Cory Chronicles Issue #4

~LOOKING BACK AT CORY~

T A B L E O

1.

Term 1 for Year 9s - Anshika Thakur

2. VCE artwork appreciation -

Tvisha Joshi, Collated with Ms Trifilo

~MORE IN STORE~

3.That's Not Axo-lot of Axolotls - Leyna Ha and Ajay

Karuppaiah

4. Free - Likitha Kujala

5. High School Sweethearts or Just Another Relationship? -

Siya Gauri Singh

6. Paper Straws: Saviours or Swindlers?- Tanisha Samreen

7. Memorable Media: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney TrilogySumaira Alam

8. What Motivates You?Keerthana Karthik

9. Eco-Friendly Alternatives in Everyday Life - Hania Rizvi

10. Little Miss HelpfulAnonymous

looking back ~at cory~

Term 1 for Year 9s

~Anshika Thakur~

For the Year 9s, Term 1 was a jam-packed, yet adventurous term. We began with the Primus Cup which took place at the Westgate Indoor Sports Centre. Houses competed against one another in a multitude of different sports such as cricket, netball, soccer and many other exciting games. Following the Primus Cup, was the Primus Project. We worked with our homegroup to build a project based on different aspects of wellbeing. Three days were spent making this project while the other two days were spent in the city. It was difficult to navigate our way there. In fact, my friends and I got lost and we had no clue where we were! We worked in groups in a variety of activities,

including rock climbing and the Amazing Race. We were also able to relax a little bit at a Wellbeing Walk in the Botanical Gardens. It made my love for nature better as it made me understand human beings rarely have time to go out and embrace the outside beauty in our fastpaced world. We went to the ‘Intersection’ which taught us empathy, diversity and made us realise the little things that usually go unnoticed. City week was definitely an amazing experience! It taught me, personally, how to be independent, I became a little more confident and my navigation skills improved quite a bit.

It brought me closer to a lot of people, strengthening old relationships and creating new ones.

After City Week, was the Year 9s very first swimming carnival at SCHS with Athletics Day soon after. Then, we had camp - the highlight of my year so far! Camp was the best experience. A lot of fun yet thrilling events occurred. For example, a possum was found on one of my friend’s beds! However, camp was such a great opportunity for us as year 9 students to put ourselves out there. Camp fostered teamwork, communication, bravery and many other vital life skills.

I was able to overcome my fear of heights in activities such as the giant swing and the flying fox, both of which were my favourite ones, although I screamed until my throat hurt!

Canoeing was an exciting adventure as well and fortunately, no one fell in the water. My group and I had the most fun in raft-making. All we had done was put some ropes on pipes and the moment we put our raft into the water, we all fell straight into the water. We also did an obstacle course which was the best for increasing communication skills as well as teamwork. We did a lot of night-time activities as well, like the night walk.

IThe last day was relaxing as we walked to Smiths Beach and relaxed here for a while. We walked around on the sand, drawing and writing things. Overall, Term 1 definitely included the most enjoyable experiences. I learned a lot of new things, was able to create closer bonds with other students and built useful skills for the future!

Year

9 Primus and Camp Photos

VCE Artwork Appreciation

~TVISHA JOSHI, COLLATED WITH MS TRIFILO~

During term one of the new school year, students have had the opportunity to produce phenomenal pieces of artwork across the span of their curriculum, ranging from magnificent rendered sketches to colourful lino artwork, embedded with intricate details. Year 11 students are focussing on mixed media to produce their final artworks by initially researching artists they admire.

(Top: Leyna Ha, Bottom: Sofia Selimi)

Over the course of the term, students have been experimenting especially with the art form of printmaking, and applying skills from researched artists' content and their stylistic approaches, themes, techniques, design elements, materials and processes. A special thank you to Ms Trifilo for her help in collating these pieces and to the students whose work has been featured !

(Artworks by Jamie Somboonsin)

(Artwork by Manasvi Vasamsetti)

more in ~store~

That's not Axo-lot of Axolotls!!

~LEYNA HA AND AJAY KARUPPAIAH~

Whether you know them as a certain Pokemon or everyone's favourite scaly dragon, we all know Axolotls as cute adorable beings who swim around minding their business - but what are Axolotls really?

