SB & W INSIGHT THE FIGHT TO FISH FOREVER INSIDER INSIGHT INTO THE RATION PACK MARKET THE SECRET TO KING’S DRAMA PRODUCTIONS
FEBURARY 2024 | VOL. 1 | NO. 3
CONTENTS 04
05
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
FIGHT TO FISH FOREVER: OUR QUEST TO PROTECT OUR OCEANS
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12
RATIONS TO RICHES: THE RATION PACK TRADING MARKET AND THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO GET BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
SPORT: THE CORNERSTONE OF ACADEMIC SUCESS AND HEART OF THE KINGSMAN
16 LEFT TO THE LAST MINUTE: WHY WE PROCRASTINATE, AND HOW TO STOP
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DIRECTOR’S CUT: WHAT SETS THE KING’S SCHOOL THEATRE APART FROM OTHER SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS?
THE DIVINE RESPONSIBILITY OF KINGS
EDITORS
Editor In Chief Ethan Zhu Creative Director Tully Salmon Senior Editor Jonathan Pan Arts & Culture Krishna Li Politics & Society Prash Sivagangabalan
NEWS. UPDATES. INFO.
Fiction & Poetry Jack O’Brien
KEEP UP WITH YOUR SCHOOL
Science & Tech Tom Hanley
@TKS_SPIRIT
Current Affairs Ian Gao
Sports Rupert Begg Health & Lifestyle Cameron Schultz TKS Day 2 Day Daniel Payne Charles Baker Circulation & Production Charlie Maple-Brown Photographer Peter Wang SB & W
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A RESPONSE TO ‘NEW YEAR, NEW ME’ Welcome to this year‘s first issue of the Sky Blue and White Insight. For new readers, this is a student-run monthly magazine featuring a variety of topics — light-hearted, serious, and everything in between. It is our hope that through this publication, anyone can get an opportunity to read, write, and engage with others. We’d love to have your article submissions and hear from you. Please write to zhu_et@student.kings.edu.au. *** I hope that you have had a restful and enjoyable break, and are ready to start a new school year. A special warm welcome to the new Year 7 cohort. A new year, much like any other change, comes with a bit of anxiety and uncertainty. There’s a particular buzz — this feeling in the air — that you can’t quite get a hold of. Maybe it’s the feeling of possibility: the new year offers a chance to reset and recalibrate. To set new goals and achieve new dreams, supposedly free of the burdens and stresses of last year. Your routine is a little bit different. You have different classes, some new friends, and a modified timetable. And you wonder: if all this change for the better, or do you miss how things used to be. It’s a weird blend of nostalgia, hope, and worry. And if those nerves are all too much for some, which they can sometimes be, seek comfort in knowing that you will eventually settle in. Things will slowly start to make sense, and you will find yourself belonging. There used to be a trend where people would proclaim ‘new year, new me’, as a harmless affirmation of optimism for the new year, and a dedication to improve. As of late, though, this has become a bit of a meme: a funny joke which suggests a pessimistic, ‘as if this year is going to be any different’ outlook. In fact, everywhere, we seem to be getting more pessimistic. Media headlines focus almost only on crisis: war, famine, and death. Good news seems to be getting rarer. But what good does any of this do in our personal lives? Why admit defeat before the game has started? Why set yourself up for disappointment? What would happen if we did our best to see this as a year of possibility and oppourtunity? A ‘glass half full’ kind of year. Well, I encourage you to try find out. Ethan Zhu Editor in Chief
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FIGHT TO FISH FOREVER PROTECTING OUR HOME | C. MCGLASHAN I pretty much grew up on a boat. Dad’s job meant we were out on the water a lot. We’ve been everywhere , from the Blue Mountains and Sydney Harbour, to so far out in the ocean that you can see the land start to hide beneath the horizon. I went from wanting to go fishing, to needing to go fishing. I became obsessed with everything we saw and did. Every day was unique with so many experiences. We caught unusual fish, saw the world's apex predators hunt, witnessed some of the biggest fish the world has to offer first-hand — and yet that passion (or perhaps obsession) never waned. If anything, it still continues to grow. I’m not sure if there is a word for something beyond an obsession, but that’s what I have. Coming into Year 12, most of my time that was typically spent fishing was taken away. Instead, I was sitting in a room for hours looking at a computer aiming to get decent
marks in my next exam. For someone who basically grew up in the outdoors it was like being caged. And so, every time I had the opportunity to get back to the boat or even just go down the river for a fish, it felt like I had come home after a long day’s work. Because that is essentially what my obsession had become — a metaphorical home. Do not fear though, this article isn’t some soppy tale about my ‘home’ or anything like that. Instead, I would like to explore the effect humanity has, and continues to have, on one of the most complex and important systems in the world: the ocean. And be warned — some of it is a bit confronting. We all know that Earth’s surface is 71% water. I’m also sure that we are aware of the crucial role the ocean plays in supporting the environment around us and putting food on the table.
