November, 2023 Issue #13
JESS SIXTH FORM GAZETTE Latest news and bulletin updates in our own Sixth Form
Editor: Alison King
Final issue of 2023
Editor’s Introduction
As the end of the year approaches, so does my time as editor for the Gazette. That said, the new year brings a fresh new editor to JESS’s sixth form Gazette. I would like to congratulate Ella Plank for being selected as the JESS 2024 gazette editor, I am certain she will do a wonderful job. Being editor has been of great enjoyment to me and a position I have learned a lot from. I hope that the Sixth Form Gazette continues to grow in popularity after my retirement, as I truly believe it is a wonderful vehicle for students to communicate and connect with each other. I hope all of Sixth Form enjoy their winter break, whether you are celebrating the holidays or just taking the time to relax and catch up with friends and family. Year 12’s, well done for completing your first term in the Sixth Form (only 5 more to go!), and a special acknowledgement to us Year 13’s for triumphing through the challenges and demands of the past few months. We hope you enjoy reading the Gazette and welcome your feedback. Our team is always open to suggestions and ideas for future articles, and if you are interested in joining our team, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 10AKing@jess.sch.ae. We appreciate your support and look forward to keeping you informed about all the exciting things happening at JESS Sixth Form. Thank you for choosing to stay informed with us!
Festival of Lights Celebration By Ella Plank On Friday the 10th of November, JESS celebrated the festival of lights, infusing the campus with joy, light, and vibrant colors. This year, the school community embraced the spirit of Diwali by encouraging students and staff to wear bright and colorful attire, which created a festive atmosphere that reflected the essence of the auspicious occasion. The Festival of Lights is a significant Hindu festival celebrated worldwide. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The festival holds deep cultural and religious significance, and its celebration at JESS aims to foster inclusivity and promote cultural understanding among students and staff. This five-day celebration of lights is observed by over a billion individuals from various religions and entails prayer, feasting, fireworks, and, for some, the beginning of a new year. The festival is celebrated over 5 days: Day 1: People clean their homes and shop for gold or kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune. Day 2: People decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand. Day 3: On the main day of the festival, families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi, followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities. Day 4: This is the first day of the new year, when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season. Day 5: Brothers visit their married sisters, who welcome them with love and a lavish meal. I hope those who celebrated had a prosperous and celebratory 5 days!
AC Usage + Spider-verse Brought to Life Melissa Kosma + Raashi Jain . Page 2
Taiwan Trip + Claude Debussy
Upcoming Dates + Comic of the month
Luna Guevara Roy + Isla Wallace Page 3
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JESS
October, 2023
Issue #13
By: Melissa Kosma
AC usage at JESS The cooling systems in the United Arab Emirates make up 80-85 % of a buildings’ total energy consumption. This is mainly due to the extreme climate conditions in the country, with temperatures rising up to 48 degrees in the summer months. As the demand for air conditioners has increased, energy consumption worldwide over the past few years has risen. While the excessive use of air conditioning provides relief from heat and improves indoor comfort, it also contributes to the overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. So, what can we do as a school to minimize these effects? JESS is an open-air school, meaning that while the fresh air may be a bonus in the colder months there is also a lot of wasted energy that can negatively impact the environment. According to the National Business News. the best way to cut air conditioning usage and cost is to set the thermostat to 24 Celsius - Dewa and the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) have both called - the optimal temperature for the body. “Even turning the thermostat up by one degree can save up to six per cent of your electricity consumption”, Powerwise says. However, this may be difficult in a country where the average yearly temperature is 32 degrees Celsius – so if the temperature set up isn’t satisfactory to some there are still other ways to contribute to the fight against climate change. It is important to regulate the use of air conditioning by keeping it in closed spaces only; by keeping doors and windows shut we can minimize the surplus energy and minimize the usage in the school – this also means that temperature can be kept higher as the cool air is trapped indoors. When classes are not used, before leaving the air conditioning as well as the lights can be switched off as they will not be needed when there is no one inside. Furniture arrangement can also affect whether airflow is satisfying – by arranging furniture in a way that promotes airflow and avoiding the blockage of windows or vents air conditioning usage can be more efficient. A final way could be the increased use of outdoor learning spaces in the cooler months; in this way students can learn to appreciate the environment and energy usage can be minimized.
