Wellingtonian Lent 2019

Wellingtonian

a student magazine

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CONTENTS 4. LETTER FROM THE EDITORS 5. CAREER INSIGHTS 6. SPOTLIGHT 8. SHAMIMA BEGUM 10. NETFLIX 11. FILM REVIEW 14. WEST SIDE STORY 16. CONFORMITY 18. CONTROVERSY 20. OPINION 22. FASHION SHOW 24. HISTORY 25. FASHION 26. WELLY WITS AND LOOKALIKES

JOURNALISTS Monet Stuckey (Ag) Harry Trunck (T) Zayn Rajan (M) Mr Morris Allegra Harris (Hn) Garbriel Stegg (Hn) Jemima Huxtable (O) Jemima Sunley (Ag) Amy Gadhia (C) Lotte Hemke (Hn) Will Creasey (Ly) Honor Cockroft (Hn) Lara Buxton (Hn)

DESIGN Max Rickard (T)

EDITORS William Smith (S) Clara Herfs (Hn)

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FROM THE EDITORS It is a strange feeling to be passing on the Wellingtonian, but it is only the first of many things we will soon be leaving behind as this year ends. Working on every edition has been a great experience; we know that Clara and Will are going to improve on what we’ve done, to continue the legacy of the Wellingtonian. I hope that they will enjoy this position as much as we have and that they will make the most of it. We will leave you with a quote from our favourite journalist, Joan Didion: ‘There’s a point when you go with what you’ve got. Or you don’t go.’

Honor Cockroft and Lara Buxton

We have really enjoyed taking on more responsibility as newly established editors of the Wellingtonian. Our aim is to spread key messages in every article we publish, in the aim of exposing the Wellington Community to aspects of Wellington that may be less obvious to see at first glance; in this edition, for instance, we have welcomed articles surrounding conformity, both from a student and from a teacher.

Our hopes are that as many people as possible will engage with the Wellingtonian, from contributing to the infamous Welly Wits to writing articles for the magazine. We want to make sure that all aspects of Wellington are noticed and projected equitably. The Wellingtonian is interested in both current affairs globally and committing to highlighting individual and collective achievments at Wellington; thus we have tried to put together a diverse set of articles.

We would also like to thank Honor Cockroft, Lara Buxton, Jemima Sunley and Cameron Gordon, the outgoing editors, for making this transition so smooth.

As an independent student magazine, we hope that all year groups will be inspired to contribute to this project and use the Wellingtonian as an opportunity to share your thoughts; please do contact us at Wellingtonian@wellingtoncollege.org.uk for inquiries.

XX Clara Herfs and Will Smith

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CAREERS INSIGHTS Murray Founder & CEO, BookDoc Chevy Beh graduated from University of Virginia, US in 2007 with a double major in Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Economics and East Asian Studies. Upon graduation, he started his career in investment banking and latterly founded BookDoc, a mobile based platform that connects and unites patients and healthcare professionals. Beh was awarded most promising Entrepreneurship Award at the 2012 Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA).

BookDoc is a multi-sided online & mobile platform that improves access to healthcare products and services within Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Winners never quit and quitters never win.

What is it about your business that interests you most?

Democratising the way health care is delivered and empowering patients to make more informed decisions.

Thank you Chevy!

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Jack Chong: The Man Behind the Fresh Trim

I was very honoured to be given the opportunity to interview the well-respected, highly regarded BNOC, Jack Chong. We began the interview with a quick photoshoot, which was truly flattering for the both of us. Jack Chong, however, knew that I have a reputation for being a ruthless interviewer, so proceeded to instigate the commencing of our discussion.

I began the interview, rather intimidated by Jack’s fresh trim, asking him about his perceptions of Wellington before he joined last year, as a Lower 6th pupil. He replied, “Wellington has a very good PR and Marketing team and I was able to have a glimpse at Wellingtonian’s life before even joining Wellington. He continued delving into his time as a schoolboy in Hong Kong oppressed by strict traditions, and how he was drawn to the liberal way of life here! I was intrigued to hear whether Jack’s experience at Wellington met the image of the College as seen online. Overall, the atmosphere and the resources available definitely exceeded his expec-

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tations. As if he was a quality control manager sent by the HMC (The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference), he exclaimed, “within the very first month of joining Wellington, I was surprised to see how Wellingtonians had a positive outlook in everything they do. I found it easy to make friends and to get involved in college life. Staff and non-teaching staff were very open and advised me to try out new activities and make the most out of them. Wellington has kept consistently high standards throughout my time at Wellington”. This is certainly a very good report from Jack, alarmingly consistent to the other reports we received from “Ofsted” and the “Good School’s Guide”!

It is commonly known around the College that Jack has truly thrown himself into every aspect of Wellington, from leading Disrupt (the Entrepreneurship society) to performing live to an array of faces in the “V&A sessions”.

I wanted to know more about his motivations. Mr Chong took the lead, telling us his story, “I was motivated by the atmosphere at Wellington. I spoke with Mrs Fisher (Head of Entrepreneurship), who was very happy to work with Charles Sin (U6th Murray) and I to build Disrupt. We organised talks from business executives and founders of start-ups, as well as events, such as the Entrepreneurs’ Exchange, where students were given the opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors”. I personally did take part in the Entre-

preneurs’ Exchange and I am very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to pitch my own business idea. The feedback I received is invaluable and now I can make my business plan as detailed as possible!

Prompting Jack to talk more about his inspirations of promoting entrepreneurship at Wellington highlights his fundamental belief--“entrepreneurship fits into Wellington as it encourages risk-taking and stretching yourself beyond your comfort zone”. Risk-taking and stretching oneself is indeed a key part of success in all fields of work and this is one of many key messages that Jack has highlighted so articulately!

Well then, what could the school do more to promote entrepreneurship?

He explained, “Eton has got a very active entrepreneurship society and Sevenoaks has introduced entrepreneurship into their curriculum. We should be do the same. Business, more specifically entrepreneurship, should be offered as an elective subject for the Lower School to equip them with skills to excel in real life.” I couldn’t have agreed more with what Jack had to say when he continued to comment, “building a brand and thinking creatively are critical skills for success in any fields, let it be in fashion, visual arts, performative arts, or competitive sports, all of which Wellingtonians are very good at”. I began to wonder if this was an

interview for the next Master of the College, a conspiracy theory that has spread since his rise to prominence, until I realised that this was only the second key message Jack wanted to convey.

