The Stag Magazine, Issue 32

THE STAG

Issue 32, Michaelmas Term 2, 2025

CONTENTS

Culture:

Oban Winter Festival 2025 - pg 20

College News:

Guys and Dolls - pg 2

Art Dept update - pg 14

Charity report - pg 45

National News:

The Winter Budget - pg 4

International News:

Profile: Zohran Mamdani - pg 5

American Govt Shutdown - pg 6

The Louvre Heist - pg 9

Japan’s new Prime Minister - pg 10

Current Affairs:

Remembering Jane Goodall - pg 11

Best places for ski holiday - pg 12

Working over Christmas - pg 13

Science and the Environment:

The Tale of the Northern Lights - pg 15

Brazil’s Biodiversity Revolution - pg 16

How our Christmases are changing - pg 18

The Hidden Power of Mushrooms - pg 19

Christmas traditions around the world - pg 21

Top 10 Christmas Movies - pg 22

Christmas Telly 2025 - pg 24

Movie Review - pg 25

Sport:

McLaren’s Night of Glory - pg 26

The Ashes - pg 27

The Enhanced Games - pg 28

AFCON - pg 30

College Hockey - pg 31

College Rugby - pg 33

House Reports:

Blackwater - pg 34

Craig - pg 36

Gonville - pg 37

Nugent - pg 38

Pennell - pg 39

Powell - pg 40

Reeves - pg 41

School - pg 42

Wargrave - pg 43

Watt - pg 44

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!

GUYS AND DOLLS: BEHIND THE SCENES

By Harry Jordan

With the school production fast approaching, here is everything you need to know about how this year ’ s musical is shaping up ‘Guys and Dolls’ is one of the most famous musicals ever written, packed with comedy, romance, gamblers and gangsters, dancing and of course iconic songs: from Nathan Detroit and his crapshooters to Adelaide’s hotbox girls, this musical has it all

The plot Guys and Dolls centres around a warmhearted gambler, Nathan Detroit, who runs an illegal dice game, and his relationship with his long-term girlfriend Adelaide. Nathan is desperately trying to find a place to hold his dice game, for which he requires $1000 In order to get this money, Nathan takes a bet with Sky Masterson, a successful and high-rolling gambler, that Sky cannot take Sarah Brown to Havana in Cuba Sarah is a virtuous young woman who runs the local mission (a religious establishment trying to convert the many sinners of New York), but without any success, leading to her mission being on the verge of being shut down. What will happen? Will Sky take Sarah to Havana? Will Nathan win his bet, or will he be arrested by the policeman, Lieutenant Brannigan? Will Adelaide finally get her dream and marry Nathan after 14 years of engagement? And what will happen to Sarah’s mission? Well, you’ll have to come and find out!

Rehearsals

With the first performance on the 3rd of December, the cast have been working hard to get the musical into ship-shape condition We have been rehearsing every Tuesday and Thursday night, as well as various other rehearsals for specific parts, including a dance group rehearsing on Friday afternoons Not only have the pupils been working hard to learn lines and songs, but there are also many teachers involved who deserve a huge amount of thanks for their hard work and dedication to the musical Firstly, Miss Belle and Miss Ostle have been directing the musical, managing all of the rehearsal schedules, as well as making sure everyone knows their lines! Mr Jordan and Mr Cousins have been directing the musical side to the performance, helping the cast with the many songs, and arranging the live orchestra. From the technical side, PT has been making sure that all of the lighting for the performance is spot on, whilst set designer Phil Poole has hand built an incredible set, which you won’t believe until you see!

Meet the cast

I have asked some of the cast members to write a few words on what they have enjoyed about the musical and also what they are looking forward to over the next few weeks leading up to the production, and here is what they have to say

Caleb Pout (Y12) – Nicely Nicely Johnson

“This my first time performing a musical at Eastbourne College and I have found the whole experience really enjoyable Some of my highlights have been both company singing but also listening to individual pupil’s voices as well. I am really looking forward to being accompanied by both past and present college musicians and teachers during the show week.”

Lucy O’Hara (Y13) – Sarah Brown

“The whole process of rehearsing for the musical has already been very enjoyable and entertaining - getting to know people you may not have really known before and getting to spend time doing something we all mutually enjoy, following our stressful and long school days

I’m really looking forward to seeing how all of our hard work comes together, to the wonderful piece I have no doubt it will be. I

think school musicals and plays are a necessity for college life, and a memorable experience for everyone involved. It will always be something I recommend for any student, in any year group - despite it being out of your comfort zone ”

Ian Tam (Y13) – Arvide Abernathy

“This is my first time being involved in a musical production in a school setting, and the experience so far has been phenomenal Seeing every pupil putting in tremendous efforts to learn and perform their parts, as well as working together as a team, demonstrate the heights of what pupils can achieve I am looking forward to the performances in a few weeks time, as I cannot wait for everyone to see what we can deliver”

We are all really looking forward to seeing you at the show, and the whole cast is excited to show you what we have been working on If you have been to a college production before, you will know that they are always a fantastic experience and a great way to spend an evening It would be wonderful to see plenty of people coming down to support, as it means a huge amount to everyone involved in putting on the show, and it is free for pupils! See you there!

RACHEL REEVES’ WINTER BUDGET

A few weeks ago, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered an unprecedented pre-Budget speech from a news conference room in 9 Downing Street At the time of writing this article, there is only a week to go until her annual Budget is released, but many have warned that things might take a turn for the worse for the taxpayer once her new economic policies come into effect

Reeves didn’t say explicitly, but tax rises are almost certain as a result of her speech on the 4th of November This would be a turn in the opposite direction for the Labour Party, which promised in its manifesto pledge that it would not increase income tax, VAT or national insurance. Many government ministers believe that if taxes were to surge, it should be a one-off occurrence and something to feature in a singular Budget to avoid making the Chancellor scrape for cash over the next few years.

By Felix McAndrew

Increasing pressure on Reeves is partly down to the rules she has set herself. After her last Budget, she was left with just £99bn of headroom before going beyond those targets The Resolution Foundation, an independent think tank, has warned her that this leaves little room for error, urging her to double the buffer to over £20bn to avoid sudden tax surges or spending cuts if the economy falters Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also explained “ a bigger buffer could create a virtuous circle,” and how this could reduce public uncertainty between Budgets.

Many MPs are prepared to criticise Reeves’ decision to increase income tax, especially at a time when public trust in politics and the government is so low. Going back on Labour manifesto commitments could deepen voter dissatisfaction and fuel perceptions of incompetence, but taking the tough decision to raise income tax in spite of the massive political drawbacks might be a very sensible thing to do

PROFILE: ZOHRAN MAMDANI

By Nancy Brown

New York City has a new mayor, and he’s unlike any candidate the city has seen before Zohran Mamdani, elected earlier this month on 4 November, is making history as the first Muslim and South Asian person to lead America’s largest city At only 34 years old, Mamdani’s rise to power has sparked excitement, curiosity and hope for a more inclusive future. th

Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to New York City with his family when he was seven years old They settled in a flat on the Upper West Side, where his parents still live today. In an interview with the West Side Rag, Mamdani said this is where he first began to “understand himself as a New Yorker” Growing up, he played football in a family-run league and attended high school in the Bronx Although he didn’t win his campaign for vice class president, he helped co-found the school’s first cricket team He later attended Bowdoin College in Maine, where he took classes that, as he told the college newspaper, “shaped the way he thought about cities in America.” In 2018, he became a U.S. citizen - an important step that made it possible for him to run for mayor

Before becoming mayor, Mamdani served as a New York State assemblyman He was known for fighting for affordable housing, better public transport, and fair treatment for working class people Furthermore, he became a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, which means he supports policies that involve equality and community care.

Mamdani’s campaign was different from traditional ones He didn’t rely on big donors or

flashy ads Instead, he focused on talking directly to people in neighbourhoods across the city, and this worked! As a result, Mamdani defeated well known political figures like Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa

Mamdani is known for being down to earth and connected to New Yorkers. For example, on Veterans Day, instead of attending the usual parade that would be televised, he chose to serve meals to veterans in the Bronx This act in particular showed his commitment to listening and helping those who are often overlooked As Mayor, Mamdani is planning to tackle big issues like housing affordability, homelessness and climate change He wants to make sure that all communities have a voice in the city’s decisions, especially the ones that have been ignored.

Leading a city like New York will not be smooth sailing and Mamdani will have to work with people who don’t always agree with his ideas President Trump, who backed a different candidate Andrew Cuomo, has already issued a response on social media after Mamdani’s powerful acceptance speech where he directly called Trump out Trump then wrote in reply “and so it begins ” , leaving people wondering how these two will communicate throughout their time together.

Zohran Mandani’s election is not just a political win, it’s a symbol of change For lots of people across the world, this win has restored some faith in the future of American politics and, as New York enters this new chapter, everyone will be watching to see what Mamdani does next

AMERICA’S RECORD BREAKING SHUTDOWN

By Owen Lee

What is a shutdown?

In the United States, the federal government has to be funded through spending bills (or temporary stopgap funding bills, known as ‘continuing resolutions’) passed by Congress If Congress does not pass an appropriation law before a specific deadline, many government services are forced to close or cut back their operations due to a lack of legal funding Many federal employees will be furloughed (that is, dismissed from jobs or sent home without pay) or report to work without being given a time frame for resuming their normal pay

What is happening now?

