THE STAG Issue Two: Michaelmas Term 2 2020 1
The Stag: Issue 2 Goodbye, Mrs De La Torre….……………………………………………Page 3 Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge…………………………………….Page 4 Politics ...…………………….……………………………………….…...Page 5 Top Ten Christmas Songs……………………………………….………..Page 6 A Series of Unfortunate Events …………………………………….…….Page 7 House Reports …..…………………………………………………….….Page 8 Meet Edmundo Ortiz ……...……………………………………...…….Page 10 How to Survive Winter…………….…………………………………....Page 11 Live Lounge .............................................................................................Page 12 Environment …………………………………………………………….Page 13 International Feature ……………………………………………………Page 14 Goodbye, Mrs Mackenzie……………………………………………….Page 16 Photography …………………………………………………………….Page 18 Sport……………………………………………………………………..Page 20 Alternative Winter Festivals ……………………… …………………...Page 21 Dance …………………………………………………………………..Page 22 Horoscopes …………………………………………………………….Page 23
Where is Stanley? Where in the college is Stanley the Stag? Email your answer to: thestag@eastbournecollege.co.uk 2
INTERVIEW
Goodbye, Mrs De La Torre! What are your earliest memories of the college?
“I started teaching at Eastbourne College when I was 22, so I remember thinking that the Sixth Form boys were extremely tall! Everyone was really welcoming, and Mrs Tripp was my mentor– she looked after me from day one!”
“Oh that’s quite a dangerous question isn't it! There are some that are infamous, as well as some that are more memorable”
Do you stay in contact with any of them?
“Do you know what, I am the worst person to stay in contact with anybody, so not so much!”
“The UNIFORM! That was a shocker. I actually quite like it, though, it took me a while to get used to! Saturdays are now lovely too. I've been swimming once; I think I did 5 lengths!”
What made you go for the job?
Are there any really memorable pupils?
What is the biggest change you have seen at the college since you started?
“As soon as I arrived at the school, I loved the community feel of the school! I like feeling like I make a difference in the students’ life choices and helping them through their ups and downs. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for people who like people!”
Don’t take things to heart! People say lots of things when they are emotional and stressed out. It’s ok to cry but don’t cry too often…
What is the most scandalous thing that has happened while you have been here?
If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice what would it be?
“I did learn that one of the U6, who was in School House at the time, got a takeaway delivered through her window. She was on the ground floor so the delivery man would just turn up and post it through her window! “
“Well, this is my 13th year at the college and since then I got married and I had my children who used to come to evening duties with me in their sling! They’ve grown up here and so there are so many!”
Which of the house events are your favourite?
What memories will you take away with you?
“I enjoy having done house review, but it’s always very stressful. From doing dances to the biathlon, tutor videos were always the best. “
Arnold was very special for its time! Then the lovely thing was we were able to merge the two together, so they became the same thing – therefore it’s Blackwater isn’t it!!
Blackwater or Arnold? 3
FEATURES
Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge Cold and crisp weather, mince pies, Christmas lights, crackling fires... It’s that time of year again, but this year we’ve been rudely stripped of the excitement of Christmas fairs, carol concerts, loveydovey ice skating with your partner and buzzing family gatherings. Some may be even suffering with the fear that Christmas might be ‘cancelled’ all in all! Do you fancy getting that festive feel back? Do you want to enjoy all those seasonal activities you say you’ll do every year but never get round to? If so, welcome to the Lead Up to Christmas Challenge! Day 1 An easy one to start…make a Christmas playlist to get those spirits up for the festive days to come! Day 2 Write a letter to a loved one (or two or more) wishing them an extremely merry Christmas. It’s not easy for everyone at this time. Day 3 Dare I say it…time to get that Christmas shopping done. Get ahead of the game! There are some brilliant sales out there!
Love Actually. If you haven’t seen it, you’ve been living under a rock.
Day 7 If you hadn’t discovered the joys of it during the months of lockdown, try out some yoga. Just 15 minutes can change your day completely! Day 8 Christmas dance work out time…put on that playlist you should have made on day 1 and get a sweat on! Day 9 Make your heart feel warm by donating just £5 to a charity of your choice. Day 10 Time to get outside. Wrap up warm, whatever the weather, go on a winter walk!
Day 4 GET THAT TREE UP! It’s always this activity which seems fun as an idea in our heads but actually ends up being an enormous faff. Get it Day 11 Watch your all-time favourite Christmas film!!! (If done! it’s not Love Actually you have been living under a rock) Day 5 MINCE PIEEESSSSSSS!!! Make a batch of 12 Day 12 scrumptious classic mince pies and get that festive Focus on you. Maybe run a hot bath or sit down by a taste back on your tongue. fire. Look back on the year, reflect on what has happened, what you feel proud of, what you feel like Day 6 you can do better next year. Set some goals for the Get some mistletoe up! Romanceeeee must be year ahead and enjoy the here and now. sparked. There’s no time like now <3 Elo Quitman, Year 13 Nugent House 4
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
You Can’t Fire Trumpism For three long days, the world held breath; the result the US presidential election hung the balance. And then, clarity -- or we thought.
