Sixth Form Mercury by the Students, for the Students
Sixth Form Mercury By the students, for the students. Volume 6, Issue 3, December 2016 End of year issue
Trying times for the Wilson’s First XV By Terry Kwofie
With five matches played and none support and structure to the backs, it’s won, what has the rugby team got to safe to say that over the past few show for all their efforts this season? weeks he’s become an integral part of the team. For one, the first XV has had a shake-up of the roster, following the return to Elliot Roberts school after the summer break, and A fly-half with a lot to offer, Roberts now features some talented players has been a core part of this team since you’ll want to watch out for. our 90-0 against Wallington Boys (some time ago, now, alas). His deci- Caleb Rio Nelson sion-making skills and continuous dedi- After playing rugby for the school spo- cation are part of the foundation of the radically over the course of his school team and from his performances so far, career, this tank of a centre seems set he seems set only to improve in the to add some much needed aggression coming months. and passion to the squad. Whether he’s carrying hard off set plays or providing Continued inside.
Want to write for the Sixth Form Mercury? It is open to all sixth formers with an interest in writing! Contact either Tommy MacGillivray or Matthew Kayanja for more information: Email: [email protected] 2 Sixth Form Mercury, December 2016
Nisanth Mahalingam Alternatively, you could just look at the Look out for this team in the future Passion, bravery, and ability in a small improvement the team has showed because this is a season of huge change package – this relative new comer is over just a few weeks. Starting the term for rugby at Wilson’s. definitely doing all the right things to with very little chemistry and rusty stand out amongst the rabble. With game sense, they have been led by new If you need proof – just take a look at excellent technique backed with decent coach Mr Kimmins to a game of clean some of their plays in a home fixture. pace, his strength in the outfield is defi- structure and great communication. nitely not going unnoticed. Like a well-taken drop-kick, they’re go- ing up and in the right direction. John Oh Oh, what a great player! Joining the school in Year 12, this tower of strength, speed and skill is always a playmaker at fixtures. His ball-carrying skill is a sight to behold; look forward to him being a leading man in the team’s road to improvement. Kayanja’s Christmas Crackers: Films of 2016
By Matthew Kayanja
they here?’ And it’s a question that pro- Sounds a bit deep for an alien film, I hear vides tension throughout the whole film, you protest. Watch it and you’ll realise bolstered by a maverick score from Jo- it’s much more than that. hann Johannsson. 2. The Nice Guys It’s not just for the incredible visual There couldn’t be more of a difference beauty of the film, nor its plot that sucks between the two films that make the you in like a whirlpool from the very top two of this list, but in terms of quali- start, but for the sheer humanity of the ty it was very hard to split them. film that you should watch it, as it ex- plores the inherent flaws which make up The Nice Guys is without a doubt the the worst of us, and, even more tragical- funniest film I’ve seen this year. Russell ly, how the human spirit faces up to the Crowe and Ryan Gosling have glorious ultimate pain of loss. chemistry together as a muscle-for-hire and conman-cum-private detective, re- spectively, who try to uncover a govern- ment conspiracy. And the addition of an 1. Arrival incredible debut by young Australian Featuring a mind-blowing cast, with the actress Angourie Rice as Gosling’s likes of Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and daughter adds another hilarious per- Forrest Whitaker, Arrival takes the top spective on this wacky tale. spot this year due to its original take on a classic genre, incredible cinematog- But the film is also actually very clever raphy, and powerful themes of love and and well written, with a deep plot that loss. actually requires you to connect the dots and that has political undertones. It’s definitely a sci-fi epic, but it’s the close connection to the intimate human- Also, though not as much as Arrival, the ity of its main character, Louise Banks, film does explore the more personal side played by Amy Adams, which makes it of its characters, with the notable ab- ascend to something more than just a sence of the mother in the father- popcorn flick. daughter duo of Gosling and Rice provid- ing some humanity to a relationship that The film’s poster sums up the driving is tender but throughout the film seems force in the film succinctly: ‘Why are to be fraying at the edges. 3 Sixth Form Mercury, December 2016
Overall, the film is a must watch if you actress in the film despite being the like comedy and a big recommend to youngest), along with some beautiful anyone interested in watching some- imagery throughout, and a heart- thing that will thoroughly entertain. breaking conclusion.
