Welcome to the Winter edition of KES Life: the magazine written by the students, for the students. Curl up with a hot chocolate and enjoy!
2: Our First Term at KES
3-4: Festive Films
5-6: Winter Festivals
7: Get Into... Art
8: Are you getting enough sleep?
9-10: Games reviews
11-12: Interview with Mr Soames
13-14: Book reviews
15: Sport in Focus: Hockey
16: Macbeth Review
17: Gift Guide
18: Concourse Conversation
19: Gingerbread Recipe
Written by Heidi C, Anashe R, Imani C and Anna B, Year 7
Our first term at KES has been an incredible experience. Although we were nervous when we walked into the school the nerves quickly disappeared. All of the teachers and students here are very kind and they helped us find the right classroom on our first few days. When we first arrived at KES most of us thought we would never find our way around but we quickly got used to the school environment. Everyone was so nice and would always go out their way to help.
We all find Fridays one of the most enjoyable days: we have cake in the morning made by 1 or 2 of our classmates and instead of the two lessons before lunch, we have extended studies in which we do a range of activities from Dancing, Outdoor Learning, Lego Masters and more. One of our personal favourites at KES is that the year 7’s get to go into Lunch 10 whole minutes early! The food here is amazing!
You can always ask nice Sixth Formers for directions (but maybe leave the other years alone!)
Be accepting of everyone and make new friends.
Try school food first. It is so yummy and we’re never hungry afterwards
Be organised: at the start of the first half term, the homework is a bit of a shock!
Buy a jumper. It looks better with your uniform and it makes you warmer. Give everyone compliments because it makes people’s day (especially teachers - they will be nice if you do!)
Join clubs and societies. They are a great way to make new friends and find new intereststhere are over 100 clubs!
Home Alone is a Christmas classic The film represents a young child’s dream with a boy who wakes to find his family has disappeared and he is all by himself; but then has to protects his home from robbers Personally I love Home Alone because of the nostalgic feeling it brings. For me, the perfect way to start Christmas is to put the tree up whilst watching Home Alone Whilst the younger version of myself watched the movie, she came to like the bravery that the protagonist showed throughout it I would recommend this to anyone who likes to be in the Christmas spirit and wants to be taken back to their childhood.
Home Alone 2 has been my favourite Christmas film for a long time for multiple reasons. I first watched it when I was around five to seven years old At the time I didn’t understand why I loved so much. I only knew that it would forever be my favourite Now that I am older I realise why I loved it so much at the time
One reason: cinematography. My love for New York and movies set in the wonderful city only added to this reason The movie shows the thought train of kids which can be naïve and easily trusting, whilst also showing the fun and imaginative parts. We are able to see the world through Kevin’s eyes: the parts that scare him and the parts that bring him joy, such as movies, ice cream and sweets We learn that Kevin is also incredibly creative and thinks outside the box lot of the time. Despite all of this, my all time favourite aspect of this Christmas movie is the message that Christmas is pointless if not spent with loved ones.
Over the years, many people have tried to discredit Die Hard’s status as a Christmas Film but no matter what they say, I will always believe that it’s not only a Christmas film but the best of them all. The film is about a New York detective who is caught up in a terrorist takeover of a Los Angeles skyscraper while visiting his wife on Christmas Eve. As a film it has everything you’d want - iconic scenes, quotable dialogue and a thrilling narrative. You may wonder if explosions and guns should be a part of your typical Christmas movie watching experience but I would argue that it makes an exciting change from your much more tame (but still great!) movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “Elf” There are many subtle nods to the festive season woven throughout the course of the film like Christmas songs playing on radios and Christmas tape being used to fashion a makeshift weapon. My favourite Christmas reference ,however, is the fact that Hans (the main villain) has as many terrorist henchmen as the Twelve Days of Christmas. Although Die Hard is perhaps a more unconventional Festive Blockbuster, there is no better time to watch it than during the holidays and it will stand the test of time as a Christmas classic.
