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The Stag: Summer Term 1, 2022
Contents Hockey and Rugby National Finalists..........................................................Page 4 Wargrave and Nugent House Dinner..…………………...……….....…......Page 5 Ukraine: The Big Questions……………………………….…...…....….....Page 6 Be You Celebrates… ...…………………...…………..…………..…..…..Page 9
Lifestyle: Summer of Self-Discovery………………………….…….…..Page 10 Agony Aunt Column……………………………...……………………...Page 12 Fashion Focus……….………..…………...…………………………..…Page 13 What is Watt Reading?………………….……………………..…………Page 14 Literature Review….…………………….…………...…………...……...Page 16 Recipes …………………………………….…………..………………...Page 17 Meet Mr Roberts …………………………………...…………………... Page 18
House Reports………………………..……………………….………….Page 20 Personality Quiz...…………………………………………….………… Page 22 Horoscopes ……………………………….…………………..………….Page 23 Welcome to the Stag Team! Contributors: Polly Symes, Frankie Dussek, Lily Curtis, Akari Ikeda, Maisie Spencer, Tiggy Tutt Arts Editor: Kiri Marshall
Politics Editor: Lily O’Brien Culture Editor: Megan Moffat Fashion Editor: Maja Marten Sports Editor: Aditya Kumar House Reporters: Tiggy Tutt, Finn McKeown, Alejandro Maria Besora Design Team: Jessie Tarrant and Miss Curren Senior Editor: Miss Curren 3
SPORT
National Finalists Last term, both our 1st XI Girls Hockey team and our 1st XV Boys Rugby team competed in the National Finals of their respective sports. I thought it would only be fitting to give some coverage surrounding their experiences due to their amazing achievements.
Less than 2 weeks after the hockey final, our 1st XV rugby team travelled all the way to London to play at StoneX Stadium, home ground of Saracens RFC. They were playing in the RFU U18 Bowl Final against Nottingham High School. With supporters both at the ground and back at the college, the game was intense for all. At half time, Eastbourne were up 6-5, yet, at the end of the game, the score was unfortunately 29-16 to Nottingham High School.
On 3rd March, the 1st XI Girls Hockey travelled to Lee Valley Hockey Centre to play Perse School in the England Hockey T3 National Plate Final.
At half time, the score was still 0-0. However, in the 50th minute, Ella Panayiotou’s (#16) goal took the girls 1-0 up. Another goal by Abi Coleman (#4) in the 61st minute took the score to 2-1.
National Champions! Despite playing numerous times in this league, this the college’s first ever National Hockey title.
Despite the loss, the team should be enormously congratulated for their efforts and proud of themA massive congratulations to the team. This is an selves. This was the first ever National Rugby Final incredible achievement. Special mentions go to Miss for Eastbourne College. Dagwell (Head Coach) and Mr Hill (Manager) for their continuous coaching efforts and support. Megan Moffat, Year 12, School House 4
COLLEGE LIFE
Wargrave and Nugent House Dinner The Wargrave-Nugent House Dinner was great fun. The theme of the house dinner was ‘What you wanted to be when growing up’ which left a few people confused when Mr Ferley turned up as a snowman. The night was good fun. It had a great atmosphere, and it was nice for people to talk to and get to know some people that they may not have spoken to before. There was a bit of controversy regarding the best-dressed outcome but Will Coleman (Y10) managed to get his hands on the title after a roaring cheer from every table due to his “geezer” outfit. Duke Carr (Y13) who was dressed as a pharaoh wasn’t very pleased, and neither was Will Hoskins
(Y13) who for the first time invested money into an outfit and came kitted out as an Arab prince but still couldn’t get shortlisted. The night had a range of entertaining games such as trying to decipher people of the two houses’ names from different objects put together as well as objectives to unscramble on individual tables such as working out which two celebrities’ faces had been morphed together. Another thank you should be said to the caterers for staying late on a Saturday to prepare our food as well as a thank you to the organisers of the event including Mr Spiers and Miss Burford.
Aditya Kumar, Year 12, Wargrave House 5
POLITICS
Ukraine: The Big Questions Lenin (a leader of the Russian Revolution in 1917) once remarked that “there are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” The latter seems to be correct when it comes to the war in Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen large-scale warfare return to Europe for the first time in nearly 80 years. This is big news, terrifying news, with many in the West concerned about the conflict escalating towards a confrontation between two nuclear powers. It is certainly one of the most consequential political events of our time — and one of the most confusing, dominating the global news agenda as events move with incredible pace and with implications for global stability. What follows is an attempt to make some sense of all of this by tackling a few of the biggest questions everyone is asking about the war. It’s not enough to know what’s happening. We need to know why it’s happening, and what may happen next.
