As you may be aware, the magazine won highly commended at the School Shine Media awards at the end of last year: an incredible achievement, and an eyeopening experience. Having been fortunate enough to get to talk to some recognised figures of the industry, and see the work of other winning schools, we have decided to adapt the magazine to be more relevant to you As your new Editors in Chief, we hope to bring you a magazine that is interesting and engaging, reflecting both your achievements and encouraging you to contemplate wider news.
Supporting this, we have 15 new students from across the school joining our team of contributors, designers and editors who have worked hard over the last term to provide you with the most exiting and thought-provoking articles alongside captivating visuals.
This term has been a busy one, as we have all settled into new lessons and courses, and for some of you, a whole new school! Overall, it has been incredibly successful both academically and regarding extra curriculars We’ve seen DofE expeditions, drama productions, sporting wins, and inspiring music concerts. Well done to all those involved!
Looking ahead, we hope you have a restful and happy Christmas alongside friends and family With the new term comes even more exciting opportunities which we encourage you to make the most of
Merry
Christmas, Evie and Chloe
S T U D E N T
L E A D E R S H I P
T E A M :
I S S U E 1 3 C O N T E N T S :
INTERVIEW WITH THE HEADMASTER
As part of the celebrations for RGS's 350th anniversary four enthusiastic Fourth Form students - Grace W Arianna E Sai M and Sofia H - sat down with Headmaster Mr Fenton to explore the school's rich history memorable events and his vision for the future From light-hearted questions to thought-provoking reflections this interview offers a unique glimpse into what makes RGS truly special
Fun Questions
Fun Questions
1. What is your favourite extracurricular activity at RGS?
It's probably DofE, because at the heart of it, although most people are excited about the camping, the thing that takes most time is the volunteering, so you’ve been doing months of volunteering, helping in the local community, doing something good, expedition is a big thing, you learn things about yourself, you build character, and its great.
2. What's the most surprising/interesting thing you've learned about the school's history?
Well, the scandal of when the trustees in the Victorian ages had to close the school for a few months, because the headmaster had turned the boarding house for boys as it was then, into a hotel and the headmaster was pocketing all the money for himself! So the trustees came down to visit and found there were no students and it was just being used as a hotel!
3. Which 350 events has been your favourite so far? Do you think any upcoming events could top it?
So many, so many. I loved the fact that the very first Sunday of the year, the BBC broadcasted live to celebrate our 350th anniversary with Sharon Lit who is the BBC Young Chorister of The Year singing at St. Mary’s church, so it was a lovely start. I loved the singing at St. Pauls Cathedral. It was great when we had hundreds of students at the Saracens Stone X Stadium, playing on the same pitch that the England Captain plays on each week. It was brilliant when we had the Former England Lions captain and former captain of England Roses netball coming to coach. The colour run was fabulous. Too many highlights, yeah. It took me the whole summer holidays to wash out the colour from my hair.
INTERVIEW WITH THE HEADMASTER
Serious Questions
1. What do you think sets our school apart from others?
Well, I’m biased, but It is such a privilege to be with students in the school and I think what makes them different is you know, you do look after each other. You are kind children, and I love that you want to win, and you want to do well but you take care of each other. I think that’s what sets it apart, that people are kind.
2. Are there are any problems the school has had to overcome in its 350th Anniversary?
Partly fitting it all in, because we’ve done a lot. Partly dealing with the royal protection officers for the visit of the Duke of Gloucester, because they were very strict. The other one is the impact of the paint of the colour run; it just got everywhere.
3. What was the most significant event in the RGS’s history?
When we went co-ed because we became a more complete community. It’s a much healthier community and it prepares children better for the real world.
1. What's your vision for the school's future and h see students contributing to it?
Well, we’ve got to build the school around young people. It’s got to be more tech focused but also good at helping children develop their qualities of character. We’ve got to invest more in sports facilities but also, we’ve got to help children have a good moral compass. Investing in the school but also investing in the children.
2. What do you think is the most important thing students can take away from their time here?
Life-long friendships and lifetime memories and a determination to make the world a better place.
Autumn at RGS Autumn at RGS
By: Eleanor F and Mollie E
Here we are again: another school year, another autumn term. The First Formers arrive to begin their RGS journey, and the Upper Sixth as they prepare for university! We receive our new timetables –everyone hoping to have their friends in their classes – and the same routine begins over again. Still, countless opportunities flourish in the heart of this term: sport tournaments; enrichment day; and of course, the amazing drama production, ‘The Sound of Music’.
The Drama Production
This year, the Drama department is performing… ‘The Sound of Music’! The production begins the first week of December and I’m sure everyone is excited for the reveal of this long-awaited performance! For those who don’t know, ‘The Sound of Music’ is about a young and spirited novice, named Maria. She is sent from her convent to be a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval captain - Captain von Trapp. She brings music and joy into their lives! Our remarkable cast here at RGS will certainly do an excellent job at taking on these roles and performing the play!
The cast crosses over most of the year groups - from Second Formers performing as children to Upper Sixth students starring as lead roles. There are numerous dances and musical numbers, and some other students have been helping create the gorgeous props like giant butterflies with mechanics. Well, I think I speak for everyone when I say - break a leg!
Sports:
This term is packed with sport, from hockey and r swimming, and football! We’ve already been la tournaments for the main sports, and we are off to a fa Only a few weeks ago, some students competed in th Championships, where they performed outstandingly gold, silver, and bronze medals across the events Four the Regional Finals of the ESAA Cross Country Cup an against the other schools. The Junior Girls achieved overall, earning a place in the National Finals, while th and Junior Boys all delivered strong team performan Congratulations to all who participated and good luc the finals!
We have also played incredibly in tournaments, for hockey, flying through the rounds. And soon, we w competitions and after that, we ’ re back into winter s enjoy the success of our teams and hope to keep up th pushing the limits.
New Arrivals: The First Formers!
As usual, we had the arrival of the new First Formers, and we wanted to interview one to see how they were finding RGS so far. We decided to ask them a few questions about school life at RGS...
Louisa T (1FFW)
How is First Form?
First Form is really fun and exciting! We meet new people and get to try loads of new activities and sports. What do you like about RGS?
I like RGS because you get so many new opportunities and you can learn subjects and languages that you ’ ve never learnt before. Also, I enjoy the food that they cook and how there is always loads of options. What are you excited for?
I am excited for learning different languages and trying out new sports as we go through the year. I am also excited for what we are going to learn in all our subjects!
Do you think buddies and mentors are a good idea?
I think that having a buddy and a mentor is a great idea because they can help us find our way around the school and help us when there is something we are worried about.
Pick Your Path: Snowfall Edition
creative
By: Sophie-Grace L
Prologue
Snowflakes flitter past your boots as you walk. The forest is quiet, except for the occasional creak of branches looming overhead. A chill drifts through the breeze, winding past your scarf. You don’t remember how long you ’ ve been walking - only that you have a terrible sense of direction and you need to find shelter for the night. Ahead, the path forks. To the left, the trail leads toward the abandoned mill. To the right, it disappears into a thicket of fog.
If you take the right path into the fog turn to paragraph 1.
If you take the left path towards the mill turn to paragraph 2.
Paragraph 1
The fog fills your vision, blurring your senses. There’s no turning back – you can only continue walking to find out where end leads to.
Finally, the fog lifts, revealing the same forest you began in - unchanged, yet somehow unfamiliar. This time, a third path has appeared, narrow and winding, its end lost beyond your eyes
If you try and take the right path into the fog again, reread paragraph 1.
If you take the left path towards the mill, turn to paragraph 2.
If you take the third path that just appeared, turn to paragraph 3.
Paragraph 2
You stroll down the gravel path, occasionally scanning your surroundings until you reach the door of the mill. The red rusted hinges screech as you heave it open, revealing cracked walls, leaking ceilings, and floors yellowed by age.
Dust meanders, and shadows twist and stretch in the fading light. Logic tells you to run and leave the derelict mill alone, whilst your gut tells you to stay and explore.
If you listen to logic, go to paragraph 4.
If you listen to your gut, turn to paragraph 5.
Paragraph 3
Ice and snow crunch underfoot as the steady pace of your feet slowly synchronise with your heartbeat. Up the path, you spot a wide cave mouth laced in icicles. The inky mist seems to creep closer, slowly swallowing everything in the perimeter of the area. The silence lingers - like a held breath waiting to burst. The sun begins to set, spreading orange and pink across the clouds.
If you go in, turn to paragraph 6.
If you make camp for the evening and wait for dawn, turn to paragraph 7
Paragraph 4
The sky is beginning to darken, sealing away the sun ’ s last rays. You know that before long, the woods will be shrouded in darkness, concealing away any trace of light. You find a small makeshift den built from dry sticks, cracked twigs, and leaves curled and withered from the cold. It’s cramped and rough, but it blocks out the wind and will keep you warm enough to get you through the night. You spot some faint smoke coming from another area of the forest; it’s too cold for forest fires so it could mean another person is in the forest.
If you stay in the den, go to paragraph 6.
If you try to track the source of the smoke, go to paragraph 8.
Paragraph 5
You enter the mill and uncover a large mass of flour bags. The walls shudder as violent winds rattle the windowpanes.
Dust hangs thick in the air, swirling like spirits in the dim light. A sudden creak from the floorboards makes you freeze; chill creeps down your spine, as if the building itself is watching your every movement. A faint scuttling and squeaking of mice disrupts your thoughts.
If you go to sleep, turn to paragraph 6.
If you leave the mill to explore outside more, go to paragraph 9.
Paragraph 6
You create a makeshift torch using twigs to spark a flame to light your path. As you descend into the damp hollow, the sound of twisting gales soon seeps away. Clumps of soft, jade, sponge-like moss stubbornly cling to the sides of the jagged stone walls.
A small draft of bitter cold claws your clammy hands as a pale shaft of light filters through a gap up ahead.
If you rest in the cave for the night, go to paragraph 6.