The latest shutdown started on 1 October 2025, following the previous temporary funding measure expiring, with Congress unable to agree on new funding legislation The shutdown officially broke the record for the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The main contention was whether the leadership in Congress (both the Senate and House) and the President were willing to commit to opening the government before negotiating policy details, especially those related to a significant question: the lapse of health-care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

Who is impacted, and in what capacity?

A shutdown is more than a political play: it has a severe impact on people Almost 900,000 federal employees are likely be furloughed (temporarily suspended from a job) or working unpaid. Therefore, this means that there are financial implications for many

During a shutdown, some public programmes are at risk of not being enacted For example, in this recent shutdown, the food-assistance programme Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was likely to run out of funds Travel and tourism took a hit, some national parks were partially closed and/or understaffed, and airports and air traffic control were placed under stress. Because of agency understaffing or not being funded adequately, many important government data releases , such as in jobs, economy, etc, were slowed

What caused this shutdown?

Budget and policy disagreement: One party (or factions of a party) wanted a ‘clean’ funding bill, the other wanted a funding bill that would tie in a policy change.

Congressionally oriented rules and procedures: Because of the rules in the Senate (ie the filibuster, 60 votes needed to end debate) and a divided Congress, it was more difficult to prioritise differences

Political incentives: Both major parties believed that if they refused to compromise, they could benefit politically, but it was dicey and increasingly costly

How the shutdown ended and what happens next

After 43 days the longest shutdown in US history Congress finally agreed to reopen the government The breakthrough came when eight moderate senators from both parties announced that they had reached a compromise with Senate Republicans This deal passed the Senate first and then the House, finally allowing the shutdown to end

Importantly, the final funding bill did not include the health-care subsidy extensions Democrats were fighting for. Democratic leaders, who had taken a harder line compared to earlier in the year, ultimately backed down because it became clear that President Trump and congressional Republicans were unwilling to negotiate. Meanwhile, pressure mounted as millions of Americans were being affected including 42 million people relying on SNAP and over 3 million federal workers facing financial strain

What does the new funding bill actually do?

The government is funded until 30th January 2026, so this is only a temporary solution.

Key social programmes such as SNAP, WIC, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Congress itself received longer-term funding, stretching into September 2026. Some federal employees will receive back pay, but many services remain behind schedule due to the long shutdown For now, however, the government is open, agencies are restarting operations, and Americans are hoping that lawmakers avoid another record-breaking shutdown in the months to come.

A WILD HISTORY OF ROBBERIES AT THE LOUVRE

From the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 to the daylight heist of the French Crown Jewels last month, the Parisian Museum has seen some of the most daring robberies in history On the 19th of October, at the world’s most popular museum, the Louvre, four men stole items worth £76 million in less than eight minutes Disguised as construction workers, the suspects arrived with a vehicle-mounted lift, which would gain them access to the Galerie d’Apollon, through a balcony close to the River Seine After cutting through the glass of two display cases, they made their escape and fled on two scooters waiting outside at 09:38am.

Less than two weeks later, three of the fourman gang are in custody. Two of them are thought to have stolen the jewellery, and the other was one of the two men who were waiting outside with the scooters However, as of early November, none of the stolen jewels have been recovered, and the investigators continue to pursue leads

So, what does this say about the security at the Louvre? Following the recent heist, the world-famous museum has faced severe criticism and backlash regarding its neglected security. Reports have found that, for years, managers have tended to

By Polly Hecks

invest in new artworks and exhibitions rather than basic protection and maintenance The Culture Minister of France, Rachida Dati, stated that managers had “grossly undere on into th

The Marie-Louise necklace and a pair of earrings (above) and Empress Eugenie's crown (below) were among the 8 stolen items of France’s crown jewels

The Louvre’s Troubled Past

While the recent heist is the most audacious, the Louvre is no stranger to theft

One of the most infamous events remains to be in 1911, when an Italian museum employee left with the infamous Mona Lisa under his coat after lifting the painting off the wall of a quiet gallery Motivated by national pride, the thief was Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian immigrant, who wanted to return the masterpiece to Italy However, it was recovered two years later.

In 1998, thieves stole Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot’s Le Chemin de Sèvres. Escaping unnoticed, the thieves simply cut the landscape from its frame in broad daylight. The painting has never been found, despite a rapid response, but the incident prompted great modernisation of the museum ’ s security

Although the museum may have suffered fewer total losses than other galleries, such as the British Museum, the Louvre has encountered the most notorious and dramatic heists in history. So, what makes the Louvre so susceptible and vulnerable to theft?

Cultural institutions are often seen as soft targets; however, the Louvre has often been criticised for its outdated infrastructure and lack of modern technical systems Therefore, with priorities focused on new art and exhibitions, flaws in the security systems are ignored, meaning that heists are easier to get away with!

These events underscore the persistent challenge of trying to balance public access to priceless artefacts with the need for extreme protection

The Gallery of Apollo is where the thieves broke in and where the jewels were taken

TAKAICHI - JAPAN’S NEW DAWN

By Mark McKie

On the 21st of October, Sanae Takaichi was appointed as Japan’s new Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic party. This held monumental significance as she is the first woman in history to hold either of those top positions, shattering the metaphorical glass ceiling in Japan’s male-dominated political scene Her appointment by the National Diet (Parliament) came after winning a vote for leadership of the LDP, and a coalition agreement between the LDP and the Japan Innovation party This appointment has created a positive precedent for women in Japanese politics. However, there are certain concerns about some of her beliefs and future policies.

Without a doubt her introduction is a huge positive for Japan Her appointment is seen by many as a significant step for women ’ s political advancement in a country that ranks low internationally for gender equality She is a mentee of former Prime minister Shinzo Abe, known for his strong economic policies, which will no doubt be reflected in Takaichi’s future policy, based on aggressive fiscal spending and economic stimulation to combat plateaus in economic growth and rising prices She is also a strong advocator for a stronger national defence and a commitment to the standing USJapan alliance, seeking to confirm Japan’s security in the midst of regional tensions.

However, there are certain aspects of her beliefs that are widely considered controversial and even backwards Takaichi has been described as strong conservative or even ultraconservative, creating a decisive shift towards the far right for Japan

She opposes measures for gender equality and diversity, which includes opposing same-sex marriage. She also supports the male-only imperial succession (of the monarchy). Her views are nationalistic and support the revision of Article 9, a segment of the constitution renouncing war She is also a regular visitor of the Yasukuni shrine, which honours certain Japanese WWII personnel that are considered war criminals This surrounding such a sensitive issue to this day could strain relations with neighbours such as China and South Korea The government she now runs is also weak, with her coalition only holding a minority in the Diet, causing instability and may struggle to pass legislation due to opposition

Takaichi’s rise is a pivotal moment in Japan’s history, not only for gender representation but also for a firm political turn towards the right. She faces enormous challenges, economic stagnation, diplomatic friction, and leading a weakened parliament and LDP Her success will depend on her ability to navigate these domestic and international pressures, which may require her to soften some of her harder stances to maintain control

REMEMBERING JANE GOODALL

By Esther Ellwood

British animal rights campaigner and primatologist Dame Jane Goodall has died aged 91 of natural causes in California where she was staying as part of her speaking tour in the US, as announced by the Jane Goodall Institute In tribute, her institute called her a "tireless advocate" for the natural world, as the United Nations says she leaves "an extraordinary legacy".

Famous for her work on primatology, she was renowned for her ground-breaking work with chimpanzees and dedicated her life to helping all wild animals with a passion that lasted until her death After spending decades promoting humanitarian causes and the need to protect the natural world, she tried to balance the realities of the climate crisis with hope for the future. Those messages of hope “mobilized a global movement to protect the planet,” according to former President Joe Biden, who awarded Goodall the Presidential Medal of Freedom shortly before leaving office.

Born and raised in London in the 1930s, Dr Goodall’s fascination with animals came from her reading of books like Tarzan After meeting a famous primatologist in Kenya, she went on her first research trip to Tanzania in 1960 where she became the first person to record witnessing an animals using a tool - a large male chimpanzee, who she had named David Greybeard, digging termites out of a mound with a stick This revolutionised the way that scientists see animals: it had been thought only humans were intelligent enough to do so She also found out family bonds were formed among the animals she studied As she had a relatively new approach, her findings were often disregarded by male scientists, until her PhD was published

After her experiences in the field she became an activist, working to free chimpanzees kept in zoos or in captivity for medical research, and later urged action on climate change in the face of widespread habitat devastation

BEST PLACES FOR A SKI HOLIDAY

By Apple Van Der Meer

Skiing in France

French ski areas are among the biggest and most popular in the world and a French ski season typically runs from November to May The Portes du Soleil alone spans 650 kilometres of slopes. The most popular include Avoriaz, Morzine and Les Gets The Three Valleys is the world’s largest interconnected ski resort which covers 600 kilometres worth of slopes and terrain Most offer Michelin star restaurants, pubs and spas and gyms, and some offer private chalets with personal private chefs!