its well, that will persist after he’s left the of White House. in Trumpism, if we can call it so that, coheres around several key policy areas: the protection of gun rights, low Even after a frenzy of poll updates, taxes and an aversion to what is seen late-night tweeting and bitter, yet un- as socialised (European-style, NHSsurprising, accusations from Donald style) healthcare. Trump, the November 3rd election How is it that the president -- despite is still far from a peaceful concluover 245,000 deaths from a virus he sion to the upheaval and division of the initially dismissed and then failed to Trump years. It produced a clear winlead an effective response -ner and a sore loser. But while Trump can maintain such a wide followis due to leave the White House on ing? Partly, it’s the willingness of his January 20th, Trumpism remains a followers to suspend disbepotent force in American society and lief. As Trump himself put it, he could politics. It will massively complicate literally “stand in the middle of Fifth the job of the new administration. Avenue and shoot somebody” without In the first year of Trump’s presidency, losing any voters; “it’s, like, incredithe BBC raised a question that is worth ble”. It’s also undeniable that some of addressing today: “Should we be add- Trump’s policies -- his tax cuts and his ing an "ism" to the end willingness to take on China -- were of [Trump’s] name? Are we dealing popular. with a thought-through philosophy, a The President’s own stubbornness and carefully mapped world view that hisunwillingness to face the truth elicits a torians will look back and similar response from his followcall Trumpism? Or are we dealing with ers. Trump refuses to concede defeat instincts and impulses guided by a (as of this writing); around 70% populist desire to please his base that of Republican voters surveyed believe delivered his astonishing victory?”. the 2020 presidential election to have The BBC concluded that “the Ameri- been neither free nor fair, despite the can people weren’t voting for a philos- fact that the election was certified opher or intellectual. They wanted as the most secure in American histosomeone who would get things done.” ry. Even as the election was being deTherefore, to put an ‘ism’ at the end of cided, Ladbrokes had 25-to-1 odds Trump’s name is more to capture the on Ivanka Trump, the President’s authority that Trump has over many daughter, becoming President in 2024. minds in America, than to mark his The 73 million followers that Trump policies as philosophically or intellechas will not simply disappear when the tually significant. new Biden Administration moves into After four years of chronic lying, po- the White House; the movement they larising rhetoric and provocative represent will persist and perhaps even tweeting, it seems that Trumpism is a grow, wholly depending on Biden’s political movement based around the success as president. What does the president’s cult of personality, as op- new administration need to do to deposed to any ideologies (of which he escalate the tension in American polistruggled to communicate). However, tics and perhaps prevent a rethere is a binding logic to Trumpism as turn of Trumpism in 2024?
Biden has already made a good start, with calmer tones and a presence that is the polar opposite of Trump’s. Biden didn’t declare victory until it was clear. He held out an olive branch to Trump’s supporters, promising to unify the nation. He also made a long list of specific policy promises for his first 100 days as president. These include a robust response to the pandemic based on science ( as opposed to Trump’s response: constantly denigrating chief scientist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, while also seeming to tell people to ingest bleach as a cure). He also promises to make fighting climate change a priority, tightening environmental regulations, repairing international relations and saving Obama Care, Much also depends on whether the Republican Party itself can move away from toxic Trumpism and toward something more like the messages the party had during its heyday under Ronald Reagan, whose administration was responsible for sowing many of the seeds that have resulted in Trumpism. With a long four-decade record in Congress, Biden has the experience to change the tone of American politics and he starts with a hopeful message: “I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn’t see red states and blue states but only sees the United States’
Sasha Rosanov, Yr12 Nugent House 5
FEATURES
Top 10 Christmas Songs
It is that time of year again. Wherever you go, you can’t escape the jingle-tastic sound of Christmas hits. Michael Buble serenades you down supermarket aisles. Slade aggressively reminds you of the time of year as you frantically hunt for Christmas presents. Mariah Carey accompanies you to every Christmas party you are invited to. In one of her toughest challenges yet, Stag reporter Elsa Auer was tasked with ranking the top ten greatest Christmas hits. Be prepared for some controversial decisions...
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Michael Bublé
9
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
Believe - Josh Groban
Last Christmas - Wham
6
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Michael Bublé
Jingle Bells (Bobby Helms) Santa Baby (Kylie Minogue) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Michael Bublé)
1
Santa Tell Me (Ariana Grande) Mistletoe (Justin Bieber) 6
FEATURES
A Series of Unfortunate Events Year 12 Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award The first weekend of half term, while some of you were enjoying a long night’s sleep, a home cooked meal and an episode of Friends (best TV show ever by the way), the DofE expeditions were kicking off in a notso-timely manner. For 76 Eastbournians, this meant three days of hiking, navigating and tent-pitching. The Eastbourne weather was quintessentially sunny for the entirety of the expedition and, thanks to Covid, overnight camping was not allowed (which brought some relief to those in my group who shared a tent with me on the practice expedition — for reasons I’ll explain later). Still, not everything was smooth sailing — or hiking.
Demonstrating superb navigation skills was Savannah Winston’s group; they confidently trudged up and down hills for two hours, only to find themselves in the very same spot they started in. One anonymous person who responded to my call for feedback noted that some of the challenges DofE entails are not quite what you’d expect. “The real challenge of DofE wasn't the walking, the weight of the bag, the navigation or the rough terrain, but the sheer annoyingness of your teammates (at least from my experi-
ence). One of my group members did a better job collecting sticks than anything else. I will never forget when the instructor said, ‘Please measure your bearing’ and that person replied, with enthusiasm, ‘390°!’”. All I can say to that is, I hope it goes better next time!
