WIN Times October 2021

October 2021, Issue 11 Jebel Ali

Win times CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE, CREATING A LEGACY Official magazine of the Winchester school, jebel ali

Together Again Winchester!

Vision Our vision is to nurture a transformative learning community where all stakeholders feel loved, respected and encouraged to become globally responsible and achieve their potential and beyond.

Mission Create and facilitate a culture of growth mindset, investing in all stakeholders to embrace learning by being resilient, innovative problem solvers and effective communicators.

Empower unique, empathetic and self-directed members for a rapidly changing world and instill in them critical thinking skills and a global perspective.

Foster a positive and stimulating environment with a holistic approach to nurture individuals academic, social and emotional wellbeing by embedding respect for core values of honesty, loyalty, perseverance, care and compassion.

Every child matters, Every voice matters!

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS EDITION From the Principal’s Desk

5

Editor’s Note

7

Meet the Team

8

Let’s Start from Within

13

Messages from WIN Student Leaders

17

Together Again

22

Students at the Heart of Everything at WIN

24

WIN Jebel Ali Recognized as a common sense school

27

Microsoft Showcase School

29

Flourishing Moments with Mr. Omar

31

Learn Arabic with Nadia

34

The League of Champions

37

Expossibilities

40

WIN Speaks

43

Interview with Liam Kelly

46

WIN Goes Green in Support of Mental Health

50

Health and Safety Guidelines

52

Ms. Veronika’s Corner

55

On My Bookshelf

57

Sports Central

60

Katie’s Little Black Hole

63

The Animal Connection

66

Talking Politics

70

Philosophies of a Righteous Mind

73

Art for All

76

The Green Guide

78

The Green Guide

78

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Winchester is a Willing Inclusive and Innovative school that Nurtures Curious and Creative learners in an Honest, Helpful, Happy, Humble and Enterprising, Enriching environment with Sincere Students and Staff who are Talented, Trustworthy, Energetic, Effective and Enthusiastic to Encourage all learners to

Recognize, Rise and Realize their potential and achieve their aspirations

Composed by Ms. Meenakshi Dahiya

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From The principal’s desk We are indeed a joyous and caring community with the common goals of nurturing responsible, caring students and promoting high-level learning.

WIN Times captures our most lovely and talented students. Our students are at the center of all that we do and they are so inspiring to all of us that we are always ready to go that extra mile to ensure we have done everything we can to nurture, encourage, and challenge them to meet all their aspirations.

M

y dear WIN family,

Our excitement to welcome all students back face-to-face to start a new school year was unmatched. I am so delighted and looking forward to welcoming each one of you to be part of our amazing learning community. I welcome and value the positive energy and dedication to excellence in education by every teacher and leader at WIN, and I look forward to working with all our students, parents, along with staff.

We are privileged to be living in this blessed country where the leaders take such good care of all their residents.

All signs point to another incredible and productive school year. Our skilled and most devoted staff have been enthusiastically planning and preparing for your child(ren).

I am confident you all will enjoy reading WIN Times’ first edition of the academic year.

I loved all the new columns and I feel a great sense of pride as the quality of this edition is exceptional, celebrating so many of our students and staff.

My best wishes for yet another successful year ahead!

Warm regards, Ms. Meenakshi Dahiya Principal and CEO The Winchester School Jebel Ali

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From the Editor’s Desk Greetings WIN Family!

With a heart full of happiness, hope and unbridled exhilaration, I welcome you to the first issue of WIN Times for the academic session 2021-2022!

We're all back in school for face-to-face learning and it seems like we've never been away. The oft referred-to "unprecedented times" are behind us and we've come out stronger, more resilient, and more grateful than ever for the immeasurable blessings we have in our lives.

I am extremely excited for you to see what Team WIN Times has in store for the academic year. It's with a great sense of pride that I welcome our absolutely impressive cadre of columnists, students, and staff members, whose wellrounded articles promise a superlative reading experience. Environment, politics, philosophy, books, cooking, Expo 2020, astronomy, art, Islamic values, sports, pets and animals, the world of flowers and a lot more! Also, special in this issue are interviews with two highly accomplished individuals - Yomna Mohamed, WIN class of 2021 and GEMS A level topper, and Mr. Liam Kelly, teacher, best-selling author, and mental health champion.

Usually, thank-yous are reserved for the final issue of the academic year, but I would like to express my gratitude towards some special people for their support in ensuring that we start on an absolutely magnificent note. A big thank you to Ms. Debbie, Head of Wellbeing, for an extremely inspiring article which heralds hope and is just the motivation we all need as we look ahead (and within) to a fruitful year. Thank you Ms. Rachna, Secondary Teaching and Learning Coach for giving us a brilliant glimpse at WIN students' multifaceted achievements. Thank you Ms. Veronika, Primary Librarian, and Mr. Omar, Secondary Islamic Teacher - we're so grateful that you have chosen to share your wisdom with us as WIN Times staff columnists. Thank you Team WIN Times for being the best team one could work with WIN Times is but an amalgamation of your brilliance. And last but not the least, a huge thank to our exemplary Principal, Ms. Meenakshi Dahiya, for being the driving force behind all that we do at WIN Times. Your belief in WIN Times will forever be our strength.

A big shout out to our readers for all the feedback and encouragement which makes us want to make each issue better than the previous one. And that is exactly what we're going to do! We promise you a reading experience which will be second to none, true to our motto - celebrating excellence, creating a legacy.

We look ahead to your feedback and contributions at wintimes2019@gmail.com.

Warm regards, Mishal Faraz, Year 10B Founder, Editor-in-Chief, and Graphic Designer

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Meet the Team Editorial Team

Mir Faraz, Year 7 Founder, Managing Editor Columnist

Aarav Pradhan, Year 12 Senior Editor Columnist

Victoria Nedyalkova, Year 7 Co-Editor Columnist

Staff Columnists

Ms. Veronika Lambova, Primary Librarian

Mr. Omar Saber Secondary Islamic teacher

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Meet the Team Student Columnists

Nadia Gaber Sayah Year 4

Gareth Andrade Year 8

Felan Thakkar Year 5

Jaimee Felysse A. Reyes Year 6

Martin Georgiev Year 10

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Meet the Team Student Columnists

Min Thuta Year 10

Sakshi Shivakumar Year 11

Aabid Year 11

Toshith Bhaumik Year 11

Katie Ramanayaka Year 13

Sophia Pogorelova Year 13

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CONTRIBUTE TO WIN TIMES!

