THe
BAROMETER January - February 2022
HALF TERm 3
CONTENTS: Review: Life of Pi - Robert B Creative writing - Aditya D and Saif M
Half Term 3 - Photogrpahy Competition, Architecture. Cover photograph - Luke T, Year 9 Notable entries:
Inter-Trib Science Quiz Oliver B PCR - Henry B Review: Best of Enemies Ramzi K A Level Plus - Art History Guillaume V and Edward P Speaking with Confidence Maani N URW and the Grenfell Disaster - Graydon Y-A
Nik P, Year 13
The library of Babel: A great use of randomisation - Jules T Diversity Committee - Zain S and Matteo H Turkmeistan - Barnaby M-J What maps reveal about the history of Wetherby’s buildings - Kaveh K ISA Nationals: My experience - Marty V PET Scans - Henry B Staff Panomime - Henry B Top three ski resorts in 2022 Jamie B The Demon - Vrubel’s subverted subjectivity Mikhail D
Stepan K, Year 12
Review: Life of Pi Robert B, Year 13 writes... On the 27th of January Wetherby students had the opportunity to watch Life of Pi at Wyndham’s Theatre. This production, written by Lolita Chakrabarti, follows a boy named Piscine or as he prefers “Pi” and his experiences after the freighter he is travelling on with his family and their zoo animals sink. Pi escapes on a lifeboat along with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker and must learn to cooperate with him if he wants to survive. Wetherby students were stunned by the lifelike puppets which were used to depict the animals. In particular, the puppet used for the tiger had an extraordinary presence on the stage and despite the large number of people puppeteering the tiger, the scenes containing it were tense and believable. Also of note were the genuinely stunning visual effects and the resourceful use of the stage to evoke atmosphere. For instance, projectors depict waves undulating in time with the movements of the lifeboat Pi is stranded on. Furthermore, in one scene Pi dives into a barely visible hole in the stage, making it look as if he is submerged in the ocean. All in all this stage show tells an inspiring story about resilience in the face of insurmountable odds: Pi abandons his vegetarianism in order to survive the long months at sea and eventually manages to tame a murderous tiger using only a whistle. However, it also examines what is moral under extreme circumstances.
Creative Writing Aditya D, Year 9 writes... Sauntering through this bleak, unilluminated, desolate city, I felt CCTV cameras ferociously breathing down my fear-filled spine, surreptitiously anticipating for me to commence an action of negligence which would undermine the power of Harry Walsh’s big company. Whether it may be a word I say or banner I hold I was to be confiscated of the little freedom that I had and taken to a place undisclosed to the civilised world. My heart pounding persistently in my head, I scrutinized every minuscule action I carried out. I felt claustrophobic even though I had space around me. This is what Walsh had made the people of Kansas City feel. This city was now subdued into a catatonic state after the coup of the ‘Big Company’, when a sudden gust of rapacious, cataclysmic wind forced its way into my ravaged skin, ravenously seeking for an uncovered speck of my body to penetrate like a ferocious lion eyeing its petrified prey. Accompanying the wind, a rancid aroma demanded me to cover my nose. Now I was fully covered. Due to the climate, I couldn’t continue rambling so I sat down and reminisced about my days with this once prosperous city. My dalliance with this now desiccated, the nondescript city has ended. How do I survive now? I do not know. Stealthily I trotted along and headed to turn the corner. Gingerly I was turning left when, in a rainbow’s banishment, an icy, jagged hand grabbed the side of my throat and pointed a needle towards my body and situated me
inside a nanoscopic-sized bag. I feared for the worst.
me quite discomfited. After a few moments passed, I tilted my head and gazed at a mid-sized window, A man in his twenties was the one high up on the wall, which who had captured me. He pulled allowed a susurration of wind me out of the bag and positioned to flow through the room. My me in a seat, where I was face to usual sanguine nature was now a face with Harry Walsh. My heart ghost to me and the more I stayed froze, I was in the presence of captured in this room, the more a murder-loving human. One uncomfortable I got. I understood who gained pleasure to witness that I could not stay in this others’ death. Behind him was a appalling, mouldy unpretentious ghastly, daunting, multitudinous room for a prolonged amount of pile of dead bodies, which caused time. Every parting second that me to immediately look away. I passed, my anxiety kept growing was flabbergasted at this sight. A and I became more restless in the choleric, rebellious, tetchy man room, more petrified of Walsh, was Walsh. A few moments passed and more antagonized of the and Walsh began enunciating ‘I undersized space which afforded am in control now.’ It was then two me. huge men held my limbs and my spine turned cold, my eyes wide Glaring at the window above me, I open and my body extensively grabbed an indent in the wall and wrapped in trepidation. They climbed. Then, when I reached a pummelled at my stomach, like stage where I could go no further, how a hammer pounds into a nail, I jumped headfirst into the and then belligerently catapulted window. This recondite window me into a room. had been broken, as I scurried as far away as I could. I glanced Whilst still recovering from the behind and saw an immense mass thumping, I had received, sculpture, one which I couldn’t I gazed at my surroundings believe I was in, and the once lurid and found that I was in a white brightness of the day had dimmed covered room, with crimson and turned stygian. Abnormality stripes along the edges of the was all which followed me as the walls, like thick teal veins on usual bright-light streets were a human arm. This room was unlit. The usual boisterous flats circled with numerous rats, were muted and the usual lovingfeeding on my penetrated skin. feeling of this city turned bitter. I attempted to fight back but my efforts were in vain. After realising Meanwhile, in the ‘Big Company’ I was outnumbered, I plucked a headquarters, Walsh examined the rat to observe it. Grey fur-coated broken segments of glass which its skin, with burnt corked specks were dispersed on the floor and surrounding its body. Its silky he became apoplectic. How dare eyes were wide open, as if in the someone decamp from a Harry presence of a predator, which Walsh building. A tremendously galvanised me causing me to tumultuous roar erupted from drop it. There was also a mephitic the vocal cords of Walsh and smell in this room which made this was to commence a colossal
fight. Due to the vengeful nature of Walsh, he was out to seek revenge from the fugitive. The time for an abbreviated moment of lamentation was over and the era of mass ramification was to commence, on account of the getaway of one man, Nicolas Wilson.
