Abdi K was voted by both boys and Beaks (teachers) to lead the Eton Society (also known as Pop), a prefect body made up of 27 boys in B Block (Year 13). As he prepares to hand over the title, Abdi reflects on what the role has taught him and how this year’s Poppers have made a difference to School life.
What has being President of Pop meant to you?
It’s a huge honour to be in a position where you can positively influence the experience of future Etonians. Something I was told right from the start – right from my first meeting with the Head Master – was that it’s an active role. It’s not a reward for past glories.
My approach to Pop throughout the year has been to work even harder than the last year, to make positive changes, and try to leave behind something better than what you were introduced to.
Why do you think is Pop important?
One of the most important things Pop does is be visible to the younger boys. I think it creates ambition in younger boys to be involved in the running of the School when they’re older and to have an impact on the next generation of younger Etonians, whether that’s becoming a Popper, House Captain or running a sport or society.
When I was younger I looked up to Poppers who were involved in lots of things and were nice to younger boys. That definitely left a mark and an impression on me of ‘that’s what I want to be’.
How has this cohort of Pop have made a difference to School life?
A big thing that I was keen to continue more widely was the sense of kindness across the School and the way boys interact with each other. That’s always been hugely important to me because I’ve developed amazing friendships here and I’ve tried to pass this on to younger boys.
We’ve also worked to maintain an open and transparent environment where boys feel able to talk to each other, teachers, and professionals about their mental health. I spoke to the whole of F Block on their first day to reinforce the message that this is a place that values mental health and does not stigmatise it.
Have Pop engaged with younger boys this year?
I think our Pop really wanted to support younger boys and their experience here. The settling in process was something that I did a lot of work on this year, trying to make those first few weeks for F Block as comfortable as possible.
We worked quite hard on trying to be as open and available in those first weeks as possible, both in our own Houses and in the School more generally. I hope that it left an impact.
As President, what have you been most proud of during your time in the role?
On my first day as President in Michaelmas, I spoke to a room full of F Block parents about my Eton experience. That made me incredibly proud because it was a full circle moment where I was someone who’d enjoyed and loved the School, and was now talking to parents who were hoping that their sons would have similar experiences. That was quite cool.
What have you learnt during your time as a Popper?
I’ve definitely learnt quite a lot. I’ve had to develop more organisational skills and know when I need to prioritise myself and take a step back. I’ve also developed leadership skills and think I’ve been successful in putting forth a vision and working alongside others to achieve it.
It’s an additional responsibility, it’s not in place of anything else. I still applied for university throughout the year, prepared for an Oxford interview, balanced three A levels and played sport.
I’ve tried to be a role model through my behaviour, leading an assembly or two, and encouraging the rest of the Pop to act in a certain way so that perhaps the F Blockers understand what’s important to this community.
And finally, the best thing about being in Pop is…?
I really enjoyed going back to Lower Chapel for duties. College Chapel is absolutely stunning architecturally, but there’s something about Lower Chapel. It’s smaller and the singing reverberates around the walls which is always quite cool. But of course, the waistcoats, the Pop Room and all the responsibilities are also quite nice.