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Yet, at the end of the day, the ocean is a finicky system that has developed over millions of years and now rests in a delicate balance. For a long time, this balance was undisturbed. However, in the past 100 years, that has changed. Humanity has developed the capabilities to permanently alter ecosystems, and damage the environment. To make matters worse, the ocean is a big thing. It covers an unimaginable area and reaches unbelievable depths, hiding much of it from our view. It is easy enough to go out to the beach and look at the surface and notice nothing out of the ordinary. But who knows what is happening underneath? Scientists still know very little about the ocean,
and that is where much of the issue stems from. How are we supposed to protect our oceans when we know so little about it? The answer, as we press forward into the future, will involve a highly determined search for answers. The first thing people think of when we talk about harming our oceans is plastic and liquid pollution. Whilst this most obvious issue is serious, from my perspective as a fisher, it tends to overshadow a lot of other significant problems. Fishing can decimate fish stocks to the brink of extinction and completely upset the balance of our waters when poorly managed. Take the Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) as an example.
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Being one of the most prized fish in the Japanese markets and one of the most expensive, foreign commercial boats, mainly Japanese, were allowed into Australian waters by our government to farm these animals. These boats targeted the breeding stock as they were bigger, fatter, and of the best quality. Meanwhile, our own commercials were targeting the juvenile fish, hitting the population from both sides, and decimating the species down to about 2% of their former population. Fortunately, sustainable fishers and environmental activists saw this happening, and fought against these practices, until finally, they were banned from Australian waters. Since then, we have seen a huge increase in SBT numbers. In fact, they have done so well that they have been taken off the endangered species list. I have always loved that story. It is proof that through proper management and research, fishing doesn't need to be a bad thing. Instead, it can be a force for good.
Fishing is how we learn about these animals and how we can help them to thrive. Part of my dad’s work is exactly that. Recently, we were given satellite tags to attach to the fish we catch, allowing for researchers to track their movements, approximate breeding locations, identify migration patterns, and follow general habits of certain species. This is powerful data and will undoubtedly play a significant role in future conservation efforts. This has seriously changed the game for us, and as a human community we have started to learn about fish that, not so long ago, we knew nothing about. For example, Marlin, one of the most sought-after game fish in the world, is still fairly unresearched in the grand scheme of things. Similarly, we have only just scratched the tip of the iceberg with Swordfish. Through the research being done, we can develop new methods to better manage humanity’s impact on the ocean, so that the next generation can experience what we have. The ocean is a privilege, not a right. So, we must look after it. It has been my home, and hopefully, it can be theirs too.
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RATIONS TO RICHES THE RATION PACK TRADING MARKET AND THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO GET BANG FOR YOUR BUCK | D. PAYNE As the school year begins, and we get back into the whirlwind of classes, cocurricular activities, and sports, I believe it’s the perfect time of the year to start looking forward to one of the founding pillars of the school: The King’s School Cadet Corps. As the oldest Cadet unit in the country, our Corps stands at a total of a whopping 850+ cadets, ready to conquer the challenges of the 2024 Cadet year. With the Annual Field Exercise (AFX) just around the corner, the humble ration pack becomes an important matter to discuss. Better known as the ‘rat-pack’ to the seasoned veterans, this bundle of joy is something we all learn to cherish.
Handed out every night to all Cadets and Staff on camp, a ration pack is an MRE(‘Meal, Ready-to-Eat’) containing various types of shelf-stable foods. Each ‘rat-pack’ has the same snacks and food inside, with the main meal being the primary distinguishing feature of each ration pack. There are 6 types of main meals that can be found in the ration pack. These are: Beef Ragu, Butter Chicken, Chicken Italiano, Chunky Chicken, Spaghetti Bolognese, and Vegetable Curry.
