RVHS Exposed July 2018

Issue 5

July 2018

Aspiration . Respect . Endeavour

RVHS House System We’re Recruiting!

Prom Fashion Special

The Valentine’s Issue!

We’re recruiting!

Florence New, year 10: Being a part of the school magazine has been an exciting privilege. Exciting, because every issue is different and has brought something new and a privilege because I have gained lots of skills from writing, and the school magazine is so professional and gives a glimpse into what journalism is truly like. I would recommend being a part of a school magazine to anyone, no matter what you enjoy.

Patsy Stow, year 10: In the school magazine, I have worked with others and explored the fashion industry changes in trend across the year. this role is great because it allows such creativity and presentation but also sharing with others the things that you like with the wider community.

What to do if you’re bored over the summer

1. 8Passengers – daily vlogs The 8Passengers are an American family of 8 (with 6 children) who upload daily vlogs every day of the week except Sundays. It’s interesting seeing into their lives and there are some lessons to be learnt from all of the kids. It’s easy to become obsessed and you may soon find yourself wishing to be a part of the family.

2. Gaming channels Everyone has a guilty YouTube pleasure, and mine’s gaming, whether it’s watching someone wreck their subscribers at Mario Kart, or watching two nerdy best friends play The Sims, there’s a type of gaming video for anyone. Some channels I recommend and TheEnglishSimmer and DanAndPhilGAMES.

3. Simon vs the Homo sapiens Agenda After watching Love, Simon and reading this book, I find myself recommending it to anyone. It is an endearing story of a teenager coming to terms with his sexuality, told in a way that is both interesting and humorous. Suitable for ages 13+, it’s a perfect summer read if you want a happy, coming of age story, that can be enjoyed for hours.

2. Am I Normal Yet? Series A series of three books, each told from a unique perspective from a friend out of a trio of girls, each struggling with their own problems. Also suitable for 13+, the books tackle their issues in a light-hearted way. All of the books link to each other, revolving around the same friends, so each book is a new tale to relish.

By Florence New, year 10

Summer Mocktails The summer season is fast approaching and soon the Summer Holidays will begin. To celebrate the sunshine, try some of these non-alcoholic cocktails that you can enjoy both making and drinking while you’re relaxing in the sun.

Watermelon Margarita 5 cups watermelon (cubed) ¾ cups orange juice.

2 tbsp sugar syrup. ½ cups lime juice. ½ tsp salt. crushed ice.

Blueberry Mojito 6-8 mint leaves Handful of Fresh blueberries - slightly muddle together.

2 oz of Lime juice 2 oz of Simple syrup Splash of Club soda Ice

Good Morning Sunburst Orange juice, frozen into ice cube spheres 8 oz (240ml) of sparking water Splash of grenadine syrup 1 sprig of rosemary Splash of vanilla syrup (optional)

By Jessica Galloway, year 13

The opening assembly for the Challenge and Enrichment Activity, for year 7ns and 8s, took place a few weeks ago. The assembly was led by the English departments Miss Hanlon and Miss Bingham as they explained the stimulating project.

The Challenge and Enrichment Activity is an 8 week long project in which specially selected year 7 and 8 students come up with a project on any subject of their choosing and have to create a 500 word evaluation and demonstrate their independent research on the project in any way they wish.

The assembly introducing the students to the challenge included some pieces that had been submitted for last years contest. These artful displays were presented not only to express the passionate research that went into them, but also to inspire new ideas. Laying on tables at the end of the schools hall was a range of work, for example, sculptures of tall cardboard fireplaces flooded with letters that reference to the famous book series, Harry Potter, detailed models and sketches of places and people and finally a handmade zoetrope and impressive information board made by Zak Smith All of the projects for this years challenge will be due in on the 16th July and the winners of different awards for the challenge will be announced the following night, in the prize assembly.

The awards available are: The Imaginative Award The Informative Award The Innovative Award And The People Choice Award Last year there was a large range of stunning work submitted, including a live ant farm, which joint won the People's Choice Award. The Challenge is meant to stimulate a drive for knowledge and create focused hard working habits through friendly competition. Parents are advised to help their children with this project by organising fun knowledgeable day trips, like a visit to a museum.

