2024/25 Term 1
WERE INVOLVED IN THE FINAL 2024 SARAH NEWSLETTER:
Layla Park (Year 11) - House Shout
Nayoon Kim (Year 7) - Quick Cricket
Haoran (Henry) Jiang (Year 9) - Public Speaking
Seojoon (Ryan) Kim (Year 7) - Esports
Selina Lee (Year 11) - House Glee
Dahyun You (Year 7) - Drone Dash
Chelim (Sophia) Park (Year 8) - House Singing
Seoeun Yoon (Year 10) - Badminton
Viki Park (Year 11) - Editor & Design
As Term 1 draws to a close, this edition of the newsletter serves as a collection of personal reflections from Sarahrian students, sharing their experiences in this year’s House Competitions. Whilst the topics and year groups covered in here may not be exhaustive, we hope you’ll enjoy reading about how your fellow Sarahrians have experienced this term. Thank you all for a wonderful term! Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Kicking off Term 1 with a fiery note, the first annual House Shout competition brought the school together in a dazzling display of talent, unity, and school spirit. This year, Sarah house delivered a performance that not only showcased the wonderful chorus of the yeargroups, but highlighted the dedication and creativity of our Sarah Leadership team From
the moment the first note rang out to the final cheer, it was clear that we were setting the stage for something unforgettable
The highlight of our performance was a medley featuring the previous 2~3 years, carefully selected to resonate with our audience and celebrate the efforts of Sixth Form and Alumni Sarahrians This mix of nostalgic features and new flair captivated the crowd and demonstrated the collaborative effort behind every aspect of our performance
The most striking moment of the evening came when our House Captains, Sola and Andy, appeared in inflatable chicken costumes! Originally intended to represent our phoenix, the costume choice was the result of an unfortunate deficiency in phoenix-related onesies and outfits. After a last-minute scramble, as the iconic phoenix outfit could not be sourced, the team leaned into the comedic potential, refusing to let this setback clip our wings and turning the chickens into an emblem of our adaptability and good humour
The House Captains played a crucial role in bringing this event together From extra rehearsals to coordinating rows and procuring props, their tireless efforts ensured that every detail was perfected They inspired us with their leadership and vision, proving that determination and teamwork are the keys to success
The true stars, however, were the house members who came together as a family. The unity and wholehouse spirit displayed throughout the event were truly heartwarming From the youngest participants to the eldest, everyone contributed their energy and passion to make the performance a success.
In the end, all our hard work paid off, as we clinched first place in this year ’ s House Shout The victory was more than just a trophy it was a celebration of what we can achieve when we stand together. Congratulations to every single member of our house for making this achievement possible Here’s to many more moments of triumph and joy in the years to come!
writtenbyHaoran(Henry)Jiang,Year9
It’s that time of year again: Public speaking! Where speakers can shake off their fears of speaking in front of an audience and flaunt their confidence
The topics range from discussing the invention of the steam engine to creative pitches about new products There are 4 events, being the “Book Read”, “Impromptu Speech”, “Duo Duel” and last but not least, “A speech to entertain”.
The Book Read is a simple 1 minute read of a random page of the book Speakers must use their passion, and ability to show variation in voice. The Impromptu speech is perhaps the most challenging of them all, with speakers having to speak for 1 minute without a script, on a certain topic that allowed limited time for preparers to research. “Duo Duel” features an entertaining 2-person skit with self-made jokes, along with an interesting prompt in order to get things started. “Speech to entertain” features 1 person, talking or trying to make the audience laugh Speakers must use witty wordplay and scintillating sentences to win.
Together, these events create an indelible experience of public speaking They not only help participants develop their communication skills but also build confidence and foster creativity. Each event offers a unique challenge, allowing speakers to explore different factors of their personalities and engage with audiences in creative and innovative ways.
As participants shake off their fears and step into the spotlight, they have a chance to influence the audience’s individual beliefs. Whether through storytelling, spontaneous expression, collaborative humor, or entertaining narratives, these events highlight the importance of voice and presence in communication.