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Additionally, comes with:
each
rat-pack
also
Cream Crackers Mixed Fruit Jam Fruit Cereal Bar Instant Mashed Potatoes Instant Hot Chocolate Powder Instant Coffee Powder Teabags Large M&M’s bag Sweetened Condensed Milk Museli Bar Tube of Vegemite Orange Drinking Powder Instant Museli Jam Sandwich Biscuits Salt, Pepper, and Sugar Sachets Compressed Fruit Bar Fruit Puree
The beauty of having so much in each rat-pack is that it gives us an incredibly wide variety of snack and meal combinations to choose from. Of course, with that comes the innate human desire to trade, swap, and barter, with the deals made after rat-pack distribution rivalling the trading sessions on Wall Street.
Every single item in a rat-pack has some degree of worth attached to it, even if it is a low-value item such as a salt or pepper sachet. Based on trends from previous years, the highest-value items are often M&Ms, tubes of fruit puree, hot chocolate powder, and the elusive spare main meal. Now, like with real-life stocks, the value of each snack or food item fluctuates throughout the course of AFX. For example, at the start of camp, a tube of sweetened condensed milk can easily go for an M&M’s packet, or maybe even more. However, by the end of camp, you would be lucky to get more than a salt and pepper for them!
In the words of Albert Einstein, “You need experience to gain wisdom”, and as the Year 12 cohort of 2024 enters our final year in the TKSCC, there is plenty of wisdom and knowledge to go around regarding rat-packs. However, in the words of Robert Anthony, “Some drink from the fountain of knowledge, others
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just gargle”. And so, below I have shared my best tips and tricks for getting the most bang for your buck out of your rat-pack.
A packet of salt or pepper may be the difference in securing a trade for some jam biscuits, so don’t throw them out!
Save your high-value items for the end of camp
Try to avoid high risk investments
As tempting as it may be to chow down on your M&M’s and fruit bars as soon as you get them, I think it is best to try and save them for the end of camp. Your fellow cadets are more likely to trade items from their rat-packs for these high-value items. You may even secure additional snacks that others have brought from home this way, granting you a greater return on your item. Keep everything from the ration pack Keep in mind, that not every person likes to eat muesli, mashed potato, or condensed milk. Personally, I absolutely hate coffee and wouldn’t be caught dead drinking the stuff. However, this doesn’t mean that there is not a market for that item.
Throughout my time on AFX, I have seen this happen time and time again. By about day 3 of camp, one member of your platoon sees that people are choosing to leave their orange powder or cream crackers to the side, and offers to take it off their hands for an incredibly low price. Soon enough, they have 30 packets of this one item, and the demand that they were expecting just doesn’t materialise. Try and avoid this. Instead, diversify your portfolio and be adaptable to the demands of the rat-pack market. Use the time of day to your advantage Like with all things in life, the time of day dictates what we do, where we go, and most importantly, what we eat. By utilising the time of day effectively, you can get the most out
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of your trading! For example, one of your fellow platoon members may need a little kick of energy in the morning to get them moving, which is where you can use your instant coffee powder to its advantage to try and get a bit more out of the trade.
after yourselves and to leave the Singleton Military Area in a better state than we found it. Wishing you all the best for this new year, and I look forward to the upcoming training parades!
Make the most of insider trading Instead of utilising your position as an executive at a government contracted consulting firm to benefit clients, you can instead use your connections with your rank to your advantage, in order to secure a better deal. Your fellow Cadets are more likely to trade with these rank members on camp, thinking that they can get a better deal. Instead, they often end up losing out in the long term, as these veterans skilfully play the market. This is where you can step in, offering to take spare items off their hands for low prices, increasing your quantity of items to allow for more trading. Some of these techniques may seem unethical at first glance. However, by putting them out in the open, all cadets on AFX 2024 should be prepared for these techniques. Most of all, I hope that this year’s AFX will produce an equitable, fair, and constructive ration pack trading market for all. The most important thing to remember is that regardless of what you eat on AFX 2024, or how you eat it, it is important to always clean up
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SPORT THE CORNERSTONE OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND THE HEART OF THE KINGSMAN | R. BEGG “Successful leaders balance pride with humility: absolute pride in performance, total humility before the magnitude of the task” - James Kerr
Can I not use this time to study? To get that 99 ATAR?
