THE
BarOMETER NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019
HALF TERM 2
FROM THE EDITORS
CONTENTS: The Poppy Appeal - Edward H
Dear Readers,
Bushcraft - Vangelis F and Elijah N
Welcome to the newest edition of The Barometer. After the success of last half term’s issue, we are pleased to announce an even wider range of articles about what’s been going on at Wetherby Senior School, both in and out of the classroom, as well as news from our journalists about what they have been getting up to outside of school.
Year 9 Residential - Edward H How Hard is it to get a Black Belt in Karate? - Dan R Field Days - James D, Edward H, Lorenzo S, Julius V, So H, Andreas M, Nikolaos P, Marcel B, Theo W, Henry B Why Choose An American University? - Bennett D Macmillan Bake Sale - Andreas M
Highlights of this issue include, but are not limited to, reports from Field Day, the school play and our yearly participation in the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. We hope that you will find something that interests you in the pages that follow.
Cancer Research Art Competition - Eli N The Importance Of Sleep - Sam M ISA Film Competition - Oscar T A Guide to Videography - Oscar R Why History? - Maarten vB
Have a marvellous winter break!
Sir Andrew Humphrey Memorial Lecture - Henry B
Henry B, Year 11 Senior Editor
The Comedy About A Bank Robbery - Ramzi K
Bennett D, Year 13 Media & Communications Prefect
Autumn Recital, Marlow BF
and The Barometer Team
School Play - Don’t Drink The Water - Henry B
COVER COMPETITION
The Tragic Real Life of Joaquin Phoenix - Max P
Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry for the cover competition, and huge congratulations to Nikolaos P, Year 11 who is the winner this half term! All entries will still be considered for future editions and if you would still like to enter, send your high resolution photographs to barometer@wetherbysenior. co.uk
Robinson Helicopter Factory Henry B What’s Out There? - Tommaso S Year 7 Road Safety - Louis L
The Barometer Team: Adam A-M, Henry B, Bennett D, Edward H, Ramzi K, Andreas M, Max P, Oscar T, Ben R, Miss Bradley Cover photograph - Nikolaos P
Maths Relay - Henry B A Tightly Fought Final for the 1st XV! - Nelson T Interview with Dani Pedrosa Henry B
THE POPPY APPEAL Edward H, Year 9 writes... The Royal British Legion is one of the most prominent charities in the UK. I have worked with them for three years now and it is one of my proudest achievements. A lot of people ask me what RBL does and what I do to help them. The RBL helps people who have been affected by war taking place around the world. It was founded in 1921. For example, if someone had fought in the Army, and they were short of money, this may be because they didn’t get any qualifications, or perhaps they are too old to get a job, or maybe they are just unable to work because they are injured. In short, the RBL
provides financial, physical and emotional support to members and veterans of the armed forces, their families and dependents. I am what could be described as an area representative. I am the representative for Highbury in North London, but I always bring poppies into school after I realised that we had no poppies and the eleventh was approaching fast. I raised over £1,500 in my first year of selling the poppies. I also went to over twenty shops in the Highbury area and they collected money on my behalf. I do not have a direct connection with war, however I know many people who do.
The poppy has a very significant role to play in the RBL, serving as the emblem and one of the most worn badges in the UK. It represents hope, as somehow, poppies grew in Flanders Fields after the war was fought in them. The fact that poppies grew after the landscape had been wrecked by fighting is truly extraordinary. I would also like to thank everyone who has been involved over the years. I’d like to thank Mr. Bolderow, Mrs. Stewart, Miss Gilby, Max K, Isaac E, James U and everyone who has bought a poppy or poppy-branded product; your contribution really does make a difference.
Bushcraft Vangelis F, Year 8 writes... The Bushcraft trip was an amazing experience for all the children that went and probably most of the teachers enjoyed it as well. Every activity that we did was great however from a little bit of asking around I found that most people particularly enjoyed something called the SOS situation where a small group of teachers smeared jam on their faces, arms and legs. They then lay themselves around a faux airplane crash scene. We were brought to the plane crash site under the pretence of going on a nature walk to see muntjacs (a small deer). As we came closer, we heard miscellaneous screams and desperate cries of help (and some laughter). As we got closer, we were told to remember our first aid training we had completed earlier that morning. When we arrived, favouritism ensued. 7 – 8 of the group headed to one teacher and the rest headed to two others and at the end we realised there was one teacher we had left sitting there for the whole time. And even though the SOS was probably the best activity we did many more exciting things. These included lighting fires and making pencils. At night we had eight people in one big tepee style tent, and we went to bed at 9:30ish and were woken up at 7:30. All the meals were good. Some better than others for instance the fish that the teachers cut was amazing and a few kids were chosen to try the eyes (me being one of them) and it was very juicy. All I can say about it is that it was an experience. The rest of the trip was much more than just an experience it was an amazing adventure.
Elijah N, Year 7 writes... In October I faced a challenging experience called Bushcraft. This was a crazy experience for everyone; but the end results were definitely worth it. It gave us a taste of nature’s true potential - it showed us what it is like to live, survive, and almost cope with being in an organic place packed with greenery. But it also was a colossal challenge for me: I had to step out of my comfort zone, and make myself proud. We were at school by 07:45, and took off for a short bus trip at 08:00 am. Once we arrived, we were greeted by the nicest, friendliest people I’ve ever met - I already felt at home. It did take a while to adjust to this place, but I did in the end, and it was definitely worth the wait. Bushcraft was 2 long nights, but full of experiences with friends. We would sit by the campfire
and talk almost the whole night through, tell stories, and even have a tribes got talent! There also was the most amazing and delicious food there - with tons of vegetarian options, this food was definitely what I would eat at home. Not only did I step out of my comfort zone, but I made tons of friends I never knew I’d ever be friends with. They only make the spectacular survival activities even better than they were before. We would wake up at 07:30, and get up for a magical experience in the woods. The activities were a great challenge (like the hunting traps and the shelter mission), but that didn’t matter to me as I was having so much fun. Yes, in a large isolated area, things can be exciting. This almost showed me that you don’t have to be in a 5-star hotel or in a picture perfect area to have an amazing experience, but you can have fun and a good time almost anywhere.
We would also get served food 3 times a day, and socialise with the camp leaders and sometimes with the teachers too. We were with our form tutors, and some other teachers that came along with them. This trip showed me that sometimes I have to go mahoosive, and go big, and take a step into what it is like being in the real world itself. Yes there was madness, yes there were challenges, yes there were times when it was pretty boring, but it was a life changing experience I will remember for probably all my life (but I couldn’t wait to see my parents and sleep in my bed!) I want to thank my friends and our teachers and our parents for giving us the opportunity to have a great time together. Bushcraft, from October 2nd to October 5th, I will remember you my whole entire life.
