Abbey Times Student Newsletter Dec 2023

Abbey

Times

CLUBS Rowing club, Volunteering club and more…

SCHOOL LIFE Rome trip, art spotlight, interviews, accounting abbey inspires…

YEAR 2023 AUTUMN TERM

Inside 4

CLUBS

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Interesting activities happening in Abbey, including Rowing Club, Volunteering Club, Music Club……

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ART SPOTLIGHT

Fantastic, rain-free days in ROME for students and staff.

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A giraffe is being painted, —but why?

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ACCOUNTING ABBEY INSPIRES Why did I become an Accountant? — the biggest abbey inspires of the year!!

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ROME TRIP

INTERVIEWS An interview with our history teacher, David Shah

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TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS Top tips to help you get through December exams and some music that will give you goosebumps!!

From the team

Thank you for reading this magazine produced by the Journalism and Publishing Club that meets regularly on Wednesday afternoons. We wanted our magazine to reflect life in college and things that are interesting to Abbey Students. Our articles range from fascinating clubs and events happening in the college to useful tips and recommendations. Although it has been enjoyable, it has been harder than we thought, especially with planning what articles to write and that are also attractive.

Also, special thanks to Tory, Anna, and Chris for driving and leading this club. Lastly, we are very thankful to everybody who helped with giving photos and are willing to be interviewed. Hope you enjoy reading our articles!

TORY, CHRIS & ANNA Production Manager

RACHEL Editor

ROJINA, TARANNOM, OLLIE & ANNAL Writers

DENISE

LILIANNE

Art Director

Graphic Designer

KASRA, FRANCO, IOANNIS, REA & JOCELYN Jounalists and bloggers

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Paying tribute to Anna Edmunds I never thought the last time I would see her was when she gave me a big smile, greeting me 'Hello Rachel!' in the corridor. We did not even know whether this club could go on.

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that our Math teacher and Housemaster, Anna, has passed away. Not everyone acknowledged that she would have been running this club alongside Tory, our marketing officer, and Chris, our English teacher.

Anna had an enormous part in driving us, including me, as an editor, to make progress and publish this magazine.

When the Club first started, silence and indifference struck the atmosphere. Although Anna cheerfully encouraged us to discuss roles and look for examples from a magazine, no one volunteered to do anything. Everyone seemed to be tired after having demanding Wednesday lessons.

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However, influenced by the passion of Anna, I started to lead the group to discuss different examples of a magazine. Eventually, Anna chose me to be the editor. Afterwards, with the enthusiasm of Anna, we started to know what we were doing and developed our first article.

In the first week, she was here helping us. In the second week, I heard that she was in the hospital.

It was an absolute shock for me, who had no idea what to do next.

Planning what articles to do without the presence of any teacher in the room is like a lost group of sheep without a shepherd. Everyone voluntarily left 30 minutes later. In the third week, Anna passed away.

This news struck me with shock and sadness, but it encouraged me to do my best in the role of editor.

It increases my will to publish this magazine with flying colours so that people will know how she inspired and influenced me. She taught me to send summaries after each session and be enthusiastic and persistent in encouraging everyone to be involved in the magazine. Without her, we could not even produce a magazine with wonderfully written articles like this! Finally, I hope that when everyone reads this magazine, they will remember Anna as part of the driving force behind this magazine.

Rest in peace, Anna!

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clubs.

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Rowing club.

O

ne sunny Wednesday afternoon in October, a group of students

interested in rowing went to the Homerton College Rowing Club as they do every week. The Rowing Club is located just next to the riverside, which also has a balcony with provides us with gorgeous views of the River Cam. They went directly to the gym on

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on the second floor to warm up and train for the actual rowing session later on. They were doing the moves in sync, following the counting of the coach, trying to improve their posture by checking it through the mirror in front of them. After a sweaty gym session, is what excites the club members: lifting the boat!!

The boat is nearly 9m and weighs around 14kg, which means everyone has to put in their

efforts to make it happen. First, they lifted the boat to shoulder height, and as the coach said GO, everyone straightened their arms and lifted the boat as high as they could. This skill will be essential for them as in the future, they will need to start rowing in the river!

Everyone gave all their efforts, but no one was complaining, as they knew that the main event of the club session awaited them.

