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BAROMETER OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023
HALF TERm 2
Contents Year 12 Visit The Churchill War Rooms - Edward J, Year 12 Year 7 Castle Competition From Caesar to Sunak: A Night of Wit and Wisdom Oscar F, Year 12
Exotic Winter Holiday Destinations - Ben C, Year 10
A Look Back at the Tennis Year - Benji C, Year 7
The US Presedential Election Niran R, Omar J and Zehen S, Year 10
NBA: The Start of the Season Panos K, Year 10 Fencing - Vlad K, Year 12
Five Rare Pets - Gio G, Year 10 Kenilworth Road - Ethan D, Year 7
Cover photograph - Sebastian A, Year 13
Erwin James: An Insight Into Prison Reform - Edward J, Year 12 The Death of Cinema and The Rise of Home Entertainment Sasha F, Year 8 Variations of Chess - Daniel W, Year 10 Safi Coffee in Yorkshire Felipe E, Year 8 A History of Christmas Alexander M and Caspian G, Year 7 Our Top 3 Favourite Christmas Recipes - Harry M, Year 9 The Top 5 Italian Foods Tommy S, Year 10 WSS Christmas Jumper Day 2023 Christmas - Ben C, Year 10 Is It Worth It? A Guide to the iPhone 15 - Sho C, Year 7
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YEAR 12 VIsit THE CHurchill War Rooms Edward J, Year 12 writes... On 14th November I, and other Year 12 historians, attended a guided tour of the Churchill War Rooms. From the Transatlantic Telephone Room to the Cabinet and Map Rooms, we all enjoyed exploring the Government’s secret underground headquarters during the Second World War. Becoming operational on 27th August 1939, the War Rooms provided meeting places for the War Cabinet during the air raids and housed vital information that was key to the efficiency, and eventual success, of the war effort. It provided me and my classmates with an opportunity to apply all
that we had learned, and will learn, as we continue our A Level History course. We began our tour in the Cabinet Room, where Churchill and his key ministers would meet with the heads of the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force. Experiencing the cramped, oppressive, and uncomfortable atmosphere firsthand allowed us to appreciate the tense and strained lifestyle that must have been standard for those helping to lead Britain during the war. Then, we viewed the Map Room, where some of the most imperative decisions of the war were planned. Intelligence would arrive via letters and phone and would be marked on huge maps
plastered all over the walls. The thousands of old pin marks left us in awe of the sheer amount of planning that had taken place. After exploring more rooms through the narrow and compact halls, we were allowed to visit the Churchill Museum. We listened to extracts from Churchill’s wartime speeches and perused his personal items and artefacts of the time. From his favourite cigar and paintings to his experiences in Gallipoli and on D-Day, we all left having learned more about Churchill as a wartime leader, and eager to apply what we had just learned in our next A Level History lessons.
YEAR 7 CASTLE COMPETITION
Year 7 have been constructing castles for our School’s annual Castle Competition. On Tuesday 28th November, all castles were proudly displayed in Hannah House Hall for judging and to be admired.
FROM CAESAR TO SUNAK: A NIGHT OF WIT AND WISDOM Oscar F, Year 13 writes... As I stepped into the hallowed halls of Intelligence Squared on a brisk – if not overwhelmingly chilly - November evening, I was brimming with anticipation for an evening that promised to delve into the increasingly murky depths of power and politics. The stage was set, quite literally, for the discourse of fierce intellects, and I, a self-proclaimed Rory Stewart aficionado with over 2,000 minutes spent listening to his podcast (The Rest is Politics), according to yesterday’s Spotify Wrapped, could not have been more honoured to share a hall with such renowned figures. Mary Beard, with her infectious enthusiasm for the ancient world, took us on a whirlwind tour through the corridors of power in ancient Rome: we were posed with an important question, were all Roman emperors megalomaniacal oppressors (a term which, on the day, I learnt means an obsessive desire for power, and has now, quite overzealously, been absorbed into my vocabulary) or are the hardships faced by these people, who truly were like all of us just people, also worth considering? Then came Rory Stewart, a man who has not only witnessed the machinations of power but navigated its tumultuous waters himself. With a CV that reads more like a critically acclaimed fantasy novel, he has risen up the ranks from a backbench MP to the precipice of a prime ministerial bid, while his wider journey has seen him enjoy stints as a Harvard
lecturer, a solider and a diplomat in Afghanistan. The pair’s insights were inspired by their respective new books; Beard’s Emperor of Rome, is a witty yet authoritative account on the various personalities that governed Ancient Rome whilst Stewart’s Politics on the Edge is a candid exposé of cronyism and incompetence that, according to him, laid the groundwork for our present political quagmire. Surprisingly, Mary Beard, even over the course of just a single evening, managed to overturn my often vocal disdain for classical literature by drawing compelling parallels between Ancient Rome and our current political landscape. The pair exchanged poignant stories on the power of power to corrode one’s character: the society-shaping, inherently abstract concept was compared vividly to a mask that poisons the soul, bit by vicious bit. Stewart, drawing from his ministerial experiences, candidly detailed such insidious effects of power on figures like Johnson and Sunak, to which Beard most interestingly compared their transition to that of Caesar’s barbarism. Even a parallel between Nero and modern-day toxic masculinity was
briefly touched on; supposedly, the emperor rather wished to live his days as a thespian. It was argued that, to some end, the corrosive nature of power is what caused him to develop such sadistic, murderous tendencies. Ultimately, a powerful thread through time was created by the two as they seemingly attempted to answer the timeless question of whether power inevitably leads to corruption – both literally and figuratively. Throughout the talk, Beard’s wit punctuated Stewart’s esoteric reflections, with the synergy between a classicist and a political maverick being an unexpected delight. A night of intellectual debate to cherish, the talk’s message has lasted long after our final round of well-deserved applause: while today’s political landscape may appear uniquely depressing, it simply… isn’t. Power has throughout history, is currently, and by all estimations will continue to corrupt – a realisation that I found some solace in. At the very least, twenty-first century political leaders don’t order the cold-blooded killing of their mothers and wives, as so graphically described by Beard.
