TERM ONE 2023
BST STUDENT MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS TIPS FOR EXAMS
3
ORIGAMI
4
SPORTS
5
SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE 19 TERM 23 KS5 ADVICE
GIRLS TERM ONE
8
CHRISTMAS
24
THINGS TO DO FOR CHRISTAS 25 ON A BUDGET
BOYS TERM ONE
9
CLUBS AND SOCIETY OPPORTUNITIES
10
SUBJECTS
13
MATHS
18
STUDENT-WRITTEN ARCTICLE
15
GUESS THE MOVIE
26
CREDITS
32
SIX TECHNIQUES THE FEYNMAN TECHNIQUE
The Feynman Technique is a method of understanding concepts by teaching them to someone else, as if you were explaining the topic to a child. The process involves breaking down complex ideas into simple terms, identifying gaps in your understanding, and revisiting the material to fill those gaps.
THE CURVE OF FORGETTING
POWER NAP
A napping for 20 to 30 minutes can help increase alertness. Although it is crucial to set an alarm to prevent oversleeping!
BLURTING
The curve of forgetting is a concept developed by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus and illustrates how information is lost over time if it is not reinforced through review. Structuring your revision around this curve can ensure that information is stored in your long-memory.
Blurting method can be done by reading sections of your notes or textbook and closing them, writing down or saying out loud as much of the information as you can remember. This will allow the brain to retain information more easier and help store information in your long term memory.
MARK SCHEMES
WHITEBOARDS
Doing past papers and checking your answers against the mark schemes will help you consolidate content and understand how you can pick up marks in an exam.
Writing key concepts on to white boards can help remember definitions and recall them easily during exams. Creating mind maps on the whiteboard with your friends can also be a fun revision activity!
TIPS FOR EXAM REVISION Exam season can be an extremely stressful time. You can use these strategies to maximise your study and time and enhance your exam performance. Good luck!
ay D e r ultu ion C t i 3 t 2 e 0 2 omp C i am Orig
Overall Best Quality (under 5mm wing span) 3rd place: Emma-Rose Morgan B4 2nd place: Eri Yoshitake (I2) 1st place: Isabella Paulsen Cabrera (A4)
Overall Smallest Crane 3rd place: Eri Yoshitake (I2) 2nd place: Madeline Lai (A4) 1st place: Cairine Shiu (I5)
SPORTS
Sports Day During the final week of Term 1a the whole of Secondary contributed in Sport Day. Earlier in the week KS3 took part in various activities. Such as long jump, 30m sprint and many more. At the end of the week, all of Secondary competed in the final events. There was Tug of war, The relay and The 100m sprint. Overall it was a fantastic week. The final winner however was Tsukiyomi!
Winner: Tsukiyomi
House Shield Competition
Winners: I1 and I6
Girls Volleyball: This term the High School Girls’ Volleyball team showed great improvement during this years season. Although the girls’ Varsity team faced many losses during the YOOJO tournament held at ASIJ, however they came through toward the end of the season by winning the ISTA tournament.
Girls Basketball: In girls basketball we do drills and games and focus on areas we need to improve on for future games. - Lucia Andersen
Boys Volleyball: Boys volleyball this year was full of healthy competition and team bonding. It is a great way to socialise and make new friends for life! - Motoki Moller
Clubs and Society Opportunities:
Are you passionate about Writing? WRITING AMBASSADOR MEETINGS ARE ON FRIDAY LUNCHTIME. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!
WRITING AMBASSADORS ARE INVOLVED IN.. CREATING THE STUDENT MAGAZINE EVERY TERM. WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LIBRARY AMBASSADORS. PROMOTING CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITIONS. SUPPORTING THE WEDNESDAY LUNCHTIME WRITING DROP-IN SESSIONS.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED CONTACT:: CMITCHELL@BST.AC.JP
Law and Politics Society WHO WE ARE: The Law and Politics Society is a student-led club founded by a group of Year 13s who took the initiative to get together every week to enrich our further knowledge in jurisprudence and politics. WHAT WE DO: We are currently involved in creating a student blog that features articles on current affairs as well as organising a talk series with experts from the field. During the club, we debate various topics ranging from Brexit to Human Right Law. We are also organising the inter-school MUN conference that BST is hosting Who to contact if you're interested: Ms Selby: cselby@bst.ac.jp
SUBJECTS
Phi day was greatly anticipated within the Yr9 Community, featuring various activities themed towards the irrational mathematical constant “Phi”. Often labelled as the golden ratio, this number is extremely important within the mathematical community. It was enlightening to discover how Phi is greatly argued to be a prevalent driving force behind natural beauty, however also considering that in many cases there is little to base this off, and occurrences are exaggerated. The different secondary houses competed against each other, with points being awarded both to fantastic mathematical ability, and demonstration of attributes such as effort or determination. Although cut slightly short, the event was both fun and educational, with many students expressing distinctly how they found it enjoyable. In the end, bishamon came through with a clear victory over the other three houses.