A lone tear rolled down my cheek. I then remembered. It was autumn of 1994; I was 14 years old. The lattice windows were enveloped by the caramelised and crisp leaves. The primordial pillars of the Grand Hall stood as if untouched, intertwined by spiked rose vines. But as the day went on, clouds of fog travelled through the town dimming the streets. Masked Saif M, Year 9 writes... and black hooded soldiers came stomping through the empty It was the 5th of November 2008, neighbourhoods, armed. The town a low groan from the clouds above was a sullen cloud before a storm, darkened the horizon, as the being soaked in silence. I faintly thunder pierced through their thin remember glancing at our clock. skin bruising their clean white It was 19:00. Faint trudge steps hue, as if stung and infected. The started to crescendo rapidly swiftly wind was sighing and thrashing walking upwards in an orderly in the treetops as the boughs fashion. Mother clenched onto moaned, reaching their arms up, me behind the old oak cupboard. trying to grasp a shard of light. I Soon, the doorknob clicked looked out the window. The sky slowly, and they had entered. I was was tar-black, and the large clouds paralyzed to the spot, mother still were moving towards me. I heard holding me in a tightening grip as a tapping on the window and then terror sucked the very breath from it became a pitter-patter. Icy wind my mouth. As the footsteps soon slashed at the window and the rain felt closer, I shuddered vigorously. danced its evil dance upon the All five of them, dressed in all sill. People ran for cover outside black, velvet bomber jackets and umbrellas were opened as entered the living room, dragging the clouds spat out their beads her out of the apartment building. of water. Puddles began plinking The faint memory always seems as the rainfall became heavier. to return, as if a sombre shadow The roofs of the cars danced following my footsteps. Plaguing with spray, and I could hear the me until now. murmuring of the rain through the window. The town felt godless and soon dimmed into a bleak and A month passed since my dreary state. hallucination. I became arduous lying-in bed for the most of the As I turned back, I glanced at my days. Night soon came closer, and mother’s old ornate cupboard days shortened. It had reached behind the thick, rotted wood winter. Wearily, I dragged my door. It stood desolate, its cherry, body weight towards the window red and waxed veneer peeling and for some fresh air steadily chipping by the corner. Inside lay breathing in winter’s cold essence heaps of velour coats and dresses. around me. To my horror, a shrill And down below lay the raggedy cry echoed in the mist. In a raw line of what used to be father’s state of fear and trepidation, Velcro boots; worn as if they were I swiftly peered through the an eight-layer of skin. window, curious to see what had
happened. The faint sound of footsteps slowly creaked on every step of the stairs. The bedroom door handle turned slowly, screeching as the rusted hinge peeled off. They had come back.
Inter-trib Science Quiz This year’s science quiz was a closely heated contest between all five Tribs. Each team included one pupil from each year group and a teacher from their respective Tribs.
youths in order to recognise some of the older tunes. Star Man by David Bowie and Rocket Man by Elton John were a few examples of songs that the contenders had to distinguish in only a few seconds – all with science-related titles, of course.
The demanding quiz was expertly crafted by Mr. Pimlott and consisted of a variety of rounds, most notably, anagrams, -ologies, and the beloved music round, during which the teachers had to cast their minds back to their
Teamwork was an essential aspect of the quiz since boys from all seven year groups had to work together. Questions extended beyond the GCSE and A Level curricula, stretching the boys’ knowledge and prompting them
Oliver B, Year 10 writes…
to think critically about problems which they had never before encountered. Walbrook were able to win for the fourth consecutive year, establishing themselves yet again as the reigning champions of the science quiz. Results: 1st Walbrook 2nd Tyburn 3rd Effra 4th Ravensbourne 5th Fleet
PCR Henry B, Year 13 writes… Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique that has existed for several decades – since 1983, to be precise – but the word “PCR” is one that we’ve been using a lot more frequently these days, usually when referring to a PCR test for Covid-19. So, what do we actually mean when we mention “PCR?” PCR enables forensic scientists and geneticists to amplify sequences of DNA when small, recovered samples would be impractical to use. Making a DNA profile is a multi-stage process. First, an adequately-sized sample must be obtained and the DNA extracted. Fragments of different lengths can be made by cutting up DNA. These fragments are subsequently separated, visualised, and compared to against a reference point. Obtaining a sample The sample (saliva or mucus in the case of a Covid-19 test) is physically broken down in a buffer solution that contains salt and detergent, which disrupt cell membranes. The DNA is separated from the rest of the cell debris by centrifuging or filtering. Protease enzymes are incubated with the suspension to remove proteins and cold ethanol is added to precipitate out the DNA.
Creating fragments The DNA sample is treated with restriction endonucleases, which are found naturally in bacteria. The enzymes will only cleave DNA at specific base sequences (usually 4-6 bases long). They can therefore recognise specific sequences and be used to cut the fragment whilst leaving the rest intact.
