LEIGHTON
PARK ’ S
Leighton Park’s Student-Lead Newspaper
The Acorn February Edition
19/2/25
Feature Sections:
Current events and news (pg 4)
Taking Dog (pg 3)
Meet LP ’ s new Headteacher (pg 6)
Health and Fitness (pg 10)
ISSUE 15
America in Focus - By Annabel Evans
What’s New with Trump?
Although Trump won both the popular and electoral college vote on November 5th, he wasn’t sworn in until the 20th of January, in a process known as the inauguration. The word inauguration is defined as “the formal admission of someone to office”, or in other words the time at which the president-elect is officially sworn into power. From this point onwards, they have the authority to sign off on new bills and take over the day-to-day running of the state. On January 20th alone, Trump signed tens of bills, which are summarised below.
Climate Change
Firstly, Trump has declared that he will leave the Paris climate agreement, which was signed in 2015, despite temperatures increasing by more than 1.5C above preindustrial levels in a single year for the first time. This will be the second time America has , Trump has left the agreement in 2017, just for Biden to re-join on his first day in office in early 2021. The agreement imposed regulations on nonrenewable energy production and consumption, which may now be lifted under the declaration of a “national energy emergency”.
Citizenship
One of the main pieces of legislation Trump has proposed plans to significantly alter the 14th Amendment, which states that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and sub-
ject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” However, with his new bill, the children of people in the US on temporary visas or who have entered the US illegally will no longer be granted this right.
Diversity
Trump has signed a bill which shuts down all positions dedicated to DEI within the federal government, and a new page has also been added to the official government website, which calls gender ideology “extremism” with the aim of “restoring biological truth”. The page later went on to say that the United States only recognises “two sexes, male and female” which will be reflected on all legal identification documents. This will affect an estimated 1.2 million people in the US who identify as non-binary, in addition to the 3 million who identify as transgender.
Additional controversy was sparked by Trump’s definition of male and female to mean “a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell” and “a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the small reproductive cell” respectively. However, this has caused some contention in the wider public, since although sex is determined through the combination of X and Y chromosomes, this cannot be detected until much later in pregnancy. Many more still have pointed
out that although Trump’s definition accounts for the majority, it ignores people who are biologically intersex.
TikTok
In lighter news, the ban on the use of TikTok in America was delayed by Trump for 75 days. While he suggested that the ban could be permanently forgotten if a 50-50 ownership deal could be reached between ByteDance (the current owner) and the USA, Beijing representatives have refused to interfere with the decisions surrounding TikTok, which they say should be left to the companies’ shareholders.
Capitol Riot
Lastly, Trump has pardoned nearly 1,500 people from engaging in the riots which took place on the 6th of January 2021, who he referred to as “hostage”. During the initial riots, five died and 140 police officers sustained injuries, at least 17 of whom were still unable to return to work five months later, according to CBS News.
Sources:
All information used in this article was sourced from the BBC and the Guardian, unless otherwise specified.
Photo credit: Reuters
Looking forward in school - By
Maiya Singh
House Round
-up
Throughout this term, there's been a variety of house events. From house chess to theatre, there's been plenty of time to get involved. The overall house winners from last year were Tubman, winning many competitions and gaining points throughout the year.
Some of the earlier events from the last term included cross country, theatre (Tubman winning with an amazing retelling of the story of ‘Narcissus’), house
polyglot which had a theme of ‘Maths’ this year (Fox winning overall), house essay, featuring the three titles of ‘If I could change one thing in the world’, ‘The importance of kindness’ and ‘Is it more important to act with integrity or loyalty?’ There’s also been many different sporting events. This half term has also featured plenty of events, from house chess (BentsiEnchill winning) and with the seasonal bake sale for the different house charities and the new Christmas
Tech and Future Science- By
William Jewell
video. There were also many house sports that took place at the end of this term, such as house hockey, rugby and basketball. The results are mixed and the houses are still in narrow competition, meaning that next term will be tough, especially as House Music, one of the biggest house events, is beginning to approach.