YEAR 9 SAILING RESIDENTIAL
Edward H, Year 9 writes… On October 7th, Year 9 set off to the Isle of Wight for what can only be described as a cold and wet weekend. In other words, we would be going sailing, paddle boarding and keel-boating. We set off from school at 07:30 in the morning and, although we were tired, spirits were high and we were ready to endure the journey with our phones. Now to reassure the parents, we were not on our phones the whole weekend, but they were handed in upon arrival. We arrived at Portsmouth and then boarded the ferry. It was a relief that we were not on a ferry with members of the public, as I don’t think they would have appreciated sixty noisy boys on their ferry. Luckily, no one felt seasick to my knowledge, so we were all enjoying the ride. When we got off the ferry, we were greeted by the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA) and walked to ‘UKSA BASE’. We then had some lunch and prepared for the first challenge: the water. It was inevitable and no one liked the idea of it. We wet-suited up, and prepared for the challenge. We were then told to run in and, as you
might have guessed, nobody did. Eventually, after much persuasion, Andreas M decided he was going to be the first. All credit to him for doing it but he was also the first to run out after half an hour and he refused to get back in! After many screams and shouts of “I’M GOING TO GET HYPOTHERMIA”, we got out and had some well-deserved dinner. However, as UKSA is a plastic-free site, they insisted that we bring reusable water bottles to dinner. The bedrooms varied in size; they ranged from four-person to eightperson rooms. We were sleeping in rooms with people from our Trib. Overall, I think these rooms were well decided and we all got lots of sleep…I think. The next day, we got up for the big activity and we were split into six groups. We did one of three enjoyable activities: sailing, paddle boarding or keel-boating. I was doing sailing and paddle boarding so I headed out to sea to start sailing. It was quite windy so we couldn’t go out with full sail but we still had lots of fun. I have to admit, I was pretty tempted to capsize when Miss Eaves decided to come onto my boat, but decided against it! We then had lunch and got back to our activities. As I write this article, it is raining outside, which reminded me that somehow, there was no rain while we were there. I guess the boys of Wetherby encourage the Weather to be good. Next on the list, making the water warmer so that we might be able to happily run in and not run out within half an hour.
HOW HARD IS IT TO GET A BLACK BELT IN KARATE? Dan R, Year 9 writes… On 23rd November, 2019 I became a black belt in Karate. Most people who join a Karate club think that the end goal is to earn a black belt. It is this mystical item that is achieved by only 1 in 10,000 people who do Karate. It makes the person wearing it seem powerful and almighty, but is it truly as mystical as people say it is? I believe that it is. In January, I started the process to get my black belt in Karate. It was no joke; I had a workout schedule, recommended diet and had to constantly study my material. Up to this point, I never thought that any belt promotion could be this hard. It was especially worse because I came from the NY dojo to the London one (same club) and here it was more laborious. I kept on hearing horror stories about evil stuff they make you do on the day. I was, understandably, frightened. After six years of carefree training, I now had to do this. I don’t want any aspiring young Karate member to be too put off, however. It was a great learning experience and was important in my development as a person. If anyone reading this does go on to try and become a black belt, my advice is this: just go with the flow. It will make sense when you start preparing, trust me. Depending on what club you join, it can be more or less difficult than what I experienced. If you join some shady, tiny one crammed into the space between a Tesco and a McDonald’s, then it may be easier because, presumably, the instructors don’t care too much. If you join a popular, respected
and long-established club, then the instructors will likely be very good, and you may have a bad time. Still, you will be heralded as a master of Karate. The next question is: what do you do from there? In short, keep working hard! It is likely that there are more belt grades above black (usually around eight) so you will probably want to put more hard work in, or
you can stay where you are. You are still part of the 0.01%. But you will still need to teach and share your experiences with others. As for me, I plan to volunteer to teach young children in my dojo so I can become a higher degree black belt in the future, which will give me unlimited power over the other people in the dojo. So, getting a black belt is (usually) very demanding but worth it in the end.
FIELD DAYs Henry B, Year 11 writes…
Lorenzo S, Year 10 writes…
Each term, boys in all year groups have the chance to go on a day trip that is pertinent to something that they are studying in a particular subject, which is a marvellous opportunity to consolidate knowledge learnt in class, as well as being a welcome break from daily school life. Here’s what the boys were up to last Field Day:
On Field Day, a group of Year 10 boys dedicated their trip to community service by helping out at BeeUrban, a social enterprise which strives to improve the urban environment and its people by promoting a progressive, ecologically rigorous practice, based around urban greening, building, farming and bee-keeping. The boys were first assigned some gardening work, which involved collecting lavender. Afterwards, they were given wheelbarrows and shovels to collect the dead leaves which were obstructing the entrance to the site, and proceeded to deposit them in a pile so that they could be made into more sustainable natural compost. The boys were really tired afterwards, but they had lots of fun. The staff at BeeUrban was very happy and grateful for their work. By doing this, each of the boys learnt a few things about gardening, but most importantly, they helped a valuable cause in a hope to help the environment.
James D, Year 7 writes… This term, Year 7 visited ZSL London Zoo. We left school at 08:30 to make it to the zoo for its opening at 09:00. Split up into four groups, we set off to explore the zoo. There was an array of different species, from birds to butterflies to penguins to African wild dogs. ZSL gave us a specific talk about animal poaching and endangered animals, before letting us stroke a Madagascan giant cockroach. After the talk, it was time for lunch. We sat down and ate next to a carousel, after which a few children decided to ride on it. There were various speakers dotted around the zoo and we listened to some of them. At three o’clock it was time to go home and Year 7 left buzzing with excitement.
Edward H, Year 9 writes… For Field Day, some Year 9 boys went to the Tate Modern to look at examples of sculpture. We started off by travelling from Bond Street to Southwark and then we walked to the Tate. Having put our bags away, we split into two groups and went to the exhibition rooms. We saw many different examples of sculpture, varying from a single piece of metal on a plinth to an enormous room, the size of Hannah House Hall, filled with pieces of rock and metal based on the moon. One of my favourite pieces was based on chess pieces. Overall, it was a highly enjoyable experience and was very beneficial for our art studies.
interesting facts and stories about the site. He told us that his aunt had worked at Bletchley Park but had never told anyone because no one was allowed to know anything about what the workers were doing. Then, we watched a short film about the war and how Britain stopped the Germans from defeating them and potentially lots of other countries.
Julius V, Year 8 writes… On Thursday 7th November, Year 8 had the pleasure of visiting one of Britain’s most iconic locations. Bletchley Park is the place where the English managed to break the Nazi code during the Second World War. This is a very important part of British history because if those who worked there had not managed to crack the code, then the war may not have ended when it did. The man who is said to have cracked the code was Alan Turing, who was in fact behind it, but there were many other people who helped defeat the Germans. After a short train ride from London Euston, we finally arrived at the park. Mr. Astbury split us into four groups and we set off to look around the site. We were even allowed to go into the mansion where the workers would often spend their time, although they mostly stayed in their hut working for hours in sometimes quite harsh conditions. After around half an hour, it was time for lunch. After that, it was time for a guided tour. A very nice man, who had lived locally when all of the events at Bletchley Park had come about, told us lots of
After our tour, we had a lesson and we were able to do some real decoding. We also had a look at the machine used by the Germans, called the Enigma. This was very cool as it was a real machine from the war and is now worth over £250,000. The decoding activities were very fun as they were quite challenging but also really interesting as we had the chance to see lots of different decoding techniques.
