Insider Issue 17

BSB Insider Summer Edition Issue No.17 Don’t be an outsiderread the Insider!

Learn how to make your outfits more fashionable on page 5

Meet your new school presidents on page 9

Contents Amnesty Tik Tok Book Reviews Spring Fashion Colours Winter Sports and Global Warming Meet Your New School Presidents Summertime at BSB World Laughter Day Jewellery Making Tutorial GIN Helping Hands Year 8 Bilingual Poetry

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AMNESTY

INTERNATIONAL What is Amnesty International?

Amnesty’s Global Campaigns

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who are committed to creating a future where human rights are enjoyed by everyone. They believe that: “United by our shared humanity, we know that the power to create positive change is within all of us”

Each year, Amnesty International members from around the world join forces to campaign for the better part of a year on human rights issues in one country or on a particular human rights issue.

Amnesty International’s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights.

Some examples of issues that Amnesty take on are: child rights, death penalty, disappearances, discrimination, freedom of expression, police brutality and torture.

What is the History of Amnesty International?

Amnesty International was launched in 1961 by Peter Benenson. His newspaper appeal, "The Forgotten Prisoners", was published worldwide on 28 May 1961 and brought in more than 1,000 offers of support for the idea of an international campaign to protect human rights.

Within 12 months the new organization had sent delegations to four countries to make representations on behalf of prisoners, and had taken up 210 cases.

Amnesty International members had organized national bodies in seven countries. The emphasis was on the international protection of human rights: Amnesty International members were to act on cases worldwide and not become involved in cases in their own countries.

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Amnesty International now has more than 1,000,000 members, subscribers and regular donors in more than 160 countries and territories. There are more than 5,300 groups registered at the International Secretariat in more than 90 countries and territories throughout the world

Children are especially exposed to rights violations because they are dependent on adults, which can at times heighten risk. Children are likely to form the group at highest risk of poverty, malnourishment and abuse, and are often disproportionately impacted by human rights crises.

Amnesty International holds that the death penalty breaches human rights, in particular the right to life and the right to live free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Discrimination occurs when a person is unable to enjoy their human rights or other legal rights on an equal basis with others because of an unjustified distinction made in policy, law or treatment. Amnesty International’s work is rooted in the principle of non-discrimination. Working with communities across the world, we challenge discriminatory laws and practices to ensure all people can enjoy their rights on an equal basis.

Write for Rights Write for Rights aims to bring about change to the lives of people or communities that have suffered or are at risk of human rights violations. People in more than 200 countries and territories write millions of letters, emails, tweets and petitions for people who’ve been harassed, threatened and locked up, just for who they are.

This puts pressure on governments, leaders and decisionmakers to make change happen – releasing activists and protecting people who champion what’s right. Thus, Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign transforms the lives of people whose rights have been wronged.

At BSB alone, 120+ letters and cards have been written for the write for rights campaign.

Examples of Human Rights Campaigners Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi are examples of Human Rights Campaigners that stand up for children’s rights. They have both campaigned alongside A World at School to get every child into school and to overcome the obstacles to education, such as child labour, child marriage and discrimination against girls and children with disabilities.

Martin Luther King is an example of a Human Rights Activist from the past. He advocated the principle of non-violent protest, affirming that opposition should be tackled with compassion rather than aggression. He was a leader of the American Civil Rights movement and he organized a number of peaceful protests as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, including the march on Washington in 1963. His adoption of non-violent resistance to achieve equal rights for Black Americans earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Ahed Tamimi is an example of a Human Rights Campaigner. She is a Palestinian activist from the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Tamimi has always been a strong advocate for human rights and Palestinian resistance, ever since she became an international symbol for Palestinian freedom in 2017, energising other Palestinians to stand up for their rights. She has since published a book “They Called me a Lioness” where she discuses life under Israeli occupation.

A final example of Human Rights Campaigners is the trio of Elżbieta, Anna and Joanna who are human rights defenders from Poland. They have stood against hate and discrimination for many years and are fighting for a just and equal Poland. They have stood up for LGBTI rights in a climate of hate and discrimination in Poland.

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BookTok! Reading for the aesthetic or finding quality books?

BookTok is a global trend, where millions of people use the platform of TikTok to share recommendations and review books to millions.

The trend rose in 2020, during the pandemic, when people were turning to social media as a source of comfort due to the turmoil of the outside world.

