The Castle Edition 5

T H E C A S T L E T H E C A S T L E

SPRING 2023

WELCOME BACK

Welcome to the Spring 2023 edition of 'The Castle'.

EDITORS' LETTER

Dear Reigatians,

Welcome to the Spring edition of RGS’ ‘The Castle’ This term our talented young writers have been busy researching writing, and reviewing – and have created a wide range of articles tailored to your interests

From opinion pieces on GCSEs and AI to recipes and advice on scriptwriting – there's truly something for everyone! Well done to everyone who contributed, and have a lovely holiday

If you’d like to submit an article for our next edition contact Ms Harvey or come along to our lunchtime meetings on Monday in Room 4 Everyone is welcome!

From the Sixth Form Editing Team - Sofia L, Ellie W, Anna G, Lily F & Emma M

C O N T E N T S

NEWS OPINION PIECES TRAVEL REVIEWS TRIVIA BAKING

What do you want to read?

If you want an entertaining, light read, check out our trivia, reviews, and baking section

Are you interested in politics? Check out some of our more serious news articles that are guaranteed to make you think.

Are you someone who likes to engage in debate? Read some of the opinion pieces in this feature

THE UPCOMING CORONATION OF KING CHARLES

After Queen Elizabeth II died, it was decided that the new king would be crowned at least six months after her death out of respect for the longest-reigning English monarch in history. The King will be the 36th monarch of England, and his coronation will be on the 6th of May 2023 in Westminster Abbey.

WRITTEN BY ANYA P

Buckingham Palace has revealed that the celebrations will be held across three days and it is expected to be a weekend of “ceremonial, celebratory, and community events” The King also announced that this historic event will be "rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry" while simultaneously looking “towards the future” The exact details of the modernisation of the King’s coronation have not been revealed; however, we do know that it will be shorter than the Queen’s one in 1953, which ran for three hours

Although it was suggested that the coronation should be scaled back to acknowledge the current cost-of-living crisis, royal sources claim that the public would rather see a grand national event highlighting the best of Britain, including its riches and history

After being anointed, blessed and consecrated by the Archbishop, King Charles will be enthroned with the Crown of St. Edward. While the crown is the official one to be instated with, few rulers have been investitured in it It is the most sacred and ancient of the British crowns The King will be the seventh monarch to wear this crown; his mother was the sixth.

A national bank holiday has been approved to take place two days after the ceremony The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced that the holiday would be a time to "come together and celebrate" and will certainly be “a unique moment for our country"

Did you know?

A monarch does not have to be crowned to become King/Queen.

King Charles is the oldest monarch to take the throne - he is 73

When a monarch takes the throne, they face the opposite direction on coins from their predecessor

The King’s coronation logo has been designed by Sir Jony Ive, the former Apple designer who designed both the iPhone and iPad!

Did you know that a monarch does not need to be crowned to become King or Queen?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT REIGATE CASTLE?

AN ARTICLE BY SOPHIE C

LOCAL NEWS

You have probably walked past it dozens of times, but I wonder how many times you have stopped to think about the rich history of Reigate Castle.

Reigate is full of history Around every corner, there is a piece of the past, hidden, tucked away, forgotten and abandoned It is our job to discover these reminders of history and tell their story. Reigate Castle is in the centre of Reigate and still very few people know anything about it! Here is a whole article on its forgotten tale

William the Conqueror granted one of his supporters called William de Warenne the land around Reigate, and in 1088 he was created the Earl of Surrey William de Warenne then became one of the wealthiest new Norman landholders. His son ordered that Reigate Castle be built even though he lived in Lewes, Sussex

The castle took the shape of a motte and bailey castle and a water-filled moat was built around the north side. It was originally built of timber but a century later, the curtain walls were rebuilt in stone There were also caves built under the castle grounds but nobody knows for certain why they were built.

IT'S OUR SCHOOL LOGO, BUT WHAT IS THE HISTORY BEHIND THIS HISTORIC CONSTRUCTION?

The through passage could have been dug as a sally port which is an escape tunnel to allow besieged inhabitants to escape unnoticed This does not explain why the large passage was built though The skill and effort put in to digging the caves, and the size of them, show that they were certainly an important part of the castle. The caves were nicknamed the ‘Barons' Caves’ because people say the Barons met there to draw up the Magna Carta in 1215 That story is definitely not true

Around 1150, the de Warennes ordered that a town should be built beneath the castle and this town is the basis of modern-day Reigate The origin of the name ‘Reigate’ is not known for certain, but some think it comes from ‘Roe Gate’ because the town was placed near the de Warennes’ deer park

In 1216, Reigate Castle was captured along with many other castles in the southern counties by the French during the barons’ rebellion against King John.

The castle then became the Earl of Arundel’s property in 1347. In 1397, it fell into the hands of a number of Lords of the Manor of Reigate, including the Howard family Lord William, who was the son of Thomas, the fourth Duke of Norfolk, and part of the Howard family, is thought to have lived at Reigate Castle during his childhood, before going on to Cambridge University

The castle fell into disrepair in the 16th century after being occupied for all that time In 1648, during the time of Oliver Cromwell, the castle was garrisoned by a group of followers of a Royalist uprising and demolished soon afterwards. Now none of the original castle grounds remain, apart from the caves.

Then, in 1777, over the ruins of Reigate Castle, a mock medieval gateway was built by Richard Barnes to save the memory of William Earl Warenne Reigate Castle Tunnel was built in 1823 and it runs under the grounds of the castle It is believed to be Europe’s first road tunnel.

Although the original Reigate castle didn’t survive, its story can And as you delve into one story, it uncovers more and more secrets about our town I hope you enjoyed reading this and it has left you intrigued and inspired to find out more about Reigate and all its history. Happy hunting!

ANUPDATEONTHE UKRAINIANWAR

BySmayanP

It is fair to say that the majority of the UK population know what’s happening in Ukraine. Russia’s president, Putin, launched an attack on Ukraine at the start of 2022, and now over a year later, it feels as if many people have almost forgotten about this never-ending war, where countless, innocentpeoplehavedied

Ukraine was attacked on the 24 February 2022 This was highly predicted, but still shocked the whole world. It's Europe’s biggest war since World War Two back in 1945,78yearsago!

Russia’s initial plan was to invade Ukraine over a 10-day period and thereafter occupy the country to enable annexation by August 2022 However, we are still here todaywithanongoingwar,anditissafeto saythatthatplanfailed

So far there have been around 14 million refugees, a number that is set to increase as Russia are trying to push forward and attack further into Ukraine Millions are seeking refuge in Poland and other neighbouringcountriesandothersarealso comingheretotheUK

WhydidRussiaattack?

Russia do not want Ukraine to join NATO NATO is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, formed in 1949, and consisting of many European countries, the USA and more. NATO’s purpose was to secure peace in Europe, and to stop the threat caused by the Soviet Union Ukraine has a large land border with Russia, and if UkrainejoinedNATO,NATOwouldalsohave alargelandborderwithRussia

Just days before attacking Ukraine, Russia had their troops on their border with Ukraine, stating that they wouldn’t attack, butdayslater,thewarbegan.Also,Ukraine was previously part of the USSR, a nation that doesn’t exist now, consisting of the whole of Russia at its peak between 1946 and1991

On Ukraine’s side, there is NATO, maybe not present in the war, but NATO is supplying weapons to Ukrainian soldiers Poland, a country which is part of the NATO alliance, with a land border with Ukraine, has many tanks and troops from the USA and other NATO nations in case they get attacked. The U.S. has provided by far the most aid to Ukraine, around 31 billion, followed by EU institutions ($37.2 billion in total), the UK ($7.5 billion), Germany ($5 8 billion) and Canada ($5 1 billion) There is still help coming to Ukraine, and many agreements are being made with visiting leaders

Which areas do the Russians currently occupy?

Currently, the Russians have taken control of the cites of Luhansk, Mariupol, Donetsk, Kherson, Melitopol and Crimea. All these cities are along the East of Ukraine, where the border with Russia lies There is a lot of fighting near to that too.