Good luck to all house event participants for the next half term!
Are Subscriptions Getting Out of Hand?
"To unlock this feature, a subscription is required." This phrase has become a constant in our digital lives. From music and movies to software and services, nearly everything demands a subscription. However managing so many recurring payments can be overwhelming. So, I ask the question: are subscriptions getting out of hand?
A subscription is a recurring payment typically monthly or annually for access to a (premium) service. However, many people feel that the sheer number of subscriptions has become difficult to track, remember, and afford. Fortunately, there are simple ways to take control:
If you've subscribed
through the App Store or the Google Play store, managing them is easy: On Apple devices: Go to Settings > Tap your name at the top > Subscriptions.
On Android devices: Open the Google Play App > Tap your profile picture (top right) > Payments & Subscriptions.
These steps will display all subscriptions purchased through your Apple or Google account. For subscriptions outside these platforms, you'll need to check each service's website individually.
Keep track of your apps!
The best way to keep track of all your subscriptions is by creating a list. Write down each service, and its cost, and calculate the total monthly and yearly expenses.
Seeing everything in one place gives you a clearer picture of your spending and helps you to identify unnecessary subscriptions.
Once you have a full overview, start cutting back your subscriptions. Do you really need multiple streaming services? For example, cancelling either Netflix or Disney+ could save you hundreds per year.
Say no to auto-renewal
Lastly, turn off auto-renewal where possible. By doing this, you'll have to manually renew only the subscriptions you actually need, preventing unwanted charges from creeping up on you.
By following these steps, you can take control of your subscriptions, reduce financial waste, and ensure you're only paying for what truly adds value to your life
Image credit: Basic Apple Guy
Product: Apple© iPhone 16 Pro Max
Let’s Talk Pets - By
Daria Shchepina
Beyond Barks
Have you ever considered yourself understanding your pet on a deeper level and connecting with a special bond with your canine? The dog language is the key to unlocking the silent messages your pup keeps from you. No more guessing games!
Before learning this interesting way of communicating, it may be helpful to recall all the beneficial points this type of contact equips.
First up, you will be able to health-monitor your furry friend. Dogs usually experience stress and discomfort because of various reasons. 30% of puppies suffer from loud noises or social interactions. Whelps get irritated and try to escape while you pick up unbearable annoying whining with your ears. A colossal percentage of pets face hardship during grooming or visiting a vet, newborn dogs who did not have much experience may find the environment of unfamiliar walls and new faces nerve-racking. 50% of doggos have firework and thunderstorm anxiety because they can hear 2 times more noises than us. Nothing escapes their ears!
Another positive outcome of learning dog
language is once you get your puppy and realise they are acting oddly or unusual, fixing it before the problem grows and gets wilder is the best solution.
Dogs have a bunch of ways to chat to each other such as tail wagging, scent marking and facial expressions, however if you try those movements as a person speaking to a dog, the canine will be less likely to understand you. Humans communicate with dogs in a few key ways; patience, consistency and determination have to take the stage!
The most effective way to be in touch is posture. Standing still and confident will get a message to your pet that you are their owner and should listen to you. Pets also chat with their siblings in the same way, if the dog is standing tall with its chest out may be showing authority. You are a lucky homeowner if the dog is lying with its stomach up, it shows that they trust you and maybe they even request to pet them! Avoid being above and towering over your
dog. Your four legged friend will respect you if after a specific command you reward them. A trusty tail wag will link your request to a nice treat and will appreciate it. A lower tone voice is in their banned list since they connect it to seriousness. A high pitched tone symbolises happiness and excitement in the dog world. When puppies get savage and crazy, use a firm tone while saying a stern and simple “No!” Dogs also pick up any vibe you have got, if you are upset your friend will be trying to bring positive energy back. If you are happier than ever, your pup will be playful and begging for a walk.
Dogs' minds are fascinating, they learn by doing the action occasionally and repetitively. When you ask your furry friend to do the action you want every day and after linking the action to a reward, they will automatically think “ if I do this gesture, first they will leave me alone but not only that, they will give me sweets!” Followed by processing the behaviour.
Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason. We need to understand when they silently stare at us and go with the puppy’ s flow.
House Essay Winner Extract- By Annabel
Evans
House Essay Extract: Annabel Evans
Read an extract from The Acorn’s very own Annabel Evans house competitionwinning essay!
“Kindness and unkindness have a wide range of connotations within our modern society, and it is therefore essentially impossible to clearly state what kindness is or isn’t. However, the Cambridge dictionary defines kindness as “the quality of being kind”, and kind as “generous, helpful and thinking about other peo-
ple’s feelings”, while defining unkindness as “not treating someone very well; not considering their feelings”. Although legally it is hard to differentiate between different types of kindness and unkindness, these socially accepted definitions infer that intention carries just as much weight as outcome. They also suggest that while kindness and unkindness are most commonly thought of as actions, they can also be inactions, such
Environmental Issue - By Daniel Bailey
How Wild are these Fires?
On January 7th of this year, terrible news came in of wildfires breaking out (in the middle of winter) in Los Angeles (LA), California. It very quickly became clear that these fires were some of the worst in US history as, due to strong winds and parched land, they spread at an alarming rate not just through the forests but well into the outskirts of LA. Whilst many of the smaller incidents were quickly contained by firefighters, two incidents got out of hand incredibly quickly, the Palisades incident between Malibu and Santa Monica and the Eaton incident just north of Pasadena.
The Palisades fire was first reported at about 10:30 am PST and within 20 minutes it grew from 20 acres to 200 acres and after just 1 hour it was reported it had already burnt 1262 acres of forest. Over 1400 firefighters were deployed and yet
with winds of up to 80mph and with fire hydrants running dry, most of their efforts were futile.
In a press conference on the 8th of January, the LA fire chief said that the fire had reached a size of more than 5000 acres and had destroyed around 1000 structures. The fire continued to grow at an alarming rate with 0% containment however, after 55 hours the LA fire department reported 6% containment. Regular updates from then on showed higher containment but also huge swathes of land and properties having been destroyed and on the 15th of January it had devastated over 20000 acres.
The Eaton fire followed a similar story, rapidly expanding with firefighters doing everything they could but to no avail. Then suddenly they stopped or so you might assume.
as refraining from saying something rude, or not talking to someone who’s alone, respectively. I will also include any positive human interaction under the category of kindness for this essay. This is because such interactions cannot take place without being “helpful” or “thinking about other people's feelings”, both of which are listed as characteristics of kindness and benefit everyone involved.”
By the 14th of January, these fires had disappeared from UK news, seemingly after just a week these terrible incidents had become ‘old news’. Yet still they burned. It wasn’t until the 31st of January that they were fully contained, by which time the Palisades fire had burned 23448 acres or land and the Eaton fire had burned 14021 acres.
Thousands of lives were ruined by these fires, described as some of the worst in Californian history, but beyond the initial shock, as a population, we clearly weren’t interested enough for it to be headline news for long. So just remember, if you’re following a story and it falls out of the spotlight, you may have to dig a bit deeper but there is a chance that it is still developing and that it is far from over.
Let’s Go Sport! - By
Thomas Battye
F1 Round-up
With the end of the 2024 F1 season last year and the 2025 F1 season fast approaching, it's good to have a roundup of the latest F1 news so you're informed before the new season starts.
Driver Changes
Alpine: Pierre Gasly is joined by a new teammate, Jack Doohan, who had an early debut at the final race in Abu Dhabi last year.
Aston Martin: No change
Ferrari: Potentially one of the most exciting driver moves we've ever seen: Lewis Hamilton is moving to Ferrari. This could be one of the biggest changes in a while. Lewis has long been blaming the car as the reason why he can't perform at his best, although he has since said that he isn't a good enough driver. Hopefully the new car allows for Lewis to start winning more races.
Haas: Haas are changing everything up, taking Esteban Ocon from Alpine, and 19 year old Oliver Bearman.
