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BAROMETER NOVEMber - DECember 2020
HALF TERM 2
FROM THE EDITORS Dear Readers,
CONTENTS:
I have been very impressed with the team’s continued enthusiasm. This half term we have delivered the usual superb variety of articles from in and out of the classroom.
ISA Whitbread Memorial Prize - Henry B
Lockdown has not hindered life at Wetherby Senior School, as is reflected in this edition of The Barometer, which features news from the vast array of socially distanced extracurricular activities and inter-Trib competitions. You can also read about our recent charity initiatives, lecture series, and lots more about what our budding journalists have been getting up to outside of school. We hope you have a lovely and restful holiday. Henry B, Year 12 Senior Editor Alastair S, Year 13 Senior Academic Prefect Cover photograph - Sam M, Year 8
The Royal Society of Chemistry Challenge - Arjun D Inter-Trib Competition Update - Oliver B Year 11 Inter-Trib Football Theo W
The Pink-Eyed Monster Ramzi K The Imapact of ‘Giga-Fires’ Alastair S Healthright PCAF Health and Human Rights Awards Henry B My Italian Holiday - Sam M
Anti-bullying Week - Theo W
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch - Henry B and Barnaby M-J
Wetherby Knitting Club Barnaby M-J
Dangerous Sweets and How to Avoid Them - Joseph S
New Chess Club for Year 10 Arjun D
The Corruptive Nature of Money - Theophile N
On the Hot Seat - Maxime H and Nico S
Swimming During Covid Will R
How Covid-19 has Changed Wetherby - Alex P
Sailing - Isaac M
The Significance of the Poppy Edward H Can This Year’s A Level and GCSE Scandal Be Resolved? Kaveh K How does the Structure of Polysaccharides relate to their functions? - Henry B The Financial Times - Henry B Relativity - Oliver B Sixth Form Lectures - Henry B and Robert B The College Electoral Systrem and Why it is Flawed Andreas M
A Brief History of SpaceX and Reusability - Dylan A Creative Writing - Lorenzo S, Tommy T, Albert S and Oliver B The Silver Screen Library Tommaso S
ISA WHITBREAD MEMORIAL PRIZE Henry B, Year 12 writes… Over 5,000 pupils are nominated by their schools for the ISA Whitbread Memorial Prize every year. The award recognises superb academic achievement combined with outstanding contribution to the school and to the community. Wetherby Senior School is delighted to announce that two boys in Year 12 have been awarded first and second place respectively. Many congratulations to Maxime H and Henry B! This is the first time in the award’s history that a single school has received the top two prizes for both its applicants. The ceremony has been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, but there will be an invitation to the House of Lords from Lord Lexden, the President of the Independent Schools Association, as soon as regulations allow it.
THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY CHALLENGE Arjun D, Year 10 writes... There I was in the chemistry laboratory, immediately after lunch, with eyes pinning specific topics and thoughts racing in anticipation. Each team wasready to compete in the Royal Society of Chemistry Challenge. Everyone’s eyes were wide with excitement, however their knees were trembling. People were anxiously fidgeting or eyes like particles wandering around the room randomly in Brownian motion. We were beginning to feel the intensity of a chemical reaction about to take place and the energy waiting be unleashed.
Teams seized their papers scanning the pages for questions like printers scanning documents. Quickly scribbling the answers down and moving on not caring about the handwriting which was almost code-like. You could hear the endless hum of chatter, quick bursts, the turning of pages, and the tapping of pens. The tension was palpable, almost overbearing, as teams raced and quickened, accelerating for the finish. Some determined; some just enthusiastic. Who would finish first? Who would come top? By how much time? You could feel the slight breeze coming from the window waking up the senses and keeping the teams on edge.
inter-trib competition update Oliver B, Year 9 writes… Despite the current climate, the school has remained open and lessons have continued almost as normal. The majority of our extracurricular activities have endured and the usual varied programme of inter-Trib competitions is no exception. Trib spirit and integration between year groups are a crucial part of life at Wetherby Senior School, so it is fantastic that we have been able to continue with Trib events by means of online platforms. Inter-Trib Chess This year’s inter-Trib chess was played via the Lichess website. Each participant had five minutes to play one match, allowing for more games to be played at higher intensity. It was also possible to spectate other games in the meantime.
Winners: Lower School – Oliver B (Walbrook) Middle School – Arjun D (Tyburn) Upper School – Leonid K (Tyburn) Inter-Trib Running Inter-Trib running was carried out on the sport app, Strava. Boys had to run as many kilometres as possible for one week. Fortunately, we were also allowed to record exercise during games sessions, so it was possible for everybody to contribute. It was great to see everyone’s enthusiasm to run and keep fit. Results: 1st – Effra – 179.32km 2nd – Walbrook – 178.22km 3rd – Fleet – 132.67km 4th – Ravensbourne – 88.14km 5th – Tyburn – 68.64km
Inter-Trib Mathematics Challenge The annual mathematics challenge took place just before half term. Each year group had their own set of UKMT (United Kingdom Mathematics Trust) questions which covered all aspects of the curriculum. There were five levels of difficulty to ensure that everyone had the chance to partake. Each class had fifteen minutes to complete all of the questions, so effective teamwork was essential. Results: 1st – Ravensbourne – 183 points 2nd – Tyburn – 179 points 3rd – Walbrook – 170 points 4th – Effra – 164 points 5th – Fleet – 152 points
YEAR 11 Inter-trib football Theo W, Year 11 writes... On Monday 16th and Monday 23rd November, Year 11 battled it out for the title of inter-Trib football champions. It was a thoroughly enjoyable tournament with many boys showing their talent. I was fortunate to see all ten matches, and the following are my highlights: The tournament began with Effra taking on Tyburn. Effra’s rightback Oscar C played an important role, frequently providing for his teammates further forward. He came very close to putting his side ahead. The winning goal was scored by Felix H, who fired in an unstoppable shot. There was some brilliant play on show between Walbrook and Fleet, which came to fruition as Elias D P’s superb pass to Ahmed A put Fleet one up. Both sides played very well, creating a number of chances, but despite everyone’s best efforts to add to the scoring, the game ended 0-1. Effra vs. Ravensbourne - the clash of the titans – would this match decide the tournament? Both sides came out with ambition; players from both teams did their best to create openings and the moment of the game came when a beautiful pass from Danny S was put away clinically by Santiago E. This was the winning goal, 0-1. Walbrook vs. Tyburn was a good tactical battle with some chances created thanks to excellent skill from the players. However, none of these opportunities could be taken. 0-0.
Fleet looked in control during the early exchanges of their match against Ravensbourne, but Ravensbourne grew into the game, with Santiago E and Zach G looking dangerous and Matteo H dominating in defence. Neither side was able to manufacture a clear-cut chance, 0-0. These matches set up a very interesting second half of the tournament the following week. Effra vs. Walbrook was an extremely exciting encounter, with many chances created in an end-to-end contest. Effra got an early advantage as Jamie M scored a very good goal from outside the box. Effra’s defence looked solid, but Maani N secured the 1-1 draw with a stinging shot from close range. Ravensbourne started brightly against Tyburn, with Jack K looking sharp on the left wing. As a result of a trip close to the box, a free kick led to an unlucky own goal. Ravensbourne continued to have the upper hand, and Jack K went on to score a brace with Ravensbourne running out convincing 3-0 winners. The match between Effra and Fleet was very physical. Defences looked solid and not many chances were created. Abbas A was one of the best players on the pitch, producing a number of lastditch tackles, 0-0. Walbrook vs. Ravensbourne was a tight game, with both sides putting up a spirited performance. Some spectacular play from Ravensbourne’s midfield allowed
them to create chances, which were taken clinically by Santiago E, 0-2. Fleet vs. Tyburn was a very open game, with chances created at both ends. After a succession of corners, Fleet opened the scoring through Ahmed A. Freddie W looked authoritative in midfield, driving the ball towards Fleet’s defence on numerous occasions. He was, however, unable to penetrate the defence as a result of stoic defending. Maxime C doubled Fleet’s lead with only a few minutes left, 2-0. After a fantastic and thoroughly entertaining tournament and some inspired performances from Jack K, Zach G, Santiago E and Matteo H, supported by a solid defence and led well by Danny S, the 2020 Year 11 interTrib football champions were Ravensbourne. Wishing you all continued enjoyment through the football season.
