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News from your students • Issue 4 • March 2020 • Dubai British School

New uniform – a new school look • What it takes to be on TikTok • Distance learning – shaping future learning methods • Choosing universities • Keeping the work/life balance this break • Sixth form • Agony AUNT • Comics • COVID-19 – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW •

E-learning: Temporary solution or the future? By Zoyena Omar-Jafri

-learning tools provide educators and students with ac _____cess to resources they could not have had otherwise, no matter their status or location. A Philosophy student in England can learn from a top Professor a continent away, in their own time whilst balancing a full-time job and a family at home.

Even though e-learning has become an education equalizer, it is still not a replacement for the traditional classroom. Sure, the technology is advancing, but it is not flawless. Just like any new, burgeoning innovation, e-learning faces its own challenges. Perhaps e-learning and the traditional classroom will one day form a union: compensating for one what the other lacks. THE STATE OF THE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM In a traditional classroom, educators will tell you they need to be on their toes, trying to engage their students at every moment. But students do not always cooperate—maybe they are bored, zoned out, or too focused on the sun outside to pay attention to maths. That lack of engagement is a challenge for the student as well. They cannot hit pause on a teacher and rewind back to the moment they stopped paying attention - which results in confusion and bewilderment. Accounting for a student’s individual attention span is also an issue in traditional classrooms. Some students fatigue after 50 minutes, others after 15, and there is no way to adjust for that in a real-time environment. Despite these problems, once the teacher and the student meet in the middle and find that engagement, it is magic.

THE EMERGENCE OF E-LEARNING One of the ways e-learning has tried to mimic the social aspects of a classroom is through tools like messaging boards, Facebook groups - and yes, sometimes chatbots! They give students the sense they are not just staring at an empty message board, but instead are talking to real people about real homework. Of course, this cannot truly replace the communicative, communal atmosphere of a traditional classroom. Students naturally learn from one another while solving problems and working collaboratively. They are validated and encouraged by face-to-face time with a teacher that does not come from a pre-recorded video. E-learning has yet to find a way to effectively imitate that. From the teacher’s perspective, e-learning tools give them precise, clear-cut feedback on how a student is engaging with material. They can see where students get lost in a lesson and grade assignments with the click of a button. A reduced workload allows teachers to demonstrate their skills in other ways—ways that are more beneficial to the students and the classroom. Less hours spent grading workbooks means more time spent engaging each student on an individual level. It is this combination of customized content and resource management that will allow teachers to lead our classrooms into the future. [continued on page 2]

Being surrounded by like-minded people, actively participating with peers, and seeing students come alive once things click is a social energy you cannot replace—even with Artificial Intelligence.

COVID-19: What you need to know Turn to page 3

Want to join the team? Email Jia-Wen Ooi or Christina Kurian for more info! 09jiaooi@dubaibritishschool.ae 09chrkur@dubaibritishschool.ae

STUDENT Sixth Form article – Infected!

Page 5

school School uniform changes to happen at DBS Page 2

Events

School uniform changes to happen at DBS Turn to page 2

TikTok – The New Craze Page 8

ARTICLES 2 DBS to have uniform changes 3

COVID-19 – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Sixth Form Section: Infected! University choices

Exam stress and you

TikTok: The New Craze

EXTRAS & FUN 9 Staying at Home Special 11

Agony Aunt Just for Laughs “I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free.” – Rosa Parks, the ‘Mother of the Freedom Movement’, an American activist known for the Montgomery bus boycott

Articles

E-LEARNING: temporary solution or the future? [cont. from front page] WHAT THE FUTURE CLASSROOM LOOKS LIKE These days, more and more students are being driven to self-instruction—either because they cannot afford tuition or are simply excited about a topic. Whilst this means that YouTubers such as Shawn Donnelly are flourishing, it does also make the concept of schooling in a traditional classroom redundant. This is where elearning comes in. If a platform could actually cater content and interaction around the individual user— their speed, their interests, their location—then elearning could give them the ability to learn whatever they want, from wherever they want, whenever they want. If a student wants to attend Harvard business lectures but lives in Kansas, then e-learning puts them in the room. If a student is prone to losing focus in the middle of class, e-learning means that they can ‘rewind’ back to the beginning. True mobility and access to education is the future. But that does not mean that we will stop empowering our classrooms and teachers. While e-learning will not replace traditional classrooms, it will certainly change the way we know them today. With improved resources and reduced teacher workloads, classrooms can shift to co-learning spaces. Students can arrive, learn, engage—all at their own pace in a collaborative environment. After all, that is the true goal of education: to create the best environment for students to learn in.

will stop empowering our classrooms and teachers. While e-learning will not replace traditional classrooms, it will certainly change the way we know them today. With improved resources and reduced teacher workloads, classrooms can shift to co-learning spaces.

Students can arrive, learn, engage—all at their own pace in a collaborative environment. After all, that is the true goal of education: to create the best environment for students to learn in. E-learning could be the future. But will it succeed?

