Issue 35

THE

STAG

Issue 35, Summer Term 1, 2026

The Stag

CONTENTS International News:

Sport:

Political Violence in the USA pg 2 Artemis II - pg 4 The Iran - US/Israel War - pg 7

Red Bull Racing - pg 18 London Marathon - pg 20 The Masters - pg 21 World Cup 2026 - pg 22 Eastbourne College Cricket - pg 23

National News: May Elections - pg 6

Current Affairs: AI in Education - pg 8

College News: Revision Tips - pg 10 Visual Arts Society - p11

Culture:

House Reports: Blackwater - pg 24 Craig - pg 26 Gonville - pg 27 Nugent - pg 29 Pennell - pg 30 Powell - pg 31 Reeves - pg 32 School - pg 33 Wargrave - pg 34 Watt - pg 35

Love Story - pg 12 Best Book to Film Adaptations pg 14 Profile: Coco Chanel - pg 16

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!

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The Stag

POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN THE USA

By Mark McKie On the 25th of April, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, and JD Vance were evacuated by the Secret Service at the Annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington DC, after gunshots were heard in the main security screening area. One man, Cole Allen, was arrested for the incident.

Although thankfully no one was injured, this incident highlighted a noticeable yet almost predictable increase in political violence in the US, especially in recent years. Therefore, I’d like to share both recent and historical examples of American political violence, and potential causes of it and its increase.

The incident at the Correspondent’s Dinner has not been the only risk to Trump’s life in recent years. Back in July 2024, during an open-air rally in his election campaign, shots were fired, hitting Trump’s ear, and while not seriously injuring him, it displayed a radical kind of hatred towards him within the country. Trump then experienced his second assassination attempt of that year, in September, at his own Golf Club in Palm Beach, Florida. However, modern political violence hasn’t just been targeted at Trump.

In September last year, while speaking at Utah Valley University, right-wing activist and prominent Trump ally Charlie Kirk was assassinated, having been fatally shot by a rifle on a nearby rooftop. Political violence hasn’t just come from shootings, but also from violent protests.

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Following Trump’s loss in the 2020 Presidential election, on January 6th 2021, a MAGA mob stormed the Capitol Building, resulting in 5 deaths, 174 police officers injured, and damage costs exceeding $2.7 million. Major damage was also caused by the series of protests starting in May 2020, following the police killing of George Floyd, with insured losses exceeding $2 billion.

These are just the most infamous incidents, surrounded by many more not properly acknowledged.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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WHAT DOES ARTEMIS II REVEAL ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION?

By Polly Hecks For the first time in over fifty years, humans have travelled beyond low Earth orbit and into deep space once again. Launched on April 1st, 2026, the Artemis II mission undertook a 10-day expedition around the Moon and back, with a crew of four astronauts. Artemis II was seen to be a test flight, as it was the first crewed mission of the Artemis programme, which aims to land people on the Moon in 2028 and eventually explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery. The four astronauts selected for NASA’s mission were Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen.

Unlike the famous Apollo 11, it did not land on the Moon. Instead, the purpose of the mission was to demonstrate key systems that would be needed for a crewed mission to land on the Moon. This included the launch vehicle, the Space Launch System rocket, and its crew capsule, Orion. While the crew tested out its systems, Orion orbited the Earth twice and then the Summer Term 1 Edition | 2026

mission headed for the Moon, flying as close as 8,000 kilometres from its surface on April 6th.

The crew of Artemis II: Reid Wiseman (Commander), Victor Glover (Pilot), Christina Koch (Mission Specialist), and Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist)

During the mission, the astronauts wore wristband devices that monitored movement and sleep patterns in order to explore how deep space travel affected factors which are key to astronaut health and performance. Secondly, the crew used saliva and blood samples with immune biomarkers to gather information on how Page 4

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

astronauts’ immune systems are affected by the increased stresses of radiation, isolation, and distance from Earth during their flight. Scientists also utilised organon-a-chip technology during Artemis II by using four USB-size ‘AVATARS’ (A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response) to study what happens to astronauts’ organs in deep space. These were only a few of the methods used under NASA’s strategy to gain a holistic understanding of how the deep space environment affects human health.

The spacecraft, Orion, broke the record for human travel as it travelled further than 248,655 miles, a record held since 1970 by the Apollo 13 mission, and set a record of 252,756 miles. One of the main aims of this mission was to put the Orion spacecraft through a series of planned tests to evaluate systems, procedures, and performance in deep space. They also tested and demonstrated optical communications to and from Earth using the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System. The spacecraft also flew around the Moon’s far side which Earth. With satellites is never visible from having photographed this side before, the crew were the first human eyes to see this side’s surface and view its vast craters and lava plains. Orion’s trajectory provided unique viewing angles and lighting conditions of the Moon’s impact basins – huge scars left by ancient collisions.

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The Stag However, the mission also reminded us that space exploration is not without its challenges. Coming home may have been the most dangerous part of the Artemis II mission. The heat shield was the most critical layer at the bottom of Orion that protected the astronauts from searing temperatures while travelling at thirty times the speed of sound as it flew through the thick inner band of our planet’s atmosphere.

During this time, Orion was in their second, planned, communications blackout which was expected to last about six minutes as plasma built around the crew capsule during heating.

Looking ahead, Artemis II is just the beginning. Future missions, such as Artemis III, aim to explore more crewed missions as well as landing people on the moon, establishing a long-term presence. Beyond that lies the possibility of human missions to Mars, something that once seemed physically impossible. While this was only a test mission, Artemis II represents a milestone in human exploration. Therefore, we are left asking whether Artemis II is the first step towards becoming a multiplanetary species?

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NATIONAL NEWS

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WHAT ARE THE MAY ELECTIONS?