Skiing in Canada

Canada is home to some of the largest ski resorts and snow schools in the world The Canadian ski season runs from late November to late April. If you want to go during the peak season, it’s best to plan a trip between December and March when the snowfall is heaviest Famous resorts include Whistler Blackcomb, Lake Louis and Revelstoke. Canada has easily become a hotspot for skiers and snowboarders

Skiing in Switzerland

It can begin as early as October although usually starts around the end of November The best ski resorts include Zermatt, St Moritz and Verbier Other popular choices include Engelberg for off-piste and glacier skiing, and resorts in the Jungfrau region like Wengen and Grindelwald for traditional charm and varied terrain.

Skiing in Japan

Japan is quickly becoming of the world’s most popular skiing and snowboarding destinations, due to the diversity of its resorts Being one of the best countries to get your ski or snowboard instructor qualifications, it is becoming especially popular with the younger generation, also offering an authentic Japanese experience, from noodles, Mount Fuji and unwinding in a natural hot spring. Ski seasons in Japan run from mid-January to early April

WORKING OVER CHRISTMAS

With Christmas approaching, thoughts of festivity, decoration and presents will soon be on everyone ’ s mind. When Christmas is mentioned, most people tend to associate the holiday with festive atmosphere alongside having a much-needed break from either schoolwork for pupils or gruelling hours in the office for adults. However, some people don’t always have the privilege of taking a break during this time of year

A profession that is constantly demanding of its employees is medicine Each newly trained doctor or specialist leaves university equipped with six years ’ of knowledge to ensure the health of patients who are in their care. However, there is no reduction in the amount of new patients in hospitals during Christmas.

Due to the rapid change in temperature and weather conditions, people are more prone to catch conditions such as colds or more serious respiratory illnesses such as the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) This virus is usually transmitted during the beginning of the winter season where the colder air decreases our body’s resistances towards infections. RSV is passed down through contacting fluids in another person ’ s nose or mouth which occur very commonly in classrooms or community centres. The main recipients of the virus are mainly children; in

By Aaden Wong

the US, 97% of infants get RSV by the age of 2 and around 60,000 to 100,000 adults are hospitalised with the virus every year during winter season

Hospitals must remain open every day of the year, and doctors have the essential role of treating patients who have a range of illnesses or emergencies even during Christmas. The constant issue of shortage in staffing puts extra pressure on the profession, meaning that every doctor in each hospital is very precious and important for the goal of maintaining the standard of healthcare of their nation. Also, the obligation of their duties as carers requires them to still work during holidays as refusal to work may lead to disciplinary action from higher authority

The next time you visit your doctor, show them some appreciation for their dedication to their work and how, even during one of the most anticipated holidays each year, breaks aren’t something that medical professionals can afford to take whilst taking care of people in need

ART DEPARTMENT UPDATE

By Sophia Pennington

The art department has had a very busy first half term! Last term, the very talented sixth form artists and Y11 art scholars went to visit the incredible Jenny Saville art exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery This has greatly influenced the art department across all years, giving us the inspiration to be larger and bolder in our pieces For example, the Year 12 artists within the last two weeks of half term have been painting self-portraits at a large scale, applying Saville’s techniques to inspire them.

As well as this, the Y9 artists have been working on their individual projects, starting to explore media such as dry point, observational drawings and trying Adobe Fresco. Additionally, the Y10 artists are now starting to begin their ceramic projects, following their beneficial trip to Kew Gardens to work on their natural form project At the moment, Year 11 and Year 13 artists have been continuing and refining their ideas on their coursework projects, which all look amazing and very impressive

Coming up, the sixth form artists have a few life drawing sessions planned to help and improve their drawing skills - this will greatly benefit future work Moreover, the Year 12s are finalising the presentation of their portraiture work before moving on to their personal investigation.

Overall, it has been a fantastic term so far in the art department with many exciting art opportunities and more to come!

Visiting the Jenny Saville art exhibition

Jenny Saville

THE TALE OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

By Frankie Gill

High in the planet’s atmosphere, between 100-300 kilometres in the air, a breathtaking spectacle unfolds in the northern skies. The Northern Lights, or more officially the Aurora Borealis, is a magnificent phenomenon of nature that draws thousands of tourists each year who come to catch a glimpse of its beauty Viewed in ribbons of green, pink, purple and even the occasional rare red, their significance ranges from an almost undetectable glow to a full-sky display. The Northern Lights have long been a source of fascination for people, with sightings as early as 957 BC But why does this mystical light show occur?

The sun is constantly ejecting a stream of charged particles called solar wind into space, pointing towards Earth As they encounter the Earth's magnetic field, they are deflected towards the polar regions and encounter gases such as oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere. These effects trigger the gas molecules, causing them to release energy in the visible form of light, which creates the aurora The colours we see in the sky vary based on the kind of gas involved and the altitude at which the collision is taking place Green, which is the most common colour, is due to oxygen at about 100 to 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface Oxygen at even higher altitudes, above 200 kilometres, will produce a more infrequent red aurora

Nitrogen produces a blue colour at lower altitudes and a purple or violet colour at higher altitudes Together the hues produce glowing waves and spirals that seem to ripple across the sky

Throughout time, humans have been drawn to and attempted to account for these celestial occurrences. In Norse mythology, the auroras were considered to be the reflections of the shining shields of Valkyries guiding slain warriors into Valhalla Most Native cultures in North America saw the auroras as ghosts of animals or ancestors dancing in the sky In Europe during the Middle Ages, they were considered to be omens or messages from God These meanings, passed down centuries, remind us of humankind's eternal fascination with the night sky

RESTORING NATURE TO GROW THE FUTURE: BRAZIL’S BIODIVERSITY REVOLUTION

By Emmanuel Erebor

The Amazon, the planet’s largest and richest tropical rainforest, is often called Earth’s “lungs” because of its immense capacity to absorb and store carbon Yet huge areas of the Amazon have been destroyed in recent decades to clear land for farming, intensifying the climate crisis At the same time, the globe’s top producer of key crops like soy and corn, Brazil, is seeing its agricultural systems strained by changes in climate by deforestation. This is especially evident in the Cerrado, a vast savanna bordering the Amazon that yields almost half the nation’s agricultural output Here, rainy seasons are arriving later, dry spells are becoming harsher, and farmers’ livelihoods, as well as global food security, are increasingly vulnerable.

When National Geographic photographer Rena Effendi travelled through Brazil to capture the fragile environment, she discovered many families run farms using revolutionary approaches that work with natural systems rather than against them. These farms are not only aiding forest recovery but also increasing food production, supporting richer biodiversity, and reducing the use of chemical fertilisers Maria Vitória Vasconcelos is a third generation farmer. In Rio Verde, she manages the 6,100 acre Fazenda Mata do

Lobo (Forest of the Wolf Farm) alongside her husband, Daniel Fröbel, as well as her father and brother. The farm produces nonGMO (non-genetically modified organism) corn, soybeans, and organic coffee Vasconcelos has long been passionate about agriculture that cooperates with ecological processes. After completing her studies, she had the chance to bring these ideas to her family’s land But she also faced the realities of a shifting climate, along with difficulties related to limited infrastructure for moving, storing, and selling produce. Her situation began to change when she partnered with PepsiCo and Milhão, one of Brazil’s major agricultural companies. Milhão collaborates with more than a hundred regional farms to provide ingredients for various industries The company supports farmers in adopting regenerative agricultural practices including the one now enabling Fazenda Mata do Lobo to flourish: agroforestry. Milhão is PepsiCo’s leading supplier in Brazil of sustainably grown corn, part of the company ’ s effort to strengthen food systems and promote long term environmental health Through this partnership, Milhão guarantees reliable logistics and helps farmers like Vasconcelos to integrate regenerative techniques such as agroforestry into their farming operations

Agroforestry means cultivating crops alongside trees, recreating the structure of natural forest to restore land and enhance biodiversity. Crops often grow beneath a canopy of evergreen species Milhão provided her farm with thousands of native tree and shrub seedlings which transformed the property once dominated by rolling, sun-scorched fields of corn and soy into a landscape with far greater ecological complexity.

Agroforestry works to further increase crop diversity which protects farms from climate related losses and creates a more balanced ecosystem. Vasconcelos and her family introduced organic coffee grown under the shade of the newly planted trees They aimed to make Fazenda Mata do Lobo as environmentally friendly as possible, reducing external inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides Instead, they learned to create their own compost and organic fertilisers and began using beneficial fungi in place of chemical pesticides Today, the family says the most valuable input on

the farm is the knowledge gained about cultivating food in alignment with nature.

Fazenda Mata do Lobo has since transformed from depleted monoculture fields into a vibrant, flourishing, green environment. The agroforestry system now acts as a new source of carbon storage, helping compensate for some of the carbon loss from Amazon deforestation The revitalised habitat has also attracted returning wildlife like pumas, wolves, and giant anteaters have all been documented on the property since agroforestry began.

Vasconcelos and Fröbel note that none of this progress would be possible without PepsiCo and Milhão anchoring these efforts within the broader production chain, supporting sustainability, purchasing their crops, and ensuring that environmentally responsible farming is economically feasible These collaborations offer security to local farmers and enable them to deliver highquality foods that nurture both people and the planet.

HOW OUR CHRISTMASES ARE CHANGING

By Lucy O’Hara

Before you go off skiing this upcoming Christmas holiday, it’s worth knowing more about how our current climatic state may impact your future Christmases.

