BSBINSIDER BSBINSIDER
DON’T BE AN OUTSIDER, READ THE INSIDER!
JAZZ WEEKEND
GUESS THE TEACHER
ADOLESCENCE- MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
INTERVIEWS ALBUMS ....AND MUCH MORE
The Untold Stories Behind Classic Album Covers
By Nick Willan
Some album covers are impossible to forget. They become part of the way we think about the music itself, whether it’s a photo, a symbol, or a visual that somehow just fits. But the covers that become iconic aren’t always carefully planned Sometimes, they’re the result of accidents, split-second decisions, or ideas that almost didn’t happen at all Here are some of the most recognisable album covers in history, and the unexpected stories behind them.
Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)
One of the most instantly recognisable images in rock: a baby floating underwater, chasing a dollar on a hook It was never meant to be iconic, it was just a quick photoshoot
Photographer Kirk Weddle was hired to capture something raw and striking He asked a friend if he could borrow their infant son, Spencer Elden, and took the photo at a local pool in Pasadena The entire process took less than 30 seconds
The label was nervous about the nudity and pushed for a censored version Kurt Cobain pushed back He argued that if the image was controversial, the real problem wasn’t the photo, it was the reaction to it His response? Either leave it as is, or slap a sticker on it saying, “If you're offended by this, you must be a closet pedophile” Controversy followed, but so did massive success The image, like the album, captured something raw, messy, and unfiltered, exactly what Nirvana represented
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
No band members. No album title. Just a triangle, a beam of white light, and a rainbow
The band wanted a clean break from their previous surreal covers Storm Thorgerson, of the legendary design team Hipgnosis, suggested something simpler He found inspiration in a science textbook, a prism diagram showing light refraction Graphic designer George Hardie adapted it into what would become one of the most famous pieces of album art ever made
The cover fit the music perfectly: sleek, atmospheric, and full of subtle complexity It’s been printed on T-shirts, posters, coffee mugs, and tattoos, often by people who’ve never even heard the album
It’s the kind of design that seems obvious in hindsight, but at the time, it was a gamble that paid off
The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) The Velvet Underground & Nico
The debut album from The Velvet Underground was strange and groundbreaking. The cover matched that energy.
Andy Warhol, album, designed glance, it’s just banana. early vinyl pressings, actually peelable sticker. Underneath: flesh-coloured, slightly provocative pink banana. read: “Peel slowly see.” clever, expensive. custom printing process delayed album’s costs, partly explains why wasn’t at first. later, it would be called the most records made. And that banana? symbol pop art cool.
Andy Warhol, who produced the album, designed the artwork. At first glance, it’s just a banana. But on early vinyl pressings, it was actually a peelable sticker. Underneath: a flesh-coloured, slightly provocative pink banana. The sticker read: “Peel slowly and see. ” It was clever, but also expensive. The custom printing process delayed the album’s release and raised costs, which partly explains why the album wasn’t a commercial success at first. Years later, it would be called one of the most influential records ever made. And that banana? A symbol of pop art cool. Underground was strange groundbreaking cover energy
Radiohead – Kid A (2000)
Kid A marked a dramatic shift in sound for Radiohead, and the album’s artwork reflected that sense of unease and disconnection. Thom Yorke collaborated with longtime visual partner Stanley Donwood to create something that looked alien but familiar. They used photographs of Icelandic landscapes and digital distortion effects, layering in textures that resembled propaganda posters and early computer graphics
The jagged white shapes that look like mountains? According to Donwood, they’re actually imagined nuclear explosions The art matched the mood of the record: cold, abstract, and emotionally distant A landscape that felt post-human
It was risky for a band coming off the massive success of OK Computer But the cover, like the music, helped cement Radiohead’s place as one of the most forward thinking bands of their generation
It’s one of the most famous photos ever taken, and it took ten minutes to shoot On a sunny morning in August 1969, the band walked across the street outside Abbey Road Studios Photographer
Iain Macmillan climbed a ladder and took six quick shots while a police officer held up traffic One of those frames became the cover
There was no deep symbolism, just a simple image of the band crossing the street But fans read into everything Paul McCartney was barefoot, out of step with the others, and holding a cigarette in his right hand (despite being left-handed) This fed into the conspiracy theory that Paul had died and been replaced by a lookalike
The image became iconic and tourists still visit the crossing, trying to recreate the shot.
