Happy holidays! Despite the fact that I’m sure ev eryone is already missing school at this point – well, maybe not – I know that this break will be cherished by the entire school, students and teachers alike. To say that Term 3 was the easiest or the most enjoy able would be a complete lie, however, it certainly has been memorable.
Watching our Year 12 Class of 2022 walk out of the school for the “last time” was an exciting yet scary ex perience for many, prompting many to think about how it was soon to be them, and others to long for the time when they get to leave school. However, to think it was their last time in the school would be a lie, as Mr Cause knows all too well that year 12’s love to come back in as they often “forget things”. A glass door shut right in their face, what a great last day.
Some of year 10 also have had an exciting last week, with Ms Di Stefano hosting a ‘Greek Dancing Day’ for the R and E English classes. To say the dancing standard is high at this school is an understatement, however, our beloved English teachers Ms Levitt and Ms Di Stefano absolutely showed everyone up with their enthusiasm and incredible moves.
Hopefully Term 4 will be as exciting as this term, but for now, our last edition of the Stag for Term 3!
Read on Reddam, Izzy Lowe
The 35-year-old former kickboxer, Andrew Tate, had 4.7 million followers on Instagram before be ing banned on the 20th of August for violating the company’s policies on “dangerous organisations and individuals”. Youtuber, Daz Black, is responsi ble for Tate being banned, saying on Twitter, “This is what a fat Youtube gamer can do.”
Before Tate’s ban, he generated more Google searches than Donald Trump and Kim Kardashian combined, gaining rapid popularity. Andrew Tate is “a genuine threat to young men,” with him stat ing that rape victims must “bear responsibility” for their attacks. He also dates women aged 18–19 be cause he can “make an imprint” on them, saying, “women (plural) belong to the man.” This regres sive thinking has the ability to ruin generations of progress towards gender equality. While it is only one man, Tate’s fanbase is so large, that he truly can influence the way young boys think about them selves and women. Anonymous
Greetings and salutations, my loyal compatriots in art criticism. (Yes Phil, I’m looking at you). Today the subject of our outrage is the man, the myth, the legend, Jackson Pollock. I’d like to give a big hand to the superlative founder of paint splatters. Oops, nope, that was every three-year-old ever. However, Pollock certainly did a wonderful job bringing the genius of spaghetti impersonations to the popu lar consciousness. Great job dude, it was almost as easy as taking candy from a baby. Just, ya know, a little more ludicrously profitable.
And now, take some deep breaths my darlings, and read on if you like the idea of instant-grevi ous-bodily-harm™ (only $4.99 at your local phar macy).
This is the masterpiece of a modern enterprise, also known as ‘Convergence’. Kinda new-agey, no? I per sonally am a fan of the use of colour in this thing. Look, there must be at least three different shades of grey! Not out of place in a public bathroom, this baby is a man of the people.
And now for a completely new and original take on the pub wall, this is the fabulously titled ‘No. 5 1948’. Legend has it that this painting has the haunting aroma of Chanel’s most famous scent – eau de dying art form. I mean, this one’s quite something. Be hold the chiaroscuro. Behold the use of dimension. Behold the use of…(am I passing art yet?!?).
All in all, my precious unborn fawns, Pollock was bollocks. I bid you adieu.
- Poppy Hartley and Adi Alroy
Starting from October 12th with the first papers of the English exams, all the way to November 4th for those taking Food Tech and/or D&T, Reddam’s 2022 cohort is going to be busy.
There are a few weeks left before the HSC exams, and the high school campus simply won’t be the same. Year 10s are stressed with IIC and yearly ex ams starting just over halfway through Term 4, and the new year 12s have already begun to move on from year 11 work. Some year 10s have also gone on exchange and won’t be back for some time. Term 3 has been a whirlwind, and Term 4 is going to make me wish I was still in preschool, but at least we can all be comforted by the fact that any thing equal to or greater than 60% is both a pass and rounds up to 100%.
This all being said, inspired by the 2022 cohort and the fabulous campaign posters for prospective ju diciary members from the class of 2023, I’d like to propose that the year 11 leadership camp for 2023 takes place on houseboats. I’m sure Stanwell Tops is great, but add some spice please. The new year 12s and the 2022 cohort both have fabulous lead ership skills that will prepare them for the future, but I believe houseboats for year 11 leadership camp will help foster that quality in 2023’s year 11s (us).