'Thereisstill helpcoming toUkraine, andmany agreements arebeing madewith visiting leaders.

ANUPDATEONTHEUKRAINIANWAR

Casualties and damage

There have been at least 42,295 deaths and 58,479 injuries, around 100,000 casualties in total These numbers are still expected to rise though, and with the war seemingly nowhere close to finished, there is no doubt there is going to be more death 15,000 people are missing and approximately 14 million people have been displaced. That’s the population of Zimbabwe! Not to mention the 140,000 destroyed buildings and the 350 billion USD of property damage

So far in 2023 a total of 8,101 people have been killed (3,584 men, 2,127 women, 256 boys, and 201 girls, as well as 31 children and 1,902 adults whose sex is not yet known); and a total of 13,479 injured (3,536 men, 2,421 women, 398 boys, and 293 girls, as well as 271 children and 6,560 adults whose sex is not yet known) Words cannot describe this devastating loss.

The Russians seem to be targeting civilised areas, and the amount of destroyed buildings backs that up. Many governmental and residential buildings are in ruins and flames. Russia is still trying to push and conquer the whole of Ukraine, but the Ukrainians are still fighting back against the Russians

There are many displaced Ukrainians in Ukraine currently staying in underground rail systems and in their basement, terrified of exiting and only doing so to see their family and friends, to shower in their homes and to get shopping

World Impact

Ukraine mainly grows and exports wheat, corn, and barley. According to the European Commission, Ukraine accounts for 10% of the world wheat market, 15% of the corn market, and 13% of the barley market With more than 50% of world trade, it is also the main player on the sunflower oil market With the current war going on, they are unable to farm and ship to other countries, creating a shortage of wheat.

On top of that, Russia is the world's largest exporter of crude and refined oil products. Now the gas prices have risen due to the shortage of gas in the UK, they will only go higher.

With major countries and organisations such as the USA, the EU and NATO all being on Ukraine’s side, Presidents and Prime Ministers from nations around the world, like Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak, are all going to Ukraine to meet President Zelensky to discuss how they can help Also, countries from around the world are placing sanctions on Russia At present, British airways cannot fly over Russia’s air space, though Russia have been stripped from hosting many events.

Overall, it is important that we stay aware of what is going on in Ukraine, and understand this is an ongoing crisis

Report by Amelie B

The Impact of Global Warming on Skiing

Spring 2023

Are you aware of the impact climate change is having on the slopes?

Skiing relies on cold temperatures and good snowfall. Over the past winter, ski resorts have hit record temperatures, with 20.9 ℃ recorded in northwest Switzerland! Exceptionally warm weather over Christmas and New Year meant that nearly all the snow in low-lying resorts and villages was gone. Thankfully, snow levels towards the top of mountains were at nearly normal levels for this time of year, and snowfall picked up in early January- but it leaves a warning of what is to come.

Climate change is turning skiing into an endangered pastime, with resorts struggling to adapt to the rising temperatures. Snow depth is shrinking by 3-4cm every ten years in low altitude resorts. Heavy rainfall in resorts means that snow is melting faster and becoming slushier, and the ski seasons are becoming shorter and shorter as the snow melts from low lying pistes due to rising temperatures.

On many pistes, more of the mountain has become visible, forcing them to be closed due to ‘ faible enneigement’ – thin snow cover.

When temperatures rise, the atmosphere ends up holding more water vapour which produces more rainfall. As temperature increases, water vapour falls as rain instead of falling as snow. This is what is happening at low altitude ski resorts, which are below 1,600m (5,250ft). At these resorts, we can see a lot more rain which accelerates the melting of existing snow Glaciers are also rapidly disappearing, which is a problem for Alpine ski resorts such as Tignes, which rely on glaciers for water supply and snow cover.

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In the European Alps, glaciers are expected to vanish almost completely by 2100, with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warning that they could lose 94% of their 2017 volume by the end of the century As temperatures rise, glacial ice melts faster and there is less fresh snow. Glaciers melting could also lead to severe flooding in the valley below and increase the risk of avalanches, ruining important infrastructure, as well as significantly reducing water supplies for local mountain villages and communities.

The Alps could lose up to 70% of their snow cover by 2100, according to a study from the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research. Rising temperatures and decreased snowfall are also shortening the winter ski season, which is very concerning for the mountain communities whose livelihood depends on these industries. The ski season has already been shortened by 34 days between 1982 and 2016.

However, it has not been so drastically shortened everywhere. For example, Anzère's winter season has shrunk by just a few days over the past 30 years. However, in many European resorts the ski season has been shortened by weeks, causing a major impact. A study from the University of Basel in Switzerland warns that resorts situated below 1,8002,000m (5,900-6,600ft), will have to rely on artificial snow more and more just to keep their higher ski slopes open for only 100 consecutive days, whilst their lower slopes might not be possible to save. This would unfortunately increase their water consumption by 79% by 2100, further damaging the planet. During an average winter towards the end of this century, a resort will consume about 540 million litres (119 million gallons) of water, instead of the 300 million litres (66 million gallons) used today. By 2100, water consumption in the French Alps could be nine times higher.

What does this mean for the future?

So, what does this mean for skiing in the future?

Climate change is a major threat to skiing - but with the right support we can stop our planet heating up so fast. The world is currently on track for an average of 2.7 ℃ of warming by 2100. If global temperature rise is kept below 2℃, the reduction in snow cover will be limited to 30% and we may be able to continue to ski into the future.

The Alps could lose up to 70% of their snow cover by 2100, according to a study from the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.

VIRGIN ORBIT ROCKET FAILS

On January 9th 2023, the UK’s first ever space mission, Virgin Orbit failed to reach space. Virgin Orbit was launched in Spaceport, Cornwall and intended to launch satellites.

Virgin Orbit is a US company founded by billionaire Richard Branson It aims to supply launch services unlike Branson’s other programme, Virgin Galactic which works towards providing commercial spaceflight Virgin Orbit announced its plans to have its first launch from Cornwall and was set to take off in December 2022, but due to “additional technical work”, it was delayed until January this year

A

was supposed to climb up to 35,000 feet and release a rocket that was attached to its wing. The rocket's engines were intended to fire up, which would push it into space orbit Once in space, it would release an array of satellites

The plane managed to release the rocket, although its engines did not ignite properly, so it failed to reach orbit and could not deliver the satellites into space The “Cosmic Girl” returned its crew safely back to Spaceport. However, the LauncherOne rocket and the nine satellites it carried were lost

The failed rocket left around 75,000 people watching on a live stream (and thousands more who trekked to see the rocket launch) disappointed, as this would have been the first rocket to have been released from Britain. Virgin Orbit aims to try again later this year and is already planning further attempts It intends to use the Spaceport location for two launches a year for five years as part of a $700M project

former passenger plane, the “Cosmic Girl”

In other spacerelated news...

Artemis Programme Update

Artemis 1’s Orion spacecraft successfully launched on 16th November 2022 It was a major phase of NASA’s lunar exploration efforts and successfully sets the stage for the next mission, the crewed Artemis 2 mission around the moon. After its 1.4 million-mile journey beyond the moon and back, Orion splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on December 11th and safely arrived back at the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida on December 30th The mission lasted approximately 25 days, with a re-entry speed of 24,581 mph! Orion’s heat shield (the protective layer around the spacecraft to prevent it from burning up during re-entry), will be removed for extensive analysis and replacement as it cannot be used twice Other parts of the spacecraft will also be refreshed NASA has indicated that the next Artemis 2 mission is planned to launch in May 2024

Meteoroid Hits International Space Station (ISS)

Last month, the Russian Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft that was docked at the ISS was hit by a tiny meteoroid causing a radiator leak and making it unfit for use The only escape pod on the ISS can accommodate four out of the seven crew members This means that the Russian space agency, Roscosmos will launch the Soyuz MS-23 mission on February 20th, a month earlier than planned This emergency recovery will pick up two Russian cosmonauts (the Russian name for astronauts) and one US astronaut and bring them back to Earth

HARNESSING THE POWERS OF ART

MY THOUGHTS ON THE

BENEFITS

OF GETTING CREATIVE, BY BEA M

In our busy lives, we all need the chance to sit back and get our thoughts together Art is the perfect hobby, scientifically proven to reduce stress and release endorphins and dopamine, triggering feelings of happiness and calm Art is the counterbalance to our hectic lives that we have all been searching for. You don’t need to be good at art to reap its benefits Just putting a pen to paper can start to make a positive difference to your wellbeing. The result doesn’t have to be a masterpiece - the sheer pleasure of having created something will overtake the perfectionist in you

Art is something that many find hard to get started with, especially if you have the mindset that you aren’t ‘good’ at it. So, if you are struggling with all the ordinary options, here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing I hope your hand has already found itself a stray pencil and is holding it tight!

