The Charleston Chronicle Respect Others, Work Hard, Challenge Ourselves. www.charlestonacademy.co.uk Thursday, 18th of December, 2019

Foreword by the Editors-in-Chief: Hello everyone and welcome to the December issue of The ​ Charleston Chronicle, which is subsequently the final issue of the year too! It’s been a great year for the school, and while we may have only started this newspaper near to the end of the year, we hope to have another very successful year in 2020 as well! We have a very exciting issue lined up for you all, with articles discussing all things festive to the surprising origins of a very well-known ballad. We hope that you not only enjoy this issue, but that you also have a very merry festive period too and that you all stay safe. And (seniors, we’re looking at you) that you get at least some revision in for the upcoming Prelims! - Katie Gillies (5L1) and Georgia Birrell (5T1), Editors-in-Chief.

C o n t e n t s : (Includes; The Wake-Up Call That is Teenage Activism [page 1], Brexit in A Bottle - Election Edition News ​ ​ ​ [page 2], The Surprising Origins of the Iconic Song ‘I Will Always Love You’ [page 2], Xinjiang Re-Education CAmps [page 3]) (Includes; This Month at Eden Court [page 5], Charleston Talent Show Goes Down A Storm Community ​ ​ ​ [page 5]) (Includes; 9 Books You Should Read This Winter [page 5]) Entertainment ​ ​ ​ (Includes; Last-Minute Gifts That Suit (Almost) Anyone [page 7]) Lifestyle ​ ​ ​ (Includes; Glasgow City fight off Hibs in dramatic Cup Final [page 8]) Sports ​ ​ ​ (Includes; Why ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ is the Best Christmas Movie, IMO [page 8], Fuel Opinion ​ ​ ​ For Thought [page 9], The Brilliance Behind Cunningham’s Law [page 10]) (Includes; Words of the Term [page 10]) Interactive ​ ​ ​

much effort for our poor, electronic centred society at N e w s least take public transport when you can. Take the ten The Wake-Up Call That Is Teenage seconds out of your day to wash and recycle plastic packaging rather than being lazy and just chucking it (Elise Warde 2A) Activism​ ​ in the bin. Prevent food waste by eating leftovers and Greta Thunberg, arguably one of the most influential consider composting food waste. Also, be more aware young people of this era and the mastermind behind when you are shopping and choose fairtrade. If you Fridays For Future. A seemingly insignificant schoolgirl have any spare time in your obviously very exciting from Stockholm, Greta shot to fame when photos and busy lives then use your voice to spread emerged of her protesting outside the Swedish awareness, educate others and campaign. Contact parliament building with a sign which read ‘skolstrejk your local MP or sign petitions. Take to the streets in for klimatet’, school strike for climate. Since then the protest or volunteer. Try looking for clothes in charity 16-year-old has inspired thousands of young people shops, not only does this prevent unnecessary waste all over the world to take to the streets and protest in it will also save you a LOT of money. You will probably the name of Climate Change. This new wave of be surprised by what you can find. teenage activists has shocked politicians, world leaders and adults worldwide. It has shown the amazing power of young people and highlighted the incompetence of world leaders when it comes to protecting the environment.

In her short time in the spotlight, Greta has caused shockwaves all over the world. Her now-iconic ‘How dare you’ speech amazed world leaders with its honesty, bluntness and aggression. She highlights the fears shared by many, that we are doing far too little far too late in regards to saving our planet. At the end of the day, it is your future at risk. If we do Throughout the speech, she shuns the world leaders nothing we will be condemning future generations to and politicians, offended at their lack of urgency and a slow painful demise. They will look back to us and commitment to the current crisis. The most disturbing question why we would allow the world to fall into thing though is that the very people she is calling out such a horrendous state. Is that really what we want? for their incompetence are cheering and clapping, Future generations looking upon us with hatred, acknowledging that they may have condemned our feeling betrayed and let down by us. world to a slow painful death of collapsing ecosystems and starvation. As Greta says in her speech our world Brexit, a relatively small issue compared to mass is too caught up on ‘fairytales of economic growth’. extinction, has been discussed in every paper or news We now know exactly the problems we have caused bulletin in the country over the last six months. and how we can save not just ourselves, but future People have begun stockpiling food and medicine, generations. Why then are we not implementing the frightened that Brexit is going to leave us with a major actions necessary to our very survival as human lack of resources. If we continue to destroy our planet beings? it is going to have a much worse consequences than an unsatisfactory trade deal. I know what you’re thinking. What good does this girl think ranting in a school paper is going to do? Well, all Greta Thunberg and millions worldwide are terrified. you pessimists who think, ‘I can’t do anything about Terrified that we have set ourselves up for an it’, are half the problem. Simple changes in our untimely and terrible demise. Those who don’t die everyday lives could be the catalyst between a from extreme weather conditions spurred on by thriving environment and catastrophic consequences climate change will fall ill from air pollution. The few we cannot even begin to comprehend. Rather than who survive that will slowly die as a result of famine, driving, walk where possible and if that is far too caused by our ruthless destruction of ecosystems. The

