The Castle Autumn 2023

WELCOME BACK Welcome to the Autumn 2023 edition of 'The Castle'.

EDITOR'S LETTER

Dear Reigatians, Welcome to the Christmas edition of RGS’ ‘The Castle’. With articles ranging from the horror genre to climate change, and even Christmas, we can confidently say that there’s something in here for everyone! Our team of writers have been busy creating articles, sudokus and fashion tips, alongside some insightful pieces of writing!

As we approach the end of the year, it's important to reflect on what has been an extremely eventful, yet exciting term. The magazine offers an opportunity to keep up to date with what is happening in school and the wider world, whilst busy preparing for mocks or whatever else the spring term will bring. We are proud to welcome all the new students who have settled in so quickly and look forward to moving into 2024 with our amazing community of Reigatians.

We truly hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and takes the time to rest before another exciting term ahead. As for anyone who would like to participate in writing for the magazine next year, we would welcome and appreciate all contributions.

Merry Christmas!

- Annie and Ruth

04 OPINION PIECES 16 FILM 26 RAISING AWARENESS 31 SPACE 35 NEWS TRIVIA 36 SCHOOL NEWS

HELLO I S S U E

07 44 FILM REVIEWS 49 FESTIVE FEATURES 58 FESTIVE PUZZLES 59 CHRISTMAS BAKES 62 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

AUTUMN

2023

ARE GHOST WRITERS FRAUDS?

BY MITHU M

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THAT THE GLOBAL FASTESTSELLING NOVEL OF 2023 SO FAR WAS NOT WRITTEN BY THE AUTHOR THAT IS PRINTED IN GOLD ON THE FRONT? OR THAT THE FASTEST-SELLING DEBUT NOVEL IN THE UK WASN’T EITHER? WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THEY WERE ALL GHOSTWRITTEN?

If you are unfamiliar with the term ‘ghost-writer’, it is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “a person hired to write literary or journalistic works, speeches, or other texts that are putatively credited to another person as the author”. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in celebrities releasing books that they claim are their work... only to face major backlash after consumers find out these claims are false, and it was in fact a different person behind the scenes doing all the hard work for them. Now on a surface level, this seems to scream out as being morally wrong but how much do we really know about the issue? Are these ghost-writers being misled or do they know exactly what they are getting into? And most importantly, is it the consumer or the writer being deceived the most?

Recently, famous actress Millie Bobbie Brown (best known for her role as Eleven in the hit TV series ‘Stranger Things’) released her debut novel called ‘Nineteen Steps’. This novel, offering an account of Brown’s family’s World War II experiences, quickly rose to the best-seller charts and sold 80,000 copies in just the first week.

However, speculation arose that she indeed did not write her own books, and the actress was met with a bombardment of confusion on her social media platforms where she was promoting the book.

Of course, die-hard Brown fans fought back claiming the ghost writer (Kathleen McGurl) was still credited throughout the whole process.

Furthermore, the premise and the plot of the story were all Millie’s ideas, McGurl simply brought all those ideas and wrote it to life after having long in-depth conversations with the actress. So, is that enough? A few Facetimes and Zoom calls for Millie Bobbie Brown’s name to be written in bold capital letters front and centre of the book while Kathleen McGurl’s name is hidden in small inscribed black ink on the inside page. Many people would say it is a huge injustice that Millie Bobby Brown can claim this work as her own, go on lengthy book signing tours, and host a London show whilst having not actually written a word!

However, the flip side of the argument is whether people would even buy this book if it wasn’t for Millie Bobby Brown’s name. With her huge fanbase, it is highly likely that people only bought this particular book to be supportive of her... because they are her fans. Without her, the book might not have even been published, let alone mass-produced!

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to ghostwriting. A lot of people seem to view it as the celebrity simply stealing someone’s ideas and work and publishing it as their own. However, these ghost-writers have applied to do the job, have accepted the job, and are then paid to do the job. When they sign contracts with huge names like Millie Bobby Brown or Zoella they know they won’t be credited, and they know it will sell simply because of the huge fanbases of these celebrities. Essentially, the ghost-writers do this out of their own free will and are not being exploited or tricked. Ghost-writers can also make a name for themselves which can lead to bigger and better projects.

Yet, one has to consider that although ghost writing may not be exploitive to the ghost-writers themselves, what about the fans? By not being upfront and honest, fans are seemingly being hugely misled by celebrity books, leaving some fans even feeling betrayed. One such scandal that comes to mind is YouTube sensation Zoella, when she wrote her debut novel ‘Girl Online’.

Her debut novel became the fastest-selling novel in the UK and fans went for months under the impression it was written by her. The novel was met with much praise and even got green-lighted for a sequel and then a series! Nonetheless, when it was revealed (not by Zoella herself!) that somebody else had written the novel, her career went to shambles. This was her very first scandal and fans were understandably upset; she was being called a ‘liar’ and a ‘traitor’ and she quickly took to her platform to issue them with an apology. This was one of the first times a celebrity had been caught ghost-writing. Was the hate blown out of proportion? Perhaps, but fans were clearly deceived and exploited. This incident has interestingly made other celebrities own up and be more open about ghost writing and label it as a “collaborative” experience. Ultimately, if the ghost-writer isn’t mentioned, it can be seen as deceitful and exploitive, but if they are there’s a high likelihood celebrities can get away with it.

Honesty is the best policy.

Interestingly, celebrities get negative feedback when it comes to writing books but when it comes to releasing cosmetics or perfumes nothing is said. Let’s be honest - it most likely isn’t the celebrities in the labs creating the cosmetics but instead a professional chemist. So surely the same principles should apply to fiction, right?

Again, to use Millie Bobby Brown as an example when she released her cosmetics brand ‘Florence

by Mills’ it didn’t get nearly as much of a poor reception as her book did. So is it because fiction feels like we are getting into the heads of our favourite celebrities and cosmetics are less intimate? Or, is it because people might view these books as taking away opportunities from up-and-coming authors? Overall, I think science and arts both require a great amount of creativity and would agree that they both should be treated the same way and that celebrities are not frauds in both instances.

Fundamentally, I don’t think authors are frauds for using ghost writers - as long as fans are aware.

Ultimately, no one is being exploited in either party. I think the media portrays ghost writing as immoral and lazy, but it is fully consensual, and I think it does good for the industry.

December, 2023

THE INSUFFICIENCY OF

Vol. 07

NHS DENTISTS

BY JINHEE H From long waiting times to limited appointment availability, the National Health Service (NHS) has a recurring issue: the lack of NHS dentists.

Have you ever experienced an appointment being delayed and postponed when trying to schedule necessary dental treatment?

Unfortunately this is a common occurrence. It is evident that there are countless delays in undergoing routine dental work due to the lack of NHS dentists which conclusively means that there are relatively simple and low-cost procedures that are transforming into a more complex, invasive and expensive work. In a recent BBC article (14th July 2023), 9 in 10 NHS dental practices across the UK were not accepting new adult patients. This resulted in people travelling long distances to try to seek an NHS dentist (with no guarantee of receiving immediate treatment).

9 IN 10 NHS DENTAL PRACTICES ARE NOT ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS THE DIY DENTISTS The phrase 'DIY dentist' sounds rather light-hearted. However, it is in fact the root of newly emerging problems. Like an odd form of craft activity, the public who have not been able to make appointments due to the insufficiency of NHS dentists have been taking matters into their own hands and attempting to perform dental care procedures themselves. This has even involved using dental care equipment without professional guidance which has led to serious consequences such as deeply rooted damage to gums and oral structures.

Feature by Jinhee H

ARE NHS DENTISTS

AT A CRISIS POINT? REFORMS TO ENCOURAGE NHS DENTISTS Since 2022, the government has been investing more than £3 billion to improve the availability of NHS dentistry and encourage more dentists to offer NHS treatments.

Fortunately, there are multiple reforms taking place that are inevitably improving the situation, such as an increase in financial aid for practices that choose to take on high-need patients, to updating the NHS website every 90 days so patients can see which practices are accepting new patients.

Indisputably, these reforms will have a positive impact.

Already, according to the gov.uk report, 18.1 million adults were seen by an NHS dentist in the 24 months up to 30th June 2023, which is an increase of 1.7 million (10%) when compared to the previous year.

FINAL THOUGHTS: In conclusion, although there is evident progress in stopping the problems that follow having a lack of dentists, the problem still exists and local authorities need to act now to prevent more of their constituents from taking matters into their own hands.

Everyone should keep the DIY to wall cavities and not dental ones!

Feature by Jinhee H

CATASTROPHIC FLOODING IN LIBYA

On the 10th of September 2023, a strong Mediterranean cyclone, notoriously known as ‘Storm Daniel’, hit Libya, causing severe and deadly weather conditions such as intense winds and sudden heavy rainfall. These torrential conditions sadly led to the deaths of over 4000 people with 10000 missing, out of a local population of 90000.

Now, the entire eastern area of Libya lies in shreds: families have been torn apart, homes completely washed away, and survivors are furious with the authorities’ insufficient attempts to save them. Who or what is to blame for the high number of casualties: is it Storm Daniel or Libya’s rivalling leaders?

A FEATURE BY EVIE W

Within 24 hours, 400mm of precipitation fell upon Libya.

Due to the unexpected nature of this (Libya’s average monthly rainfall is 1.5mm), there were few precautions in place to protect the area. This shocking amount of rainfall completely exceeded any record and caught the entire population off guard, leaving them vulnerable and helpless to this terrifying force of nature. Storms of this intensity have struck before, on average, between 300 to 600 years apart. However, what distinguished this storm from the rest was that it flooded the entirety of the city of Derna. Two major dams were built on the river but as the water level rose, these dams burst, not strong or sustained enough to hold back the substantial amount of rain.

As they burst, they released a huge torrent of water upon the city of Derna, which has notably been compared to a tsunami in appearance and effect. Completely sweeping away the surrounding area, this colossal wave was described by survivors as catastrophic.

Ultimately, the core cause of the devastating floods of September was nature’s destructive force, even if that force has been amplified by human activity on Earth. However, it is now evident that mismanagement by the authorities of the area led to an increased death toll with many casualties that should have been prevented. A likely reason for this incapability in such a crisis is the situation of the two rivalling authorities in Libya, who have been battling against each other in a civil war since the fall of previous, long-term leader, Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Libya has been divided between a UNbacked government in the capital and that of a military strongman, General Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar rules over the Eastern part of the country, including Derna, but is not trusted nor favoured by the majority. Following the catastrophic flooding, the Libyan authorities have been thrown many accusations by survivors which have more recently escalated into protests, resulting in the resignation of the local mayor of Derna and the burning of his home.

One of the main criticisms is the fact that the condition of the dams was substandard, as their incapacity to uphold the flood on the river led to such catastrophic flooding and a horrific number of deaths. These dams had not been maintained since 2002 and had been found to hold cracks and fissures even before the event, thus were unlikely to withstand the high-water levels.

