The Vaughan Identity, April/May 2015

THE

V AUGHAN I DENTITY A P R I L & |MAY 2 0 1 5 I SS U E SIX

BERLIN | NEW YORK | ROME

APRIL | MAY 2015, ISSUE 6

THE

V AUGHAN I DENTITY A P R I L &

M A Y

2 0 1 5 A BRIEF INTRODUCTION 3 EDITORIAL REPORTAGE 4-8 JEAN FRANCO - TO BIBI, OR NOT TO BIBI? TOM McGRATH - SINCE WE STOPPED CARING ROBEL DURUB - KENYA PHOENIX GUWA - THE FUTURE HUGO ALLAIN - ARE DICTATORSHIPS EVER JUSTIFIED? OUR MEN ABROAD 9-11 JOSEPH LORENZO - OUR MAN IN NEW YORK FRANCESCO ZUCCHELLI & Co - OUR MEN IN ROME TOM COUFFON - OUR MAN IN BERLIN THE CRITICS: ON THE SCREEN(S) 12-13 STEPHEN RABEY - “FAST and FURIOUS 7” JOSEPH STEWART - THE RUSSIAN RIGHT THE CRITICS: GAMES 14 HENRY MATTAR - “OUTLAST” INDEPENDENT ARTICLES 15-16 MARK SIMONS - KIT KAT KEVIN PAULRAJ - MUSASHI SPORT 17 GEORGE WHEAR - PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR FICTION 18 MAX CHARLTON - THE WIND’S KEENING APRIL & MAY BIOGRAPHIES 19 APRIL– MAY BIRTHS AND DEATHS COMIC 20-29 MARLEY BRADBURY - “THE ADVENTURES OF MORRIS” COVER Starring MYLES LEWIS @ Berlin Wall

The Vaughan Identity : THE FINEST MAGAZINE YOUR FORM TUTOR WILL EVER GIVE YOU. 2

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JACK FRANCO 4NC is the co editor of the newspaper. Jack has been writing for Lower School newspapers as the Politics and Current Affairs writer for 3 years. 11francoja@cvms.co.uk JEAN FRANCO 4SS is the co editor at The Vaughan Identity . Jean has contributed to “CVMS Today” and “The Vaughan Identity” since 2011. 11francoje@cvms.co.uk GEORGE WHEAR 4NC is a sub editor. A specialist in independent articles and sport, he too is a regular writer this year.

TOM McGRATH 4NC is a sub editor at the Lower School newspaper. Having joined this year, he is now a mainstay feature as The Vaughan Identity’s domestic politics writer.

FILIPPO GALDIOLO 4NC is the Chief Technology writer. He has often written about upcoming new technologies, from cars to drones.

JOSEPH STEWART 4SS is the Politics correspondent for the newspaper. Joe has also previously contributed as a sub editor.

BEDE JOLY 4SS is a sub editor. Bede is also the main Culture & Arts correspondent for The Vaughan Identity.

SAM LEAHY 4NC is the cover artist for “The Vaughan Identity”. He started in the September 2014 Issue, designing the Scottish Referendum front page.

With a special thanks to Joseph Lorenzo, Tom Couffon, Phoenix Guwa, Henry Mattar, Mark Simons, Robel Durub, Max Charlton, Francesco Zucchelli, Kevin Paulraj, Aaron Hagos, Stephen Rabey, Fernando M.D.V., Hugo Allain and Marley Bradbury.

TheVaughanIdentityOfficial@gmail.com

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EDITORIAL

resentatives of Youth Parliament, Robel Durub (4SS), and Phoenix GuAfter our last issue, we thought it was wa (4SL). This month, Robel has covgoing to be pretty damn hard to get a ered the recent massacre in Kenya, better edition than that, what with the and its impact on us, with Phoenix great quantity of articles, as well as telling you why you are the future. their diversity. Yet in this penultimate Just before that is Jean’s article on Bibi issue of the year, I think we’ve come Netanyahu, the shady Prime Minister very close. (Aside: don’t expect a of Israel. thrilling editorial, I won’t be matching Our IT Technician Mark Simons remy brother’s from the last one.) turns with an in depth analysis of In this number, we’ve brought TVI the….. Kit Kat. More anticlimactic closer to home, with three articles than the Microsoft Release of the Hochronicling our boys’ voyages around lolens, Mark’s article complements the world, with the new section ‘Our Kevin Paulraj’s story about how one of man in…’. the Japanese Navy’s Titans was reIn other news, with a new government discovered after decades submerged. entering Number 10, we are proud to When we started this, one of our aims have our very own politicians and rep- was to include a Serial Fiction section.

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Even better than that, we have a fullyfledged short story, written by former -newspaper-sceptic Max Charlton, who has joined our ranks for the final two issues. Last but definitely not least is Marley Bradbury, who also makes his debut as TVI’s cartoonist, with his nine page epic starring…. Morris.

After, we think, an ambitious, productive year of The Vaughan Identity, we hope that you enjoy this issue, and that the next—our final one—will be just as good. Go on, write something for us…. Leave your mark on The Vaughan Identity.

- JACK & JEAN FRANCO

APRIL | MAY 2015, ISSUE 6

To Bibi, or not to Bibi?

JEAN FRANCO

Benyamin Netanyahu's surprise win at the 2015 Israeli elections can be seen as a signal for a probable shift towards right wing politics throughout the world.

On the 18th of March, Netanyahu was confirmed as the decisive victor in this year’s elections. His Likud party gained 30 seats out of the 120 available - the relative majority in the Knesset. His main contender, Yitzhak Herzog's Zionist Union, was only able to achieve 24 seats. However, although Likud’s performance was widely deemed an unexpected success, a coalition will have to be formed to enable Bibi Netanyahu to form a new cabinet.

