Current Affairs
ARE UNICORNS REAL?
UNICORNS HAVE BEEN A MYSTERY to humankind since ancient times What do they symbolise? How did they come to be and what started these incredible creatures’ stories? These 3 questions have been mulled over for thousands of years and this is what we found… The unicorn first appeared in early Mesopotamian artworks, and it also was referred to in the ancient myths of India and China Many people have different opinions on these questions
Are unicorns real? This question has a lot of answers amongst different religions and people. We asked different people for their vote to ensure that our information is valid, and here are our results...
We interviewed a wide variety of people, including members of staff, and got a mixture of different results. Some people said that unicorns are real, but others disagreed The overall result was yes, but as we know there will always be more different opinions in the world, so our results were not entirely valid
Despite the fact the results could be considered quite controversial, with real winning over not real, however, in reality, unicorns are not real. This is because, first of all, there is no scientific evidence supporting their existence Unicorns are considered mythical creatures with nobody ever finding some physical proof or fossils to back up their existence As well as that, unicorns have simply been reported in fantastical stories, parts of ancient mythology across many cultures, rather than tangible observations. However, this question may remain as a mystery, as there isn’t any evidence of unicorns not existing or existing.
of Ctesias’
the
People began to believe in unicorns around the 4th century BC in Greece, when Greek physician, Ctesias, described a unicorn-like creature in his book Indica, a catalog into the unknown world. Ctesias described unicorns as a horned creature with pale blue eyes
Unicorns are the national animal of Scotland. The word ‘unicorn’ comes from the Latin ‘unicornis’ which means ‘one horn’reflecting the creature's single horn feature Scientists have discovered fossilized skulls believed to belong to an ancient rhinoceros species sometimes called the ‘Siberian Unicorn’ Finally, due to their mythical nature, unicorns are often associated with purity and innocence.
Mckayla Wee & Sienna Reed
Depiction of a unicorn illuminated by a beaming blue light in a magical forest
The skeleton of a Siberian Unicorn on display
Fan art illustrating a majestic unicorn in swaths of fantastical purples and blues
Representation
description of
unicorns as being white horses with purple heads with 27 inch long horn, coloured white at the base, black in the middle and red at the point
MARY CASSATT; A LENS INTO THE FEMINIST IMPRESSIONIST
Louise Marie Chew
IN 1914, AN ARTIST wrote a letter to her friend, encouraging her to “work for the suffrage ” This artist was none other than Mary Cassatt, a 19th-century Impressionist painter and a passionate advocate for the suffrage movement. Whilst she was widely celebrated for her meticulous depictions of women and children in domestic settings, she also used her artistic talent to promote women’s rights through her notable works
Take the painting ‘Woman with a Sunflower’ for instance. To the common eye, Cassatt’s painting ‘Woman with a Sunflower’ encapsulates encapsulates a moment of domestic bliss since the mother’s hand placement on her daughter’s shoulder and the pair’s holding of the smaller mirror draws the viewer’s attention to their emotional generational bond However, the viewer’s eye is also undeniably drawn to something else in the painting; the large sunflower pinned to the mother’s dress Sunflowers were known to be selected as a significant symbol of the National American Woman Suffrage Association as seen in its common appearance on Kansas suffragists’ badges, serving as Cassatt’s unmistakable nod to the organisation
With the fact that this piece was one of her 20 paintings exhibited for the cause of attracting funding and public awareness towards a suffrage campaign, this certainly her support for womens’ demands for their rights to vote.
Cassatt also had a reputation for infusing nuance into the portrayal of women in her artwork as she visualised them as not only mothers or daughters but also curious, independent intellectuals Her painting ‘In the Loge’ depicts an upper-class woman at the opera, one of the only places where women were allowed to go without a chaperone, establishing the woman’s sense of individualism in the chosen setting With closer inspection, one can see the blurred face of a man in the background attempting to catch a better view of the woman
She is, however, oblivious to his stare as her intent gaze is fixated on the performance on stage through her opera glasses As a result, this gives her a sense of assertive and personal agency as opposed to the traditional passive portrayal of women as objects of the male gaze, transcending social boundaries surrounding women.
