RVHS Exposed Winter Edition 2023

RVHS Exposed Winter Edition

1

Contents Page:

Page 3 – The Origins of Christmas Page 4 – Students at RVHS and Christmas Page 5-6 – A Curious Christmas Short Story Page 7 – Christmas Baking Page 8 – Christmas Poster Page 9-10 – The Impact of the Cost-of-Living Crisis Page 11-12 – What does Santa really do?

Page 13 – Christmas Crossword Page 14 – Final Thoughts of the Year

2

The Origins of Christmas The origins of Christmas start from both Pagan and Roman cultures. The Romans celebrated 2 holidays in December: one being Saturnalia; which was a two-week festival honouring their god of agriculture Saturn and the other, which was celebrated on Dec 25, celebrated the birth of Mithra (their sun god).

As Christianity spread across Europe, the pagan traditions changed into a daylong celebration for Jesus’ birthday on December 25th.

Christmas Trees Christmas trees were a crucial part of the Christmas Origin, as during the Solstice Period, Pagans would decorate their homes with greens in anticipation of the spring yet to come, and Evergreen trees remained during the cold winter days, so they were thought to hold special powers.

Santa Claus Inspired by St. Nicholas, this comes from Christian traditions, St. Nich was a bishop and suffered imprisonment and persecution for his faith. Most of his story is a legend. In honour of his death, December 6th was declared as St. Nicholas day.

As St. Nicholas was known for handing out gifts to children, this is where the tradition of gifting gifts originates. The name ‘Klaas’ is short for Nicholas, and that is where Santa CLAUS comes from!

Why do we Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is celebrated by billions of people to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the son of God. As Jesus died for us and came back to life, and devoted his life towards helping others, he is remembered.

How do students at RVHS celebrate Christmas?

3

By Aneta Charvatova Isabella “Usually, we invite our grandparents and other family members around to our house. On Christmas morning, we will all wait for each other to check our stockings and then we open our presents. After this, we spend the whole day with each other. My parents cook Christmas dinner and I help as well.”

Driti “Normally every Christmas I put up some sort of Christmas tree. I normally decorate on Christmas Eve and I go to bed early. In my religion, I do not actually celebrate Christmas however, I like celebrating it as I find it a very nice time of the year.”

Francesca “I don't celebrate Christmas but I like to spend time with my family throughout the year. Also, one of my favourite parts of the holidays is when it snows!”

Eve “So, my Christmas starts off with me going shopping with my mum, picking out my own Christmas presents and my mum’s. I also decorate which I find VERY PLEASANT and I have a great time.”

Freiya “My dad wakes up. He wakes up everyone else and we all go downstairs and we wait for my sister to wake up. We then all take turns unwrapping one present each; my mum comes over and she gives us all the rest of our presents. After that, we go to our nan’s and we unwrap all those presents. We also enjoy our Christmas dinner. After that, we go back to my dad’s and we have a Christmas dessert!”

Ruby “Normally, on December 1st, we put up our Christmas tree and each year a different family member takes it in turns to put the star on the top.”

4

A curious Christmas

By Sophie Large On a cold grey night in London, a mysterious figure came down the street. He was dressed in a long frock coat and a top hat. He was holding a cane which made a loud tapping sound against the concrete pavement as he walked. He gazed at the bright Christmas lights which were draped across the streetlights.

Tall, red buses crammed full with people rushed past. Cars honked at each other, startling him. He tentatively pushed open the door of a shop named Costa Coffee, and felt a whoosh of warm air on his face.

“Hello, welcome to Costa Coffee, what would you like to order today?” smiled a barista with a name badge that read “Brian”.

“May I see the menu?” asked the strange man.

The barista pointed to a TV and informed him “The menus on the screen up there.”

The man looked at the screen in disbelief and amazement.

“It’s moving! How is it moving?” The barista was concerned.

“What did you say your name was again?” he asked.

The man said “Let me introduce myself. I am Charles John Huffam Dickens.” He studied the TV for a while, and then gasped, “Five pounds for a tea? That’s more than a year’s wages! Thank you for everything, but I have to go.” The barista simply watched him go, too confused to speak.