Just a five minutes' walk, we arrived at the Downing College Boat Club (where professionals train!), where we were told that there’s a rowing tank which mimics the natural environment in the river. Although I had heard from the coach that the tank was very new and innovative, when me and my partner walked in, we gasped with eyes wide open! There are cameras everywhere, capturing the boat in every angle possible.

The students were split into two groups of 8, taking turns to be trained in the high-tech rowing tank.

While waiting for students to warm up and get ready, we had a short but insightful conversation with the rowing coach. He emphasised that rowing is one of the best team-building sports, and more importantly, everyone will need to work together as they are in the same boat.

He also mentioned that it’s a very rare opportunity and a great thing that Cambridge has the right environment for rowing. He also told us that the strongest two members should be the ‘bow’ and ‘stoke,’ in which the former sets the pace while the latter watches out for the surroundings.

Every student had the chance to practice the moves they learnt from the past weeks, and with professional advice from the coach, they practised till all their moves were in sync. Everyone put in their best efforts, which even made the water splashed out of the tank. New skills have also been learnt!

We interviewed a few students while walking back to the rowing club, and everyone was satisfied with this club. Aien expressed that she feels like rowing club is more practical than other clubs as the members can learn how to row, which could be a useful skill in the future. Minjae also mentioned that he joined the club to challenge himself and to learn a new skill. Abdulaziz told us that although rowing is a complicated sport and it is a bit hard for him to master, he has faith in the rowing club members that they will master the skill and win the rowing competition in a few months.

Despite only spending 3 hours in the rowing club, me and my partner, Lilianne, could feel the team spirit between the members. We sincerely hope that everyone in the rowing club will be able to achieve the best version of themselves every time they practice and eventually win the competition!

— written by Denise

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VOLUNTEERING CLUB -Written by Rachel

The more we contribute, the more we gain from being part of the community.

A lot of students have joined the volunteering club this year. Our journalists, Rachel, Rea and Jocelyn, are really interested in why they would join volunteering club because a lot of students might think doing volunteering activities is boring and useless.

While we visited them, they were doing the application form for going to the Addenbroke’s Hospital to chat with patients.

After interviewing volunteering club, I found out that the reasons they want to volunteer are more than enriching their

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personal statement and supporting DofE (Duke of Edinburgh). One of our interviewees, Echo, said that she wanted to follow what her mum did, to volunteer and be involved in the community in Cambridge. Also, she also wanted to practise her communication skills as they will need to communicate with patients and managers. It is really inspiring and impressive because she really wanted to be an active member in the community.

John Bauer, one of the teachers in charge of the volunteering club also added that one the aim of volunteering is about gaining the satisfaction from helping others.

I believe that it is just as we buy gifts to our friends. Although it might be time-consuming to choose gifts and write birthday cards, the pleasure we gained when your friend give you a big hug and a big smile makes everything worthwhile. Therefore, volunteering is really a great chance for us to contribute to the community and help people in need. The joy we gain from helping others when patients feel a bit happier do mean a lot when we volunteer. The more we contribute, the more we gain from being part of the community.

ART CLUB ARTICLE —THE STEREOTYPE We always have a hidden understanding: if you are not good at art, it is not worthwhile and enjoyable to do art. However, after interviewing the art club, we discovered that everyone can enjoy art.

Firstly, we have interviewed Serena, our fabulous art teacher. The reason why she decided to make this club is to develop and stimulate the artistic potential of students who are interested in art and provide a chance to create some artwork for the students who don’t choose art as an A-level or GCSE subject. These weeks, students are using different materials to design and make T-shirts. The students will draw their designs and engrave the pattern on the seal, then ink the seal on the white T-shirts. Serena also hopes that there will be a fashion show to showcase student’s Tshirts in the future. We can’t wait to see all the Tshirts students have made!

Secondly, we interviewed a student, Lina. She is crafting a template from a piece of wood, hoping to use it to create patterns in the T-shirt. We first asked her why she wanted to join the art club, and the answer was her love of art. However, there are some challenges she mentioned as she needs to try different and new techniques, but Lina said she thinks that’s more like something fun and relaxed, not challenges or difficulties. More importantly, she hopes she learns new things and calms her mind down after the subject studies.