With Cassatt’s role as an feminist artist in the predominantly male art world, this undeniably establishes her legacy as not only an Impressionist but an individual who empowered her fellow women through her creative expression.
THE MYSTERY OF OKIKU: JAPAN'S HAUNTED DOLL
Aatreyi
Sinha
IN THE SERENE COUNTRYSIDE of Hokkaido, Japan, the Suzuki family’s life seemed idyllic, filled with love and laughter At the heart of their home was their youngest daughter, Okiku, whose name meant “chrysanthemum,” symbolizing beauty and resilience Despite her delicate health and tendency toward solitude, she radiated warmth, captivating the hearts of her family
Seeing his little sister often alone while other children played, her older brother, Eikichi, decided to change her world with a gift He saved every coin he could find, his heart set on bringing joy to her days Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he presented her with a breathtaking porcelain doll Standing at 16 inches tall, the doll was dressed in a beautifully embroideredkimono,shimmeringwithvibrantcolours.
ButlittledidEikichiknowthatthisenchantingdollwouldbecometheanchorofachillingsaga, onethatechoedthroughthewhispersofHokkaido’squietvillages Justayearlater,their world was shattered A tragic illness swept through, and Okiku fell gravely ill with yellow fever As she lay suffering, she clung to her doll with desperate tenderness. At the tender age of three, Okiku succumbed to her illness, leaving her family engulfed in heart-wrenching sorrow In a moment steeped in grief, her parents placed the doll on their family altar - an aching tribute to their lost girl
As the days turned into weeks, the tranquil air of their home took on an ominous edge. It began with a chill that whispered through the rooms and shadows that danced eerily in the flickering light Then, the unsettling events escalated Disembodied whispers echoed through the empty halls, and objects flew across the room as though possessed by unseen forces The lights flickered wildly, plunging them into darkness before revealing haunting silhouettes But the story didn’t end there Once relocated to Mannenji Temple, Okiku’s strange saga to k took a bizarre twist Her cropped hair began to grow yes, grow! The priest responsible for her care reported that it had reached an astonishing ten inches in length, cascading down to her knees This extraordinary development required regular trims to keep it from spiraling out of control Even more bewildering, the priest claimed to have dreamed of Okiku, receiving messages from her spirit guiding him on how to keep her hair neat. At just 16 inches tall, the doll remained dressed in its beautifully embroidered kimono, shimmering with vibrant colors
Different hair lengths
In the Loge (1878)
Woman with a Sunflower (1905)
The doll
Mary Cassatt (1914)
THE HISTORY OF SUPERCELL
Jeff Hengxuan Wang & Leo Fong
SUPERCELL, A MOBILE GAME development company, based in Helsinki, Finland, was founded in May 2010. Their debut game was the browser-based ‘Gunshine net’, released in 2011 However, Supercell quickly shifted its focus to mobile games, and since then, they have launched several highly successful titles, including ‘Hay Day’, ‘Clash of Clans’, ‘Boom Beach’, ‘Clash Royale’, and ‘Brawl Stars’. These games are known for their engaging gameplay, vibrant graphics, and ‘freemium model’, which allows players to enjoy the game for free while offering optional in-app purchases. Supercell was highly developed as there were quick updates leading players to start joining the experience
Brawl Stars
‘Brawl Stars’ is a fast-paced, vibrant mobile arena fighter where players battle it out in a variety of game modes From gem-grabbing showdowns to intense heist missions, the game offers a diverse range of competitive experiences With a colorful cast of unique ‘Brawlers’, each possessing distinct abilities and playstyles, players strategize and brawl their way to victory. The constant release of new characters, maps, and events keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, fostering a thriving community of dedicated players.