Moreover, it is suggested that the authorities were aware of this risk, due to previously recorded studies and reports by local and international entities. Yet, they did not prioritise the maintenance work needed, despite the widespread knowledge of climate change and the risks it poses, like Storm Daniel. It is also suggested that the dams were too small anyway, being only 70m tall, and were not correctly built in the first place. Additionally, the upper dam had a higher storage capacity than the lower one, meaning that after the collapse of the first dam, the remaining barrier between the high river and the ocean was to fight an impossible battle and was destined to fail to retain the water, even if it was not in disrepair.

This shows that not only were the dams poorly built and maintained, but they were also poorly designed as well. Evidently, authorities took little care of the safety of both the dams and the people who lived around them. In response to these allegations, the Western government of Libya has claimed that they have arrested 16 officials who were responsible for managing the dams, yet it remains unclear whether this is true.

Other accusations include the failure of evacuation during the disaster: the state of conflict between the two governments may be responsible for the inadequate evacuation efforts surrounding the flooding. Ahead of the storm, various groups in authority held meetings that generally resulted in evacuation plans in the coastal and low-lying areas of the East.

However, the BBC collected reports from locals which stated that the plan focused on the wrong part of the city. Furthermore, the warnings did not reach the people who needed to hear them most and some people were told that they should evacuate but no sufficient shelter was provided.

Finally, there were various conflicting orders and curfews from different organisations: for example, a stay-at-home order was given to everyone outside the coastal area (including residents of Derna who were worst affected). The latter particularly implies that a lack of unity between governments resulted in dangerous confusion, with no clear rules about what to do. Had there been a clear, organised, and widely shared plan, many lives could have been spared.

The delay of emergency services after the tsunami-like wave, caused by the collapse of the dams, has also been largely criticised. Despite united calls for aid from the remaining population of the East, Haftar – the head of the Eastern government – denied anyone permission to the area unless he explicitly allowed them in, as part of security measures. Consequently, this prevented thousands of survivors from accessing much-needed help. The Libyan Red Crescent was the only agency granted access to the devastated area in the early days of the crisis because Hafter claimed that he trusted their work only. However, the crisis was so large that this one organisation found it impossible to reach enough people. “We need all the help we can get,” said one aid worker. It was also claimed that the security forces had been hindering access to vital aid supplies from the UN-backed government by instead looking over-cautiously for smuggled weapons. The motivation behind this denial of assistance to Libya’s people remains unclear, although it is suspected by some that Haftar is still punishing the area for preventing his rise to power before 2018 when Islamists had resisted his forces for 3 years previously. Derna was left for days with no food, clean water, or medical supplies and, whilst the number of lives taken by the flooding due to this delay in sufficient aid is impossible to tell, it is without a doubt that the death toll continued to increase unnecessarily during this period, all because of their leader’s inadequacy.

Undoubtedly, Storm Daniel is to blame for the unprecedented rainfall of September which caused widespread flooding, particularly of the Wadi Derna River. However, I believe that it was the mismanagement of both the dams and the response to the disaster by the authorities, which turned a natural disaster into a humanitarian catastrophe.

A FEATURE BY EVIE W

Is Traditional TV Dying A Slow Death?

By Kavya P

Historic channels which are well loved Reliable news coverage Weekend sports coverage Great weekend evening shows such as Ant and Dec and Strictly Christmas schedule

Pros Cons

Lots of the programmes are rerun (already shown before) Fixed time schedule You can’t pick what you want to watch Daytime TV can be boring Too many adverts

What is Traditional TV? Traditional TV is made up of all our classic, original channels such as BBC Channels, Channel 4, and ITV1. Over the last few years, TV apps such as Netflix, YouTube, and many more have developed dramatically; this means that lots of people choose to watch these rather than terrestrial TV. ‘Only the BBC gives such great coverage of all and royal affairs,’ says Mrs Scaglione.

TV Licences: TV licences are required to watch traditional TV and if you don’t have one, you can’t watch it. TV licences cost £159 for colour TV and £53.50 for black and white TV. TV licences are 1 per family. If you don’t have a TV licence you could be fined, and this might be one of the reasons lots of people refrain from watching traditional television.

Why some people prefer Netflix: There are currently 247.2 million Netflix users in the world. Netflix has grown a lot in the past few years because it offers a lot more freedom as to what you want to watch. Many also benefit as several people can enjoy the same account, which saves money. All the movies and programmes are up to date and renewed consistently. On Netflix, you can watch all the shows wherever you want at any time. Netflix often comes in a package deal rather than just Netflix, which also increases cost efficiency.

Traditional TV might die a Slow Death: Traditional TV might still be here for a bit since the older generations still watch it. However, our generation doesn’t have much need for terrestrial TV so in the future it may potentially die. I think that major apps like Netflix may eventually take over the terrestrial TV.

ISSUE 7. AUTUMN 2023

HOW IS SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTING YOU? AN OPINION PIECE

By Neha K WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, BeReal, YouTube, Facebook: social media is certainly a key aspect in our day to day lives, whether it be checking messages from friends or learning how to cook a recipe you’ve been longing to try. Social media is now part of the fabric of teenage culture.

Research shows that 90% of teens from ages 13-17 have used one social media platform or another. It is perfectly normal for us to want to connect with our peers and escape from reality a little. However, the question has to be asked: what classifies as too much time online, to the point where it is unhealthy?

I am sure you are aware that social media has multiple flaws, but I want to make it known how gravely you may have been affected by social media and introduce ways in which you can live a more productive and even healthy life.

Distraction One of the primary reasons why social media can be so distracting is that it is specifically designed to be addictive! Aimed at our generation specifically, its goal is to capture our attention and keep users engaged for as long as possible, resulting in endless procrastination and a lack of awareness of the real world around us.

In fact, social media has succeeded in its goal, as a quantifiable online survey was undertaken and reveals

SLEEP DISTRUPTION

that there are two main reasons for social media

How many of you would admit to taking out your phone

distraction:

and scrolling through social media before falling asleep?

-The desire to constantly stay connected and be

For lots of people, young and old, it is now the norm to

available;

sleep with your mobile phone in your bedroom. The sky

-The feeling of not wanting to pursue a certain task and

darkening and natural light levels decreasing is the

welcoming the distraction.

signal for our bodies to wind down and produce a

On top of this, for our generation, there is a heavy fear

hormone called melatonin, helping us prepare for sleep.

of missing out (FOMO) and wanting to constantly stay

However, if we continue playing on our phones along

up to date with what is going on around us. If

with social media, the blue light emitted impacts our

unfulfilled, this desire can spiral into panic. Many

melatonin levels and signals to our brain that is daylight.

young people have described the anxiety felt when

Without melatonin signalling to us that we are tired, our

friends and family are having an enjoyable time

bodies remain awake in a state of ‘cognitive arousal.’

without us. If not managed properly, this can manifest

When you then do eventually fall asleep, once you wake

in ways such as stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.

up, it is extremely common to feel unrefreshed and tired,

SO, HOW CAN YOU LIMIT YOUR DISTRACTIONS AND MAKE BETTER USE OF YOUR TIME? Firstly, and most obviously, close the app. Easy! This may seem too good to be true, but I can assure you that once the social media app is out of sight, it really is out of mind. Your desire to go on it once more will decrease and you will feel more inclined to stop procrastinating and continue with whatever task is at hand.

Another strategy is to set a time limit in the settings on your phone or regularly check your screen time as this allows you to have more control of your daily social media dosage. The data collected by your phone can record the minutes, the hours, the days and even the weeks you spend on your phone giving you a realistic insight into how you spend your downtime. Many people are shocked to be confronted with the reality of their social media consumption.

as if you never went to sleep at all!

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS, ENSURING WE AWAKE ALERT AND REFRESHED? -If possible, keep your phone out of your sight at night.

Perhaps leave it outside of your bedroom. If this is a step too far for you, leave it on the opposite side of the room!

-Keep your phone turned off, put it on aeroplane mode or silenced. This is vital, as once our sleep has been interrupted by some sort of notification, we often remain awake thinking about it and waiting for further

A 2019 study of more than 450 teens found that the

messages, hence leading to a broken and fragmented

greater the use of social media, the more negative the

sleep.

person's emotional wellbeing was. Constantly comparing yourself to others can lead to low self-esteem and even a negative body image from media-manipulated images. If a person’s sense of worth can only be gained from social media (whether it be likes, comments, or shares) it could diminish their self-confidence as they are relying too heavily on others for validation.

OUT OF TOUCH AND FEELING PEER PRESSURE

Human beings require face-to-face contact to remain

Nowadays, excessive users of social media find they

make you feel happier. Ironically, a device that is

form an unrealistic idea of the real world due to the

designed to bring people closer together is capable of

version of reality that has been represented to them

promoting loneliness and causing people to prioritise

online. Too many social media users fall into the trap of

social media interactions over in-person relationships.

healthy and trigger the hormones that lift stress and

forgetting that the world displayed online is a highly styled and edited version of reality- more like TV than

Many of us use social media as a “security blanket” and

real life. This leads to unrealistic expectations being set

whenever we feel we are in an awkward situation, we

and increased risk of mental health issues, such as social

tend to turn to our phones and this only worsens the

anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

situation, causing us to deny face-to-face interaction.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I certainly do not want to downplay the benefits of social media as I am highly aware of the large positive impact social media has had on many lives, creating various communities and opportunities to interact with friends and family who live around the world. However, we need to acknowledge the dangers and ensure social media is a safe place for everyone!

Opinion Piece by Alex C

The horror genre is a controversial topic that has divided viewers for decades. Many feel discomfort towards the idea of gaining enjoyment from gore or pain, and therefore calls for the horror genre to be removed from viewing sites like Netflix and Amazon have been made.

So why do people watch horror? The main reason is likely to be for the thrill. Yet lots of people steer clear of horror films due to the adrenaline caused by the various jump scares and the constant feeling of fear created throughout. However, recent studies have shown that this adrenaline can actually be good for you. As humans our day-to-day lives are stressful, meaning adrenaline is bound to cause discomfort throughout the day, which can later lead to anxiety and depression as this stress can become overwhelming. This means that finding adrenaline through outside mediums like watching a scary film can help the viewer dissociate the stress they have accumulated in everyday life and direct the response to a genuine source.

Can the adrenaline you feel watching horror films actually be good for you?

This offers viewers a chance to be in control of their adrenaline levels and even learn to embrace and enjoy the feeling in the same way as people do with rollercoasters: by building resilience and aligning the feeling with a positive reaction rather than a negative one. Arguably, after a viewer has finished watching a horror film it can lead them to feel more confident in their ability to handle other anxiety-provoking situations.

Cynthia Vinney (PhD) stated, “because we don't encounter real-life threats as often as ancient humans, going to horror films can be a novel experience that lets us put our innate threat detection system to use. This not only makes horror movies more attention-grabbing for audiences, but it also allows them to experience things like the post-apocalypse, alien invasions, and the threat of an attacker in a safe environment”. Whilst some people enjoy horror movies to fulfil their morbid fascination with gore, most watch to seek the thrill factor. So, although it sounds strange, horror movies can actually help to lower stress levels as people can develop strategies to deal with the day-to-day adrenaline rush and thus, they should not be banned.