He walked out of the shop and a voice asked, “Please can I have some money for food?

I’m starving and have nothing to eat.”

Charles looked down and saw a thin-looking man dressed in dirty, ragged clothes holding out a paper cup. He reached into his pocket, but all he had was a marble and a gold sovereign coin. He handed the coin to the man, but the man examined the coin and growled, “What is this? How can I buy food with this?”

Charles didn’t know what to say in reply, so he walked off.

Whilst he was walking, some school kids went by. When they saw him, they started pointing and laughing. He was bewildered. “In my day,” he thought, “Children would never be so disrespectful. I wonder what is going on.”

Later on, loud shouting disrupted his troubled thoughts. “Mummy, Mummy, look at this weird man!” shrieked a little boy, staring at him.

His mother, a rude-looking woman wearing a designer outfit and holding an expensive handbag said to her child ,“Don’t stare Jimmy, it’s cruel.” while gawking at him herself, “He’s obviously poor, I mean just look at his clothes. The man’s dressed as if he’s from the 19th century! Jimmy, be a good boy, and don’t tease him.”

But little Jimmy did not listen to his mother, and he approached the strange man. “Hi, why are you wearing that funny hat? Are you a clown?”

“Good day little child, would you like a toy? I have a marble.” he said to the boy.

“Whoa, that’s so cool!” gasped the little child, looking at the marble, “I love it!”

The man smiled and said “I’m glad you like it. Now, I better go,” the mother was frowning at him, and turning up her nose in disgust, “You go back to your mother now.”

5

Walking down the street, he passed a group of carol singers. He said “Good day to you!” but they just looked at him oddly. He felt offended, but hurried on.

Why was everyone being so cold to him? Nowhere he had ever been to had been this strange. He was confused. Was it a dream? Then he realised that somehow, he had stumbled into the future. Suddenly the homeless man not knowing what a sovereign was made sense. The little boy finding his clothes strange had probably never seen anything like them before. All the strange looks made sense.

He slumped down on a bench, exhausted, as the truth sank in. Nothing had changed.

People were still homeless. Nobody was kind to the poor. His life’s work was for nothing.

But then, he saw two smiling faces looking down at him.

“Hello, my name’s Ellie and this is Tom,” A tall, friendly-looking man nodded enthusiastically at him, “and we work at End Homelessness. We’re trying to make sure that nobody sleeps rough this winter. We offer free food and a safe, warm place to sleep.

We’ll help you find a job, and support you.”

After that, he didn’t feel so sad. People still cared for other people, and wanted to help them. Joy filled him, and he felt overcome with emotion.

“So, do you need our help?” asked Ellie. He thought for a moment. He thought, it is

lovely what they are doing, but I have my own time to get back to, and I have a lovely home. I don’t want to take something I don’t need.

He politely said “No thank you, I have my own home to get back to.”

They nodded and said, “If you need us, we’re just down the road.”

He said farewell to them, and concluded that this was one strange Christmas.

Nevertheless, he was happy that the world still had some kindness for the less fortunate.

6

Christmas Baking Looking for something to do over the Christmas break? How about baking?

Follow the recipe below to create delicious gingerbread men to share with all your friends and family!

Happy baking!

By Isabelle Davenport

7

Christmas Poster

By Natalia Parker

8

The Cost-of-Living Crisis and what you can do to help The cost-of-living crisis has been a pressing issue impacting many individuals and families across the country. It encompasses various factors contributing to a significant rise in the expenses required for daily living, including housing, energy bills, food prices, transportation, and other essential goods and services. However, the cost-of-living crisis isn't just a financial struggle; it's an emotional upheaval that reverberates through the lives of individuals and families. Many have to stretch every penny to cover the cost of essentials and therefore, this means choosing between paying the heating bill or putting food on the table. Every decision becomes a tug-of-war between necessities.