By Felix McAndrew Local elections in the UK this year will take place on the 7th May, when millions of voters across the country will choose their councillors and mayors. There are over 5,000 council seats available, and this year’s elections are especially important as a test for the current government. Even though these elections might not get as much attention as general elections, they are arguably as important as they can determine many aspects of everyday life, including housing and transportation.

seats across the country. Local issues vary widely, from housing developments to environmental protection.

For students in schools, these elections matter more than they appear as local councils make decisions that have important effects, covering services such as social care, public transport, and environmental protection. Given that everyone uses these services regularly, it is important for all of us to be insightful and understand how councils operate.

There are many things being voted on this year, including council elections in England Scotland, and Wales. Mayoral elections in six London boroughs are also being held. Some areas will vote for every council seat, while others will only elect a few councillors.

To take part in elections this year, those interested should have registered by the 20th April, which is compulsory if you want to vote in most elections across the UK. On election day, polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm, giving people lots of time to cast their vote. Even though people under the age of 18 can’t vote yet, it is still very important to understand the process in order to become informed in the future.

All the major parties, including Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, and Reform UK are contesting

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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THE IRAN - US/ISRAEL WAR

By Lexi Whitfield

The Iran war, which began in February 2026, is one of the most significant and dangerous conflicts in the world today. It mainly involves Iran on one side, and the United States and Israel on the other, but its effects have spread across the Middle East and beyond.

The conflict officially started on 28th of February, when the United States and Israel launched a large scale military operation against Iran. This attack, better known as ‘Operation Epic Fury’, involved hundreds of airstrike targeting Irans military bases, air defences, and key government leaders. One of the most shocking outcomes was the death of Iran’s Supreme LeaderAyatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other senior officials.

The strikes were not random. They came after years of rising tension. The main causes included Iran’s nuclear programme and its growing military influence in the Middle East and the breakdown of a previous nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.

Iran responded quickly and forcefully. It launched hundreds of missiles and drones at U.S military bases, Israeli targets, and allied countries across the region. Some of these attacks also targeted oil infrastructure and shipping routes, especially in the Strait of Hormuz which is a critical route through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes. As a resut, the conflict quickly spread beyond just two or three countries. Fighting and attacks have affected places such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates.

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There have also been tensions involvinggroups allied with Iran, such as Hezbollah, increasing fears of a wider regional war.

So far the war has caused major damage and loss of life. Thousands of people have been killed and many more displaced. Transport and travel in the Middle East have been heavily disrupted, with flights cancelled and trade routes blocked.

Today the situation is tense but slightly less active than at the start of the war. A fragile ceasefire between Iran the United States and Israel is currently holding, although it could break down at any time.

Inside Iran the war has also caused political changes. Power has shifted away from traditional religious leaders towards military groups like the Revolutionary Guard who now plays a major role in decision making.

Economically, the war has had global effects.

Oil prices have risen massively , leading to higher costs for fuel, food, and energy worldwide. Iran’s own economy has suffered badly, with its currency falling sharply and inflation increasing.

Finally, the Iran War is not just a regional conflict. It is a global issue affecting politics, economics, and security. Although fighting has slowed for now, tensions remain high, and the future is uncertain. Whether the conflict escalates again or moves towards peace will depend on ongoing negotiations and decisions made by world leaders in the coming months.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

AI IN EDUCATION

By Tom Robins Artificial Intelligence, often referred to as simply AI, has never been more present in our world than in this day and age. With the introduction of Eastbourne College’s AI Policy, what better time is there to talk about AI in education? In this article I will outline three AI tools: ChatGPT, Khanmigo and Grammarly. Each of these tools can be used for slightly different tasks while also epitomising the capabilities of AI assistants.

Chat GPT Starting off with certainly the most well known AI, there is ChatGPT. ChatGPT is marketed as a general purpose assistant, not specifically designed for school use and released in November 2022 by OpenAI. It gets its name from the “Generative Pretrained Transformer” model family it belongs to. ChatGPT can be very useful for students

all over the globe who need help with explanations and planning regarding their school work. Teachers can also use ChatGPT for creating lessons, generating their explanations to be as understandable as possible or even for receiving feedback from

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a new source. For both pupils and teachers ChatGPT can help save time on repetitive tasks and therefore alleviate work load pressure. However, as is often the case with AI assistants, over reliance upon them can lead to a loss of skills and learning. ChatGPT can also generate false information or in the case of education, wrong answers to pupils’ questions.

Khanmigo The second AI mentioned was Khanmigo.

This differs quite significantly from ChatGPT as it is specifically designed to act as an AI

tutor. As opposed to other general assistants such as ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini (to name a few), Khanmigo gives step by step explanations in order to promote learning. Khanmigo can be very useful for subjects such as maths and science, where learn-and-churn tactics may be more favourable than the more creative subjects. Khanmigo could be great for encouraging problem solving for pupils and scaling learning as a teaching assistant.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

However, similar problems plague Khanmigo.

While the information may again not be completely accurate, more importantly, receiving tutoring solely from an artificial intelligence may impact how students can receive similar tutoring later in life. AI tutors are also nowhere near as adaptive emotionally than humans and so could lead students to be frustrated when expecting programming to magically solve all of their problems.

Grammarly Finally there’s Grammarly. Grammarly is even more focused than Khanmigo on learning as it is specifically honed and designed to improve grammar and writing

clarity. Grammarly is also used in order to change writing the user has already done to a tone that is more desirable for the user.

This could be incredibly useful for schools and pupils with booming literary departments, such as Eastbourne College.