ANti-bullying week Theo W, Year 11, our anti-bullying ambassador writes... Wetherby Senior celebrated AntiBullying Week from Monday 16th to Friday 20th November, as part of a national campaign on this vital issue. Some fantastic schemes were run; lots of money was raised and we had great fun doing it. Odd Socks Day started the week’s program, which allowed people to come in wearing two different socks and give a donation to a charity that helps to combat bullying. It was a great fundraising success and there were endless fantastic socks to be seen in the corridors, and also some brilliant mismatched hosiery in photographs that boys sent in! Throughout the week, antibullying ambassadors in Year 11 went into classrooms selling wristbands and stickers. These were very popular and generated plenty of generous donations – thank you all! Finally, boys from across the school collaborated to film an anti-bullying assembly led by Head Boy Monty C and the anti-bullying ambassador team, which was shown on Friday. We hope this raised awareness of the complex issue of bullying and the importance of a safe and happy environment. There are plenty of people ready and trained to talk to if you need support. The school’s anti-bullying ambassadors, teachers and parents are at boys’ disposal if they have any concerns.
Wetherby knitting club Barnaby M-J, Year 7 writes... This half term, a new Wetherby knitting club was introduced, led by Barnaby M-J and Ms Page. Over the few weeks that it has been at Wetherby, it has grown to be a huge success among Year 7, and other year groups have taken interest into the club. Although currently the club is only open to Year 7 due to Covid-19, we hope to be able to welcome others into the club once bubbles can be relaxed. In the club we have been teaching basic knitting and crochet stitches in the hope of making squares to sew into blankets to donate to charities across London, such as Save the Children.
It has not only been Year 7 who have shown an interest in the club, several teachers across the school have taken part, some of whom already know how to knit, which has been a great help for the club. Knitting as a hobby has been decreasing in popularity due to it being removed from the school curriculum in 2010. This caused a decrease in people learning how to knit as children, and people began to not know how to knit and not develop an interest in knitting or any other yarncrafts. This caused yarn shops in the U.K. and the U.S to suffer up to a 50% decrease in sales of knitting supplies.
NEW CHESS CLUB FOR YEAR 10! Arjun D, Year 10 writes... New chess club for Year 10 starting in Spring Term 2021: You may not have thought of playing chess at school, but now is your chance. After feeding your stomach, why don’t you feed your brain by learning a new skill with your friends? Not only is chess a fun and social activity but it also helps you to create new neural pathways in your brain. This is why chess is popular, especially in senior schools and top universities all over the world. In fact playing chess improves brain function, memory and cognitive abilities. After every couple of sessions, we will improve our techniques by
looking at new moves and answering all your chess questions. As we all progress together, perhaps we could even organise friendly competitions for our school. All levels of ability - beginners to advanced - are welcome. A study found that students who play chess regularly improved their grades in all subjects and had better organisation skills. Why don’t you give it a go for the new year of 2021? Any questions? Please speak to Arjun D in Year 10.
Due to Covid-19 we have been able to conduct knitting club with only Year 7, although, there are a few spots on offer for online knitting lessons, if you are interested please contact Barnaby M-J or Ms Page via Microsoft Teams.
ON the hot seat Maxime H and Nico S, Year 12 write... Hello all, welcome back to the 2020 Hot Seat: Student Edition! On the Hot Seat today, we have one of our Deputy Head Boys: Tobi A. Where do we start with Tobi? Tobi acts, dances, plays both the piano and the viola, does sports... it would probably be better to ask ourselves, “what can’t Tobi do?” Some of the younger years may not have been around for this, but Tobi, also being a talented scientist, used his musical skills to transform a mystery liquid from colourless to sunset yellow using nothing but the sound of his viola - it’s fair to say there has never been a cooler assembly! Tobi’s skills extend past the music world. As some of you may know, Tobi is a proud member of the National Youth Theatre and performed the play Rush with them. In school, Tobi has played a part in many performances including a lead role in the dramatic masterclass Frankenstein, as the monster himself! The role required Tobi to spend over an hour in the makeup chair for prosthetics and most remarkable, it required Tobi to go bald. Tobi is also very academic taking Maths, Latin, Economics and Further Maths A-Level, with his sights set on Oxford or Imperial College to study Maths. This summer Tobi even set up his own charity with other Upper Sixth pupils called STEMentoring which is aimed at helping students discover the beauty of STEM
subjects and achieve their goals in STEM sectors We were in awe considering they spent most of their summer on a FIFA & sleep schedule! When asked about his favourite memories at Wetherby, Tobi claims that nothing will ever beat the Wii days where he was the king of Smash Bros (or so he claims). Wetherby had its own version of Survival of the Fittest where only the best players could get their hands on a Wii remote and as you can imagine, Tobi always had one in his hands. If anyone was wondering, Max played Smash Bros once, got obliterated by Kirby, learned his lesson and never went near the Wii again... Favourite sport? Football, but I’m better at rugby. Favourite team? Chelsea (Max and Nico, being Arsenal fans, were disgusted and disappointed with Tobi’s decision).
Netflix or Youtube? Netflix, duh. Spotify or Apple Music? Spotify. Favourite colour? Why? It has to be blue. I was born in Chelsea, grew up in Chelsea, so I’m a blue through and through. Oceans or mountains? Oceans 100% because of cruise ships. Movie at home or movie at the cinema? A good movie needs a good screen, so I’ve got to go with cinema. Pizza or pasta? Pizza. Domino’s all the way. Favourite takeaway cuisine?
Chinese. Sweet and sour chicken for the win. Instagram or Snapchat? 100% Instagram for the meme pages. If you were stranded on a deserted island, which one of your peers would you choose to have with you? Why? My fellow Year 13 Eamon because of his wonderful map reading skills on DofE. Also, being an Aussie, I believes Eamon would have the natural instincts to know what creepy-crawlies to avoid on an island. What piece of advice you would give to someone joining the Sixth Form? Revise and make use of your school day. You’ll never regret being prepared for a test; you’ll always regret not being ready though. And with that, our Microsoft Teams interview with Tobi comes to an end! We learned tonnes about Tobi all from the comfort of our homes while Nico finished his spaghetti and Max went back to finish the season finale of The Witcher. We hope that Tobi can be an inspiration to all of you in the younger years, showing you just how much you can do with your time and all the things you can achieve if you put your mind to it.
How Covid-19 has changed wetherby Alex P, Year 7 writes... During the Covid-19 pandemic, Wetherby’s school system changed significantly to adapt to the government guidelines and minimise the spread of the virus. With constant changes inside our school, it may be interesting for you to know the changes that have been introduced. The school has placed stickers on corridors and stairways to help children keep two metres from each other. Hand sanitiser
is available in all classrooms and main entrances. Pupils are being encouraged to use hand sanitiser by the teachers. Our school has also ensured that all desks are a minimum of one metre apart. These changes have played a crucial role in keeping all inside the school safe. During the previous school term, IT at Wetherby and in schools around Britain has helped them to keep running during the pandemic. This continues to be the case. The Microsoft Teams
application is used to meet up virtually and set homework assignments. Furthermore, Firefly is used by pupils to access work and class timetables. Another key software employed by Wetherby is SOCS. This is used to view and select school clubs. We have also implemented a mask-wearing policy to reduce the risk of contagion even within year group bubbles. Also there is a cleaner who frequently disinfects surfaces like door handles whilst boys are in lessons.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POPPY Edward H, Year 10 writes... Every year, I write an article about the Poppy Appeal; and every year, I write the same thing: thank you for donating; we raised money for charity, its all for a really good cause. However, being the fourth consecutive year that I have run the Appeal at Wetherby Senior, I remembered that I was never taught the point of the Poppy Appeal at school. I knew it was a charity, and it supported people involved with the First and Second World Wars, but he wider meaning is widely overlooked. Poppies are worn to celebrate and remember all lives lost during wars. All funds donated help to support the armed forces community. During WWI, most of the fighting took place in western Europe. I’m sure we all know the famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields.’ Flowers grew in Flanders after the war, so people
decided to commemorate the lives lost with the exact flower that grew - the poppy.
involved?
