Welcome to the first ever edition of KES Life: the magazine written by the students, for the students. We hope you enjoy reading our articles that were inspired by what we have been up to this Autumn.
2: Reflections on Autumn
3-4: Hampshire Young Poets
5: Mooncop Review
6: Wonderful Woodmill
7-8: Eras Tour
9: Fantastic Fun Run
10: Top 3 Halloween Films
11: Interview with Head Student
12: Listen While You Work
13: Four Seasons in Japan Review 14: Concourse Conversation 15: Chilli Con Carne Recipe
R E F L E C T I O N S O N
AUTUMN
By Mia D, Year 10
Photographs by Evie W and Lily C-D, L6
‘Oh how I love autumn’
As the leaves start to brown and the air starts to get chilly, we can all feel that a new season has come The laughter of summer slowly dies into waking up in darkness and coming back home nearly seeing the stars shining Pumpkin-spiced drinks and foods start to make their appearance Most people associate autumn with the stress of getting back into work and school; having to get back into some routine after the summer holidays However, autumn is so much more than that: it is the season where it is cold enough to wear jackets and drink hot chocolate so you can warm up; but it isn’t cold enough for your fingers to get frostbite Autumn is the season where you can watch horror movies or for readers, enjoy the classics and cosy up with murder mystery stories
Autumn at KES
Autumn at KES has opened a lot of new opportunities for students. It is also a very exciting time as we all move further up in our education KES has a busy calendar during autumn, meaning lots of different events and competitions We have had House Football, plus hockey and rugby matches Furthermore, the musicians have had a chance to show off their skills during the ‘Music While You Lunch’ This can help musicians to work on their pieces and the audience get to listen to some amazing music. Moreover there have been exciting day trips like the Year 7 trip to Woodmill Farm, and for Year 11 girls in Physics As well as that, Year 7 have had their Fun Run: an exciting race where they got to dress up and run to raise money for charity Some people will be happy to be back doing their favourite sports in Games; and for some, they will be looking forward to further developing their skills in each sport
Now readers, I have to ask how you will spend the rest of your Autumn? Hunched over revision, going on long walks in the misty breeze, or joining new clubs? However you spend your time, I sincerely hope that you savour every moment
KES POETRY WINNERS!
Written by Laura R, Year 9
Last year, Year 7 and 8 students were encouraged to enter the Hampshire Young Poets competition. After the competition closed on July 31st 2024, Damian Kelly-Basher, the current Hampshire Poet Laureate, spent 2 months reading and judging poems written by young people throughoutHampshireandnarrowingitdowntojust18fromthe559entries.Therewerethreeage categories-allwiththeirown1st,2ndand3rdplacepoemsaswellasthree‘bestline’poems
OnOctober5th,theawardceremonytookplaceintheperformancehallattheArcinWinchester 18 young poets attended, surrounded by friends, family and school representatives, and it was hostedbyheadjudgeDamianKelly-Basherhimself
Hebeganwithanintroductionbeforelaunchingintothefirstcategory Eachchildwouldgoupto the front when called, take their certificate and have their photo taken before being given the opportunity to read part of their poems. At the end, a group photo was taken and the award winners(1st,2ndor3rd)readtheirpoemsinfull.
It was a slightly nerve-wracking experience but the hall was filled with a friendly atmosphereeveryonewasapoetrywriterorarelationofoneandtheyhadallcometogethertocelebratethe poemswrittenbyyoungpeople
After a few mispronunciations of names, small children being shy, and printing errors, everyone wasfeelingrelaxedandinvolved.
Blood, Bones, Brains, Veins. His world is falling around him surrounded by metal debris and trapped by bars of rage, the boy screams.
The boy now howls and smoke is in the air as he tries not to get hit Hoping, hoping, hope.