: recommended by Lily, Year 12 is my favourite Christmas movie because it perfectly ptures the magic and joy of the holiday season with some mour snuck in there Will Ferrell’s portrayal of Buddy, the erenthusiastic human raised by elves at the North Pole, is e comedy His childlike innocence and belief in the spirit of istmas creates a magical atmosphere that never fails to ke me smile. The film blends quirky characters, artwarming moments, and hilarious situations in a way that ls both nostalgic and refreshing every time I watch it. Plus, mix of festive music, colourful scenes, and the message out the importance of family and kindness makes Elf the mate holiday classic that I can watch over and over again
BY ADAM K, YEAR 10
WINTER IS HOME TO A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CELEBRATIONS AND FESTIVALS, BOTH RELIGIOUS AND NON-RELIGIOUS. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE JEWISH FESTIVAL OF HANUKKAH CELEBRATES, OR WHY BODHI DAY IS SIGNIFICANT IN BUDDHISM? READ ON TO FIND OUT!
Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, similar in a way to Diwali of Hinduism It’s a very important celebration that can be found in the Hebrew calendar, and is usually celebrated in late November or early December This year, Hanukkah begins on 25th December (Christmas Day!). It commemorates the Maccabean Revolt, which was when Jews fought for their freedom against the Greek-Syrian army in Jerusalem The story goes that there was very little oil in the menorah (lamp) - just enough for one day However, according to legend, it burned for a total of eight full nights before going out! For this reason, Hanukkah is celebrated over 8 days.
Yule is celebrated on the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year, by Pagans and the Wiccan community It is one of the oldest celebrations and was originally tied with celebrating the sun and rebirthing. Many Yule traditions are carried out by individuals today (especially Christians) Did you know that the mistletoe traditionally originally comes from Yule?
Kwanzaa is a modern African-American celebration, celebrated by those of different religious faiths or no faith It begins on December 26th and ends on January 1st, with it being a celebration of togetherness at heart. Believers light a seven armed candelabra, to represent the ‘Seven Principles’ the festivity is based on
Christmas is a festival celebrated for its religious meaning by Christians, although it is celebrated by many people around the world, no matter their beliefs It marks the birth of Jesus, and the Nativity (the story of Jesus’ birth) is acted out by many primary schools, symbolising how wide-spread the festival is. Along with Christmas songs, discounts and decorations, many in the UK look forward to receiving presents on the 25th December However, did you know that many of those living in European countries, such as Germany and Slovakia, open their presents on Christmas Eve, December 24th?
Bodhi day is a Buddhist holiday, celebrating the enlightenment of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama It is celebrated on December 8th every year, with Buddhists commemorating that the Buddha had completed his meditation under the famous Bodhi tree. Buddhists celebrate by meditating and by hanging up multicoloured lights in their houses, celebrating the Noble Eightfold Path Some Budhists also grow a ficus religiosa tree, which is the genus of tree the Buddha sat under.
ByLehansa,Year8
So you want to get into art, but there are so many different art forms... and those art formshavedifferentstyles...andthosestylescanhavedifferentinterpretations(eg.big shapes or small details) Art styles can vary from cartoons and graffiti to architectural, PopArtandmore.Itcanallbesooverwhelming,butI’vegotyou!
Youcoulddolittledoodlesinyoursketchbook,giantlandscapesorportraits Justtakea fewminuteseverydaywithoutanypressurejusttodoodleorsketchwhateveryoufeel like!
If you can’t think of anything to draw or paint, why not search on apps like Pinterest, YouTubeorTikTok?Thereareprobablysomanyartstylesyouhaven’theardofthatcan change your entire view. Not to mention all of the many tutorials that you can follow alongwith.Youdon’thavetocompletelycopyanartist’sstyleortheirartwork:youcan take small elements from different artists and artworks to make your own personal art style.Haveyouheardof‘grungedoodles’or‘jellyartstyle’,forexample?Whynotsearch themupandgivethemago!