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time for change is now, we must take action. If we to be put in place. In the 2017 election the continue to sit idly and ignore the problem, like so Conservatives did not have quite enough MPs to many politicians seem to love doing, we will secure a majority so they made a deal with the undoubtedly be embarking on a suicide mission. At Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). This majority was the end of the day, there is no planet B. then lost earlier this year when various MPs were suspended from the Conservative Party. Brexit in a Bottle - Election Special (Abigail Morris 3D) Recently we had what is known as a hung The 12th of December. The general election. Last parliament. This means that no party had a week this country experienced one of the most majority within Parliament. The Conservatives and interesting general elections it has ever had. With DUP between them had a total of 308 seats and Brexit so close this election could determine a large 326 seats are needed to hold a majority. So, part of Britain’s future. So how did the general altogether the opposition held more seats than the election work? And why was it so important for government and there was not a majority for the Brexit to have a general election? government.

A general election elects the whole of the UK So how did the results turn out? Boris Johnson is parliament and who represents you in your local Prime Minister still, due to the huge majority his area. When someone is elected they become what party secured. The Conservatives won 365 seats; is known as a Member of Parliament (MP). This this is 39 more seats than were needed to secure a means that in Parliament they will represent your majority. The result for Labour was not good. They constituency. The United Kingdom is split into 650 lost 59 of their seats, ending up with 203. The constituencies. 59 of these are in Scotland, 533 in Scottish National Party received 48 seats followed England, 40 in Wales and 18 in Northern Ireland. by Liberal Democrats with 11. The DUP have 8, Sinn Fein 7, Plaid Cymru 4, Social Democratic and When an MP is elected most of them will be a part Labour Party 2, Green 1 and the Alliance Party 1. of a party whilst others are independent. The party The rest of the parties did not secure any seats. with the largest number of MPs elected usually leads the government. Currently, this party is the So what could these results mean for Brexit? This Conservatives. The head of this party becomes the recent general election could be very important for Prime Minister, currently Boris Johnson. Brexit because when there was no majority the Prime Ministers - Theresa May and Boris Johnson - found it very difficult to get Parliament to approve their Brexit plans. Now that the Conservatives have managed to gain a majority they will be able to vote in their deal. If the opposition parties had secured a majority then we could have a very different deal voted through, or a second referendum which might have stopped Brexit.

The future however is still unclear. We don’t know The Conservative or Labour parties have won every how Brexit will turn out. So what will 2020 bring for election since 1922. Generally, a General Election the future of our country? Will it be the year when automatically happens every 5 years but this year Brexit is completed? we have had an early election because Boris Johnson gained support from other parties to pass a law which changed the date. Boris Johnson The Surprising Origins of the Iconic wanted to secure a majority in Parliament so that Song ‘I Will Always Love You’ ​(Alayah he could get his plans and laws through. All laws Mulholland 6S) need to be passed by Parliament so if a Prime ‘I Will Always Love You’ is revered to as being an Minister has more MPs these laws are more likely iconic piece of music. When thinking about this