However, this is not why we play sports. As much as sport is certainly a very physical activity, the mind and sports psychology are of equal importance. Sports psychology is what makes elite athletes world class, and binds great teams together. And as I will discuss in this article, it is the same psychology that is perhaps the pathway to academic success.
Spending eight or more hours in the sun playing cricket, spending eighty minutes being pummelled by props in Rugby, and waking up at 4 in the morning for a full day of rowing. Battling on the ergs, battling in the sun, battling in the mind. For many, sport is merely a physical challenge that inhibits our time for studying and to achieve academic excellence.
Elite sports performance is the amalgamation of confidence produced by strenuous and consistent training, and having the mental toughness to replicate these acquired and obvious skills in a game environment. Yet, how often do we hear of incredibly gifted, diligent athletes ‘choking’ on the biggest stage?
Why on earth do we do sports?
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In the 2021 Olympic games in Japan, we saw the 100m favourite Fred Kerley false start, and his dreams crumble. Jordy Barrett in the Rugby World Cup final missed a game deciding kick, and captain Sam Cane was sent off for acting recklessly before the thirty minute mark as the all-conquering All Black’s capitulated to defeat. But what if we can master the mind? What if we can perform under the pressure? Cricket fans need only to cast their minds back to the World Cup last year as they heart wrenchingly watched Australia crumble 7-91 against Afghanistan. A semi-final placement on the line, the weight of a country on his back. We witnessed one of the greatest innings of all times. Glenn Maxwell scored 201 not out, battling through cramps and the searing pressure to produce one of the greatest sporting successes of our generation. Last year, one and a half billion spectators watched as Lionel Messi finally lifted the Football World Cup. The defining moment was a brilliant save from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who held his nerve against Randal Kolo Muani in perhaps the most pressurised moment in recent football history.
Across all sports, the power of the mind is what enables awesome performances under such crushing pressure. So how can we prepare our mind to withstand such pressure?
The answer is simple. Practice. To perform under pressure, elite athletes know the importance of being uncomfortable so that they are comfortable when it matters most. So, if we want to perform in exams, under the pressure of a report card, an ATAR, or whatever it may be - we must be psychologically prepared. Like any gym goer will attest, if you want to strengthen a certain muscle, you must perform exercises specific to that muscle. If you want to perform under pressure, what better place to practise than the sporting field?
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Additionally, when playing sport, we are under pressure to perform not merely for ourselves, but also our teammates. It is this selfless ambition that often breeds the best performances. If you want to perform under pressure, play for others.
As much as our own undefeated premiership winning First XV was star-studded this year with the likes
In James Kerr’s revelatory book ‘Legacy’, which follows the customs and traditions of perhaps the most effective performing organisation under pressure of all times, the All Blacks, he argues for the importance of selflessness through the Greek proverb;
‘This year’s about brotherhood’ Fraser Wait, First XV Captain (2023)
‘A society grows great when Old Men plant trees whose shade they shall never sit in’. The All Blacks understand that to be an effective team they must not only play for each other, but for the legacy of their jersey. The science of this philosophy is revolutionary for sports psychology, and for our own academic lives. When we are performing with the wellbeing of others in mind, the chemical oxytocin is produced. The same chemical that Simon Sinek, in his book Leaders Eat Last, reveals is responsible for kindness, empathy, trust: traits that Sinek argues, have been responsible for the rise of empires like Apple and the downfall of others.
of Australian representatives Austin Durbridge, Boston Fakafanua, Tyrese Lokeni and Hadley Tonga.
I ask you to consider just what might happen if you adopted the same philosophy? If instead of performing to be the man of the match, or to top an exam - we lived life for brotherhood. If we were selfless in our ambitions and opened ourselves up to failure instead of hiding from our fears. We are stronger together, and sport is the catalyst for this strength to blossom. As Helen Keller once said, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much’.