By: Raashi Jain
Spider-Verse Bought. to Life
On October 30, 2023, it was reported that approximately 1,000 individuals gathered at a significant monument in the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, all dressed in Spider-Man costumes. This gathering served the purpose to set a new world record for the biggest assembly of people dressed as the beloved Marvel superheroes at a single public event. The event was orchestrated by the Argentinian influencer Uki Deane, who used Instagram to connect the enthusiastic and lively participants. His goal was to top the previous Spider-Man-themed gathering in Malaysia, where 685 people embellished the superhero ensemble. Upon wanting to express this confidence in breaking the record, he spoke to reporters at the obelisk monument, describing the crowd as a colourful sea of individuals wearing red masks and skin-tight blue costumes. He mentioned that he had “wanted to summon 700 people, and from our counting, we are many more. We have more than 1,000 signatures." The organiser was ecstatic about the influence Spider-Man had, saying, "It's crazy what Spider-Man causes; it gives me enormous joy." At first, Guinness World Records did not immediately respond to the vital claim over the possible record-breaking achievement. In order to guarantee accurate recordkeeping, the organisers asked that participants sign documents and have their photos taken. The fans of Spider-Man, the comic book superhero, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, were applauding, and singing happily in the bright afternoon light. Some participants cleverly incorporated Argentinian cultural elements into their superhero outfit. For example, one person wore a soccer jersey with stripes in blue and white, while another chose to wear a business suit with a red tie that matched the superhero mask. Along with this, participants such as Juan Menchon, a 25-year-old soccer coach, expressed how the Spider-Man outfit empowered him, saying, "I'm very shy, and the mask gives me a lot of freedom to have my say and express myself." Others echoed this idea, with 18year-old Matias Cones emphasizing, "As Stan Lee says, anyone can put on the mask." Page 2
October, 2023
JESS
Issue #13
By: Luna Guevara Roy
The Importance of a Balanced Diet Since student life can get so busy and overwhelming sometimes, it’s easy to forget that alongside balancing your academics, sports, and social life, you must also balance your diet. The impact that our diet has on our overall well-being and academic performance is often underestimated, yet the truth is, your diet influences your academic performance nearly as much as your hours of revision! Here are some nutrients, vitamins, and minerals you need to include in your diet, and why: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Antioxidants, and Vitamin B: These are known to enhance memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. Think about how useful this would be for understanding concepts you learn in class and remembering what you’ve learnt for your test! Vitamin C, D, and Zinc: These nutrients strengthen your immune system and can help you stay healthy to make sure you don’t miss any school days due to feeling sick. Proteins: Proteins are the building blocks of the body and provide amino acids that are used to produce neurotransmitters, which are necessary for memory and concentration, again, wouldn’t this help you remember everything you memorized the night before the test? Also, so many students in the sixth form play a sport for JESS, or an outside club, or enjoy going to the gym in their free time. Eating enough protein is extremely important in order to build or maintain the muscle-mass you train so hard for! Complex Carbohydrates: These provide a steady, slow release of energy throughout your day, especially if you make sure you get enough of these in your breakfast. Do you ever randomly crash in in the middle of your least favorite lesson and all you want to do is take a nap? Unfortunately, rather than blaming your boring teacher, you might have to blame your high-sugar, low-nutrient snacks that cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes. Avoiding Excessive Caffeine: Quality sleep is so important for every aspect of student life, and by avoiding excessive caffeine or sugary foods too close to your bedtime, you’ll help regulate your sleep patterns, making sure you get the rest needed to perform well in school. Imagine you’re a car, and your brain is a high-performance engine: Just like any vehicle, it needs the right fuel to function optimally. A balanced diet ensures that your brain receives everything it needs to perform at its best. So, every school day, make sure you eat a well-balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner,
Due to his original sense of harmony and musical structure this is what caused Debussy’s work to become a seminal force during the 20th century. He valued suggestion over straightforward narrative and embraced ambiguity and subtlety in his music. Debussy was a child prodigy by the age of nine thanks to his natural talent towards piano. He was encouraged by Madame Mauté de Fleurville, who was associated with the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin. At the age of 10 Debussy enrolled in the Paris Conservatory. He challenged the musical orthodoxy due to his unusual harmonies whilst studying at the conservatory. 'Clair de lune' was composed by Debussy in the late 1800s and was part of a piano Suite called Suite bargamasque. The title of the piece means 'moonlight' in French. Debussy was inspired after reading a poem with the same name 'Clair de lune' by Paul Verlaine, a Symbolist poet. The poem is about the beauty and mystery of the moon which is reflected onto the beautiful classical piece due to the evident use of rich harmonies and a flowing delicate melody. Verlaine’s poems create an atmosphere of introspection and serenity under the moonlight. This provided Debussy with an ideal foundation to create his music.
By: Isla Wallace
Claude Debussy 'Claude Debussy' is a French composer most famous for his piano piece 'Clair de lune' he was born on August 22, 1862, and died March 25, 1918, from Colon cancer in Paris at the age of 55. Debussy was raised in a lower- middle class family, he was the eldest of five children. His father Manuel- Achille Debussy ran a China shop and his mother, Victoria Manoury Debussy was a seamstress. Though he showed musical talent from an early age he often clashed with his teachers due to his independent thinking and disregard for traditional rules. Despite these conflicts, Debussy’s talent waws well recognized as he won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1884, allowing him to study in Rome.
Breaking free from the constraints of 19th-century romanticism, Debussy's compositions paved the way for modern musical expression. His influence extended beyond his time, shaping the course of 20thcentury music. Today, Debussy is celebrated for his unique style and tonal structure, inviting listeners into a world where music becomes a vivid, emotional landscape.
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September, 2023
JESS
Issue #12
Comic of the month – brought to you by the artistic talents of Sky Javaherian.
Upcoming Dates: . 8th of December - End of term one/ Winter break . 9th of December – Christmas Card Day . 12th of December – Gingerbread House Day . 15th of December – Ugly Christmas Sweater Day . 18th of December – World Arabic Language Day . 23rd of December – Festivus . 24th of December – Christmas Eve . 25th of December – Christmas Day . 26th of December – Boxing Day . 1st of January – New Years Day . 2nd of January – Back to school/ Beginning of term 2
Fun fact of the month: Candy canes were invented to keep kids quiet in church. In 1670, a German choirmaster asked a sweet shop to make sweets (in the shape of a shepherd's hook) for the children at his church to keep them quiet during the Christmas festivities. “Cheer up, dude. It’s Christmas”. - The Grinch,2000
Contact 10AKing@jess.sch.ae for interest in joining the team and contributing your talents to the gazette!