‘Clash Royale’ is a highly popular real-time multiplayer strategy game developed by Supercell, blending elements of card collection, tower defense, and competitive gameplay Players build decks featuring troops, spells, and defenses from the ‘Clash of Clans’ universe, then battle opponents in fast-paced, three-minute matches The goal is to destroy the opponent's towers while defending your own, requiring a mix of strategic planning, quick decision-making, and skillful execution. With its engaging progression system, regular updates, and a thriving esports scene, ‘Clash Royale’ has become a global phenomenon, appealing to both casual gamers and competitive players alike.
of
Hay Day
‘Hay Day’, developed by Supercell, is a charming and addictive farming simulation game that has captivated millions of players worldwide since its release in 2012 Set in a picturesque countryside, the game allows players to build and manage their own farms, grow crops, raise animals, and produce goods to sell to in-game characters or other players With its vibrant graphics, intuitive gameplay, and social features like trading with neighbors and joining communities, ‘Hay Day’ offers a relaxing yet engaging experience Regular updates and seasonal events keep the game fresh, ensuring that players always have new goals to achieve and challenges to tackle Whether you are a casual gamer or a dedicated farmer, ‘Hay Day’ provides a delightful escape into a world of agricultural fun
A level 42 farm design - costing 250,0000 in game coins - on ‘Hay Day’
Clash of
Clans
‘Clash of Clans’, developed by Supercell, is a highly popular and strategic mobile game that has taken the gaming world by storm since its launch in 2012 In this immersive multiplayer experience, players build and customize their own villages, train troops, and form powerful clans to battle against others in real-time The game combines elements of base-building, resource management, and tactical combat, requiring players to strategize both offensively and defensively With its vibrant graphics, engaging gameplay, and frequent updates introducing new troops, spells, and events, ‘Clash of Clans’ keeps players hooked for years The social aspect of joining or creating ‘clans’ adds a layer of camaraderie, as players collaborate in ‘Clan Wars’ and share resources. Whether you are a casual player or a competitive strategist, ‘Clash of Clans’ offers endless entertainment and challenges.
Supercell’s eight-story headquarters in Helsinki, Finland
Promotional material for ‘Brawl Stars’ showing ‘Brawlers’ Shelly, Colt, and Poco running away from an explosion Clash Royale
Image
first look gameplay from ‘Clash Royale’ when it first released in 2016
Promotional material for ‘Clash of Clans’ depicting Red and Blue ‘Barbarians’ at war
THE LINDT LAWSUIT
Anika Soni
LINDT CHOCOLATE BARS ARE always branded with ‘Excellence’ and ‘expertly crafted with the finest ingredients’, but are they all just a big, chocolatey lie?
In December 2022, Consumer Reports tested 28 bars of Lindt’s Excellence Dark Chocolate, and they discovered something that made all dark chocolate lovers take a break. Lead and cadmium, are both said to be “heavy metals linked to a host of health problems in children and adults”, in their 85% Cocoa and 70% Cocoa chocolate bars
Two months later, in February 2023, a class action lawsuit followed, led by consumers who were concerned with the contamination of chocolate bars, including Lindt. In a failed bid to have the lawsuit dismissed, Lindt’s lawyers recently conceded that the chocolate maker’s claims constitute product “puffery,” which the court ruling defines as “exaggerated advertising, blustering, and boasting that no reasonable buyer would believe,” according to AFP(Agence FrancePresse, global news agency)
Consumer Reports scientists identified Lindt's Excellence Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa as containing "high" levels of cadmium and its Excellence Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa as having "high" lead levels
As reported by USA Today, a 2022 independent study conducted by the nonprofit organization As You Sow suggests that chocolate producers can lower lead and cadmium levels by avoiding the purchase of cocoa beans from regions with elevated heavy metal content Additionally, farmers can mitigate lead contamination by refraining from establishing new cacao orchards in such areas, utilizing alternative farming tools, improving soil pH, and adopting other clean agricultural practices
Ana Rule, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who wasn’t involved in the study, told USA Today that continuing to test chocolate is critical “Every time we look for metals, we’re finding them,” she said. “It’s good to keep monitoring these consumer products to be able to identify sources and inform ”
Although the report identified higher levels of heavy metals in other chocolate bars, the consumers participating in the class-action lawsuit claimed they paid a premium for Lindt, believing they were buying "quality and safe dark chocolate " Consequently, they alleged that the company violated labeling regulations in states such as Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, and New York
The chocolatier reportedly “disagrees with all the allegations made in the U S lawsuit,” telling AFP in a statement: “Our Lindt & Sprüngli quality and safety procedures ensure that all products comply with all applicable safety standards and declaration requirements and are safe to consume.”
