THE STAG
Issue 31, Michaelmas Term 1, 2025
CONTENTS
College News:
Welcome, Barry! - pg 3
Meet The Stag - pg 4
Current Affairs:
Trump’s Second State Visit - pg 6
Jobs in the Age of AI - pg 11
AI: the Eko Digital Stethoscope - pg 13
International News:
China Unveils Military Might - pg 7
Political Upheaval in France - pg 8
Features:
Bomber Command - pg 9
Environment:
Tackling World’s Ocean Plastic
Problem - pg 14
Summer Heatwaves - pg 15
Culture:
The Venice Film Festival 2025 - pg 16
MTV VMAs 2025 - pg 17
The Summer I Turned Pretty - pg 19
National TV Awards 2025 - pg 21
Fast Fashion - pg 22
Remembering Giorgio Armani - pg 23
Sport:
The Ryder Cup 2025 - pg 25
Muhammad Ali - pg 26
Tennis Titans - pg 27
2025 Ballon D’Or - pg 28
House Reports:
Blackwater - pg 29
Craig - pg 30
Gonville - pg 31
Nugent - pg 32
Pennell - pg 33
Powell - pg 34
Reeves - pg 35
School - pg 36
Wargrave - pg 38
Watt - pg 39
This magazine is written for pupils by the pupils of Eastbourne College. It is not an official College publication and is not meant to be an accurate reflection of every activity or event across the College, nor (obviously) is every pupil mentioned. The magazine is for the Eastbourne College community only, so please do not send it on to friends or family. We hope you enjoy reading our magazine!
BIG PAWS TO FILL, SMALL PAWS TO START
By Esther Ellwood
Many of you will remember our much-loved Roy, who passed away peacefully in July. Roy was more than just a dog to the College community: he was a gentle companion, a friendly face on walks, and a friendly face whenever you popped into HMO His calm nature, quiet loyalty and wagging tail made him a very special member of our community, and he will always hold a place in our hearts. His loss was deeply felt by many of us, and we will always carry fond memories of him
Although no dog could ever replace him, we are thrilled to share some exciting news: we have a new puppy in our College family!
Barry is a bouncy little boxer with big paws to grow into and an even bigger personality.
Right now Barry is still very small, and most of his time is spent learning about the world around him, taking long naps, and, of course, causing a little mischief here and there Although he isn’t quite ready for the busy life of a College dog just yet, he is already showing us glimpses of his playful, affectionate nature His favourite things so far include chasing after his toys, trying to climb onto laps that are far too small for him, and curling up for a snooze after all that excitement!
In time, Barry will begin to take on Roy’s much-loved role of being there for us all, keeping us company around College and especially greeting you during visits to HMO We know he has some very big shoes (or rather, paws!) to fill, but with his enthusiasm and gentle personality, we are confident Barry will become just as much a part of College life as Roy was.
MEET THE STAG!
Welcome to The Stag, Eastbourne College’s very own student-written magazine. Created by pupils, for pupils, it’s a space where we share stories, opinions, creativity, and insights from across College life. From thoughtful articles and lively interviews to reviews, news, and a touch of humour, our aim is to capture the spirit of our community and give students a voice.
In this issue, for the first time ever, we’re excited to introduce the team behind The Stag the writers, editors, and contributors who bring each page to life.
Eli, Year 13 - I joined The Stag to channel my passion for sports through the lens of journalism
Emmanuel, Year 13 - I joined The Stag to refine my writing skills while helping to inform, engage, and represent the voices of our school community
Felix, Year 12 - I joined The Stag because it is an excellent opportunity to improve my writing skills and hopefully interest people in important issues going on today I'm interested in writing about current and political affairs and I hope my articles can inspire others to engage with these topics
Emma, Year 12 - I joined The Stag so that I can express my interests and enhance my article writing skills, as well as it being a great pathway to journalism
The Year 13 team:
By Esther Ellwood
Amelie, Year 12 - I joined The Stag so I could express my passion for sport and also to educate people about sports they wouldn't usually come across. Hopefully these articles will inspire people to participate in the sports community
Myles, Year 13 - I joined The Stag because I loved writing in a group, sharing ideas and writing with such amazing writers
Nikol, Year 12 - I joined The Stag because of my interest in journalism and advertising, and I wanted the opportunity to contribute creatively to the magazine
Valerie, Year 12 - I joined The Stag because I enjoy writing and wanted a chance to share creative ideas with others. I’m especially interested in covering topics like student life, current events happening around the world and at school.
Harry, Year 12 - I joined The Stag to write for Craig House and about school sport, and I really enjoy writing about music and sport
Here’s what our prefects have to say:
Poppy, Head Girl - I joined The Stag as I've always had an interest in English and journalism so it felt like the perfect opportunity to make the most out of these passions of mine Over the past year, I've worked on articles on school events, as well as been the Watt House Reporter, all of which I've really enjoyed doing, so I'd recommend anyone considering joining to give it a go My main interests lie within sport and drama, but The Stag has allowed me to utilise my academic potential and work towards developing a college i th t ' ll d f
Lucy, Year 13 - The Stag has been a great opportunity to learn a completely new way of writing and investigating, one that I believe everyone should learn at some point in their school lives
“Why should I join The Stag?”
For younger Eastbourne College students wondering which service they should pick once they rise up to the prestigious role of a 6 Former, here are some more reasons for why you should join The Stag!
th
1 Gain employability and transferrable skills
2. Develop your writing skills and creativity while sharing your ideas
TRUMP’S SECOND UK STATE VISIT
By Felix McAndrew
On the 16 of September, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump made their second state visit to the UK, following on from their first, hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in June 2019 th
Starting at Windsor Castle, King Charles III and Queen Camilla gave the Trumps a warm welcome, treating them both to a military procession and ceremonial carriage ride around the castle grounds. President Trump laid a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb before viewing American-themed items in the Royal Collection
Prime Minister Keir Starmer used the occasion to reinforce the strength of the ‘special relationship’ between the UK and the US Their meetings focused on trade, jobs, and new technology During the visit, tech companies announced plans to invest around £150 billion into the UK economy, with a focus on artificial intelligence and quantum computing, areas both countries see as key to future economic growth
A joint press conference was also held between the President and Prime Minister. They discussed key issues facing both nations, including the war in Ukraine and illegal migration. Trump seemingly refused to comment on Peter Mandelson, who was ambassador to the United States under Starmer before he was revealed to have been involved with Jeffrey Epstein. He
told the press “I don’t know him, actually,” with Trump suggesting that Starmer would be more capable of discussing the matter.