It was crucial for participants and speakers to prepare mentally and emotionally, focusing and developing on their strengths while also being open to learning from each new experience. Public speaking is not just about the words spoken; it’s about the impact left on both the audience and the speakers
writtenbySeojoon(Ryan)Park,Year7
Wherever you went, you could hear the chatter and excitement of the students. Some were laughing in excitement, some were boasting their skills, and some were just chatting about the competition. DDay for the House Esports Competition
From the beginning of the week, we could sense the air of excitement and eagerness for the competition. When we chose the teams, everyone fussed on their skills. In summary, Esports––the newest addition to our house competitions––had everybody up and about in a frenzy.
Finally, the time arrived, as students filed into the BLT, they saw the 3 screens which showed the Mario Kart race about to start As the first round got ready, everyone yelled for their solo teammate and wished them good luck
Red 3 Then Yellow 2 Finally, 1 Green GO! Everybody screamed as the karts took off and started zooming through the course. Of course, it would not be that easy though. Players bumped into each other, got hit by flying shells, or slipped on a banana peel. Whatever the cause, everybody had some kind of unfortunate ending
As the last players zoomed in, cutting the finish line, there were cheers of joy, sighs in shame, and gasps in shock. The competition was home to lots of emotions.
Everybody took part, some doing well, some not, but in the end, everybody had fun. And that was the most important part
Although this competition had not ended in a Saharian victory, everybody had enjoyed the competition. I sincerely hope everybody can enjoy this new experience and feel the thrilling tension, triumph, and fun of the Esports competition
writtenbySelinaLee,Year11
The PAC was alive with energy last Friday night as students, teachers, and staff gathered for the much-anticipated House Commercial Dance
The competition, known for bringing the school community together, didn’t disappoint, delivering a night filled with dazzling performances, friendly competition, and unforgettable moments.
The House Dance serves as a way for each house to showcase its creativity and team spirit This year ’ s theme, “Back to the 80s”, challenged students to blend nostalgia and modern flair into their routines From the disco fever of the ‘80s to the hip-hop hits of today, the performances spanned generations of music and dance styles.
“I’m so proud of my house and our house babies,” said our Glee captain Sophie Lim “We worked really hard for weeks, and it felt amazing to hear the crowd cheer for us ”
In the weeks leading up to the event, students and leaders alike came together to organise an amazing performance with trendy moves and charming original outfits for each dancer A big well done to our dancers and our leaders for sacrificing their lunchtimes and personal time to dedicate themselves to House Glee!
Principal Monaghan praised the event, saying, “The House Dance isn’t just about competition; it’s about celebrating our diverse talents and coming together as one community. Nights like these remind us how amazing our students are ”
Even after the night ended, students still buzzed with excitement and promised to make next year ’ s House Dance even bigger and better. For now, though, the memories of an incredible evening surely kept everyone smiling for weeks.
On the 22nd of November, 2024, the Year 7 Sararians managed to finish Drone Dash with outstanding results
Drone dash- a house competition known for students to collaboratively work and create innovative shapes with the student body- demonstrated leadership, cooperation, open-mindedness, embodying our Sarahrian spirit and essence. As the first time of Year 7 having a go at this, they have faced a few challenges along the way to create these shapes in a limited time.
Firstly, we were tasked to make a logo of a company- Adidas! Under the leadership and voices of many students, including Kevin Yeo(S7B), we managed to create an effective, cohesive environment where we completed our first task efficiently
As one of our strategies, we maintained a specific outline and shape, also with an image provided by one of our student’s laptops to avoid confusion and altercation. We made sure to listen to ideas that were suggested, while also being attentive to each other’s decision about the best possible option
Secondly, the mission for us was to create an animal- a snake. Although many had opinions thinking it was too simple, we attempted to create the wavy, curved shape depicting a clear image of the snake We made sure the head was bigger than the body to clarify that it wasn’t something similar to a worm.
Personally, I believe that we could’ve incorporated the tongue, suggested by our fellow Sarahrian, to improve the creativity in this specific animal. On the other hand, it still did provide the essence of a snake, succeeding our task
Lastly, we were able to create ABC, which symbolises the subject English! By testing the flexibility, positive mindset, and comfortability in hand-in-hand tasks, we made a joint effort, spelling out clearly the subject english. Even under the pressure of the ticking time, we triumphantly finished the group effort with ease, proving that our group can embrace the spirit of our house.