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This is the secret to success. This is the trick for a 99 ATAR, this is what premierships are made of. This is two-thousand Kingsmen lining the banks of SIRC, cheering our First VIII at the Head of the River. This is true King’s culture. When we rally around each other there is no limit to what we can achieve, this is the challenge of King’s. This is why sport is so central to our identity. To forge brotherhood, excellence, and a resistance to pressure found only through togetherness. So, is sports psychology the framework for academic success? I certainly think so. If we want to achieve, if we want to be resistant to the pressure of a World Cup final or an English Exam, we must master the mind. We must practise under pressure, we must work with and for each other, we must have a team mentality.
As Kerr concludes in his book Legacy, “no All-Black owns their jersey”. They are merely custodians of the jersey for the games they play. With a rich history of that jersey behind them, and a rich history to come, only one thing is certain, their time is now. It’s their history to write. We have at best 6 years to thrive for our academic goals, to try and fail to make the 1sts, the debating team, the lead in the musical, that 99 ATAR. It seems that the pursuit of excellence can be overwhelming. The pressure all encompassing. That we are alone in our struggle. This is the importance of sport. To know that we are not alone. To rise above the pressure. To write the best version of ourselves.
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LEFT TO THE LAST MINUTE WHY WE PROCRASTINATE, AND HOW TO STOP S. TAKKALAPALLI What is it? Picture this: the end of the school term is approaching, and just when you think you're done for the term, to your dismay, you’re hit with a biblical studies assignment. You know you should get straight to work and get it done sooner rather than later. But instead, a quick 10minute YouTube break turns into 20, then 30 minutes. And by the end of the hour, zero words have been written. Instead, you're now on the 10th Daily Dose of Internet video.
Before you know it, the days will have slipped away, the deadline creeping ever closer, and you find yourself sacrificing sleep to finish that assignment the night before. If you find yourself perfecting the art of last-minute cramming, and wonder how you ended up in that situation, fear not, you are not alone. So, what is this invisible force that tempts us to binge-watch Netflix or scroll through TikTok for hours instead of doing that biblical studies assignment? Enter the world of procrastination, the prevailing art of postponing tasks until the eleventh hour. More specifically, it is “the act of unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there will be negative consequences for doing so”. We actively know that there will be consequences when we leave things to the last minute — so why do we still procrastinate?
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Why do we do it? High school life is a constant stream of decisions, from choosing what electives to take, to deciding whether you can survive on 5 hours of sleep or not. Amidst these choices, our brains naturally find comfort in making choices that maximise satisfaction and pleasure, whilst avoiding stress and tension. But we know that we humans are capable of delaying gratification — it is one of the behaviours that sets us apart from other animals. So, there must be something else at play here. That is where fear comes into play. The fear of failure is a common part of the high school experience — a phantom that haunts everyone. When faced with a challenging assignment or project, the fear of not meeting expectations can be paralysing. Experts argue that procrastination is a shield — an instinctive defence — to avoid an immediate confrontation with the task at hand and the potential for falling short. It is a scientifically proven psychological defence mechanism, though one that is ultimately ineffective because delaying work only amplifies the stress and pressures associated with the impending deadline. We are always striving for perfection and grappling with this fear of failure that can lead to procrastination and mindless scrolling.
Impacts on school life We are all striving for academic excellence, but procrastination may be standing in our way as a formidable foe. We always find ourselves needing more time to complete assignments or study for exams. Not only does procrastination reduce our chance of success, but it also creates constant stress as deadlines approach. And if we're not careful, delayed assignments can pile on and become unmanageable, becoming a massive waste of time. Further, procrastination can also take a toll on our mental well-being. The constant weight of impending deadlines combined with the guilt of postponing tasks can contribute to increased stress and anxiety levels. Unmet goals and high workload can erode our self-esteem, which makes us vulnerable to mental health challenges.
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Beyond all the academic and extracurricular setbacks, the habit of procrastination can result in longterm consequences. High school serves as a preliminary proving ground for later life, where the ability to manage time efficiently is paramount. By addressing procrastination earlier, we help set ourselves up for the long term, ensuring a more confident and prepared approach to life beyond high school. Overcoming Procrastination Of course, the logical question to ask now is, what can we do to stop procrastinating?
making yourself accountable. You are the architect of your success and the driver of your failure. Realise that you are responsible for your actions and empower yourself to succeed by changing your frame of thinking.