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particular song the majority will agree that Whitney to give them the final verse which was missing from Houston is the artist behind this song. This common initial recordings. When Housten’s version was assumption is correct to an extent, yet they are released to the world it saw extensive success. In 2002 gravely mistaken. Whitney’s version of the ballad the Guardian dubbed it twenty-two in a list of Britain’s debuted on ‘The Bodyguard’ in 1992; Dolly Parton one hundred favourite songs. In 2014 it made number penned it in 1973, almost 20 years before. The six of the greatest love songs of all time. country star wrote it because she was going her separate ways with her professional partner Porter Apparently, when Dolly Parton first heard Whitney Wagoner. Houston’s rendition of the song she almost crashed her car. The media has tried to paint an image of a Dolly Parton got her ‘big break’ on Porter Wagoner’s feud between the two artists, but there doesn’t show, which was creatively named; ‘The Porter appear to be too much bad blood. Parton has thanked ​ Wagoner Show’. She was not well received initially as Housten for bringing the song to a more diverse ​ Norma Jean - her predecessor - was so beloved by the audience and launching into the collective conscious, audience. They would soon come to adore Dolly, with and Housten has thanked Parton for creating such a Wagoner convincing his record label to sign her. The brilliant piece. Many other artists have covered ‘I Will pair would begin releasing duets, with their first single Always Love You’, such as; Kristen Chenoweth, reaching the top ten in the country genre. As a pair, Beyoncé - even the video with the most views by an they were won the ‘Vocal Group of the Year’ in 1968. Austrian artist is a cover of this song. Though, none ​ ​ Yet, as a solo artist, Parton was not being heard. It left an impact such as Housten’s, which makes this was in the 70s that vexation over her lack of success occurrence all the more remarkable. began to surface. Concerns were quashed, though, in 1973 when Parton’s single ‘Jolene’ would become a ​ ​ chart-topping hit. Dolly Parton had always wanted a solo career for herself. She decided to chase that dream.

It was when she made this decision that she wrote ‘I ​ Will Always Love You’; a valediction to her partner. ​ Apparently, she wrote the hit on the same day that she wrote ‘Jolene’. She created the song to convey to ​ ​ Wagoner why she had to leave him, as he was not

taking this separation well. After writing the song she (Bethany Xinjiang Re-Education Camps ​ went to his office, sat him down, and performed the Morris 5L1) ballad. By the end of her performance he was crying. Everybody knows the atrocities of the 20th Century Reportedly, his response was; “Well, hell! If you feel ​ genocide- the conditions of the concentration camps that strongly about it, just go on — providing I get to and the horrific discriminatory treatment. Though it produce that record because that's the best song you was fairly recent compared with some aspects of ever wrote." When Wagoner died, Dolly Parton sang a history, it is still in the past. But many are unaware part of that song to him. that the same thing happens today.

So, how did Whitney become so synonymous with the In China, big camps have been set up for Uighur piece? When recording her track for ‘The Bodyguard’ ​ ​ Muslims to brainwash them and remove their they were originally going to use “What Becomes of ​ ‘extremist thoughts’. The camp’s system is designed the Brokenhearted” by Jimmy Ruffin, but this was ​ to reteach the Chinese Muslims a new life - to move changed due to it being used in another upcoming on from their religion and learn the safe Chinese life. film. Her co-star suggested Parton’s classic - a very good suggestion, as it turns out. The song was Tensions between the Uighur people and the Chinese transformed into a soul ballad, yet the track we know Government. today was still not complete. Dolly Parton heard that The Uighurs used to populate most of the Xinjiang Housten was set to perform the song. She called them region - a region that used to be independent to

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China. The Han Chinese moved in and took up 40% of from society as they know it and brainwashed through the population, apparently getting the best jobs and fear into a new, designed and modified person. building resentment in the heart of the Uighur ethnic group. Most of the information we have on the The people are made to wear tracksuits - blue for men difficulties are from the Chinese media and are and red for women. They sleep in dormitories with up therefore likely to be biased, but here is a timeline of to ten in a room. Uighurs study in accordance to the what was reported - Chinese government’s policies, to embed their mentality in the mind of the people. ● In 2009 there was a riot in which 200 people were killed, most of which were Han Chinese.

● In 2012 there was apparently an attempt by the Uighurs to hijack a plane but they were unsuccessful.