Kremlin, and backed by disguised Russian troops, about 14,000 people have died, and 1 million people have fled to escape the fighting in the eight years since then. Beneath Putin’s rhetoric, according to experts on Russia, lies a deeper unstated fear: that his regime might fall prey to a similar protest movement that led to Yanukovych’s downfall. Ukraine could not succeed as a state, in his view, because it might create a pro-Western model for Russians to emulate. This was a central part of his thinking in 2014, and it remains so today. In July 2021, Putin’s rhetoric became more aggressive as he published a 5000-word essay arguing there was no Ukrainian nation, that the country was historically always part of Russia, and that a pro-Western Ukraine posed an existential threat to the Russian nation. This demonstrates his longtime belief in the urgency of restoring Russia’s greatness combined with a desire to bring Ukraine back under direct Russian control. And in Russia, where Putin rules basically unchecked, that meant a full-scale war.
Why did Russia invade Ukraine?
What has the war meant for ordinary UkrainiIn a speech on February 24th, Russian President Vladimir ans? Putin said the invasion was designed to achieve “the demilitarisation and de-Nazification of Ukraine.” This rhetoric revealed Putin’s aims of regime change and the elimination of Ukraine’s status as a sovereign state outside of Russian control. Ukraine and Russia have significant, deep, and longstanding cultural and historical ties and, whilst part of the Soviet Union since the 1920s, this rule ended in 1991 when 92% of Ukrainians voted for independence in a referendum. Fast forward to 2013: Ukraine’s then president, Viktor Yanukovych, wanted Ukraine to be loyal to Russia, so he decided not to sign a trade agreement which would bring Ukraine closer to Europe. Ukrainians protested, kicked Yanukovych out of office, and elected a government that favoured Europe rather than Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that, despite this change in government, most Ukrainians wanted ties with Russia. He also worried that Ukraine would join the NATO military alliance with the U.S. and Europe and that this would present a threat to Russia. In response, Russia took over an area in southern Ukraine called Crimea in 2014. They sent soldiers and weapons to eastern Ukraine, claiming to be helping people who wanted to be part of Russia. Armed by the 6
As the fighting continues, Russia has started using tactics that hurt civilians. Most notably, they have attempted to lay siege to Ukraine’s cities, cutting off supply and escape routes while bombarding them with artillery. The purpose of the strategy is to wear down the Ukrainian defenders’ willingness to fight, by inflicting mass pain on the civilian populations. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 3.8 million Ukrainians fled the country between February 24th and March 27th. That’s about 8.8% of Ukraine’s total population, causing massive refugee flows to its European neighbours. For those civilians who have been unable to flee, the situation is dire. There are no reliable estimates of death totals; a UN estimate puts the figure at 1,119 but cautions that the actual figures will be considerably higher. Nowhere is this devastation more visible than the southern city of Mariupol, the largest Ukrainian population centre to which Russia has laid siege. Airstrikes and shells have hit the maternity hospital, the fire department, homes, a church, and come close to a school. For the estimated hundreds of thousands who remain, there is simply nowhere to go. The surrounding roads are mined, and the port blocked. Food is running out, and the Russians have
stopped humanitarian attempts to bring it in. Electricity is mostly gone, and water is sparse, with residents melting snow to drink. Some parents have even left their newborns at the hospital, hoping to give them a chance at life in the one place with decent electricity and water.
Russian invasion convinced the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to support rearmament, introducing a proposal to more than triple Germany’s defence budget. Though Scholz has refused to outright ban Russian oil and gas imports, he has blocked the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and committed to a long-term strategy of weaning GerA humanitarian crisis unlike any- many off Russian energy. China, by contrast, has been most pro-Russia of the major global powers. The two thing we have seen in recent times the countries, bound by shared distrust of a US-dominated world order, have grown increasingly close in recent How is the world responding? years. That said, it’s possible to overstate the degree to On the surface, the world appears to be united behind which China has taken the Russian side. There’s a notaUkraine. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution ble amount of debate among Chinese policy experts and condemning the Russian invasion by a 141-5 margin. in the public, with some analysts publicly advocating that However, the UN vote conceals a great deal of disagree- Beijing adopt a more neutral line on the conflict. Most ment, especially among the world’s largest and most in- other countries around the world fall somewhere on the fluential countries. The most aggressive anti-Russian po- spectrum between the West and China. Outside of Eusitions can unsurprisingly be found in the USA, Europe, rope, only a handful of mostly pro-American states, like and the broader West. EU and NATO members have South Korea, Japan, and Australia, have joined the sancstrongly supported the Ukrainian war effort and impletions regime. Most countries in Asia, the Middle East, mented sanctions on Russia. It’s the strongest show of Africa, and Latin America do not support the invasion, European unity since the Cold War, one that many obbut won’t do very much to punish Russia for it either, so servers see as a sign that Putin’s invasion has already dependant are they on current and future trade with Rusbackfired. Germany, which has important trade ties with sia. Russia and a post-World War II tradition of pacifism, is perhaps the most striking case. Nearly overnight, the 7
Is Putin a war criminal? The International Criminal Court (ICC) defines war crimes as “grave breaches” of the Geneva Conventions, a set of humanitarian laws to be observed in war. The UN assessment of civilian deaths in Ukraine notes that “most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems”. Human Rights Watch has announced that there are “early signs of war crimes” being committed by Russian soldiers in these kinds of attacks. Following the discovery in Bucha of mass graves and bodies of bound ci-
Any prosecution of Putin for war crimes will be very difficult vilians shot at close range, the US President Joe Biden has called for the prosecution of Vladimir Putin for war crimes. Russia continues to deny this and building a case against Putin, senior members of the Kremlin hierarchy, or military commanders, will be difficult. A prosecution could argue that Putin and his inner circle committed a war crime by directly ordering an illegal attack or knew crimes were being committed and failed to prevent them. This may be hard to prove. Philippe Sands, a professor at University College London, told the Associated Press: “You’ve got to prove that they knew, or they could have known or should have known. There’s a real risk you end up with trials of mid-level people and the main people responsible for this horror will get off the hook.” The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, said in February that he had opened a war crimes investigation in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, the US, China, Russia, and Ukraine are not members of the court and so there is little chance that Russia would comply, and the ICC cannot try someone if they are not in court. There is the potential that alternative organisations could be involved, and the UN has been suggested as an obvious option. However, one problem with going through the UN security council is that Russia is a permanent member and could therefore use their veto to block any action against them. Any prosecution of Putin for war crimes, even if there is substantial evidence will be very difficult and would take many years.