Grammarly could help students who may struggle to get their messages across in their writing as well as teachers who want instant direct support for students developing their literature, therefore freeing up more of teachers’ crucial time for helping more of their pupils. Grammarly could also be a great help to non-native speakers in schools across the globe who may need that little extra help to boost their confidence in a new language. On the other hand, Summer Term 1 Edition | 2026

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Grammarly could do the most damage to pupils’ learning yet, as an overreliance on a correcting software could lead to a loss of a writer’s personal voice and style. For teachers, leaving learning up to code and data could cloud the learning process and make it harder for true writing ability to be assessed.

There are many questions, which, due to AI’s youth in our world of learning, have yet to be answered. For example when does assistance become dependence? At what point does artificial intelligence turn from a helping hand into a crutch? Is using AI promoting dishonesty or creating a new skill?

In conclusion, I believe that it is crucial to keep a firm grip on one’s own learning and teaching as students could lose their real understanding to AI reliance and teachers risk losing control of the very learning that they aim to improve.

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SCHOOL NEWS

REVISION TIPS FOR UPCOMING EXAMS

By Emma Valks As we begin the exam season, here are some key tips to help you perform to your full potential!

It is really important that you find your best style of learning, as everyone is different Here are a few different options on how you can elevate your performance.

TRY NOT TO LAST MINUTE CRAM. PRIORITISE LONG TERM LEARNING If you want to do some last minute revision, test yourself with some quick fire questions Trust what you have revised already. Don't overstress!

Try writing one or two timed paragraphs.

Review your flashcards/key notes Not too much text- don't overwhelm yourself!

MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL Know your timings for the exam Leave time at the end to look over your paper Stick to your timings you pre-prepared Write plans and don’t overexplain things; stay clear!

POST EXAM There is no point in analysing the exam afterwards: it is over. You can't change it now!

Reset, and focus on doing as well as you can in your next exam Try and switch off by exercising or doing something you enjoy GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

SLEEP!!!

Aim to get at least 8 hours sleep a night.

This immensely improves memory, focus and thought processing. It reduces stress.

It is also easier to arrive early to your exam if you go to sleep early, which means you have a clearer head before starting the exam.

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SCHOOL NEWS

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VISUAL ARTS SOCIETY LAUNCH

By Sophia Pennington Last half term was a very busy one for artists in the art department, especially with the launch of the Visual Arts Society. The Visual Arts Society launched on 6th March and had an exceptional open studio exhibition open to all. There was artwork from all areas of the visual arts at the College including art, DT, photography, textiles and some incredible EPQ presentations. There were many work-inprogress pieces, as well as some fantastic work from everyone. Open Studios has grown into a dynamic, whole‑school celebration of creativity. Pupils curated the event themselves - planning displays, selecting works, and guiding visitors creating a lively, collaborative atmosphere and showing a rare insight into the creative process behind their final pieces.

this term. Other artists continue to impress and make amazing progress with their pieces and coursework. Well done to everyone!

The Visual Arts Society brings together scholarship and enrichment pupils from across all of the visual arts into one creative network, connecting pupils with alumni and industry professionals. It was a great launch of this new college society, and we are very excited for what it can bring!

Additionally, the art department has had a very productive time with the Year 11 pupils completing their ten hour GCSE exam. As well as this, the A Level Year 13 artists have been impressively working hard towards their preparation for their fifteen hour exam Summer Term 1 Edition | 2026

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CULTURE

COCO CHANEL

By Valerie Law Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (1883–1971) was one of the most influential fashion designers of the twentieth century, remembered not only for her designs but for reshaping the way women dressed and expressed independence. Born in Saumur, France, Chanel rose from poverty to become the founder of one of the most iconic fashion boutiques in the world.

Early life: Chanel’s early life was challenging. After her mother’s death, she was raised in a convent orphanage where she learned to sew, which was an experience that would later define her career. These beginnings shaped her personality: she learned how to be disciplined and self-reliant and was determined to escape the limitations of her upbringing. Her reinvention of her own past later in life suggests her strong desire to control her identity and narrative. As a young lady, she briefly pursued singing in cafés, where she earned the nickname “Coco.” Even at this stage, she demonstrated charisma and an ability to captivate attention. These traits would later help her build a powerful brand.

Career and achievements: Chanel began her career as a milliner, opening her first shop in Paris in 1910. With financial backing from Arthur ‘Boy’ Capel, she expanded into clothing, gaining popularity for her simple yet elegant

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designs. Her work revolutionised fashion. At a time when women were restricted by corsets and elaborate garments, Chanel introduced comfortable, practical clothing that emphasised freedom and modernity.

Key innovations included: The little black dress The Chanel suit Costume jewellery and quilted handbags The perfume Chanel No. 5 Her style reflected her own lifestyle, independent, active, and unconventional.

She became not just a designer but a cultural icon who helped define modern femininity.

Coco Chanel

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Personaility and influence: Chanel was ambitious, fiercely independent, and often controversial. She built her brand by projecting her own image as the ideal modern woman. Her philosophy centred on simplicity and elegance. She rejected excess and believed that luxury should be comfortable, famously transforming fashion into something both practical and sophisticated.

At the same time, her life included complexities and contradictions, including controversial associations during World War II, which have shaped how she is viewed historically.

Legacy: Coco Chanel dominated Parisian haute couture for nearly six decades and left a lasting impact on global fashion. Her designs remain timeless, and the House of Chanel continues to be one of the most influential fashion brands in the world. She is more than a designer; she redefined what it meant to be a modern woman: free, stylish, and independent. Her legacy is not just in clothing, but in her attitude and identity.

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SPORT

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RED BULL RACING: LOSING THE WINNING FORMULA

By Ivanna Lopez Ferreira Trouble Behind the Scenes In recent months, Red Bull racing, once the most dominant team at the pinnacle of Motor Racing, has faced a period of turbulence off the track. A number of key figures have either confirmed their departure or are strongly linked with moves away from the team. These exits and rumours risk weakening the foundations of a team which has had significant success over the last decade.

