Letter from the Editor
Dear St. Andrews Green Valley Community,
Welcome to the very first edition of The GV Times! Our goal is simple: to bring the stories, ideas, and voices of our student body onto the page, where they can be shared, celebrated, and discussed
Through this carefully curated collection of articles, our very own GV students explore topics such as global events and infectious diseases, while also highlighting local stories from our school – ranging from sports to staff. As the first of this year, this issue is packed with stories that celebrate student achievements, school events, and ways to amplify the unique ideas belonging to our secondary students. Whether you’re looking for highlights on sport and the arts, special features from our community, or just want to reflect on some of the exciting events coming up next term, there’s something in this newspaper for everyone.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it. We are excited to continue to grow and improve The GV Times over the course of this year and are open to any feedback or suggestions our readers may have.
We encourage our readers to get involved and take part in our later issues either by joining our afterschool CCA directly, or emailing us a potential article/topic at fawto2026@standrews-gv.com. No ideas are bad ideas and we are excited to see what you can come up with.
Kind
Regards, Fawn Tozer Editor-In-Chief
1. GV TIMES.
Meet the team
A chance to learn more and connect with voices we might not hear every day by interviewing people around campus about their stories, experiences, and perspectives
In every issue of Your Monthly Review, I’ll dive into a new film, breaking it down and sharing my take on it This month’s choice: The Man from Earth - A Conversation Across Ages
Panthers on the Prowl
All about sports, focusing on secondary-level games and covering matches through highlights and player interviews - celebrating the big wins and stories behind them
Kyra Creative Spotlight
Chantal
A space to showcase creativity from around our school, from art and writing to music or any other project, highlighting the talent and imagination that make our community proud!
World Watch
A quick look at what’s happening around the world right now From important events and news, to fun facts and interesting stories worth knowing
Erica & Frances Sick of It!
A health-focused column for anyone ‘sick of being sick,’ offering tips, advice, and reminders during busy school weeks to help you make the most of every day
School Apocalypse Coming Soon...
For our next issue, think about this: which classroom in TB2 would be the safest if there were a zombie apocalypse? We’ll be exploring all the best hideouts so stay tuned!
Ms. Emery
Newspaper CCA Leader
‘Our Valley, Our News’ reflects the spirit of the CCA Newspaper Cluba space for students to share stories, celebrate creativity, and strengthen our school community It’s exciting to see their passion shine through as they write articles to share with you.
Meet the team
AuthorofGVVoices
Graduating Class of 2026 Y13SP
AuthorofPanthersontheProwl G 7
Co-AuthorofSickofIt!
Graduating Class of 2027 Y12BP
AuthorofComingSoon...
MarketingDirectoroftheSchoolFair
Graduating Class of 2027 Y12BP
AuthorofYourMonthlyReview!
Graduating Class of 2026 Y13NF
AuthorofWorldWatch
Graduating Class of 2027 Y12BP
Co-AuthorofSickofIt!
Graduating Class of 2027 Y12SC
AuthorofCreativeSpotlight
AuthorofIBRetreatReview
Graduating Class of 2027 Y12SC
1.
World Watch
By Xinyi
SHOULD CHILDREN UNDER 16 BE BANNED FROM USING SOCIAL MEDIA?
The Australian government has recently banned children under 16 from using social media, officially starting on the 10 December 2025 Platforms are required to take “reasonable steps” like preventing under-16s from creating accounts, and deactivating existing underage accounts. Though this action is agreed upon by many parents, controversies have risen among other parties.
Although it might sound like a good idea at first; protecting children from the danger of social media, there’s many unexpected consequences Experts have raised concerns over data privacy and the accuracy of age verification technology. The federal government commissioned a UKbased Age Check Certification Scheme to conduct a government-commissioned report on different ways to prevent under-16s from using social media. And here are the results:
Government ID checks are the most accurate; however they contain privacy risks
Parental approval could be somewhat accurate but there’s also privacy plus accuracy concerns.