● In 2013 police opened fire on what was reported as a mob of Uighurs armed with knives attacking government buildings. 27 people were killed

● In April 2014 there was a bomb and knife

attack in Urumqi airport killing 3 and injuring 79 The government’s perspective people. The government sees the whole situation as a very

positive system - it is quite simple. It re-educates the ● In May 2014 two cars crashed through an Uighur people to be good, law-abiding, government Urumqi market throwing explosives into the crowd. supporting citizens. It wipes away the potential of 31 people were killed and over 90 were injured. terrorist attacks, so it is life-saving. It brings harmony

and unity to the country. What could be so wrong ● In July 2014 it was reported that a gang with with that? The camps have been proven to work, with knives attacked government officials in Yarkant, killing ​ one senior officer in the camps stating - ‘"There has 96 people. The Imam of China’s largest mosque - Jume not been a single terror attack in Xinjiang in 32 Tihar - was stabbed to death a few days later. months. This is our patriotic duty."

Following the attacks were mass sentencings and And yet even the government aren’t completely arrests. The Chinese government felt that they comfortable with this information being known to the needed to keep tight reins on the Uighur people. They world. Morally, it is so wrong; brainwashing people of were afraid of an uprising or unsettlement in their their identity, stripping away their ethnicity and country, so camps were their answer. religion through fear and manipulation, and removing

their freedom. The Chinese government insisted to The System the world that there was no such thing happening, but The Chinese government made the decision to lock up now they have admitted to it and do their best to the ethnic group due to their potential to commit explain why there is nothing wrong. If there is nothing crime. They give the Uighurs two options - having a morally wrong then why were they so afraid of the judicial hearing or taking time in the world’s opinion? de-extremification facilities. It isn’t a surprise to learn ​ that most people take the paths of the camps as the

chances of a fair trial are very slim. Currently

The government has announced that the camps are So what counts as extremism? It could be anything now closed - however, there is no proof of this action. that suggests a uniqueness from the regime - having a In their words, the students have now ‘graduated’ long beard, or contacting relatives overseas. Anyone from the system, successfully re-educated to follow who could develop into a threat was quickly severed

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the Chinese ideology. Oppression still continues The night came around quickly, starting at 7 o’clock in against the ethnic group. the evening with almost a full house in attendance. All 14 acts performed admirably, and while the judges (Mr Foster, Mrs Dillon and Mr Stewart) were C o m m u n i t y deliberating on a winner, the Staff Band provided (Emily entertainment in the form of 80’s rock ballads that This Month at Eden Court ​ Blackmore 6S) had the crowd on their feet. 2 runners-up and a Special Event - The Pantomime winner were decided, Sam Burnett and Elise Warde Friday 6th December - Sunday 5th January being our runners-up, Sam having played the piano Suitable for all ages and Elise having sung. The winners of the night were Get into the festive spirit and come and see Eden the sister-duo of Abigail and Bethany Morris. They Court’s annual pantomime. This year it is Beauty and performed a heartfelt duet, both singing while Abigail the Beast so come along and join Belle on an epic played the piano and Bethany the guitar. quest to save her father. Overall, the night was a tremendous success; and its Cinema Event of the Month - Cats success broadcasts the message of if you have an idea Friday 20th December - Thursday 2nd January you believe is impossible, you can make it possible Rated PG with a bit of passion and perseverance. Come and see the highly anticipated new film based the Andrew-Lloyd Webber classic. With memorable songs and exciting choreography, this is a musical extravaganza that you will not want to miss!

Eden Court Engagement Tickets for classes starting in January are on sale now, so if you aspire to be the next Karen Gillan or just want to have fun and make new friends, pop along to the box office and choose a class. There is so much to choose from including musical theatre, ballet and even animation!

To find out more or to book tickets call 01463 234234 E n t e r t a i n m e n t or visit eden-court.co.uk. 9 Books You Should Read This (Elise Warde 2A) Charleston Talent Show Goes Down Winter​ ​ A Storm (Katie​ Gillies 5L1) A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson On the 12th of December, a small group of S5 and S6 “The murder of Andie Bell was solved years ago. pupils were able to bring their vision to life. The idea Everyone knows the murderer was Sal Singh. But to run a Talent Show was originally just a fantasy when Pippa Fitz-Amobi chooses the case as the topic dreamed up in the music practice room, yet that for her final-year project, she begins to uncover dream was made into a reality. secrets which could cost her her life. The A grade student is left to decide how much she is willing to risk for a school project ” With the assistance of some teachers and peers, the … Talent Show was able to go ahead, and it was Review - Thrilling and fast-paced with a dark storyline unanimously decided that all of the proceeds made full of twists and turns. Beautifully written and had me would go towards the Haven Appeal (also known as hooked from the start. the Elsie Normington Foundation). Weeks upon weeks of hard work were put into organising it, yet all of the Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon hard work soon paid off. “Maddie is allergic to the world. She hasn’t left her house in 17 years.