But as with many other things, it's easier said than done. I must confess, that possessing this discipline is not my forte. Recognising the difficulty in cultivating this discipline, especially amidst the demands of high school, highlights the importance of seeking support from those we trust.
Some effective methods to curb procrastination include dividing your assignments into smaller workloads and creating a realistic and balanced plan outside of school. By prioritising and setting achievable goals, you set yourself up for success. Try focusing on making the end task seem less daunting — it will help prevent the feeling of being overwhelmed,
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Personally, in the drafting process of this article, I found myself facing the very challenges I was writing about. Without anyone to watch over me, I encountered many moments where discipline wavered, leading to requests for extensions and struggles to meet deadlines. It became evident, through this experience, that asking for a mate or family member to give me reminders was crucial. This made me realise the significant role that others play in my success, providing crucial external perspectives and offering valuable insights that fosters a sense of commitment to any project.
My journey in writing this article highlights the significance of acknowledging our own limitations and seeking collaborative support to confront the invisible force that is procrastination. So, let this article call for collective resilience and shared commitment. Together, with self-awareness, discipline, and the strength of family and friends, we can triumph over procrastination, shaping a more fulfilling high school experience and beyond.
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DIRECTOR’S CUT
WHAT SETS THE KING’S SCHOOL THEATRE APART FROM OTHER SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS? | O. HILL As the phones find themselves locked away in the boarding houses, the late bus embarks on its final drop-offs, and the rowers reluctantly anticipate a 2k the next morning, an otherwise quiet building in the heart of the school springs to life. Here, late last year, in The King’s School Drama Theatre, a hilarious blend of chaos and comedic brilliance unfolded with the play ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’- a theatrical piece brought to the stage by the imaginative minds of Miss Sophie Tucker and Miss Alyssha Clarke in collaboration with Tara Anglican School for Girls.
Isabella Cleary, added a layer of romantic confusion to the show. The creative process behind the production, from learning lines to rehearsals and choreography, was a testament to the dedication and passion of the cast and crew. The meticulous attention to detail in capturing the essence of 1963 Brighton, combined with the challenges of staging and physical comedy, showcased the time and effort that went into a production of this quality. The result was a seamless performance that left the audience starstruck.
In an incredible showcase of comedic prowess, it was Toby Butterfield, portraying the enthusiastic and naive Francis Henshaw, who stole the spotlight with his hilarious delivery, keeping the audience in stitches throughout the performance. Opposite him, the charming Pauline Clench, played with humour by
This production marks another feather in the cap of The King's School Drama department, now known for its consistently highquality productions. Drawing parallels with previous successes like ‘Shrek: The Musical’, ‘Don’t Drink The Water’, and ‘School of Rock’, the School continues to set the bar high for amateur theatre.
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What elevates The King's School Theatre to a level above other school productions is not just the laughter echoing through the halls or the applause that reverberates long after the curtain falls. No — what sets it apart is a blend of technological brilliance, musical harmony, delicate choreography, and the guiding hand of a seasoned director. At the heart of the tech is Mr Steve Furzey, an experienced lighting director whose command over hundreds of professional theatrequality lights is simply genius. With a team of over 15 dedicated students, Mr Furzey and the tech crew transform the stage, painting the scenes with light and shadow, enhancing comedic effect, and submerging the audience in the atmosphere of each production. It's not just lights though, it’s a layer of sophistication that sets The King's School productions apart from the ordinary. (Rumour has it that the Tech Crew claim they're not just handling lights and shadows, they're practically starring in the show!) They might be the real heroes behind the scenes but catching them in the spotlight is as rare as Joeys winning the Head of the River.
The music is orchestrated by Mr Greg Burgett, who leads a talented orchestra comprised of both staff and students. The instruments become the heartbeat of each performance, infusing emotion into scenes and blending with the onstage action. The fusion of live music amplifies the overall sensory experience, creating a theatrical ambience that breaks the boundaries of just a typical school production. Choreography is organised by the talented Ms Katrina Mann from Tara. Her artistic vision breathes life into the performances, adding a layer of movement and expression that elevates the narrative. Ms Mann's choreography, seamlessly integrated into the productions, enhances the visual appeal, and contributes to the overall theatrical excellence. When Ms Mann starts her choreography magic, the girls glide in like they were born doing the cha-cha. And the boys? Well, we take a while to get into the groove. But you know what? When our efforts come together, it's a spectacle!