McLaren: No change
Mercedes: With Lewis leaving the team for Ferrari, George Russel becomes the senior driver for the team, teaming up with Kimi Antonelli, 18, who spent a season in Formula 2 and has been a Mercedes protege since age 11.
Red Bull: Sergio Perez has moved to Williams, being replaced with Liam Lawson, who is making the step up from Racing Bulls.
Racing Bulls: Yuki Tsunoda is beginning his fifth season with Racing Bulls, joining him is newcomer Isack Hadjar, who was runner up in Formula 2 last year.
Sauber: In their final year before becoming the Audi team, Nico Hulkenberg will be driving alongside Gabriel Bortoleto.
Williams: Carlos Sainz begins a new chapter of his career at Williams, joining Alex Albon on his fourth season at the team, an interesting prospect for Williams.
Rule Changes
The FIA have decided to remove the bonus point available for setting the fastest lap. This may bring some interesting strategy changes, meaning those in the middle of the pack will probably stay with used tires later on in the race rather than trying to set the fastest lap at the end.
There has also been an increase in the requirement for fielding a young driver during free practise from once per season to two times per season, although this is a relatively minor change.
The FIA have also required that rear wing components must
remain rigid relative to their reference frame when the DRS is not deployed, in order to prevent rows over designs like McLaren's "mini DRS" system.
In order to prevent driver overheating during heat conditions, when the heat forecast is predicted to exceed 30.5 degrees celsius during a race or sprint, cars must be fitted with additional driver cooling systems. To accommodate this, the minimum car weight has been increased by 5kg.
March 16th start
The 2025 season will be commencing in Australia, with the race scheduled for March 16th, due to the rescheduling of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to accommodate Ramadan. This is also a relatively minor change, however it will be an interesting change, as the last time Australia opened an F1 season was in 2019.
Overall, I think the main driver to watch is Lewis Hamilton, especially in the practise sessions, where we'll see how he handles the new car, although so far it's looking promising for him in preseason testing.
Lewis Hamilton Picture: Planet F1
Annabel Evans, Zoona Khizer, Larry Wu and Fin Walker
Incoming Headteacher Scoop!
In December, four members of our team had the opportunity to conduct an interview with the soon-to-be new head of school, Luke who will be joining our school in September 2025! In our next four editions we will be sharing Luke’s responses to each of our questions. The full video is also available for viewing on the Leighton Park School Youtube account, and can be accessed through the E-bulletin released on January 15th.
In the first section of the video, Zoona Khizer from Year 7 who asked Luke if he was willing to share a fun fact about himself
Zoona: Hi, I’m Zoona and I’m in Year seven at Leighton Park. I’m one of the four journalists here who’ve been asked to interview our new Headmaster Luke. So what’s an interesting fact about yourself?
Luke: ‘An interesting fact about myself okay, I suppose what makes me a little bit different from other people and the bit I always go back to is that I wasn’t brought up in this country, so I grew up overseas. So when everybody else went off to secondary school in my local town, which was Bath, I headed off to Asia. So my family and I grew up in Hong Kong, but I think that actually the
The Gaming World - By Andrey
AC
Credit: Steam
more I reflect on it as I get older, and unfortunately I am getting a little bit older, I realized that actually that formed my experience, particularly my education experience. So I have a particular affinity or knowledge of the UK in terms of the educational sector but also overseas.’
Find out more about Luke in the next Acorn!
Zyablov
Shadows: The Newest Chapter for Ubisoft
The Assassin’s Creed franchise continues to expand its rich and immersive world with the announcement of its newest installment, Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
As the latest addition to this beloved series, fans are buzzing with excitement and curiosity about what this game has to offer.
A Dark and Mysterious Setting
The game is set in an expansive new setting and takes players to the dark, mysterious, and enigmatic world of feudal Japan, stepping away from the familiar terrains of previous titles. Taking place in an era shrouded in secrecy and intrigue, the game invites players to explore new locations steeped in dark history and myth. Early teasers hint at environments ranging from shadowy urban landscapes to sprawling wilderness, all
meticulously crafted to draw players into the narrative.