With your help, every year the Royal British Legion raises money The red poppy has certain for people who need it, and have connotations. Red could represent a relation to war. Over my four the blood of the soldiers that died. years of running the Poppy Appeal Red could also represent the red in in my constituency and at this the British flag. Although wearing school, I have raised over £4,700 a poppy is a personal choice, for the Royal British Legion. wearing a poppy is also symbol of Wetherby does a tremendous job respect. Over 1 million lives were in raising money. I’d like to thank lost in World War I alone. Over Mr Bolderow, Max K, and Isaac the Christmas holidays, why don’t E who always help me make this you do some research into the such a success. War. Were any of your ancestors
Can this year’s A LEVEL AND GCSE scandal be REsolved? Kaveh K, Year 9 writes... It has been all over the news, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and more: the recent controversy involving estimated exam results being graded using an algorithm. It occurred amidst the current Covid-19 pandemic. Ofqual (the body that regulates qualifications, tests and exams in England), had to decide on a way to generate grades for students. With all exams cancelled, Ofqual was presented with two options: go the normal way in such situations and have predicted grades teacher assessed or use a relatively new technology assisted with an algorithm to help generate predicted grades based off previous results. Ofqual’s board chair chose the latter. Following the development of an algorithm, Ofqual released a public statement on the 2nd August, saying that it would be using this algorithm to assess grades. At first it seemed like a good option, cutting down work for teachers and staff, whilst giving accurate grades, but there were very mixed opinions when the algorithm was used. Students were receiving much lower grades than they had been expected to receive, and thousands of complaints were filed with Ofqual, assuming an error on their part. Students were rejected from universities and schools, and the whole country was in uproar. Ofqual announced on the 24th August, only twelve days from the original decision, that it was revoking algorithm-assessed grades in favour of teacher-
assessed grades, but the damage had already been done. Schools and universities were faced with a tough decision: revoke their previous decisions and tell thousands of pupils they had lost their place, or defend their decision, and have thousands of pupils who should’ve had a place at their institution. Different places had different options. The question remains, can this situation be recovered, or will thousands of students be troubled for life? Many students have had their desired result, others less so. Some students will benefit, and others
will suffer. Perhaps, these grades are accurate? A commonly known problem with teacher assessed grades is that they can be overassessed or inflated, as well as being subject to human error. Regardless of whether the grades are accurate or not, it seems unlikely that the effect this has had on thousands of students can be fixed, and some will sadly be troubled for life by the results. Hopefully, this example of poor planning will help prevent these issues in the future.
How does the structure of polysaccharides relate to their functionS? Henry B, Year 12 writes… When it comes to biological molecules, saccharides are sugars. Monosaccharides are quite simple, consisting of only one sugar unit, whereas disaccharides are composed of two. Polysaccharides are polymers – long chains of monosaccharides – and they have different structures and properties that adapt them for their specific functions.
Glycogen, or animal starch, is the major carbohydrate storage molecule in animals. Its structure is not dissimilar to that of starch, though it has shorter and more branched chains. Like amylopectin, the principal chain of glycogen molecules consists of glucose monomers joined by
Starch is an energy store in plants. It consists of around 20-30% amylose and 70-80% amylopectin. The former is a chain of glucose
molecules joined by 1-4 glycosidic bonds. There are hydrogen bonds between the inward-facing hydroxyl groups; these hold the helix in place and wind the molecules into a tight spiral coil. It is very compact and can store a lot of energy within a small space. Amylopectin is branched, with side branches joined to the main chain by 1-6 glycosidic bonds. Starch is a very efficient energy store because it has many branches that enzymes can act upon simultaneously, thereby rapidly releasing α-glucose monomers that can be easily transported and readily used for respiration in cells. It is also a large and insoluble molecule, so it neither diffuses out of cells nor affects water potential, which would otherwise draw water into cells.
1-4 glycosidic bonds. Any side branches are connected to the main chain by a 1-6 glycosidic bond. It is found in liver and muscle cells – where it is most needed. Glucose is released immediately when glycogen is broken down by hydrolysis, a reaction catalysed by the enzyme glucagon. Glycogen is more branched than starch, so enzymes have a larger surface area upon which to act and glucose is released even quicker. This is an essential quality of glycogen structure because animals are more active than plants, so they have higher metabolic and respiratory rates that necessitate glucose at a faster rate.
Cellulose, unlike starch and glycogen, is composed of β-glucose rather than α-glucose, which gives it fundamentally different properties. It has straight and unbranched molecules that run parallel to one another, so hydrogen bonds form crosslinkages between adjacent chains. Although each individual bond is relatively weak, their collective tensile strength makes cellulose a valuable structural material, which is why plants have a cell wall of cellulose. Cellulose molecules form microfibrils that group to create fibres, providing support and rigidity. The wall of a plant cell prevents it from bursting by exerting an inward pressure that hinders water influx. Hence, nonwoody plant parts are semi-rigid because turgid cells push against one another. This is crucial for stems and leaves because cells in a turgid state provide a greater surface area for photosynthesis, so it is possible for the plant to obtain the Sun’s energy more efficiently. Cellulose cannot be digested by humans because we lack the enzyme, cellulase. With this in mind, it acts as dietary fibre, aiding the movement of substances through the alimentary canal and reducing the risk of constipation, diabetes, bowel cancer, and coronary heart disease.
THE FINANCIAL TIMES Henry B, Year 12 writes… At Wetherby Senior, boys throughout the school have access to a free subscription to The Financial Times. Why not download the mobile app in order to keep up to date on current affairs? It enables you to compile relevant, interesting, and personally engaging subjects in one place. You can also benefit from many brief videos, which explain subjects very clearly – a superb starting point for those who are new to certain topics or do not have the time to read an entire article.
opinion is a rare skill. People you meet will be impressed if you are able to do it. Particularly for Sixth Form pupils, The Financial Times would expand your knowledge of concepts covered in class. Not only would this consolidate your understanding, but it would also be a way to make your responses to questions more detailed and more nuanced because you will be able to back up your points with more case studies. You can find relevant examples to cite in essays, which help contextualise theories. The same is true of your written
communication skills. If you are interested in journalism (and/ or writing for The Barometer), reading the FT might provide some inspiration, enabling you to be more engaging. Nowadays, success with one’s career depends not only on what you know, but on who you know. Conveniently, reading the FT would cater for both. Not only would you be informed with many insights into global news, but you would hone your ability to discuss them with other people, all of whom may be useful connections in the future.
Why should you read the FT? - Insightful content - Understandable, succinct information - Enjoyable reads The Financial Times is a reputable source of information where you can find an enormous wealth of knowledge; it is all at your fingertips, whether you are interested in business, finance, politics, or something completely different. The FT is sometimes mistaken for being exclusively a business paper, dealing only with financial markets and business communication. However, the FT publishes top-level journalism across a whole range of topics. A widely read publication, the FT can easily provide conversation material. The content of your most recent FT read would be a great way to spark a discussion during an interview for a job or university place. Moreover, the ability to be updated on current affairs, form an opinion, and articulate that
Free subscription to The Financial Times
Relativity same speed for all of us no matter how fast or slow we are moving relative to it; secondly, there is nothing at absolute rest.
Oliver B, Year 9 writes… Born on the 14th March 1879, Albert Einstein was one of the greatest theoretical physicists and he had a bigger influence on modern science than anybody else, founding one of the two main pillars of physics: relativity (the second pillar is quantum mechanics). There are two versions of the theory – the special and the general – discovered in 1905 and 1915 respectively. After winning the Nobel prize in 1921, Einstein went in pursuit of a “Theory of Everything,” as well as a better theory for the big bang. Unfortunately, he died on the 18th April 1955 whilst still working on it. Special Relativity There are multiple sides to the special theory of relativity, though it is predominantly based on how light, time, and space behave relative to us and our movements. To fully understand the theory, there are two things we must accept. Firstly, light travels at the
Time Dilation Time dilation refers to the perceived length of time due to speed. Einstein suggested that when an object travels slower than the speed of light (3x108 m s-1 in a vacuum), it moves into the future. When moving at the speed of light, time stands still; going faster than the speed of light, time goes backwards. We are quite certain that the speed of light is the universal speed limit; it is impossible to go any faster. What’s more, equalling its speed is impossible for something with mass. Only massless objects, such as photons, are able to move at the speed of light. Having said that, travelling near the speed of light can significantly slow down time. Physicists have performed computer simulations which suggest that if a rocket were deployed into space at a speed close to the speed of light, twentynine years would pass on earth compared to ten years on board the rocket. This is represented by the equation where Ʊ is the change in mass time or length, v is velocity, and c is the speed of light. General Theory of Relativity General relativity is an extension to the original theory and it is used to describe the force of gravity. The theory treats the three dimensions of space and one of time as part of a four-dimensional space-time. It is an improvement on Newton’s theory for gravity, which was deduced in 1687.