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However, behind the technical prowess and artistic finesse stands the master himself, Mr Michael Terzo. With years of experience, Mr Terzo has become the cornerstone of The King's School Theatre, consistently delivering jaw-dropping theatre and musical productions that leave audiences in awe. His vision, combined with a keen understanding of the dramatic arts, gives each production a unique energy, pushing the boundaries of what one might expect from a school performance. It's Mr Terzo's finesse that turns each musical into an immersive experience, where the line
between the stage and reality blurs. Yet, amidst the spotlight and standing ovations, there's one thing that's as certain as the opening night jitters — crossing paths with Mr Terzo's fury is a bit like playing with fire. Behind that calm exterior lies a director with a knack for ensuring every prop, line, and actor is in place. Legend has it that misplacing a prop might evoke a spectacle that's more dramatic than the show itself. But hey, it’s all part of the ‘Mr Terzo experience’. Mr Terzo is a director of no-nonsense style. With a firm hand and a clear vision, he brings order to the creative choices that unfold on stage. His approach is marked by a commitment to excellence through hard work, as seen in a quote from his speech after ‘School of Rock’ in 2021: "The rehearsals get more and more complex as the show develops". This quote raises a compelling question: can students balance the intricacies of a demanding production while still excelling in their academic and sporting endeavours? It's a question that echoes in the minds of parents and teachers show after show. Yet, Mr Terzo doesn't shy away from addressing this concern head-on. During the rehearsal process, Mr Terzo lays down the intense rules of the show, emphasising that the
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show always comes first. It's a bold statement that highlights the dedication required for a production of professional quality. His nocompromise attitude extends to academic responsibilities, emphasising that all schoolwork must be completed. This focus on the show's demands speaks volumes about Terzo's commitment to nurturing not only the students' expressive talents, but also their discipline and work ethic. Rory Crocker, a Year 10 student, found himself navigating the challenging waters of a busy schedule during the start of Term 1. The Closing Night of the musical ‘Shrek’ coincided with the Head of the River Regatta —a logistical nightmare for any student. His reflection on the matter speaks
volumes about the support system fostered by Mr Terzo and our student body: "Obviously these two activities have long and extensive time commitments which meant I did have to make some large adjustments to my schedule, but the support of the staff and boys got me through it.” The laughter and the applause may fade, but the excellence in musical productions at The King's School is destined to endure, welcoming the anticipation of yet another chapter of outstanding theatre. King’s Drama looks forward to welcoming Frankie Valli to the stage as the Broadway classic, ‘Jersey Boys’ is presented in March 2024.
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THE DIVINE RESPONSIBILITY OF KINGS WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A KING? | A. TRAN Picture a king. Imagine what his stance would be. Is he sitting on a throne? Or standing and leaning on his sceptre? Imagine his facial expressions as he stares deeply into open space, whilst the photographer clicks away, or the painter swipes at his canvas. Illustrate for yourself what clothes this royal king is wearing, or what room he is in, or the kinds of people that surround him. What is it that makes this person that you’ve pictured right now, a king? Well, Medieval Europe believes that he is a king because of the ‘Divine Right of Kings’. It’s a term you may be a little too familiar with after the Shakespearean Tragedy that double English periods can be. It is essentially the idea that royalty is passed down through a family’s generations. This idea is shared by many cultures. So if you happen to be the Simba to a Mufasa, it’s basically a given that the throne awaits. But apart from the family line, there’s also the fact that the person you’ve pictured is most likely lavishing in a huge mansion, with endless wealth at his disposal, living the most prestigious lifestyle conceivable.