ERWIN JAMES: AN INSIGHT INTO PRISON REFORM Edward James, Year 12 writes... On 29th November, all of Year 12 were fortunate to hear from the author and columnist Erwin James. He served 20 years of a life sentence, during which he studied for an O Level, a degree, and began writing as a columnist for The Guardian. Since leaving prison, he has been a vocal campaigner for prison reform and is the author of three books. Initially, he recounted his challenging childhood: losing his mother at seven, his father turning to alcoholism and violence, committing his first crime at age ten, and moving from place to place through his early teens and twenties. After fleeing the country, and joining the French Foreign Legion
for a few months, James turned himself in and was sentenced to life in prison. He described the brutal conditions, harsh treatment, and major obstacles that came with everyday life in prison. Thus, he suggested that the atmosphere promoted the antithesis of the purpose of incarceration. During his time in prison, though, he highlighted a few brief spurts of fulfilment and satisfaction. He was “allowed an hour a week in the library” and met Joan Branton, a prison psychologist, who persuaded him to join an evening class in English (a subject he had always enjoyed). Applying his linguistic skills, ameliorated by daily English lessons, he would write letters on behalf of other prisoners and was invited to write a regular column on life inside for The Guardian.
On his release, he continued to pursue his journalistic vocation, and went on to publish his first book A Life Inside – A Prisoner’s Notebook. Now, a full-time writer and patron of several charities, including the Writers in Prison Foundation and editor of Inside Time, Erwin James embodies resilience, redemption, and resistance. He was quick to point out, however, that he was fortunate to rehabilitate through the medium of higher education and Joan, to whom he dedicated his book Redeemable. He concluded that the prison system would work more effectively by “treating prisoners with humanity, educating them, and providing them with life skills”.
THE DEATH OF CINEMA AND THE RISE OF HOME ENTERTAINMENT company that tracks theatre attendance — 17.4% of all available seats were sold from Memorial Day through the end of July in the US. That’s a lot of empty seats. Still, Buck stressed that the figure encompasses “everything,” from sold-out shows on their opening weekend to a Tuesday afternoon for a movie in its fourth week. Sasha F, Year 8 writes... The movie theatre industry has seen plenty of upheaval over the last two years as Covid kept doors closed and productions paused. Now, as theatres face a lack of blockbuster releases after a promising summer, a new crisis is taking shape. It’s got industry watchers wondering: Are there just too many movie screens across the world? Regal owner Cineworld, the world’s second-largest exhibitor, recently filed for bankruptcy and said it would implement a “a real estate optimization strategy in the US,” likely meaning theatre closures. Already, the market is saturated with 40,700 screens in the US — a number that hasn’t changed much since 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. Yet some in the theatre industry argue that the number of screens isn’t the issue. They say a better metric is the number of seats — and that’s something that could
change as theatre owners face the current environment. “If we have too many screens, you have to specify — is it a screen with 350 seats or one with 45 seats?,” Patrick Corcoran, spokesman for the National Association of Theatre Owners, told Insider. “We sell seats, not screens.” He added that over the “last almost decade of conversions to recliners, the seat count has been vastly reduced.” Data paints a more detailed picture of the seating situation. According to Steve Buck, strategy chief at InTelligence — a data
The theatre owners’ group estimated that there are roughly 150 seats-per-screen on average in the US. That might be too high, especially with so few blockbusters being released these days. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Avatar: The Way of Water are the remaining surefire hits this year. The lack of big-tent movies had an impact on the box office. The theatrical industry has said demand is at pre-pandemic levels, but supply is not. So even if people want to head to the movies, there aren’t enough new ones to see. In response, instead of closing up shop altogether, theatre chains might take the time to reconfigure their auditoriums — perhaps by
cutting the number of seats or by putting in recliners, for instance. “Going leaner and meaner is an advantageous business strategy for theatres in this marketplace, given the recalibration of the industry,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the Comscore senior media analyst. “Too many seats chasing fewer patrons is not a model for success. Filling theatres closer to capacity is good for business, particularly if those seats are high-end recliners that elevate the moviegoing experience.” Chris Johnson, CEO of Illinoisbased Classic Cinemas, said that reclining seats has a positive impact on attendance and called it a “game changer.” More than 100 of the chain’s 137 auditoriums have recliners, he said. Meanwhile, John Fithian, head of National Association of Theatre Owners, recently told Insider that he doesn’t expect movie supply to go below pre pandemic levels for another 12 to 18 months, as movie studios continue to get production schedules back on track. Theatre owners are optimistic about that, at least: Warner Bros., with its new parent company, has recommitted to exclusive theatrical releases, as opposed to dropping things out on streaming services. And Paramount said that it aims to increase its theatrical output by 2024. But the bottom line is that the theatre industry still has a long road to recovery. So, what’s next? With Cineworld filing for bankruptcy, it will surely close some theatres in the US. Yet the theatre industry has a tendency to find treasure from trash. For
example, the Tennessee-based Phoenix Theatres, which has made a business of taking over shuttered cinemas (hence the name). It’s also possible that smaller exhibitors might enter some of these closed theatres and refurbish them — which likely means reclining seats, which means fewer seats.
As far as getting consumers to attend movie theatres during such a movie drought: the industry saw 8 million moviegoers come out for the first National Cinema Day on 3rd September. Thousands of theatres across the world offered movies, which resulted in around $24 million in box-office sales that day, or 9% increase from the previous Saturday’s take.