“Passing over Disrupt to the safe hands of India, Ethan and Adam prompted me to reflect on myself, my achievements and my attitudes”, he said with a tear in his eye. “Some questions I ask myself are ‘have I done enough?’ and ‘what could I have done better?’. There are many things I could have done better: how I present myself and consequently how others perceive me”. I was humbled by the fact that Jack opened up and being conscious to make an impact for the community. With emotions running high, I decided to chip in a question I had not planned, asking him what piece of advice he would give to the Lower 6th Jack. Paused to ponder upon the question, he slowly unravelled his answer, “I would tell the Little Jack that he shouldn’t be afraid of failure. We don’t see others’ failures and efforts behind the stage but we only get to celebrate their success and fame when the spotlight is on them on the stage. I would tell him to stretch his comfort zone as much as possible and remain humble in everything he does.” At this moment, even my bottom lip was beginning to go, so we put on our poker faces and progressed into Jack’s plans for the future.

“I received a conditional offer at Oxford to read PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics)”, said Jack His academic interest is in political science and economics. What is really intriguing is that Jack, of Chinese descent-in case some of the readers think he is Japanese or Korean--is interested in the Middle East and he hopes to work there in the future. “I learnt Arabic outside of Wellington as it is not offered as a subject. I was inspired by my experience so I started the Arabic Club with Mr Qasim Sayed and every week about 8 students learn Arabic from a tutor paid by the school, very kindly made possible by Mr Simon Kirkham.” Jack looked at me and laid out his plan, “Mandarin started as a hobby group before it grew to be incorporated into the curriculum.

Perhaps within 5 years’ time, Arabic will follow the success of Mandarin and be offered as a subject.”

Towards the end, I asked Jack if he would like to make any additional remarks. He took advantage of that and gave an Oscar acceptance speech, “I am very grateful to Wellington and the friends that I have made here. It is so important to keep learning from others.” He continued, “I had never acted, danced or sung publicly before joining Wellington.

At Wellington, I was able to perform in the musical ‘Cats’ and ‘Westside Story’ and work alongside aspiring actors, actresses, dancers and pro-

ducers. Working in the Shabby Road Studio is inspiring and I really appreciate the help everyone has given me to my performances”. He gave a cheeky smile and continued, “I just want to give a shout-out to my band mates: Max, Tom, Nicklaus, and the 2 Alfies, whom I have worked closely with and thank you so much for tolerating my voice cracks”

As time became our enemy, I drew this interview to a close with an iconic question. I asked Jack to describe his time at Wellington in 3 words. After an extensive deliberation and a long thought, the terms “Fruitful, Exciting and Grateful” came to the forefront of his mind. I can say that, from both my interview with Jack and from the many things I have seen he has done over the last 2 years, he has contributed extensively to the college community. As I walked towards Politics after the interview, I reflected on his key principles: a desire to learn, gratefulness for every opportunity and everyone who has helped him to reach his potential; these ideas truly struck a nerve! I would say that he is an inspiration to us all.

I wish him the best in his studies at Oxford next year. Cheers Jack!

William Smith

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SHAMIMA BEGUM

Shamima Begum’s case will always be controversial.

As a 15-year-old, she fled England to join the Islamic terror group, known as ISIS. Her case has been consumed by the UK media; it has chewed her up, spat her out and pronounced her unworthy of citizenship.

I understand why one might hate her and all that she stands for. A person who has rejected the British way of life and chosen the life of a terrorist over her life in Britain, but this doesn’t mean she deserves the life statement of being stateless. We have a responsibility as a nation. She was born in Britain. She was raised in Britain.

She was educated in Britain and it was in Britain that she was radicalised. We must acknowledge that as one of the mastiffs of modern democracy, we have a duty of care. If there is any country in which rehabilitation should be possible, it is here.

The issue of radicalisation has only been proliferated by the internet age and it will be the challenge of our generation to prevent and minimise this radicalisation.

To reject Shamima now is to

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prove her right in her choice to leave. People who are radicalised are those who do not feel accepted in society. In Britain, we may claim to be progressive, we may claim to be liberal, but the vestiges of our colonial empire still rest in the foundations of this country.

A lot of progress has been made but removing the citizenship of a nineteenyear-old girl is not a step in the right direction. Not only does it feed into the populist, media-driven politics that Trump exploited in his 2016 election campaign, but it does not present a solution to the war on terror.

Preventing her return to the UK only shows other radicalised people that there is no going back from them. They will be forever tarnished by one choice and although some of you may believe that this decision is enough to condemn Shamima for life- because removing her citizenship is a life sentence.

To make her stateless will set a precedent in Europe for how we should deal with our radicalised citizens. If all these people are made stateless, it will only serve

to further isolate them and solidify them in their religious terrorism. It is not in our interest to create a roaming stateless group of radicals, hardened in their hatred of Britain. It is better to keep our enemies closer and under British scrutiny. The Begum case is symptomatic of a larger issue of rehabilitation. The Week reported on the Irish ISIS recruit who was allowed to return home stating that it was the “compassionate” thing to do.

Asma Begum has begged for this “act of mercy” for her daughter.

The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has said that she should be given Bangladeshi citizenship as this is where her parents originated from. Why should she be given citizenship from a country she has never even visited? The UK government may be trying to palm their problem off onto another nation, but it was in Britain that she was raised. Unfortunately for us, she is our problem, so it is for us to find the solution and to leave her stranded in a refugee camp is no solution at all.

SHAMIMA BEGUM

Polemic isn’t the right word for this case. Perhaps it is for my response…

Initially the case of Shamima Begum makes a few things seem obvious: Shamima Begum was not an active threat, she should be allowed back instead of left to rot in some refugee camp and her son should have had the right to healthcare, education and upbringing in the United Kingdom. The government has let back in 400 people who had been ISIS members, and this 19-year-old appeared to be a less threatening case. So why wasn’t she let back in?

