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Drawing by Ben Jackson-Morris S6 Learning Academy

Ted Talk of the Week

Could we harness the power of a black hole? Fabio Pacucci

Black Holes - the big question that exists light years above, beside and below us. Could it be possible to harness the power of black holes to power a galactic civilisation? It may sound like a far-fetched idea straight from a Doctor Who episode, but the ideas of physicist Freeman Dyson suggest that there may be a way to extract and harness the energy of a black hole using a contraption named the ‘Dyson Sphere’ or ‘Dyson Ring’. Pacucci believes that this would be the perfect way to power other civilisations within our galaxy, as many planets’ worth of resources would be needed to build a Dyson ring big enough to surround a black hole, but this crazy idea may help scientists to come up with smaller- scale ways in which to solve the world’s current energy crisis. This Ted Talk is a must-watch for any physicists or Star Wars lovers!

Millie Howatt, S6 (Click here to watch)

Page | 2 Wellbeing Academy

Keeping Fit During Lockdown

I really enjoy keeping active, but it has been a challenge to stay motivated during the lockdown as all the usual activities I enjoy have been paused and the sports clubs and gyms have temporarily closed.

I find it easier to stay motivated when I have something to work towards. My brother has been doing something called the ‘Conqueror Challenge’. This is a virtual fitness challenge which sets up different distances as a goal, based on actual journeys you could make. You are rewarded with a postcard at every milestone and at the very end, you receive a medal. So far, he has already 'walked’ the Aztec Trail and ‘climbed’ Mount Everest'.

Another app you could try is Couch to 5K, which aims to get you from not running at all to running a 5K quite easily by making the runs get longer each time without a break. There are also a lot of videos on YouTube. Popular sites include Joe Wicks or Yoga with Adriene. The PE department has challenges like Doddie Aid, and there are House activities every now and then that you can do.

To help keep you motivated you could give yourself a reward such as sweets (not healthy but they taste good!) or you could ask people to sponsor you.

What works for me? I am lucky enough to have a new puppy that gets me and my family out on walks every day.

Ashley Herbert, S3

Page | 3 Easy lunch to make for online school

This is a brilliant lunch to make for your lunch break – it tastes great, it is healthy, and it is easy to make.

Ingredients

For the pesto, you will need: 80g basil 50g pine nuts or cashews 50g Parmesan 150ml olive oil A clove of garlic

Method

All you need to do is mix all the ingredients in a food processor - you can always alter the quantities to achieve the flavour you want. Be careful not to over-mix as this can ruin the texture. This recipe makes enough pesto to last a few days, so you can keep it refrigerated.

Serve with pasta; it can be eaten hot or cold.

Sophie Tiefenbrun, S5

Page | 4 Wellbeing support when you're not in school

If you’re feeling in need of pastoral support when not in school, you can contact the Pastoral Team and there are lots of resources for you online, with 1-2-1 help or more general advice.

Find out more using the link HERE

How to stay motivated

Staying focused and driven can be tricky, especially when things feel uncertain. If you're looking for some tips for staying motivated, check out the advice HERE

It's a short two-minute video with 5 different tips based on advice from children’s mental health charity, Place2Be. There is also a recap if you'd rather read the advice instead of watching the video.

Page | 5 Community Academy

Positive News

Chinese New Year was celebrated on February 12th, and, with 2021 being the Year of the Ox, for many it was important to follow the traditions that day. According to Chinese superstition, washing clothes, using scissors, and sweeping floors are some of omens to stay clear of as doing any of these will lead to bad luck for the entire coming year. It’s not all bad news for this year, apparently: the Ox is an animal that symbolises strength and determination.

In the UK, engineers are designing a project to turn hills into “batteries”. The project aims to use excess green energy to pump water uphill via underground pipes. The water would then be released and flow downhill over generating turbines when demand for electricity is higher. This renewable energy scheme is designed by the company RheEnergise; they plan to develop around 700 sites across the country.

One of the few positives that has come from lockdown seems to be from our own gardens. By comparing data from two surveys, The Royal Horticultural Society have estimated that front garden greenery has increased by an area 70 times the size of Hyde Park since 2015, partly thanks to lockdown.

The US airline, Enter Boeing, has announced that it will start delivering planes that fly on 100 per cent biofuel by 2030. In 2018, the company made headlines with the first commercial flight using just biofuel.