GET IN TOUCH WITH US AND HAVE YOUR WORK PUBLISHED IN THE

OFFICIAL SCHOOL MAGAZINE! Nothing makes us happier than celebrating the Winchester family members. Students, parents, and staff members are invited to send their creative pieces to wintimes2019@gmail.com. Stories, poems, artwork, comic strips, recipes, tips for healthy living, book and movie reviews, puzzles, quizzes, initiatives, and column pitches are all welcome. The topics and themes you choose are absolutely your discretion because we believe that creativity is boundless.

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“Our gift to the world comes as much through our being and presence, our smile and touch, our sense of possibility and the mystery of human life, as it does in the specifics of what we do.”

- Jack Kornfield, Buddhist monk and psychologist

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MESSAGES FROM WINCHESTER STUDENT LEADERS

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AARAV PRADHAN SECONDARY HEAD BOY

My name is Aarav Pradhan, and I am the Secondary Head Boy for this academic year, currently in Year 12. I would like to sincerely welcome all readers to the newest year of WIN Times, along with a wonderful new academic year.

Over the last 18 months, we have been trapped in a windowless room waiting for that small gleam of light that provided us with the hope of normalcy. Finally, this once dark room now glistens brighter than before. Limited by the confines of our own home, regardless of the disadvantages we faced, we still exuded immense creativity and achieved results that were completely unheard of.

As we welcome this new academic year, I hope to connect and rekindle the bonds that began to weaken as we distanced ourselves from one another, while unifying the school community into one strong, motivated and long-lasting group of leaders, dreamers and achievers.

The Winchester Student Government Body has a lot in store this year, with increasing initiatives being planned and implemented as we speak. We hope to break any records and goals we previously set while representing our school with utmost pride and joy. The WSGB truly believes in embracing the student voice, having implemented countless new initiatives such as WIN Radio, Project RONA, all the way to Social Care Support Sessions. Our perseverance will only continue to drive us to higher levels of success.

The 158 leaders that unite to form this society of advocates who constantly work on bettering the school community and representing the student body with the most clarity they can. I would like to welcome you to the new academic year and welcome readers to the latest edition of the WIN Times Magazine!

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SOPHIA POGORELOVA SECONDARY HEAD GIRL

Hello everyone! My name is Sophia Pogorelova and I am the Head Girl of Secondary for this Academic Year. I am excited to welcome you all to WIN TIMES!

normalcy, there will be challenges that we will inevitably face. But our ambition and innovative minds will continue to exist and support us in all that we do and wish to achieve.

Last year's shift to online learning sparked the digital transformation of teaching and learning, a change that motivated us to adapt promptly and reunite ourselves back with our community.

WIN TIMES promises to foster the growth, the diversity, the connection and the mana of our students, building a new community for our incredible writers and illustrators. The opportunities you will receive as either a member of the WIN TIMES team, or as a reader, will allow you to gain and develop talents that are hidden and unexplored. Develop confidence, independence and creativity.

In truth, this period has not been easy for any of us, it has been mentally exhausting, and difficult to manage with the lack of appropriate devices, fieldwork and access to laboratories. Yet, our resilience motivated us to persevere with the use of innovative strategies. We proved to ourselves that there is no limit to creativity. Despite the confinements of our own room, we continued to stay deterministic and committed to our community, achieving goals that we thought defined the impossible. As we enter this academic year with a new start to

I am looking forward to reading the upcoming articles created by all our talented writers and encourage you all to allow your mind to wander as you take up these innovative ideas as challenges that will help you blossom in ways you have yet to imagine. Wishing you all the very best in this new academic chapter.

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MARCUS FERNANDES PRIMARY HEAD BOY

The Winchester School in its quest to unlock and inculcate leadership qualities among its students, inspires each one of us to not only aim at achieving academic excellence, but also strive to become wonderful citizens of the future world.

I am Marcus Fernandes and it is my honour and pleasure to be the Primary Head Boy. It gives me immense joy to work for my school. It is an opportunity to hold high the flag of the school. I must say being the Head Boy is a challenging job, but with the help of all of you, we as a team can accomplish anything. I stand here as a leader not just to lead you,

but to work in collaboration with each one of you to achieve the best for our school.

My motto is: “If you believe... you can achieve… Determination, hard work, and effort are the key points to success.”

We all are here to learn, to dream, to grow and to contribute. This is what makes our lives worthwhile!

Anything is possible if you believe, but you need to work for it. I am sure it will be a pleasure working with you all. Your support and dedication are essential to ensure we succeed as a team.

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MRUDA BHATT PRIMARY HEAD GIRL

Hello Winchester Family, I am Mruda Bhatt, the Primary Head Girl.

but also to connect with our friends, our relatives, and our teachers.

The last year and a half has been a very crucial time, however every challenge brings opportunity to explore new dimensions, and with this our school has given us a very rewarding and nurturing environment by overcoming unexpected new challenges, which makes us all feel embraced by our school. Before the pandemic, when we were all caught up in our busy student lives with classwork, homework, and extracurriculars, we didn’t have enough time to spend on ourselves and our loved ones. This period when everyone fulfills their obligation by staying home, was also a period which brought families closer. Together: cooking, playing board games or sharing stories that we didn’t have the chance to share in the busy year. It was also a period where we took advantage of the many video-calling platforms not only for distance learning

Learning never stops! We strongly believe in learning and development in any circumstances and experiences that we go through. To complain about the inconveniences that the last year and a half has brought would be a shame - we should reflect upon the new things that we have learnt, the relationships that we have formed and strengthened, and how our own resilience and adaptability has benefited us. By acknowledging the places where we fell and standing back up again, we grow to be stronger and better people as we walk out of this period together.

Thus I am sure that this year we will grow and evolve into better versions of ourselves with lots and lots of new innovative, creative and ingenious ideas, with all students' ambience and participation towards our school.

I hope you have a splendid year ahead !

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Together Again!

After more than 18 months of oscillating between distance learning and blended learning, we are finally back to full-time face-to-face learning. Winchester students express their excitement to be together again!

As the world starts to open again and normalcy is established in all our lives once again, I cannot help but just smile at the thought of seeing the familiar yellow vehicles occupy the streets, children and parents standing beside each other in the wee small hours of the morning waiting to go back to their second homes. The fact that I’m able to see all of my peers and be able to do the things I used to do really does fill me with hope for a truly bright and positive future. Considering how strong all of us have returned, it truly shows me that when united, us humans can achieve anything that we want to. Indubitably, being together again and being able to slowly go back to the old way of doing things is marvellous and I cannot express my gratitude enough to the school and the government for making this possible. Thank you!