An argument against the genre is that it promotes violence. Films like ‘Scream’ and ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ certainly include graphic and gruesome details, which in many ways will repulse the watcher but that’s not to say it promotes the replication of these acts. The Greek Philosopher, Aristotle, defined this idea as “catharsis.” Such films help us to purge our aggressive emotions when we are confronted with the hideousness of them.

This is referred to as a kind of cleansing of the soul.

Horror movies also let us vicariously explore the nature of evil, both in others and in ourselves, and grapple with the darkest parts of humanity in a safe environment - which is sometimes needed for education. There is a subsection of horror (societal commentary horror) which includes films like ‘Antebellum’ which focuses on racism, ‘Mother!’ which discusses religion, and ‘The Purge’ which explores ideas of class. The films criticise and comment on society’s true horrors and can be analysed in the same way as books for the way they reflect the real world today through their plots. The creative license that writers have to make disturbing content allows the gruesome truths of society today to have their full impact.

Another reason why horror films shouldn’t be banned is due to the incredible acting they facilitate and showcase. The use of emotional extremes in horror films allows for unique and rare acting opportunities such as when a character is pushed to their limit - which often only happens through the medium of horror - it allows an actor’s full capabilities to be shown. In ‘Hereditary’, Toni Colette plays a grieving mother who lost her daughter in a terrible accident; the relationship between grief and horror melds beautifully into her performance, and many stated they were “baffled when she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar”.

Without the horror elements in this film, it is unlikely the acting would have resulted in something so impressive. Another film which readily supports this concept is ‘Midsommar’ where Florence Pugh’s performance was recognised around the globe as she was nominated for many awards.

Despite this strength, there are further issues that arise from the frightening films such as the demographic of the perspective audience. With the increase of accessible viewing platforms growing very quickly, there are extraordinarily few restrictions in place to limit the content children can view. Most horror films have a sensible age rating, suggesting viewing for those 15-18; however, some are strangely lower. Gothic films, thriller films, and even detective crime films have all been accused of being too frightening for the age rating. The rating of 12A for the film ‘The Woman in Black’ sparked outrage with parents in 2012, garnering 134 Ofcom complaints.

A similar story can be seen with the cartoon ‘Coraline’ based on Neil Gaiman’s novel, released in 2009 with a PG rating that many felt was far too disturbing for children. There is the argument that parents should be overseeing the content their children are viewing.

The introduction of ‘kids only’ options on Netflix and Disney keeps the horror sphere out of the eyeline of children, so those of age can continue to enjoy them.

However, occasionally even adverts for such films on live television can be too exposing for children. The watershed after 9pm allows more mature content to be played or advertised. After this point, it is no longer the channel’s responsibility to oversee what children are viewing. Whilst many think horror films should be allowed to be advertised on mainstream platforms, others believe that even after 9pm, there should be a warning before disturbing content is shown (which includes the age rating of the film) to prevent children from being scared.

Ultimately, I think frightening films are the most demonised out there. Halloween is a time for all-year-round horror lovers to bring their friends into the spooky realm of film that they enjoy, so next year, open your mind and explore the beauty of horror like you never have before!

Like the horror genre?

Check out these book recommendations .

AUTUMN ISSUE

2023

DISNEY LIVE-ACTION REMAKES OPINION PIECE BY CHLOE W

SNOW WHITE’S FALL FROM PRINCESS TO PEASANT Disney celebrated its 100th anniversary on 16th October 2023, and for over a century the company has been revolutionising the filmmaking industry, with its movies and cartoons.

Over 100 unique films exist, each telling a story that is celebrated among the population today. In fact, Walt Disney received 22 awards from 59 nominations, making him the most awarded person in history.

While the messages in these stories are believed by many to be empowering and inspiring, our modern society is beginning to recognise some of these as old-fashioned and sexist or racist.

As live-action movies are being created, some major changes are being made to our beloved fairytales and perhaps they are not for the best.

The live-action remake of the Disney classic, ‘Snow White’, is coming our way in the near future. Disney have published the release date to be the 22nd of March 2024.

Although this date is not particularly soon, Disney fans around the globe are already criticising the film for its various issues such as cast choice, changes to the storyline, and the portrayal of the key message which has been believed to be enforcing potentially harmful ideologies into the minds of young and impressionable children. Despite Disney’s appreciated attempt to create a feminist, modern, and inclusive rendition of this beloved fairytale, many have questioned whether it has ironically created the opposite.

Cast:

CAST CHOICES

The leading roles in the upcoming movie are being portrayed by:

The cast choices in this movie are certainly ambiguous, primarily due to Disney’s effort to make the film inclusive by scrapping the seven dwarves and instead depicting seven ‘politically correct magical creatures’.

However, vast amounts of criticism are now being thrown at Disney, as many believe that it is withholding work opportunities for people who are diagnosed with dwarfism in Hollywood, which is especially upsetting as aspiring actors with dwarfism will tend to struggle to find any jobs in the industry - let alone jobs with such a high profile as this.

Many argue that this decision is ignorant and lazy, and is ultimately abandoning the original intent of the remake: to promote inclusivity within classic Disney movies.

Thus, it is taking a step backwards and potentially even damaging Disney’s reputation, reducing it to the label of an increasingly prejudiced corporation.

- Rachel Zegler as Snow White - Gal Gadol as the Evil Queen - Andrew Burnap as Jonathon - Martin Glebba as Grumpy

Rachel Zeglar Furthermore, Disney’s decision to cast Rachel Zeglar as Snow White is viewed as controversial because of her past relationship with the movie.

She was reportedly ‘scared of the original cartoon’ and only watched it once. This has led people to question whether she was the right person for the role, as her opinions greatly contrast with those of other Disney stars, who have been mostly known to adore their characters from a very young age. Halle Bailey, who plays Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid’ liveaction remake, said in an interview with Glamour ‘I was around 5 years old when I first watched ‘The Little Mermaid’ and a lot of you will be shocked to know that my favourite Disney princess growing up: it was Ariel’.

PLASTIC

Significant Changes Previous live-action remakes like ‘The Little Mermaid’ have made only very subtle and faint alterations to the storyline in an effort to maintain and improve our favourite fairytales.

However, some of the changes being made to the ‘Snow White’ remake are beginning to seem drastic and perhaps unnecessary. Whilst the movie was made almost a century ago and clearly demonstrates some old-fashioned ideas, many people believe that the alterations being made are a step too far and are arguably ruining the fairytale.

One of the main changes being made to the film is the absence of a clear love story, as Snow White will not be intent on finding true love. In an interview with Variety, Rachel Zegler, when asked what she meant by bringing a modern edge to the movie, said ‘I just mean that it is no longer 1937, and we absolutely wrote a Snow White who is not going to be saved by the prince and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She is dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be’.

Ostensibly, she appears to be speaking from a feminist point of view about modernising the fairytale. However, she is also implying that in order for Snow White to follow and achieve her dreams, she can’t have true love. This builds on the dated idea that men can achieve both true love and their dreams, while women can only have one or the other. Historically women have found themselves in a trade-off between love and a career, and this movie makes no attempt to counteract this sexist idea, which is disappointing for a movie so heavily focused on feminism. Additionally, the main plot of the original story was never about love - that was just a subplot in a story about beauty, kindness, compassion, and overcoming evil. Snow White was such a sensation in 1937 because it was a unique story that separated itself from those before it that were so clearly focused on love and an everchanging romance. Therefore, these changes that are being made to modernise the movie can understandably be seen as destroying what originally made the fairytale so special.

PLASTIC

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM? This new and modern take on the fairytale is so controversial and distasteful for many because it counters feminist values whilst simultaneously shaming women who prefer more traditional roles. Moreover, the large and significant adjustments being made to the movie are creating a story so unlike the original that many Disney lovers are beginning to question why Disney didn’t opt to create a new story with entirely new characters. Many people across social media have criticized the film by saying that Disney should stop taking established stories and characters and completely altering them. Specifically in ‘Snow White’, the changes in the story are so drastic that the entirety of the plotline has almost been lost. Social media has had a huge effect on the reactions of many Disney fans, as its influencers hold so much power that they will undoubtedly impact the opinions of watchers. This will certainly lead to the film being further scrutinised in the future.

Overall, this Disney remake is disappointing people all over the world due to its contentious casting decisions and major plot alterations that are ruining a widely adored classic. Not only were some of the decisions lazy, but they can be seen to prove potentially how little Disney actually cares about changing its movies for the purpose of inclusivity and feminism.

Overall, it highlights Disney’s desperation to continue to be loved and to have its movies stay relevant in modern society.

‘Snow White’ is a beloved story that illustrates beauty, compassion, and climbing over obstacles; however, this new remake is telling the story of a girl so desperate to prove herself that she abandons true love.

ISSUE 6. SUMMER 2023

THE BARBIE MOVIE – SCREAMING SUCCESS OR

AN OPINION PIECE

By Evie W and Chloe W Released in cinemas on 21 July 2023, the Barbie Movie has captured the imaginations of people of all ages. As it explores the highs and lows of

FILTHY FAILURE FOR FEMININE IMAGE?

femininity in society, it divides opinions about the deeper meaning of the film and whether or not it has changed the female image for the better.

The movie also investigates the roles of men and women in the ‘Real World’ as well as Barbie Land. But is this for better or worse?

Film Overview: Starring the iconic duo of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as stereotypical Barbie and Ken, the film has been described as a mesmerising and modern masterpiece. With incredible cinematic effects, each scene captures both the eyes of the audience and the colourful, make-believe essence of the toy world.

When stereotypical Barbie has shocking experiences of thoughts about death and even flat feet (all incredibly frowned upon by the Barbie community!), she is told by Weird Barbie that she must travel to the real world to meet the unhappy girl who plays with her and right any wrongs she may have caused. However, when she reaches her destination with the confidence that she will be welcomed and praised for the positive influence she has had on women in society, she finds the world is not what she thought it was. Soon learning that all that Barbie ever did was make women feel bad about their bodies from a young age, Barbie proceeds to cry for the first time ever. Is this what it feels like to be a woman?

In a race to make life normal again, Barbie and Ken fight Mattel workers, learn vital lessons from teenagers, and even come to tears over an old woman’s imperfect yet self-assured beauty. Each taking their own interpretations from these experiences, they go their separate ways in order to achieve their personal goals, before coming back together for a heartfelt finale. Full of exciting twists and heart-wrenching realisations, the Barbie movie certainly conveys some very powerful messages about our society today.

How does Barbie impact feminine image positively?

Whilst Margot Robbie undoubtedly does a magnificent job at portraying stereotypical Barbie (whatever negative impacts that may have on female body image), the movie also depicts a range of inclusive Barbies such as plus-sized Barbie, Diplomat Barbie, Scientist Barbie, President Barbie and Barbie in a wheelchair.