ART IS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO REDUCE STRESS.

Patterns1.

The beauty of patterns isn’t just about their intricacy and detail. Using complimentary colours and bold, sharp lines can give a different but beautiful effect to your patterns. Try drawing boxes or circles to fill your page with fun and creative designs

Feature by Bea M

OF ART THE BENEFITS

2.Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is a great way to creatively capture memories. You can make a holiday scrapbook with your family or friends, or you might wish to create a journal that you can add to whenever you feel like getting stuck into some art. You can stick things in from your day, such as train tickets, dried flowers or receipts If you really enjoy journalling, you can also buy decorative tapes, brush pens and stickers to really upgrade your journal and to take it to the next level!

3.FontsandCalligraphy

Using special fonts is a fun, easy way to spice up your average birthday card or poster You might choose to settle for a more traditional swirling calligraphy style, or the bold modern fonts might catch your eye. You can easily find a stylised alphabet online, or you can create your own as you go!

FinalThoughts

Whatever it is that inspires you, whether it is sketching or jewellery making, pottery or painting, DO IT! It may not be something you stick with for a long time, but who knows? You’ll never know until you try...

Opinion Piece by Sofia M

ArtificialIntelligence:FRIENDORFOE?

SPRING 2023

Technology has improved drastically in the last 20 years, and it is hard to imagine life without it. From phones to calculators, it plays a key part in our lives, but is it there to improve the world or destroy it? Artificial intelligence (AI) has become both an intimidating and welcoming concept in the 21st Century.

AI offers many glimpses of hope for the future, none more so than its ability to save lives. It has already been used by the military to defuse bombs, allowing both soldiers and civilians to be safer in war-torn areas. It has most recently been seen in the war in Ukraine, where it is being used to detect Russian equipment and missiles. The Ukrainians are also using AI to analyse data and choose possible targets for artillery strikes. In countries such as this, AI helps to protect territory, survey certain areas and allows the transport of supplies to isolated troops.

AI is also used by companies like Netflix and Amazon to suggest different shows or purchases based on what users have looked at recently. This helps people to find new things they might enjoy or things to help them that they had never thought about before. On the more serious side, it allows businesses to target someone’s interests to receive more views or to make more money.

AI has also been seen in the medical world in treating patients with contagious diseases (such as COVID19) and performing delicate eye surgery.

Robots possess the ability to spot details on scans that humans can’t, eliminating errors and ensuring that people receive the care they need. AI is clearly a part of the future of medicine, with around 38% of medical providers already using computers as part of a diagnosis. Artificial intelligence has shown the potential to greatly help humankind and is becoming a positive force in a heavily corrupted world.

Featured Opinion Pieces

On the other hand, AI is one of the most terrifying concepts out there as there are still so many unknowns In a 2017 speech, Putin said, “Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind It comes with enormous opportunities but also threats that are difficult to predict Whoever becomes leader in this sphere, will become the leader of the world.” The idea that one of the most dangerous men in the world feels that AI is an unknown threat to humanity is a terrifying prospect Some believe that the competition to create the most powerful form of AI will soon overtake the nuclear arms race, with countries like the USA, Russia and North Korea fighting to control the sphere of influence in this new industry

in March last year and found several posts stating that the Russian invasion was justified, that everything was going their way, and that the Russian victory was near Knowing these were fake, AI-generated profiles, she said, "If they see I'm interested in a conflict and Ukraine, which is clear when you analyse the content on my social media, they can just try to analyse and promote content that's related to that." This shows just how easily lies and fake news can be spread by AI, and how it poses a huge threat to the security of the modern world

Although drones in warfare allow countries to attack targets without threatening their soldiers’ lives, it has also encouraged armies to test their technology in countries like Syria The USA, Turkey, Israel, Iran and Russia are the main countries involved in the drone war in Syria, as well as the Syrian military themselves, with the US alone spending nearly $7 billion on drone research and construction in 2018 Overall, 22,000 civilians were killed in bombings by the US in the Middle East between 2001 and 2021, and 50,000 drone strikes were conducted in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq over a five-year period from 2017

In the 2010s, data was collected from millions of Facebook users (without their knowledge) and turned into psychological profiles People were then targeted with political propaganda to influence the 2016 US election based on their interests and hobbies This displays the argument that AI poses a threat to human safety as it is being drawn into politics and the darker side of social media

Whilst we are still on the topic of the dangers of AI, it has also been used on social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, to spread misinformation about the war in Ukraine Aleksandra Przegaliska (a Polish philosopher and university professor) opened her Twitter

Does AI have a future in our society?

The future of AI is uncertain, yet we do know that it will learn from the behaviour of its creators and users. It could develop both the greed and violence present in our society but could equally see and reflect the kindness and compassion shown by people across the world However, if we reflect these positive qualities and use AI to help humans, animals and the environment, we allow it to remain an exciting prospect

THEDARKSIDE OFTHEPET TRADE

Puppy farms. Wild exports. Fur trade. These are the realitiesofthepettrade.Itisanindustryofbackhanded deals, exploiting those without a voice. Do you know where the animals go from there? Often, to inexperienced, unqualified homes. They go to owners whocan’ttellthedifferencebetweenatrustablebreeder and a puppy farm. They go to abuse and sometimes evenanearlydeath.Thisisthelifetheywilllive.

In 1952, 80 exotic animals were passing through London airport every month. By 1965 there were 8,000. At this point, reports were increasingly concerning, and people started to wonder if the situation was ‘getting out of control.’

Caretoguessthenumberby2010?300,000everymonth (andthatisjustHeathrowalone!).Thatwas13yearsago, andthenumbershaveonlyincreased.Witheachanimal shipped comes a cost; many are caught wild, destabilizing natural populations Not only this, but as mostoftheseanimalsmaketheirwayintothepettrade, they blaze a path in the wrong direction With each penny that rolls into greedy hands, the vicious circle begins again. This is a problem we face today, as the money continues to shift to immoral, unlawful organisations.

AFEATUREBYPHOEBEMK

Every week, there are twenty thousand calls to the RSPCA cruelty line. That’s twenty thousandlikelyabusedanimals.Thiswasthe RSPCA’s 2020 numbers, and the abuse only continues. The RSPCA can only do so much and although there are many websites that shed light on the atrocities done to these animals and how to prevent them, there is anothergrowingproblem:puppyfarms.Their websites will lead you down a rabbit hole of hope,trickingyouintogivinguphundredsfor a pet that is more likely to develop illnesses and have long-term problems with behaviourlaterinlife.

Inmanyindustries,asconsumerratesrocket, thepricedrops.AsI’msureyou’reaware,the average customer is always looking for the best deal, even though it often means sacrificing quality. It’s a constant race to the bottom As has been proven so many times, this can only end badly Fast fashion, diamond trade, cheap electronics - the pet trade is no different. Prices for puppies went through the roof during COVID and are still temperamental even after the worst is over. Peoplearekeentogetthatcheappuppy,but areunawarehowtofindagenuinebreeder.