Our group was briefly panicked upon realising we had to walk along ‘Paradise Drive’, a road, apparently well known for posing a mortal danger to unsuspecting teenagers (cue eye roll). Oh, and when I say we, I’m, of course, referring to the boys in our group. This resulted in a two-hour delay, taking us approximately an hour to walk up a hill and come to the realisation that the road wasn’t, in fact, a death trap. (I, personally, was struck by how much terrain you can cover while engrossed in a somewhat heated political debate… thanks Dexter). Despite the few mishaps along the way, all groups met their objectives and returned safely, making the weekend another Eastbourne DofE success. I was particularly pleased not just to have finished, but to have redeemed myself — and retiring the nickname ‘Sir Sicksalot’ — by completing the expedition without getting food poisoning (all credit goes to Liv’s mum’s cooking). Sasha Rosanov, Yr12 Nugent House 7
HOUSE REPORTS
Your House Reporters share what you have been getting up to in house this term. Year Nine Drama - The Year Nine’s performed the piece ‘The Franklin’s Tale’. Well done to those who performed, including; Asfandiyar Seitkassymov, Fergus Lawson Johnson, Harry Wieynk and Archie Jones. This scene shows Franklin, played by Fergus telling The Pilgrim’s Tale.
played. Pennell have been getting into the Christmas spirit, with a Secret Santa under the Christmas tree. For COVID 19 safety reasons, all presents shall be quarantined for 48 hours before being handed out. Here, you can see Leonardo Fu, with his Santa outfit on next to the tree in Pennell House!
Year 12s competed in house basketball; with Abylay Orazbek as captain of the team. Well done to Pennell who report they won most of the matches they
Pennell
Watt Year Nine Drama - The Year Nines from Watt House performed in a successful year nine drama performance. After a long debate over the winner, the girls from Watt were announced the winners! Many thanks goes to the Year 12s for organising it and congratulations to the year nines!
Coffee morning has also been a huge success in Watt House, with allocated years providing the cakes for the morning break snack. It has proved a huge success, with a good way to relax in between the intense day to day lessons. We hope this can continue in its COVID safe way in the new year.
Speaking as their Head of House, the Powell boys have been a pleasure to lead this term during “the new normal”. This year’s addition of new boys in Year Ten and Year Eleven have joined alongside the range of scholars in Years Nine and Twelve. They have enhanced the competitiveness within house and raised our already high standards to the next level. This year’s mash up of Chaucer’s The Pardoner’s Tale and Mamma Mia for Year Nine drama has been a great way for the Year 9s to settle into the house and bond with people they will share the next five years of school with. Whether they were drama schol-
ars or very new to drama, each of the boys worked hard, while often testing the patience of the Lower 6th directors, to add unique additions to The Pardoner’s Tale. Most notably, a rendition of Mamma Mia is now relentlessly being played on their speakers in house. In terms of sports, the Powell boys have excelled so far this term. The rugby players have trained hard all season and many players, whether having a lot of experience or very little, have made big improvements in their game. This was represented well in house rugby for all years. We’ve also had multiple boys training in the football, tennis
and horse riding teams. During lockdown some of the boys took part in the rise of Tik Tok. The original content they created and new dance moves they learnt have made for some great entertainment in house and some excellent material for our up-coming house concert. A special mention goes out to Ali AlShamaa for his heartfelt reworking of the famous WAP dance and the Lower Sixth for using Tik Tok production as a means to stay together whilst not being able to meet during lockdown.
Powell 8
HOUSE REPORTS In light of last year’s three-month period of online learning, retrospectively Wargrave students showed great promise and steadfast perseverance with many eRC effort levels going up during the lockdown. Although last year was effectively cut in half, Wargrave students have returned with great enthusiasm and are raring to go. This year we welcomed 10 new Year 9’s initially with the further addition of Jason Mo. In an interview with our team, Theo Cruttenden said in that he felt he was welcomed into a warm, fun and caring community from the first day. When asked how it felt being away from his parents and boarding full-time for the first time, he said that he expected to feel homesick but instead felt safe and welcomed. As we began this year, the pressure and excitement of
The past week in School House has been one of great teamwork and achievement. Jiayu Sun scored 102 in the British Olympiad Senior Mathematics Challenge, earning herself a gold medal placing her top in the year, an incredible accomplishment. There have been many interhouse fixtures taking place across all year groups with a wide variety of sports being played. Year 10s played netball placing a respectable fourth after fighting fierce, close matches. The year 11 Hockey team triumphed their way to first place in their inter house match, our highest placers in house. Year 12 battled hard in their interhouse netball with the whole year group coming together to play and support creating an inclusive atmos-
university applications with some year five minutes (equivalent to roughly 15 13s considering prospects abroad seconds in real-time) to level the score (shout-out to Guilherme Rio-Tinto). and the went on to win on penalties – impressive. As we progressed through the year, we were met with the unfortunate In terms of our resistance to but inevitable news that there would be Covid, the deployment of a one-way a second nationwide lockdown. Altsystem and also the remarkable work hough this news was hard to done by the cleaners have helped imtake, Wargrave students embraced it mensely. well and it was further brightened by the introduction of two new house Things to look out for in the tournaments: Fifa and Darts to go along with the usual Darts, Table Ten- coming terms for Wargrave: nis and Pool. This was met with much House Review excitement across the house. (Can Annual house rowing someone dethrone Mr Laverack and prevent him from winning threeconsecutive pool championships?) There have been some exciting points so far notably the thrilling comeback of Toby Clarke in house Fifa who scored two goals in the last
Wargrave
phere and demonstrating team spirit. Year 13 placed second in their game of End Zone 360 an interesting mixture of netball and rugby with Eleanor Daniel and Mel Griffiths performing exceptionally well. Planning ahead, we have found a “Covid secure” way to do our part for those less fortunate by organising a charity raffle as a means to raise money for domestic abuse victims, an issue which has become ever more apparent during COVID-19. We will be bringing in items to contribute to our raffle and tickets should be on sale soon.