Losing the Voice Behind Verstappen's Success One of the most significant losses of Red Bull in the coming years is that the race engineer of Max Verstappen is set to leave Red Bull in 2028. Lambiase has been a key figure in Verstappen's success and development as a driver within the team

and known for having the ability to get the best out of his driver in high-pressure situations. This partnership has been a key role in Red Bull's success including four World Championships. His previous decision of taking a break from the team at the end of 2024 created a difficult gap to fill, making this departure a growing concern for the team specially that he is set to leave for rival team McLaren.

Replacing the Irreplaceable Arguably, an even bigger blow is the confirmed departure of Adrian Newey.

Widely regarded as the greatest designer in F1 history, Newey has been responsible for designing some of the most successful cars in the sport, including World Championship winning cars. His move to Aston Martin will be a significant loss for Red Bull. Replacing someone of his calibre will be almost impossible, and his exit may be felt for many years and will be inevitability reflected in the team’s performance in the coming year.

Gianpiero Lambiase will leave Red Bull in 2028

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SPORT

Filling the Leadership Vacuum The departure of Christian Horner marks the end of an era within Red Bull. Horner has been at the position of authority at Red Bull Racing since its entry into F1 in 2005. He created great success leading the team to the top of the sport and achieving 8 Constructors' Championships and 7 Drivers' Championships. His ability to build a winning culture in Red Bull was vital for Red Bull's rise within the sport. Although he remains within the team, his absence from day to day management will undoubtably create a leadership vacuum.

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Jonathan Wheatley is leaving Red Bull for Sauber

Ferrari Targets Red Bull Talent Finally, there are strong rumours that Hannah Schmitz, Red Bull's head of strategy, is in talks to join rival team Ferrari.

While nothing is yet confirmed, the reports are credible and if true this would be a major setback for Red Bull yet again.

Schmitz has been an essential part of the team, helping Red Bull make critical decisions on the pit wall. By Ferrari aiming to sign Schmitz, it raises concerns about the stability of the team moving forward.

Christian Horner left his role as team principal and CEO of Red Bull in Formula One in 2025

Jonathan Wheatley Joins a Rival Another key figure for the team which has announced his departure is Jonathan Wheatley, who has signed for Sauber as their new team principal ahead of their transformation into Audi's works team in 2026. Wheatley has been a sporting director at Red Bull and played a vital role in overseeing race strategy and operations within the team. His move to a rival team in the sport highlights how highly respected he is in the paddock, but consequently means that Red Bull are yet to lose another experienced leader.

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Is Hannah Schmitz leaving Red Bull for Ferrari?

Can Red Bull maintain dominance?

In conclusion, Red Bull is losing much more than just staff, they are losing experience, unit and knowledge that built their success. While the team still has talented people and strong resources, F1 is a sport where small margins decide championships, so Red Bull may find it hard to stay on top.

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SPORT

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LONDON MARATHON: RECORDS BROKEN

By Mark McKie The 2026 London Marathon will be remembered as the day the impossible became reality. On Sunday, April 26, the streets of London were transformed into a masterclass of human endurance, hosting an event that didn't just break participation records, but shattered the most intimidating barrier in long-distance running.

A Record-Breaking Field The event saw a staggering 59,830 athletes cross the finish line on The Mall, making it the largest London Marathon in history. The route, stretching from the lush greenery of Greenwich to the historic finish near Buckingham Palace, was lined by an estimated 800,000 spectators whose cheers echoed across the River Thames.

This year’s race featured new additions like ‘Woodland Way’ at mile 10 - a section dedicated to nature - and ‘Veterans’ Corner’ at mile 23, celebrating the armed forces.

Beyond the elite performance, the day was a triumph for charity, with early estimates suggesting over £95 million was raised for various causes, cementing its status as the world's premier fundraising event.

Shattering the Two-Hour Barrier The elite men's race produced a moment of pure sporting history. Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe claimed victory by becoming the first person to officially break the sub-two-hour

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barrier in a competitive marathon. Crossing the finish line in an unbelievable 1:59:30, Sawe obliterated the previous world record by over a minute. The race was a tactical masterclass, but the intensity was pushed to the limit by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who finished in second place with a time of 1:59:41. In any other year, Kejelcha’s performance, the fastest marathon debut in history, would have been the headline, but on this day, he had to settle for a still very impressive second place.

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe became the first person to officially break the sub-twohour barrier A Dual-Record Day The records didn't stop with the men. In the elite women’s field, Tigst Assefa successfully defended her title, setting a new women only world record of 2:15:41. The sheer level of competition was unprecedented, as the perfect weather conditions and the roaring London crowds propelled athletes to heights never seen before.

As the sun set over London, the 2026 marathon left an indelible mark on the sport.

It was a day where the magical spirit of the event met the pinnacle of human physical potential, proving that with enough grit and hard work, no limit is truly permanent.

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COLLEGE NEWS

THE MASTERS

The Masters is the most anticipated and traditional major of the golfing year. It’s filled with history, heritage and the best golfers in the world. However, this prestigious event has had its bumps with some drama-filled and wholesome moments along the way. In 2026, the official masters tournament began on the 9th April and it concluded on the 12th of April at the Augusta National Golf Club, which also hosts the ANWA competition, an Amateur women’s tournament, the drive chip and putt national finals.

During this year’s tournament, there are many key moments to note such as, Shane Lowry’s incredible hole in one on hole 6 in his third round, which was the tricky 190 yard par 3. For this achievement he is gifted an crystal bowl. A wholesome moment during the Masters was a quick exchange between Justin Rose and his caddy, when reassurance and trust was demonstrated in order for Rose to execute a doubted shot. However, along with these positive moments came some disappointing and shocking moments.