or the other, but most analysts believe this is unlikely. Peace negotiations between the two sides are ongoing. On March 28th, there was progress on a draft agreement covering issues including Ukrainian NATO membership. The next day, Russia pledged to decrease its use of force in Ukraine’s north as a sign of its commitment to the talks. However, it appears all that has happened is that those troops have been redeployed to the east of the country and observers remain sceptical about Russian seriousness in the talks. There are lots of barriers standing in the way of a successful resolution, for example in relation to Ukraine joining NATO. Russia wants a pledge that Ukraine will remain “neutral”. The current draft agreement does preclude Ukrainian NATO membership, but it permits Ukraine to join the EU. It also commits at least 11 countries, including the United States and China, to coming to Ukraine’s aid if it is attacked again. This would put Ukraine on a far stronger security footing than it had before the war — a victory for Kyiv and defeat for Moscow, one that Putin may ultimately conclude is unacceptable. There is also the status of Crimea and the two breakaway Russian-supported republics in eastern Ukraine. The Russians want Ukrainian recognition of its annexation of Crimea and the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions; Ukraine claims all three as part of its territory. Observers suggests that there may be some compromise here, but a way forward is not obvious. The resolution of these issues will depend on the war’s progress and, even if there is an agreement, it may not end up holding. On the Russian side, an agreement is only as good as Putin’s word. Even if it contains rigorous provisions designed to deter him taking future action, that may not hold him back from breaking the agreement. This invasion did, after all, start with him launching an invasion that most commentators believe will hurt Russia in the long run. Putin dragged the world into this conflict; when and how it gets out of it depends just as heavily on his next decisions.
How could the war end? Wars do not typically end with the total defeat of one side or the other. More commonly, there’s a negotiated settlement — either a ceasefire or more permanent peace treaty — where the two sides agree to stop fighting under a set of agreed terms. It is possible that the Ukraine conflict turns out to be an exception with total defeat for one side
Lily O’Brien, Year 12, Watt House 8
BE YOU CELEBRATES
Maria Oksentiyivna Prymachenko Maria Oksentiyivna Prymachenko was a Ukrainian artist who mostly worked with the naive art style. Whilst her creations were internationally recognised and even commended by Pablo Picasso, she remained in her hometown of Bolotnia and lived a very humble life with her close friends and family, devoting her life to her work. Prymachenko was first inspired to start creating art as a young child when she contracted polio, leaving her unable to walk unaided. The two biggest influences in her art were her mother, who taught her embroidery to pass time and stories of Ukrainian heroes and mythical creatures. Prymachenko was never particularly interested in agriculture or food production (which was the main industry that supported her town) in her youth, and preferred drawing and painting with sticks on pavements and grass instead. Her mother recognized this talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in it, even allowing her to paint flowers on the walls throughout their house. Although some neighbours disapproved, believing her work was frivolous and gaudy, in her teenage years she joined a local association for embroidery projects and strived to improve her skills. Eventually her work was also acknowledged by the artist Tetiana Floru, who invited her to collaborate with a workshop in the Kyiv Museum of Ukrainian Art. Her career sprouted rapidly from that point on, as she developed more techniques and expanded her repertoire in themes to explore. Her first major breakthrough came when her art was displayed and sold at the Kyiv Museum Festival and people were immediately drawn to her gingerly drawn, gentle, and yet simultaneously bold and brassy art. The 1936 Republican Folk Art Exhibition, shown in major cities around Russia, also furthered her fame and in 1937 her art was also publi-
cised in a European tour, making her the first female Ukrainian artist to do so. When World War 2 began at one of the highest peaks in her professional life, Prymachenko resiliently withstood the pain of being made unable to share her artwork with the world. Her artistic style evolved during this time of chaos as she incorporated more traditional Ukrainian folk art elements and folklore into it, as well as switching to illustrating with mainly acrylics and gouache. Her art also metamorphosed into message-centred pieces, which had a bold anti-conflict stance. She described this turbulent period as “one of the most painful experiences, hands down”, and in the decade following she processed her grief in the home she was raised in, channelling her emotions into more creativity. One of her most famous quotes also comes from this era: “I stood in the metal rain, and I hid in burning trees. Yet my blood ran red and I survived. I saw light in Valhalla.”