Polymerase chain reaction Modern DNA profiling can, in theory, obtain results from as few as five cells. Nevertheless, the PCR functions to amplify and increase the amount of DNA; it makes analysis easier and allows for a more reliable result. DNA is made of anti-parallel strands, each of which has a 3-prime and a 5-prime end. PCR relies on the fact that DNA is always elongated from the 3-prime end. PCR is different from DNA replication because it only replicates short sequences of base pairs rather
than entire chromosomes. Unlike replication, PCR requires primers to start the process and a series of specific temperatures are needed. Taq DNA polymerase is a temperature-resistant enzyme that assembles nucleotides along a complimentary chain. DNA primers are artificial complimentary sequences of DNA that latch onto desired sequences so that DNA polymerase can attach and begin synthesis. Sequence of events Denaturation (94°C) is the process by which hydrogen bonds are broken by detergents so that DNA strands separate. During annealing, (54°C), the resulting solution is cooled to allow DNA primers to attach. During extension, (72°C), DNA polymerase attaches nucleotides as it synthesises a strand in the 5’3’ direction. This process is repeated between 25 and 30 times to produce 30 million copies of DNA within three hours. Gel electrophoresis DNA fragments produced by PCR can be separated according to their size because DNA has an overall negative charge owing to its many phosphate groups. First, DNA is placed in agarose
tags move through the gel and pass under a laser. The coloured light is detected and analysed by a computer. Advantages and limitations PCR is fairly simple to use and it produces results rapidly. The technique can produce millions or billions of copies of a specific product for sequencing, cloning, and analysis. qRT-PCR shares gel, which is a medium that allows for the free movement of fragments. The gel is submerged in a buffer solution and connected to electrodes that induce a potential difference. The negatively charged fragments migrate through the gel at different speeds, which depend on their sizes and the magnitudes of their relative charges. Smaller fragments will travel faster and end up closer to the positive The position corresponds to the electrode because they are lighter. size of the fragment and the height denotes the amount of DNA in the Analysis of fragments sample. Fragments are transferred to a nitrocellulose or nylon membrane When is PCR useful? by placing the membrane onto the Tissue typing of organ donors gel together with absorbent paper. and recipients in order to This draws the buffer solution up reduce the risk of rejection. through the gel and carries the Detection of specific mutations in oncogenes to help tailor cancer treatment. Identifying viral infections like HIV or Covid-19. Forensic science, such as identifying criminals or ascertaining parentage.
DNA onto the membrane. During this process, the fragments maintain their positions and are denatured into single strands, exposing their base sequences. The membrane is then incubated with a DNA probe labelled with a fluorescent tag, which can be visualised under fluorescent light. DNA primers with fluorescent
Research, such as analysing the DNA of extinct species to investigate evolutionary relationships.
the same advantages as PCR, with the added advantage of quantification of the synthesised product. Therefore, it can be used to analyse alterations of gene expression levels in tumours, microbes, or other disease states. One major limitation of PCR is that prior information about the target sequence is necessary in order to generate the primers that will allow its selective amplification. This means that PCR users must know the precise sequences around the target region in order to ensure that the DNA polymerase properly binds to the primer-template hybrids and subsequently generates the entire target region during DNA synthesis. Like all enzymes, DNA polymerases are also prone to error, which in turn causes mutations in the PCR fragments that are generated. Another limitation of PCR is that even the smallest amount of contaminating DNA can be amplified, resulting in misleading or ambiguous results.
Review: Best of Enemies Ramzi K, Year 11 writes... Playwright James Graham and director Jeremy Herrin have teamed up to create a work of genius; they have collaborated once before ten years ago on the exceptionally successful political drama This House. Having a low number of viewers, the news channel ABC News scouts Gore Vidal, an intellectual and well respected bisexual writer, and William Buckley, an author of equal wit, to debate and express their opposing opinions during the election of President Nixon.
In this latest work, Graham creates scintillating text from the original documentary Best of Enemies which shows these scorching debates. This is, of course, a marvellous source to use. However, Graham states that when characters are sat in front of a camera, their words must be verbatim, as there were also videos of presidential speeches played on a screen behind the actors at some points. When they are away from the camera’s intense gaze, Graham is free to imagine the duo’s private conversations and emotional fluctuations and interactions. He does this with flare, nuance and empathy for both parties.
These quickfire verbal scrums left one with no other option but to stare in awe. They manage to meticulously assemble the most cutting, calculated sentences and deliver them with such piercing diction, fluency and a level of certainty so pure that we are apprehensive to believe that there is a rebuttal that can trump it. However, the opposition does it in a fraction of a second. It is truly a dynamic so captivating I could watch it for hours. We were also able to see how the duo prepare for their debates and scour for information that could sharpen their savagely vicious tongues. Each one had their own main source of mental support, like coaches of a boxing match in the intervals, giving their valuable point of view: for Buckley, it was his wife and for Vidal, his boyfriend. Towards the end of the play, the debate gets
extremely heated and personal, as more and more smear tactics were used, so Buckley reaches his boiling point and calls Vidal a queer on national television. This was the first time the word was used on television. It marked the end of the debate series and the two supposedly never spoke again. Then, in this limbo-like, elevated plain of existence beyond the death of all of the characters, we see Buckley and Vidal turn to face each other for the first time, while the cameras are off, and it is as if they had never met. They each try to understand the opponent’s perspective and reasoning, as there are no longer any stakes. It was an odd moment, but a moment of reconciliation nonetheless. They seemed quite distant, like Vidal still could not forgive Buckley and Buckley was still ashamed. The character of Buckley was particularly entertaining. The actor had every little characterisation and nuanced figured out completely; the
frequent eyebrow raises; the smug smile he does with only the right side of his face; the way he licks his top lip at the end of every other sentence. It was mesmerising. Historically, Buckley is white, but here, he was played by a black actor, which raised some controversy in the discussions of the play our class had afterwards. It would be foolish to have an allwhite cast of a film like The Colour Purple, but because the character of Buckley is not centred around his race, this level of accuracy is superfluous. The role should go to
the best actor, and I think this is a step in the right direction in terms racial equity either way. Although it takes some prior historical knowledge about the Vietnam War and Cuban Missile Crisis, I think that this is a play that can be enjoyed by anyone. I have only scratched the surface of this iceberg of a play. Intertwined with the debates, there are a range of other storylines with other characters even more complex than this one that I urge you to watch and discover for yourself.