You might be thinking, “What can I do?” The most important thing any of us can do is raise awareness. People need to know. An animal is not an impulse purchase. An animal is a life - a life that must be protected. This needs to be

IS YEAR 8 TOO EARLY TO BE DECIDING OUR GCSE OPTIONS?

By Evie W

range of topics that will improve your general knowledge for later life?

Three years to study your GCSEs allows for the mastery of a subject that will last a lifetime, not just until an exam For this, two years is not enough With 50% more time, students are able to explore their subjects, improving their range of skills, and developing their passions It also allows time for 3 or 4 practical lessons, within any one science topic, rather than just the one rushed activity, further increasing the students’ involvement with the work during a lesson. Furthermore, exposure to more field work in geography will develop a toolkit of skills that can apply to everyday life and a wider range of language trips will extend a student’s awareness of culture and a love for a country and its language

These skills lead to a maturity and independence that better prepares a pupil for A Level work Once again, two years does not facilitate this A healthier learning experience can also be gained with more time to study your GCSEs The pressure and stress of lessons can be reduced with less of a rush to finish work, less homework and more individual help and attention Additionally, an extra year allows for timetabling a tenth subject rather than the nine most schools offer, increasing the breadth that dropping subjects early might lose. Moreover, there is still time for elective courses and other non-examined subjects such as PE, PSHE and RE The electives give a few periods a week of chosen, specialist and varied activity including learning a brand new language, prosthetics, web design, clay modelling and charity work This broadens a student’s learning and exposure to cultural literacy Without an additional year this would not be possible.

However, by choosing your GCSE options a year early, students specialise when they are younger, often at the expense of a broad and balanced curriculum Completely cutting out any humanities or practical subjects from your timetable is easily done Furthermore, if you specialise too soon, you can lose exposure to general knowledge and cultural literacy, which will help later on in life Moreover the GCSE curriculum relies on a level of maturity that, by Year 9, may not yet be present.

Additionally, as stated by Amanda Spielman (chief Ofsted inspector): ‘the courses are designed with two years ’ worth of content ’ This includes revision and exam technique, so an extra year would not give students access to any more content, only more exam preparation which is not the point

On top of that, the opposite problem develops in the two years of lower school that are left by a longer upper school There is too little time to teach the three-year KS3 course. This creates a danger that KS3 encroaches on KS4. For the subjects that a pupil takes, this does not matter but for the subjects that a pupil drops, a lot of the work is never learned Finally, at the end of the GCSE course, students will be assessed on work that they covered up to three years ago Because of this, courses require careful planning and, ultimately, most of the extra year will be spent relearning what was covered in Year 9

Final thoughts...

Conclusively, I believe that choosing your GCSE options a year earlier is an opportunity worth embracing because with one more year's worth of specialised lessons, you can explore your favourite subjects in further detail and come to really enjoy both your subjects and whichever careers follow on from them Furthermore, we are not making a final decision With an extra year of the KS4 course, time can be spent switching between lessons and choosing the perfect subjects for you

Is choosing your GCSE options a year later an opportunity worth embracing?

London...

London:Posh orPovertystricken?

ByElliotD-G

London is a city of stark contrasts, where some of the world's wealthiest individuals live alongside some of the poorest. The city is known for its opulence and glamour, with luxurious homes, expensive cars, and high-end shops lining the streets of some of its most affluent neighbourhoods.

In contrast, there are areas of London where people struggle to make ends meet and live in overcrowded and inadequate housing These areas, often characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment, are home to some of the city's most vulnerable.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the contrast between poverty and wealth in London As businesses have shut down and people have lost their jobs, the gap between those at the top and those at the bottom has only widened. In fact, according to a report by the Social Metrics Commission, more than 42 million people in the UK were living in poverty before the pandemic, and this figure is likely to have increased since.

Causesofpoverty...

One of the main causes of poverty in London is the high cost of living

Housing costs in the city are among the highest in the world, with many people struggling to afford even the most basic accommodation This has led to a rise in homelessness, with thousands of people sleeping rough on the streets of the city every night.

In addition to high living costs, poverty in London is also perpetuated by issues such as low wages, job insecurity, and limited access to quality education and healthcare Moreover, many people living in poverty in London are dealing with issues such as debt, mental health problems, and social isolation, which can exacerbate their situation

The impact of poverty on people's lives can be devastating. Those living in poverty are more likely to experience poor physical and mental health, and are at a higher risk of unemployment and homelessness. Children growing up in poverty also face significant challenges, including lower academic attainment and poorer health outcomes.

Efforts are being made to tackle poverty in London, with many organisations and charities working to address the issue However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of poverty in the city. This includes increasing access to affordable housing, improving employment opportunities, and ensuring that everyone has access to quality education and healthcare

The contrast between poverty and wealth in London is a problem that needs to be addressed urgently It is a problem that affects not just those living in poverty, but the city as a whole. By working together to tackle this issue, we can create a fairer and more equitable city for all

Almost 30,000 young people are facing homelessness.

By visiting www.centrepoint.org.uk you can donate £12 to sponsor a room A room sponsorship could provide a young person arriving at Centrepoint with a safe and warm place to stay, so they can begin to turn their life around

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCES EXTREMISM

AN OPINION PIECE

By Ruth C

Regardless of whether it plays a significant role in your life, I am sure that many of you are aware that social media can be a dark place where disturbing concepts are regularly promoted, and many platforms are often unable to regulate this content This aspect of social media allows more extreme concepts to be included in the dayto-day algorithm However, recently there has been an increase in the promotion of political extremism on many platforms. Elon Musk’s recent takeover of Twitter has further allowed more people to use the platform to promote extremely harmful messages, including those aimed at young audiences. This notion has been exemplified by Andrew Tate, Kanye West, and followers of the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp deformation trial.

Andrew Tate is a self-proclaimed Instagram influencer, who uses his platform to spread hateful messages primarily about women He spreads harmful misogyny, regularly calling for the abuse of women. His audience mainly consists of young boys – a group of people who are understandably susceptible to this indoctrination. Andrew Tate’s social media is contributing to raising a generation of people whose views on women are regressing. Not only are they fundamentally wrong in regard to perspective, but they also actively encourage violence against women – a message that is being constantly reinforced by the repetitive nature of the algorithm of social media

In addition to this, it has recently been discovered that Andrew Tate has a long history of extremely damaging racist and homophobic stat far-right. Despite an attem from the platform in 2017, on to become a verified use hateful message – all with t

Another example is that of using Twitter to spread his repeatedly state his suppor has gone even further by u his admiration for Hitler an a merch line featuring the promoted on his Instagram aspect of this is that th responded to this, after vie support Around both Brit there has been a significa incidents, partially due to media to promote it. Twi however he was able to ov has continued to use the p the media to make damaging comments supporting violence against the Jewish race and many others.

Social media also played a significant role in the reporting on the deformation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Whilst some people regarded the situation as an emotional and difficult time for all parties involved, others saw it as an opportunity to use their misogynistic opinions to continuously attack Amber Heard Some of the fans of Johnny Depp used the façade of supporting a male abuse victim, which would be a legitimate cause to believe in, if it was not a cover to hurl abuse at Amber Heard. Some fans even went further to use social media to express their support for Depp’s violence, some stating that he had a “right to kill her' This trial exemplified how easily a victim can be isolated and ostracised from society –however in this situation the main perpetrator was social media

The main thing that these three examples of the promotion of extremism have in common is how social media played a significant role in giving it a platform to spread to millions of vulnerable and influential users around the world. In an age where opinions are becoming increasingly more polarised, society does not need more opportunities to spark conflicts, which social media undoubtedly provides Extremists and their ideologies need to be prevented from spreading their beliefs further, rather than being given platforms to continue to promote these evidently harmful and hateful ideals.

MATHS A-LEVEL FOR ALL - I THINK NOT RISHI!

