Challney High School for Girls December 2020

2 Challney Chronicle - where community matters A Message from our Headteacher

This has been a term like no I’ve heard it in the chillest land - other I have experienced in And on the strangest Sea - my teaching career. Yet - never - in Extremity, However, I have been It asked a crumb - of me. inspired every day by the students at Challney Girls. Your daughters have They have adapted to all demonstrated hope and the changes required to optimism throughout this term. I keep us all safe and they send you all my best wishes for a have done so with a positive attitude and a smile! safe and peaceful holiday. The girls have consistently lifted our spirits throughout this term. I would like to thank all Joanne Mylles parents and carers for your support for your Headteacher daughters: they come to school keen to learn and are polite and kind to each other. They are a credit to you! In January 2020 we were graded ‘outstanding’ by Important Dates Ofsted and on re-reading the report recently I was Tuesday 5 January 2021 struck by one of the phrases—’Pupils live the values Spring Term starts for Year 11 of respect, readiness to learn and resilience!’ I see N.B. If you have a PPE on Monday 4 January you these qualities every day. Despite all the challenges must attend for the exams the girls are producing excellent work which you can see in this edition of the Challney Chronicle. Monday 11 January 2021 I hope that you all have a peaceful and restful Spring Term starts for Years 7—10 Christmas safely at home. With the news of a vaccine, we can hope that 2021 is a better year for us Thursday 28 January 2021 all. Speaking of hope and optimism, I have shared Year 10 Parent’s Evening one of my favourite poems below; ’Hope* is the thing with feathers’ by Emily Dickinson. The poem is Dotted throughout this edition of the Challney written to celebrate the human capacity for hope. Chronicle are pictures of various Christmas Trees Emily Dickinson portrays hope as a bird which lives that have been put up in classrooms and round the within us all, which sings come rain or shine, gale or building. storm, good times or bad. Can you see yours……?

“Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - And sore must be the storm - That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm -

3 Challney Chronicle - where community matters Community News

Year 8 Social Action- Supporting our community restrictions over the Christmas period we still have and the Luton Foodbank to give careful consideration to gatherings throughout December, affecting people who wish to celebrate Hanukkah, Pancha Ganapti, Kwanzaa, Christmas and New Year. Whatever you are celebrating over the holidays and whether you are doing this in real life or virtually (or a bit of both), here are some top tips for marking special occasions that are both safe and meaningful: • Include specific ceremonies, family traditions As a follow up to our non uniform day earlier in the and symbolic acts to give meaning to term, where we raised over £2,000 for the Luton celebrations (e.g. pray, sing, listen to the Foodbank Harvest Challenge, our Year 8 students reading of a sacred script, light candles and wanted to do more! So we have been taking part in say who you are lighting them for.) Structure some fantastic social action work for our local your gathering as this creates meaning community. We have been collecting donations of • Don’t assume everyone will understand the food and look how much we have gathered in a few purpose of the gathering; communicate about short weeks! This picture shows just how much we why specifically you are getting together have collected, from only Year 8! • Be clear about why this afternoon or evening is different to all other afternoons or evenings Challney Girls’ students have a lot of passion for you have met helping the community, they have all been very • Do different things to that which you usually generous and kind! As Luton Foodbank is local to us, do. Ask each other things that normal times we enjoy giving and seeing the positive impact we don’t allow for. Tell people in advance about make near us. We also want to thank Luton what to expect, what they should bring/ Foodbank for awarding Challney High School for Girls prepare, etc. a trophy for exceeding the target set for us for the • Create ground rules so everyone can Harvest Challenge. participate and enjoy each other Well done Year 8!! • Do a shared activity (watch something Nuha Nilam and Alesha Choudhury together or play a game or quiz), or a sharing 8N activity (e.g. open gifts). Include things that Gather round! allow for low participation for those that For many of us, this time of year is a time for finding would prefer this joy in the planning and celebrating of various • Agree a charitable organisation to support as festivals and events that bring families and friends a family or take part in a charitable event together. With lockdown restrictions in place, it is together (maybe the Luton Food Bank?) safe to say that this year’s celebrations will be very • Talk about plans for next year and include different to those gone by. For some of us, the some new and positive ways of doing things. formal parts of religious festivals may change with Taken from the Luton Child & Educational places of worship operating to different rules. For Psychology Service Newsletter December 2020 others, the informal gatherings and family traditions that accompany times of celebration will be affected. We know that people have been under lockdown restrictions for Diwali on 14 November and we now know that despite the lifting of