So H, Year 10 writes… At Gerrard’s Cross, I was able to learn lots of life skills, such as navigation, rescuing a person in different situations and more in order to prepare for our Bronze DofE hike. I was placed into a particular group with a teacher and a guide assistant. Our group took a route that the guide assist had planned. My group was very sociable and entertaining, so the journey to the scout camp and back was very enjoyable and gave me the chance to get to know them better. Also, our group was able to learn from our mistakes; despite having taken the wrong turn, we quickly managed to figure out where we actually had to go. I had a remarkable time at Gerrard’s Cross and I learnt a lot from the guide assistants.
FIELD DAYs Andreas M, Year 9 writes... On the 7th November, a group of ambitious Year 9s set out to learn all about French in Lycee Francais. We walked the treacherous journey all the way to Baker Street, before catching the tube to South Kensington station. When we arrived we were given a tour and shown the truly old-fashioned library, with a more modern branch on the side. We were educated in the history of France, and challenged to a Kahoot, which my companion, Alec F and I superbly won!
Nikolaos P, Year 11 writes‌ On Field Day, Year 11 Graphic Communication students visited the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising in Ladbroke Grove. We took part in a branding workshop where we analysed examples of contemporary packaging. We then perused the museum itself to find inspiration for our own packaging projects. The museum houses over 12,000 examples of packaging from the Victorian times through to the present day and it is all the collection of one man: Robert Opie. I really enjoyed looking at packaging from different eras and working out how the historical context or values of people at the time influenced the design. I would really recommend a visit; it is a only two minute walk from Portobello Road.
Marcel B, Year 11 writes… Field Day gave GCSE PE boys the chance to visit Steel Warriors gym near Stratford. Steel Warriors is one of the school charities and they help to tackle knife crime by organising knife amnesties and turning the weapons they collect into gym equipment by melting the metal. We got to learn from Simone Ming, a world champion in calisthenics, and tried out several exercises before developing our own workouts based on what we learnt that day. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and over the next few days we all felt the full effects of the workouts, so we knew they were good!
Henry B, Year 11 writes… As part of the English Language GCSE, boys are required to make a composition. In a (rather successful) attempt to broaden our horizons and expand our creativity, the English department decided that it would be beneficial to visit a bustling café near Oxford Street, just a five minute walk from the school. This meant that boys could base their descriptions on what they could actually see, hear, smell, taste and touch, in order to produce an evocative multi-sensory description of the surroundings. Some examples of the English teachers’ favourite imagery are below:
“Shining, an incandescent golden aura of light pierced through the blue-tinged grey sky, illuminating the sprawling city below.”
“The bus wobbled, dancing to the rhythm of passengers’ footsteps as they boarded.” “Pelting down the street, a woman ran like an eagle soaring across indigo skies.” Following a long lunch break, boys reconvened at Hannah House Hall to see a performance of Macbeth by The Globe Players, a company that has visited schools around the UK for over 54 years. Their slightly abridged version of Macbeth is compelling and includes a breakdown of the most important quotes from the play, as well as their symbolic and thematic significance, which was extremely helpful with regards to revising the play in the leadup to the exam.
FIELD DAYS We were greeted by the head of caring, and a volunteer who works Thursday 7th November was not a there two days a week. My first regular Thursday at Wetherby. The impression was that the home entire school was going on various seemed a warm and friendly place. We were shown into a living room field trips, in London and further where we laid out our cakes on afield in the case of the Duke of tables. Gradually, residents were Edinburgh group. brought down from their rooms, Led by Miss Nash, my group was and we had the pleasure of being going to visit Tower Bridge Care introduced to them. Some very Home, in South East London. interesting discussions ensued, With gifts of cake in hand, we took some amazing stories were shared a quick Tube ride on the Bakerloo over tea and cake. Line to Elephant and Castle and then walked for about fifteen A lady I spoke with was 87 minutes, arriving just after 10am. years old, and she told me some Theo W, Year 10 writes...
interesting stories about her childhood. She had grown up in England as one of five children, and during the Second World War she and her siblings were sent to Switzerland to stay with relatives. She seemed to have very clear and detailed memories of her early life. We also talked about my school career at Wetherby and I told her some stories about my friends and family. After a really interesting morning, we said our goodbyes and headed back to Marylebone. We thanked Miss Nash for leading a great and rewarding day out.
WHy choose an american uNiversity? Bennett D, Year 13 writes... Want to go to school in the land of the free, home of the brave? Here’s what the process is like… There will come a point in every Wetherby student’s career when they have to choose where they wish to continue their education. If you’re like the majority of my year group, you’ll choose to go down the British route, applying through UCAS to five universities of your choice where you will likely be given a conditional offer, depending on your application. However, if you’re like me and a few others in my year group, you may wish to go down the American route. Wetherby offers separate support for students in Sixth Form (both Years 12 and 13) that want to apply to the United States. This is not to say that applying to America is exclusive, in fact you can apply to both the United Kingdom and US, however you may find you only really want to go to America (like myself) and if that’s the case, that can be supported. Education in America offers a very unique experience. Firstly, it is based on liberal arts and provides a broad education for your first two years, before you specify and do your ‘major’ for the latter two years. Students may find this easier than applying for a course, especially if they don’t feel ready to commit to their degree. Alongside this, the diversity offered by the thousands of universities in America is far greater than the schools in the UK. A school in upstate New York will highly differ
from one in West Texas. The process of applying is certainly different to England, and some may find it harder as it requires a greater amount of application essays to be written, the details of which I won’t go into in this article. Being American myself, I always felt I would end up undergoing higher education there. However, even if I wasn’t I would still entirely consider it
as an option. I would encourage any of you, American or not, to discuss it with your parents and teachers as early as possible if you think you might be interested. This helps to ensure that by Year 12 you feel ready to start the process. America can be a fantastic option. From my own personal experience of visiting colleges, I find myself stunned by each and every one.
MACMILLAN BAKE SALE Andreas M, Year 9 writes... Last half term, Tyburn held a sugary bake sale to support Macmillan Cancer Support. The treats varied from cupcakes to brownies and all the funds went to Macmillan, who provide specialist healthcare, information and financial support for people suffering with cancer and their families. Our ambitious photographer, Edward H, took numerous photos of this wonderful event. Many thanks to all the boys who gave donations or brought in treats; we raised a total of £350.