VARIATIONS OF CHESS Daniel W, Year 10 writes... Chess is one of the most popular strategy games in the world, played by millions of people globally in tournaments and championships. Study of chess theory has extended to fields of mathematics, computer science and psychology, in search of the strongest strategy and has warranted extensive studies on its many intricacies and tactics that continue to be employed and iterated on to this day.
The emergence of a game that has garnered such in-depth research originated almost 1,500 years ago, in India. The game, Chaturanga, is the ancient Indian ancestor of chess and its variations as, there is some uncertainty to aspects of its rules and pieces. Chess historians have deduced that the game originated in the Gupta empire around the sixth century CE, it was played on an 8x8 uncheckered board called an Ashtāpada, and that name derived from a compound word that meant “to have four limbs,” which also referred to the four divisions in an army including the elephantry, chariotry, cavalry and infantry. Chaturanga has the same objective of chess, but stalemate resulted in victory for the stalemated and included pieces like the Raja (king), Mantri (minister), Gaja (elephant), Ratha (chariot), Ashava (horse), and
Padati (foot-soldier), that share similarities with our modern-day chess pieces. Promotion for the Padati (foot-soldier) is limited to the piece that initially occupied the space and must be one of the captured pieces. Chaturanga then migrated into the western world through the silk road. It first found its way through the Persian and Arabian world, where it was named Shatranj. Shatranj introduced the concept of enforcing check to prolong the game from an accidental end, and promotion for the Sarbaz (foot-soldier) was always to the Ferz (counselor). The game then travelled into Europe through Al-Andulus (Muslim ruled Spain) and Sicily in the eighth century, which is evident with names of pieces like the Rukh (chariot) leading to the modern-day name rook and the Spanish word Ajedrez (chess) being a direct descendant of Shatranj.
By the thirteenth century, chess had gained popularity throughout Europe, had been introduced mainly by conquests and its popularity drastically gained traction with a greater value assigned to it as a prestigious game played by the nobility. The game even started seeing literature on how to play chess, with one
of the earliest being the Spanish manuscript Libro de los juegos (Book of Games) commissioned by King Alfonso X, which translated Arabic texts on chess as well as other games. Around 1475, the game saw major additions brought upon by intellectual circles in Valencia, Spain, which were soon adopted by the rest of Europe and included the two square leap of pawns, castling and the modern movement of the queen and bishops. Although defined by its prestige, chess also gained a rivalrous reputation from two incidents in London which saw men fight over the outcome of the game and it was denounced by the Church. While chess would continue to evolve in Romantic era Europe, Chaturanga had continued to evolve in East Asia. The Chinese game Xiangqi, or elephant chess, derived from Chaturanga and places pieces on the intersection of lines of the board (points) rather than inside them. The board is divided by a river and two diagonal lines at the ends of the board denote a palace where the general and two advisors are confined. Pieces are discs rather than small figures and have a Chinese character to label it, which differs depending on if playing on the red or black side. Pieces like the general (king), horse (knight), chariot (rook), and soldier (pawn) share similar moves to western chess, while the elephant and cannon have unique moves like the elephant moving two points diagonally and the cannon moving like a rook but being able to capture a piece behind another one. Folktales state that Xiangqi was
invented by General Han Xin, when imprisoned by Empress Lu and restricted from writing about the art of war, so he used paper and a pen to make a war game that he played with the jailer. After Han Xin was executed, the jailer henceforth named the game Xiangqi although this tale to its creation is highly contested. Chaturanga also transformed into the game Makruk, in Thailand, when the Persians traded with 14th century Ayutthaya kingdom. Makurk plays within the squares unlike Xiangqi, and check results in a draw, unlike Chaturanga. Most pieces act the same as in Chaturanga, but the nobleman moves one space diagonally and one space forward, which shares similarities to the silver general in Shogi. When neither side has any pawns, the game must end in a certain amount of moves and that amount changes depending on the available pieces left. Makruk has also been introduced to Cambodia with a variant called Ouk (Shell chess) based on the shape of pieces resembling shells, with the main rule differences being that the king can move like a knight for its first move, and the queen can move two squares forward for its first move. The Japanese game Shogi arrived from Xiangqi in China but forfeits placing the pieces on intersections and includes a complete line of pawns, which indicates that it could have incorporated
elements from Makruk. Players use pentagonal shaped wedges that have Japanese characters on top to label it and the piece it will be promoted to on the reverse. Most pieces act the same, except for the lance and the gold general. The lance only moves any number of squares forward and the gold general moves one square orthogonally and one square diagonally forward. There is the drop rule which involves the captured pieces being deployed by the captor and counts as a move with the pieces kept on a wooden stand. The promotion zone is three end rows and gives the additional power to move one square in a direction it couldn’t for the rook and bishop. Promotion for the silver general, knight, lance and the pawn give the same powers as the gold general. When both kings enter the promotion zone, the game reaches an impasses which results in a draw or win. Multiple
variations of Shogi were developed after, such as Dai Shogi (which expanded the board and number of pieces) and Chu Shogi (which is a simplified Dai Shogi with the chess queen and lion that moves like a king, twice one turn). The vast amount of chess variations around the world demonstrates how popular Chaturanga was to be picked up by the whole of Eurasia, altered to fit each culture and discussed to such lengths in many pieces of literature. All is a clear sign of why chess has been able to survive for centuries even after being disapproved by the church and the Gautama Buddha for reasons like causing negligence and violence.
