Issue 33

THE

STAG

Issue 33, Lent Term 1, 2026

The Stag

CONTENTS College News:

Sport:

Eastbourne College Swim Team - pg 2 Mug Shots Portraiture Exhibition - pg 11 Natural Dye Workshop - pg 12 Gold Arts Award - pg 14 Theatre Review: All My Sons - pg 15 The Chaseley Trust - pg 16

PNC Championship - pg 26 World Athletics Cross Country Championships - pg 28 The Six Nations - pg 29 Australian Open - pg 30

House Reports:

International News: Board of Peace - pg 4 US and NATO - pg 5 Venezuelan Crisis - pg 8

Current Affairs: Martin Luther King Day - pg 6 Charity Shops: from High Streets to Screens - pg 12

Blackwater - pg 31 Craig - pg 32 Gonville - pg 33 Nugent - pg 34 Pennell - pg 35 Powell - pg 36 Reeves - pg 37 School - pg 38 Wargrave - pg 39 Watt - pg 40

Culture: TV Review: Stranger Things - pg 18 Golden Globes 2026 - pg 20 Movie Review: Marty Supreme - pg 22 What to wear - pg 24

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!

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

COLLEGE NEWS

The Stag

EASTBOURNE COLLEGE SWIM TEAM

By Emma Valks Eastbourne College Swim Team can be only be described as exceptional. Their recent success and constant dedication to training shows all of Eastbourne College’s values.

They are all an inspiration to future swimmers at the College and we are so proud of them. An interview with captains of the swim team, Nate Cahill and Amelie Hunt, goes into more detail about the team’s recent successes: How have the swimming team performed this term so far?

This year on the whole we have seen exceptional performances from the team.

Standout performances include the ESSA National Competition where both senior girls and boys team qualified for both freestyle & medley relays by being in the top 25 schools nationwide. At the final event in Birmingham, the senior girls bettered their entry seed finishing inside the top 20 in both events and Senior boys saw themselves finish 14th in the medley, and the freestyle team qualified for the finals and finished 8th nationally.

What’s it like captaining the team?

It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to captain such a successful team. We have established a special team dynamic which makes our jobs as captains easy and creates the champion mindset when competing.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

What are the team most looking forward to over the rest of the year?

We have another senior national competition to look forward to in early March: the Bath Cup. This sees our senior girls and boys teams compete against other independent schools nationwide where we look to defend our titles from back to back wins in the last two years. It will prove challenging but an exciting prospect for the team. Other notable competitions this year include the Super League.

Lucas Gorrill, triathlon legend, with Mr Lawson

Page 2

COLLEGE NEWS

The Stag

What is the team’s greatest success so far?

Last year in March, the boys and girls relay teams took home four medals from the Bath Cup competition, therefore medalling in all our combined races. The girls placed second in both against other independent schools and the boys placed first in both of their races. Between us, these were the best results the school has ever achieved at this completion.

In November 2024, the swim team also did a 24-hour swimathon, raising £2,000 for the Blue Skies Bursary appeals. This event really showed the dedication of all the swimmers.

The final, where all teams including some of our athletes at St Andrews, will be competing against schools in the South East.

All three of our swimming captains have qualified for Nationals All of this shows how talented the swimmers representing Eastbourne College are, and we look forward to hearing about their upcoming events and we are sure they will continue to show their amazing skills by continuing their incredible winning streaks!

Mrs Simmonds, Director of Swimming at Eastbourne College, says: “The last three years have shown a significant increase in the achievements that the swimmers have gained. All three of our swimming captains have qualified for Nationals. We have also had swimmers competing in Hong Kong and Malta National competitions, which demonstrates the level and breadth of swimmers that are coming to the school.

Their dedication to training and support of each other in team competitions makes them a special group and I feel really proud of what they have achieved.”

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 3

The Stag

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

WHAT IS THE NEW BOARD OF PEACE?

By Felix McAndrew nd

On the 22 January 2026, US President Trump launched a new international organisation called the Board of Peace. He made the announcement at the annual World Economic Forum in the Swiss town of Davos with the intention of promoting peace and rebuilding areas affected by recent conflicts, which would start with the Gaza Strip.

Trump is set to act as chairman of the Board of Peace, which would give him significant influence over its membership and general direction. There are also many notable politicians that will be among this new organisation’s founding members, most significantly former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

At the time of writing this article, there have been a few countries that have accepted the invitation to join. These include Middle Eastern nations such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar, along with other European nations like Türkiye, Hungary and Belarus. Vietnam, Pakistan and Egypt have also joined. On the other hand, some influential NATO states including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy have declined the invitation to participate, seemingly due to the recent actions of the United States and their claims made over the territory of Greenland.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

The organisation immediately sparked controversy, beginning with how it would be independent from the United Nations.

Another concern voiced by Spain, who also declined the invitation to join, included the fact that Palestine had not been invited to become part of the Board of Peace, despite the Board’s initial aim of repairing damage done to Gaza by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Brazilian President Luiz da Silva described the new idea as an attempt to create a new United Nations, and reflected that it could challenge existing international organisations instead of working with them.

Despite the Board of Peace representing a new and ambitious idea in international diplomacy, there are also clear weaknesses involved, including the lack of clear structure and the absence of important nations. It is therefore highly unclear whether it will actually enhance world peace, or just slow down the progress being made towards global stability.

Page 3

The Stag

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US & NATO - THE BREAKING POINT?

As 2026 begins, the corridors of the Pentagon and NATO’s headquarters in Brussels feel as cold as the January air. The latest of many controversies coming out of the US in recent years is the ‘Greenland Gamble’, Trump and his administration’s aggressive demand of the territory currently owned by Denmark. This situation is escalating by the day and has now pushed the 77-year-old NATO alliance into an unprecedented crisis. Following the US intervention in Venezuela and the capture of their President Nicolas Maduro on the 3rd of January, DC has pivoted towards a more ‘Western Hemisphere first’ policy, emphasising Greenland as a non-negotiable security asset.

The tension reached new heights as of this week when the US government labelled Denmark’s refusal to sell Greenland as a ‘hostile economic act’. For Denmark, a founding member of NATO, the comment feels less like diplomacy and more of an ultimatum. Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen has been nothing short of blunt, stating that any unilateral move from the US towards Greenland would effectively end NATO. Her warning isn’t exaggeration: Article 5 of the NATO treaty displays a ‘one for all’ promise that has solidified Western security since 1949.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

By Mark McKie

If the United States – the backbone of the alliance and frankly the most powerful and influential – becomes the major cause of regional instability for a fellow alliance member, the entire principle of the treaty’s collective defence collapses. The ripple effects of this are already being felt across European capitals.

President Macron of France and Chancellor Merz of Germany have begun fast tracking a ‘European Defence union’, pushing for a future of Strategic Autonomy where these European countries can support themselves without reliance on strong foreign powers such as the US. This involves a massive shift in military spending, with many EU nations targeting a 5% GDP defense budget to make sure they can operate independently of the US security umbrella.

This shift is significant as it represents the potential collapse of international relations as we know it. The world we are set to enter is becoming increasingly fractured, where the term ‘ally’ is being replaced by ‘asset’. As the US moves closer to their goals and policies, the once-unbreakable bond of NATO looks more like a tired weak convention rather than a modern powerhouse. 2026 may very well be remembered as the year the alliance finally reached its breaking point.

Page 5

CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Stag

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

By Ede Edwards

This year, Martin Luther King Day fell on the 19th of January. This is a US federal holiday which is observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King’s birthday, 5th of January.

segregation and violence. Growing up in a state like this meant facing extreme racism and segregation as a child. MLK grew up with Christian Baptist minister father who taught his children that they were equal to others and should never feel inferior due to their race. Later, King Jr followed in his father’s footsteps and became a Baptist minister himself.

MLK was one of the most important leaders in American history and a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his peaceful fight against racial segregation and discrimination, and for his belief that change could be achieved without violence.