CANCER RESEARCH ART COMPETITION Eli N, Year 7 writes... In October 2019, Year 7s and 8s were entered into this massive competition called the “Annual Art Competition 2019”. This year’s theme was ‘memories’, and there were some phenomenal entries coming from our school. This year, we raised a stunning £140 (yes £140!) for a charity collaboration with Cancer Research. My project was an aesthetic silhouette of a familiar face walking down a familiar path. It included an autumn sunset with a young boy walking on a rocky and bumpy surface. I analysed it as a young boy like me walking through the struggles of life, but there is always hope in everything we do, like the vibrant sunset in the background
of the painting. It reminded me of my childhood, and how I got through it. We had an option of maxing it 3D or 2D, and in any medium we preferred to do. I
chose canvas, as I commonly use that medium of art. I had so much fun creating my submission, and I am incredibly proud of it.
The IMPORTANCE OF sleep Sam M, Year 7 writes... Sleep is one of the key factors of life. Teenagers need at least ten to eleven hours of sleep to get sufficient rest and not be sleep deprived. Ways of getting to sleep quickly at night can include doing yoga or breathing exercises, or having a warm (but not too hot) bath. Devices should be switched off at least an hour before you go to sleep, as the blue light that they emit could ruin the quality of your sleep. If all of these are difficult, then you could try some calming music; studies have proven that the sound of nature can give you better dreams. Your room temperature should be between 16-20°C – if you are feeling cold you could use a hot water bottle or a blanket.
Reading helps me get to sleep as I enjoy having fifteen minutes to flick through a good book. Parents are advised to make sure that devices are in a different room. If you can’t get to sleep, don’t try to; after a while your eyes will get heavy and you will doze off. Children and teenagers are advised to keep a bottle of water in their room in case they wake up in the night feeling dehydrated. You should try to sleep with the lights off in your room. If you use a night light at the moment, try to keep it off for one night and see how it affects your sleep. If you have to do homework and it is past seven o’clock, sleep first and get up early in the morning to finish it off.
Dinner should be light as lying down is bad for digestion and you can get hiccups during the night. Sleep is key for a good day and mindset, as tiredness affects your ability to think straight. A full moon could keep you awake and scientists are still trying to figure out why it affects people in this way. If noises from family members are disturbing you, make sure your bedroom door is shut to stop the noise from infiltrating your dreams. Your sleeping posture is up to you, but lying straight is best.
ISA FIlm competitioN Oscar T writes... This half term I found out that a film I made with my friend Isaac has won my age category in the 2019 ISA Film and Digital Art competition. I was really pleased to win this award again after receiving it last year for my short film ‘The Penguin’. My film can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=V0_gWX_5Zgl, or type: The adventures of Lobsterman and click on the first video that appears on YouTube. An interview with Oscar and Isaac: Q: Where did the idea of Lobsterman come from? OT: When I was in Year 2, I thought of a Spiderman-like hero called Lobsterman. He had all of the powers of a lobster such as: flying, laser vision, super strength and super intelligence; he could do all the things actual lobsters can do. I started to create my own Lobsterman comics in Year
3 and they always sold out in my school. I had always wanted to make a Lobsterman movie but never found a person who was as interested in filmmaking as I was until Year 7, when I met Isaac and we both shared the same passion for film. We began to make films such as a series called Planet Earth 3, where we explored strange creatures from around the world, then I JUST SOLVED A CRIME!, a satirical crime show following the daft Bill Wilkins chasing down the red sneakered Helen. Finally, we made the Adventures of Lobsterman, which you can find on our channel: Crustacea Studios. *consider subscribing please*. How was the film made and how long did it take? OT: The film was shot and edited over the course of three days on an iPhone, which proves you don’t need fancy equipment to make your films; all you need is the will and teamwork. To people considering making films, don’t be intimidated by people saying you can’t do anything without fancy effects and an amazing camera.
IE: We loved making this film. It was so fun making our vision come to life with the tale of Lobsterman vs the evil chef. As I was mainly operating the camera, I wanted to try lots of new things that you don’t necessarily see in films like these today. We included lots of Dutch angles for a comedic effect and we sped up a lot of the running and fighting to give it a funny Benny Hill vibe. IE: You should expect two Lobsterman sequels that Oscar made recently with Ramzi K, each with three new terrifying villains. As for me, Oscar and I are working on a longer dramatic horror film about a dimension-shifting girl who finds out a terrible secret about her monstrous father. That film is going to be made with a full cast and crew and on a week’s shoot. Don’t worry, Oscar and I will be making appearances too but we aren’t the main characters… Nevertheless, be excited for what’s to come….
A guide to videography Oscar R, Year 12 writes...
cords higher quality, but will need batteries). You can also use a lav Step One – Planning mic if you are filming a documentary-style film. You will also need In order to make a successful to think about camera placement, movie you need to plan it. The first i.e. whether you want to put your thing you should plan is writing camera on a gimbal, shoulder rig, your script, you will find that all of slider or a tripod. If you would your equipment, costumes and ac- like a gimbal, I would look to DJI. tors will fall into place. You should If you are looking to use a shoulalso fit your film into a genre, as der rig, these can be purchased on this will make it much easier when Amazon and if you are looking for choosing your editing style. a slider/tripod, cheap ones can be found anywhere, but Manfrotto Step Two – Picking your kit make the best. You will also need some form of storage media in One thing you certainly need which to keep your footage. to do is pick the kit you will use for your shoots. First, you need Step Three – Shooting: to think about what you will use as your camera. This can range Whatever camera you use some from an iPhone to a DSLR all things will always apply, such as the way to a full cinema camera. lighting and the position of your This will depend on your budget camera. Some basic rules are, the as film cameras can be extremely scene should be well lit in norexpensive, costing up to tens of mal scenes but can be dimmer to thousands of pounds. If you are create suspense. This is because picking any camera other than cameras perform well in good an iPhone, you will need to think lighting conditions. Ring lights about a few other things such as can help light people as they create what lenses you intend to use. If an even lighting source. Also camyou want to use a DSLR camera era positioning is something that (which I would recommend as it’s applies to any camera. In any sita good mid-ground, try the new uation you would normally want Canon 90D for its superior video to prevent just holding the camera performance and it’s a very good all-rounder), I would recommend photography lenses, as they are often much cheaper. A good lens to try is the 18-35 sigma art lens which can be purchased in many different mounting options (Canon, Sony, etc.). You may also need to think about how you will be recording audio (if you even wish to use audio; you can use music if that suits your film better). A good mic to start with is a small shotgun mic which can be attached, such as the Rode video mic go/pro (if you want something that re-
because you will end up with a lot of camera shake, unless this is a desired effect. Using a tripod is a cheap and easy way to position your camera and using a fluid head will mean that your shots are a lot smoother when panning. I will not go into detail on how to shoot different genres of films as they vary so wildly. You also need to choose your camera settings. If you are using a phone, you won’t have many options, unless you are using an app called Filmic Pro in which you can select settings. On every other camera you should put it into manual settings mode. Step Four – Editing: Editing can be a lengthy process but it totally depends on your editing style. Many softwares are available for a multitude of platforms. For mobile, I prefer iMovie but for Mac I use Final Cut Pro. If you use a PC then Premier Pro is the best option. Also Da Vinci Resolve is a good free option. The editing style is totally up to you but I would recommend staying away from flashy titles and exciting transitions because they give your film a certain look which is undesirable.