Best wishes to the class of 2022 and may the ranks/scales be ever in your favour, Keep thriving, Quinn Luu
Welcome back to the Integration Portfolio’s Culture column. We have a very ethnically and religiously di verse school, and we wish to keep you up to date with upcoming fes tivals, cultural events, and religious holidays.
If you have any questions or wish to share an upcoming event, please email me at zoe.littler@reddam house.com.au
Australian Citizenship Day:
The 17th of September is an im portant day for recognising and acknowledging Australia’s multi culturalism. The celebration began in 2001 after an Australian Citizen ship Council proposal in 1999. Citi zenship Day is a time to reflect on what unites us as Australians and take pride in who we are.
personal growth.
Navaratri:
The 26th of September to the 5th of October is the Hindu festival Navaratri. It is associated with the legend of a battle between the demon Mahishasura and the God dess Durga. To celebrate Goddess Durga’s victory each year, an incar nation of them is worshipped. The festival is nine days long and, to honour the Goddess’s nine forms, worshippers wear a different co lour each day.
Fun Facts:
Rosh Hashanah:
From the 25th to the 27th of Sep tember is Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year. It is a time when God judges and re views the deeds of a person over the past year. It is customary on the eve of the holiday to visit the graves of deceased loved ones and for families to gather to eat a spe cial meal. During the holiday, peo ple partake in prayer and reflect on
If you are a frequent reader of the Stag’s greatest column (in my com pletely unbiased opinion), then you would be aware of how I love writ ing in accordance with a theme. This week’s theme is koalas! These marsupials are picky eaters. They eat less than 50 of over 700 differ ent species of eucalyptus. By spe cifically choosing which leaves to consume, they are able to receive greater nutrients from their diet. It is no secret that the endangered animals love their sleep, but did you know they sleep between 18 to 22 hours a day? When baby ko alas are born, they do not have the ability to see or hear, and instead
crawl into their mother’s pouch where they remain for 6 months to fully develop. Koalas are in need of your help, so please consider do nating at www.savethekoala.com/ donate/, as even the smallest con tributions go a long way.
Riddles:
Last Edition’s Answers:
1. A dice
2. Queue
3. Echo
Feeling adventurous? Try to solve this week’s challenging riddles:
1. What is there one of in every cor ner and two of in every room?
2. What does no one want, but when they have it no one ever wants to lose?
3. What ancient invention allows people to see through walls?
- Zoe LittlerDo not hesitate to share your re ligious or cultural background by writing about an upcoming event to be published in the Stag.
Email zoe.litter@reddamhouse. com.au to help better recognise the diverse culture at our school.
I think we’ve all missed the sun these past few weeks, and now that we finally have blue skies again, it only makes sense to cel ebrate with a well-deserved swim. But the beach is not the only thing to look forward to. After two years and $48 million, the Bondi Pavilion has finally reopened: renovated and restored to its original glory.
The pavilion originally opened on the 18th of November 1911, sim ply comprising of 1,000 ‘dressing boxes’ for swimmers. But the pa vilion took on its own life when in 1923, a plan to improve Bondi
Festival of the Winds:
in the Australian community.
The Bondi Pavilion has played a significant role in the lives of both locals and tourists for more than 90 years and now, even after ren ovation, the historic quality of the building has remained. As Waver ley Council Mayor Paula Masselos said, “These old buildings have a special quality about them that is not only a nod to the past, it’s also an indication of the type of soul the community has. I think we have a moral obligation to ensure that we protect these important places so that future generations can enjoy
classes. Also make sure you pay at tention to the naming of the new spaces in the building, as some in clude names in the local Dharaw al language to make sure that the Bondi Pavilion reflects Indigenous cultural heritage.
Beach resulted in an architectural competition won by Robertson & Marks. Part of this plan included building a new surf pavilion and on May 26 1928, work officially began. The new pavilion had a va riety of uses, including restrooms for swimmers, dining options and entertainment locations. It even had Turkish baths and a ballroom! Over the next decade, thousands of people from all over Australia would flock to Bondi Beach and the pavilion, cementing its place
them as well.” And this is exactly what they did, with estimates of this building lasting for another century.