An explosion blasts as the boy shivers and a gunshot sounds as he falls to the ground. Hope, hope, hope No hope
OurWorld,OurPlanet
by Laura R, Year 9
Planet of the dolphins, Planet of the bees, Planet of the roses, And the apple trees, Planet of the people
That’s you and them and me We use it to our advantages
But we have to let it be Planet of the people
Why can’t the people see The world isn’t our toy
It’s our responsibility
Droughtinthedesert
By Edward J, Year 8
The deathly desert has been fossilised to a crisp Carcasses bathing in the tub of sunlight and the extreme heat
The slithering serpents sliding across the slick shiny sand silently edging closer to extinction
Silver ants underground just earning a meal after the extreme
Drought
Death in the air
Cracks in the sand
Drought
Impossibly deadly
Deathly barren
Drought in the desert
BOOK REVIEW
Redefining ‘boring’...
Mooncop by Tom Gauld is a 94 page graphic novel that in many senses fits into what is conventionally boring and yet is worth a read
For so long we have been intrigued by this white orb that came and left every night without fail called the moon. Since 1969, humans have only been to the moon six times. But we have often imagined life on the moon as desirable. It is this exciting notion that represents modernization and progress.
Gauld suggests through this novel that perhaps humans should stick to visiting rather than establishing colonies He gently pokes fun at the puffery of life on the moon and shows us that this isn’t a particularly exciting dream
The graphic novel follows Mooncop, the hero of the story as he goes through day after day, living on the moon as a cop Mooncop lacks purpose He drives around the somewhat desolate landscape doing nothing as there is no crime The population declines and establishments close People are going back to Earth Mooncop himself requests to be stationed back on Earth but his request is declined
Personally, I do not think that these ideas are what make Mooncop such an enjoyable graphic novel Yes the concept of life on the moon is excellent food for thought, but I think the novel’s value lies somewhere else
If I were to describe how Mooncop makes me feel, I would say that Mooncop feels like a cool but comfortable blanket of silence that brings about half a teaspoon of melancholy It is hard to pinpoint what exactly about the graphic novel that makes me feel that way. Maybe it is the sheer simplicity of the dialogue and art. Perhaps it is the consistent colour palette of calming dark blue, blue-ish grey, and bits of white. Or maybe it's how simple and maybe even helpless humans seem in this book.
Reviewed by Sara E, Year 10
But that is just my perception of it. If there is one thing that I am sure of, it is that everybody will perceive Mooncop differently. One person may find it funny. Another may feel sad after reading it. A third may think the book is the product of a lazy graphic novelist. Regardless, it is worth a read. Afterall, it is quite short. I read it in no more than fifteen minutes So you see, even if it has no literary or artistic value to some people, it is still quite convenient for those who are short on time or have low attention spans Thus I’d recommend it to those with little time on their hands or short attention spans
If you decide to give Mooncop a chance, I very much hope that you share my love for it Perhaps I am biased towards it due to its sentimental value to me But is bias such a crime in this case? I don’t think so I actually think that makes the graphic novel a bit more interesting Personally, I love taking book recommendations that have a special backstory with the person recommending it Maybe you will too Enjoy!
Written by Heidi C, Anashe R and Anna B, Year 7
From 13th - 17th September, each of the Year 7 classes at KES set out on a fabulous journey to Woodmill Activity Centre, where lots of fun activities were waiting for us! We hopped on to the minibus, trying to contain our excitement.
The first half of our session consisted of: a name and age challenge; a tightrope game using different methods; to get a huge seesaw to balance for 7 seconds; a tyre order game and a teamwork course. We all enjoyed each of the activities and had much fun.
WONDERFUL WOODMILL! TEAMWORK
In the activities we had to work as a team to complete the task set. One of the activities was to try to keep a massive seesaw aloft for over 7 seconds It was not very easy! We also took part in a climbing task where we raced a friend to the top of the wall: one side was a lot easier than the other!
The low ropes were a perfect opportunity for us to learn to work together as a team. At first, we often used the word ‘I’ a lot but we soon came to realise that it’s smarter to work together. We then made our way to the climbing walls This activity was very challenging and quite a tricky task to complete.
One of our favourite parts of the trip was trying to find different ways to get across a wire for all 22 of us. We were only given a long pole, a paddle and lots of friends!