School uniform Changes at DBS By Christina Kurian

How the school will match DBS Jumeirah Park

E-learning could be the future. But will it succeed?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: - New uniform available from Term 3 2019/20 onwards - New blue shirt and navy trousers, new PE kit - dark blue top - Students can choose to wear the current or new uniform in the 2020/21 year A light-blue shirt! Navy trousers and skirts! Displayed proudly in the foyer for parents and students to marvel at, DBS’ new uniform aligns with the change that is sweeping through the school in the 2019-2020 academic year: new science labs, refurbished classrooms and now a uniform for all Secondary students to wear from September. We canthe forget the simple white shirtidentical, and replace with a blue navy one, ablue shade that strikes a Whilst trousers look seemingly theyitare actually with perfect balance andwe sea-blue. trousersthem! look School seemingly identiOn another note, some of us may be less aware of the fact that along with the faint dotted linesbetween - whichice-blue means that can no Whilst longer the outsource cal, they are actuallymust navybe blue with from faint dotted linesTen - which that we uniforms absolutely bought Zaks now! yearsmeans ago, when thecan no uniform, our PE kits are also changing. Even though these have not been adlonger outsource them! new, School uniforms absolutely must from Zaks school itself was brand students wore jackets and tiesbeinbought a formal look thatnow! vertised in the foyer, the PE kits have also altered their stark whiteness for matched elegance of Dubai School. as technology and modern Ten yearsthe ago, when the schoolBritish itself was brandToday, new, students wore jackets and ties the in adarker tones of blue and black. More surprisingly, the unmistakable simplicity classrooms, the loose-fitting, moreSchool. relaxedToday, clothing formal lookdominates that matched the elegance of Dubai British asreflects technologyhouse colours have disappeared from their sleeves; they can instead be the approaches to learning educationmore that we use. clothingironed andrelaxed, modern contemporary simplicity dominates classrooms, the and loose-fitting, relaxed re- onto the t-shirt. It will definitely be harder to sort students into dodgeflects the relaxed, contemporary approaches to learning and education that we use. ball teams now! WHY CHANGE THE SCHOOL UNIFORM? it is not only the school uniform that has rapidly been changed at Turning ournavy attentions from the teachers to the bodythe- who willwhite be the trueandHowever, Whilst the trousers remain unchanged, westudent can forget simple shirt reDBS. For a few months, the world has been suffering under the international critiques of the uniform they it next year -between it is obvious that and seaplace it with a blue one, when a shade thatactually strikes wear a perfect balance ice-blue many are excited for when a ‘newthe look’ – “The offers a fresh newwore look jackets to our andmedical blue. Ten years ago, school itselfuniform was brand new, students ties crisis of COVID-19 and e-learning has been implemented across the United Arab Emirates as a precautionary measure to lessen the chances of old uniform, I think it will students look more in abasic formal look that matched themake elegance of Dubai Britishsophisticated,”, School. Today,says as technolYear 11 student others express doubts about the clothstudents contracting the virus. For more information on this, please visit ogy and modern Benjamin simplicityAnderson. dominatesHowever, classrooms, the loose-fitting, more relaxed changed colour. Whilst less worried about the fashion aspects and of our uniform,that we page… ing reflects the relaxed, contemporary approaches to learning education use. there is a question that rises to mind: why? Why change the uniform now? Is it a simple desire to shake the school a little, to maintain the students’ interest? Or We wish all those trying out the new school uniform the best of luck - but reWHY CHANGE THE up SCHOOL UNIFORM? member that both uniforms are acceptable for the next academic year. Sixth is there another reason?from The the uniforms now those- who of DBS Turning our attentions teachers to complement the student body willJumeirah be the true criformers, you have unfortunately missed out on your chance! Park many students have curiously whether matching tiquesand of the uniform when they actuallywondered wear it next year -the it is obviousuniforms that many are are supposed to bring bothwhilst schools together. In doubts any case, the the joining of these two[insert excited for a ‘new look’, others express about changed colour To visit the Zaks store for your uniform (available from Term 3): schools definitely be welcomed by fashion the student body! the logosthere on the quotes?].will Whilst less worried about the aspects of Even our uniform, is a queshttps://zaksstore.com/shop/dbs/en/ new uniform matchwhy? that of DBS Jumeirah Park’s, so if there been desire any to shake tion that riseswill to mind: Why change the uniform now? Is it has a simple trouble with differentiating between Emirates HillsOr and Park, The up the school a little, to maintain theDBS students’ interest? is DBS there Jumeirah another reason? there definitely will be now. match those of DBS Jumeirah Park and many students uniforms now co-incidentally have curiously wondered whether the matching uniforms are supposed to bring both On another note, some us may less aware of two the fact that will along with thebe unischools together. In anyofcase, the be joining of these schools definitely welform, our PE kits are also changing. Even though these have not been advertised comed by the student body! Even the logos on the new uniform will match that of DBS in the foyer, the PE kits have also altered their stark whiteness for the darker

What you need to know

By Jia-Wen Ooi

Pandemic, fear and the world The COVID-19 pandemic has caused mass panic and disruption globally, as fears rise and numbers increase. The situation report (14/03/20) from the World Health Organisation states that there have been 142 539 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally – with rapidly increasing numbers in Europe, the new ‘epicentre’ of the virus. Wuhan, a city in China with a population of more than 11 million people, was put under lockdown on the 23rd of January 2020. The first reported cases of the virus in Wuhan led to the belief that the virus might have originated from a seafood market in Wuhan.

However, there has been no conclusion of the origin of the virus. China’s big feat in putting a large city in lockdown has seen infection numbers slowing down, with the country reporting 18 new cases on the 14th of March, compared to 1998 new cases on the 14th of February. As the numbers decrease, China prepares to assist other countries affected by the virus. There is no current vaccine for the virus, but many hope for it to come by the next year.

THE UAE’S PREPARATIONS The UAE Government has closed down all schools for a period of time in order to limit the spread of the virus. Dubai is a major hub – Dubai International Airport is the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic, possibly putting the country at high risk of the virus.

saw the student being punched and sustaining injuries requiring facial surgery. One of the suspects in the group which attacked the student said: “I don’t want coronavirus in my country”. This is one of the increasing number of cases of discrimination reported by people of East Asian and Southeast Asian WHY IT IS CALLED COVID-19 The novel coronavirus soon had an abbrevi- descent and appearance. The government has temporarily suspended ated name – COVID-19. It was named the issuance of all visas to all foreigners COVID-19 on the 11th of February by the In Melbourne, the most multi-cultural (with the exception of diplomatic passport World Health Organisation, which stated: city in Australia, Chinese restaurants and holders). The government warns against non-essential travel during this time. “The name of the disease could not All UAE residents overseas are also, as of March 19, not allowed to re-enter the UAE, irrespective of the countries they have visited. Flights to and from several countries including Iran, Thailand, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq have also been temporarily stopped.

at Medicentres in Dubai, says that clinics are making nurses enquire about patients’ symptoms before scheduling an appointment with a doctor. Other awareness campaigns, strict disinfection policies have also been put into effect.

refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people. It also needed to relate to the disease and be pronounceable. This choice will help guard against the use of other names that might be inaccurate or stigmatizing.” – The WHO