WHY HISTORY? Maarten vB, Year 12 writes… History is one of the most significant subjects one can learn at school. It is often overlooked as ‘boring’ or ‘hard’ but in essence it isn’t. To not learn about the past, is to doom yourself to the same fate in the future, and at Wetherby it is fantastic, for me at least, to know that there are boys who have a great passion for history; or that a boy at least comprehends the importance of such a useful subject. I thought long and hard about the topic I would be discussing today. At first I thought maybe describing a battle, such as the Battle of Pharsalus, possibly the most significant battle in the Roman Civil War, would be interesting, then I thought talking about a pivotal war, such as the Punic Wars fought between the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal and the skilled yet sadly underrated Roman general Scipio, then maybe I thought I would talk about a person, such as Napoleon Bonaparte or Alexander the Great. What I realised was that history is just a tangible accumulation of ideals, thoughts, and legacies. What did Alexander want to be remembered for? What was the point of the Punic Wars? What even is the Battle of Pharsalus? All these questions can be answered by only one subject, one immensely enjoyable and fulfilling subject; history. History is one of the foundations of our knowledge, our experiences, and even how we view the world. The world now is vastly different to what it was a decade ago, let alone a century
ago, or even a millennium ago. In my opinion, to live is to create history. Everybody makes pivotal decisions in life, whether it is crossing the river Rubicon, a decision made by Julius Caesar, or whether to send your child to Wetherby, another stellar idea, or even for a boy to choose history over the other humanities on offer at our school. People leave behind legacies. These legacies forge the way forward for us as a human race. Without brilliant thinkers like Plato, Leibniz, (yes, there is an awesome biscuit named after him too) Hume, Descartes or Locke we could never be able to try and get closer to the truths of humanity and the knowledge we desire. Humans, by nature are curious. We like to discover, innovate and explore. History is the way to write down the achievements as well as the downfalls of man and to truly pave a sustainable, happy and progressive future, where everybody from all walks of life can truly be appreciated. We must look back at the past atrocities, promise ourselves to never repeat the mistakes of our forefathers and try again. Humans are resilient, even before we were able to write we would create history and surely after we invent new ways to document history on Earth, we will still be creating it. History is eternal. That is why it is so important. It started before humans and it will indefinitely continue once humans are gone. We have been granted the ability to be able to understand history and to recollect what we as humans have done and that truly is a wonderful thing. History defines humans. Our actions are caused by previous actions we
made, which is all history. History is, in essence, one of the most important topics one could ever decide to learn and study. That is why I’ve taken it as one of my A Levels; without understanding what went wrong in the past, we can never truly create a better future, and luckily us humans have enjoyed the liberty of studying ourselves and creating a better future. We have galloped into the 21st century, with people my age and my circumstance never even experiencing a war, cold or horrendous. With people my age living around phones, and laptops, and computers, and all sorts of technology that we have never even seen before. This is truly a fantastic time to be alive, and a reason why today is so different to a century ago, why we have such different ideas and hold more lenient beliefs to topics, even a decade ago, that were so taboo. The thoughts of humans are a product of our time, our experiences, and our previous actions, all of which... is history.
Sir andrew humphrey memorial lecture Henry B, Year 11 writes… In November, I went to a fascinating lecture at The Royal Aeronautical Society in honour of Sir Andrew Humphrey, a Marshal of the Royal Air Force. Although it was held at the RAeS, the lecture had actually been organised by The Air League, who have a partnership with British Airways and sponsored me, along with the other work experience students, when I went gliding. It was ‘A Vision for the Next 100 Years” of aviation, which are very pertinent to me as I intend to pursue a career in that very industry, and it was given by none other than Mr. Álex Cruz, Chairman and CEO of British Airways. During the lecture, Mr. Cruz outlined the past 100 years with regards to British Airways’ rich heritage, before discussing BA’s plans for the future, including its commitment to exploring alternative fuel sources, such as biofuel, for aircraft, as well as its £6.5 billion investment to enhance customer experience. Following this, he engaged in a Q&A session, in which he provided some very useful insight about the importance of leadership and dealing with people in what is, no doubt, an incredibly competitive industry; this year alone we have seen the demise of several airlines, among which are Thomas Cook, Jet Airways and WOW Air (in the words of Mr. Cruz, if you want to be a millionaire in the aviation industry, start as a billionaire!) This was followed by an appetising supper reserved for 100 guests, myself included, with Mr. Cruz as the guest of honour.
The occasion was a splendid chance to meet like-minded people to talk about flight, such as the President, Chairman and Chief Executive of The Air League, as well as numerous young aviation professionals and apprentices, all of which had a story to tell. I even had the privilege of speaking to Boeing UK’s chief test pilot, who flies Chinook helicopters. Mr. Cruz was incredibly kind and offered to leave me his autograph. We even had a photo together! It was a most enjoyable evening indeed.
The comedy about a bank robbery Ramzi K, Year 9 writes... This spectacular play is set in a small town in the USA, known as the “Town of Crooks” where nobody can be trusted! Mrs. Monaghan is raising her son, Sam, on her own and is also the receptionist of the bank that Sam and his friends are trying to rob. Sam meets his love and partner in crime, Caprice Freeboys. Caprice knows a lot of people and each of them knows her as something completely different to who she really is; for example, someone thinks she’s a German doctor and another thinks she’s a stubborn British banker! What’s more, Sam is in the same situation and they must play the lie throughout the play and pretend that they work in a French bakery. They both team up with a prison escapee and an employee at the bank in order to rob it. This is easily the most
hilarious play I have seen in my life; Mischief Theatres have hit the funny bone once again! As funny as it is, it still consists of deep, thought-provoking monologues, dramatic and sombre losses and breathtakingly staggering stunts. Also, just to really set the mood and get you in the right time period, there’s gospel music sung
live by the actors and actresses in the transitions and for background music. It is truly a masterpiece. Wetherby are also going to see “Magic Goes Wrong”, another play by Mischief Theatres. Tickets are currently sold out for the school trip, so I couldn’t be more excited to see it.
AUTUMN RECITAL Marlow BF, Year 7 writes... Last Tuesday, the 26th November, saw the Wetherby Autumn Music Recital take place in Hannah House. The recital was well attended by parents and teachers including the Headmaster and Mrs Pheiffer. There was a variety of instruments, including violin, cello, clarinet, oboe and my instrument, the piano. I performed two pieces, Passapied by Debussy and Gigue by Bach. All present performed exceptionally well showing off the many talents within Wetherby. I myself received five Gold Notes for Serpentine! The purpose of this recital though wasn't to gain Gold Notes but to provide a supportive environment for students to become more comfortable with public performance, which I think it did!