During the 1950s and 1960s, African Americans faced widespread and legally enforced discrimination in areas such as schools, housing, transportation and voting. His leadership helped bring national attention to civil rights issues and inspired millions to stand up for equality.

King was born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Georgia was widely considered part of the Deep South and, at the time, known for its extreme systemic racism stemming from slavery, Jim Crow Laws and white supremacy, enforced through legal

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 6

CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Stag

King’s first major act of activism was the Montgomery Bus Boycott where Rosa Parks was famously arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. At the time, MLK was a young pastor and was chosen to lead the boycott because he was well-educated and respected. Under King’s leadership, Black Americans in Montgomery refused to ride city buses and instead found other modes of transport. This created community and proved the importance of Black Americans in the economy.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - Martin Luther King Jr Other major acts of activism include his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, where he organised peaceful protests, marches and boycotts to challenge racial injustice across the US. One of the most significant moments of this movement was the March on Washington in 1963, where King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to an estimate of 250,000 people.

His activism also played a key role in influencing the passage to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made discrimination in public places and employment illegal, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which protected African American’s right to vote and helped to end discriminatory voting practices.

During his time as a civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr. inspired millions and helped Black Americans have their voices and votes heard. In today’s political climate, it remains vital to remember King and the dream he shared with the world. His message of peace, equality and justice is one that should be continuing to be honoured and upheld.

King was assassinated in Tennessee in 1968 at the age of 39. He was protesting for fair pay and better working conditions for African American sanitation workers when he was murdered by James Earl Ray, a white American driven by racist beliefs and opposition to the Civil Rights Movement.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 7

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The Stag

POWER, PETROLEUM AND PROTEST: VENEZUELA'S CRISIS

By Ivanna LopezFerreira Roots of Crisis: Venezuela's political instability began seriously in full force with Hugo Chavez, elected in 1999 on promises of social reform and wealth distribution. Chavez centralised power, reshaped the constitution, and built the Chavismo movement which increasingly relied on patronage and repression. After his death in 2013, his successor Nicolas Maduro and inherited not only presidency but also economic system weakened by corruption and a mismanagement of the country’s natural resources, especially oil.

Under Maduro’s leadership, democratic institutions weakened further. The legislature was increasingly ignored, the

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

judiciary became politicised, and opposition leaders were imprisoned or prevented from standing for office. Corruption became widespread, with oil revenues redirected to regime supporters. This mismanagement contributed to hyperinflation and one of the most severe economic crises in Latin America, leading to mass migration and increasing political instability.

Challenging Authority in a Divided Nation: Venezuelans have repeatedly protested for freedom and against authoritarianism throughout the years showing the increasingly need for regime change. Many key protests throughout the years include the following: 2014 due to shortages and

Page 8

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

hyperinflation; 2017 when Maduro created a parallel Constitution Assembly; 2019 Maduro refusing to step down from power to opposition leader Juan Guaidó; and 2024 when Edmundo Gonzalez won the presidential election but Maduro again refused to step down. Many countries declared Maduro illegitimate as a result of this election.

Abuse of Power, Corruption and Criminal Allegations: Maduro faces U.S. accusations of narcoterrorism including the involvement of the 'Cartel de los Soles' which allegedly exports cocaine to the U.S. This led to American intervention, resulting in Maduro's capture

by U.S. forces on the 3rd of Jan 2026. The operation provoked international concerns, as leaders criticized it for violating sovereignty and international law, highlighting potential implication for other world leaders.

Global Implications: Due to Venezuela's large oil reserves ,this has shaped global interest. U.S. oversight of the country following Maduro's capture has resulted in intensified strains with other major stakeholders such as Russia and China, increasing political tensions. However, some politicians have criticised Trump's intervention, arguing that it was driven less by democratic concerns and largely on the desire to gain power over Venezuela's oil reserves.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

The Stag The Illusion of Change: Despite Maduro's capture, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has interim control, maintaining the same regime structure.

This implies that capturing Maduro alone is insufficient for Venezuela's liberty and deeper structural reform and political transition is necessary. Trump has claimed that the U.S. will oversee Venezuela until a smooth transition occurs. This shows the U.S.’s intended involvement in stabilising the nation.

Hope or Continued Crisis: With Delcy Rodriguez still in power, Venezuela faces an uncertain path due to there being a question about if there will be true change if it's still the same regime in power. Some potential outcomes may be continued instability if regime structure remain intact, increasing international tension due to U.S. involvement and oil control. Even though the capture of Maduro marks the end of 26 years of dictatorship, deep political reform needs to take place in order for Venezuela to achieve liberty.

Page 9

CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Stag

CHARITY SHOPS: FROM HIGH STREETS TO SCREENS

By Polly Hecks

For decades, charity shops have been a familiar sight on British high streets, with offers of affordable clothing while raising funds for great causes. However, recently, online second-hand platforms such as Vinted and Depop have changed the way people buy and sell their clothes. With the added cost-ofliving crisis, there have been great challenges for the UK high street as the cost for operating shops continues to increase and customer spending decreases. This has then been worsened as people head straight to Vinted during their monthly wardrobe reset in order to raise their own funds, instead of going to their local charity shop.

Commonly referred to as ‘circular fashion’, people have become very prone to using online platforms in order to sell worn clothes so that they can be enjoyed again rather than thrown away. It has been reported that total Vinted sales have increased from around £400m in 2018 to more than £8 billion in 2023. Additionally, Depop reached 45 million registered users in 2024. This growth has been fuelled by rises in customer demands for more affordable goods as well as increased environmental awareness of fast fashion’s impacts.

Although the rise in the use in these platforms is beneficial in many ways, charity shops are now facing a silent killer. For sellers, they can

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

very easily sell an item for a relatively cheap price on Vinted rather than giving it away.

This results in charity shops having to charge more for their valuable goods, which then reduces their appeal to low-income shoppers.

On the other hand, buyers are now more prone to head to Vinted for cheap, affordable clothes therefore reducing the income of charity shops. Overall, these shops are hit by a decline in donations of quality clothing and fewer customers, which has also been worsened by the increase in fast fashion.

With all this growth in online platforms, charity shops are starting to up their game by competing with these platforms and going online. Charity shops are evolving and embracing the digital marketplace to stay in the battle for second-hand spending. For example, some charities have launched their own online stores or sold items through platforms such as eBay. Through this, charity shops are able to expand their offerings to people nationally, not just locally, allowing them to reach a wider audience and present higher-value items professionally.

Additionally, the charity is still able to maintain their identity and personal stories alongside their sales. The future of charity retail is ambiguous. The physical presence of a charity shop is still powerful, and by advancing online, charity shops are adapting to a more diverse, competitive industry.

Page 10

COLLEGE NEWS

The Stag

MUG SHOTS PORTRAITURE EXHIBITION

By Sophia Pennington

The art department has had a great start to this first half of term, with pupils working on larger scale projects and experimenting.

Coursework deadlines are being met and the pieces created are incredible.

One highlight from this half of term was a project by upper sixth pupils, Nancy Revill, Emilia Dixon and Isabella Walters, who organised a ‘Mug Shots’ portraiture exhibition for their Gold Arts Award qualification from 14 January – 25 February.

The exhibition explores emotion, identity and expression. This even featured many great local artists such as Libby Harley, Morag Caister and Svetlana Cameron, giving the students the opportunity to collaborate with professional artists. These three artists

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

have really helped inspire students in portraiture with their distinct techniques and unique methods. The students also chose to include some of the fantastic Year 12 portraits from the end of last term to use in the exhibition. These were inspired by Jenny Saville’s exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from last term, which has had a large impact on the art department.

The private view was on the 16th of January which was amazing and interactive where students were able to get their mug shot taken!

If you didn’t get a chance to come to the private viewing, the work will still be on display until the 25 January.

Page 11

The Stag

COLLEGE NEWS

A DAY OF COLOUR: OUR NATURAL DYE WORKSHOP

By Isabella Hodges

Last week our class took part in a natural dye workshop run by a visiting artist who works on costume fabrics at Glyndebourne.