The mountains and high hills are affected by climate change at a much faster rate than any other environments. When our changing climate brings warmer temperatures, it most significantly brings warmer and shorter winter periods which means rainfall starts to replace previously steady snowfall, and ski regions have already begun to struggle maintaining snow cover for prolonged periods of winter time. Volatile winter weather patterns mean that the usual abundant snowfall, which typically comes in early winter and lasts throughout the whole season, is no longer a guarantee for skiers Those economies that are built around winter sports and activities will no longer have reliable business. Some resorts now are no longer seeing snow at Christmas and have even begun dismantling their lifts and returning their slopes to nature

But away from the specific effects on just snow sports and tourism, glaciers on a whole are being hugely threatened. The planet’s glaciers are melting faster than ever recorded: since the 2000s, glaciers have lost more than 6,500 billion tonnes (which is 5% of the entire world’s supply of its glaciers). The pace of melting is still increasing, with losses this decade being over a third higher than during 2000-11. Glaciers take time to fully respond to a changing climate: depending on

their size, it can be between a few years or decades This means that some of the detrimental impacts that our earth has endured over that previous few years may have not yet started to melt our glaciers

Many may not understand the true importance of glaciers, beyond the use for commercial snow sports and tourism but, in actual fact, having the enormous volume of water locked in ice form protects much of our coastal regions that we treasure and rely on globally It is said that every centimetre of sea level rise that would occur would put 2 million people at risk (if the water was not in solid form) and the seas would rise by 32 cm if it all melted completely Also, often disregarded, are the hundreds of millions who rely on seasonal meltwater from glaciers to refill necessary reservoirs and prevent global droughts. So when the glaciers disappear, so does their supply of water, as does many people’s freshwater resources, as glaciers lock up frozen river and mountain water

Crucially, the amount of ice we will lose by the end of the century will depend on how much humanity continues to warm the planet by releasing CO2 and other greenhouse gases

This could be the difference between losing a quarter of the world's glacier ice if global climate targets are met, and nearly half if warming continues uncontrolled, as we are being warned by studies and previous patterns

THE HIDDEN POWER OF MUSHROOMS

When people think of mushrooms they often think of a pizza topping or those things you pick out of food but mushrooms are far more than toppings These fabulous fungi are filled with nutritional value unknown to most which is slowly restoring both our health and our planet

Mushrooms are far more than flavour

According to UCLA Health, eating just a small amount of mushrooms each day may reduce cancer risk by up to 45%, due to powerful antioxidants such as ergothioneine They are also naturally low in sodium and calories, making them excellent for maintaining healthy blood pressure Their health benefits don’t stop there. A Singaporean study found that people who consumed two or more cups of mushrooms a week had around half the risk of mild cognitive impairment, suggesting a strong link between mushrooms and brain health. What’s more, mushrooms are one of the few foods that can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, which is an essential nutrient for bone strength and mood regulation.

Nutrition experts at APE Nutrition have described certain ‘functional mushrooms’, such as lion’s mane and chaga, as substances that help the body manage stress and support mental focus. Their prebiotic fibres also feed the beneficial bacteria in our gut, improving digestion and boosting overall wellbeing. In short, mushrooms may be one of the most underestimated foods in the world.

By Nikol Saveleva

Beyond the kitchen, mushrooms are inspiring some of the most exciting innovations in sustainability As reported by The Earthling Co, mushroom root systems (mycelium) can be used to make biodegradable materials that could replace plastics, leather, and packaging foam. These eco-friendly alternatives decompose naturally, offering a solution for a cleaner, greener future.

According to BBC Earth, scientists are now experimenting with mycelium bio-materials strong enough to build entire structures, from furniture to homes And fungi aren’t just useful for construction but they’re also making their way into the skincare industry. Brands such as Glow Hub Beauty highlight mushrooms’ anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties, proving that this kingdom of life truly is magical.

So, the next time you spot a mushroom on your plate, remember – it’s not just a topping ingredient It’s an innovator, a natural healer, and a force for sustainability. Mushrooms might never take the spotlight, but perhaps that’s their secret: changing the world slowly and steadily.

OBAN WINTER FESTIVAL 2025

Oban is a small, picturesque town on the West Coast of Scotland and is known as the “Gateway to the Isles”. The festival first began in 2011 when a small group of Oban locals came together and decided to celebrate the beginning of winter. The initial programme of the festival included a Victorian market, a reindeer parade, an ice rink, comedy nights, music workshops for children, drinks such as whisky for adults, and traditional Scottish folk music singing and dancing known as ceilidhs Since 2011, it has grown rapidly and has become a ten day festival with a range of activities from whisky tasting to festive markets to an iceskating rink. With people from all around travelling to take part in this festival, it is at the heart of the Scottish community.

The festival is so popular because of its strong community aspect. Local schools, charities, and businesses all take part as the festival is volunteer-organised. The schools put on stalls and children sing in choirs Local shops decorate their windows, and local charities put up stalls in the streets. There is something for everyone, from trail walks and crafts, whiskey tasting and markets, to light shows, reindeer parades and Christmas lights, which is a big occasion as people parade down the streets often with Santa and a reindeer before turning on the town’s Christmas lights. The light trails are immersive experiences, often in the woodlands with flashy lighting and different themes throughout the walk, e.g. Oceans and Seas made by local schools and groups

By Amy Wearns

The festival brings the locals something to look forward to, as well as bringing in tourists before the Christmas rush, helping local shops, local artisans, food producers, distilleries, and hospitality businesses all benefit from this after the slow tourist season of mid-to-late November

To round off the festival, there are fireworks, which not only look pretty but play a key role in uniting everyone together as everyone gathers to watch During this dark, cold season, they act as a burst of light, warmth and radiance It is seen as a visual way to welcome the joy, generosity and renewal that the winter season brings. In Scottish and Celtic tradition, these festivals of light go back centuries to Samhain, which is the first day of November, celebrating the ancient Celts’ marking of the beginning of winter, and Hogmanay, which celebrates New Year’s Eve For the locals and volunteers who organise the festival, the fireworks are a thank-you gesture for their combined efforts in order to pull off the celebration

WEIRD CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

By Tom Robins

Christmas is one of the most widelycelebrated holidays in the world and with the month of December fast approaching, what better way to prepare for our own festivities than by seeing what others do traditionally around the globe?

Familiar Christmas traditions in Great Britain include pulling Christmas crackers to accompany a Christmas dinner, and hanging stockings to be filled by Father Christmas.

In Norway, superstition and folklore state that on Christmas Eve witches and evil spirits come out and will attempt to steal people’s brooms to ride across the country! In order to prevent this, some superstitious Norwegians still hide their brooms on Christmas Eve

In Japan, after an extremely successful advertising campaign in the 1970s , it has become tradition to enjoy KFC as your Christmas meal After the manager at the time sold Kentucky Fried Chicken as the perfect way to experience a traditional western-style holiday, it caught on so much that people in Japan now have to order their KFC two weeks in advance in case they run out of chicken

In Venezuela, church services can take place in the early morning. These services are called Misa de Aguinaldo, meaning “Early Morning Mass”. In Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, it is customary to roller skate to these early services in the week leading up to Christmas. The tradition has become so common that some roads in the capital are shut until 8am, thereby allowing any skating church-goers safe passage

In countries where Christmas takes place during the summer, such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, a cosy Christmas dinner is replaced by a festive barbeque where family and friends come together to celebrate It’s amazing how varied and different these traditions may seem to be from our own, yet how similar they are in spirit and festive cheer

Roller skating to Christmas Mass in Caracas, Venezuela

TOP TEN CHRISTMAS MOVIES

. During the winter chill, many people’s idea of a cosy evening includes a fire, a mug of hot chocolate and a good Christmas movie. This list is a guide for your perfect winter’s night.

In tenth place is the all-time British classic, Love Actually. With a stacked cast of Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Martin Freeman and many more, this movie is about the story of eight couples, all in different walks of life, during the lead up to Christmas.

Placing ninth on the list is White Christmas, another older movie, released in 1954 This is a musical classic, blending post-war nostalgia, romance and Christmas spirit The plot follows Captain Bob Wallace and Private Phil Davis after WWII as they become a song-and-dance duo

By Ede Edwards

Eighth on the list is How the Grinch Stole Christmas; there are multiple adaptations of this story, but the most famous and highest rated is the animated 2018 The Grinch. This movie is about a grumpy green creature who hates Christmas and decides to steal it from Whoville, but when he sees the Whos celebrating without presents, he realises Christmas is all about love and togetherness.

Seventh place is one of the only animated films to make the list The Nightmare Before Christmas, a story about Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, who gets bored with Halloween and tries to take over Christmas after discovering Christmas Town. However, his plan goes wrong, leading to chaos. This film is a musical Gothic family film which combines Halloween and Christmas, written by Tim Burton

In sixth place is The Santa Clause, a story about a man who inadvertently agrees to be the next Santa Claus, but now must deal

. with his suspicious ex-wife to keep his secret safe. This movie was released in 1994 and is available to stream on Disney+ This timeless classic has a rotten tomato rating of 73% and an IMDb rating of 6.6.