STUDENTWRITTEN ARTICLES
ARTICLE
Japanese supermarket chain Aeon to increase part-time pay by 7% Hana Sedlak in Tokyo
Aeon’s pay offer is likely to push major competitors to take similar measures © Bloomberg
Aeon, one of Japan’s biggest supermarket and convenience store groups, said it will raise average wages by an unprecedented 7 per cent across its 400,000-strong workforce of part-time employees. The pay offer by Aeon, which controls the Ministop convenience store chain, Welcia pharmacies and core Aeon supermarkets, is the first such move by a large Japanese retailer and likely to push major competitors to take similar measures. “We will aim to raise efficiency by hiring high-quality talent,” the company said, noting “fierce competition” in Japan’s tight labour market. The pay increase will be implemented as early as March and involve part-time employees at the group’s 147 subsidiaries. Aeon’s move follows months of government pressure on companies to increase wages after years of failing to do so. Several companies, including Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing and the drinks group Suntory, have announced significant wage increases in recent weeks. Aeon’s promised increase, which is notable for covering part-time workers, far outstrips Japan’s current 4 per cent rate of core inflation. Although Japan’s larger companies have signalled that they will increase wages, the overall effect will be damped if the country’s huge number of small and medium-sized companies do not replicate the offer. Japan’s SMEs employ over 70 per cent of the country’s workforce.
Must We Always Obey the Law? Mei Hague
‘One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.’ Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King. Martin Luther King’s words demonstrate that we don’t always have to obey the law. King stresses that if a law is deemed ‘unjust’, it is the citizen’s duty to disobey them. However, culture, society’s expectations and one's upbringing can all impact what is deemed to be ‘unjust’. The law is certainly not a static mass and as history can reveal, laws can become ‘unjust’ as society’s views evolve. It will be concluded that there is a grey area when determining whether disobedience of certain laws is justifiable. However, if a law has become undeniably unjust or poses a grave breach of human rights, it would be an individual’s duty to disobey them. In simpler terms, context matters.
Why Should We Obey the Law? It is fair to say that the law acts as an institutionalised solution to many of society’s problems. According to Plato’s Crito, disobeying the law as one pleases will result in the State falling into chaos. It is undeniable that from a general standpoint, the law allows society to function in an orderly fashion and the Rule of Law states that all citizens should be held accountable to obey it. Plato stressed the importance of obeying the law no matter the circumstance to maintain its integrity. He viewed the law as a safeguard against tyranny; an “external authority” that acts as the “ally of the whole city.” But what if the law has become a tool for the tyrannical?
Moral Reason vs Legal Obligation Hitler’s Germany saw the ‘effective perversion’ of the legal system ‘to legitimise his terroristic dictatorship’ (Fountaine, 2020). The Enabling Act of 1933 ( Gesetz zur Behebung der Not von Volk und Reich) was the final nail in the coffin of German democracy and the rule of law, providing Hitler with the power to enact laws without the approval of the Reichstag and the German people. The ‘Nuremberg Laws’, a series of anti-Semitic and blatantly racist laws, was a product of Hitler’s unchecked power which raises the issue of whether we should obey the law even if it is immoral. In the face of tyranny, one may have to disobey the law to uphold moral reason.
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SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE TERM
BEST SPANISH TEACHER EVER!!!!!!!
He's always great he teaches extremely well and he interacts with his students a lot.
Mr Testard has been very nice and helpful in class and helped me progress in spanish, he also makes us laugh and makes class fun
Mr Testard
He has made classes productive but fun, with a nice casual atmosphere and time for games as well
！
He has been super helpful in catching me up on Spanish on topics I had missed or I was not sure about. He has also been very supportive with speaking tests and just has fun lessons in general.
"HE IS THE BEST TEACHER!!!!" Because he's very good at teaching and he makes maths fun and easy to understand.