Prymachenko’s work celebrates the humongous world which she imagined, established and travelled around in her mind combined with the colourful palette of Ukrainian traditions, and has recently been re-examined and evaluated for its cultural impact, serving as a new global anti-war symbol. Today, a street in Kyiv and multiple art scholarships for young girls are named after her, and the footsteps she left behind are still extremely influential, twenty years after her death.
Akari Ikeda, Year 10, School House 9
HEALTH
Summer of Se Night-time routine: Put away your phone Tidy your room! Make a to-do list for the next day Apply a facial cleanser / do skincare routine Brush teeth Read for 30 + minutes
As we embark upon the second half of the summer term, many of you are perhaps starting to organise trips, activities and maybe even work opportunities for the summer holidays. Measuring precisely 48 days this academic year, the holidays are, for most, a time for recuperation and exploration. Here are my top five tips and resources for healthy summer (but really any time of year) habits!
Try out morning and night-time routines This will help you find rhythm throughout the holidays, but can also be used during term time. Some of the benefits I have found include a more regular sleep schedule, a reduction in screen-time, and increased mindfulness at the beginning and end of each day.
Discover Yoga Although the NHS recommends physical activity to improve wellbeing, we all know that cardio can feel difficult when it gets hot. Yoga, however, is a soft, mindful form of exercise. Over 5,000 years old, yoga is known to improve strength, flexibility and balance. Below are my favourite yoga resources.
Here is an example of a morning and night routine you could follow: Morning Routine: Wake up – 9.30am Drink a glass of water Make your bed! Stretch for 15 minutes Get changed Apply moisturiser/sun cream Eat breakfast Brush teeth Check your phone 10
Yoga for Beginners Mind + Body App – Workouts range from 10-50 minutes, and are labelled ‘Beginner’, ‘Intermediate’ or ‘Advanced’. I haven’t found the subscription to be necessary. Yoga with Adriene – This YouTube channel provides voice guidance for those looking for a more personal approach to yoga. Workouts include ‘Date Night Yoga’ and ‘Sun-Rise Yoga’.
HEALTH
elf-Discovery Begin Journaling
Find out more about your music taste
Research suggests that regularly writing down your thoughts and feelings can reduce stress, help you process events, and assist in planning your future!
Listening to any kind of music can increase your brain’s production of the hormone dopamine, which helps relieve feelings of anxiety and depression. It can also help you focus, or motivate you to drop another squat in your workout!
Some people like to journal daily, using prompts such as “write three things you’re grateful for”, or “write three wishes you have”.
Free apps such as Spotify are great for exploring the ever-growing music sector, but you can alternatively try visiting record shops, going to a festival, or booking live concert tickets.
Try a Social Media/TV detox Living without Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Netflix and YouTube is a lot harder than it might seem, but during my week-long detox last summer I noticed many benefits. What it increased (for me): Productivity Time spent outdoors Time spent with family Reading Understanding of self
If a daily journaling session feels like too much of a commitment, try reserving the tool for when your emotions are feeling particularly overwhelming.
What it decreased (for me): Screen-time Comparing myself to others, stress/anxiety Feelings of laziness If you are thinking of trying this out, make sure to alert your friends and family so they don’t think you’ve gone AWOL!
Polly Symes, Year 12, Watt House 11
WELLBEING
Agony Aunt “Why doesn’t my teacher like me?” First of all, it is highly unlikely that your teacher truly does not like you. It is their job to instruct you and to help you improve. However, if they are giving you lower eRC grades than you would like, try checking their comments for tips to improve. If it is less about reports, and more that you feel the teacher is treating you unfairly, use the Friday Tutor Time slot to discuss this with your Tutor or Hsm. They may need to discuss it with the teacher.
Welcome to The Stag’s first ‘Agony Aunt’ page! The Stag’s own Agony Aunt, Auntie Stag, will be answering any questions you might have about school, exams, family, friendships, romantic relationships, and much more… “I don’t think my crush likes me. What do I do?” Hello, reader. If you have strong feelings for this person, we recommend that you ask them whether they have feelings for you! You might find this easier to do this over text. Even though this might seem awkward, remember that it is always better to have a definite answer. Otherwise, you’ll constantly find yourself either worrying or fantasising about whether they like you back.