Making fifth place is Elf, a spirited familyfriendly comedy This is a tale about Buddy (Will Ferrell), who is raised as an elf He feels out of place in the North Pole and so travels to New York in search of his real father His biological father is a cynical businessman, the opposite of Buddy, who is a zealous manchild This movie follows the relationship between father and son and Buddy’s positive effect on his pessimistic father

Fourth on the list is A Christmas Story, a movie about a child who desperately wants a toy BB gun and must convince his parents to buy it for him This is a beloved holiday classic known for its iconic scenes (like the tongue stuck to the frozen pole) and quotable lines 42 years later, the film still has a devoted fanbase with 4 awards and 8 nominations

In third place is Home Alone This is a fanfavourite and very popular: one year, Channel 4 reported that Home Alone had 26 million viewers and took a 31% share of the 16-34 age group in its timeslot. It follows the story of Kevin, who is forgotten when his family travels to France for Christmas, and Kevin must put up a fight against thieves who are trying to break in

Second is Miracle on 34th Street, another classic made in 1947 It is a story about a mother and child trying to defend a man, Kris Kringle, from being institutionalised and to prove he is the real Santa Claus. This movie brings the Christmas magic by

proving the importance of faith, hope and kindness. With an IMDb rating of 7.9 and Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 87% it places second on the list

In first place, though, is It’s a Wonderful Life This is an old classic about a businessman, George Bailey, who becomes suicidal An angel from heaven is sent to show him how wonderful life can be. This was made in 1946 and stars James Stewart and Donna Reed Although an older movie, it is still a staple in many households Its IMDb rating is 86, and its Rotten Tomatoes rating is 94%

So, whether you want a movie for Christmas Day with the family or just in anticipation of Christmas, use this list to find the perfect film for you

CHRISTMAS 2025 ON THE SCREEN

. Christmas is around the corner and, as we start to cosy in on the darker evenings, a good movie line-up is essential. Whether it’s a gritty thriller or a Christmas comedy, this holiday season is full of upcoming movies to enjoy with family and friends throughout winter Here are a few to get you in the winter spirit.

First up is The Housemaid, a hard-hitting adaptation of the best-selling novel set to keep you on the edge of your seats. Millie, a young woman played by Sydney Sweeney has just been let out of prison for manslaughter, and she finally manages to find a job as the housemaid to Nina and Andrew Winchester. But she soon learns the cracks in their household and the family secrets are far more dangerous than her own.

In cinemas from 19 December th

My Secret Santa is a hilarious film about a single mom (Alexandra Breckenridge –Virgin River) in need of a job who decides to disguise herself as a man so she can get hired as the Santa in a luxury ski resort. As she progresses in her job, her attention is taken elsewhere as she starts to fall in love with the hotel manager (Ryan Eggold) leading to complications that may ruin everything!

On Netflix from 3 December rd

By Isla Heath

If you fancy a traditional, good feeling Christmas movie then Oh What Fun will be right up your street. Set in an extremely Christmassy Atlanta, Georgia, the main character, Claire, a 67-yr old mother (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), organises a Christmas outing but her family forget her in the chaos. By the time they realise, she’s nowhere to be found and a festive adventure begins.

On Prime Video from 3rd December, 2025

Finally, James Cameron is working his magic again with the fourth Avatar release Plot details are being kept under lock and key, but it is sure to keep people on the edge of their seats with the latest in cinematics and an amazing story line.

In cinemas from 19th December

MOVIE REVIEW: A MINECRAFT MOVIE

By Lexi Whitfield

I recently watched A Minecraft Movie, and it was a fun and exciting film, especially for people who enjoy the game. Although the movie is based on Minecraft, you don't need to be a player to understand the story. It is made in a simple and friendly way, and it feels like an adventure that anyone can enjoy.

The movie follows a young builder who lives in a peaceful village Everything is normal until a huge and dangerous threat appears and starts destroying the world. The hero, who is called Steve, decides to go on a long journey to stop it. Along the way, he meets different characters which include brave warriors, funny sidekicks, and a mysterious explorer who knows a lot about the world. I really liked the characters because they each had their own personality, and the way they worked together felt inspiring

One of the best things about the movie is the world-building The film uses the blocky Minecraft style but makes it look more detailed and alive The landscapes, for example, forests, caves, and deserts, look amazing The action scenes are also really cool When characters fight zombies, skeletons, and endermen, it feels exciting but not too scary The movie keeps a good balance between danger and humour, which makes it enjoyable for younger viewers too

I also liked the message of the movie It shows the importance of teamwork, courage, and creativity. The main character learns that he does not need to be the strongest to be a hero. Instead, he uses his building skills and clever ideas to solve problems. I think this is a good lesson for everyone, especially students like me.

MCLAREN'S NIGHT OF GLORY

McLaren's Masterclass: Securing the Constructor’s Crown

Under the bright lights of the Marina Bay, McLaren seizes their long-awaited Constructor’s title at the Singapore GP. The result completed a season to remember for McLaren due to their brilliant consistency and innovation, which led the team back to the top Behind the glory, this night revealed rising tensions between the McLaren drivers.

McLaren's dominant performance was the product of the right team strategies and the technical upgrades which have brought the team back to the top. Yet beneath the surface, the atmosphere was less harmonious Now both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are in contention for the Driver’s title: tensions are quickly rising, creating what many see as a divide within the team because of a recent on-track contact in the first turn at the Singapore GP

From Last Year’s Setback to This Year's Success:

Adding to this golden weekend, George Russell delivered a stunning performance to take P1, his second race win this season. This remarkable drive disrupted McLaren's dominance, making Mercedes a threat heading into the end of the season Russell’s astonishing victory came as a great surprise, given his previous struggles with the heat in this circuit last season, making this performance even more exceptional.

By Ivanna Lopez-Ferreira

Verstappen Strikes Back: Closing the Championship Gap

Striking back, Verstappen is on the chase to win his 5th driver's championship, continuing his late-season charge Finishing on the podiums after the summer break, he narrowed the gap to the McLaren drivers As the momentum shifts towards the Dutch driver, Verstappen enters the final stretch of the season as a top 3 contender for the title, putting pressure on the Championship leaders in every race His consistency and aggressive style of driving have reignited the battle at the top Every race now holds the potential to decide the championship, as the Dutch driver continues to show his relentless form

Teammates at War: Norris and Piastri

As McLaren celebrates their constructors' title, whispers of tension between the two drivers, Norris and Piastri, grow louder Both want to become first-time world champions, and neither appears willing to yield For team principal Zak Brown, maintaining harmony in the garage could be an even greater test of leadership than winning the Constructor’s title.

THE ASHES: WHAT TO KNOW?

Few contests in sport carry the history and legend status of the Ashes What began in 1882 as a tongue-in-cheek newspaper obituary, declaring that English cricket had “died” after a shock home defeat to Australia, somehow grew into one of cricket’s greatest traditions The tiny urn handed to England captain Ivo Bligh soon after became the symbol of a rivalry that has lasted for nearly 150 years

With this year ’ s series now in full swing, I think it’s a perfect time to look at what the Ashes is at its core, and what it actually represents The Ashes is a five-match Test battle between England and Australia. It’s held every two years in alternating host countries between the two sides, rich with stories that have shaped the sport.

From the controversial Bodyline tactics used by the English team in the early 1930s, to Shane Warne announcing himself to the world in 1993, and in more recent years, Ben Stokes and his unbelievable rescue act at Headingley in 2019. The Ashes have a habit of producing moments that become sporting heritage.

By Eli Clive

Because of recent results, tension is alive more than ever, with Australia holding the urn since 2017 and England still chasing their first series win on Australian soil since 2011 England will hope to change the narrative this series and put England Cricket back on top

As the ongoing series moves through its traditional stops in Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, the same truth remains: the Ashes isn’t just another set of cricket matches. It’s history, pressure, rivalry and national pride wrapped into one, and it continues to deliver, series after series

THE ENHANCED GAMES

The Enhanced Games is a new event bursting onto the sporting scene. It is taking place at Resorts World, Las Vegas in late May 2026. The Enhanced Games, informally known as the 'doping games', allow athletes to use performance enhancing drugs to 'defy limits, rewrite records, and reimagine the future of sport'

Challenges facing the organisation This radical alternative to traditional sporting events has shaken the sporting world Not only has it challenged the concept of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) but it has called into question if the Olympics has now become outdated.

The Enhanced Games became a top news headline when Ben Proud, a UK swimmer, signed with the operation Challenges aren't just directed at the organisation but at the individuals as well

Although in general performance enhancing drugs within sporting events are frowned upon, many people are curious about their effects Curiosity is building and most people are questioning how big a difference the athletes’ performances will be. The Enhanced Games have been marketed and advertised to entice people to encourage them to see the scary topic of performance enhancing drugs in a different light

The origin of the event

By Amelie Knight

The man behind this outgoing event is Dr Aron D'Souza He came up with the idea some years ago but formally put out his intention to actually get an event going in 2023. Multiple seed investors, including Christian Angermayer, Peter Thiel and Balaji Srinivasan, invested millions into the early stages of this task.

Monitoring the safety of the athletes

Some flaws in this idea could be around the safety and well-being of the performers As this has been a prominent question, the Enhanced Games responded by reassuring the athletes and the public that allowing these drugs will ensure the performers remain open and honest as they don’t have to hide taking them. Also, the Enhanced Games have extensive medical profiling to make sure that safety standards are met

Investors Peter Thiel, Christian Angermayer and Balaji Srinivasan

Who is involved?