School 9
INTERVIEW
Meet Edmundo Ortiz Could you introduce yourself to the school magazine?
What is your favourite play, novel and poem?
Hi. I’m Edmundo. I’m the new English teaching assistant. I’m from Mexico, though I studied in the United States. I came and did my gap year in Eastbourne College two years ago and I fell in love with the school. I knew I had to come back eventually.
Hamlet. Without a doubt. It’s an incredible text. I’ve studied it for three years and every time I read it, it always brings me something different. It’s incredible.
Why have you come to Eastbourne College? Coronavirus happened and my university went fully online, which I decided was not a university experience. So, I emailed the college and asked if they had something for me where I could help. I decided to take a year off, but I wanted to spend my time giving back to a community that offered so much to me. Eastbourne College gave me one of the best years of my life and if I could in any way help with creating that same experience for another person then I not only wanted to do so but decided that not doing so would be a waste of time.
“I hate being called Sir” What is your role here at Eastbourne College? As a teaching assistant for the English Department, my role is to help in whatever way I can. If a student needs help with an essay, let’s talk about it. If you need help with coursework, I’d be more than happy to go over it. If there’s something that you’re not understanding in one of the books you’re reading or you want to dig in deeper, let’s do it! If I could reduce myself to something, I’m a passionate ‘chatterer’ and I’d like to dedicate as much time as possible talking about English Literature! In a formal sense, I’m here to aid teachers and pupils. In a poetic sense, my role here is to transmit the passion I have for English.
Catcher in the Rye. There’s something beautiful about such a simple but beautifully written text. It’s not an elaborate or complex text, but it’s so deeply human. That’s a really hard question, but I think The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is my favourite poem. Anything else to add? I hate being called Sir. I am Edmundo. I’m the only staff member who is called by his first name because I’m not really a teacher in the traditional sense of the word. Don’t put me in the Sir category, not yet. My role here is to help and to chat with passionate people about English and act as an intermediary between pupil and teacher. I’m both a teacher who has read and studied the texts and a student who is reading and studying them with you. But at the same time, I have done the work and it’s not going to be only chatter - you will get work done! It’s going to have the Mexican touch! When I got to Eastbourne, I found a community that accepted and supported those who really wanted to contribute. It amazes and it surprises me that more people do not do extracurricular activities. If people understood how rare it was for communities to be so supportive, they’d want to get involved. For example, this magazine - it’s incredible! Having students who are so spontaneous and creative as to create amazing projects like The Stag, it baffles me! It’s wonderful how engaging and creative students are here.
What do you hope to gain from your time here? Eastbourne College is offering me brilliant minds. The only reason I’m able to help is because I’ve spent more time doing this, but I think I’ve learnt more about the books we’re reading through the conversations I’ve had with pupils than through the study of these works. It’s almost intimidating how brilliant you guys are! Having a conversation with you guys should almost count as a university degree! Secondly, I want to eventually be a teacher, so having this experience really helps. 10
FEATURES
How to Survive Winter Winter. A gorgeous time of year. The scent of pine trees. Bright colourful lights on the walls. Christmas fills the streets with joy and happiness. But it isn’t like that for everyone. Every year, thousands of people experience more mental health problems as it gets colder but why?
atonin, the hormone that controls sleep patterns, which can lead to hypersomnia and a feeling of sleepiness throughout the day. Finally, some psychologists believe that lack of sunlight may disrupt the internal body clock which can cause SAD symptoms.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, is a form of depression that people experience during a particular season, most often in winter. According to an NHS survey, 1 in 15 people have symptoms of SAD during winter months but only 12% of people with SAD symptoms are aware of the diagnoses. Symptoms of SAD include: irritability; feeling sleepy during the day; craving carbohydrates which can lead to weight gain; hypersomnia, and difficulty getting up. For some people, this can have a dramatic impact on their day-to-day activities.
If you recognise any of these SAD symptoms in yourself you should contact your GP for professional health advice.
1 in 15 people have symptoms of SAD during winter Although the condition wasn’t studied in great detail, most psychologists suggest that low sunlight is the main cause of SAD. Lack of sunlight could potentially cause the hypothalamus, a gland in the brain that controls feeling of stress, to produce less serotonin, also known as a hormone of happiness, which can negatively affect appetite, sleep, and, most importantly, mood. Furthermore, lack of sunlight can stimulate the hypothalamus to produce more mel-
Self-care practices are very important for everyone but especially for people with SAD. Regular physical exercise, preferably outdoors, will not only improve your physical health but also boost your mood. Physical activities increase the production of happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine as well as lowering the production of melatonin which makes you happier and awake. But one of the key practices of self-care during winter is spending at least thirty minutes a day in the sunlight which can include going for a walk during daylight hours or just sitting near the window. Socialising is also important as it provides new positive experiences. Finally, be kind. Winter is difficult for everyone whether or not they suffer from SAD, so remember to be patient with people and treat everyone like you want them to treat you.