Right away, she showed us how dyeing is not just a craft, it’s a mix of history, science and nature all woven together. She arrived with baskets of wool, jars of plant matter and examples of fabrics she had dyed for theatre productions, all bursting with colour created entirely from plants.

We started with the basics: preparing fibres.

Before you can create beautiful colours, you must scour the material. Scouring is a deep cleaning process that removes oils, waxy coatings and anything else that could stop dyes from being absorbed. Wool in particular needs patience; its fibres are naturally coated in lanolin, a kind of fat, which takes time to break down. Once prepared, though, wool is incredible. It has been part of human history for thousands of years, coming from animals like sheep, goats and even rabbits. Our instructor talked about the importance of wool in Britain’s past and how its production once shaped entire communities. She mentioned the ‘Great British wool revival’, a recent push to bring attention back to traditional woolmaking skills.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Cotton and silk each have their own story too. Cotton grows on a shrub that has existed since the 6th and 7th centuries BC, with some of the earliest evidence found in Peru and Mexico between around 5000 and 500 BC. Silk, produced by caterpillars, has a natural shine because its fibres reflect light.

When dyed, silk seems to glow, making it one of the most magical fabrics to work with.

Some of the naturally-dyed fabrics

Next, we explored natural dyes themselves.

It felt almost like stepping into a botanical adventure. One of the stars of the workshop was eucalyptus. We learned that there are more than 700 species, and Eucalyptus Gunnii is particularly good for dyeing. Its bark naturally peels away, revealing different textures and colours underneath,

Page 12

COLLEGE NEWS

and it’s famously known as the food of koalas. The artist told us that eucalyptus wasn’t even known in Britain until 1777, when Captain Cook brought samples back, sparking curiosity about this unusual tree.

We also experimented with madder root, a classic dye plant that produces reds, pinks and terracotta shades. She taught us the word tinctoria, meaning “tincture,” a reminder that many dye plants were once grown in gardens not just for beauty but for use, whether for food, medicine or colour. In the past, people would keep a few dye plants on hand the same way we keep herbs today.

Then came some of the most fun parts: using everyday plants and kitchen scraps.

Onion skins, which we normally throw away, contain tannins that create warm golden yellows. Hawthorn can make a mustardyellow dye, although it can take nearly five days for the colour to fully develop.

Chamomile adds another shade of yellow, soft and gentle. We even tried “May blossom” dyeing, using spring flowers to colour ribbons.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

The Stag One technique that fascinated everyone was solar dyeing. Instead of heating dye on a stove, you let the sun do the work. You fill a jar with your fabric, add plant material and water, seal it and place it somewhere warm like a sunny windowsill. Over time, the warmth gently encourages the colour to seep into the fibres. It’s slow, but incredibly satisfying, like watching nature paint in slow motion. After the fabric has absorbed as much colour as it can, the leftover liquid is called the ‘exhaust’, showing what remains after the dye has been used up.

During the workshop, we learnt that every leaf, bark, flower or root has its own personality. What seems ordinary - like onion skin or a shrub by the path - can produce extraordinary results. After the workshop had ended, we all had a new appreciation for textiles, history and the quiet creativity hidden in the natural world.

Page 13

COLLEGE NEWS

The Stag

THE GOLD ARTS AWARD AT EASTBOURNE COLLEGE

By Isla Jourdain

The Gold Arts Award is a really great opportunity for pupils at the College to explore their own creativity and enhance their knowledge of a specific arts form that they choose. Whether that be art, drama, textiles, dance or photography, the school gives pupils access to professional practitioners who help enhance the award because they work on what the individual wants to do. Outside of this, the award helps pupils with extended practice of their arts form. It teaches you to manage your own project and to manage yourself.

At the College, the Gold Arts Award is about you and your individual learning. Doing the award builds confidence and the ability to be an independent learner. While doing the award you build a portfolio of your own practice and journey, which is highly valued by universities, art colleges, drama and film school. The award sets you apart from just having A-Level qualifications.

The arts award team hope to soon have two rooms kitted out with film studio space for photography and interviews with abilities to edit there. Bronze Arts is something that the school offers for Years 9 and 10 but the Gold Arts award is strictly for sixth form. The whole qualification takes around a year or

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

five terms and you should be completed by Easter of Year 13, ready for the main exhibition in March, if the award is started at the beginning of Year 12.

Some of the main presentations from pupils this year are as follows: on the 28th of January there is a design challenge running where pupils will be styling clothes. The Battle of the Bands is running again this year on the 10th of February where lots of local schools and our bands get involved which will be a great event. Jemima Bailey is directing a short play at St Andrews for their Discover and Explore award. Finally, the main Gold Arts exhibition will be on the 12th of March where all the Year 13 participants will be showing their achievements to have successfully completed the award. All these events are worth seeing, so save the dates.

Your project can be as big or as small as you want it to be. Gold Arts is run weekly on Wednesdays during CCF time. Examples of things that pupils have done in the past include having written magazines, made short films, fashion shows, designed clothes, written/directed plays. The Gold Arts Award is always centred around what you want to do and offers much creative freedom to enhance your sixth form journey.

Page 14

The Stag

COLLEGE NEWS

THEATRE REVIEW: ALL MY SONS

By Harry Jordan On Wednesday 21st of January, six year 12 pupils studying A level English Literature travelled to London to see a performance of Arthur Miller’s play ‘All My Sons’ as part of our coursework. The trip was an incredible experience, and the production was excellent.

The play was performed in Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End, and having taken the train up to London, we arrived in time to get some snacks and a bite to eat before walking to the theatre. The set was quite simplistic but very powerful and cleverly laid out, and the opening in particular was extremely dramatic and very exciting! The cast were exceptional, especially the famous Bryan Cranston (from ‘Breaking Bad’) who played Joe Keller, the father and lead role in the performance. It was amazing to see such a famous actor performing live on stage in the West End, and certainly something that none of us will ever forget.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

The play itself is extremely moving and powerful and was one of Arthur Miller’s first works. The story is set in 1948, three years after the end of World War II, and focuses on a family who had two sons but lost one in the war. The mother, Kate, refuses to believe that her son Larry (who had been declared missing in action three and a half years before) is dead, and forces her family to put their lives on hold to wait for him to return. Meanwhile, Chris, the surviving son, wants to get married to his missing brother’s girlfriend Annie, who is also keen to move on and forget Larry. Meanwhile, Joe Keller, the father, is running a successful business, while there is a shady past to this as his business partner from the war has been in prison for three years for making and selling faulty plane parts. Eventually, painful truths are discovered, and the play ends in tragedy.

Thank you very much to Mr Poole for organising the trip, and to Miss Curren for coming as well to make sure we all got there and back in one piece! It was an unforgettable experience, and certainly a great day out.

Page 15

COLLEGE NEWS

The Stag

THE CHASELEY TRUST

By Nikol Saveleva Chaseley’s 80th Anniversary This year, Chaseley will celebrate 80 years of being more than a care home. Founded in 1946, Chaseley began as a residence for injured servicemen and has grown into a specialist home supporting adults with complex neurological conditions. While much has changed over the decades, one thing has always remained the same: Chaseley is about people.

For many residents, life has taken an unexpected turn. Their lives may never be the same as they once imagined, but at Chaseley the focus is not on what has been lost. Instead, it is about creating a place where people can live well with friendship, independence, creativity, and dignity at the centre of everyday life.

As part of its 80th anniversary, Chaseley is sharing the stories of the people who make it what it is.

arrived, she remembers feeling unsure of where she belonged. The dining room was full until Bill noticed her and invited her to sit with him. “He made me feel welcome and at home,” she says.

Bill was known for his kindness and sense of humour. He loved telling stories, including insisting that Chaseley was haunted, much to the amusement of others. He was also a talented artist, using creativity to express himself, and a passionate carriage driver, winning so many rosettes that they covered the wall behind his bed. Family mattered deeply to Bill, and visitors remember his wife and granddaughter spending time with him, sharing laughter and everyday moments.