Dr Aron D'Souza and the Enhanced Games team hope to recruit more high profile athletes to take part However, the list is already vast and athletes have been keen to sign up Here are the current athletes signed up to the games :

Benjamin Proud - Swimmer / AquaticsGreat Britain

Boady Santavy - Aquatics - Canada

Wesley Kitts - Weightlifting - USA

Fred Kerley - Athletics - USA

Marius Kusch - Aquatics - German

Megan Romano - Aquatics - USA

Kristian Gkolomeev - Aquatics - Greece

James Magnussen - Aquatics - Australia

Andrii Govorov - Aquatics - Ukraine

Josif Miladinov - Aquatics - Bulgaria

The two newest athletes who have most recently joined are Mouhamadou Fall from France, who will participate in the Athletics section, and Shane Ryan from Ireland, who will compete in Aquatics.

Temptations for transition

How has this new event persuaded these athletes to give up their regular sporting careers? Is it money or other factors? Other factors could be for fame, sponsorship or genuine interest in this new and exciting sport form. According to the Enhanced Games official website ‘Athletes competing in the Enhanced Games will receive top-tier appearance fees and rank-based prize money ‘ Not only do they get those payments but bonuses for breaking world records as shown in the photo below of swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev holding a $1 million cheque. This bonus was for breaking the world record in the 50 metre freestyle

However, will ‘world records’ made by athletes using performance enhancing drugs be real world records or will they be something different?

Benjamin Proud, Aquatics, Great Britain

James Magnussen, Aquatics, Australia, before and after using performance enhancing drugs

Kristian Gkolomeev, Aquatics, Greece

AFCON: THE RISE OF AFRICA’S BIGGEST FOOTBALL STAGE

By Alfie Eastall

In 1957 in Khartoum, the Africa Cup of Nations began with only three nations taking part Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia stepped onto the field not knowing what the competition would eventually become It started small but it marked the beginning of something important

A year earlier in 1956, delegates from across the continent had met in Lisbon to form the Confederation of African Football. They planned a new tournament for African teams and four countries were meant to play although South Africa pulled out when they refused to send a mixed team, so the first AFCON went ahead with three countries taking part Egypt won the trophy.

The tournament stayed small at first. In 1959 only three teams returned and Egypt won again while playing as the United Arab Republic By 1962 more African nations were stepping forward and the field expanded. Ethiopia hosted that year in Addis Ababa and won in front of their home supporters Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the competition kept growing and the schedule settled into the two year cycle that is still used today Ghana dominated the early years with back to back victories In the decades that followed different nations rose and fell until Cameroon became the standout team of the 1980s.

Everything changed again in 1996 when South Africa returned after the end of

apartheid. They hosted and won the title but Egypt soon took control of the competition with a run of victories that lifted their total to seven. No other nation has matched that success with Cameroon next on five and Ghana on four.

Today AFCON is a major global tournament

The modern format brings together twenty four nations split into six groups The best teams progress to the knockout rounds which eventually leave two countries playing for the trophy Qualifying is intense with fifty two nations involved before the final list is confirmed The most recent competitions have faced challenges from scheduling issues to the COVID pandemic but the tournament remains a constant in African football. Ivory Coast are the defending champion as of 2023 and Morrocco is hosting AFCON next, with the tournament starting on the 21st of December this year. On the 18th of January the third place match and the final will take place in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco Another chapter will be written in a competition that began quietly in 1957 and has now become the biggest stage in African football.

COLLEGE HOCKEY UPDATE

By Emma Valks

This term so far has been strong for the girls hockey, with lots of teams competing and many of the girls having a great time on the pitch.

The 1st XI girls have had a great start to the season, as they look forward to remaining matches in the ISHC Plate and celebrate strong wins against schools like Bedes and Roedean. Rosie H has scored an impressive 20 goals for the team The 2nd XI have also celebrated good wins against Brighton College and Roedean, and the 3rd XI achieved a 1-1 draw against Ardingly which was a good performance from the team. Meanwhile, lower down the school, the U15 girls team have had a thrilling season so far, with 2 very tense matches against their close competition Roedean Although they were unlucky to lose out in the ISHC cup match, they did achieve a 5-4 victory against them in a block fixture U14A have managed some impressive wins, notably against Ardingly, winning 5-0 They narrowly lost out on progressing in the EHA Tier 1 Cup just before half term but look forward to other fixtures to come. The boys 1st team have also qualified for indoor regional finals at St Georges which is a notable achievement All the teams have been enjoying hockey this term and can’t wait for more excitement on the pitch in the remaining fixtures for the term. An interview with Emilia Dixon, girls 1st XI Captain shows more about how the term of hockey has been progressing for the girls 1st team:

How has the season been going so far?

The season for the girls has been an exciting and successful journey this year Starting the

academic year off with an extremely well performed Nottingham festival raised everyone ’ s spirits high, particularly considering the fact that we won 5 out of 8 matches and reached the semi-final with very tired legs, what a brilliant starting performance from the team The squad this year is very strong: with a lot of our players coming in from Year 10 and 11, there is a completely different dynamic to last year I believe everyone contributes something very special to the team, and everyone is thoroughly enjoyable to play hockey with

What is the biggest win of the season so far?

A great 8-1 victory against Rodean left us feeling very cheerful in great timing for the very exciting 3-2 winner takes all match win against Bede’s. This match left us in the national cup for round three and the independent schools’ plate for round two These were probably the best wins of the season so far, especially considering the fact that we love to beat Bede’s The indoor competition saw us beating Bede’s once again, but however resulting in a semi-final match against Brighton in which the girls played extremely well Considering they are one of the best teams in the area, we definitely gave them the best we had, and I thought this was one of our best performances in a competitive match so far this season.

What are the team most looking forward to for the rest of the season?

We have a lot to look forward to for the rest of the term, including the second round in the independent schools’ plate competition against Seaford College It will be an exciting match

What is it like captaining the side? It’s an absolute pleasure to be captaining the girls They’re all such hard-working, fun and motivated individuals, not to ignore their outstanding talent for hockey and singing abilities in our numerous bus journeys.

What do you think are the strengths of the side?

Talking about strength’s, I believe our greatest strength is our short corner routine, which often finds us another goal up afterwards These set plays are crucial in putting pressure on the opposite team and of course the amazing chemistry this team has. We all play very well together and there is an undeniable flow to how we play I look forward to exploring our talent as a team for the rest of the season, and hopefully we can see ourselves into the next round of the plate!

COLLEGE RUGBY UPDATE

This term the rugby team have taken on multiple challenges whilst led by the two captains of Rowan Bell (13) and Dan Abourous (13) The words from the captains are that they need to have “trust and confidence in each other” and they followed this up with a convincing win against Caterham on the 17th of November. The captains thought that the match against Kings was a turning point for the team; after coming back from losing at half time with “ no momentum”, the boys dug deep and showed a strong work ethic to come back and “dominate” the second half

Rowan and Dan have both been impressed with how the Lower Sixth along with some Year 11s have joined the team and stepped up to perform in critical moments The team continues to strive for success and will continue to give their all for the rest of the season and the Lent Term 7s

By Myles Luther

The Stag Award is the most prestigious award in College Rugby giving the player full colours This year Rowan, Elliot and Dan have all been given this amazing award. All the boys had played and led in Year 13 and 12 and had all pushed themselves to do what’s best for the team and for the result These boys are inspirational for the lower years in the team and give them strong role models to look to when they are leading next year

Credit to Alfie Lulham for the photos, including the front cover image

BLACKWATER HOUSE REPORT

By Emma Valks

It has been a busy second half of the Michaelmas Term for Blackwater with many girls enjoying the steeplechase, house singing and our exciting house concert, amongst our normal cakey Friday celebrations and house council meetings.

We also celebrate the girls who have achieved some incredible success this half term, including Bbelle Gorrill in Year 11 and Izzy Fogg in Year 13 who have been an integral part of the swimming team which delivered an exceptional performance at the ESSA 67th Secondary Team Championships; and they achieved the best collective set of national results in College history.

A massive well done to them and we are very proud The girls 1st tennis team managed a strong win against Tunbridge Wells LTC, which was a strong performance from the team The girls were unlucky to lose out to Brighton in close fought matches but they look forward to getting their winning streak back soon

Well done to Axelle Turnock who performed in more informal concerts, and to Rosie Dale and Eva Mckee who performed in the Live Lounge These musical events are incredibly special as they showcase the individual talent of many Blackwater girls, and we are also thankful for all of the girls who turned up to support their friends!

We also are very proud of our girls who represented the College for our Remembrance Service, with a special mention to Corporal Matilda Lancaster, the only female senior member of the army section of the CCF at the College

Our house concert was, as always, a fabulous evening and the girls did a great job at dancing, making jokes and recording some entertaining videos. After some drinks and nibbles for the parents, they were able to watch an amazing show combining the dance talents of Year 9 and Year 12, the sketches from Year 10 and the hilarious videos from Year 11 and Year 13.