Kanchan Kumar Palakode, Year 13

The past academic year, we were all forced to stay at home and attend school through our computer screens, however, now that the school has opened its doors for us to step foot in again, it is an honour and we are so grateful to be able to walk the halls, greet teachers in person and share the classroom with our friends. Each day that I walk through the gates of the school, I can’t help but smile when reminded about how it’s another day where I get to learn and grow with the comforting school environment around me.

Hiruki Salgado, Year 10

Together again. Such a simple yet meaningful phrase. This pandemic was filled with adversities and obstacles no one saw coming, yet with the strength and diligence as well as the great teamwork of the Winchester family, we were able to overcome every problem thrown in our direction. It brings me great joy and excitement to be reunited with my fellow peers, teachers and school staff, to be part of this journey in moving forward to reap future successes once again."

Adriana Loren Sarcia Paz, Year 9

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Just when online learning had become the new normal, coming back to school was nothing less than a miracle in such unpleasant times. The school campus has got its life back and it has become as busy and vibrant as ever. It gives me extreme pleasure to see my fellow classmates and teachers and to be able to interact with them face to face. Even with the limitations, my happiness to be back in school is inevitable. I am confident that this school year is going to be a unique and most enjoyable one. Happy to be together again!

Saadgee Singh, Year 5

Happiness to me is being around with my friends. I missed my teachers and friends when I studied online, but now I know the meaning of true happiness.

Learning new things every day, helping others and sharing happiness with everyone all happens when I am in school.

Aiza Mohsin, Year 3

I am so happy to be back at school because I get to meet my friends and have fun and learn everything I wanted to know. I also get to see my teacher in person, not in Zoom.

Jainee Franzes A. Reyes, Year 2

I like school because I like singing, reading and going to the bike area. I like Ms. Ann and I love to listen to her. She’s pretty when she takes off her glasses.

Jaicee Filippe A. Reyes, FS2

I am happy when I sing and play with my friends.

Aariz Mohsin, FS2

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Our Students Are at the Heart of Everything We Do at Winchester Ms. Rachna Shukla, Secondary Teaching and Learning Coach

While the UNESCO postulates that teachers are at the heart of the global education recovery, we at Winchester truly believe that our students are at heart of everything we do.

We have entered yet another exhilarating phase as we resumed full in-person teaching and the excitement among the students and teachers is palpable. It is heartening to see the corridors and classrooms abuzz with activities and student -led initiatives. While the global health pandemic unleashed several challenges last year, it also invigorated innovation and creativity in teaching and learning. Our students never cease to amaze us with their skills, enthusiasm, drive and commitment to excel.

Ms. Rachna is the Teaching and Learning Coach for Secondary.

She was Head of the Business Department since 2015 and has twenty plus years of teaching experience during which she has developed an insight of innovative teaching and pedagogical approaches. With my leadership inputs, she was able to ensure consistently outstanding learner outcomes and high quality teaching standards. She is committed to support her students and colleagues to ensure they maximize their potential and achieve their aspirations.

Each year our students establish new benchmarks and set their sights higher on bigger goals.

When students lead the way we are able to create a more positive and connected school climate. This was amply testified by the numerous student-led initiatives which were kick started this year.

The launch of Win Prism, an independently curated monthly newsletter with articles on topical and contemporary issues covering a gamut of subjects from Science and English to Business and Humanities celebrates the intellectual curiosity and research-oriented writing skills of our students.

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Our Sixth Form students have also taken on the mantle of being the mentors for the Year 10 students.

They inspired students to choose subjects based on their career aspirations and interest and hobbies, and advised them on building their portfolios. A highly informative session on how to prepare for university application and career pathways was conducted by the year 12 students for the year 11 students. Our Alumni students also shared a first- hand account of their university life experiences.

Further the newly introduced GEMS Alumni App will help our students to connect, network and build life time bonds with the future generations at Winchester.

To deepen their independent learning skills, students have pioneered the Science MagazineWin Eureka and engaged in activities that relate to Physics and Chemistry Dialectics, Science Podcasts and many hands-on activities. They have confidently

led Webinars and Sci Ted Talks on a plethora of futuristic topics like life on Mars, prosthetics and emerging cutting -edge technologies. Our Key Stage 3 students are also actively engaged in leading innovative assemblies on wide ranging issues like Zero Hunger campaigns, World peace, UN initiatives and future innovations. Through these enriching activities our students have showcased their high-order analytical, collaboration and leadership skills. It is a matter of great pride and inspiration for us as teachers to witness our students taking a pro-active lead for their own learning. The new academic year has begun on a high note and our students are geared towards a journey of experiential and transformative learning.

Undoubtedly our students have embraced the growth mind set by being innovative problem solvers in line with the ethos and vision of the school.

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This year engaging student voice in all aspects of teaching and learning will be one of our priority focal areas. Encouraging student voice helps to promote autonomy and engagement by making sure students are fully engaged in the learning process. Our student government leaders as well as the SVG will actively seek the opinions of students via student surveys on various aspects of teaching & learning, curriculum enrichment as well as well-being. Based on the student feedback we will design a well -structured action plan to incorporate their suggestions.

At Winchester we embrace a philosophy of partnership with all our stakeholders as we believe that children’s educational development is a collaborative enterprise among parents, school staff, and community members.

Our sentiment and efforts to ensure that sky is the limit for all our students and the world is their oyster is aptly encapsulated by the quote,

"Excellence in education is when we do everything we can to make sure they become everything they can."

–Carol Ann Tomlinson

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The Winchester School, Jebel Ali, Recognized as a Common Sense School

Common Sense, the national non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology, has recognized The Winchester School Jebel Ali as a Common Sense School 2021-2023.

Our school has demonstrated its commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing its students to think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate while preparing them for the perils that exist in the online realm, such as plagiarism, loss of privacy, and cyberbullying.

With the right support, kids can take ownership of their digital lives, engage with real issues, and change their communities for the better. The recognition acknowledges our school's commitment to creating a culture of digital citizenship.

"We applaud the faculty and staff of the Winchester School for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students' education," said Kelly Mendoza, vice president of education programs at Common Sense Education. "The Winchester School Jebel Ali deserves high praise for giving its students the foundational skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st century workplace and participate ethically in society at large."