But if it turns out that they don’t have romantic feelings for you, don’t despair! Part of the teenage experience is to try, fail, grow and learn in love. If you’re ready to move on, remember that you cannot ‘get rid’ of your feelings at the flick of a switch. Instead, let your feelings naturally fade away and begin cultivating relationships with new people.
“How do I revise without getting bored?” Remember that it isn’t all or nothing. It is unlikely that you will be able to work for five hours straight, for example. Revision Tips:
Create to-do lists of academic tasks each day
Try out apps such as Quizlet
Work for 45 minutes, then give yourself a fifteen minute break
Listen to LoFi music for motivation
Remember to exercise, eat enough, and get fresh air each day
Buy stationery that excites you!
Remind yourself of your reason for revising
Take a quiz to see whether you are an auditory, visual, or kinaesthetic learner
If you would like to submit a question to this page for our next issue, you can email
thestag@eastbourne-college.co.uk Your email will be treated as confidential and you will remain anonymous! Auntie Stag
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FASHION
Emerging Designers Connor Ives
pieces such as Bella Hadid and Zendaya. This Londonbased womenswear designer from Albania references the 90s aesthetic in her work with an innovative take on modern femininity through her experimental translucent deconstructed designs. Dojaka makes headway in the industry by acquiring the reputable award the LVMH Prize with a large funding and an annual mentorship. Dojaka is in the process of expanding her collections setting her on the path to her goal of a brand universe. After previous criticisms of body inclusivity, she showed critics wrong with the encouraging diversity in her brand evident through her maternity sizes. She is one Connor Ives was yet another Central St Martins graduate to undoubtedly watch, as demonstrated in her lingeriemaking a strong approach into the hard-hitting industry. esque collection at London Fashion Week Spring/ At the young age of 26, he has grown his label substan- Summer 2022 as viewers are to see her upcoming protially and continues to make waves globally due to his jects. innovative designs and sustainable collections. He has grabbed influential figures such as Adwoa Aboah and Rihanna’s attention and even had his work worn to exDanielle Guizio clusive events such as the Met Gala. Ives has a unique approach where his design process is fuelled by nostalgia and reminiscing on childhood memories, taking influence from women he grew up with. Many of his pieces are made from vintage garments with the promotion of re -generated items, displaying his feeling of responsibility towards a sustainable future. Connor Ives is the picture of an individual with perfect potential being sought after while still being a fashion student.
Nensi Dojaka
Nensi Dojaka is a fresh name in the fashion industry. Graduating from Central Saint Martins in only 2020, she already has top celebrities and influencers wearing her 13
Starting from virtually no financial banking after dropping out of fashion school, Guizio began her journey through the fashion world through selling graphic tees out of her parent’s basement in Jersey. This led the emerging, now New York-based, designer to found her own womenswear label commencing in 2014. Her objective to celebrate the female form and capture the essence of subversive sensuality is evident through her empowering pieces. Guizio research allows her to submerse herself into the pathway of sustainability shown in the production of her first denim pieces washed with 70% less water. Her work gained a multitude of recognition in the popular American teen drama ‘Euphoria’ which showcased multiple pieces.
Maja Marten, Year 12, School House
LITERATURE
What is Watt Reading? Year 9
Noughts & Crosses I’m not a big book reader, but once I picked up ‘Noughts and Crosses’, I couldn't put it down. I loved the drama and originality mixed with romance. The book covers lots of modern day issues such as racism and sexism and Malorie Blackman writes about it extremely passionately. I went on to read the rest if the series and was not disappointed, Poppy Campion
Year 10
Circe
It is perfect for any lover of mythology or anyone just wanting to expand their repertoire. It’s a novel that encompasses a wide range of themes including change, fragility, and a quest for power in a world of misogyny. I’d recommend this for anyone who is currently in a bit of a reading slump and wants an engaging, easy read to get them back into their love for reading. Alice Caroe
Year 11
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LITERATURE
Year 12
Fingersmith by Sarah Walters Susan is part of a gang of thieves that work in the underbelly of London. When the opportunity arises for her to steal the fortune of Maud Lilly, an upper class girl from the countryside, Susan jumps at it. But swindling Maud won’t be as easy as it seems…
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid A story of dysfunctional and functional relationships and families all wrapped up in the setting of a party. The tale of the famous Riva family and their multiple lives, set during the 1980s. The only rule to attend the Riva’s party is to know the address. Surely nothing can go wrong…
This novel was unpredictable. It was the first Sapphic romance that I have really enjoyed reading. The main characters have such incredible chemistry, I was invested in both of them. The storytelling was incredibly atmospheric, even gothic (and disturbing). Polly Symes
A perfect read as we head into the Summer. If you enjoy celebrity gossip then this is the perfect d for you. It has a bit of something for everyone!
Year 13 ‘The High House’ was previously recommended by Mrs BathardSmith. The novel is about how climate change is likely to affect us. A tender yet alarming read which explores the maternal role. Go and check out Issue 8 of the Stag if you would like read Mrs Bathard-Smith’s revue.