A highly publicised moment of Sergio Garcia breaking his driver and destroying the 2nd tee box was an example of this. In the moment, Masters officials came straight over to address the situation and the urgency of the officials showed the serious level of the situation.

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By Amelie Knight

Another disappointing moment was for Bryson Dechambeau. After his close win last year, he unfortunately didn’t make the cut. What rubbed the salt in the wound was the 18th hole on round 2, when he failed to get out of a bunker and degreened his second bunker shot which caused him to have a 7 on the 18th par 4.

Another funny moment was Li Haotong on the 13th hole when he put a 10 on the scorecard.

With the ground of Augusta filled with rich history and traditions, here are some of the obvious and obscure rules. All caddies are required to wear white boiler suits and the observers on side tournament have to be called ‘Patrons’. Patrons are not allowed to run; therefore you see them entering the grounds like they are in a fast walking race.

Rory McIlroy’s winning moment was not only his second masters win but a chance for his parents to witness him winning the green jacket first hand. He said he wanted to come back and prove last year wasn’t a fluke.Well, he certainly proved that.

Winning the masters not only comes with a green jacket but many other things such as $4.5 million, a medal, the infamous green jacket and a lifetime invite to the masters dinner.

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SPORT

WORLD CUP 2026

By Allfie Eastall In June 2026 across the United States, Canada and Mexico the FIFA World Cup will return bringing with it the biggest change in the tournament’s history. For the first time 48 nations will take part, expanding the competition beyond anything seen before and giving more countries the chance to compete on football’s biggest stage.

The World Cup, first played in 1930, has always been the pinnacle of international football, held every four years and watched by billions around the world. Over time it has grown in size and influence but 2026 represents a turning point, with a new format that increases both the number of matches and the scale of the competition.

Teams will be placed into groups before advancing into an expanded knockout stage. This creates more opportunities but also increases the pressure, as one mistake can still end a campaign.

Qualification is already underway and for many nations this is where everything begins. For the traditional footballing powers, qualification is expected, but the real challenge lies in going deep into the tournament and competing for the trophy.

For smaller or developing nations, simply reaching the World Cup would mark a historic moment, a chance to represent their country on the global stage and test themselves against the very best.

that performances at a World Cup can define careers, turning individuals into global stars or cementing their place among the greatest. For teams, success can unite a nation, while failure can bring intense scrutiny. Every match carries weight from the opening group games to the final, where the smallest moments can decide everything.

For the host nations, the tournament is equally significant. The United States, Canada and Mexico will not only stage matches but welcome the world, using the competition to showcase their cities, stadiums and passion for the sport. The impact goes beyond football, with long term benefits in infrastructure, tourism and global recognition.

As the tournament approaches anticipation continues to build. Established stars will aim to lead their teams to success while younger players will look to make their mark for the first time. The expanded format ensures more stories, more competition and more unpredictability.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition in history but its purpose remains unchanged. It is a tournament where nations compete, where players perform under the highest pressure and where moments are created that will be remembered long after the final whistle.

What is on the line is not just a trophy but reputation, history and legacy. Players know Summer Term 1 Edition | 2026

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SPORT

COLLEGE CRICKET

By Ede Edwards This summer term, the College’s cricket season returns with boys’ and girls’ teams across all age groups, from under-14 to under-18. In the lead up to this season, the teams have been hard at work with 1-2-1s running regularly and weekly evening preseason training. Alongside these sessions, the highlight of the preseason was the weekend before term began where the Girls 1st XI, Boys 1st XI and 2nd XI cricket teams headed off to Oundle School. They spent three days there filled with lots of training, matchplay, team bonding and a very long bus journey.

The Girls 1st XI started off the trip on Sunday with just seven Eastbourne players, so they had to borrow additional teammates from Oundle to help field. They played a T20 followed by the second game that was reduced to a T15 due to rain. Despite their efforts, they could not secure a victory in either game. On Monday, the captain, Georgie Pedley, joined after making her professional debut for Sussex on Sunday.

The girls played two 100-ball matches, losing the first and winning the second one, restricting them at 85 runs all out.

So far this term the boys teams have had some very good wins, including against Ardingly College and a tense 1st XI boys game on College Field. All matches but one were won against Kings Canterbury College.

Both 1st XI and 2nd XI won against BACA. The Girls 1st XI have 20 matches this season, including the National Cup, with the potential for more if they progress. The Boys 1st XI have 23 matches in total for this season, also competing in the National Cup. With 18 teams, more than 130 matches, including many cup games, this summer promises to be a great term of cricket at the College. The early results and preseason have shown the outstanding commitment of our cricketers, the depth of talent across all age groups point to a very thrilling term ahead.

Before the summer term started the boys 1st XI played Kent u16 and won. They then went on to play Kent u18 and played two T20s, and despite being good games lost both.

After their matches against Kent, the boys joined the girls on the Oundle trip, the 1st XI played a two day game and the 2nd XI played two declaration games.

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HOUSE REPORTS

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BLACKWATER HOUSE REPORT

By Emma Valks

It has been a busy time in Blackwater recently with lots of activities to round off last term as well as beginning this short but packed summer term!

especially to Katie for her win in the 16u singles- even more impressive considering her further success in age groups above, winning Women's and 18u events!

We ended last term with House Football, where the girls really enjoyed taking part in a sport they wouldn’t usually play in games.

Thank you to all the girls as always for bringing great house spirit, and it was good to see some more hidden talent in Blackwater! The girls finished 2nd which was a strong result.