The Eras Tour
As the thirty second clock came on, I knew I was about to watch something magnificent. At the first beat of the song ‘Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince’, everyone’s eyes lit up with joy. Everyone was dressed spectacularly and the atmosphere was breathtaking. People traded bracelets and complimented each other's outfits. Over the five hours that I was there, there was never a dull moment.
The two opening acts, Raye and Paramore, were phenomenal. Raye's vocals blew me away with how strong and powerful they were. Paramore’s set and choreography were unique and it was a great way to start the concert off. Hearing songs that everyone grew up with brought back nostalgia.
WRITTENBYMIAD,YEAR10
"the atmosphere was breathtaking"
Each era was all so different and each time she would have a set change, you felt transported. Throughout the five hours I was there, I had been through 10 different realms. Taylor Swift performed everything to the best. The first era she performed was Lover, which had a variety of dances, from ballroom dancing to ‘The Man’ In this section ‘The Man’ has to be my favourite one because Taylor Swift managed to use the stage to reflect what it is like for women in the workplace. Swiftly moving on, the next set was Fearless which was the second most nostalgic set for me because it contained songs that I listened to as a young girl. ‘You belong with me’ , ‘Fearless’ and ‘Love Story’ were the songs Taylor Swift performed. What I truly loved about this set was how the choreography was reflecting the Fearless tour in 2009. It is also worth mentioning that the guitarist, Paul Sidoti, is the same one who played with her on the Fearless tour.
Red and Speak Now had some beautiful choreography. ‘Enchanted’ and the ten minute version of ‘All Too Well’ were highlights Reputation was one of the sets that had altered my mind: as the thump of Taylor’s heels hit the floor in the intro, goosebumps crawled up my arm. The hissing of the snake welcomed the first song ‘Ready for it’; as these songs were being performed, the backdrop would have different videos that would either come from music videos of the song or a close up of the stage. ‘Look what you made me do’ had a powerful impact on the audience, as she strutted down the stage, loudly singing whilst hitting glass boxes that contained dancers dressed in costumes from different eras. Swifties will know the significance of this scene. One of the things that impressed me the most was Taylor Swift’s vocals, like the ‘Don’t Blame Me’ high note that echoed throughout the arena.
One of my favourite sets was Folklore and Evermore. As these two albums are two of my favourites, my heart was racing when the set changed over to it. Personally, I found that these two were one the most beautiful sights. As ‘Illicit Affairs’ played, everyone in that arena was transformed. The choreography of the song had to be one the most impactful things I’ve witnessed. One of my favourite sights was in Evermore when ‘Marjorie’ was being performed, the torchlight from everyone’s phone swaying from side to side as we listened to a song about Taylor’s late grandmother. I would also like to mention the beauty of how the arena looked in the night sky with the lit up bracelets that would change colour based on the era. At the end of ‘Champagne Problems’ people were clapping for a good few minutes trying to be the longest crowd to clap after the song.
Moving onto the last section of the concert, we started with her newest album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’, where Taylor Swift surprised herself with the incredible artist Florence in the song ‘Florida’, which was a delightful experience. Florence’s vocal against Taylor’s made it an incredible experience. Hearing 90,000 scream the lyrics to ‘The smallest man who ever lived’, was a life changing experience. Next we had the surprise song by having Jack Antoff singing with Taylor. They performed a mashup of ‘Death by a Thousand cuts x Getaway Car’. When they sang ‘Getaway Car’, they performed the same way they had done when they were first producing the song. ‘So Long London’ was our last surprise song and was a beautiful send off. Lastly, the last era, Midnights, had vibrant colours and enthusiastic energy. Here was where the show ended, with the last song being ‘Karma’.
On each set there were different outfits, mostly a bodysuit that was elaborately decorated with sparkles, jewels and gems, shimmering elegantly underneath the stage lights. Each show, the outfit changes and will get repeated in the future shows. Some of the sets will have more than one outfit like in Lover where for the first half a bodysuit is worn; but in the second half a blazer is added (normally during the song ‘The Man’). The bodysuit that was worn on our show was a sunset orange and hot pink suit with accents of purple.