The "puffery argument" was reportedly presented not as an acknowledgment of subpar products but rather as a "technical" legal stance Lindt explained to AFP that this argument was "used to clarify that an advertising challenged by plaintiffs is not sufficiently objective to support the specific false advertising claim being made.”
In contrast to the message relayed in court, Lindt also told AFP it “stood by” its assertion of “excellence” on product packaging and chocolate “expertly crafted with the finest ingredients ”
DISCLAIMER: While lead and cadmium were found in Lindt’s 75% and 85% Dark Chocolate, it is still safe to eat the other goods made by the same producer. It is also alright to eat those two products, however, they should be eaten in moderation, so as to prevent major health problems
Lindt's Excellence Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa
A young girl eating chocolate
Lindt Truffles (safe to eat)
CONSPIRACY THEORIES: WHEN FICTION BECOMES FACT
Manal Shoaib Pasha
“DID YOU HEAR THAT the Moon Landing was faked?” “There is no chance that Princess Diana’s death was accidental!” “The government must have orchestrated COVID-19 to control the rapidly increasing population…”
Fervorous accusations and desperate explanations swirl and accumulate tempestuously, a hurricane of flame reverberating off of the walls of its miniscule echo chamber Pummelling, churning, thrashing: the conflagration wanes and dwindles, its cinders and ashes settling, forming a new truth
A conspiracy theory is traditionally defined as an attempt to explain harmful or tragic events as the result of the actions of a small, powerful, and sinister group. One interpretation of the motives behind belief in these overwrought hypotheses can be characterised into 3 categories: existential, epistemic, and social.
Foremostly, existential motives can be simplified to individuals’ needs to feel a sense of security, autonomy, and safety within their encompassing environment and ergo a deeply rooted desire to exert their authority and dominance Therefore, access to alternate narratives supplies the disillusioned, anxious, and powerless with a sense of compensatory control Regardless, available sources don't support the notion that conspiracies effectively satiate the existential motivations. Fascinatingly, it has been illustrated that conspiracy makes people likely to not take actions that may in the long term increase their autonomy and control e.g. participate in political processes like elections and increase reluctance to firmly commit to their organisations
Moreover, epistemic motivations entail an inherent need to construct an steadfast and accurate understanding of the world, consequently allowing for a reduction in perplexity when 2 sources of information provide conflicting perspectives and staunchly preserving the validity of one's core beliefs when they come into question This desire can cause the labelling of all contradictory evidence as a farce created by the responsible malevolent force. Furthermore, psychological evidence implicates those with lower levels of education in being predisposed to championing conspiracy theories. This is usually as a result of an inability to differentiate between reliable, credible sources and disinformation To conclude, for those with epistemic motivations, conspiracy theories are quite alluring however don’t provide much satisfaction
Additionally, social motivations often involve a desire to maintain a positive self-image and protect the in-group. These theories provide a way to attribute negative outcomes to imperceptible forces: preserving the perceived competence and morality of oneself and one’s group. This is particularly compelling for individuals who feel their social status or identity is threatened
Although these theories might offer short-term psychological relief, they often exacerbate feelings of alienation and distrust. Evidence suggests that conspiracy beliefs can erode trust in institutions and public figures, failing to address the needs they were meant to satisfy
Conversely, lead author Shuana Bowes, suggested approaching the driving factors behind conspiracy theories in a unified manner with a combination of correlating personality traits and motivation The scholars found that social motivation was the strongest to endorse conspiracy theories and that those who believed in conspiracies more often than not possessed certain personality traits e.g. antagonism and paranoia rather than sensibilities such as extraversion and agreeableness