A Level Plus - Art History Guillaume V, Year 12 writes... In 1998, Tracey Emin had spent multiple days stuck in bed as a result of her mental illness/ depression after her relationship had ended, she claims to have been at a very low phase of her life when she had created the piece. Emin was part of a group of artists who studied at Goldsmith College and Royal College of Art in London and were dubbed the Young British Artists. ‘My bed’ art piece was inspired by how Emin felt, she included personal objects that she associated her feelings of depression within the art piece along with some details such as the messy untidied bed. Bottles of vodka by her bed, condoms, general litter, cigarettes, rotten food, contraception, and pregnancy tests had all been placed around her bed to convey her deterring state of mind. Before the bed would be put up
Edward P, Year 12 writes... This art piece, by Felix GonzalezTorres, was made in 1991 and is currently located in the Art Institution of Chicago. I found this artwork fascinating due to its simplicity in looks yet intricateness in meaning. It involves a large pile of individually wrapped candies with a shiny covering and this mound of candy is supposed to represent the artist’s partner, Ross Laycock, who died of AIDS in 1991. When finished, the artwork should weigh around 79kg which was Laycock’s body weight when he was healthy. The interesting thing about this art piece, however, is that it is
for installation, she would get into the bed itself and move around and ‘sleep’ in it, left alone as if she was actually in the moment, this is one of the things that gave this installation a realistic aspect to it. I think that this art piece is very piercing due to it revealing the realistic and truthful aspects of life that most people in our society tend to suppress. I also find it interesting that she revealed very
personal parts of her depressive phase as well as a pregnancy test and the morning after pills, which I think had a significant impact on society, releasing and breaking social norms or expectations. By illuminating what she had gone through was not something uncommon or something to be ashamed of, but something that should be brought to light to discuss.
interactive, meaning that people are allowed to eat the candy, which the Art Story Foundation has interpreted as “[one becoming] complicit in the disappearing process - akin to the years-long public health crisis of HIV/AIDS.”
On top of his work representing the disease and the weakening of the body, it also expresses the love which is present between the person suffering and the person who supports them.
Speaking with Confidence Maani N, Year 12 writes... On Monday 24th January, the Year 12s were treated to a lecture at Queens on “Speaking with Confidence” by Nick Gold, Managing Director of Speakers Corner. Mr Gold came in to talk to us about how to remove fear when public speaking. 75% of us have a fear of public speaking, also known as glossophobia, and 10% of us have an extreme case of it. One of Nick’s main tips was to “Own your words”. Rather than sticking some words on a screen and reading off it, it is better to have a few points of guidance such as flashcards and speak around those points. This allows you to have more freedom when speaking and also gets people to listen to “your own voice” rather
than someone who is simply reading off a screen. Another one of Nick’s main points was to make sure you are comfortable in your surroundings. Often we find ourselves shocked or surprised at where we are meant to be speaking. Do you want a microphone? Do you want a speaking stand? What clothes will you be wearing? These are all questions that we often fail to ask ourselves before public speaking and as a result, become nervous or disjointed and our speech does not turn out the way we want it to be. Nick’s final point was to connect with your audience. You want your audience to engage with you and you can do this by telling stories and not facts. If you have a simple fact to say why not change it into an anecdotal story
to make the audience interested? Also, it is important to make the audience ask questions and be curious. After all, you don’t want to be delivering a speech to a wall of blank faces, do you? If you want to get in touch with Nick don’t hesitate to email him at nick@speakerscorner.co.uk
URW and the Grenfell disaster Graydon Y-A, Year 8 writes… The planning applications recently proposed by URW (UnibailRodamco-Westfield) broke the hearts of those involved in the Grenfell disaster. URW are discussing ideas for an apartment block twice the size of the Grenfell tower, which was a very short distance away. The application is said to be going ahead even though it has been called “madness.” 130 metres high, 35 storeys, only one fire escape – this sounds like a plan for destruction. Only five years have passed since the
devastating Grenfell disaster, which killed seventy-two people. The news that came in recently was found to be inconsiderate, insensitive, and simple-minded. Why would you want to risk countless lives? Grenfell United, a group standing for the survivors and the bereaved, replied, “After half a decade of campaigning for safer homes, it’s shocking to hear that a new tower block – only a stone’s throw from Grenfell and rigged with a fire safety defect before it has even been built – is being planned.” This shows that many people are shocked by what the URW think
is the right thing to do. The URW should shut down this operation or they could risk many lives. We should not just sit around and let this happen. Even the idea of a building twice the size of Grenfell sounds bad, but the URW have many safety flaws throughout their plans, such as only one staircase to get to your residence. If a fire were to start in the building, firefighters would not even be able to reach it safely. Only the most penny-pinching of people would proceed with this plan.