School Play - DON’T DRINK THE WATER Henry B, Year 11 writes… I must confess that I had very high expectations after last year’s stunning performance of Frankenstein, but I’m pleased to say that Don’t Drink The Water did not fail to impress! The script was written by Woody Allen and it includes much of his famously dry humour. As a fan of his, one could argue that I was a particularly discerning critic with regards to this particular school play. In spite of this, I found that the many comical moments were performed eloquently and with enthusiasm. A unique aspect of Wetherby’s productions is that they are often performed in conjunction with other schools. I find that it is beneficial to involve local girls’ schools as it not only enriches
a sense of community, but it is also an opportunity to meet new people and have both male and female cast members, which makes for an experience that is more akin to that of a real show. Even before the play began, the scene was set by members of the chorus in their communist uniforms as they ushered the public into the theatre, before marching in unison around the stage. As usual, the stage was wonderfully decorated; I rather liked the matching chairs, sofa and the desk with its antique telephone, all of which were complemented by the designer lighting. RADA is also equipped with a professional lighting rig and sound system, both of which are facilities that we are fortunate to have in our very own drama studio at WSS. Much like every year, the costumes were beautifully
designed and appropriate to their respective characters. Also, Sacha R’s pot-belly was a nice touch. I was blown away by the acting skills of all cast members. It was evident throughout the performance that a lot of effort had gone into making it humorous through hilarious pauses, sublime comedic timing and splendid positioning and movement. The foreign accents were also superb, in particular the Russians and the French chef. Max P was “playfully articulate” and settled magnificently into his role of Axel Magee, whose absentmindedness brought about many laughs. Similarly, Sacha R did a marvellous job of portraying the angry trapped tourist through his emphatic anger and selfishness. I simply cannot emphasise enough the extent to which I am continually impressed by Tobi A. I have seen him perform as a monster, an arrogant turtle and a priest. He shines in every part he plays as if he morphed into a different actor each time; the way in which he accommodates to his various roles and changes his style accordingly is, no doubt, a truly remarkable talent. Tobi’s rendition of the “holy Houdini”, a priest with
a passion for magic, was very well presented. The quality of the acting is one that surpasses what I myself have encountered in several West End shows. It was lovely to see such vivid and varied facial expressions, which made the dynamic performance almost tangible for the audience. In fact, I could discuss each individual actor/actress’ performance in further detail but I feel that the most important factor of this phenomenal production was the magnificent teamwork that went into it. It was thoroughly entertaining and everyone involved had a part to play. Finally, this article wouldn’t be complete without thanking the very competent Mrs. Atkinson and Miss Webb, who operated the light & sound systems, the helpful staff at the RADA theatre, and our premises managers, Feysal Ali and Ian Waters. Together with the help of our very own deputy head, Mr. Lawrence, they dismantled
the stage on the same night as the show so that the theatre could be used by the next outside hire. Well done to all of you. My expectations are exceeded with
every performance and Don’t Drink The Water has left me thirsty for more; I cannot wait for next year’s play!
Max P, Year 11 “I’ve been taking part in school productions since I was in Year 5 and Wetherby has allowed me to hone my skills and even perform in a professional theatre!”
Robert B, Year 11 “Don’t Drink The Water has been by far the best production the school has done. I think the humour is something the whole audience enjoyed.”
Edward P, Year 10 “It was very professional and gave me a real insight into how real drama plays work.”
THE TRAGIC REAL LIFE OF JOAQUIN PHOENIX Rico, preaching the ways of the Children of God and living on almost nothing. In fact, the family would beg for change on the streets of San Juan whilst trying to recruit new members. It was into this world that Joaquin and his siblings were born. River and Max P, Year 9 writes... Rain became street performers, to bring in whatever money they DC’s most recent film, Joker, may could. On top of this, the Children just be the most controversial film of God subjected its members of the year. Though not everyone to controversial practices. These enjoyed it, it is nevertheless practices drew investigations from recognised as the highest R-rated the FBI and Interpol, which were (15) film in the history of cinema. on the hunt for its leader, David It is almost as if Joaquin Phoenix Berg. Phoenix went on to say this: was born to play Joker and, in “I think the moment my parents a way, he was. He was born on realised there was something October 28, 1974 to parents John more to it, they got out.” However, Lee and Arlyn Bottom in San Juan, their escape was not easy and Puerto Rico. He had four siblings: they ended up having to stow River, Rain, Liberty and Summer. away on a freighter, headed back to the United States. It was You may be wondering why the there that they began their new Phoenix family sounds like a list of lives, changing their name from mythical elements; this is because ‘Bottom’ to ‘Phoenix’. However, John and Arlyn, married in 1969, the family continued to struggle, were part of a religious cult, called living in a car for their first year the Children of God. Before Arlyn in Los Angeles. Eventually, they met John, she was married to an found a small apartment and IT expert and had settled into Arlyn found a job at NBC. It life as a secretary. However, once was here that she managed to the Flower Power movement get an agent for her kids. River of the 1960s had started, Arlyn Phoenix’s performance in the 1986 abandoned her family and met film Stand By Me made him a John on a hitch-hike to California. household name. He followed this The Children of God gave them with an outstanding performance the opportunity to do what in Running on Empty. Whilst they thought was profound and Joaquin wasn’t as famous, he spiritual work. Phoenix told still managed to get steady work. Playboy magazine this: “I think However, just a few days after my parents thought they’d found Phoenix’s nineteenth birthday, a community that shared their tragedy struck. His older brother, ideals.” He further explains. “Cults River, died of drug overdose. rarely advertise themselves as He was only twenty-three years such. It’s usually someone saying, old at the time of his death. Two ‘We’re like-minded people. years later, Joaquin returned to This is a community.’” John and acting, staring in the 1995 film, Arlyn travelled through Puerto To Die For. The performance
earned him unanimous praise but it was his performance in Gladiator that would launch his career to new heights. The film won five Academy Awards and was nominated for an additional seven, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Director for Ridley Scott. Phoenix continued to take supporting roles in various films including Signs, The Village and Hotel Rwanda. But it was with 2006’s Johnny Cash Biopic, Walk the Line, that Phoenix finally got to play the lead role. Not only did he portray Cash accurately, but he also sang all the songs in the film himself. The performance earned him a second Academy Award nomination. However, in channeling Johnny Cash, a man who had struggled with addiction, Phoenix himself turned to drinking for comfort. As soon as filming for Walk the Line concluded, he checked himself into rehab. Soon after, Phoenix starred in The Master, a film that dealt with the inner workings of a strange cult. After this came You Were Never Really Here in which Phoenix portrayed a loveable hitman. With each of his roles, Phoenix evokes sympathy for people cast out by society and, of course, Joker follows through. Instead of letting tragedies bring him down, Joaquin Phoenix has faced them head on, not only to grow as an actor, but to grow as a person as well.