All things considered, it is a fact that Israel, one of the Middle East’s biggest players, chose to maintain an outwardly right-wing government. In the run-up to this election, one of the key campaign topics was the possibility of a two -state solution with the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu made it clear that were he to be elected for a second term, he would sever all chances of this happening. However, the opposition Zionist Union promised the complete opposite, creating a rift of critical importance within the Israeli's centre right. Fierce nationalists are unwilling to surrender their illegal settlements in the west bank while liberal Israelis are simply aiming to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Netanyahu has declared Hamas a national security threat, and he considers the occupation of East Jerusalem and the building of Jewish settlements as necessary measures to pre-empt a further escalation towards a full scale conflict. Abu Mazen, or Mahmoud Abbas, as he is better known, has acknowledged that Hamas are a threat, but has also stated that a peace process has been effectively ruled out by Netanyahu's showing at the polls. In the first half of 2015, observers registered rising tension between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. In such a context, the occupation of Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) last April, and the New York trials against PLO leaders, certainly did not help stabilise the region. It is safe to say that both sides are certainly not aiding the improvement of the situation; however Israel's provocative stance on the recognition of a Palestinian state is probably the most extreme statement made by a mainstream political party in both 'countries'/communities. With the Obama Administration distancing themselves from the U.S. traditionally pro-Israeli stance, Israel is being left to fend for itself in a 4

region where threats abound: the Islamic State, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran all see Iran as their worst enemy, an entity that should be erased from maps and history books, essentially an aberration. On the other hand, Likud's stance on the two-state solution can only facilitate recruitment for the most extreme Palestinian fringes, thus intensifying heightened tensions in the region, something which, frankly, is not needed.

In the 11 years that Netanyahu has governed Israel, the country proved itself successful in terms of economic development; at the same time, Israel’s relationship with the international community reached an all-time low and his cabinet appeared to be prone to diplomatic blunders. As a consequence, although the international community isn't exactly rife with excitement at the prospect of another Likud term in office, it must be said that Netanyahu’s stance during the campaign was effective. Bibi N. eventually proved capable of neutralising the threats posed by the Zionist Union and by his left wing opposition. Security proved to be once again a priority for the Israeli electorate and Likud’s leadership was extremely successful in riding the wave. In such a context, Israelis were desperately looking for someone capable of repairing their global image while still maintaining the firmest possible stance towards hostile Arab states. To the eyes of the domestic public, Netanyahu was certainly the ideal man for the job and little did it matter that Bibi’s policy falls short regarding a negotiated solution to the conflict, along the lines dictated by both Camp David and the 1993 Oslo accords. During his tenure as foreign minister under Ariel Sharon, Netanyahu was known for his almost militant attitude towards Israel’s neighbours. Netanyahu has always been, after all, an extremely divisive figure: after the IDF’s 2014 operation in Gaza, he was adamant that it was a great military achievement, not taking into consideration the 2,200 plus noncombatants killed in the process. If such a stance was instrumental in gaining the support needed to win the Israeli elections, it is this very attitude which caused a rift between the Obama Administration, the American Pro-Israel lobby AIPAC and Israel itself. Such a development, apparently insignificant at this stage, could prove to be a decisive factor in the forthcoming US presidential elections, where it traditionally plays an extremely important role.

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Since we stopped caring Why arrogance, ignorance and abstinence won’t get us influence TOM McGRATH

Without wishing to offend those who don’t, the chances are that you hate politics. Do you think it’s dull, nerdy or irritating? Essentially it’s just boring people (who don’t even look like human beings), wearing boring clothes, talking about boring things. Surely we’re much too young to be worrying our little heads with it all. Let’s live life, people!

In fact, you’re no doubt already fighting the urge to turn the page onto something far more worthy of your precious form-time, like a review of a TV show or some shoes or something.

In your dislike of politics you are far from alone. Swathes of young people, quite understandably, have either lost interest or have become disillusioned with a ‘ruling class’ propped-up by evil, moneymaking magic powers (how dare they be so rich?!) and those poor old ‘career politicians’ with their political point scoring, false sincerity and meaningless slogans; like ‘Securing a better future’ – as if anyone thought they were trying to secure a worse one.

To ‘get back at the system’, young people aren’t voting: in 2010, only half did so. This isn’t because they’re lazy or stupid (although that may play a part), but because they believe that by abstaining from the political process they make a nice, loud statement of mass dissatisfaction. They want ‘change’; a revolution, even. In this, they are spurred on by Russell Brand – an advocate for not voting – who believes, although he doesn’t yet know how, that it will result in the destruction of the political class as we know it; creating a more equal society along the way (in his mind that is).

Yet the opposite is increasingly true: rather than being listened to or striking fear into the heart of political establishment, young people are simply ignored. But why shouldn’t they be? After all, the Parties have hardly anything to lose by ignoring them. Without a vote they are 5

voiceless, and no amount of social media can change that.

Therefore it’s no surprise that the country’s economic troubles are dumped on you and me, while the retired (who vote in droves) are pandered to. From tuition fees, to a housing market excluding first-time buyers, our interests seldom, if ever, take priority in government.

Yet, because so many of us know so little about politics, we can do nothing about it.

Upon realising our ignorance, politicians roll out the clichés and start patronising your face off. Take Labour’s recent election leaflet: the text size is so big you actually have to hold it at arm’s length just to read it. It also contains five very helpful boxes to tick when Labour ‘deliver on our promises’, one of which is to make ‘a country where the next generation do better than the last’ – surely the only way to prove that would be to keep the leaflet for the next thirty years, no? And it contains definitely-not-made-up quotations from ‘Debbie’, ‘Katy’ and ‘Libby’ saying happy, supportive things like “Labour has a plan to back the next generation”. So persuasive!

But now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to play the guilt card on you: from the drawing up of the Magna Carta eight hundred years ago to the millions who suffered in both World Wars, brave people have toiled over the centuries to ensure you (in a few years’ time) have the right to vote. That is a gift those in China, Vietnam or Saudi Arabia, for example, can only dream about. No matter how bad the candidates may be (and, yes, some really are that bad), do not squander it.

With more people involved in the system, politicians won’t be able to talk down to us or ignore us, and we can then set about changing the system. This is a call to arms, if you will.

You might sympathise with Russell Brand, in wanting a revolution, but his tactics are infantile and utopian. Only from within our system can we possibly hope to change it; and change, I agree, there must be.