At the beginning of the film, the narrator says ‘Because Barbie can be anything, girls can be anything’. This highlights the impact that Barbie has had on young children for years, combined with the recent attempts to broaden the variety of types of Barbie available.

Moreover, each Barbie has a unique job in their community (some clear examples being stereotypical men’s roles) which are shown in one of the opening scenes, emphasising the feminist path of the film,

How does Barbie impact feminine image negatively?

something very close to the heart of the director –

One of the main protagonists in the movie is Weird

Greta Gerwig.

Barbie, who has been outcast from society for looking and acting differently from everyone else. This clearly

Another positive message that the movie shares about

depicts society’s tendency to under-represent and ignore

feminine image is that a woman’s ultimate goal in life is

those who are unique and different, particularly

not simply to find the ‘man of their dreams’. Barbie

emphasising ethnicity, hair type, body type, and

does not fall for Ken in the end. Instead, she tells him

personality. This may cause young children watching

that they are each their individual person and he needs

the film to become more insecure and feel as though

to find his true identity without her. This is an

they need to look and act a specific way in order to fit in.

important message that goes both ways – for men and

Moreover, most of the Barbies in a position of power or

for women. People can fulfil their lives to the greatest

with an important role in the movie have bodies envied

extent single or married; all that matters is that they

by other girls, again implying that girls need to be perfect

are true to their own, unique identity.

to

be

successful.

The

movie

arguably

does

an

underwhelming job of representing women who are impaired in some way or do not have an ideal body, therefore not fulfilling the suggested purpose of the movie.

How does Barbie outline the importance of a balance in society?

Despite being largely feminist, the movie does highlight the tipping point between patriarchy and matriarchy in society and the need for balance so that no gender feels unwanted and therefore power hungry. In the ‘Real World’, Ken is amazed at how respected he feels walking among crowds of people in the patriarchal society of the modern world. However, in the scene, Barbie feels threatened and targeted as she is cat-called by crowds of men. Moreover, she finds that the entire board of important, frontline Mattel workers are men. So much for inspiring and empowering women to take control of whatever jobs they wanted! This may have been intended to convey the different experiences men and women have in the modern world when doing things as simple as walking down a street. While men feel empowered and respected, women feel unsafe and intimidated. Ken’s experience of the Real World leads him to come home and lead a patriarchal presidency where he and all the other men have a lot of power. However, at the start of the film, the Barbies live in a very matriarchal civilization and don’t even know where the Kens sleep let alone what they want for the community! This is

Having considered some of the possible intentions of

the complete opposite of the Real World where Barbie

the Barbie Movie, we think that it is an improvement

feels she has no voice and is merely an object for men

upon previous Barbie representations seen in film,

to look at and judge – as the men are in Barbie Land.

games, media, and ultimately toys. However, we still

Although the movie highlights this flaw in society, it

feel that there is further to go to make Barbie wholly

also does well at raising awareness of the inequality in

beneficial to positive feminine image in society.

the world we take pride in.

We found that the use of characters such as Alan and Mitch played a strong role in conveying the point that not everyone is the same. There is only one of each and they are neither Barbie or Ken, which emphasises the final message of having and sticking to your own true identity. However, both these dolls are discontinued by Mattel, further proving that you have to be perfect and no different from anyone else to fit in with the Barbie community. Furthermore, we found that the movie totally excludes focus on anyone outside of the distinct male and female gender categories. It would be thought that, with the widely shared views of today’s public on the inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community, it would be a topic touched on during the movie.

HUMANITY’S EFFECT ON

by Alex VE THE WORLD Earth is full of natural wonders. Yet it sometimes feels as if humanity has taken over everything they can get their hands on.

Conquering every continent there is to conquer - it is never enough. It is endless, from skies full of aeroplane trails to the rubbish on our roads.

WE ARE DESTROYING OUR PLANET

EVERY. SINGLE. ONE OF US. EFFECT OF THE GOVERNMENT

Whilst the government has made some changes, such as creating wind power for electricity, more needs to be done. More money should go to helping fix the world that is slowly dying because of us. Every year, the Earth Summit is hosted, but those in charge never seem to do enough, and time is running out. Stars are disappearing from the night sky because of light pollution. There is a hole in the atmosphere. The list goes on...

EFFECT ON NATURE The idea that climate change is affecting the natural world is very upsetting, but it is the hard truth. The future ahead of us is going to be very dark if people do not do something about it. In Greece, there have been terrible wildfires, as well as in Australia, Italy, and Rome. Some people cannot even go outside because the atmosphere is too toxic. In Africa, poachers continue to murder rhinos for their horns, and they kill snakes just for their snakeskin. The animals are suffering because of us; some have even become extinct like the Tasmanian tiger, the Baiji, the Japanese sea lion, the West African black rhino, the Carolina parrot, and the Golden toad. I could go on.

EFFECT ON THE RAINFOREST The damage is done, but that does not mean we cannot do anything about it; we can fix the problem.

Close to 20 percent of the Amazon has been destroyed over the past fifty years, and some scientists say the tipping point, or the point at which the forest's tropical climate dries out, is between 20 and 25 percent deforestation. Unbelievably, more than 200,000 acres of rainforest are burned every day. That is more than 150 acres lost every minute of every day, and 78 million acres lost every year! More than 20 percent of the Amazon rainforest is already gone, and much more is severely threatened as the destruction continues.

SOMETHING MUST BE DONE EFFECT OF THE GREENHOUSE GASES

There are multiple factors to climate change, but one of the biggest problems is greenhouse gases. Where do greenhouse gases come from? Across the world, most of the emissions of anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse gases come primarily from burning fossil fuels— coal, natural gas, and petroleum—for energy use.

EFFECT ON THE OCEAN We know that climate change results in icebergs melting, but this in turn leads to shrimps dying and consequently there not being enough food for animals like crabs, sea urchins, starfish, sea birds, whales, sharks, and many more. One small reduction in a species such as shrimps interrupts the entire natural cycle. Icebergs and sea ice are white, which means they reflect heat out to space. Not only this but as the ocean and atmosphere become warmer, coral bleaching takes place, meaning other fish species die out, resulting in less food for every single species on planet Earth.

CONCLUSION

Many things we do have a knock-on effect on the climate. We need to do everything we can to help - everything makes a difference. We created climate change so we must fix it otherwise everyone suffers. Do not let this be the world the future generations are born into. Thank you for reading.

Keep our Planet

CLEAN AND GREEN

By Shreya S

Introduction

I bet you’ve heard about climate change, global warming, COP 26, and how our planet is suffering. When we think about a positive change, it’s easy to feel the pressure to buy electric cars and cut out meat completely from our diet. Most of the time, change sounds daunting - especially when it involves lifestyle - but it shouldn’t have to be.

Tips

Park and walk: If you’re driven to school consider cutting the distance by asking you parents to park and then walk the rest of the way so we can reduce the amount of air pollution – plus, going on a walk is good for you.

Rubbish: If you find a piece of rubbish on the floor, pick it up, take one for the team, and put it in the correct bin. In the PMH today, take extra notice of where you’re putting your rubbish – we have food waste bins for a reason so let’s make sure we use them.

Turning off the lights in your home will save both energy and your parents from high bills!

Use both sides of paper: this is money and tree-efficient - especially considering 42 million trees get chopped down per day! That’s 15.3 billion a year!

Use your voice! Spread the word to friends and family, so that they can join the eco team, and remember - every little voice counts!

AUTUMN EDITION

CANCER AWARENESS

Day-to-day life is busy. There’s so much to think about so some people forget about things like cancer research. Once people are aware they can act on it, and once people act, they make a difference. Once there’s a difference, there’s change and progress towards the goal.

Why your help is important

A FEATURE BY PHOEBE B

There are so many charities to help different types of cancer- over 200 different types. There are charities for certain types of cancer, and overarching charities that donate their money to research in general. This allows scientists and doctors to run tests and supply certain medicines to experiment on what works and what doesn’t. However, money doesn’t grow on trees!

It needs to come from somewhere. Research organisations need to keep within their budgets as a lot of money needs to go to life-saving equipment for all the many patients that come into hospitals each day. This is where you come in.

How to help...

I am sure you have been in shops before, about to pay at the till and they have a cancer research charity pot, or you may have been at events and a volunteer has asked for a donation. I wonder how many people stop and donate?

All it takes to help is to simply pop in your change to support the cancer charity that they have chosen to promote. This is one of the many ways you can help. For certain charities, there are events that you can attend to support the funds. For example, Macmillian does a coffee morning sometimes: you will get a letter in the post informing you of the dates and times. If you’re around then you can attend these and even the smallest thing like buying a coffee helps so much and that money goes towards Macmillan! But if you have a busy schedule then just wearing a badge on your coat (such as the pink ribbon for breast cancer) when you go out is a simple but effective way to raise awareness. Something else that is small but powerful is coffee cups promoting cancer charities - this can really help raise awareness.

Recent research has discovered the following: Seldom-studied immune cells in the liver may help treat cancer.

Vaccines that could stop cancer from coming back.

New cell therapy (CART T therapy) could keep cancer at bay, it’s immune therapy.

Treatments such as personalised vaccines, gene editing, and microbiome treatments.

Macmillian is one of the 620 charities that support cancer patients. It is one that RGS has supported in the past and this year even. Practically all the cancer charities make lots of money each year but lots of them are slipping. In the past couple of years, there has been a decrease of £3.6 million (1.5%) raised compared to 2021, as charities start to feel the impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on their donors.

Animal Conservation - in the U.K. Introduction

According to the RSPCA, 3 million wild mammals are shot, snared, or trapped in Britain each year. Not to mention 5 million wild birds and 20 million rodents.

These numbers are extremely high and this article looks at some of the ways we can use conservation to reduce them.

The British Wildlife Centre

One of these centres is the British Wildlife Centre near Lingfield which I visited in the summer. There, we learned lots of cool facts about endangered animals living there, (for example, that pole cats can farm rabbits by moving between local burrows!) The Centre is key to the UK conservation project and has many vital breeding animals.

Housing over 40 native species, they focus on educating visitors about wildlife and the dangers they face.

Among those endangered are wild cats, hedgehogs and red squirrels.

What is Conservation?

Animal conservation in the UK developed in the late 19th century as a philosophy and movement focused on protecting species and helping to maintain and restore habitats. There are many conservation success stories such as the reintroduction of red kites and beavers, which were once both extinct. Most of these schemes are funded by zoos and animal centres, often the site of action for these projects.

Wild Cats

Wild cats in Britain are critically endangered and now only found in parts of Scotland. Their main threats are habitat loss and crossbreeding with domestic cats which leads to gene dilution. To protect them from extinction, the BWC has DNA-tested their wild cats so they can breed successfully free of domestic DNA. So far this year, they have bred 6 wild kittens with one pair already on their second litter and the hope is, to take these youngsters up to Scotland for releasing into the wild.