Named after the Aztec god of fire and lightning Xolotl, Axolotls come in all different shapes and colours of the rainbow. Whether it's a fun bubbly pink or a depressed emo- black, their little “headdresses” are actually their gills which help them breathe underwater due to the absence of lungs. Besides vibing in water for their entire lifespan, they possess the power to regenerate any limb and can dance their hearts out with circular movements during their mating rituals!!

As much as we all think Axolotls are immortal pokemon, they are critically endangered due to the influx of invasive species such as the (Magi)carp who disturb their natural role as an apex predator in their primary habitat of of Lake Xochimilco.

This is merely another example of how we’re contributing to the destruction of the Earth’s biodiversity by introducing new invasive species to unknown ecosystems. Pollution is another influence affecting their declining population, as many use the lake as a sewage system and farm the floating gardens with contaminating chemicals including heavy metals, plastic, and other trash that are dumped into the lake.

Besides being adorable, it’s vital that Axolotls survive as their role as carnivores is essential for maintaining their population numbers in Lake Xochimilco. They’ve also been significant for scientific investigation in understanding how organs develop and function in vertebrates, as scientists use axolotls to wrap their minds against spina bifida (a birth defect resulting in improper spine formation). Basically, they are basically the key to solving multiple underlying diseases that are yet to be cured.

So what are we

doing

to help save these derpy amphibians? Conservation initiatives have begun increasing the water level of Lake Xochimilco to improve the environment for Axolotls, in hopes of restricting the population of invasive fish species like

the (Magi)carp. Perhaps their cute looks can shine a light on the issue of biodiversity loss and the need to protect the flora and fauna that surrounds us. [please insert a pun here].

Amphibians- small vertebrates cold-blooded family of animals that include frogs, toads, newts, salamanders.

Invasive species- An external species being added to a new environment negatively affecting the existing ecosystem through overhunting or overpopulation

Apex predator- The predator in an ecosystem that has no natural predators

Vertebrates- An animal that has a backbone

a collage of axolotls

free ~LIKITHA KUJALA~

when are you free?

from all the expectations you’ve had since forever. the pressure that was born when you felt the touch of success for the first time.

the people who act as though they are kind yet know very well how to stab you from behind.

when are you free, from the butterflies you feel when they’re around you? when they talk to you and you feel validated. when they lean in to listen to something you're saying and your soul leaves your body for a second. just for a second.

when are you free, from the heartbreak that hurt like you were stabbed in the heart with so many knives all at once? from the moment you were left for someone else, when you were replaced. when you were rejected.

when are you free, from the wounds they left on you?

rom the salt they rubbed deep into the flesh of those wounds. from the scars they healed into. from the pain you endured. when are you free, from running after invisible success? from chasing the life painted as ‘ideal’.

from the endless nights of crying that you aren’t good enough. the tears that you cried.

the feeling of pain but inability to cry anymore, no matter how hard you try.

from losing yourself over one grade, screaming on the inside but smiling on the outside.

when are you free, from the blindness of your eyes? from the disturbing noises in your head. from the voices that scream your flaws.

when are you free, from comparing yourself to others? to other people, to the other places you should be at. from being told that what you’re doing is not worth it. that your fight for your rights are not worth it.

when are you free, from the stereotypes on your gender, on your race, on your ethnicity?

when are you free, from not being judged by your colour? from being more than just your appearance.

the thought of covering your shoulders because they can’t keep their eyes off. from being stuck in the box of toxic masculinity. the mindset that anyone is less than someone else. the assurance that there will never be a day where we are all equal.

when are we free, from the idea of being as good as your sister?

when are we free, from thinking about the future? from what you should or need to be. what you are forced or meant to be.

from if you can lead a stable life. if you are capable of leading a life at all.

is it when, i embrace the meaning of my name?

when i walk barefoot into the rain and dance to the sound of the song inside my heart.

when that person giving me butterflies calls me ‘theirs’.

when they see me at my lowest and hold me higher at my highest.

when the broken heart has healed to look more beautiful than the original.