-Emma Samson

It’s prom season again! The prom dresses in the Sherri hill runway show left everyone eager to make sure that their style was perfect for the big event. These may have been designer statements with dazzling embellishments and luxurious fabrics but the theme of the night was to create a collection that allows every woman to show her uniqueness, curves, and personal style One thing that was immediately clear as the first set of dresses were revealed, was that 2018 and 2019 were going to be very untraditional.

Females today are not so worried about what males think but are actually more worried about what other girls think. It’s still dress to impress, but if the dress does not make a statement about the individual , it just wont do.

The coming years of prom will see a return of bold colours, large floral designs, fringe and beadwork. Gowns will not completely disappear, they will still be dominant, but fun two-piece designs along with flirty cocktail dresses will make more and more frequent appearances. It seems that there is no longer a competition of who can wear the most sparkles anymore, but a modern take on sophistication and individuality.

Some may choose to wear a tux or a suit to prom, but it is recommended that customised measurements / adjustments are made to fit the feminine body type. Alternatively you could even rent a suit if you didn't want to buy one because buying one can be quite expensive.

If making a personal statement means wearing something inspires by someone who inspires you— go for it!

By Patsy Stow

Person of Interest: Mr Ehsan, English Teacher Interviewer - What does Ramadan mean to you?

Mr Ehsan - To me personally, Ramadan is a time for reflection in life and a time for humility and charity.

Interviewer - Why do people fast during Ramadan?

Mr Ehsan - Muslims celebrate Ramadan because in this holy month, hundreds of years ago was when the Quran was revealed. Though we don’t just celebrate for this reason, we also celebrate to remember the poor and as a time to reflect on God consciousness.

Interviewer - Are there any specific rituals or events or celebrations you or your family partake in, in honour of Ramadan? Whether religious or personal?

Mr Ehsan - Yes during the month, we abstain from food and drink from sunrise till sundown and then we all partake in a night prayer. When it reaches sundown we celebrate the breaking of fast with big meals every night and it just brings families and even communities together. During the breaking of the fast, people send food to the Mosque for everyone to eat and share so it’s a time when even strangers are brought together.

Interviewer - Do you struggle to fast for the full 30 days sometimes? If so, what do you do to stop yourself from straying?

Mr Ehsan - Of course it is a struggle but it’s suppose to be a struggle, through the struggle we humble ourselves and reflect on ourselves as human beings; to be more charitable and more God conscious. In doing so it’s not just about abstaining from food and drink but also about controlling our tongues, our gaze, speaking good of people and just being overall charitable. When I say charitable I mean giving to homeless too the needy, being kind, speaking well and passing on our knowledge and wisdom to others, they are all seen as a form of charity.

Interviewer - What happens if you were to break your fast?

Mr Ehsan - This is actually a common question, if i break my fast nothing happens in the physical form. It’s my relationship with God that’s affected, see I fast for God and if I break the fast I feel like I let myself down as I’m not doing my duty to God. Interviewer - Can you be Muslim and not fast for Ramadan?

Mr Ehsan - Yes, in Islam only a healthy Muslim should partake in Ramadan. If you are young, elderly, not in good health or during a woman’s menstrual cycle then they are not expected to and should not fast if it will damage their health.

Interviewer - What made you wish to pursue a career in teaching?

Mr Ehsan - Well, while I was in school I had very inspirational teachers and I always had a love for English as a subject. Though also as a child and facing terrible calamities such as when I was attacked when I was younger and that experience made me want to steer the youth and help them find a better path in life as well as bring them knowledge.

Interviewer - If you don’t mind could you elaborate on the attack?

Mr Ehsan - Well, when I was younger I was attacked with knives and that resulted in a near death experience for me. It made me reflect on not wanting it to happen to anybody else and made me want to educate young people righteously.

Interviewer - What was your favourite subjects during your time at school?

Mr Ehsan - When I was at school my favourite subjects were English and Drama, I loved English as I was good at creative writing, I guess that stemmed from me being a movie buff I just loved watching movies and taking ideas from them and turning them into stories. I suppose those animated character projected my imagination into my drama and acting.

Interviewer - What is the greatest achievement in your life?

Mr Ehsan - My children. My children are my greatest achievement for definite.