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Why we aren’t vulnerable... ...and they are ROBEL DURUB (MYP)

Could you imagine our school being attacked by terrorists, right now, whilst you are reading this article? Could you imagine your friend, sitting next to you right now, being shot in the head because of his faith?

The answer is no. No, we never have experienced true fear. People, we have the luxury of going to school feeling protected and safe. Right now, there are children in Kenya, wondering if they are going to be next. They live in a perpetual state of fear.

On 2 April 2015, gunmen stormed the Garissa University College in Garissa, Kenya. The gunmen took over 700 students hostage, freeing Muslims and killing those who identified as Christians. Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group associated with Al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for this vicious attack. The siege ended the same day, when all four of the attackers were killed. Five men were later arrested in connection with the attack. However, the Kenyan authorities say that one of the five suspects arrested is believed to be a university security guard. One survivor said the students had raised security issues late last year.

Another commented that the gunmen appeared to know the site well.

Al-Shabaab has since pledged to fight a "long, gruesome war" against Kenya. The militant group said its attacks were in retaliation for acts by Kenya's security forces, which are part of the African Union's mission in Somalia against Al-Shabaab. As you can see, these people are not going to stop. They have shown a complete disregard for the fundamental rights of a human.

tians. “If you were a Christian you were shot on the spot," he said. "With each blast of the gun I thought I was going to die." Friends, we go to a Catholic school, without having to be worried about being shot. We must, therefore, keep and strengthen our faith, and pray to God. There are people around the world who are massacred for simply saying “I am a Christian”.

If there is one thing we can learn from this, it is that we must love our neighbours and respect them. If you were to be killed by an extremist today, would you die knowing that your friends loved you, and you loved them? If not, make amends with them. Those 150 victims didn’t get a chance to.

Collins Wetangula, the vice chairman of the student union, said when the gunmen arrived at his dormitory he could hear them opening doors and asking the people who had hidden inside whether they were Muslims or Chris6

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The Future PHOENIX GUWA (MYP) “A society that cuts itself off from its

youth severs its lifeline; it is condemned to bleed to death.” - Kofi Annan.

A common mistake is to perceive young people in our culture as knowing nothing, far less than adults. With maturity and size being the main differences between us, it is very easy for adults to treat young people as inferiors. However, I do not believe that this is the case. What if everyone broadened their views of what youth are?

What if everyone saw young people as the seeds that hold within them all the potential to grow into dynamic human beings? We are filled with curiosity, energy, and the ability to communicate. We should be able to use it! It is important for young people to participate in decision making because it ensures our well-being and development.

Through questioning, expressing our views and having our opinions taken seriously, young people develop skills, gain confidence and form aspirations.

The more opportunities a young person has for meaningful participation, the more experienced he or she becomes.

We are currently living in a gerontocracy – a society ruled by elders – where the youngest appear to be hit the hardest. Politicians fundamentally chase votes; since the younger generation aren’t expected to vote there is no chasing being done there. The government looks after the people that have elected them: the elders. Nevertheless, what politicians don’t realise is that 7

lying within young people is an incredible amount of power, an amount of power that should terrify Westminster.

Politics and decision-making should not just be for old men (and women), we need a voice. We deserve a voice.

engagement between young people and would keep them occupied. I believe that young people should be able to take part in activities that they love, ideally run by other youths who have similar interests.

All people, including the young, are entitled to a voice to express their views on decisions directly affecting their lives – it is a fundamental human right! Robel and I, as Members of Youth Parliament for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, believe that the four key issues for young people living in Kensington and Chelsea are (1) bullying, (2) lack of recreational activities (3) peer pressure (4) curriculum.

3/Peers can be positive and supportive; however, they can also have a negative influence. They can encourage each other to skip school, steal, cheat, use drugs or alcohol, or become involved in other risky behaviours. The majority of teens with substance abuse problems began using drugs or alcohol as a result of peer pressure.

4/Pupils are taught how to pass exams not how to pass life. I believe that the place of citizenship education and 1/Over the last two decades, bullying PSHE in the curriculum should be radivia social media and in schools has be- cally overhauled through a youth-led come an issue of widespread concern. UK-wide review; they are really imBullying, which is wrong and should portant for young people’s growth and not be tolerated, can seriously affect a development as they teach vital life person’s physical, emotional, academic skills and can be the first steps to enand social well-being. Many sufferers gaging young people in political life. of bullying lack confidence, feel bad I may not know a lot about politics but about themselves, have few friends and I do know that in order for not only spend a lot of time alone. Parents, our borough but the country to flourschool staff, and other adults in the ish, it is essential that the voice of the community can help kids prevent bulyouth is heard and we care about that lying by talking about it, building a safe voice. school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention This position is perceived by many as strategy. one of great power over others; however this is not our view. We see it as 2/The fact that there are few things for an opportunity to be your servant, young people to do is a major problem serving you and your interests as because a lack of fun activities is often a youths: because you are the future. cause of violence and youth crime as there is ‘nothing better to do’. Recreational activities would be a source of APRIL | MAY 2015, ISSUE 6

Is a Dictatorship ever justified?

Hugo Allain argues why a dictatorship is never justified.

HUGO ALLAIN

Nowadays, the idea of a dictatorship has a huge amount of

established France as the dominant power in Europe for a stigma surrounding it, with the term ‘dictator’ connecting long while (although his lack of forward thinking caused in people’s minds with extreme right wing ideologies, and, him to lose that position). most noticeably, with the horrors of the Nazi regime under Hitler. Many people - the French, for example - will, how- However, many dictators can abuse the power entrusted in them, and enslave their people, bending them to their will. ever, connect it with the effective and prosperous rule of Napoleon (though Napoleon will have a multitude of nega- This can be traced back to human nature, the desire for power, to enforce your will on others. Many examples of tive connotations in the minds of Englishmen). Dictators are not ultra-nationalistic by definition, and so it is possible oppressive regimes can be cited: Nazi Germany, Soviet to debate, with a relatively clear conscience, whether being Russia, Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe, Colonel Gaddafi’s Libya, Benito Mussolini’s Italy, Kim Jong-un’s North Koa dictator is ever justified. rea, et cetera. The success of a dictatorship, both in terms of effectiveness and oppressiveness, relies wholly on who becomes the dictator. Also, even if the dictator is both just and effective, he or she is still not allowing the people to decide on the policies they enact. The dictatorial regime is an oppression of human rights in whatever circumstances it falls under.