Hedgehogs In the UK, hedgehog numbers have decreased drastically. Threats include habitat loss and changes in agriculture including pesticides, urbanisation and increased predation. People are now building more fences and walls instead of hedges. Consequently, hedgehogs may be blocked from their homes and left stranded on roadsides. To help our harmless spikey friends, we can start by cutting holes in fences so they can access our gardens. We can also leave dog or cat food out for them (Not milk as that is harmful despite being the popular option a few years back!) The BWC helps educate people so that we can make sure hedgehogs are happy, healthy and protected from extinction.

Red Squirrels

There are only 140,000 red squirrels left in the UK (according to The Conservation Volunteers); 85% of these live in Scotland but in England, the only place you can find them is the Isle of White or Brownsea Island.

Their decline has been led by habitat loss and the introduction of grey squirrels from North America which brought in the deadly squirrel pox. The grey squirrels now out-compete red squirrels for food and shelter.

Conservation efforts in the UK are mainly focused on maintaining and protecting the few small areas where they survive. However, there is not currently a national breeding programme because there are so few places to release newborns into the wild.

Ways to help conservation projects and endangered species: It is vital that we don’t let these species fall into extinction - all of them help support the ecosystem and without them, it would collapse. There are many ways to help, whether paying to visit conservation centres, or donating money for conservation and breeding projects. We can also help at home by adapting our gardens and letting our homes be nature’s home too. If we all do our small part for endangered animals, then we can save British wildlife from extinction together. written by Beth W

AUTUMN 2023 | VOLUME 7

THE LATEST WONDERS OF SPACE

BY CLARABEL M

On Christmas Eve the Peregrine Lunar Lander spacecraft is set to launch into space and land 55-110 hours later on the moon’s Bay of Stickiness.

It will be launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the Vulcan Centaur rocket. After a 3-33 day Earth orbit and flight to the moon, a 4-25 day lunar orbit will follow before it will land in the Bay of Stickiness. Many different objects will be sent in the spacecraft and left to explore the moon, including robots such as The Marsten Space Systems, Firefly Aerospace and Intuitive Machines.

In other space news, Artemis 3, which is now scheduled for 2025, may have to be delayed to 2027. NASA’s attempt to send humans to the moon for the first time since the Apollo program is now facing challenges, such as trying to

On Christmas Eve, the Peregrine Lunar Lander spacecraft

incorporate larger oxygen tanks into space suits. NASA

is set to launch into space and land 55-110 hours later on

wants to have a 60-minute emergency supply of life

the moon’s Bay of Stickiness. This mission aims to test

support, which they haven’t yet been able to achieve. If the

solar arrays (where the sun is located), the thermal

human safety system development continues to take

properties of the moon, and the moon’s magnetic fields.

time, then the mission may have to be deferred for 2 years.

The Peregrine mission has also made history in being the first spacecraft to be selected by NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), in which NASA has partnered with a company that will help pay for the mission.

In other spacerelated news...

River of gas contains stars...

Finally, a river of gas flowing into the Milky Way discovered in the 1970s has been confirmed to contain stars. The contents of the river had remained a mystery for many years until this was discovered by astronomers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre through a telescope in Chile. This river of hydrogen gas covers a region of the Southern Sky, roughly the same size as 300 full moons. Despite covering a vast area and being visible from Earth, it takes powerful equipment to understand what it is made of. This discovery will improve scientists’ understanding of the Milky Way and what else can be explored there.

Fun facts about space: Soundwaves can't travel in space so it's silent!

On Venus, a year is 225 Earth days but a day is 243 Earth days - making a day longer than a year on Venus.

The first person in space was Yuri Gagarin. He went to space on 12th April 1961.

One million Earths could fit inside the Sun – and the Sun is considered an average-size star.

For years it was believed that Earth was the only planet in our solar system with liquid water. More recently, NASA revealed its strongest evidence yet that there is intermittent running water on Mars too!

Comets are leftovers from the creation of our solar system about 4.5 billion years ago – they consist of sand, ice, and carbon dioxide.

You wouldn’t be able to walk on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune because they have no solid surface!

If you could fly a plane to Pluto, the trip would take more than 800 years!

QIANTANG RIVER TIDAL CROSSING NEWS TRIVIA BY ZHE YU

ONE OF NATURE’S WONDERS! China’s once-in-a-year natural phenomenon at Qian Tang River, Hangzhou, is a reoccurring tidal bore. This is one truly magnificent phenomenon. Hundreds of people travel to the Qian Tang River to watch the event and crowds of up to thousands can sometimes be seen. The waves cross over each other and create beautiful patterns, whilst splashing against the tide walls and creating phenomenal waves. Scientists are still researching why this happens.

This event has not happened anywhere else in the world so it has left people baffled!

There is a special part of the wave viewing where the wave hits a plateau, and it will send a column of water into the air. Every year, the wave’s strength will be determined by which lantern it hits. There are three lanterns, each one 4m apart. A few people even

film

the

waves

from

above,

as

the

waves

create

mesmerising patterns. The waves travel under a suspension bridge and then continue towards the shore. The waves splash the sides of the shore, and anyone unlucky enough to have a slow reaction time will get seriously wet!

SCIENTISTS ARE STILL RESEARCHING WHY THIS HAPPENS. NO ONE REALLY KNOWS.

The theme of this year’s National Poetry Day was refuge - an apt topic in today’s busy world and one that encourages us all to think about what our own ‘portable paradise’ is: the place we go to for refuge when we are having a difficult day.

P

O E T O F T H E Y E A R

To celebrate National Poetry Day, The Old Library was transformed into an artistic shelter linked to the theme of ‘refuge’. Students in the Second Form visited the shelter throughout the day, finding inspiration amongst the fun and varied activities. On display were sensory stations intended to encourage students to reflect on what specific smells, sights, colours and textures make them feel safe and calm - that offer them a refuge of sorts.

In English lessons on the day, students explored Roger Robinson’s poem, ‘A Portable Paradise’.

Students thought about their own version of paradise and what it would look, taste, feel and look like if they could carry it on their person as Roger Robinson puts it, ‘to trace it in your pocket’.

We are pleased to announce the following winners of the competition: Lower School Winner: Immy K - First Form Upper School Winner: Alexander B - 4th Form Sixth Form Winner: Sasha H - Lower Sixth Form

RGS STUDENT NEWS

Autumn, 2023

Oil Calloused hands, rough, sandpapered, blistered from hours tending the olive grove to create this paradise – my escape.

Its authentic Greek style mesmerises the outsider.

Beyond the surface of the oiled machine, the olive press crumbles, the cogs rusted deep down.

The smile lines of the olive trees, crease into the bark, as they stretch through the grove to a time beyond the reach of memory.

The oil deceives you, a delicacy, derived from poison fruit, transformed by the magic of those hands.

The decanter sits in front of me, drips from the spout.

Once in my grasp, oil seeps into my palm.

Its earthy aroma remains comforting.

Sasha H

RGS STUDENT NEWS

Autumn, 2023

My Pocket Paradise Memories of countryside aromas and dewy grass warms me.

Bluebells dancing in the breeze like graceful ballerinas, and bees humming happily to the daisies.

Looking out to the glistening sea, watching boats leave the harbour, throwing pebbles for the dog on the shimmering sand.

On a frosty morning, trekking through the shrubland.

Cobbled, bustling streets and cosy, chocolate-box cottages, sunlight streaming through lush, twisted trees.

Ponies wandering, butterflies fluttering, donkeys slumbering.

Most of all, smiling.

My perfect, pocket paradise shrouds me from sadness.

My paradise brings me joy.

My paradise lifts my heart on the bleakest of days.

My paradise brings me home.

By Immy K .

Wilder Schools Nower Wood by Sarah K & Tabitha B Introduction

, ildlife Trust base W y e rr u S a is Nower Wood g f animals, rangin o s e ci e sp y n a home to m deer, rs, and foxes to e g d a b , ls re ir u from sq It also n a rare polecat! ve e d n a s ke a grass sn uding ty of plants, incl e ri va e g u h a s ha or eties of fungi. F ri va t n re fe if d d bluebells an e ools, we had th ch S r e ild W , e iv our Elect ay 25th y trip on Tuesd a d a n o o g to chance ased activities.

-b re tu a n n fu y an April, and do m

Nower Wood We visited these lovely woods on the 25th of April. Nower Wood is not normally open to the public, mainly so none of the wildlife is disturbed, so we were very lucky to be able to come here. The trip was hugely interesting and educational, and we were given the opportunity to participate in many exciting activities, such as pond dipping and fun games, such as ‘meeting a tree’. We were also able to try whittling and other amusing activities.

Meet a tree We first got into pairs, then one person blindfolded themselves. The other person led the blindfolded person to a tree. The blindfolded person could feel the tree, even smell or hug it, and notice all of its features. Then the other person led the blindfolded person back to where they started and then the blindfolded person took off their blindfold. Then they had to find out which tree they met. We had a good time pretending there were logs to go over for the blindfolded person!

On arrival When we arrived at Nower Wood, one of the first things we noticed was the incredible wood sculptures that were dotted around. The entrance itself had been carved with butterflies and insects and was very colourful. After a brief introduction at the headquarters, we were then given some equipment and went off to do some pond dipping.

Pond Dipping

up into y, and we split a tr a d n a t e n a We were given different ponds. o tw in g in p ip d pond d groups and trie wts catch five ne to h g u o n e unate We were fort ater y larvae and a w fl is d d ca e m so ell as altogether, as w ch as other beetles, su s u ro e m u n s a well stick insect, as exciting to be d n a g in st re te as very in f water lice. It w huge variety o a d n fi d n a s d the pon able to explore wildlife.

m in e, carrying the d si in s re tu a e the cr Then, we took nder a d at them u ke o lo d n a bs, water-filled tu adult told us st ru T e lif ild W ile a Surrey microscope wh m. facts about the

Whittling

In the afternoon, there were a whole host of activities on offer, ranging from craft to setting up hammocks, and…whittling! We had to wear gloves and sit in a special position on the log seats. It was hard at first, but then we soon learnt how to hold the whittling knife at the right angle, and the best techniques for carving

Conclusion

off the bark. We were carving mushrooms, which

Our trip was really informative, interesting, and

meant that we had to make the end of the stick

fun, and we learned so much about wildlife, as

rounded, which took a while. Then, we had to carve the

well as doing games and learning skills such as

stem and whittle out the edge of the mushroom’s cap.

whittling. The wildlife and plants were beautiful, and we had loads of fun pond dipping

It was tiring work, but the results were really good for

and learning about pond life. We would like to

the first attempt. By the end, it looked amazing and it

thank the Surrey Wildlife Trust and Wilder

was all worth it!

Schools for making this trip possible.