Last, but not least, find which mediums you like. My personal favourites are pens (simple) and acrylic paint Your style will develop as you start using the mediums that youlike.Experimentandtrythemout.Evenifitdoesn’tworkforyou,youcanalwaysgive ittoafriendforaChristmaspresent!
by Nicky A, Year 8
During the period of time you are asleep, your body is constantly working to function and maintain your physical health as well as mental health Some of the effects of sleeping on our daily lives are: memory and learning, emotional health and physical health.
When you become sleep deprived, it impairs your cognitive abilities such as focus, attention, decisionmaking and problem-solving. Also, it is when a process known as Glymphatic System happens. Glymphatic System is when the brain clears out any thoughts throughout the day Without sleep the brain function declines, making it harder to recall information, think clearly and stay alert
Create a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day and avoiding napping.
Optimise your sleep environment by keeping your room dark and cool An average room temperature should be 15-19°C
Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillow and remove screens
Create a relaxing bedtime routine by winding down and doing mindful activities eg. journaling and reading Avoid over-stimulating activities
Limit screen time by trying to avoid blue light 30 minutes before bed
What
If you struggle with sleeping, try playing simple mind games while lying awake to help clear the mind and relax your muscles. If the problem continues, speak to your parents, as it might be worth speaking to your GP
Rocket League: recommended by Thomas J
Rocket League is a very difficult and tactical game Rocket League is basically football with cars The aim of the game is to score as many goals as possible and win the game If you draw you will go into overtime, where it is basically golden goal (first to score wins). In Rocket League you can also enter tournaments and win a tournament winner tag, which shows under your name and you can customise just like you can customise your car You can make your car practically any colour, change the wheels and you can put a topper on your car (a hat, also customizable )
In Rocket League there is also a competitive mode in which you play matches as normal but there are ranks. But before you can play ranked you have to be at least level 20 or you can’t play The order goes bronze, silver, gold, platinum, diamond, champion, grand champion then SSL (supersonic legend)
I really like Rocket League because it is really fun and you can play with friends and also talk to friends. I would really recommend this game to people who enjoy gaming, like football and cars it is also good for groups of friends and it is family friendly
Minecraft: recommended by Bertie M
Minecraft is so fun because there are three great game modes: Survival, Creative and Adventure
In Survival you spawn in a new world and you build and FIGHT to survive You build your house and craft your own weapons I recommend this mode to people who have strategic minds. Creative mode is for people who love building and can express themself in a game. I build houses and go into the nether which is like a fire dimension and there is no water! You can go into the End which is where you can kill the Ender Dragon Build houses from your imagination, have fun building with friends and FLY (until you reach the height limit, lol) In Adventure Mode you can fly around but not mine blocks. You can explore and see the amazing Minecraft world.
My favourite part of this game is that I can craft and survive in Survival mode, build in Creative mode and explore in Adventure mode I would definitely recommend this game
Creatures of Sonaria: recommended by Heath P
The aim of the game is to collect all creatures. There are over 1000 of them so it takes some time but when you have collected them all, you will be rewarded a special title called True Sonarian. When you join the server you will have all the same things as when you left. Every creature has a worth in the currency called ‘shrooms’, which you can trade in Trade Realm. In Trade Realm you will usually find what you need but you can’t always get it because everyone wants someone to overpay There is also Hype Trading, which is where a new creature comes out and you get it super early and then trade it for triple the shrooms.
What I like about the game is that player vs player because it’s really fun to obliterate tiny creatures like Puffwump with massive creatures like Korathos or Gnolock.