The hashtag #Booktok blew up on TikTok, with accounts sharing recommendations and discussing novels in an online space.

This discussion allowed for book sales to boom with the BookScan finding that BookTok helped authors sell 20 million printed books in 2021 and in 2022, sales went up another 50 percent.

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TikTok is dominated by teenagers and the rise of Booktok led to certain books reaching a global platform.

This is due to the nature of TikTok: once a video is popular, it spreads rapidly and that provokes more discussion of what teens love about a book but also why they dislike it.

The trend spread to bookshops, with displays being made to promote the most popular books, which encouraged even more book sales.

BookTok still remains an active space in 2024 for discussion around books however the public nature of space due to the content being accessible to anyone with the TikTok app, can also lead to a negative contribution.

Even if there are negative comments or critiques of the books being shared, the space is prominently positive. There is a variety of literature shared on the app but the main category is young adult fiction as that is the main demographic frequenting the app.

The main themes of the novels are romance, science fiction and fantasy but there are still occasional TikTokkers who share their appreciation for classics. Some of the books that have risen to popularity are aimed at a younger teen audience with strong romance themes but some of the novels contain complex plots and interesting characters.

Here are some of my recommendations after researching and reading some of the popular Book Tok choices: A Good Girl's Guide To Murder trilogy: it follows teenager Pip trying to solve a 5 year old murder case for her EPQ. The book is definitely a page turner, full of twists and turns and is engaging from the start.

It will be made into a TV series this June for Netflix and BBC. Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones and The Six Novel and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: All of the novels are historical fiction set in 1950s - 1980s California.

One character from each novel appears in another, making a complex character map. All the novels take a predominantly female perspective and allow for the reader to connect with different moments in history through a diverse range of characters.

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Summer Fashion Colours to Come in 2024 Colour combos are a big thing when it comes to fashion. As an textiles and art student I, look a lot into the complementary colours on the colour wheel when painting and at the different fabrics dyed to different colours. Through some research and class work I have been able to notice all the popular colours that most influencers, runway models and other people seem to be wearing and also the way they style them. I also take great interest in the fashion side of textiles: whether it’s designing an item of clothing, styling outfits or creating new ones, this fascinates me a lot which is why I thought I would share some insight into styling your outfits for this summer with some popular colour combos and styling methods.

Pantone

Pantone

SKY BLUE AND RED This colour combination is quite a basic match but at the same time the fiery red brings a little pop to the outfit. This specific red colour has been seen all over the runway as it is such a statement colour in itself. As red can be a hard colour to style because it brings a lot of attention and power to the outfit, pairing it with a calmer sky blue is the best way to go when wearing red this summer. And this cool-toned blue is a more classic and flattering colour, therefore timeless in any fashion outfit.

BABY PINK AND BLUE Here is another outfit colour combo where blue has been used in many influencers’ outfits as it is such an easy colour to style.

Baby pink is also such a simple colour that hasn’t been very popular for a while but seems to be coming back as summer has come. If styled properly, this outfit colour combo can spice up your everyday outfits.

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Pantone

Pantone

Pantone

BABY YELLOW The colour yellow in general is quite a spring time colour, but this specific hue has been seen over many fashion influencers clothing as it gives more of a warm summer vibe. This baby yellow gives off such a warm and welcoming attitude that it is most commonly paired with gold jewellery as this enhances the warm colour.

Pastel colours seem to be gaining some popularity this year as they give a sense of calmness in the warm days of summer.

PINK AND GREEN This colour combo has not been so popular with many outfits, but these colours truly do fit together if styled properly. One way you could style this colour combo properly is through the “sandwich” method, where you have a top layer as one colour (pink) and then pair it with a middle colour as a different colour (green) and then you repeat the top layer (pink) for the bottom layer which could be your shoes or socks.

Pantone

Pantone

Pantone

Pantone

DENIM ON DENIM Now this outfit combination might be quite unpopular, but as seen on the runway and in many celebrities’ wardrobes, it is coming back into style. This match can only be pulled off if styled right. This means that if you are wanting to pair your white washed jeans with a denim jacket, this jacket cannot be a dark washed denim, it has to follow the same colour shade as the jeans. Another tip for styling a denim on denim look is to make sure you have a base layer because the denim can already bring a lot of attention to the outfit and you don’t want it too overcrowded and busy so like in the photo, a basic white tee could work.