AI-based facial analysis, gesture, and behaviour detection are less accurate for the target age range It has been said that AI-based tools sometimes misidentify both minors and eligible users
It turns out there is not a single perfect solution as all methods have flaws Personally, I don’t think banning social media does anything useful, it’s neither a practical or effective way to protect teenagers. Aside from the lack of proper ways to identify the age of users, it may even increase the use of less regulated and illegal sites This is created by the gap in the market and increasing demand for social media Furthermore, this could easily be bypassed by the utilisation of VPNs or forged documents I think we should spread more awareness and teach young adults how to protect themselves online instead of cutting off their online social life completely.
We interviewed Australian teenagers to ask about their thoughts on the government’s decision:
Kyra 16: “I think that this decision will be effective for lots of children, but 16 years could be a bit of a stretch While the law aims to shield teens from online harm like cyberbullying, social media is a key part of social life for many teenagers. Cutting off these platforms from them could lead to feelings of isolation and may not be effective since many children will likely find (potentially dangerous) ways to bypass the rules.”
Erica 16: “I think that this is a great thing that the government is doing as it will prevent many kids from being exposed to things that will possibly bring danger or unstable mental health to them Personally, as a kid, I had unsupervised internet access and I wish there had been more restrictions on me as I was on social media and games at very young ages. Although this could be stopped with parental guidance, I think having stricter laws from the government in place would have further prevent it However, I think it is also slightly unfair as the government should not be in control of people’s personal lives and it should be up to the families themselves about whether or not their children are allowed on the internet This ban makes sense for things like Instagram and Snapchat where there are chatrooms, however for entertainment sites like Youtube I think the ban is a bit dramatic and extreme.”
We’d love to hear the thoughts of other students on this issue also If you’d like to share your thoughts, feel free to message in!
ISSUE 1. GV TIMES.
Your Monthly Review!
by Murat
“The
Man from Earth” – A Conversation Across Ages
�� What if your favourite teacher or even your best friend seriously told you that he’s 14,000 years old? No superpowers, no magic, just a regular person insisting he’s lived through the rise and fall of many civilizations I know, it sounds crazy, right? That’s the hook of “The Man from Earth”, a hidden gem of a film that feels more like an unforgettable late-night debate than a blockbuster.
�� I stumbled upon it just by accident on TikTok. One short clip got me hooked, and before I knew it, I had seen the entire film. The premise is that Professor Johnathan Oldman is moving, so his friends decided to give him a casual goodbye party Suddenly, John drops some mind-blowing news - he's been alive since the Stone Age! From there, the movie unfolds entirely through conversation No car chases, no special effects, just breathtaking dialogue and rising tension as his friends - historians, scientists, and a religion scholar - try to understand whether he's a genius, weirdo, or bringing us the greatest truth of all time.
�� What makes it so magnificent is how John writes about knowing Buddha, witnessing empires come and go, and perhaps inspiring religious figures. As the professors argue, you find yourself arguing back in your own mind. Like, could it be possible? Would eternal life be a blessing or a curse? All these omnipresent questions about immortality
�� I can say it's perfectly sold by the cast David Lee Smith, who plays John, somehow remains mysterious, but sincere at the same time, and the professors react the way you find familiar - skeptical, cross, amused, or simply confused
�� Yes, if you're in the mood for massive explosions or love plots, this will be slow and not really suitable But if you're a fan of great "what if" questions - the kinds of questions that make any conversation special - this movie will definitely stay with you long after it's over.
Creative Spotlight
by Kyra
This October, Creative Spotlight features our Y12SC student, Alicia Monshouwer. A true standout in her class, Alicia earned an impressive score of 140/144 in IGCSE Art, making her the highest-achieving art student of her class, if not the school’s history. This remarkable accomplishment is just one of many; she also earned a total of 11 A-A* grades.
How did you come up with your coursework theme?
“I really liked classic paintings from Rembrandt and the Renaissance Era. Most of them were portraits, which is why I decided to focus on the theme of portraiture for Component 1 I liked how I could capture people in a light from my perspective ”
What’s your favourite piece from IGCSE art?
“My final exam piece, because it shows my internal conflict between my two cultures Being someone from two nationalities, you don’t really feel like you belong to either culture, as if they’re fighting for dominance.”
Your work is noted for its meticulous detail Do you have any tips?