A Deep and Engaging Narrative
As with its predecessors, Shadows will weave a compelling storyline filled with betrayal, alliances, and the intricate battle between the Assassins and the Templars. Players will unravel a new chapter of lore, meeting intriguing characters and encountering formidable foes that will challenge their skills and resolve. The game’s narrative aims to connect past and present, offering fans a deeper understanding of the franchise’s rich storyline.
Enhanced Gameplay Mechanics
Developers have tasted exciting new gameplay mechanics that are set to enhance the Assassin’s Creed experience. Players can expect refined parkour
movements, stealth tactics, and combat systems that build on the franchise's established formula while introducing innovative features tailored for a more immersive experience. Additionally, the game promises to introduce new tools and gadgets that Assassins can utilize to adapt to their environments and enhance strategic gameplay.
Release Date and Platforms
The official release date is 20th March 2025. The game is expected to be released on Xbox Series S and X, PS5, and Windows and the most wonderful thing is that it is also going to be released on MacOS and iPadOS. That will allow most gamers worldwide to play the newest game in the franchise
Opinion Piece - By Fin Walker
Who Is The Real Elon Musk?
Musk was born into an affluent family in South Africa during Apartheid. He was apparently relentlessly bullied as a child but received no help from his parents or school.
After finishing school, Elon Musk moved to Canada to attend Queen Mary’s College and majored in computer mechanics along with business. While in college, he created the digital exchange known as X.com. After education, he and his friends would sell X.com to Paypal in 2011, leaving Musk with a large payday of an estimated $300 million. Choosing to invest his money elsewhere, Musk created and built up Tesla into the most profitable car company ever to hit the American stock exchange while beginning his passion projects of Spacex and the Boring Company.
In 2021, Musk purchased Twitter and renamed it X.com. He continues running these companies to this day while also being selected by President Donald Trump in the new Department of Government Efficiency.
However, Elon Musk is not the man he wants you to think he is. Elon Musk was never the co-creator of X.com, he never created Tesla and his continued fight for free speech has resulted in the most hated social media platform to
ever exist on the internet. Elon Musk is not a visionary, genius and tactical businessman, he has manipulated his public image from one end of the spectrum to the other to best appeal to the highest majority.
The website X.com was indeed a digital finance exchange way ahead of its time. It was the first of its kind, being able to attribute the digital values in a digital account, sell a specific number and exchange it out again for real-world money. Except, it was not just Musk who worked on the project but also his dorm mates and brother. Although still an incredible accomplishment for only 7 people in the early 2000s, Elon Musk appears to continuously take credit for the creation of X.com in interviews up to today without any mention of his other friends and business partners.
Secondly, Elon Musk did not create Tesla nor did he design or create its flagship product the Tesla Series S. In fact, Martin Eberhart and Marc Tapenning had started the company Tesla one year prior to Musk ever getting involved.
It originally began as a college project to create an efficient electric vehicle. When Musk did enter the company, he was placed on its board of directors and funded the project through to mass produc-
tion. When Tesla began to grow, Musk was able to persuade other investors in the company to fire Eberhart and Tarpenning. They were left with no severance money and ever since have continued spreading their side of the Tesla story.
Last but not least, Musk’s takeover of Twitter has by and large caused the largest mass exodus of a social media platform in the history of the internet. Figures from both the App Store and Google Play indicate that in the week in which Musk introduced the new x.com, the number of downloads fell by over 500,000 and the number of deletions rose to 6.5 million. These statistics further coincide with Musk’s decision to make X.com a free speech platform, thereby unblocking profiles like Donald Trump, Alex Jones and Nicholas Fuentes who had previously been banned for the promotion of the far-right and posing as active real-world threats.
So what have we learnt about the ‘real-world Tony Stark’?
Elon Musk is undoubtedly a smart man who has used his business sense to boost unknown ideas to the mainstream. What he doesn’t want you to know is that his climb has come as a result of backstabbing, persuasion and coercion to the point of being the richest man in the world.