Four years of living with an organisation that has claimed responsibility for over 1,200 lives would change anyone. Whilst Begum claimed that for the most part living there was “nice”, she felt it was no longer safe to be there. But even though she saw all the beheadings, murders and terror attacks she was “okay with it”. Her choice has led to the destruction of her citizenship and potentially her life, as well as the deaths

of her three children, but she has “no regrets”. But she wants to be let back into Britain as she “does support some British values”.

Remind me what part of our national identity promotes religious radicalism?

What about the kids being radicalised in schools now, thinking it’s okay that they can try it out and come back? Deterrence is not the most successful mechanism in place to stop radicalism, but unless the education and policing system completely changes its tack, it’s all we’ve got.

This may even have set an important precedent against radicalism in Britain.

Liberals will always side with the side of minorities, with the side of human rights and democracy; but what if we need to lose the emphasis on symbolic rights, and protect the security of our nation? Maybe her choice was a mistake, but fuelling this hate-driven terrorism is unforgiveable.

An innocent British citizen, a baby, died because of the UK’s decision to not

allow Shamima back to the UK. A tragedy, and an avoidable one. But perhaps we understood why this happened when The Independent released the now viral video of her condoning the Manchester Arena bombing as retaliation. I’m sure the several hundred people affected would disagree, including the parents, siblings and friends of the 23 people that never returned home that night. Eye for an eye thinking can be used to try justify this, but blindness will ensue.

Why would be let someone so exposed to hatred back into the country? At least she told us “they don’t have any evidence of me doing anything dangerous”.

Evidence? Hardly convincing.

Sources: New York Times (July 2016), The Independent (February 2019), The Express (Feb 2019), The Guardian (March) Honor Cockroft

NETFLIX: FRIEND OR FOE?

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Most of you reading this will no doubt have read the title, decided a conclusion to the question yourself, that being ‘friend’, and then skimmed to the final sentence, where you suspect that I will conclude with ‘friend’ too. I most probably will conclude with that, but if you read on, you will understand that this conclusion cannot be formed easily.

You’re leisurely lying in bed, laptop open, Netflix loaded, and then you look at your clock. Somehow, time managed to skip four hours and it’s 2am already (of course this only applies to seniors though, because juniors hand in their tech, don’t they…). You begin to panic as you work out that you only have 5 hours of sleep until you not only need to function in lessons, but also need to be prepared to hear Jack Chong sing in whole-school assembly.

Now, if this hasn’t happened to you, then I’m not sure what has.

Netflix can sometimes be irresistible, due to the vast entertainment available, whether that be a documentary, a movie, or a TV show, but you name it, and it’ll be there. Therefore, Netflix can be an easy way to relax after a stressful school day in the Wellington community, but sometimes, all dignity is lost, and ‘binge-watching’ becomes inevitable. One of the major causes of ‘binge-watching’ is auto-play. You might treat yourself to one epi-

sode after some productive work, but after you fix the cushions behind you or check your phone quickly, before you know it, the next episode of your favourite series is already playing.

Soon after, it becomes too difficult to avoid, and you eventually become a bit of a hermit, and might not even go to dinner (unless it’s chicken katsu, of course). As a result of this addictive nature held

by Netflix, sleep no longer becomes a priority, which is a phrase I never thought I’d say, but unfortunately, it’s true.

Not only does Netflix deprive oneself of sleep and social extremity, but there is also a potential for loss of intellectual ability. Procrastination can easily become regular once hooked on the bait of a fresh TV series, and so school work gradually gets pushed further and further to the side.

One of the main reasons for this type of procrastination is that people begin to lie to themselves about how much work they really have, and rationalize everything, in order to believe that watching Netflix is adequate. Consequently, the initial use of Netflix to relax, becomes the polar opposite, where Netflix actually induces stress on the brain as it begins to create a realistic approach to the work load in need of attention.

If you’re reading this and instantly regretting all of the many hours you’ve spent watching Netflix instead of

working, don’t, because it’s not actually your fault that you ‘binge-watch’, it’s cliff-hangers that are influencing your brain.

So-called cliff-hangers produce Corticotropin-releasing hormones (CRH), which are hormones that, effectively, release stress.

As a result of this stress, our body is naturally more awake and intrigued to discover the plot of the next episode, rather than falling asleep. Therefore, as you stay awake and watch the next episode after a cliff-hanger, these stress hormones are contracted, and your brain leads you to believe that you are accomplishing something, triggering that gorgeous neurochemical cascade of serotonin (satiety) and dopamine (pleasure). This cycle between stress and accomplishment is continuous, and is difficult to break, but once broken, your brain becomes even more satisfied with your accomplishment, and allows you to relax and fall asleep.

I can almost guarantee that at least 8 out of 10 people reading this have access to a Netflix account, whether that be your parent’s or a friend’s. This is one of the great advantages to Netflix; there are no password constraints, meaning that you can stream to your heart’s content. With this many people viewing what Netflix has to offer, popular TV series or films (but definitely not documentaries, unless it’s by the national treasure himself, David At-

tenborough) become the centre of conversations, therefore bringing people together in a sociable manner. Moreover, Netflix’s download feature is a holy grail for those of you who have minimal data available to you, but the majority of you reading this, being Wellingtonians, most likely do not face this problem.

Nevertheless, this feature is undeniably astounding, with the only fault being that not all programmes are available to download, which no doubt can be merely forgotten when you think of the number of positives Netflix has to offer.

So, if you were one of those people who skipped to the end for my final verdict, I have concluded that, in fact, Netflix is most definitely a friend. Although, it’s difficult to comprehend this when you think of the number of hours that were wasted sitting in front of your laptop when you should have been working… but then again, were they really hours wasted? It’s difficult to balance leisure with education at a school like Wellington, but lets just hope that one day, we’ll all be living in a ‘Black Mirror’ world where we’ll no longer be bounded by the laws of space and time, and so, can forever watch Netflix.

However, I’d highly recommend that you try turning off auto-play before your laptop begins to overheat and wheeze like a heavy smoker at 2am…

Monet Stuckey

APOCALYPSE NOW 1979 REVIEW

Produced at the height of his cinematic prominence, Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam war epic earns its place as one of, if not the greatest war film ever exhibited on screen. Stemming from Joseph Conrad’s 1899 novella “Heart of Darkness”, in which the narrator retells the story of a man, Marlow, who made a voyage into the heart of Africa via the Congo River, found and rescued an ivory trader, known only by the name “Kurtz”. Along the journey, as Marlow ventures deeper into this foreign environment, progressively loosing confidence in orderly civilisation, he is exposed to the harsh environment of the African jungle; all the while, the ever-present and notorious name “Kurtz” is mentioned and thought about, often in a deifying manner. When Marlow finally reaches Kurtz’s compound, all that is left is a frail, weak man; a shadow of his previous descriptions of greatness and strength.