Despite a (mostly) kind reception from state officials, not everyone gave Trump a warm welcome Protesters filled the streets of London, carrying banners and chanting against Trump Some protestors projected an image of the President with Epstein onto Windsor Castle. Many British politicians also chose to boycott the state banquet, showing how divisive Trump continues to be.
“This is truly one of the highest honours of my life. Such respect for you and such respect for your country.”
- Donald Trump
Even though it was clear that Trump enjoyed the hospitality he received, it is still highly unlikely that he might alter his foreign policy objectives - but the tensions between Starmer and Trump have definitely been eased
CHINA UNVEILS MILITARY MIGHT
The Main Event
On the 3 of September, China celebrated their 80 anniversary of Victory over Japan in the Second World War 12,000 liberation troops and over 50,000 people in total gathered on the famous Tiananmen Square in Beijing to witness the celebrations and hear the speech of their President Xi Ji Ping.
However, this event was not just purely about revelling in past successes. The powerful and frightening future of China’s military was also unveiled on that day. China’s technological muscles were in full force, with a variety of cutting-edge weaponry on display, such as laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles, and even robotic wolves. As absurd as they sound, the parade’s exhibit simultaneously impressed and frightened the Western world It was also the individuals attending that frightened the Western world While many Western leaders, such as Keir Starmer or Donald Trump, were absent, other more controversial world leaders were present, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Kim Jon Un of North Korea in particular Following the extravagant parade, Xi met with Putin and Kim for a meeting lasting over two hours, sparking intrigue into what the three powerful men had to discuss.
What does this mean?
However, while the parade itself was without a doubt impressive, it is very important to
By Mark McKie
consider what both the parade and the meeting after mean for the near and distant future. It is no secret that China wasn’t purely just celebrating victory over Japan They were also displaying their military excellence and technology to the world, especially to those previously mentioned absent world leaders such as Trump, proving China is a force to be reckoned with, and that they should not be messed with The meeting between the three powerful leaders is obviously the most concerning element, as all three countries that they run are known for their controversial political systems and autocratic leadership Xi, during his speech, made mention to the “rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”, which sparked fear of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, rumoured to be as early as 2027, to the extent that the Taiwanese government is already handing out handbooks to civilians for the event of a Chinese invasion While the parade and festivities were a spectacular sight and experience, the underlying precedent and tone these events have set have worried the world, and there is no doubt that many nations will now be sleeping with one eye open.
POLITICAL UPHEAVAL IN FRANCE
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Bayrou’s fall from power
France is in the middle of a major political shake up after Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a confidence vote in the National Assembly earlier this month Bayrou had staked his government’s future on a controversial budget plan that included €44 billion in spending cuts, as well as the highly unpopular idea of scrapping two public holidays With public anger increasing and little support in parliament, Bayrou called a vote of confidence hoping this could rally lawmakers behind him Instead, he was quickly defeated, with 364 votes against his government compared to just 194 in favour This defeat forced him to resign, deepening the political crisis for President Emmanuel Macron
Macron appoints Lecornu
In response, Macron quickly appointed Sébastien Lecornu as the new Prime Minister. Lecornu, a close ally of the president, now leads a minority government, meaning he lacks a secure majority in parliament This makes passing new laws especially on important issues like the budget, extremely hard, Eager to distance himself from Bayrou’s most controversial proposals, Lecornu has already abandoned the plan to abolish two public holidays and announced to end lifetime perks for former ministers.
By Owen Lee
Challenges facing the new government
Lecornu faces a huge challenge. France’s debt stands at over 114% of its GDP, and pressure from agencies and investors means the government must find a way to cut spending and balance the books At the same time, citizens are staging strikes and protests against austerity, fearful that new cuts will hurt families and public services. The new prime minister will have to navigate a divided parliament, widespread public opposition, and an increasingly restless nation
What’s next?
What happens in France over the coming months could have big consequences If Lecornu can secure support and pass a credible budget, Macron’s government may steady itself But if he fails, the crisis could deepen, raising questions about the president’s authority and the stability of the French political system.
Bayrou Macron Lecornu
BOMBER COMMAND: FORGOTTEN HEROES?
By George Hoad
In 1932, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin stated that: “The Bomber will always get through”. Fast forward to 1945, and Germany has suffered approximately 14 million bomber sorties since 1939 and has had 2.7 million tons of bombs dropped on their heartland But this had come at a cost of having the largest death rate of any British service during the Second World War But what had caused this monumental change in air warfare? And why does it remain such a controversial topic when it concerns doctrine and veterans?
RAF Bomber Command was established on the 14 of July 1936. Its purpose was to threaten the enemy with ‘utter destruction’ of the enemy's cities and towns. But it was far from capable of utter destruction th At the start of the war, 1939-1941, RAF Bomber Command struggled to inflict damage on Germany Their belief in ‘precision bombing’ was hampered by bad weather Furthermore, they had weak aircraft that were lightly armed and only capable of short-distance bombing, such as the Wellington and the Hampden Moreover, RAF Bomber Command often relied on visual landmarks and rudimentary bomb sights. This meant that at night, over enemy territory or blackout conditions, crews often had no idea where they were As a result, only one in ten bombers dropped bombs within five miles of their intended target.
However, all this changed in 1942. In February 1942, Arthur Harris was appointed Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command. With this, Harris brought about the idea of the area bombing of German cities in a strategic bombing campaign. This change in doctrine advocated that if you could not accurately bomb German industrial targets, then you should target whole cities to destroy both factories and their workers This also came with the idea that destroying the homes and lives of German civilians would turn the German populace against the war Furthermore, Arthur Harris also put this into effect with a desire for revenge He famously stated at the start of his bombing campaign: “The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everybody else, and nobody was going to bomb them At Rotterdam, London, Warsaw and other places, they put their rather naïve theory into operation They sowed the wind, and now they are going to reap the whirlwind”
In addition, the introduction of new heavy, four-engine bombers solved many early limitations. Now Bombers, such as the Avro Lancaster, could carry up to 14,000 lb of bombs and travel much further than before. These new aircraft also came with groundbreaking technology H2S radar systems showed rivers, coastline and cities through cloud or darkness This meant that crews could find their targets even in bad weather.