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Ollie is the boy next door. and Crosses are fated to be bitter enemies - love is He’s determined to find a way to reach her. out of the question. Live life in a bubble? When they go against society and challenge the norm Or risk everything for love?” they will both end up in terrible danger. Is it all worth Review - I’m usually more of a crime fan who avoids it?” romance at all costs but this book was amazing. Well Review - This book challenges ideas about society, written, funny and heart wrenching throughout. race and discrimination, all whilst having an insanely intricate plotline filled with love, hate and death. Splintered - A. G. Howard Malorie Blackman has created one of the most “Alyssa Gardner hears the thoughts of animals and powerful and heart-wrenching set of books I have plants. She knows this is the first sign of the madness ever read with the Noughts & Crosses series. If you which has run through her family since her read any of the books on this list make it this one! great-great-great-grandmother Alice Liddell told Lewis The English department have got a full set so talk to Carroll about her strange dreams, which went on to your teacher if interested! inspire the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. ​ But what if Alyssa’s family aren’t mad, and what if The Dark Days Club - Alison Goodman Carrolls tales aren’t as whimsical as they seem? Alyssa “London, April 1812. Lady Helen Wrexhall is set to must venture down the rabbit hole to find out the make her curtsey to Queen Charlotte and step into truth and break the curse of insanity. Wonderland is polite Regency Society. Unbeknownst to Helen, that full of strange beings with dark agendas. How will step will also take her from the glittering ballroom of Alyssa make it through the madness?” Almack's and the bright lights of Vauxhall Gardens Review - One of the best books I have read this year. into a shadowy world of demonic creatures, missing Didn’t put it down from start to finish and the sequels housemaids and deadly power. Standing between Ensnared and Unhinged were equally good. This dark, those two worlds is Lord Carlston, a man of dubious ​ ​ ​ twisted tale of a modern-day Alice in Wonderland is reputation and infuriating manners. He believes Helen thrilling, exciting and as mad as a hatter. is destined to protect humanity, but all he can offer is danger, savagery and the possibility of madness. Not The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness the kind of destiny suitable for a young lady in her first “Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can London Season. What will she choose, demon or hear everyone else's thoughts in a constant, duchess slayer?” overwhelming Noise. Review - This tale is dark, chilling and grim. Full of There is no privacy. There are no secrets. Then Todd death, secrets and shadows it is exciting and well Hewitt unexpectedly stumbles on a spot of complete written. It explores the gender roles and expectations silence. Which is impossible. And now he's going to of the time period whilst taking you on a fantasy have to run ” adventure. Brilliant book. … Review - This book, and its two sequels The Ask and ​ the Answer and Monsters of Men, are exceptionally Girl Missing - Sophie McKenzie ​ ​ ​ written, fast-paced and terrifying. Patrick Ness has “Lauren is adopted and eager to know more about her beautifully crafted characters and a plotline which mysterious past. But when she discovers she may takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from start to have been snatched from her family as a baby, her finish. Will haunt your imagination for weeks whole life suddenly feels like a sham. Why will no one … The school library has a copy! answer her questions? How can she find her biological parents? And could her adoptive parents really have Noughts & Crosses - Malorie Blackman been responsible for kidnapping her? “Callum is a nought, part of the pale-skinned, Running away from her family to seek out the truth, worthless minority. Lauren's journey takes her deeper and deeper into Sephy is a cross, her dark skin gaining her privilege danger as she realises that someone wants to stop her and power Callum could only dream of. uncovering what really happened when she was a They've been friends since they were children, and baby... at any cost ” … they both know that's as far as it can ever go. Noughts Review - This book is an exciting and fast-paced adventure full of lies, betrayal and mystery. It is a

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story about family and belonging, a thrilling crime Everyone has secrets right? novel and heart-wrenching sob-story at the same The thing that really matters is how far you will go to time. Brilliantly written and an amazing book. keep them ” … Review - This is a tale of secrets, deceit and crime. When the four students find themselves with a murder hanging over their head unlikely friendships are made, which only deepen the complexity of the plot. Well written and will keep you guessing until the very end.