In his 1979 adaption of the novella, Coppola lifts the story and some of its themes and drops it into the context of the Vietnam War. The ivory trader Kurtz is decorated ex-colonel gone rogue Walter E. Kurtz (played by Marlon Brando), who went insane and imposed himself as a God in tribal Cambodia, and began his reign of terror over his followers.

Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) is a young army sergeant, stationed in Saigon, who is given the task of proceeding up the Nung River, locating Colonel Kurtz and terminating his command. The film is a journey towards Willard’s understanding of Kurtz and his methods, and how Kurtz once one of the army’s best soldiers, managed to lose his grip on reality and descend into such a darkness. Similar to the novella, the journey up the river creates a colossal anticipation of Walter E. Kurtz, and Marlon Brando fulfils it.

Notorious for his incredible ability to envelope a character within his acting, Brando manages, as soon as he enters the film, cloaked in shadows to create an extraordinary depiction of Kurtz and his insanity, proving that the $3 million dollar pay check from Coppola was money well spent.

The other performances in the film are stellar, with all characters on the screen adding to the magnitude of this film.

At the first of three ‘stations’ visited by Willard and his boat crew of five, we meet Colonel Bill Kilgore (Robert Duvall), an eccentric commander which fully encapsulates the American attitude to the conflict and steals the show whilst he’s on screen. Offering an outstanding portrayal of his character, leading the most famous sequence of the film in the “Ride of the Valkyries” scene, where the American superiority over the Vietnamese forces is shown brilliantly with a manic attack on a Viet Cong compound whilst Wanger is played on loud speakers from the choppers and then after this, Duvall delivers the most iconic line in the film “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”.

Another character that is remarkable in the film is the

delirious photojournalist (played by Dennis Hopper), who is met at the entrance to Kurtz’s compound. Through the use of brilliantly improvised dialogue from Hopper and his own acting talents and usage of heroine, the photojournalist is brought to life as a zany, far out follower of Colonel Kurtz, capturing the idea of his followers worshiping him as a deified figure among them.

Another key element towards the film’s great success is the cinematography, all conducted by acclaimed cinematographer Vittorio Storao, who used his signature colour wheel philosophy to match opposite colours against each other and create a picture of contrasting excellence. One sequence where cinematography is incredibly well done is the final station before Kurtz’s compound, the infamous “Do Lung Bridge”. Difficult to put into words, the cinematography in this film is absolutely stunning, you simply have to watch the scenes to have an understanding of the feat that Storaro reached in this film. Furthermore, Coppola refused to use any CGI in the film so everything that is seen on screen happened in reality, leading to a greater sense of immersion and realism to this piece.

There is simply so much more to this film that can be said here, as this review has only just looked at a minority of details from the entire film and to properly see everything that this film has to offer, it must be watched more than just once. For a viewing, this film is amazing but when dissected further, this film becomes a masterpiece of cinema. The mixture of more than convincing performances, near-perfect cinematography, an incredible and captivating storyline and the direction of the great Francis Ford Coppola make this film a work of art, and make it very plausible to say that this film if one of the greatest of all time.

Harry Trunck

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The Importance of West Side Story

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As I’m sure all of you will know, this year’s musical was West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. Not only is it one of the most critically-acclaimed musicals of all time, but I also think that the message it conveys is as relevant to us now as it was in 1957, when it was first performed.

The musical tells a story of a Romeo and Juliet-esque romance, involving two rival gangs, the Jets (Americans) and Sharks (Puerto Ricans), set in the West Side of New York. The Sharks, being immigrants, are subject to xenophobia and racism, so when Tony, a Jet, falls in love with Maria, a shark, the story that unfolds is one of tragedy, just like that of the Montagues and the Capulets.

Having played Maria, I am beginning to understand what it must have been like to be on the receiving end of all of the hate that Puerto Ricans were given in the 1950s. The hostile atmosphere towards the Sharks in the prologue, both from the residents of the East Side and from the police force, immediately show the true extent of the racism and discrimination that was going on at the time.

The treatment of women is also somewhat appalling.

When Anita, a Shark, goes to Doc’s to try and give Tony

a message, she is verbally and physically abused by the Jets, who call her a ‘pig’ and ‘lying spic’, and then force her onto the floor and pierce her ear against her will. Although this is one of the hardest scenes to watch, it is perhaps essential to cement the notion of the racist and sexist views of the New York population at that time.

Performing in the musical was an eye-opening and extremely rewarding experience. For those of you that watched, you will know what hardships the characters went through, especially Maria, who is torn between love and family.

The discriminatory scenes were hard to act in and I hope that they were as hard to watch, because they show just what it was like in New York in 1957, and what it still is like in some places now. Racism and sexism are difficult topics to portray on stage, but Bernstein tactfully yet powerfully conveys a true sense of what it must have been like to be a Puerto Rican in America.

Jemima Huxtable

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DISCUSSION: CONFORMITY “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson It would appear here that Emerson is referencing the mental and social battle of individual expression and the avoidance of social conformity in a sense which regards daily encounters.

From a social perspective, one of the most difficult things people are faced with in life is having the courage to radiate their essence and separate themselves from the crowd. It can be tough not to force oneself to ‘fit in’. This is often because naturally humans dislike criticism or judgement, as it holds negative connotations. As a result, we notice high levels of conformity in the society which we live in and a high degree of unnatural social cohesion.

In each society there are social normalities (norms). These are unwritten rules upon which an individual ought to act to follow societies individual moral code.

However, some are much more specific and demand more of people. These take a more personal stand, which have an impact on the individual. The individual often feels encouraged to abide by these rules, as a means of best adapting to the society, without any potential minor inconveniences and to provide a smoother lifestyle.

These norms aren’t entirely negative; they can undoubtedly help to provide order and structure in a given society.