These Bombers could also now travel in up to a thousand bomber raids on cities The final adaptation, which gave RAF Bomber Command the edge over German defences, was Window The window was a strip of aluminium foil dropped by Mosquito planes at the front of the formation This foil would be dropped to jam German radar and thus give the bomber force a strong time advantage
But despite these changes, the missions were still dangerous for the crews Long flights lasting over 6 hours often caused fatigue This meant that there was an average loss per raid of 5%. In addition, the environment caused deadly problems for RAF Bomber Command Flying at high altitude could cause the engines to ice, freezing them and causing the bombers to crash. This put an incredible strain on the crews Exposure to flak bursts, sudden fighter attacks and the sight of other bombers exploding created extreme stress, causing many veterans to suffer with nightmares and long-term trauma. Nevertheless, the changes had worked RAF Bomber Command managed to get the percentage of bombers within 5 miles of the target from 10% in 1939 to 75% in 1944 The doctrine of Firebombing had also been developed The RAF would wait for perfect
weather conditions before dropping High Explosive bombs, blowing the roofs off buildings in the city. This would then be followed by a wave dropping firebombs, which would cause fires in these buildings which no longer had a roof. As a result of this and the perfect wind conditions, the fire would spread across the city. Temperatures in Hamburg reached 1,000 degrees Celsius These extreme heats caused hurricaneforce winds, which often sucked civilians into the flames and in a particularly gruesome story, civilians who had jumped into water were boiled alive by extreme temperatures
With all this destruction and death came waves of controversy during and after the war. The concept of deliberately bombing civilians with the hope of bringing the war to a conclusion still causes debate to this day Overall, more than 600,000 German civilians were killed in Allied Bombing operations and entire urban centres were levelled Cities such as Dresden and Hamburg had to be completely rebuilt because of the destruction during the war.
But this controversy has caused the men and women of Bomber Command to be forgotten In Churchill’s VE Day speech, Churchill named every branch of the British Military during the war except for Bomber Command. Bomber Command veterans received no campaign medal for their service. This has led to the branch in the British Military with the highest casualty rate of the war and with the most dangerous job of the war to be forgotten. Out of the 125,000 men and women who served in Bomber Command, roughly 55,500 lost their lives. So, with remembrance rapidly approaching, are the men and women of RAF Bomber Command Forgotten Heroes?
A Lancaster Bomber had a crew of seven
JOBS IN THE AGE OF AI
By Nikol Saveleva
Over the last few years, the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked fierce debate about its impact on jobs Headlines often warn that “robots are coming for our work” – and some studies suggest that by 2030, as many as 300 million roles worldwide could be affected by automation But the real question is: will AI take away more jobs than it creates, or will it simply change the way we work?
Jobs at Risk AI has advanced far beyond factory robots Today, it can write reports, analyse data, drive vehicles, and even help doctors make diagnoses This makes routine, repetitive jobs especially vulnerable. Roles in manufacturing, clerical support, retail, and logistics are at high risk because AI can perform these tasks faster, cheaper, and more consistently than humans A 2018 report by PwC estimated that up to 30% of UK jobs could be at “high risk” of automation within the next decade. This risk is particularly severe in low- and middleincome countries, where routine jobs are more common. Researcher Tiwari (2023) noted that workers with fewer qualifications or digital skills often struggle most after displacement, since they lack the training to adapt to new roles
It’s worth remembering, though, that AI doesn’t usually wipe out entire occupations. Instead, it tends to replace specific tasks within jobs For example, a lawyer might use AI to scan legal documents quickly, but human judgment is still needed in court
Many jobs will be transformed rather than eliminated altogether AI is not just about replacing workers: it’s also about creating new opportunities. Economist David Autor (2024) has argued that AI can “reconfigure middle-class work”, allowing humans to spend more time on complex and interpersonal tasks In healthcare, for instance, AI can handle diagnostics or admin work, freeing doctors to focus on patients
The jobs of the future will blend human and digital strengths
Completely new job categories are also emerging Research by Badet (2021) showed that in just five years, roles like machine learning engineer, AI ethicist, and algorithm auditor have become mainstream, despite being unheard of a decade ago. The World Economic Forum predicts that careers in AI development, data analytics, cybersecurity, and human–machine collaboration will be among the fastestgrowing in the coming years.
Still, the benefits of AI are not evenly spread. Tiwari (2023) highlighted that many of the new roles require advanced digital training and specialist knowledge, which are often out of reach for displaced workers In fact, some of the entry-level jobs AI has created, such as data labelling or content moderation, are lower-paid, unstable, and can even have negative effects on mental health
Regional differences also matter. The World Economic Forum’s 2025 report showed that more than half of companies in North America and Western Europe expect AI to create net jobs But in other regions, where fewer people have access to digital upskilling, job losses may outweigh gains
One lesson is clear: digital skills are becoming essential Being “tech literate” no longer just means knowing how to use Word or Excel It now includes understanding how to work alongside AI tools, analyse data, and adapt quickly to new technologies. That doesn’t mean everyone needs to become a programmer. What matters is combining digital literacy with creativity, problemsolving, and people skills, areas where humans continue to outperform machines.
As Autor and others point out, the jobs of the future will be those that blend human and digital strengths
So, will AI replace us? AI is changing the world of work, but this isn’t simply a story of loss Yes, some jobs will disappear, especially repetitive and routine ones But new, more dynamic roles are also being created, roles that didn’t even exist a decade ago The challenge will be making sure that everyone has the chance to gain the digital skills needed to thrive in this new economy In the end, AI won’t decide the future of work: people will The choices we make about education, training, and fair access to opportunities will determine whether AI becomes a tool for empowerment or a source of inequality.
AI: THE EKO DIGITAL STETHOSCOPE
By Aaden Wong
Across the world, healthcare is ever-evolving to match growing demand due to increasing life expectancy across the world, leading to more patients to consider and further shortage of staff or resources
Such evolution within healthcare includes the addition of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into instruments that doctors use to examine and diagnose hundreds of patients every week A prime example of this is the implantation of AI into a stethoscope with improvements to serve pre-existing purposes and the addition of newly advanced features A normal stethoscope is used by doctors by placing the two earpieces into their ears and a chest piece onto the patient’s chest or stomach to examine for possible abnormalities in their heartbeat, breathing or bowel movements The improved stethoscope features an implanted microphone into the chest piece to help doctors more acutely listen to distinct noises made by inner organs. After around 15 seconds, the data recorded by the microphone would be automatically processed by algorithms to analyse and provide a thorough report about the patient’s vital signs.
More advanced features include noise reduction of ambient noise around the work environment that would otherwise distract the listening of a doctor with a normal
stethoscope The stethoscope can also lead to early detection of conditions from patients including heart failure, heart valve disease and atrial fibrillation Integrated ECG readings (electro diagram) are able to capture the heart’s electrical activities with built-in electrodes to capture these signals. The technology also allows for real time analysis and collection of data to replace typically long and tedious information with visual representations to assist medical professionals.
