The

Elwood College Newspaper

ISSUE 2 / MARCH 2019

Elwood College Newspaper The

Letter from the Editor Share the Dignity

Seeya March! This month, disregarding the fact that International Women’s Day was meant to be just a day, the Culture Captains put together a week-long celebration of women past and present. The exhibition showcased student artwork and included a smattering of performances and a chance for a discussion concerning feminism. Apart from many indignant questions of ‘but when is International Men’s Day?’ (which can be argued is everyday, thankyou very much), the celebrations Read more on the success of the Dignity Drive on proved to be a success. page six March also saw the Senior School Formal, Year 7 camp and, towards The Chilling Threat of Gene Editing the end of the month, a barrage ‘This is not about whether it is safe or not safe. of grumbling due to construction This is about a forthcoming catastrophic dystopian fiction works blocking easy access to the recreated in real life’ ST building. Although having to walk around the entire school to get to certain classes, students are now provided with a handy excuse for being late. Everything has its silver lining.

Additionally, Harmony Day, organised by the SRC, saw the student body dress up in orange and donate gold coins to State Schools Relief. For some, a very half- hearted effort regarding wearing orange. Yellow shorts just don’t cut it. Hope you all have a lovely April! Peggy Read more on page two

PAGE ONE Designed Babies Are Not Designed For Us By Jason Wang, Year 10 Moreover, designer babies must not be legalised because The world’s newest it could cause heinous biotechnology, gene editing, predicaments. Gene editing is becoming the elephant in could produce or exacerbate the room and we should not social division, marginalisation legalise gene-edited babies. or heighten the disadvantage The CRISPR technique has of groups within society. enabled scientists to alter Gene editing would also a newborn’s genes (such have a similar effect as the Some people think that Artificial Intelligence dilemma, a baby is called a designer genetically altered babies can where the robot one day may baby), which changes the easily make amendments to hunt down its creators - the genetic material inside a cell our world because it could humans. You should feel fretful of a designated organism. It cure genetic diseases to as we, as unedited humans, functions like an autocorrect improve people’s health. would be the ones who get in a word document where However, we, as humans, discriminated against . any misspelled words and should not disassemble mistaken sentences - in this embryos at great hazards. Above all else, what’s assuring case, diseases or disorders Operating using CRISPR is is that some countries are taking action in forbidding - are fixed by a correction not easy. One wrong cut, the infant could come out faceless. gene engineering on system - CRISPR. One wrong replacement, the embryos. It is proclaimed Furthermore, Scientists are baby will sink amid a forlorn that 29 countries have allowed to target a specific abyss. One faulty gene, the straightforwardly banned area of a gene and modify future of the child will cease genetic editing. Splendid. it with correct combinations to exist. CRISPR could ”cause Therefore, it is our of other genetic materials. serious problems” stated by responsibility to make sure Not only could gene editing Robert Truog, the director that genetically designer cure untreatable natural of Harvard H.T. (Perspectives babies do not endanger our born diseases, it could also on gene editing, 2019.) If we safety by refusing them. apply superhuman talents can’t secure a single newborn’s to the babies. These extra health, how could we Without a doubt, genetically modifications are sending guarantee that gene editing engineered babies ought chills down my spine. won’t cause us more hostile to be banned because they troubles toward all of us? are inhumane, immoral and A poll was published recently unethical. The majority has by STAT and Harvard H.T voted that gene altering on gene engineering. It was should be viewed with discovered that 83% of US hesitation and reluctance. Plus, adults are feared by the idea of they would cause serious social legalising scientists to modify division like two opposing the genes of unborn babies tribes. After all, gene-edited to improve their abilities. The babies are truly ominous and general public is afraid of the will only lead to disaster. concept of genome editing and we should be agitated Make a change on our planet as well. If we are building an by raising awareness of the infant with more remarkable serious biotech situation we capabilities than our own, are having now. As a society, should we even call it a human we must reject designer babies baby? for our own sake. (STAT-Harvard poll: Americans say no to ‘designer babies, 2019)

PAGE TWO ISSUE 2 / MARCH 2019 The Need for Casual Dress Days Casual dress days may seem charity in question was made the difference between just like a day for you to have fun for homeless people. Then, donating two dollars or having and express yourself, but there imagine there were one thou- a casual dress day is it is easier is deeper meaning behind sand people participating in a to organise and easier to get them. Have you ever won- casual dress day. If everybody people involved. brought two dollars, there dered why you should have to It is truly a win-win situation. donate a gold coin? would be two thousand dollars to be donated. We get to wear whatever we This gold coin will, the majority want and the homeless receive of the time, go to a charity. A This would go towards food, benefits. I may sound as if I charity is an organisation set clothing, etc. You may take just want to get casual dress, up to provide help and care those things for granted but but I want to help Elwood for those in need. Say the the homeless would not. Now, College make changes in the community. Fletcher Clarke, Year 7 Book Review: Killer T Christien Blandshard-McIntosh, Year 8