Within Wellington’s bubble, the most common and noticeable of these norms can be derived in two senses, specific and general. In terms of specific, there is the fear to sit on ‘the other side’ of the dining hall or to hold your books a different way or even the fear to disagree with someone’s opinion despite deeply

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knowing you don’t agree. From a slightly more general sense, the way people choose to dress, the new music people listen to and the way people interact with each other ties into the urge to have a favourable appearance on social media.

The way that people interact in groups and the ability to change their behaviour and entire personality depending on the people they are accustomed to is impressive, as people are able to hold multiple different personas.

Looking more specifically at Wellington, it would appear that conformity is at, as previously mentioned, an unnatural level. Teenagers inevitably find it difficult to face criticism, and this may have caused students to shy away from being their honest character. It is often seen that Wellingtonians, whether it may be actively or subconsciously, change their lifestyle to coincide with that of a different student who they may deem more successful in the battle for popularity or social recognition.

It is consistently clear that the causes of conformity are fears of being different to others and fears of being isolated by the inability to find equally-minded individuals; some individuals may want to be seen around college within certain groups, believing this can enhance their social reputation. Equally, with regards to fear, I believe that the biggest reason for unnatural conformity is the fear of expressing individuality because a student may feel as if their true self is ‘weird’ or ‘not cool enough’; they may fear that people will have negative opinions of them.

Being able to display your true

self to friends and acquaintances, knowing that their character may be open to criticism, is a very courageous feet, and something that many people may struggle to do.

This article is not here to paint conformity as a terrible concept, it is here to expose how individuals may enhance or create ‘desirable’ character traits which may act as a smokescreen for their true selves. This, equally, is rivalled by the idea that this article is not promoting people to make themselves different from the status quo for the sake of breaking conformity. The only concern is when one actively changes who they are and knows honestly what they are doing; unless you are perfect happy with being someone else during pivotal years with the opportunity to flourish, then I would deem that a concern arisen from conformity.

Ultimately, I would argue that being able to be yourself, and being able to accept and embrace others for being themselves, results in a much happier, healthier school environment.

It is often very difficult to take a step outside the ‘bubble’ and look beyond. As a teenager, regardless of whether it is ‘the greatest accomplishment’, the eventual found ability to be true to oneself is perhaps one of the most pivotal moments in the life of a young adult.

Zayn Rajan

DISCUSSION: CONFORMITY “One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself” ― Shannon L. Alder I recently met an OW who had left Wellington after suffering 2 years of physical and psychological abuse by a group of boys in his house. What is remarkable about his story, is that he met up with the ringleader of this group 20 years afterwards. It turned out that plagued by feelings of shame for his actions, the ringleader had been following his victim on social media hoping for the chance to apologise for what he had done. The ringleader had undergone a dramatic transformation since he left school, having realised that he was playing a role he thought he should play, rather than being himself.

He had believed that being a strong male meant being good at sport, being more physically powerful than everyone else and exerting social dominance wherever possible. Of course, this came at a terrible price not only for his victim, but for him too. As I sat talking with this OW, I was amazed by how compassionate he was for the person who had inflicted such suffering on him and it seemed that the compassion stemmed from his realising that the boy who bullied him 20 years ago was a grotesque distortion of an otherwise decent human being.

Adolescence is a really challenging time in our lives. One of the main tasks we undertake as adolescents is called ‘identity formation’, where we create a strong sense of self which is authentic to us and separate from the communities and institutions that form us early on: i.e. our families and our schools. The pressure of this stage of development can create a tension between two very important human needs: the need to belong and the need for individuality. Conformity is mostly to do with adjusting our behavior in order to fit in with what we believe would make us acceptable to others and meet our need for belonging. It is normally depicted as a weakness. Paradoxically, those who conform the most can sometimes be those who hold the greatest amount of power and who demand the highest levels of conformity in order to protect their power, as we can see above.

Conforming to the community we inhabit leads us to developing ‘masks’: pretend versions of ourselves that enable us to fit in with others. The cost of this can be very high, as in trying to be all things to all people we lose a concrete sense of self and this can be very unsettling. It also makes it difficult for others to trust us and their intuition will tell them that they are not relating to someone genuine. On the other hand, meeting our need for individuality by not conforming at all can just lead to us feeling estranged from our communities, which may be equally damaging.

The article that this sits alongside suggested that the problem of conformity is more pronounced at Wellington. I’m not sure I agree with that. In any community which has power structures, you will see conformity. Power structures are either explicit (e.g. prefects, SLT, teachers, disciplinary systems) or hidden (e.g. the power dynamic within a year group in a house) and wherever there are people with power, others will feel compelled to either conform to be accepted, resist to defend their individuality, or have a relationship to those power structures which is an authentic mixture of conformity and individuality. What makes Wellington unique is the way power is structured and the individuals who hold and use that power, which means that the ways in which people conform are unique. I have been here for nearly 15 years and over that time, I have seen the nature of conformity shift and change as our community has changed. I fully expect that to be the case for as long as I teach here.

Identity formation is a process that continues for years after we leave school and as we grow in confidence and experience, we become much more comfortable with who we are and who our authentic self is. Identity formation is a process that takes place, over time, in dialogue with ourselves and the people we spend time with. It takes time to uncover and understand our values. It takes time to find people with whom we can share and celebrate those values. It takes time to learn that being around people very different to ourselves is not threatening, but enriching. The existentialist philosophers challenged us to acknowledge our freedom and to define ourselves through the choices we make. To do only what we think is acceptable to others is to live in bad faith and to live an unfulfilled life. Having the courage to emerge as an authentic self is worth every gram of the time and effort it takes.

Mr Morris, Head of Wellbeing

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WHERE THE **** ARE MY SOCKS?!?!

2018 saw the rise of many school-based brands but none could compare to the now infamous Welly Socks. Many call it “the scam of the century” and they would be right. For those lucky few who don’t know of the hustle, last year a few A Level business students conned innocent teenagers into buying socks for a whopping £10 per pack of 2. If this wasn’t enough nobody ever received the socks or even a refund - how could it all have gone so wrong?

One year on and victims are still reeling from what is now being called ‘Sockmageddon’. Some say it’s the Crowthorne equivalent of the notorious Fyre Festival but the many affected know this is far too kind a comparison - “at least they got a cheese sandwich.” I spoke to one survivor last week to find out how she was coping as we near the anniversary of that infamous day.