“When oil painting, I usually print out a reference, then I put the paint on my reference I usually mix the colours and check the reference until the colour matches. When painting skin colour, don’t just add brown and white. You have to add different hues like red, blue and yellow, not to make the skin colour look flat ”
As a high-achieving student, how did you balance art with the rest of the demanding IGCSE curriculum?
“I didn’t balance it During the Term 2 break, I was stressed because I had a lot to do for art I don’t recommend leaving everything to the last minute, especially for art I was crying every single day. For younger students, try to do a bit of your work every day rather than leaving everything for the last minute.
Do you plan on pursuing art as a career?
“Probably not, art is a difficult field and I want to make a living out of other passions. I’ve decided to pursue law instead, but I’ll keep my creative side alive by painting at home and selling them ” ISSUE 1. GV TIMES.
Creative Spotlight
by Kyra
IB Retreat Review
by Kyra
This trip report covers the recent three-day, two-night IB retreat at the Novotel Rayong Rim Pae Resort The retreat was an excellent opportunity for the Y12 students to bond, relax, and prepare for the rigorous IB course ahead
Upon arrival, we immediately jumped into a fun game of volleyball as the sun set. The evening was capped off with a group dinner at a local Thai restaurant, where we all enjoyed delicious authentic Thai food including Tom Yum, chicken and vegetable dishes
The second day started with more volleyball and a relaxing walk on the beach We then shifted our focus to more serious topics, with a productive discussion about university applications, managing academic workload, and organizing the upcoming school fair. These sessions were led by Mr. Jackson, Mr Emery, Ms Emery, and Mr McGee, who provided valuable advice In the afternoon, we had a fun group photo session before cooling off with a swim The highlight of the evening was a lively game of Werewolf, filled with numerous hilarious accusations, pointed fingers, and unexpected alliances, making for a truly memorable night
On the final day, Mr. Emery led a discussion on handling the use of AI responsibly in our studies. The trip concluded shortly after, and we all returned back to GV feeling refreshed and a little tired from a fun and productive trip Overall, the retreat was a huge success, strengthening our class community and preparing us for the challenges of the academic year
Sick of it!
by Erica & Frances
Disclaimer: We wrote this health column with love, research, and Nurse May’s wisdom - but sadly, no medical degrees If you are feeling ill, ask your doctor for advice (not us) We’re qualified in enthusiasm, not medicine! However, hopefully we can support you in spotting the signals!
WHAT CAN YOU CATCH BUT NOT THROW?
The common cold is a contagious viral infection that mainly affects the nose and throat, causing symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and coughing Most colds clear up on their own, but when students and staff of all ages are packed into one place - like at GV - it’s no surprise that viruses can spread like wildfire, leading to missed classes and sick days So, how can you avoid it? If you’re interested in this (which you should be for your own health), keep reading to find out some ways to protect yourself, and also indulge in some fun facts and misconceptions!
GV TIMES.
DO YOU HAVE A COLD?
It often starts with:
A tickly or scratchy throat
A runny or stuffy nose
Sneezing
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
As it progresses, you might start to feel tired, develop a sore throat, cough, headache, mild fever, and lose your appetite It’s also normal for your mucus to turn yelloworgreenafterafewdays
Symptoms usually begin 2 or 3 days after you’ve been exposed to a source of infection (something that has germs on it, like a shared toy or doorknob). During these first few days of feeling sick, you can easily pass it on - just one cough or sneeze can travel up to 12 feet, about the length of an African elephant!
STAYINGWELLTHISSEASON
Wash your hands and disinfect things you use regularly, such as your phone. Sneeze/cough into your elbow, not your hands
Keep your distance from those who are showing symptoms (and wear a mask)
Get enough sleep so your body has the time to recharge.
Don’t share towels, drinking glasses, eating utensils,oranythingthattouchessaliva
Eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support your immune system.
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?
Use saline (salt-water) drops in the nostrils to ease nasal congestion.