Eko Health, the main developers of the innovation, have been impressed by the improvements of work quality experienced by doctors who have been testing the product. The instrument is a lot easier to use as it eliminates the need for experience and expertise in interpreting a patient’s vital signs such as their heart beat or rhythm Another advantage that using the AI instrument is that it is more time efficient, as the ECG, which is already installed within the tool, allows for faster diagnosis of the patient’s problem. Finally, information no longer needs to be recorded on paper, as data is sent into a main database found easily by staff members through Bluetooth-paired devices
TACKLING THE WORLD’S OCEAN PLASTIC PROBLEM
Trying to solve the global issue of ocean plastic pollution has been a long journey for Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat, the 28year-old founder of non-profit group The Ocean Cleanup For nearly a decade, he has been developing new ways to remove plastic waste from the Pacific Ocean
One of the biggest challenges is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the world’s largest area of floating plastic waste, located in the North Pacific It contains everything from discarded fishing nets to tiny microplastics. The Ocean Cleanup team uses huge U shaped barriers that slowly move through the water, guided by boats, to collect plastic while avoiding harm to marine life AI powered cameras scan the ocean to identify hotspots with the most rubbish,
helping the team to target their efforts more effectively.
So far, their system has collected around 200,000 kilograms of plastic, which is only a tiny fraction of the total waste in the ocean However, Boyan believes small beginnings can lead to big change The team is
By Emmanuel Erebor
now preparing an even larger system, called System 3, which is 24km long They hope that rolling out 10 of these could remove up to 80% of the North Pacific’s plastic by 2030
But the problem doesn’t just come from the ocean itself. Research shows that about 1,000 rivers are responsible for 80% of plastic pollution reaching the sea To tackle this, The Ocean Cleanup has created Interceptors, machines designed to catch waste in rivers before it flows into the ocean. These vary depending on the river but often use conveyor belts to lift plastic out of the water. At present, Interceptors are operating in 11 rivers worldwide, but the goal is to eventually expand to all 1,000 of the most polluting rivers
SUMMER HEATWAVES
By Lucy O’Hara
In case it hasn’t been blatantly obvious to everyone, we experienced four separate heatwaves in the UK during this summer, which seemingly made 2025 the second warmest summer on record for the UK (The summer of 1976 beat the hottest summer title on record for the UK, with 16 days exceeding 32 degrees C, compared to just 9 days in 2025)
August alone delivered a huge mix of weather, with named storm Floris, heatwave, showers, thunderstorms and drought conditions However, the rainfall was extremely variable, with Scotland recording 83% of average rainfall and England with just 42% This summer, all of the maximum and minimum temperatures were significantly above average The highest temperature recorded was 35.8 degrees C
This summer ’ s tropical temperatures and future record high summer temperatures
With the climate in its natural and original form, we would expect a gap between now and the next record breaking summer of around 340 years But now, they are more likely to be every 5 years What was once considered exceptional climate conditions are increasingly becoming typical Against this elevated climate backdrop, higher temperatures are no longer anomalies: they’re becoming the new normal.
What this meant for the UK, other than the fact that we had more of an opportunity to come back to school with a tan, was that many farmers and those working in agricultural sectors around the UK have had a particularly strenuous summer period Not only can their crops not grow in the constantly dry and scorched soils but they could not provide enough water or food for their livestock either Yorkshire is one of the many regions in the UK particularly affected, receiving one of the driest starts to the year in 96 years have been made around 70 times more likely because of human-induced climate change The head of the Met Office, Dr Mark McCarthy, said that each hot summer is made more likely because of ‘the greenhouse gases humans have released since the Industrial Revolution which took place between 17501900
THE VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2025
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By Lexi Whitfield
One of the most emotional moments came with The Voice of Hind Rajab film retelling the true story of a six year old girl trapped in Gaza City The film received a recordbreaking 23 minute standing ovation the longest ever seen at Venice Many in the audience were moved to tears and chants of ‘Free Palestine’ rang through the theatre. Cast members spoke passionately about remembering the children lost to war, and the film went on to secure the prestigious Grand Jury Prize
Elsewhere there were lighter and unexpected moments. Emma Stone confessed at a press conference that she believes in aliens, sparking laughter across the room, while Hollywood legend Kim Novak aged 92 received the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, a touching celebration of her extraordinary career
The festival was a combination of dazzling style, powerful messages and moving tributes, everything you would expect from the magic of Venice.
MTV VMAS 2025
The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) are an awards show presented by the channel MTV to honour the best in the music video medium, introduced in 1984 It has built the reputation of being one of the entertainment industry’s most illustrious and fascinating awards showcases, honouring people who aren’t afraid to push the boundaries, not just with insane music and visual storytelling but also through fashion.
The VMAs have provided us with some shocking fashion moments, from Madonna’s 1984 “Like a Virgin” performance gown to Lady Gaga’s meat dress in 2010
By Amy Wearne
The first VMA was hosted by Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler, with legendary musicians winning awards, such as Michael Jackson and The Cars, winning the first ever video of the year with You Might Think. They began with 18 categories, but over time this has expanded to acknowledge other genres such as heavy metal, rap, dance, R&B, pop, latin and K-pop
As social media has become a bigger part of society, the VMAs have expanded by introducing fan-voted categories to get more people interacting with the show, resulting in an 85% increase in streaming engagement
The 2025 VMAs were held at the UBS Arena, airing on CBS for the first time as well as MTV and Paramount+, with a 42% increase in viewers, their highest number in six years!
This year, they added two new categories for Best Country Video, which was won by Megan Moroney, and Best Pop Artist, which was won by Sabrina Carpenter Sabrina Carpenter took home three Moon Person trophies, notably winning Album of the Year with Short n ’ Sweet. Ariana Grande won Video of the Year with her song Brighter Days Ahead, along with two other awards Lady Gaga won four awards, including Artist of the Year, and Best Collaboration alongside Bruno Mars for their song Die with a Smile After her acceptance speech, she went straight over to her concert at Madison Square Garden, where the VMAs broadcast her singing her hit songs Abracadabra and The Dead Dance. Rosé won Song of the Year for APT, which was in
collaboration with Bruno Mars KATSYEYE won MTV Push Performance of the Year with Touch
Other notable mentions are Mariah Carey winning the Video Vanguard Award and Best R&B, Busta Rhymes winning the Rock the Bells Visionary Award, Ricky Martin winning the Latin Icon Award, Coldplay winning Best Rock with their song All My Love, and many other awards given, ranging from all different styles of music and aspects of the music video process
Newcomer Alex Warren, who gained popularity on TikTok, won Best New Artist and performed his debut performance of a rendition of Eternity, followed by his viral online hit Ordinary His reaction of disbelief and gratitude to the event has become a truly heart-warming moment, spreading across TikTok and Instagram.