RobiNson helicopter factorY Henry B, Year 11 writes‌ Over the October half term break, I happened to be visiting my cousin in Los Angeles, California. She works as a city attorney and her office is not at all far from Torrance Zamperini Field, where the Robinson Helicopter factory is located. With this in mind, I dropped in for what was supposed to be a quick tour, but ended up being over an hour long! The Robinson Helicopter Company was founded in 1973 by Frank Robinson, who aimed to design and manufacture a light, inexpensive helicopter for the general aviation market. The R22 went on to become the world’s top selling civil helicopter. It also holds the most world records in its weight class including speed and altitude, shortly followed by the larger R44. On the 25th October 2010, the Robinson R66 received FAA certification; the R66 is powered by a turbine engine, rendering it more reliable and giving it the advantage of a longer range. To date, Robinson have delivered over 12,000 helicopters worldwide. If shipped
overseas, a new helicopter has to be disassembled after its flight testing and carefully packed into numerous containers, a procedure which will set the owner back an additional $2700. Personally, I have some experience flying R22s and R44s in the UK, so it was great to see the factory where all Robinson helicopters are built. Seeing the processes behind the production of these amazing
machines was fascinating, in particular the scrutiny and inspection of components that most people are oblivious to, not to mention the stringent requirements that have to be met in order for the aircraft to be deemed fit to fly; the dimensions of components have to be within 0.00025 inches of the original value stated on their respective diagrams. I was shown around by a machinist, who explained to me that almost everything is made on site by Robinson (98% of parts, to be exact), with the exception of external floats and the engines, which are made by Lycoming and Rolls-Royce. I visited the entire 57,321 square metres of factory floor, so I had the chance to observe the cutting of metal (predominantly aluminium) to create individual parts, get up close to the engines and see a finished helicopter go out for its flight testing. It was a truly remarkable experience.
WHaT’S OUT THERE? Tommaso S, Year 11 writes… Ever heard of the term “Holiday Hunger”? For this first issue of the What’s Out There? column, I believe it’s better for all readers to just start from the very beginning. I remembered that three years ago, I was monitoring the longexpected opening of the first Badiani Gelato in London (an artisan brand that originated from my home in Italy: Florence). Unfortunately, the news that came out said that it would open in Elephant and Castle, nowhere near me. Nevertheless, I was determined to go, so I had the chance to encounter the first ever Mercato Metropolitano (“MM”) which opened in London. I found it amazing! The derelict paper factory was converted into a large marketplace where many different food retailers and restaurants offered their products and customers were free to browse or consume it at large communal tables. The food came from nearly every corner of the globe; it’s a central hub for Italian, American, Kenyan, Mexican and many other cuisines that everyone loves! The idea is innovative. The food on offer is very interesting for the overall culinary tradition and genre, but the unique concept is the combination of different inputs. This all adds to the strong feeling of friendship and community that one experiences at the MM. Anyway, since then, I started to get curious and gradually become more interested in what was being
implemented by the MM and similar projects in the future. Despite my limited competence of economics and business, I believe that it’s part of human nature and it is probably what has supported the development of mankind since ancient times. Nowadays, however, business itself very often collides with values (such as fairness, the environment, ethics etc.) that aren’t possible to neglect anymore. Mercato Metropolitano has started to link business with sustainability, supporting local communities. So far, it has proven to be very effective at producing healthy and sustainable food with suitable prices for all to enjoy. First of all, they select business partners with a strict streaming on products. The food sold and cooked there is 100% artisanal; not produced on any over-
processed or industrial scale but with a strong attention to local production. MM has also, since the beginning, aimed for the regeneration of the area of Elephant and Castle, which was not flourishing very much in the past. MM Elephant and Castle is now a meeting point for people who want to eat or just chat and be part of a community. A lot of initiatives and events have been organized to connect people from that area along with newcomers. What I believe is truly admirable for those who have organized the market place itself is that one of their primary goals is to support people who are less fortunate. I have never heard the concept of “holiday hunger” but now I understand the issue. Students
only a couple of months, is that as we speak, two new MM projects are already in place to further expand the concept of business sustainability and community across London: the MM Factory (a real food factory with a working stone mill and bakery in London’s Elephant Park) and MM Ilford (an urban rooftop farm and market designed to produce 60-80 tons of mixed vegetables a year). IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Mercato Mayfair is walking distance (9 minutes walking according to Google Maps) from WSS and worth a visit. This is a perfect getaway for Sixth Formers to visit and enjoy the varied food choices, from pizza to sushi, Chinese dumplings, kebabs etc. for lunch and also for other years to pop in for a snack after school hours. It is open for nearly the whole day throughout the week.
from not very wealthy families, who usually rely on school meals, experience a noticeable lack of food during holidays. This may lead to malnutrition and also to a decrease in work productivity, affecting their education. MM has organized a special scheme to support these students during the school breaks in order to provide them with daily meals when schools are closed. A few weeks ago, MM opened a new site in Mayfair. I visited it and I can confirm that they have done another great job! The church of St Mark’s on North Audley Street has been newly refurbished into a modern grocery shop with seasonal products and
market stalls offering a great variety of food. It includes a new Badiani Gelato (for ice-cream lovers), a wine and cheese cellar (in the crypt), mini pizzerias, American steakhouses and dumpling stands, to name but a few, across two whole floors. Finally, a beautiful view of Mayfair and Oxford Street awaits anyone who dares to venture onto the fabulous rooftop of the former church. What’s more, the owners have organised each stall perfectly, allowing everything to fit whilst leaving room for a fully functional elevator, as well as space for customers to sit and eat. What surprises me even more than having succeeded in pulling off such a successful scheme in
YEAR 7 ROAD SAFETY Louis L, Year 7 writes... On Friday 22nd November, we were lucky enough to attend to the road safety talk performed by a professional company called The Riot Act. We arrived in the morning and headed to Hannah House to see it. It started with a short play talking about the problems of roads and how we need to be careful on the roads and pay attention. An important message was that before crossing, you should look both ways, cross in a sensible area, listen to
traffic and make sure cars stop before crossing. After the play, a workshop was organised to tell us
how important it was to do this. It was great fun but also a way to reflect on how to cross the road.
Maths relay Henry B, Year 11 writes‌ Before half term, mathematicians from each trib came together for the annual inter-trib maths relay. The problems that each team were faced with covered every topic in the mathematics curriculum within their year groups. As a team competition, each boy had two and a half minutes to answer their question before it could be passed to the next member of the team. If answered correctly before the time ran out, the next person could begin. Walbrook and Whitestone quickly took control of their respective competitions, working efficiently through the questions and ensuring victory for their Tribs. Walbrook were first to finish, making us the reigning champions for two years running!