Recently, the idea that every student should take Maths A-level has been proposed by the government and greeted by a very mixed response from the public While at first, this seems unrealistic and unfair towards those who do not like or would not choose Maths, there are hidden positives to this rule, underpinning the reasons it could be created. Seemingly, the most obvious reason is that every student deserves to have the mathematical skills to understand our economy, current politics and so many other worldwide issues that may arise.

Maths is a remarkably diverse and inclusive subject with so many areas, and therefore taking this A-level would provide all students with essential business and accounting skills, which they could use in whatever career path they may choose Maths also covers topics like statistics and problem solving, which are useful skills to know in most professions Even when people are specialised in one subject and have extremely high-level skills and talents, if they do not have essential Maths-based skills, they might struggle to get successful jobs and excel in life.

Despite this, there are many obvious negatives to this idea that overpower the positives. Across the UK, many students struggle with Maths or just simply do not enjoy it, and so taking this subject would unnecessarily waste time in their education, learning about a subject that they do not plan on ever using.

As students get older and gain independence, they feel that freely choosing their A-levels and narrowing their timetable to just three or four subjects helps them to start thinking about career paths and what to study at university Not having complete choice may interfere with students’ sense of independence and may cause them to feel trapped and wonder what it is they really want to do.

Instead of taking Maths, students could spend more time studying subjects that they are passionate about and interested in, allowing them to broaden their knowledge ready for the future When a person is interested in what they are studying, they are more likely to do extra research, spend more time on work and produce content of a higher level, which boosts grades and overall enjoyment

If a student who has never enjoyed Maths, who dislikes the subject and receives lower results during GCSE’s, is forced to take Maths for A-level, it may have a negative effect on their performance in other subjects Maths is a time consuming and confusing subject for many, so struggles in one lesson may lead to struggles in others, eventually leading to stress and a feeling of uncertainty

It is mandatory for every student in the UK to study Maths at GCSE level, as it is a core subject and they therefore must take it The GCSE course and curriculum should cover most of the important life skills concerning Maths, and this means that taking Maths A-level should not be necessary At RGS, there is a three-year GCSE course which gives students extra time to learn everything they need to in Maths, and further help with this subject is always available.

This being the case, students spend enough time in Maths during the Upper School, and so they do not need to take Maths A-level if it will harm their performance in other subjects and could possibly harm their futures

There is no denying that Maths is an important subject in both school and everyday life, however the material in the A-level course is arguably more advanced than what one needs to have a sustainable occupation While most professions do require some level of mathematical ability, this does not have to be obtained my taking Maths at A-level standard.

Even if the skills and knowledge that students are learning in Maths provides them with stability in business skills, it is not worth the additional struggles and decrease in performance in other subjects

APPLYING TO MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY: TOUGHEST YEAR SO FAR

AN ARTICLE BY ELECTRA M

In 2022, 29,710 applicants applied for medicine courses in the UK - a record number of people (the number in 2021 was 28,690 applicants). This rise is happening due to the increasing popularity of healthcare professions These inflated numbers make applications to medicine and dentistry a problematic route because of the many people you must compete against, causing many to avoid these professions However, the acceptance rate calculated to be 16.7% on average in 2021 is not increasing, which is a big problem If universities get more applications, then arguably acceptance rates should also rise but this is not the case

The NHS is a part of who we are; it is a part of our culture. Presently, however, the NHS is in desperate need of a range of healthcare professionals to function, especially doctors and nurses. Additionally, becoming a doctor right now is the most difficult it has ever been The process is very selective and rigorous Also, due to the pressure that the NHS is under right now (striking due to wages and a whole plethora of other issues), many people do not think it's worth it

IT IS A VERY SELECTIVE AND RIGOROUS PROCESS

EVERY YEAR APPLYING TO MEDICINE GETS HARDER AND HARDER AND THE SAME APPLIES FOR DENTISTRY.

In this situation, the universities could increase the acceptance rate and therefore allow more students to study medicine and dentistry This would also help the NHS because more doctors mean the backlog of appointments and surgeries could be resolved Meanwhile, other problems faced by students who want to study these healthcare professions centralise around getting work experience - something that has now become necessary to have a solid UCAS application Those who have connections to dentistry and medicine (through family or friends) can get work experience more readily, so have a higher possibility of getting into these difficult courses. This highlights that the playing field is not level which could be contributing to the acceptance rate not rising

I hope that universities will be able to offer more places to students, make the interview process less selective, and help work experience opportunities become more equal. If not, the current system stays as it is, application numbers increase and acceptance rates stay the same, slowly getting fewer and fewer doctors for our growing population, placing the NHS under even more stress

Fundamentally, applying to medicine or dentistry is a gruelling and demanding process It is clear changes in the admission process need to happen so that becoming a doctor or a dentist is a reachable target for anyone and everyone I am optimistic for the future, I really hope these changes are made - not just for myself, but for all future healthcare professionals.

MyInspiration

I have often enjoyed watching some of the newer Disney spin-off movies, especially those in a long lineage of one particular very famous film Although they were enjoyable,andfun,Irealisedthattheywere, atthecore,notparticularlygoodmovies,or at least movies that obviously had little thought or effort put into the writing and characters Ithoughtthescriptingwasabit lazy, and uninspired, and I thought that although I may not be able to do better, I could at least try and see how much further I could take the story. I wondered howmuchmoreIcouldaddtoit,evenifat most it was just my own personal spin So, for my silver DofE skills, I planned and am now poised to draft my story (although a little more editing is needed!) I have essentially decanonised the new movies and built off the back of the old ones It is undeniably more complicated and ambitiousthanIthoughtitwasgoingtobe, butIamproudofmyprogress.

Howitcameabout

I had the idea in my head to write my own script for months before I actually started it;Isubconsciouslyfoundmyselfplanningit, and creating it whilst I was trying to sleep or on the coach into school, and slowly but surely it all began to form in my head, to the point where I was creating new characters and surprising myself with the plots, twists, and side-characters as I createdthem Asnewthingscametome,I wrote them down with the older stuff that I had thought of Prior to this, the only thing keeping it together was my memory and so parts of it began to fall apart, and key elements dissipated But if they disappeared, surely they weren't that important?

Theoverarchingstoryhasstayedmuchthe same,andtheamountofcoveragewent from3moviesto7,andbackdownto5, withwholestorylines,people,andplanets beingcompletelywipedoutoftheplot. WhenIfinallybegantowriteitdown,it solidifieditself,butnothingwassafe:entire parts,whichIthoughtwereessential, becamelessandlessimportantasitwent on

RalphMdiscusseshisambitiousdevelopmentofaclassicDisneymovie

MYREIMAGINING

ByRalphM

LucidCharts:mysaving grace

After some research, I found Lucid Charts online, which was the perfect website for me to do my planning It is essentially a huge empty space, in which you can create flowcharts, add drawings, and plan your own story on as large a scale and as intricately as you want, with full creative control It worked well for me as I was able to take my thoughts and slot them into the creativeplan,andthestorybuiltitselfoutof there. My planning includes a vast number ofevents,settings,andcharacters.

However, there are some issues with it, suchassharing.Thereisnostraightforward way for there to be two collaborators on it, or for someone else to view it. There are ways around it such as elaborately sharing linksbutnowayforsomeoneelsetoeditit This can make it difficult for people, such as my assessor, to view it and advise and helpmealong

Another issue with it is how difficult it is to import images, audio, and videos into it; I cannot add any sketches or music, leading to some creative confinement. However, the pros far outweigh the cons and overall, I have found it a useful and freeing way to planonline

Soon I hope to be able to start writing the scriptoutandputpenonpaper,butIhave a lot of planning, editing, and even sketchingtodointhemeantime

THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE

Dickens might have thought twice about that if he’d ever heard my dad tell a joke because, believe me, his jokes are bad! But despite the existence of dad jokes, the average adult laughs 17 times a day Humour and laughter are an inescapable part of every society across the globe, which is maybe a sign that laughter is a fundamental part of our evolutionary makeup.