States; one executive order away from disappearing off millions of screens.
But in a dramatic turn of events, President Trump intervened at the eleventh hour, delaying the ban for 75 days.
While this move brought relief to many, it’s left an undeniable question hanging in the air: how did it all come to this?
It started somewhere in 2024 when their parent company was making the U.S. government get concerned about data protec-
tion. So, U.S. officials sounded the alarm, raising concerns about data privacy and national secu-
They feared the app could act as a back door, funnelling sensitive user data straight into the hands of the Chinese government. These accusations sparked a frenzy, with many professionals debating whether TikTok was a safe, fun dancing platform, or a wolf in sheep’s clothing
Rage erupted as decisions were made rapidly, fueling debates across social media. News outlets rushed to cover the situation, analysing potential solutions and speculating on the most pressing question: Who could buy TikTok?
into the spotlight. Would a familiar name take over, or was an unexpected influencer about to shake up the industry?
It started with the parent company (as I mentioned earlier) Bytedance, which majorly concerned the American government for two reasons: data and security. They were afraid that the Chinese company was discreetly taking the data of its users.
How long will the reprieve last for TikTok? We don’t know but it seems to have got away with it this time...
By Sophia Abilkhanova
A Pandemic on Education?
Since Covid, almost 5 years now, a lot of things have changed. The covid-19 pandemic has brought drastic changes in every aspect of our lives, and education is no exception.
Millions of students from all over the world were forced to adapt to a new way of learning-online. As we look back on the past few years, it's clear that the pandemic has had a lasting impact on education, from how lessons are taught to how students and teachers interact with each other.
All students quickly moved to those platforms like Zoom, Google meet, and Microsoft Teams to continue lessons. But these kinds of changes also caused a lot of problems like access to technology, a stable internet connection, and a quiet distraction-free space to learn. For some, the face-to face interactions made it harder to stay engaged and motivated.
Online lessons
On the other hand, one of the immediate benefits of online learning was the ability to continue online lessons despite school closures. Students no longer had to pause their education entirely. These platforms allowed them to engage with teachers, classmates and course materials from home. For some, the flexibility of online classes was an advantage. Students could attend lectures from the comfort of their own homes, have more control over their schedules, and even access recorded lessons to revisit later.
Furthermore, online education democratised access to resources. Students from remote areas or different parts of the world could join the same class, opening global classrooms. Teachers were
able to use a variety of digital tools-such as online quizzes, shared documents, and interactive videos to enhance learning experiences. However, the rapid shift to online learning wasn't without its challenges. One of the most significant obstacles was access to technology. Many students did not have access to necessary devices, such as laptops or stable internet connections, to participate effectively in online classes. The digital disproportionately affected students in low-income households and rural communities.
Drop in motivation
Additionally, engagement was hampered by the online format. Students frequently found it difficult to maintain concentration when their teachers and peers were not physically there. Asking questions, taking part in group discussions, and getting quick feedback were all made more difficult by the absence of in-person interactions. Some students saw a drop in motivation as a result of the unstructured classroom setting and the distractions of their personal lives.
For some students school isn't about academics- It's a space to connect with friends, work together on projects, and participate in extracurricular activities in addition to their academic pursuits. These social components were upset by the pandemic, and many people found the seclusion to be unbearable. The benefits of In-Person Learning: it became clear how much of the educational process centres on human interaction when pupils were made to learn in solitude. The classroom is a place where kids can learn from their peers, from friendship, and hone their social skills in addition to pursuing academic knowledge. A physical classroom offers the chance for
impromptu conversations, group projects, and the kind of interpersonal engagement that is essential to a students growth. There are challenges of online learning on the other hand. Online learning has its limitations when it comes to encouraging this kind of social connection. Students only showing up as tiny thumbnails in a grid while spending the entire day staring at a screen made the learning process seem impersonal. Sitting through classes without the energy of a real classroom became mentally taxing for many. A lot of students missed the lively conversations, body language, and facial expressions that usually occur in person. It was evident that online learning could not completely replace the relationships and excitement of a classroom, despite professors’ attempts to engage students through video chats
One thing is certain as we continue to move past the pandemic’s height: the educational landscape has undergone a significant transformation. Despite being a need, the quick adoption of technology in the classroom has shown both its advantages and disadvantages.