Bill celebrated his 21st birthday at Chaseley and lived there until his death during the COVID pandemic. His warmth, creativity, and generosity continue to be remembered by this who knew him.

Bill Dempsey Bill Dempsey lived at Chaseley for most of his life and was one of its longest residents. To many, Bill wasn’t just someone who lived there but someone who was part of Chaseley’s character. When H., another resident, first

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 16

COLLEGE NEWS

The Stag

H. H. has lived at Chaseley for around 15 years and describes it as a place where life continues, not stops.

One of the most important parts of her life is her annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, which she has attended almost every year since moving to Chaseley. Travelling with the Arundel and Brighton Diocese, H. spends a week taking part in Mass, ceremonies, and quiet reflection as well as enjoying simple pleasures like spending time with friends and exploring the town. Originally, carers from Chaseley supported her on the trip, and one continues to travel with her each year. More recently, her parents have been able to join her too.

For H., this balance of support and independence is key. Her story reflects Chaseley’s wider aim: enabling residents to continue the parts of life that matter most to them.

Andrew Andrew joined Chaseley Trust during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially intending to help during a difficult period. More than five years later, he remains a dedicated member of staff, describing his role as one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. Having previously worked around the world in hospitality and on cruise ships, Andrew brings a strong sense of care, patience, and life experience to his work.

Andrew’s compassion and commitment reflect the values at the heart of Chaseley Trust and the importance of truly person-centred care.

Today, Chaseley Trust offers specialist care alongside facilities designed to support quality of life. Residents have access to therapy services, creative and social activities, accessible living spaces, and strong links with families and the local community.

As Chaseley Trust celebrates 80 years, it is not just marking time, but celebrating the lives, stories, and relationships that have shaped it.

As staff like Andrew remind us, life can change in an instant and any one of us could one day need the care Chaseley provides. By supporting and donating to Chaseley Trust, we help ensure that this vital care continues for those who need it most. Above all, Chaseley remains a place to live, not just be cared for.

He believes that supporting residents is about more than meeting physical needs but it is about dignity, understanding, and helping people live as fully as possible.

“When I go to bed at night, I know I’ve given them the best day I can. We can’t change what’s happened to them but we can make it easier.” - Andrew

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 17

CULTURE

The Stag

PLOT HOLES AND SACRIFICE: STRANGER THINGS SEASON 5

By Frankie Gill On New Year’s Eve, loyal viewers of Stranger Things gathered for one final farewell to the series that has shaped their lives since 2016.

This was the last time that Hawkins, Indiana would unravel before them. In the first season, we were introduced to a place of sprinklers flitting across neat lawns, bike wheels crunching over fallen leaves and lovestruck teenagers navigating a disappearance. Then, Russian spies lurked in the shadows, a deadbeat cop and frazzled mother held the line and there were echoes of search parties all through the night. It was bittersweet to watch the adored town continue to change with the tragedy it was struck by.

This final chapter delivered moments of intensity and heartbreak, such as Mrs Wheeler fighting with nothing but a wine bottle and anger to protect her youngest daughter, Holly. Max, still trapped in a coma, met Holly within the haunting memories of Vecna’s mind, plotting a desperate escape.

Max returned to the loving grip of Lucas’ arms, but Holly was cast to the Abyss, the lair of the Mind Flayer, providing her with no escape. Meanwhile, Nancy and Jonathan shared a heartfelt breakup as a mysterious liquid rose around them, though many fans argued the scene felt unfinished, was Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

confusing or should have marked their deaths for greater emotional impact. On the anniversary of Will’s disappearance, the party reunited to confront the Mind Flayer in a final battle. Their plan involved climbing electrical towers, conjuring illusions, rescuing children still trapped in the memories of Henry, and launching a full-scale assault on the hive mind with the combined powers of El and Will. This plan goes wrong with the death of Kali, the disoriented shooting of Eleven by Hopper following flashbacks of his fighting days in Vietnam, a devastating scene as the audience did not know this was an illusion either. It would have been impactful if he had accidentally killed the girl he had now known as his daughter.

Arguably, the most brutal moment came when Vecna was impaled on a spike, only for Joyce to hack away at his head with savage determination, ensuring his death.

Page 18

CULTURE

Despite these dramatic beats, many fans felt the finale was a ‘crushing disappointment’ filled with plot holes and unfinished arcs which undermined the emotional weight. One poignant scene showed Vecna pushing himself to relive the memory in which he finds exotic matter and is overtaken by the Mind Flayer. Here Will reaches out and says “You were just like us… just a kid.” Vecna’s grief was palpable but instead of redemption he declared himself as one with the Mind Flayer. A redemptive arc here could have mirrored Billy in Season 3 where El, recalling one of his memories, turned him against the Mind Flayer, his master. The hive mind itself was also inconsistently portrayed: Demogorgons, once fiercely loyal and swarming around the upside down were absent during the final battle. The Duffers claimed this was due to the element of surprise, yet earlier in the final episode we watched Vecna enter El’s mind and see the entire plan of his demise.

The Abyss and upside down felt eerily empty, lacking the terrifying creatures that once defined the show.

Other questions asked by watchers have been: How did all of the party make their way up a cliff before Nancy was to be captured by the Mind Flayer? Is Derek’s family still tied up in a barn and why do they not report Erika to the police afterwards?

How does Max graduate after missing two years of school? Before El sacrifices herself how does she manage to get to the wall to the upside down when previously the high frequency machines made her unable to stand? How does the military just let Hopper, Murray and Nancy get away with a slap on the wrist considering they killed a number of military personnel throughout the season? Surely, they could’ve covered up what happened as they had all members Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

The Stag of the party in their custody? These gaps fuelled frustration and speculation, leading to what fans dubbed as a ‘collective psychosis’ to believe a theory called ‘conformity gate’. This claims that events in the finale are actually a massive illusion brought to life by Vecna and that a secret episode is supposedly on the way. They point to many suspicious details such as the WSQK’s radio station power lever changing colour between episodes showing an inconsistency in the illusion, the postures of everyone at the graduation mirroring Henry and Billy when he was flayed, D and D books lined up in one image to say LIE, characters breaking the fourth wall by looking directly at the camera, and parallel scenes from The Truman Show involving both Mike and Will.

However, the writers say no footage was deleted and no final episode is on the way, so essentially people are just trying to make up for the bad writing of the final season.

The finale’s emotional core was El’s sacrifice scene where she gave her life to save a world she never fully belonged to, watched in horror by her closest friends and soldiers.

Mike’s version of events complicates this scene even further. He says El’s death was a vision created by Kali, masking her survival.

El is shown walking towards waterfalls- not three as Mike had promised but two. This detail suggests it is not mere imagination but a glimpse of her true fate, far from Hawkins and closer to peace.

Ultimately, Season 5 was meant to be a grand farewell, but instead left fans divided.

Whether the conformity gate theory is a desperate attempt to salvage meaning or a genuine clue, one truth remains: Hawkins may be gone but the questions it left behind will stay with fans long after the credits rolled.

Page 19

CULTURE

The Stag

THE GOLDEN GLOBES 2026

By Nancy Brown The Golden Globes have been one of Hollywood’s most influential awards ceremonies, celebrating excellence in film and television since their opening in 1944.

This year’s ceremony held on the 5th of January delivered its usual mix of glamour, controversy and unexpected wins.

The awards highlighted a handful of standout productions across film and television.

Winners: Film Highlights Best Motion Picture – Drama: Hamnet Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: One Battle After Another Best Actress – Drama: Jessie Buckley for Hamnet Best Actor – Musical or Comedy: Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme Best Supporting Actress - Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another Best Supporting Actor - Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value

While the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) continues to honour a wide range of genres, one thing remains consistent: comedy acts rarely receive the recognition they deserve. Despite the awards having dedicated comedy categories, dramatic performances continue to dominate conversation and awards momentum, this year being no exception.