A dictatorship is, essentially, utterly wrong, as it oppresses human free will, and can be used to disastrous effect if the dictator starts to kill his people for unjust reasons. It is contrary to Christian moral teachings, and to fundamental human rights. It is also a potential cause for instability and unrest in a country, as a dictator will often have many opponents who will want to overthrow him and either take power themselves, or restore democracy. If foreign powers The idea of a dictator was first thought up in Ancient Rome, where, in times of emergency, a ruler was appoint- invade, to create or restore democracy, even more unrest ed who had absolute power. Julius Caesar used this clause is then caused. Dictatorships can be found at fault for many reasons, but they can be useful for short periods of time in to get himself dubbed a dictator for life (Napoleon used certain situations; if they go on too long, however, there similar techniques). This decision can be backed up with fairly sound logic; in times of hardship, the people need a could be serious problems. strong leader who they can have faith in, boosting morale, who can make good decisions to help the country, and be decisive, rather than wait for their ideas to be passed through parliament - a slow process that wastes time. The examples above of Napoleon and Caesar can back up this argument: Julius Caesar was a strong leader and military man who started the enlarging the Roman Republic, with the annexation of Gaul and the conquering of Britain; Napoleon, despite what the English, Austrians, Prussians and Russians might tell you, was an effective leader, who introduced an era of prosperity to France (some may cite his legalisation of brothels as a bonus), re-established the Catholic Church in France, and was a good military man, who 8

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OUR MAN IN NEW YORK

New York City JOSEPH LORENZO

Having recently visited the Big Apple with my family

One of the most enjoyable features of it was the food.

Whilst going to Times Square we stopped off at Ellen’s for the first time, I was unsurprisingly in awe of the place. Normally, when we go on holiday, I am not a fan Stardust Diner which served the best food I have ever of wandering down streets, pointlessly looking at some old castle or getting lost in the middle of some grapefruit farm; however, New York was something else, the enormously long streets, the ridiculously high towers and the deliciously great diners made it a joy to stride round the fantastic city.

Having gone in February, I was in for a shock: temperatures reached as low as -17oC with the wind chill factor further lowering that mark. I had never ever felt temperatures as low as that and when I returned to hear from friends who had gone on skiing trips that temperatures were around 10oC I wasn’t that happy. But, hey, had.

With aspiring actors and actresses constantly singing as it’s the USA and I know what I would choose if given you eat your mountain of pancakes with chocolate the option of going to France instead. spread the fun factor is right up there with anything else One thing that really struck me was how much it felt I have done in my life. I noticed that the service at these restaurants were far better than the cold-blooded waiters back in London; for a start, they actually had a smile on their face and looked like they enjoyed what they were doing.

Having had a few months to reflect on my travels to the Big Apple I have concluded that as far as exciting and enjoyable New York is, I could never, ever live there; it’s just too extreme and everything is in your face with there being a great lack of space and greenery. Furthermore, the seasons are just too exaggerated, there must be at least a 30oC difference between the lows of winter like being in a movie, from those yellow taxis, to the and the highs of summer. Personally, I find motels, to the café diners it was really cool - not forget- London just fine, so I’ll end this article in the ting the huge portions. Despite the pavements, streets words of Goldilocks: it’s not too hot, it’s not too and metro system being relatively grubby, the actual cold... It’s just right. tourist attractions were astonishing. Probably the most impressive of them all was the 9/11 memorial sites which managed to be strikingly serene in the middle of the city that never sleeps. One aspect of New York which was brilliant was the Rockefeller Centre and Tower, which my family and I climbed in order to see pretty much the whole of New York. Fortunately for us it was a perfect winter’s day, so despite it being freezing, the views were stunning.

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OUR MEN IN ROME

Classics on Tour FRANCESCO ZUCCHELLI - AARON HAGOS - FERNANDO MENDEZ DE VIGO Day 1: Herculaneum At 5:45 am on the 5th February, the Vaughanians who study classical subjects left for Naples from Gatwick Airport, North Terminal. We arrived in Naples at midday ready to head off towards the city, Herculaneum. We arrived at Herculaneum at about 3pm where we were given a detailed tour of the excavation site. It was much smaller than the actual city because most of the city was built on it, over time.

In the 18th century, however, the city of Herculaneum was rediscovered by the Spanish engineer Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre. We were allowed to go through the city after the tour and we saw many intriguing things. One of these things was the food store under the city. There were bodies lying conserved by the ash in different positions, showing the final thoughts of these different people. This showed us that they thought being under the city would be safe, showing their obliviousness to Mount Vesuvius.

the entire city, carbonised loaves of bread were still found in the ovens which had been left in the by the fleeing bakers. We also observed the famous mosaic of the dog, which bore the phrase “cave canem”, meaning ‘beware of the dog’.

On top of the layout of the housing, we also went to see the forum of Pompeii.

This was located on the outskirts of the city and it played a fundamental role in the political, religious, and economic life of the city. It had a large open spaced area in the middle with various temples and other buildings surrounding it. The north end of the forum was bounded by the temple of Jupiter and situated on the west side was the basilica and the temple of Apollo. We also had a look at the amphitheatre in Pompeii. These theatres were built in a way that the actors’ voices could be heard from the very top without them needing to shout. The theatre had a main stage and located behind that was the backstage.

