JESS Sixth Form Gazette - October 2023

October, 2023 Issue #13

JESS SIXTH FORM GAZETTE Latest news and bulletin updates in our own Sixth Form

Editor: Alison King

Editor’s Introduction

Welcome to the JESS Sixth Form Gazette! As editor, I am excited to introduce you to the latest news, events, and achievements from our school community. Our dedicated team of writers has been working diligently to bring you engaging and informative content that is sure to keep you informed and up to date.

Sixth Form Gazette Team 2023-2024

This month’s edition is bitter-sweet for me, as this is the final edition with my Year 13 writers before I take on the new Year 12 team. Though I look forward to working with students who have new, fresh ideas, I will miss the Year 13’s I worked with during the past year. I couldn’t have asked for a better, more dedicated group of peers.

Starting with Ranya, who did such a wonderful job keeping the Sixth Form updated on clubs, events, and spotlights on students in leadership roles. Next is Cyrus, always doing a wonderful job of making daunting tasks feel more manageable through his student advice columns and guidance articles about core elements in a Sixth Form students experience such as personal statement, TOK exhibition, and choosing a university course. Not to mention Sara, a writer I can always depend on for enthusiastic articles about areas of school she feels passionate about, with the likes of Period Empowerment, drama department updates, and Model UN. Moving forward, there’s Amber, who has proved she really can do anything with by covering a myriad of article topics during the year, whether it be sport, music, or school trips (not to mention being impressively prompt in completing her article each month). Turning our attention to Lena, the member who faithfully infused the gazette with an educational article about topics which interest her, and though controversial at times, always kept the marketing team on their toes (her article on the KFC opening in the marche will not be forgotten). And last, but definitely not least, Alana who hand drew relatable and hilarious comics which I truly look forward to receiving each month and I certain the rest of the Sixth Form cohort will miss.

On a brighter note, I am excited to work with a new team of talent who will put a new spin on the gazette and letting our Year 13’s focus on the crucial remaining months ahead.

We hope you enjoy reading the Gazette and welcome your feedback. Our team is always open to suggestions and ideas for future articles, and if you are interested in joining our team, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 10AKing@jess.sch.ae. We appreciate your support and look forward to keeping you informed about all the exciting things happening at JESS Sixth Form. Thank you for choosing to stay informed with us!

Diwali

By Ranya Khurana Dipavali, more commonly known as Diwali, is the ‘Festival of Light’ which has its name derived from the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, meaning “row of lights”. Diwali is celebrated by more than a billion people worldwide and is considered to be one of the most important cultural celebrations in India, not only in Hinduism, but also in Jainism and Sikhism as well. It is symbolic of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance, and serves as a period of both renewal and reflection for families. As part of the festival, people dress in traditional clothing such as sarees, lehengas and kurtas and take special care to make sure their homes are as meticulously clean as possible. Many choose to paint and light oil lamps made out of clay, which are called diyas, and these are placed all around their homes.

Another popular decoration is rangoli, which are colourful and often intricately designed patterns of ground rice that people generally arrange on their front doors as a welcome to guests who visit their homes on this festive occasion. During these visits, which are frequent and common during the Diwali season, sweets or other gifts are exchanged between friends and family, who wish prosperity and good luck upon each other.

The dates for Diwali vary every year based on the position of the moon, but it will normally occur between the months of October and November. This year, Diwali will fall on Sunday, the 12th of November. In past years, the Diwali celebrations at JESS have always been an event for the whole school to look forward to, as an occasion where the entire JESS community celebrates together. With Diwali approaching very soon, we are all looking forward to this year's celebrations as well!