One of the most talked about wins of the night was Timothee Chalamet’s award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for Marty Supreme. Many viewers felt perhaps a more established comedic actor was the more deserving choice. Chalamet, whilst extremely talented, was seen by some as the obvious pick due to his awards momentum and star status at the moment rather than the strength of his comedic performance.

Winners: Television Highlights Best Limited Series: Adolescence Acting wins for Adolescence: Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty Best Drama Series: The Pitt Best Comedy Series: The Studio These wins shone a spotlight on One Battle After Another and Adolescence as the night’s biggest success stories, each clearing multiple categories.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

L-R: Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, Owen Cooper for Adolescence

Page 20

CULTURE

The Stag

So why did the HFPA choose him? Several factors are likely to have played a role: Award season momentum, Chalamet has been a frontrunner in multiple ceremonies leading up to the Globes and is in the running for an Oscar. Star status, his presence boosts ratings and media attention, since he is very popular right now.

Combining two genres, Marty Supreme includes both comedy and drama, a hybrid style the HFPA often favours. Campaign strength, studios with strong awards campaigns often influence outcomes.

For example, I really believe that Leonardo DiCaprio should have won the Golden Globe this year. His performance in One Battle After Another was one of his strongest in years, emotional, intense, and full of depth.

He was widely seen as the frontrunner all season, and many expected him to take the award easily. Instead, the Globe, as I have mentioned, went to Timothée Chalamet.

Chalamet is talented, but DiCaprio’s role carried more weight and showed a level of experience and skill that felt more deserving. For many viewers, it seemed like DiCaprio delivered the better performance, and was snubbed from the trophy.

Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

L-R: Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another, Noah Wyle for The Pitt, Rhea Seehorn for Pluribus and Ejae (who co-wrote and performed Golden) for K-Pop Demon Hunters

Overall, this year’s Golden Globes showed why the ceremony is always such a big talking point. Some films and shows, like One Battle After Another and Adolescence, had huge nights and deserved the attention they received. But the event also reminded everyone that comedy still doesn’t get the same respect as drama, even when the categories are meant to be equal. The debate around Timothée Chalamet’s win proved how much star status and awards buzz can influence results. And with Leonardo DiCaprio missing out despite giving one of his best performances in years, it’s clear that not every great role gets the recognition it deserves. As awards season continues, this year’s Globes leave plenty for people to discuss as the race for the Oscars continue…

Page 21

CULTURE

The Stag

MARTY SUPREME - A MUST-WATCH CHAOS

By Mark McKie When thinking of visiting the cinema, the thought of a ‘1950s table-tennis biopic’ might give you the impression of a slowburning period piece or a standard underdog story. However, under the direction of Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme is anything but a sleepy sports story. It is a 150-minute nuclear reaction of ambition, obsession, and absolute cinematic hysteria.

The film takes on the niche world of professional table tennis and treats it with the same extreme-stakes intensity as any high-speed chase or thriller.

At the centre of this on-screen whirlwind is Timothee Chalamet, delivering what is arguably the most impressive and electric performance of his career so far. Playing main protagonist Marty Mauser, heavily inspired by the real-life table tennis legend Marty Reisman, Chalamet sheds his usual soft-spoken personality for something far more frantic and exciting. His Marty is a twitchy, fast-talking New York hustler who views his paddle as his weapon and himself as a God. He is often arrogant and deeply manipulative, but Chalamet’s unwavering charisma makes it impossible for you to look away. There were no body doubles.

Chalamet reportedly spent months training to perform his own stunts, both on and off the court, and his physical dedication is evident. Every slam, serve and movement feels alive.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

The film truly shines in its technical choreography and its immersive recreation of a grittier, underground New York. The camera work during the matches is exhilarating, moving with a speed that mirrors the ball itself. Instead of wide sweeping sports shots, the cinematography stays uncomfortably close, forcing the audience to feel the claustrophobia of the basement clubs and the sweat under the players’ brows. The editing is sharp, cutting in time with the rhythmic percussive score to create a sense of impending dread. It turns a simple game of small margins into a sprawling epic, as if the table is the most dangerous place on Earth.

Page 22

CULTURE

The Stag

What further makes the film truly stand out is its bizarre but brilliant supporting cast.

Only a special production could successfully pull off a mixture of Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa Azion, Tyler the Creator, and a surprisingly sleazy Kevin O’Leary in the same frame and make it feel grounded.

Paltrow in particular provides a cold, calculated parallel to Marty’s erratic heat, grounding the film’s more surreal moments.

Ultimately, Marty Supreme works because it refuses to be a standard underdog sports story. It is a movie about the cost of being ‘the best’ and the sheer insanity required to stay there. It is loud, stylish, and a middle finger to every ‘safe’ biopic ever made. The film succeeds because it doesn’t try to make Marty a hero, it simply demands that you respect his obsession. By the time the final match ends, it isn’t just a sport, you are watching a man achieve a terrifying kind of purity. It’s unique defiance against other biopics has firmly cemented Marty Supreme as a modern American classic.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 23

The Stag

CULTURE

WHAT TO WEAR

By Valerie Law The fashion trends for 2026 involve more than simply garments. It involves the statement people want to make about themselves. The fashion trends for this year include a very distinct focus on individuality and creativity. As opposed to everyone adhering to a specific fashion statement, people are blending old concepts and ideas while creating a fashion statement that holds more of a personal meaning to them.

One of the biggest trends that are found in 2026 fashion is that of nostalgia, specifically from the 1980s and 1990s. These decades’ fashion trends are very recognisable and iconic. They include oversized jackets, casual denim, and bright colours paired together in a way that was very striking and memorable.

Of course, these trends are not simply taken and replicated from previous decades exactly as they appeared, but rather they are restyled to reflect more modern tastes.

Sportswear is one example where one can see this shift in fashion and styling in 2026.

Sportswear clothing such as tracksuit pants and wind-breaker jackets are now worn in a more fashionable style when people mix them with more polished pieces such as coats and boots instead of just wearing the pieces as pure sportswear.

Another big trend that is currently popular is the comeback of expressive fashion. After the long period of popularity of minimal and simple fashion, many people are currently more open to expressing themselves through bold and interesting colours, patterns, and textures. Polka dots, plaids, and checkered patterns are very common nowadays, and they ensure that the outfit pops and is full of life. However, neutral colours are also being used as a way of softening the effects of the bold patterns.

Key Spring/Summer 2026 Trends

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 24

CULTURE

Layering has also found increasing importance as a means of allowing individuals to express their personal style through fashion. In layering, rather than wearing one dominant garment, pieces are constructed in layers, such as wearing dresses over trousers or shirts layered under sweaters. In layering, individuals are able to combine different fashion styles, shapes, and materials to suit their personal taste.

Layering also increases the versatility of fashion, with ease in adjusting to different seasons and events.

Accessories are taking on a more significant role than ever before in putting a complete look together. The use of accessories such as brooches and scarves has become more significant than ever before. These are not just accessories but are actually taking centre stage in many of these outfits. The scarf can be worn in many different ways: on the neck, in the hair as a ponytail scarf, and even tied around the back of a backpack.

Chunky and fun shaped belts are also in trend recently as they can fully complete an outfit.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

The Stag

Fashion in the year 2026 is also influenced by literature, art, and internet culture. For instance, some fashion trends take inspiration from the more mature and romantic fashion, where they use materials such as lace, long coats, and fabrics that feel ‘literary’. On the other hand, social media platforms encourage more playful fashion, a platform where individuals combine fashion trends in unexpected ways.

Despite all these trendy and innovative fashion statements, it is always a priority to feel comfortable as well. Casual and loose garments are being used in order to make it convenient for people to move about in their daily routine without having to compromise their fashion statement either.

The fashion trends of 2026 illustrate ways in which fashion has evolved to become an important means of expressing a person.

Through the incorporation of vintage trends along with new concepts, fashion trends have evolved to reach an important junction where people are using fashion trends to reveal their personality, their identity, through incorporation of personal designs along with common fashion trends. Today, fashion has become not only about staying in tune with fashion trends but also about feeling comfortable with yourself.