Wealth applied to everything, the seats located at the front were for the richer men and the back row seats were for the Day 2: Pompeii poorer men. These amphitheatres were On the second day, despite the pouring rain, we were still enthusiastic enough to laid out exactly the same as theatres nowago visit the ancient, exhumed city of Pom- days. This made this city so advanced for peii. Pompeii was considered as the most its time, and such an interesting place to advanced built city in those days, due to its visit. brilliant sewer mechanism, which would lead the floods through sewage pipes from Day 3: The Colosseum and the foro Roevery home into the sea. Some pipes were mano Day 3 in the beautiful city that is Rome, an still visible in some wealthy homes. awkward weather of sun and rain was Wealth was also a major factor in Pompeii. The majority of opulent homes were beating down on us. We went to the great Colosseum, and it was beautiful; we did located in the centre of the city. One could tell apart an expensive house from a learn a lot, such as that it was built in the Flavian period and finished under the rule poor house due to its windows, which would allow you to see through the large of Titus. He was one of the most loved house, past the vast, open-roofed atrium, emperors but only lasted 3 years. 100 days and beyond the peristyle. What also fasci- of games were hosted as soon it was open.

Another area, called the foro Romano, nated us were the bars and bakeries that was known as the central hub of Rome. were still visible. The bakeries had large There were many leftovers of old great cone-shaped stones with a circular plate buildings, and it excites me that the huon top, which was used to make the bread. Even after the 1000 C lava covered man race was able to accomplish something so great, so many years ago.

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Day 4: Ara Pacis Museum In the morning of day 4, we headed out to The Ara Pacis. The Ara Pacis is translated literally as the ‘altar of peace’. However, it was built in dedication to the Roman Emperor Augustus, the people's emperor.

It had been moved from its original place due to the conditions it was in. An interesting fact about the Alter is that the most important person there is depicted as the Commander of the legion and not the emperor, due to Augustus not wanting to seem like the almighty leader - not wanting to follow the path of Julius Caesar and his assassination.

Next, we all went to Museum Capitolini, which was a museum with all of the most ancient and well kept statues in Rome. It had the She-wolf with Romulus and Remus, depicting the story of the founders of Rome. It also had the statue of Medusa , one of the most well-known statues, due to its time of sculpting being as long ago as 200 AD. On the last day of this wonderful trip, everyone was in no mood to stay in the hotel for long. We set out at 9am to go to Catholicism’s capital, the Vatican. We visited the many exhibitions inside, such as statues from famous artists and even a private exhibition, called the marble zoo, which was closed to the public because it was still under construction. With this came the mythological beasts of the past: the chimera, centaurs and the cerberi. Finally, we went to the Sistine Chapel. The paintings were ever so detailed, especially ‘The Creation of Man’.

Overall, it was a truly great trip, and we’d like to thank all the teachers who came, on behalf of all of the students - especially Mr. Foley, without whose hard work we would not have had this amazing opportunity.

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OUR MAN IN BERLIN

Alone in Berlin TOM COUFFON

Forty students and a host of staff returned from a history trip to Berlin on the 14-17th of March. The trip’s purpose was to provide the students with first-hand experience of the GCSE history course. Throughout the trip, students visited parts of east and west Berlin, as well as the Reichstag and old concentration camp Sachsenhausen in Oranienburg.

The trip was an incredibly busy one; we learnt many interesting things which will help hugely with our study of the subject. The teachers that accompanied us on the trip were Mr Smith, Miss Sutton, Miss Jeffers, Miss Brooks and Mr Fergusson - the whole of the history department.

It started off quite early - 7:30am - on a cold, gloomy March morning, at Gatwick international airport.

Following a very uneventful flight, we met our tour-guide Agata. She was a very intelligent and engaging young woman, originally from Poland, who spoke numerous languages—including English of course. Following this, and after a few pictures outside Berlin international Terminal 1, we headed to what was to be our home for the next four days: a small hotel situated in the not-so-trendy district of Mauerpark.

displayed the sheer scale of the atrocities in a way that no textbook can ever do. Many of us were greatly touched by this experience.

On the Monday of our trip, Agata lead us to the Stasi museum, where a very intelligent man explained to us what life was like under the Stasi (the East German secret police) and showed us through the different offices of the Stasi including that of the last head of the Stasi, Erich Mielke. Following this, after numerous train changes and journeys, we had a guided tour of the House of Wansee, which was where the Final Solution (the decision to start the systematic killing of Jews) was planned, in 1942, by the Nazis. In the evening we had a very entertaining and delicious dinner at the Due Forni pizzeria, followed by bowling, in which Mr Smith ended up beating everyone by a huge number of points.

On the last day, 40 very tired boys headed towards the Palace of Tears (tranenpalast) museum at 8 o’clock in the morning. This place was the border crossing, separating East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989. The name ‘Palace of Tears’ symbolized the As soon as we had found our rooms, abandoned our bags and sadness of the family and friends when they were separated beraided the bar and vending machines for any available sugar, we tween these two very different parts of Berlin. After a delicious were sat and prepared for our briefing. After this, feeling approCurry Wurst and a few kebabs we headed towards our last mupriately informed, we advanced towards what was to be the first seum with sad faces. This museum focused on the famous Berlin of a number of insightful museums, to learn about the Wall which we had already encountered on our adventures ‘topography of terror’; we were led by a guide through the daily through Berlin. Our guide explained to us many interesting stolives of those who were in the Nazi offices and who were in the ries and deepened our understanding on the separation of East SS and Gestapo. and West Berlin. This wall was over 110km and covered the whole of Berlin.

Our next stop was the ‘book burning’ memorial. This was an interesting monument which portrayed the dangers of authoriMany pupils were not very excited about leaving our very enjoytarianism and helped us understand what life was like under such able trip and going back to school. After a relaxed plane journey an extreme dictatorship. home, our evening was worsened when Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League on away goals—but all in all we Following little sleep and many movies we headed towards a have very fond memories of this extremely good trip. memorial for the bravest of beings: the German resistance. The following experience is something that will stay with many of us for the rest of our lives. We visited the Sachsenhausen Memorial and museum—a concentration camp). This concentration camp 11

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THE FILM CRITICS

Fast and Furious 7 “Fast and Furious 7” STEPHEN RABEY The new Fast and Furious film came out, and it was quite a big surprise. Not many films have been successful after their third incarnation, but the film has what you need: a plot, characters and a warm feel to it.

role which used to be held by The Rock. ‘The gang’ begin their search for Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) after he attempts to kill Hobbs and Torreto (Vin Diesel). Their chase takes them to Abu Dhabi, but the fight escalates in L.A. - the gang’s home streets. The result is a highly exhilarating finale, and a film which one should definitely go and see.