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Common Sense Ambassadors 2021-2022 Our school has been using Common Sense Education's innovative and researchbased digital citizenship resources, which were created in collaboration with researchers from Project Zero, led by Howard Gardner at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and are grounded in the real issues students and teachers face. The resources teach students, educators, and parents tangible skills related to internet safety, protecting online reputations and personal privacy, media balance, managing online relationships, and media literacy. The free K–12 curriculum is used in classrooms across more than 80,000 schools by more than 1,00,000 educators. "We're honoured to be recognized as a Common Sense School," said Ms Meenakshi Dahiya, Principal and CEO of The Winchester School, Jebel Ali. "By preparing our students to use technology safely and responsibly, we are providing them an opportunity to build lifelong habits to help them succeed in a tech-driven world."

To learn more about Common Sense Education, visit www.commonsense.org/education

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Microsoft has recognized The Winchester School Jebel Ali as a Showcase School, thus making it a member of an elite group of schools that exemplify the best of teaching and learning in the world today. Only a few institutions earn this designation, and we take great pride in knowing that Microsoft recognizes our impact on the future of education. Microsoft Showcase Schools are pioneers in education.

We are now part of an exclusive global community, recognized and celebrated for educational transformation that includes vision and innovation in teaching, learning, and preparing students for the future. Showcase Schools create student-centred, immersive, and inclusive experiences that inspire lifelong learning, stimulating development of essential future-ready skills so students are empowered to achieve more. The Microsoft Showcase Schools Program gives us an opportunity to engage with Microsoft and like-minded school leaders around the world to deepen and expand education transformation using the Education Transformation Framework.

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Microsoft Innovative Education Experts 2021-2022

Each year, Microsoft selects Innovative Educator Experts to be part of this exclusive global community paving the way for their peers to share ideas, try new approaches, and learn from each other. We have 6 teachers from The Winchester School Jebel Ali who have been recognized as MIE Expert 2021-2022 because they are self-driven, passionate about their work, have true collaborative spirit, and strive to inspire students with outside-thebox thinking on technology in education. Microsoft has been highly appreciative about their resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit. As agents of change, they have achieved excellence in education, using technology and social media. This would also enable others to benefit from their recognition. Congratulations to our experts!

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NEW COLUMN ALERT!

Flourishing Moments with Mr. Omar

By Mr. Omar Saber, Secondary Islamic Studies Teacher

Assalamualaikum, My name is Omar Saber, and I am an Islamic studies teacher at Winchester. I have a bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies from Al-Azhar University, Cairo. I am passionate about imbibing Islamic knowledge and teaching it to others. My goal is to inspire students to be better Muslims and to play a beneficial and effective role in creating a positive change in themselves and in society. I always seek inspiration from the saying of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people.” May Allah guide us to be one of those people.

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Stay Hopeful, Stay Optimistic Mr. Omar Saber, Secondary Islamic Studies Teacher No doubts that life is full of highs and lows. And everyone with no exception goes through hardships, challenges and difficulties on a daily basis. These difficulties can sometimes feel overwhelming to the point where one sees no way out and despairs. In this condition, the Quran teaches us that we should never lose hope in Allah nor despair. The Quran confirms that the Muslim should always stay hopeful and optimistic about tomorrow. The theme of resisting despair and hopefulness existed in Islam before the study of psychology even existed! One place we see it is in the following hadith qudsi.

The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: Allah the Almighty said: “I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me…” (Bukhari & Muslim)

This Hadith (divine saying) reminds us that the thoughts we have about Allah SWT play a crucial role in the outcome of our lives. Thus, it is vital to be aware of what we think of Allah SWT. The Quran reminds us to think well of Allah SWT. {Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} (Azumar 39:53)

The commentary of Ibn Al-Qayim mentions the following:

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“The more you have good expectations and hope in Allah, the more you will rely and trust in Him…”

The Prophet PBUH teaches us that whatever hardship or adversity the Muslim goes through is a test and trial and the more patient he is during these times the more rewarded he will be.

The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” (Bukhari)

In short, live this life to the fullest, stay away from negative thoughts, be surrounded with supportive companions, stay grateful for the positive things happening in your life, take a good care of yourself, don’t escape from the challenging moments , rather face them with calmness and peaceful mind. Finally, Understand that there is light shining through that dark tunnel and things will get better. Allah the Almighty promises us in the Quran, “Verily, with every hardship comes ease” [94:5]

All of that patience and remembrance of Allah will pay off, one just needs to have Tawakkul or trust in Allah. Any promise made by Allah is a guarantee.

We can have peace of mind in the knowledge that most hardships are temporary, and relief is soon to follow.

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Hi, my name is Mir Faraz, and I’m in Year 7. As a proud resident of the UAE, I cannot hold my excitement now that Expo has finally opened its doors to all. It’s like seeing a dream come true before our own eyes. Expo 2020 is one of the first major world gatherings since the advent of Covid-19.

It symbolizes hope, resilience, the power of determination, optimism, and above all, Expo symbolizes unrestrained possibilities for the residents of the UAE as well as people all over the globe. We are indeed fortunate to experience something as spectacular and path-breaking as Expo 2020, with its promise of connecting minds and creating the future. This column is dedicated to the unparalleled spirit of this nation which has made this achievement possible. In every issue, I’ll try to capture some of the Expossibilities of the Greatest Show on the Earth.

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EXPO 2020 The World’s Greatest Show has begun!

After 8 years of anticipation, after Dubai won the bid to host Expo 2020, the magnum opus was inaugurated on the 1st of October with an absolutely dazzling ceremony. Here are some fun facts about the event which heralds hope and limitless “EXPOSSIBILITIES” for the global community!

qqqqq Each country participating in Expo 2020 Dubai will be able to celebrate their national day — or an honour day — during the six-month event. The celebrations will be hosted in Al Wasl Plaza.

One of the highlights of the sixmonth Expo will be the celebration of the UAE Golden Jubilee, held over the course of a month, starting in early November.

The disc-shaped Sustainability Pavilion is entirely operated by solar energy. Each E-Tree has an average of 120 rotating solar panels and follows the sun from sunrise to sunset.

Expo 2020 Dubai will run 10 theme weeks throughout the sixmonth extravaganza. The themes include space, climate, tolerance and inclusivity, travel and connectivity, food, agriculture and livelihoods.

The attractions at the Saudi pavilion break three Guinness World Records. The structure features the largest interactive floor, the longest water feature and the biggest screen.

Expo 2020 Metro Station, with an aircraft wing design, is the final station on Dubai’s new Route 2020 and can hold 29,000 people per hour during peak hours.

Expo 2020 Dubai will have a Youth Pavilion built and managed entirely by young people, for young people. An open creative space, it is designed to be a centre-point for youth activities at the world fair.