Fortnite: recommended by Harry B, Theo O, Alfie M and Ollie B
In Fortnite the objective is to kill all of the enemies and win the game that is called a Victory Royale Last season, Fortnite added in some new celebrities like Ice Spice, Eminem and many more It was one of the best festivals I have ever done. Fortnite is a free to play game and is a really good game to play with friends Fortnite has joined up with Lego and Rocket League. The reason we love Fortnite is because it’s really fun and enjoyable to play with others Also all the cool game modes you can play such as Fortnite festival, Lego Fortnite, Creative, Battle Royale, Reload and Ranked. You can play Fortnite on Xbox, Nintendo switch , PlayStation,PC, laptop and even some phones.
YEAR 11 STUDENTS ARYAN, ALEX AND GUY SAT DOWN FOR A CHAT WITH THE LANGUAGE TEACHER, FIRST YEAR TUTOR AND WINNER OF A PRESTIGIOUS EDDY AWARD TO TALK ABOUT HIS VARIED CAREER, INCLUDING STAND UP COMEDY AND APPEARING IN THE HOLLYWOOD FILM ‘DOLITTLE’.
Guy: So first of all, what’s it like working in the film industry and TV?
Mr Soames: Okay, so, I suppose what we need to do is contextualise it a bit because I have done some work in the Film and TV industry, but I don't know if I consider myself an essential part of the Film and TV industry (laughs) I used to work in comedy, and so that is my background. I found that I would sometimes get jobs that were in TV and Film, simply because they wanted someone funny. I trained in something called ‘long-form improvisation’ This was a very useful skill, because if someone is trying to film something and get honest, immediate reactions, then if you can improvise or go with the flow in these situations, it can prove to be a very useful skill for directors and casting directors. I think that a lot of the work I got was because of my improvisation skills.
Aryan: Are there any skills that you developed in the teaching industry that you carried over to teaching?
Mr Soames: Oh, absolutely! I always find it funny because a lot of teachers don’t think they'd be any good at performing, but I think that every teacher, every day is essentially performing in front of an audience. In terms of the specific skills that I learnt, a few notable ones are public speaking and thinking on my feet.
Another one that many people forget, is that it is incredibly important to form a connection with the audience. I think this is especially important in teaching where you can form a connection with an individual, listening to what they need and meeting them at their level. So 100%. All these skills are examples of the few transferable skills from comedy to teaching
Guy: Didn't you have a show at the Edinburgh Fringe?
Mr Soames: Yes (laughs). Too many. I did ten separate shows at the Edinburgh Fringe over the course of 8 years I used to be in a sketch group, which is how I, sort of, ‘cut my teeth’ We were based in London but we’d go up to Edinburgh every year and we’d do different shows based in different worlds They were all sketch shows, but they were all narratives, so they all had a certain theme One was set after the end of the world in a bunker where everyone was surviving One was set on a train as it careered out of control and crashed into Edinburgh Waverley station, and then we did another one called ‘The Space Race’ which was about Britain’s secret attempt to get to the moon at the same time as Russia and America There were more but you get the idea. So I started doing that, and then I began doing solo shows in Edinburgh. I mentioned improvisation earlier, as I would also do improv(isation) shows there, along with some Dungeons and Dragons style improv shows, which were loads of fun!
Alex: So, it’s widely known that you worked on the movie Dolittle. What were your experiences like?
Mr Soames: That was the weirdest job I've ever had I got cast because of [my] improvisation as they were looking for actors who had a background in improvisation to be able to come in and play all of the animals around Robert Downey Junior, making jokes and bouncing off you I found on the first day that what that meant in reality was that I would have to wear a skin-tight, green, Ostrich costume (laughs) because they needed to film him talking to all the animals, and then remove all the people. So I literally wore a greenscreen while improvising with all the other animals, who were also slightly embarrassed greenscreen people. Obviously he is a massive film star and has a large entourage around him, so I didn't really get to know him, but he was very polite and nice when I spoke to him
Guy: You said you took the Improvisation course but is that where your love for comedy began?