Sophia Semkina, Year 12 Nugent House
11
MUSIC
Live Lounge 2020 The run up to the annual excitement of the singersongwriter’s group ‘Live Lounge’ concert, although slightly different due to obvious circumstances, was just as stress overloaded and adrenaline-fuelled as every year. We knew we had to be adaptable in this situation. There was no way we would let the term go by without showing off our song-writing skills to the school and beyond. Luckily, with the wisdom of Mr Tom Williams and Sir Joe Walsh, we were able to string together (no pun intended) a rather fantastic sound which will be available for everyone to hear soon. As ever, there were last minute changes of songs, broken guitar straps, loss of minds and rehearsal slots even more behind schedule than last year. But nevertheless, as we songwriters do, we pulled together some pieces unlike any heard before.
goes on behind the scenes of the songwriter’s workshop. You will also see a video that was made in such a fashion that will show off these efforts. A huge well done to all of those who took part; let’s hope for a proper Live Lounge in the not-toodistant future!
Elo Quitman, Year 13 Nugent House
Mimi Gould, Ella Parker, Willow McNulty, Ed Gent, Sav Winston, Elo Quitmann and Liv Jayaraj spent weeks writing, perfecting and ploughing through Spotify trying and find a cover that hadn’t been done before. The JWA was kitted out with mics, amps, leads, drums, lights, cameras, guitars, keyboards and more. From 2:45 to 7:45, James Grout did not stop playing the drums, stunning us with his talent as usual. Sanity didn’t deteriorate too quickly, though Tom began to make ‘knockknock’ jokes and Mr Laverack experienced an almost extreme sugar rush after indulging in too many vegan sweets. However, this did not affect his next-level piano keyboard playing. Every songwriter delivered a unique, refined and immensely impressive performance .
Talent reflected off every surface of the auditorium with the sounds of Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, Felix Jaehn and other classics, but most importantly the breath-taking freshly written tunes that will be hard to forget. We certainly missed the presence of an audience, though this was perhaps to some of our advantage! You’ll have to be the judges of that. It won’t be long until you can feast your ears on the products of our day and appreciate the hard work that 12
ENVIRONMENT
How to have an EnvironmentallyFriendly Christmas It’s Christmas. Everyone’s gone home. Dad’s in a food coma, Mum’s watching the Christmas special of Call the Midwife, and everyone is sick of hearing Michael Bublé. There are several Christmas dinners’ worth of food in the bin. Half the cards are already in the recycling, joined by a kilo of wrapping paper. You stare in confusion at that bizarre gift from your aunt that you know will ‘accidentally’ end up in the bin within a month.
your great-aunt in Shropshire - but you can probably do without a card from the family dog. If they’re desperate to send you something, remind them that it’s the 21st Century, the internet exists and so do digital cards. On the note of reminding your parents, don’t let them spend hours guessing what to get you only to buy something you’ll never use - and try to curb back on the joke gifts that only really warrant a minor exhalation of air from your nose. When you’re shopping for your gifts, bear in mind that as convenient as Amazon Prime is for those last-minute gifts, it can release If this sounds familiar, then it might be time to start up to 35% more carbon emissions than regular mail thinking about the environmental impact of your so try shopping independently if you can. If you’re in Christmas. If it doesn’t, then by all means skip this the market for books, bookshop.org has just opened in article. Go and check your horoscope or something. the UK to support local bookstores and protect them from Bezos’ grip.
Every year, the British public throw away enough gravy for the Eastbourne College swim team to practise their front crawl in six separate lanes
Finally, as much as we all love Christmas trees it might be worth acknowledging the impact that they have. Real Christmas trees ultimately have less environmental footprint than artificial ones; just make sure But for everyone currently having flashbacks to that it’s from a sustainable farm. time someone got you a Jeff Goldblum Shower Curtain, let’s talk about Christmas dinners. Every year, the British public throw away around 263,000 tur- Now, I’m not suggesting that we all abandon Christkeys, 17.2 million Brussels sprouts, and enough gravy mas, spit in the faces of carol singers and rant about for the Eastbourne College swim team to practise their decreasing the surplus population. If we all make sure front crawl in six separate lanes. This year, remind we’re buying gifts that will be used and food that will your family that nobody actually eats the brussels be eaten then we’re already halfway there. For every sprouts, that the half-price pack of red cabbage really Christmas purchase, be it food or tinsel, just ask isn’t worth getting and that you don’t need another yourself if it’s truly necessary or if it’ll be in the pack of mince pies to be on the safe side. Of course, wheelie bin by New Year’s. there’s always going to be waste - just make sure you’ve not got so much that you’ll be having turkey There’s no point resisting changes like these. I’d rasandwiches for lunch until February. ther slowly ease myself into a more sustainable Christmas now than still be reading the card from the I’ll say it. For the most part, Christmas cards are family dog whilst the house floods from rising sea pointless. You can tell your family to have a Merry levels. Christmas in person - they don’t need it written down. Of course, I’m not suggesting you cut all contact with William Brown, Year 13 Reeves House 13
FEATURES
International Christmas Traditions Christmas recipes and traditions in Germany Christmas in Germany and Great Britain is one of the main celebrations of the year and I enjoy the Christmas traditions of both countries although they differ from each other. In Germany, the main time to celebrate Christmas is not the morning of the 25.12 but the evening of the day beforehand. It is a tradition to eat sausages and potato salad which is a simple meal so that families can spend most of the time together under the Christmas tree. A larger meal with several courses is served on the 25th and 26th of December. Christmas time starts properly at the end of November after the so called “Dead Sunday” (Totensonntag), when families remember the loved ones they have lost. Afterwards, houses are decorated and Christmas markets open. The German cities Dresden (which is famous for its “Stollen”, another German speciality) and Nürnberg are known for their beautiful markets which attract many tourists every year. Like the annual Queen’s Christmas speech, the German President makes a “Weihnachtsansprache” which can be watched on television. In the afternoon of the 24th many families go to Christmas services and have tea at home together afterwards. In the evening, children traditionally recite Christmas poems they have learnt throughout the month and the whole family sings Christmas chorales such as “Silent Night”. Afterwards, presents are opened and the whole evening is spent together. On the following days, more family members come to visit.