The use of the names “coronavirus” or This information is correct as of March 19. “Wuhan virus” has led to the stigmatising of a whole country, China, and its people. The virus and the country are has almost The UAE has shown careful steps in limit- become synonymous, creating an inaccuing the spread of COVID-19. It is up to rate portrayal of the situation. UAE residents to aid the community. Dr. A recent case of a coronavirus-related racist Munir Ahmad, a family medicine specialist attack on a Singaporean student in London saw the student being punched in the face,

other establishments, as well as other Asian businesses have been hit, with many seeing a dramatic 70% drop in business. Several businesses have even closed due to the COVID-19 fears, causing people to lose jobs. Whilst many are suffering from

the virus, social media has spread insensitive jokes, normalising the stigma and racism against the Asian community. Despite the seemingly immature behaviour, it is not just a childish display of discrimination and anti-Asian sentiment; many adults partake in the selective xenophobia online. A school in Belgium publicly posted an image of secondary students wearing Chinese costumes while holding a sign reading the now widely-used online phrase “Corona Time”. The photo included a student stretching her eyes in a racist gesture, while another student wore latex gloves and a mask. Backwards and anything but progressive, it proves that social media and our society has taught many people that promoting and perpetuating stigma and racism is a morally sound thing to do. NAME OF THE VIRUS: SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) NAME OF THE DISEASE: COVID-19, coronavirus The virus and the disease have different names due to the virus’ genetic relation to the coronavirus which caused the outbreak of SARS in 2003. The two viruses are related, but different.

Prevention and Protection It is better to prevent catching the virus than curing the disease once you have it. There are no cures or vaccines for the disease. Here are the steps to preventing and limiting the spread of the virus:

Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.

Wear a mask if you think you are showing symptoms. And if you are, make sure to use it properly. See below for more information about masks.

When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth with your elbow or with a tissue.

Limit yourself from going to congregations with large numbers of people.

5. Go to a doctor if you think you have symptoms. 6. Limit non-essential travel. 7. Spread awareness of official news and information,

Many theories have sparked from the panic and fear because of social media and the spreading of fake news and inaccurate information. Theories about the origin of COVID-19 state notions like the Chinese government creating the virus to kill their own people, or the Americans planted it, or that it came from bats - none of these theories have been proven correct. Infectious disease expert Dr. Ivan Hung (Professor of Medicine, University of Hong Kong) states “we believe that this is actually a natural evolution”, due to its relation to another virus which caused the SARS outbreak in 2003.

“Conspiracy theories do nothing but create fear, rumors and prejudice that jeopardize our global collaboration in the fight against this virus.” – Public Health Scientists Panic buying essentials like toilet paper has become common around the globe. Videos and reports of people arguing over items at supermarkets have surfaced online, truly depicting the fear of COVID-19.

not unproven rumours. Stay informed, and don’t misinform.

Q&A with the experts 1. What are the ways you are protecting yourself and your family from the virus? DR. HUNG: Tightening up measures to prevent transmission of infection within the clinic, between patients and clinical teams.

DR. EMILY HUNG: I operate two communitybased clinics for children in Hong Kong. I do undergrad teaching on Community Paediatrics for Medical Year 5 students of one of the medical schools, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and am a regional trainer for a territorywide Neonatal Resuscitation Program for paediatricians, midwifes and emergency physicians in the Children’s Hospital. In this epidemic, I have volunteered to be a member of a SARSCoV-2 Concern Group in a professional body, Hong Kong Medical Association HKMA.

DR SIAH: During DORSCON orange, we are encouraged to practice social distancing for healthy people and if you are sick, stay at home. I am very wary of what I bring home from the hospital every day, I make sure that I changed the scrubs that I wear in the hospital to outside clothing when I leave the hospital, taking a shower immediately when I reach home. In the hospital, we are also separated into two teams so that when one team is infected another team can still continue working (can you imagine if all the doctors and nurses need to be quarantined?). I also advise my patients not to come to hospital during COVID-19, as we are trying new technology like telemedicine to call the patients at home and send medicine to their home so that they can stay at home instead of visiting the hospital.

SHOULD I WEAR A MASK? DOES WEARING IT MEAN I’M SAFE? The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that you only need to wear a mask when taking care of a person with a suspected COVID-19 infection. Masks are only effective when used alongside frequent and efficient hand-cleaning. If you do wear one, use it and dispose of it correctly. Masks are effective at catching droplets and decrease the chance of the disease being passed around. The link below shows you how to wear a mask properly. Wearing a mask - The WHO MYTH: I HAVE A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM. I CAN FIGHT THE VIRUS. Those like the elderly and immune compromised are at higher risk for serious illness compared to others. However, those who do not have pre-existing illnesses should not trivialise the risk to others – we should all work together to help protect others, not just ourselves. Though you may be able to fight off the disease, and of the high numbers of those being infected, many have recovered, it does not mean you should pose a risk to yourself and others around you. Protect the community.

On the front line

DR AHMAD: Wearing masks, avoiding shaking hands and hugging. Avoiding unnecessary travel, minimising social activities, particularly big gatherings. Cleaning clothes thoroughly and avoiding sneezing or coughing at someone. 2. What do you think is the biggest misconception or myth of the virus? DR. HUNG: To wear or not to wear the surgical face mask, is the question. DR SIAH: Many people think that this is going to be a short-term suffering, I beg to differ, we need to prepare for a long fight. DR. MUNIR AHMAD: Based in Dubai, Dr Ahmad is a family medicine specialist working at Medicentres polyclinic. He is also Senior General Medical Practitioner (Managing Director) at The Alexander House Health Centre Platt Bridge, Wigan Lancashire UK since 2005.

DR. KEWIN SIAH: I am a consultant gastroenterologist at National University Hospital in Singapore. The Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) has been Orange for more than one month now is Singapore, Orange means that the disease was severe and spread easily but still contained.

DR AHMAD: The biggest myth is that people who get the coronavirus will die. It is not true – the estimated death rate for the virus is around 3-4% globally. 3. To what extent has the virus affected your daily activities? DR HUNG: Tremendously. Practically, all children are homeschooled and subjected to online teaching, clinical activities drastically cut in Hong Kong and my clinic service is at most operating at 5-10% of my usual capacity, putting due stress on whether we need to downsize the team or not. And all my teaching, which involves seeing patients and have group interactions that cannot be done online, are all postponed. When coming back from work, I make sure to not hug my children – I’ll take a bath and change all clothes first. DR SIAH: I can’t go to eat my favourite chicken rice, visit the cinema for movies (then again, nothing good is on anyway), and sing karaoke for obvious reasons. So instead I started walking and exercising during my free time or after work. You could say that COVID-19 forced me to live a healthier life! DR AHMAD: As a doctor, personally, I don’t find myself being affected as I am still in the clinic working. However, I do think that it will negatively impact the future as people will be afraid to leave their houses, therefore making the world a more isolated place. If people think that they have symptoms of COVID-19 they shouldn’t be scared to visit a doctor as it will help reduce the number of cases and help treat the people infected.