Interviewer - What would be your message to the students for success?

Mr Ehsan - “Establish a goal early and see it through regardless of obstacles and anybody getting in the way of achieving that” and also “Exercise how to balance time and discipline”.

Interviewer - I have been informed that you moved for Dubai, what was this for?

Did you teach while you were out there?

Mr Ehsan - I went to Dubai for 2 years and I just love it as a country, I moved out there because it was an ambition of mine that I wanted to fulfil as I wanted to teach abroad. While I was out there I taught in an international school, it posed different challenges to what I was use to in the UK. I know Quranic Arabic and English but most people in Dubai speak English.

Interviewer - What are your plans for the upcoming summer?

Mr Ehsan - I’m hoping to take my family to America, specifically Miami and Orlando, there’s tonnes to see and do for us all like the theme parks. Then for the rest of the summer I suppose I’ll be at home working on expanding my house.

Interviewer - Is one of your favourite things about being a teacher the long summer’s you get?

Mr Ehsan - Yes it is for sure one of the cool factors but not ‘the’ factor, I love being a teacher because everyday it’s something different and working with young people is fun. I used to be a bank manager when I first came out of University but I always knew I wanted to be a teacher but life just takes different routes and I got offered opportunities so I took them. I did enjoy it but my passion was in teaching.

Interviewer - Where was your favourite vacation?

Mr Ehsan - My favourite vacation would have to have been Miami. I just loved the culture, the party life and of course the weather.

Interviewer - Where would you love to travel too? Whether you have or haven't been there.

Mr Ehsan - I’d like to see more of South America such as Peru, Argentina and Columbia.

By Jade Tucker

The Royal Wedding

On the 19th May, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (former suits actress) became husband and wife and were given the title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor.

The wedding was unlike any other royal wedding, here are all the ways their celebration broke from royal tradition: Meghan has been previously married and divorced and there wasn’t a kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony; ever since Queen Victoria’s children, it has been customary for royal couples to take to the Buckingham palace balcony to acknowledge the crowds below. Also, the bride and groom spent the night before their wedding in separate hotels and changed the traditional style of the wedding cake; royal cakes are usually multi-tiered, rich, fruit cakes encased in marzipan and a thick crust of white icing. However, Meghan and Harry went for a lemon and elderflower cake to capture the ‘bright flavours of spring’.

Meghan entered the chapel trailed by four pageboys and six bridesmaids and they weren’t just from the royal side, in fact, half of the 10 were of Meghan’s choice, and only Meghan’s mother from her family attended the ceremony. Surprisingly, the bride wasn’t given away by her father, instead she opted to walk herself down the isle then joined by Prince Charles who then accompanied her to the altar. The star -studded guest list was unlike any other royal wedding, there is often a smattering of familiar faces at a royal wedding, but Harry and Meghan invited many celebrities to their big day. Also, Harry is wearing a wedding ring, unlike Prince Phillip and Prince William but Prince Charles chooses to wear a signet ring on his pinkie. The ceremony was extremely significant with multicultural content. They were also the first royal couple to kiss spontaneously at their wedding. They were pronounced as husband and Wife instead of man and wife to represent their involvement in women rights.

In an interview, the couple revealed how Harry proposed during a quiet night at the prince’s home of Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace. It was just a “cosy night” that was an “amazing surprise”.

Meghan's beautiful dress was made by a Givenchy designer Clare Waight Keller, with slim, three quartered sleeves to add a note of refined modernity, the sweeping train added a sense of drama to the starstudded occasion. It was confirmed that she wore Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau, made in 1932, the diamonds haven’t been worn since 1965 when it was worn by Princess Margaret, the headpiece was loaned to Meghan for the occasion. The veil was 15ft (5 metres) long and was a tribute to the Queen. Prince Harry left a seat open in honour of his mother, the late Diana, at the ceremony. In another tribute to his mother, the couple put forget-me-nots, - Diana’s favourites - in Meghan’s bouquet. The flowers were hand-picked from their private garden the day before the wedding.

There was an evening reception, hosted by Prince Charles, for 200 guests where she wore a white Stella McCartney dress and Diana’s ring. We wish them the best after their wedding day and look forward to the next royal wedding.

By Madison Holden Ettridge