“I remember it as if it were yesterday. He walked into my room equipped with nothing but devilish good looks and the astounding ability to charm anybody out of obscene amounts of money. I try not to think about it anymore, the memories only bring me pain.” Another victim openly weeps as he tells me “I could have bought 16 cookies from the V&A with that money”.

Rumours circle the college about whether there’ll be 18

a LiveAid concert to repay the victims for their loss and word has it Jack Chong will be headlining but many wonder whether it’ll be enough.

Reading back through the texts on my group chat that day, one stands out against the rest because of how accurately it encapsulates the feelings of the college: “I feel used and abused”.

Several months later the girl who sent it dropped out of school close friends say it all started going downhill after that dark day.

Another affected tells me of how he bursts into tears whenever he sees a pair of socks that resemble those he never received. His PTSD is so debilitating that he can only wear flip flops now. Dyer has repeatedly threatened to suspend him for violating the school’s dress code but he’s more afraid of socks than he is of the punishment. His parents are demanding justice but are scared it will never be brought about.

Needless to say, we have all been hurt, possibly irreparably so.

In publishing this article we hope the masterminds behind this crime will realise the pain they caused so many and repay us. All that’s left to do is wait and hope. And just remember our prayers are with each and every one of you. God bless.

Allegra Harris

Meat Free Monday and the Impacts of Veganism

For many, one of the driving forces behind becoming vegan is to reduce the impact on the environment; last year alone saw 150,000 people take part in Veganuary in the UK. It can be a testing time, but for many, it’s a short-lived gimmick rather than a lifestyle change, thinly cloaked as a healthier way of life. But, is this drastic change of lifestyle healthy for the environment?

Choosing to consume exotic fruits over a homegrown slabs of meat may actually be worse for the environment; pomegranates from India, lentils from Canada, beans from Brazil, blueberries from the US or goji berries from China will actually leave a higher carbon footprint, as more carbon dioxide is needed to transport these foods to our tables.

A clear impact on other humans is the rising prices of these goods. For example, the price of Avocados rose 28% last year alone; this may cause Avocados to become too expensive to people living in poorer parts of the world, perhaps in areas where Avocados are grown, which could potentially result in starvation.

Furthermore, vegans loose out on the health benefits gained from consuming meat. Vegetables only give you non-heme iron, which is not as easily absorbed by the body; heme iron is exclusive to red meat, pork, poultry and fish.

According to the World Health Organisation, over 30% of the world’s population suffer from iron deficiency; Do you want to be included in this statistic? Eating meat also helps pre-

vent vitamin B12 deficiency, which is known to cause Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Another problem arises when vegan mothers are breast-feeding, as their milk has a lower omega-3 fatty acid level, necessary for proper brain development in infants.

Another compelling argument is the ability to consume sustainably farmed sources of meat. I admit, the meat industry is notorious for its questionable ethical practises and carbon footprint, however, the agricultural industry has not been a particularly transparent role-model, driving up prices in order to fund the use of fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides; these practices have been the cause of eutrophication, which is a process (studied at GCSE Biology) in which all life is sucked out of a lake, more commonly.

Vegans and environmentalists also often forget simple GCSE biology… the carbon cycle. According to a 2017 report in the science journal, up to 70% of the carbon in our cultivated soils has been lost into the atmosphere, which isn’t a particularly pleasing statistic, to say the least.

Finally, as a strong believer in individualism and personal rights, I believe that I should have the right to choose what foods I want to eat. I don’t believe that the views of others should influence how I choose to live my life, so I am therefore against the ‘Meat Free Monday’ campaign.

Will Creasey

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The Art of the Soundtrack feat. A Top 8 A great soundtrack is something that becomes encapsulated in one’s mind and ultimately is what distinguishes a mediocre film from a great. Some soundtracks become so engrained in a film’s image that often a scene and its music become synonymous and inherently associated in fame. A soundtrack can almost be as integral to the establishment of a film within the canon as the film’s aesthetic itself.

Shout out to You, Mr Lou Reed, for being my favourite thing to hear on a soundtrack. (Also, my apologies for having to overlook the film score, a great competitor of the soundtrack – I overran the wordcount.)

1.

The Royal Tenenbaums

Among one of Wes Anderson’s most well-known films, The Royal Tenenbaums features everything from The Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan and the soothing tones of Nico. A masterpiece of using music to provide emotional cues, Wes ensures that every song included is not a commissioned single or score, but an aged and revived gem.

2.

Withnail and I

The opening scene begins with King Curtis’ live version of a ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ sounding from a record player. Hendrix’s unparalleled ‘All Along the Watchtower’ plays as two failed actors drive out of London. Enough said.

3.

Pulp Fiction

Iconic of course for the dance scene featuring John Travolta and Uma Thurman doing the twist to Chuck Berry, Pulp Fiction has a soundtrack that lets the film be simultaneously humorous and shocking whilst fulfilling its cult status. From the opening credits accompanied by the guitar solo of Miserlou, to Al Green, the film’s music is stellar. Pulp Fiction once again reinforces Tarantino’s talent as a writer and director having found fame from Reservoir Dogs (which in itself includes the Stealers Wheel’s Stuck In The Middle With You).

4. Trainspotting Iggy Pop, Lou Reed and New Order unite to form one of the greatest second-tier Britpop soundtracks. The film covers everything from 90’s rock to electronic dance anthems: two unlikely ballads are to be found in Perfect Day and Blur’s Sing, whilst Lust for Life and Born Slippy have become enduring hits because of the film. Dan-

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ny Boyle’s choice of songs transcends the typical meaning of a soundtrack and have helped to firmly cement Trainspotting and the artists it features as symbolic of 1980s Scottish culture.

5.

American Hustle

Great actors, an even better soundtrack, American Hustle verges on being a crime film of great proportions in its own right. Although arguably let down by its script writing and length, it opens with Duke Ellington, closes with Electric Light Orchestra’s 10538 Overture, and is graced by songs from Donna Summer and Elton John in between. Lest we not forget too the feature of the all-time concert band classic Live and Let Die. 6.