Matron Debs I am a little late to the party but I have just finished reading ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’. I have mixed feelings about this book. Whilst I found the book on the whole very readable its plot was wholly implausible. It is the story of a young girl raising herself in the middle of a marshland in Carolina, USA. The novel starts when she is abandoned by her mother and left with her abusive father, who then abandons her too. The story follows her through her tumultuous life which is touched by love, murder and education. The descriptions of the marshes are beautiful and evocative and the book was very easy to read. However, it was difficult to believe that a 6 year old girl manages to feed, clothe and finally educate herself with very little help. Pure escapism but the plot is flimsy and slightly ridiculous in parts. A good beach read! Kiri Marshall Year 12, Watt House 15
LITERATURE REVIEW
‘Girl, Woman, Other’ Bernardine Evaristo is an English Nigerian acclaimed author of nine books of fiction and poetic fiction. She is the first black woman to have ever won the Booker Prize, which she received (jointly) for ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ in 2019. Evar isto’s writing style is flowy and distinctive with a Whitman-esque lack of punctuation. The book itself feels like in-depth people watching, with each chapter flicking between three characters. When introduced to one character in relation to another, for example, we meet Carole before we meet her mother Bummi, which feels more intimate than just being introduced to a character directly. Even though only a third of a chapter is designated to each character, you will find scattered mentionings of the characters throughout the novel outside of their personal chapter. Characters making appearances in other chapters allow us to learn about them through the eyes of others, creating a very interesting character profile pieced together over the course of the novel. Girl, W oman, Other follows the story of twelve characters as they navigate through contemporary life. Evaristo beautifully incorporates ideas on sex, gender, race, and privilege into this, her eighth, novel, ranging from ignorance and naivety to ‘manifesto radicalism’. She covers 'wokeness' in a human light showing the grey areas of uncertainty and adjustment rather than the black and white that we see so often. Her characters each have aspects in common but also speak with fundamentally different voices and Evaristo's ability to create original characters with standout attributes in so few pages is a credit to her writing.
identity fundamentally change depending on who we’re with? And does accepting that change mean we’re betraying our roots? Evaristo is masterful at providing a window to the lives that deserve the spotlight but go untold. The story of a non-binary Sapphic who rules the ‘twitter-sphere’ is intertwined with a trans-exclusionary black lesbian, who is connected to a white second-wave non-intersectional feminist. All these terms may seem daunting. However, Evaristo pokes fun at the 'microlabelling' that’s come with the 2000s, exemplified in the character Yazz who claims to be “part ’90s Goth, part post-hip hop… part alien.” Evaristo’s Girl, W oman, Other is educational without feeling like a chore. You will learn about lifestyles different to yours, ideas different to yours but most importantly identities different to yours, and you will laugh, contemplate, and cry while doing so. But these stories aren’t rare. POC immigrants and LGBTQI+ people have always been a part of the UK and helped shape what it is today. In Girl, W oman, Other, Evaristo puts these people and their stories in the well-deserved limelight at last. The 'typical British novel' is proving to be outdated and the time for writing the stories untold has come. Evaristo captures raw and natural emotion beautifully and pairs it with the timeless question of 'who am I'? The book ends with a note on interconnectedness despite differences. I would rate Girl, Woman, Other a 4/5 (a 3.5 if you don't care for indulging slightly wordy authors).
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes multiple points of view with a satisfying intertwinement of stories. If you love character-driven novels and day-inthe-life style plotlines then you will love Girl, W oman, Other. I would think twice about recommending this to a very plot-based reader since Evaristo tends to focus on her characterisation. A reader who likes to get comfortable with every character may feel overwhelmed or frustrated at the constantly changing roster of individuals that Evaristo introduces and may be confused as to where the book is actually going. There is no main driving plot to the book; it is much more powered by themes. The central theme throughout the novel is identity. Are we defined by our race? Our gender? Our parents? Our economic status? Or something else entirely? Does our 16
Maisie Spencer, Year 12, School House
RECIPES
Epic Summer Salad Perfect for BBQs and buffets, this is an assembly STEP 2 job of gorgeous ingredients – no cooking reScatter the beans and spinach over a large platter. quired. Serve it with lamb kebabs for an impresArrange the tomatoes, cucumber, mango, onion and sive summer feast. radishes on top and gently toss together with your Ingredients hands. Top the salad with the avocados, feta and herbs, and serve the dressing on the side. 400g black beans, drained
2 large handfuls baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped 500g heritage tomatoes, chopped into large chunks ½ cucumber , halved lengthways, seeds scooped out and sliced on an angle 1 mango, peeled and chopped into chunks 1 large red onion , halved and finely sliced 6-8 radishes, sliced 2 avocados, peeled and sliced 100g feta, crumbled handful of herbs (reserved from the dressing)
For the dressing large bunch mint small bunch coriander small bunch basil 1 fat green chilli, deseeded and chopped 1 small garlic clove 100ml extra virgin olive oil or rapeseed oil 2 limes, zested and juiced 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
Cool off with a refreshing iced latte This simple drink only needs a handful of ingredients and is perfect for a hot weather caffeine kick.