When we first entered the art room, the calm and gentle music floated through the atmosphere. I am sure that Lina can take time to unwind when she does her crafting while enjoying the tranquillity and serenity!

— written by Jocelyn

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Academic English —relaxing reading time -Written by Rachel

I believe a lot of students will not deny the fact that reading can benefit us in different ways, but they cannot squeeze out some time to read every day. So, there is an Academic English Club, which can help students develop a regular reading routine.

We interviewed Alister Gray, one of the teachers in charge, and two students, Chan Chan and Weslie, in one afternoon. In this club, students can choose what books they want to read. What is interesting is that they could enjoy snacks and take breaks between sessions. Also, they can do silent reading in one room and discussion in another room, which gives them the choice to choose what they want to read and be relaxed.

Despite having this ‘freedom’, both Chan Chan and Weslie also thought that the most challenging part of the reading club was to concentrate for 1.5 hours. Chan Chan even said, ‘It is hard not to fall asleep when you read for 30 minutes. You are always sleepy in the club’. I hope that everyone can develop a reading habit from this club but not the ’resilience’ to struggle through the temptation of dozing off.

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Music club — passion and enjoyment Students in Abbey College Cambridge share a generic perspective on the music club, this is evident from multiple interviews they had with students of different year groups and different backgrounds of musical instruments.

“I play the guitar for fun and because it comforts me, when I am bored I make songs and play them on the guitar.” - Top Top is a musically talented student at Abbey. He expresses playing the guitar as peaceful and a way of expressing sympathy, this idea is quite similar to another student who plays the piano, "When I understand what I am playing I get really happy, but I dislike the struggle of trying to get the piece at first". - Eva Music is more of a hobby rather than a club to be forced to be partake in. On the other hand, even though she enjoys the excitement and the accomplishment of finally mastering a piece she doesn't see herself being a pianist in future as it is totally out of the occupational field she hopes to partake in.

Is this a problem? The feedback received from interviewing students in the music club had 60% of students mentioning how they don't plan on taking their instrument they play seriously.

"I don't think it's necessary" - Eva Eva wants to do medicine in future but she doesn't think she can multi-task by playing the Piano as well.

'My main goal is to say yes to whatever students want musically' - Ed Davidson Ed Davidson, our music teacher, cares more about the students’ passion for their instruments rather than the club itself his priority. It is the temporary feeling of what students feel with their instruments rather than preparing them for the future. We hope that everyone can enjoy music club as more of an entertaining and relaxed atmosphere for the students to feel at ease and play instruments passionately!

— written by Ollie

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Young Enterprise — interviewed by Franco and Anaal

Q1. Why did you decide to start Young Enterprise?

Mr. Walton, the teacher who we interviewed, along with his fellow commerce teachers, initiated Young Enterprise with the intention of instilling a deep understanding of the significance of businesses in the world among students. They believed that by providing students with hands-on experience in running a business, they would gain practical insights into various aspects of entrepreneurship and develop valuable skills for their future endeavors.

Q2.What are the challenges you face daily in Young Enterprise?

Abbos, one of the interviewed students, expressed that one of the significant challenges he encounters daily in Young Enterprise is the constant need to come up with fresh and innovative ideas for each new project he takes on. He finds it demanding to continuously think outside the box and find unique solutions to problems. However, he also sees this challenge as an opportunity for personal growth and learning, as it pushes him to be creative and think critically.

Q3. What do you like and dislike about Young Enterprise?

Abbos mentioned that he thoroughly enjoys participating in group activities with his friends as it fosters collaboration, teamwork, and the opportunity to exchange ideas with his peers. He finds it fulfilling to work together towards a common goal and witness the collective efforts come to fruition.

Additionally, he relishes the discussions held within the Young Enterprise framework, where he can share and explore new innovative ideas. On the other hand, Abbos expressed that one aspect he dislikes about Young Enterprise is the relatively short duration of the program. He believes that extending the program's timeline would provide more opportunities for growth, development, and the chance to implement long-term strategies and projects.

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Stem club — written by Rojina and Tarrannom

Interviewer: Good day! Today, we have the pleasure of chatting with some members of the STEM Club at Abbey College Cambridge. Let's dive into their experiences and insights.