4/5

Three Dwayne Johnson movies to see: Fast and Furious 7 (2015): See above; The Tooth Fairy (2010): Funny, and it has a happy ending; Race to Witch Mountain (2009): Has Aliens head-on with The Rock; Three Dwayne Johnson Movies not to see: Hercules(2014): No plot; In some instances, the loss of a character in a movie is never as sad as you brace yourself for it be. The loss of the late Paul Walker to the Fast and Furious series is such an example. You are bracing yourself, knowing that the end for Brian O’Conner (Walker) is near, but the CGI-dominated montage to Paul at the end was, in my opinion, a let-down. With a nod to the original ¼ mile race, the scene of Paul Walker and Vin Diesel driving - not racing- but driving cars away, seems a poor acknowledgement of Paul’s career. The ‘family’, who seem to return for every film as ‘brothers’, remain intact, but for the absence of Han Seoul-Oh, who is obviously dead. Also, the introduction of ‘Mr Nobody’ as a replacement for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Luke Hobbs (don’t worry, he returns) adds character to a 12

GI Joe (2009): Wanted to be everything Mission Impossible was—but failed; Empire State (2013):Like GI Joe, only more obnoxious.

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ON THE SMALL SCREEN

The Ascent of the Russian Right “Reggie Yates’ Extreme Russia” JOSEPH STEWART

An insight into what is currently a very mysterious na-

there was a rapid rise in religious beliefs, with 75% of tion, which seems set on a campaign of occupying other Russians currently describing themselves as Orthodox countries illegally, this brave documentary sees Reggie Christians. There is a clear link between these extremeYates investigating the extreme Russian right wing. He ly Conservative Christian beliefs and extreme homophoinvestigates their ideology—specifically their extreme bia. There is also a strong correlation between a lack of education and homophobia, and this documentary delves deep into the causes behind this inveterate thinking.

homophobia—as well as the worryingly more widespread intolerance which is typical in Russia today.

If you are looking for a true insight into radical political Neo-Nazism is not a new feature of Russian society, and beliefs in Russia, then I would recommend this prothese white supremacists have been a continuous prob- gramme. The two episodes that have already been aired lem. However, Yates proves what a courageous man he are definitely worth a watch, to truly educate yourself truly is: as a mixed-race young man, he attends Neoon this nation, and some of the beliefs of a faction of Nazi rallies, in order to interview and investigate white their population. supremacists and their beliefs. His skin colour means he is taking a huge risk; he is described as a “mongrel” by the clearly uneducated, ignorant thugs who are the subjects of this documentary.

In 1917, Vladimir Lenin (famous Communist revolutionary leader) took the courageous step of legalizing homosexuality, an action which shocked the world, and added to Western propaganda describing the terrible state of the newly liberated Russia; and yet today, in 2015, almost 100 years later, Russia is making life for homosexuals unliveable. Reggie meets a wide range of homophobic activists who even claim that homosexuals are “not human” and that they would desire to “burn them”, and more importantly begins to investigate their reasons for these beliefs. After the fall of the Soviet Union, where the Orthodox Church was criminalized, 13

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THE GAME CRITICS

9.5/10 HENRY MATTAR

“Outlast” is a survival horror video game that was re-

by the soul of an experimented patient, Billy Hope, who leased in late 2013. Unlike conventional survival horror was subject to extreme mental and physical torture. games, however, you have no form of combat. Your only chance of survival is either to run and parkour away, “Outlast” isn’t exactly original in its principle. I mean, a mental hospital inhabited by patients, previously experior hide. Hiding is more immediate, but some patients still find you hiding, or pretend to not have found you in mented on, going wild? How much more clichéd can order to lure you out, at which point you will be brutal- you get for a horror game? However, it still manages to use other qualities of the game to create a terrifying, ly murdered. new style of horror game. It has amazing graphics, and it focuses on making everything look as lifelike as possible.

The game also has a petrifying soundtrack, chilling you to the bone, even when nothing is happening in the game. Outlast, unlike many horror games, uses both disturbing things and jump-scares to scare the hell out of players. When encountering patients, you see in great detail their disgusting, bloody, broken and twisted faces.

At one point, your player is even subject to torture and has two fingers amputated. However, Outlast also comes packed with jump-scares enough to make even The game is about a freelance journalist, Miles Upshur, the most steadfast person jump out of their seats. who decides to investigate a remote mental hospital deep in the mountains of Lake County, Colorado, on account of rumours that there have been experiments performed on patients. When he gets into the hospital, he quickly discovers that these rumours don’t even begin to describe the goings-on in the hospital. From the moment you enter the hospital as Upshur, you see terror, with blood sprayed in most rooms, along with a few dead bodies. Later on, you see a glimpse of a patient, horrifying and drenched in blood, walking into a room you were in seconds ago. Whilst running away, you enter a room filled with corpses. Piles of dead bodies litter the floor, while a few are even strung up from the ceil- “Outlast” is made with great quality, and is very preciseing. One of the men strung up was a SWAT officer, who ly thought out, from the soundtrack to the artwork, in reveals that the doctors did in fact experiment on paorder to create the most immersive and horrific game tients, but the patients rebelled and killed everyone. possible. And in my opinion, they pulled it off perfectly.

From there on, your only objective is to escape, which is For this, I rate it 9.5. much easier said than done. Throughout the hospital are various patients, crazed scientists and the odd delusional priest, chasing you away from a simple course out of the hospital. The deeper you run into the hospital, the more you find out about the gruesome happenings in the hospital, most notably about the Walrider, a body inhabited 14

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INDEPENDENT ARTICLES

Warship Resurrected Japanese Warship “Musashi” is recovered after decades submerged KEVIN PAULRAJ

On 24th October 1944, in the Sibuyan Sea off the Philippines, the Musashi was under-attack from several American warplanes—all during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. (Which was the believed to be the biggest naval battle during WW2.)