The Life Aquatic

Although Wes has already been given a feature, I feel it is important for his genius to be recognised twice (even though he has succeeded many times more besides this still). Seu Jorge was tasked with performing Portuguese acoustic-reggae covers of David Bowie for the film’s soundtrack, which works in a way incomprehensible to many. Bowie is reformed and revived in each rendition, and Jorge provides the perfect idiosyncratic sound needed for such quintessentially ‘Wes’ film.

7.

Garden State

A true embodiment of a mediocre film being buoyed by its soundtrack alone.

Garden State is an autobiographical film. The indie film gave rise to Zero 7 and The Shins at its time of release, as well as using Nick Drake to his destined indie-film purpose. A simple and mellow semi-autobiographical story, it is only the subtleties of the soundtrack that help to bring the film any great value.

8. fly

The Diving Bell and The Butter-

The film in itself is a French masterpiece of cinematography, yet the soundtrack is what poignantly becomes it. The elegance of Tom Waits is coupled with The Velvet Underground’s Pale Blue Eyes and the Mazzy Star-esque song Don’t Kiss Me Goodbye by Ultra Orange and Emmanuelle. With the electric soundtrack somehow cohesive and intensely emotional, the film is a triumph of both sound and image.

Jemima Sunley

Social Media: A Blessing or a Curse?

Social media is to our generation what the internet was to our parents’ generation – new, exciting and a way to connect with the world around you. Whatever the time of day, wherever you are; as long as you’re close to a device, the endless expanse that is the world wide web is at your fingertips. Of course it has evolved since our parents first experienced the magic of email, and with apps like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook, to name a few, people are closer to what is happening around the world than ever before. Some may argue this is a good thing, as people are more well-informed and more in touch with what is going on around them. However, others may argue that being so close to it all the time has a significant negative impact.

I, like most of my friends, am on most social media sites, but primarily Snapchat and Instagram. As much as I love them, I have come to realise that they may be doing more harm than good. If you don’t have any notifications when you pick up your phone, you’ll want to check again in 5 minutes, and again, until you are constantly worrying about who’s texting you what. If you see a post on Instagram that makes you jealous, it will plague your mind for the rest of the day. Instagram shows the best of everyone’s lives – no one posts about an average, normal day. This can make people have unrealistic standards about what life should look like, and they can feel pressured into wanting to compete. Studies show that teenagers who spend more time on social media are two and a half times more likely to have body image issues, depression and trouble sleeping. I’m sure that an academic study won’t be the only thing to convince you – we’ve all experienced social media in different ways and we know how it can make you feel.

On the upside, social media is an amazing tool for information, opportunities and discovery. Before social media, breaking news would take a long time to reach people, but now it’s on Twitter in a matter of minutes.

You can click on an ad for work experience on Facebook and immediately be able to find out all about it. You can read the news on pretty much every site, on every topic, from every angle, every opinion. The options are endless. It’s also amazing to be able to connect with friends so easily, something that generations before us could only dream of. But has this meant that the authenticity of friendships has been lost?

At Wellington, we all know that we are fortunate enough to live in the ‘bubble’. Most of all we are all extremely lucky to own a phone or a device. On one hand, this makes everything much more efficient from a practical point of view, but on the other hand, we tend to get lost in this never-ending chasm. With social media playing such a big part in our lives, some students may be experiencing the fact that a significantly lower number of their conversations are made in person, and although we have many social spaces around college, it is much easier to pick up the phone and call or text someone.

Does this make friendships weaker?

Or stronger? Some could argue that social media keeps us in touch across different countries, different time zones and different paths in life, and I wholeheartedly agree. But every once in a while, it’s important to put down the phone and look around you. Don’t underestimate ‘the power of the present’. Being so close to everything all the time can be very exhausting, and there is nothing like looking up from your feed and taking in the things around you.

This is not a cry to ban social media - I would be one of the most affected if it was. It’s simply a reminder that it’s not imperative to be online 24/7.

Once you get over the temporary panic of not having the internet at your fingertips, you actually realise how nice it is to take a break every once in a while. Even if you switch off for 24 hours, or even 2 hours, it will benefit you no end. Try it, and if you really don’t like it, then by all means go back to scrolling. But it’s worth a shot. Looking at it not from a scientific viewpoint, but from a general wellbeing viewpoint, one can see the benefits are endless. Switch off the inexhaustible buzz, and take it all in.

Take a break.

Jemima Huxtable

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FASHION SHOW 2019 Amy Gadhia and Lotte Hemke

Models for minds was a fashion show for mental health that occurred on the 8th of March this year. The profits of the show went to Wildmoor Heath to provide counselling (the price of this is a whopping £10,000) and the charity YoungMinds who provide support for young adults.

The idea was first formed during our service WCPCI which focuses on peace and conflict in countries, with the service being discussion based. In the first couple of weeks of school three U6th came in to talk about how they had taken the concept of WCPCI and made it into a more active service by helping refugees. That day walking out of service we decided to also do a more active service that would benefit society. So, the idea was born and the hours upon hours of meetings started. Our first meeting was with Mrs Park to discuss whether our idea could even become a reality. This was quickly followed up with a meeting to Mrs Brown, the head of charities, to confirm whether the idea was a possibility. When the okay was given our weekly, which would later become daily, V&A dates started. We started planning a structure of how the lead up to the show would work, making sure to inform Mrs Brown. When we had a solid plan in place, we decided to talk in a Monday assembly, to say we were nervous was an understatement, however we received a lot of positive response. It also led to the art department requesting a meeting – our first obstacle. We were told by the art departments that we would not be allowed to use their resources and students and that we had gone about announcing that the fashion show would be occurring in the wrong way. No that we cared as we weren’t going to use their resources anyway! And so, we continued with staff telling us that it wasn’t really going to be a reality and that it would never work. But we moved onwards making sure we selected our design team and got them started. There were five themes to start off with: Emotions, Vintage, LGBTQ+, Futurism and Eco-friendly. It was difficult making sure that everyone stayed on task and what they needed to be doing. Between the meetings with designers we also had meeting with many teachers on many different ‘fun’ topics such as safeguarding and financing. Whilst these were going, we made sure to keep having our little V&A dates (I’m pretty sure they made half their profit off of us). Thin continued for many more months until we reached late January. This was when our first meeting with the designers and models occurred. For the first time we understood the extreme stress teachers go through in their attempts to organise a large scale meeting. Once we had concluded getting the measurements we moved on to more meetings, who would have thought). This continued until the first week after the lent half term. We spent the Tuesday baking cakes and brownies and then decorating them for three hours. We then had to run to a meeting with the designers to look at the outfits they had created. We then had another meeting on Friday, the final big meeting before the dress rehearsal. Here models tried on their outfits, although may found that the outfit was not fully finished or that a designer or model did not turn up. The meeting was chaotic and busy, but successful.