The library of Babel: A great use of randomisation Jules T, Year 12 writes... The library is inspired by Jorge Luis Borges. He is best known for his many short stories, each of which creates a sort of ontological thought experiment in a few brief pages. He wrote poetry and non-fiction as well, reflecting on his immense knowledge of world literature. The Library of Babel (La Biblioteca de Babel) is one of his best-known and most loved pieces, from the 1941 collection The Garden of Branching Paths. It’s about a universal library which housed every possible combination of 410 pages of letters, thus containing every book that ever has been and every book that ever could be written.
every scientific paper, every legal decision, every constitution, every piece of scripture, and so on. At present it contains all possible pages of 3200 characters, about 104677 books.” This is Jonathan Basile’s description of his virtual library. The library offers three methods for checking out books: browse, search, and random. What follows are ideas for the daunting task of entering its hexagons How does it work (UI) Each book has been assigned its particular hexagon, wall, shelf, and volume code. For example, jeb0110jlb-w2-s4-v16 means the book you are reading is the 16th volume (v16) on the fourth shelf (s4) of the second wall (w2) of hexagon jeb0110jlb. Consider it the Library of Babel’s equivalent of the Dewey Decimal system. The hexagon names contain letters and numbers. This makes them in effect a base-36 system for identifying unique locations in the library. Nonetheless, hexagon names still commonly stretch to more than 3200 characters.
“The Library of Babel is a place for scholars to do research, for artists and writers to seek inspiration, for anyone with curiosity or a sense of humour to reflect on the weirdness of existence - in short, it’s just like any other library. If completed, it would contain every possible combination of 1,312,000 characters, including lower case letters, space, comma, and period. Thus, it would contain every book that ever has been written, and every book that ever could be including every play, every song,
How does it work (code) The library’s algorithm generates a virtual book by rehearsing every variation of 29 characters,
which consist of every letter in the English alphabet, in addition to full stops, commas and spaces. Once all 410 pages have been filled in, the book is associated with a hex code. This code is the seed that the servers remember as it is easier to remember then the entire book. This hex code also works as the location of the book inside the library, as the code will always link you back to the original spot of the book. Possible limitations however are that generating a page doesn’t ensure that the same content doesn’t already exist in two different places and each page is supposed to be unique. Secondly, the idea that the library consist of every story ever, is limited to the size of the server storage. If we could read every single book, we would realise that there might be certain long combinations of characters missing.
The Library of Babel is a great example of what we can do with randomisation, and how we can still progress to find ways to have randomised books that contain coherent sentences and not just a bunch of random letters.
Diversity Committee Zain S, Year 9 and Matteo H, Year 12 write... Did you know that the school has its very own Diversity Committee? In the Diversity Committee, we wish to promote awareness of many different cultures, and a notolerance attitude towards racist, homophobic and transphobic behavior. Every Thursday, after school, we gather and discuss issues, for example racism and discrimination, and what we can do to prevent problems like this. We discuss and plan events, for example the Black Panther screening last term, and our
upcoming anti-racism assembly on 4th March. We also think about how to make people aware of many different cultures, and to be accepting of the differences between people. We want to make Wetherby Senior School a place where no one is afraid to be themselves and everyone feels welcome and included. Most importantly, we want to make sure that all the students understand that racist, homophobic and transphobic comments and behavior are not ‘cool’ or ‘funny’. We also want students to be able to easily respond to racist, transphobic and homophobic remarks within the school
environment, ensuring that Wetherby is inclusive, nondiscriminatory, and ultimately a safe place for all. We also want to encourage students that would otherwise laugh or forget about an inappropriate or discriminatory remark to take action, making it clear that these remarks are not ‘cool’ or ‘funny,’ supporting victims of inappropriate comments, and fundamentally not being bystanders. If you want to join the Diversity Committee, please contact Faris B, Year 13.
Turkmenistan Barnaby M.J, Year 8 writes... Turkmenistan is a country located in Central Asia, situated along the Silk Road it is on the crossroads of east and west, bordering Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran. This makes it a diverse country. Here are some basic facts: Capital – Ashgabat Population – 6 million Land area – 488,099 km squared Languages – Turkmen, Russian, Teke, Yomut, Salyr and Arsari National Dish – Plov (Pilaf) Leader – Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow
Turkmenistan has remained a dictatorship since it was part of the U.S.S.R, and it recently was ranked as an authoritarian regime by the UN human rights index. This is partly due to the previous president bringing in many strange laws, for example, he banned smoking in the country as he was trying to quit himself alongside the banning of spandex, opera and gold teeth. The current President has changed several of these laws but has made a few other changes like banning black cars due to black being unlucky in Turkmen culture. Some notable places include: Darvaza Gas Crater (the gates of hell), the Karakum Desert, Merv Silk Road UNESCO heritage site. The capital Ashgabat is in the
Guinness World Records Book as the city is built almost exclusively from white marble, the city was built in this way due to being located in the desert. The city is covered in elaborate structures and 10 lane roads but there is never anyone there. This is why, if you go for a drive in Ashgabat, you will be the only car on the road except for the all too common sight of police cars.