The Expo 2020 Dubai site is bigger than 600 football fields!

The World Chess Championship will be hosted at Expo 2020 in November.

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WIN SPEAKS Winchester’s Innovation Team members share their excitement and thrill as Expo 2020 opens its doors to all for the next 6 months Expo 2020, being the world’s greatest show, exhibits the most innovative solutions to problems that our human race faces in the modern era. From the most sustainable and ecological solutions to astonishing technological advancements, we can expect that this Expo 2020 is the new beginning when the world will converge and look up to Dubai for the elucidations of next generation ideas.

- Azlan Mohsin, Year 5, Primary Head of Innovation

Expo 2020 will unlock new solutions to challenges, explore various horizons and new life-changing experiences.

- Ahmad Siddiqui, Year 4 I watched the inauguration ceremony live on television, and I’ve also bought the Expo 2020 passport. With a season’s pass for 6 months, I can go there whenever I want. There are a total of 192 participating nations in the Expo! And it will be amazing to meet them in one place!

- Xainab Usman, Year 7

The event we all have been waiting for has just begun and this time the UAE is hosting it! Since I have experienced the exhibition of Expo 2020, I have seen many colourful exhibits of different countries, and this indeed represents the value of cultural diversity in the UAE. This portrays the image of many nations, cultures, and histories in a cluster together at Expo! To conclude, I feel that instead of flying to multiple, spectacular nations, the UAE has brought them to us.

- Aryaveer Patel, Year 8

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“The higher the barrier, the better the result, the greater the innovation.”

`

This quote relates to the UAE hosting the Expo because they have crossed numerous obstacles and come a long way to finally create a bigger and better Expo. Expo 2020 to me is an embodiment of innovation and showcases how this significant skill can be utilized, and thus again proves that the greater the problem, the better the innovation and solution.

- Avanthikha Vimalkumar, Year 10

Expo 2020 is a game-changing event that certainly built up massive anticipation since back when it was first announced. Now that it has finally been opened to the public, it’s evident that the high excitement and zeal toward this event survived the unexpected pandemic delays. Even not having visited the site, you can practically tell that almost everyone is in awe of how well the event has been managed and organized, from visuals and the pavilions to performances and interactive events. Can’t wait to visit Expo 2020!

- Rishit Singh, Year 11

There is a sense of extreme pride inside me when my family and friends around the world mention EXPO and Dubai in the same breath. I am looking forward to seeing the world’s countries put their innovative, future driven, highest capability standards, best foot forward in Dubai to showcase to all visitors. UAE has excelled in many of the world's firsts, and is known as the country of superlatives, nevertheless it amazes the world yet again by showcasing the finest, most advanced EXPO ever held, under such trying times, with all safety measures intact.

- Zehaan Suri, Year 12

The anticipated Expo 2020 Dubai has been in everyone's mind since Dubai won the bid in 2013. Learning that essential technologies (such as telephones, x-ray scanning, and air conditioning) we rely on in the present times were unveiled at the previous expos, further deepens my curiosity and interest about what they'll show the world this time around.

- Lance Deniel Malihan, Year 13

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Mr Neijin Pathrose Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator

Health&Safety

GUIDELINES

At Winchester, our highest priority remains the safety and well-being of our students, and we request for your invaluable cooperation to follow our procedures and ensure a safe and happy start to the day!

PICK UP & DROP OFF PROCEDURES ☐ Dropping off at the roundabout and not using the zebra crossing creates chaos and frustration, hence we request you to drop off your kids at the crossing or at the gate. ☐ Parking in unauthorized ways and places using your phone or not wearing the seatbelt are traffic violations which will be fined by the police. ☐ Please leave early and try to arrive at 7:30 AM to avoid rushed starts to the day. ☐ Please note there will be constant patrolling around the school.

FOGGY/WET WEATHER CONDITIONS ☐ Driving in adverse conditions requires skill, patience and focus. Please note these tips to remain safe in such conditions! ☐ Only drive if you have to. Do not start your journey if fog is dense or it’s raining hard. ☐ If you start driving in clear conditions but encounter bad weather, park in a safe place and wait for it to clear before continuing. ☐ Turn on the lights and use dipped beam and fog lights (if installed). Keep your lights on until you reach your destination regardless of if the weather improves. ☐ Do not speed. Speeding is unnecessary and dangerous.

☐ Remember hazard lights are for emergency situations and stationary vehicles ONLY. ☐ Keep distance from the vehicle in front. ☐ Use your wipers and heater. ☐ No mobile phones when driving.

CYCLING SAFETY ☐ It is your decision to permit your child to cycle to school. Please note that the school is not accountable for any consequences.

Please read the roles and responsibilities. ☐ The school will provide storage, promote benefits of cycling, and monitor entries and exits. ☐ Parents will ensure the bike is roadworthy and their child has safety equipment. They will inspect for any damage and ensure any found is repaired immediately. ☐ The student will wear equipment, cycle sensibly and lock the bike securely.

STAY SAFE, STAY HAPPY! 😊 All of us are expected to be role models for our children’s safety. Thank you for your continuing supporting in ensuring our school community is a safe and productive environment for all.

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NEW COLUMN ALERT!

By Jaimee Felysse A. Reyes, Year 6 Hello there. I am Jaimee Felysse Reyes, a 10-year old student from Year 6C. I am currently the Head of Pastoral Care in The Winchester School Jebel Ali’s Student Government. I am a responsible, diligent and confident person who has a positive attitude towards learning. I love researching, watching tutorials and making my own videos. I am an art enthusiast, but I also have a keen passion for reading. I read lots of books, both fiction and non-fiction, with various genres like classics, myths, fantasies, sci-fi, humour, mystery, adventure, biographies/autobiographies, reference books, atlases, arts and crafts, and encyclopaedias. I have been reading since I was 4. Growing up, I would collect books rather than toys and would frequent museums and libraries. There is something about reading that transports me to another world. As Roald Dahl said, “If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.” I am delighted to share with you my analysis, views and recommendations on the books that I have read.

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“Boy: Tales of Childhood”

by Roald Dahl Jaimee Felysse A. Reyes, Year 6

Boy: Tales of Childhood was published in 1984 and is about the remarkable experiences and the humorous, insightful, and vivid memories within the young life of Roald Dahl.

The book focuses on Roald Dahl’s school days, as well as his family history, and contains accounts ranging from heart-warming and idyllic, to horrifying and excruciating!