DR JENWAE HO: On the front line in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, he tells us a bit about his experiences fighting the disease first hand. What is the protocol when a patient is suspected for being infected by COVID-19? The protocol depends on where you are located in the world. Screening is very location dependent. The general rule is that anyone travelling from 1 of the 5 major countries with highest COVID-19 cases and have symptoms should be screen with a throat or nasal swab. Most places practice a blood test called PCR as well. Is there a need to isolate yourself when you have treated an infected patient? It depends on how you treated the infected patient. Intubating a COVID-19 patient would expose you to greatest risk – so that case, yes. But, if you were fully protected like I was, it is not necessary to quarantine yourself. However, if you can come into contact (direct or close) and develop symptoms within 14 days of the contact, you should be quarantining yourself. What do you wear whilst on the front line? - Full Personal Protective equipment - Head gown - shoe covers + boot cover - 3 pairs of gloves We thank all doctors and - full gown and apron volunteers assisting in the - face shield fight against COVID-19. - N95 face mask

SIXTH FORM section: Infected!

The Impact of Global Quarantine and an alternative, optimistic outlook on the COVID-19 outbreak By Alina Aziz Dungarpurwala

Inexorably everywhere If you have left your comfortable abodes, you will see that the blank streets make usually vigorous places look like ghost-towns. Supermarkets are empty, schools have shut down, radios cyclically repeat red and amber alerts. It seems like we are living in an alternate reality. Even if you self-quarantine, locking yourself up in your homes, the virus is still inescapable. It’s on every screen, every webpage, every outlet, every post, every article, every pop-up, every message, every picture, every caption, every video.

This virus is viral; literally, digitally and metaphorically. I see the word “Coronavirus” everywhere. Even in places where it does not belong. Even in words with completely dissimilar letters and semantics. The word, the letters, the markings, the meaning- the virus. The virus. It morphs, merges, contorts and coalesces itself, squeezing itself in between unrelated words, sentences, phrases and headings. Even if you go to type or search something else online, to distract yourself, “COVID-19" will broadcast itself, poking and pecking at your head. How can one be sane and move on with their lives with all of this going on? Is its popularity becoming a topic of entertainment? Is humanity exaggerating this crisis or taking it lightly?

THE Psychological Impact of the virus: “Paranoia is paralysing” Physical, pathogenic destruction and death are the fundamental, plain effects of this plague. However, there is more to it than just surface-level demolition. Before identifying what good can come from this apparent disaster, the unobtrusive negative psychological and emotional effects of isolation and voluntary quarantine must be considered.

This pandemic is making people panic. People with no symptoms whatsoever are driving themselves into mania, impulsively bulk-buying bottles and bottles of hand sanitiser, litres of rubbing alcohol, and even canned foods, as if they’re stocking-up for an apocalypse! Australia’s going toilet paper crazy, clearing the supermarket shelves of the pillowy, marshmallowy rolls of tissue.

apocalypse! Australia is going toilet paper crazy, clearing the supermarket shelves of the pillowy, marshmallowy rolls of tissue.

can be fatal if not soothed and prevented. Precautions for this virus are necessary, but should be taken in moderation. Your sanity must not be at expense. Although there is no antidote yet, many cases of this virus have been cured by healthy people’s immune systems. Our antibodies can fight pathogens and viruses, but can our immunity fight our own self-destructive, debilitating thoughts and emotions? Do not fall victim to society’s frenzies.

There is a global shortage of medical masks seen on everybody walking the streets these days. Why are people buying toilet paper rolls? For comfort, to seek sanity, and because of fear. They fear that a basic commodity will become a rarity. It is taking the concept of retail-therapy to an elevated, aggravated level. Human nature is to go into survival mode at a time of Do not live in fear. Do not murder your mental wellbecatastrophe. People are experiencing anxiety and par- ing to protect your physical wellbeing. anoia. People are putting themselves into social isolation, avoiding anybody or anything that breathes. This will only do more harm than good. Humans need other humans. It is an innate requirement. Loneliness can be fatal if not soothed and prevented. Precautions for this virus are necessary, but should be taken in LEFT: Three shoppers in a Woolworths moderation. Your sanity mustn’t be at expense. Altsupermarket in Australia arguing over hough there is no antidote yet, many cases of this vitoilet paper. rus have been cured by healthy people’s immune systems. Our antibodies can fight pathogens and viruses, but can our immunity fight our own self-destructive, debilitating thoughts and emotions? Do not fall victim to society’s frenzies.

Implicit Dangers of the Human Psyche Under Quarantine Being in quarantine means deviating from our daily rituals, routines and almost automatic, habitual cycles. It is a break from how we normally function. This can cause mental blockages and psychological ailments, like depression, because it forces us to be confronted with our bleak sheer realities, underlying pain or subconscious thoughts and suffering, that we may not even have time to contemplate, because society is immersed into a hustling, bustling environment. It is bitter. It is also disregarded. We repress our true emotions and thoughts by keeping ourselves distracted and busy, putting on a facade. Alas, before entering the territory of generalisation, a holistic approach must always be regarded. Anecdotally, this abnormal, sporadic, 4-week period off school so far has left my mental and physical state discombobulated. For me, a deviation from routine means a deviation from discipline, and a deviation from discipline leads to the downfall of depression, due to overindulgence and unproductiveness, which buries me in a pattern of a sickly hedonistic lifestyle. Doing nothing gives you time to feel everything. Overeating or surfing social media are distractions and passive activities that bring one comfort. Both should be done in moderation, but with boredom and misery added to the equation, people try to use these pleasures for ‘evil’, succumbing to short-term gratification, which is the feeling of comfort and temporary contentment.