Laughter forms a common language that cuts across political, geographic and cultural divides, prompting philosophers and psychologists over the ages to ponder why humour plays such an important part in how humans communicate, and what motivates us to laugh

Perhaps it’s a form of bonding – studies show that we’re 30 times more likely to laugh when we’re in a group than when we’re alone

Maybe it’s a self-defence mechanism Laughing and telling jokes can be disarming and generate empathy, and many comedians tell tales of how they used humour to survive their school days

Or perhaps at the darker end of the spectrum, it’s a subtle form of demonstrating authority and exerting control, with everyone having to laugh at someone’s “jokes”

In the words of Charles Dickens, “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”

It all boils down to speculation, theory and educated guesswork Fundamentally, nobody seems to know why human beings have developed the ability to laugh or why we do it so often.

Is Science the answer?

Perhaps science has the answer? Or perhaps not Modern technology enables scientists to study the electrical signals in our brains when we laugh or when we see or hear something funny, but they can’t explain why we laugh or why there is so much variation in what people find funny.

But given how important humour is to how we interact with each other on a daily basis, it’s no surprise that a huge amount of research is being done into whether artificial intelligence can create humour so that chatbots and AI scripted text can seem, well, just a little bit more human

We all know that computers are great at processing huge amounts of data, and based on how we react to different situations they can predict what jokes we’ll like, but that’s just applying basic data science in much the same way that Netflix can suggest what other shows you might like, or Amazon can suggest new purchases based on your order and browsing history (although I don’t need a computer to predict that any jokes involving toilet habits will have my brother in stitches)!

AI can tackle incredibly complex tasks from creating amazing artwork based on a few inputs to powering self-driving cars, but using AI to generate new humour seems to be a much more difficult challenge altogether!

The internet throws up all sorts of bizarre oneliners created by joke-generating algorithms, ranging from bizarre to borderline disturbing

“Why did the teacher cross the road” failed to beat even my dad’s dismal “because he was glued to the chicken”, so it looks like we’re a long way off computers getting anywhere close to being intentionally funny

But perhaps that’s no bad thing; technology enables us to achieve many great things, but it would be a sad day when they can outdo us at that most human of things, making our friends and family laugh with us and sharing the lighter side of life

Rareand endangered

ByTabithaB&SarahK

There are many rare animals in Britain They may have always been rare, or could have been made rare by problems such as climate change, pollution, littering or the increase of predator populations. Here are six British endangered animals and how you can help them:

Hedgehogs

Hedgehog populations have dramatically declined in more recent years The ‘State of Britain’s Hedgehogs,’ in 2022, revealed that hedgehogs have declined by around 30-75% across various areas of the countryside, since 2000. This report also reveals that the largest declines were noticed in the eastern parts of England

Otters

Otters are classified as near threatened, but are completely protected in the United Kingdom, under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 The Eurasian otter (Lutra Lutra) is the only wild otter species found in the UK. They are nocturnal mammals, so you are most likely to spot one at dusk or dawn, which is when they will come out to feed

Smooth Snakes

The Smooth Snake is a species of nonvenomous snake, found in Northern and Central Europe and, in the UK, in places such as Hampshire, Dorset and Surrey. They are generally a dull brown/grey colour and have black bar-shaped or dot-shaped markings, and they mostly have a heartshaped marking on the top of their head An eye stripe is also common in Smooth Snakes.

Pine Martens

Pine Martens are cat-sized mammals with dark brown fur and a long tail They were once the UK’s second most common carnivore. However, they have declined in numbers considerably, which is partly due to predators, such as foxes and eagles, and hunting They are now protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, and their populations are steadily increasing

Red Squirrels

Red squirrels are officially classified as near threatened in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. There are an estimated 140,000 red squirrels in Britain, but they have been made rarer by the introduction of the invasive grey squirrel in 1911 Red squirrels have a reddish-brown coat, a bushy tail, large ear tufts and are smaller than grey squirrels

Hazel Dormice

Hazel Dormice are vulnerable and rare, making them near to extinction in the United Kingdom They are a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and they are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, introduced in 1981. These dormice have a body length of just 6-9cm, and they have golden-brown fur. They eat nuts, seeds and berries in autumn, allowing them to put on enough fat to survive throughout winter, when food can be scarce Once they come out of hibernation, they eat blossoming flowers from trees, caterpillars and similar insects, when summer comes.

Whatcan youdo?

How you can help British wildlife in general:

-Support wildlife charities, such as the Woodland Trust, which is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.

-If you have bird feeders, clean them thoroughly and regularly (once every two weeks or so). This can prevent certain contagious diseases from spreading among birds, as well as creating a healthier and cleaner space for them.

Thank you for reading.

COMPARING COLOGNE

LEG 1: EUROSTAR

LONDON TO BRUSSELS

–

FROM ITS CHRISTMAS MARKETS TO FAMOUS LANDMARKS SUCH AS THE LINDT CHOCOLATE FACTORY, THE CATHEDRAL AND HOHENZOLLERN BRIDGE, COLOGNE IS THE PLACE TO BE AT CHRISTMAS! I WENT THERE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND RETURNED THIS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. I WILL BE COMPARING THE TWO EXPERIENCES. HERE IS THE JOURNEY THAT I MADE:

In the previous edition, I made a journey from London to Paris on the Eurostar, but this time I took the Eurostar to Brussels Midi/Zuid Once again, I travelled in Cattle Class (Standard Class) I took one of the newer, more common Eurostar e320s (class 374), as opposed to the older, now rarer Eurostar e300s (class 373). The journey was seamless and quick, being around 1 hour and 53 minutes. The WiFi was mainly reliable but sometimes faulty I also found that the seats were very comfortable and spacious Unfortunately, when we got to Brussels, the Eurostar that we had just been on had been delayed, so we did not have much time in Brussels We had to go straight from train to train

LEG 2: THALYS –BRUSSELS TO COLOGNE

Thalys and Eurostar have recently joined forces, despite Thalys keeping its slightly dated look using its red colours The interior of the train was slightly dark and not at all modern, although the seats were very comfortable Although Thalys is refurbishing its trains, I did not get to travel on one of the newer sets However, the journey was smooth and quick. The scenery along the line is exquisite and perfect for usual fliers to get a glimpse of the European countryside.

The route starts at Brussels Midi/Zuid and then stops at Liège-Guillemins, Aachen Hauptbahnhof and then Cologne Hauptbahnhof My favourite station along this line has to be Liège-Guillemins because of its fantastic and futuristic architecture

Overall, the journey on Thalys was very interesting, but the interior wasn’t great for me.

DESTINATION: COLOGNE FIRST STOP: THE STADTBAHN

The Cologne Stadtbahn (Light Rail) is a fast and effective way of getting around the city I did not get a chance to ride on it when I first went to Cologne, so it was a new experience for me Some of the trains used on the line will be familiar to you For example, one of the trains, known as the K5000, is almost exactly the same as the M5000, used on the Manchester Metrolink Also, the K4000 trams used in Cologne are incredibly similar to the CR4000 trams used on the Croydon Tramlink. I have heard that trains on the Stadtbahn break down very often We had to get a taxi to our destination once Apart from that, I found the Stadtbahn great fun to ride

STOP 2: CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Personally, I thought that the Christmas markets were brilliant We went to two of the Christmas markets, but I am sure that there are many more. One of them is by the beautiful cathedral, which stands out amongst everything else. The markets don’t just sell food either They also sell handmade items, jewellery and more Going back to the food, it was just amazing They had pork sticks, steak, bratwurst (German sausage), crêpes, churros, cheese and probably any other food you can name! Honestly, the Christmas markets were one of the best things for me

FACTORY

I loved the Lindt Chocolate Factory. Even though it was the second time that I had been there, it still felt as original as it had the first time We travelled there on a Lime Scooter, a fast electric scooter, which took us along the river Rhine, to the Lindt Factory It was extremely cold when we used the scooters and I felt like my hands were about to fall off Thankfully, when we got in there, a greenhouse was waiting for me! I was desperate to warm up

When we went into the main part of the factory, there was chocolate churning in every corner, a dispenser where you could get a square of chocolate straight off the production line, and a chocolate fountain, where you could get a wafer dipped in liquid chocolate It was everything that I had remembered from years before and more! Upstairs, you could watch workers wrap chocolates It was so cool! I finished the trip with an amazing hot chocolate.