If you exit the cave, go to paragraph 9
Paragraph 7
You lie on the cold ground underneath some fern fronds, pulling your scarf over yourself. Sleep comes quickly, heavy, and dreamless, until the light of dawn brings you to your consciousness. However, when you open your eyes, beside you lies a small bundle wrapped in cloth; it is cold to the touch. You unwrap the bundle with trembling hands, revealing a small golden locket etched with your initials Time stands still for a while, as if it is waiting for you to decide whether to open it or not.
To be continued…
Paragraph 8
You keep your eyes fixed on the meandering smoke as your sleeves catch on brambles and branches. Frost numbs your nose and fingertips You grasp the tendrils of shrubbery to reveal a small cottage with a small thatched roof. Hesitantly, you open the splintered door. Warmth greets you instantly, a small fire crackling in the hearth. The room is cluttered with books, jars of dried flowers, and a kettle hissing softly. For the first time in a while, the frost begins to melt away from your fingertips. An old woman wearing a headscarf enters the room from the back door. The lighting is dim so you cannot see her face.
Do you trust her?
To be continued…
Paragraph 9
You notice that dusk has begun to creep into the sky, letting day retreat along with light. Silence settles over the landscape, broken only by the sound of your footsteps. The last streaks of orange fade into deep indigo, and the first stars begin to pierce the atmosphere above. Somewhere in the distance, an owl calls, its voice echoing through the stillness. Abruptly, a twig snaps behind you. Flicking your eyes back, you notice that there is an eerie figure following you In a husky voice they say, “Come with me……..I know who you are ” .
The tone of their words sound familiar but you cannot quite place your hand on it. Who could it be?
To be continued…
I got inspired to write this poem after I read In Flanders Fields, (a famous remembrance poem), which gave me a better understanding of Remembrance Day. It is important to remember those who die because they fought for our country and saved countless lives, letting us live today.
I chose to display my gratitude through a poem because I thought it was a deep and effective way to put the devastation of the deaths into words.
To Remember The Dead
creative FEATURE
By Sebastian O
To remember the dead, As they lay on their bed. Such sorrow and dread, Filling the hearts of newly wed.
Such shame and grief, Laid upon their wreath. Their lives; so brief, As death stole them with its teeth.
No food nor hay, Still, they keep enemies at bay. Their joys led astray, A fatal death errand away.
So now we remember the true, Even the ones that didn’t come through. The ones that protect us with all they do, And now who remembers? You. You. You.
The Game of Two Halves Part II
***Introduction***
BY HOLLY W
I included the first part of this creative writing instalment in the last issue of ‘The Castle’. I hope you enjoy this next part of the story!
The stinging, piercing sensation of the ice-cold water hit my freezing skin. It was as cold as death itself As my body sank below the water, I started to furiously kick my aching legs and swim along the freezing, death-like stream.
*TWO WEEKS BEFORE*
MI6 OFFICE,SOUTHBANK,LONDON
I glanced around the pristine, white office. It was as if atoms had been aligned to make it such a perfect, calm place I could tell you there and then, that there was not a speck of dust misaligned in this gleaming, almost empty room. I sat there, opposite a man who was only known as ‘X’
“It would take two weeks; all we need is for you to go in, gather information, observe the entire base, and report back to us. Should you accept, you will go undercover as Vivien Johnson, a massive fan of Dr Amstrong’s work, who has been invited to participate in an experience touring his lab and complex. You will be joined by three others: Jack Smith, Laura Smart and James Brown, all other fans We don’t know where your uncle has gone but we know he had something to do with this project. He could have been trying to find out what was going on, or he could have been working for Dr. Armstrong. We don’t know for sure. So - do it?
“I’ll do It”. My response came unexpectedly quick I knew the risks, but I had to do this for my uncle and whatever had happened to him. For once in my life, I felt sure, and without doubt. My heart was dragging me towards this final, apparent decision and pulling me into this everlasting void of confusion, grief and despair.
X smiled. His face was twisted and old, and that of someone who had shown years of service to an organisation such as MI6
“I know you are worried about your uncle, but there is simply nothing we can do”. He spoke with a pure English accent which didn’t match his face but matched the pristine navy suit he was wearing. “You must not let your emotions interfere with this mission; do you understand?
“Yes…. I wasn’t fully focused on what he was saying. I was gazing behind him and out of the window at the strangely hypnotising view of the Thames The river was unnaturally broken up by an enormous castle of stone that was Tower Bridge. There were people in their thousands, each hurrying to get to their own place Looking down from X’s office, each person looked as small as a dot on a blank page. A living, walking, talking, breathing dot that is. I thought about what lay in store for me for the next two weeks. If I pulled myself together, it wouldn’t be so hard
ecently, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs)
QUANTUM PHYSICS
By Luuk M
INTRODUCTION
When you look at the world around you it seems simple. A ball thrown in the air follows a curve. A light is either on or off. But when you zoom in, those rules no longer apply. This is the world of quantum physics, where particles behave in ways that challenge common sense - yet still build our universe.
SUPER-
POSITION
In everyday life, everything is either positive or negative; a one or a zero; heads or tails. However, in quantum physics, particles can exist in two or more positions at the same time This effect is called a superposition
Superposition isn’t just a ruse, though - it’s the basics of quantum computing, where quantum bits or ‘qubits’ can be both on and off at the same time This allows quantum computers to solve problems, like code breaking, that are nearly impossible for normal computers
Did You Know?
A single quantum computer could one day do calculations in seconds that would take today’s best computers millions of years
The Smallest Building Blocks of the Universe
To explain superposition, physicist
Schrödinger imagined a cat in a box with a 50% chance of being poisoned. Until the box is opened, quantum theory says the cat is both alive and dead. The cat isn’t meant to be real - it’s a thought experiment showing how odd quantum rules sound when applied to larger objects
Schrödinger discovered this 90 years ago in 1935 It’s still one of the most renowned experiments in physics today
SCHRÖDINGER’S CAT ENTANGLEMENT
Another quantum effect is called entanglement When two particles become ‘entangled,’ their properties are connected, independent from distance. If one changes, the other instantly changes too, even across the entire solar system!
Einstein called this, ‘a spooky action at a distance ’ Today, scientists see entanglement as the key to communication, which could create unbreakable security
‘Spooky action at a distance’ -
Albert Einstein on Entaglement
WHY CLASSICAL PHYSICS
ISN’T ENOUGH FOR A THEORY OF EVERYTHING
‘Those who are not shocked when they first come across quantum theory cannot possibly have understood it ’ —
Niels Bohr
Quantum physics reveals that reality doesn’t always follow the straightforward rules that we learn at school. Its laws and explanations may seem outlandish – almost pretentious, but they are already transforming our technology and could define the future of science. As we continue to explore these quantum discoveries, we may uncover facts that disprove the foundations of our knowledge.
Classical physics explains everyday motion and forces, but it fails to explain the quantum world: one where particles can go through walls, exist in two places at once, or stay connected across the vastness of space.
These effects aren’t just theoriesthey power laser points all the way to the chips in devices. Quantum physics and mechanics shows us that the universe is more powerful than it seems
For example, without quantum physics, satellites and cameras wouldn’t work the way they do
THE FUTURE OF THE QUANTUM WORLD
8 Billion Seconds 8 Billion Seconds
How many seconds are in a minute? It’s a question with an answer so obvious, so ingrained, that you probably can’t even remember learning it. Sixty. Simple, right? But what if that’s not the whole story? A second isn’t just a tick of the clock. In that single moment, twenty ears perk up, fifty heads turn, a thousand glances are exchanged. Scale that up: a thousand clocks, two million heads, eight billion seconds. Suddenly, a minute isn’t just sixty ticks - it’s 480 billion shared experiences. That’s what humanity looks like.
Harry B Harry B
Now imagine what happens when all those moments connect - a vast network of collaboration spanning the human race. I asked people from different backgrounds what they would do with eight billion seconds - 256 years - and their answers were fascinating. One said they’d spend it loving their wife. Another dreamed of becoming the greatest in their field. Someone even suggested creating their own Hunger Games -perhaps less flattering, but in its own way, it shows our relentless drive. Sometimes to build, sometimes to destroy, but always to strive.
The ind wo cor like So ave we not scarring back to its source. ” This closes gaps. It turns the monstrous into the human again - misguided, troubled, but still human. See their potential to be right, and your own potential to be wrong. Meet them in the middle with love. Share some of your 2.6 billion seconds with them.
But can one person really make a
But can one person really make a
difference?
difference?
But can one person really make a difference? A cynical friend told me no, that even if they understand, empathise, and love, they’re still insignificant. That notion saddens me. No great thing is done alone. Ideas spread like wildfire, leaf to leaf, until something extraordinary happens. We didn’t put a man on the moon alone; we did it by supporting one another, pooling billions of years ’ worth of effort. History’s “great man theory” claims leaders shape destiny, but leaders are nothing without the empathy and collaboration of those willing to follow and share their time.
So maybe your efforts won’t be reciprocated at first. Try again. Keep trying. Connection will come. That’s the first step toward dismantling a millennium-long legacy of hatred. So, what can you do? You, or rather, we, can change the world. Together.
‘LORD OF THE FLIES’: A POWERFUL STAGE ADAPTION
PERFORMANCE
ACT 1
Two schoolboys, Ralph and Piggy, meet on an island after their plane crashes After stumbling upon a conch and blowing through it, a choir arrives- led by a boy named Jack After a round of introductions, the boys quickly elect Ralph as their chief and move onto an attempt to make fire with Piggy’s glasses. Unfortunately, the fire rapidly gets out of hand and spreads throughout the island. A small boy (who they call a ‘littlun’) comes out of the forest and spreads a rumour about a mysterious beast.