Page 25

SPORT

The Stag

THE PRESTIGIOUS PNC CHAMPIONSHIP

By Amelie Knight

What an experience!

The PNC Championship prioritises family and the ones closest to you whilst bringing people together through the game of golf.

Professionals and their families who play in this event say it’s one of their favourites of the season. The atmosphere was ecstatic throughout the whole tournament. This allowed the players to feel supported and confident whilst enjoying the family experience.

This year, it took place on the 18th to the 21st of December and, for the 14th year in a row, it was held at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. The four day event consisted of a Pro-Am which was over the first two days and then the proper tournament was over the next two. I was lucky enough to watch both of the tournament days.

The format, rules and schedule: Teams work together in the format of Scratch Texas Scramble. This is when on each hole, each player drives and the best drive is selected. Each player then plays a second shot from the spot where the selected drive lies, and the best second shot is selected. This process is repeated until the hole is completed. Criteria for entering this competition is simple: all professional participants must have won a Major Championship or The Players for eligibility.

Due to this rule, it draws a tremendous field of the most talented golf greats.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Fan favourites were Team Daly, Team Korda and Team Singh. This was very clear when watching the players warm up as crowds gathered around certain groups.

Entering the first tournament day in style, John Daly didn’t show up to the range at all but practised putting briefly before his tee time. Whilst on the range watching John Daly II warm up, all their extended family were talking just in front of us. From their conversation we picked up that John Daly was still in the waffle house having breakfast and he had approximately 20 minutes left till his tee time. What came next just proved his legacy and how his unique style has captured all audiences. After doing some putting, John Daly drove off the putting green in his buggy for the day. However, he got to the gate and had to stop due to the sheer volume of children asking for a autographs whilst swarming the buggy.

Matt Kuchar and his son Cameron, were the 2025 winners

Page 26

The Stag

SPORT

Another key professional getting a lot of attention was Nelly Korda, who was the only female professional in the tournament. Also the main reason for the crowding was that she held the world number for nearly 104 career weeks and only recently dropping to second on the 4th of August 2025. One of the key notes I made about Nelly was her warm up routine. She consistently used a inflatable armband on her right upper arm as a drill. Using this armband was probably reinforcing the drill of arm connection to the body. As I was observing her warm up routine, I noticed she started her range session with small wedge shots then progressed up the bag before finally finishing on smaller shots again.

On to the winners of the tournament. Team Kuchar dominated the scoreboard for the whole duration of the tournament. Matt Kuchar and Cameron Kuchar ran away with the lead on the first day with a fabulous round of 15 under. With no doubt, on the second day they improved their score from day one to a mind blowing and record breaking PNC Championship record of 18 under. So Team Kuchar now hold the 18 hole score record and the 36 hole score record for the PNC Championship. In their post round interview, they revealed why they think they did so well. Cameron Kuchar said on behalf of their team that the formula to their success was they "hit it close and made putts”.

A key note I made about this team was their family and support party's behaviour compared to the Daly support team, who was their teams playing partners for both rounds. On both days, Team Daly's support group was very vocal and had a prominent presence. You could clearly see their as they wore tee shirts branded with Team Daly and Daly Vibe. On the other hand, Team Kutchar's entourage were very reserved and blended in with the crowd.

The PNC Championship started in 1995 and was originally named the Father and Son Challenge. However, it was renamed to the PNC in December 2020. This event is so precious, which shows through in the opinions of the players. For example, the winner of the 2025 PNC championship Matt Kuchar said "It’s been a family favourite vent of our since we got started.” The Willie Park Trophy is awarded to the winning team of the PNC Championship. It is named in honour of the first winner of the British Open, the world’s oldest golf championship.

Overall, as a spectator this was an amazing experience and was very informative. It also shows how much family and general support means to sports professionals. This event allows the crowd and golf fans see a different side of the players. The different side is with them in a more family orientated golf environment instead of a pressure filled golf tournament.

First hand photos from the event Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 27

The Stag

SPORT

WORLD ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Lexi Whitfield The 46th World Athletics Cross Country Championships is the premier global event in cross country running bringing together the world’s best endurance athletes to compete on challenging natural terrain.

Organised by World Athletics, the championships represent the highest level of international competition in the sport, showcasing strength, speed, and tactical skill across varied landscapes.

Held every two years, the event attracts elite runners from dozens of countries, including Olympic and World Championship medallists. Unlike in track athletics, cross country racing takes place on grass, mud, hills, and uneven ground, making it one of the most physically demanding forms of distance running. Athletes must combine endurance with agility and resilience to overcome both their rivals and the course itself.

The championships feature a range of races designed to highlight talent across age groups and genders. These typically include senior men’s and women’s races, junior competitions, and a mixed relay, which emphasises teamwork and strategy.

Distances vary by category, but all races Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

test athletes’ ability to maintain pace over tough terrain while responding to sudden changes in conditions.

Beyond individual success, national pride plays a major role. Teams compete for medals based on cumulative finishing positions, adding a layer of tactical depth as countries aim to place multiple runners near the front of the field. Historically, nations such as Kenya and Ethiopia have dominated the event, but athletes from across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania also compete at the highest level.

Kenya's Agnes Ngetich dominated the senior women's race, while Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo secured his third consecutive senior men’s title Page 28

The Stag

SPORT

THE SIX NATIONS

By Tom Robins The Six Nations is one of the most famous rugby competitions on the planet. It is a round robin tournament of matches played between the six nations of: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy. The tournament started in 1883 under the name the ‘Home Nations Championship’ and it only involved England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. The competition became the Six Nations when Italy joined in 2000. The women’s and men’s competitions run separately, giving each of the tournaments their own spotlight. The women’s championship started in 1996 but became the Women’s Six Nations officially in 2007 when Italy joined the tournament. The men’s competition starts and ends earlier than the women’s with the M6N (Men’s Six Nations) starting in early February and ending mid-March. The W6N (Women’s Six Nations) starts in late March and ends in late April. Since the official start of the M6N in 2000, England have won the title 7 times, France have also won 7 times, with Ireland running up at 6. Wales have won it 6 times too, but since 2000 neither Scotland nor Italy have won the competition. Since the beginning of the W6N in 2007, England have dominated, winning the title 14 times, over 4 times as many as the runners up France,

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

who have only 3 titles to their name. Ireland have won the competition twice with neither Scotland nor Italy nor Wales having won the W6N yet.

My predictions this year are as follows: for the W6N, I believe that England will dominate since, after winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup, I have no doubt that they have the skill and power to take the title yet again. For the M6N, in order to prevent patriotic bias, I believe that the winner will be either France or England. France won the 2025 competition and so will be the defending champions. However, France seemed to suffer the same fate as Ireland in the Autumn nations, that being suffering a heavy loss against South Africa despite winning against Fiji and Australia. If France’s injuries remain minimal and stable then I believe that they will probably win the M6N. England come off the back of a clean sweep in the Autumn nations with 4 matches played, 4 matches won. One of these wins was against the 2nd ranked team in the world, New Zealand. England have shown brilliant coordination and power in their recent games and so I believe that if they continue their momentum they too could win the M6N.

Page 29

The Stag

SPORT

THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026

BY Alfie Estall On the morning of January 18th in Melbourne, Australia, the tennis season began with the Australian Open. First played in 1905, it has grown into one of the biggest events in world sport. Today it stands alongside Wimbledon, the French Open and the US Open as one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments. Held each year in the final two weeks of January, the Australian Open brings together the best players from across the globe. Men and women compete in singles and doubles, alongside mixed doubles, junior events and wheelchair tennis.

Since 1988, every match has been played at Melbourne Park, a venue built for the biggest stages, with Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and Hisense Arena hosting headline clashes.

The tournament did not always look like this.

In its early years, long journeys and unreliable travel meant many international players stayed away. For decades it was dominated by Australian champions until the Open Era began in 1969 and the sport became fully professional. From that moment, the Australian Open started to attract the world’s elite, and its reputation grew with every passing year.