SAFI Coffee in Yorkshire Felipe E, Year 9 writes... On 15th November, Mr Thornton, Hasnain, Orlando, Benedict, Laith, George, Santino and I went up north, to Tranby in Yorkshire. We travelled by train and were met at the station, then taken in the Tranby minibus Lincoln and York Coffee Roasting Company. Once here, we were split into groups and toured the plant. It was great to see that the coffee is being ethically made. An interesting fact is that Safi Coffee is made in the same place that Fortnum and Mason make their coffee! Afterwards, we enjoyed a talk about coffee business in general and the company. After lunch, we made our way to Tranby School to have a great discussion about how they have been so successful with Safi Coffee. We also shared our experiences of buying and selling the coffee. We even spoke to Nigel, at Felstead School, who has been to Uganda a few times and told us how we could grow our business and outlined his work as a trustee in the charity that helps Safi. After a great trip we made our way to Brough to catch the train home. A big thank you to Mr Thornton for organising this trip!
BOOK REVIEW: BLACK AND BRITISH Felipe E, Year 9 writes... David Olusoga’s book, Black and British: A Forgotten History, takes a much needed look at often neglected elements of this nation’s history. While the book itself was published back in 2016, it has received lots of media coverage recently because of events such as Black Lives Matter and discussions about what should be covered by school curriculums. Olusoga has clearly researched the content of the book thoroughly and highlights the extent to which Black history has been overlooked in this country. He also talks about his own experiences living in this country. One of the most fascinating parts of the book is the in-depth examination of the Windrush generation and the challenges that persist for them to the present day. Olusoga’s book is definitely one I would recommend for anyone interested in learning about UK history.
A HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS Alexander M and Caspian G, Year 7 write... Introduction As you are probably aware, Christmas is an annual festival on 25th December to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Billions of people mark it and share gifts. Although you may know about Christmas, have you ever thought about how it was in the past? How it began Christmas was first recorded in 1038, although historians know it was celebrated before this. A log called the Yule Log was kept burning throughout the year. A popular game was called “Hot Cockles” where people had to guess who had slapped them from behind. People would often get drunk at these parties, as they drunk a drink called “braggot” extra strong ale with honey and cinnamon, mixed with brandy. It was also important for a king to go to something called a “crownwearing” which was like the
parties but for royalty. Henry II did 24 of these during his 34-year reign (he did not have to do one every year, and if he had other things to do, such as stopping rebels or weddings, as they often happened at Christmas).
Christmas was celebrated. The Anglo Saxons brought about the Christmas dinner when they were pagans and they called Christmas ‘yule.’ Archaeological digs show pork and beef were most popular with Anglo Saxons.
Christmas dinner
Tudor Christmases
Christmas dinner was vastly different when the idea first came about. It was done before
Tudor Christmas parties were even more popular and full-on than the first ones. On Twelfth Night (6th January), a cake was baked with a single bean in it. The “Christmas Cake” was sliced and served, and whoever was lucky enough to get the bean was named “King of the Bean.” If the person who got the bean was female, the bean would be passed onto a man of her choice. Then everyone in the party would imitate the King. King Henry VIII and his friends dressed up as Robin Hood and his Merry Men for Christmas parties, and people at the parties pretended to not recognise them. Queen Elizabeth I even had a ‘dancing chamber’ built in Kenilworth Castle just for the Christmas parties held there.
Victorian Christmas to today
Conclusion
Answers
Victorian Christmases are closer to the Christmases we know today, as they toned down the less civil celebrations and focused on a quieter, more family-focused winter holiday.
We have now discovered the history of Christmas and the past of this lovely holiday.
1. 1038
Queen Victoria and her family played a big part in making Christmas the holiday we know today. Queen Victoria’s beloved husband bought in Christmas trees from his native country (Germany) in 1840. This was soon the new fashion and houses all over the country began to copy. Sweets, nuts and oranges were among the gifts given out to children on Christmas Day. The more fortunate children got the latest tech, like a train set. Servants and tradesmen got ‘Christmas box tips’ which would be given on 26th December, hence the name ‘Boxing Day’.
Now we have talked about most of the major versions of the holiday, think about which one was your favourite. Why? Christmas Quiz! Now you have read our article about Christmas, attempt the quiz! 1. When was Christmas first recorded? A.1282 B.1023 C.1038 D.1275 2. What is Braggot? 3. What did the Anglo-Saxons call Christmas? A. Braggot B. Yule C. Christmas D. New Year
2. Braggot is extra strong ale with honey and cinnamon, mixed with brandy. 3. Yule
OUR TOP 3 FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS RECIPES! made with all-purpose wheat flour, but oats were once used! You can find my favorite shortbread recipe here: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/ recipes/collection/christmasshortbread-recipes Thirdly, we move onto pigs in blankets.
Harry M, Year 9 writes... Welcome to my article about Christmas recipes and foods! We start our journey today in Poland with borscht (barszcz wigiljny in Polish). Borscht is a traditional Polish Christmas Eve soup that is made from beetroots and served with uszka (a small mushroom-filled pierogi, which are a Polish version of dumplings). Borscht soup is described as sweet but sour at the same time. It is 100% vegetarian, and remarkably simple and easy to make! You can find the borscht recipe here:
https://www.everyday-delicious. com/polish-christmas-eve-beetsoup-recipe/ If you have not guessed it by the photo, the second recipe is Christmas shortbread. Originating from Britain, these traditional crumbly and butter biscuits have been associated with Christmas time. It is recommended to have them with hot tea, coffee, or even hot chocolate! The ‘short’ refers to the crumbly texture of the biscuit. The ‘Bread’ is believed to have stemmed from the early stages of when it was baked like bread, at a low temperature. The traditional ratio for shortbread is one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour. Today, it is typically
Pigs in blankets is a delicious snack or side dish. It consists of small cocktail sausages wrapped in warm crispy smoked bacon. Did you know that originally, they were called Kilted Soldiers! They mainly originate from Ireland, but it is believed that the UK and USA may have some part in it! You can find a pigs in blanket recipe here: https://www.waitrose.com/home/ recipes/recipe_directory/p/pigs_ in_blankets.html
Top 5 italian foods Tommy S, Year 10 writes... As well as culture, Italy has one of the finest cuisines in the world. It has created some well-known dishes. I’m going to provide you with a good overview of the best foods that the Italy has to offer. I’m going to give you some new or different options to the classic pizza and pasta. 5) Arancini There are two main types: Roman and Sicilian. Both are filled with ragu or tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Arborio rice, used to make risotto. It is usually considered as a starter. The difference is that the Sicillian arancino recipes typically add beef and peas. Those are common fillings, but you can also find arancini filled with other vegetables. Arancini are coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried giving them a golden and crispy outside, which is how they got their name “Arancini”, which means little orange. They are served with a side of marinara sauce and are one of the best
Italian treats found in all kinds of establishments around Italy. 4) Risotto This dish comes from the Lombardy region, the northern part of Italy. Rice by itself is a bit boring and dull, so Italians found a way to make it extra interesting and delicious. This dish uses Arborio rice. Its most popular preparation is the risotto alla Milanese with saffron, beef or chicken stock, cheese, and lard, and everything held together with a creamy sauce made with butter and other spices. In other regions, it is served with different kinds of proteins and sauces giving the risotto different colours, but the same deliciousness.