In terms of individual success, we congratulate Connie Ash in Year 9 for her selection into the u16 team at her netball club where she continues to perform. This is a great achievement and the House are very proud of you.

Additionally, a big well done to Katie Rennie (also Year 9) for her excellence on the football pitch. Following her guaranteed two year contract given to her in October to continue representing Brighton and Hove Albion football club for the 8th year running, she has also enjoyed wins in big county and regional competitions with her club.

Congratulations go to Katie Rennie, Ivanna Lopez and Emma Valks who all competed well at the Tunbridge Wells Easter regional tennis tournament sponsored by school, but

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Congratulations to Katie Rennie for her successes on the football pitch

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As we draw closer to announcements of House roles of responsibility for the Year 12s, we as a whole house want to thank the Year 13 leadership team for all of their time and dedication put into keeping the House as an amazing place to be. A special thank you goes to our wonderful Head of House, Liv Wilson, for everything she has done. She really has worked hard and given her all to the role, a definite role model to everyone and an excellent leader. The process of interviewing the Year 12s is now complete, and well done to everyone for applying for a role as part of the Blackwater leadership team for next year.

The Sport this term has kicked off well, with Athletics events, Tennis, Cricket and Golf fixtures all taking place. Well done to all the girls taking part. The Girls 1st team Cricket have had a good start to the season, with a strong win against Kings Canterbury. We wish them luck for their first round of the 100 ball Cup against Bede's on College Field on Friday.

Additionally, in the Girls 1st team tennis we are proud to have 3 of the 5 players all in Blackwater. They have been performing well, and only last weekend were crowned Sussex Independent School League Champions.

This is due to their hard work both off court

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The Stag

and in the gym, and shows how this is only the start of a very victorious summer term to come. Their wins against Bede's and Lancing were very strong and something to be proud of. Athletics meets have been successful, and we hope the girls in the house continue to enjoy and give their all to these prestigious events.

The Futures Convention at the end of last term was very informative for our Year 1113s, where they gained a lot of insight into jobs available and work experience opportunities.

Well done to everyone who took part in the Acapella! You represented the House very well.

We are excited for the summer term and although we are sure it will fly by, we are sure the girls will continue to represent the House in a dedicated manner. Good luck to all the girls who have public examinations coming up, we wish you the best of luck and we are sure you will do your best. We also hope that all the girls sitting internal examinations use this as an opportunity to learn and take a step forward with their subjects, to build a strong foundation for future years.

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CRAIG HOUSE REPORT

By Harry Jordan As summer returns to the College, and the sound of leather on willow returns to College Field, Craig House has begun its last solo term at the school. Already this term there have been some outstanding individual and team achievements from many pupils in Craig, but first there are some important events at the end of last term that need recognition.

Firstly, the final performance of the Craig House Amateur Performance Society (CHAPS) was a huge success. All the boys who performed were exceptional, and the audience enjoyed a wide range of performances, showcasing the terrific talent we have in Craig House. A big thank you must go to Ollie and Wilf, who were enthusiastic and funny comperes, PT for doing a great job with the lighting, and of course Mr Kuchta for organising the whole event and making sure that it was ready.

Secondly, well done to the A Capella group, who came second with a brilliant performance of Billy Joel’s ‘For the Longest Time’. It was a very competitive evening,

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with some tough competition, and we did extremely well to come away with second place.

House hockey was also a great success for Craig, particularly for the seniors, who regained the trophy for the third year in a row. Player of the tournament must go to young gun Ed Evans, who scored twice in the semi-final 3-1 victory over Wargrave, before single-handedly demolishing Reeves in the final, scoring an astonishing five goals in the 7-minute match!

Congratulations to Ollie, who has been named 1st XI cricket captain, and well done to Harry and Jack for being in the team from the start of the season as well. Thomas has also forced his way back into the side after taking 7 wickets in two innings for the 2nd XI, as well as a match winning 91* (the highest individual score at the College this season).

We are all looking forward to the rest of the summer term, and I wish the Year 11s and 13s the best of luck with their exams!

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HOUSE REPORTS

GONVILLE HOUSE REPORT The Gonville boys had a packed schedule as they moved from the Lent Term into the Summer one.

At the end of the Lent Term, Gonville had their House Dinner with Blackwater, with the theme being “Après-ski”. Despite some Gonvillians’ interesting interpretations of Après and ski much fun was had throughout the evening. Delicious food was served by the catering team and fun emoji skiing quizzes dotted every table. The evening was also full of: high altitude photography, chair curling and impeccable virtual bobsledding.

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By Tom Robins

More recently however was the newest addition to Gonville’s charity events, that being “The 24 sports in 24 hours” challenge.

Gonvillians from every year group took part in, as you can guess, 24 sports in 24 hours.

Teams of all sizes and abilities embarked upon different sports each hour between 4pm on Saturday the 25th of April and 4pm on Sunday the 26th. Gonvillians dabbled in and mastered sports ranging all the way from football, rugby and tennis to squash, padel, windsurfing and darts to name just a few. The boys worked together not only in sports teams but to support one another through the tough challenge of the late night and early morning hour sports. The house showed great resilience and coordination, but left the sleep schedules of participants with something to be desired…..

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Special mentions go to Jonny Robinson, OT Ekiugbo, Felix Murray and our Head of House Rowley Emus for their huge contribution thanks to the huge number of sports they all participated in. The challenged ended with the House Squads Tug of War competition and a delightful barbeque in the sun.

All in all the boys of Gonville House have burst into summer term refreshed and refuelled after a restful easter break.

Finally a huge thank you to Mr WD, Mrs WD, Tanya, Gonville’s Matron, Mr Calvert, Mr Roberts, Ms Davies and Mr Jourdain for overseeing the sports and to everyone else for their help and participation.