Played on hard courts since 1988, the Australian Open is known for its fast pace and physical demands, often testing players in extreme summer heat. Innovations such as retractable roofs and the Hawk Eye line Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

calling system have helped modernise the tournament and protect players, while keeping matches fair and competitive.

Some of the sport’s greatest names have left their mark here. Margaret Court won a record eleven women’s singles titles. Novak Djokovic has dominated the modern era with ten men’s singles victories. Champions like Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have all helped shape the tournament’s global appeal.

As the opening Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open sets the tone for the season ahead. It combines tradition with innovation, history with modern sport, and remains a key moment in the tennis calendar for players and fans alike.

In the early rounds of the 2026 tournament fans have already seen standout moments, with seasoned champions like Novak Djokovic chasing more records while younger stars such as Sinner and Alcaraz push deeper into the draw. Djokovic himself marked a milestone by reaching 100 match wins at the Australian Open as part of his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam.

The Australian Open not only marks the start of the competitive year but sets the tone for the season ahead. With record prize money, top players fighting for ranking points and the chance for breakthrough performances from rising stars, the 2026 event promises to be one to watch.

Page 30

HOUSE REPORTS

The Stag

BLACKWATER HOUSE REPORT

By Emma Valks

This half term has been a busy one for Blackwater House. We ended the Michaelmas Term on a high with the Blackwater Christmas dinner which was a great success, with enjoyable company of Reeves House. The girls have been getting on with work around the house with the upcoming GCSE and A level exams. We wish all the girls the best of luck, and we congratulate the Year 11s for completing their mocks, which will no doubt provide them with a good understanding of where they stand with just a few weeks left before exams start. They enjoyed celebrating last week with pizza in house! Additionally, well done to the Year 10s who completed their informal examinations in December.

In terms of charity events, Blackwater Year 12s enjoyed selling candy canes at lunch at the end of last term. This was a great success and the whole house came together to put the labels on all of the candy canes which raised a lot of money for our house charity.

Netball fixtures have been a great success so far this term, and we wish all the girls involved in matches coming up the best of luck. In other sports, the swimming team involving Bbelle Gorrill, Izzy Fogg and Saffi Poon continue to train hard. Recently, many Blackwater girls took part in the Sussex Cross Country Qualifying Championships, and we congratulate Katie Rennie and Connie Ash for running in the junior girls, Bbelle for running in the intermediate girls, and Ivanna Lopez Ferreira and Emma Valks for running in the senior girls event.

Congratulations also go Axelle Turnock who continues to shine in music, performing in numerous informal concerts including one last Tuesday!

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 31

HOUSE REPORTS

The Stag

CRAIG HOUSE REPORT

By Harry Jordan The start of the Lent Term has been very exciting for many Cronkites, as the new year brings new opportunities. There have been many achievements across the year groups by pupils in Craig, on sports pitches, in the theatre, and in the classroom.

To round off the term last year, six Craig pupils participated in the incredible school production of Guys and Dolls.

Congratulations to all the pupils from Craig who helped to make the production the great success that it was and thank you also to the many Cronkites coming to support their friends and housemates.

Sticking with music, well done to the pupils who were involved in the carol service as well at the end of last term, a wonderful way to end the term.

The Lent Term sees most of the Craig pupils switch to hockey, and there have been many successes on the astro so far this term. In the 1st XI, 5 Cronkites travelled to Bradfield School for a pre-season tour, where the team won both of their matches against Bradfield and Sherborne. Special congratulations to Ollie Kirtley for being named the vice-captain of the team, a fantastic achievement. The start of the season has been very successful, with the team winning all but one of their matches, and Craig has seen debuts from Jack Jordan, Tommy Llewellyn and Ed Evans – congratulations! The U15s had a very closerun house hockey competition, starting off strongly by beating Wargrave in the first match, but unfortunately, they could not

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

see out the other houses and finishing in a very respectable 2nd place. In other sports, well done to Dan Clark, James Dunlop and Theo Hazelwood for representing the 1st XI football, and for a successful start to their season, and to Henry Powis for playing for the rugby 1st XV in their recent fixtures.

The Year 11s had a busy Christmas revising for the GCSE mock exams, but their hard work has paid off with some excellent results across the year group. Good luck to the Year 13s who have their A-level mocks after half-term, and congratulations to all of those who have received university offers.

We are also looking forward to their final house revue at the end of this term, as well as a last dance at the annual a Capella competition, so it would be amazing to see lots of support at both of those events.

Good luck to all the Cronkites for the rest of this term!

Page 32

The Stag

HOUSE REPORTS

GONVILLE HOUSE REPORT The Gonville boys have returned after a restful Christmas and New Year ready for the new term. Since our last house report, Gonville have had their signature Christmas house dinner which was a delightful evening full of food, fun and some interesting Christmas jumper choices.

By Tom Robins

Gonville now numbers 60 strong! Putting fear into the other houses’ sports teams no doubt. We have only been back a few days but already the Gonville lads are into their routine and going strong.

Since coming back, the house has got stuck into the variety of new sports and activities, with five boys from Years 11 to 13 representing the College in the U18A rugby team, Junior and Senior Gonvillians swinging into the hockey season and many of the lads shooting into football teams. The cold and damp weather hasn’t affected the house’s warm spirit with the Juniors House Hockey having been a great show of Gonville cheer and masterful tactics, so masterful that the Juniors managed to place in the prestigious house hockey podium in the cup.

Jude Letcher in Year 10 has qualified for the regional biathlon competition taking place in Bath and seven pupils across Years 9 to 13 are competing in the county cross country championship! Huge congratulations to Jude, Hamilton, Alfie B, Henry, Felix M, Milo and Rufus M. Three new pupils have also joined Gonville this term and have settled into their respective year groups nicely. The mighty

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 33

The Stag

HOUSE REPORTS

NUGENT HOUSE REPORT

By Nancy Brown After a nice restful Christmas holiday, the girls in Nugent arrived ready and raring to go for another action packed half of term.

Though the weather has not been acting in our favour, it is certainly not dampening our enthusiasm to tackle another difficult term!

Over the last few weeks in house, everyone has been working very hard particularly the Year 11s and Year 13s who have really been utilising the LRC. The Year 11s just completed their mocks earlier this term and achieved some great results, which will be a useful revision tool to see where they are at.

As a year group they worked extremely hard and we wish them luck for the real deal starting in the Summer Term. The Year 13s have also been working tirelessly for their upcoming A-levels and in house we are all supporting them, making sure they take well-deserved down time. Due to all of this exam stress, Miss Fry offered to host a spa night a week ago, which allowed everyone to put their feet up and relax. This really allowed the girls to unwind and have some much needed self care time!

We are also extremely proud of the three Nugent girls in Year 13, Nancy Revill, Emilia Dixon and Isabella Walters who arranged and set up the amazing ‘ Mug Shots’ Portraiture Exhibition for their Gold Arts award qualification. All girls in house went up to view and support the exhibition on the Friday and even got captured in their own mugshot!

We’re now all looking forward to the rest of the Lent Term with events like House Netball and House a Capella. Everyone is particularly is very excited about Nugent’s upcoming house review and plans are starting to be put in place ….

Last week the Year 9s went on a trip to the cinema to watch Avatar 3, with all the other boarding houses. This was a great evening that allowed the girls to socialise out of the school environment, and they embraced it fully, reporting back saying they had lots of fun and the movie was great.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 34

The Stag

HOUSE REPORTS

PENNELL HOUSE REPORT

By Alfie Eastall Further progress through the school year has been made by the boys in Pennell. The house morale is as strong as it has ever been with the house being successful in many house events.

We ended the Michaelmas Term with a highly competitive whole house ping pong tournament which concluded in a tense finale between Mungo and Koki at the Pennell end of term Christmas party where the whole house came together to watch Mungo take home the win. The boys then enjoyed pizza and some prizes and congratulations given out by Mr Holgate to show recognition for all the boys hard work this term.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Many house events occurred including House Badminton where the boys picked up second and House Swimming where we picked up a tidy fourth place finish.