The Beatles – Abbey Road (1969)
WRITTEN BY DOROTTYA KOVÁCS
ADOLESCENCE
A Silent Cry For Help
Adolescence, a British TV series consisting of merely four episodes, was released on March 15th, 2025, and has confidently earned the title of a true success, topping Netflix viewing charts in more than 70 countries. For the past two months, it’s felt almost impossible to avoid hearing about this British mini-series, with people of all age groups discussing its message, importance, and quality Whether through social media or conversations with loved ones, most of us have heard about Adolescence But do we really understand the true reason behind its popularity? And above all, do we understand the message it’s trying to convey?
The series is centred around an event, which is one of the most extraordinary aspects of the show In my view, there is no true protagonist Over the four episodes of Adolescence, we follow the aftermath of the murder of a teenage girl somewhere in the North of England This isn’t your usual crime story: police suspect it was committed by a 13-year-old boy named Jamie, who is arrested within the first few minutes of episode one. However, this isn’t a simple “who really did it” crime drama The question of whether Jamie truly committed the murder quickly becomes irrelevant, overtaken by a deeper moral dilemma: How—and more importantly— why could a young adolescent be capable of something so violent?
Guided by that question, the series explores challenging themes like identity struggles, family issues, and social pressure, shedding light on the crucial but often overlooked mental health challenges faced by adolescents
Photo Illustration by Victoria Sunday/The Daily Beast/Netflix
Firstly, I’d like to draw attention to the very beginning of the show a moment that could easily be overlooked due to the rapid rise in action that follows In the first few minutes, we’re introduced to our first character: a police officer We watch as he listens to a voice message from his son, who pretends to be sick and asks to stay home from school The officer dismisses the message and even shares it with his colleague, telling her that his son will be going to school regardless of the excuse
This short, two-minute exchange might seem like meaningless banter on first watch, but it actually sums up the series so effectively that it’s impossible not to mention. So, why are these two minutes so important? The father ignores what he knows is a lie something most parents might do without a second thought But what we need to notice here is the deeper reason the child may be trying to stay home. Like the parent, we also overlook this unspoken message, brushing off a silent cry for help as just another childish attempt to avoid responsibility
This ignorance becomes a key theme in the series and unfolds in front of our eyes, embodied by multiple adults throughout the episodes Perhaps the most important among them is Jamie’s father, who, as we come to learn, clearly represents both active and passive ignorance towards Jamie’s behaviour directly contributing to his destructive nature Along with him, most adult characters in Adolescence stand in for societal ignorance, highlighting the serious impact this can have on teenagers today.
Another issue raised in the series is the effect of a flawed education system. In episode 2, through the eyes of a police officer, we get a glimpse into the environment Jamie was in every day his UK state school We see not just conflict among the children, but the deeper roots of their behaviour, which are shown as direct consequences of adult failures and institutional neglect By episode 3, we finally hear from Jamie himself, who reveals his true self during an emotional conversation with a psychologist It’s here we see the full weight of everything the show has built up to: how adult ignorance and a broken system have together impacted the mental health of this 13-year-old boy. Jamie becomes a powerful representation of a very real issue one affecting young people around the world today
Obviously, what we are shown through Adolescence is an extreme case or is it?