What Maps Reveal About the History of Wetherby’s Buildings Kaveh K, Year 10 writes... Since 1791, the Ordnance Survey has been mapping the United Kingdom with unparalleled accuracy, and yet only recently have many of these maps became available to the public. Mostly thanks to the National Library of Scotland, we’re now able to view hundreds of completely free Ordnance Survey maps online. You can use these maps to see what your home, road, or, in the case of this article, your school, looked like hundreds of years ago, going back to 1885. Wetherby Senior has two buildings: Hannah House on Manchester Street and “Bulstrode” on Bulstrode Street. Bulstrode is officially called Hyde House, which you can still see on the faded signage of the north entrance (pictured).
Both roads were constructed during the urbanisation of the Marylebone areas in a grid pattern in the 1700s, and named after the city of Manchester, and Bulstrode Park in Buckinghamshire, respectively. When looking at an Ordnance Survey map from 1895, we can see the Hannah House used to be a hotel, which extended towards the back of its land ownership, where we now have the small courtyard area that houses table tennis tables (pictured).
The hotel, known as “Ford Hotel”, existed until circa 1970, after which it is unknown what the buildings use became. In 2005 another Alpha Plus Group educational institution, DLD College, moved into Hannah House before leaving in 2015 for new facilities in Lambeth. This meant that a new educational institution had to fill the building, likely because almost all buildings in the Marylebone area are on
long-term leases from different estates. In this case, Hannah House, as well as the entirety of Manchester Street, are part of the Portman Estate, which owns the West Marylebone area. Bulstrode, or Hyde House, has a more interesting history. Since its construction Bulstrode has been a school. The earliest record we have of Bulstrode is as “R.C. School for Boys, Girls and Infants” in
1895. Bulstrode as we know today is two separate buildings joined up with pathways, which most who go to Wetherby will have walked through before. Whilst the building on Marylebone Lane always housed a school, the second building, which has the art, geography, PE and economics classrooms, as well as reception, was previously a youth hostel for girls, from as early as 1944. It is likely that, because of the historical significance of the
Marylebone Lane building as a school, the only facilities that could be housed there post that point were schools. Following two other “Wetherby” schools being opened in the area, Wetherby PrePrep and Prep, in 1951 and 2004, respectively. Wetherby Senior School opened in September 2016, as Bulstrode. Interestingly, Bulstrode is in a completely different estate, The Howard de Walden estate, which owns most of the East Marylebone area. It
is also likely that the Bulstrode building is on a long-term lease, suggesting that it’s next tenants will also be a school. Later, around 2019-20, Wetherby’s second building, Hannah House, opened, leaving Bulstrode to take care of the subjects mentioned above, and other subjects, such as Maths, English and Modern Foreign Languages, to be taken care of at Hannah House on Manchester Street.
ISA Nationals: My Experience Marty V, Year 7 writes... At the end of 2021, I fulfilled a dream that I had for the last couple of years – I competed in the ISA National Swimming Competition and achieved medals in all four disciplines with two gold and two silver medals. This was my third time competing at the ISA Nationals, which take place at the London Aquatics Centre, home to the 2012 Olympics where Michael Phelps emerged as the most decorated Olympian of all time. The first time I made it to the Nationals was in 2017 when I was in Year 4. At that time, I only did a relay and my team lost. Following that, I knew what I wanted - I wanted to earn medals. In the next year or so, I moved from Brent Dolphins to Camden Swiss Cottage Swimming Club (CSCSC), started training four times a week, and competed at weekends. At first, all my competitions were in Barnet, but as I got increasingly
competitive, I went to various places in England, most recently Coventry and Hillington. This spring I am heading to Cardiff for the National Arena Senior League final, and, in the summer, I am going to Swansea to compete in the Welsh Nationals. Whilst in Year 5, I qualified for the ISA Nationals again, this time in backstroke (one of my weakest strokes). I finished third and received a bronze medal. This made me more determined to
work harder and do better next year. When I was in Year 6, the ISA Nationals were cancelled due to Covid-19. The various lockdowns kept me and my teammates out of the pool for months, but we kept fit by doing land training over Zoom and in the park. When swimming pools reopened, I was more determined than ever. I was confident that I was going to race in the ISA Nationals again and
win this time. This last year was going to be different: for the first time, my brother also qualified to race at the ISA Nationals. He is 9 years old, soon turning 10, and he is good at swimming. He was going to swim backstroke, just like I did when I was in Year 5. This was going to be his first time in the Olympic pool, so I had to be there with him. On the day of the competition, I woke up excited and ready to race. I got all my gear ready and headed off with my family. We took the Overground to Stratford and walked over to the London Aquatics Center. The queue of competitors was massive! It was the longest line I had seen in a while. The winter cold was chilling to the bone, but
once we got inside, the heat and humidity greeted us. It was so hot. My brother and I got our London North swimming caps (both our schools compete for London North) and walked down to the changing rooms. Once changed, we headed poolside to find our team. I saw some of my former teachers from prep school who were helping out. I enjoyed seeing them again, but it was no time to chat - I was ready to win some medals. I was noticeably confident in my first race: 50m breastroke. Since I ranked in the top five in the country in that discipline at some recent competitions, I knew I was going to win that race. As we were lining up for the race, there were swimmers everywhere, chatting, talking, speaking over each other. It was horrendous. I tried to quieten my mind and concentrate. When it was my turn to swim and I was on the diving block, I felt extremely calm. On your marks, … get set, ... BEEP! And I was off. I got an amazingly good headstart. I did not think that anyone
was going to catch up...and I was right. I finished first and earned a gold medal. I was standing on the podium, ecstatic, not knowing that there was more to come. At the end of the day, I got a gold in the 50m breaststroke, gold in the 4x50m freestyle relay, silver in the 50m freestyle, and silver in the 4x50m Medley Relay. Last but not least, I could not have done it if it were not for my coaches and my teachers. I would like to thank Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Underwood, and Mr. Fuller for putting me forward for the ISA Nationals. Without them, I would not be sharing this amazing experience with you.