Ingredients 2 espresso shots (60ml) 2 tsp sugar, honey or maple syrup (to taste) ice 100ml whole milk
Method STEP 1
2 tsp honey
Mix the hot espresso with the sugar until it dissolves.
Method
STEP 2
STEP 1
Fill a glass with ice and stir in the sweetened coffee.
Make the dressing by blending all of the ingredients STEP 3 in a food processor (or very finely chop them), savPour over the milk and stir until combined. ing a few herb leaves for the salad. You can make the dressing up to 24 hours before serving. Tiggy Tutt, Year 10, School House 17
INTERVIEW
Meet Mr R We see him around the college all the time, ing songs on rugby tours or in the showers but but who is Mr Roberts? We tracked him that’s about it. However, I’ve always enjoyed it and admired anyone who can play an instrument down to find out. and read a piece of Shakespeare or written word on stage like poems and stuff like that. I used to love it all. It wasn’t really a discovery; it was What led you to becoming a rugby coach? more of a soft burn at home that got me around Good question, Aditya. I have only ever wanted to it really. to be two things: when I was six, I wanted to be a frog and later on I wanted to be a rugby coach. I was very lucky that I started laying out cones for my brother’s age group when I was 14. There were three years between us; he was in U11. I loved rugby, I loved my sport and at the time I was so severely dyslexic that, at the time, sport was the only thing I had complete autonomy of. I’d spend as much time as I could at the club refereeing, coaching and playing. I’d finish my session and then I would go over and do a skills drill or help set up for the U11 session. By the time I was 16, I knew I wanted to wind up playing. I kept playing until I was 21 but I just knew that I had been bitten by the coaching bud very early. So, I went to college knowing entirely what I wanted to do and what career and dream I wanted to chase. I’ve been super lucky to be able to do that so far which is cool.
I’ve been super lucky to be able to chase my dream When did you discover a passion for singing? My entire family are all massive thespians. My dad is an actor, my uncle is an opera singer, my brother is an actor, my mum is a singer and creative director of an arts company, and my step dad was in a band; they’re just a whole family of thespians and super talented people. Therefore, singing, performing and the arts have always been around me when growing up. I was never in a band or had training unless you count sing18
INTERVIEW
Roberts Did you ever question becoming a singer ?
Who is your role model?
No. I would never put anyone through that. I was in a show of Bugsy Malone at school and I played a character called Fat Sam. Luckily, that character doesn’t have to do much singing in the show. So no, I’ve never had the question of being a singer levelled at me and I never questioned it myself if I’m being totally honest.
I’ve got a couple of role models. One is definitely my mum, who is awesome and owns easily 75% of my GCSEs. She was a massive driver for me growing up. My dad’s in that as well. My dad is an actor and was my rugby coach when I first started and now my brother and I both act and play rugby, so he was a massive influence on us while growing up and a fantastic character. As well as my parents are my bonus parents who include my stepdad who is also an amazing guy. I met a guy in New Zealand when I lived out there so I left college and went straight to New Zealand. His name was Lungi and he was just the most amazingly friendly, wonderful human who only wanted to get the best out of people. He sadly passed away with bowel cancer in 2016, but even now, when I think of basing what I do with my actions and considering my day to day, I’m thinking about what he would say or do in certain situations. He had the most incredible one liners
The people I work with are genuinely lovely, friendly and welcoming. They’re all in it for the right reasons Why Eastbourne College and if you weren’t at Eastbourne where would you be? I worked at Eastbourne since 2015 as an external coach, so I was in many different coaching roles all over the South Coast. I became full time in 2019 so this is my second full year here. In terms of why here, I find myself incredibly lucky to walk into a building everyday where the people I work with are genuinely lovely, friendly and welcoming. They’re all in it for the right reasons. Everyone here wants to do the best we can for the pupils and for the school as a whole. Where would I be if not Eastbourne College? If I’m being totally honest, I can’t really think too far outside of that because it’s too hard to imagine my life outside of the college that much. I’ve always had a long term dream to work back in New Zealand, so if I’m not working at Eastbourne College I’ll either be on a beach somewhere in Samoa or coaching a bit of 7s in New Zealand. I couldn’t think of working at another school or somewhere else in this part of the world at the moment to be honest with you.
My mum is awesome and owns easily 75% of my GCSEs when he was coaching and he was a big 240 kg Samoan prop but the most friendly giant. I’ve never seen a man so big with such a wonderful soft aura and heart. Whenever I base my decisions on anything, I’m always think about those three or four people: either my parents, my family unit, mum, dad, stepdad and my coach in New Zealand definitely. Thank you very much, sir. No worries, cheers. Aditya Kumar, Year 12, Wargrave House
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HOUSE REPORT
School House Report Although we have not been back for long, the School House girls have jumped right back into busy school life. To kick off the Summer Term, the much-awaited Boarders’ Ball took place. Everyone looked fabulous and I can tell you that it was an incredibly enjoyable evening. The wonderful catering staff cooked a delicious meal, followed by over an hour of ‘dancing’ to a live band! A huge ‘thank you’ goes to all those who made the evening possible.