Maybe it was because I mentioned his throne, his sceptre, or his royalty, that caused you to imagine this kind of king. Or perhaps it’s just a stereotype. If you and I dressed up in special fabric and placed a crown on our heads as we seated ourselves in a leather chair, we would certainly look like kings, wouldn’t we? But in reality, we would just be teenagers playing dress-up. Or, if a king were wearing a t-shirt and shorts, he would no longer look like a king, would he? It seems that without his fancy clothes, a king is unidentifiable. So if dressing up as a king doesn't make someone king… and without fancy clothes, a king is unidentifiable…
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What makes you a king? Let’s rethink the word ‘king’. I want you to think of the word ‘king’ as an attribute, not an appearance. That means your photoshoot or painting of a king is now a compilation of a kingly person’s everyday life. Imagine snippets of his day, as he walks down the street. Imagine his interactions with others. Imagine the manner in which he eats breakfast on a Tuesday morning. Imagine what he wakes up to on New Year’s Day. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The problem is that all of those words are, in a sense, stationary. This king is tall, strong, handsome. But once you rethink the word ‘king’ as an attribute rather than an appearance, your video of a kingly person tells a thousand sentences, not stationary words: “This king respects his people; that’s why they respect him”. “This king is selfless, since all the decisions he makes are for the good of the nation.”
Maybe even: “I want this person to be the king because of the way he acts, not just because of the way he looks”. So, a king can be identified by his actions, even if he is wearing thongs and sunnies. Fundamentally, anybody can have the stationary attributes of a king — rich, tall, decoratively clothed — but kingly people are not remembered by the clothes they wear. It is easy to be privileged with the title of king, but the challenge arises in what you do with this role to shape how you are known and remembered as a king. And numerous ‘kings’ got this wrong throughout history:
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spending for himself rather than for his country after their expensive involvement with the American Revolution. His legacy is that he was a failure of the French monarchy.
Gaius Caligula, a Roman Emperor of the 1st Century AD, hyperbolised his authority and governance, declaring himself a God to diminish the power of the senate and the military. Caligula left a bloodied and violent legacy to be remembered by as the “Mad King”, an insane tyrant. King Henry VIII, a 16th-century English king, had selfish motives, bending and breaking his own rules about marriage and divorce just so one of his six wives could bear him a son to carry the family name. His legacy is that he is remembered as a cruel sadist and a pervert. King Louis XVI, the king of France during the French Revolution, carelessly flaunting his wealth,
Many of Shakespeare’s literary works such as Macbeth and Richard III also illustrate the failures of fictional kings, due to their ambition for greater power. They murder the very people they were supposed to rule, out of paranoia. But I’ll save the agonising analysis for another time. These ‘kings’ abused their privilege. They may have been kings by Divine Right, but they were not kingly people. They abused their authority, wealth, and power for selfish reasons. William Shakespeare may say they inherited a Divine Right as kings, but I will bravely argue against Shakespeare that 400-odd years later, a king’s Divine Responsibility is far more important. He has the responsibility to be a respectful, selfless, and compassionate king, and his legacy is built by these attributes. It is a king’s actions that make him a king, not just the clothes he wears or the mansion he lives in.
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What makes us King’s Going back to the video snippets of your king, we’re going to change his outfit slightly. Replace his boots with polished black leather shoes. Recolour his trousers so they are dark-navy, with a red stripe down the side. Replace his fur coat with a blue chambray shirt, done up to the second-top button with sleeves rolled up just past the elbows, and replace the king’s face with your own. Now picture this Kingsman, instead of in a mansion, standing at attention, on parade, on the Quad. The video compilation is now of yourself, marching into Futter Hall, eating in the dining hall, and playing a game of touch with your mates. In the same way, let’s rethink the term ‘King’s’. I’m talking about the name of our school now. ‘King’s’ is not just a name, it is an attribute. Having the title of ‘Kingsman’ tells people a thousand stories, like how a picture might tell a thousand words, or a video might tell a thousand sentences: “That Kingsman was the captain of the 1st XV in 2024”.
Maybe even: “I want to go to the King’s School because I want to be like that Kingsman”. Imagine yourself now, instead of in half blues, wearing casual clothes — but still doing the same actions. You’re still talking to people in a respectful manner, you’re still being selfless. You’re still embodying the characteristics of a leader, but based on appearance, you are unidentifiable. It’s the start of a new year, and whilst I am not wedded to the idea of a “ ‘New Year, New Me’, I think it’s still a good time to start doing some reflecting. We are privileged with the title of Kingsmen, but how can we show our kingly qualities in and out of uniform, to shape our legacy as King’s? It may be a new year, but it’s still the same responsibility; Kingsmen don’t falter in who they are. So if I were to say to a random person, “I want you to picture a Kingsman”, what would their image be? That’s what you decide.
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