PET Scans Henry B, Year 13 writes... Introduction Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a form of medical diagnostic imaging. PET scanners are designed to detect gamma (γ) rays, which they use to reconstruct an image of spatial density that highlights the functional data and reveals blood flow changes related to activity. Since the need for diagnostic surgery is mitigated, this is a far less invasive alternative. PET scans are often carried out in conjunction with Computed Tomography (CT) scans, which use x-rays, meaning that the entire procedure can take place during the same session. PET identifies physiological changes in the body whilst CT shows the bodies’ structure. Combining the two scans together gives a more accurate picture of disease or infection in the patient. Radiopharmaceuticals A radioactive tracer must fulfil the following criteria: short half-life (to reduce patient exposure to ionising radiation);
Pure 18 F can be produced in a medical cyclotron, but it is never injected directly into the body. Instead, it is chemically incorporated into a biological molecule by means of nucleophilic fluorination. The hydroxyl group bonded to the second carbon of 2-deoxyglucose is replaced by an atom of 18F. We now have a molecule that resembles glucose, both in terms of shape and chemical properties. The polar nature of its O–H groups means that it easily forms hydrogen bonds with water, so it is very soluble. Hence, it is absorbed very quickly by the body – quickly enough for the scan to be performed before the 18 F has fully decayed. Moreover, it is very easily excreted through the urine, so most of it is expelled before it has even decayed, which means that the patient’s tissues are even less irradiated. Much of the current success in clinical PET can be attributed to the development of 18Ffluorodeoxyglucose, which is owed to Louis Sokoloff, Alfred Wolf, and Joanna Fowler (the scientists who first synthesised it in 1976).
harmless products (the result of the decay must not be a toxic chemical). There exists a radioactive isotope that has these precise characteristics. 18 F is a radioactive isotope of fluorine. It decays by emitting β+ particles and it has a half-life of t ½ =109.7 minutes. As shown in the equation below, it decays into stable oxygen
electromagnetic waves (500 keV γ -rays), which are detected by the scanner.
Positrons given off by the 18FFDG annihilate electrons in the air, emitting high-energy
The role of PET in brain imaging PET imaging is based on discoveries dating back to the late 1800s, when the physiology of brain circulation was first appreciated. In 1961, Niels Lassen and David Ingvar mapped the human brain for the first time, an endeavour that would not have been possible without PET and other technologies. More recently, neurologists have explored hybrid techniques, such as PET-MRI and PET-CT, providing even more detailed results and allowing new discoveries to be made. However, PET was developed long before CT and MRI/fMRI, so one could argue that it was instrumental to our basic understanding of human cognition. The concept that blood flow relates to brain function
can be traced to the Italian physiologist, Angelo Mosso. In 1878, Mosso measured an increase in brain pulsations from the right prefrontal cortex during an arithmetic task performed by a subject with a bony skull defect. Since the 20th century, it has been possible to correlate blood flow with behaviour. PET can be used as a form of functional imaging: areas of higher metabolic activity will change depending on the stimuli given to the organism. Different zones of the brain will show up as being more active than others at different times, so we can deduce which parts are associated with visual stimuli, auditory stimuli etc. Given that 18 F-FDG is so similar to glucose, it is more likely to accumulate in areas of the body with higher metabolic activity, such as cancerous cells and brain cells. This makes it an appropriate tool for pinpointing tumours or analysing the brain. PET enables us to map normal brain function and evaluate abnormalities, including memory disorders, seizures, and other central nervous system disorders. PET can localise a seizure focus, which will appear as hypometabolic during an interictal scan.
The loss of red colour with an increase in yellow, blue, and
green shows areas of decreased metabolic activity in the brain due to Alzheimer’s disease. More advanced techniques allow for the visualisation of amyloid plaques. References: The London Clinic Mayo Clinic Cleveland Clinic Alliance Medical UK NHS UK Siemens Healthineers GE Healthcare Canon Medical Systems (formerly Toshiba) Wikipedia RadiologyInfo.org Yu S. (2006). Review of F-FDG Synthesis and Quality Control. Biomedical imaging and intervention journal, 2(4), e57. https://doi.org/10.2349/biij.2.4.e57 Portnow, L. H., Vaillancourt, D. E., & Okun, M. S. (2013). The history of cerebral PET scanning: from physiology to cutting-edge technology. Neurology, 80(10), 952–956. https://doi.org/10.1212/ WNL.0b013e318285c135 Raichle M. E. (2009). A brief history of human brain mapping. Trends in neurosciences, 32(2),
118–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. tins.2008.11.001 Raichle, M. E., & Mintun, M. A. (2006). Brain work and brain imaging. Annual review of neuroscience, 29, 449–476. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev. neuro.29.051605.112819
Staff Pantomime Henry B, Year 13 writes… Wetherby’s festive stage tradition is back. This year’s show – Jack and the (Baked) Beanstalk – kicked off with a necessary reminder about how pantomimes work. This is the first pantomime we’ve had since the beginning of the pandemic, so a lot of the boys seemed to have forgotten about the crucial role of audience involvement, which adds to the humorous atmosphere. Indeed, the script was designed to be interactive and it included a considerable amount of Wetherby banter and inside jokes. We were blown away by Miss Maroudi’s inflatable cow costume with its built-in pump, and Mr. Hayes’ fabulous woman costume was very convincing. Mr. Oxley’s elf dancing appeared to have been very well rehearsed (or perhaps he is just a natural). Though his lines were few, I think the audience “agreed” that the variation of tone and volume in his voice was very surprising, particularly when it culminated in a most enormous and exuberant expression of anger towards the end of the show. Moreover, the audience was very impressed by Mrs. Deedat’s deeprooted Northern accent. There can be few actors who can play a villain as effectively and with as much energy as Mr. Lawrence. His performance was simply sublime. The charisma with which he portrayed his character was second to no other member of staff. All in all, it was a very successful and enjoyable performance. Of the four pantomimes I’ve attended in my five years at the school, this one was certainly my favourite!