WHY EVERYONE IS OBSESSED WITH ‘THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY’
By Frankie Gill
Are you in the enticing grip of the thrilling, arguably quintessential, masterpiece The Summer I Turned Pretty? The plot revolves around two brothers vying for the indecisive heart of Belly Conklin, their childhood companion The younger brother, Jeremiah, the classic golden retriever boyfriend, is a rising senior. Most recently, his free time has consisted of getting high and ‘cheating’ on Belly in Cabo. Contending with him is his older brother Conrad - the black cat who follows the typical older brother archetype, brooding and unreadable. Amongst the drama of the plot, he loses himself under the weight of a secret too big to carry.
On the surface, it's a glistening teen love triangle set in a beach house that just screams ‘old money ’ , the most gorgeous yet slightly twee interiors and a general sense of a loving home However, underneath the coastal charm and trendy pop soundtrack lies something deeper: grief, growth, identity and the emotional chaos of girlhood. Teenagers watch for the drama and lust that unfold, and adults reminisce on their first love interest/heartbreak through the screen. Captivated, they can’t let go. The disorder of growing up, universally experienced, is reflected in the messy love triangle she finds herself in
The whimsical beach house where the Conklins and Fishers retreat every summer is set in the fictional Cousins Beach, in the real town of Wilmington, North Carolina (also home to One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek) It's the backdrop of every teen summer you ’ ve ever wanted. Distant dreams and fantasies lead us into a trance of delusion, ultimately giving each viewer a sense of comfort and familiarity. But Cousins Beach isn’t just aesthetically appealing. It’s the place Belly returns to every single summer, hoping for things to finally fall into place. Later on, Cousins Beach is Belly’s point of refuge; it's where she stays when she and her mother Laurel's relationship takes a nosedive after the reveal of Belly’s engagement (made worse by the comically small ring she tried to flash across the lunch table) For many viewers, it’s a place to return to the girl they once were or longed to be.
Let’s take a deeper look into the protagonist, Belly, and how she reflects the chaos and devastation of girlhood Belly entices herself into what can only be described as an identity crisis: she ends up twisted deep into love affairs with both Fisher brothers, damaging not only her personal relationships with them but tearing apart two families (who are already struck by grief) Her hobbies include lusting over these playboy brothers, dating them and hanging out at their beach house and occasionally playing volleyball.
For a college girl who was attending Finch, her own personal aspirations are lacking and her studies in sports psychology, however, are frequently brushed over. When Jeremiah asks her to marry him in an attempt to never lose her, she abandons her Parisian dream to ensure the man child she was with didn’t feel lonely, perhaps because she didn’t know who she would be without him. The characters aren’t perfect: they’re flawed and growing which makes it easy for people to root false hope in the possibilities of their character development
Many millennials grew up with 2000s romcoms and those angsty, yearning dramas filled with longing and forbidden looks across the room, all of which is captured in TSITP; ultimately a modern spin on every other teenage drama Shows like The Vampire Diaries had iconic love triangles, now revived in TSITP
Additionally, there are many cinematic parallels throughout, Conrad’s yearning being linked to that of the popular Anthony Bridgerton and Noah from The Notebook: the scene where Conrad repairs the roof and shares a flirtatious meal with Belly mirrors Allie and Noah’s iconic dinner scene. It’s vastly popular due to its sense of nostalgia, as the first love she experiences is something people look for again as an adult only softer and safer, someone with the emotional depth and steadiness as grown Conrad.
Unavoidably, death hangs over the 2nd and 3rd seasons through threads of grief as the boys lose their mother and slowly drift from each other in the hardest of times amplified greatly by the selfish and some may say foolish actions of Belly. Jenny Han’s performance makes it so that the death can emotionally captivate and resonate with many and be easily digested in the bittersweet way we see it With the devastation of the cancer diagnosis, to the letters Susannah left behind after her passing, her attitudes and memories live on vivaciously through the beach house and its inhabitants, while they ache remembering whilst trying to look forwards The nail biting, gripping romance has not only taken a firm grip on Gen Z: the vast array of ages in the audience showcases the appealing nature of the show.
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THE NATIONAL TV AWARDS 2025
On the 11 of September, the National Television awards took the stage at the O2 Arena in Peninsula Square, London. The awards featured many mixed emotions, surprise winners and stunning performances. th
Gary Lineker, former Match of the Day presenter, won the presenter prize much to everyone ’ s surprise, despite exiting the show after he shared a post about Zionism which featured the rat emoji – historically an antiSemitic insult The crowd gave a standing ovation, he thanked his team and said the prize ‘demonstrates that it is ok to use your platform to speak on behalf of those who have no voice’
Ex-Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, won the best factual entertainment show prize for Clarkson’s Farm. In addition to this, MollyMae Hague (influencer and former Love Island finalist) won an award for her documentary Molly-Mae: Behind It All, although, after having received her award, she posted on her social media stating that she believed it should not have been her who had won the award but instead her fellow nominee, Rob Burrow. She went on to say that her story was not as nearly as important and meaningful as his and she did not feel she deserved the award Despite this, she thanked her team and the people for worked alongside her during the making of the documentary
By Isla Heath
One of the stand out moments of the evening was Owen Cooper, collecting his award for best drama performance at just 15 years of age! He walked up to a standing ovation and an ecstatic crowd, celebrating his amazing achievement. The series was praised for highlighting the dangers of misogynistic and toxic masculinity at a time when it could be argued that strong male role models are in short supply
The show was a conglomeration of glitz, glamour and all the showmanship you would expect at the annual National Television Awards
FAST FASHION VS A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION
By Polly Hecks
The term ‘fast fashion’ refers to cheaply produced and priced garments that replicate the latest stylish trends; often established by common high street brands such as ZARA. It is known as ‘fast’ because it involves the rapid design, production and distribution of clothing, which then leads to a multitude of detrimental impacts. The process involves brands encouraging customers to buy these low-quality and inexpensive items that are easy to buy and then throw away. One of the major issues, is how quickly people have fallen into the trap of fast fashion without knowing the consequences of their actions.
Even though fast fashion has transformed the clothing industry, it has brought significant damage to the planet. Firstly, the production process uses large amounts of water and toxic chemicals According to the UN Environment Programme, fast fashion is the secondbiggest consumer of water and is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions This emission is more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. It takes around 2,700 litres of water to produce enough cotton for one t-shirt, the same amount that is enough for someone to drink for over 2 and a half years Secondly, clothes made from non-biodegradable fabrics sit in landfills for hundreds of years. This is due to people carelessly disposing of their items soon after purchase The average US consumer throws away 815lbs of clothes every year These discarded textiles overwhelm landfills, releasing hazardous chemicals into the soil and water, contributing to severe pollution
This then fosters an unsustainable cycle of overconsumption and waste
Behind the clothes, countless displays and numerous adverts lie the millions of workers who suffer in silence These manufacturers –mainly women aged 18 to 24 – are used and exploited as they endure hazardous conditions, endless hours and a lack of human rights The industry employs 60 million factory workers worldwide, yet less than 2% earn a living wage Due to constant high demand, businesses cut costs to increase their profits, while workers are exploited.
