The Drum Issue 07

THE DRUM @WOODFORD

Issue 07, August 4 2023

Middle School Camp

By: LangYing Zhu and Idamali Wickham

Woodford International School

Hello Again!

The Drum is back for the 3rd term of the school year! We’ve had some setbacks but are very glad to give you our first issue for term 3. We would also like to announce that we have some new members that have joined The Drum! You just might spot some names of our new recruits in this brand new issue from The Drum.

excitement as eager students prepared to embark on a thrilling educational journey during the much-anticipated "Week Without Walls" program. This year's destination was none other than the picturesque Betikama Campsite, where students would experience nature, teambuilding activities, and immerse themselves in a myriad of learning opportunities.

For three days, 19th to the 21st of July, the students would leave behind the confines of their classrooms and textbooks and venture into the great outdoors.

The Week Without Walls initiative is part of the school's commitment to providing holistic and experiential learning, fostering personal growth, and encouraging students to develop essential life skills beyond the academic realm.

When they arrived, all classes had claimed their own areas to set up their tents. After that they did some team activities and prepared for the motu. An interview with one of the teachers, Ms Shain, was done and she said “ we did, on the first day, team building activities, I even forgot what we did, oh we did the water slide and team building games where the people there organized it.” She also claims that it was one of the most enjoyable camps she’s had.

Photos of the camp were presented during our recent assembly assembly and it looked very enjoyable. On the first day, they even prepared Motu, different groups shared tasks and ended up with a delicious dinner for all. Cooking skills are essential in life.

The rain had caused a bit of a panic that same night, making them rush to reset their sleeping areas to avoid getting drenched in water, but it was still fun. A little rain was no big problem, it had become a part of the learning process. Year eight teacher, Ms Shain has stated that “we should get waterproof tents next time.” so they are more prepared for whatever the weather has installed for them.

The program was carefully organized to promote teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.

Middle School Camp (continued)

Additionally, this camping trip also provided opportunities for cultural exchange with the local community. The year six students had the chance to interact with local schools, helping to repaint the schools’ exterior. The year sevens’ had gone to read to the students of Palm drive and joined them for some fun activities. And finally, the year eights’ also went to visit a Chocolate factory and viewed the process of chocolate making, even given the chance to taste it, but according to them it was “very bitter.” Besides the community service activities, the program allowed students to cook by themselves out of their comfort zones, finding ways to work together in more efficient ways and coming up with successful outcomes.

On the second night, a large six-foot tall bonfire was lit, students and teachers alike were seated around it. Marshmallows were toasted, stories were told and the night was joyful.

Secondary Principal Alex Haro expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating, "Week Without Walls is an integral part of our educational philosophy. It fosters a sense of camaraderie and resilience among our students. The experiences gained during this adventure will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on their character, shaping them into well-rounded individuals."

The Week Without Walls initiative aligns with Woodford's commitment to holistic education, ensuring that students are prepared not only for academic excellence but also for their roles as globally ready learners that are daring to dream. Such programs help in developing empathy, adaptability, open-mindedness and other skills, essential traits for thriving in today's interconnected world. As the sun began to reach its peak on the final day of the program, the students returned to woodford, exhausted but delighted. They had experienced great change, adopting more experience and skills during their camp.

The Week Without Walls at Betikama Campsite proved to be a noteworthy success, leaving an unforgettable impression on the students. The memories and lessons from their adventure proves that education extends far beyond the walls of a classroom.

Some Solomon Islands Facts

The world’s largest raised coral atoll is East Rennell in the Solomon Islands.

Lake Tegano, once a lagoon, is the largest lake in the South Pacific.

There are around 120 different dialects spoken throughout the Solomon Islands.

Kavachi is an underwater volcano that is situated in the Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands were named after King Solomon de Mendana, the nephew of the Governor of Peru. There are over 1,000 islands that make up the country.

The islands were first inhabited by tribal peoples as early as 1000 BC.

By: Tashli Toito’ona

Lately there have been ongoing disagreements concerning wages within the American film industry, resulting in members of the SAGAFTRA (Screen Actors Guild –American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and WGA (Writers Guild Association) going on strike, WGA on May 2 nd and SAGAFTRA on July 14th 2023.