Einstein’s theory suggests that objects in space warp the fabric of spacetime, though gravity is the weakest force in the universe. Gravity is the curvature of the universe, caused by massive bodies, which determines the path through which objects travel. That curvature is dynamical, moving as those objects move. This theory predicts everything from the orbits of stars to the collision of asteroids – everything we have come to expect from a theory of gravity has been expressed in the equation:
Newton’s Theory for Gravity Newton published one of the most celebrated works of science, the Principia, in 1687. In it, he described that the force that pulls objects towards the ground is the very same force that underlies the motion of planets and stars. In order to reach this conclusion, Newton imagined taking an object far from the surface of the Earth and throwing it. If thrown with too little momentum, it would fall towards the Earth, captured by gravity as we are. If thrown with too much momentum, it would speed away from the planet, beginning its journey into the outer reaches of space. However, with exactly the right momentum, it can fall continuously around Earth, round and round in an eternal tug-of-war. The object tries to proceed in the path it was thrown, but gravity continuously changes its direction. With the right balance, the object is now in orbit around the Earth, just like the moons and satellites, or like the Earth around the Sun. We acknowledge Newton not just
because of his idea, but because he formulated that idea into an equation that allowed predictions to be made with greater accuracy than ever before. It was not perfect, though. Newton’s equations produced some incorrect predictions and, crucially, he did not describe how gravity works in the way it does. Newton was aware of this when he said, “Gravity must be caused by an agent acting constantly according to certain laws; but whether this agent be material or immaterial, I have left to the consideration of my readers.” Black Holes Black holes are very peculiar, both in terms of how they are formed and how gravity and light behave around them. Normal black holes are formed by supernova explosions when huge stars die. They implode and create one of the most violent scenes in the universe. They are extremely dense and bend space more than anything else. Their gravitational force is so strong that not even light can escape. We are often taught that light travels in straight lines, but black holes change that. If you were to look at a black hole, you would see the back of it as well as the front. However, Einstein’s theories do not describe what is going on “inside” a black hole, beyond the event horizon.
SIXTH FORM LECTURES I am 10,000 Henry B, Year 12 writes… As part of the Sixth Form’s weekly lecture programme, we had the privilege of welcoming Harry Baker, who enlightened us with his passion for poetry and mathematics. “I am 10,000” refers to the quirky realisation that he is over 10,000 days old. In addition to featuring on the Russell Howard Canine Partners show (among others), Mr. Baker is the youngest World Grand Slam Robert B, Year 12 writes... Poetry champion. On the 9th November Year 12 and 13, as part of our bi-weekly lecture Year 12 were delighted by program, met a representative his unique rhythmical and from the charity, Canine Partners. enticing verse, which proved to She gave a lecture about the work be very effective in conveying they do, the benefits that a helper motivational messages. His romantic analogy of the numbers dog can bring to their owner and 59 and 60 was particularly notable: how we can support them. he was able to create a storyline Canine Partners currently has 450 between the two numbers that highlighted the importance of self- active partnerships and a total of 800 partnerships. Each one of respect and not judging oneself these partnerships is beneficial based on the opinions of others. Mr. Baker subsequently proceeded to the people who have been provided withone. Small things to discuss his fascination with like being able to load laundry the German language, with and having an easier time talking an emphasis on the common to people can give independence practice of coining words to back to the disabled and bring create a compound word, such comfort and companionship into as “handschuh” (“hand-shoe” = their lives. Each dog (usually glove). Finally, Mr. Baker urged us to “dedicate time and have confidence in [our] work.” When I asked him for his one most important message, he said, “Give your passion space – something you enjoy – not as a means to an end, but in itself.”
retrievers or labradors) is put through a rigorous two-year programme in which they are selected at about six to eight weeks old, trained and matched. This whole process isn’t cheap by any means and around £3000 is needed to care for the dogs from puppyhood to retirement. Covid-19 without a doubt has impacted the work Canine Partners does. As a result of the lockdown, both in the summer and now, they have been forced to suspend their face to face training and train their dogs through video calls. Moreover, this has halted placements or assessments. If you are so inclined you can visit their website: www.caninepartners.org, scroll down and make a donation. Additionally, you can apply to volunteer in the future, also on their website.
the college electoral system: How it works and why it’s flawed Andreas M, Year 10 writes... How it works The electoral college is made up of a number of electors from each state that is proportionate to the number of lawmakers in each state. Each state has a minimum of three votes, and there are 538 electors in total. A presidential candidate needs to reach 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. Mostly, states will give all their electoral votes to whichever candidate won the
popular vote. However, this isn’t always the case. For instance, in Maine and Nebraska, they separate their electoral votes into whoever wins the electoral vote and their congressional districts. Furthermore, members of the electoral college are allowed to vote for anyone, but they generally vote for who their state picked. Why it’s a flawed system: States with a low population become overrepresented, whereas states with a large population
become underrepresented. For instance, California’s ratio of one electoral vote to population is 1:718,000, compared to Wyoming’s ratio which is 1:193,000. This results in an electoral vote from California representing more than three times the amount of people it does in Wyoming. Although the college electoral system might have seemed a good idea in 1804, society’s advancements and migration in the modern world makes it a flawed system.
THe PINK-EYED MONSTER Ramzi K, Year 10 writes... Teachers, parents and pupils of Wetherby Senior School. You may know me for writing fictional stories. However, I feel this is long overdue so I must leave the shelter of make believe and shed light on an issue with this generation. It was originally a powerful revelation no other generation has come to, but could it soon lead to the permanent destruction of character strength in society? Yes, I am of course talking about the sparkly pink-eyed monster: PC culture (political correctness). Before I start drowning in hate comments, disgusted looks, or someone rolls their eyes and says, “He is just another angry, uneducated boy complaining,” I must inform you that I am woke (alert to injustice in society) and I do not discriminate nor judge people based on race, gender etc. We all know how it started: minorities finally got the recognition they deserved from governments and things started
to become fairer as more and more laws for equality passed. It was all great until we took it too far. TV shows and movies like “Come Fly With Me” or “Gone With The Wind” were removed from streaming platforms for having racist scenes and/or characters, but is attempting to change history going to make the world a better place? Should we not learn from the mistakes from the past, to prevent them happening again in the future? Some pop stars have begun to make meaningless songs about smiles and happiness instead of digging deeper into their emotions to create powerful and relatable music because they are afraid of being judged. A day cannot go by without celebrities being shamed on news headlines for having a racist or “bad” past before the PC movement. I find it tremendously boring to watch everyone claim that they are constantly being offended by everything, but I do also understand that sometimes you have a right to be offended if someone has gone out of their way
to insult you. I myself have been called a terrorist before because I am Egyptian. I decided to make a scene out of it and tell everyone, but the only thing that I achieved was the culprit’s temporary shame as he continued to use racial slurs. The way I see it now is, firstly, that insult is seriously plumbing new depths of banality; he went for the low hanging fruit on that one, and also drama and gossip is not going to solve anything. The only way to reach the end of discrimination, or at least get close to it, is to believe and know that racist and sexist stereotypes are all false; we all know that there are exceptions and not everyone from the same country is the same. So, I believe that perhaps the best medicine for perpetrators of stereotypes is to see us not overreacting to their discrimination and they will begin to realise that it is wrong and rude. The idea of PC is not flawed, but the way we are handling it is.
The IMPACT OF ‘GiGa-Fires’ Alastair S, Year 13 writes...
global warming.
“The ‘Giga-Fires’ across the West Coast of America and their impact upon the environment and our health”.
Aside from the physical and environmental damages, the fires have also caused significant implications for the wellbeing and health of those in surrounding communities directly exposed to smoke and other harmful gases produced by the fires. The thick smoke caused by the fire was compared by the California Governor, Gavin Newsom, to “smoking 400 cigarettes a day.” Portland, Seattle and San Francisco are now all in the top five cities for the worst air quality in the world, as of September 2020.