when my scars have healed to look like streaks from a a paintbrush.

when my voice raises loud enough to be heard.

am i free, when these people can see past my skin and into my heart?

when they stop making their sexist or racist jokes and see we are all one.

when i don’t have to worry about the clothes i wear, or what they may perceive it as.

am i free, when i yell back to every stereotype?

when i no longer try to fit into a box someone else and drew out anymore. when i can walk through every street being nothing but myself.

when i don’t need a reason to do the things i love. when i find the people who can love me back.

is it when, i stop searching for my flaws?

when i lay out what i am and not what i am not. when i stop pushing myself and do what feels most natural.

am i free, when i stop running against someone else? when i choose myself over others. when i am my own competition.

when i look into a mirror and smile, when i don’t fear anything, when i call my flaws and imperfections ‘authentic’.

when we are respected for being a woman or man and any other gender.

for the love we put in just be a sister or a brother, the effort put in to be a mother or a father, the trust we put in to be a friend.

am i free,

when my eyes are brighter than the stars that light up an the night?

when i fall in love with myself, when i meet someone who only adds to my name. am i free, when i close my eyes? when i can only hear the sound of my heart, when i know that i am alive, that there is a soul that i’ve restrained all my life which a i will finally set free.

when i don’t try to define myself anymore. when being ‘free’ is not about flying amongst clouds like a bird, or swimming amongst reefs like a dolphin. when all it means is for you to stand on land like a human.

when you sing loud enough, when you dance slow enough, when you hold a hand you trust, when you are so happy that your heart might burst. when will you be free?

High School Sweethearts or Just Another Relationship?

~SIYA GAURI SINGH~

In Australia, around 77% of 14-18 year olds have reported being in a relationship at one point in their lives. In February, the month of love, SCHS students spent about $670 in total buying chocolate roses for their romantic partners and friends. In light of this, I interviewed some SCHS students on their opinions on high school relationships.

Pranavi, a year 10 student said that “high school relationships don’t last because people are so immature and they’re just trying it out for fun.” Aqib, a year 9 student, seemed to agree with this. “High school relationships don’t work out”, he said.

A student who chose to remain anonymous said that “high school relationships may not last, but they are very important for you. My previous relationship didn’t work out, but it taught me a lot.” After asking further questions, this student added “I’m currently in a relationship, but I know that nothing serious may come out of it. Don’t get me wrong, I like her, but I know we might not be together in a few years.”

Another year 10 student, Namira, explained that “[high school relationships] help you understand what you want later in life.”

Relationships are a very delicate subject because they are difficult to navigate. Many high school students dream of marrying someone they fell for in high school, when research shows that less than two percent of high school relationships actually last. However, that does not diminish the importance of teenage relationships. Ultimately, even if your relationship does not last, it does provide you with a blueprint of what you would want in a partner later in life. After this, whether you want to go into a relationship or not, is up to you.

Do you have a different opinion on high school relationships? Or maybe you would like to see a new opinion covered? Email: <sin0065@suzannecoryhs.vic.edu.au> with what YOU have to say.

Paper Straws: Saviours or Swindlers?

~TANISHA SAMREEN~

Imagine yourself enjoying your freshly made latte at your favourite coffee shop with a smug sense of environmental superiority since it came with a paper straw. But then you realise, the straw has already begun to fall apart in your mouth when you take a sip, leaving

you with a sloppy mess and an existential dilemma. Are paper straws really as environmentally friendly as we believed, or are they only a fragile, ineffective fix to an ongoing issue? Now is the time to separate fact from fiction and settle the great paper straw debate once and for all.

Ah, the classic environmental flip-flop when plastic straws were replaced with paper ones. We all felt as though we were saving the world one drink at a time. We gave up our reliable plastic straws and switched to these fragile paper tubes, thinking we were helping to protect the seas and wowing our Instagram followers at the same time. But were we really?

Now really paper straw production actually resembles a real-world version of "The Hunger Games" in that it uses a lot of resources and leaves a path of destruction in its wake. Experts claim that making paper straws uses a significant amount of energy and water, in addition to the carbon emissions produced by shipping them across the world. It's as like the paper straw is a double agent, appearing to be environmentally beneficial while scheming to wipe out the earth. Maybe we should have kept with good old-fashioned sippingyou know, the kind where you just use your mouth?