The boys soon spot a ship, and desperate to be rescued, they try to light a signal fire- but it does not work Weeks of hopelessness pass by the boys The choir, now hunters, hunt and capture a pig, leaving Jack to kill it and behead it He places the head on a stick and calls it the Lord of the Flies, fanning the flames of fear lit by the littlun’s story of a beast Shaken by the Lord of the Flies, two boys by the fire believe they see a ‘beast’ and they run to Ralph who calls the rest of the boys over A boy called Simon leaves to find the ‘beast’, and he hallucinates the pig head talking. Then he finds the ‘beast’, a dead parachutist. Simon tries to tell the other boys, but they mistake him for the beast and brutally kill him. After the incident and an argument with Ralph, Jack and the choir leave, and the other boys deny the murder.
ACT 2
Jack’s tribe steals Piggy’s glasses and take control of the fire, leading Ralph and Piggy to scheme about getting the glasses back Determined to claim Piggy’s property, they go to Jack’s hideout, resulting in a brawl between the boys Ever the peacemaker, Piggy gives a speech to try and halt the fighting, however this fails to be effective. After this, in the heat of the moment, Jack’s tribe of savages trap Piggy and push him off a cliff, leading to his untimely demise. Spurred on by this newfound bloodlust, Jack convinces the boys to hunt Ralph as he is the ‘real beast’. Fearing for his life, Ralph hides from the group, but is unfortunately found and forced to fight Just in time, a navy officer arrives, stopping the fighting and rescuing the boys from the island After this, the light switches off and the play ends
‘LORD OF THE FLIES’: A POWERFUL STAGE ADAPTION
INTERVIEWS
SET DESIGN
Powerful performances, innovative staging, and striking visual design sets brought the island to life, reiterating the novel’s central themes of savagery, power and the fragility of civilisation.
The deft use of lighting, set design, smoke, and sound effects powerfully conveyed the growing savagery amongst the characters, especially when recreating Simon’s death Tension was heightened as smoke rose through the edge of the stage and the lights intermittently flicked on and off, accompanied by booming sounds that filled the theatre, startling the audience In addition to this, the floor was smeared with fake blood, evoking a chilling and chaotic atmosphere
This design choice mirrored the boys’ descent into barbarism and the collapse of social order The contrast between Ralph and Jack vividly captured the power struggle between democratic leadership and authoritarian control, highlighting the fragility of the boys’ moral compasses
Ultimately, this adaptation successfully transformed a complex literary novel into a dynamic and gripping theatrical experience.
ByIslaCJ
Why ‘Komi Can’t Communicate’ Is the Perfect Manga Starter Why ‘Komi Can’t Communicate’ Is the Perfect Manga Starter
Introduction: What is Manga?
Mostofushaveprobablyheardofanime,andmangais basically anime on paper. The word “manga” literally meanswhimsicalpictures,andthatsumsitupperfectly! There are many genres, but in this article, we will focus onone:SliceofLife.
SliceofLifemangaisbasedonreallife,withnowitches, wizards,orimmortal10-year-oldswithPikachus Instead, it focuses on the daily goings-on of someone as ordinaryasyouorme,butmostlikelymoreinteresting.
Komi Can’t Communicate: Social Anxiety Has Never Been So Cute
If you are interested in delving into the world of manga, or if you have been a long-term otaku, Komi Can’t Communicateisagreatplacetostart.
The plot follows a socially anxious girl, Shoko Komi, whose greatest dream is to overcome her sociophobia and make 100 friends However, everyone at school mistakes her crippling social anxiety for cool reserve! Luckily,shebefriendsTadano,anastonishinglyordinary, timidwallflowerdeterminednottostandout Hedecides tostepoutofhiscomfortzonetohelpKomiachieveher goal.
Characters: The Main Three
Since Komi Can’t Communicate has over 100 characters in total, that might be a bit much to remember, so here are the main three from the first 10books:
Shoko Komi
Though Shoko is regarded as the goddess of her school, she is incapable of socializing with others to such a level that it can be called a communication disorder.Sheisunabletoutterawordorsoundinher daily life due to her crippling anxiety and fear of rejection by her peers However, she dreams of overcoming this adversity and desires to build friendly relationships with others and make 100 friends The first person in her school to realize she had an inability to communicate well was her fellow classmate,TadanoHitohito.
Hitohito Tadano
Hitohito suffered from a phase in his second year of middleschool Afterconfessingtoagirlwhorejectedhim, he became self-conscious and drastically altered his style and personal aims. He vowed to be completely normal and not make any waves Almost everything abouthim,fromhisheight,weight,andappearancetohis academic achievements, athletic abilities, and even iceskatingskills,isperfectlyaverage However,onhisfirstday of high school, he deduced Shoko had a communication disorderandbecameinvestedinhelpingherachieveher dream of making one hundred friends. His special skill is readingtheatmosphere,atalentheusestokeephimself outoftrouble This,inturn,allowshimtounderstandwhat Shoko thinks or feels, even when she has trouble expressingherself.
Najimi Osana
Najimi is known for having exceptional talent when it comes to communication. Their name even means childhood friend! This, paired with the fact that they frequently transferred schools growing up, has led everyone in Itan Private School to be their childhood friend, including Tadano Hitohito, whose dark secrets Najimi notably knows Najimi helps Shoko branch out of hercomfortzone
Overall, Komi Can’t Communicate is a great series for someone wanting to delve into the world of manga, or even for someone who has been into it for a long time. While there are some slightly adult scenes involving a certain perverted yandere named Yamai, this series is probably suitable for ages 13–14+, though anyone can enjoy it. A downside may be the sheer number of characters, with over 100 in total, but the focus never straysfromthemaincharactersfortoolong
In ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy there are many theories, some more unreasonable than others (*cough* Lucy Grey is Alma Coin, theory) and some that are much more reasonable (*cough* Foxface intentionally ate the poisonous nightlock berries) However, there is one theory that stands out to me more than all others This theory is that Suzanne Collins intentionally wrote Buttercup, Katniss’ cat, as her symbolic mirror In this article, I am going to share with you why I think is an amazing theory and why I think that it is completely reasonable
But first, a quick summary of the trilogy - ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy (‘The Hunger Games’, ‘Catching Fire’ and ‘Mockingjay’) is a dystopian series about a post-apocalyptic nation called Panem, ruled by the wealthy Capitol from the ruins of North America As a punishment for a past rebellion, the Capitol forces each of the 12 districts to send a boy and a girl (called "tributes") to fight to the death in an annual televised event, The Hunger Games The story follows Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers to take her sister's place in the first Games, and her struggle for survival leads her to become a symbol of rebellion against the Capitol.
Now, let's discuss the theory in detail.
We meet Katniss’s cat, Buttercup, in the first chapter while he is guarding Primrose while she is sleeping, Katniss expresses disliking to the cat and described him as “the world’s ugliest cat. Mashed in nose, half of one ear missing, eyes the colour of rotting squash’ and later says “Prim named him buttercup insisting that his muddy yellow coat matched the bright flower,”. The line ‘half of one ear missing ’ can be seen as mirroring the fact that later in the book, while she is in the arena, Katniss temporarily loses her hearing in one ear Buttercup also having a muddy yellow coat reflects the bright yellow colour of daffodils that Katniss associates with hope of survival It was said that Primrose had rescued Buttercup when he was a worminfested, scrawny kitten, similar to how Katniss had rescued her family from starvation. When Katniss first found out about Buttercup, she had ‘tried to drown him in a bucket’ because he was ‘just another mouth to feed’. Katniss went to find food in the pouring rain by selling old clothes and the only thing keeping her going was Primrose Buttercup being drowned in a bucket mirrors when the Everdeen family were at death's door Buttercup was sick and weak, drowning in water, just like Katniss in the rain and the only thing keeping both of them alive was Primrose, and in Buttercup’s case, Primrose begging Katniss to keep him alive and Katniss’s case, thinking of Primrose’s hollow face and cracked lips, knowing that she wouldn’t allow herself to go home without at least something.
Both Katniss and Buttercup were naturally skilled at hunting, Buttercup being described as a ‘born mouser ’ , and Katniss started feeding Buttercup the entrails of what she caught, and he stopped hissing at her, understandably they are both are much nicer when they are being fed His previous hissing could be mirroring Katniss’s inner anger at herself for not being able to provide for her family at their earlier time of struggle. In general, Katniss does not think highly at all of herself and often describes herself as awful and selfish just like how she uses judgmental words like, old, awful, and useless to describe Buttercup
Later when Katniss volunteers for Primrose, she is comforted by Buttercup being there for Primrose and protecting her, ‘If she cries, he will nose his way into her arms and curl up there until she calms down and falls asleep. I’m so glad I didn’t drown him.’
In each first chapter of each book, Buttercup is there without fail, in Catching Fire, when Katniss is visiting her old house in the Seam, Buttercup is there to. They both feel out of place in Victors Village resulting in them forming a ‘ new bond’ and when Katniss tries to bring him out in public he bolts and hides in a bush, this mirrors the fact that Katniss can’t be her normal self in public anymore because of the previous games and for the safety her loved ones (this is the only moment Katniss has with Buttercup in ‘Catching Fire’).
Mockingjay starts with Katniss visiting her District 12 after the bombings, when she goes to visit the untouched Victors Village, Buttercup is there Katniss was thinking about being the Mockingjay and how she could not run away because of the small hope Peeta was alive, then strait after this thought, Buttercup appears, hissing and with his back arched, he was wound up just like Katniss and just like Katniss he had beat all odds and stayed alive, Katniss tells herself that he stayed alive dew to him catching mice, avoiding the more likely option that he had been eating bodies Katniss blames herself for the deaths on the district 12 people thinking that she survived at their expense, like buttercup eating the dead bodies of these people in order to stay alive
Later, in district 13 when the sirens go off for an emergency evacuation, Primrose almost doesn’t make it because she went back for Buttercup; Primrose said that Buttercup was pacing around in the room howling and that he came to protect the Everdeens and only barely making it to the bunkers alive, this links to when in the Quarter Quell arena, at the end, Katniss went to go protect Peeta and his cries were described by Katniss as a howl, and at the very end of the Quell, Katniss barely got rescued out of the arena before the Capital hovercrafts went into the arena. Later in the emergency bunkers in 13, Katniss invents a game with Buttercup called ‘Crazy Cat’ (where someone uses a flashlight, and Buttercup chases the flashlight around) and on the third night of Crazy Cat, she has a realisation She says ‘Crazy cat has become a metaphor for my situation I am Buttercup Peeta, the thing I want so badly to secure, is the light As long as Buttercup feels he has the chance of catching the elusive light under his paws, he is bristling with aggression That’s how I’ve been since I left the arena, with Peeta alive. When the light goes out completely, Buttercup is temporarily distraught and confused, but he recovers and moves on to other things. That’s what would happen if Peeta died.’