L i f e s t y l e Last-Minute Gift Ideas That Suit (Katie Gillies 5L1) (Almost) Everyone ​ ​ There’s no need to be embarrassed - we’ve all done Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children - it. The festive period creeps up on us from out of the Ransom Riggs blue and you’ve left buying presents until the last … “After his Grandads death Jacob travels to a remote minute. Don’t fear though - for I have compiled a list Welsh island to learn more about his past and of some nifty last-minute gift ideas that are easy to childhood at Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar ​ get your hands on and can be given to anyone from Children. As he encounters the strange and wonderful ​ your Granny to your friend! children his grandfather was raised with, Jacob ● A Candle realises they all have extraordinary abilities (and This gift is cost-effective and appealing to spectacularly evocative names) and exist in a series of everyone. Simple, but guaranteed to go down time loops, meaning that none of them is the age they well. seem. ● A Gift Card It is the ghostlike hollowgasts, though, that will define Flexible and available to buy in almost every shop, Jacob’s fate, making him realise that he too has his this idea is small and simple. As long as you select own special power, that he is in mortal danger and a card tailored to the interests of your gift that eventually he must choose, between the ordinary recipient, this gift will be well received. life he knows and what comes after.” ● Socks Review - This story is not as whimsical and Now, I know what you’re thinking, but hear me lighthearted as it may seem at first glance! A dark and out. Socks (especially soft, cosy, warm or trainer magical story full of danger and adventure, this is a ones) are the perfect gift for anyone from their brilliant book. This book and its sequels are real teens up - if may not be quite as appreciated by page-turners which have you hooked from start to anyone under the age of 10. finish! ● A Drink in a Jar Easy to make at home and suitable for all ages. One of Us Is Lying - Karen M. McManus Just pop the ingredients for a certain drink in a jar, “Five pupils walk into detention. Only four will walk and then tie a ribbon around the lid. For a Hot out alive … Chocolate, for example, you would just pop some Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a Hot Chocolate powder, marshmallows and maybe rule. Sports star Cooper only knows what he's doing in some sugar and/or cinnamon or any other the baseball diamond. Bad body Nate is one misstep additional extras that your recipient likes in their away from a life of crime. Prom queen Addy is holding drink into the jar. Maybe you could give them a together the cracks in her perfect life. And outsider mug with it too? Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview ● A Blanket High, won't ever talk about any of them again. Blankets are handy and cosy - perfect to curl up He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest under on cold days or chuck at the end of your secrets online.

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bed in the summer. All in all, this is a very simple, series of fatal mistakes, allowing Amy Gallacher a shot yet effective gift. at the goal, which hits off of Glasgow’s Leanne Ross, ● Soap resulting in a disappointing OG for City. Leanne I mean, I’m sure we’ve all given someone some Crighton attempts to get them back in the game with soap as a present before? It’s easy to get and it’s a brilliant strike, which is met with an equally good something that everyone uses and needs - so alas, save from Hibs keeper, Jenna Fife. The game the perfect last-minute gift! continued to play out in an eventful manner, with Gallacher and McSorley giving fans a scare after clashing heads in the Hibs box. Throughout the next ten minutes, play continues in an exceptional display of football, with Hibs failing to convert two free kicks due to Glasgow’s tough defensive team. At 70 minutes Glasgow managed to score an equaliser through Clare Shine, who scored a brilliant header into the top corner of the net. The next 20 minutes of play had everyone on the edge of their seats as the S p o r t s score remained at 3-3 until Clare Shine scored an absolute screamer, smashing the ball into the top Glasgow City fight off Hibs in corner in the 90th minute! An exceptional goal to finish a brilliant match. During the three minutes dramatic Cup Final​ (Elise Warde 2A) ​ additional time, Hibs fought hard to try and claw back Glasgow City and Hibernian Ladies battled it out in the a goal but didn’t succeed, allowing Glasgow to win the Scottish Cup Final at Tynecastle Park last month. The Cup for the first time since 2015 and the 9th time in show-stopping game attracted record crowds with total. over 3,000 watching the match live and thousands