In the meantime, let's not forget that the true problem lies in lowering our overall use of single-use items, regardless of whether you choose to embrace the papery tragedy of paper straws or select their plastic equivalents. After all, the most effective approach to protect the environment is to drink sensibly, use our straws wisely, and perhaps even think about learning to drink straight from the cup like the champions we are.

So, dear friends, go forth and may your sips be as satisfying as they are sustainable. We can all raise a glass (or a straw) in the future to a greener, less mushy planet.

Memorable Media: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

~SUMAIRA ALAM~

Hi hi everyone ~ I hope you’re all doing well ♡ This is the second installment of Memorable Media, in which I (Sumairaaa~) will review any piece of media I find remotely interesting!! If you haven’t read my previous article where I reviewed Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad, you should definitely check it out!! If you want to get into a game franchise, tv show, book, or whatever, be sure to look out for Memorable Media in every issue!!

Published by CAPCOM in 2001, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney has been considered to be one of CAPCOM’s greatest and most commercially successful game franchises alongside major titles like Resident Evil, Street Fighter, and Devil May Cry. With a solid 10/10 rating from major gaming storefront Steam, PW:AA is truly a timeless piece of media. It has an age rating of T for “Teen”, as it largely involves solving murder cases that may not be suitable for younger children. PW:AA is available to purchase on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, Android, XBOX One, and PC~ However, it is also possible to watch playthroughs on YouTube for free!

In PW:AA, you play as the clever and witty Phoenix Wright, a rookie attorney out of law school! As Phoenix, you attempt to clear your clients’ names by defending them with the power of logic and evidence. Throughout the trilogy, there are 15 lengthy cases in total which are all played in chronological order. After this, the player is able to play them in any specific order!! I believe the total playtime of this trilogy is around 60 hours, so you'll get a lot of content in this trilogy :D With every single legal case, PW:AA is exhilarating, and light-hearted and leaves you feeling a genuine connection between the storyline, characters, music, and just the entire game overall

If you’ve seen those memes of a guy going “Objection!” and passionately pointing over a court desk, then chances are you’re probably looking at Phoenix Wright. He is the face of what is now considered to be one of the most critically acclaimed, respected, and classic video games of all time. Though, this esteem for PW:AA doesn't just spawn out of nowhere. When I first bought PW:AA on my Nintendo Switch, I wasn’t really sure what to expect I didn’t read any reviews beforehand so I went into it completely blind to any background knowledge. The prologue, which is more of an introduction to how to battle in court as Phoenix Wright felt quite bland and too easy, but then I was hit with the enthralling first chapter. Right off the bat, you as Phoenix are tasked with investigating the death of your mentor and best friend Mia Fey. To make matters much more surprising, her adorable and bubbly younger sister Maya has been accused of the crime and brought to trial with you, Phoenix, as her defending lawyer. Together, you and Maya investigate between trial dates and gather significant evidence and witness testimonies to utilise in court. As each day of the trial progresses, your brain is challenged with finding contradictions within witness statements and presenting the correct evidence to fiercely object to each lie Once you've uncovered the cold, hard truth, by convincing the judge to give a guilty verdict to the rightful criminal, it really feels as if you’re really a genuine lawyer in Phoenix’s position.

The originality, depth, and pure uniqueness of PW:AA is so, so good that I genuinely struggle to find new games to play due to my elevated expectations. If you value exceptional writing in video games, PW:AA is most definitely the way to go. Each story is so distinctive, and the way every case is written is so unlike any other visual novel game I’ve ever played. It includes some of the most mature and developed writing, not just limited to video games but actually in any form of media PW:AA deals with themes of trust, insecurity, codependency, trauma, emotional neglect, and so many others that you must find out through playing. I mean this when I say that every character in this game is a real person. The depth, story, and arc behind every character, despite some only being relevant for a single case, leaves an impact that burns into your memory. One prominent example of this is Miles Edgeworth (the VERY attractive man with grey hair).