It’s the future and everybody’s dead, killed by the synthetic black plague: Killer-T. Let’s analyse this. So, Robert Muchamore has gone and made what could be said is the worst book, which makes it really gold. We start in what I think is 2018, after an explosion leaves an NFL footballer badly injured. After the events, Harry Smirnov, a young photojournalist, meets Charlie Croker, a girl who has no friends and cares for her brother, whose skull got crushed by the delivery forceps To me, half the time the book Many said they were ‘tempted when he was born, giving him made me wanna tear it apart to DNF’ and how Charlie, a brain damage. (but it was a birthday present). 13 year old girl, was over- Like, how the characters act. sexualised. They are really annoying in Over the span of 12 years (told many parts and the themes are by jumping forward in time), really unbalanced. Charlie and Harry go on crazy Rating: 1 and a half stars adventures and take risks to In all honesty, if you don’t Please note the book has answer the true questions like my opinions, go to the language and parts more behind what Killer-T really is. Goodreads Killer-T page, and it will be person after person directed at mature audiences. saying how bad it was.

PAGE THREE Hypatia, The Tragic Story of the Greatest Woman of the 4th Century

Hypatia, born in Egypt, 370 CE, was an incredible woman; who, despite the male-dominating society, refused to conform to traditional customs and stood for what she believed in, no matter the cost. She was a highly intelligent, beautiful woman; widely respected for her dignity and virtue and highly regarded for her intellect. Hypatia was the first recorded woman to have attainments in literature, science, mathematics and philosophy respectively and she had the privilege to teach it and be loved for it too. However, certain Christian societies were not ready for it. Emerging as one of the great talents of the 4th century, this Hypatia, Ancient Alexandria’s Great Female Scholar, Smithsonian is the tragic story of Hypatia of She wrote commentaries on Alexandria. Apollonius of Perga’s Conics meaning she may have even taught her own beliefs. She Hypatia was fortunate to be (geometry) and on Diophantus of Alexandria’s Arithmetic and was an excellent teacher brought up by her father, a too, and that is attested by mathematician and professor also wrote several treatises (formally written works). the amount of respect she by the name of Theon. Upon received from her pupils, with not having a son, he resolved But that was not all. With a many marvelling at her and her to bring his daughter up like head full of knowledge and lectures. Synesius of Cyrene any son he may have had, a kindly nature, she soon for one example, called her teaching her astronomy, rose to become the head of a “the most holy and revered philosophy, science and Platonist school in 400 CE; for philosopher,” with a vast range mathematics. a woman in the 4th Century, of other compliments paid to Ever so wonderfully, Hypatia that’s amazing! Damascius her. went on to construct (a philosopher), described astrolabes functioning to make how Hypatia, as the head of astronomical measurements the school, “used to put on such as the altitudes of her philosopher’s cloak and celestial bodies and latitude walk through the middle of for navigation. She also town” to give public lectures. constructed hydrometers Her lectures at this school (used to measure the density were world renowned and of liquids), planispheres people from across the globe (used to recognise stars and would come to listen to her constellations) and may have speak. Here, she lectured on even invented these objects, mathematics and science, and or at least contributed to their in particular, Neo-Platonism; invention. an amalgamation of many different philosophies;

Hypatia

PAGE FOUR ISSUE 2 / MARCH 2019

By Zeta Hamilton-Durkin, Hypatia, The Tragic Story of the Greatest Woman of the 4th Century Year 10

But this highly respected, incredible woman had a nasty Kidnapping her, a mob fate in store. Christianity was dragged her through the at its infancy and rather than streets as they stripped her shrinking from her beliefs naked, stripped the flesh from out of fear of persecution, as her bones with sharpened so many others were doing oyster shells, beat her with around her, she continued to tiles, tore her limbs from her lecture. She continued to be a body and burnt the remaining philosopher, mathematician, parts of her body at the scientist and writer and above library of Caesareum. Then, to all, she continued to be a remove all trace of ‘Satan’ from woman who held a position the city they burnt down the of power. Being such a person library of Alexandria, including caused her to be labelled as a all of Hypatia’s life work, which pagan and a witch and once is why all her formally written some Christians got the better works, her commentaries, of Egypt they had an action her philosophy and anything plan. Cyril, Alexandria’s leading she may have invented is all bishop, had not been able to lost. The mob claimed their turn over the government, so actions were justified as instead, I am so proud but also Hypatia had “beguiled the sorrowfully regret to say; they people of the city through her enchantments.” But while she had respect targeted Alexandria’s ‘greatest for her intelligence, she also asset’ and that was Hypatia. encountered strong sexual advances. One of her students became so enamoured by her that Hypatia took desperate measures to protect her own personal value - of remaining a virgin and without romantic interests. When the relentless suitor yet again professed his love for her, Hypatia stood for what she wanted for she wasn’t going to let anybody manipulate her. Declaring “Your love is just lust!”, she lifted her skirt and threw her menstrual-sodden rags on Hypatia, A Story of Wisdom and Witchcraft, Kidskintha him. “You have no idea of the Hypatia was a marvellous woman, but the era was not ready for reality of women, so here it is! her. She died young and was strong, beautiful and intelligent; Now you ought to be cured of or one might say ‘badass.’ All her work is gone, and if she had your obsession with me!” It just lived a bit longer, she may have been able to reach her true worked. So well; I’m surprised potential, and that is such a shame. But with being such a person everyday disagreements aren’t of wonder, that mob’s reasoning behind murdering her, I’m resolved in this fashion to this afraid, had a fatal mistake. They thought they were silencing her day. and eliminating her memory forever - but in fact, they did quite the opposite. She will never be forgotten.