70 years later, it was discovered by American billionaire Paul Allen, his private exploration team found the wreckage more than 3,280ft deep on the floor of the Sibuyan Sea off the Philippines.

Paul Allens started his search for the Musashi eight years ago, he found the wreckage using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUM).

The Musashi has a huge assortment of artillery: 12 127 mm guns, 12 triple 25 mm gun mounts, and four 13.2 mm weapons.

The Battleship was part of the Imperial Japanese Navy and was the Yamato class battle ship.

The Musashi was hit by 20 torpedoes and 17 bombs.

1,000 of its crew were killed. The Musashi was 862 ft. long, weighed 73,000 tons, it could hold seven aircraft and it’s top speed was 27 knots (31 mph). The Musashi and its twin ship the Yamato, were two of the largest battleships ever built.

American pilot Jack Lewton recalled “Running into one of these geysers would be like running into a mountain.”

However, the Musashi would soon have been taken down, since it didn’t have adequate air cover. It was hopeless against multiple waves of air attacks.

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INDEPENDENT ARTICLES

The Original The chocolate bar classic under the microscope MARK SIMONS

I am starting this article with a bit of a back story: my last article, which I believe to have been a success, was apparently too long, and not something that the supposed readers of this wonderful publication would be interested in. It is my pleasure to present to you this review of a Kit Kat.

due to the outer shell of chocolate defining it by tax rulings as a ‘luxury product’. However, its price fits right in with small chocolate bars and it is perfect for sharing, due to the multiple defined breaks which the kit Kat chunky lacks.

A Kit Kat is often confused with its later counterpart the Kit Kat ‘Chunky’, of which there are now many variants, all with equally awful flavour combinations.

The traditional Kit Kat has come under fire from these confectionary disasters, yet it has also remained in its original form: a two, four and an eight finger variety.

The eight finger, or as I like to call it ‘eight breaks’, is called a king size and is rarely found this side of the Atlantic, or, as I like to put it, the ‘obesity divide’.

The Kit Kat has a pun based on every one of its fingers: ‘Take a Break’. This pun tells the eater what they are doing by eating the bar; it is also telling any office work that if they find themselves searching for a bite of chocolate, then they really should be having a break. This is why I think the divided sections of a Kit Kat should be called ‘breaks’, not ‘fingers’ - as the pun suggests that in eating the ‘break’, you are more literally having a break.

To conclude, the Kit Kat is a well-priced small chocolate bar that is perfect for one with less of a sweet tooth and in need of a metaphorical—or literal—break. Buyers Beware: the toilet sellers are not exactly selling the bar at high street price.

The Kit Kat strikes the balance between chocolate and a biscuit perfectly, the outer chocolate coating creating a soft chocolate flavour, which is then broken with the crunch of the biscuit wafer inside. The price of the Kit Kat is a little high, on the biscuit side of confectionery,

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SPORT

Simply the Best GEORGE WHEAR

The PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) player and young player of the year awards have been given, but here is a rundown of the main nominees for the awards: Eden Hazard (Chelsea): My pick for the main award, Eden Hazard won it this year, and you cannot blame the bookies. With 13 goals and 8 assists in his 32 games for Chelsea this season, Hazard has shown his ability to create chances (he has created 88 – the most in the league) as well as finish them off. Hazard has also demonstrated his ability to perform when Chelsea need him the most this season, as he has single-handily won 14 points for the blues—most recently Hazard scored the winner against Manchester United. What Hazard is most known for is his attacking prowess and ability to take on players; he has completed 148 dribbles, which is 46 more than anyone else in the league, and the fact that he has taken the most touches in the opposition box in the league demonstrates his attacking expertise. Ultimately, Hazard has been consistently exceptional this season and has been influential in Chelsea’s league victory.

Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal): Alexis Sanchez has been one of the best signings of the season and has outperformed his £35 million transfer fee.

What defines Sanchez as one of the Premier League’s best players is not just his exceptional footballing ability but his fantastic attitude and work ethic, demonstrated by the fact that he has made 60 tackles—no one who has scored over 10 goals, has made more than 33. Sanchez never seems to stop running and his persistent pressure on the back four has paid off, as he has earned himself a couple of goals by doing this. Sanchez has scored 14 goals and has 8 assists, very similar to Hazard, although, he is second to Hazard in dribbles completed, as he has only 102.

Diego Costa (Chelsea): Diego Costa’s superb first season at Chelsea has been slightly hindered by injury. However, despite this, he has managed to net 19 goals and assisted 3 times. Costa was influential in the early stages of Chelsea’s season and at that point he was not only outperforming his £32 million transfer fee, but any other player in his division. What separates Costa from his competitors is he strength and clinical finishing demonstrated by the fact that he had the 17

best conversion rate of clear goal scoring opportunities of players with 6 + goals. Unfortunately, I do not think Costa deserved to win the award and this is mainly due to his injury—as if he was able to continue the form he showed at the start of the season he would win this award hands down.

David De Gea (Manchester United): David de Gea has been arguably the most important player in Manchester United’s season. De Gea is one of two goalkeepers in the shortlist and his performance on the field has been rewarded with two nominations. De Gea has saved United from defeat on numerous occasions and has won games for United, as he has allowed them to grind out victories.

On many occasions he has looked unbeatable. However, United’s lacklustre defence has worsened De Gea’s statistics, and these need to be taken into account whilst the players cast their votes; although, given the competition, I do not think De Gea would have won the award anyway.

Harry Kane (Tottenham): My pick for the Young Player’s award.

Harry Kane has been a surprise success at Tottenham this season and has been the standout performer in a very mediocre side (apart from Christian Eriksen). However, despite a lack of quality around him, Kane is very direct and clinical, demonstrated in his 20 league goals (the most in the league), although he only has 3 assists. Spurs’ dependency on Kane is evident from the fact that he has won 22 points for them – the highest in the league for an individual player. To put that in perspective, Burnley and QPR have only won 6 more points than Kane has for Tottenham, and he has won 39% of Tottenham’s games for them. Kane’s exceptional form this season has earned him a place in the England team - and he scored on his debut.