4 Challney Chronicle - where community matters Curriculum News—Biology Biology Staff entries…. During National Biology week from 3—11 October, the Science Department ran a Biological colouring competition, with a different picture for each year group and even one for staff! It was lovely to receive so many entries, particularly from Year 7 where there were more than 50 submitted! The winners were as follows: Year 11 – Myda Ahmed 11S Year 10 – Rahmah Kouroughli 10I & Saarina Ahmed 10A Year 9 – Amira Shah 9J Year 8 – Barira Hussain 8S Year 7 – Hurain Amir 7N Mrs S Chick Department Leader—Science

Student Winners….

5 Challney Chronicle - where community matters DT Collages Sweet Pizza and Knife Skills

Disney Project Design Work

6 Challney Chronicle - where community matters DT Collages Mickey Ears Practical Work Disney Pizza Boxes

7 Challney Chronicle - where community matters DT Collages and IT News Rulers, Cam Toys, Mini Torches and Candle Holder What have we been up to… Practical Work In the IT/Computing department we have been approached to trial a program for EDT (Engineering Development Trust). We started this project with one of the groups in Year 9 who have really worked hard to put their ideas together and presented their ideas in a video which has now been sent to EDT for judging.

The winning group in the Year 9 team were Aalia Yaqub, Hagra Tasadduq, Harum Ahsan, Amna Zafar and Miriam Nazir (9A)

We have also been working with TeenTech to provide our students in Years 8 and 9 with opportunities to participate in Live Events and meet with industry partners to understand the impact of technology and career opportunities that will be available for them. Our first event was on 18 November 2020. The topic was Cybersecurity. Students had the opportunity to ask the expert questions and participate in a Cyber Challenge.

Saffa Saghir 8P entry for the Cyber Challenge

8 Challney Chronicle - where community matters House News—Brady Brady It’s been a busy first term at CHSG. Students have House Captain Maryam Minhas 11S adapted excellently to the ‘new normal.’ Despite the different way of working, many have showed maturity and respect to one another and still been hugely involved in 2020/2021 Brady Leadership Team house competitions and wider school life. House Captain – Maryam Minhas 11S Competitions include Manga art, Remembrance Vice Captain – Aysha Tariq 9J and more recently, story writing. Subject captains I’m looking forward to reading the submissions to Science – Sehar Watif 9J the story writing competition over Christmas and Maths – Annika Siddiqui 9L conferring with English subject Sports – Robbin Omobamidele 9L Arts – Raheela Razaq 9J captains to find a winner! ICT – Mahiya Rahman 10L Wishing you a restful holiday and Humanities– Yusra Ahmed 10R I look forward to seeing you in 2021. English – Amira Fatima Shah 9J Miss L Hourihan MFL – Alisha Safdar 9L

Head of House Congratulations to these two talented young

ladies from Brady, Halimah and Yaminah (7N) House Charity (pictured below). They have been signed to MK Students have been voting in forms for a new Dons FC ! Excellent work girls, we’re proud of house charity. The local charities to choose you! between were:

Our Minds Matter

Women’s Aid

TOKKO Youth Space

Signposts Brady staff have also been busy. Mrs Potter has Keech Hospice Care been leading a knitting project within school and Keep your eyes peeled in the new year for the the wider community. Blankets have been made winner of the vote! from squares that staff, students and community

members have knitted. Some have been Brady Successes auctioned and others have been donated. All The students of Brady house have been busy over proceeds have been the past few months. They have maintained donated the Keech second place on the merit leader board for the Hospices Care. They majority of this term – well done! This is a have also raised £50 testament to how Brady students have been for Luton food bank. ready, respectful and resilient in and out of Well done Mrs Potter! lessons.