3) Ossobuco Ossobuco is a dish that comes straight from my home city, Milan. It is slow cooked and may take up to three hours to be ready, but that results in a meat so delicious and tender that it’s worth the wait. Ossobuco is veal shanks with a red or white wine sauce, vegetables, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and other spices. The best part of the dish is when it’s all finished and you get to tase the delicious bone marrow. That’s where its name comes from ossobuco!
2) Cannoli Cannoli, one of Sicily’s bestknown desserts, are deep-fried cylindrical pastry shells filled with sweetened whipped ricotta mixed with candied citron and grated chocolate. The size and fillings vary in different parts of Sicily. Most notably, there are the ones with a creamy dark chocolate ricotta filling created by the pastry chefs of Messina. Cannoli are decorated in many ways: with chopped pistachios, candied orange peel, candied cherries, or chocolate. 1) Lasagna And in first place we have lasagna, which is a meal made of different layers of pasta stuffed with meat, cheese and tomato sauce. There is also a vegetarian version which follows the same structure of ingredients but, instead of meat, it is filled withdelicio us cooked vegetables. Lasagna is from Bologna, in the north-west of Italy. It’s cooked with bechamel sauce, whihc is made with butter and flour that have been cooked together milk and some seasoning. Overall it’s one of the most traditional dishes but still a delicious meal which is very popular to eat in Italy.
ChRISTMAS Ben C, Year 10 writes... Tightly wrapped presents lie beneath the large pine Christmas tree, quietly anticipating tomorrow’s festivities when their contents will finally be revealed to children and adults alike. They pile on top of one another, forming a mountain of wrapping paper and ribbon. Protected by the branches of the pine, they hide from the children that so eagerly seek them out. Dozens of gold and scarlet baubles hang delicately from the trees’ branches, like the shimmering jewellery worn on its owners’ wrists. They glimmer and glisten in the soft light, accompanied by a tangled mess of flashing dainty fairy lights.
A colossal star carefully balanced at the summit of the tree, casts a large shadow of the whole room, its point scraping the roof of the lofty ceilings. A wreath, covered in spices and flowers, hangs precariously above the house’s fireplace and, upon the mantlepiece, lie numerous festive ornaments. A large wooden carriage is nestled between the oak bookcase and two red-wax candles. One, the more used of the two, has melted down to half its original size and is now dwarfed by its fully grown twin. A handful of evergreen leaves also rest on the mantlepiece, accompanied by mossy pinecones.
The sweet, spicy smell of cinnamon sticks fuses with that of the pine tree and wreath to form the familiar smells of Christmas. A Christmas pudding, which has just left the oven, lies upon the kitchen counter as a key addition for tomorrow’s lunchtime feast and a fluffy tabby cat is sitting by the warmth of the log fire, yawing occasionally as it changes its sleeping position. It too has a present amongst the mountain and it excitedly awaits tomorrow’s treats and extra attention. Its large ears twitch when it hears the fire crackling, but it remains curled up by the warmth.
IS IT WORTH IT? A GUIDE TO THE IPHONE 15 Sho C, Year 7 writes... The iPhone 15 is the latest addition to Apple’s iPhone lineup, and comes packed with a host of new features. The phone boasts a 48MP camera with 2x zoom, a refined contoured design, and a brighter display. The A16 Bionic chip is a year old but still quite fast, and you get strong battery life. The iPhone 15’s camera is top-notch but struggles with zoom. The phone is faster than this year’s Android phones. The starting price is $799, the same as the more limited iPhone 14 a year ago. The iPhone 15 is a “nice to have” feature rather than a “need to have”. Good Housekeeping also recommends the iPhone 15 as a great phone for those who want to enjoy premium features previously
limited to Apple’s Pro handsets for a couple of hundred dollars less. The iPhone 15 feels a lot like last year’s iPhone 14 Pro, provided you can get past the simplified camera array and 60Hz screen. The phone’s main camera has received a major boost, moving from a 12MP (f/1.5) unit to a 48MP (f/1.6) camera. The phone’s battery life has taken a hit, and the display is still only 60Hz. However, the phone is cheaper than last year’s mode. The Telescopic Lens on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max can help taking stunning high quality 6x zoom. In conclusion, the iPhone 15 is a great phone for those who want to enjoy premium features previously limited to Apple’s Pro handsets for a couple of hundred
dollars less. The phone’s camera is top-notch, but it struggles with zoom. The phone is faster than this year’s Android phones, but it’s not any worse or better than its predecessor and will give you about the same amount of screenon time. The iPhone 15 is a “nice to have” feature rather than a “need to have”. The phone’s starting price is $799, which is exactly what Apple charged for the more limited iPhone 14 a year ago. If you’re looking for a new phone and want to enjoy premium features without breaking the bank, the iPhone 15 is definitely worth considering.