Kane has also proved himself to perform on the big occasions, as he bagged a brace to beat Arsenal, as well as being influential in Tottenham’s 5-3 win over Chelsea earlier this season, scoring another brace in the process. Ultimately, for me, Kane is the clear winner of the Young Player of the Year—and many clearly shared this opinion, given that he won it on the night.

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FICTION

The Wind’s Keening MAX CHARLTON

An icy, biting wind blows through the streets of New

speculated upon. Some say his heart is two sizes too York under heavy, grey skies, gnawing at the extremities small, others that he lacks a soul, though all agree that he of those stumbling outside. It hurls through the crowds of is without compassion, not affected by emotions. As our anxious accountants on Wall Street, whips up the hats of young protagonist goes from drinker to drinker, despair enthused tourists in Manhattan, and slows to a halt in the begins to creep at the edges of his mind. Countless tales desolate streets of Harlem, at the steps of an old, crooked of bankruptcy, followed by divorce and loss of jobs diminishes the young lawyer. bar. It brushes its heavy iron door, rusted orange with torrential rain and the tears of broken men. It slithers As the hours pass, this once enthusiastic young man ages through a bullet hole from the forties to find a smokebeyond his years, slowly carrying himself with a more sulfilled, silent saloon; len expression. As yet few figures dotted another figure collapses around the shadowy into sobs, our man room, quietly sipping slumps to despondence, away their aspirations leaning over the bar, into glasses of harsh shadows masking his liquor, each pondereyes. The wind lurks at ing the cruel hand the base of the stool, dealt to them by fate. and recognises the melancholic expression The tobacco tinted air drawn over his face, all is filled with the faint happiness drawn into sound of an old record the shadows of this bar. player, so an aged and It breezes through his indistinctive fuzz is all hands, weaving between that is heard. This sohis fingers, around his lemnity is burst as the glass of a dark, ominous door is thrown open, liquid. For the wind sees sunlight piercing this all, and knows of the spiritual smog. The transformation that has culprit is a young, occurred. In the worst hopeful man, fresh of plights, once bravery, out of law-school, strength and fidelity have been shredded, one thing restunted by anxiety and inexperience. mains, holds us, defines us as human. Hope. In the face of He is here to gather information about his company’s big- the greatest evils, hope will carry humanity through it all. gest adversary, Roark Rahlson, having been unwittingly put forward to face him in court. He knows little of Roark, having only glimpsed his utterly unrecognisable face and slight figure once, though all know his ruthless ability to destroy an adversary. His pale, grey skin is met by flat, lifeless brown hair, vaguely combed to one side.

Yet his corpse-like body is pierced by violently green eyes, missing nought, judging all. What differentiates Roark further is that he does not represent a client, but rather stands alone to shred the worlds of the comfortable in NY—with unknown motives, though they are widely 18

But when all hope is gone, we become lifeless, stumbling vessels: without aspirations, without humanity. For when our man is faced with a certain end to youth and happiness, hope dies there alongside, our once elated youth joining the ranks of solemnity. But the wind does not stay, it blows on outside, in search of a place where all are content, all are hopeful, where it can finally come to rest.

Yet this is not to be, when men and women alike are unable to breathe in and smile. And so, the wind blows on.

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APRIL - MAY BIOGRAPHIES

GÜNTER GRASS –13th APRIL 2015: DEATH Gunter Grass died at the age of 87, after a career which brought him a Nobel Prize for Literature for “The Tin Drum”. An advocate for German honesty regarding their Nazi past, he was perhaps one of the most iconic writers of post-war Germany, and indeed Europe. In his autobiography “Skinning the Onion”, he controversially revealed that he served briefly in the Waffen-SS (the fighting wing of the SS). Years later, Grass published a prose poem “What Must Be Said”, referring to Israel’s growing threat to peace after they received nuclear-armed submarines from the west. This led to a predictable series of accusations of anti-Semitism, as well as a travel ban from the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

ALDO MORO - 9th MAY 1978: DEATH Aldo Moro was the Italian Prime Minister on two occasions during the ‘Anni di Piombo’, the years of political turmoil in post-war Italy.

Known for his political dexterity when representing the DC (Democrazia Cristiana), he was responsible for negotiations between the Italian Communist Party and his own party, when Operation Gladio surreptitiously intensified relations. In 1978, he was kidnapped by the extreme communist paramilitary force, the Brigate Rosse (Red Brigades), and used as a bargaining chip for the release of 13 of their own men. As the Italian Government of Giulio Andreotti (also DC) adopted a hard-line stance against negotiating with terrorists, Moro was said to have been left to die due to his writing of a document exposing the sordid dealings of his party. Moro’s body was found on the 9th of May 1978 in the back of a Renault 4 in central Rome; but the document never was.

MALCOLM X - 19th MAY 1925: BIRTH Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, was perhaps one of the greatest activists to grace the world’s political stage. Unlike his contemporary, Luther-King Jr, he took an aggressive stance against discrimination against blacks in America, often promoting physical action, saying: ‘We declare our right on this earth to be a man, to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.’ His activism was often inspired by his strong Islamic faith (he was the head of the Nation of Islam party, a party of which boxer Muhammad Ali was also part). He has and will continue to remain hugely significant in the annals of history.

CHARLES MINGUS - 22nd APRIL 1922: BIRTH Charles Mingus, perhaps one of the 20th century’s greatest Jazz Big Band directors, and greatest Jazz Double Bass players, was born this month in 1922. He started his musical career as a cellist; however, due to racial problems surrounding black people playing in predominantly white institutions such as orchestras, he began playing the Double Bass, a key instrument in the Jazz scene, which was mostly black and of ethnic minorities. He soon evolved into one of the leading Jazz musicians of his generation.

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MARLEY BRADBURY

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THE

V AUGHAN I DENTITY APRIL|MAY 2015, ISSUE SIX CARDINAL VAUGHAN MEMORIAL SCHOOL 30

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