This book shows how there was never a dull moment in the life of Roald Dahl, and dedicated Dahl fans will also be able to spot many incidents from his life that seem uncannily similar to his works of fiction, and are very likely what inspired them.

Roald Dahl was a spy, an ace fighter pilot, a chocolate historian, and a medical inventor. He was also the author of numerous books.

He remains for many the world’s No. 1 storyteller.

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The real story of how Roald came to write Boy is almost a tale to be told in itself. It started with The Witches. An early original draft of the book, which describes the story an unknown young boy with a Norwegian grandmother, contained three chapters that explains in detail the boy's childhood.

These chapters were actually inspired from Roald's own memories. So, the boy in The Witches had a lot in common with the one who wrote about him.

An editor named Stephen Roxburgh was working with Roald during that time, and he remarked that those specific three chapters from The Witches belonged in another story

somewhere else.

He suggested to Roald that he might want to rewrite them in a book about his own early childhood.

Roald did not like the sound of an autobiography, as he thought they were full of boring, useless facts, but he thought that this was a very good idea. As he said himself in the introduction to Boy: "This is not an autobiography. I would never write a history of myself. On the other hand, throughout my young days at school and just afterwards a number of things happened to me that I have never forgotten."

Roald Dahl is one of my favourite authors and reading a book about his interesting life is a delight. I love how he narrated his adventures, achievements and misfortunes in a humorous yet informative way.

His choice of words is exceptional. Reading it will make you an expert in figurative language and how to use them in your own writing.

I also like how he added some photographs which will make you understand more about his story. I absolutely adored the illustrations since I am an artist myself. Quentin Blake nailed it again.

I enjoyed every bit of this book. However, there were some grotesque scenes that made me feel a chilling breeze down my spine. Hence, I would recommend this book to older children because it might upset young minds.

But nevertheless, I would definitely offer this pleasant book a shining 4 stars.

Once you start reading, believe me, you will never want to stop.

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NEW COLUMN ALERT!

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The Need for Sports “Sport is as old as humanity itself. It’s kept societies fit and healthy while building strong communities and boosting morale.”

– Arnaud Barapila

Sports are a crucial point of human life. From the time little children learn to walk and run, they have a natural disposition to play games and to gradually get incorporated into competing in different sports. For many people, the value of a traditional education is clear: Knowledge improves decision-making, which is valuable for personal and professional life. However, a balanced approach to living can often include athletics and, as any athlete knows, physical education isn’t just about dominance in games and channelling aggression. In fact, generally speaking, sports teach life lessons in a uniquely memorable way, providing functional and

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interpersonal skills that will be useful on and off the field.

Sports often reflect the culture of the countries in which they are played. In many ways, sports define a society. They show how people can make a living by being athletic, and entertaining other people. They give people ways to test their athletic drill against other people. Most of all, they give people something to focus on and follow that is a sort of release from the stressful chores of everyday life.

While sports not only help in developing physical and mental health, but it also develops the life skills of one’s personality. It enhances their capabilities and helps them to have a better understanding of themselves.

Sports also help in developing social skills and getting along with people. They learn to interact not only with children of their age but also with adults like their coaches and seniors.

One of the most important lessons to learn from sport that reflects into your regular world is the ability to face, accept and cope with defeat. Naturally, there always is one winner and one loser in a game, but what is important is the valuable experience of being one or another. It’s inevitable that there will be moments when children come out of a game defeated, but what s important to learn is accepting defeat in a positive competitive spirit, being a true sportsperson and propelling yourself to strive harder the next time to achieve what you missed out on. There are many life lessons you can learn by playing sports. Apart from the exercise, the fun factor and the competitive spirit, there is a lot more to be learnt from sports, lessons that can prepare you for life off the field. Therefore, the need and importance of sports in life is great indeed.

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NEW COLUMN ALERT!

Katie’s Little Black Hole

By Katie Ramanayaka, Year 13

Hello Everyone! I am Katie Ramanayaka, a self-proclaimed philosopher, theorist, one of the best luminaries you will ever know, and I would like to welcome you to my little black hole. In brief, I would call myself a science fanatic -Science has fed and continues to feed my curiosity- it is not a subject that could ever stop. As our understanding of life and the universe deepens, we realize that there is even more that we don't understand. That unlimited potential is simply astonishing. In this column, I will be pulling you out of this world and will be showing you the many fascinating parts of the universe that you may not have known existed!

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The Heat Death Katie Ramanayaka, Year 13 T

he universe has been around for approximately 13.8 billion years, but it still holds a multitudinous number of mysteries this day. Our universe is shaped by all sorts of unseen forces that we don’t comprehend, which is why there are so many theories that revolve around it.

Not actualities but theories.

One of the most frequently asked questions in astronomy is the commencement of the cosmos and how everything progressed to what it is todaywhat are the hidden forces that activated the birth of it?

In most ways, it is peculiar to us Homo Sapiens that the Universe has aged for how long it has. The Universe- by description, everything that physically exists – should either have an endless age or be linked to the human lifespan, as many legends and fictitious stories suggest. It should be infinite. However, astronomers continuously seem to find the answers to the unanswerable. They've used the observable rate of expansivity of the Universe to give it age and have calculatedly come up with a theory to explain its birth.

Though the theory has potentially real and testable aspects, we've got to have those buzzkills that just cannot live with it.

Conspiracies and questions have revolved around the Big Bang Theory for years.

People with different perspectives and views have taken it upon themselves to fiddle with the science of it.

Now the Big Bang explains the birth of our Universe. But what about its death?

The Universe holds many different components like stars, dust clouds, moons, asteroids, galaxies, black holes, light, and even time. It is densely packed with matter, and gravity is the force known to attract it all together. Before the 1920's we believed that space was in a constant state of inertia and stayed contained. However, with the aid of the Hubble Telescope and distant supernovae, astronomists denied this assumption and instead, concluded that the Universe is expanding. And in the 1990’s we found out that the Universe was furiously expanding at an exponential rate.

The expansion was caused by energy- but what was it? And what is the black darkness that's filling up the space left when these components are expanding?

Nobody understood this and nobody could explain it. But we knew that there was some type of field generating this cosmic acceleration and filling up the expanding space. It wasn’t gravity because a gravitational acceleration would pull things closer together, whereas this force acts repulsively, pushing things further apart. So, theorists came up with a name for this unknown power; dark energy.

Dark energy was and continues to remain a mystery to everyone, moreover, it remains accepted in the astronomical world because it helps explain Einstein's theory of special relativity. Einstein's theory stated that 'empty space' possesses an

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energy and, this energy is a property of space itself. Because this energy remains as a property of space itself, even as the Universe expands, this energy will not dilute. So in theory, as the universe expands and grows the amount of dark energy will also simultaneously increase.