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HOUSE REPORTS

NUGENT HOUSE REPORT

By Nancy Brown The summer term is now well under way, and the girls in Nugent are making the absolute most of the sunshine. The house has been full of energy, laughter, and everyone enjoying being back together. Of course, our Year 11s and 13s are deep in revision for their upcoming exams, and we want to say how incredibly proud we are of all the hard work you’re putting in. We know you’ll do brilliantly. Every single person in the house is behind you, wishing you the very best.

Last term ended on a real high with one of the most exciting events of the year, House A Cappella. Nugent delivered an amazing performance and secured 2nd place against a very strong Powell side. Considering we are one of the smaller houses, coming 2nd overall and winning the girls’ competition was an incredible achievement. Everyone who took part showed true Nugent spirit.

House Football was another great moment; even though the results didn’t quite go our way, it was brilliant to see so many people getting involved, supporting each other and having fun.

The start of this term has already brought some fantastic sporting successes. Two Nugent girls, Myeisha Eagles and Sophie Bornhauser, have been representing the school in the Tennis 1st Squad. After an impressive start to the season, they were

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crowned Sussex Independent Schools League Champions last weekend. We know how much effort and commitment both of you have put into training, so it’s wonderful to see that hard work paying off.

As we move closer to the announcement of the new prefects and Senior Management Team, house roles and responsibilities interviews have been taking place. We want to wish the very best of luck to everyone who has applied, putting yourselves forward already shows confidence and leadership. At the same time, the whole house wants to give a huge thank you to the Year 13s. You have been incredible role models, always giving your time, energy, and enthusiasm to make Nugent such a supportive and welcoming place. We are so grateful for everything you’ve done.

Everyone is excited to see what the rest of the term brings, and if the start is anything to go by, it’s going to be a busy and memorable one. As usual, it will probably fly by, so let’s make the most of every moment together.

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HOUSE REPORTS

PENNELL HOUSE REPORT

By Alfie Eastall The boys in Pennell have had a strong and enjoyable start to the 2026 Summer Term.

We began the term with a busy run of house events, starting with house football.

There was great effort across all year groups, with the house finishing fourth overall. The Year 10s stood out in particular, winning their competition and setting the standard early in the term.

One of the main highlights so far has been the Pennell Golfathon. The boys committed fully to the event, showing both resilience and teamwork across the day. By the end, the house had raised £2,200 for a charity supporting Ukraine. It was a strong achievement and something the whole house can take pride in.

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Alongside these events, the general atmosphere in the house has remained positive. Participation levels have been high, and there has been a clear sense of togetherness throughout. Boys across all year groups have contributed, helping to maintain a supportive and competitive environment.

Looking ahead, there is still plenty to come this term. House cricket is approaching, and the boys are already preparing for another opportunity to compete. The whole school barbecue is also coming up, which will give everyone a chance to relax and enjoy the end of term together.

It has been a solid start to the Summer term, with strong involvement, good results, and a continued sense of unity across the house with more still to look forward to.

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HOUSE REPORTS

POWELL HOUSE REPORT Powell House has had a brilliant past few weeks, taking home multiple trophies in the various end-of-term competitions.

The victories began with the inter-house football competition, where the Powell squad, captained by Matt Clark and managed by George Hoad was able to secure 1st place. This came after beating Reeves, Pennel and Wargrave and drawing with Craig and Gonville.

Powell also participated in the House Hockey competition, which saw a great effort from all the boys involved.

The following Tuesday, the Powell House band (AKA POW!) performed a stunning rendition of Careless Whisper for Eastbourne’s Got Talent. The band was handed the trophy after an audience vote decided in Powell’s favour. Congratulations to all those involved.

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By Charlie Hawkins

Two days later, the house acapella singers gave an outstanding performance of Kiss from a Rose by Seal. Well done to the acapella team and a special well done to the soloists Lenny Hillyer, Zach Perry, Caleb Pout and Dylan Fry. After claiming victory, the team sang again in front of the whole school in All Saints Church, amazing everyone with their singing skills.

House Debating has continued from last term, well done to the Powell team for their impressive performance so far and good luck in the upcoming debates.

After a well deserved Easter break, Powell is back and looking forward to the summer term, hopefully on its way to more wins.

Best of luck to all the Year 11s and Year 13s on their way towards public exams.

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HOUSE REPORTS

REEVES HOUSE REPORT It has been a busy start to the summer term for everyone in Reeves House. It has kicked off well with several awards and achievements being achieved in just a few weeks.

Firstly, we would like to congratulate those who achieved sporting colours at the end of last term. Recipients of half colours include Barney Bathard-Smith, Will Travers, Jonah Ripley, Mark McKie and Aaden Wong. Full colours were also given to Neffion MylesHall, Henry Hollands, Joseph Drake, George Rosin, Eric Wood, Kieran Clark and Lucas Gorrill. These are all fantastic achievements and prove the immense dedication to sport and the College community shown by everyone in Reeves.

By Felix McAndrew

Britain in the Algarve and placing 10th overall.

In the CCF, Justin Kelso received a certificate for being the most improved cadet in Year 11. Felix Harris is also taking part in the Wizard of Oz production at the Devonshire Park this weekend, expanding on his music and drama skills. As exams approach, we wish the Year 11s and Year 13s good luck in their GCSE and A level exams which begin in May. The rest of the house will also be taking part in end of year exams, which are nevertheless important. We wish everyone taking public exams the best of luck for the months ahead!

Duke of Edinburgh Awards were also given to Tom Hibbert and Jack Etheridge, who received silver awards, and also Will Travers and Eric Wood who earned a gold award.