Gazette Team Advice + 39 steps

Taiwan Trip + The Importance of Sleep

Cyrus Fotuhi + Sara Hughes Pacheco

Amber Bettsworth + Lena Nedeljkovic

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Upcoming Dates + Comic of the month

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October, 2023

JESS

Issue #13

By: Ranya Khurana

Advice For the Future Gazette Team With this being the final gazette that us year 13s will be writing, it is time to hand this task over to you! This is a great opportunity for CAS, and to facilitate this transition to those of you who are interested, I have left behind my learnings and advice from writing columns for the gazette this past year. Before starting, you should first consider the topic of the article and what its objective is. Is the article meant to be informative or entertaining? Perhaps you are making an argument to convince the reader of something. This would be a good starting point if you’re wondering how to start writing an article. With your topic in mind, also consider your audience. What might draw them in? If you were someone with less knowledge on this topic, what questions would you want this article to answer? This is where tips for writing an article can be really useful. Think about your writing from the perspective of potential readers. This process will help you communicate your ideas are clearly and make your content a good read. Research will be a necessary step for most articles intending to inform or argue a certain topic, as supporting evidence allows you to write with more credibility. Drawing from your experience can also provide unique insights, as people might find value in your anecdotes. Seeking out statistics, quotes from interviews, and references from academic publications is an important step in creating a well-informed argument. You will also have to come up with a title for your article, which should be eye-catching while accurately reflecting the content of your writing. It can be helpful to brainstorm a few ideas and consider which one fits the main idea while being the most engaging to a potential reader looking to learn more about the topic. When writing an introduction, you will want an interesting hook that draws the reader in and a brief overview of your article. This is where you can set the tone for your article and deliver the thesis statement that the following paragraphs will support. The body is then made up of paragraphs that each will support the main point that was laid out in the introduction. This is where you will dig deeper into your arguments and answer any questions that you anticipate readers may have going into the article. The paragraphs should ideally be short and concise to retain the reader’s interest. For your conclusion, you should summarize the main point as a means of tying up all of the points made by the article. With an effective call to action to close out your argument, you will leave the audience reflecting on your writing. And thus, year 12s, by following the majority of these steps, a solid and interesting article can be written with ease. Good luck to whoever is interested in taking on the role, and it has been a pleasure writing column for the gazette.

By: Sara Hughes Pacheco

39 Steps The air in the school’s auditorium is charged . with anticipation as the culmination of weeks of hard work approaches – the eagerly awaited school production of “The 39 Steps.” Behind the scenes, there has been so much going on that the cast, directors, and all those involved, can’t wait to deliver our performance very soon!

Several Sixth Form students are actively participating in various roles. Their engagement spans from acting and dancing to crucial domains such as marketing, lighting, and sound. The skills and experience gained by these alumni will be highly beneficial whether they decide to pursue life under the spotlight or not. So, kindly come along to show them your support.

This timeless classic adapted from John Buchan’s novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s film, promises a thrilling blend of espionage, comedy, and a touch of romance. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War I Europe, “The 39 Steps” follows the gripping tale of Richard Hannay, a man unwittingly entangled in a web of mystery and intrigue after a chance encounter. Hannay’s quest for truth regarding secret organisation “39 Steps” takes him across the moors of Scotland. He navigates unexpected twists and turns, meeting a plethora of eccentric characters along the way.

As the production team meticulously works behind the scenes, stay tuned for forthcoming details on dates and timings. The team is diligently working to ensure an unforgettable evening for all. We hope to see you there for an evening of mystery, laughter, and excitement!

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*Sixth Form Cast:

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Richard Hannay/Professor Jordan…………Harry Patterson & Luca Dos Santos Annabella…………………………………………………………………………. Rose Henderson Compere………………………………………………………………………………………Ella Plank Mrs Jordan………………………………………………………………………. Lydia Hammond Pamela………………………………………………………………………Sara Hughes Pacheco Mrs McGarrigle………………………………………………………………………. Onna Wong Radio Announcer 3: Elsie…………………………………………………. Ginevra Gambini Margaret………………………………………………………………………………. Maya De Jong Sheriff………………………………………………………………………………………. Ella Marson Pilot 1……………………………………………………………………………………Aaisha Patelia Inspector……………………………………………………………………………………...Eva Freire Mrs Dunwoody…………………………………………………………………….…Emily Morris Mrs McQuarrie……………………………………………………………………….…Isha Sheikh

October, 2023

JESS

Issue #13

By: Amber Bettsworth

Taiwan Trip Winners of the U18 Asia Rugby 7s. That is what 5 Year 13’s can call themselves now.

Pippa, Anna, Kiera, Xavier, Henry, and Michelle – what an achievement! Well done!