Our Brady leadership team was finalised this You also may have also seen that Miss Ponsonby half-term. The new house captain and vice-captain won a Silver Teacher of The Year Award earlier in have hit the ground running by producing the the term. An amazing national award to receive latest end of term assembly. Their enthusiasm is which highlights the amazing job she does. We fantastic and I am sure they will lead our house to are so proud of you as a Brady member of staff. great heights! Well done Miss Ponsonby!

9 Challney Chronicle - where community matters House News—Ennis-Hill Ennis-Hill We hope our winter news in the Challney Chronicle finds our students, parents/carers and families well during what continue to be challenging and unprecedent times. Our students have demonstrated great resilience and continue to prove their commitment to team Ennis-Hill by engaging in the wider life of the school. This term we have moved forwards with our House charity work and competitions which include Manga and Sabine Hazell (Schools Partnership Coordinator, Remembrance. We applaud the on-going efforts Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust) with Senior of our students and staff and look House Captains during filming. forward to welcoming you all back Staff Farewells in the New Year.” We say farewell and thank you to joint Ennis-Hill Mr V Mehta form tutors Mr Malik & Mr Kaushal who will be Head of House leaving Challney at the end of term. We thank them for their commitment and the support they’ve given to the House. They have shown care House Charity 2020 and compassion and have worked diligently with Luton & Dunstable Helipad Appeal Filming their tutor group 10O over the past two years. session They leave with our very best wishes! We build on the fantastic charity work and Student Leadership fundraising efforts of Good Causes week (February Congratulations to the following girls who have 2020) by maintaining our link with the Luton and been newly appointed to the following Student Dunstable Hospital through the great work they Leadership positions: are doing to serve our local community by raising Zipporah Oppong – Subject Captain Coordinator funds for the Luton Helipad Appeal, our House Anosha Hussain & Laiba Zaman – Joint English Charity. Subject Captains Well done to our Senior House Captains, Nimra Rumaisa Imran – Maths Subject Captain Shah, Destiny Lewis and Tahrima Akther Milky Anaya Khuram – Science Subject Captain (11A) for their participation in a filming session Thanzeela Parveen - Sports Subject Captain with Luton & Dunstable Hospital. Zara Islam – Humanities Subject Captain In the film Tahrima talks about her fundraising Huma Ajir – House Representative efforts for Luton Helipad: “Our work with the L&D helped us realise how invaluable the Helipad will be to Luton and the wider county. Upcoming House Competition Science Snowflake We had Sabine Hazell from the NHS hospital trust To participate, you need to : tell us about how much money was needed for Collect a virus template from your Heartspace this project and the life-saving impact it could Design a scientific poster on the virus (add some have on patients. Our school is renowned for its illustrations) charity work and this is why we are such a strong Submit your entries by 8 January 2021 in the Entry community and have a real presence in the local Box located in your Heartspace town.” Epraise points and accolade will be given for the best entries!

10 Challney Chronicle - where community matters House News—Jemison and Yousafzai Jemison Yousafzai It has been a really busy Hello House Yousafzai, I hope that term for Jemison house as we you are all well! have been taking part in a lot of I would like to say huge competitions, from the Manga congratulations for all your Comic Competition (see below) continuous hard work during this to the Remembrance Competition. We saw term. participation in all competitions so well done - Despite the difficult challenges that we are all facing keep up the great work! right now due to the coronavirus, once again you have shown us all how positive, committed and resilient you are. Your positive attitude and engagement are just applaudable. I wish you all an amazing holiday and I am looking forward to seeing you all next year! The school put food hampers together to help our Miss D Jean-Louis local food bank charity. It was an amazing day Head of House showing the generosity of the Challney community by raising £2167.60 for the good cause. Well House remembrance competition done to all houses involved! Please continue to be The House Remembrance competition was involved. organised by the History department this term. The We have lots to celebrate in our end of term participants were encouraged to express their Celebration House Assembly with many of our creativity by writing a poem, a short story or a diary students achieving their Silver and Gold awards for entry to commemorate the contribution of British merits on Epraise; which is a great achievement. and Commonwealth men and women in WWI and As I write this, Jemison house are in the lead in WWII. the school for merits which is fantastic, but things The results are shown on page 16 but can change quickly so it is important to keep congratulations to everyone who got involved! striving towards achieving as many merits as A huge congratulations to Liza Riaz (10A) for taking possible. In the new year I want a big push on 2nd place for Yousafzai with the amazing poem participation in the house competitions ensuring below: all of our students are taking part. Congratulations to everyone in Jemison for all your achievements this term. You have all shown huge resilience! Enjoy your well deserved break and I look forward to celebrating your future successes in the new year! Miss L Moules Acting Head of House Student Leadership I would like to say a great congratulations to our newly appointed House Captain and Vice Captain: Aiyla Mahmood 10D and Taskin Amin 10D Well done for your new role in the student leadership team!

11 Challney Chronicle - where community matters PE and Remembrance Competition News

A Day In The Life—PE House Remembrance Competition Like many other secondary schools, Challney High Remembrance is held in the United Kingdom as a School for Girls PE department has had to adjust day to commemorate the contribution of British to the current circumstances. Our girls have and Commonwealth military and civilian shown tremendous resilience and creative servicemen and women in the two World Wars thinking skills to enable them to continually and later conflicts. thrive throughout their lessons. This term the History department launched a Students have adapted and are developing their House competition which gave students the leadership skills in a variety of methods, such as opportunity to submit a poem, short story, diary consistently working in the same mini-teams entry or poster to commemorate Remembrance. allowing them to overcome challenges and The competition was very well received with some develop their reflective practice both highly creative and outstanding entries. independently and as a team. This has developed their communication skills, use of oracy, safety of each other and their ability to persevere to reach their goal.

“In my PE lessons I feel ecstatic to compete against others in my lesson. I feel safe in PE because my teacher is always ensuring I am ok and they are always ready to help me” Huma Ajir 7A

We as a department are very proud of our students’ ethos in PE and pride ourselves on overcoming the challenges that COVID 19 has Well done to all those students who participated! presented to us. 1st Place—Aysha Tariq 9J Miss O Smith 2nd Place—Liza Riaz 10A Department Leader—PE 3rd Place—Talbiah Mughal Aslam 7I

12 Challney Chronicle - where community matters Technology News EdTech Demonstrator - EdTech Week 2020 successful leader in today’s globalised world. Over Challney High School for Girls have been at the the course of 5 days, Madihah will work with highly heart of a national initiative to help schools and successful leaders, including the astronaut Major colleges in England to develop their use of Tim Peake and a high-profile MP, to gain the key technology in education as they took part in EdTech skills required to be a leader in any field: Week 2020 from 9 to 14 November. innovation, team-building, negotiation, public Challney High School for Girls are part of the EdTech speaking, strategy and critical thinking. Demonstrator schools and colleges pro- Throughout the Summit she will be immersed in a gramme, a network selected by the Department for variety of interactive simulations designed to Education (DfE) to offer advice, guidance and train- develop these core leadership qualities. Each of ing in effective use of technology. This includes the five days will be led by industry experts from ways technology can be used to support effective globally-significant fields like technology, business, remote education arrangements, such as use of politics and sport. digital platforms and devices, as well as considering a long-term digital strategy. InvestIN is an organisation that aims to create the The EdTech Week included live policy panels, ‘ultimate work experience’ for students aged professional development sessions and a virtual 12-18. Their purpose is to give students the Edtech Summit, where schools and colleges knowledge, experience, advantage and network broadcast live, giving tips and advice to support they need to have a head-start in their dream others. The week also included a contribution from career. Over the past year we have been fortunate Minister of State for School Standards, Nick Gibb, to secure bursaries for several of our students to MP. attend development days. Details of the Challney Girls were involved in the Saturday programmes can be found here Summit with three digital practitioners from the https://investin.org/collections/all . school, Miss Harlock, Mrs Maniar and Mrs Saleem Students can apply directly to attend any of these delivering sessions on flipsnack, blended learning opportunities, but the school also offers a small and QR code escape rooms. number of full bursaries, from InvestIN, to students This is just part of the work the school is who meet their requirements (free school meals or undertaking as part of this programme. So far this young carers) on a termly basis. Students are year we have supported over 30 schools in invited by email to apply for these so should keep developing their use of technology, both within the an eye on their inbox if interested. classroom and for remote learning. The project is Mrs E Whitehall led by Mrs Whitehall assisted by Mr Kendall. Digital Assistant Headteacher practitioners are Miss Smith, Mrs Chick, Miss Jean-Louis, Dr Shore, Mr Simcox, Mr Massingham, Miss Fox and Miss Holton.

Young Leaders Global Summit 2020 As part of our partnership with InvestIN one of our Year 8 students, Madihah Jarral, has been given an excellent opportunity to attend the Young Leaders Global Summit which takes place online between 19 and 23 December. The Summit will give students a 360-degree experience of what it takes to be a

13 Challney Chronicle - where community matters Years 8 and 9 English English I watch as they jump, one by one, barely making it In English, the girls have been studying hard this over the dark abyss that sits under them, waiting term. Year 11s have been revising Power and like a tiger maliciously staring at its prey, the eerie Conflict poetry, the modern drama An Inspector shadows slowly crawling up the walls lengthening Calls and Macbeth. Year 10s have started their their fingers to catch us. It waits for one doomed GCSE journeys with An Inspector Calls and the fate to miss by an inch, capturing us in its 19th century novel A Christmas Carol. Both years enormous claws, tearing us apart limb by limb have been keen to discuss the themes from these until only a carcass remains, only the faintest texts of equality, supporting others and treating memory of its helpless cries is left. Time slows people fairly. down as anxiety builds up and worried thoughts In Year 9, the girls studied Dystopian Literature cramp up in my head… ‘Who's going to fall?’ and then crafted story openings to their own ‘if someone does fall then there is no hope left.’ dystopian worlds. Events in 2020 such as the They all make it. Confusion shrouds my thoughts pandemic and Black Lives Matter have helped to ‘Why didn’t one of them fall?’ Then it clicked. The bring the dystopian ideas to life for them. harsh realization was brought upon me as my Meanwhile Year 8 girls have been creating throat went dry. Nervous sweats were collecting delicious descriptions and amazing narratives and on my damp forehead and anxious shivers ran in Year 7 the girls have settled in really well and aggressively down my spine, it was getting harder enjoyed reading A Christmas Carol. and harder to breathe. “WEDNESDAY!” It was We are proud of the excellent creative writing Monday, leader of the pack, selflessly throwing that the girls produce. To recognise that, we are herself in danger for our benefit, little did she introducing the Jane Austin Award for Excellence know all her efforts went to waste with me. in Writing. There are four stages: Bronze, Silver, Sluggishly, I walked towards the edge and looked Gold and Platinum. down. Ebony silhouettes and malevolent obscurity Here is some of the fabulous creative writing by looked back up at me piercing my heart. I could our Year 8 and 9 girls. These girls are the first almost feel it grinning. Gulping down I gathered Bronze Award winners. Congratulations to them what was left of my deteriorating confidence and all. started to jog back, speeding up my momentum. Miss C McGowan ‘Maybe I could just make it?’ English Teacher ‘Maybe my sightseeing powers have been mistaken?’ That obviously isn’t true, every time I saw something it ALWAYS happened. I started to run A minute before I felt light but heavy as I fall faster and faster, reaching the edge I propelled down, down the malignant void, screaming, myself upwards into the air, a thousand anxious thrashing, and pleading helplessly as the howling thoughts and feelings bursting through my frail wind rushed past my ears, my cries unheard, body, the wind blasting my ears and shredding my replaced by the gunshots firing above my head. face raw. Tears streamed down my face and into A day before I listen to their mellow voices, so the air when suddenly an image played back into familiar, and behold their gentle smiles, oblivious my mind… to the fact that it was going to be my final time, A month before I feel the warmth of Tuesday as the final day. she holds me while I weep endlessly on her A month before I feel the warmth of Tuesday as shoulder, grateful for her presence. she holds me while I weep endlessly on her A day before I listen to their mellow voices, so shoulder, grateful for her presence. familiar, and behold their gentle smiles, oblivious

14 Challney Chronicle - where community matters Years 8 and 9 English to the fact that it was going to be my final time, the head officer had said bleakly. the final day. I glared at the aggravating journalist, excitedly A minute before I felt light but heavy as I fall jotting things down. Sweat trickled down my down, down the malignant void, screaming, spine. An indifferent mask hid his true feelings of thrashing, and pleading helplessly as the howling nervousness and anxiety. wind rushed past my ears, my cries unheard, Golden light draped over the people and a streak replaced by the of light caught my eye. The world isn't what it is gunshots firing supposed to be. Resent. hatred. Loss. above my head... These are our beliefs and actions. Rinaaz Khan Peace. Is it worth it? 9L Hannah Ayaz 9L

Forgotten Memory I hung myself against the gate and stared in awe She stood there, her feet anchored to the ground. as the courageous woman with a long, flowy Courageous. The weight of my armour lifted as summer dress challenged the distraught officers. she stared with her heart, straight into my soul. I The refreshing tree branches that dangled above stumbled backwards. I knew the remaining force me complimented the woman’s olive green dress. stood calmly behind me, but I felt naked under The day was lifeless and dull but the scene created pressure. Peace. She just wanted peace. Through an exhilarating atmosphere. It was an amazing all this suffering and hardship they had been sight; a smile appeared on my face. through, the tormenting abuse was not enough to Unconcernedly standing, the rest of the officers hold them back. I stared at my commanding were cowardly positioned in rows, spectating the officer. His head silently dropped low and slowly show. They leaned against one another bulked up rose. A nod of power. Not as strong as the aura, in unnecessary protective attire with inscrutable the aura which baffled me, the aura which was expressions. Frantically stumbling across the floor, being released right in front of me. the two officers at the front struggled to put the Her dress flew towards the trees, which gently handcuffs on the woman. They were wrapped in flowed from side to side. Beyond the crowd, a all sorts of armour: immense guns, lots of padding peaceful family is having a picnic, their food lay and colossal helmets. out on the grassy field, enjoying the atmosphere. Boom! Boom... Boom... The repetitive sound of a The vile wind thrashed at my oppressive helmet. basketball hitting the concrete floor became more Obediently, I started at my handcuffs. An extreme distant as other kids gradually joined me - tilting roar from the overwhelming, busy crowd their heads. Looking outside the windows, suggested a negative response to my actions. My residents from the apartment observed the view. hands relaxed almost immediately, dropping the We all knew what the woman was bound to face; cuffs to the ground. They hit the floor with a soft there is no coming back from where they will take thud that brought me back to my senses. her, she’s no different from the rest. In an instant, Instantly, I started to thrash helplessly at the countless helicopters and military men abruptly terrain, darting scrutiny from the crowd making shoved their way through to the scene. The me insecure. An air of grimness clouded my mind. echoes of the sirens drowned out against the Am I doing the right thing? I had to do this if I rambunctious crowds. Helicopter blades cut wanted to keep the job. “Arrest anyone on scene, sharply into the daylit sky, rustling the wind. or you're sacked!!” Mechanical weapons and guns were seized from the tanks, megaphones spat out muffled orders,

15 Challney Chronicle - where community matters Years 8 and 9 English commencing an uproar of hectic chaos. Swiftly before my mind but with a great, big sigh I was sprinting out of the playground, I scanned the ready to take on what was on the other side. I area to find a spot to hide, noticing faces of stood paralysed, unable to move, my eyelids glued anguish. I rushed around the corner and slammed shut and my body ice cold, yet nothing appeared my body against a brick wall, stopping my to happen. With all the courage gathered up in me movements. Hiding amongst the bins, panting, I I peeled my eyes open and with relief nothing was whispered prayers to myself in hopes of not going to happen. getting found. Before I could comprehend what The window was broken by a rock accidentally was happening, the thundering rattle switched to kicked by one of the guards on their daily a pin drop silence in a blink of an eye. I slowly perimeter check. There were lots of guards since returned to the park, creeping around the corner. my great escape, the ones above weren’t taking Everything was normal, no commotion and all any chances. You see I knew something no one civilians continuing on with daily life. “Emersyn, else did. A secret, that would change everything. where have you been?” Scouthe called out. A Why don’t we start from the beginning. Then puzzled expression appeared on my face. “What you’ll understand. do you mean, I was hiding?” I responded. Confusion sprouted on her face. “Hiding from It was a morning as rare as seeing a pink lion. The what? ”… birds were chirping and the Sun was out blazing Annika Siddiqui down upon us. The heat brought a splendid 9L warmth to the back of my neck and the warm sensation reassured me that today would be okay. I froze in place. There Most days the air would be bitter and the wind was a shattering noise as unmerciful but today wasn’t like that, it felt nice. glass scattered all We were making our way back home but I was around the room next door. I shuddered at the distracted by something. Everything seemed to be thought of getting caught and the punishment watching us. From the windows of houses looking that would follow. like eyes, to the hidden birds amongst trees. Without hesitation I leaped into action grabbing Everyone and everything was always under the nearest blanket I could find, in this case the constant surveillance. The ones above felt the one I used to cover up my wound. No one said need to know everything about us for some escaping from lunatics would be easy. It was unknown reason. The curiosity in me wanted to drenched in blood and was a painful reminder of know this reason. The ones above were the rich, the day I became a fugitive. I held it over all my they had all the power while we had none. If they research which was scattered across a wooden wanted something or someone dealt with it would table in the corner of the room. The table was happen. There was nothing us low lives could do illuminated by the light of a couple of dying about it. candles. It didn’t light up much of the room but it A couple of hours later the rest of my family were was enough to scarcely read what was written on minding their own business, doing whatever they one of the papers. The letters read IT ALL STARTS could to make the time pass which was going WITH BRE……. The rest was hidden in a dark shad- excruciatingly slow. My dad was cleaning the ow. house, well more like a bungalow. It was basically I reached for the handle leading to the next room. just one room with a single bed, its sheets were My hand wrapped around the cold, polished knob stained and it smelt like beer. The mattress had and with some uncertainty I opened it. The door springs poking out and the legs were attached by made a slight creak as the tension built, the sellotape. There was a small kitchen in the corner thought that I was most definitely caught flashed of the room. It was at its end, the doors on the

16 Challney Chronicle - where community matters Years 8 and 9 English drawers were about to collapse off their hinges Many of us wanted to do something but had no and the cockroaches were invading the floors. The courage to. They charged towards him forcing him toilet needs no words to describe it. Of course we onto his knees. This man was unarmed and a didn’t have much because the ones above hogged threat to know one, yet the ones above sent an most of our earnings leaving us with practically army to make him quiet. Clearly he knew nothing, well nothing is a bit of an overstatement, something, something the ones above didn’t want we could still afford the essentials and that was us to know and I was gonna find out what! enough in my world. The soldiers dragged the man out and soon they There were noises coming from the town hall. My were out of sight. The speakers went dead silent mother and father immediately rushed out of the but the air was filled with a sound far worse. The house with me following close behind. As soon as screams of the man that had just been taken. we stepped out of our house we were ambushed There was a BANG in the distance and the screams by a gust of smoke. It couldn’t be. The village was were no more. The crowd fell still, their skin drained in a grey fog and we could barely see turned a corpse-colour as they all crouched in anything in front of us. Everyone seemed to be in their own shadow of disbelief. the town hall and the noise we heard before was shouting. We were too far away to make out what The need to know what the ones above hid from was being said so we began to make our way to us fuelled me. It gave me the determination I the hall. needed. So I ran away, ran away from home and As we approached the town hall, the hell looking got to where I am now and I haven’t regretted it gates towered over us as shadows wondered since. The ones above fear me, they fear what I around lost in the fog. There were demonic can do and the power I possess. I have given hope looking figures crowded around something. No to the souls which thought there was nothing left they were crowding around someone, the source to fight for. My escape gave them a reason to of all the shouting. It all became louder and keep living and let me tell you this is nowhere near clearer as a single man repeated, ‘The ones above the end but the beginning. The ones above will get deceive us, the ones above deceive us.’ I clawed what they deserve and I will make sure of that. my way through the crowd and saw him. He was IT ALL STARTS WITH BREAKING INTO THEIR drenched in blood with scratches and bruises all HEADQUARTERS! over his arms and legs. His clothes were torn and Zara Fatima his nails all broken, as if he had been dragged but 9N resisted digging his nails deep into the ground. The man in the centre of all this screamed at the top of his lungs. ‘IT’S THE ONES ABOVE THEY PLAY The Fairground US LIKE A GAME AND…’ Before he could finish, Walking towards the fairground was a thrill in the speakers spat out a horrible sound. It Itself – one that grew with every step. The night deafened me as my cochlea shattered at the mere was cool but dry: perfect for a great night out! The volume of it and some collapsed onto their knees fair wouldn’t be visible until we turned the final with their fingers plugged in their ears. An army of corner but already our expectations and the sheer the unknown marched around this single man. suspense of it all were building to a peak. Sounds Their faces cowered behind masks and their were already beginning to pour through the air, bodies protected by armour. Each soldier carried “Boom! Boom! Boom!” and laser lights were a lethal weapon as if a bunch of low lives would lighting up the clouds making them seem have a chance against them anyways. somehow unearthly and weird; we were going to There were several attacks against this already have the time of our lives. weakened man preventing him from speaking. Then we arrived. The first thing we saw, because it

17 Challney Chronicle - where community matters Years 8 and 9 English and Year 9 Careers News was so huge, was the big wheel. The blurb had purchasing several food items and playing billed it as the biggest outside of London and wow different games at the stalls. Exclaiming how was it big! It shone like a circle of diamonds in the mouth-watering the food they were nibbling was, sky: spangled, bright and vivid. Surely the London the children laughed out loud and skipped happily Eye can’t be bigger than this? How can they with their families. transport something that huge on the back of a The whirring of machines from the stalls was a lorry? peaceful relieving sound, and the twinkle in the The gloriously warm smell unique to funfairs: a eyes of children seeing a new ride or winning a mingling of frying hot dogs, burgers, fried onions, prize was enough to make anyone smile. candyfloss, toffee apples and… diesel fumes Everyone seemed to be overwhelmed with joy and assaulted our senses. Everything was a delight for laughter; definitely a memorable night. All the senses: lights, sounds, smells, the thought of troubles were forgotten, as it was a magical, tastes to come… even the very air felt electric as if dazzling night for all: old and young. it was alive and urging us to take part. And take Aleezeh Usman part we were going to do! 8U As we looked to our left we saw the scariest ride Year 9 Careers we’d ever seen: “Hell’s Door!” As part of Inspiring Automotive Women 2020, As we were strapped into our seats the already Rebecca Sides gave a very motivational electric air intensified. As the safety restraint presentation to Year 9 students about her work in descended over our shoulders we felt safer – if the automotive industry. Rebecca explained her safe was the right word for this ride! role as General Manager at Mercedes Benz and With a jolt, our necks were tossed backwards and shared her journey towards her current post off we went, twisting and turning whilst lights, giving insights into her skills and experience. flashing like the vast strobes at a rock music Hannah tells us more: concert gushed passed and music blared from the “Rebecca gave a very inspiring and motivational giant speakers. First right way round then upside speech, advising us on our careers and our paths down; this was living to the full. This was “Hell’s for the future. She gave a heart-warming Door.” This was the beginning of a night to presentation about her background and past life, remember. telling us how she grew slowly through a strong Ayman Ahmed growth mindset and perseverance. Personally, I 8U feel like her talk was very thought-provoking and it really made me think about my future career and who I want to become. At the end of her presentation, she made sure to answer any Strobes of light danced around the night sky as questions and this was really important as she young children could be heard screaming and gave some quality advice and told us how to shouting with joy. The aroma of sweet candy and ensure we end up doing something we love. I spicy fast foods could be smelt from stalls in all really enjoyed this PDC lesson, not only because it directions. People were chattering loudly and was different, but also because I learnt about a music blasted from the speakers and especially career path I never knew about. Rebecca was very the roller coaster which was so adrenalin boosting kind in answering questions and was great at it would have you shaking like a leaf. speaking to us about the things she loves too.” The stars in the sky were as bright as diamonds, helping the flashes from the rides to light up the A huge thank you to Rebecca for her excellent sky. presentation and for sharing her journey with our Couples were taking long strolls side by side, students.