Exotic Winter Holiday Destinations vulnerable to sea level rise and is projected to be underwater in 50 years. It would be a shame to miss visiting these beautiful islands. Barbados Barbados is a small island in the Caribbean with a rich history and vibrant culture. It has 92 kilometres of coastline, made up of white sandy beaches, and is home to a brilliant nightlife, luxury hotels and some of the best food in the Caribbean. Ben C, Year 10 writes... Cabo Verde
surface and experience a sense of weightlessness.
Cabo Verde is a group of ten islands off the west coast of Senegal. In 2021, 135,000 tourists visited the islands, which are home to white sandy beaches and two active volcanoes (which tourists can climb with an experienced guide). The main island of Santiago is where the capital city, Praia, is found. The island and the capital have a rich history and many UNESCO world heritage sites, which makes for great tourist spots. The seas around the islands are incredibly fertile and are home to hundreds of fish species, meaning it is the perfect place to snorkel or free-dive. As well as this, fishing boats can be hired for fixed amounts of time, then you eat the fresh lunch you just caught. For those of you who are brave, you can tour the aptly named Shark Bay and even swim with sharks! Cabo Verde has an expansive salt flat which you can swim in. It contains so much salt that you float on the
The Maldives The Maldives, 1192 tropical islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean, are described by many as paradise. They are surrounded by barrier reefs, with a climate that never dips below 18 degrees Celsius! Almost 100,000 British tourists visit the Maldives every year, due to its perfect climate and hotels. Like Cabo Verde, the Maldives are surrounded by warm, fertile seas. They are home to a myriad of sea life, making the Maldives one of the best diving locations in the world! Unfortunately, like many Pacific Island nations, it is
The capital city, Bridgetown, is a particularly interesting place to visit as it has retained some British colonial architecture and features (eg a large cricket stadium, named the Kensington Oval, in the city centre borders an impressive statue of Admiral Nelson). Aspiring horticulturists can visit the world-renowned Haute’s Gardens, which are some of the bests in the world and home to hummingbirds and friendly monkeys. In the uplands of the islands, you can find Harrison’s Cave, which contains impressive stalagmites and stalactites and can be explored by adventurous tourists.
South Africa
Madeira, Portugal
South Africa is a country found in …. South Africa! It is an ideal place to go on safari, as it is a relatively safe place for tourists to visit, and home to elephants, monkeys and zebras. If you wished, you could also stay in national parks where you can see the ‘Big 5’ in their element.
Madeira is a small Portuguese island off the west coast of Morocco. Despite its size, it offers amazing, forested walks and many nature reserves. Due to its humid and tropical climate, the island is covered in rainforests which contain many unique plant and animal species.
South Africa is warm in winter, with temperatures as high as 26 degrees Celsius. ‘The Garden Route’ is considered one of the most scenic and serene roads to drive on, spanning 124 miles along the coast. Another natural wonder is the Tabletop Mountain, on which there are multiple hiking routes. The summit is completely flat and over a kilometre above sea-level. Surprisingly, the country is home to a large population of penguins! Instead of waddling over snow, these penguins prefer warm sandy beaches. I don’t blame them! Something that cannot be missed, is the chance to observe thousands of turtles hatching in Sodwana Bay (they hatch between November and May).
Boat rides are a tourist favourite and offer unique views of the island’s coast from the sea. Madeira’s annual flower festival is a florist’s paradise and gives tourists a chance to see unique and rare flowers, whilst also being immersed in the island’s rich and historic culture. Seafood is Madeira’s speciality, and all fish and crustaceans are caught within miles of the restaurant. Thailand Thailand is a south-east Asian country. It is known for its tropical beaches, and its large capital city, Bangkok, is home to the beautiful ‘Grand Palace,’ is a favourite amongst tourists. It is over 200
years old and covered in gold and emerald furnishings. Throughout our winter months, Thailand receives little rain and has mild temperatures, making it a perfect time of year to visit. Thailand is home to 3,000 wild Asian elephants and one of the most famous nature reserves in Thailand is called the ‘Golden Triangle,’ where you can sometimes spot elephants. As well as this, you can visit the Elephant Sanctuary, where volunteer zookeepers rehabilitate adult and baby elephants. This land is protected, saving the elephants form poachers.
THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Niran R, Omar J and Zehen S, Year 10 write... The election The next US presidential election is approaching fast. Let’s talk about the candidates, the events that will happen over the coming months, and what the future of the US presidency might look like. The election is just under a year out and will be the 60th quadrennial presidential election. As Joe Biden’s first term begins to come to an end, he has already begun campaigning after announcing his re-election bid in April. How does the US presidential election work? Both candidates compete to win (electoral college) votes. Each state has a certain number of votes partly based on its population and there is a total of 538, so the winner is the candidate that wins 270 or more. All but two states have a rule that whichever candidate wins the highest number of votes is awarded all the state’s electoral college votes. Most states lean heavily towards one party or the other, so the focus is usually on a dozen or so states where either of them could win. If you’re a US citizen and you’re 18 or over, you should be eligible to vote in the presidential election, which takes place every four years.