Interviewer: First off, could you tell us a bit about yourselves and your interest in STEM? Student: Certainly! I'm [..], and my fascination with science and technology led me to explore STEM further.

Interviewer: Great! Now, what motivated you to join the STEM Club at Abbey College Cambridge?

Interviewer: Now, looking ahead, how do you think your involvement in the STEM Club will influence your future career choices?

Student: I joined because the STEM Club here offers a unique blend of hands-on activities and Student : Being part of this club has solidified collaborative learning. It's a fantastic opportunity to my decision to pursue a STEM-related career. apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations. The exposure and skills gained here are invaluable and will undoubtedly contribute to Interviewer: That sounds engaging! How has being my success in the field. part of the STEM Club helped you in your academic journey?

Interviewer: That's fantastic to hear. Lastly, Student : The club has been a game-changer for me.

The discussions and projects we undertake enhance our understanding beyond the classroom, making complex concepts more.

what advice would you give to students considering joining the STEM Club at Abbey College Cambridge?

Student : I would say, go for it! The STEM Club is a dynamic community where you not only learn but also form connections with likeminded individuals. It's an enriching experience that goes beyond textbooks.

Interviewer: Thank you all for sharing your insights and experiences with us. It's clear that the STEM Club at Abbey College Cambridge is playing a pivotal role in shaping the academic and career paths of its members.

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School Life.

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Rome trip -Written by Anaal

A SUMMARY OF THE ROME TRIP — WHERE DID THEY VISIT DURING THOSE FIVE DAYS?

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5 days in

Rome Day 2: On the second day of our trip, we started with breakfast at the hotel. Our first stop was the Colosseum, where we explored its history and enjoyed our time both inside and outside the grand structure. We gained insight into the lives of the Roman gladiators, the emperors who observed their battles, and the enthusiastic audiences.

After our visit to the Colosseum, we returned to the hotel for some rest. In the dinner time, we had a delightful dinner at Taverna Pretoriana.

Day 3:

Day 1: On our first day, we landed at Ciampino Airport and hopped on a shuttle bus to Hotel San Marco.

After checking in, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at a local pizzeria. Following our meal, we explored the city of Rome, savoring some delectable gelato along the way. We also marveled at the immense ruins of a public bathhouse, a relic of the Roman Empire, which appeared to be partially destroyed.

In the evening, after a brief rest at the hotel, we indulged in more pizza at the Trattoria Nouva Stella restaurant, before returning to our hotel.

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On the third day of our trip, we began with breakfast at the hotel. Our first destination was the stunning Fontana di Trevi, one of the largest Baroque fountains in the city and renowned as one of the most beautiful in the world. This masterpiece features an array of statues, with Oceanus, the God of the sea, standing out prominently.

After our visit to the fountain, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch and had the opportunity to shop for souvenirs during a short break. Later in the day, we explored the Spanish Steps, a bustling area with numerous shops and centers offering a wide range of items. It's the perfect place to find whatever you might need. In the evening, we savored a delicious dinner at Restaurant Mino.

Day 4: On the fourth day of our trip, we embarked on a journey to Vatican City by using Italy's efficient underground metro system. Once in the Vatican, we were greeted by the awe-inspiring sights of this historic and religious enclave.

Our first stop was at the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica, a true icon and one of the largest and most significant churches globally. The basilica boasts a stunning dome designed by Michelangelo and houses a plethora of remarkable works of art.

Next, we explored the Vatican Museums, which are a true treasure trove of art and history.

These museums showcase an extraordinary collection of artwork and historical artifacts from various periods, including the world-famous Sistine Chapel.

After our enriching visit to the Vatican, we decided to return to the Spanish Steps, allowing the students to have more time for shopping and exploration, as they had enjoyed the area the day before.

In the evening, we savored a delightful dinner before returning to our hotel, concluding another day of exploration and cultural immersion.

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As our journey in Italy came to a close, we reflected on the enriching experiences and cultural discoveries that defined our time in this beautiful country. From the historical marvels of Rome, including the Colosseum and Vatican City, to the charming streets filled with the aroma of authentic Italian cuisine, every moment left an indelible mark on our memories.