The last parallel between Katniss and Buttercup is at the very end of Mockingjay, after the war and the death of Primrose, when she goes back to 12 were she finds Buttercup in her house, and she tells him to go away because there is nothing left for him as Primrose is dead When Katniss finally stops shouting at the cat, she starts to break down on the floor and Buttercup realises that Primrose isn’t returning, he joins Katniss and circles around her wailing alongside her
These were all the Katniss and Buttercup parallels I could find I do still believe that Suzanne Collins intentionally wrote buttercup as a symbolic mirror to Katniss and that he has a much deeper meaning than most people think he does Thank you for reading and I hope that my evidence to support this theory has made sense to you!
K-POP: MORETHANMUSIC
By FreyaW
This article is about Korean pop, also known as K-pop. Hopefully, this will show you that K-pop is more than just music - it is a whole culture, and here’s why!
Whatisk-pop?
K-pop is short for Korean pop. Korea is a country in Asia, but sadly there was a civil war, and it was divided into South Korea and North Korea. K-pop comes from South Korea. K-pop is commonly a combination of rap, hip-hop, electronic, dance, and of course, pop, but it can be slow and calm sometimes. What makes K-pop unique is that some lyrics are in Korean and some in English.
Through the years, K-pop has come a long way. Starting as a fusion of new jack swing, rap, and techno, it has evolved a lot and become more complex and high quality, while at the same time more popular. It started in Korea, but is now slowly taking over the world.
The first ever K-pop group was Seo Taiji and Boys. They modernised South Korea’s music scene when they debuted in 1992. They were popular with teenagers, which meant that K-pop would be the next generation. However, it was not them who spread K-pop worldwide - it was just one song that did: Gangnam Style. When PSY released this song, it topped many charts and became very popular. This meant that many people then found an interest in K-pop.
GirlGroups
BLACKPINK – They debuted in 2016 and have recently released a single called JUMP. They are currently on their world tour.
ILLIT – A five-member group created through the reality show R U Next?
LE SSERAFIM – They originally had six members until Kim Garam left. Their youngest member, Hong Eun-Chae, was only sixteen when they debuted.
Boy Bands:
Stray Kids – A global group soon releasing a new album called SKZ IT TAPE “Do It”.
Tomorrow X Together – A five-member group active since 2019. They have recently finished their album collection The Star Chapter.
ENHYPEN – They debuted in 2020 from the survival show I-LAND.
Mixed-Gender K-pop Groups
Most of the time, K-pop groups are single-gender, either female or male, as they are usually more popular. Mixed-gender groups were mostly in the first generation of K-pop. Some of the most iconic ones are Roo’ra, Cool, KARD, and Sharp. But the most iconic is Koyote. They debuted in 1998 and are still active today, even passing the “7-year curse.” The 7-year curse is a K-pop myth where groups only last seven years and don’t renew their contracts. Koyote are currently running their 2025 Koyote Festival across South Korea. A big Kpop label, HYBE, is about to debut a mixed-gender group whose name hasn’t yet been announced. The reason there aren’t many mixed-gender groups is because they’re harder to market to a specific audience. They can also be more costly to accommodate because they need separate dorms, changing rooms, and hair and makeup. Rumours about dating scandals can also start to spread. What do you think about mixed-gender K-pop groups?
In conclusion, K-pop is an interesting type of music and worth listening to. However, K-pop embraces more than just music - it is a whole lifestyle. There are so many different elements to it: dance, visuals, and various other things. It is incredible.
RE BOYS BEING EFT BEHIND? A TUDENT’S ERSPECTIVE ON ODERN SCHOOL QUALITY
Y
AAYUSH C
As an 11-year-old boy, I feel that in many schools today, boys are not always given the same opportunities as girls
Historically, the equality scale has always tipped in favour of boys and men However, I believe that, in recent years and in some respects, started to tip towards girls and women
Women have, historically, been treated unequally, so it is understandable for females to be encouraged to succeed Historically, women lacked rights, choice in marriage, and the vote This has led to women today being treated better compared to their poorly appreciated ancestors. Due to girls facing past inequalities, stereotypes have increased about boys, and this, in turn, has further increased inequality
Behaviour, Happiness and Emotional Support
Boys are nearly twice as likely as girls to be suspended in schools, according to the UK Parliament Additionally, in the Autumn Term of 2022/23, the Department for Education’s data showed boys faced significantly higher rates of suspension and permanent exclusion. This shows that many boys are not getting the help that they need to be able to behave better
The Children’s Society Good Childhood Report (2022) found that children’s happiness generally declines throughout their education, with boys reporting lower satisfaction with school compared to girls
While girls seem to receive emotional support, it is important to recognise that boys also have emotions that need caring for
Additionally, girls often have different and sometimes better facilities at school than boys. In some schools, the changing rooms for girls are more private than the ones for boys Stereotypes say that boys are expected to be tough and strong, and not having the right to privacy can impact mental health or spark behavioural issues
Subject Choices and Stereotypes
At GCSE and A-Level, boys are underrepresented in arts, languages, and humanities, while girls more often opt for these subjects Conversely, boys are more likely to take technical pathways such as carpentry and plumbing, than girls, which Parliament reports warn can limit access to higher-status careers.
According to menandboys org uk at Key Stage 2 (age 11), only 54% of boys met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths compared to 63% of girls Boys tend to do slightly better in maths than girls but fall behind in literacy-heavy subjects.
Perhaps this happens due to the gender stereotype that boys should be ‘masculine’ in the traditional sense Humanities are often unfairly viewed as more ‘feminine’, and boys are expected to hide, not show their emotions, so they do not choose to study them.
Although women are more likely to study humanities, men generally dominate in STEM, with only 30% of people working in STEM being women. Harvard said that, as of 2024, only 8.2% of CEOs at the largest global companies, and only 13% of the world's billionaires were women A 50/50 split in both areas would demonstrate true equality
Opportunities and Fairness
Recently, I encountered my sister being given the opportunity to attend a series of STEM events and receive training on important skills for the future What about boys? I feel opportunities like this should be available to everyone, with us all having this excellent chance to learn It would be incredible if organisations like this to make sure that they could include both boys and girls.
Redefining Definitions
The definition for sexism against boys is known as reverse sexism Clearly, “reverse sexism” is stating that sexism against men is reverse or alternate. In order for true equality to be achieved, the definition of sexism should be an umbrella term to include everyone
Money Matters
In May 2025, the UK government announced £8.2 million of funding to boost girls’ advanced maths skills and pathways into AI-related careers This program is expected to support around 7,500 girls The government set a target of 35% women’s participation in advanced manufacturing and invested £18.2 million to ensure under-recognised groups (especially girls) get additional maths support in schools.
While these investments aim to close gaps for girls in STEM, there is little evidence of equivalent funding for boys in areas where they underperform, such as literacy and emotional wellbeing. A truly fair system would balance support across genders, ensuring boys receive targeted help in reading and writing just as girls do in advanced maths Without equal investment, we risk creating new inequalities, leaving boys behind in critical skills for future careers.