What are the key political issues? Abortion: Democrats are advocating to make abortions more available to the public. Economy: Democrats assure the public that the US economy is healthy, whereas Republicans say they will cut spending to stop inflation. LGBTQ: The LGBTQ community has become an ever-increasingly crucial aspect of politics. Donald Trump said that, if he was ever re-elected, he would only recognise two genders. He referred to transgender as the ‘radical left’, a statement which left him unpopular in the eyes of the LGBTQ community. The candidates Joe Biden (Republican) and Donald Trump (Democrat) will be going head-to-head in a presidential rematch in 2024. However, due to dissatisfaction for another Biden or Trump, recent polls show the highest popularity for third party candidates since 1992, with polls showing that nearly a quarter of voters will vote for neither of the main parties. Joe Biden: Joseph Robinette Biden Jr is an American politician who is the 46th and current President of the United States. At the time of writing, Biden is 80 years old, which is becoming an increasingly difficult political challenge for him, as people start to doubt his fitness for presidency. Previous instances of
this have been seen throughout his presidency including an incident this summer when he fell over at an Air Force graduation ceremony. Donald J Trump: Trump announced his candidacy for president in a speech on 15th November 2022, to supporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. His announcement received wide media coverage and a mixed response from both Democrats and Republicans Donald J Trump was elected as the 45th President of the United States, and serviced from 2017 to 2021. In December 2020, many Republican figures were expressing support for a Trump 2024 run and national public opinion polling showed Trump quickly dominating the field of potential 2024 Republican candidates. Third party candidates: While independent/third-party candidates often do better in polls than actual election performance, early polling suggests there could be a strong showing for thirdparty candidates in 2024. Third-party candidates have the strongest showing in polls right now since the 1990s. Polls are high for Robert F Kennedy Jr, who dropped out of the Democratic Party to run as an independent. Much of his writings have targeted figures like Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates, and Joe Biden. Kennedy Jr has appealed to right-wing voters, those with low trust in American political institutions, independents, and even some Republicans.
FIVE RARE PETS Gio G, Year 10 writes...
Binturong This bear-like creature is also called a “bearcat,” but is a viverrid, like the spotted genet. They are famous for smelling like popcorn, and despite their size, they can be very affectionate.
Spotted Genet These incredible animals resemble cats crossed with ferrets but are neither although they are relatives to both, being filiform. They can be skittish, and will not hesitate to scale their owner’s body as though its a tree to escape from “danger.” Unfortunately, they are often given up when they fail to behave like a traditional pet cat.
friendly temperament. These grass-eaters are like small dogs in size and generally considered easy to care for.
Tayra Tayras are in the weasel family, and are kept as pets in very limited numbers. They are not readily available because they breed poorly in captivity and are also challenging animals to work with if they are going to have human interaction. They are found in Central and South America in the wild.
Sugar Glider
Pygmy Goat Pygmy goats are popular as pets, thanks to their compact size and
They are native to Australia and get their name because of a special membrane that stretches from the front leg to the hind leg, letting them to glide from tree to tree. Sugar gliders love to socialise, so they are happiest in pairs or more.
KENILWORTH ROAD Ethan D, Year 7 writes... Kenilworth Road, known affectionately as The Kenny, is a football stadium in Bury Park, Luton. It has been the home ground of Luton Town FC since 1905. The 11,500 stadium is situated quite centrally, one mile (1.6 km) west of the centre of Luton. It is named after the road which runs along one end of it, though its official address is 1 Maple Road. Kenilworth Road hosted football in the Southern League until 1920, then in the EFL until 2009, when Luton were relegated to the National League, which is the highest division of non-league football. It has hosted Football League matches once more since 2014. With Luton Town’s promotion to the Prem in 2023,
the first Premier League game at Kenilworth Road was against West Ham in September 2023. Floodlights were fitted in 1953, and the ground became all-seated in 1991. A record attendance of 30,069 was set in 1959, in a FA Cup sixth round replay against Blackpool.
The ground is known for the unusual entrance to the Oak Road End, and the five-season ban on away supporters that Luton Town imposed, following a riot by visiting fans in 1985.
A LOOK BACK AT THE TENNIS YEAR Benji C, Year 7 writes... As the tennis ATP is currently going on, and we near the end of the tennis year, it is a good time to look back at the tennis tournaments this year. Austalian Open The 2023 Australian Open was a Grand Slam level tournament, held at Melbourne Park from 16th to 29th January. It was the 111th edition of the Australian Open, and the first major of the year. The tournament consisted of events for professional players in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Junior and wheelchair players competed in singles and doubles tournaments. Novak Djokovic claimed the men’s singles title, his tenth Australian Open title and 22nd major title overall, tying Rafeal Nadal’s record. Djokovic was allowed to play this year, despite remaining unvaccinated from Covid 19 after his three-year ban was lifted. This ban was initially handed to him after he was deported in 2022, as Australia’s laws required foreigners to be vaccinated before entering the country when the tournament was played in 2022. Nadal was the defending champion but lost to Makenzie McDonald in the second round. Aryna Sabalenca won the women’s title, her first major singles title. Ashleigh Barty was reigning champion in the women’s singles but retired from the sport in March 2022.
restrictions in the last two events due to the pandemic. To mark the seventieth anniversary of his first singles title in 1953, Ken Rosewell presented the men’s singles trophy to the champion. Billie Jean King presented the women’s singles trophy, on the fifty-fifth anniversary of her 1968 victory.
serve in an almost flawless display to take the opening set.
With the elimination of world number one, Iga Swiatek, in the fourth round by Elena Rybinka, this became the first edition of the Australian Open in the open era to feature neither top two singles seeds of either gender in the quarterfinals.
Sinner’s first break-point chance came in the sixth game of the second set, when he went 15-40 on the usually impenetrable Djokovic serve. Yet the 24-time Grand Slam champion swiftly snuffed out the threat by forcing his opponent into errors from the back of the court.