FEATURE BY ALICE D & BETH W

Starting RGS! Every year, 160-180 new students join Reigate Grammar School’s First Form. Starting at secondary school is a huge change and we were extremely nervous before we joined! When we arrived, we each received a Sixth Form mentor who would help us adapt to life at RGS. The school seemed extremely daunting to begin with, but they helped us figure our way around. Since we see our mentors often, we can rely on them for advice on problems we face. We decided that it would be intriguing to compare experiences of new students.

What was the biggest difference between your primary school and RGS?

Alice ‘The biggest difference between my old school, St Marys, and RGS is that we had to become more independent. We must get our books ready every morning and walk between classes. I have difficulty remembering when each lesson is, especially now that there are more lessons at RGS.’

Beth: ‘The biggest difference for me was the increase in size from primary. It was a small school where everyone knew each other, however there are over 1000 people here!

When I joined, I was worried that I would get lost. Luckily, I quickly adjusted to my new routine and made some amazing friends.’

Alice: ‘As I come from a prep school, I knew at least a quarter of my year as everyone from my primary school came to RGS. Therefore, it was easier to make friends, especially since I already knew 5 people in my form.’

Beth: ‘When I joined RGS I did not know anybody, but I soon settled in and made lots of friends.’

How many people did you know when you joined?

What subjects are different to your old school here at RGS? Alice: ‘There is a significant increase in the number of subjects here at RGS - so much variety! For example, at St Mary’s, we studied history and geography as ‘combined humanities’ and only studied one language whereas here there is the choice of 6!’

Beth: ‘At my primary school, we had many subjects which were the same as RGS but called something different.

Such as Theology and Philosophy was called RE and Food and nutrition was called Cooking.’

What is your favourite lunch and pudding so far?

Alice: ‘I love all the food at RGS as there are so many options that I love and also still have to try! This makes each time I come into the PMH exciting as I can look for something new to eat. I have to admit that my favourite food so far is the quesadillas - they are amazing!’

Beth: ‘I would struggle to pick a favourite meal because all the food at RGS is so delicious. The rocky roads and muffins are so tasty, and the fish and chips and burgers are amazing. I would like to give a big thank you to the cooking staff who make lunch time and break time so wonderful.’

Have you tried something at RGS that you have never done?

Alice: ‘Due to the smaller number of subjects at my old school, subjects such as history, DT and geography are all new to me.’

Beth: ‘At my old school we never did games so when I first tried hockey, I didn’t know what to do but now I would say I am enjoying it. I had also never studied DT before so that has been an exciting experience.’

What was your favourite memory from the first week?

Alice: ‘My favourite memory was on the first day when we were sitting in circles in forms and got to meet everyone. It was fun because I felt comfortable to get to know new people as well as be with my friends from primary.’

Beth: ‘My favourite memory from week one was when I met my friends. We were all very shy to start with because we didn’t know anyone, but we have now become best friends. I also loved meeting my form tutor who we played games with on the first day, which I particularly enjoyed.’

What are you most excited for in the future of first form?

Alice: ‘I am most excited about all the lessons, because we have had a taster of all the languages, and we will soon get to choose our favourites. I am also excited about our trips, as we will soon see ‘Wicked’ up in London as well as hopefully going on a hockey tour.’

Beth: ‘I am most excited to see ‘Wicked’ which is known to be an amazing show! Since I am a French student, I am thrilled for the upcoming trip to France!’

REVIEWS - SHREYA K

‘LADYBIRD’ – A POIGNANT PORTRAYAL OF MOTHERDAUGHTER RELATIONSHIPS *NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE UNDER 13*

The directorial debut of Greta Gerwig will leave you feeling emotional to the very core.

The directorial debut of Greta Gerwig paints an evocative image of the relationship between blossoming, adolescent teenage girl, Christine ‘Ladybird’ McPherson, and her mother Marion McPherson, marvellously portrayed by Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf. This coming-of-age indie film follows a teenage girl in her final year in high school, facing the obstacles that come with adolescence: studies, friendship problems and love. It shows an honest portrayal of a teenage girl, growing up on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’.

The central theme to the movie is the complex relationship between Ladybird and her mother, Marion. Greta Gerwig does an excellent job at presenting a raw depiction of the turbulent relationship between the two main characters, with its moments of passive aggressive behaviour conflicted with tenderness. I would confidently say that this real and raw portrayal has spoken to the hearts of many mothers and daughters, including mine.

The opening scene of the film immediately sets out the fluctuating dynamic between Ladybird and her mother; they are in the car together, returning from visiting university campuses ahead of Ladybird’s applications. We, as the watchers, immediately recognise that the two have an emotional connection; they tear up together whilst listening to an audiobook of ‘The Grapes of Wrath’.

The emotional connection we see portrayed, however, is quickly broken. The once calm atmosphere within the car rapidly transitions into a heated argument, and this allows us to recognise the complex highs and lows of their relationship. It’s clear to see that the two characters have differing expectations; Ladybird wishes to be free, in a place of culture, to escape from a place of constraints of her hometown in Sacramento – ‘I hate California.’

However, the family seems to be in economic crisis, and this ultimately leads to a strained relationship between this mother and daughter – the mother is forced to restrict her daughter from her aspirations due to financial struggles.

Due to the naivety of Ladybird, which I’d admit is common among teenage girls, this builds into tension between the characters, because of her unwillingness to understand. I would say that both of these characters are equally flawed, and this is easy to recognise in this scene. Marion’s reluctance to hear what her daughter actually wants, and Ladybird’s adamant nature, leading to her lack of understanding for the whole family and not just herself, is reflective of many mother-daughter relationships. The first scene ends in Ladybird becoming fed up with what her mother has to say. She makes a statement by opening the car door while it’s still moving and jumping out – I feel that this is the epitome of what their relationship is like. The rebellious action from Ladybird is also reflective of her assertiveness and determination, which allowed me to understand why conflict was as frequent as it was between herself and Marion. This scene, despite its shocking content, does not detract from the fact that this mother and daughter have an abundance of love for each other. The fight scene is played out so naturally that it transcends any limitations of a screen and truly succeeds as an accurate portrayal of conflict within a flawed mother-daughter relationship.

Lady Bird

A scene that left an indelible print on me was where Ladybird was trying on prom dresses for her mother, but tensions once again rise, and this gets the better of Ladybird and her emotions. The dressing room becomes a space where the communication challenges between the two characters come to the fore; Ladybird clearly has her desires as a teenage girl, but Marion struggles to connect with her daughter’s aspirations. I observed that Ladybird had a strong desire for validation from her mother, and I think that this is something common among teenage girls, including myself. The choice of the prom dress for Ladybird isn’t about the physical garment itself, but its more about seeking that sense of approval from Marion; I believe this scene successfully delved into the importance of seeking parental, specifically motherly approval and how pivotal it is in the development of mother-daughter relationships. This simple, yet heart-wrenching exchange takes place: Ladybird: “No, I just wish…I wish that you liked me.” Marion: “Of course I love you.” Ladybird: “But do you like me?”

Fast forward a few months later, and Ladybird is at a university in New York City, spending a night partying in Fresher’s Week. She enjoys herself, and spends time with a guy, but soon goes overboard and wakes up the next morning in the ER, severely hungover. Greta Gerwig certainly succeeds with her interpretation of a new adult girl, still getting used to a new life away from family. What struck me in this ending was how Ladybird finally calls her mother, telling her she loves her. This gave me a sense of hope for the duo – Ladybird is entering a state of maturity where she looks past her and her mother’s differences and attempts to rekindle their connection. It can be seen as a ‘full circle moment’. Ladybird realises that her relationship with her mother, even with its ups and downs and its instability, makes her who she is as a person; she learns to come to terms with the complexities that this relationship brings – it's an integral part of her identity. The ending allowed me to take away a key message from the film which left me with closure. The relationship we have with our mothers plays such a key role in how we perceive ourselves and mark our place in the world. It extends into adulthood as shown in ‘Ladybird’ and it contributes significantly to the intricate tapestry that is girlhood.

AUTUMN 2023 • ISSUE 7

IS LOVE ACTUALLY THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS MOVIE? AN OPINION PIECE BY RUTH & ANNIE

Christmas is everyone’s favourite time of year, especially given the opportunity to sit with a mug of hot chocolate and watch a movie. We all know of the classic Christmas films: ‘Elf’, ‘Nativity’ and ‘Home Alone’...but nothing compares to ‘Love Actually’, which is in our opinion, the greatest Christmas film of all time. Why we hear you ask?

Well, firstly, its amazing cast, including British icons and stars such as Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kiera Knightley, and Martin Freeman- all of whom deliver a brilliant performance - is only a small factor in the movie’s excellent box office success. Secondly, it is also the home of the famous scene where the newly married Juliet discovers that her husband’s best friend, Mark, is in love with her. He arrives at her door with a series of placards, confessing his love for her, and demonstrating the vulnerability that comes with it (such a Hallmark moment). On top of this, who can forget when Hugh Grant had a cheeky boogie around 10 Downing Street taking on the role of Prime Minister in the drama - don’t we all wish he could be the actual British leader? Whether you like romance, sitcoms, or drama, you will be enthralled by the magic of ‘Love Actually’. But it isn't just the Prime Minister who gets the girl! The iconic film follows a whole host of couples, each with unique trials and tribulations. The movie ends as it begins (at the airport), encompassing the traditional Christmas value of heartwarming reunions, but also gut-wrenching goodbyes.

“IF YOU LOOK FOR IT, I’VE GOT A SNEAKY FEELING THAT YOU’LL FIND THAT LOVE ACTUALLY IS ALL AROUND.”

But because he is our favourite, let’s take a closer

The two make a great effort to learn each other's

look at the Prime Minister and his iconic love

languages

interest...

his

of

departure. After a short period of separation, it

household

staff,

Martine

becomes clear that the two are destined to be

McCutcheon) for whom he instantly falls during her

together and all is resolved by Bennett’s impromptu

first day on the job in 10 Downing Street. From their

proposal

first meeting, it is obvious to viewers that they are

waitresses.

meant for each other, even if their jobs stand to

cheesy, yet incredibly moving concept that when

get in their way. Eventually, Natalie too recognises

you find the person you love, you should do

the strong attraction, admitting “If you can’t say it

everything in your power to keep them close. Join

at Christmas, when can you, eh? I'm actually yours”.

us in saying, “muito romantico!”

newest

appointed

Natalie

member

(played

by

and

at

cultures

the

Their

until

their

restaurant love

story

where

eventual

Aurelia

encompasses

the

At the denouement of the film, during the primary school’s Christmas play, the curtains open to reveal Natalie

and

the

Prime

Minister

together,

and

despite the initial shock, they embrace it, allowing the rest of the audience to see that they are in love with each other. The conclusion to this storyline is

Despite

fundamental in the film’s overall message about

demonstrates all the positive aspects of love

love,

multiple

(hence the title), ‘Love Actually’ also includes the

obstacles that have arisen for the couple, they

more melancholic features of heartbreak. This is

have overcome them, and love has won in the end.

aptly

Awwww!