more viewing it through BBC Alba. The lead changed The much-anticipated Women’s Scottish Cup Final hands multiple times throughout the game but it was certainly didn’t disappoint, with fantastic play from Scott Booth’s City side who went home with the both teams throughout and 7 outstanding goals. Clare trophy after Clare Shine scored an exceptional top Shine was awarded a well-deserved man of the match corner goal in the last minute. for her two goals and exceptional play throughout. It

was an amazing finish to the season for City, who The match started rather insignificantly with Hibs fought off Hibs to win the SWPL for the 13th year dominating possession. Glasgow City’s play was below running. All-round excellent match and shows how their usual high standards, allowing Hibs Colette much the exciting world of women’s football is Cavanagh to break through and cross the ball to Amy growing in popularity! Gallacher, who gave Hibernian the lead at 31 minutes. After the goal, Hibs made a series of reckless errors which resulted in a close-range equaliser from City’s O p i n i o n Eilish McSorley. Both goals were met with enthusiasm from fans and showed the high quality of play to be Why ‘How the Grinch Stole expected for the rest of the match. Glasgow City went Christmas’ is the Best Christmas into halftime with grins on their faces after a brilliant (Katie Gillies 5L1) volley from Leanne Crichton put them in front. Movie, IMO​ ​ Now firstly, I wish to clarify that there are many other After the break both teams came back fighting, City fantastic Christmas movies out there. Take ‘Love piling on the pressure with multiple shots in the first Actually’ for example, or ‘Nativity!’ - both of which I few minutes. After a quick break down the left-wing love to watch while curled up under a blanket with a and a brilliant cross from Shannon McGregor, Hibs hot chocolate. Jamie Lee Napier equalised at 49 minutes, making it 2-2. Minutes later Napier makes it past City’s defence However, these films and the thousands of other and passes to Colette Cavanagh, whose diving header festive films out there are not on par with the is saved by the keeper. At 53 minutes City make a 8

ultimate Christmas movie that is ‘How the Grinch age. Christmas is a time for togetherness - it’s not a Stole Christmas.’ time solely dedicated to presents or other things that don’t really hold any value. The Grinch tells us to For me, it simply doesn’t feel like Christmas time forget about the commercialism of Christmas and to without watching the Grinch. The festive spirit of this throw our materialistic ideals away, as the people we time of year fails to fall on me if I have failed to watch love and the people in need are who we should be the movie, and to be honest - I really can’t explain focusing on instead during the festive period. The why. Maybe it’s Jim Carrey’s truly unique portrayal of website ‘Odessy’ sums up why ‘How the Grinch Stole the iconic Dr. Seuss character, or maybe it’s because I Christmas’ is the best Christmas movie in one simple find myself relating more and more to the Grinch sentence - “He [the Grinch] puts into perspective that ​ himself as each year goes by. Christmas is not about what, but WHO.”

We all have an inner Grinch inside of us. It doesn’t Fuel for Thought ​ (Elise Warde 2A) always show itself through a hate of all things ​ Life. Purpose. Meaning. All words we as humankind remotely Christmassy, but sometimes through a have overthought until we go insane. Words which we sarcastic remark or a wish to find the perfect thing to may never be able to fully comprehend, yet ones wear for a night out. I suppose that my affection for which we worry about constantly. Of course, there are the movie stems from my love of the Grinch himself; a some solutions we have formulated to make sense of realistically problematic character who accurately the dreaded unknown like religious beliefs and represents the feelings of many instead of the flawless scientific theories. Whilst these explanations offer protagonist normally fronted in Hollywood respite from the never-ending questions they are far blockbusters. from a solution to the problem, being vague and based almost entirely on opinions and theories which cannot be backed up with evidence. Many dedicate their entire lives to filling the void of knowledge which we as humans despise so much. The unknown makes us scared because what we don’t know, we can’t control. If we can’t control something we are vulnerable and at a disadvantage. We love what we know, control and understand and fear what we don’t. Human nature makes us competitive and makes us crave power, even if it is only on a subconscious level. The consequences of these aspects of human nature can be seen throughout history, from dictatorships and war to stereotypes and And if it isn’t this, then I guess it’s because the oppression. Let me explain. movie is, quite simply put, funny. Its power to ​ ​ make me laugh hasn’t dimmed at all, and its quirky Dictatorships generally stem from the want and nature brings joy into the hearts of all who watch craving of power. It allows the person or group in it. The jokes cater for the youthful audience as well charge to have complete control over the group of as the older audiences - what isn’t there to love people or country they are governing over, satisfying about that? I’ll answer for you when I say that the human need for order and power. Now, there is, in fact, nothing not to love. Families can dictatorship is a very extreme example of this gather around the TV and all enjoy the film, each personality trait, as dictators usually resort to person enjoying an individual aspect of it that violence, oppression, intimidation and mass really spoke to them or made them feel joyous. propaganda to achieve power, but it does highlight just how strong the hunger for power can become. If I am truly honest though, I believe that what makes War is very similar in the sense that it is usually about it the best Christmas movie is the fact that the hidden gaining power or control over a group of people or meanings and deeper lessons that can be learned country, and does so through a campaign of death from it are heartfelt and important in this day and and terror. War can also be about differing beliefs, 9