(image: Süddeutsche Zeitung)
One of the main specialities are so called “Lebkuchen” which are sweet specialities. This is a cake moulded cookie filled with spices and coated with chocolate. These are not only eaten at Christmas but during the whole of December and are sold as early as November. Other specialities which are definitely worth a try are Spekulatius (spiced shortcrust biscuit) and Dominosteine (which are little cubes surrounded by dark chocolate). Christmas time in Germany!
And of course, both countries eat well during this festive time…
14
FEATURES And finally, a very easy German recipe: Bratapfel (baked apple) 4 medium sized apples 30g chopped walnuts 2 dessert spoons apple jelly 1 dessert spoon honey 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 dessert spoon butter Firstly, wash the apples and remove the core. Place the apples in a greased oven proof dish. Mix the walnuts, apple jelly, honey and cinnamon and fill the apple centres. Place flakes of butter over the apples. Bake in a preheated oven at 200g C for about 30 minutes. They should be soft when cooked. If not eaten immediately, cover with aluminium foil. You can eat the apples with ice cream and vanilla sauce if you would like to in order to experience the true German Christmas feeling.
Dictionary Corner swoopsquack a small venemous duck-like creature, that is extremely dangerous Jamie Gordon canathonian (can-a-thon-i-an) When you have a runny nose but no tissues Thomas Johnson mungus (un-jus) When something is really unfair. Melis-Rose Ozcan pliéntwo (plié -en- two)
The state of uncontrollable laughter Anais Caberet huityed (hi-yet) When one is lying on the beach and is hit with a fish Oliver May
The German word for Christmas is “Weihnachten” which comes from the Middle High German phrase “ral ze den wīhen nahten” (“ in the holy nights”). So, wherever you are this Christmas, I wish you Frohe Weihnachten!
Sandra Fuhrmann, Year 13 School House
"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." -Aristotle "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." -John Lennon Sophia Semkina, Year 12, Nugent House 15
INTERVIEW
Goodbye, Mrs Mackenzie! I was invited to write a short piece on Housemistress Laura Mackenzie of School House. I have had the pleasure of being one of Kenzo’s girls for the past 14 months and plan on savouring every last moment with her. To sum her up in a word (well, two because I can’t decide): WHOLEHEARTED. Everything she does is done to the best of her ability. No matter how late it is, she remains patient. No matter how tired she is, she remains kind. No matter how small or big is an issue or interest, she remains engaged and compassionate. My other word is SUPERWOMAN. You’ll soon understand why. Why Eastbourne? She exaggerates on the word ‘serendipitous’ when explaining how all the doors that allowed her to get the job opened. She credits her Grandmother Wimpole’s 100th birthday as the reason for her even being in the country and able to attend the interview. This was long before the days of Zoom. A born and raised Sussex girl, after spending nine years in New Zealand, her husband’s country of origin, she knew she wanted to come home and be a housemistress. Kenzo, who also attended boarding school as a young girl, read the beloved ‘Malory Towers’ series by Enid Blyton and fell instantly in love with the concept of being a Housemistress. What has been the best thing about your time at EbC? She chooses School House and swimming in the sea. I was expecting Kenzo’s answer to the first question to be the proximity to the sea, but I knew either way it would come up sooner or later.
She is an avid swimmer and known to nip down and swim in what I would consider to be ‘the coldest water on earth’ between lessons. What has been the worst thing about your time at EbC? She jokes about being able to tell the truth now she is leaving but decides to remain diplomatic, a trait she has mastered in her years as a mother, friend and sister to the girls and staff of School House. The worst thing, she says, is definitely the late nights and conflict between family and work. As a last thought she ‘dares’ to get political: “men just don’t get it”. The feminist in me wanted to tell her that unfortunately yes even from my very limited experience, many would consider that political but we both know it is in fact a sad reality #US GIRLS HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER Fondest memory? What will
“Say yes. Be kind and take the initiative.” you miss most? WINNING HOUSE SINGING. On a more behind-thescenes memory, filming on the downs with Ms Simmons and Ms Squire who were dressed as Patsy and Eddy, whilst all, admittedly, slightly intoxicated. She specifies it was not from “swigging vodka” but there was prosecco involved. Taking a group of leaving upper sixth to a karaoke joint where they sang hymns from the list of songs sung at Congo. Miss Simmonds ‘Gin gate’ which involved a saw, a gate and, you guessed it, GIN. She says
she’ll miss hanging out with the people she works with and the girls. I think that last one sums up how right for the job she was. She knew she wanted to be a house mistress, went for it, got it and still enjoys even the smallest, easily overlooked parts of it.