Blended learning
The future of education will blend digital and in-person learning, tailored to students and teachers needs. However, equity remains a challenge, as not all students have access to technology or conducive learning environments. Ensuring resources for all learners must be a priority. We must also preserve the human element of educationsocial connections, classroom discussions, and mental health support. These are vital in any model moving forward. The pandemic’s impact on education will linger, but by learning from it, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and flexible system that prioritizes learning, growth, and
Animals and pets - By Charlotte Parker Furry Friends in the Flames
As I’m sure you’ve heard, there have been absolutely devastating wildfires spreading through the state of California (USA).
However, while we’ve seen much coverage about donations of clothes and food for people, what about the furry friends affected in the fire? How have they been protected? In this article I will tell you a story about how animals have been given shelter from the atrocities that are happening in America.
For example, a source from the BBC reported that an LA stables has turned into Noah’s Ark for the animals affected, they are sheltering everything from pigs to donkeys.
This shelter has received hundreds of animals since the start of the fires and has kindly taken
them all in. They have sheltered the animals at no- cost for the owners while also receiving donations of hay and other supplies for the animals. Many people have set up go-fund me’s to raise money for animals affected or displaced from the fire.
Many people have also been leaving out food and water for the animals to drink. As well as this there are charities that are specifically devoted to this cause. I will list some below.
Best friend's animal sanctuary.
SPCALA
LA animal services
Wildlife all around California has suffered devastating destruction. When it comes to “ wild” animals (Animals without owners) their habitat has been destroyed and some were not able to flee. Some examples of animals affected include - bears, deer,
and Fitness by Emma Castellani
Are you an athlete? If you have ever had that feeling that you're doing something that you shouldn ’t be doing, here are some tips to help you keep things under control.
Focusing on fundamentals like technique, balance, and coordination builds a strong foundation for young athletes. Practicing consistently, breaking skills into steps, and progressive drills help prevent bad habits and injuries. Setting goals helps stay motivated and progress steadily. Short-term goals build confidence with quick wins, while long-term goals provide purpose and direction. You can create SMART goals - write them down, and adjust them with support from coaches and teammates.
Repetition and consistency are essential too. Repeatedly practicing the same skill helps build muscle memory, allowing movements to become automatic during games or competitions. Consistency is more effective than intensity; shorter, focused practice sessions performed regularly yield better results than long, unfocused ones, ensuring steady progress over time. To become the best that you can be, you have to try practice every other day. Finding the time and space isn’t easy
mountain lions and squirrels. These wild animals have been cared for by multiple charities and organizations while also being cared for by the citizens of California.
Unfortunately, while some animals may have been able to flee, many species are unable to escape the flames due to limited mobility and specific habitat requirements. This is absolutely devastating to hear.
Since the beginning of the wildfires, the media has covered all of the footage and we have seen some truly heartwarming stories of pets reuniting with their owners after being separated from them during the fires. I'm sure many locals are extremely thankful for others' donations and quick action towards this devastating situation.
but even if you go up to your room for 5 minutes, it’s still practicing. When you go to training make sure you’ re on time and maybe even get there ten-fifteen minutes early so you are ready and prepared. Whatever you do you have to work your hardest at all times. Remember, hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
Training smart is vital to avoid burnout and injuries. Listening to your body and balancing rest with effort ensures sustainable progress. Additionally, developing mental skills like focus, resilience, and visualisation enhances the ability to stay composed and perform under pressure. Taking care of your mental health is key. Staying positive is one thing that can really help. Thinking of the best scenarios rather than the worst is a good strategy. As an athlete, pressure can be a big problem. It is ok to feel the pressure, but you have to make sure that it does not cause you too much stress. Everyone’s way of dealing with stress is different but a common way that a lot of people use is breathing. Taking slow deep breaths can really help you.