Across the west coast of America, spanning from California to Oregon, fires have swept across farmland and vegetated areas, depleting levels of both biodiversity and natural habitats for many native species. Due to the dry and arid landscape, poor forest management, and the acceleration of climate change, these fires have proven deadly for many, killing over 35 people and injuring many more. Not only have these fires throughout early September been catastrophic for the natural environment, but they additionally have long-standing effects upon surrounding local communities. Many lost their homes and businesses, alongside large-scale destruction to regional infrastructure, such as roads, powerlines and water pipes. In one of the hardest-hit areas, the northern California town of Berry Creek, the West Zone Fire swept through so quickly that 14 people were killed and seven more remain missing. The 2020 fire season was said to cause choking smoke, blanketing the west coast and, at times, blotting out the Sun. But experts warn this year may soon seem mild by comparison, as the world continues to heat up due to the release of greenhouse gases from human activity. This cycle will only be perpetuated and worsened as we continue into the future, unless we take mitigative steps now to help reduce such levels of
Moreover, I decided to do some of my own research into the direct impacts on one’s health and how these events can lead to long-term implications. After contacting health geographer Dr Sarah Deedat, I found out that “long-term exposure to even slightly elevated levels of air pollution can be linked to accelerated development of lung damage.” This can prove to be extremely dangerous to those who already have existing respiratory issues, such as asthma, and it could leave them with long-term damage and vulnerable to further respiratory based illness. Dr Deedat commented “Studies have also shown that air pollution can be harmful to heart health and may make it more likely that some people will have a heart attack or stroke.” A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), also explained how the chemicals released in the fires could cause the same changes in lungs that lead to emphysema, even among
people who have never smoked. Not only is this of great concern to individuals exposed to the poor air quality, but also to local healthcare providers and will inevitably put a stress on the resource which may become overwhelmed and depleted in the future. Dr Deedat described how emerging evidence is also showing that exposure to poor air quality is implicated in mental health conditions including dementia. In addition, Dr Deedat commented on the logistical impacts of the fires on day-to-day life and how schools and many businesses were closed alongside individuals not being able to be outside for long durations of time, without struggling to breathe. The pictures below depict the floating bridge over Lake Washington connecting Seattle to the East side, before and during the fires (illustrating the extent of the poor air quality and visibility) – images sourced from Dr Sarah Deedat.
HealthRight PCAF Health and Human Rights Awards remotely on an online meeting platform.
Henry B, Year 12 writes… HealthRight International is a global NGO that allows marginalised communities to live healthy lives and it has a partnership with the school of global health at New York University (NYU). Health and human rights are inextricably linked and HRI has advocated this all over the world for the last 30 years. The mental health branch of HRI was recently merged with the Peter C. Alderman Foundation (PCAF). Peter was a 24-year-old that was attending a business meeting in one of the twin towers on the 11th September 2001. He was among 2,977 people who lost their lives during the attacks that took place that day and his parents set up PCAF to honour his memory. As a member of the Host Committee, one of my responsibilities was to help organise and raise funds for the charity's first virtual event, the Peter C. Alderman Health & Human Rights Awards. The HHRA is held on a yearly basis to recognise the contributions made by selected individuals, although this is the first year that it has run
The charity collectively provides healthcare for four main groups: mothers & children, refugees & victims of torture, youths at risk, and victims of gender violence (including the LGBT+ community). Any funds raised at events such as the HHRA contribute to HRI’s global projects, all of which have a focus on capability building and enable communities to deliver effective healthcare even after HRI projects have ended. The evening featured inspiring and insightful interviews with Dr. Vicki Sharp (HIV/AIDS expert at NYU), Dr. Mary T. Bassett (health & human rights expert at Harvard University), and Ms. Laurie Garrett (Pulitzer Prizewinning author). Dr. Sharp treated patients throughout the first wave of the HIV epidemic in New York City and she commented on the early measures that ought to be taken in order to contain
outbreaks of disease. Dr. Bassett poignantly discussed the crucial overlap of health and human rights – the core of HRI’s work – and the importance of having universal access to healthcare when controlling a pandemic event. Ms. Garrett explained the links between climate change and its impacts on our ecosystem. In particular, she focussed on how the quickly varying condition of our environment is increasing the risk of developing novel diseases. It was a pleasure to collaborate with an international team of highly motivated individuals. Together, we raised just under $250,000 for some very important causes. The entire event can be re-watched here: https://events.healthright. org/hhra More information about HRI projects and how to donate can be found here: https://healthright. org/
My italian holiday Sam M, Year 8 writes... Over the summer break, I went to Italy with my family and visitied some of the best parts of Italy in my opinion. It was a bright and early morning, and the sun had just lifted over the horizon and the taxi was shooting along the motorway like a bullet. Next thing I knew, we had just reached London Heathrow and were going through security check. On the plane I took lots of of photos, including a few when we were flying over the Rhone Alps and Italy. We landed at Milan International and we waited around the car hire for two hours, before finally being assigned a brand new car. When we got to the first villa, I winced at how many steps we had to take the suitcases up! When we finished unpacking, we took the winding path down to the beach to take a dip. Despite the crowds, it is one of my favourite beaches I have ever been to! Even compared to the private beaches that you had to queue for really early at for a spot in the sun. The drinks were exotic- the ingredients melted in the mouth, and the food sizzled when you ate it. I also ate a lot of the national food: pizza, lasagne, and pasta! We stayed at Hotel Filario at Lake Como. This was by far the best place I have ever stayed, mainly because there was actually air conditioning and there was a beach bar which we used time and time again! We spent most days out and
about around the lake, sometimes crossing the lake in boats which you can hire or buy tickets for. We hired a boat for the fun of it and the weather was certainly on our side as the sun beat down on our small but nimble craft, speeding across the dazzling water and cutting through the waves. On the last day, we packed our bags and checked out of the hotel, then made our way to the airport. Finally we got home and I collapsed in my bed! I would certainly say that the holiday was successful!
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch Henry B, Year 12 and Barnaby M-J, Year 7 write… Infamous for its long name, which is spectacularly difficult to pronounce, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is a town in north-west Wales with the accolade of the longest place name in Europe and the second longest in the world (there is a hill in New Zealand with an 85-letter name). The name is more akin to a description of the local area. It consists of 58 letters (50 according to Cymraeg, the Welsh language), and it translates as “Saint Mary's Church by a dell of white hazel trees near a rapid whirlpool and the red cave of the Church of Saint Tysilio.” The closest major town, Holyhead, is thirty kilometres north-east of Llanfair PG and Cardiff is 205 kilometres south of the town. The area is famous for a sweet brand called Rock, which is a stick of hard candy, and it is home to the local football team, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll FC. Name Originally called Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, the village was renamed during the 19th century. This was around the time when the railway was built between Chester and Holyhead at the beginning of the 1850s. A local committee was formed to encourage trains, travellers, and tourists to stop at the village, so that it could develop as a centre for commerce and tour-
ism. It is believed that the name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch was invented by a cobbler from Menai Bridge, little did he know that he had implemented one of the most successful marketing strategies of all time. The name is often abbreviated to Llanfairpwll or simply Llanfair PG, although the village remains signposted as Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.
part of the village (Pentre Isaf) around the railway station. Many craftsmen, traders and shopkeepers moved into the village, and Llanfairpwll began serving the surrounding agricultural areas of Llanedwen and Penmynydd.
This exciting period saw the establishment of a Post Office, two schools, half a dozen pubs, a brewery, a hotel for visitors, and twelve grocers in the village, which now History had a population of 961. Around Llanfairpwll is on the island of the time of 1894, a livestock marAnglesey (Ynys Môn) and it is sep- ket began to be held, and in the arated from the mainland by the nearby harbour of Pwllfanogl, a Menai Straits. The town has been slate factory was opened. inhabited since the Neolithic period (4,000-2,000BC). Agriculture The village saw a golden age in its was the mainstay of the economy economic history between 1850 for most of that time and the maand 1914. Llanfairpwll was one of jority of the farmers were tenants the few parishes in Anglesey (and of great estates until the present indeed all of rural Wales) which century. In 1844, 92% of the land saw an increase in its population. in Llanfairpwll was owned by just However, the period after 1918 three individuals. was a difficult one. When soldiers came home from WWI, they were For centuries, Llanfairpwll was a faced by emigration and unemsmall rural settlement. In 1563, ployment. There was a drop in there were only 80 people living population, with no increase until there. By 1801, however, there 1951. were 385 inhabitants and 83 houses, most of them in the old village In the 1960s and 1970s the "new" (Pentre Uchaf). village began to appear. There was extensive building on various sites, Major changes came about during and the population nearly tripled the last century, as a result of the between 1961 and 1991. Llanfairconstruction of Thomas Telford's pwll still retains its village atmosnew road in the 1820s and the rail- phere, even though there are more way crossing at Britannia Bridge at people living there than in many the beginning of the 1850s, which other Welsh towns. led to the development of a new
DANGERous sweets and how to avoid them Joseph S, Year 7 writes...
Candy Kittens Candy Kittens are vegan-friendly healthy sweets. They don’t have much sugar and calories. They come in lots of flavours: Blueberry Bliss, Eton Mess, Sour Watermelon, Wild Strawberry and Tropical Mango. Personally, I recommend Candy Kittens because they aren’t that sweet and very healthy.