Many have already taken part in College sports matches, including Freddie Timlin and Leo Wells who were part of teams that faced Brighton College in tennis. Enzo Mace also made his debut for the 1st XI cricket team and Henry Hollands managed to take four wickets last weekend. Over the Easter holiday, Tom Hibbert participated in the Richards Elite Team Southwest, winning all six games. Lucas Gorrill also continued his triathlon success by representing Great

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SCHOOL HOUSE REPORT

The Stag

By Valerie Law

Summer Term is finally here! The sun is finally out, and the girls have been seamlessly slipping back into their usual routines. The girls have been resiliently working hard towards their exams especially the Year 11s and 13s who have their exams coming up. We are so incredibly proud of how far they have come, and we are wishing them the best of luck!

Last term, some School House girls participated in House Acapella. We unfortunately didn’t win but the girls sang beautifully to Since You’ve Been Gone. Over this term, we will have a lot of house events to look forward to such as house water polo and sports day! House events are important as it brings all the girls together and we do tend to show our competitive side. Some other events we are looking forward to is the Boarder’s Barbeque. We all have the privilege to join this boarding event, and we are so looking forward for it! The Year 12 girls also have a paddle boarding trip lined up with Wargrave which will be a fun day.

As we began the summer term, Ms. Gordon and Ms. Whiddett held their annual scavenger hunt for the girls. The girls are put into their families and are sent with clues around the school to take pictures with the location answer. The girls all got ice cream after, and it was such great fun and a brilliant start to the term. The winning team also gets a prize of donuts! The Year 12s have also started their interviewing process for house roles. We wish them the best of luck!

Overall, School House has been very busy and hectic. We wish everyone luck for their end of year exams and we hope all the girls enjoy the summer term!

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HOUSE REPORTS

WARGRAVE HOUSE REPORT

By Vincent Marten

Since the last Stag the boys in Wargrave celebrated the end of the Lent term with the house book which is a tradition where everyone in Wargrave celebrates achievements throughout the lent term which was a great way to end such a successful term for Wargrave house. As the summer term has begun the evenings have begun to be lighter allowing everyone in the house to get outside and socialise after a busy day of school.

Exams Although exams don’t happen just for Wargrave, internal and external exams are about to begin across all year groups but most notably for the year 11s and year 13s as they have there GCSE’s in year 11 and A levels in year 13. On a lesser note years 10 and 12 face the tough internal examinations as well. All of the effort and time people have put in is undeniable and there results will definitely reflect the hard work they have put in.

house. In addition to this we are very pleased to see that Will Fellows will be taking on the role of deputy head boy which is great to see especially after having Will Plimsol from wargrave house prior to this.

We wish them all the best as they serve the Wargrave and school community.

Craig and Wargrave Merge With Craig and Wargrave merging at the beginning of the next academic year, Wargrave have been hosting football in the cage where craig boys come over to enjoy an ice cream and play football on a Friday afternoon. This is a great time where boys can get to know each other so that the transition to move house will feel a lot more natural.

House roles With the year 13s preparing for there A levels, the time has come where pupils in year 12 step up into certain roles to make the house run well and smoothly. Harvey Nolan and Harry Jordan are both set to be the new Wargrave heads of house supported by both Ollie Jones and Dougie Fallon who are the new deputy heads of

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WATT HOUSE REPORT

By Nikol Saveleva The new term has already begun very positively for Watt. It has been particularly impressive to see Year 11 and Year 13 students already working hard as they prepare for their upcoming examinations, showing real dedication.We ended last half term on a high with our annual International Dinner, followed by House A Cappella. The International Dinner brought everyone together for a relaxed and sociable evening, with a variety of dishes enjoyed by all. The A Cappella performance of Hallelujah was a highlight, reflecting the effort all the girls put in through the numerous rehearsals.

Many Year 9 and 10 girls produced fabulous performances in the Comedy Festival.

Their team placed 1st in the 70 class and Freya was placed individually 3rd out of over 40 competitors.

Looking ahead, there is much to be excited about this term, including many drama performances, our annual whole-house BBQ and the selection of new prefects.

Overall, it promises to be another busy and successful term for Watt.

This half term has also started well. With warmer weather, we have made the most of being outdoors, enjoying activities such as rounders on College Field. It has been great to see so many girls getting involved and supporting one another. Alongside wholehouse events, it has been wonderful to celebrate individual achievements. Ebony recently spent two and a half weeks training and competing in Mar Menor, Spain, gaining valuable experience. Amelie has also had an excellent start to the term. She represented the Willingdon Division 1 ladies team four times, winning three matches and halving one, and also represented Sussex Girls, winning both of her matches in a triangular competition. Mathilda and Freya both competed in the National Schools Equestrian Association Showjumping Grassroots Regional Finals for the South East region.

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HOROSCOPES

By Mystic Maud Pisces

Aquarius

Aries

Taurus

(Jan 20th - Feb 18th)

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

Brilliant idea strikes; friends need explanations

Daydream responsibly; the bell is real

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

(May 21st - June 20th)

(June 21st - July 22nd)

(July 23rd - Aug 22nd)

(Aug 23rd-Sep 22nd)

You’ll change your mind twice before lunchtime

Feelings run high; chocolate solves most problems

If the spotlight finds you, try not to monologue

You’ll organise chaos, then alphabetise your worries

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

(Sep 23rd - Oct 22nd)

(Oct 23rd - Nov 21st)

(Nov 22nd - Dec 21st)

(Dec 22nd-Jan 19th)

Decision incoming; flip a coin dramatically

Mystery surrounds you; teachers remain unconvinced

Adventure calls; remember permission slips

Hard work pays off; so does a good nap

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Charge ahead; prep may chase you eventually

(April 20th-May 20th) Snacks bring happiness; sharing one might improve karma