Give a warm bath or apply a heating pad to relieve aches and pains
Run a hot shower to create gentle steam and let your child sit in it for a few minutes to clear stuffiness. Gently dab petroleum jelly (vaseline) under the nose to soothe irritation
For children over 6, offer hard candy or cough drops to ease a sore throat
Call your doctor or seek urgent care if your child: Has a fever above 38 5 °C (101 3 °F) that lasts more than a couple of days; shows trouble breathing, wheezing, or very fast breathing; has blue lips or fingernails; Is unusually drowsy, irritable, or difficult to wake; refuses fluids or shows signs of dehydration (very few wet diapers, dry mouth, no tears when crying); develops ear pain, a severe sore throat, or symptoms that suddenly worsen after starting to improve
Panthers on the Prowl
by Maddie
FLASHBACK TO WINNING 3RD PLACE AT MIS SUMMER JAM 3V3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
On Saturday, August 30, 2025
Our St Andrews GV Panthers went to Mooltripakdee International School (MIS) representing our school to play in the MIS Summer Jam 3v3 Basketball Tournament. Six different teams joined the tournament
The Panthers played very well and won 3rd place! They demonstrated great teamwork, energy, and sportsmanship
OUR GAMES↓
First, we played against Cuatro Brochachos and lost with the score of 12-21 which enhanced the Panthers determination to win, or you could say they ‘Locked-in’
The second game was a significant step up from the previous We played against Certified Buckets and won with the score of 11-7 In the next game, we defeated Goblin Gang with an impressive score of 15-6 After two victories, we then played against BPS (Bangkok Pattana School) and, although we lost, it was extremely close, ending with a score of 6-7. Finally, we played against MEJ and were very close yet again We lost by two points, with the final score at 12-14 A disappointment for the team but it was their performance and determination which helped us to reach the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, we played against MEJ again and - this timewe won! It was clear that the Panthers learned from their previous mistakes on the court and improved It was a challenging game, with us eventually losing to BPS, one of the best teams in the 3v3 This then led them to 3rd place on the podium.
WELL DONE, PANTHERS!��
INTERVIEW WITH GABRIEL LIM HILADO (TEAM CAPTAIN, YEAR13)
JERSEY NUMBER 3
I HAVE INTERVIEWED OUR TEAM CAPTAIN FOR HIS OPINIONS.
Q1: HOW DO YOU FEEL AFTER THE TOURNAMENT?
GABRIEL: I FELT VERY PROUD OF THE TEAMMATES I WAS WITH, AND I FELT HAPPY ABOUT OUR RESULT ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT WHAT WE WANTED, WHICH WAS FIRST PLACE, I BELIEVE THE EXPERIENCE WE GAINED FROM THE TOURNAMENT CAN BENEFIT US THROUGH OUR SPORTING CAREERS.
Q2: WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART OF THE DAY?
GABRIEL: THERE WERE A COUPLE OF PROBLEMS WE HAD TO GO THROUGH LIKE STOPPING THE OTHER TALL PLAYERS FROM GETTING REBOUNDS, SOME MISCOMMUNICATION IN SUBBING I BELIEVE THAT THE HARDEST PART WAS, IN MY OPINION, THE FATIGUE THAT SET IN AFTER A COUPLE GAMES, BUT I THINK WE HANDLED IT PRETTY WELL
Q3: WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR TEAM DID SO WELL?
GABRIEL: I BELIEVE THAT OUR TEAM DID WELL BECAUSE WE HAD MORE OF AN WELL-ROUNDED SKILL SET FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE THE SHOOTING, ANHAD HAD THE REBOUNDING, RION HAD BOTH THE REBOUNDING AND THE SHOOTING AND TOMMY COULD DEFEND REALLY WELL IT WASN'T JUST ONE PERSON DOING IT ALL, IT WAS MULTIPLE PEOPLE CONTRIBUTING TO OUR WINS AND I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A VERY GOOD TEAM EFFORT EVERYONE SCORED AND DID THEIR ROLES, WHICH IS WHY WE DID SO WELL
Q4:WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT?