One word you associate with the college? Caring (“that’s so naff” she jokes), but upon further reflection admits, exhausting. Something I think we can all agree about this amazing institution is that it offers so much, in so many diverse fields: Music, Sports, Arts, Academics, Drama, but it does ultimately become your whole life. As students that’s the best part about this place, the real attraction, the balance between work and play has been found and nurtured. But this does not only extend to students; teachers who give their all not only reap the benefits but also suffer some of the consequences. Teachers are known to be in their classrooms from 7.50am onwards and not leave sometimes till after 7pm. To then have to come home, be a mother to three boys, a wife and then everything any of the 67 girls in house need her to be all suggest that Laura Mackenzie is Superwoman in disguise. 16
INTERVIEW If you could go back and give yourself a piece of advice going into the job, what would it be? Her answer is something we both agreed should be a rule for life: Stand up for what you believe in, stand up for it right from the outset and DO NOT CRY because you believe in it. Would you go back and change anything if you could? Reluctantly, she answers “leaving” and as a rejoinder to her impulsively yet refreshingly honest answer is that she should keep more to herself. I must disagree with her there as I believe this to be one of her greatest strengths. There is an authenticity behind every conversation and every hug. Her ability to be honest creates a caring environment which allows others to come into their own and nurture all the best parts of themselves. Kenzo’s door is always open, not just the door to her office but the door to her home. Possibly that is why the Mackenzies have decided to embark on another adventure as we the girls have slowly invaded the family’s personal space. I think that fact speaks for itself: we don’t look to avoid her, but we seek her out, whether it be because we need her as a maternal figure for a hug, a cup of tea and some worldly advice or because our world is ending, and we need her to fight a battle for or alongside us.
accomplished as both housemistress and mother and there is a constant desire to do both the best she can. She’s enjoyed learning so many different things about the world through all her girls since a lot of the boarding community is international. What’s the most scandalous thing you’ve had to deal with? The scandalous crimes have become less prominent; the consequences just aren’t worth it. Girls used to sneak out of a window at the back of the house to get to dinner early. It sounds like something out of Malory Towers . What would be your advice for people coming into the college and for people leaving? Say yes. Be kind and take the initiative. If you could have three people for dinner who would they be? The first thing to come flying out of her mouth was “only three?”. After going back and forth between authors, actors and actresses, singers, philanthropists, athletes and activists I received a late-night email with this list: Daniel Craig (I mean, who wouldn’t: have you seen those baby blues?), Maya Angelou,
Claire Tomalin, and Chris Martin from Coldplay. Both Mrs Mackenzie and I started out reluctant to interview and be interviewed, but soon enough, cups of tea in hand, cats at our feet roaming round her office, we quickly settled into what felt like a casual mid-afternoon chat. I speak for everyone when I say Laura Mackenzie will be deeply missed and forever treasured as the endearingly chaotic, forever passionate, go-getting School Housemistress we have all grown to adore. Loveday Rowlands, Yr13 School House
You’re a mother to three boys. Do you think that being a maternal figure for so many girls changed your parenting at all? The balance in this job is wrong. She finds the more time she spends with the girls, the more she realises she should spend with her own children. She feels she is unable to feel completely 17
PHOTOGRAPHY
A New Normal... Year 12 pupils share their photography projects Jessie Tarrant: My theme for this pr oject was 'New Normal', looking at how our lives have changed and how this change may affect the rest or our lives to become the new normal. I started to think about how our view of the world has changed and how our perspective of simple scenarios is now vastly different. I used a simple glass egg when shooting this photo. The glass distorted the image of the person behind it by blurring it and flipping it. I thought that this was a good representation of how unclear everything is now and how 'flipped' and crazy our lives have become. I also went on to experiment with black and white. This added to the dramatic atmosphere and meaning behind the piece.
Jess Lock: I made this ser ies in r esponse to the theme "Uncertain Times". This inspired me to think about the news and how different people receive it at this time. The artist that inspired this series layout was Mathieu Pernot who used a photobooth as a layout as part of his series of work following a gypsy family. I explored the title The News as it is becoming increasingly used in this day and age to find out the big world events.
Millie White: My second image is also following the same theme of 'shielding'. This time, I wanted to think of something simpler, and a lot less abstract in contrast to my first image. In the past, I had seen images of people punching through walls to 'escape', and so I took the idea of using cling film to create a barrier, supposedly inferring a 'shielded' person from the photographer. I did not photoshop any major changes to my piece, however I did play around with the lighting to make one half of her face darker than the other. I took the phrase 'the grass is always greener on the other side', to inspire my piece and the lighting. The lighting shows the direct correlation of light and dark, emphasising the end of the shielding period being around the corner. As well as this phrase also linking to the girl physically looking through the camera to the other side of the cling film.
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Celina Liu: My theme is white, ster ile and clean. I cr eated the images to respond the days during covid. My idea was the girl covered her nose and mouth by her hand wearing a white glove. The white glove symbolises sterile and clean, which respond to the mask that we wear everyday
Phoebe Shakespeare: In this photo the theme is sudden separation. I have used a hammer and a photo frame to create this as I smashed it, separating from the frame. This photo is abstract and bright which I think has made it a more interesting theme. I made this filter in photoshop by increasing the saturation and the different colours in the photo. I tried to contrast this with my other picture as it is less bright and very neutral.
Saffron Grant Down: In this photo in the sense, it is more about a person's mental health not allowing them to speak out to keep everything bottled up, no matter how much they need/want help, they can't. They cannot find the bravery to do so, hence the tape around the mouth and the hand reaching out. Unlike the other photos, I did not photoshop anything extra or out of the image, I enhanced the colours and contrast to give the hand a clearer outline.
Theo Marsden: My theme for this piece of work is isolation. It was inspired by the lockdown caused by Covid 19. My main idea for this photo was to show the difference in people’s mental well-being whilst being alone. I did this by having a picture of a few Jessies and Celinas using photoshop where Jessie looks happy contrasting with a photograph of Jessie alone looking unhappy.