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WATERLOO Vs WATERLOO Studying history in England with a foreign perspective can lead to somewhat of a culture shock. For example, I learned, while in the French system, that the French had invaded England in 1066, but here students are taught that the Normans were completely separate people.

Moreover, the Suez crisis, the independence of India, the American revolutionary war might all be seen in England as defeats, but they are also considerable victories for the former colonies. So, to illustrate the ambiguity of history, I have decided to compare the French Wikipedia page of Waterloo to the English one.

One clear difference is how Napoleon is referred to. In the English version, he is called Napoleon Bonaparte, his civilian name. However, in the French one, he is referred to by his imperial title, Napoleon the 1st. This illustrates a key aspect of how different viewpoints are from across the Chanel. In this country, Napoleon is decidedly put in a bad light, short and fat, certainly a lasting result of propaganda and civic pride. Civic pride and propaganda have had the opposite effect in France, where he is still seen as a hero, great general, and true emperor of the French.

This truly shows the effect propaganda can have on how a country views history.

In France, the battle is sometimes referred to as the “battle of Mont-Saint-Jean”, the real location of the battle (which is south of Waterloo). This is mentioned repeatedly on the Wikipedia page; the location even being cited as “south of waterloo” in the summary column. In the English version though, the name of the battle is always cited as Waterloo, again showing different ways facts can be remembered. A further example: in German the battle is called “Belle-Alliance Sieg”, a reference to the inn where the two

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Allied generals, Wellington and Blucher, met at the end of the day.

There is also a significant numeric difference between the two pages. The French version reports about 5000 deaths and 10,000 captured on the French side and 4398 death on the allied side. Those number are all taken from the same book: Waterloo: La campagne de 1815 by Jacques Logie. However, on the English site, casualties are much higher, with 24,000 dead (and only 7,000 captured) on the French side, and 5000 death on the allied side. These numbers are taken from The Battle: A New History of Waterloo by Alessandro Barbero. What does that mean? Who is right? Who knows? Surely all the data is justifiable one way or another. But it does mean that one must be careful with the numbers they use, and always check what they represent.

What does all this show? I’m not trying to convince anyone that one viewpoint is better than the other, or that the government has been withholding the truth about certain historical events, or that history is meaningless. The vast difference between the two pages, although they recall the same event on the same website, just illustrates how history can be interpreted in a myriad of ways and how perception is everything. Whether it be discussing Waterloo, the Norman invasion or the Giza pyramids, there are many versions of the truth, and a true historian needs to consider all of them in order to form an opinion.

Gabrielle Steg

WHAT BREXIT MEANS FOR FASHION

No deal Brexit is the worst case scenario for the fashion industry. Brexit will not only have political impacts on Great Britain but also quite significant ones on the luxury industry who are said to loose up to 6.8 billion pounds in exports every year if Brexit were to go through no deal.

At the moment it is still unclear how exactly the UK will be leaving the EU as possible options include a delay, last-minute deal or no deal at all and perhaps even another referendum.

However, if the UK were to leave without a deal at all it is said that a fifth of Britain’s luxury businesses would suffer accordingly. The damage would be due to the intense changes to the market driven by tariff and non-tariff measures for example environmental standards set for the fashion industry. As of now, it is said that approximately 80 percent of Britains luxury goods travel overseas, Europe being its largest market. The Uk´s exclusion from the European Union would result in differentiation in trade and affect the UK negatively in that everything will become significantly more expensive for Companies.

dollars in new duties under no Brexit leave, thus many companies have moved inventory overseas and even moved their warehouses out of the UK completely. This may be easier for large scale brands but smaller companies will face serious struggle under these new principles and potentially face bankruptcy. the fundamental problem behind it all is that “it’s hard to prepare because the English authorities themselves aren’t ready. We don’t know what will happen” as said by Francois Henri Pinault chief executive of Kering At this point a no deal Brexit is still not certain but many brands have been told to prepare for the worst case scenario but the general consensus is still that nobody seems to be prepared for what may happen when/ if Brexit happens and what the exact implications will be on the fashion industry.

Clara Herfs

Businesses across the UK are facing the potential prospect that the UK could crash if no deal is placed and that would cause disorganization in the Uk´s freedom of movement and trade guaranteed by EU membership. In consequence, the UK will face higher import costs as well as delays along the border In response companies like Kering who manage brands such as Saint Laurent, Gucci and Balenciaga have prestocked up on products in anticipation for potential delivery delays that Brexit may cause.

British luxury brands could face up to tens of millions of

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WELLY WITS Oliver Burt - “I swear Argentina are in the six nations?”

“You’re playing the last post for remembrance... who’s playing the first?” - Harriet Cottrell

Darcy Bourne - “Is oxford uni in London? I was thinking like Oxford street?”

“I literally thought for the whole of last year that clay pigeon shooting was people taking pictures of the pigeons” - Masha Kaptilina

“Common sense is not a citable source!” - Dr Cromarty Freya Cheer - “If I can’t walk tomorrow you know why ;)” Kaia Kaemmerlan - “Gravity doesn’t work on your chin because the top of your head is blocking it out.”

Dr Wright - ‘what a shame though, if only Hitler had tried out selective breeding in humans’

“There’s no hot water. Is this part of sustainability day?” – Nick Chan Theo Kneen - “When life gives you lemons, make bread and butter pudding”

Zach Gilbertson - “I have more points on my driving license than predicted IB points!”

Jack Chong - “I’m not famous, I’m just the Asian guy that sings” Allegra Harris - “Dad’s are too far, but brothers are okay ;)” 26

LOOK-A-LIKES Ben Raho + Moto Moto

Ned Chapman + Jacob Sartorius

Jamie Cook + David Mitchell

Ewan McDonald + “Database”

Hugo Bright + Paint

Charlie Bradbury + Squidward hit by a door

Will Barker + Luke Skywalker

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