Above: Picture taken by Alina Aziz. D in an elevator in Downtown Dubai

It is not that I have nothing to do, but that I am not doing it. This is procrastination at its finest. We undermine the complexity of the concept, the word, ‘procrastination’. It is more; it is more than just a word. It is self-destructive; it is a heavy weight; it is a burden; it is evil. It is the villain in our lives that prevents growth. It is a form of mental resistance. It is invisible, but potent. It is not an ‘it’, but a powerful force that if not treated, has the capacity to drive one into insanity, whatever insanity may be. These may be my personal flaws and idiosyncrasies, but I have an inkling that it’s something the majority of the general population is prone to. All of humanity succumbs to their primitive comfort-seeking desires. Procrastination and living hedonistically is living in comfort, but the unknown jeopardy of living in comfort is that when one does so, they will eventually and ironically become uncomfortable and in pain. Ultimately, living in comfort can lead to self-destruction in the long-term. Master your mind and take control over your life. Take my experience of great suffering during this ‘school shut-down’ as an unplanned, unintentional social-experiment, and as a teaching to take control over your mind. Use this time off for good, not ‘evil’. Use it for self-growth, self-transformation and self-discovery. Take my experience of great suffering during this ‘school shut-down’ as an unplanned, unintentional social-experiment, and as a teaching to take control over your mind. Use this time off for good, not ‘evil’. Use it for self-growth, self-transformation and self-discovery.

Don’t take this break as a holiday. Use this time to grow. The abstract concept of “time” should be valued. It is a commodity that will tick for eternity, but once it has ticked, it cannot ‘re-tick’. Its ‘ticking’ is irreversible. Though it will occur forever, people are mortal, so, each of us have a limited supply of it. This virus is testing humanity’s ability to survive. We must carry on fulfilling our purpose of passing on knowledge, in a way that is a step further than animals. The virus is natural, not synthetic. Nature’s destructiveness must have a purpose, whether it is to restore ecosystems or to eliminate the predicament of overpopulation, the whole mumbo-jumbo that ‘everything happens for a reason’, is a legitimate cliché, because it has been proven on a myriad of occasions. Growth can be metaphorised as how babies deal with the piercing ache of their teeth penetrating through their tender gums. It is painful, but completely necessary. Growth will always be an uncomfortable, painful process. These are all my hypotheses. Notions always lead to other notions, and eventually, humanity will find the most efficient, valid answer. Contribute to society however you wish: through art, through discovery, through academic mastery. Don’t let a pesky virus like this stop you from living. Humanity has been through Ebola, and it has been subdued. The coronavirus will also subdue. Everything eventually does.

Choosing University DestinationsBy Prisha Sharma As you begin to plan ahead of your education at Dubai British School, choosing where you want to study is vital in order to ensure you work up to the prerequisites of the country or specific university, in hopes of securing a place at your dream destination. When choosing a destination, there are a lot of things to consider, such as finances, the length of the course, flexibility to change courses – and quite often, the finality of the decision can be overwhelming. However, by understanding the key differences between locations, finding the perfect fit can be made a lot easier. Although you could potential end up in any country across the globe, the four main destinations tend to be the UK, US, Canada or the Netherlands. Length of Undergrad

Flexibility to change courses and major

Pre-requisites

3 years

4 years

Yes

Canada

3-4 years, depending on course

Yes

IELTS, TOEFL or UCLES if English is not your native language ACT or SAT IELTS or TOEFL if English is not your native language IELTS or TOEFL if English is not your native language

Netherlands

4 years

Yes

IELTS or TOEFL if English is not your native language

Other key points to consider are what you’re doing in and out of school to appeal to universities. For example, universities in the UK place their main focus on academic excellence in terms of grades, whereas the US takes a more holistic approach and likes to see who you are out of school, as demonstrated by an array of extra-curricular activities. Ideally, by Year 10 you should begin to groom yourself to fit their values and expectations, if you have an idea of where you wish to study. Furthermore, finding scholarship opportunities in the US and Canada are much more likely then in other countries, particularly sporting scholarships. Scholarship opportunities are also awarded for a variety of other reasons, such as leadership, community service, and any talents that stand out in your application. Choosing your destination may also be impacted by the course you wish to study. For example, law courses in the UK provide you with a lot more freedom in terms of employment than the US, so this maybe something to consider if you have a clear idea of which course you wish to peruse. The bottom line: although choosing the right destination is important in ensuring you have an enjoyable and memorable university experience, it is not the be all and end all of university. Most universities in all of the mentioned countries provide opportunities to study aboard – which maybe something to look into when narrowing down specific universities if it is an opportunity you wish to pursue.

Articles

EXAM stress and you By Yonita Saggar

tress is a significant factor in a ____student's life, especially when it comes to exams. Some say that this stress helps students become aware of their responsibilities but it is not always healthy to be under a lot of pressure. We asked some students about the stress they face and how it contrasts with their experience in primary school. Here was the question asked: What kind of stress do you experience due to exams and how do you think you could change that? What can you do to lessen the stress-inducing workload of revision?

“The pressure I face primarily comes from me. I could decrease the stress by finding more resources beforehand, or using the ones already given to me. I also think that students should start revising a few weeks before the assessment week, instead of just one week beforehand.” - Sophia Pereira, 8B

“The stress I go through before an exam is mainly because of my performance in previous Assessment Weeks. The reason for this is the fact that I might have received extremely positive results during the assessment week prior, however, there is always the worry of wanting to perform just as well - or even better - in all exams in the future.” - Saif Tareen, 7B

“When I'm stressed, it's usually because I'm struggling to remember my revision notes. However, I normally fix this by revising substantially in the day and separating my study sessions into different slots.” - Dyala Abou-El Naja, 8B

Here are some methods to avoid this stress:

1. Make sure to slot your revision in at different times of the day, and break it down! 2. Do not revise in huge portions. Make sure to take breaks to help relax the mind, as well as helping to recall important information. 3. Find innovative and creative ways to plan your revision! Do not just stick to normal notes; use flashcards, past exam papers, etc. 4. Organise your workspace efficiently, and if you do not already have a workspace - find one! Extra clutter on a desk will not help your revision progress at all. The most important thing to remember is that everyone learns differently. Unintentionally overwhelming yourself with different revision strategies and subjects is one of the worst things you can do. Exams are important - however, it is also important to remember to take a break and step back to relax your mind. In the end, relaxation does help with your memory, which is always something to rely on in exams.