It isn’t just a style choice: it’s a worldwide crisis
Is Slow Fashion the solution? Sustainable fashion starts with conscious consumerism This will begin to cultivate an industry where we focus on the principles of ethical production, responsible sourcing and sustainable disposal. We should also embrace second-hand shopping through key platforms such as Depop or Vinted Furthermore, we should focus on sustainable brands which are committed to minimising their carbon footprint by using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes Lastly, we should be more aware and conscious of our own actions by reducing consumption, disposing mindfully and supporting brands with strong ethical and environmental practices The true reality of fashion in our current world is not discussed enough It isn’t just a style choice: it’s a worldwide crisis
REMEMBERING A LEGEND: GIORGIO ARMANI
By Ciara Donsbach
The fashion world has lost one of its biggest names: Giorgio Armani. Armani was known for his sleek, elegant style and for changing the way people dressed and how it was presented in the public eye for decades
He first made his mark in the 1970s with suits that changed the norms of the stiff, boxy look that had been in style for years. Armani had softer, tailored jackets which gave people a different kind of confidence, being stylish but comfortable. This new approach quickly caught on and became his most iconic piece.
Armani also made a massive impact in Hollywood. One of his most famous early
moments was dressing Richard Gere in American Gigolo, a film that helped his reputation throughout Hollywood After that, Armani became a go-to designer for red carpet events, giving stars a timeless glamour without going over the top
His designs felt effortless
But what made Armani special was that his designs felt effortless He proved that looking good didn’t need to mean flashy logos or complicated outfits, just well-made clothes with style that lasts It’s a way of fashion that feels relevant today, when people are once again leaning into ‘quiet luxury’.
. is only for skilled golfers, so let’s see how the professionals get on during the three days
THE RYDER CUP 2025
By Amelie Knight
As shown above, each team has 6 automatic qualification players and 6 members who are chosen by the team captain. The toughest decision of all is who In Team Europe this year, we have Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy after he won the 2025 masters title Hopefully, this recent win will give him some reassurance and a boost in his golf stride. However Team USA have the world number one Scottie Scheffler who has won six times on the PGA tour this year This includes two majors Will these two go head to head?
You can find out official match pairings and keep up to date on all the action on the official Ryder Cup website
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MUHAMMAD ALI: MORE THAN A CHAMPION
By Alfie Eastall
He retired in 1981 as the best boxer to ever enter the ring with 56 career wins and 37 knockouts and the title he always gave himself ‘The Greatest’ Even though he was sadly diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1984, he continued to inspire the world, even famously lighting the Olympic flame in 1996
Muhammad Ali passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of courage, charisma and greatness both inside and outside the ring
TENNIS TITANS BATTLE FOR GLORY IN NEW YORK
. Alcaraz reclaims his throne
Carlos Alcaraz regains the world number one ranking by putting a stop to Jannik Sinner's impressive winning streak throughout the 2025 season. He won the title in a close 4 set match (6-2 ,3-6, 6-1, 64). With this remarkable win, Alcaraz claims his second US Open and totals 6 Grand Slam titles His exceptional talent has led to him being the second youngest tennis player after Björn Borg to win 6 major titles at 22 years old. Compared to the big three Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, he has surpassed them in the total amount of majors won at the age of 22.
He had an outstanding run losing just one set throughout the whole tournament to the world former world number one, Jannik Sinner, in the second set of the finals and then bounced back to claim the title His journey to the finals was extremely dominant, including a straight set win over an all-time great, Novak Djokovic, in the semi-finals. This win over Novak is essential to Alcaraz having lost to him in the Paris Olympic finals the previous year. Throughout the two weeks of the US Open his performance was exceptional, including an aggressive baseline play which ultimately led to him dominating the points from the start. His strong mindset and discipline played a key role in his successful end to the 2025 season
By Ivanna LopezFerreira
Sabalenka goes back to back Sabalenka succeeds in defending her title defeating Amanda Anisimova in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(3) Additionally, she also became the first women since Serena Williams (2013-14) to defend the women's US Open title. This marks her fourth Grand Slam win, extending the gap to her as world number one
Despite a partisan crowd, she showed resilience and composure during key points during the match which ultimately led her to victory Regardless of her aggressive game style, she only made 15 unforced errors compared to Anisimova's 29 This played a crucial part in the outcome of the match Her triumph throughout the two weeks emphasises her dominance on the hard court, having reached every Grand Slam final since 2022 on this surface Many fans believe that her resilience and determination to win will likely make her a contender for many majors to come
2025 BALLON D’OR
. Paris hosted this year ’ s annual 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Ousmane Dembélé was crowned the best player for the men and Aitana Bonmatí was crowned the best player for the women
Dembélé claimed the men ’ s award after being the centrepiece for PSG and leading them to a historic treble and their first ever Champions League title Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal took second place after only recently just turning 18 and also picked up the Best Young Player Award, highlighting just how special this young player is
On the women ’ s side, Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí made history by becoming the first woman to win three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey came second, while England’s Alessia Russo finished third after a standout season at both club and international level
By Eli Clive
Other awards saw Hannah Hampton named best women ’ s goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma collect the men ’ s equivalent, and Arsenal and PSG take home the Club of the Year titles Viktor Gyökeres and Ewa Pajor won the Gerd Müller trophies for goalscoring, while Sarina Wiegman and Luis Enrique picked up coaching honours.
With a packed list of winners and recognitions, this year ’ s Ballon d’Or once again confirmed its place as football’s biggest stage for individual and team brilliance
Aitana Bonmatí and Ousmane Dembélé
Lamine Yamal
Hannah Hampton
BLACKWATER HOUSE REPORT
By Emma Valks
The new school year and Michaelmas Term has started off well for Blackwater, with new girls settling in very well and the Year 9s getting stuck into College life House hockey and the Aquathlon were a great start to the Michaelmas Term and they really showcased our strong house spirit along with a lot of success across the year groups, with Katie R coming 2nd for the juniors and Connie A coming 1st Additionally, we congratulate Bbelle G for coming 2nd in the seniors. It was great to have 10 girls competing overall and the support from the house was a great help Winning house hockey was also a highlight, but above that the girls really enjoyed the atmosphere and support shown on the day with everyone in lots of pink!