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Meet your new presidents!

After a long process of interviews, the new school presidents have finally been chosen. For the next year Mina Ammann, Agastya Piparsania and Defne Temel will be BSB’s school presidents! In this article you can read what their objectives are and how they aim to make the best BSB possible.

Mina Ammann How will you fulfill the objectives you lay out in your video?

In my campaign video, I promised to "advocate for student needs, voice concerns, and implement initiatives." These goals align perfectly with my first action in the role of president. In addition to hosting open-door sessions, I will commit to actively listening to my peers throughout the school. If something is bothering them or if they have suggestions for change, I will make sure their concerns reach the right people, ensuring that the students know that they will be taken seriously and addressed promptly.

How do you think you will use your past achievements to improve the school?

I’ve been at BSB for nearly five years and have had the opportunity to take on various leadership roles, gaining valuable skills such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. These experiences have prepared me to lead effectively as President, ensuring that I make the most of my time in the role and that every voice is heard. This year, I’ve also worked with lower primary students, teaching them swimming, which has given me a interesting perspective on the needs and experiences of our youngest learners.

During these sessions, I will take the time to listen to their thoughts about BSB, both the positive aspects and the areas that could be improved to further create a more cohesive and inclusive school environment.

What do you want to do first in your role as president?

As the new president of BSB, my top priority is to foster a more inclusive environment across the entire school. I believe there can sometimes be a disconnect between the early years, primary, lower secondary, and the upper secondary levels. To bridge this gap, I plan to host monthly open-door sessions where everyone is welcome to share their ideas, suggest improvements, or simply meet new people with common interests. If concerns are raised during these sessions, I will work with the appropriate staff to ensure they are addressed and acted upon. This way, we can build a stronger, more inclusive school community.

How will you and the other presidents work together to achieve the best BSB? I’m grateful to have a close relationship with the other two presidents this year, and I have no doubt that we will work together smoothly. While disagreements over initiatives or ideas may arise, we're committed to addressing them professionally, ensuring that every perspective is considered. To maintain open communication, we plan to meet separately once or twice a fortnight to brainstorm ideas and address any concerns. These meetings will help us bring well-thought-out proposals to the teachers and ensure that our collective efforts reflect the needs and voices of the entire student body.

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Defne Temel

How will you fulfill the objectives you lay out in your video?

In my video I said I wanted to increase student participation for involvement in global or local issues and present more opportunities and guidance in which this will be successful. As an ambassador of the newly formed Helping Hands group, I had the chance to understand the importance of communication skills while trying to engage students from different year groups to come together. I think this will allow me to promote a tighter unity within year groups and guide them towards effective methods in raising awareness within the school and organizing opportunities in which we engage with our community.

How do you think you will use your past achievements to improve the school?

As one of the House Captains, I had the opportunity to go on school assemblies; this process helped me become more outgoing and allowed me to reflect on myself and discover areas of improvement.

I would work to implement initiatives that promote inclusivity, diversity, and student well-being on campus, fostering a supportive and vibrant learning environment for all.

What do you want to do first in your role as president?

As my first role as president, I would like to organize activities in which Primary and Secondary students engage more with each other. In some events Secondary students could serve as role models to the younger ones and increase their confidence, strengthening relationships across year groups.

How will you and the other presidents work together to achieve the best BSB? As student presidents we all have different areas in which we excel such as sports, creativity and academics, we will work collaboratively to improve our school environment and maintain a happy student life for everyone in BSB.

How will you fulfill the objectives you lay out in your video?

I will accomplish what was lain out in my video by allowing students to anonymously put forth their points of view in a sort of ‘Suggestions Box’ where students will have the opportunity to express themselves. Additionally, I would also like to provide platforms which allow which would be an effective way of elevating student voice in educational settings.

How do you think you will use your past achievements to improve the school?

To improve the school, I have a couple of achievements, such as this year I was selected as Physics Subject Captain which has allowed me to develop my leadership skills.

During my time doing the Sports Leadership Qualification, I also coached students in Upper and Lower Primary which allowed me to understand what would help them excel.

Agastya Piparsania

What do you want to do first in your role as president?

In my role as president one of the first things I want to do is promote student voice which enriches learning and allows students to take an active part in changes made to the school.

By valuing their perspectives, we can create a space where students feel safe to express the point of view and help to improve the school.