As we move out of May, Mental Health Awareness Month, this series stands as an important reminder of how much is left unsaid in the lives of young people
Adolescence doesn't just ask us to watch it asks us to listen. Maybe it’s time we all start paying closer attention to what might seem like “just a silly excuse,” because behind it, there might be someone silently asking for help
Whether you're a teen, a parent, or simply someone trying to understand today's youth, Adolescence is a must-watch
JAZZ WEEKEND
Venues: Grand Place Place de la Bourse Place St Catherine The Busker Stages
23rd, 24th, 24th of May: Did you make it this year?
History of Jazz in Belgium
The history ofjazzinBelgium startswiththe Dinantinstrumentmaker Adolphe Sax,whose saxophone becamepartofmilitarybands inNew Orleans around1900and would develop into the jazzinstrumentpar excellence.
Antoine-Joseph"Adolphe" Sax (6November1814 – 7 February1894) was a Belgian inventorand musician who inventedthe saxophone inthe early 1840s.He alsoinventedthe saxtromba,saxhorn and saxtuba, and redesignedthe bassclarinetina fashion still usedtothe present day.Heplayedthe flute and clarinet.
Programme
Friday
Kristo Early LifeForms
Aleph Quintet
Adja
Kosmo Sound Bandler Ching
The Brums
Saturday
Incandescence
Francesco TurisiTrio(IT)
Tassin/Hermia/Jorris
HYPERCONTENT! UNFINISHEDBUSINESS Bodies
Halibut OnThe Moon
Sunday
Wadje Riahi Trio
JazzSanusi
HelenaCasella
Amy Gadiaga
Jamilah Barry LuismiAguilar Sextet Ashtabiez
Guess the Teacher
These people graduated a long time ago, But that does not mean we can't celebrate their youth. So WE at the BSB insider have got hold of Nine baby photos of teachers from around the school - can you guess who's who?
These people graduated a long time ago, But that does not mean we can't celebrate their youth. So WE at the BSB insider have got hold of Nine baby photos of teachers from around the school - can you guess who's who?
Sara Coleman
Alison Clarke
Jane Whitehouse
Anne Steadman
Dannielle White
Naomi PHILIPS
Clare Gunns
Claire Williams
James Gibbs
Richard Long
Paul Christmas
James Johnson
Carl Zolman
Fiachra Glynn
Alex Chituc
Griffin Sharry
Paul Sullivan
Adam Johnson
Gregor Millbright
TOny Walk
Charles Beckley
Tiago Amaral
Neil Chisholm
James Willis
Joanne Craig
Kerry Vallely
Pascale O'Kelly
Helen Vincent
Jonathan Price
Stephen Greenslade
Bryn Goodman
James Rollinson
Frances Brickley
AVril Delaney
Ruth Ripoll
Penelope Gibbs
Famous People Who Never Graduated
by Thomas Howe
Graduating from university is often seen as an essential step towards success.
However, history has shown us that some of the most influential, rich and famous people never graduated from university or didn’t even attend in the first place.
SteveJobs:
Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, enrolledatReedCollegein1972butdroppedout after just one semester due to financial problems
Despite leaving formal education, he continued to audit classes that interested him, such as calligraphy, which later influenced the typography and design aesthetics of Apple products
Steve Jobs believed that following his interests, rather than a prescribed curriculum, was key to hisinnovation Hisunconventionalpathledtothe creation of groundbreaking products like the Macintosh, iPod, and iPhone, revolutionizing the techindustry.
BillGates:
BillGatesenrolledatHarvardUniversityin1973but left in 1975 to co-found Microsoft with his childhoodfriendPaulAllen.
Bill Gates was deeply engaged in computing projects during his time at Harvard, even facing disciplinary action for unauthorised use of the university'scomputerlab
Despite, the success of Microsoft, Gates has expressed some regret about not completing his degree, acknowledging the value of the academic environment he left behind However, his decision to pursue his passion for software development led to the creation of one of the world'smostinfluentialtechnologycompanies.
WaltDisney:
Walt Disney- the creative force behind Mickey mouse and the founder of Disneyland and Walt Disney World,droppedoutofhighschoolattheageof16tojointheRedCrossduringWorldWarI.