On September 21st, the communi ty celebrated the reopening of the pavilion with a night of free per formances, music, dances, First Na tions celebrations, film screenings and art exhibitions. However, if you missed it don’t fret, the pavilion is open to the public 7 days a week so when you have the chance, I would recommend heading down. Some of the things you should look out for include the new Bondi Story Room, a digi tal interactive exhibition that takes a look back on Bondi’s history as well as other art exhibitions, the atre performances, workshops and
A lot has changed since 1911, but the pavilion has been a pillar of stability through it all. With its dis play of culture, arts and entertain ment, it provides the perfect place to experience the community spir it, reminding us of the glory days when people would dance away their Saturday nights. But if that’s not enough to make you pay a vis it, it’s a great place to cool off after a long day at the beach.
- Larissa Rose and Kiera MillinQueen Elizabeth II:
This writer watched the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II on September 19th. For understand able reasons, the monarchy is a divisive issue with in Australia, but as I watched the funeral, I realised that I really didn’t know very much about Queen Elizabeth herself.
She was the longest reigning monarch in Brit ish history, and was out-trumped in theory only by France’s Louis XIV. But invading countries like Australia means that one removes other compe tition. Elizabeth II was outruled by 22 monarchs that weren’t fully independent during part of their reigns, including Sobhuza, who ruled over Eswatini for 82 years (more than 10 years longer).
Unusual facts abound. The Royal Family aren’t meant to play monopoly, and they own the entire ty of the British seabed. Once, someone climbed through the Queen’s window, and she woke up to find them sitting on her bed. The Queen used to travel with her own supply of blood overseas. She loved corgis and bred 14 generations of them over her life. But she was a private person with a viva cious sense of humour.
We know all these things about one woman be cause she was in a position of unrivalled privilege. Whatever your position on the monarchy, our his tory is being built around us each day depending on the stories we tell. What we remember of the events in our lives de termines what we tell our descendants and what we write in the history textbooks. How will you remember Queen Elizabeth II, and how will she live on in our country?
- Evie ZavosThe Roman Republic:
The courtrooms of the Roman Republic were as dramatic as they were bloody. The antics of these ancients, remembered today as the pinochles of wisdom and finery, could all too easily be replaced by our very own drama loving teens. A world of sex, scandal, and heartbreak awaits any readers hoping to pursue a career in ancient politics.
Rambling forgiven, let’s get to the point. Young Julius Caesar. Handsome, suave, good on a court floor, and Rome’s most eligible bachelor (this isn’t actually true, he was married however this fact rarely stopped Caesar, so I won’t let it stop me). He was delivering an impassioned speech in the height of the Catlinarian conspiracy. Face red and brow furrowed as he spat rhetorical fire. Suddenly, a letter arrives. It’s passed over to the big JC. He reads. Silence. Suddenly, his fellow senator Cato the Younger accused the letter of being from the traitorous Catiline, and Caesar therefore being an enemy to the Roman state.This wasn’t unfound ed, of course, Julius Caesar famously marked the end of the Republic. The courtroom is shouting now, demanding answers. JC seems unwilling to read the letter aloud, which only proves their sus picions. Eventually, the shouting proves too loud, and Ceaser reads. It’s a love letter from Cato’s sister. The silence returns. God, with drama this petty, you can almost smell the teen angst.
- Jo Gilliatt
Let’s talk about something chill this week: how many species have been named after famous people? A lot, too many for me to count without losing my mind, but here are some of the most interesting examples:
Avahi cleesei is a species of woolly lemur, complete with plate-sized brown eyes, adorable short brown fur all over its body, a small black nose and a vegetarian diet, named after ‘Monty Python’ star John Cleese due to his well-document ed love of lemurs. After his film, ‘Fierce Creatures’, Cleese went on to film a documentary about the reintroduction of a certain species of ruffed lemur back into Mada gascar sanctuaries. These lemurs had been bred and born in North America and put through ‘lemur boot camp’ to foster wild-like be haviours. Cleese described this documentary as the best thing he had ever done, stating that, “There was something about that I thought was very warm and mel low, and I liked that, I liked that a lot. And it enabled me to make a few sorts of jokes that I hadn’t made before, and it was something really
Naming Species:
fresh.”. Funds from ‘Fierce Creatures’ helped to make this entire project possible, helping to prevent the extinction of these lemurs.