An exemplary instance of the ramifications of conspiracy theories on social cohesion and trust was the January 6th Capital Insurrection where an impassioned mob stormed the US Capitol Building in attempt to prevent president-elect Joe Biden from assuming office. Many participants were driven by epistemic motivations to understand the results of the 2020 presidential election and based upon the assertions by 200 Republican nominees for office this year denying the outcome Conspiracy theories provided an alternative narrative to the official results, suggesting widespread fraud and corruption This helped individuals who felt uncertain about the election to maintain a coherent explanation that fit their pre-existing beliefs Pertaining to social motivations, Republicans on the losing side of the election may have felt underappreciated and became disenchanted by the legitimate elected officials.
Conspiracy theories undoubtedly cause irreparable change to a society, from unprecedented displays of domestic terrorism to offhand jokes on social media, and are worthy of further research It’s a stark reminder to consider our own internal motivations and personal biases before deciding, for example, whether to trust Donald Trump in that the Democrats want to conduct ‘transgender operations on illegal aliens that are in prison’ Who really knows what to believe?
The amygdala, linked to processing fear, shows increased activity in people who fixate on perceived threats something common in conspiratorial thinking
The United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C being attacked by a large crowd of Trump supporters in an attempted self-coup
Social Identity Theory suggests people form their identity through group membership In-group favouritism and comparison can create superiority and outgroup rejection, with conspiracy theories helping maintain a positive group image
SPORTS AT ALICE SMITH: WHICH SPORT IS THE MOST POPULAR?
By Charlotte Halton & Caitlyn Zhao
Importance of Sports
MOST ALICE SMITH STUDENTS and teachers play some sort of sport Both staff and students play sports as a way to connect with friends and family, but there are still some people who would rather lounge on a couch than be active This is why we have created our article: to encourage more people to stay active outside of school Now you know where to go and who to talk to about your hobby Alice Smith Sport ��
We have asked many teachers and staff what sports they like to play or watch. So far, the most popular sport is football (soccer). Mr Brooke-Smith and Mr Stockings support the Canaries (Norwich), while Mr Szelesi supports Manchester City Both Mr Brooke-Smith’s and Mr Stockings’ children play football
Mr Szelesi’s son influenced him to support Manchester City, and he has supported the team for 15–20 years now His favourite player is Kevin De Bruyne because he plays for the Belgium national team, is a very good striker, and positions the ball well
Ms Lewis loves to run She enjoys the fact that anyone can do it, whether they are good at it or not, and that it can be done anytime, anywhere.
Mr A (JB) likes to play cricket He has played since he was 10 years old and enjoys it because he was good at it right from the start He played at the county level
Mr Selvaraj plays badminton He loves it because he is good at it
Mr Azim loves climbing He said that he tried many different sports, but climbing was the one he was really good at
Sports to Try
From speaking to teachers, we have gained a lot of information about sports Each activity has a variety of pros and cons, and some sports may seem more entertaining than others Football is a great option if you want to play with a big group of you can run alone or with a group of Group friends. You can do this sport anywhere. Cricket, softball or baseball are very fun sports to do It can be a fun way to hang out with friends or just play competitively. Badminton is a very quick sport. You can play it in doubles or by yourself Climbing can be a very laborious sport You only do this by yourself or against someone It uses a lot of energy, but can be quite fun. These are some options for sports
�� CALLING ALL AVID WRITERS!!! ��
https://forms.gle/Pk9pxb82wmcMitQs8
For those with a passion for creative writing - be it poetry or short stories, or any other form of written expressionsubmit your work through this form to strike a chance at being featured in our Season 4 edition of KLASS Khronicles.