After returning from France, he pursued a career in animation, eventually co-founding the Disney Brothers Studio with his brother Roy Disney's innovative approach to animation led to the creation of the first synchronized sound cartoon, "Steamboat Willie," and the first full-length animated feature, "SnowWhiteandtheSevenDwarves"
Despitehislimitedformaleducation,waltDisneyreceivednumeroushonorarydegreesfromprestigious institutions like Yale and Harvard, reflecting his significant contributions to the arts and entertainment industry
The case studies of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Walt Disney should highlight that while a degree can provide valuable knowledge and expertise, it is not only path to success.
The stories above as well as the countless others from Oprah Winfrey to Mark Zuckerberg to Rihanna highlight that with a passion and hard work, you can go far and make amazing achievements without a university degree.
MeetingOurNewPrincipal:
AN INTERVIEW WITH JAMES PENSTONE
BSB Futures is a school-wide initiative of The British School of Brussels that seeks to enrich student learning by building connections with the professional world. We aim to help students explore pathways andbuildstudents’knowledgeofuniversity,careerandotheropportunitiesavailabletothembeyondand after their time at BSB. Through seminars, talks and other chances, to ask questions of professionals in varying fields aim to help students build skills and strengths needed to work toward their goals and encourageself-reflection.
(BSBFutures,2024)
TheBSBFuturesprogrammeprovideduswiththechancetointerviewJamesPenstonethe newprincipalofBSB.JamesjoinedinJanuaryofthisyearhowevercanalreadybeseenasan instrumentalpartoftheschoolanditswidercommunity.
James first started his journey toward a career in teaching after working in London in a marketingroleforanumberofyears.Herecountedtousthemomentthathedecidedto becomeateacher,onethatledhimonthepathtowardsBSB.Backin1999onPrimroseHill inLondonhedeclaredtohisfuturewife,“IthinkI’mgoingtobeateacher”andapparently, she’dbeenthinkingthesame.
Sparkedbyhisownfervourforacademiclearning,hispassionfortheenvironment,andhis concern about its surrounding issues, he began his studies as a Geography teacher. One stepclosertothepositionheholdstoday.
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James’s job has led him across the globeandafterhismostrecentstintin Zurich, here to Belgium and more specifically to BSB. He explained how after a wonderful chapter in Switzerland, he was ready for a headshippositionofaschool.
Through research he came across the opening at BSB, apparently it was a perfect match. The people in the school with whom he had connections reinforced the idea that BSB aligned with his own beliefs and maybe this wastheperfectopeningforhim.
James told us about the interview process and how every stage further solidifiedhisdecisiontosetupthenext chapter of his career here at BSB. He regaled us with the fabulous qualities of the school, the most important of which is its being “incredibly welcoming”.
He further explained how the whole BSB community was amazing, it had the“sortofenergyandculture”thathe waslookingforinaschool.
Leading on from this we asked him about what aims he may have for the schoolgoingforward.Hefocusedonhis planstoincludeworkshopsandchances forthewiderBSBcommunitytopitchin andvoicetheirideasandopinionsonthe schoolandhowitgoesaboutdoingwhat itdoes.
Finishing off the interview, we asked James for advice he would give to students, more specifically those in Post-16.
In his response he highlighted the importanceofdoingwhatyoulovetodo.
As he mentioned in the “ever changing landscapeof modern employment”it is incredibly plausible for jobs to be created that have never existed before.
He added that for those students that areunsureaboutwheretogonext,don’t stress.
The best thing you can do is make the most of the opportunities available to you at BSB and go deeper with your academics allowing you to develop broad and transferrable skills that will come of use in all areas of life. He finished off by stressing that one doesn’t create opportunities but that “you create the conditions for those opportunities”.
WetheBSBFuturesteamareincredibly grateful for having the opportunity to interview James Penstone. We look forward to seeing all that he achieves duringhistimehereatBSB.