Uvariopsis dicaprio is a tropical evergreen tree with few branches and vibrant green-yellow flowers growing in bunches straight off of the bark. In the specimens col lected, all of the flowers were male, but it is suspected that they have separate male and female flowers. This is a tree that was previously unknown to both science and the local community. This tree is found in the Ebo forest of Cameroon, also the home of Preuss’s red colobus monkeys, goliath frogs, western
ing in eyes. So what makes this beetle so sought af ter? The name: may I introduce you all to Anophthal mus hitleri, the only creature named after Hit ler. Named in 1933 by a staunch supporter, this name was peti tioned to be replaced after WWII but ultimately the International Commission on Zoological No menclature decided to keep it, as it abided by all of the rules when
gorillas and forest elephants. This tree was named after Leonardo Di Caprio due to his work in stopping the logging of this forest by raising awareness throughout the year 2020, ending the logging conces sion in the region.
A species of blind cave beetle is slowly being forced to extinction by collectors and memorabilia en thusiasts hoping to secure it for their collections, despite its ab solute lack of any interesting and unique features. A predator, with neither extravagant colours, anten nae or wings, looking somewhat like a strange transparent ant lack
first named. Found in only 5 caves in Slovenia, nazi memorabilia col lectors have taken a liking to it, ac celerating their endangerment by a significant pace.
-Sophia BudkinTwo Fridays ago, our beloved year 12’s left our school and our hearts. Emotions were running high as the whole campus gathered in the courtyard to farewell the year 12s with a morning tea. An im pressive spread of food and drinks were graciously provided by the year 10 and 11s, and the year 12’s signed each other’s jerseys and said their goodbyes to the teachers who have helped and supported them throughout their school careers. Ms Dignan had this to say, “I think they should be really really proud of getting here, especially given how chaotic the world’s been during COVID-19. They should be genuinely proud of themselves.”
Earlier that morning, the current year 12s and year 11s had met for their final assembly, where they shared stories and speeches and sang the school song for the last time. Below is a snippet of a stu dent’s speech, which sums up the feelings of the cohort pretty well:
“Moving to Reddam changed my life in ways I will honestly never actually know. But today, a mere four-year distance from my very first day, the im pact is this. It is the cohort that is here, hopefully still listening to this ramble of mine, it is the friends that are the reason I show up on most days and the teachers that are the reason I stay. It is the 119 of you beautiful people that have seen me at my worst and make me want to work at my best.”
At the end of the morning tea, it was time to leave through the guard of honour, stretching from the courtyard through the re ception and out onto the front stairs.
- Florence Gatt and Jacob Atchi son
This past fortnight, Australia has been lucky enough to be the host of the 2022 FIBA Wom en’s Basketball World Cup.
This competition includes a large variety of countries, with the event needing to be broken up into two different groups: Group A and Group B. In Group A we have the USA, China, Belgium, Puerto Rico, Korea, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina. Joining Australia in Group B is Cana da, France, Serbia, Japan and Mali.
This exciting event has had two absolute standouts so far, with Canada and the USA remaining undefeated and in the top spot of their respective ladders. Being lucky enough to catch the France vs Canada game, I can certainly say that there is a reason behind these rankings.
However, this is not to discredit Australia’s per formance over the past week as, despite initially losing to France, our nation came back stronger than ever to win a game against Mali, with the final score being 58 - 118.
However, tonight will perhaps be the most inter esting game of them all, with Australia facing off against the leaders of Group B themselves (Cana da). We can certainly expect an exciting and mem orable basketball game for the ages.
With the USA already qualified for the quarter-fi nals, I certainly hope Australia can become one of the four teams moving forward in this competition. Keep a look out for the rest of these games pro ceeding through the next week, and have an incredible holiday!
- Izzy Lowe
FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup:
