool. The B’s carried on one from Joshua Ascroft. Good scrumming with their hard work and Jonathan Allison from the forwards, especially as they lost scored followed by Harry Fishpool again. A Chris Jackson early on (he took a crashball very good game, with a lot of pressure as it and unfortunately broke and fractured his was on Open Day. collarbone), combined with good running and handling in the backs, worked well to Cokethorpe keep the ball most of the time. Special praise to Josh Ascroft for tireless work and Matthew U13A The A’s had a long warm up on Waste Johnson for two tries and excellent handling. Court Field and got ready for the game. However, they didn’t start the game with very Further match reports are on the Lower much intensity, and it wasn’t enough School section of the study site. because they scored in the first ten minutes of the game. But the A’s were starting to come alive and were starting to play quite well. After a lot of phases of picking and going, Charlie Quarterman scored it shoving Cokethorpe and putting the ball over the line. The rest of the game was heatedly

11 THE BLAZER ???

Help Charlie get to the bus!

12 Interview with Mr Shirazi

Have you always wanted to be a What type of pupil were you at teacher? If not what did you want school? to be? I was a hard working pupil but Firstly I wanted to be a professional quite easily distracted. footballer but at the age of fifteen I had to choose between football and What subject did you do worst at, cricket. So I chose to be a at school? professional cricketer, which I English. I think most sportsmen will managed to achieve but I've always probably agree with me. wanted to teach young people. So, after that I chose teaching. Describe your dream holiday… I think a skiing holiday for two weeks What subject did you do best at with all expenses paid would be school? great. It’s got to be Geography. What age were you when you first What made you want to come to got a girlfriend? Abingdon? 15, I was quite a late starter because I thought Abingdon were under of all of my sport. achieving at Sport. I wanted to improve the school ! at Sport. They What is your favourite clothes were also nice, impressive boys. shop? Abercrombie and Fitch. Who is your hero now? Who was your hero when you were younger? When I was younger it was Brian Lara and now it is Ryan Giggs because he has been at the top of his game for twenty years, which is very impressive.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in New Forest, Hampshire.

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What is your favourite song? Just looking, by Stereophonics. Were you a bit of a player when you were younger? What is your favourite No, but let me say that girls were a restaurant? very important part of my life. I know I sound quite boring here but it’s got to be Pizza Express. What do you look for in a girl? She needs to be attractive, intelligent What is the best thing about and we need to have similar interests being a teacher? to one another. Taking my sports teams to represent the school. What is your favourite food? Thai food. Describe your perfect night out… I can't say most but otherwise it What is the worst movie you have would be celebrating a win with a watched? sports team and having a few beers. Definitely the Devil Wears Prada. It was awful. It is a big chick flick. What is your favourite movie? Definitely Days of Thunder!

What is your favourite TV show? At the moment I am really enjoying Lie to me, and Strike Back.

14 First Year By Matthew Coleman and Nick Webster

This page is for first years.

Mistakes made By 1st years As 1st years we’ve all made mistakes: trying to find our lessons, making new friends, learning new subjects and in general new school. Favourite Lunches in the 1st year Chili con carne because it’s spicy. The most liked lunch is pasta because its on everyday and is good for a light lunch. Roast Chicken, leg Roast Gammon, and Sausages and mash are also liked.

Rugby results so far: U12 A team results: 40-0 win against Cokethorpe 27-0 win against Warwick 17-22 lost against Christchurch 22-0 win against Akeley Wood 15-7 win against Dragon U12 B team results: 15-5 win against Cokethorpe 10-0 win against OLA 15-22 loss against Christchurch 15 17-12 win against Akeley Wood THE BLAZER House Singing By Oliver Lovibond

The Lower School song for the House Singing was Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri as you of course know! And you all know that we voted for the song and I can tell you that Friday by Rebecca Black came 3rd worryingly enough. Imagine if it had come first, the embarrassment in Boyd’s Madness It Must Be Love Director: William front of the whole school (I think I might Hewstone Piano: Mitchell Keely have shot myself). The Lazy song by Christodoulou’s Bruno Mars came second which was a Richard Rodgers You’ll Never Walk Alone pretty good choice except a few words Director: Robert Noyes Piano: Joseph may have to be changed!! Ereaut Franklin’s All the singing from the houses was very Cee Lo Green Forget You Director: Henry good. The top 3 Jenkinson Piano: Henry Binning 1st: Franklins O’Doherty’s Coldplay Fix You Director: Hugh Cutting 2nd: Boyd’s Piano: Tom Earl Southwell-Sander’s 3rd Lower School R Kelly World’s Greatest Director: Sebastian Black Piano: Humphrey School House Thompson Maroon Five She Will Be Loved Director: Gerald Chan Webb’s Piano:Timothy Li Maroon Five This Love Director: Edward Davies’ Norris Piano: Rory Marsh Simon and Garfunkel Mrs Robinson Director: Charlie Lower School Leslau Piano:Jack Swanborough Yeretsian/Perri/Lawrence Jar Of Hearts Crescent House Googoo Dolls Iris Director: Director: Alex Reynolds Piano: Ethan Sebastian Johns Piano:Jeffrey Hang Clarke

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