The English Language IGCSE 2020: A Triumph! By Lisa Menezes The English Language GCSE was the first of many, taking place in January this year. The students had spent weeks on end prepping for this exam, submitting extra essays and re-reading and re-annotating texts mercilessly in hopes to achieve the best grade they could. The beloved English teachers - Ms. Ridley, Mrs. King, Ms. Mason, Mrs. Wood - had also worked relentlessly to mark mounds of essays and prepare resources for their classes, all building up to this one moment. At the time it all felt like a surge of adrenaline and fear - what if I do not do as well as I am expected to? What if I missed a comma in my 45mark transactional writing? What if? All these fleeting emotions and doubts were replaced with pure joy and excitement when, on the 5th March 2020, the GCSE class of 2020 received the best English Language results the school has had yet. One hundred percent of students achieved between a grade A-B whilst seventy- four percent achieved between a grade A*- A, excelling past the previous years’ students and even exceeding past the students’ own expectations! The work put in had clearly paid off and there were many tears of triumph as the students received their results from their teachers. Despite all the trials and tribulations the students had faced before and during the English exam, the results have been exceptional, thus keeping morale high and paving a path to success for the upcoming GCSEs in May and June. The students’ notable performance this year not only showcases their capability, but their drive and skills to perform just as well in their proceeding exams. There is undoubtedly a bright future ahead.

As a final note, thank you to all the English teachers for supporting the students and for the students themselves, who put in the hard work to achieve these phenomenal results - Congratulations to the GCSE class of 2020!

WHAT IS IT?

TikTok

TikTok (previously known as Musical.ly) is a social networking app that allows creators to make short 15 to 60 second videos. Developed by ByteDance, the app has gained a lot of popularity over the past few months. The content released on the app varies from dance challenges to entertaining pranks to mouth-watering cooking videos. TikTok has videos that suit people from all over the world so it is easy to find content creators that you will enjoy!

The Craze Of 2020 By Shahnoor Ahmad

How can I get famous? TikTok allows videos to be seen through the 'For You Page', which (similar to the recommended home page on YouTube) shows videos that TikTok thinks you'll enjoy. By using different hashtags and having a regular uploading schedule, there is a higher chance of getting featured on the For You Page. TikTok's For You Page doesn't only feature popular creators - people with a small following can easily gain followers and likes. Determination is key when hoping to become successful on TikTok!

REVIEWS TikTok is oddly addictive! I think the main reason why people are spending hours a day on this app is due to the diverse content released; everyone has content that they relate to. - A 16-year-old.

Lots of fun for teens and grown ups! Yes there is some mature content but with privacy settings and monitoring by parents it can easily be avoided. Me and my thirteen year old daughter love it! - A parent.

It’s a great app for mature tweens! There is some swearing, but that’s it! Definitely recommend for creative kids! – 13 year old

INFLUENCERS

The growth of popular content creators is extremely rapid as there are influencers that target different audiences. For example, Charli D'Amelio is the fastest growing influencer on TikTok, gaining millions of followers per week. Her most popular videos are of dance challenges that she partakes in and her sudden fame resulted in her appearance on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show and at the Milan Fashion Week. TikTok has allowed young people to create flourishing careers by letting them do what they enjoy the most.

CHALLENGE TIME! It's your time to shine! Want a chance to be featured in the next issue of the DBS Newspaper?

1. Create a video of your choice e.g. dancing, comedy skits etc.. 2. Make sure that the video is appropriate (no profanity etc...) 3. In your caption write the name/names of the people in the video alongside the year that they are in. 4. Use the hashtag 'DBSchallenge'. Make sure that your account is public so that we can view the post. The DBS student with the most authentic/creative video will have the luck of being featured in the next issue of the DBS newspaper. Be sure that the video is appropriate and created to the best of your abilities. Have fun! NOTE: When using TikTok, make sure to follow community guidelines and local laws. Do not follow trends if they are dangerous to yourself and/or others.

By Koko Turner A work-life balance is where both the demands of oneâ€™s personal life, professional life, and family life are at a state of equilibrium. This is important for students within the exam season as continuously studying and remaining too focused on school work can be detrimental. This is not to say to stop studying entirely but to allocate oneâ€™s time correctly to the things that are important in life. This is because both studying and your personal life are important and neither should be neglected. If you neglect your work-life balance it can affect your mental health, physical health and wellbeing. So, to help you in maintaining this important factor this exam season I have compiled a list of ideas and have made them more home-centred as the current situation with COVID-19.

Let out your artistic side There are many creative outlets for you to explore this spring break. Creative activities can help you destress and usually help improve your concentration. This can be very useful during this time of year as exam season is approaching. Try making clay figures, origami, learning a new language or pick up a new instrument.

Spend more

Become more

time with family

eco-friendly

This is a great opportunity to strengthen bonds between you and some of your family members through fun and engaging activities. There are many studies which show that spending time with family can subconsciously improve your self-esteem. Try watching movies, playing board games, learning card games, video games and call your loved ones.

Cooking your own food- this is a good way to cut down on waste from ordering from online restaurants as well as learn new recipes and helping out your parents.

You can start to become eco-friendly by becoming aware of the how your choices effect the environment through starting in a fun way. Try making crafts out of plastic waste around your house, or starting to grow your own produce.

Starting to grow your own vegetables/fruits and plants- this can be done if you have your own garden/yard already or in you live in an apartment- simply by buying seeds, soil and a pot as well as reading up on the plant you are growing first. You might even decide to invest a little more to get a plant growing system!

Exercise (home-friendly) Exercise is super important in maintaining a work-life balance as it improves your physical and mental health. These are some that do not require any machinery that would make you go to the gym or any expensive equipment. Try learning a dance routine, yoga and other simple exercises.

