I grew up in Surrey, and remember that at school we marked Oak Apple Day, 29 May, by wearing a sprig of oak leaves.

I've been reading Recollections of Old Dorking by Charles Rose, published in 1977, but written during 1876 and 1877, and looking back over the previous 50 years.
He noted that "...sprigs of oak, with the apple on them, were worn in the hats and caps of boys, and the stigma 'shikshak' was tauntingly applied to those who were destitute of the common emblem."

I was intrigued by this, and a quick google revealed that a shikshak is a kind of guru or teacher.

Another bunch of links, obviously quoting a common source, said that Oak Apple Day is called Shikshak or ShickShack Day in Hampshire.

And that's where I reached a dead end.

So... has anyone out there any references or clues as to how or why the word Shikshak got into the mix?
Is it still called that?

I'm intrigued.

Splott man