STOP 4: THE CATHEDRAL

The cathedral is such an iconic part of Cologne Declared a World Heritage Site and renowned for its Gothic architecture, it is Germany’s most visited landmark Sadly, I did not get the chance to go inside, but just looking at it was beautiful enough

THEN VS NOW...

Personally, I loved both times that I went there

The second time was slightly better for me because I got to ride the Stadtbahn. We also stayed just outside of the city centre, where it was nice to get some quiet time, and the food at the Christmas markets was even better than last time Overall, both were good, but the second time truly exceeded my expectations

8Bizarre FactsFrom History

BySofiaM

From the Emu War to the Dancing Plague–8bizarrefactsfromhistory.

The Australians lost a war against emus

You wouldn’t think that the 16th most powerful country in the world would lose a war against some flightless birds - but you’d be wrong In 1932, over 20,000 emus terrorised Australian farmers and destroyed their crops The economy had already been weakened by the Great Depression, and civilians couldn’t hold the emus off, so many World War 1 veterans, armed with Lewis guns (a form of light machine gun) were left to stop the birds. After about a month, the soldiers had to stop because the waste of bullets only damaged the economy more

Pope Gregory IX indirectly caused a plague outbreak

In 1233, Pope Gregory IX issued a papal bull (an official paper) that accused cats of being creatures of the devil Because the Catholic Church held vast amounts of power, millions of cats were killed across Europe. With no cats to hunt rats and mice, fleas that carried the plague were eventually able to infect most of the continent in the 1300s, causing the deaths of about 25 million people.

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and Soviet ument in the dent of Pepsi

He enjoyed tern product aled to have ent of Pepsi the Soviets ere was one s worthless tead. By the ngs of Pepsi They offered royer, which en if only for ossession of

Stalin loved cowboy films

Joseph Stalin was the Soviet Premier from 1924 – 1953, and one of the most ruthless dictators in history, who hated Western ideology However, he was a big fan of cowboy movies and actor John Wayne, and even forced his ministers to stay up into the early hours of the morning watching them with him. He also hated when characters kissed on screen, so he had it banned in all Soviet cinema.

Communication issues nearly caused total nuclear war

An incident on 27th October 1962 brought the p closest it has ever been to nuclear war Soviet subm 59 was stationed near Cuba during the height of th missile crisis, which started after a spy plane noticed USSR was building sites capable of launching m mainland USA. The submarine was surrounded destroyer ships, which all dropped depth charge attempt to make the submarine surface. The US Moscow of this, but the submarine had lost all con the Soviet superiors and believed that the US destroy trying to sink them B-59 also had a 10-kiloton torpedo, and permission to launch it without con from Moscow. However, all three senior officers had to the launch, and only Vasili Arkhipov (the brigade staff) refused, convincing the other men that the U plan to sink the submarine. After this, the submarine and returned to the Soviet Union, and nuclear w avoided The 27th October goes down as the most d day in human history, and one that could hav humanity once and for all

The 1904 Olympic marathon was so disastrous that it nearly got the entire event cancelled

The 1904 Olympic marathon was the first on American soil –and certainly a memorable one. 8 men didn’t even start the race, and only 14 ever finished. To add to this disaster, only a few of the men competing in it were professional marathon runners There were ten Greeks who had never even run a marathon before, two men from the Tsuana tribe of South Africa (who were part of a World Fair exhibit and turned up with no shoes on), a bricklayer, and a Cuban mailman. The route itself had only two water stops and was along several dusty tracks, which nearly led to the first Olympic marathon fatality – William Garcia – who was hospitalised with haemorrhaging after the dust ripped his stomach lining Len Tau was chased away by a pack of wild dogs, Felix Carbajal (4th place) fell asleep halfway through, and Fred Lorz took a taxi to the finish line and claimed victory, only to be disqualified. The real winner (Tom Hicks) needed help from a 2 person support crew after the 10 mile mark, who fed him a mix of strychnine and egg whites, the first recorded use of drugs in the modern Olympics. After the race, he started hallucinating and it took four doctors to make him well enough to leave

Multiple British Kings have died on the toilet

It’s certainly a strange coincidence that more than one British king has died on the toilet. The first was Edmund Ironside in 1016, who was assassinated. The second was John in 1216 (exactly 200 years later) who died of dysentery The third was George II, who died in 1760 as a result of a heart problem

A dancing plague took over Strasbourg in 1518

‘Dancing with death’ had a more literal meaning in Strasbourg in 1518, when a deadly plague spread It was believed to have started in July when a woman started dancing uncontrollably in the street, but the outbreak subsided in September. Historians disagree about the number of fatalities, or if there were even any at all, and there were a number of theories around at the time, including demonic possession and overheated blood Modern experts believe that it was either stress-induced mass hysteria or food poisoning, but no one truly knows what caused the dancing plague

Reviews by Sam C

Upon release on the 28th of February 2022, The Adam Project appeared to be a piece of Jarlsberg cheese rather than Spielberg magic, yet hiding behind all the cosplay-like suits and cartoonish vehicles is something that Oscar hunters would treat as gold dust. Amongst filmgoers, time is often thought to be a cliché device to mess with narrative arcs, and although viewers will be both confused and confuzzled by time travel's place in this arc, viewers are encouraged to look past these perpetual perturbations and examine the flaws of corporate companies and, during the most potent moments of the movie, the themes of love and loss.

The Adam Project certainly holds a place among the essential movies for today's children to watch, and although your brain won't get it, your heart will.

In 2050, we are introduced to 40-year-old pilot Adam, whose nerdy and jokey character is expertly brought to life by Hollywood star and co-owner of Wrexham football club Ryan Reynolds. Although his football fanaticism has not transferred into Hollywood, his lifelike yet larger-thanlife sense of humour, courageous coming to blows in combat encounters and occasionally spine-chillingly moving lines are at the heart of The Adam Project. Mark Ruffalo looks a lot less green but behaves in a very similar way to the Hulk's original form, though thanks to a complete detachment from the MCU, you won't think of him as Bruce Banner Zoe Saldaña, one of Star Trek's main stars, treks little distance in this film, but remains the most impressive of warriors on the battlefield. The Jaw-Dropper, however, is the role of Walker Scobell, born in 2009, whose relatable and daring portrayal of younger Adam rivals older rising stars such as Gaten Matarazzo and Xolo Madruleña.

The Spielbergian tone that I mentioned earlier can be seen in the fast and fun action that occurs in a forest, a beach and an underground workshop that rivals Wallace's invention basement. Explosive and impactful sound design accompanies a wide range of imaginative action sequences (although the uses of lightsabres will leave you in a state of fury).

However, in a manner similar to Spielberg's masterpiece E.T., the action is overshadowed by the poignant relationships between the primary protagonists, whose family arguments, losses and recoveries will certainly move some audience members to tears. The unexpectedly moving nature of this otherwise cheesy movie, when combined with the ability to switch tones so effortlessly, from rather ridiculous battles to a mournful or sorrowful moment to a naturalistic joke, put it at a level close to the works of Steven Spielberg From the moment we hear of the tragic car accident that led to the death of Adam's distinguished father, it is clear that the film's poster does not do justice to what's behind it.

To sum it all up, The Adam Project certainly holds a place among the essential movies for today's children to watch, and although your brain won't get it, your heart will Due to its release during a year with a plethora of excellent movies and its exclusivity to Netflix, it has been understandably defeated by Top Gun: Maverick, All Quiet on the Western Front and the abundant Bafta and Oscar attracting movies that 2022 has blessed us with, but even so, its failure to be more seriously recognised is a real pity.