Conclusion
To conclude, today’s world needs to improve equality between men and women While gender equality has mostly been achieved in this country, going forward, complete fairness will be achieved once stereotypes are destroyed and men and women are given complete equal treatment, recognition, and appreciation
A I B O
O S T I N G S O C I E T Y
T h e i d e a o f t e c h n o l o g y t a k i n g o v e r t h e w o r l d s o u n d s a l a r m i n g , b u t I p r o m i s e y o u
i t h a s s e v e r a l b e n e f i c i a l f a c t o r s a s w e l l , s u c h a s :
E d u c a t i o n
D i v e r s i t y a n d I n c l u s i o n
M e d i c i n e
E D U C A T I O N
A p o s i t i v e f a c t o r o f A r t i f i c i a l I n t e l l i g e n c e i s t h a t i t b o o s t s l e a r n i n g a n d e d u c a t i o n , m e a n i n g i t i s u s e f u l f o r t e a c h e r s a s w e l l a s s t u d e n t s . A r t i f i c i a l I n t e l l i g e n c e c a n h e l p t o m a k e l e s s o n p l a n s , c
e n g e n e r a t e s c h o o l p r o j e c t i d e a s F o r s t u d e n t s , i t c a n h e l p t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e c o n t e n t o f t o p i c s c o v e r e d a n d e x p l o r e t h e m f u r t h e r t h a n t e a c h e r s m a y h a v e c o v e r e d i n c l a s s . F o r e x a m p l e , I ’ m s u r e R G S s t u d e n t s w i l l b e f a m i l i a r w i t h M i n d J o y - a n A I t u t o r M i n d J o y h e l p s s t u d e n t s b y s u m m a r i s i n g c o n t e n t i n a n e a s y t o l e a r n w a y w h e n t h e s t u d e n t a s k s a q u e s t i o n . T h i s i s m o r e u s e f u l a n d m o r e r e l i a b l e t h a n C h a t G P T a s t e a c h e r s c a n i n p u t t h e m a r k s c h e m e a n d c o n t e n t t o e n s u r e t h e r i g h t i n f o r m a t i o n i s s e n t o u t t o
s t u d e n t s I p e r s o n a l l y h a v e u s e d M i n d J o y w h e n p r e p a r i n g f o r m y G C S E
G e o g r a p h y e x a m , b y u s i n g a M i n d J o y t u t o r s e n t b y m y t e a c h e r t o m a r k
a n d g i v e m e f e e d b a c k o n m y p r a c t i c e e s s a y s . F u r t h e r m o r e , A r t i f i c i a l
I n t e l l i g e n c e a l s o g i v e s d e t a i l e d a n s w e r s t o u s e r ’ s q u e r i e s , a l l o w i n g
s t u d e n t s t o e a s i l y o b t a i n i n f o r m a t i o n f o r a s p e c i f i c t o p i c I t a l s o
c r e a t e s e a s y t o u n d e r s t a n d n o t e s , m a k i n g l e a r n i n g m o r e t r o u b l e - f r e e a n d e f f i c i e n t
D I V E R S I T Y A N D I N C L U S I O N
A n o t h e r w a y A I c o u l d h e l p s o c i e t y i s b y h e l p i n g t o i n c r e a s e d i v e r s i t y a n d i n c l u s i v i t y i n c o m p a n i e s . T h i s i s b e c a u s e A I d o e s n o t h a v e u n c o n s c i o u s b i a s a n d c a n t h e r e f o r e h i r e p e o p l e f r o m v a r i o u s b a c k g r o u n d s a n d c u l t u r e s m o r e e a s i l y , b y r e m o v i n g h u m a n b i a s . T h e s e
F u r t h e r m o r e , A I l a n g u a g e m o d e l s c a n a l s o h e l p t o i m p r o v e
w o r k p l a c e c o m m u n i c a t i o n b y t r a n s l a t i n g a c r o s s m a n y
l a n g u a g e s . T h i s b r e a k s d o w n l a n g u a g e b a r r i e r s , i n c r e a s e s
e f f i c i e n c y i n t h e w o r k f o r c e , a n d f o s t e r s a m o r e i n c l u s i v e a n d
d i v e r s e w o r k p l a c e T h i s p o w e r f u l t o o l c a n b e u s e d w e l l o n l i n e ,
f o r e x a m p l e i n s t a n t t r a n s l a t i o n a n d t r a n s c r i p t i o n o f m e e t i n g s , e m a i l s , d o c u m e n t s , a n d m o r e , e n s u r i n g t h a t a l l e m p l o y e e s ,
r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e i r m o t h e r t o n g u e c a n u n d e r s t a n d a n d
c o l l a b o r a t e c o m f o r t a b l y , a n d e f f e c t i v e l y
E D I C I N E
A I
t h e m a n y a c h i e v e m e
f
i s s u r g i c a l p r o c e d u r e s , a l l
a n d r o b o t i c s i n s u r g e r i e s i s u s e f u l a s s o m e s u r g e r i e s r e q u i r e p r e c i s i o n a n d
a c c u r a c y b e y o n d h u m a n c a p a b i l i t i e s T h e s e a d v a n c e d p r o c e d u r e s l e a d t o l e s s
i n t r u s i v e m e t h o d s , w h i c h r e s u l t i n r e d u c e d p a i n , m i n i m a l b l o o d l o s s , a n d
d e c r e a s e d s t r e s s f o r p a t i e n t s H o w e v e r , d o n ’ t w o r r y ! W h i l e A I i s p l a y i n g a
c r u c i a l r o l e i n t h e s e s u r g e r i e s , s k i l l e d s u r g e o n s c o n t i n u e t o o p e r a t e , a s w e l l a s
o v e r s e e t h e s e A I - a s s i s t e d s u r g i c a l p r o c e d u r e s , h e n c e e n s u r i n g t h e s a f e t y o f t h e p a t i e n t s .
A I R E P L A C I N G H U M A N I T Y
A l t h o u g h A I h a s s e v e r a l b e n e f i t s , t h e r e a r e
a l s o m a n y d a n g e r s t h a t c o u l d b e o v e r l o o k e d , a n d a f e w i n c l u d e :
T h e F i l m I n d u s t r y
T h e r a p y
L o s s o f C r e a t i v i t y
E t h i c s
S o m e i n t e r e s t i n g n e w s y o u m a y n o t h a v e h e a r d y e t i s t h a t a n ‘ A I a c t o r ’ , n a m e d T i l l y N o r w o o d , h a s b e e n m a k i n g w a v e s i n H o l l y w o o d a f t e r i t s c r e a t o r s s a i d ‘ t h e s y n t h e t i c p e r f o r m e r ’ i s i n t a l k s w i t h
t a l e n t a g e n c i e s . A - l i s t s t a r s l i k e E m i l y B l u n t , N a t a s h a L y o n n e a n d
W h o o p i G o l d b e r g h a v e c o n d e m n e d t h i s c r e a t i o n I n a s t a t e m e n t o n t h e i s s u e , t h e S c r e e n A c t o r s G u i l d - A m e r i c a n F e d e r a t i o n o f T e l e v i s i o n a n d R a d i o a r t i s t s ( S A G - A F T R A ) s a i d , T i l l y N o r w o o d “ i s n o t a n a c t o r ,
i t ' s a c h a r a c t e r g e n e r a t e d b y a c o m p u t e r p r o g r a m ” , a n d s h e i s
“ t r a i n e d o n t h e w o r k o f c o u n t l e s s p r o f e s s i o n a l p e r f o r m e r s ” T h e
u n i o n a l s o s t a t e d , “ I t h a s n o l i f e e x p e r i e n c e t o d r a w f r o m , n o e m o t i o n a n d , f r o m
w h a t w e ’ v e s e e n , a u d i e n c e s a r e n ’ t i n t e r e s t e d i n w a t c h i n g c o m p u t e r - g e n e r a t e d
c o n t e n t u n t e t h e r e d f r o m h u m a n e x p e r i e n c e ” . A D u t c h a c t o r a n d c o m e d i a n , E l i n e
V a n D e r V e l d e n , w h o c r e a t e d t h i s A I a c t o r , s a i d s h e w a n t e d N o r w o o d t o b e c o m e t h e
“ n e x t S c a r l e t t J o h a n s s o n ” N o r w o o d a l s o h a s a w e b s i t e a n d a n I n s t a g r a m p a g e , i n c l u d i n g h e a d s h o t s a n d a 1 0 0 % A I - g e n e r a t e d a d v e r t i s e m e n t , s h o w c a s i n g t h e
‘ c e l e b r i t y ’ T i l l y N o r w o o d , a n d h e r ‘ u p c o m i n g ’ B B C m o v i e , i n a c o m e d y s k e t c h b y P a r t i c l e 6 T h e u n i o n c o n t i n u e d t o s a y t h a t “ I t d o e s n ’ t s o l v e a n y ' p r o b l e m ' i t c r e a t e s t h e p r o b l e m o f u s i n g s t o l e n p e r f o r m a n c e s t o p u t a c t o r s o u t o f w o r k , j e o p a r d i s i n g p e r f o r m e r l i v e l i h o o d s a n d d e v a l u i n g h u m a n a r t i s t r y ” . E m i l y B l u n t d e s c r i b e d t h i s c r e a t i o n a s “
I t i s n o w p o p u l a r p r a c t i c e t o u s e C h a t G P T a n d o t h e r A I
c h a t b o t s a s a t h e r a p i s t , a n d o n e o f t h e r e a s o n s f o r t h i s i s
d u e t o t h e c o s t b e i n g ( u n d e r s t a n d a b l y ) m o r e m a n a g e a b l e
A l t h o u g h t h e r e a r e a f e w g o o d r e a s o n s f o r u s i n g C h a t G P T ,
t h e r e a r e c e r t a i n l y s o m e n o t a b l e r e a s o n s w h y i t i s n o t a g o o d
i d e a , e v e n i f i t s a v e s y o u a f e w p o u n d s o r d o l l a r s F o r
e x a m p l e , e v e r y o n e k n o w s t h a t A I c h a t b o t s c a n b e i n a c c u r a t e ,
s o c o n s i d e r i n g t h e f a i r a m o u n t
s p r e a d a n d m i s t a k e s t h e y m a k e , t h
e f f e c t o n i n d i v i d u a l s F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e r a p i s t s
r
t h e y a r e t a l k i n g t o a n A I c h a t b o t ) , i t l a c k s a n y r e a l s e n s e o f e m p a t h y H o w e v e r
r e a l l y , t h i s i s j u s t a n i l l u s i o n C h a t G P T i s n o w h e r e n e a r a d v a n c e d e n o u g h t o
h a n d l e t h i s d e g r e e o f h u m a n e x p e r i e n c e .