Jake LawsonJohnston: My theme is zones and isolation. This picture was inspired by Covid 19 and how everyone is meant to stay 2 metres apart and how lots of shops are putting marks on the floor so people know how far they should stand from each over. This image was made completely on photoshop. 19
SPORT
News from the Rugby Pitch 1st XV Rugby: This year’s first team brought together an exciting mix of last year’s hardest working 2nd XV players, well experienced (2019-20) 1st XV players and some incredibly talented former 16A players. The first team training group has a very dominant pack and highly skilled back line best suited to playing a blend of Exeter Chiefs’ forward orientated pick and drive style Rugby with Harlequin’s flair in the backs.
Although disappointed with the fact that they are not able to represent the college in matches the upper sixth, boys have been working hard and pushing each other in their game-based training sessions. The sixth form boys’ continued commitment to their strength and conditioning and Saturday sessions will no doubt set them apart when it comes to university team selections.
16a Rugby academically, the Year Eleven boys are showing great During the first half of term, the Year Eleven boys’ commitment by working hard on the pitch and in the training was mainly focused on decision making. gym, something that will give them an edge when it They then moved on to applying their new skills in comes to playing in the sixth form. game situations developing their Bristol Bears style of expansive rugby. Although this is a taxing year
15a Rugby: After a good season overall last year, the Year Nine boys, now confident in their own abilities and the Eastbourne style of rugby, have wowed the coaching staff with their high work rate.
In attack the 15As have been focused on learning; new structures, how to recognise which lines are on and when and how to exploit gaps in their opposition's defence. On the defensive side they have been taught how to drift effectively under pressure.
14a Rugby Despite the restrictions in response to covid, our year nine boys have shown great maturity and passion in their incredible work ethic and hunger to improve as rugby players. This is shown by the boys’ consistent attendance to the optional Saturday sessions and the effort they put in despite not being able to reap the rewards in a match setting. Coming from its dynamic pack and nimble back line, Year Nine’s greatest strength is in its depth. In the coming years this year group’s versatility will act as a springboard in the development of their ability to play fast-paced senior Rugby.
Because of the limitation on contact, Mr Mason and Mr Roberts have been focusing on developing individual skills such as: ball handling and evasion whilst creating some chemistry between players with teamworking exercises. This year group’s wide skillset and maturity beyond their age will make them ones to watch for their time at the college.
Billy Hipperson, Yr13 Powell House 20
FEATURES
Alternative Winter Festivals As the holidays approach, Christmas seems to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, but Christmas is only one of hundreds of different celebrations that take place across the globe. What are some of the other festivities being celebrated now?
languages. However, it is not as popularly celebrated as Vesak Day, on which the birth and death of Gautama Buddha are celebrated.
Hanukkah This year: 10th December-18th December
Pancha Ganapati
Also known as The Festival of Light, Hanukkah is the Jewish celebration which takes place around December every year. It celebrates the legend in which the Jews rose up against their oppressors in what is know as the Maccabean revolt. It is characterised by the lighting of the eight candles of the Menorah over the eight nights, and despite popular belief, it is not the ‘Jewish alternative to Christmas’.
21st-25th December This is a modern festival created in 1985 as a way for Hindu families to celebrate among the many other holidays in December without compromising their beliefs: it honours Ganesh, patron of Arts and Guardian of Culture, and feasts, simple gifts and prayer.
Kwanzaa 26th December- 1st January This is not a religious holiday but a cultural one. First celebrated in 1966, this is another modern celebration which involves gifts and feasts. It was intended to be an African American holiday following the California Watts Riots, but is acknowledged worldwide as a celebration of black history.
Bodhi Day 8th December This is the Buddhist celebration of Siddhartha Gautama reaching enlightenment; it is celebrated in many Buddhist countries around the world, particularly, Japan- though it has many different names in different Katrina Evershed, Yr13 School House 21
DANCE
News from the Dance Studio This term, dance has been as busy as always with two new classes starting commercial jazz and street dance. Five of our most talented dancers have entered a virtual national dance compe-
tition and are eagerly waiting the results. Our GCSE and A level pupils are ahead of schedule with their production of their high level choreographic pieces.
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FEATURES
Horoscopes
Aquarius: (Jan 20-
Aries: (Mar 21-Apr
Feb 18) Sometimes it’s okay to gossip (especially if you tell me everything)
19) You have a big decision coming up (whether to read the rest of these or just stop now?)
Cancer:
(June 21-
July 22) Go get a hug… you obviously need one
Gemini: (May 21-June
19) Take time to rest your backit must hurt from carrying all that good music taste.
20) This is going to be a good week! Or maybe the week after will be. Or sometime soon. Probably.
Leo: (Jul 23-Aug 22) Take advantage Libra: (Sep 23-Oct 22)of celestial radiations coming your way as Neptune aligns with the third axis of Saturn’s house of air (not everything has to make sense, don’t worry)
Sagittarius: (Nov 22 Scorpio: (Oct 23-Nov 21) Be adventurous and ex-Dec 21) Happy plore new horizons! Don’t just birthday?
Capricorn: (Dec 22-Jan
get a margarita pizza this time
Stop reading these just to procrastinate from doing something useful
Taurus: (Apr 20-May 20) Drink. More. Water. I cannot say it enough.
Pisces: (Feb 19-Mar 20)I ran out of horoscopes so here’s a fun fact! Did you know honeybees can recognise human faces?
Virgo:
(Aug 23-Sep 22) I have a good feeling about this week’s Wellbeing Wednesday… 23