The Writers Guild Association is a labour union that represents 11,500 writers in the industry. The WGA began their strike on May 2nd after failing to reach an agreement with AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) regarding wages, working conditions, streaming royalties, and threats posed by the recent development of Artificial Intelligence that has the potential to replace actual writers.

SAG-AFTRA is a labour union that represents around 160,000 professionals in the entertainment and media industry.

On July 13th SAG-AFTRA leaders called for a strike after failing to meet their agreement with AMPTP on June 30th (previous expiration date) and July 12th (extension). On July 14th the actors joined the picket lines.

Russia Raises Conscription Age Limit

As a result of the strikes, a few films and TV shows have shut down:

● Deadpool 3 starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman

● Gladiator 2 starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington

The strike has also caused chaos during movie premieres as the actors/actresses of the newly released ‘Oppenheimer’ walked out of their London premier in support of the strike.

On the bright side, other A-list actors and actresses such as Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Paul Rudd are allowed to continue filming during the strike.

The two unions are currently negotiating with AMPTP to come up with agreeable terms that would benefit all parties.

More updates and recent developments on the Hollywood strike can be found online on other news websites.

The Russian government has passed a bill that will increase the limit on the age of conscripts from 27 to 30. This increase is expected to add more than 2 million more troops to the Russian military as well as preventing more people from fleeing the country.

Mysterious Lost City Found

Deep in the Campeche jungle on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula latest laser scans have revealed an ancient Mayan city which looks to have been abandoned more than 1000 years ago. This city dubbed ‘Ocomtum’ Has been reported to have some strange features like what seems to be a Ball game field, a marketplace and odd architectural features.

The Kennedy’s connection to the Solomons

Just a few days ago marked the 80th year since John F. Kennedy (JFK) was rescued by Solomon Islanders during WWII after his boat sank; he was rescued by two Solomon Islanders called Eroni Kumana and Biuku Gasa. Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, along with her son Jack, visited the areas that JFK survived; honoring the struggles he endured during WWII. Caroline Kennedy also met the children of the Solomon Islanders who saved JFKs life.

Caroline Kennedy said that reminiscing about the islands gave her a appreciation of the heroism of her father and his crew, and the Solomon Scouts.

At the 54th minute of the match, Messi stepped onto the field and showcased his talent with an impressive free-kick goal in the 94th minute, securing a victory for the team. He continued to impress by scoring two more goals during his second game with Inter Miami against Atlanta United on the 26th of July, leading the team to a triumphant 4-0 win.

Solomon Artist Bibao upcoming Fiji Tour

Messi’s debut in

Lionel Messi, the Argentinian soccer world star, was officially confirmed to from Paris St. Germain (PSG) to Inter Miami CF on the 15th of July. He made his debut on the team on the 21st of July in the USA Major League Soccer (MLS) match between Inter Miami CF and Cruz Azul. Messi entered Lockhart Stadium in Florida, USA, receiving a warm welcome from fans and several familiar faces among viewers such as LeBron James, David Beckham, Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian and popular social media influencer IShowSpeed.

At the 54th minute of the match, Messi stepped onto the field and showcased his talent with an impressive free-kick goal in the 94th minute, securing a victory for the team. He continued to impress by scoring two more goals during his second game with Inter Miami against Atlanta United on the 26th of July, leading the team to a triumphant 4-0 win. You can also check out yesterday's recent highlights for their match against Orlando City.

Lionel Messi continues to satisfy both the players and fans, definitely bringing up the hype in the USAs Major Soccer League. His swift adjustment to the team has left viewers eager to witness his next play.

He expressed his excitement and gratitude towards his Fiji fans for driving him to this opportunity. Bibao gained fame with his hit songs ‘Your Body’ and ‘Waigo’, featuring Lonna. The Fiji Tour is organized by Pacific Vibing, responsible for arranging artist tours in the Pacific.

Bibao will perform in Nadi, Suva, Lautoka, and Sigatoka, with more locations to be confirmed. He sees this as a chance to represent Solomon Islands and entertain his loyal Fiji supporters while gaining exposure and reaching new followers. Bibao’s music video for ‘Waigo’ was released on YouTube and other platforms. The Fiji Tour is expected to conclude on August 3rd.

For more WIS student news, check us out online:

www.wis.edu.sb/thedrum

Solomon Islands hip-hop artist Lester Bibao Kisina, known as Bibao, is king on his first-ever tour of Fiji.