T h i s p o i n t i s o n e o f t h e m o s t c r u c i a l r e a s o n s w h y A I i s r e p l a c i n g h u m a n i t y . A I
h a s l e d t o a l o s s o f c r e a t i v i t y t h r o u g h o v e r - r e l i a n c e a n d e a s y a c c e s s . A c c o r d i n g
t o a F o r b e s a r t i c l e , a r e s e a r c h e r n a m e d G u p t a a n d h i s c o l l e a g u e s s t u d i e d ‘ h o w
h u m a n s a n d A I c o l l a b o r a t e a n d c o m p l e m e n t e a c h o t h e r t o m a k e d e c i s i o n s ’ b y
d e v e l o p i n g a s e r i e s o f e x p e r i m e n t s . T h e i r f i r s t f i n d i n g w a s t h a t “ h u m a n s a r e
n o t v e r y g o o d a t k n o w i n g w h e n t h e y s h o u l d d e l e g a t e d e c i s i o n s t o A I . A s a
c o n s e q u e n c e , t h e y c a n e n d u p r e l y i n g o n a n A I t o o l e v e n w h e n i t r e c o m m e n d s
t h e w r o n g p a t h ” I n c r e a t i v i t y , t h i s h u m a n f l a w c a n h a v e s i g n i f i c a n t i m p a c t s A I
i s n o w b e i n g u s e d b y c o n t e n t c r e a t o r s a n d m a r k e t e r s t o p r o d u c e m e d i a ,
e n t e r t a i n m e n t , a n d i m p o r t a n t c r e a t i v e d e c i s i o n s s u c h a s n e w s s t o r i e s ,
p e r s o n a l i s e d a d s , a n d f i l m s P e r h a p s t h i s o v e r - r e l i a n c e o n A I i s m a k i n g h u m a n s
b e c o m e l e s s i n t e l l i g e n t , a s t h e y a r e n o t r e q u i r e d t o u s e t h e i r c r i t i c a l t h i n k i n g
s k i l l s a s m u c h . T h e r e i s n o w a c o m m o n m i s c o n c e p t i o n t h a t “ C h a t G P T h a s a l l t h e
a n s w e r s , m e a n i n g w e a r e l o s i n g o u r u n i q u e k n o w l e d g e Y o u d o n ’ t n e e d t o l e a r n
t o d r a w a n y m o r e ; y o u c a n j u s t g e n e r a t e a n i m a g e Y o u d o n ’ t n e e d t o l e a r n t o p l a y m u s i c a n y m o r e ; w h y n o t g e n e r a t e a s o n g ? Y o u d o n ’ t n e e d t o l e a r n t o w r i t e
a n y m o r e ; s i m p l y g e n e r a t e a s t o r y . Y o u d o n ’ t n e e d t o l e a r n t o t h i n k c r e a t i v e l y a n y m o r e , y o u c a n j u s t g e n e r a t e i d e a s O v e r u s i n g A I c a n k i l l c r e a t i v i t y , c r i t i c a l
t h i n k i n g , a n d d i v e r s i t y o f t h o u g h t , a n d t h r o u g h o v e r - r e l i a n c e , w e a r e b e c o m i n g
l e s s a n a l y t i c a l a s t i m e g o e s o n
E T H I C S
A n o t h e r r e a s o n w h y A I i s p o t e n t i a l l y s o
d a n g e r o u s i s t h a t i t h a s m u l t i p l e e t h i c a l
c o n c e r n s O n e r e v o l v e s a r o u n d t h e p r i v a c y
a n d s e c u r i t y o f t h e u s e r ’ s d a t a A s I ’ v e
m e n t i o n e d b e f o r e , C h a t G P T h a s p r e v i o u s l y
b e e n b r e a c h e d , w h e r e a r o u t i n g b u g e x p o s e d
s e c t i o n s o f u s e r s ’ c h a t s i n s i d e G o o g l e S e a r c h
T h e i s s u e w a s t i e d t o a h i d d e n t a g u s e d i n
s o m e C h a t G P T s e s s i o n s , w h i c h t o l d t h e A I
c h a t b o t s t o p e r f o r m a r e a l - t i m e w e b s e a r c h , a n d i n d o i n g s o , p a r t s o f t h e u s e r ’ s p r o m p t
w e r e i n c l u d e d i n t h e r e s u l t i n g U R L T h i s
r a i s e d p r i v a c y c o n c e r n s , a s p e r s o n a l
i n f o r m a t i o n w a s s h a r e d t o t h e p u b l i c w i t h o u t
c o n s e n t f r o m t h e u s e r F u r t h e r m o r e , u s e r s r e m a i n u n a w a r e o f h o w t h e i r i n f o r m a t i o n i s b e i n g p r o c e s s e d a n d s t o r e d . T h i s r a i s e s a n u m b e r o f q u e s t i o n s . I s t h e c h a t b o t s t o r i n g t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n w i t h t h e u s e r ’ s c o n s e n t ? W h a t i f t h e u s e r d o e s n ’ t k n o w i t ’ s s t o r i n g t h e i r d a t a ? W h a t w i l l t h e c h a t b o t d o w i t h t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n ?
F u r t h e r m o r e , i f c o m p a n i e s d o n o t i m p l e m e n t r o b u s t s e c u r i t y , a t t a c k e r s c o u l d h a c k
i n t o t h e i r s e r v e r s ( w h i c h c o n t a i n y o u r d e e p l y p e r s o n a l a n d p r i v a t e c o n v e r s a t i o n s
w i t h c h a t b o t s ) , e x p l o i t t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n , a n d t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f u s e r s .
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h i s , A I b o t s w h e r e f a c i a l r e c o g n i t i o n t e c h n o l o g y i s i n v o l v e d , c o u l d
l e a v e u s e r s v u l n e r a b l e t o t h e i r d a t
F i n a l l y , w e m u s t c o n s i d e r b i a s a n d
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n W h i l s t A I c a n h e l p t o
s u p p o r t d i v e r s i t y , i t c a n a l s o h i n d e r i t ,
a s A I u s e s a l g o r i t h m s t o l e a r n f r o m t h e
a c t i o n s o f h u m a n b e h a v i o u r . I f a h u m a n
d i s p l a y s b i a s e d a n d d i s c r i m i n a t o r y
b e h a v i o u r , t h e A I c h a t b o t w i l l l e a r n
f r o m t h i s a n d r e p l i c a t e i t F o r e x a m p l e ,
h i r i n g a l g o r i t h m s c a n f a v o u r s p e c i f i c
g e n d e r s o r r a c e , b a s e d o n t h e b i a s o f
t h e c r e a t o r s . A r e a l - w o r l d e x a m p l e
i n v o l v e s A m a z o n ’ s c o n t r o v e r s y a r o u n d
b i a s e d h i r i n g , w h i c h w a s a s y s t e m t h a t
w a s t r a i n e d o n d a t a s u b m i t t e d b y
a p p l i c a n t s o v e r a 1 0 - y e a r p e r i o d
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , m o s t o f t h e i n f o r m a t i o n
c a m e f r o m m e n , w h i c h m e a n t t h e A I b o t
r e p l i c a t e d t h i s b i a s a n d b e g u n t o p r e f e r
m a l e c a n d i d a t e s . A s a r e s u l t o f t h i s , t h e
s y s t e m w a s s c r a p p e d a f t e r i t s c r e a t o r s
r e a l i s e d i t w a s s e x i s t T h i s c a s e
e x p o s e d t h e e t h i c a l r e a s o n s w h y t h e
u s e o f A I i n h i r i n g i s d a n g e r o u s
F u n d a m e n t a l l y , I b e l i e v e A I i s b e n e f i c i a l t o a n e x t e n t , b e c a u s e o f t h e m a n y
a d v a n t a g e s r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e t o u s a l r e a d y ( s u c h a s r o u t i n e p l a n n i n g )
H o w e v e r , d u e t o o v e r - r e l i a n c e , h u m a n i t y i s m o v i n g a w a y f r o m s o c i a l n o r m s , w i t h u s e r s b e c o m i n g i n c r e a s i n g l y l a z y , a n d i m p a c t i n g l e a r n i n g a n d d e v e l o p m e n t . A I i s s u p p o s e d t o a m p l i f y h u m a n t h i n k i n g , n o t r e p l a c e i t . A n
M I T s t u d y f o u n d t h a t C h a t G P T u s e r s h a d d e c r e a s e d b r a i n e n g a g e m e n t a n d ' c o n s i s t e n t l y u n d e r p e r f o r m e d a t n e u r a l , l i n g u i s t i c , a n d b e h a v i o u r a l l e v e l s ’ .
O v e r t h e c o u r s e o f s e v e r a l m o n t h s , ‘ C h a t G P T u s e r s g o t
l a z i e r w i t h e a c h s u b s e q u e n t e s s a y , o f t e n r e s o r t i n g t o c o p y -
a n d - p a s t e b y t h e e n d o f t h e s t u d y ’ T h i s o v e r - r e l i a n c e o n A I
i s v e r y d a m a g i n g I t r e d u c e s c r i t i c a l t h i n k i n g , c o g n i t i v e
l e a r n i n g , a n d m e m o r y r e t e n t i o n , w h i c h a r e a l l i m p o r t a n t , e s p e c i a l l y f o r g r o w i n g c h i l d r e n , s u c h a s u s s t u d e n t s . P e r s o n a l l y , I b e l i e v e t h a t a l t h o u g h a r t i f i c i a l i n t e l l i g e n c e c a n
b e e x t r e m e l y u s e f u l f o r o r g a n i s i n g d a i l y w o r k , c r e a t i n g
q u i z z e s , o r m a r k i n g e s s a y s , i t s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d f o r
a c a d e m i c c h e a t i n g o r p l a g i a r i s m s i m p l y d u e t o l a z i n e s s N o t
o n l y d o e s t h i s d i s a d v a n t a g e p e o p l e w h o g e n u i n e l y w o r k h a r d , i t a l s o a f f e c t s d e v e l o p m e n t a n d a c a d e m i c p e r f o r m a n c e i n d e p e n d e n t o f A I . M Y C O N C L U S I O N
Stained and Stunning
By Haiza A and Soha N
Cultural Creativity How Does
Stain?
Henna
By Benny R
Exciting, flexible and packed with endless possibilities – Interrailing is the most thrilling way to experience Europe. Picture this: you have breakfast at a stylish café in Vienna’s Innere Stadt, explore the city, board a night train and wake up full of energy, ready to roam in Florence.
Surprisingly, it’s easier than you think! If you really want to, you could just go onto the Interrail website and book a pass right now! But, if you do that, you’ll have very little knowledge of the useful things such as how to save money, how much to pack, and more.
So, I’m writing this to help you start your railway adventure with confidence!
WHAT TO PACK
Potentially the most overlooked, but one of the most crucial parts of Interrailing. Packing too much might be tempting, in order to be prepared for everything, but it’s better to pack smart. After all, no one wants to be dragging around three suitcases around a bustling city.
However, packing too little can be just as bad. Wearing the same pair of underwear for a week? No thank you! Yuck!
So, what’s the perfect amount? Enough to fit in a backpack. Ideally, a backpack that’s not so heavy that you’ll break your back. If you think you’ll need it, you can take a small suitcase but, if you do, make sure to give it to your hotel first thing. Also, note that on new generation ‘Nightjet’ trains, bag lockers in the mini cabins cannot fit a suitcase and it may be difficult to bring a suitcase on board.