I have chose Mr Farrell because he has been a great football coach and PE teacher this term. He has taught me a lot and gave me lots of good memories.
Mr Farrell Mr Farrell is a very nice but also funny teacher, whose lessons are really fun. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TEACHER
He is the absolute MVP for getting me through iGCSE History!
Dr Reilly is such a funny and caring teacher. He is always making me laugh and lets me and my friends use his room for break!
I love history because of his teaching methods.
Dr Reilly
He is so so so so funny and teaches us history in a fun way but also in a way that we can understand everything and that helps us learn and he is very nice.
I chose Dr Reilly because he is not only very supportive, but has a great sense of humour both inside and outside class. He also doesn't give out much HW and when he does, it isn't that hard to do.
KS5 ADVICE FOR A-LEVELS It is critical that students choose their A-level subjects carefully, taking into account their strengths, interests, and future plans. They should discuss their options with various people such as their teachers and parents. Students are strongly advised to select subjects in which they are interested and likely to succeed. However, there are many other factors that you should consider when you decide which subjects to choose. For instance, consider if you enjoy the subject or not. Consider if you are skilled at the subject but don’t enjoy it. Consider what you want to major in for University/College (if you are considering going to University). It is also vital to know what not to take into account when choosing your subjects such as taking a subject just because your friends are applying or taking a subject because of a teacher/teachers you like. Finally, taking a subject because you have been told the subject has less of a workload could be a false assumption.
ADVICE FROM Y12
Extended project qualification
We have gotten feedback from year 12 on advice they would like to spread awareness to students considering taking ALevels.
Also, you might want to consider taking EPQ: The Extended Project Qualification is Selfdirected and gives students the freedom to select a subject of their choosing to construct a theme and emphasis for in-depth study.
Advice: “If you didn’t enjoy a subject during your IGCSE you will probably hate doing it during A-Levels” “Pick a subject that you are passionate/enjoy learning about because it will motivate you to do your assignments/revision” “Don’t pick a subject because of your friends choosing it or because of a teacher you like teaching the course. Likely, you won’t end up with the teacher or friends you prefer anyway” “The workload will be very different from IGCSE’s so please be cautious about that when considering taking a fourth subject” “Complete your homework throughout the week ESPECIALLY during Study Periods and do not leave it until the last minute”
The finished work may take the form of a 5000-word essay, an idea exposition, or an artefact. The student’s interests determine the outcome. In addition, students acquire several abilities that are highly regarded by colleges and have been demonstrated through statistics to help them succeed in both their A-levels and their next university studies.
Extended project qualification Advice If you are considering taking EPQ or if you have already decided to take it, you will have to manage your time carefully. EPQ will take your time in studying and revising other subjects you are taking. Please consider if the subjects you have chosen have a lot of workload or if you are taking on four subjects. However, if you are capable of managing your time and organising it is recommended to take on EPQ. You will be able to research and learn topics that BST doesn’t cover; this could help develop your research skills and writing skills which would be helpful for University and future work. However, if you decide not to take EPQ you will be taking Life Skills which is a course that covers leadership, careers, sports, and wellbeing in addition to the above elective courses which would also help in University and work.
CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 2023
HOLIDAY VIBES The day that many people wait for at the end of every year
HAPPY NEW YEAR The day that many people wait for at the end of every year
Things to do for Christmas on a budget
if you want to go all out!
Mr Parsons:
Mr O’connor & Mr Brown:
Ms Mitchell:
Ms Kikkawa:
Mr Groarke & Ms. Bailey:
Ms Khan:
Ms Lynn:
Ms Acquaye:
Mr Morris:
Ms Sheffield:
Mr Tough, Mr Pye & Ms Grey:
Mr Dennett:
Ms Diaz, Madam Sadou, & Mr Morris:
Mr Frazer, Ms McCallum, & Mr Dennett
Ms Pushpanathan:
Mr Testard:
Ms Shaw:
Mr Saranam:
Mr Keeble-Watson:
Mr Wilkie:
C REDITS
EDITED BY: THE WRITING AMBASSADORS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: THE PREFECT TEAM HOUSE AND VICE CAPTAINS SUBJECT AMBASSADORS/TEACHERS THE STUDENTS WHO SUBMITTED THEIR NOMINATIONS FOR 'TEACHER OF THE TERM'
https://www.bst.ac.jp