I could write a whole separate article just screaming about how meaningful Edgeworth is to me and to PW:AA. Despite being the opposing prosecutor for the first game, Miles Edgeworth is largely relevant throughout the entire game He is introduced as a cruel, heartless, and mysterious lawyer, with a streak of winning all of the cases he prosecutes (that is, of course, until he’s up against Phoenix). However, with the progression of the games, his character develops as his secrets are unfurled, his traumatic past is revealed and you finally begin to realise that under that perfect, ruthless facade, he is just a vulnerable man. This is most meticulously portrayed in the fourth case of the first game in the trilogy, in which you as Phoenix are assigned with defending Edgeworth in court, for what is seemingly an impossible, paradoxical case to solve. I cannot stress enough how ENTERTAINING this case was to solve. At every turn, you were just slapped with plot twists, surprising revelations, and heartbreaking backstories. Edgeworth’s character is so well depicted in one of the most unexpected and original ways possible. Even when most forms of entertainment now completely fail to do this, I can say with all my heart that PW:AA will not disappoint you at all.

Not one character in this game has not been well done, which is something that is quite difficult to say about other games.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was so successful that there have been multiple other games created to expand on this storyline. In Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Phoenix becomes the mentor to Apollo Justice, who takes place as the protagonist. In Miles Edgeworth: Investigations, you play Edgeworth in prosecuting various criminals. In The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, you play as Ryunosuke Naruhodo, a direct ancestor of Phoenix Wright in 19th-century Japan and England. I believe wholeheartedly that these spin-offs are genuinely amazing in their own ways, however Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is the blueprint. It is the fundamentals of what is genuinely an extraordinary masterpiece. I cherished every little bit of character dialogue, scene, and interaction, this was truly a deeply satisfying experience I will never forget. I couldn’t possibly recommend this game more to anyone who will give it a try, and I pray that I can find something else to play that even comes close to this level of quality.

Thank you so, so much for reading this!! I am very evidently normal about Ace Attorney. Please play it. Or watch someone play it. Until the next installment of Memorable Media ~ ✧

Sumaira Alam :3

advice ~column~

What Motivates You?

~KEERTHANA KARTHIK~

Beginning a new school year, fresh with hopes and goals, free of the tribulations of the year gone, expectations heavy on your shoulders. But what motivates you to work toward those goals, to live your academic year to its fullest? Here is a word cloud of some popular answers from the cohort:

In reality, motivation can be a complex idea with a variety of influencing factors, and it’s just shallow to categorise it into either a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ motivation. There are, however, 2 main categories that a motive can loosely fit into. These are:

Intrinsic motivation can involve the desire to learn, create, or achieve something for yourself or to become a better person. It can include the effort you make just to wake up each day, eat something healthy, keep hydrated and sleep regularly. Extrinsic motivation can involve the desire to receive a reward, power or acceptance, or conversely, avoid punishment or social rejection.

The top 3 answers on the word map are all extrinsic motivators, which matches a key ideology that humans, on average, tend to be motivated more by society and its expectations than they are by their personal will.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with this. Everyone thinks differently, therefore is motivated differently. The key here is turning your motivator into a positive driving force for action, not your weakness. It is far easier for extrinsic motivators to become one’s hamartia due to their very nature, with possible consequences such as burning out or developing a fear of failure.

Look for positive reward systems, praise, constructive feedback, and your inner desire to achieve a specific goal. Encourage yourself to take more time to create rewards in a healthy way, like taking a break or pampering yourself, rather than obsessing yourself over materialistic decorations. Small steps are always appreciated, and never look down on yourself for “not doing enough” or “constantly failing” - you are running your own race, no one else’s. Find inspiration in other people, not reasons to put yourself down. Listen to people that form reliable support systems in your life and not those that reinforce negative ideas. You can do this. You are the only one who can build your dreams, brick by boring brick. You were the only one born to do what you’re meant to do.

Eco-friendly Alternatives in Everyday Life

~HANIA RIZVI~

With the increasing concern about our planet’s rising temperatures, more and more information, reports, articles, and social media posts on climate change are being put onto the internet. But we, especially as students, don’t get enough time to look into this critical global issue or reflect on our actions that create a carbon footprint behind us. This is why I have curated a few eco-friendly alternatives that we, as students and future global leaders of the world, can use in our everyday lives.