Mr Soames: No, it started a long time ago It probably started at school, although I never did drama at school - I was far too nervous as a kid and I didn't like to be on show. All I did at school was play the trumpet, and that's where I think I got my performance outlet, but at home, I used to make these really stupid films and sketches with my brother, using a camcorder. We made a shot-for-shot remake of The Matrix when I was fourteen (laughs) and it took SO long, and then we watched it and it was SO bad! But it was still really fun to make and I loved the process of making it, and that's where I would probably say that's where it all started - being creative I was also obviously watching a lot of comedy and I really connected with lots of comedies that were on at the time, when I was growing up
Guy: Who would you say your influences were?
Mr Soames: Probably Simon Pegg? And obviously Monty Python, Alan Partridge, Mitchell & Webb, things like that. More recently, I think Bo Burnham is a very good musical comedian I think he’s amazing, but I don’t think he’s an influence on me, he’s just a genius and I could never do what he can do. But yeah, Simon Pegg is a big one. I always loved Bill Bailey growing up as well
Aryan: In your opinion, what was the highlight of your acting career? What did you enjoy the most?
Mr Soames: It's hard to say The times I was happiest and the most proud of something I’d done was when I made something with other people. I did stand-up and thought it was ok, but I didn't enjoy it I mean I didn't mind it, but I didn't love it If you don't love stand-up, then it's not a fun place to be, whereas when I was improvising with a group of people I absolutely loved it One of my favourite things I did was make a film, called Lost on the Road, with my friends. It was incredibly difficult, with zero money and zero technical skills (laughs), but it was such a great collaborative process and one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.
Alex: Why did you create a YouTube channel?
Mr Soames: I did a lot of YouTube in lockdown - a lot of language-related videos During a time when everything was so depressing, I wanted to get people interested in languages.
Aryan: What caused you to transition from a career in acting to a career in teaching?
Mr Soames: It wasn't a transition I've always been teaching while doing comedy. I graduated from University and did a teacher training course straight away and I have been teaching either part-time or tutoring to support the acting since I became a teacher It has always been a nice balance since they complement each other skills-wise, but also, as much as comedy and acting are fun, they are very hard, and it is very difficult to sustain yourself financially - it's a career that requires a lot of resilience, self-belief and determination If you are not fully in love with it, it can become a very toxic situation to be in. From a financial point of view, it’s always been good to have both, but also from the perspective of just feeling like you are helping people. Acting is great, but it can feel very selfish a lot of the time, whereas teaching is pretty much the best job you can have, in terms of helping people and making a difference, I think it’s one of the most noble jobs you can do. It’s always been a passion of mine
An unbreakable bond between two sisters will lead them down a magical ride Scarlett Dragna is a protective and caring character who has never left her tiny island; where she lives with her sister Tella Dragna and their cruel father. Under strict living rules because of their wealthy father, Scarlett has an arranged marriage that can be her and her sister's ticket off the island However Scarlett desire to see the magical Caraval is still there The Caraval is a yearly event that is hosted by Legend-a magician who creates the most magical experience. However this year, an invitation invites Scarlett and Tella to experience it With the help of a sailor they go however when they arrive Legend ends up kidnapping Tella for the game. In order to get her back, Scarlett must play in the game but it means potentially getting caught by their father and missing her wedding
Reviewed by Mia D, Year 10
Personally, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading magical and enchanted books. Before reading this book, I was hesitant to start it, however it is one of the best books I read this year If you enjoy reading fantasies but want to take a break from the traditional concepts then this book is for you The love story between the protagonist and another character is one that keeps you on your toes, as well as that the character development of Scarlett as she goes to a protective sister to one that allows her to have fun is satisfying to read Whilst reading the book, I was so caught up in the whimsical world, it felt as if I was living within the pages; also trying to figure out the clues before the author revealed them made the book even more exciting. The writing was slow but paced, Stephanie Garber uses of language and techniques allowed to bring the book alive Even more of a bonus, is that if you liked this book, there are two more in the series, a novella plus a spin off series!