One of the most striking aspects of our adventure was the stark contrast between the UK and Italy.

While the UK boasts its own unique charm with historical landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, Italy captured our hearts with its rich artistic heritage, delicious cuisine, and a warm, vibrant atmosphere. The Mediterranean influence in Italy is evident not only in its climate but also in the passionate and expressive nature of its people.

The diverse landscapes, from the bustling streets of Rome to the serene beauty of the Vatican Gardens, showcased the multifaceted nature of Italy. The efficient underground metro system allowed us to navigate seamlessly through the cities, providing a different experience from the more traditional transport in the UK. Culinary delights, such as authentic Italian pizza and gelato, presented a delightful departure from the traditional British fare. The emphasis on leisurely dining, savoring each meal as a social event, was a refreshing change from the fast-paced culture often found in the UK.

As we bid farewell to Italy, our hearts were filled with gratitude for the memories created and the cultural exchange that broadened our perspectives. The stark yet harmonious differences between the UK and Italy made our journey an educational and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

— written by Anaal

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A giraffe is being painted, —but why?

Recently, we heard that two of our art students are decorating a giraffe that will be displayed in Cambridge.

We are curious about why they have to paint a giant giraffe. So, we interviewed Serena, Lina, and Amy one afternoon, hoping to shed light on this mysterious project.

Serena told us that they are doing it for a French charity called Alliance Française, translated as French Alliance, that aims to promote French culture in the UK. In 2021, enormous fibreglass cows decorated with rich colours were exhibited across Cambridge in an art trail.

The charity called Break decided to repeat it. This year, they have a promotional event called Standing Tall to support Break, a charity working in Cambridge to raise the aspirations of the county’s young care leavers.

“Each organisation and our one is Alliance Française, buys one of the giraffes completely white. And the idea is to decorate it. Then, they're going to be dotted around in shopping centres, and it's to promote the charity Break, which is a really good charity.”

Looking at the plain giraffe, Serena decided to put beautiful brown croissants and crumbs as their brown patches. Even Serena herself, and her technician Julian have helped with the design. They even put a French bonnet on the giraffe's head!

“I asked two of my Y13 students, Lina Chen and Amy Chen. They are very good artists”, Serena added, nodding her head, smiling proudly, “They drew all the croissants, and then the ones that are smaller we've made into like crumbs that could have fallen off.

They've done all of that.”

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—How long have you been doing it? “a month”

Once they finish painting the base and put on varnish, that's going to be done early next week. It's going back to Alliance Française, and they'll hand it into the main charity. Finally, they are going to be in groups of fours and fives together, all from different people who have done them. “Community groups, other schools. I don't know.

Creative people”, Serena added.

After interviewing them, I was fascinated by four of them, who spent so much time volunteering to decorate a giraffe, not for their own benefit, but to use their outstanding art skills to benefit charities and vulnerable individuals around them.

I hope, as we gaze up at the giraffes in Spring 2024 in Cambridge, you will see them as I do: our creative and passionate pupils from Abbey using a month to help decorate one of the giraffes, for a charity standing tall for young people with care experience and telling them that the sky is never the limit.

— interviewed and written by Rachel

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Interviews with David Shah —interviewed by Kasra Q1: Why do you teach your subject of History?

I have always loved and been fascinated by history, both on a personal level - I'm lucky enough to have a family history from different parts of the world - and more academically. I also believe that History and the Humanities are a crucial discipline: it is important to have a memory of lives lived; to have as accurate as possible an understanding of the past; but also, where differences of interpretation do exist, to be able to discuss these constructively - this for me is the essence of democracy.

Q2. Dead or alive, who would you like to meet?

My maternal grandfather, who passed away when I was two. He served in the Italian Army in WW1, was captured seriously wounded (he had an arm removed) by the Austrians; and his family believed he had died. I would love to hear about his experiences, also under Fascism after the war.

Q3. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Think before speaking or acting; and consider not speaking or acting! I'm not sure how often I follow that advice.

Q4. If a movie were made of your life, who would play you?

Shrek.

Q5. What's your favourite food?

Italian, Indian cuisine and anything with aubergines.

Q6. Do you have any pets?