Wimbledon Then, of course, we had Wimbledon which produced some crazy matches. In the men’s singles, we had Alcaraz defeat Djokovic who was previously the favourite. Then, in the women’s tournament, we saw Marketa Vendeuse win the title. In the men’s doubles, we had Wesley Koolof and Neal Skupski. ATP Novak Djokovic won a record seventh ATP Finals title with a dominant victory over Jannik Sinner that marked another milestone in his memorable season. The world number one had been tied with Roger Federer on six ATP Finals wins.
It was clear from the start of this final that he was hungry to take the outright record, establishing Spectators returned to full capacity control with an early break and for the first time since 2020, after dropping just two points on his
A break to love in the opening game of the second set put Djokovic further ahead and made Sinner’s dream of becoming the event’s first Italian champion, in front of a noisy home crowd, seem impossible.
Djokovic had the chance to go to a double break in the following game but, in a rare moment of fallibility, instead missed a straightforward volley before Sinner held with an ace. But he got his chance in the Italian’s next service game, with Sinner tamely handing over victory with a double fault on Djokovic’s first match point.
NBA: THE START OF THE SEASON Timberwolves above them in the Western conference.
Panos K, Year 10 writes... The Denver Nuggets finished very strongly last year in the NBA and won the 2023 championship after beating the Miami Heat in five games. With only four losses in the playoffs, this team went through opponents with ease and is favourite to repeat as champions.
The Nuggets were not the favourites to win but, with the supporting cast around Nikola Jokic, they proved to the world that they are one of the best teams in the NBA as of last season. There were no players from the Denver Nuggets competing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and they will come to training camp with a healthy lineup. Jamal Murray preferred not to play for Canada and Nikola Jokic opted not to suit up for Serbia. Injuries were the main problem for the Nuggets in the playoffs during the years prior to winning the championship. Availability is the best contribution for each player on this team, and the Nuggets are poised to have another deep run and maybe even go all the way for a second year in a row. So far, they have started the season very strongly, currently with a 13-6 record, with only the
Coming off a disappointing end to the season last year, the Bucks signed seven-time All Star point guard Damian Lillard, as part of a three-team deal including the Phoenix Suns. The Portland Trail Blazers will get Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara and Draft Capital in the deal, while Phoenix sign Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and, finally, Keon Johnson. Already averaging one of the highest points per game this season, with 29.8 points per game, Giannis Antetokounmpo is already sending a message to the rest of the league. In support, Damian Lillard averages around 25 points a game. This duo could be lethal and help the Bucks win the championship for a second time in the last five years.
FENCING Vlad K, Year 12 writes... Fencing is a sport deeply rooted in European history and tradition. Fencing originated in Italy in the late 1400s and was later made popular by the upper class in France. Nobility, at this time, would have settled disputes between families by duelling each other, therefore fencing was a sport strictly reserved for the elite. This was a great way for the richest in society to settle arguments with a relatively low risk of death. Despite this, fencing was introduced into the French military, where soldiers would carry out drills and exercises in order to improve overall physical health. Truly modern fencing came about in the first Olympic Games in 1896, cementing its status as a recognised sport. For the uninitiated, fencing might resemble swashbuckling pirates or musketeers engaged in thrilling duels. While these depictions capture the spirit of the sport, fencing is a sophisticated sport which requires the mental intellect of a chess player and the physical ability of a marathon runner. Types of fencing Fencing is divided into three primary disciplines, each with its own set of rules, weapons, and tactics: Foil: The foil is a lightweight, flexible weapon, and the target area is restricted to the torso. Fencers aim to score points by landing touches with the tip of the foil which has a blunt button, emphasising precision and control. This discipline demands quick reflexes and keen strategic
thinking due to constant shifts in priority. Epee: Epee is heavier than foil, and it’s the closest to actual duelling. The entire body is considered a valid target area – this leads to many more possibilities and combinations of movement and actions. Epee has less rules, such as priority, and right of hit, such as foil and sabre, which is why many people enjoy the freedom which you are given while fencing. Epee is known for its deliberate pace where strategy and timing are paramount – it is essential that your timing is immaculate in order to succeed at this discipline. Sabre: The sabre is the fastest and most dynamic of the three disciplines. Fencers use slashing and thrusting movements, and the target area includes everything above the waist, excluding the hands. Sabre bouts are characterised by rapid exchanges and flashy footwork with speeds and reactions which are often difficult for onlookers to comprehend. In sabre, hits can be scored by any part of the conductive blade which leads to slashing, as any contact of the blade with the opponent registers a valid hit. Why fence? Fencing is very highly valued by universities in both the UK and abroad, most prominently in the US. In the UK, universities such as Nottingham, Bath and Cambridge
all have fencing teams, which allows students to obtain sport scholarships as well as attending a top 100 world university, with the latter being ranked third in the world. In the US, all Ivy League universities have fencing teams which are extremely competitive and give hefty scholarships. Fencing can be a large part of a student’s university application and bring them significant benefits and a huge competitive advantage when compared to other fencers. There is a very strong correlation between people who fence and their grades. Typically, it is this correlation which universities most often use to justify the advantage given to applicants who fence. Fencing is an investment into a child’s future and the earlier you start, the more likely it is to benefit you. Sporting success is often attributed to luck – for example less than 1% of students at football academies become professional players. In fencing, the odds of international success are much higher, which is what draws many to this sport. How to get started? There are many fencing clubs in London where you can attend a beginner’s session, the best club for beginners in London is Leon Paul (NW9 6AQ). Here you can try out fencing, receive equipment to get started and coaches will walk you through the basics.
E T I R W S U R O F Do you have something you’d like to write about? Is there a passion or interest you’d like to share with others? Is there a cause you would like to draw attention to? Would you like to report on school events? Are you a great photographer or artist?
Send your articles (and images to go with them) to nicola.bradley@wetherbysenior.co.uk, or ask to be added to the team on Teams where you can submit it directly. A submission deadline will be set each half term, so get writing so your article can be included!