Thompson),

demonstrating

that

despite

the

being

depicted who

a

by

film

the

story

discovers

that

of

undoubtedly

Karen

evidence

(Emma of

her

husband’s infidelity when she finds an expensive The most accurate depiction of the notion that love

necklace that he bought, not for her, but for

knows

another

no

bounds,

is

shown

by

the

romantic

woman

(his

secretary

–

Mia).

This

interaction between Jamie Bennett (Colin Firth) and

heartbreaking betrayal causes her to silently break

Aurelia (Lucia Moniz). Bennet moves to France to

down crying in her bedroom so as not to disrupt the

write his novel, after discovering his wife’s secret

family's Christmas. This scene touches viewers as it

love affair with his brother and meets his new

validates that not every Christmas can be perfect

Portuguese Housekeeper for the first time- Aurelia.

and full of joy and neither will every relationship be

Despite their evident language barrier, the pair

either. This provides a more realistic perspective,

find a way to communicate properly, demonstrating

demonstrating to viewers that not every love story

that they are not going to let anything inhibit their

is perfect - that love comes in highs and lows

true love.

sometimes leading to heartache and anguish.

But it’s a Christmas film, so Karen begins to

Daniel also finds a way to begin to rebuild his

reconcile

her

romantic life after the loss of his wife; he begins

marriage ending, she still experiences love in her

talking to another parent at Sam’s school, Carol,

life from her children and her love for her brother

who is the spitting image of his long-time celebrity

(the Prime Minister). Love isn’t all about romance

crush, Claudia Schiffer. Whilst this storyline again

now, is it?

demonstrates that grief and despair are often the

this

pain,

showing

that

despite

price we pay for love, it also reinforces that there are ways to move on after loss and begin to experience the love that we all deserve.

Billy Mack’s remastered “Love is all around” into ‘Christmas is all around” emphasises the moral The principal message communicated within the

message of the movie in a comical way: what is

movie is that love is a universal experience. Anyone

Christmas without love? The time of year when

can be in love and experience an emotional

everyone comes together in family celebrations and

rollercoaster of a ride! The film portrays this well

unbreakable traditions to be thankful for the love

through Daniel (Liam Neeson), who mourns the loss

they share. ‘Love Actually’ is the epitome of the

of his wife Joanna -the love of his life- who was

type of Christmas that we all strive for, despite all

“perfect everyday”. He is experiencing this grief

the complications that should stand in the way.

while simultaneously trying to be a good father for

Love triumphs overall, especially during this festive

his stepson Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) who

season.

himself falls for the most popular girl in school also named Joanna! Sam goes to extensive means to get her to like him back including joining the school band in an attempt to spend more time with her, all this time reiterating to his dad that “She’s the one”.

This

notion

is

echoed

throughout

the

film

demonstrating to viewers that, when you find your person, you will know that they’re the one. Sam’s hard work and effort pay off as she rushes back to kiss him before leaving for America.

TICLE ON AR

RY

FESTIVE

History

A V E

NYE

DECEMBER 2023 / ISSUE 7

New Year New Year – a time of beginnings and jubilation – marks the start of a new calendar year and is widely celebrated in many cultures. Traditionally, in the Gregorian calendar, New Year occurs on 1st January at midnight in each different time zone. Many people opt to make New Year’s resolutions at this time of year to get into better habits and have a fresh start for the new year ahead. So, what is the history behind the holiday we all know and love?

A feature by Amelie B

The Ancient Babylonians were the first people to celebrate New Year over 4000 years ago. However, they celebrated New Year in late March at the spring equinox because that is when the days become longer than the nights in the Northern Hemisphere. In the past for Egyptians, the year began on the autumn equinox instead, which is 21st of September, and for Ancient Greeks it used to be on the winter solstice, which is the 21st of December. In early medieval times, most of Christian Europe used the Feast of the Annunciation on 25th March as New Year, due to it marking the day the Virgin Mary was told by Gabriel she was to give birth to Jesus, a symbol to Christians of new life. The Gregorian calendar was invented in 1582 by the Roman Catholic Church and designated 1st January as New Year’s Day. Most European countries slowly changed to 1st January. However, to this day not all countries celebrate New Year on 1st January, for example, China. Chinese or Lunar New Year begins on the day the new moon appears between 21st of January and 20th of February. In 2024 it will begin on 20th of February, and it will be the year of the Dragon.

Traditions Time Zones

DECEMBER 2023 / ISSUE 7

However, even if all the countries agreed on a set day for the New Year, not everyone would be celebrating at the same time. As the Earth is split into time zones, the first place to celebrate New Year is the Line Islands in Kiribati, which are just to the west of the international date line and have a time zone of UTC + 14 hours. Caroline Island in Kiribati was renamed Millennium Island because it was the first place in the world to welcome in the new millennium. Whereas American Samoa is the last place on Earth to receive New Year (apart from Baker and Howland Island, which are both uninhabited).

When Kiribati receives New Year, it is still 11 pm on the 30th of December in American Samoa.

Likewise, when American Samoa receives New Year, it is 2 am on the 2nd of January in the Line Islands of Kiribati.

·Fireworks originated centuries ago and are thought to have been invented by the Chinese. They are said to chase away evil spirits and bring in good luck for the New Year. ·In Spain traditionally people stay at home and eat 12 grapes, one at each stroke of midnight. If you can eat all the grapes in time, you will have 12 months of good luck and prosperity, as each grape represents one month of luck. ·In the UK, apart from fireworks, singing and dancing are an essential part of the celebration. Some people sing a traditional song called Auld Lang Syne, written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, during which they link arms with their friends and family.

·In Italy, wearing red underwear is supposed to guarantee luck and success for the year ahead. ·In New York in the USA, every year the famous Times Square Ball (which is made out of Waterford Crystal) starts descending a specially designed flagpole at 11:59 pm and finishes at exactly Midnight to signify the beginning of the New Year. ·Many people drink Champagne on New Year because of its luxurious reputation as a celebratory drink and its bubbly, effervescent quality. In the US alone on New Year’s Eve, 360 million glasses of sparkling wine and champagne are consumed.

C H R I S T M A S T R A D I T I O N S A R O U N D T H E

WORLD

feline only date back to the 19th century and were used as an incentive for workers in the wool industry to finish before Over 2 billion people in 160 countries celebrate December. Workers that succeeded would Christmas, making it one of the most important be gifted an item of clothing to save them holidays throughout the year. We are all familiar from the Yule Cat, while those who failed with western traditions, but what weird and were left to be preyed on by it. Nowadays, wacky customs exist around the world? lots of Icelandic people will give and receive clothes to offer protection from Jólakötturinn.

Ukraine - Spiderwebs

A popular Ukrainian folk tale describes when a poor widow and her children watched a pine tree grow outside but couldn’t afford to decorate it for Christmas. Her children went to bed upset so she decided to hang fruit and nuts on it to make them feel better. Some local spiders watched her as she did it and covered the rest of the pine tree in webs after she went inside. The family woke up the next morning and were delighted by the glittering, magical sight outside. Lots of Ukrainian families now decorate their trees with a spider web to bring good luck.

Iceland – The Yule Cat Iceland has no shortage of magical but dark Christmas stories. One of these is the tale of the Yule Cat (or Jólakötturinn) who prowls the streets and forests looking for an unsuspecting victim. He is said to target people who have not received new clothes before Christmas Eve or are not wearing anything warm. Although there are plenty of medieval accounts of the Yule Cat’s owners, ogres, stories about this ferocious

Liberia – Old Man Bayka Liberia is a West African country that began as a colony for ex-slaves to resettle into life as free people. As a result, numerous western festivities were brought from the USA and were merged with local customs to form unique Christmas traditions. One of these is ‘Old Man Bayka’ (Old Man Beggar), who goes from streetto-street begging for gifts and money.

Performers dress up in rags or local costume and are often followed by drums, singing and dancing. Bayka is not necessarily evil but is often associated with the ‘dancing devils’ – spirits that come from the world of the Poro (bush) of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast. These devil characters were heavily involved in traditional ceremonies and celebrations for hundreds of years and still feature in some today.

Sweden – G𝐚̈vle Goat

In Sweden, a giant straw goat is erected in Gävle at the beginning of Advent. This tradition is inspired by old Pagan celebrations for the first sight of the Capricornus constellation, which is represented by a goat. They would make a yearly sacrifice of a goat to Njord, God of agriculture, to ensure that the harvest was prosperous. Some view the Yule Goat as an invisible spirit that appears to make sure that preparations for the festive season are done correctly, but in the 19th century, people believed that the goat delivered gifts instead of Santa. In the present day, Scandinavian people often try to hide small wooden or straw goats in family or friends’ houses and see how long it takes for them to notice, before they have to get rid of it in the same way.

The idea of building a giant one of these goat figures only started in the 1960s in Gävle, Sweden, where 12,000 knots are hand tied to create a straw masterpiece. However, it has been burned down 38 times in its 57-year history, causing the court to impose a three month prison sentence on anyone who tries to set it on fire.

Spain - El Gordo The Spanish Christmas lottery is often called “El Gordo”, and for good reason – the total prize money is 2 billion euros! People can enter the draw for the top prize (4 million euros) by buying a ticket that costs a pricey €200. They can also buy a cheaper ticket that costs €20, but they can only win 10% of the top prize. The numbers are drawn at a large, televised event and they even have a live choir who sing the winning numbers. This has been going on for over 200 years, and has been televised since 1957, when Spain got television for the first time.

The whole thing is designed so that lots of people can win something, even if it is only a small amount, as it brings them Christmas joy, or helps people who are struggling to afford things.

In Pinos Puente, a town in Granada where almost a third of people are unemployed, a small political party sold tickets to local residents, with 258 winning the second prize of 125,000 euros and bringing in an amazing 32 million euros to help people in need.

USA - Christmas Pickle Originally, people claimed that this weird tradition came from Germany, but it seems to be a total myth. Instead, people believe that a soldier from Bavaria who fought in the American Civil War was captured and begged a guard for one last pickle before he died. The guard accepted and the pickle saved the soldier from starving. Another idea is that two Spanish boys in the medieval era were killed by an innkeeper and stored in a pickle barrel. St Nicholas came by and found them in the barrel, bringing them back to life. Berrien Springs in Michigan was known as the pickle capital of the world and hosted a huge festival and parade dedicated to these green vegetables. Unfortunately, this stopped in 2005, but lots of people there still decorate their tree with a pickle ornament.

by Sofia M

Out & about at Christmas

BY SASHA H

London’s Streetlights Nothing says, ‘Christmas is coming!’ better than the glitter of the festive streetlights. The first London district to switch on its lights is Oxford Street in early November. Apart from this worldfamous shopping street, the lights in Regent Street, lit in early November, are also amazing.

Another shimmering light spectacle is the display in Covent Garden – 40 gigantic bells with bows, 12 giant baubles and eight spinning mirror balls (a mere 29 miles of gold leaf!) More lights can be discovered in Marylebone Village, along with snow machines, Santa’s grotto and Christmas stalls. Finally, you must visit the unmissable Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, whose lights are switched on from 7 December.