How will you and the other presidents work together to achieve the best BSB? I and the other school Presidents know each other very well and together we make a great team. We know how to work together, listen to each other and co-operate with each other in order to assure the best for our school.

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Summertime in Tervuren The Eiffel Tower grows in the summer! The heat expands the iron of the Eiffel Tower, causing it to grow 6 inches during the summer.

Monarch butterflies spend the summer in North America before migrating south.

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July is National Ice Cream month! There are 12 types of ice cream and over 1,000 flavours around the world.

Sunshine offers multiple health benefits, and many of them are mental, so your brain activity peaks in the summer months.

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How to Make Your Own Simple Bracelet Do you need a quick way to make a thoughtful and interesting gift for a friend or family member? With these simple steps, you will be able to make your own bracelet. To do so, you will need three types of pliers: round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, side cutters. You will also need some beads, jewellery making wire, clasps and open jumprings, all of which can be bought on Amazon.

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From left to right: Flat nose pliers, round nose pliers and side cutters.

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Start with your wire and ensure it is straight by using the flat nose pliers.

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Make around 12 of these wire strips to begin with (you might like to add more depending on the desired size of the bracelet).

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To help get a similar length for each metal strip, use the initial metal strip as a guide.

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Then, by twisting the wire away from you, create a loop hole on one side of the wire.

Then, cut the wire at about 4cm using the side cutters.

Next, using the round nose pliers place a metal strip about halfway between the pliers.

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Now add a bead of your choice onto the wire.

After placing the bead onto the wire, create another loop hole to secure the bead by using the round nose pliers.

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Then, repeat steps 5, 6 and 7 but place the straight end of the wire in the loop hole of your other bracelet part.

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Continue this process and make sure the bracelet is secure.

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It should look similar to this.

Now, place the clasp into the jumpring.

Take the flat nose pilers and put a jumpring between them, making sure that there is a slight opening in the jumpring.

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Place the jumpring into one of the metal loop holes and ensure it is secure by using the flat nose pliers to close the gap in the jumpring.

Now collect your clasps and open jumprings.

When the bracelet is at the desired length, ensure you have left space in mind for the clasp and open jumprings.

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Your bracelet parts should look similar to this.

Now create the loop hole using the round nose pliers while your bracelet parts are connected by repeating steps 5 and 6.

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Finally, take your other jumpring and place it on the other loop hole. Then, use the flatnose pliers to secure it.

Your final product should look similar to this.

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Helping Hands Year 7 Peace and Justice Week Helping Hands was created by a group of students who wanted to create a hub which would allow student-led organisations to address local and global issues.

Its aims are: to be a student support group for student action in the community, to allow students to raise awareness for a certain global/local issue they are concerned about through a more organised method, to be a guide which helps students decide which methods are most effective in gaining a response and being recognised by others.

The Helping Hands Logo

For Helping Hands’ first official project, the first year group that took part was Year 7 and with the advice and support of the Helping Hands ambassadors, they have created a peace and justice themed campaign.

The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness about peace and justice, the 16th SDG, as well as to raise money for the UN Refugee Agency. The project also aimed to motivate the Year 7 year group to participate and help the volunteers build a successful campaign alongside the ambassadors.

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The creation of the project occurred over 5 Tuesday lunchtime sessions and the next day, each ambassador would pair up with each tutor group and feedback what we had achieved in each session, which allowed every Year 7 to give their opinion and help decide what fundraisers to pursue.

The collaboration between the volunteers and the ambassadors had allowed for the creation of a peace and justice themed week, with a focus on Friday 3rd May being the key day to promote the peace and justice events such as: a coin mile “Road to Peace”, selling of themed merchandise, customising of T-Shirts, a bake sale.

This was all to raise money for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

Each tutor group’s responsibility for what they would contribute to the week allowed for the peace and justice week to come together.

In order to raise awareness of the peace and justice week around school, a group of volunteers stepped forward to create an assembly to present to Years 7, 8 and 9.

Over the sessions, the group developed a presentation and practised to make sure they could share their message effectively to all the year groups, which would encourage participation.

All of this collaboration over the 6 weeks allowed an amazing week of fundraising and raising awareness!

By Delilah Sanders and Defne Temel

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Editorial Team: Phoebe Kearton Nick Earnshaw-Wood Millie Clark A special thanks to: Delilah Sanders and Defne Temel