Now let’s break down how both teams were crowned champions. The girls started their tournament with a tough match against India, who they then went onto the face in the final. Unfortunately, they lost 10-5, but bounced back winning their next game against the hosts, Chinese Taipei, 0-48! After battling Thailand and drawing 55, they qualified for the final against India and what a match it was! Going into the 2nd half down, it was a nail-biting match, but our girls pulled through winning the final 10-7 and defending their title from last year!

The boys tournament was less turbulent with them dominating every single match they played. Their first match against Chinese Taipei was 0 – 34 and their strength and skill increased with every game they played; they won 8-42 against Thailand and 0-37 against India. This led to their final match being against Hongkong. The final was quite a physical game (well even more so than rugby already is) with 2 yellow cards being handed out to the Hong Kong Team. However, despite a rough game, they still came out on top! These results represent the hard work and dedication they all put into the trials and training. They trained for weeks at the Sevens on Sunday night in all conditions from heat and humidity to dust! Even in Taiwan, the final match was played in torrential rain on a slippy (and rocky) pitch, making an already tough sport even tougher! However, our 5 superstars didn’t just benefit on the pitch, but they also learnt, met and experienced so much. Pippa Ward, our blues captain, said how she ‘loved visiting a new country and seeing the different team’s traditions and greetings’, emphasizing how sport is much more than what is just played on the pitch; it teaches people the importance of determination, teamwork, how to deal with fatigue and stress (especially with a 9hour layover in Singapore) all the while boosting their morale and health.

We are all so proud of each one of you who went to Taiwan and a huge well done!

I’ve placed a great emphasis on my sleep, ensuring I sleep for at least 9 hours per night. Thus, I’ve noticed increased levels of productivity, focus and overall happiness. Here is what I use to improve the quality of my sleep: 1. Sleep in a room that is cold, but not too cold. Myriad studies have shown increased quality of sleep-in colder environments. I keep my room at 23 degrees Celsius.

2. Wear an eye mask. This is arguably my biggest tip for improving sleep. Light decreases the secretion of melatonin, making you more awake. By always blocking light, your sleep becomes deeper.

3. Develop a routine. Set a time to be in bed by and stick to it! For example, I aim to be in bed by 9:00 every night, albeit it may fluctuate by 30 minutes depending on the day. Biologically wiring a ‘bedtime’ allows you to fall asleep quicker. This is like always being hungry at 12:20 at school because that is our lunchtime.

4. Stay off your phone at least 15 minutes before bed. Although I enjoy a late night Tik Tok scroll, it is most definitely not good for me. That’s why I aim to read for 10 minutes every night to calm both my brain and my eyes.

By: Lena Nedeljikovic

The Importance of Sleep Feeling your mind go fuzzy and distant as your teacher goes through a vital part of your course? You’re not alone. It is all too common to feel sluggish and lethargic during lessons. However, have you given thought as to how it is impacting your learning?

A study conducted in the Yale School of Medicine by George Dragoi, MD, PhD, suggests that good quality, lengthy sleep is crucial for increasing the number of neurotransmitters in the brain that solidify past learning. This suggest that your lack of sleep may be impeding your revision and overall retention of knowledge.

No matter how busy you are, your body and mind come first! Prioritize your sleep ! $ # "

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September, 2023

Comic of the month – brought to you by Alana Hava.

JESS

Issue #12

Upcoming Dates: . 3rd November – First draft submission of maths IA . 10th November – Final payment for Vietnam . 12th November – Diwali . 13th-15th November – Gold IA practice . 22nd-23rd November – HL English IO’s . 28th November – Final draft submission of maths IA . 31st November – 2nd December . 1st-3rd December – Rugby 7’s . 8th of December - End of term one/ Winter break

An extra special thank you to Alana for surprising me with this incredible illustration as her comic of the month.

Fun fact of the month:

Did you know that, according to the Washington Post, more than one billion people celebrate Diwali around the globe, mainly on the Indian subcontinent.

“High school is like the training wheels for the bicycle of real life”.

- Ghost World

Contact 10AKing@jess.sch.ae for interest in joining the team and contributing your talents to the gazette!