whether it be religious or ethical. When something or someone is different (in their beliefs or anything else) Does someone else’s opinion of you really matter? the human brain doesn’t like it as it breaks the bubble Who cares if you are going against societies of security we get from knowledge. This is why almost narrow-minded expectations of you? In a place like all conflicts throughout history can be put down to high school it often feels like the easiest, and safest, one thing: the human want of control and power. option is to just blend into the background, stick to your assigned stereotype and change yourself to We can also apply this ideology to smaller aspects of please the people around you. My message to you is everyday life, such as stereotypes. Society creates this. stereotypes as a way of categorising people and making large questions about personality and gender Your happiness shouldn’t be based on validation from manageable. When people fit into a certain mould or other people, everyone else’s opinion is irrelevant as category we as humans feel in control. The human long as you are happy and not putting anyone else in brain loves patterns and by grouping people together danger. If blending into the background makes you and finding the patterns in human behaviour we feel happy, do that. If breaking every stereotype which is like we understand the world better. However, when assigned to you makes you happy, do that. Do not people break these stereotypes the human brain is allow other people to control you, or stop you from faced with a complex situation and is unable to achieving your dreams. At the end of the day, the only understand. opinion that matters is YOURS. They are going against the pattern which has become so deeprooted in our society. This lack of control and knowledge confuses our brains and makes breaking The Brilliance Behind stereotypes seem like a bad, unusual thing which (Georgia Birrell 5T1) Cunningham’s Law​ ​ should be avoided. We take the pattern, which is a It can be predicted that most readers will not know fairly flexible and easily adapted idea, and turn it into what exactly is meant by the term ‘Cunningham’s a rule, one which we then are lead to believe Law’, well don’t worry it isn’t boring as boring as it shouldn’t be broken. We categorise everything, the sounds. By definition, the law states that ‘the best world around us, people, animals etc, all so we can way to get the right answer on the internet is not to feel safe, secure and in control. It is this craving of ask a question; it’s to post the wrong answer.’ This power and knowledge that makes us such an intuitive, law, although not completely factual, was named curious and also terrible species. after Ward Cunningham, a wiki developer.

Now, these negative aspects of human nature are just The law illustrates this idea that if you post something a handful of the characteristics which define us as that people have strong opinions about, inaccurately humans, and they can be controlled. It is not the online, it will no doubt, be rebutted with very hunger of power and categorisation we should fear, it power-fueled and strong ‘right’ opinions back. So to ​ ​ is the willingness to allow these characteristics to take save yourself getting data or facts which is not over which are the problem. Every person has the completely true, from a search engine such as Google, ability to be evil, it is whether they allow the hatred to it would be of better interest to take some more time flood their system which determines who they are. In to receive stronger opinions. With hope, and delicacy order to combat the constant categorisation and of where you post the wrong information. control society pushes onto us, we must be open-minded to change, and strong and brave enough to break the system. If we allow the human brains love of patterns to control us we will spend our entire I n t e r a c t i v e lives trying to blend into the background, and fit (Georgia Birrell 5T1) within the stereotypes society has made for us. We Words of the Term​ ​ Grawlix - the series of symbols (most common in will spend so much time worrying about being ​ different from those around us that we will forget the cartoons) used to symbolise the usage of curse words, one thing that really matters in life: your own such as ‘@#!?%&’. happiness.

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Defenestration - the act of throwing someone out of ​ a window.

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