The Year 12 girls loved their house dinner at the start of this term where they had a great opportunity to meet new people and strengthen friendships
We must also note some great individual achievements this term, with Axelle T
putting on a great performance in the informal concert, as well as Ivanna L being crowned County Champion in the 16u doubles at the Tennis Sussex County Closed at the end of the summer and Katie R continuing to thrive in the Brighton football academy Katie also had a recent achievement of playing tennis for Sussex and coming 3rd in the South East Trophy.
We are delighted to have our Head of House Olivia W leading the house with great spirit as well as deputies Amy W and Tilly L Apple VDM is also congratulated for her role as a school prefect Overall, the girls have had a great start to the year ahead and everyone is looking forward to getting underway with the house song!
CRAIG HOUSE REPORT
By Harry Jordan
It has been an action-packed start to the Michaelmas Term for Craig, with pupils participating and performing in all aspects of school life To kick the term off, Craig enjoyed an excellent final house rugby, played with all the usual house spirit and enjoyment. We finished a respectable 3rd, with the stand-out performance being the Year 11s, who pulled off an incredible year group victory. In school rugby, Cronkites have been participating in many teams, and a special congratulations to Henry Powis for being involved in the 1 XV Churcher’s festival at the start of the term, and to Jax Putland for being made a captain of the 2 XV, two excellent achievements It was great to see six Craig pupils playing in the recent U15A cup match, unfortunately losing to a very strong Cardinal Newman side, but well done to Jack Kirtley, Ally Manton, Téo Bailey, Josh Powell, Seth Potter and Ed Evans for being involved in that. Another congratulations goes to Tommy Lewellyen, who was recently re-selected for the Harlequins U16 programme after some rigorous trials, a very special achievement
In football, well done to Theo Hazelwood, Oscar Gibbs, James Dunlop and Dan Clark for representing the 1 XI against Bedes, with Dan Clark scoring twice to seal a 5-2 victory, and well done to Jacob Gibbs for being involved in the 2 XI thrashing of Bedes 11-1! Also well done to Nic Luckman, Rory Ford and Steven Van Rensburg for beating Hurst in the recent 1 team squash fixture, a good victory. st nd st
Another fantastic house event this year was the Aquathlon It was great to see so many Craig pupils participating in this event and well done to all those who took part In particular, well done to Will Lambert (3rd yr 9/10), Dan Clark (3rd U6th), Jack Jordan (2nd yr 11/12), and to Nate Cahill (1st U6th) –another great achievement. Sticking with the sea, over the summer Will Lambert competed in the ILCA Nationals for sailing in Pwllheli, finishing in 49th place out of 70 competitors, a great effort. Earlier this term, our Lower 6th pupils enjoyed a very entertaining evening at the Year 12 dinner, a great opportunity to meet other pupils and enjoy a great meal, while some of our Year 11 braved the cold and completed their CCF overnight expedition – a very testing task!
On a musical front, after a long and tiresome debate, our house song is top secret! However, we are already working hard to try and defend last year ’ s title, and I’m sure this year will be no different in the usual Craig house quality and volume. Also, the cast for the upcoming musical has been announced, with six Cronkites, so hopefully we will see lots of support for that It has been a very strong start to the year, and I am looking forward to seeing what else our Cronkites will achieve over the course of this year.
GONVILLE HOUSE REPORT
The boys in Gonville, new and old, have made a star-studded start to the term. After welcoming many new additions in multiple year groups, the house excelled in numerable school activities
In House Rugby, the senior and Year 11 teams both went undefeated, the development team won in their year group and, thanks to Gonville’s hard work and cohesion, the house managed to place second overall
Old and new Gonvillians took part in the Aquathlon with special mention going to Rufus McCourt, coming second in Year 13, along with Herbert Phillips and Hamilton Cridge who both attained podium placements in their races. A huge well done to all those who took part
More accolades came in the Boarders’ Olympics Internally the house has been thriving, with intense House Football matches taking place in the sports hall and House BBQs being graciously cooked by Mr Roberts The house community has never been closer or as well fed! The House also accompanied the trip to Bewl Water and those who went had buckets of fun on the Aqua-Park. The Year 12s joined the rest of their year group in attending the Year 12 Dinner The evening was pleasant and allowed the year group to meet new faces.
By Tom Robins
NUGENT HOUSE REPORT
This term so far has gone by like a whirlwind for many of the Nugent girls. Nugent has excelled in many aspects With many new members including myself, life in Nugent has been buzzing with activity from the infamous colour run to the informal concert. After a long summer break, the girls were united over the second weekend back in attending the house BBQ. It was a lovely afternoon of catching up and introductions which all the girls fully embraced.
One of the highlights this term was the annual house hockey competition, which did not disappoint! The Nugent girls were hungry for the win after winning the senior competition last year The sun was shining and throughout all the games everyone showed great enthusiasm and hard work. However, the girls narrowly missed out coming a solid second place to Blackwater.
Nugent is also gearing up with for the upcoming house song competition. Where the girls are determined to secure the win with the song choice of Freedom by George Michael which, to Mr Medlycott’s surprise, has never been done before! Therefore everyone is determined to make this one special and put in the effort to outshine the rest of the competition.
By Nancy Brown
PENNELL HOUSE REPORT
The boys in Pennell have had an exciting start to the 2025 Michaelmas Term.
We kicked off the term with the Boarders’ BBQ on the first weekend which was thoroughly enjoyed by the Pennellians followed by Boarders’ Olympics, where the boys showed great participation and enthusiasm and everyone really enjoyed the day
We then had house rugby which was, as always, thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated and managed to come through with a decent 4th place in the overall rankings.
The Aquathlon came around shortly after with great teamwork and determination from the boys competing the race
By Alfie Eastall
So far it’s been an enjoyable start to the year with a strong feeling of togetherness throughout the house The new Year 9s seemed to have settled in seamlessly into the house and are enjoying College life
POWELL HOUSE REPORT
Powell House has seen a brilliant start to the year, with the first few weeks being full of achievements as students begin to settle back into the routine of school life.
In our house assembly on Friday, we congratulated Oliver T’s recent success in being selected for the Harlequins U16 rugby development programme, whilst we also commended Jacob B for achieving his grade 5 LAMDA certificate.
At the festival of inter-house rugby there was a fantastic atmosphere on College Field and Mr Mason was pleased to see boys coming out of retirement to participate. Also, within rugby, we congratulate Dan A, who has been announced as the 1st XV cocaptain for 2025-26.
In front of the whole school, the College Aquathlon saw 9 boys across the house representing Powell and embracing the sea currents and dodging the mobility scooters along the seafront A fantastic effort by all competitors.