Inspiration can help motivate you to do better. Watching your favourite athlete, dancer, etc can really help you. Having a role model is key. Paying attention to their techniques that they use is very useful to make your-
self more self aware of what you can improve on. Seeking advice from older professionals can really give you a good insight of what you can do to improve.
You might have heard of something called a fixed mindset. Well, you should have the opposite of that. Having a growth mindset means that you take on critique and improve every time you try again. Accepting failure is part of the process. As an athlete you are going to make mistakes and you have to learn from them and move on. Celebrating progress is key to motivating yourself.
As an athlete, one of the best things you can do for your team or friends is support them, if they are feeling sad or disappointed, comfort them. Help motivate them to practice or even just make them feel more comfortable. And if you are the one who needs the support then talk to someone you trust and ask if they can support you.
Most importantly, have fun! Remember that if you do something that you love, love it for real, don’t let it become a burden. Make friends along the way. Work hard, but at the end of the day you do what you do because you love it.
Health
Do We All Need a Good Brew?
Have you ever wondered about the pros and cons of coffee? Imagine you’ve been asked to drink 3 coffees per day, do you think that this is safe? Is coffee an extraordinary drink or is it just an overrated choice.
Drinking coffee causes a lower risk of liver disease and some cancers in coffee drinkers, and it has a lower risk of dying from stroke. However, researchers could not prove that coffee was the main cause of the protection.
Most types of coffee contain caffeine, a substance that may boost your mood, mental and physical performance. Studies in the European heart journal have also shown that it’s safe for most people when consumed in low to moderate amounts. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most people can consume 400 mg of caffeine without having negative effects.
However, high concentration of caffeine may have unpleasant and even dangerous effects. One of them is anxiety. It works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical that makes you feel tired. At the same time, it triggers the release of adrenaline, which is a struggle between energy consumption with increased energy, because adrenaline makes your heart beat faster and your lungs breathe more efficiently. It is especially bad for the user to sleep because you can’t stop the adrenaline from flowing. But at higher doses, these effects may become more terrifying, leading to anxiety and nervousness. 1000mg or more per day have been reported to cause nervousness, loneliness, and similar symptoms in most people, whereas even a moder-
ate intake may lead to similar effects in caffeine-sensitive people at a smaller dosage. Caffeine causes loneliness because of increase levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to feeling of jitteriness and anxiety.
On the other hand, too much caffeine can make any individual have trouble sleeping. Studies have found that higher caffeine intake increases the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. It might even decrease the total sleep time per day, as 400mg or more per day of caffeine can take 0, 3 or even 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Despite all of caffeine’s health problems, there’s no denying that coffee will be beneficial. A detailed review suggested that coffee can have several benefits when consumed in moderation. It contains antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage. Some studies suggest that coffee may reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and could potentially lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, coffee may enhance cognitive function and improve mood.
Research indicated that regular
coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Compounds found in coffee may help enhance brain function and promote the health of neurons, potentially delaying the onset of these conditions. Furthermore, coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, as it improves insulin sensitivity and glucose based metabolism.
In addition to its potential protective effects on the brain and metabolic health, coffee is known to provide a temporary boost in cognitive function. Many people report improved alertness, concentration, and mood after consuming coffee, thanks to caffeine content, which acts as a stimulant. This can be particularly beneficial for those needing energy lift or enhanced focus during long work or study sessions.
Moreover, how coffee is prepared and consumed can significantly impact its health benefits. For instance, adding excessive sugar, whipped cream, or flavored syrups can transform a potentially healthy beverage into a highcalorie drink that contributes to weight gain and undermines any positive effects that may be present.
Ultimately, the key to enjoying coffee healthily lies in moderation. By being mindful of both quality and preparation methods, we all can reap the benefits of coffee while minimising any adverse effects.
Pic: A good cup of coffee
Puzzles - By Zoona and Daniel
THE ACORN