One of my two favourite sets was the two sister albums: Folklore and Evermore The set and design of this era was so magical and it felt like you had been transported into some mythical place or a forest. The actual album, Folklore, is set in a forest disconnected from the world, so for this set, they had a cabin house that had moss on top. Her outfit was a hot pink dress that flowed out around her body and when she twirls, it spins. In Evermore there is a piano that is also decorated with moss. ‘Willow’ is performed to make it seem like witches and look like they are casting a spell, with green coats and orange lanterns that they swirl around in circles. At one point they hold the lanterns up to the sky.
Lastly, my second favourite set is The Tortured Poets Department. This was just a recent add on but it is an impactful one. She wears a white structured dress with black boots. The set is a mixture of black, white and grey. It was a reflection of grief which is the theme during the album. During one part she is on a moving platform screaming along the lyrics with ‘Who's Afraid of Little Old Me’. The whole Tortured Poets Department is like a theatrical scene, with props and over exaggerated facial expressions. For two songs, Taylor wears a long white coat which reminds me of the Nutcracker. The last outfit is a sparkly top and shorts duo that has a long coat. When performing ‘I can do it with a broken heart’ the dancers have feather boas and perform with them, circling sprung Taylor. This set reminds me of old fashioned times with how it is set up.
Being able to go to the Eras tour was a once in a lifetime experience that I would not change for the world. From the beginning to the end, it was a fantastic concert that has forever changed me in the best way possible.
FANTASTIC FUN RUN!
The Year 7 fun run was on October 14th at lunchtime So many people ran around the field in the most creative costumes The whole of year 7 ran a loopy lap on the school field to raise money for a charity
We ran for a charity called ‘Scratch’. Scratch raises money for children I need who aren’t as lucky as us to get presents on Christmas My year like all the years before us gave in each a minimum of £5 to the charity, ensuring that for this Christmas they can make a special child happy Another thing you can do to support the charity is to give: old toys, books, clothes and lots more.
I loved the fun run as my friends and I got to share smiles and laugh about our outfits.
Imani C
The fun run is an event that the school does every year to raise money for the charity Scratch Scratch is a charity that helps people in poverty to thrive They do this through volunteering and events, KES helps with this every year ensuring that children who are less fortunate get Christmas gifts and wake with a smile on their face. The new Year 7s, at KES, ran one lap around the field in their spectacular costumes (solo or in a group) They varied from Minions to dinosaurs and Rubik’s Cubes to Slinky Dogs!
Thea H
I enjoyed the fun run very much, it was so fun to see everyone’s costumes and have a laugh together Poppy B
I loved the Minions because it was a massive crew of them and it is one of my favourite movies Cecily R
HalloweenFilms Top3...
SHANA G, YEAR 10, SHARES HER TOP THREE HALLOWEEN FILMS
Hocus Pocus
This was one of my personal favourites when I was a child, and I loved it so much that it has stuck with me through the years The original Hocus Pocus aired in 1993 and centres around three sisters who were brought back to life by a stupid mistake on Halloween night A mistake which the protagonists must fix before the night ends! Throughout the movie I could not help but also fall in love with the soundtrack, which gave life to the songs such as “I Put A Spell On You”. This film, without a doubt, gives a scare to younger audiences but also manages to be funny, intriguing and fill your heart with familiarity
Corpse Bride
If anyone is known for their freaky but mesmerising movies it would be Tim Burton Corpse Bride features a young man who awakens a dead woman after practising his vows at her grave. Little does he know, she now thinks they’re tied together in marriage. My favourite aspects of this film had to be the soundtrack and, of course, the eye catching and unique animation, in classic Burton style It was amazing how they captured the deceased woman’s essence and style and made her stand out against the dull background world This movie should always be on your Halloween watch list.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Even though a lot of people believe that this is a Christmas film, I have always chosen to watch it at Halloween Once again, this is a Tim Burton movie. The film tells the story of Jack Skellington who is from a place called Halloween Town and somehow finds Christmas Town and falls in love with the place. His obsession with the famous Holiday eventually leads him to kidnap Santa Claus This movie was aired in 1993 and whilst the animation isn’t as great as Corpse Bride due to different resources, I still found it to be capturing and unforgettable, leaving this to be the last of my top 3
AN INTERVIEW WITH... THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
ADAM K, YEAR 10, INTERVIEWS CHARLIE, U6
Charlie is our current Head of School, but do you know what the Head of School does except helping to run our assemblies? Does he get free biscuits and cakes during his meeting with Mr Parker and the team?