With the knowledge that the amount of dark energy after many years will exponentially increase, it would make sense that space would eventually be contaminated with all this waste of dark energy and no useful energy. And with the law of conservation of energy, we know that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only transferred. Every single process requires useful energy otherwise it would just not take place. In the case where a

maximum of the Universe is taken over by dark energy, in this circumstance, the Universe would be unable to do any work and no physical process will take place.

This is where the Universe will be in a state of maximum entropy. In this state, the temperature will reach absolute zero where all molecular movement stopssince temperature is a measure of molecular movement there is no temperature lower than absolute zero.

In simpler words, the world will be frozenno living organism will exist, no stars, no galaxies, no physical process will take place, and the universe will continue to stay in this phase forever.

This theory is named "The Heat Death".

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NEW COLUMN ALERT!

Hello everyone! My name is Victoria Nedyalkova. I’m in Year 7J, and this is my second year as a very proud columnist for WIN Times. I love writing, baking, playing the piano, and playing with my dog, Teddy. With the start of a new school year, comes new beginnings, and new exciting experiences. I am glad to introduce my new column in WIN Times. As an enthusiastic animal lover with a passion for animals, I chose the topic of discovering different aspects of all the living things around us, other than humans. So, if you love animals just like me, stick around and I can assure you that you will enjoy the content of this column as much as I enjoy writing it!

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The Benefits of Having a Pet Victoria Nedyalkova, Year 7 For thousands of years, people have used animals as pets and livestock.

Humans’ imagination was fascinated by wild animals. Every culture contains wildlife in its folklore, traditions, mythology, and art.

Nowadays industries are creating many animal-related TV programs, movies, zoos, aquariums, travelling related to animal watching, stuffed animals and more. All of this indicates that many of us attain deep joy and healing from the animals either sharing our homes or meeting them on a regular basis out of our home.

Currently we all feel how important our mental health and our wellbeing is; in a crucial point brought on by the pandemic, from the difficulties of being quarantined at home, or experiencing economic uncertainty in the family.

In the face of these challenges, our mental health has been unstable.

Changes are constant and all around us. For many of us, this time of readjustment and adaptation is a time of stress and anxiety. Through all this, they are many ways to calm yourself down. However, it is understandable that pets or regular interaction with animals can have a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing too.

Many scientific studies have found that human-animal interaction can help reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

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TALKING POLITICS

By Sophia Pogorelova, Year 13

Hello! My name is Sophia and I’m a year 13 student here at Winchester. My hobbies include reading classical literature and having an absolutely unhealthy obsession with collecting vinyl records. I aspire to get into the world of international relations and political science as I'm interested in understanding the frameworks of theological thinking. Now, what is my ultimate goal? I aim to make it onto the Forbes List.

WIN TIMES promises to foster the growth, the diversity, the connection and the mana of our students, building a new community for our incredible writers and illustrators. The opportunities you will receive as either a member of the WIN TIMES team, or as a reader, will allow you to gain and develop confidence, independence and creativity. I am looking forward to reading the upcoming articles from our talented writers and encourage you all to allow your mind to wander as you take up these innovative ideas as challenges that will help you blossom in ways you have yet to imagine.

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Politics in Enlightenment Sophia Pogorelova, Year 13 Under a larger tradition known as the Enlightenment, there are three branches of traditions encapsulated within that sphere of philosophy and political science known as the Utilitarian, Marxist and Social Contract Traditions.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “enlightenment”?

Those of you who have already been exposed to the secrets of philosophy and political science may come to say “Oh, it's the shift from natural law to knowledge” or even move on to talking about freedom and artistic development. Which is right! Those are all part of the Enlightenment, it was after all a massive movement that had a major reorder on every thinking path, starting from arts and music and all the way onto the sciences.

But in this article, we shall only be touching onto the political enlightenment aspect.

Political Enlightenment was brought up from 17th century roots with an enduring impact on the 19th, 20th and even the 21st century. Starting from the roots of the Enlightenment, let's take a closer look at this tradition through the eyes of John Locke.

Who was John Locke?

John Lock was a famous 17th Century political theorist who is firstly categorized as an early enlightenment thinker about science, and secondly, as a classical exponent of the social contract. Towards the second half of his adult life Locke became associated with Lord Shaftesbury, who was a leader of the discontented faction in English Politics that would eventually remove the king from the throne and Locke became associated with a radical political grouping in 17th century English Politics as a member of Shaftesbury’s Circle.

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Coming back to the Political Enlightenment, this theory revolves around 2 central ideas.

First centre of gravity in all enlightenment thinking is to look for scientific principles - Looking for Certainty. A good part of the Enlightenment is commitment to the idea of science, which is the basis for reorganizing every aspect of human life. And Enlightenment political thinkers are all famous for wanting to come up with theories of politics that are based on the appeal of science.

Different enlightenment thinkers will understand the meaning of science in different ways, Karl Marx has a very different view of what science is compared to Jeremy Bentham. But one way or another they are all committed to the notion of reordering the political world on scientific principles.

The second central idea concerns the constitution. Individual freedom, usually expressed in some doctrine of individual rights, is the greatest good. People have rights as embodied in the declaration of independence.

Every enlightenment thinker is committed to some version of both these ideas. You might even be shocked by this. Most people don't think about it, for instance, Karl Marx was a theorist of individual rights (although he was). Moreover, in the course of digging into these different arguments, there is a commitment to science that lives in some tension with a commitment to individual rights or freedom.

Because, if you think about it, science is about determinism, it's about coming up with laws that specify what must be the case. And if everything is known in a deterministic way, what room is there for individual freedom?

Maybe none, maybe not, but this notion of determinism is actually even older than the Enlightenment. In fact, John Locke was tormented by this in a somewhat different vein in his theological writings. John Locke was a religious thinker and an advocate of natural law, and one of the huge debates among theologists in the 17th century concerned the question whether or not God was omnipotent. This was the idea that God knows everything, and God can do anything. But theologians were also concerned with the question whether the laws of nature are timeless universals, whether they can change. And one strand of thinking said something can't be a law unless it's a timeless universal.

But critics argue that if natural law is a timeless universal, that would mean it binds even God, and God wouldn't be able to change his mind if he was bound by universal laws that are unchanging by definition.