Many of the girls have already been representing the house in tennis matches! On Saturday the 23rd, the College took part in The Sussex Independent School Championships. The U18 girls took the title with Karina Matei and Maia Mountain from School House. The U16 girls also had an easy win with Lola Dutton and Sara Losem doing us proud! Lola and Sara once again competed on Thursday 28th, winning the U16 Girls’ Sussex Shield! Congratulations to everyone so far and I know that there will be many more successes to come.
Tiggy Tutt, Year 10, School House 20
HOUSE REPORTS
Gonville House Report This term has been an enjoyable one for everyDaniel Li played in the first tennis fixture of the one in Gonville, with two main events happening summer where, after a long and exhausting game, on the weekend of 23th and 24th April. Daniel took the game right down to the wire, and On the evening of the 23rd, everyone was excited to was only just defeated in the tiebreak. leave the house and join the fun in the Borders’ Ball, where the theme was black tie. All the boarding houses came together in order to build closer relationships and meet new people. After starters, main course, and pudding, everyone bounced to the dance floor where we were all surprised by a live band performing. After a lively and action-packed evening, all houses retreated back to house already discussing the next one to come. On Sunday the 24th of April, the Gonville pupils enjoyed a lovely day at the paintball. The weather was also great, and the weekend couldn’t go any better. We had an hour-long trip all the way to Demolition Paintball which is the name of the paintball centre. First, the Gonville pupils had a brief introductory talk on how to play safely and after that the teams were made randomly. The Gonville boys started by playing a first game where each team had to take a flag from the middle of the map and had to bring it to the opposite team’s side. It was really funny as you could only get to the other side of the On the sporting front, Gonville pupils took part in map by crossing a bridge but as Mo and Theo cricket and tennis fixtures. proved, as soon as you pass that bridge you were Emmanuel Bawa starred on the batting and bowling going to get sprayed by the whole enemy team. Folfront and Finn McKeown played his first games for lowing that game, we played on a bigger map where one team had to defend and the other eneEastbourne College bowlmy team had to attack. If you hadn’t yet ing with the ball. been shot, this was your time as the attackers had to go inside the base and eliminate the others. To round up the day, we finished on a classic capture the flag. The final score was 4-2 to the red team. We had a lovely weekend involving all kind of activities. Alejandro Maria Besora and Finn McKeown, Year 12, Gonville House 21
PERSONALITY QUIZ
Which sport are you? 1. How would you describe your fitness level? A. Very fit B. There’s room to improve C. I hate fitness D. I’m a pro
7. Which sport do you like at the summer olympics? A. Karate B. Table tennis C. Trampolining D. Boxing
2. Are you co-ordinated? A. I have good foot-eye coordination B. I have good hand-eye coordination C. I have no co-ordination D. I have both hand-eye and foot-eye coordination
8. Why do you do sport? A. To win B. To have fun! C. There’s a purpose to sports? D. To keep fit
3. Are you competitive? A. I get angry when I don’t win B. Sometimes C. I hate competition D. Yes
9. Which hobby do you prefer? A. Poker B. Archery C. Yoga D. Gaming
4. Which of these words describe you when playing competitive sport? A. Fast B. Accurate C. Quiet D. Loud 5. Which of the following activities would you choose? A. Ice hockey B. Badminton C. Sunbathing D. Weight lifting
Answers If you mainly picked A then you are football If you mainly picked B then you are tennis If you mainly picked C then you are hiking If you mainly picked D then you are rugby
6. Which sport do you like at the Winter Olympics? A. Speed skating B. Biathlon C. Curling D. Ice hockey Polly Symes, Year 12, Watt House 22
FEATURE
Horoscopes
Aquarius:
Aries:
Capricorn:
Gemini:
(Jan 20-Feb 18)
(Mar 21-Apr 19)
(Dec 22-Jan 19)
(May 21-June20)
Watch out for Taurus men
Put your head down and work hard to achieve the grades you want
Take a break. You deserve it
Stop listening to sad songs. They won’t make you feel any better
Cancer:
Leo:
Libra:
Pisces:
(June 21-July 22)
(Jul 23-Aug 22)
(Sep 23-Oct 22)
(Feb 19-Mar 20)
Go for a run or a walk to clear your head
This term is a term for adventure. Do something you’ve
The past is in the past. Leave it there
Stop saying no! This term is for saying yes and trying new things
Sagittarius:
Scorpio:
Taurus:
Virgo:
(Nov 22-Dec 21)
(Oct 23-Nov 21)
(Apr 20-May 20)
(Aug 23-Sep 22)
Stop stressing. Put your pen down and go outside!
Summer is coming so don’t give up now!
Aquarians are perfectly suited to you
It’s time to get in touch with old friends
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