Bess, George, Alan and Nancy are all going on a Superstar cruise ship to Alaska! All except Alan know the real reason to be on that ship. Everything is not what it seems as a danger is on board with them Becca, one of Nancy’s friends, works at Superstar Cruises and is getting threatening notes Can you solve the case before it is too late?
I really enjoyed this book because I love reading about mystery and secrets and trying to solve the case before the protagonist realises what is really happening I would recommend this book so far to anyone who wants to read a mysterious crime scene book from 7+
Reviewed by Aarya, Year 7
One is a book about 2 conjoined twins defying the odds of 16 years of survival. Joined at the waist, Grace and Tippi have been homeschooled for most of their life but now they must venture into high school Meeting new friends along the way, the twins try to avoid the staring and sneering
I recommend this book to people that enjoy reading about people with lives that are a bit different and unique.
What’s your favourite sport? Each edition, we will spotlight a different sport that you might like to try.
In this issue, Max F, Year 8, tells us all about hockey.
The first time hockey Was played Was 1849 Over the years, they competed in many international events including the 1940 Summer Olympics. After that, 28 years later, the first British Hockey Board (BHB) was formed ahead of the Olympics being held in London
Our national hockey team have had so many successes throughout time including: 13 Olympic medals, 4 gold, 2 silver and 7 bronze
For hockey, you will need a range of different kit & clothing depending on the season: Shinpads and a gum shield are a must for safety. A glove so your hand doesn't get hurt. Last but not least, a hockey stick!
FUN FACTS:
1. HOCKEY IS ONE OF THE MOST PLAYED SPORTS IN THE WORLD AFTER FOOTBALL.
2 MEN'S FIELD HOCKEY HAS THE QUICKEST SWING SPEED OF ANY SPORT GOING AT UP TO 103MPH!
3. HOCKEY STICKS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT-HANDED. HOPE
How to find a club : Finding a club couldn't be easier. Just go to www.EnglandHockey.co.uk
. There are over 1,000 hockey clubs in Great Britain so there is bound to be one for you.
By Sara E, Year 10
One of the things I find most interesting about Macbeth by William Shakespeare is how many interpretations have been brought to cinema and theatre There are simply so many adaptations on stage and screen but they are all so different One adaptation portrays the three witches as nurses In another, we see Macbeth as an unambitious burger stand employee Yes, you read that correctly!
But to be completely honest, most (not all, but most) of these adaptations have been somewhat disappointing to me I personally do not like over-creativity to the point where the original work is robbed of its aesthetics and basic elements Why are we trying to fix something that doesn’t need fixing?
I can confidently say though that KES has not robbed Macbeth of its beauty, but added to it The students and staff who worked to bring this masterpiece of a play to The Dobson demonstrated the type of creativity that most other adaptations I have seen lacked
It is incredible how well the performers channelled the emotions of the characters they became for the night Macbeth is a play filled with heavy and impactful emotions and yet that weight didn’t seem to bend our students’ backs. Chloe showed us Lady Macbeth’s guilt so perfectly in Act 5 that I couldn’t help but grow just as concerned as the doctor himself And one of the scenes that clearly impacted the audience was Liam, as Macduff, grieving his slaughtered children Kay was a spectacular Hecate, perfectly embodying the power of a magic goddess But of course, one cannot forget Macbeth himself Jay showed us what true terror looks like as Macbeth began to see Banquo’s ghost. His role as Macbeth showed us all what happens to a person when they allow their ambition to take full control
The witches, arguably three of the most important characters in the play, were perfectly played The students playing the witches successfully channelled the eeriness and somewhat unsettling feeling the witches are meant to bring, silently gliding around the stage.
And the set was exactly what creativity looks like when being put into play Seeing each character interact with the curtains depending on the mood and emotion was a beautiful form of expression that did not require words The way the streams of white allowed for the magical effect of lighting to do what it does best was simply perfect Those behind the lights and sound did an excellent job of seamlessly changing the set without actually moving anything on stage
I believe this play was performed with a lot of insight and effort and was a delightful way to spend one’s Saturday evening!