3. The Girl with all the Gifts Honourable mentions This film doesn’t reinvent the zombie Deadpool: Self-explanatory, hilarious film genre. But it does what I think all and clever in its reinvention of the good films should try to do: within the superhero genre. genre it tries to nestle another genre, another theme that isn’t necessarily as 10 Cloverfield Lane: The most sus- apparent as the genre it is sold as. penseful film of the year - heart- pounding, with a plot that grips you The Girl with all the Gifts at its core is and doesn’t let go. much closer to being a philosophical movie than a zombie action one, with The Jungle Book: A beautiful film - a its core questions being, ‘what makes true accomplishment in CGI that also us human?’ And, ‘If the line is blurred, packs some laughs and classic songs, how should we treat those we would- brought back to life for a new genera- n’t strictly class as ‘human?’ tion. it’s truly incredible to see her act out The main idea of the film is that there the juxtaposition of an innocent child Dishonourable mentions are certain children who are part- and a bloodthirsty zombie in one per- Independence Day: Resurgence. I liter- human and part-zombie who came formance. ally fell asleep in the cinema. Breath- about from being in the womb when taking in its boringness. their mother was infected by a fungal The film is not perfect. I felt some of zombie virus. the acting of the adult performers was Ghostbusters: Cheesy jokes can’t cov- a little stiff at points, but it’s made up er up a lack of a good plot. The main character Melanie, played by for by an astonishing performance by Sienna Nanua, is one such child, and Sienna Nanua (in my opinion the best Let the Glory Days Roll and Keep them Coming By Tommy MacGillivray
Little Mix have released the best gle ‘Shout Out to My Ex’, which man- pop album of the year - and of their ages to go from tongue -n-cheek a- career, argues Tommy MacGillivray. little-too-specific lyrics about an ex- One Direction member who shall not First things first: I know, it isn’t Lem- be named, into a euphoric foot- onade. Although Glory Days might stomping chorus that ricochets not be the frontrunner for this year’s around your head all day seamlessly. pop album of the year accolade, it certainly should be. Unfortunately the song only earned a fifth of the weeks at number one In a year dominated by generic EDM that Drake’s ‘One Dance’ accumulat- ‘bangers’ from the likes of The ed. Not that I’m bitter or anything. Chainsmokers and one-off no-name DJs, Little Mix have managed to cre- their album last year, Glory Days What has always set Little Mix apart ate an album that riffs on popular provides a wild adrenaline rush of as a musical act is their versatility. trends but never gets bogged down pop that I’m surprised Simon Cowell They can make you cry your eyes out in them. let get out of the door. (‘Nobody Like You’) and then dance your trousers off on the very next While Perrie, Leigh-Anne, Jade and The album roars off the blocks with track (‘No More Sad Songs’). Jesy promised to ‘Get Weird’ on the sasstastic kiss-off track lead sin- 4 Sixth Form Mercury, December 2016
Other album highlights include the The only named songwriter or producer complement it without ever smothering pounding bass drop of ‘Power’ and the that stands out in the liner notes is Me- it or letting it burn the house down. incessant horn ostinato of ‘Private ghan Trainor and you could already tell Show’, both of which take absolutely no she was behind the album’s weakest Through the help of up and coming pro- prisoners and leave no question as to track ‘You Gotta Not’, due to a confined ducer MNEK, it’s certain that their next who’s running the show in question. melody that leaves the girls no room to single (the tropical-house-touched emote, and the fact that it takes the ‘Touch’) should be a smash on pop radio However, not all 12 songs on this album form of a tick-box list of things a guy and I look forward to a splash of colour were created equal. must do to even try to satisfy, let alone being brought back to Drivetime thanks date, her. to these incredible women. The ‘drop’ on ‘Down and Dirty’ is about as disappointing as opening socks on Having said that, neither of these cri- Christmas Day and Charlie Puth fails to tiques is down to any of the girls them- add anything of value as the album’s selves, and it is hard to take issue with sole guest star. any of the performances on this record.
This ties into the one major pitfalls of All four have improved considerably this album: the production. Simon Cow- since their X Factor days - Leigh-Anne in ell’s SiCo Music has always had a reputa- particular - and each girl brings some- tion for being miserly with a budget and thing to the table from a vocal stand- this curse strikes yet another Little Mix point. Perrie has fire in her lungs and project here. Jesy’s sweet coo manages to perfectly
From the Editors
Hey everyone!
It’s been a great term, and it’s been amazing to see the various things we’ve accomplished in it, be it the establishment of different societies like Economics Society or Physics Society, or the revival of the Sixth Form Mercury itself (not to pat ourselves on the back!)
What’s even more amazing is how fast this term has passed. Mocks beckon and then exams … but not quite yet. We’ll be back in January, but until then have a restful holiday! And get in touch if you would like to contribute to the next issue.
Thanks, Matthew and Tommy
Charity at Christmas
In the spirit of Christmas giving, please support one of our own students in the Lower Sixth, Arkaprabha Saha, in raising money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, as he takes part in the Marsden March on 19th March. The Royal Marsden fights against cancer through their pioneering research, diagnoses, treatment and patient care. Donations can be made at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/arkarmw
To help raise as much as possible, please share the link above on your social media. If you have any questions feel free to email Arka at [email protected]