1. Reusable sandwich/food storage bags

Reusable sandwich bags are incredible for storing food for long periods. This is because the material of these reusable bags is thicker than the usual disposable plastic bags and keeps the food secure. In addition, some reusable sandwich bags include insulation which keeps the food warm/cool for a longer time.

1.Reusable sandwich/food storage bags

Many households use disposable plastic sandwich bags (the same ones you see littered around the school sometimes) only because they are easily accessible. However, these cheap disposable plastics create problems for us when they are littered everywhere, dumped into the ocean and mass-produced in big factories that use unfathomable amounts of fossil fuels per year.

2. Online Notes/Textbooks

Most of our school work is done on the laptop these days, however, many of us are still in the habit of taking notes on paper. The alternative to this is taking notes digitally. Digital notes prevent paper waste and allow students to keep all their notes in one place. Additionally, buying physical textbooks also contribute to paper waste. An alternative to buying expensive textbooks is to buy/rent ebook versions.

When it comes to paper waste, an average Australian consumes about 230 kg of paper per year. However, using electronic alternatives to paper can change the concerning amount of paper wasted by an average Australian student each year.

3. Ethical Fashion

It can be challenging for students on a tight budget to justify spending a lot of money on a dress or purse that was produced ethically. It is also way easier to go with disposable clothing that is cheap to create and cheap to purchase. However, these materials, which are usually produced in developing nations, are frequently synthetic and are known for releasing hazardous microplastics as they degrade.

Australia discards around 36,000kg of clothing per hour, according to ABC's The War On Waste. Additionally, the production of one piece of clothing uses 2700 litres of water. This growing waste needs to stop, and we can only start by investing in some high-quality clothing.

~ANONYMOUS~ Little Miss Helpful

Dear Little Miss Helpful,

I’m new to SCHS and I don’t know how to fit in. All the people around me have a rather strange taste in humour, and I just have no idea how to match and go along with it without feeling uncomfortable. Everyone labels me as boring and draining, and apparently my whole existence is monotone. I have ‘friends’, but they just stay by my side and repeat the same, formal greetings and I have to mutter the same old answers back before they get up and leave, probably because I can’t begin a good conversation. No one can sit with me alone for longer than 3 minutes because I drain the excitement out of them.

Trust me, I do want good friends and I really want to be able to talk openly without shying away. I just can’t seem to muster up the courage to say something because what if I say something weird? Something wrong? Something that makes that person dislike me? I usually just keep my head down, mouth shut and eyes cast downwards. What should I do? How can I become more confident and outgoing? How can I be myself around others? Please help me!

From an extremely introverted student :)

Dear extremely introverted student,

I’m so sorry to hear that you are struggling to find friends at SCHS! Let me start off by saying that your feelings are completely valid, and it is sooooo common to feel like a fish out of water (even around people you’ve known for ages.)

The next thing I have to tell you is that you are most definitely not boring! Our perceptions of ourselves are shaped (perhaps more than we’d like to admit) by the people around us. If your friends make you feel boring, your current friendship group just might not be the right fit for you. Don’t blame yourself

for not being able to forge a connection with them - no-one can get along with everyone, and you’ve come into an environment where everyone must seem to know each other already. Anyone in your position would feel isolated and lost - my advice is to give it some time, and be patient. Life has a funny way of making sure the right people end up in your life, so long as you are open, earnest and kind.

I think everyone in the world, including me, can relate to the overthinking part. Don’t pressure yourself to become a social butterfly overnight, and never change who you are for others. The secret is that no one is really confident. NO ONE.

We are all just pretending to know what we’re doing. You will have awkward conversations and say the wrong thing sometimes - the trick is to recover with grace.Laugh it off if you can and admit to your mistakes. Pretend you are the person you want to be, and one day, you will be - until then, I think you’ll find that no-one can tell the difference.

You sound like a lovely soul based on your letter, and I am sending you good vibes and good luck!

Yours faithfully,

Little Miss Helpful