Why teachers should embrace Chat GPT more
As AI continues to advance, tools like ChatGPT are becoming a vital resourceforteachers,yetsomeinBSB arestillhesitanttofullyembraceit,.
But the truth is ChatGPT can be a powerful tool to enhance both teachingandlearningexperiences.
For starters, ChatGPT can help teachers save time by assisting with administrative tasks like grading tests especially for subjects such as HistoryandEnglish.
It can even help create practice questions , explain difficult concepts in simpler terms, or provide feedback onassignments.
This allows educators to focus more on one-on-one interactions with students and less on timeconsumingtasks.
Of course, like any tool, it’s not perfect Students still need to think for themselves, and teachers are still the ones who guide thatlearning
ChatGPT is also an excellent resource for students who need extra support outside of class. It can offer explanations on topics, help with writing, and even provide practice problems, making learning more accessible.
By integrating AI into the classroom, teachers can encourage more independent learning. My math teacher used it for practice questions anditcoulddetectthelevelyouwere atandasaresultcouldteachcontent basedonyourcurrentabilities
But ignoring AI won’t stop students from using it , it just means missing a chance to show them how to use it properly and efficiently, without becoming too dependentonit.
“ChatGPT can act as a helpful supplement by explaining concepts in different ways, offering writing suggestions, or helping students revise content outside of class time”- Sam Altman, CEO of open AI
More information to follow in the new academic year…
SomeFinalThoughtsonGraduation
byVaniTiwari,inconversationwithJamesPenstone
Astheschoolyeardrawstoaclose,reflectiononthisyear’sexperiencesoftencreatesamix ofnostalgiaandexcitementforwhatliesahead.Wewerefortunatetohavetheopportunity to interview James Penstone who shared his insightful perspectives on graduation both fromschoolanduniversityandthestarkdifferenceshefound.
For James, his own graduation from school was a deeplypersonalaffairandwasmarkedbycelebratory mealsandheartfeltassemblies.Jamesdescribedthis experience as very ‘poignant’. As he filed past the school,teachersandstudentswhowishedhimluck.It wasamomentinwhichhefeltamixofemotionsfrom being‘proud’tobeing‘upset’aboutleavingschooldue tothe‘manygreatfriendshipsforged’.Hedescribedit assuch‘anabruptendingthatwhenitfinallyhappened [he]wasnotquiteprepared’yetitwasstilla‘special memory’creatingalastingmarkinhislife.
Graduationfromuniversity,however,broughtastark contrast.Thestructuredyetfragmentednatureofthe graduationleftJamesfeelingthatitlackedapersonal touch and felt very ‘functional’. He shared the functionalityoftheeventemphasisingthatyouhad oneshortmomentinwhichyouwouldwalkacrossthe stage,acceptyourdiplomaandexit.Interestingly,he recallsthinkingthat‘[he’d]workedveryhardfor[his] degree’andslowedhis10secondsofstagetimeto15 secondsbywalkingslowlyacrossthestagetoextract muchasmuchashecouldfromthemoment.
Reflectingonhistransitionfromschooltouniversity, Jamesrecalleddoingwellinhisacademicsatschool butfoundhimselfnotgivingithisallinhisPost-16 years with juggling other interests he had. Going to university,hefoundhissubjectsreallyfascinatingand becameamuchbetterscholar.Hefoundhimselfdeeply drawntosomeofthepeopletherewhohefoundvery inspirational,suchasthelecturers.Heemphasisedthe importanceofaligningwithyourdegreebecauseifyou donot,youmaystarttodeprioritiseyourstudies.With final advice for the students, he highlighted the importance of doing something you truly enjoy and makingthemostoftheopportunitiesthatcomeyour way.Youneverknowwherelifewillleadyou!
Asgraduationseasonapproaches,letuscelebrateall thesuccessesandachievementsoftheYear13sand wishthemthebestofluckastheyfinishoftheirexams andstartanewchapteroftheirlives.