We all know sweets as a food to enjoy, but there are some sweets that are really dangerous for your health (particularly if you eat too many). Haribo Not very dangerous if you share a packet, but if you eat a big packet by yourself it can be very dangerous because the glucose in the sweets will be stored in your body as fat! Try and buy small packets of Haribo and stay away from the ones coated in sugar!
Percy Pig Although they are a favourite in the UK and a M&S special, they contain 12.5 grams of sugar per sweet and each have 25 calories! Eat ten more then that is over half your recommended sugar intake for one day. Try to not buy them and go for the more healthy options. Although some sweets are really unhealthy, there are healthier options.
Sour Patch Kids Sour Patch Kids have an insane amount of sugar and a lot of artificial ingredients and fructose corn syrup. Also, too many Sour Patch Kids can cause your tongue to peel. Never brush your teeth after you eat sour patch or any types of sour candies because you will brush the sugar into your enamel and you cannot replace your enamel.
THE corruptive nature of money Theophile N, Year 7 writes... When people start making big money because of a product going viral, the prospect of making big money may cloud their judgement and morals. In some cases, a person may end up denying any claims of their products' negative effects, and if these allegations are then proven they may try to prevent the public from finding out instead of fixing the issue. In this article I am going to explain why this happens and what we can do to prevent it. There is a company that produces anti-venom for snake bites. There are two species of snakes that have a very similar venom composition for which a company had developed a single anti-venom. Governments bought the antivenom in large quantities. After some time, a group of scientists discovered that the anti-venom wasn’t working effectively for one of the species and as a result deaths increased 20 fold. The scientists contacted the company who sold the anti-venom to encourage them to stop selling it as a cure for this species, however they refused to stop selling it because they were making so much money. This shows what people will do for money. Is it more men or women? In this paragraph I am going to talk about a touchy subject; the difference between men and women. I will share with you pure scientific facts and not biased speculations. The truth is when it comes to things like IQ, physical attributes and risk-taking men’s and women’s brains are wired differently. Recently, a writer,
blogger and journalist posted an article on the money habits of men and women, in which she talked about how the sexes think when shopping. Her blog post referred to a study conducted by The Wharton School of Business, where they found that women tend to use shopping as a leisure activity and men focus on a goal. The study also unveiled a number of other interesting facts: for example, men try toshop as efficiently and quickly as possible, whereas women aspire to have as much fun as possible. In a slightly controversial light, women are more likely to have a “money conscience.” When men shop, 57% said they found the item of purchase on sale compared to 71% of women. The reason for this is perhaps that women are prone to seek out outlet shopping opportunities, whereas men will go straight to the brand's official store. Although this is not a fact, there is a lot of evidence that men tend to invest more to make their money grow and take more time to choose how to invest their money. Women might save money whereas men focus on making their money grow. What Causes it? When a certain individual has a large enough sum of money it activates a shot of dopamine which can get you hooked and make you focus more on profit than the wellbeing of others. This is common in business, where companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter and others make money from people’s data. These companies sell personal data and make their apps better solely with the purpose of making more money rather than a focus
on making them more useful to us and having regard for our online safety. Money in politics Recently, the New York Times made a table showing who had voted for Donald Trump and who had voted for Joe Biden. One of the groups that voted more for Trump was the richest part of the population because Trump wants to introduce tax cuts that will only benefit the super-rich. Even though these educated people know that other Trump policies are not beneficial to the majority of people, they simply don’t care because they know they’ll make more money this way. What can we do? Now one unreasonable option is to stop these big companies, but then all their hard work would be in vain. The other option is to spread the word and stop pouring so much money into a few dominating businesses. Instead, we should all choose different businesses, to support a range of people, rather than creating billionaire businessmen. This way the hard workers get what they earn and society stays safe.
swimming during covid Will R, Year 13 writes... To the casual observer, swimming doesn’t appear to be the most punishing of sports- gliding up and down in a pool for hours on end- but from the swimmer’s point of view, the story is a little different. Leaving every session feeling nauseous and drained of all that reserve energy you didn’t even know you had at five in the morning after too few hours sleep or six at night after a long day at school. In fact, swimming is ranked as one of the top three most intense sports to train for, and for those competing at a high level, a day off is no more than a pipe dream. Each day we have to focus on our nutrition, training, and most importantly, our recovery and this is on top of our everyday lives. If you know a swimmer well, you’ll be aware they are always busy, and it seems they never have any free time and with 20 training hours each week they don’t! , Training for the Olympic Trials, though totally worth it, raises this to a new, more punishing
level. Having to go head-to-head with some of the greatest athletes on the planet pushes you to do things you didn’t know you were capable of. Because of the way our competitions are structured our professional swimmers are not isolated from the rest of us, and competing against Olympians is common, especially as we improve. The highlight of my personal career so far was the Olympic trial for Tokyo 2020 held in Belfast. I was racing members of the GB team including Adam Peaty and it was such a privilege to compete against my idols and to try to keep on their heels. The relationships you forge when competing in a sport will be among the strongest you will have, as you see each other at your worst every day, and encouraging one another as you are being broken down by your coach. This has become more real to us over the last few months during lockdown, and of all the things I miss, most of all my friends and the team spirit. Because a race can be lost by a fraction of a second, it is vital that we have a solid knowledge of sports physiology, at least to GCSE level, and we need to put this knowledge into action every day. We regularly use heart and lactic acid monitors which enable us to keep to a strict intensity level, the knock-on effect of which is a greater tolerance to lactic acid resulting in greater endurance. Trying to maintain a high level of fitness during lockdown has been a real challenge. Lack of spare time isn’t a problem anymore, although the pools and gyms are shut, which makes it hard to get those daily gains in. To keep in
shape, we do one hour of aerobic/ endurance exercise four days a week along with one hour of strength and speed training three days a week. It is valuable to have a rest/recovery day, so I double up on Saturday, doing strength in the morning and endurance in the evening, and take Sunday to recover. Endurance training is pretty simple using a rowing machine or a bicycle if you have one, or just running for an hour. If you record the distance you did in a day, you can watch yourself progress over lockdown. Aerobic training, for those who do biology or PE, is low intensity exercise for a long time whilst trying to keep your heart rate low and steady. This may seem easy enough as you are just doing the same thing for an hour straight, but it becomes very uncomfortable, although you get used to it over time, making it easier to achieve your fitness goals and this is the motivation to drive you past those to new goals towards the next, the next and the next…
SAILING Isaac M, Year 7 writes... Sailing is an exciting and fun sport. Whilst sailing, you must manage 2 things to keep your ship afloat: the rudder and the rope. The rudder is a thin and streamlined sheet of metal that controls the way the ship turns. You hold it with one hand. You push it to the left so you can turn right, and you push to the right so you can turn left. Now to the rope. The rope must be tightened and loosened depending on the direction of the wind and the direction in which you are sailing in. So, if you are sailing against the wind, you should probably make your sail as tight as
possible so that you don’t capsize. Of course you won’t sail very fast but at least it gets you somewhere. Though, if want to maximise speed, you should probably have the wind pushing your boat to the left and have your sail quite tight and your rudder in the middle; you also need a lot of wind and ensure that you are leaning back on the edge of the boat so you don’t capsize. Though, if you are in the terrible situation where you will capsize, just let that rudder and the rope go, as it will result in the boat having no power. Also, to stop your boat just let go of the sail and push the rudder to the left.