The Epping Forest Youth Council (EFYC) wanted to identify if these struggles were having a knock-on effect on young people; so, they created an anonymous survey titled “Repair my Pocket”. The EFYC surveyed 1,048 people during the period of October 2022 to February 2023. This included nine secondary schools as well as street interviews in Waltham Abbey. Some of their findings included: ➢ 743 students said they were worried or not sure when asked if they were worried about the cost-of-living crisis. ➢ 52% said they were worried about their family having less money ➢ 83% said their families were turning the heating down or off ➢ 318 students said they had a general lack of hope for the future ➢ 408 students were already worried about the affordability of university (more survey findings are available on the youth council web page: https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/your-council/epping-forest-youthcouncil/) Despite the challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis, there's resilience within communities that inspires hope. It's the generosity of individuals supporting each other, the innovative solutions arising from shared struggles, and the determination to overcome these difficulties together that is making a difference to those in need. By fostering this sense of unity and channelling collective efforts, there's an opportunity to mitigate the crisis' effects and build a better future where everyone can thrive. So here is what you can do to help: ✓ Volunteering: Giving your time to local charities, food banks (the Epping Forest food bank), or shelters can make a significant difference.

Whether it's serving meals, organising donations, or offering skills, volunteering contributes directly to community welfare. ✓ Donating: Contributing non-perishable food items, clothing, or toiletries to food banks or shelters helps ensure that those struggling have 9

access to basic necessities. Additionally, monetary donations enable these organisations to purchase what's most needed efficiently. ✓ Advocacy and Engagement: Engaging with local representatives or advocating for policies that address the root causes of the cost-ofliving crisis can create systemic changes that benefit the community in the long term. ✓ Spreading Awareness: Educating others about the challenges faced by the community can lead to greater empathy and support. It encourages collective action and may prompt others to contribute or volunteer.

By Eylul Ugur

10

What does Santa really do?

By Abi Chinnock Dear Santa, My name is Elliot. I am 10 years old. I want to know what happens around Christmas time in the North Pole. Is it stressful, is it difficult?

Lots of love, Elliot “Elliot, how many times have I told you that you need to tidy your room?” his mother shouted from upstairs. “You don't want Santa falling over, do you?”

“Of course not! But I don't know why he hasn't answered my letter,” he replied dejectedly.

“He is probably busy,” she sighed.

As Elliot was counting down the days until Christmas, he realised that Santa would be at his house in 3 days so he could ask him himself. He ran to tell his mother his wonderful plan but then decided that she would tell him off for being awake at midnight when Santa was a very busy man and had lots of lovely children to give presents to. Mother would say that it would be rude to interrupt Santa so Elliot decided to keep his little plan to himself.

The next day he got up so early to tidy his room before his mother had realised it hadn't been done. He also had a thought that if his room was tidy, he could stay up later on Christmas eve so it wouldn't be so difficult to not go to sleep because he would have hated it if his plan went to waste just because he had fallen asleep.

As Christmas eve finally came around, he helped out around the house, he got out some nice smelling candles and he made sure the star was on the Christmas tree. ******** Finally, after his very tiring day, Elliot got into his pyjamas and was about to go to sleep when he remembered his plan. The clock finally hit midnight and he heard a thump.

Tentatively, Elliot got out of his bed and began to climb down the stairs to the living room.

What was that? He thought to himself. Where was Santa? Why was the sun up? Had I missed him?

Elliot felt a shock of disappointment until he remembered he had presents. He opened the first one and it contained a letter saying:

To Elliot, Merry Christmas!

I hope you have loads of fun and nice presents. To answer your questions – yes Christmas is very stressful in the North Pole as we have to make sure all the amazing presents go to the right places. Despite this though, we have a great time and all the Elves love preparing for Christmas.

11

Have a nice Christmas, Love from, Sants

12

By Driti Chintalapalli

13

Final thoughts The RVHS Exposed team wish you all a merry festive period and a happy, healthy new year!

Christmas Everyone loves Christmas.

What's your favourite thing about Christmas?

Is it seeing your family, receiving presents?

Take a moment to think about how you will spend the festive period and what this means to you.

By Jenade Rayment 14