During our whole-school service last Wednesday, the charity committee launched the chapel charity in support of the Matthew 25 Mission. Well done to Toby T, who spoke in front of the whole school We are all impressed by George Hoad for speaking at the We Have Ways Festival for a second time, talking about operation
By Charles Hawkins
musketeer, the military aspect of the Suez crisis Seeing George pursue his passion is inspiring
Finally, a warm welcome to all new students in Powell House, and good luck to everyone for the coming year
REEVES HOUSE REPORT
The boys in Reeves House have made a positive and enthusiastic start to the school year, with all new arrivals to the house receiving a warm welcome
Reeves House is proud to welcome George Rosin as Head of House with Henry Hollands and Tom Hoskinson as his deputies. We wish them luck for the year ahead
The annual House Rugby Competition was the house's first whole-school event of the year, and everyone went in with passion, eager to perform well All the teams, consisting of junior, Year 11 and senior squads, gave it their all on the pitch Despite unfortunate results, it was an incredibly positive start to the year, highlighting the powerful sense of community and companionship within the house.
We are thrilled to congratulate James French in Year 9 for his exceptional performance in the Aquathlon, placing 2nd in the whole school junior category. 25 members of Reeves House took part in the event, showing everyone ’ s eagerness to compete and get stuck in. Everyone who took part showed great dedication and we strongly commend all participants, no matter their final placement
Many in the house also scored strongly in both public and internal exams last summer
By Felix McAndrew
Noteworthy performances included Hector Lawson, who scored the highest in his year group, and Freddie Timlin, who also secured an excellent set of GCSE results A Level exams were no different, with strong grades secured across the board. We wish the outgoing Year 13s all the best and thank them for their service to the house.
Everyone in Reeves House has been settling in well at the start of a busy Michaelmas Term, which promises great things in the coming months. After such a lively and energetic start to the year we can’t wait to see what successes lie ahead!
SCHOOL HOUSE REPORT
As we start a new school year, we welcome all new School House girls. All the girls thoroughly enjoyed the year group BBQs in each of the different boarding houses School House welcomed all the Year 12s for a lovely evening with fun games such as Jenga, twister and even bingo with a jelly cat prize The Boarders’ Olympics was also a hit in house as girls competed in various Olympic-styled games The Year 13s even set a school record with 31 jumps on the skipping rope To continue the day, Ms Whiddett and Ms Gordon set up the annual School House Charity Shop Challenge where girls supported charities by picking up the most hideous outfits they can find The girls have been sorted into dinosaur families to complete various challenges However, the family mums had to face the hard challenge of finding skittles in a plate full of flour without using their hands which was great fun
Congratulations to all the girls who participated in the Aquathlon You guys showed great perseverance and made all of us so proud. House hockey was also a success as girls showed their teamwork and leadership through the field School House girls have also been working hard on the School House concert which we help last weekend Many girls showcased an array of talents and we are really proud of them
Year 11 girls had a movie night and snacks with Wargrave House which was said to be a joyous night. The lower years also went to buffet time and indulged in delicious food. Some girls also went to Bewl Water where, despite the heavy rain, the day was filled with splashing and
By Valerie Law
laughter The Year 12 girls enjoyed a night at the Year 12 dinner. They got to talk to new people and shared friendly conversations. All the girls looked beautiful in their formal dresses The Year 9 girls have been working endlessly with Nugent as the Year 9 drama performance is approaching
Overall, the School House girls have been settling into a new school year seamlessly We are hoping the rest of the school year goes well for all the girls and happy start of term!
WARGRAVE HOUSE REPORT
By Vincent Marten
Coming back from the long summer holidays, the boys in Wargrave House have settled into the term very well. 23 new boys including those day+ pupils have joined the house which has been great because there are so many new faces in the house and all the new boys give different expertise for the house.
The first half of the Michaelmas Term is busy for all houses but with the Wargrave House Concert to prepare for as well as house singing, the Wargrave boys have been especially busy making sure that everything is running smoothly. There is still plenty of singing practice, videoing, rehearsing and dancing to happen in the next few days to ensure we show the crowd what we are capable of
The second weekend in, the boys had the inter house rugby competition which always produces a good turnout. It was a very
enjoyable day out and the boys definitely felt very privileged to play on College Field The day resulted in Wargrave bringing home the overall win with all years contributing significantly.
Another house event that occurs yearly was the school Aquathlon which is always a crowd pleaser A special mention goes to Will Fellows who came second out of the Year 11 to Year 13 boys with an outstanding time A huge thanks from all the boys in Wargrave to all the staff that helped put this event on but especially Mr Harrison for making the event happen.
The Year 12s also had the annual Year 12 dinner, which included a three course dinner as well as board games to go alongside it The event went down a treat with the Year 12s enjoying it a lot and is definitely something for the Year 12s next year to look forward to.
WATT HOUSE REPORT
By Nikol Saveleva
The girls in Watt House have made a really lively and enthusiastic start to the new school year, filling the term with energy, spirit, and plenty of house pride
House Hockey was one of the first big events of term and really set the tone. Both the senior and junior teams gave it their all, showing determination, skill, and plenty of encouragement from the sidelines The games were competitive, but what stood out most was the way everyone supported each other, proving house events are about more than just results
The Colour Run was another huge highlight, filling the school grounds with colour, laughter, and excitement. The cake sale alongside was just as successful, together raising an impressive £1897 for the JPK Charity and the Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal The Year 12 Welcome Dinner, held with other houses, was also a lovely evening and gave Watt girls the chance to welcome new pupils and strengthen friendships. Beyond these big events, there’s been a brilliant buzz across the house this term Whether in sports, music, or academics, it’s been inspiring to see so many people stepping up, trying new things, and giving their best.
We’re also proud of some amazing individual achievements. Over the summer, Ebony competed in the ILCA UK Open & National Championships in Pwllheli, racing in a fleet of 67 boats and enjoying the chance to connect with the sailing community Amelie impressed at the Justin Rose Qualifier, finishing with an excellent score that placed her 4th on the leaderboard. Although she narrowly missed out on the finals in Portugal, this was an incredible achievement and we as a house are so proud of her Izzy D’Abbrachio, who has been selected to represent GBR in Naples and Klagenfurt in u17 individual and team competitions in October, also deserves a mention, showing the wide range of talent in Watt Altogether, this half term has been a true celebration of teamwork, enthusiasm, and house spirit. With such a strong start, we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings for Watt House
HOROSCOPES
A powerful and emotional shift is happening Let the change unfold
By Mystic Maud
Focus on your career and expect shifts in your public life and reputation
Old habits, and routines are ready to be reconstructed
Listen to your intuition and spiritual insights. Pause and reflect
Something hidden is going to come to light Rethink power dynamics/friends.
You may feel ready to let go of something unfulfilling
An internal or external move may be on the horizon.
Be clear with your communications Let go of outdated beliefs.