A Brief history of spacex and reusability Dylan A, Year 12 writes… As most of us know, one of Elon Musk’s many successful businesses is SpaceX, the company that specialises in reducing the costs of space launches to a reasonable level. This is not just a pipe dream, however, as Musk’s SpaceX has already had great success with their Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles. These two rockets have dramatically reduced the astronomical costs for a ride to space through the utilisation of “rapid reusability,” which is where used rocket stages are recovered and reused to reduce launch costs on future flights instead of being discarded. Elon Musk loves to use the analogy of aircraft; he comments on the hilarity of constructing an airliner that was capable of only one flight. Naturally, the prices of plane tickets would be ludicrous, and this same concept has now been applied to rockets. Real results have been Musk’s proof of concept
for many years now and the best example is with the Falcon Heavy. This enormous rocket has a very similar payload capacity to United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV Heavy. Despite being very similar in this respect, ULA’s rocket is still a traditional “expendable” system, whereas the Falcon Heavy is 90% reusable. This results in extremely reduced prices for the same service. The Delta IV Heavy costs approximately $350 million USD whereas the Falcon Heavy is significantly cheaper at around $90 million USD. What is Starship? This now brings us onto SpaceX’s most recent venture in experimental rocket design. On the South Texas coastline, near South Padre, SpaceX is constructing a radically new vehicle. Starship is supposed to become, and is already well on its way to becoming, an era-defining piece of innovation. For the very first time, every single aspect of a
rocket will be reusable. On Falcon 9 and Heavy launches, the second stage is expended; this is one of the biggest issues preventing launch costs from being as low as SpaceX knows they can be. The Starship’s full reusability would be absolutely ground-breaking. Musk has cited launch costs as low as $2 million USD. This is already an incredibly cheap price, but the key factor is the rocket’s capacity. The Starship will be the largest and most powerful rocket in history, but also the most capable rocket ever built, with the ability to carry more than 100 metric tonnes into orbit. In a word, it is insane. For reference, the Space Shuttle, which was also designed to reduce launch costs, could only carry 29 metric tonnes at a cost of about $450 million USD. It is hard to overstate just how revolutionary a rocket with Musk’s specifications would be.
How is SpaceX building the Starship? As far as SpaceX is concerned, the days of perfect clean rooms and immaculate design are gone. Instead, they are building the next generation of reusable rockets with a very different ideology. Whereas most previous rockets (including SpaceX’s very own Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy) were designed and carefully built to ensure perfection in every aspect, SpaceX have taken a different approach with the Starship. Musk is now aiming to build to be as cheap as possible: build it; test it; it blows up; fix the issue; repeat. As you can imagine, there is a lot that can go wrong with a design approach such as this, particularly considering Musk’s deviation from the norm as far as employees are concerned. Instead of highly trained rocket engineers and scientists, SpaceX has decided to employ the services of people who spent their previous careers building water towers. Many people’s initial reactions were derisive and it was assumed, with good reason, that Musk’s endeavours were going to result in disaster. Those people have been proven wrong, however. The Starship has already accomplished many significant milestones. As this article goes to print, SpaceX has performed two 150-metre test hops of a Starship upper stage, countless pressure tests of fuel tanks (which have recently reached the necessary strength for a full-scale flight), and they are preparing for a much larger 15-kilometre launch & landing. All this has been made even more challenging owing to SpaceX’s use of the most complex rocket engine ever built. The Raptor engine (built by SpaceX) is a full-flow stage combustion cycle engine. It is incredibly complicated and, as is
often the case with SpaceX, many believed that the engine would not be feasible for use on a modern rocket. In spite of that, SpaceX has shown those sceptics that it is not only possible, but they are reaping the rewards of a more efficient engine. Crucially, SpaceX’s approach to the construction of the Starship could not differ more from previous conventions, especially when it comes to the development of a futuristic launch system. It may not be traditional, but it is certainly working. Conclusion To conclude, Elon Musk has always been fascinated by the idea of rapid reusability and he and his company have now established a very respectable record of successful launches with boosters that have flown
on previous missions, and they aim to transfer this wealth of knowledge and experience to the next level. The capabilities and costs of the Starship appear almost too good to be true, but the rapid rate of its development suggests that it could be operational in the very near future. NASA has recently contracted SpaceX as a commercial partner for their 2024 Artemis programme, wherein Starships are going to be delivering payloads to the lunar surface, which highlights NASA’s confidence in SpaceX’s abilities. Ultimately, in my opinion, we are currently living in the most exciting era of rocket design and future space travel since the Apollo missions. I find the notion of humans flying on Starships in addition to payloads to be incredibly exciting and I hope my readers feel the same way.
CREATIVE WRITING A short story by Lorenzo S, Year 9 A grey fog covered the lonely streets of London. The skyscrapersize cathedrals towered over the streets. People laughed outside of public houses and stacks of smoke towered over opium dens. Down a lonely isolated alleyway, a figure stood,holding an old withered book as he whispered to himself. A man named Benjamin Brown walked up to the figure to tell him to get off his property and as the man looked up, his emerald flaming eyes shocked the man before the figure raised his hand towards him and the man was incinerated into glowing green dust. The next morning, the awing cold covered the grim city. A boy named Jaffib was carrying a turkey on a cart to bring home for dinner. As he walked, he noticed that the street was warmer near an empty alleyway, so he stopped to warm-up. As he got up to leave, he noticed a pile of coal near the exit of the alley. He noticed a book on the floor and took it home to read it. When he got home, he realised that the book was written in an ancient language. He decoded it and he noticed that the writing talked about a treasure hidden in a warm place. He returned to the alley for warmth and noticed new footsteps going into the alley. Could somebody else be looking for the treasure? Suddenly Jaffib fainted. His mind filled with visions. The pile of coal appeared before him in his dream, and a man holding the book he had found. Jaffib woke up with a blistering headache, as if someone had
hit him on the head with a bat and soon after, Jaffib fainted. He woke with the cold morning air chilling his bones. Jaffib sprinted to the sight of the pile of coal. He remembered that the writing said that the place of the treasure would be warm. As Jaffib felt a warm breeze move over him he noticed an inscription on the wall saying , “Only the powerful shall succeed!” He tapped on the wall. It was hollow. He broke down the wall. A cave? A dark tunnel lay before him. He walked in. The walls were a mix of eerie dark dust. A light appeared and a temple with it. The temple was all dark with loose tiles. He walked towards what seemed to be a light. Suddenly a tile gave way beneath him. He plummeted into a dark room and he heard what sounded like a bell ring twelve times. A figure lay in a corner of the room. Two green eyes opened before Jaffib and within seconds, he was a pile of dust, in a lonely room, in a lonely city. “Only the powerful shall succeed.”
A short story by Tommy T, Year 9 A sudden thud brought him to his senses. The rivetted steel doors creaked and whined as they closed. Just enough light peered through the crack for him to make out the people walking home. The bloodshot moonlight glinted off his glassy eyes. The early morning air frosted his breath. His tall yet slender physique towered him over any man. His shined leather shoes played an irregular rhythm as he walked along. The soft flowing of the Thames pierced the silence of the Westminster night. He turned the corner and with a powerful thud, he fell. He sat there, catching his thoughts when one seemed to stick. Although hazy he could remember it. It was his mother. She was speaking to him. The sounds weren’t clear, but he could remember a key. A silver key emblazoned with a text. “Semper Tecum, huc amplius, nunc enim expectandum.” He did not speak Latin, but he could guess at its meaning. “Always with you, until no longer, so for now we wait.” He stood up quickly and sifted through his pockets, but it wasn’t there. Why him? Why now? He searched on the floor in a panic, to no avail.
A short story by Albert S, Year 9 “Another drink, bartender!” I slurred, guzzling down drink after drink, until my mind started to fade and I saw her, Esther, just outside, a flash of beauty slipping ever further away. Stumbling after her, I staggered out the door, only to see that she had vanished. Turning back now, the streets were an eerie silence; the once lively clatter of glasses and cheerful chatter were replaced by a chilling numbness in the air. Suddenly, in a grey haze, the tavern door was dissolving into a dull miasma. Then, before my eyes, the street itself melted into a murky mist. Lumbering to my feet, I strained my stinging eyes and saw a great crumbling edifice glowering down at me. The manor with vines creeping up each wall and sharp crepuscular spires piercing the sky stood astride, atop the gloomy forest that had swallowed up the street. A familiar nostalgia countered by a toxic longing engulfed me, as I stood facing the manor like a salmon returning to its breeding ground. Was that Esther’s lavender scent that hung over the door? All at once, the creaking blackened oak door flung open with an abject fury, and at that moment Esther’s delicate aroma was superseded by a wretched acrid stench. In swift motion sweeping out from the heavy gnarled door, a menacing white haze wafted across the forest floor for a good five metres in each direction. Although it was wreathed in white cloth and wearing a bloodied veil, I could make out a creature. Its skin looked almost human but aged, at least a century old, as if it had grown grey and stale, wrinkled to an unholy degree.