Our soloists were also amazing and delivered emotional and exciting music which was thoroughly enjoyable We especially mention Tilly, our Head of House Olivia, Eva and Rosie for their special musical solos. It really showcased the amount of talent in Blackwater, and the energy level was great with every girl playing a part in the evening. We also launched our house charity as the Pink Ribbon Charity.

We are looking forward to Christmas celebrations in Blackwater, such as our annual Christmas dinner at Pomodoro's and our Secret Santa event in house Many of the girls have also started to plan their prep room Christmas decorations for our upcoming competition, although last year ’ s festive balloon arch will be hard to beat...

he Year 9 drama production is well underway and we will soon find out how the girls get on, but we are very proud of them as they have worked very hard so we wish them the best of luck! They are said to be a strong contender for the win this year!

House Singing was a great way to bring all the girls together and everyone showed enthusiasm. Thank you to all of the girls for the time spent rehearsing in house: it paid off on the night! Everyone should be proud of the performance we put on We look forward to next year ’ s event and what the girls have to offer as there is a lot of talent. After a long time of deliberating and voting, our Year 13s decided on Like a Prayer by Madonna and, although we came 3 , we showed off our house spirit beautifully. rd

The steeplechase was a highlight for the house, and we are so proud of everyone for taking part and doing their best We are so proud to have won each event Special mentions must go to Katie for winning the junior girls category, Bbelle for winning the intermediate girls category, Rosie for winning the senior girls category and Emma for coming 3rd. Even though not everybody could place in the top 3, we are also so proud of all of our girls who took part, and helped to contribute points to help win the house cup!

It has been a busy time but the girls have shown great resilience and there have been some great achievements. The house hopes everyone has a well deserved break over Christmas so the girls are ready to go for their upcoming exams after Christmas for many of them They definitely deserve the rest as they have worked so hard!

CRAIG HOUSE REPORT

By Harry Jordan

Craig House is now in full flow of the Michaelmas Term, and as the days get colder, shorter and darker, winter is doing nothing to dampen the spirits in Craig House. The house is as warm and lively as ever, and it has been wonderful to see so many Cronkites succeeding in all sorts of fields, from university offers for our Year 13s to success on the Downs in the steeplechase. The steeplechase has traditionally been an area of great success for Craig House, and in our final year, this was no different. Starting off with the intermediate category, congratulations to Ralph Munn (11th), Tommy Llewellyn (9th), and to Jack Jordan for finishing in first place Special congratulations also go to the five senior top 12 finishers, including Oscar Gibbs (12th), Rory Ford (10th), Harry Jordan (7th), Jacob Gibbs (5th) and Nate Cahill (2nd) – helping Craig to win the senior category! Congratulations to everyone who took part, and as a house we ended up finishing second place behind Wargrave, a very respectable result.

Moving on to the second half of the day, the question was if we could defend last year ’ s boys' title In short, the answer was no, as we unfortunately failed to make the top 3 spots However, this result doesn’t reflect our efforts, and I thought that the house did very well to compete with the other houses despite being significantly outnumbered, and on another day, perhaps we could have made the top 3

Congratulations to Wargrave for winning the boys’ competition (we are looking

forward to helping them retain that title next year) and to Watt for winning overall

We have also had some very notable individual achievements this half of term, from cricket players to Oxbridge candidates Congratulations to Ollie Kirtley for being selected for the Sussex Cricket Academy, an incredible achievement, following in the footsteps of other old Cronkites like Oli Carter, Harry Finch and Joe Pocklington, who have all been paying professional cricket over the summer. Sticking with cricket, well done to Jack Jordan for being re-selected for the Sussex U16 cricket squad, another great achievement Well done to Nate Cahill for representing the school in the national swimming finals, something the swim team have made a habit of doing recently! On an academic front, congratulations to James Dunlop, who has just received four university offers as well as an interview from Cambridge – a very rare and prestigious achievement, and we wish him all the best

On a musical front, well done to all the pupils who were involved in the Remembrance Concert and services They were all very good and offered an opportunity for reflection and thought. With this year ’ s musical Guys and Dolls now just a few weeks away, it would be great to see plenty of people coming to watch and support the Cronkites involved in that Later this term, it will be time for the annual Christmas decoration competition, and I am looking forward to seeing the house lit up and ready for Christmas!

GONVILLE HOUSE REPORT

The boys in Gonville House have returned from half term re-energised and ready to restart the curriculum. Before half term Gonville took part in the steeplechase and had the highest house participation percentage in the College along with Rufus McCourt, Henry Cooke and Jude Letcher all placing on the podium within their respective races

Also before half term Gonville managed to place second in the boys’ house singing competition, managing to get the whole church moving and dancing thanks to a pioneering, maraca-involving walkout

After half term came the Gonville House Concert which had a vast array of brilliant acts and performances Year 9 displayed some wonderful post-bedtime dancing and pillow fighting, Year 10 showed off their

By Tom Robins

lethal stand up comedy skills, Year 11 crafted a thrilling murder mystery video, Year 12 redefined the idea of dancing to Gangnam Style, Year 13 shared their plans for the future and our trio of compères in the form of Harry Doe, Ethan Ajikobi and Jayden Matsikenyeri managed to supply the audience with some truly, slightly, sort of hilarious jokes Incredible musical talent was also displayed in the house band and the piano masterminds that are Daniel Song and Janson Lau

The house has also taken part in enjoyable weekend events with the most recent being inter-house dodge ball. The house has many more things in the works as we move into a more festive season and can prepare for the Gonville House Dinner and house Christmas decorating competition

NUGENT HOUSE REPORT

The girls in Nugent House have had an incredibly busy action-packed second half of term, and everyone is most definitely looking forward to the run up to Christmas! One of the standout highlights from last half of term was the fabulous 80s themed house dinner with Powell House. The evening was filled with lots of laughter, delicious food and some fun games but most of all well done to everyone for dressing up to the occasion - everyone looked fab! Special credits to Darcey Lewis (Year 13) for organising the event and making the dining hall look the part!

Another major event was the annual steeplechase, where Nugent girls showed incredible spirit and determination Every participant should feel proud for taking part and doing so with enthusiasm and smiles. A special shout-out to Livia Ackermann (Year 12), who placed 4th with an impressive time of 25:41! Congratulations also to the four other Nugent girls who finished in the top ten - an outstanding achievement that reflects your hard work and perseverance

As Christmas festivities are right around the corner, the girls are really excited for Nugent Secret Santa and upcoming festive activities to really help get in the Christmas spirit! These traditions are a wonderful way for everyone in Nugent to spread the holiday joy throughout the house and make some fun memories!

By Nancy Brown

Meanwhile, the Year 9 drama groups have been collaborating with School House under the guidance of their Year 12 leaders

Rehearsals are well underway, and we can’t wait to see their hard work come to life on stage In addition, many Nugent girls have been actively involved in the school’s production of Guys and Dolls, showcasing their talents in acting, singing, and dancing

We wish them all the best as they prepare for their performances

Last Friday, the Nugent sixth formers kindly got invited down to Wargrave House to watch the firework display. The evening was full of smiles, mulled wine and a great show of fireworks, which everyone seemed to enjoy! Back at Nugent the rest of the house gathered in the car park with warm cups of hot chocolate to watch the fireworks together – a lovely way to end the week!

Finally we all wish the Year 10s the best of luck for their upcoming exams Since they have been working so hard, we are sure they will all do great! And to all the Nugent girls, well done for navigating such a busy term and doing so with a smile on your face!

PENNELL HOUSE REPORT

Everyone at Pennell House has had a busy and enjoyable half term. Every event we participated in demonstrated excellent effort and house spirit.

We had the steeplechase prior to half term. Everyone gave it their all despite the exhausting nature of the lengthy running race. Seeing people support one another throughout the course was nice Even though the race was difficult, Pennell persevered and demonstrated genuine teamwork

The beginning of CCF for the Year 10 boys was a notable event this term. They joined in the Combined Cadet Forces, which consists of the Army, Navy and Airforce They have already demonstrated a strong commitment and level of focus Despite the difficulty of the training, they persevered and look to be enjoying their start to their CCF experience

By Lexi Whitfield

To finish the term, we took part in House Singing. Pennell sang This Is Me and it was a memorable performance We practised a lot leading up to the event, and although the competition was strong, we gave it everything we had. In the end, we came 6th place Even though we didn’t win, we were proud of our effort and confidence on stage

Overall, this half term has been full of energy and achievement for Pennell House. From running in the steeplechase to singing on stage, we have shown teamwork, determination, and pride. It has been a great start to the year, and we look forward to even more events to come.

POWELL HOUSE REPORT

It has been a busy past few weeks in Powell House as we begin to approach Christmas and our house concert.

Powell House enjoyed our 80s themed house dinner with Nugent House. Congratulations to Bodhi R (Year 9) for winning the best dressed contest and a special thanks goes out to the organisers and catering staff who made it possible

A big well done to everyone who participated in the steeplechase, great effort from everyone

An astounding rendition of Don’t Look Back in Anger was performed by Powell House at the annual house signing competition and we were happy to receive third place

In sport, we congratulate Dan A (Year 13) for receiving a stag award for his dedication to the first XV rugby team. In football, we applaud Teifi W (Year 13) for scoring 5 goals in an impressive 10-1 win against Tonbridge. We commend Ethan R (Year 10) and Tom C (Year 13) who represented the College in the regional school’s biathlon.