In conclusion, we have been placed in an astonishing position of 3rd place, making this another opportunity for us to exhibit our Sarahrian motto- We get better and better! When you see your fellow classmates or Year 7 Sarahrians pass by, give them a shout and a cheer! Remember, we will get BETTER AND BETTER!
A cacophony of cheers, encouragements, and whoops fill the air, the exhilaration palpable The performers stood, all clad in black and white, facing a wall of red fabric, the only barrier between them and the audience now buzzing with excitement. The blaring noise of the introductory video sounded, warped and distant, the roar of the audience now fading into murmurs of anticipation
Gradually, the curtains opened
Then, silence. Suspended in mid air, seeming to last for an eternal heartbeat…
Finally, when the conductor raises her hands, the silence shatters, and the whole auditorium is flooded with the rolling beat of the basses that resonate through flesh and bone, the heavenly melody of the sopranos, and the soothing countermelody of the altos As the music flows, the confidence and pride is palpable, as even the most demure and timid sing out, one note at a time. Each note adds to the harmony that cascades like a waterfall, sometimes a trickling, crystalline stream hil h i
While the preparations had been strenuous and challenging, we had truly strived for the best in this competition. Starting with the division of parts to the first few sessions of learning to the first rehearsal to the very final run through, the whole process had been fraught with hardships and difficulties Yet, Sarah House had, in the end, repaired the holes and mistakes in the vibrant canvas of our song and produced a truly beautiful tapestry in the end led by our arts captain, Selina Lee.
“The process was admittedly stressful and difficult but I’m glad all of us pulled through and put on a great performance,” reflects Selina. “I’m looking forward to seeing Sarah House come together again for next year ’ s house singing”
Whilst the song ‘What about us?’ carried a somewhat accusing tone, Sarah House adapted it into a more admonishing song that presents a reminder for improvement and growth in the future This pervasive plea filled with pure emotion enhanced the overall performance and Sarah house truly did a spectacular job expressing such a poignant piece
Although in the end Sarah house did not achieve 1st place but 3rd, it seems safe to say that the effort and time invested in such a daunting task has brought Sarah house together in a way no other activity could. While the performance was not perfect, the positivity and perseverance demonstrated by Sarah house is truly commendable and inspiring It seems everyone will be looking forward to the next time the curtains open for Sarah house.
writtenbySeoeunYoon,Year10
Players entered the sports hall, rackets gripped tightly in their hands and determination etched on their faces It wasn't a tournament per se; it didn't need to be, but for one hour, this makeshift challenge had both the competitors and the spectators engaged in a lively environment with a sense of shared enjoyment.
The competition consisted of a boys' doubles, a girls' doubles, and finally a mixed doubles.
As I viewed and played in the matches, it became clear having fun was the objective for the players and even the spectators. The boys' games were short and rapid-fire, full of explosive smashes and drop shots The girls' games had similarly high tensions, but––from what I could tell––more placement shots involved. The mixed games were also very interesting as boys and girls had to both adjust to each others’ playing styles.
It was a very tight-knit environment that was good for competition. There was always something going on since the games were constantly rotating Those who were not actively competing were spectators on the side, cheering and applauding, creating a benevolent atmosphere that made everyone feel like they were in the big leagues.
But what was most special about the competition, beyond victories, was the camaraderie. People were giving high-fives and handshakes after each game, with smiles on their faces. The level of respect for each other as players trumped the excitement of a victory
The badminton house competition finished in a fortnight It was a small event with a big opportunity for teamwork, competitive gameplay, where the importance of house spirit and the presentation of one's teamwork were both learned and gained simultaneously. When the final shuttlecock dropped and the last game was completed, those who stepped off the court were the same as when they stepped on but now with an even deeper sense of house spirit.
The competition wasn’t just about winning it was a testament to teamwork, perseverance, and house spirit. Though the day ended with wins and losses, what lingered most were the memories of camaraderie, the thrill of competition, and the pride of representing our house on the court