TRENDS DON'T LIE: STRANGER THINGS SEASON 4 REVIEW AND PREDICTIONS FOR SEASON 5

Following in the footsteps of Sense8 and Black Mirror, the most recent instalment of Upside Down adventures is home to time-munching episodes that should really be called movies, and although blessed with clever and creative writing that ranges from hair-raising visions to the political repression of homosexuals in the 80s, our attachment to the show's characters is slowly beginning to subside With a runtime of 2 hours 22 minutes and 22 seconds, the finale dominates the competition of last year's teen-show runtimes and is about 120% longer than any episode of Wednesday, and about 300% longer compared to Never Have I Ever

The grandfather clock owned by the spinechilling antagonist Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) is an unfortunate symbol of the painfully slow build-up of this series: the absence of the Upside Down is strongly felt in the early episodes with the devastating, doom-bringing demogorgons being heavily missed as they hide away in their dimension

Once they finally emerge, their deeply unrealistic hunting techniques, including eating enemies' heads first and throwing them against the wall, although terrifying don't make any sense Although done in many shows, Stranger Things is a strong portrayer of the difficult struggles of teenhood, with our beloved heroes Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Eleven tackling and being tackled by these troubling times of our teen years, including fantastic portrayals of different types of highschool student (how, you might say, jocks interact with nerds) which arises sympathy in the audience by reminding us of times we tried to fit in and failed to The later references to problems with stereotyping highlight that the show's values still correspond with those of the real world, despite its fantastical premise

*spoilers alert!

What makes the show stand out from the crowd, however, is its blending of contrasting genres: Vecna's terrible curses generate haunting moments of horror, while the laboratory owned by the creepily named 'Papa' (Matthew Modine) insists on the show's sci-fi status Vecna's spooky beginnings as a naughty and wealthy child, featuring gothic sequences containing animal cruelty and even familicide, is a particularly virtuosic example of genreswitching during the show More traditional parts of the script, including brutal brawls in Russia and light-hearted solutions to problems for stylistic purposes (which Stranger Things has surprisingly few of considering its mainstream status these days) are still very welcome The ending was, shall we say, an alarming cliffhanger, but it still gives us clues as to what we can expect from the fifth (and hopefully final, yet Netflix can never promise that) season

As always with critically acclaimed TV shows fans from across the globe are trying to piece together the events of the upcoming season. With the monstrous and maniacal budgets of modern TV, it is likely that this final season will be more cinematic than ever before: the battles between worlds will be more reminiscent of seasons 2 and 3, but this time with armies of demogorgons, demodogs and demobats aplenty, with the standard action quality being on par with the fight Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) had with the Mind Flayer in Season 3.

If the season opts for a slightly lighter ending, perhaps a marriage between Joyce and her newly found boyfriend will suffice (though this would cause terrible ramifications for their children) If you've watched Stranger Things up to this point, you'll know that a particular character has lost their eyesight, which will either give them the power to see into the Upside Down or if the show is feeling even more morbid, will simply leave them blind. Let's hope that the show takes pity on some of its cast by letting Will Byers, perhaps the most unlucky man alive, survive Now, however, I will throw my boldest prediction out there: Eleven will die The demise of the most beloved character is a common conclusion in today's films and TV shows, so a sacrifice to save the world appears to be approaching as a sad but satisfying finale

With the end in sight, casual and fanatic Netflix viewers alike will be glued to their seats upon the release of the show's final chapters Let's hope, unlike the trend-infested finale of the most recent season (which showed the unfortunate truth that we'll binge-watch anything these days), that it doesn't disappoint

...fans from across the globe are trying to piece together the events of the upcoming season...

EASTER BAKES ARE BACK!

WELCOME BACK TO THE CASTLE BAKING! I HAVE SOME DELICIOUS BAKES IN STORE FOR YOU ALL! I HOPE SOME OF YOU ENJOYED MAKING THE CHRISTMAS BAKES FROM LAST TERM. NOW, HERE ARE SOME BRILLIANT EASTER TREATS YOU CAN MAKE AT HOME!

CHEESECAKEFILLED EASTER EGG

WILL SWEETEN YOUR HOLIDAYS AND IMPRESS FRIENDS.

INGREDIENTS:

1 hollow chocolate Easter egg

75g digestive biscuits

25g butter, melted

75g mascarpone

100g soft cheese

2 tbsp icing sugar, sieved

2 tbsp cocoa powder, sieved

100g double cream

Easter treats, such as mini chocolate eggs or crumbled chocolates

Caramel sauce or cooled melted chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS:

Carefully separate the Easter egg in half along the seam (Use a knife dipped into a bowl of hot water to cut through the seam rather than slicing, as it may break the chocolate.)

Tip the digestive biscuits into a bowl or food bag and bash to crumbs with the end of a rolling pin. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture resembles damp sand Spoon this into the Easter egg halves and pack down gently using the back of the spoon. Chill until needed.

CHEESECAKEFILLED EASTER EGG

A BBC RECIPE, TRIED AND TESTED BY HUGO J

HOW TO MAKE CONTINUED:

3. Mix the mascarpone, soft cheese, icing sugar and cocoa together in a medium bowl with a wooden spoon until smooth. In a separate bowl, beat the double cream to soft peaks using an electric whisk. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture, then carefully spoon the cheesecake filling over the chilled biscuit bases in the Easter eggs. Gently level the surfaces with a palette knife or spatula, then chill for at least 2 hours or overnight until firm and set You may be left with extra cheesecake filling, depending on the size of your Easter eggs – this can be spooned into glasses over extra digestive crumbs for another treat

4. Scatter the set cheesecake-filled eggs with mini chocolate eggs or other Easter treats, then drizzle with caramel or melted chocolate to serve.

EASTER BUNDT CAKE

THIS EASTER BAKE WILL SWEETEN YOUR HOLIDAYS AND IMPRESS FRIENDS.

TO MAKE:

220g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

40g cocoa powder, plus 1 tbsp for dusting

200g classic 74% dark chocolate, chopped

350g caster sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

pinch sea salt

320g plain flour

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp baking powder

120ml buttermilk

TO DECORATE:

1. 100g classic 74% dark chocolate, chopped

2. 40g shredded wheat, crushed

3 Mini Eggs

4. Preheat the oven to gas 3, 170°C, fan 150°C. Grease

a 2.4ltr Bundt tin with butter and dust with the 1 tbsp cocoa powder, shaking out any excess cocoa

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE...

5. Melt the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring often In a separate bowl, whisk the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt until light and airy Stir the 40g cocoa powder, flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and buttermilk into the chocolate, then fold in the egg mix until well combined

6. Pour into the tin and tap gently to remove any air bubbles. Bake for 55 mins, until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 15 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

7. For the nest topping, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring often. Mix half the melted chocolate with the crushed shredded wheat Dollop small mounds onto a plate and shape into nests, then chill for 5 mins.

8 Transfer the cake to a serving plate Top with the nests and micro eggs, then drizzle over the remaining chocolate. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

THANKS TO THE CASTLE TEAM!

Thank you to the following students for their work on this edition:

Amika S - illustrator

Ellie W - editor

Lily F - editor

Anna G - editor

Emma M - editor

Sofia L - editor

Ralph M - contributor

Sarak K - contributor

Tabitha B - contributor

Hugo J – contributor

Ruth C – contributor

Anya P - contributor

Sam C - contributor

Elliot DG - contributor

Evie W- contributor

Chloe W - contributor

Sophie C - contributor

Bea M - contributor

Smayan P - contributor

Electra M - contributor

Phoebe MK - contributor

Amelie B - contributor

Sofia ML - contributor

Photo credit - Canva.com

WE NEED YOU!

Are you interested in telling the stories that matter to you?

Are you interested in representing student voice?

We are looking for more editors and contributors. E-mail Ms Harvey for more details: chh@reigategrammar.org

Happy Easter