Dragging white cloth behind it, the creature stared at me longingly before releasing a decrepit screech; it then proceeded, like a tiger toying with its prey to trudge back into the mansion, turning a corner, and then disappearing. Immediately, I was dashing hastily after it in the desperate hope of knowing why I had been brought back here; I had done it, I’d reached the fateful turn. Nevertheless the creature was gone... Whilst looking around the house, I sensed a malicious presence observing me always just out of sight. In the midst of this foreboding dread, it felt as if the antiquated hallway itself beckoned me towards that seemingly everpresent doorway. Slowly and cautiously, I lurched closer and closer until finally, my hand, sweating and aching after the long search, clutched the bronze rusted door handle. With a thumping heart and faltering trepidation, I opened it. Right there lay Esther’s body, malformed and misshapen, strung up against the macabre wall of spikes and skulls. Abruptly, her jaw swung open, and with swift motion a colossal swarm of locusts flew out, followed by a violent bursting of blood all over me. “It’s happening again!” All of a sudden, the walls started fading away, then the floor, and finally left in a white void with her contorted corpse, the carcass began to dwindle, washed out by the pale emptiness. Waking up, I was in my bed, but what had happened? Was that a dream? Slowly becoming more
lucid, I felt something cold all over my body. Then, as my senses grew stronger, I began to notice the smell of blood; At last, looking up, I could see as clear as day, my body was covered in blood, the same blood that had previously spewed forth onto me.
A short story by Oliver B, Year 9 As the silhouette of a grand mansion beckoned me, raindrops clawed down my face, pelting my skin. My legs wobbled; I could not carry on. I trudged over to the imposing front door, which loomed over me like a titan. I shook the door handle, but it did not budge. Desperation overwhelmed me as my heart sank. Suddenly, after a few steps into the inferno before me, the door creaked open behind me. Scrambling back, I tripped and fell inside. As I slowly brought myself to my feet again, the door had locked, trapping me within. Candles were lit in the dark corridor, like angels in hell. As I proceeded, the lights flickered and gradually dimmed, luring me into an inky darkness. I felt my way along the corridor, clinging to the grotty wallpaper until I found a room. I slowly inched inside and, to my delight, there was a grand king-sized bed. Without the slightest thought, I collapsed onto the mattress and fell into a very disturbed sleep.
Only the next morning did I realise that someone had been in that room. Fright overwhelmed me like a wave diffracting through my body. I marched over to the window and flung the curtains open to be greeted by pleasant rays of sun. Condensation penetrated the occasional crack, and water gently slipped down the walls like tears. To my surprise, I encountered a locket on the bedside table – a locket not previously there. I felt drawn to it. As I picked it up, my head was perturbed by dark memories. I thought for a minute about whether or not to open it; it was pleading to be opened - to let its secrets out. A portrait of a man with a willow tree behind him was etched within, his face distorted. I left it in the room without another thought and made my way to the front door, though I was halted by a repugnant smell that wafted up my nostrils. As though hypnotised, I mindlessly floated to a room in the basement. The stairway was damp and unnervingly cold. I darted up the stairs. There was something in that room. It groaned like a zombie. Heavy footsteps were in my pursuit; I did not dare to look back. My heart pumped furiously when I reached the front door. The ancient handle was blocked. An axe lay by the door. I gripped it tightly, my hand pulsating, and I flung it at the door. The axe burst through the door and I wasted no time squeezing through. I went head first, and after I thought I was free, a gross and muscular hand with sausagelike fingers clenched my ankle, tightening its egregious grip. Large and loathsome veins bulged out. The zombie’s nails, festooned with fungi, grasped my leg like a predator with its prey. Screaming
in agony and trepidation, I looked dizzily at the beastly hand that lay upon me. I flung the axe at its arm that was as wide as a devil’s neck and I cut myself free. As I limped behind a tree, crippled, a roar emerged from within the house. All I could understand from the deep, croaky voice was, “I will get you next time!” After I regained my breath and my head stopped spinning and thinking about what that nasty creature could possibly be, it came to my attention that the warming sun which had woken me up only an hour ago had disappeared. Now, there was electricity in the air, and a gloomy fog enveloped the atmosphere, choking me. My only option was to walk into the unknown. A bleak forest beckoned me. I flinched at every hoot or scuffle, traumatised. A harsh wind howled through the forest and chilled my spine. Suddenly, I felt an agonising burning sensation in my leg. The pain escalated. There was something in my pocket. It became red hot and it incinerated the fibres of my trouser pocket, falling onto the damp ground. It was the locket – the same one from before. It was a stained bronze colour, with a skull on the front. The engraving read, “Thee who sees, thee who touches and thee who opens shall be lost within their own mind forever.” This message angered me, so I threw the locket at a willow tree and, as it fell, it cracked open. I recognised the tree, though I could not remember from where. The picture inside had changed. It was of the same man, but with blood running down his arms and the locket glowing in his pocket. The locket started to heat up again, but before I could throw it, I collapsed onto the rocky
ground. When I woke up, the moon hung low in the sky like a zombie’s eye. Rising from my tomb, I leant against the willow tree. Bony trees hung over me. Their leaves had been ripped from them and scattered on the damp ground. Rain began to fall. Demonic clouds shrouded the sky, devouring every last slither of light from the moon and leaving an eerie void. At nature’s feet, I had no choice but to retire to the possessed house. Crows squawked and shrieked at the anticipation of what was to come. The rain hit the ground in a rhythmic pattern – the beat of this torturous strain increased. Drenched, I was waved onwards by demented trees that swayed in the wind. I felt claustrophobic. Nearing the house, I began to think of the warm bed covers enclosing me from the harsh wind and a fire to comfort me. I reached the cliff where the house previously stood, but it had gone. My eyes were nearly gorged from their sockets. The mud beneath my feet began to pull me in. A reflection came from beyond me. I marched forward to find the locket. It was open. I then realised that the man in the picture was me.
THE SILVER SCREEN LIBRARY Tommaso S, Year 12 reviews Hidden Figures My Score: ****️ Available On: Prime Video Running Time: 2h 7min Genre: Drama/History Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe Summary: ‘Hidden Figures’ tells the untold story of Katherine Johnson (Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Monáe), AfricanAmerican women working at NASA as the brains behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn. All three highly-educated women face segregation as they navigate through their tough jobs, especially Katherine who is assigned to Al Harrison’s Space Task Group where she faces discrimination from all sides. Overview and extra information: A person should have the exact same chance of getting hired for any job as any other, regardless of the their skin colour, gender or cultural background. Even if these views aren’t completely supported by everyone, Black History Month is a time of appreciation, to show how much African-Americans have contributed to society in all fields of work. Before this review ends, I will leave you with a scene near the beginning of the film which literally had me in hysterics. When the trio’s car breaks down on the highway, a police officer drives towards them asking for their identification. They hand over their identification and say that they work at NASA. The police officer says in surprise, “NASA? Huh, I had no idea
they hired...” looking up at the three women slowly, implying that he was about to say a racial slur. Dorothy wittingly states “There are quite a few women working in the space program”. I love Octavia Spencer’s sass so much! The police officer offers to escort the ladies to the NASA headquarters and whilst driving, Mary shouts triumphantly, “Three negro women are chasing a white police officer down a highway in Hampton, Virginia, 1961. Ladies, that there is a God-ordain miracle!”.
James May: Oh Cook! My Score: **** Available On: Prime Video Running Time: Roughly 30mins per episode (1 season) Genre: Unscripted Starring: James May and Nikki Morgan Summary: The former Top Gear and The Grand Tour host James May stars in the all new James May: Oh Cook! series doing his best to utterly skewer the art of cooking at Nikki Morgan’s kitchen while being watched by his hungry book publishers (this show is based on a book James wrote). His motto is: “You don’t need to be a brilliant cook to make delicious food”.
Overview and extra information: Over the years, James May has more than proved himself as a man with an orchestra of interests which have spanned across several fields, hosting shows on everything from physics and cars, to travel and oenology. This time he’s back with a dream to educate the uneducated (mainly himself) on the diverse and millenniaold art of cooking. The viewers are transported, with the help of James, across the globe with delicious recipes any poor sob can actually make, with ingredients one can actually buy. I’ve just finished the first 2 episodes today where our man covers asian fusion (i.e. ramen) and pub classics (i.e. chicken and mushroom pie). With James carrying out his recipes and giving his charming quips and quotes from famous authors makes this show quite entertaining for all ages, regardless of one’s level of devotion to cooking. During the episode, the audience is left anxious with the tension as to whether a dish will succeed or not and how much wine James can guzzle down in roughly 30 minutes. Now that we’re under lockdown again, I would suggest adding some cooking in your life, whether you learn from cook books, virtual cooking classes or even YouTube videos. I’ve been cooking for a while and I can vouch that it’s creative, fun and not as nerve-racking as those chefs on national television are saying. Give it a shot! Start small then slowly build up to harder recipes (like spatchcocking chicken). Google it.