CLEVER SPENDING
Despite Interrailing being a relatively cheap way to explore (cheaper than buying tickets individually), it’s still important to save Some easy ways to spare some cash would be to: take overnight trains, cook some meals yourself, set a daily budget and take advantage of any perks that your Interrail pass may give you Overnight trains are an incredibly effective way to save money as it covers the cost of the transport, the accommodation and sometimes the breakfast Three in one! Now, it may sound like a bit of a drag to cook your own food on holiday, but it’s a great way to cut back on your spending Restaurant food is usually more expensive than the individual components, but if you’re staying in a hostel with a kitchen then you can simply buy the ingredients and cook something up yourself! However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go to restaurants, in fact, I encourage you to! Restaurants are a great way to get a taste of the local cuisine and feel like a local
TIPS AROUND THE STATION
Navigating around stations can be overwhelming, especially if you’re in a big terminal or one that doesn’t have English signage No worries! This section will cover everything you need to know to survive the wilderness of European train stations.
First of all, make sure you at least know some key station words in the language of any countries that you’ll be visiting There’s no need to be a polyglot though, just make sure you know the words for: station, departure, arrival, platform and ticket. A useful phrase to
avoid being stuck signing to a ticket officer for 5 minutes would be “Can I get a ticket to…” Another tip that should be obvious, but always good to be reminded of, is to arrive early, especially at larger stations. Imagine missing your train from Paris to Amsterdam! A whole leg of your adventure wasted!
CONCLUSION
I hope now that you’ve read my tips and tricks you feel ready to embark on your next interrailing adventure! If you would like some more information, feel free to check out interrail.eu.
TRavel Top Picks
THIS FESTIVE SEASON
by Lauren C, isabel f & diya e
Planning a last-minute break during the festive season? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Hopefully, you’ll be able to take away some top travel tips for Christmas holidays, tried and tested! Continue reading on to find out more about our top picks!
Paris
Prague
NEW YORK Amsterdam
THaiLAND
To get there, flying's your best bet - flights are surprisingly cheap and offer some great-value packages Another option could be to take the Eurostar – you could try using Eurostar Snap for the best prices but with limited flexibility When you arrive, grab some ‘grub’ and try some local specialties – we think you’ll love it!
OVERALL
Your Holiday Anti-
Your Holiday Anti-
Boredom Guide!
Boredom Guide!
Nadia H Nadia H
We've all been there: a few days into the holidays and you ' ve run out of things to do Suddenly, the thought of more downtime feels less like a break, and more like a punishment Instead of getting stuck in a screen-staring slump, here are five easy activities to get you out of a slump and back into the holiday spirit Let's dive in!
Be creative!
Put down your phone and pick up a pencil, a paintbrush, or some craft supplies Getting creative is great for your mental health and can be lots of fun You could even think outside the box and make things like soap, candles and bracelets! The first try doesn't have to be a masterpiece - just have fun with it!
Have a movie marathon!
Time to get cosy! Whether it's with your friends or family, a movie night is always popular Stock up on snacks, grab the cosiest blankets you can find, and pick a film You can binge a favourite series or try something completely new
Go For a walk!
Don't let the cold weather scare you off. Wrap up and get outside! You can explore a local park or wander through a town full of Christmas decorations. The best part? You can reward yourself with a hot chocolate or some sweet treats afterwards!
Bake something delicious!
Read a book!
When it's cold outside, the kitchen is a haven for warmth and enjoyment Whip up some gingerbread, brownies, or a cake Baking is a great skill to learn, and the best part is getting to eat your creations when you ' re done. Why not invite a friend to join the chaos? And don't forget to clean up after or your parents definitely will be losing some holiday spirit!
Curl up with a good book and a warm drink. It's the perfect way to travel to another world without leaving the house Whether you want to escape to a sunny beach or solve a gripping mystery, a good book is the ultimate time-passer
Make a vision board!
Making a vision board is a great way to look towards the future, and it doesn't have to feel like a chore Use magazines, art supplies or apps like Pinterest to help you, and find photos, phrases, and quotes that you like! Whether you make an arty list or a colourful collage, it will really excite you for 2026 and onwards!
All in all, the holidays don't have to be a bore. Put down your screens, play some festive songs, spend time with others and enjoy your break! Thank you for reading and happy holidays!
The crisp air, pumpkin spice lattes, comfy sweaters, candles and gently burning fireplaces: step into a world of autumn magic. Everything, including the wooden huts and evergreens, is flecked with icing sugar and lit by the inky curtains of the night sky and dancing stars Imagine: maple leaves swirling and whirling, and tunnels of seasonal trees with fiery coloured leaves, all on a gorgeous moonlit backdrop Autumn is beautiful and this article will help you explore the best of what the season offers...
At cafes, such as Costa and Starbucks, there are a range of autumn flavours for your lattes, frappes and other beverages For lattes, these include: vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut. Meanwhile, frappe flavour options are even more indulgent, including coffee, mocha, caramel, cookies & cream, and the autumn favourite: pumpkin spice. With options of additions for your drinks, such as marshmallows and cream, you can make it perfect. Whether you drink coffee for a caffeine uplift, a treat, or as a significant routine step in your everyday, these are another edition to autumn that everyone can look forward to.
As autumn settles in, fashion takes a cosy, yet stylish, turn Ultra-mini Uggs have gone viral this season, loved for their perfect blend of comfort and cuteness, especially in soft khaki tones Alongside them, leather boots, jackets, and classic trench coats dominate the scene, their earthy hues harmonising beautifully with the autumn landscape. For a chic contrast, pair pleated black mini-skirts and tights with a crisp white formal shirt, detailed with delicate stitching and button accents. Accessories play a key role - autumn bags with gold chain details add elegance, while smaller bags complement outfits without overpowering them. Neutral tones and minimalistic patterns, such as stripes, solid colours, or quilted textures, remain timeless choices Chunky sweaters and layered cardigans offer warmth and versatility, while faux fur introduces a touch of luxury. Suede, with its velvety texture and rich earthy shades, is especially appealing on loafers for a polished yet casual look. Jewellery completes the ensemble when coordinated in a single metal - gold for warmer undertones and silver for cooler tones and darker hair, creating striking contrasts. Hairstyles like messy buns, casual ponytails, or twin plaits exude effortless grace, especially when paired with wispy bangs that dance in the autumn breeze Finally, belts add depth and sophistication, elevating any outfit with texture and structure.
CinnamonBunRecipe
Flavours of autumn are mostlywarm, with spices such as cinnamon featuring heavilyin manysweet treats These cinnamon buns are the perfect autumn staple for a cosyevening in, or even better, to share amongst your friends!
1) In a small saucepan heat the butter, milkand salt until the butter is melted.
2) While it’s cooling, mix the dryingredients in a large bowl -flour, sugar and yeast.
3) Then pour the wet ingredients and combine with the dryingredients along with a beaten egg.
4) Once it’s reached dough consistency, prepare your worksurface with olive oil and kneed it. It will be extremelystickybut don’t be tempted to add flour as the buns will then be dry.
5) Make into a ball and place backinto the bowl with a clean tea towel on top and leave to proof in a warm place for a fewhours or overnight.
6) When it’s doubled in size, roll out the dough, it should be less sticky, then make the cinnamon butter for the middle of the buns.
7) Preheat your oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
8) Mix the softened butter, sugar and cinnamon.
9) Spread evenlyon your rolled-out dough and then roll it into a cylinder and chop into sections that you can then put your rolls into a muffin tin
10) Brush each roll with a beaten egg so that it cooks golden brown.
11) Cookfor about 12 minutes.
Autumn is full of opportunities for getting cosy, spending time with friends, and staying up to date with the latest fashion trends. During this season, many of us celebrate festivals including Halloween, helping to make autumn even more exciting. Hopefully, this article has helped you to appreciate the wonders of autumn a little more.
Christmas Christmas
Wardrobe Essentials Wardrobe Essentials
t - h a v e w i n t e r
e s s e n t i a l s t h i s y e a r ?
A Classic Christmas J
umper
A Classic Christmas Jumper
A C h r i s t m a s j u m p e r i s t h e u l t i m a t e
f e s t i v e k n i t , s t a r t i n g f r o m s u b t l e
s e a s o n a l p a t t e r n s t o f u l l - o n
n o v e l t y o n e s . I t ' s a D e c e m b e r
s t a p l e - i t i n s t a n t l y m a k e s f o r a
c o z y , c e l e b r a t o r y m o o d w i t h o u t
e f f o r t W e a r i t w i t h l e g g i n g s a n d
U G G s l i p p e r s o n l a i d - b a c k d a y s o r
p a i r w i t h a s k i r t , t i g h t s , a n d a n k l e
b o o t s f o r a f u n a n d p u t - t o g e t h e r
l o o k
An off-the- shoulder top n off-the- shoulder top
S i m i l a r t o a k n i t s w e a t e r , a B a r d o t
A Cozy knit sweater
Cozy sweater
A c h u n k y k n i t s w e a t e r i s a
c l a s s i c ; i t w o r k s f o r e v e r y t h i n g
f r o m l a z y d a y s i n s i d e , t o
s h o p p i n g i n L o n d o n . I t a l w a y s
l o o k s e f f o r t l e s s l y c o s y , a n d i t
w o r k s w i t h p r e t t y m u c h a l l
b o t t o m s F o r a n e a s y o u t f i t ,
h a l f t u c k i t i n t o a s k i r t w i t h
s h e e r t i g h t s a n d l o a f e r s , o r
p a i r w i t h j e a n s , U G G s a n d a
s n u g s c a r f .
j u m p e r i s a l s o a c l a s s i c i n w i n t e r
f a s h i o n I t ’ s a n e s s e n t i a l b e c a u s e
i t m a i n t a i n s t h e s o f t n e s s a n d
w a r m t h o f a c o s y k n i t b u t w i t h t h e
a d d i t i o n o f a s l i g h t l y d i f f e r e n t
n e c k l i n e a n d s i l h o u e t t e f o r w h e n
y o u w a n t t o m i x t h i n g s u p . W e a r
w i t h a s k i r t , t h i n t i g h t s a n d a n k l e
b o o t s f o r f e s t i v e p l a n s , o r w i t h
l e g g i n g s f o r a l a i d - b a c k e v e r y d a y
l o o k
A black Skirt black Skirt
A s i m p l e m i n i s k i r t i s a
v e r s a t i l e b a s e f o r s o m a n y
f e s t i v e l o o k s , e s p e c i a l l y
o u t f i t s m e a n t f o r g o i n g o u t .