If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, don’t worry - we’ve got you covered! We offer the option to feature your work without revealing your identity, so feel free to participate with confidence
We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible talent within our school community and are excited to be inspired by your creativity We look forward to reading your submissions!
See you there!
Football
Cricket
DJI: HOW ONE CHINESE COMPANY BECAME KING OF THE DRONE MARKET
By Tex Turner
THIS STORY STARTS WITH Frank Wang But first, for those who don’t know what a drone is, it would be classified as a small aircraft that can hover, but cannot accommodate passengers like a helicopter. It contains a battery, a rotor, and a camera
Now that we’ve cleared that up, grab a snack, sit down, and enjoy!
Early Life
At a time when filmmakers had to spend millions to get helicopter rides for a mere aerial shot, one company came to the rescue: DJI or Da Jiang Innovations. They are praised all over the world for their products’ usability, from shooting movies in Hollywood to filming in your bedroom, DJI is everywhere It all began in 1980, where a young boy named Frank was born Eventually, he read a story of an old man who used his brain to create a helicopter that was illustrated on the cover, and fell in love with aviation and robotics.
Next, he wanted to learn about flight control systems, hovering, in particular, but was turned down because of his grades (garnering a C as his project failed due malfunctions)... Luckily, Frank’s saviour came in the form of Lee Zexiang, who saw his project, loved his enthusiam, and funded his goal
Early Business
In 2006, Frank founded DJI, which is Mandarin for ‘Great Frontiers’ By the end of that year, he made the first flight system and sold a fully remote controlled helicopter, which was the first big hit for this type of drone, as no one thought aviation was going to succeed.
OBSERVING ORCA’S
ORCA (Orcinus Orca) DESPITE BEING ACTUALLY a species of dolphins, they are also known as “killer whales”. This name came from the mistranslation in Spanish, ‘asesino de ballenas’, which actually means “whale killer”. Then becoming “Killer Whale”, once mistranslated into English
Habitats:
These whales could be found all over the oceans in the world Despite that, they are more commonly found in colder oceans, like: Antarctica, Norway, and Alaska The most well studied Orca populations occur in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Education
When Frank turned 21, he went to the University of Shanghai, where he learnt about electronics. Unfortunately, however, he felt the curriculum did not align with his interests or goals, so, he decided to apply for top universities like MIT and Stanford, but was rejected each time In 2003, he was accepted to the University of Hong Kong, where they hosted a robotics competition for students that Frank participated in, as winning increased your likelihood of receiving investments to start a buisness.
By Glitter Liu
Their Diet:
Orcas are apex predators, they are top of the food chain, consuming almost all of the other animals below the food chain They feed on fish and squid, like other toothed whales do, but they also target seals, sea lions, sea birds, and even whale and shark species (far bigger than themselves )
Average sizes:
Male orca’s average size is about 5 86.7m long; whilst female orcas average about 4 9 - 5 8 m Although there are records of their average sizes, Orca’s sizes vary significantly between different ecotypes and habitats
As another busy season draws to a close, we are delighted to bring you this edition of the Klass Khronicles, packed with thoughtprovoking articles A huge thank you to all our writers for their amazing contributions - your dedication and creativity continue to make this paper a success.
With exam season fast approaching, we’d like to take a moment to wish our Year 11s and Year 13s the very best of luck with their final exams Your hard work is sure to pay off, and we’re all rooting for you! Likewise, good luck to our Year 10s and Year 12s as they prepare for their upcoming mock exams
We hope you enjoy this issue, and as always, we welcome any contributions for future editions
Frank Wang Tao, founder of DIJ, posing with a drone
Male resident Orca jumping out from ocean waters.