Yes: a very bossy little black cat called Shadow (see photo). I am allergic to cats, but love her.

Q7. Who is your best student?

I have had many 'best students', who are the ones who listen; but also those who engage and, therefore, oblige me to listen back.

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Why did I become an Accountant?

— the biggest abbey inspires of the year!

— written by Denise If you have seen the posters all around the school about the accounting Abbey Inspires, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the biggest Abbey Inspires of the year, I’m talking about how it has to be conducted in the hall due to its popularity, and most importantly, I’m talking about how students love it so much that they wanted this to be a weekly event!

Before even stepping into the hall, a counter full of candies caught my eye. Everyone who joined the Abbey Inspires can get as much candy as they want for free! Yes, you heard right, for FREE! If I had to use only one word to describe the whole talk, I would say “engaging”. Stuart made sure that everyone found the presentation fun as well as informative, and from my observation, no one felt bored for even one second during the whole talk! Stuart shared his experience in accountancy and gave us some insights into what being an accountant is like. Students were also blessed with Stuart’s ‘handsome’ photographs and fun little episodes back in the day. (Well, at least I enjoyed it, especially knowing that Stuart even worked in Rolls Royce before!)

Just when everyone was feeling a bit bored from all those ancient stories (sorry Stuart), the spotlight of the day, our alumni, Ethan, went up on stage and shared his journey in Abbey College Cambridge and now in LSE. We got to know about how university life will be, and what we should expect in the future. He exposed some behind-the-scenes moments when he was studying in Abbey, and we had a good laugh about it. (Playing Switch in Stuart’s lesson?!)

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And let’s not forget about the lucky draw session after the talk, where I was lucky enough to get picked and get a Christmas edition chocolate bear from Stuart. (I’m keeping it as a souvenir, fyi.)

After the Abbey Inspires, we had a chance to interview Stuart. According to what he has told us, this is the third year he has done this Abbey Inspires, and every year he wants to make it bigger and better, just like what he always says, “Either go big or go home.” Also, Stuart hopes that students will treat accounting as an option for their future job planning, or even just to “open their eyes”. He mentioned that it is a lot of hard work to organise this event, but he believed that it is very important to have some fun on a Friday night as it has been a very hard term for the abbey community.

And yes, we did manage to interview Ethan, but we had to wait for literally 20 minutes for it to happen as he was surrounded by his fans.

(Not complaining, just spitting facts.) He thought that it’d be nice to share his experience from Abbey to LSE, and how Abbey actually gives a lot of help and support to students compared to universities. Ethan also mentioned that studying economics in A-levels gives you an advantage in studying accounting, as you’ll still have to study economics modules in university. He is now considering getting into investment banking in the future, but he doesn’t expect to be working in that field for more than 10 years, as he believes that’s when people burn themselves out.

We also asked Ethan to give us a quote(he gave us two), and we’ll end this article with his quotes.

“Listen to Stuart” and the famous quote from Stuart, “I don’t know.”

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Top tips Maximising Your Success -written by Rojina Shamsi and Tarannom Hatami

During the December Exam Seasons as a student at Abbey College Cambridge, I understand the hustle and bustle of the December exam season can be quite overwhelming. With multiple exams looming on the horizon, it's crucial to adopt effective revision and study strategies to ensure success. I've compiled a set of practical tips to help you navigate through this challenging period.

1. Organize Your Schedule Begin by creating a detailed timetable that outlines your study sessions. Allocate specific time slots for each subject and stick to your schedule religiously. This will help you stay on track and ensure you cover all the necessary topics.

2. Prioritize Your Subjects Identify the subjects that require more attention or those you find most challenging. Prioritizing your revision in this manner allows you to allocate more time to subjects that need it.

3. Use Varied Study Resources Make the most of your resources by using a variety of study materials. This includes textbooks, class notes, online resources, and even educational apps. Diverse resources can provide different perspectives on the same topic.

4. Active Learning Techniques Passive reading and highlighting notes can be ineffective. Instead, engage in active learning techniques like summarizing, teaching a friend, or creating mind maps. This promotes a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

5. Practice Past Papers Past exam papers are your best friends during exam preparation. Solving them gives you a sense of the exam format and the types of questions that may be asked. Time yourself to simulate exam conditions.