T r y i t w i t h t h i n t i g h t s , a h a l f -
t u c k e d
C h r i s t m a s j u m p e r a n d
a n k l e b o o t s , o r s w i t c h t o a
c r e a m j u m p e r , l o a f e r s a n d a
t r e n c h c o a t w h e n y o u w a n t a
m o r e p o l i s h e d o u t f i t
Black Leggings Black Leggings
L e g g i n g s a r e o n e o f t h o s e
i t e m s t h a t a r e o f t e n
o v e r l o o k e d i n w i n t e r f a s h i o n
H o w e v e r , t h e y a r e t i m e l e s s
p i e c e s i n y o u r w a r d r o b e ,
w o r k i n g j u s t a s w e l l f o r
l o u n g i n g a r o u n d a s t h e y d o
f o r l a y e r i n g . P a i r w i t h a
s i m p l e h o o d i e , e a r m u f f s a n d
a s c a r f f o r a s i m p l e w i n t e r
l o o k F o r a w a r m e r o p t i o n ,
s w a p t h e h o o d i e f o r a k n i t
j u m p e r a n d a d d a n k l e b o o t s
a n d a t r e n c h c o a t . F l e e c e
l i n e d l e g g i n g s c a n b e a g o o d
o p t i o n f o r c o l d e r d a y s – t h e y
a r e t h e s a m e a s r e g u l a r
l e g g i n g s b u t h a v e f u r o n t h e
i n s i d e .
A Neutral Trench Coat A Neutral Trench Coat
r Tights r Tights
S h e e r t i g h t s p r o v i d e a s e e - t h r o u g h
l a y e r t h a t s t i l l a l l o w s a h i n t o f
y o u r s k i n t o s h o w t h r o u g h T h e y
a r e e s s e n t i a l b e c a u s e t h e y e x t e n d
t h e t i m e y o u c a n c o n t i n u e t o w e a r
s k i r t s a n d d r e s s e s d u r i n g c o l d e r
m o n t h s , a d d i n g j u s t a t o u c h o f
w a r m t h a n d f i n i s h . W e a r w i t h a
s k i r t , j u m p e r a n d l o a f e r s , t o p p i n g
o f f w i t h a t r e n c h c o a t f o r a c h i c
w i n t e r l o o k I f y o u ’ r e w o r r i e d
a b o u t g e t t i n g c o l d , w e a r t i g h t s
t h a t a r e f l e e c e - l i n e d
A t r e n c h c o a t i s a l o n g ,
b e l t e d c o a t u s u a l l y m a d e o f
t h i c k w o o l , c o t t o n o r
c a s h m e r e . T h e y a r e g r e a t i n
w i n t e r a s t h e y a r e v e r y w a r m
a n d c o m e i n m a n y d i f f e r e n t
l e n g t h s , d e p e n d i n g o n y o u r
s t y l e . A t r e n c h c o a t i n s t a n t l y
s m a r t e n s u p k n i t w e a r a n d i s
p e r f e c t f o r n i g h t s o u t . W e a r
a l o n g e r o n e o v e r a k n i t
j u m p e r , j e a n s a n d l o a f e r s o r
a c r o p p e d o n e w i t h t i g h t s a n d
b o o t s .
A ScarfScarf
S c a r f s a r e s o m e o f t h e b e s t
w i n t e r a c c e s s o r i e s t h a t a d d
w a r m t h a n d l a y e r s t o t h e
s i m p l e s t o f o u t f i t s A n o t h e r
w i n t e r s t a p l e : t h e y c a n b e
t h r o w n o v e r c o a t s , j u m p e r s , h o o d i e s , m a k i n g e v e r y t h i n g
f e e l c o s i e r a n d m o r e p u t
t o g e t h e r . W e a r a s c a r f w i t h a
p u f f e r j a c k e t , a n d U G G s f o r
e v e r y d a y w e a r , o r , w i t h a
t r e n c h c o a t , j u m p e r a n d
l o a f e r s f o r a c l a s s i c w i n t e r
l o o k .
A Puffer Jacket
A Puffer Jacket
A p u f f e r j a c k e t i s a p u f f y c o a t
e s i g n e d t o t r a p w a r m t h w i t h o u t
w e i g h i n g y o u d o w n . I t ' s e s s e n t i a l i n
w i n t e r b e c a u s e i t k e e p s y o u c o s y
o n c o l d , d a m p d a y s w h e n l i g h t e r
c o a t s j u s t a r e n ’ t e n o u g h I t ’ s a l s o a
t i m e l e s s f a s h i o n s t a p l e – t h r o w i t
o n o v e r p r e t t y m u c h a n y o u t f i t a n d
i t i n s t a n t l y l o o k s e f f o r t l e s s a n d
p u t - t o g e t h e r
Leg Warmers Leg Warmers
L e g w a r m e r s a r e k n i t t e d c o v e r i n g s
w o r n o v e r t i g h t s o r l e g g i n g s t o
a d d w a r m t h a n d t e x t u r e T h e y ' r e a
f u n y e t p r a c t i c a l s t a p l e , b r i n g i n g a
h i n t o f n o s t a l g i a W e a r t h e m o v e r
l e g g i n g s w i t h a n k l e b o o t s f o r
e x t r a c o s i n e s s , o r l a y e r o v e r
t i g h t s w i t h l o a f e r s t o a d d i n t e r e s t
t o a s i m p l e s k i r t - a n d - j u m p e r
c o m b o T h e s e c a n a l s o b e p a i r e d
w i t h a r m w a r m e r s .
Ankle Boots Ankle Boots
A n k l e b o o t s s i t j u s t a b o v e t h e a n k l e , u s u a l l y
w i t h a s t u r d y s o l e o r s m a l l h e e l . T h e y ' r e a
w i n t e r s t a p l e b e c a u s e t h e y w o r k w i t h l e g g i n g s ,
t i g h t s a n d a s k i r t , a n d c a n g o w e l l w i t h a l l
o u t f i t s . T h e y c a n b e w o r n f o r e v e r y t h i n g , f r o m
s h o p p i n g t r i p s t o e v e n i n g s o u t . S t y l e t h e m w i t h
l e g g i n g s a n d a k n i t s w e a t e r f o r c a s u a l d a y s , o r
w i t h a s k i r t a n d t r e n c h f o r s m a r t e r p l a n s .
Black Loafers
Black Loafers
L o a f e r s a r e c l a s s i c w i n t e r s h o e s . S t r u c t u r e d a n d
f l a t , t h e y ' r e s t a p l e p i e c e s b e c a u s e t h e y ’ r e b o t h c a s u a l a n d s m a r t , m a k i n g k n i t w e a r f e e l m o r e
i n t e n t i o n a l a n d s t y l e d . P a i r i n g t h e m w i t h t h i n
t i g h t s a n d a s k i r t u n d e r a t r e n c h m a k e f o r a c h i c
l o o k , w h e r e a s l e g g i n g s a n d a c h u n k y k n i t m a k e
t h e m f e e l c o s i e r .
UGGsUGGs
A n y s h o e s f r o m U G G a r e b o u n d t o b e p e r f e c t f o r
w i n t e r o u t f i t s . T h e y h a v e m a n y s h o e a n d s l i p p e r
d e s i g n s t h a t a r e c o s y , a n d y e t s t y l i s h . N o t t o
m e n t i o n , t h e y h a v e a w i n t e r s e l e c t i o n o n t h e i r
w e b s i t e , m a k i n g i t e a s i e r t o s h o p f o r w i n t e r
s h o e s S o m e o f t h e i r m o s t p o p u l a r s h o e s a r e t h e
M i n i P l a t f o r m B o o t a n d t h e L o w m e l T r a i n e r s .
T h e y a r e q u i t e e x p e n s i v e , b u t t h e r e a r e m a n y
m u c h m o r e a f f o r d a b l e .
d u p l i c a t e s t h a t a r e s i m i l a r i n q u a l i t y w h i l e b e i n g
BREAKING NEWS: WE ARE AN AWARDWINNING MAGAZINE!
At the end of last year, The Castle was nominated for the School Shine Media Awards in the “best digital content” category. This entitled us to an exciting trip to the Stationers Hall in London for the awards ceremony. We walked away with highly commended and some inspiring advice from professionals in the media industry. Alongside the ceremony, the day consisted of workshops with notable experts on topics such as podcasts, journalism, marketing, and magazine design, as well as a very fancy meal! Moving forward, we would love to continue to raise the standard of the Castle whilst allowing as many students as possible to access this amazing platform. Hopefully, we will get to return to the ceremony next year!
If you are interested in getting involved in the magazine, we have the following roles available:
EDITORS:
This will involve editing submissions and helping to make them even better. This is a fantastic way to develop your reading, proofreading, and editing abilities - all skills that are essential for future study and career prospects! To do this role, you need to be in the 4th-6th Form.
DESIGNERS:
This involves being allocated submissions and overseeing the design on Canva. This is a great way to develop your creative skills, particularly for those interested in design, hitecture, art, textiles, photography, and graphic design in future. Also, it is so much fun and a great escape from ool work!
MARKETING MANAGERS:
you interested in advertising and marketing the magazine und school? Marketing is a great way to develop your mmunication skills, digital literacy, and collaboration skills working with other students and boosting your fidence.
CONTRIBUTORS:
you have a story to tell? Do you want to write about the cs that matter to you? Get involved by becoming a tributor for the Spring Edition You don’t need to come to club every week to do this Please get in touch with Ms vey or more details
Acknowledgements
A huge thank you to the following students who have made this edition possible:
