Going to the heart of the matter since 1967 2019 Vol. 1
Hello, lovely readers! Oh boy, that such abrupt news so suddenly. We feels good to say again. So, 2019, am I better enjoy the remaining time we right? I’m honestly pretty surprised that have with him. We had Societies’ Day I’ve made it this far. I always figured where a lot of people made many that I’d be swallowed by a grue or commitments on which they probably something before the new year started, never intend on following up. Fan but oh well. I’m here, so I may as well People hosted a Tekken tournament just enjoy myself. where I found out the hard way that Mr Long is a BEAST when it comes to This is usually the part where I recap Tekken. Before my brain shuts down or events from the term, but, honestly, self-destructs from remembering what is there to say? I actually can’t events that happened like a week ago, remember much of the year so far and I’d like to mention the complete upset my brain hurts when I try to remember that was the cancellation of Mole Day events prior to waking up this morning. for the Science Club. Maybe the new year is making me brain dead? I’m not sure, but heck, I So, readers, I hope you enjoy the suffer for my work because I care articles by our brand new team of about you lovely, limitless, luscious writers mixed in with some seasoned readers. veterans like Taryn and me, and until next time, stay lovely! I’m still in shock from the devastating news of Dr Manser’s retirement. I feel like I was just not prepared to hear
In this edition, check out:
Screaming Goats, Tortured Teens, Flour Babies, Food, Love and everything in between The Sound of a Screaming Goat
Taryn Noppè
The internal screaming I hear when I The second part is the challenging suffer the effects of ineffective time part: be intentional about exiting this management sound like a screaming vicious cycle of “I’ll do it later” or “next goat, hilarious but excruciating, with time I will do better” because, in reality, lingering effects. you will not be doing it later and the next time you most likely will not be Does it come as a surprise? Does it doing better. ever come as a surprise that each and every one of us – and don’t deny this – Conquering this step is guaranteed to still falls to her or his knees around this be tough because it is ultimately the time every single term? crux of the time-management problem. If you don’t have the drive or the will to Rest with this reader: it is normal and overcome this weakness, what was the something that most of the human point of identifying the problem in the population still struggle with and will first place? Think about that. continue struggling with. The next step is to find your merry little Time will not be your friend and has self an “accountability buddy”, absolutely no intention of being your someone or something you can always friend. This is just something that we count on to give you “the pep talk” and have to come to terms with, people. I put you in your place when you’re have to come to terms with this. starting to slack off, returning to your filthy old ways. This can be a person, a It makes you old, it gives you grey hair diary or bullet journal, or it could be a and, to top it all off, it does not wait for series of self-written, harsh Post-It you to catch up. notes; whatever works for you.
So, how to we silence the screaming The rest everyone has, at some point, inner goat? probably heard before: declutter, plan, stop procrastinating, prioritise and so The first thing is simple and something on. These are all really helpful tips that that we can all do: identify that, hey, I the beloved internet can elaborate on if don’t have time-management skills; you want to get a grip on your life, like I this is a problem, so how do I fix it? do.
On that note, it is also very important to It all comes down to whether you’re remember that you are, in fact, a going to learn from your mistakes and human being who has limits and stop repeating them (You have cannot do everything all at once. You probably heard this a lot, but hear me are going to make mistakes and out) because, if you’re continually certain tasks are not going to be falling over the same step, you are completed or completed well. That’s most probably in possession of a very, just how stuff on earth works. very dumb goat.
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Societies’ Day 2019
Nicole Sophocleous
This year was the year that I finally gathered in the middle of the floor and realised how much Alex really has to danced with their partners, causing a offer. crowd to form around them, cheering them on which really lifted everyone’s As I aimlessly walked around the hall mood. with my friend by my side, with no intention of joining any clubs, it took Like I said, I didn’t have any intention me a moment to realise how many of signing up for anything, but… I tables were actually set up: from signed up for Dance Sport, my friend Events to Fan People and Backstage joining me in doing so (after some Crew to Debating. convincing, of course).
Then, what was once just the sound of I think that’s just what Alex does: it bustling and the chatter of loud Grade draws you in. It’ll catch your attention 10s was replaced by even louder and and make you notice something you livelier music. Of course, we all knew didn’t before and, needless to say, it’s what society this was – Dance Sport. easily one of the best things about the The members of the society had school.
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A Teen’s Daily Torture
Caylin Manuel
Teenagers often think that school is a high possibility that it’s caused by the draining and unnecessary, with no light alarm tone, as small as that may at the end of the average five-year sound. As soon as you start to dislike tunnel. Buckle your seatbelt and get your alarm, you should consider ready for whiplash. School is not the changing it. Waking up to a sound that problem; it’s everything that surrounds you enjoy can often prepare your mind it. for positivity.
Wake up, go to school, sleep, repeat. Procrastination, probably one of the Does this sound familiar? This is the biggest challenges that a teenager basic routine that most teenagers could face, takes up so much valuable follow every weekday. Repetition is time. Having to balance the life of a one of the main ways to bore the mind, teen is already time-consuming without which could be the reason for zombie- the distractions on the side. like students who roam around our school. The easiest way to avoid Procrastination usually starts with the repetition is not to have a routine at all. lack of confidence in completing the Every day should be a day of its own. given task. To avoid this, you need to get out of your own way and believe in Even without a routine, waking up yourself. A short “pep-talk” can go a every day is usually inevitable and the long way. most difficult task of the day. This could be due to a lack of sleep. It By following these three tips, high should be a well-known fact that an school should seem a little more average teenager requires at least bearable than what is often described eight hours of sleep each night, so put as torturous. If you can’t find the that on your to-do list. promised light at the end of the tunnel, it could just be load-shedding. My With sufficient sleep, some students advice: Light your own candle. still find it difficult to wake up. There is
______Grade 11 Flour Babies
Unknown
When you’re unfortunate enough to pristine condition, you would also be reach Grade 11, or recall it, the first rewarded with one of those previously thought in your mind will be the discussed zeros? Is it irrational of me immense pressure and expectation to say that there is no winning with this that the year places on you. Second, project? Either extreme is regarded however, would be the baby project: with contempt, so we’re left to take a the task of carrying around a bag of shot in the dark, hoping we don’t miss flour in the pretence that it’s a living our goal for the mark that inevitably child, one who requires your constant, goes onto out first term’s report. careful attention. We even had to buy the bag of flour The point of this project is to teach us, ourselves, including all the as teenagers, that we are unable to attachments needed to give the care for a child at our age. Although I students a greater sense of emotional have mixed feelings about the project attachment. It’s a physical, emotional as a whole, what I really can’t and financial investment. understand is the way they award marks. However, I have to admit that my small lifeless pain-in-the-neck is starting to They deduct marks for every dent or grow on me. Unwilling as it may have contusion to your flour bag. If your been, my emotions surrounding my child is damaged beyond repair, you new daughter have driven me to near will be awarded a big fat zero. Leaving insanity, finding myself staring at its it in a locker, handling it irresponsibly plastic face, into its unseeing eyes and or leaving it in the hands of someone stroking its hollow head with my thumb. unfit to watch over it results in much On occasion, I catch myself stretching the same. down to give it a fatherly kiss on the forehead. My question is…WHY?! If the objective is to prove us incapable of caring for it, All in all, I think this project has given then why should we be punished for me inspiration rather than a warning, proving them right? Did I mention that so maybe there is a way to win in this if your bag of flour is presented in project after all.
Sway’s Way: Recipes for Studying
Swaiden Beukes
Do you get peckish when you are studying, but don’t have the time to look for the perfect recipe? Well, do not fear! Chef Sway is here! I’ll show you my three favourite recipes! All are quick and SCRUMPTIOUS.
Instructions: 1. Pour the amount of Rice Krispies “Krispie” Treats you desire into a glass bowl. 2. Melt your marshmallows over the stove. Just watch over them so they don’t get burnt. 3. Stir! Stir! Stir! Mmmm… This one is definitely in my 4. Once the marshmallows are melted, Top 5. This recipe is quick and simple. take them off the stove and scoop Yes, they are not the healthiest things them into your bowl with the Rice in the world, but don’t worry. I won’t tell Krispies. if you sneak one or two into your study 5. Start to fold the two ingredients session. together until well combined. (You can add your fruit and nuts if you want.) Ingredients: 6. Flour a clean surface. Rice Krispies 7. Put your mixture onto the surface Marshmallows and start to flatten your treat. Dried fruit and nuts (optional) 8. Once the treat is to your desired thickness, cut them into squares or any other shape! 9. Let it cool down and BAM you’re done!
Send us your yummy, student-friendly recipes that even the Studs can make and we’ll showcase your gastronomic flair. Yogurt and Muesli Apple Munchies
My mouth is already watering just from This recipe is perfection, especially on thinking about this recipe! It’s quick, those way-too-hot days. It’s super- easy, healthy and DELISH! Plus, this quick and easy. Even the Grade 11s’ dish can also be a perfect Instagram babies can do it! picture if done artistically. Ingredients: Ingredients: Apple juice Muesli Spoon or popsicle stick Plain yogurt Honey or maple syrup Instructions: Vanilla extract 1. Pour your apple juice into a plastic cup or into popsicle mould Instructions: 2. Put your spoon or popsicle stick into 1. Put the amount of yogurt you wish in the apple juice. a bowl. 3. Put the cup into the freezer over 2. Put half a teaspoon of vanilla extract night in your yogurt. 4. BAM! You now have a great study 3. Add your Muesli. snack for the next day! 4. Drizzle honey or maple syrup over your concoction and then mix 5. Bada-Bam, Bada-Boom. You can now enjoy your healthy snack.
I hope that you will enjoy some of my favourite quick and easy recipes. Stay tuned for the next Sway’s Way.
Do you feel strongly about health, diet and nutrition?
Tell us about the latest food trends and we’ll share it with our eager readers. For All the Food I Haven’t Eaten
“You know,” Bob thought to himself, He chanced a look down, but quickly “life can be really strange sometimes.” looked away as if the sight of the fall Then, tilting his head, he said to burned his eyes, so he looked up himself quietly as there was in fact instead, trying to focus on a way out of nobody to hear, “I wonder if anyone the curveball he was almost certain else would be crazy enough to be Karma had thrown at him. talking to themselves in this situation?” His ‘situation’ was a fairly perilous one He had always wanted to achieve a for he was in fact hanging from a one-armed pull up, so even if this was mountain. nowhere near where he expected to do it, he continued to try a trick he had You may think that it’s impossible to learnt from TV: he counted to three, hang from a mountain, but that’s took a deep breath and screamed as because you’re thinking of the comical he pulled as hard as he could, “FOR mountain that looks more like the SPARTA!” hump on a camel’s back, but this was a real mountain, one with all the trees, However, all he succeeded in doing rocks, cliffs and danger of adventure. was hurting his hand.
Sadly, Bob’s adventure had taken a Then he had an idea, a spark of slight pause as he was hanging one- genius! He repeated the process, but handedly onto a rock, a rock attached this time, he screamed: “FOR ALL THE to a bigger rock that was attached to FOOD I HAVEN’T EATEN!” the mountain and he was currently thinking of all the food he had never Granted, it wasn’t graceful, but it did tried. He was disappointed to find that the trick. The veins bulged in his arm it was a devastatingly long list, and legs as he kicked frantically and something he had to fix when or if he finally managed to clamber into a got down. sitting position on the larger rock, pant bestially, calm his heart and continue “No,” he realised, wincing at the on his latest adventure, this time to find thought. “Down is not good right now.” food.
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Paper Straws: Are they really worth it?
Swaiden Beukes
Now, yes, I know, I know the rave So, I decided to do some research and about paper straws and how they will what I found was quite shocking: “The “help the environment”, but what paper is nearly 100% wood-fibre, people don’t ask is whether or not impossible to digest by the human paper straws are healthy for us. People digestive system. If it was made using just assume that since it’s a chlorination process, it may contain “environmentally friendly”, it will be also dioxin from 10-100 ng/kg (parts per “human friendly”. Well, that’s not the trillion). If you ate 2g of paper per day case. for life, your increased risk of dying of cancer is about twenty times more than My first experience with paper straws the one in a million level, normally wasn’t the best. I remember ordering considered the "action level". A single my favourite smoothie, only to find that 'snack' of 2g would not even be it was accompanied by a new friend: measurable.’ (Sly, 2015) The Paper Straw. Now, how many people drink At first, I was quite interested and something at a café that uses paper didn’t think much of it, but as I started straws? How many times might that to use it and the longer it stayed in my happen per week? If you give it a smoothie, the more and more my thought, that’s a lot of people, strong dislike for this new invention especially those who enjoy daily became apparent. The straw became restaurant or café outings. pulpy, there were bits of paper floating in my smoothie and a few of the pulpy The question is: if man can recycle pieces found their way into my mouth. plastic bottles for reuse, why can’t we recycle plastic straws? At first, I thought that I would just bear with it, but when I swallowed a piece of So, are paper straws really worth it? In paper, that was when I drew the my opinion, no, they are not! thickest line in existence.
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unrealistic beauty standards, but something as simple as the sun caressing the horizon as the day ends. Instagram feed? Searching for the beauty in my reflection is a difficult task I have yet to Caitlin Groener accomplish. They say that beauty is subjective, yet rarely seen in the eyes of the beholder’s reflection. Looking and comparing yourself to unattainable Unfortunately, we live in a society posts on Instagram strengthens the where looking in the mirror can often voice that tells you that you’ll never be evoke a feeling of inadequacy. Social beautiful enough, good enough or media has a dominating influence on curvy enough, but believe me when I how we see the world around say that you are more than enough, ourselves. The positive and negative more than you’ll ever know. effects of Instagram can be debated, but they exist nonetheless. I dream of a world where we won't feel the need to define our beauty looking Instagram specifically focuses on at our curves, thighs or hair length. images which add to the pressures of Does that seem easier said than done? posting the perfect one. At the end of There is, however, something we can the day, our Instagram feeds starve the do to make this just a slight possibility. mind from the unheralded beauty that passes us by daily. A smile or a kind When you walk past the mirror in a heart are things we easily take for haste, searching for beauty, take a granted. See before you not the look back at yourself. Your pursuit for beauty is finally over.
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when I’m not sleeping, not sleeping. It’s been so long since I closed my eyes when it’s dark and only opened Up ALL Night! them when it’s light again.
Jade Lindoor They gave it a name, but I dread saying it out loud. Insomnia. I occasionally experienced this when I was child, especially when I did something wrong. Then, I’d confess 7:15 AM: I anxiously stare at the clock, and sleep like a baby. However, this waiting for the alarm to go off, but it time, I don’t know what I did, so this is doesn’t do that lately. Maybe it senses going to go on for a while, for a while. The doctor prescribed some sleep My doctor told me to see a medication. Though I take one after the psychologist who told me that as a other, after the other, it doesn’t last result of my insomnia, I repeat myself, very long. It only gives me ten seconds repeat myself, but honestly, I don’t. I of staring into space uninterrupted. don’t. Now every night, I just wander, Every night at the darkest hour, I just wander, around the house – alone. wander around like a zombie, a zombie.
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while I am bombarded with assignments and tests, all to challenge my knowledge. Oh, and just as a side- Over-Worked note, I walk around with a 2,5kg bag of flour. She is my baby, Adena.
Danielle Kettledas So, let me recap: Two prepared orals, Afrikaans essays, an English transactional letter, a Maths investigation, Maths class tests, my very first Business assignment AND Two prepared orals, Afrikaans essays, Adena, all within the first month of an English transactional letter, a Maths Grade 11. investigation, Maths class tests and my very first Business assignment were all What happened to being able to sleep due within the first month of Grade 11. late on Saturday mornings? What happened to being oblivious to what I remember the carefree days of being you would like to study as you still a Junior when my biggest high school have four more years to make this life- fear would be sitting alone during altering decision? What happened to breaks. Now, I barely have any fears! I the years where mistakes are am in desperate need of a Kit-Kat, encouraged and I’m actually allowed to though. enjoy my youth?
I’m starting to feel like Cinderella and Instead, I have less than twenty-three this new grade is like her stepsisters. months to prepare for adulthood. Cinderella was bombarded with chores
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Love is in the Air Conditioning
Caitlin Groener
Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars and against them. After a week of asking Grown-ish, all well-known mainstream the opinions of trusted friends and a TV shows with one thing in common: few acquaintances around the school, I high school and college relationships. came up with a conclusion: Dating Even the good-old Clueless depicts someone in the same school as you Cher’s love story. can be seen as an advantage as you are able to see your significant other Given that romance movies are a almost every day. Then again, seeing common factor throughout generations your partner every day can become a and that the media is often replicated routine which can start to grow boring. by teenagers, it’s safe to say the we would like our own taste of the Another disadvantage is that your promised “Happily Ever After”, partner has a bigger chance of especially with Valentine’s Day hitting distracting you in a place that is meant us hard in February. for educational growth; however, your partner could contribute to this by Under the curious, ever-present eyes helping you with subjects you struggle of the Alexans, couples can easily be in. identified around our school. Infatuation – what we often call love – Relationships usually start off from the hangs thick in February’s humid air. foundation of friendship. If a couple Can the teachers smell it too or is that breaks up, they could lose their initial sickeningly sweet scent only meant for friendship or, even worse, swallow a our teenaged noses? mouthful of awkwardness when seeing their “ex” in the passages throughout Plagued with Valentine’s Fever, each day. Alexans scramble to find their “soul mate” before the unforgettable 14th of With every negative, there is a positive. February, as if it were a project’s due With every benefit, there is a date. disadvantage. High school relationships can be challenging, but Many people agree with high school it’s up to you to make yours worth it. relationships, but just as many are
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Second Choice
Danielle Kettledas
“It isn’t what you want the most, but to hold my hand and it’s hers. It forces you can live with it if you don’t get what you to be with me meanwhile you’re you want.” imagining what it would be like to be with her instead. You’re looking into my “If you can’t decide between her and I eyes, but all you picture seeing is hazel please don’t choose me.” while mine are ordinary brown. -Unknown I’ve been told that the choice you end I never truly understood this quotation up making, the choice you choose to until recently. We’re all human. We are live with, is the only one that matters in known for being indecisive, always the end, but it is no longer free will, but weighing our options and trying to find a compromise instead. that one flaw that tips the scale and helps us make a decision. I don’t want to be someone you settle “It’s final. I’ve made my choice and I for because the one you really want is choose her.” on the shelf you can’t reach.
If these thoughts have ever crossed I don’t want my one flaw to be the your mind, please excuse me, but I reason the scale tipped and your refuse to be compared to her. I refuse decision was then made clear. to be the one you settle for all because your first choice is nothing but a Subtract my being from this equation longed-for fantasy, out of reach, a because I don’t want to be a choice dream you wish would come true. anymore; I want to be the only choice.
However, this is reality and reality forces you to choose me. It forces you
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I have finally come to the best solution for those with and those who wish to try short hair. Keep your head up high Short Hair? and tilt it back slightly. This way no hair ever falls into your eyes and it stays off your collar. Kate Wilson I still can’t see when I walk in the wind, though.
______I, along with several other girls at Alex, have short hair. I cut away my hair in the middle of last year along with my best friend.
The first month or so was delightful; it didn’t touch my collar, I could wash it The Secret of Life once a day and my friend and I just looked really cool. Caitlin Groener Soon, though, things began to change for the worse; teachers started to notice that my bangs covered my eyes sometimes, that as it grew out, it began tickling my collar and that in the wind I What if life were a book? Would each would become completely blind. day be a new page and every week a new chapter? Some people would take Being the rule-abiding pupil that I am, I a glimpse at the end and others would took in the teachers’ requests of having take it one page at a time. my hair out of my face and went searching for a way to please them. Life can seem like a covert operation; we never really know our purpose. It’s The first solution was the Alice Band, really enigmatic, rollercoaster but this never fitted my head and would experience. There seems to be, fall into my face, blinding me even however, a perpetual gap between more than a windy day. understanding life and using that understanding to experience it. The next best thing was to tie it up, only the top half at that. I did this for a The first eighteen years of your life are while, but soon realised how much of a basically like a free trial period before medieval pub owner it made me look. subscribing to Netflix. Everything By that, I mean bald on top and a party happens so fast after that. In order to around the sides. slow everything down, we need to view our lives like a nebula.
Take a closer look and appreciate out. It’s probably going to be another every beautiful star, making an cold day, otherwise the sun would astronomical spectrum of brilliance. have peeped by now. Wouldn’t it? After all, it will only pass you by once. Maybe we expect to see it every day. I don’t see life as set in stone or written Just like that, we take it for granted. in the stars. I view life as a diamond in The sun could have passed into the rough. I admire it, the pressure, oblivion, died out like the old star it is, cuts and struggles it goes through the old star it was. A white dwarf is because before you know it, you’ll be what we’d have to call it. looking at a wonderful diamond. What if the view of the sun was just an ______image placed in our brain, a mind game played by our imagination?
We’re too old now, thinking we’re too grown for childish games. We consider imagination to be possessed by young humans only. Studying at 5 AM What if, once we’ve reached the point where our imagination is replaced with Danielle Kettledas ordinary thinking, only minors, children who let their imaginations run wild, only they are able to see the ball of flames in the sky?
I’ve never watched the sunrise nor the These young minds would be able to sunset. They are nature’s most breath- experience one of nature’s most taking views and I’ve never beautiful phenomena. Only they will be experienced them. able to see the sunrise and sunset between the blinds of their windows. It is 5 AM on Monday morning and I’m supposed to be studying. I’m supposed It is a phenomenon we take for to be “improving my education” as my granted; it is a view I have yet to parents would say. Opening the blinds witness. in front of me, I notice that it’s still dark
Have you been struggling to cope with the stress of school?
Share your helpful suggestions and tips to beat the School Blues. Magnets
Bunono Maseti
They say that opposites attract, so the question still remains: which type of which type of magnets do you attract in magnets do you attract in your life? your life? Do you have good friends who have a We live in a magnetic field that is positive influence on your well-being invisible, but is responsible for the and future? Do you have parents who most notable traits of being a human: want the absolute best you, regardless emotions. There’s either a force that of whether or not you think certain pulls, attracts or repels. Our desires magnets should stay attached to “your stimulate a lot of these options. The refrigerator”? What about those physics of it all seems irrelevant when teachers who dedicate their time and talking about feelings and emotions, plough their energy into your lives? but chemistry is definitely the word we Most interestingly of all, are you a could use to define our connection with positive magnet in their lives? people. What you put in is what you’ll get out. Sometimes, it all depends on how we wake up in the morning. What is the Karma is a push and pull force. If you first thing you see? Is it the mirror in do good, more good will come to you; if your bathroom or is it the refrigerator you do bad, it’ll come back at you ten- magnet you see before opening the fold. Sir Isaac Newton had it right when fridge door? What type of notes is your he said that every action has an equal, refrigerator magnet used to hold? but opposite reaction and Karma seems to be the force that goes ‘round Ask yourself this: Is your mind – and ‘round the world. otherwise known as the notes held by the fridge magnets – feeding or holding Another thing to keep in mind is that a positive thoughts, ideas, imaginations, heavy ship sails smoothly in dangerous desires and motivations ideal for your waters; it is only when the water beautiful vessel? Because, indeed, you penetrates the ship that it starts to sink. are the image and vehicle that The world is full of negativity; do not journeys through your own designated allow that negativity to bring you down path in life. You are right in the driver’s in life. seat, choosing lefts and rights, wrong- turns and … well, right-turns. However, To quote Shakespeare: “Fair is foul So, choose how you wake up in the and foul is fair” which directly morning; steer your vehicle in the right translates to: “Don’t be fooled by the way with alertness and good grass that is greener on the other intentions. side… You might just find a whole sewer’s worth of manure. Choose happy and you might just attract the right magnets.
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The Flying Ostrich
Caitlin Groener
What’s the point in me having wings, Funny enough ever since I was little, I but not being able to fly? I mean, don’t have always fantasised about flying. get me wrong. They do make good That fantasy has been trampled on one fans when the heat becomes too many times and now just like me, overbearing but that’s not the point. I its unable to fly. I find ways to cheer up feel quite sorry for the ostrich who my sleepy dream yet still I feel empty. found out that our species could not fly. My disabled wings cannot carry me At least he tried... and failed but tried away from the edge of an abyss. nonetheless. Reaching for the heavens will always Is flying not the defining characteristic be a dream of mine. I know now that of a bird? I always see other birds we can all fly, each one in a different soaring through the sky leaving behind way. Others may see me as the ostrich imprints of his tips as he dips his wings unable to fly but I know and hope and in the crystal blue water. I don’t want to that I can do the impossible. spend my whole life treading carefully on the ground, but I am scared that it is going to be my reality.
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Under Pressure
Jade Lindoor
No, this is not the catchy song by wasn’t that bad. It was good if you Queen; it is rather a guideline to what studied, but as the poor soul who took the Grade 11s’ academic life is like. a gamble, you started the term off on a Grade 11 is infamously known as the bad note. Many of us absolutely fear make-it-or-break-it year. starting to work on… circle geometry. Who was the person who put those Yes, sure, matric matters, but the mark two together? Like, does a circle even obtained the year before is the one have geometry? I guess we’ll find out universities want to see. When your soon. Grade 10 year ends, you hear stories about Grade 11, mainly scary stories We don’t know what to expect from this that will knock your socks off, and no, year. Will it be amazing and will not the good kind. Obviously, you know everyone blossom into the awesome the year is difficult because you’ve young people they are meant to experienced moving up to a higher become or will the pressure be too grade. much to handle?
So far for 2019’s Grade 11s, we have I guess that only time will tell. All we done multiple orals. Students who take Grade 11s ask for is all your positive Mathematics have endured the worst energy. Oh, and maybe save some for pain imaginable, a Maths test. Okay, it the Matrics.
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Weird Dreams
Kate Wilson
Perhaps it’s because of the new year, Then, a moth flew out of a book and new subjects, new things to remember landed on my cheek. I left it to move and making sure that I remember over my skin and turned back to the where all my classrooms are, but whiteboard where I was greeted by recently my dreams have been really another moth the size of my school strange. backpack.
Don’t get me wrong; my dreams have This bigger moth landed on my chest. I always been really vivid and obscure, knew this was the mother of the but the most recent ones I can only smaller moth. The smaller moth then describe as just plain bizarre. began moving over my lips and making its way towards my nose as it dug into It started with me in the school library. my right nostril. At least, I think it was the school library. It was more of a labyrinth of I quickly yanked the moth out of my shelves, stacked with thick books. I nose, crushing it in the process. My was giving a presentation to Ms. Butler dream-self then became alerted to the about Princess Diana on the white light sobs, coming from the bigger board and was rummaging through the moth on my chest. shelves for books on the topic. I woke up after that. I think I’m going to steer clear of the library for a while…
Have you ever had a strange dream and struggled to make sense of its randomness?
Tell us about it. Who knows? Maybe there are some budding Agony Aunts out there, waiting to be discovered.
Grade 8: The Ultimate Upgrade
Swaiden Beukes
Many thrilled students and I have been activities and sports we can choose waiting YEARS FOR THIS MOMENT! from. Although some of us have lost We have waited to make new friends, some great friendships, we have also meet new teachers, join unique clubs gained many more. That’s what High and do crazy experiments. In short, we School is all about: to meet new faces have been waiting for High School - and personae, to make difficult the ultimate upgrade! decisions that will help us in the future and to push ourselves to do new When we were in Grade 1, we couldn’t things! High School is all about trial wait to go to Grade 2 and then to 3 and error. You will always have your then 4. It was a long chain where we up and downs, but that is the only way made memories and new friends. Only you will grow as a person. when you’re in Grade 7 does reality hits you like a pie in the face that High While writing this article, I became a School is only one short year away. keen interviewer. I asked many Grade 8s their opinion on High School so far That short year has passed and and this is what the majority said to POOF! here I am with two hundred me. They said that High School is other pupils who are just as shocked completely different from Primary as I am that 365 days have passed in School. They feel more free and mere seconds, in a blink of an eye! treated as equals. They love the atmosphere and the adrenaline rush High School has been a huge eye- when they get lost, which I can vouch opener for not only me, but also for for. Many said that they will miss their those other two hundred pupils! The past friends and teachers dearly, but work load has definitely increased and for Alex, it was worth the sacrifice. we are overwhelmed by all the different
Juniors have feelings too, or so they tell us.
Share yours with AlexPress. This is where I’m at
Taryn Noppè
I’ve been on this raft for a while. It’s with a mouth full of salt water and wet nothing much really, just a fragile socks. construction with a red flag on it that reads in bold letters: THIS RAFT Why? Because I wasn’t born with the BELONGS TO ME. gift of building sturdy constructions, so when the wave came, it was like a I was never born with the gift of washing machine with anger issues. building solid foundations – hence the Call it cliché if you will, but the reason why I built a primitive raft and introduction to the 2019 school year not a ship – this is indeed a fact and a was like being dunked in water thing you should know. repeatedly.
So, when they asked me to build You think that you’re ready. You really something to keep ourselves afloat, I do. You always do, but you never ever sort of hesitantly starting collecting are. scraps of wood in the hope that in the process of pricking myself with Then again, eventually waves have to splinters, I would somehow radically calm down, right? The angry washing sprout wings and fly over the ocean machines have to take a break. It’s in they were going to throw us into. those moments that one can recuperate, gather up the random drift Alas, the wings, they never came, but I wood floating about, search for the little still persisted, nonetheless, with my red flag and start again, this time with a vague construction plan, collecting better understanding of how to build what bits and pieces I could and all the the raft. while learning how to swim and tend to the dozens of splinters I punctured If you managed to build a ship, I’m myself with daily. proud of you, if you built a raft, I get you and if you’re still floating on that And that is how I ended up here, on driftwood, it’s alright; we’ll all be joining this piece of tatty drift wood, which by you soon. the way, I hadn’t even used for my raft,
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K-Pop
Nicole Sophocleous
If I had to give you ten seconds to would normally be one to four years at guess the thing sweeping people off most. Once he had decided with whom their feet one by one, what would you he’d want to be in the group, the nine say? Answer: If you said anything of them were put into a survival show besides K-Pop, then you’re most likely called Stray Kids and were known as incorrect. ‘The Boys Project Team’.
With new groups and soloists being The group then released their first produced and debuted every year, K- album, Mixtape, which consisted of the Pop has easily become one of the songs they had created while on the most popular topics of discussion show. worldwide. New groups that have just come into the spotlight are called As of now, the rookie group has ‘rookie groups’ and there’s one that collaborated with various other rookie nobody can stop talking about: Stray groups such as The Boyz, NCT and Kids. girl group ‘(G)-Idle’ and have a total of eight Rookie of the Year awards, Stray Kids is an all-boy group earning themselves the title of ‘monster consisting of nine members, Bang rookies’. Each of their songs is written Chan, Kim Woojin, Lee Minho, Seo and produced by the members Changbin, Han Jisung, Lee Felix, themselves, now split into four different Hwang Hyunjin, Kim Seungmin and albums: Mixtape, their debut album, Yang Jeongin. Having debuted in and the following which continue on in March 2018, the task of getting to this a series, ‘I Am: Not’, ‘I Am: Who’ and ‘I point was not as simple as it usually is Am: You’. They reached over one for a normal K-Pop group. million sales for their third album ‘I Am: Who’ and are planning to do a tour in Eight trainees were chosen by a fellow Thailand in early 2019. 19-year-old trainee, now 21, and the leader of the group, Bang Chan, all of With that, we hope for nothing else but them being under the record label for this group to be even more ‘JYP’. Chan (also known as successful in the future and to gain fan Christopher owing to his being of support from all around the world! As Australian background) had been a Stray Kids have said themselves: “It’s trainee for a little over seven years, nine or none”. whereas the average length of training Gamer’s Guide: Guitar Hero Live
Daniel Ostling
I’ve always had a soft spot for rhythm- Honestly, I was welcoming at first until based games since my days of playing I eventually received my copy of the Parappa the Rapper on the original game. Playstation 1. While Parappa the Rapper was a classic and I have fond Here’s my first issue and it’s something memories of playing it, Guitar Hero that smacks you in the face the minute really ignites my love of rhythm games. you start any game. I’m talking, of Whether it’s jamming on the lead guitar course, about the controller. Firstly, or bass, singing into the microphone or there are no Green to Orange fret rocking the drums, I’ve always felt like buttons as in the previous games. a real rock star when I play them Instead, you have two rows of black because instead of using a standard and white notes. Again, I’m completely issue controller, a controller modelled open to changes like this, but on top of like the actual instrument is used. the new awkward and unnatural hand Guitar Hero 3 was absolutely perfect, positionings the game expects you to Guitar Hero World Tour was solid, do, the new guitar controller is so Guitar Hero 5 was unbelievably flimsy and cheaply made that I’m pretty scrumptious and Guitar Hero Warriors sure I could shatter it from thought of Rock wasn’t actually all that bad power alone. It doesn’t feel like I’m despite what other people would tell holding a guitar with a little weight to it. you, so you’d bet your britches that I It just feels like I’m holding a guitar- was super excited when Guitar Hero shaped piece of plastic with a short Live was announced. neck.
Then, we found out that Neversoft Anywho, let’s talk about the song list. wasn’t going to be involved in Guitar Hero has a streak of awesome development. setlists of music and this game was no different. I’m honestly more of a fan of Neversoft was a gaming titan, known the classic setlists of bands like Black for the Tony Hawk Pro Skater games Sabbath, AFI, Sum 41, Dire Straits and and, of course, Guitar Hero itself. For The White Stripes. whatever reason, though, they had sold off the Guitar Hero franchise to However, I’m not going to say no to Free Style Games, who was left in awesome songs like R U Mine by charge of the latest instalment. Arctic Monkeys, When You Were Young by The Killers (even if it is just a to say, “Hey, you missed, bud, but it returning song from Guitar Hero 3), isn’t the end of the world. Go out there Light ‘em Up by Fall Out Boy, and rock this stage,” while in Live, it’s Wastelands by Linkin Park and more like, “HOLY MOLY! YOU Counting Stars by One Republic. It’s MISSED A NOTE! ALL IS LOST! THE fair to say that I like the setlist even if SONG IS RUINED AND YOU LOOK it’s a little newer than what I’m used to. LIKE AN IDIOT ON STAGE! GOOD JOB! YOU MESSED UP!” This may sound like I’m knit-picking, but hitting notes in this game is the I feel like this review wouldn’t be most facile experience I’ve ever sat complete without a little more positivity. through. When you hit a note in the Firstly, the live action theme and real other games, the gem would burst into actors being used for bandmates and a small shot of flames to let you know fans while you take the role of a silent you hit the note and you got the points guitarist playing from a first-person for the note. In Live, however, they view is awesome. There’s even a have some sort of holographic glass mechanic where, if you start to perform shattering effect for hitting a note which badly in songs, the fans will boo and is cool, I guess, but the animation has jeer, and your bandmates will start a slight delay before the note actually shooting you dirty looks as you squonk disappears, meaning that sometimes I your guitar pathetically on stage. It feel like I completely missed the note never fails to make me laugh. when I may have actually just hit it. Speaking of missing notes, when you All in all, I don’t think this game has miss a note in a streak in this game, nearly the amount of charm that its there’s an abrupt glass smashing noise predecessors have and I’d take Guitar that just ruins the flow. I guess that this Hero 3 or Guitar Hero 5 over it any could be an incentive for not missing day, but I speak for a lot of people notes, but it’s just so distracting. In the when I say, “Neversoft, PLEASE come other games, a twang could be heard back to us!”
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Are you a Gamer and simply wild about the latest games?
Contact us if you have an awesome review of a recent game or suggest games which we can review for the readers. Game Season: Hytale
Swaiden Beukes
Do you like Minecraft? Are building, animating and even film-making. They exploring, fighting mobs and unlocking also kept the Minecraft block-building abilities your cup of tea? If they are, aesthetic for the old-time Minecrafters. then this article is just for you!! Game cost: The creators of Hytale are What is Hytale? Hytale is like collaborating with Riot Games who are Minecraft, but more advanced, the the creators of the popular game animations and graphics are much League Of Legends (LOL). Since LOL better and the exploration-factor has is a free online game that relies on been greatly improved. You can income from custom skins you can buy embark on a journey of adventure and for your champions (LOL characters) creativity! and not the actual purchase of the game, that makes us assume that For adventure: As you travel and Hytale will most likely be free to explore the world of Hytale and its download and play. However, that has different breath-taking biomes, you will yet to be announced. piece together the history of the world. You might have a run in with monsters Release date: Talk is that it will be late or bosses, or even explore an June 2019. The release of the full abandoned cavern or a mage’s tower. game is still unknown. To be updated Whatever path you choose, no two on the game, its progress and for more adventures will be the same. information, check out their website: https://hytale.com/ For building: Hytale includes an impressive collection of tools for
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Are you a poet and you kind of have the feeling that you want others to know it?
Send us your poetry. Poet’s Corner
Perfection is in the mind of the achiever just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All you need to be to become counted is a believer and block out the opinions that peer over your shoulder.
One could say that beauty and perfection are believing, a mathematical equation that states: if achiever and beholder are both equivalent to believer then perfection and beauty are in the hands of anyone who could be brave enough to state that they believe in themselves or anyone else.
The last piece of you – J. S.
Slow realisation Giving away to raging despair Gushing fears like the ocean Ripping flesh till the bone is bare
Heart rumbles and cracks Eyes turn stone dry for lack of tears Mind unable to turn over the facts Again and again their ugly heads rear
I struggle against myself Trying to both remember and forget Those precisely cursed moments That I’ll never have back
The last touch The last loving glance the last embrace The last piece of you Kamva
Bunono Maseti
It was a tough day after school. three times before Darling was jolted out of her misery. She dragged her It was 4 PM and the sun seemed to be heavy body past the gate, thanking at its highest peak, like 12 PM didn’t Oom Rian for opening the gate for her, matter anymore and 4 PM took over. shoved her bag into the boot of the car Or maybe the sun was mad at 12 PM and dropped her weight onto the and decided to give 4 PM its sole and passenger’s seat. burning attention at the expense of the human beings who want to cool down “Hi,” said Darling miserably to her and relax at that time of day at that older sister. specific, specific hour. The selfish sun “Hello,” greeted Terry, suspiciously. sits, the centre of the universem all “What’s up with you today? Usually mighty. you bombard me with gossip, but right now you’re sulking and moaning like Darling Ngwebo stood outside, within Moaning Myrtle.” the steel security afforded by the “I haven’t moaned yet,” defended school gate after a drilling session of Darling. Debating. Unfortunately, she was the “Oh, but it’s coming,” said Terry wallflower listening to all the knowingly. She took a sip from her arguments, not necessarily the one flask. Darling irrelevantly hoped that it doing the Debating, but standing there didn’t contain coffee in this heat. She was still tiring, nonetheless. Her crossed her legs. bulging bag burdened her shoulders and back, completely full of books, a “I think I want to do Maths Lit.” stupid reminder that she isn’t great Terry choked on her coffee. Stains enough for the school system. All she appeared on her expensive white wanted to do was burn her rhinoceros blouse from the convulsions of her bag accompanied with all her seven body. “Maths Literacy? Darling, you subjects’ book and everything else that want to do Maths Lit?” A few coughs reminded her of school – maybe not forced themselves out of her body. her lunchbox. Her lunch box has Terry further exaggerated the action by special privileges with her. sticking out her tongue, visible saliva disgorged onto her steering wheel. A red Mercedes pulled up in front of the school gate, right in front of the “Don’t have a fit about it. My huge, respected tree. The car hooted teachers are having this competition and one of them thinks I should drop to roll. “…Because if this teacher is Maths Lit. She said that I needed to do thinking about her pass rate, she can it.” forget about you dropping Maths.” “But I’m not good at Maths,” whined “For whose sake: hers or yours? Darling, “and I want to do Maths Lit.” Okay, first of all, Darling,” began Terry, “Why, ’cause it’s easier? Darling, recovering, “your teacher can’t tell you nothing in life is easy! Challenges to do Maths Lit. She may suggest it to present themselves in different ways you. Secondly, where the hell did she and you start dealing with these find the time to lecture you on this? challenges at school already! Now at Aren’t you constantly busy at school?” the first sign of difficulty, do you want “Well…” started off Darling, to give up? Are you willing to allow truthfully, “she took me out of class, yourself to accept defeat? Darling, all sent me to hers and hit a chair you have to do is work hard!” opposite from hers aggressively and “But –” Darling tried to interject, basically shouted that I drop to Maths knowing full well that her Debating Lit because I’m failing –” skills failed her in arguments with her “Yoh!” older sister. “Then she proceeded to use scare tactics by mentioning a boy who failed “These teachers are thinking about last year because of the deadly themselves! All they are is a temporary combination of Maths and Science, so feature in your life. By next year, you’ll I think that I should do Maths Lit. I hate have a new MATRIC MATHEMATICS Maths and Science. I hate it, Sisi.” TEACHER and I’ll still be here with you. Permanently! Forever! And I’m not “Darling,” said Terry sternly. “There going to allow you to throw your future is absolutely no future without Maths away, based on what idiots say. and Science. To be the smartest, you They’re stupid and you, Darling, are need to do both and Darling, you are a confused. How many times have I very bright child.” asked you about setting up dates with your new Maths tutor? All you do is Bright? Thought Darling. The son’s keep quiet. You never respond, never!” way too involved in every thought I have. Terry’s anger heated the car. Darling dared to open up the window a little “But I know what I want to become more. and it doesn’t involve Maths or Science...” Darling, despite the “I’m phoning your principal seriousness of this argument, spoke in tomorrow and I’m speaking to your an inaudible tone. teachers, too!” “Universities are only impressed with Maths Core students,” Terry Terry kept quiet. Both her teachers and rambled on. “You are very confused. older sister thought that she was stupid You’re confused! Tomorrow, first thing in some way. Both were willing to fight in the morning, I’m speaking to your their arguments about her future and principal and teachers. They can’t do Darling felt like the man in the middle this man,” Terry was on a rampaging who had no voice, but could only watch as towering heads spoke for her. When family members were well on their way was she going to reveal what her home to the townships. Darling meaning in life was to both parties? couldn’t wait for 10 PM to hit when she How was she going to prove to people could finally forget about this nightmare that her thoughts should be valued and that high school has induced and hit that it is her life, not theirs? her pillows under her blankets in soft snoozes. The relentless sun helped no one. Once Terry calmed down, the two
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Moments
Kate Wilson
Jun-seo raced to keep up with Hazel, down at her. Hazel remained oblivious who was dragging her suitcase behind to this until he spoke. her. The station wasn’t very crowded, which was a good thing, since Hazel’s “You’re really something else, train for the airport was leaving soon. Hazel,” his words were soft and carried with the breeze. She looked up into the “So, you can’t stay any longer?” Jun- sky, acknowledging his previous seo questioned. He had caught up with statement. The weather was perfect, her now and strode by her side. He Hazel thought. The sky was a series of wrapped an arm around her and pinks, oranges and pale blues. The leaned his head down to hers, “Please moon was still a ghostly image etched stay just a little longer.” amongst the clouds. The sun had only risen half an hour ago and it wasn’t too She waved away his pleas and smiled warm yet. Hazel thought it was rather as they made their way towards her dreamy. The weather was very similar platform. to how it had been when she’d first arrived. That was before she had met “You know I can’t,” she whispered, Jun-seo. “and you know I’d love to.” She lifted her head cautiously so that Jun-seo “Hmm, Something Else. It’s been a would raise his. He did so. He smirked while since I’ve heard that one,” she said and smiled up at him. “Uh-huh. It’s been something I’ve “Hazel, look at me,” he said as he slid never seen before, something –” a finger underneath her chin and tilted “Weird?” Hazel questioned, it slightly towards him, allowing their squinting up at him. eyes to meet. She blinked hard. Sure “Wonderful,” he corrected her. enough, tears were pooling in the corners of her green eyes. Jun-seo could have sworn that he saw “I told you that I’d cry.” her cheeks flush with a deep shade of pink, fuchsia. He blinked through her The train’s horn sounded then and fringe and wrinkled her nose at him. Jun-seo felt his stomach drop. He “I lost a heartbeat when you said glanced down at his watch and then that,” she said just before she looked back at Hazel. Her eyes were glassy. down at the ground again. “You leave…now.” His tone was dismal. Hazel smiled slightly. Jun-seo grinned, feeling proud of “Chase the train?” she asked as himself. He followed her gaze and she moved towards the train car. He realised their steps were in unison. followed after her. “That means,” he stopped her in her “What?” he questioned as she tracks and grasped her shoulders, handed her ticket to the conductor. turning her face to him, “you should “Chase the train,” she repeated with stay another few days, here, with me.” a smirk as she stepped onto the train. Jun-seo stood on the platform and She shook her head with a laugh watched in disbelief as she made her before wrapping an arm around his way through the carriage and found middle. She let go of her suitcase, herself a window seat nearest to him. allowing another arm to find its way She smiled down at him through the around his back. She buried her face glass. Hazel opened the window and into his chest. stuck her head out. “I don’t want you to go,” he Jun-seo rested his chin on the top of breathed desperately. her head as he pulled her closer “I know, but I’ll be back –” the steam towards him with two arms. He looked train started up, but remained still. up at platform number three. He sighed Hazel seemed so calm in that moment. through the lump coming up in his Jun-seo felt as though he were throat. He wanted – needed – more suffocating. time with her, just to stand there and feel her in his arms. She mumbled He looked up towards the small puffs something into his chest. He looked of smoke beginning to rise from the down at Hazel as he gently moved her train’s whistle. away from his body. “Next time, I’ll stay longer,” Hazel continued, “way longer and just with “What was that?” he asked, his you,” and she smiled. voice sounding foreign to himself. “I, I think I’m going to start crying,” The train whistle sounded again and Hazel admitted. Jun-seo chuckled Hazel brought her shoulders up out of softly. the window, a slight breeze blew her hair across her face. The train would be heading in the direction of the rising she was facing the sun, letting its warm sun and it cast a warm, yellow glow rays bathe her. across her soft features. She was beautiful. Jun-seo was sprinting now and desperately trying to keep his head up The train began to move and so did in order to see her. He began to slow Jun-seo, following along the platform. It down and yelled after her. gradually gained speed. “Hazel!” “You won’t forget about me, will She turned back to face him. She you?” she yelled out to him. He sped looked sad, but soon changed her up now. expression. Her smile was wide and “Never!” he yelled back at her with a matched his. smile. His hair was being moved away “Goodbye, Jun-seo!” she called out from his face as he began to run, his to him and gave a languorous wave. coat billowing out behind him as his “Goodbye!” he shouted and feet carried him across the platform. returned the wave. He had stopped Hazel smiled down at him and he tried running now. “I love you,” he his best to return the gesture through whispered. his breaths. Almost her whole upper They continued to wave until she half was out of the window now and brought her arm back down back into the train car, still smiling back at him.
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The Evil Within
Jade Lindoor
She stared longingly out the window as change anything. It wouldn’t bring him if, if she imagined it hard enough, he back from the grave. would appear. Days flew by like minutes, yet she hadn’t moved a She sorely regretted what she had muscle. One would say she was done, but she had to. She had to paralysed, but she was in control of her protect herself from the monster who actions for the first time in her life. was her father. For years, she had woken up to a bloody house. Her Her face was long and sad. She father would seek out a victim, bring wanted to cry, but realised it wouldn’t them home, then devour them there. Nobody knew, but her. When she went to see the bloodied corpse of her out to tell the townsfolk, no-one father. believed her. They called her crazy until one day she brought them home She ran outside for help, but the to see for themselves. They ran in fear. screams coming from their house that After that, her father became so angry night scared the townsfolk into hiding. that he started yelling and beating her. After she had disposed of the body at dusk, she stepped into the house and She was fed up with his constant noticed something in the mirror. She bickering. She simply snapped and stepped closer and noticed her face everything went pitch black like night. beginning to change into something When she got to her feet, she noticed horrifying. blood on her hands and looked down She was the monster she feared.
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