Results: Thames Trophy 1st - Walbrook 2nd - Effra 3rd - Tyburn 4th - Fleet 5th - Ravensbourne
The Junior Shield 1st - Whitestone 2nd - Serpentine
A TIGHTLY FOUGHT FINAL FOR THE 1st XV! Nelson T, Year 13 writes... On Wednesday 27th November our 1st XV entered into the Middlesex Rugby Plate U18 final against Isleworth and Syon Boys’ School. Despite the harsh weather conditions, with rain and wind rendering the ball and pitch very slippery, we had supporters in numbers lining up in the stands, consisting of both parents and teachers who had made the effort to watch us on such a big occasion. The first half saw an early try scored by Isleworth and Syon Boys’, but WSS soon responded with a big statement, by spending about thirty minutes in Isleworth and Syon Boys’ half. A failure to convert this dominance into points saw both teams enter the changing rooms at half time with WSS 5-0 down. Valiant efforts from players such as Matthew Monaghan and Antonio De Brunner saw WSS stage a late comeback, but unfortuately it was too late - full time: 15-7 to Isleworth and Syon Boys’. Despite the disappointing result, as captain, I am immensely proud of our team which has developed hugely over the last four and a half years, from a point in Year 9 where every game was lost by 30 points or more to now, reaching the Middlesex Plate final, beating heavyweight schools on the way, including Cardinal Vaughan and St James’. Especially with the help from a select few Year 11s and great coaching staff, it’s safe to say the future of Wetherby rugby is in very capable hands!
INTERVIEW WITH DANI PEDROSA (ENGLISH) Henry B, Year 11 writes...
professionally.
Last September, I was at the Goodwood Revival (read my full article about the Revival in the last issue of The Barometer) where I had the honour and privilege of meeting Dani Pedrosa, three time motorcycle world champion and MotoGP legend. Mr. Pedrosa very kindly gave up a precious moment of his time to tell me about why he grew to love motorbikes, the highlights of his career and his passion for windsurfing…in Spanish!
What was the best moment of your career?
For the benefit of you, the readers, I have translated the interview into English. However, if you’re feeling a little adventurous, I have also included the original Spanish interview overleaf.
Probably the best moment was when I won my first world championship. I come from a humble family - my father is a carpenter and from there to becoming world champion for us was an incredible success. That’s why the world championships were probably the most special success on a personal level. But today I have a lot of love for all the fans and all the respect they have for me, after all these years competing, as they thank me for having done the races, so that is also a great success. Do you still watch MotoGP? Yes, obviously, not all races... for example, this weekend we are here and there is a race so I cannot see it. But, yes, because now I am in collaboration with KTM, the Austrian brand, and obviously I have to keep up to date.
DP: Well, from a very young age I liked motorcycles because my father was a fan and when I was four I already had my first motorcycle. My toys were always motorcycles. And, well, little by little I grew and every time I got better: a slightly bigger motorcycle, some races... until at twelve or thirteen, I had the opportunity to do it more
One of my biggest hobbies is obviously cycling. I also like to go on other types of motorbike, such as motocross, endurance, and so on. One of my... my second passion is windsurfing. I really like windsurfing! I’m not a professional but... Where do you do it? Wherever I can. Normally in Spain I have many friends who compete. I have a group of friends that... I go with them. Since this is also a hobby that my father instilled in me, I sometimes go with my father and my brother. The three of us go to the sea together, so… But hey, I do it where there is wind. Where there is wind, we try to go. What would you say to a young person who wants to become a motorcycle rider?
It is an unforgettable experience. I am very happy to have come because it is an incredible journey through time; it’s fantastic.
Ummm, well, the most important thing... For me, I think the most important thing is that they really want it, because this is a sport that gives you back a lot; it gives you a lot of success. It gives you... it can give you a life, but you have to risk it. And to risk it you have to desire it. It has to be a desire of the heart.
I agree. It’s like being on a film set!
Thank you very much!
Yes, yes, it is fantastic to be able to see and feel and enjoy the way races used to be. All the details here are thought to look like the sixties or so, and it’s fantastic. If I explain it, one cannot understand it. To really understand it you have to come and experience.
Thank you!
What do you think of the Goodwood Revival?
HB: Mr. Pedrosa, when did you decide that you wanted to become a motorcycle rider?
What do you like to do in your free time?
Entrevista con dani pedrosa (ESPAÑOL) HB: Señor Pedrosa, ¿cuándo decidió que quería hacerse piloto de motos? DP: Bueno, yo desde muy pequeño me gustaban las motos porque mi padre era un fan y cuando tenía cuatro años ya tuve mi primera moto. Mis juguetes de pequeño eran siempre motos. Y, bueno, poco a poco fui creciendo y cada vez pues fui mejorando: una moto un poco más grande, alguna carrera… hasta que a mis doce o trece años, tuve la oportunidad de hacerlo más profesionalmente. ¿Cuál fue el mejor momento de su carrera? Probablemente el mejor momento fue cuando gané mi primer campeonato del mundo. Yo vengo de una familia humilde – mi padre es carpintero – y entonces pues de allí a llegar a ser campeón del mundo para nosotros fue un éxito increíble. Y por eso probablemente los campeonatos del mundo fueron el éxito más especial a nivel personal. Pero hoy en día le tengo mucho cariño a todos los fans y todo el respecto que tienen por mi, después de todos estos años corriendo, como me dan las gracias por haber hecho las carreras… así que eso también es un gran gran éxito. ¿Sigue viendo el MotoGP? Sí, evidentemente, no todas las carreras… por ejemplo, este fin de semana que estamos aquí hay carrera y no puedo verla. Pero, sí, porque ahora estoy en colaboración con KTM, la marca austriaca, y evidentemente tengo que seguir actualizado.
¿Qué piensa del Goodwood Revival? Es una experiencia inolvidable. Estoy muy contento de haber venido porque es un traslado en el tiempo increíble; es fantástico. Estoy de acuerdo; ¡Es como estar en una película! Sí, sí, es fantastico poder ver y sentir y difrutar de como antes se hacían las carreras. Todos los detalles aquí están pensados para parecer los años sesenta o así, y es fantástico. Si lo explico, uno no puede llegar entenderlo. Para entenderlo de verdad tiene que venir y estar presente. ¿Qué le gusta hacer en su tiempo libre? Una de mis aficiones más grandes es obviamente ir en bici. También me gusta mucho ir en otro tipo de moto, como motocross, enduro, y así. Una de mis… mi segunda pasión es el windsurf. ¡Me gusta mucho el windsurf! No soy un profesional pero… ¿Dónde lo hace? En qualquier sitio que puedo. Normalmente en España tengo muchos amigos que compiten. Tengo un grupo de amigos que… voy con ellos. Ya que también esta es una afición que me inculcó mi padre, y a veces pues voy con mi padre, y mi hermano. Vamos los tres juntos al mar, así que… Pero bueno, lo hago donde hay viento. Donde hay viento, intentamos ir. ¿Qué le diría a un joven que quiere hacerse piloto de motos?
Ummm, bueno, lo más importante… Para mí, creo que lo más importante es que realmente lo quiera, porque este es un deporte que te devuelve mucho, te da mucho éxito. Te da… te puede dar una vida, pero hay que arriesgar. Y para arriesgar tienes que desear. Tiene que ser un deseo del corazón. ¡Muchísimas gracias! ¡Gracias!
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