1. Ben 10 There was no doubt that this teenage superhero could not take the No.1 spot on the list. The original series, Alien Force and Ultimate Alien captured the hearts of many viewers, whether male or female. I was more of a Cartoon Network kid, so this was one of the many cartoons shows that I loved. The best series, Alien Force, mixed action, humour and the best alien transformations, and expanded the Ben 10 superhero universe with many plot lines, secrets and fascinating, loveable characters. - Jia-Wen

Ben 10 Opening

2. Phineas and Ferb Just watching Perry the Platypus foil the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz through his silent wit, intelligent actions and sarcastic shake of the head was enough to push all of us through the ‘hundred and four days of summer vacation’ as Phineas sings in the theme song. And those 104 days involved, as promised, a whole lot of adventures to keep kids staring excitedly at their television screens. Remember Candace and her strange boyfriends? Remember the clueless parents? This is a show that none of us are likely to forget, ever. – Christina

Theme Song | Phineas and Ferb | Disney XD

3. Wizards of Waverly Place ‘Everything is not as it seems’ in this thrilling, comical and somehow strangely relatable Disney Channel show starring Selena Gomez and David Henrie. Following Alex, Justin, Max and Harper as they strove to be ‘normal’ teenagers whilst struggling under the confines of magic and mystery was a journey that all children of the 2010s definitely enjoyed. From its dangerous antics to witty dialogue, this show was a must-see! – Christina

6. The Amazing World of Gumball The show depicts the misadventures of Gumball and Darwin, both preteen kids of the Watterson family. The clever humour, well-written, funny scenarios and animation are so brilliantly mixed to have just the right amount to break clichés and conventional cartoon tropes. Gumball’s world is a clever creation against realistic settings inhabited by a goofy yet charming cast of characters. The characters are animated in different styles and have different traits, breaking traditional cartoon conventions. Darwin is a goldfish which grew legs, Rocky is a Muppet-like character with an AB/CD (AC/DC) Tshirt… and it did not feel weird at all. - Jia-Wen

Gumball | The Mystery of the Locker | Cartoon Network 7. Hannah Montana Even though Miley simply put on a wig and changed clothes to become her counterpart Hannah, she effectively managed to stun audiences - both on-screen and off-screen - with her talent, craziness and vivacity. Along with Lily, Jackson and Bobbie, not to mention the dashing Travis in the movie, Hannah fulfilled every young girl’s dream: to be a super-famous rockstar and normal schoolgirl simultaneously. However, I do now wonder how on earth nobody noticed the startling similarity between Hannah and Miley…. – Christina

Hannah Montana Theme Song

8. Lazy Town Remember Sportacus and Robbie Rotten? Stephanie, Ziggy, Pixel and Stingy? It was not just the characters that were memorable, there were many songs that came from Lazy Town. – Jia-Wen

Lazy Town | The Mine Song Music Video

Wizards of Waverly Place Theme Song

4. Jessie From Jessie’s first meeting of Skye after getting tossed out of a NYC cab, to her almost-wedding, this story of a nanny, a butler and their four charges living together in a penthouse was an essential part of Disney Channel for so long. A combination of sassiness, romance and coming-of-age drama, Jessie bewitched its watching audience, complete with a catchy theme tune that I can still remember (‘Hey Jessie! Feels like a party everyday!’) - and indeed, every day was a blast in the Ross household. – Christina

Jessie Theme Song

9. Full House Full House is absolutely timeless. This show taught viewers about values, relationships and navigating through tough times. We follow the story of the Tanner family in San Francisco, consisting of Danny and his daughters, Jessie and Joey. Each episode is entertaining and meaningful - and despite the classic sad music kicking in every now and then, it never breaks the show’s entertainment. – Jia-Wen

Full House Theme Song

10. SpongeBob SquarePants A show that has been immortalised by the memes made from it! Despite the fact that SpongeBob has been running around Bikini 5. Adventure Time Bay since 1999, this show remains popular for children of all ages, Finn and Jake’s adventures in the land of Ooo was always full of fun and as we watch SpongeBob and Patrick embark on their wild, humorrandomness. Its unique take on simple adventures in a universe of mythol- ous schemes. I was never too crazy about cartoons, but this one ogy and ever-expanding world and concept is what makes it more than just managed to interest me! – Christina a childrens’ TV show. We end up loving all the characters, like Tree Trunks, BMO and Lumpy Space Princess… Whimsical, entertaining and wholeSpongeBob some, Adventure Time, and its ‘weird’ characters and ideas, are the qualiSquarePants ties which made the show so loveable. - Jia-Wen The Amazing World of Gumball Adventure The show depicts the misadventures of Gumball and Darwin, both preteen Time | Simon kids of the Watterson family. The clever humour, well-written, funny sceMarcy's narios and animation are so brilliantly mixed to haveand just the right amount to break cliches and conventional cartoon tropes. Gumball’s world is a Origins Story clever creation against realistic settings inhabited by a charming and goofy | Cartoon cast of characters. Darwin is a goldfish which grew legs, Rocky is a Muppet-like character with an AB/CD (AC/DC) T-shirt. The characters are aniNetwork mated in different styles and have different traits, yet they create a sense of relatability to the show, making it so appealing. - Jia-Wen

By Caitlin O’Leary My Newly Discovered Bands: The Brian Jonestown Massacre: The Brian Jonestown Massacre is an American musical project led by Anton Newcombe, formed in San Francisco in 1990 and still making music to this day. Their early music was in a shoegaze style and has transitioned since to a broader style of psychedelic rock with styles such as garage rock, electronica and folk rock. The turbulent dynamics of the band are followed in the 2004 documentary ‘Dig!’ which follows The Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols – a must watch documentary for insight in to the electrifying lives of musicians. - Tombes Oubliées, The Brian Jonestown Massacre (2019) - Evergreen, Methodrone (1995) - (David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six, Take It From The Man! (2008) Slowdive: Slowdive is an English rock band formed in Reading in 1989, known best for leading the shoegaze movement characterized by woozy harmonies, ethereal and obscured vocals and guitar distortion. The sound of Slowdive is one of nostalgia and deep reminiscence as the dream-like sounds of swirling guitars encapsulate feelings of longing, love and remembrance. - 40 days, Souvlaki (1994) - Some Velvet Morning, Souvlaki (1994) -Star Roving, Slowdive (2017) Cocteau Twins: Cocteau Twins were a Scottish rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for their distinctive ethereal sound the soprano vocals of Elizabeth Frazer, who often abandons recognisable language in her lyrics. Cocteau Twins pioneered the 1980s subgenre of dream pop and were extremely influential and innovative in paving the way for the genre and the often overlapping genre of shoegaze. - Heaven Or Las Vegas, Heaven Or Las Vegas (1990) - in Our Angelhood, Head Over Heels (1983) - Pink Orange Red, Tiny Dynamite (1985) Song Recommendations: - Backwards – LSD and the Search for God -We’ll Let You Know – Morrisey - Chewing Gum – Blood Orange, A$AP Rocky, Project Pat - Born Slippy (Nuxx) – Underworld -Universal Solider – Jay Electronica -Dark and Handsome – Blood Orange, Toro y Moi -Pyramids – Frank Ocean - Jewelry – Blood Orange -Marian (Version) – Sisters of Mercy -Dear Prudence – Siouxsie and the Banshees -Sound and Vision – David Bowie