We are all very impressed with the Powellians who recently received promotions in the CCF This includes Tom R (Year 13) who became head of CCF, Henry L (Year 12) who became head of the army section, Alfie L (Year 13) who became head

By Charlie Hawkins

of the RAF section and George H (Year 13) who became head of A company in the army.

Powell House is currently preparing for our upcoming house concert on the 29th of November Everyone is welcome to come along and watch, it should be a great occasion!

REEVES HOUSE REPORT

The second half of the Michaelmas Term has been a busy one for everyone in Reeves House. At the very end of the last half of term the whole house participated in the annual inter-house steeplechase competition Everyone performed to their best ability and got stuck in, which can be highly commended for such an intense event We congratulate James French in Year 9 for securing first place in the junior boy’s category This was swiftly followed by the highly anticipated house singing competition. The house performed a moving rendition of Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer. Although a podium position wasn’t attained this year, everyone put their utmost effort into both preparation and performance. A special mention goes to Elliot Hibbert who performed a solo

However, the Reeves boys did not have time to relax We swiftly moved on to preparations for our yearly house revue. Everyone worked diligently to provide the best entertainment on the night. The Year 9s performed a dance to You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful by One Direction, and the Year 12s performed a plethora of entertaining dances which caught the eye of the audience. The Year 10s gave us an exceptional performance of their very own Love Island which was received well by all audience members. Both the Year 11s and Year 13s recorded and edited videos over the course of two weeks which were shown

By Mark McKie

on the night, with the Year 11s creating their own version of Emmy-winning Primetime show Dexter. The Year 13s then gave us their creative spin on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!. We commend Year 9 solo performers Sebastian Cook and James Boshoff who performed and played the cellos respectively. Local band Gifthorse and Old Reevian Reuben Mace returned to perform, which could be heard for miles. Overall, the revue was a tremendous success, and raised valuable money for our chosen charity this year, the Wave Project, providing struggling children with surf therapy

Reeves House has had a very successful second half term, and we keenly await the results of the Year 9 house drama. Well done everyone!

SCHOOL HOUSE REPORT

The School House girls have had a brilliant term so far The steeplechase was a huge success as School House came first for both performance results and participation results!

Congratulations to Elena and Lucillie for coming second and third respectfully in the Year 9 girls category Another big congratulations to Clemmie for coming third in the inter girls category and for being the queen of the mountain! Although we didn’t come first in house singing, we still came second! This really shows how hard work pays off. All the girls enthusiastically rehearsed and we could not be more proud of them!

The girls have been indulging in a lot of activities We had a mid-autumn festival celebration with all the boarders There was lantern making and the girls had a lovely time We have also recently had a late Hallowe’en celebration where we had a costume contest and fun party games such as haunted house making (with gingerbread), darts, bingo for a jelly cat prize and more! Well done to Annie and Yvonne for winning the costume contest! Some of the girls also enjoyed a day trip to London where they visited the London dungeons and did some shopping! The girls are also really excited about the annual School House Christmas party coming up and Secret Santa which will be loads of fun

The Year 9 girls have been endlessly practicing their lines for the Year 9 drama competition. Their performance was a rework of the comedy Goldilocks and the Three Bears We wish the Year 10s best of luck for their upcoming exams and also to the Year 13s as UCAS deadlines are nearby Well done to all the girls for their hard work and perseverance this term!

By Valerie Law

WARGRAVE HOUSE REPORT

By Vincent Marten

This half of term is always a challenge for boarders with the sun setting earlier in the evening making days feeling long but the boys in Wargrave haven’t let that affect them The house pool competition has commenced with close pool games occurring weekly and the final of the plate and cup being held in the last week of term. Mr Spiers has been having his crews in most weeks where a small group of people from Wargrave are invited into his house to have a delicious lasagna and are entertained by exciting board games.

The last half of term was the annual house singing competition which Wargrave had been practising well and hard for Luckily we were able to make that practice pay off as we placed first out of the boys’ houses and second over all Mr Speirs was very pleased and awarded us all house pizza but really we

should be thanking him and Mr Lavarack as they were the ones who had to hear put up with hearing us shout I Wanna be Like You from The Jungle Book

Another event that has taken place was the steeplechase where the boys put in great attendance and effort. It was really nice to see some of the boys from Wargrave on the podium as it shows people the talent that people in Wargrave have across all different departments in the school

The boys in Wargrave are all looking forward to our house dinner with Watt House because it’s always a great event where we get to talk to peers and staff who we potentially don’t normally talk to. The theme for this year is A Day at the Races and we are looking forward to seeing some funny costumes that people have to offer.

WATT HOUSE REPORT

By Nikol Saveleva

It’s been another brilliant and busy halfterm for Watt House full of achievements and energy joyfully preparing for Christmas

Last term saw two major events : the steeplechase and the annual House Singing Competition took place. Despite the very busy schedule of all the girls, the rehearsals for the competition really were worthwhile, bringing about a performance full of confidence earning us the first place Meanwhile, in the steeplechase, Watt girls gave strong performances across the board, with many excellent finishes and everyone showing true determination.

As the festive season approaches, excitement is already building for the Watt House Christmas Party, always one of the highlights of the year where girls get together and celebrate through a series of fun games. We’re also looking forward to the Wargrave and Watt House Dinner, a fantastic evening that brings together two great houses for a night of socialising.

Many of the Watt girls have been busily involved in the school production of Guys and Dolls through their performing, singing and dancing rapidly preparing for the upcoming shows. Their dedication is incredibly impressive In addition, the Year 9 drama groups have also been practising under the guidance of their Year 12 Directors for their performance, which promises to be an exciting showcase of their effort.

There have also been many outstanding individual achievements that deserve special recognition Izzy D’Abbraccio has continued representing GBR in U17 fencing competitions and is preparing to fence in both Grenoble and Copenhagen later this month Meanwhile, Ebony Aloof has completed her first season of competitive sailing with remarkable success, finishing as the 9th-ranked ILCA 4 girl in Great Britain Hattie and Amelie raced in Birmingham at the weekend in the ESSA schools national relay finals They achieved the best results that the swim team has ever had.

2025 CULTURAL QUIZ

By Rowley Emus

As the year comes to an end, I have put together a quiz made up of eight questions about the big cultural events that have happened this year. Let’s see how many you can get right. The first person to send through the correct answers to Miss Curren will get a Christmassy chocolate treat Good luck!

Question 1:

Which famous football player was knighted this year?

A. Wayne Rooney

B. David Beckham

C. Steven Gerrard

D. Harry Kane

Question 2:

Which musician headlined at Glastonbury Festival this year?

A. Taylor Swift

B. Billie Eilish

C. Dua Lipa

D. Coldplay

Question 3:

Which country hosted the Eurovision Song Contest this year?

A. Switzerland

B. Italy

C. United Kingdom

D. France

Question 4:

Which film won best picture at the Oscars this year?

A. Barbie

B. Oppenheimer

C. Poor Things

D. Anora

Question 5:

Which team won the UEFA Champions League this year?

A. Manchester City

B. Real Madrid

C. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)

D. Arsenal

Question 6:

Which darts player received an MBE this year after a breakout performance at the World Championships?

A. Michael Smith

B. Luke Littler

C. Gerwyn Price

D. Peter Wright

Question 7:

Which series based on a true story became a viral hit in spring this year?

A. Baby Reindeer

B. Bridgerton

C. The Stranger

D. The Night Agent

Question 8:

Which actor headlined Mission ImpossibleThe Final Reckoning in 2025?

A. Keanu Reeves

B. Tom Cruise

C. Brad Pitt

D. Chris Hemsworth

CHARITY REPORT

By Father Daniel

In September, the Chapel Charity was launched (at our Whole School Service) as Matthew 25, a local charity dedicating themselves to help support vulnerable and marginalised communities in Eastbourne. Shortly after, approximately £600 was raised at the first Charity Lunch of the year. Meanwhile, Blackwater House began supporting The Pink Ribbon Foundation, which provides financial support to UK charities which relieve the needs of people who are suffering from, have been affected by breast cancer They raised £350, following their launch at their house concert in October, with more raised from their regular candy cane sales at Christmas

Wargrave are supporting Mind UK this year and began by raising £100, but with their main effort being their celebrated Rowathon later in the year Mind UK is a charity which assists those who have mental health problems

Gonville House now has a close connection with the organisation Beachy Head Chaplaincy and began collecting for this important local charity, raising £600 at their house concert, with more to follow.

Watt House began their year raising £1750 at their Colour Run for JPK Project Sussex, a charity dedicated to helping people with learning disabilities and their families.

Finally, Nugent House started the year designating Dementia UK as their chosen charity for the year A later activity involving selling chocolate across the school with a guessing game to raise money is being organised by their charity reps, and a number of pupils will be performing in February at the College’s Charity Revue, which we look forward to immensely.

HOROSCOPES

This is time for reflection and emotional growth Trust your inner voice

By Mystic Maud

This is a great time for learning and social connections

Relationships will deepen but balance work and personal life carefully

Nurture close bonds as home and family life take centre stage

Don't be overly proud or too stubborn

Embrace change but avoid issues centred around control

Stay grounded to avoid overcommitting

Hard work will pay off but take breaks and recharge