Christmas Markets If you are in Trafalgar Square, you will be able to walk around the Christmas market.

London’s Christmas markets are fantastic for all kinds of shopping, whether stocking fillers, ‘Secret Santa’ gifts or presents for your family. You’ll love the mulled wine and delicious food stands. Some of them even have rollercoasters and live music!

Everybody loves the festive season: there are opportunities to watch Christmas classics with loved ones, while getting snuggled under blankets with a cup of hot cocoa to hand. Our warm, comfortable homes protect us from the cold outside, allowing us to fall into hibernation. The aim of this guide is to draw your attention to a handful of wonderful winter activities around London which are worth putting your gloves, scarf and woolly hats on for.

Here is a list of some of the markets and their opening dates: - Southbank Centre Winter Market open now until 26 December - Leicester Square, open now until 7 January - Covent Garden, open now until 7 January - Trafalgar Square, open now until 2 January

Ever After Garden The ‘Ever After Garden’ is another wonderful place to visit at Christmas and I would encourage everyone to visit it at least once. It is a beautiful garden filled with over 25,000 illuminated silk, white roses. In support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, visitors can purchase a rose and leave a message to a loved one. The garden is open from 16 November – 16 December and entry is free. It is situated in Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square and is perfect for those wanting to do Christmas shopping on Oxford Street.

Walking with the Snowman This Christmas, there will be an exquisite art trail around London. Inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas, a dozen imaginatively decorated Snowmen, designed by various artists, will be scattered around Fleet Street. Each sculpture is intricately designed and different from the next so that you can enjoy a day out hunting for them. This activity is perfect for a family or a group of friends looking to do something new and exciting in London. For Raymond Briggs fans, these models are a tribute to both the animated festive film and his original picture book. This enchanting ‘Walking with the Snowman’ event kicks off on November 21 and is free!

The Gingerbread City If you are looking for an alternative festive event other than lights and markets, you should visit The Gingerbread City – a city constructed exclusively from gingerbread, sweets and icing.

You will marvel at the miniature trains and other moving parts built by architects and designers.

This gingerbread metropolis also teaches us about the way architects and designers can help solve some of the world’s problems like climate change – all through the medium of gingerbread. Those who want to do workshops can decorate their own masterpieces to take home!

Christmas at Kew During the Christmas season, Kew Gardens in Southwest London transforms into a magical winter wonderland with its annual event, ‘Christmas at Kew.’ From late November to early January, the gardens dazzle with festive displays and enchanting lights. The illuminated trail takes you on a journey through interactive displays that create a magical Christmas atmosphere. The event often includes a Christmas market including food and performances.

‘Christmas at Kew’ is one for the bucket-list that you must visit sooner rather than later!

WINTER WARDBROBE STAPLES Fashion Edit by Sophie C and Bea M As the days shorten and the temperatures drop, winter calls for a whole new wardrobe. From oversized knitwear to denim jackets, anything is possible! So, here are a few tips to vary your looks this winter season.

THE PERFECT PAIRING Picture this: ‘The Grinch’ is playing and the hot chocolate is made - what more could you need? A perfect outfit to match the Christmas vibe! Joggers are classic for the Christmas season and what better way to pair them with an oversized knitted jumper. This look works particularly well with dark joggers and a light-coloured sweater.

The brands that offer both quality and value for money are M&S and H&M. American vintage do gorgeously soft cardigans and Zara is a classic, cheaper choice.

Primark knitted jumpers also seem to be a viral trend (as do their pyjamas!) Ralph Lauren is a good option too but admittedly this brand is quite pricy!

This outfits ticks all the boxes. Pair it with some fluffy socks and you’re ready to snuggle down for that movie.

Everyone knows there’s no better way to spend a fresh, frosty morning then out on a walk. Pair some flared jeans with a white tank and a turtleneck jumper.

Hollister and Zara have the best options. But on the more expensive side, Urban Outfitters and Levi’s will guarantee quality. This outfit looks great with gold jewellery and a beanie or bobble hat which makes this look seem more personalised and expensive.

CONVERSE If you’re searching for a simple, effortless outfit, look no further.

Converse have become a timeless shoe and what better way to pair them with some comfortable, black leggings, a beanie and a knitted scarf. Nike leggings are a popular choice but some other great brands when shopping for leggings are Gymshark and Under Armour. Beanies have become more popular from brands like Adidas, Nike, NY and The North Face. This outfit will keep you wrapped up warm no matter the weather.

XMAS DAY LOOKS And finally, the big question: what to wear on Christmas day? Dress up or down? Is Christmas a time of comfort and relaxation amongst your family, or is the vibe ‘dress to impress’? It’s different for every family, so no one will answer this quite the same.

Whatever your family do, here are some outfits inclusive for every answer.

On the more comfortable side of Christmas, chequered trousers, Christmas jumpers, fluffy socks and slippers are a classic look. Oversized comfortable bottoms in any festive colours, a neutral tank top and a Christmas jumper, with some fluffy socks and gold jewellery is the perfect outfit. Don’t forget an iconic Christmas hat!

DRESSING UP On the other hand, if you’re dressing to impress, step into some high heels or boots. More is more in this case and that applies to everything, sequins and sparkles in particular! So why not pair the shoes with a tight fitted glittering dress and a festive cardigan or a puff sleeved top and a mini skirt. It is Christmas after all, a time to wear the things you never normally would and show off your festive spirit. So go glamorous this Christmas and enjoy the party!

We trust this has inspired you to go and do some Christmas shopping or plan your outfits for the upcoming weeks. Hopefully this article has also got you and your wardrobe in the festive mood, so Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

LOVE FASHION? Are you interested in fashion? Do you want to get involved in the Spring edition’s fashion edit? Get in touch with ,Ms Harvey to find out more!

Sudoku

Can you complete this mind-bending Sudoku puzzle?

CHRISTMAS BAKES! Yes, baking is back! Here are 3 of my favourite Christmas desserts for you to try, all from BBC Good Food! From the novice baker to the pastry chef, there’s a recipe for everyone! I’ve decided to go for a snowy theme here, with a vanilla soufflé and a white chocolate roulade!

SNOWY SOUFFLÉ You will need: Knob melted butter, for greasing 300ml/10fl oz full-fat milk 4 large free-range eggs, separated 45g/1½oz caster sugar, plus extra for dusting 50g/1¾oz plain flour tsp vanilla extract A pinch of salt

To decorate: Icing sugar Your favourite ice cream flavour (I recommend vanilla or coconut)

SNOWY SOUFFLÉ

6 Steps to Success:

1 - Preheat the oven to 210C/190C Fan/Gas 6½ and place a baking tray on the middle shelf to warm up. Grease four ramekins with the melted butter, using a pastry brush to make upward strokes (this will encourage the soufflés to rise upwards). Then coat the bottom and sides of the dishes with sugar. Discard any excess.

2 - Bring the milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan over a medium–low heat. In another saucepan, whisk the egg yolks with 3 tablespoons sugar until the mixture becomes slightly pale in colour. Add the flour and whisk to combine.

3 - Pour about a third of the hot milk over the egg yolk mixture to temper the yolks (this allows the eggs to heat without scrambling). Add the rest of the milk and return to the heat. Bring to the boil, stirring continuously and cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and leave to cool slightly.

4 - In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until the mixture becomes foamy. Gradually add the remaining sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold the egg white mixture into the yolk mixture, taking care not to let too much air out of the mixture.

5 - Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared ramekins. Place the ramekins on the baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes until risen and golden on top.

6 - Dust with the icing sugar and serve immediately on their own or with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream.

WINTRY WHITE CHOCOLATE ROULADE Important Ingredients: butter, for the tin 100g white chocolate, 50g grated, 50g melted and cooled a little For the meringue 4 large egg whites 1 tsp lemon juice 200g white caster sugar icing sugar, for dusting For the cherry filling 300g frozen black cherries, saving a few whole ones to decorate 50ml orange juice 100g white caster sugar pinch of ground cloves ½ tsp cornflour For the cream filling 400ml double cream 50g icing sugar ½ tsp vanilla bean paste or extract 6 Easy Steps: STEP 1 Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter, then line a 23 x 32cm baking tray. Using an electric hand whisk, beat the egg whites, lemon juice and a pinch of salt until stiff.

STEP 2 Add 1 tbsp of the caster sugar, then whisk until the mixture makes stiff peaks. Repeat with the rest of the sugar, spoon by spoon, until the mix is thick and shiny. Spread into the tin, then bake for 15 mins or until crisp to the touch and lightly golden in places. Leave to cool.

STEP 3 Simmer the cherries, orange juice, sugar and cloves for 10 mins, or until the cherries are soft but still holding their shape. Mix the cornflour with 2-3 tsp cold water to make a paste, stir into the cherries and cook for a couple mins more until the juices thicken. Leave to cool.

STEP 4 To assemble, sift icing sugar over a large piece of parchment, then carefully flip the meringue onto it. Remove the tin and parchment. With a short end facing you, score a line 2cm into the meringue.

STEP 5 Whip the cream, icing sugar and vanilla until thick but not stiff, then spread over the meringue. Spoon over about half of the cherry sauce and scatter with the grated chocolate. Roll up the roulade, starting with the scored short end and using the paper underneath to help.

Freeze the roulade for up to a month then defrost overnight. Freeze by setting on a parchment-lined tray then, once firm, wrap the parchment around it and cover with cling film. Freeze the remaining cherry sauce for up to a month.

STEP 6 To serve, drizzle with the melted white chocolate. Top with a few of the whole cherries and serve the remaining sauce on the side.

NEXT TERM

After 2 lots of Easter-themed desserts over the years, I have decided to take on the challenge of tiered cakes, and, similar to 2 years ago, I will be (attempting to) make my own instruction pictures!

THANKS TO THE CASTLE TEAM! Thank you to the following students for their work on this edition: Amika S - Illustrator Hugo J - Content Creator & Contributor Sasha H - Content Creator & Contributor Annie G - Editor & Contributor Ruth C - Editor & Contributor Alex C - Editor & Contributor Mithu M - Editor & Contributor Shreya K - Editor & Contributor Ellie B - Editor Daisy A - Editor Keno A - Editor Lauren A -Editor Likhita A - Editor Scout A - Editor Tyra L - Editor Zia S - Editor Clarabel M - Contributor Jinhee H - Contributor Evie W - Contributor Chloe W - Contributor

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THANKS TO THE CASTLE TEAM! Thank you to the following students for their work on this edition: Beth W - Contributor Sarah K - Contributor Tabitha B - Contributor Zhe Yu K - Contributor Alice D - Contributor Kavya P - Contributor Alex VE - Contributor Neha K - Contributor Sophie C - Contributor Bea M - Contributor Sofia M - Contributor Shreya S - Contributor Amelie B

Photo credit - Canva.com

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