Locke wrestled with this problem, tormenting himself over this question. But we’ll see that he decided that he had to come down on the omnipotent side for he believed that something can only be a law if it's the product of a will, a volition, a choice or a decision. This is an indication that the Enlightenment tension between science and individual rights is a secular transposition of an older theological debate about whether God is omnipotent or whether laws of nature are permanent and unchanging.

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By Aarav Pradhan, Year 12 Greetings! My name is Aarav Pradhan and I am a Senior Editor and Columnist for the WIN Times magazine! I am the Secondary Head Boy for this academic year. My interests include speaking and debating, which is often felt through my focus on argumentative and introspective questions in my articles. As the year begins, I look forward to strengthening the bonds we established as distanced learning students in the previous year. Writing is a superpower that can convey more meaning than any action or emotion ever could. I am excited to lead a new column discussing moralities and the boundaries of our ethics.

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Philosophies of a Righteous Mind Aarav Pradhan, Year 12 “Hey, how are you?”, ever wonder why we use such words when we meet a friend or visit a loved one?

Well, it's simply our morals as members of a standard 21st century civilisation. These social norms have become a staple in our everyday lives, but why?

Our regular interactions are bounded by numerous rules that we truly have no explanation for. Some believe that these ideas came to be by the need for the public to mimic the actions of prominent figures.

Whether it’s greeting someone or yelling a salutation, it is believed to have been a result of “pathos”.

This column aims to discuss the complex ideas behind our morals, while questioning the ethics of our actions in different situations. Moral dilemmas are constantly faced by

humans, but the way we understand them must evolve as our mindsets do.

Welcome to the perspectives of the righteous mind, a comment on how human interactions and civil situations impact our thought processes, what would be the best choice in a situation that poses you with an array of options? Why do we “prefer” one thing over the other? As we rewind back to the history of morals and ethics, we look back at the creation of cultures, customs and traditions. Morals may have an arbitrary meaning in international communities, but the truth is that they differ vastly between different cultures.

Moral dilemmas are situations in which the decision-maker must consider two or more moral values

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or duties but can only honour one of them, one common example of a moral and social dilemma is choosing to go out with your friends over missing an important family gathering. Regardless of our moral conscious, which suggests that we attend the gathering as family must be valued over all, Our fear of missing out (FOMO) tends to direct our moral intuition towards going out with friends. What would be the right choice in this situation? These decisions are often mediated and heavily thought out, we

automatically weigh the pros and cons, yet our intuition always seems to overpower any previous moral boundaries or principals we followed.

While this discussion could continue for several pages, intuition may tell me, the author to stop writing right at this moment. These decisions are mysteriously answered, how do we manage to solve these everyday dilemmas with such agility? That’s what this new column is here to answer. Welcome to The Philosophies of a Righteous Mind!

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My name is Martin Georgiev and I have been a student at The Winchester School for the past seven years. Currently I am in 10C. This column aims to enable students to experiment and try new ideas, thus giving their creativity a chance to bloom and to encourage the process and the experience of thinking and enhancing one’s personality.

The need to explore art activities is important as it ensures better emotional development. Nobody can argue that art can help students relax after their long hours of studying hard. This year we will focus on art & mindfulness.

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Hi, I’m Gareth Andrade, a 12-year-old student in Year 8, and I’m an advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals. As the Environment Coordinator for Year 8, I am passionate about conserving the planet and saving animals from consuming waste, thus I frequently volunteer towards beach clean-ups. I am a conscious eco-warrior at home, at school and for the community. I am also the founder of the “Balloons Blow, Don’t Let Them Go” campaign in Dubai, which was initiated in November 2018. Since then, I have collected thousands of pledges for my campaign.

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The Green Guide World Bird Migratory Day

World Migratory Bird Day is an awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It aims to draw attention to the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

Birds that pass through the UAE in the thousands include almost all species of small and big-sized waders, such as plovers, stints, snipes, sandpipers, godwits, curlews, whimbrels, turnstones, ruffs, and all species of gulls barring the Sooty Gull, ducks, teals, Great Cormorant, terns, and flamingos.

Despite coastal development throughout the Gulf, UAE’s protection measures combined with awareness measures such as World Migratory Bird Day are helping to offset myriad threats to flocks ranging from water pollution, habitat loss, power lines, hunting, and harvesting.

What disrupts birds migration?

Artificial light at night can disrupt bird migration in a variety of ways, including disorienting birds from their routes and causing collisions with buildings, resulting in millions of bird fatalities each year.

Why do birds migrate?

Birds migrate to move from areas of low or decreasing resources to areas of high or increasing resources. The two primary resources being sought are food and nesting locations. As winter approaches and the availability of insects and other food drops, the birds move south again.

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Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the junction of the E44 (Al Khail Road/Ras Al Khor Road) and the E66 (Dubai – Al Ain Road).

This nature preservation area with mangroves & lagoons is home to a large population of flamingos.

Extensive conservation measures to protect one of Dubai’s most well-known bird areas, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, is a good example of responsible environmental stewardship by UAE government officials committed to helping migrating flocks.

Over the years, covered public viewing areas known as blinds or hides have been constructed in the Ras Al Khor watershed to witness with minimal interference migrating birds in the thousands such as the Greater Flamingo, the elegant pink birds which blanket the creekside marsh as part of their many hops every year.

The sanctuary is protected and is recognised as one of 19 important bird areas in the UAE under the Ramsar Convention, signed by the UAE in 2007, a global intergovernmental treaty.

One of the best places and most easily accessible places of the UAE is the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. During autumn and spring passage migration time, it is not unlikely to see nearly 10,000 waders roosting here. The Abu Dhabi coast and some islands supports over 100,000 birds at a time during summer migration.

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Watch this video to know more: https://youtu.be/uWcGXkqf8Hk Click on this link to donate: https://bit.ly/rise-to-feed

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THE POET’S CORNER

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THE POET’S CORNER

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Hi, my name is Felan Thakkar, and I’m in Year 5. In this column, I’ll be sharing some delicious and scrumptious recipes.

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By Sakshi & Aabid, Year 11 Starting next month, watch this space for Heart 2 Hold, an initiative by Sakshi Shiv and Aabid of Year 11. Heart 2 Hold comprises of digital comic strips which address mental health topics, turning stigmas into comics and drawings.

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Artwork by Ashpreet Rekhi, Year 8

Dubai Fitness 30x30 Challenge is an annual celebration of fitness and wellness and helps create a fitness-focused mindset and inspires us all to seek healthy, active lifestyles. Back for its fifth anniversary year, the challenge will run from 29 October to 27 November. To know more about the challenge, visit www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com