Theme Song

Honourable mention: Regular Show It was not just a Regular Show. Mordecai and Rigby were the ultimate power couple - they are both equally as bored by work and always try their best to skip their responsibilities. The episodes follow funny, ridiculous adventures with other characters like the lollipopheaded Pops and their boss, Benson. Their laidback, slacker nature approach to life makes it so easy to watch. – Jia-Wen

Agony Aunt Do you have concerns? Need advice? Yo, my name’s Alex. That can be pronounced as ‘Alex’ or ‘A-l-ex', don’t really care. But what I do care about is you. Don't forget to eat and drink water. We live in Dubai; the weather will curse you with dehydration, before you can say: ‘Get me some water!!!’ NOTE: The Agony Aunt section is Alex’s advice – if you have more concerns, talk to the school counsellor, a teacher or an adult. https://tellonym.me/dbs_agony

The School is closed! What am I supposed to do? I'm freaking out, I won't be able to pass any exams now that we have no school, aghhhhh!

It truly is a stressful time, especially with all the rumors about what will happen to school and our exams. The best thing to do is to get through the next few weeks until news from school arises about rescheduling exams and events that had been cancelled or moved due to these circumstances. Perhaps, when we start e-learning you can ask a teacher regarding your concerns, but in the meantime try to formulate a coherent schedule and keep up to date with your studies. You don’t want to fall behind; even though we’re not going to be ‘in school,’ we’ll still be continuing our studies from the confines of our home. Hopefully, it won’t be too stressful, so in the meantime relax and watch a couple episodes of your favourite show whilst eating some fruit – try to stay home.

I'm worried that if I don't get the grade I need for my Maths GCSE, I won't be able to take the Chemistry A-level

I’m sure if you work hard enough, you’ll achieve the grade you desire. Despite what your mocks might say about your exams, they aren’t always correct; grade boundaries might drop, you might understand the questions on the real exam better, working under pressure might boost your brain’s inner workings. There are so many factors that could change your grade, but the only one you can dictate is your understanding of maths. To achieve your targeted grade, you must revise frequently, if for a short amount of time. Revision timetables are always helpful as they keep you on track and you can view your progress. Nonetheless, there are other methods of aid to succeed in a subject as dreary as maths. Studying with friends or asking a teacher for help on understanding a specific equation can help improve yourself and perhaps give you more confidence in your capabilities. However, I must say, even if you don’t manage to get the required grade to take A-Level Chemistry, it’s not the end of the world. There will be plenty of opportunities in life to study Chemistry, whether in university or later on. You might even find that you don’t need nor like Chemistry. Nevertheless, if you need it to get into university, I’m sure if you excel in the other A-Levels, they will be more than glad to accept you.

Just for Laughs General Knowledge Crossword By Christina Kurian

JOKES TO TELL I just went to an emotional wedding. Even the cake was in tiers. Why do you tell actors to break a leg? Because every play has a cast! Why don't ants get sick? They have anty-bodies. What do you call a psychic little person who has escaped from prison? A small medium at large. Ever tried to eat a clock? It's time-consuming. What do sprinters eat before a race? Nothing, they fast. If you see a crime at an Apple Store, does that make you an iWitness?

THIS issue’s team CHRISTINA KURIAN

JIA-WEN OOI

PRISHA SHARMA

Hello, my name is Christina Kurian! I'm the co-editor of this newspaper; my role is to organise and check through various articles. My GCSEs are: French, Spanish, Triple Science, Drama and History. As is probably evident from my choice of subjects, I adore reading - mainly fiction, and I also play the violin!

Hello, I’m the co-editor of the newspaper – I manage the formatting and design of the newspaper. I’m in Year 11 and this is my third year at DBS. I play the piano and I love drawing, photography and listening to music. My GCSEs are Media, German, Psychology, Triple Science and Geography.

Hi! I’m Prisha and I’m in Sixth Form. The A levels take three subjects I’m passionate about - English Literature, Drama and Psychology. I enjoy listening to and playing music (I play the piano and sing), as well as traveling.

LISA MENEZES

MICHAELA DEMELLO

ALINA DUNGAPURWALA

Hi! I'm Lisa Menezes, and I've been in this school since 2016. I love English, hence why I joined the school newspaper, and I also enjoy playing the piano and drawing. But of course, I'd much rather sleep than do anything.

Hey, I’m Michaela and I’m a year 11 student getting through my GCSEs. My favourite subjects would have to be English, Drama, and Chemistry (shout out to the best teachers) and I’d love to pursue a career in either Law or Psychology in the future!

Hey! I'm Alina! I've finally made it to 6th form & I'm doing A-levels now. I've taken 3 subjects I absolutely adore; English, psychology and music. I enjoy performing & singing with rock bands & having a fun, wild time!

ZOYENA OMAR-JAFRI

JULIETTE SALTANATKHAH

CAITLIN O’LEARY

Hey, I’m Zoyena and I’m in Year 11, almost about to take my GCSEs, History, Geography, Spanish, Media and Business. I absolutely love performing, and join almost every school show! I’m very sporty and I’m learning how to play the guitar.

I am Juliette Saltanatkhah and I’m 15 years old, turning 16 in February. I take Drama, History, Triple Science and French as my GCSE’s, and you might be wondering… ‘Hey, how come you’ve only got 4 subjects?’ Well, my dear inquisitive reader, that’s because—

Hi I’m Caitlin and I’m in Year 11. My GCSEs are Psychology, French, History, Geography and Art, while my hobbies include guitar, skateboarding and photography.

YONITA SAGGAR

KOKO TURNER

SHAHNOOR AHMAD

Hello, I'm Yonita and I'm 13 years old. My favourite subjects are English and Drama. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, as well as reading, and sometimes even writing!

Hi, I’m Koko. I’m in Year 11 and I’m about to take my GCSEs this school year. I take Psychology, Drama, Art, Geography and Business along with my core subjects. I enjoy playing fps games and reading just about anything.

Hi everyone! I’m Shahnoor and I’m currently in Year 11. I always love to have fun and always enjoy whatever I’m doing. A few hobbies of mine are makeup, boxing and singing. I can come across as shy but I then start to open up. In a few words, I’d describe myself as lively, positive and cheerful.