6. Seek Help When Needed Don't hesitate to approach your teachers or classmates if you're struggling with a particular topic. A collaborative approach can provide you with new insights and clarifications.

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7. Take Breaks It's essential to take regular breaks during your study sessions. Short, frequent breaks can improve your focus and overall productivity. Try the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break.

8. Stay Healthy Good physical and mental health are key to effective studying. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and engage in regular physical activity. A healthy body and mind will help you retain information better.

9. Stay Positive Maintain a positive attitude throughout your revision period. Believing in yourself and staying motivated can significantly impact your performance in exams.

10. Practice Time Management Time management is crucial during the exam season. Learn to prioritize your work and manage your time efficiently. Avoid last-minute cramming, which can lead to stress.

11. Create a Distraction-Free Environment Find a quiet and comfortable place to study. Minimize distractions such as your phone, social media, or noisy environments. Concentration is your best friend during this period.

12. Review and Reflect Regularly review what you've learned and reflect on your progress. Adjust your study plan as needed based on your strengths and weaknesses.

In conclusion, success during the December exam season at Abbey College Cambridge depends on a combination of efficient planning, dedicated effort, and a positive mindset. Use these tips to make your revision and study time more productive and less stressful. You've got this! Best of luck with your exams, dear Abbey College students.

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Music around the World music recommendations from our journalists

—Pop— Taylor Swift has become one of the fastest growing artists in the current music industry due to her lyrics having powerful and strong messages, unlike most of other music artists. It is known that some of her songs started off as poems which then later on, turned into songs with tunes.

“Love story”, being one of her most well-known song, was inspired by Shakespeare. In the Romeo and Juliet play, Juliet can be seen on a balcony whereas Romeo under, Taylor describes this as “on a balcony in summer air”. Another one is ‘Back to December’, which is praised for its maturity of the lyrics expressing regret over love.

Taylor is not just a singer, she’s a story teller.

—C-Pop— 单依纯

Yichun Shan (Chinese: ) is a 20-year-old pop singer in Chinese mainland and is famous for winning “The voice of China’’ 2020. One of her song is “Wind Blows When I Miss You” ( ) in the show of “Fireworks of my Heart” ( ). It describes a romance as a blowing wind, full of ups and downs, is so colourful but so vague. Listening to this song is like sipping a bottle of old wine, the more you taste it, the more you feel the bittersweet clusters of memories in it.

你时风起 我的人间烟火 A beautiful voice that instantly grab your attention.

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想

—K-Pop— 방탄소년단

BTS (Korean: ; Bangtan Sonyeondan), also known as the Bangtan Boys. Originally a hip hop group, they expanded their musical style to incorporate a wide range of genres, while their lyrics have focused on subjects including mental health, the troubles of school-age youth and coming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, individualism, and the consequences of fame and recognition. The song’s lyrics give a positive light over a friend’s absence, utilizing a seasonal metaphor to deliberate on how things will get better afterward.

트와이스

Twice (Korean: ) is a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment, who is the first female Korean act to simultaneously top both Billboard's World Albums and World Digital Song Sales charts with the release of their first studio album. In the song, “Talk that Talk”, TWICE sing to an upbeat synth-pop melody, whilst the song lyrics describe loving, and wanting more from the romantic conversation between you and your loved one.

—K-indie — 조휴일

Jo Hyu-il (Korean: ; born 1982), better known as The Black Skirts (Korean: ), is an indie rock musician based in South Korea. The song "Everything" by The Black Skirts is about the deep love and appreciation the singer has for their significant other. They express how their partner is their everything, their summer, their dream and that they will take them as they are.

검정치마

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Sudoku TRY THEM!

Easy

Upon each finished sudoku or word cross, you gain 2 APs. Send them to Tory (Victoria Robeson) on Teams to earn Achievement Points!

Easy

Source: 1sudoku.com 27

Medium

Word Search ICE CREAM FLAVOURS

Source: https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/416/

Coconut Strawberry Vanilla Fudge

Rocky Road Cookie Dough Neopolitan Cotton Candy

Hokey Pokey Chocolate Moose Tracks Green Tea

Tiger Tail Pecan Reeses Banana

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Abbey Times MAGAZINE