Hypatia

PAGE FIVE Dignity Drive Untitled A poem by Asha Dwyer, Year 9 Success I’m sorry, That this world is broken And you were born into conflict This semester’s Middle School class, Into homes that don’t understand you Representations of Women, has been Born to parents that call you by the wrong name studying a charity called Share the Dignity, where the community can donate Force you into a body that is not yours handbags of sanitary items to the cause, Or make you scared which then go to homeless women. To kiss who you really want Or make you think you are broken For not wanting to kiss anyone at all

I am sorry, That some people will hate you For your heritage For your kindness For your body For your gender That you ever feel anything less than perfect That you will ever feel anything except love Sanitary items donated by Elwood College community We ran a two-week drive, and the results were fantastic. We’d like to thank all who I am sorry donated to our cause- you deserve a pat That I cannot do more on the back! I am trapped just as much as you Every item donated will go to a woman Trapped in this world, with hate and cruelty in need which is brilliant. We’ve had With a history drenched in the blood of innocents so much support from the school, and Cloudy with crimes towards so many people, we hope that Share the Dignity was equally grateful when we handed in the just for living donations on International Women’s For being different Day! I am sorry That we are so broken That some feel like death is the only escape From a dying world, poisoned with other’s greed That our ancestors have made this world hurt us That people still blame us Blame children The innocent they have ruined

I am sorry,

Sanitary items donated by Elwood College community But maybe one day By Sayler Delves, Year 9 We can change this world And I can stop being sorry For crimes we did not commit

PAGE SIX ISSUE 2 / MARCH 2019 Gender in Judaism and Abby Stein: a Transgender Icon

Abby Stein is an American Jewish transgender woman with an incredible story. Born male into Brooklyn’s cloistered hassidic Jewish community, Stein struggled to make sense of her identity. She was ordained as a rabbi by 18, married at 19, and had her first child at 20 - normalities in the community she hails from. Stein came out as woman and, after leaving her community, began her transition in 2015. The hasidic community she comes from, whom she refers to as a “cult”, also completely ignores the LGBT community, Ex Chassid Speaks About Being Transgender, Leaving The Fold, CJNews refusing to accept and The Mishnah (a collection of a simple male/female binary acknowledge its existence. explanations of Jewish law) is not only cumbersome, it’s defines six sex identities, as does highly inaccurate. Rabbi Elliot “If they started hating us, that’d the Shulhan Aruch, which permits Kukla rejects the assumed mean recognizing we exist,” Stein cross-dressing on Purim (a Jewish binary of Judaism and provides said, joking that her goal is to holiday, where it is tradition an insightful analysis of Jewish get the hassidim to hate LGBT to dress in costumes) because texts, and has come up with the individuals. it is for the purpose of simcha following interpretations of the (gaiety), she noted. six genders in classical Judaism. In a Studio 10 interview in early March this year, Stein spoke of This brings us to an interesting (Note: the following has been thinking she was “crazy” when note. Gender in religion, more edited for relevance and questioning her identity, as she specifically, gender in classical appropriateness.) had no access to any outside Judaism. It is very easy to assume news, books, magazines, TV, films that Judaism, like many other ● Male or even the Internet. religions is an exclusively gender- ● Female binary religion. We see this in “Think about The Beatles, [...] assumed gender roles, in liturgy there might be some religious ● Androgynous/both (rituals), in prescribed family communities that don’t let their male and female sexual responsibilities, and in both people listen to it. We didn’t characteristics secular and religious laws. know that that existed.” ● Intermediate/obscured However, if we look deeper into During a lecture she gave, Stein sexual characteristics textual evidence, we see that reviewed the array of Rabbinic ● Female at birth literature discussing gender. but develops male characteristics at puberty and is infertile ● Male at birth but develops female characteristics at puberty and does not have male genitalia This provides an interesting perspective, because one would imagine that an age-old religion and culture would have highly conservative messages. I hope you learnt something! By Raffy Blay, Year 12 Gender Began Punching Me in the Face, Haaretz.com PAGE SEVEN Team: Amy Ashcroft The Spike Angwin

Kyra Ballantyne Elwood College Newspaper Ruth Baxter Christien Blandshard- Mcintosh Elwood College Newspaper Raphael Blay The Fletcher Clarke Lenie Chin Layout: Sayler Delves Indesign Asha Dwyer Marlena Eales-Grziwotz Publisher: Elli Friday Peggy Lucas Drew Gibson Zeta Hamilton-Durkin Editor: Nicole Huynh Peggy Lucas Allira Jane Eva Maticka Logo design: Zoe Morris Henry Lucas Ana Ramljak Spencer Rodrick Timna Shushan Ali Thomas Jason Wang Cassie Ward Max Whitfield Zisis Zikos

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