GABRIEL: MY FAVOURITE NON-BASKETBALL MOMENT WAS WHEN THE TEAM AND I WENT OUT TO BUY SNACKS TOGETHER I BELIEVE THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD BECAUSE IT WAS MORE OF A BONDING EXPERIENCE FOR THE TEAM AS, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE MY FRIENDS MY FAVOURITE BASKETBALL MOMENT WAS RIONS AND1 IN THE LAST GAME THAT WE HAD IT WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE HE DID A BEHIND THE BACK BETWEEN THE LEGS LAY-UP INTO AN AND1 WHICH WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE IN MY OPINION. IT WAS A BIG MORALE BOOST FOR OUR TEAM, ALTHOUGH WE DIDN'T WIN THAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS I'VE SEEN FROM A PLAYER.
GVVoices
by Fawn
OUR NEW HEAD OF PRIMARY: MRS. CLAIRE MCDONALD
We have had the pleasure of speaking with Ms Claire, the newly appointed Head of Primary! With a strong background in education, she brings both experience and passion to this role. In this interview, we’ll learn more about her vision for the primary years, the values guiding their leadership, and even her favourite pizza flavours!
Did you always want to work in education?
No, my parents were both teachers and honestly tried to dissuade me I started teaching music at 19 and instantly knew it was what I wanted to do. My parents knew it was a hard profession in the UK, but they also knew from the start that it was what I’d end up doing I actually initially had wanted to be a music teacher but found that I liked teaching the younger years just as much
What was the most compelling reason for you to come to GV?
I loved the eco-literacy aspect and I loved the outdoor environment. More than that, I felt as if St. Andrews Green Valley was not just a place to join an amazing community but also an amazing place for my children to go to school and grow up with
How do you hope students will feel when they walk into your office?
I always hope that they’ll see it as an inviting, warm space. I make it a point to always greet students with a smile, to lead with kindness, and to talk to others how I would want to be talked to I think it is especially important to lead with kindness in schools and make it a priority
What song would you choose for the whole school to sing together?
“When I Get Older” by K’Naan. I think singing it altogether would make it very inclusive and empowering!
What book do you think every primary student should read at least once?
The Harry Potter series absolutely I was in year 7 when the first book came out, and so I, in a way, grew up through secondary school with him being around the same age I was. It definitely was something special to me.
Who has been a role model in your life?
My older sister She’s always been a person who has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I think as a younger sibling you’ll always tend to look up to your older sibling. No matter what, she’s been a huge inspiration and has always given me the space I needed to pursue my dreams
Go-to pizza combo?
I’m somewhat of a vegetarian with the occasional fish – I guess I would fall more under a pescatarian. This is gonna sound a bit odd but I really like tuna, sweet corn, and pineapple… quirky but a bit weird.
What was your favorite memory from your own primary school days?
My mum was a teacher at my primary school She was a really good inspirational teacher who made lessons really creative I remember in particular how she once made a human heart out of plasticine, and she brought it to school – it looked like a big blob of plasticine –but she opened it up and inside you could see all the sections and parts of the heart. I found it quite amazing really
What’s a hobby or interest you have that students might be surprised to know about? Hmm. I played netball in the UK – still looking for an outlet for that here.
What do you hope to achieve in your first year here?
I think something that’s definitely on my list for this year is trying to make the indoor environment as outstanding as the outside Just trying to bring a bit of that energy indoors as well
Could you describe your experience at GV so far with one word or phrase?
Maybe having sort of “Pinch me moments”? Things just seem so incredible here sometimes,
Thank you, Mrs Claire, for sharing your insights and vision with us today We look forward to seeing how your leadership will shape and inspire the Primary School, and we’re excited about the future ahead for both our students and community
ComingSoon!
by Chantal
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in school at a zombie apocalpyse?
An article exploring this very subject is in the works! Stay tuned to read all about a thorough evaluation of GV’s secondary classrooms and their survival rate in a zombie apocalypse. The classrooms are ranked out of a total of 35 points based on the chances you will survive in there in a week. The articles will be split in several sections grouped by the academic buildings. For all those curious thinkers, here is a glimpse at the criteria and zombie capabilities to keep in mind!
CLASSROOM CRITERIA
Defensibility
Supplies
Visibility
Surveillance
Size & Space
Location In School
Comfortability
GV TIMES.
THE ZOMBIES
Same speed as an average human
Attracted by loud noises
Strength in numbers
Aggressive when provoked
Hunts with sound and sight
For anyone interested in adding their own inputs, please reach out to chantalf@standrews-gv.com