One of the first questions I asked Charlie was why he applied for the role. He said that he had always associated the position with something cool, and he wanted to get a “brilliant feeling” of demonstrating leadership and key values to the whole school. As the Head of School, he and the ‘top 5’ get to meet with Mr Parker, Mr Collinson and Mr Dellar twice a week, to discuss assemblies and to plan key events Charlie enjoys working with everyone, and yes, he does get free biscuits and pastries!
To apply for the role, you have to fill in the application that arrives to you towards Christmas, during the Lower Sixth You then have to test your patience and wait a few months, receiving a little interview with the panel and then a meeting with Mr Parker if you were to get in
A key question I wanted to ask Charlie was how much free time he had to sacrifice as the result of his position He said that the answer to that question mostly depends on how much work is put in by the other members of the ‘top 5’ As previously mentioned, he does also have to attend a meeting twice a week, and has to revise what he’ll say during assemblies, to ensure fluency when he’s speaking to the school So on the whole, the position is estimated to take up about 2 hours in total per week
However, Charlie would thoroughly recommend this sacrifice due to the many positives the experience brings. It helps him to improve his public speaking and confidence on stage, as well as communication skills. These are very valuable skills to possess in life, and can change how you come across to others in your future. In addition, he says that “it’s a really nice feeling to have people look up to you”. His younger sister is definitely one of these people As the Head of School, you’re also a gigantic role model to your peers and the whole school!
Music and sound are everywhere, and they are a great source of entertainmentformanypeople.ManystudentsatKESlistentomusic avidly while doing homework or revision, allowing them to enjoy the taskathandalittlemore However,manystudentsalsostrugglewith concentrationwhilelisteningtomusic,duetotheoverbearingnature of some music styles. Therefore, listening to softer soundscapes or music while doing schoolwork is important, as it allows you to focus on the task at hand, meaning that genres of music such as LoFi and ambientmusicaregreat.
Depending on your headphones, you may have ANC or Active Noise Cancellation available, which can totally eradicate distractions. However, after a long listening session this could have an adverse effectonthehealthofyourear,andcouldcausesicknessduetothe negativefrequenciesbeingamplifiedbythespeakers
Despite this, studies have shown that listening to music while attempting to actively revise could significantly reduce the retention ofknowledge,thusdecreasingtheeffectivenessoftherevision Thus, it is advisable to refrain from listening to music during revision, and insteadtakefrequentbreaksinordertounwind,andstoptherevision frombecomingtedious.
Inshort,listeningtomusicduringhomeworkistotallyfine,aslongas it is not too distracting, but listening to music during revision has a negativeeffectonthequalityoftherevision.
BOOK REVIEW
An inspiring read...
Flo, a confused and tired translator who has been living in Japan for quite a while, feels like her life is drying up; the workload is becoming less and her relationship is slowly coming to an end However, one day when she is the train back from a night out with her friends, she find a mysterious looking book laying on one of the train seats. She immediately snatches it up and is transported into the story. The story follows an independent, strong, old woman named Ayako who runs a small cafe in her little town (Onomichi) Ayako’s grandson, named Kyo, comes to live with her after he did not pass his university exam; the two have to overcome past family situations which makes it difficult for them to have a true relationship Whilst reading the book, Flo slowly realises she needs to make this book available for everyone to read, so she tries and track down the original author. During the journey, Flo starts to acknowledge the idea that she has been too closed off, making it near impossible to have any kind of relationship with anyone (even friendships). Inspired by the two protagonists who start to have a character developments, Flo determines to try and have hers
Personally, I think this book is an inspiring read because as you are reading about these three different protagonists who have to take difficult paths to become a better person, you start to wonder how you can improve Is it like the grandmother who learns to become more gentle but still keep her morals the same, or like Flo who realises she need to open up in order to move on in life? Perhaps it is Kyo who discovered what he actually wants to do in life instead of what society expects him to do
Reviewed by Mia D, Year 10
In addition, the location is something that truly makes the book special The reader gets to learn the small charms of the town, Onomichi, and how it contrasts to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. How the people in the town all know each other and are a community that welcomes new people Furthermore, readers get to learn about the Japanese culture and how unique it is From the foods and festivals, all the way to everyday life; whilst also learning some new Japanese words. Lastly, I found it nice to have a break from reading books that are currently trending on social media When I first picked up the book, I purely picked it up because of how the blurb sparked a interest in me. Nick Bradley has a beautiful way of writing which more people should get to experience
CONCOURSE CONVERSATION
What’s it like being a Sixth Form student at KES? We sat down for a cup of tea and a chat with three of our Lower Sixth to find out...