It’s the season of giving but sometimes it’s hard to pick out the right gift! To help you out, Year 7 students Cecily, Belles and Thea have come up with ideas to suit every budget.
Slippers - Perfect to wear for the holidays and for staying cozy
Clothes - Pyjamas, Jackets, Shirts, Jumpers, Trousers
Tote bags - Great to hold your belongings
Stationery - Ready for the new term and being organised at school
Stickers - To decorate and make everything cute
Teddies - Cute and nice to hug
Claw Clips - Good to keep hair up in school and try out new hairstyles
Magazines - Entertainment
Toy cars - Fun to play with and entertaining
Fluffy Socks - Cheap and warm, nice for the winter weather
Hats, Scarfs (Accessories) - good for winter weather
LED lights
Skincare
Phone cases
Earrings - Good accessories for outfits and cute to wear
Clay Beads - Good for entertainment in the day
Water Bottles
Bags
Thermal Flasks - Keeps your drink warm or cold for a refreshing drink
Mirrors - Very useful
What do the KES Sixth Form love about Christmas? We sat down for a chat with some of our Lower Sixth to find out...
Q: What is your favourite Christmas food?
Ethan: Pigs in blankets
Kiran: I do like pigs in blankets Because bacon Sausages Who doesn’t like bacon and sausages!
Sam W: Brussel sprouts
Cary: Probably difficult Turkey It’s always turkey
Evie: I love my Santa bao buns, which you can get from M+S They really get me in the festive mood
Q: Are you celebrating Christmas this year? If so, what are you doing?
Sam: I will be celebrating Christmas this year I’ll be spending it with my cousins, my Granny and my immediate family We’ll play some games, including ‘Robin’s Game’, which is named after a weird man we once spent Christmas with!
Kira: For me, Christmas is a very family-based holiday because I am from an Orthodox upbringing We will have some traditional Ukrainian food and sing Christmas carols
Evie: I’m going skiing between Christmas and New Year and I’m going for a husky ride!
Emma: I’m going for Christmas lunch at my Nan’s house and then I’m seeing my friends, actually That’s quite different!
Q: Do you believe in Santa?
Alex: Yes, of course I’m just about to get my Santa tracker out now
Kiran: Ooh, I’m going to be controversial here and say yes Big fat man coming down my chimney - I’m not sure how he can fit - but that’s the way it goes
Cary: I do believe in Santa I pray to him for good Christmas presents
Q: What gift are you hoping for this Christmas?
Emma: I wanted Reading tickets, but I’ve already got them! Evie and I are going together
Kira: Some climbing shoes so I can beat my friends at climbing!
Evie: M+S Food Hall vouchers so I can buy more bao buns!
Sam: Love and happiness
QUICK QUIZ: WHICH CHRISTMAS FILM IS THE SIXTH FORM FAVOURITE? ANSWER ON THE BACK PAGE
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and line a baking tray
375g plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
3 tsps ground ginger
Dash of ground cinnamon
120g unsalted butter
175g light brown sugar
5 tbsp of golden syrup
1 medium egg
2
1 Add the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon into a bowl. Also cut your butter into cubes and add it in.
3. Next add in the sugar and combine.
Using your fingers rub the ingredients together until they look somewhat like breadcrumbs.
4.
5
Then add the golden syrup and egg Mix it in using a spatula
6.
Afterwards knead the moisture until it becomes a dough and roll it out onto a lightly floured surface.
Using a rolling pin, roll the dough until 1/2cm thickness and cut it into any shapes you want.
7. Then place in the oven for 10-11 minutes Then cool them done 8
If you want to, decorate the biscuits however you like. 9.
Notes
-You can always change how much ginger or cinnamon you use!
-keep for a week in a airtight container
We are now looking for content fortheSpring editionofKESLife.
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 for a drop in session to get started.
The Sixth Form favourite film was ‘Love Actually’!