Top Three Ski Resorts in 2022 Jamie B, Year 9 writes... As the ski season quickly approaches, winter sports enthusiasts begin to think about where to go this winter for an enjoyable and exciting holiday. I have compiled a list of three of the best ski resorts from all over the world that range from intense, thrilling experiences to relaxing, calming holidays for all kinds of personalities. 1. Zermatt, Switzerland This resort is one of the most famous in Switzerland and resides in the shadow of the world renowned Matterhorn. It is located on the border between Switzerland and Italy and experienced skiers can ski to Italy and back in just one day. The nearest airports are Geneva Airport and Zurich Airport. The pistes are known for being very long and often quite difficult, so this resort is probably better suited
to more advanced skiers and snowboarders. 2. Telluride, Colorado, USA Telluride is one of the most famous ski resorts across the Atlantic, extremely well known for the high quality of summer skiing as it is at a very high altitude. The resort is suited to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities as there are 2000 acres of pistes for all levels of experience. The views of the San Juan mountains are the best you’ll get anywhere in the area. There are also plenty of
Après-ski dining options for a relaxing end to a day of intense exercise. 3. Amirsoy, Uzbekistan Uzbekistan is not what comes to mind when you think of stereotypical skiing countries like France and Austria. However, this resort is definitely on a par with your typical European ski resort, if not better than most. Uzbekistan is the furthest country in the world from the sea, meaning that the snow is very dry and fluffy, ideal for winter sports.
The Demon Vrubel’s Subverted subjectivity Mikhail D, Year 13 writes... What does it mean for a person to be out of touch? In the case of most people’s lives, the phrase out of touch seems to carry very negative connotations. We describe a person to be out of touch if they don’t seem to have any connection to reality and hold views that don’t correspond with the truths of the world. But what if I told you about an artist who’s out of touchiness made him perhaps the greatest symbolist painter of his era.
iconography at St Cyril’s Cathedral in Kiev, he was fired from the project after he engaged in an affair with his professor’s wife.
Mikhail Vrubel was a Russian 19th-century painter. He studied at the imperial academy of Arts at Saint-Petersburg after he decided not to follow the career path of a lawyer like his father. His paintings could be described in many words – they are mystic, abstract, symbolic, provocative, lonely. Vrubel from the very beginning showed signs of poor mental health. Early on in his career, when he was working with one of his professors restoring
I think Vrubel’s life could be modestly summarised as a volatile curve between tragedy and innovation. A life that ended in a mental hospital a few years after the passing of his only child at the age of two. But this article is not long enough to give justice to everything that went on during his career. Instead, I want to talk about a particular work that I regard as perhaps the greatest example of symbolist Russian painting.
branches rotting under flowers stretch.” A scene like such is not something that is commonly associated with the typical image of the demon. When I think of a demon, for instance, I think of a horned hairy beast with hooves instead of feet and very long ears. But Vrubel did not share the same view. Vrubel said, “The demon is not so much an evil spirit as it is suffering and sorrowful, but at the same time domineering and stately.”In Greek, the word demon means ‘soul’ Vrubel saw the demon as a lonely soul. Something which was reflective of the loneliness Vrubel himself suffered in his life.
The Seated Demon was one of the first paintings Vrubel created after he distanced himself away from the church. Vrubel described the painting when he initially thought of it as, “A half-naked, winged, young, moody and thoughtful figure which sits, hugging his knees against the sunset and looks at a flowering field, where
The Seated Demon is a painting full of contradiction and mysticism. The demon – commonly known to be a powerful being - is cramped into a squished canvas. His face, in contrast to his strong muscular body, is weak, as it naively stares away from the viewer into a world full of crystal flowers. Through
his mysterious depiction of the demon, Vrubel forms a discussion of good and evil, putting forward an ideal of heroic personality as he saw it. The demon is not representative of pain or anguish in the world. It is representative of the pain and anguish of his own rejection and loneliness, something that Vrubel couldn’t simply recognise as evil. You can interpret this painting as a cry of a deeply troubled man who struggles to distinguish right from wrong. Or, you can take the stance that Vrubel is simply a pioneer of modernism who wanted to express himself through innovative language. A young Picasso once described Vrubel as a genius and it is clear to see how Vrubel’s use of the painting knife to create blocky mosaics of paint influenced the early cubists stylistically. Although Vrubel is an extremely popular artist in the art world circles, his name is not pronounced as commonly in the typical household as other early modernists. But that’s perhaps
what makes Vrubel stand out. He is difficult to interpret and link. He is often associated with the second early movement of the symbolists known as the ‘Blue Rose Group.’ But that categorisation gives very little justice to Vrubel’s achievements as an artistic visionary. So I suggest it might be time we start bringing our eyes
towards the less approachable artists like Vrubel and we might discover something through them that we never knew art was able to bring out in us.