The effort all the lads have put in this term hasn’t gone unrecognised and let's hope it carries on to the next term.

Page 35

HOUSE REPORTS

POWELL HOUSE REPORT

The Stag

By Charlie Hawkins

Another productive period for Powell House has seen a multitude of achievements.

Last term, Guys and Dolls was a resounding success. Caleb P (Year 12), Zach P (Year 12), Patrick M (Year 10), Jake K (Year 10), Lennie H (Year 9) and Jacob B (Year 9) were all involved with the musical. Well done to all those who took part.

Over the Christmas break, Jack Hylands (Year 13) swam at the Maltese national swims. Jack managed to get 5 medals: 3 bronze and 2 silver. In one of the races, the 50m free, he got silver and he got defeated by 0.02 seconds for gold.

Good luck to Dylan Fry (Year 9), who has been working hard auditioning for the Glyndebourne Youth Opera.

Junior inter-house hockey started the Lent Term sport competitions. Well done to all the boys who participated for Powell.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Battle of the Bands will see a few Powellians participating - good luck to them. Also coming up is the House a Capella, which will see Powell performing Kiss from a Rose by Seal.

Credit for the photos goes to Alfie Lulham (Year 13)

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 36

The Stag

HOUSE REPORTS

REEVES HOUSE REPORT Everyone in Reeves House has enjoyed a busy and eventful start to the Lent Term this year. Recently, the Year 11s have made their way through a series of GCSE mocks over a two week period in anticipation for their final exams in the Summer Term. They received some great results which will help set them up for their revision for their exams in the summer. The Year 13s are now working towards their own set of A-level mocks which are on the other side of half term break and fast approaching.

It has also been a busy time for the musicians in Reeves, with many taking part in orchestra and choir performances at the end of last term, and especially the end of term carol services which were enjoyed by the whole school. Performances in the recent piano concert from Felix Harris, Soren Martin and Felix McAndrew were excellent and displayed their hard work and dedication.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

By Mark McKie

Moving onto sport, Henry Hollands has been made captain of the 1st XI Hockey team. This appointment is undoubtedly deserved, especially due to his hard work and exemplary performances in matches. The Year 9s and Year 10s also took part in the junior house hockey competition. Although the teams didn’t win this time around, they all showed perseverance and a great willingness to compete. Lucas Gorrill was also made Sussex Cross Country Champion with a collection of brilliant finishes in other competitions. Harry Ansell and James French also took part in the Sussex competition and showed resilience in what was a challenging event.

Reeves has just had its annual house dinner with School which was fancy dress with an 80s theme. It was a fun evening with plenty of inventive costumes. We look forward to the rest of the Lent Term, and we are sure the house will remain high-spirited and enthusiastic as the term continues.

Page 37

The Stag

HOUSE REPORTS

SCHOOL HOUSE REPORT As we start off a new term, we would like to appreciate how diligently and hardworking the girls in School House have been so far.

The Year 11s have been tirelessly revising for their mocks which we wish them all good luck for. We know how much they have been working towards them. On the brighter side, School House had their house dinner this term with Reeves! The theme was the 1980s so we were all excited to see all the costumes during the fun filled night.

By Valerie Law

tremendous luck for House Netball which will be happening soon. We also wish the girls participating in Eastbourne’s Got Talent luck and hopefully they will take home the golden buzzer!

Overall, the girls have had a brilliant first term and hopefully an ever better second term! Well done to all the girls for having a smile on their faces despite the terrible weather and getting through a tough term.

We are so proud of you!

Last term, the School House girls enjoyed a vibrant night of Christmas activities.

Activities such as just dance, limbo and bingo were fan favourites. Over the weekend, girls enjoyed a shopping trip to Brighton and a trip to watch Six the musical in London. During tutor time, the girls had a fun time playing board games with their families. The family system was created to have girls from different year groups merging and branching out to talk to different people who they usually wouldn’t see. The games consisted of Uno, Grab the Mic, Exploding Kittens and so much more. The girls especially enjoyed all the snacks that were provided alongside the games.

A massive well done to Ida Akker and Ava Kashani for their win in House Squash and to Renee Chan and Xinyue Zhao for their badminton win! We wish the girls

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 38

The Stag

HOUSE REPORTS

WARGRAVE HOUSE REPORT

By Vincent Marten

The atmosphere in house has been very positive ever since the successful Michaelmas Term which was finished off with the House Book (a Wargrave tradition) involving the dramatic House Pool, pulled pork burger and a speech given by Mr Speirs. This helped to show all the boys' achievements over the term and are put into the House Book for future and past generations to look at.

board. These two very different events display the talent that Wargrave have across the board but what they do have in common is they are both affected by the level of teamwork and team spirit.

Going into this term, we see the return of the annual Wargrave 24-hour Rowathon where the boys undertake a minimum of 2 10-minute slots for a collective goal of raising money for a charity supporting men's mental health called Men in Mind.

This charity is located in Brighton but overall, they aim to improve men's mental health to reduce the high rate of suicide in East Sussex. This event takes place on 7th to 8th of February. Further details will be available on teams or ask a Wargravian to give you the Just Giving link.

Other events where the boys in Wargrave have been successful include House Hockey in Years 9 and 10 where both of our teams won which shows the level of skill of the younger generation in the house. A new event that came about within the last couple of years is House Rocket League and so far the Wargrave team have been doing excellently and are at the top of the leader

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 39

HOUSE REPORTS

The Stag

WATT HOUSE REPORT

By Nikol Saveleva This term has already begun strongly for the house, with a real sense of energy and enthusiasm felt across all year groups.

Building on the momentum from last term, the girls have thrown themselves into activities to make the most of the term.

Meanwhile, excitement is building as everyone looks ahead to the International Dinner and the House Revue. With rehearsals and preparations in full swing, the girls are working hard behind the scenes to ensure both events are a great success.

The previous term ended on a definite high, with the Christmas party standing out as a memorable highlight. It was a joyful celebration that brought the whole house together and perfectly captured the spirit of the community. There was also much to celebrate academically, as Year 10 achieved excellent results in their December examinations, reflecting their hard work and commitment.

The house has also celebrated a number of outstanding individual achievements this term, highlighting the breadth of talent across all year groups. Erin Hillyer’s dance school has been selected to perform seven group dances at the Dance World Cup, an international competition attracting over 10,000 competitors worldwide. In addition, Izzy D’Abbraccio achieved an outstanding sporting success by being selected as one of only four girls to represent her age group at the Under-17 European Fencing Championships in Georgia this February.

This term has been a particularly busy one for the Year 11 girls, who have been fully immersed in their mock examinations.

Their focus and determination have been impressive, and they have been well supported by the wider house. Following the completion of mocks, Year 12 hosted an informal chat with cakes for Year 11 as a well-deserved treat, offering both encouragement and a chance to relax.

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Page 40

The Stag

HOROSCOPES

By Mystic Maud

Aquarius

Pisces

Aries

Taurus

(Jan 20th - Feb 18th)

(Feb 19th- March20th) (March 21st-April 19th)

Expect fresh vision and innovation; this is a time of new ideas

Use creativity for healing and inspiration, but stay practical with finances

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

(May 21st - June 20th)

(June 21st - July 22nd)

(July 23rd - Aug 22nd)

(Aug 23rd-Sep 22nd)

This is a good time for networking and new ideas.

Watch scattered focus

This is a time of emotional clarity and self-care.

Family is important

Confidence will rise. Use this for creative expression and leadership

Focus on organisation, health routines and practical goals

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

(Sep 23rd - Oct 22nd)

(Oct 23rd - Nov 21st)

(Nov 22nd - Dec 21st)

(Dec 22nd-Jan 19th)

Seek harmony in partnerships and avoid over compromise

Intense emotions surface, but channel them into deep transformation

Travel or study opportunities may open up later this month

Lean into ambition, structure and strategic planning

Lent Term 1 Edition | 2026

Stay grounded and avoid letting attention inflate your ego

(April 20th-May 20th) Don’t rush decisions.

Relationships may need patience