Q: How are you enjoying your first term as a Sixth Form student at KES?
Sam: I’m loving my first term as a Sixth Form student I love the Concourse Having lunch there is quicker than the Dining Hall Also, the hot drinks are so good
Kira: It does feel quite different with more pressure and expectations being put on us; however, we also get various opportunities for our self-growth In the Sixth Form, the concourse becomes an important place for studying with friends or individually as well as being a great place for socialising I find it especially nice during my free periods and right now particularly enjoying writing this article with a cup of tea!
Q: Emma, as you are new to KES, how have you settled in?
Emma: I found it hard at first because I only knew a handful of people coming into the school but after I got the first two weeks out of the way it was fine and I feel comfortable It was difficult to make friends as everyone has known each other for so long but after a while I found where I fit in And I like tea and hot chocolate a lot!
Q: Sam and Kira, how does being a Sixth Former compare to being a Year 11 student at KES?
Sam: You get a lot more freedom, which is great, and you are only doing lessons that you enjoy so school seems much easier and more fun The teachers are much more relaxed and treat you like adults
Kira: It has been a bit of a challenge getting used to the new space, teachers and unfamiliar exam structures On the brighter side, our teachers are the most knowledgeable and trustworthy people that you could always ask for advice, guidance and general support The atmosphere in many lessons is quite relaxed and studying overall feels much easier as you only study the subjects you like, with teachers taking you more seriously, engaging in thrilling discussions- this makes my learning extremely pleasant
Q: What advice would you give to anyone thinking of joining KES or staying on for Sixth Form here?
Emma: I would say don't be nervous because so far I’ve much preferred Sixth Form to the Lower School because of the amount of freedom we get Also doing fewer subjects which I actually enjoy has been so much more fun and fulfilling
Kira: Explore and get involved in different projects and social events It may feel challenging and worrying at first, but by being active in school life you can gain the most wonderful experiences
Chilli Con Carne
A classic Autumn warmer
4 servings 25 minutes
INGREDIENTS
400g beef mince
1 white onion
1 or 2 red peppers
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tin kidney beans
3 tbsp tomato puree
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp smoked paprika
0.5tsp chilli flakes
1 beef stock cube
1 tsp marmite
10g fresh coriander
DIRECTIONS
1. Add the mince and fry until brown.
Add a drizzle of oil to a large pan. Chop the onion and peppers and fry until softened.
2. Add the tomato puree, cumin, paprika, marmite and chilli flakes and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the tin of chopped tomatoes and crumble in the beef stock cube. Add a splash of water if needed.
4. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, finely chop the coriander and drain and rinse the kidney beans.
6. After the chilli has been cooking for 10 minutes, add the kidney beans and coriander and cook for a further 5 minutes.
8.
7. Serve with rice or jacket potato. Add your favourite toppings: why not try spring onions, yoghurt, grated cheese and chopped chilli?
GET INVOLVED
We are now looking for content fortheWintertermeditionofKES Life.
Ifyouhaveanideaforanarticle or would like to get involved in anyaspectofthemagazine,you can either email Mrs Arnold (hka@kesgmail.net), join the Google Classroom (fpiutk5) or come along to E1 on Fridays at 1pm.