Hannah Bell, S6

Page | 6 Eco Academy

Techno Trash

Electronic devices play a big role in consumerism just now, with Apple being one of the most well- known companies in the world. Electronic devices, although revered for their convenience, do not naturally agree with our environment. Electronics that are thrown away become what is known as “Toxic Technotrash” or otherwise commonly known as “e-waste”. If you throw away your “e- waste” irresponsibly, the toxic waste ends up in a landfill. The most prevalent technologies include iPhones which have toxic elements such as lead, zinc, and mercury.

Not only does “e-waste” effect the environment but it also impacts children’s health. The WHO states:

“Children are especially vulnerable to the health risks that may result from e-waste exposure and, therefore, need more specific protection. As they are still growing, children’s intake of air, water, and food in proportion to their weight is significantly increased compared to adults, and with that, the risk of hazardous chemical absorption. Furthermore, their bodies’ functional systems such as the central nervous, immune, reproductive and digestive system are still developing and exposure to toxic substances, by hampering further development, may cause irreversible damage. Many children are exposed to e-waste-derived chemicals in their daily life due to unsafe recycling activities that are often conducted at their home - either by family members or by the children themselves. Furthermore, children may be exposed through dump sites located close to their homes, schools and play areas.”

Informal processing of electronic waste leads to environmental pollution and adverse human health effects. Waste can contain potentially harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, or bromine. The European WEEE Directive classes these ten things electronic waste:

Page | 7 - Large household appliances (fridge freezers) - Small household appliances (IT Equipment) - Consumer Electronics - Toys - Lamps - Tools - Medical Devices - Monitoring and Control Instruments - Dispensers - Temperature exchange equipment

Consequently, the majority of electronic waste ends up in landfills with only 12.5% of electronics being properly recycled. According to a 2013 UN Study, over 41.8 million tonnes of electronic waste was discarded worldwide; however, only 10% - 40% of these disposals was done properly. Every year, up to 50 million tonnes of electronic waste is discarded, yet only 18% is properly recycled, meaning 82% of electronic waste is currently rotting away in landfills, disrupting eco- systems and habitats.

Fortunately, there are ways to help you reduce your electronic waste and lessen the damaging impact on the environment:

- Donate to charities such as the Alan Turing Foundation: they take electronics and recycle them. Many computers made by the organisation are given to young people who can’t afford them. - Stop buying new phones. Consumerism and the market is often to blame for a lot of problems environmentally, but by not buying a new phone every time there is a release, you are decreasing your spending and carbon footprint! - Don’t throw your technology in the bin - it will be taken to landfills by accident. - If your technology isn’t ruined, you could sell them to someone else, or donate to a charity, then someone else gets good use of the device.

Recently, more laws have been put in place for companies about what chemicals are allowed in your phones or other electronics. This has been put into effect since we use our gadgets so frequently and removing the worry of toxic e-waste would be the best solution for all.

Frances McGunnicle, S4

Page | 8 Global Academy

Are the Airpods Max Worth It?

not the airpods max

Since the day Apple released the first iPhone I have been a die-hard fan of theirs. The innovation of a touch screen. A phone that was smart! I can remember how wide my eyes opened when I saw that phone and for the price it was (£381) it felt like I was looking at the future, sitting behind a wall of glass. That was something worth the money. But ever since Apple’s 10 year-anniversary and the unveiling of the iPhone X, it seems that they have lost the plot with pricing. By the time Apple launched the AirPods Max in December, the price was the only thing that remained a total surprise: an incredibly punchy £549.

£549! You could get an entire speaker system for that price! Though, Apple has been notorious with innovations. From the touch screen, Siri and even the faceID scan. So surely there must be something ground-breaking with these headphones. The short answer is no. And the long answer is NOOOOOOO. All that’s fancy about them is their noise-cancellation which isn’t even the best in the game right now. Bose’s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700s are way better at noise cancelling than any other pair of headphones currently and they only cost £349.95. I know, I know £349.95 is no small amount for a pair of headphones; however, we are comparing these with headphones that are worth £549.

For headphones that are worth this price, the reviews that come in should be full of “wow!”s and “amazing!”s. Instead, it’s a “meh”. Do not be fooled, these are high quality headphones and if they were £349.95, I would most likely buy them. Not because of the quality though, but because of Apple’s ecosystem. These headphones are not for the audiophiles but for those who care about status and how visually appealing they are.

They look really good. They sound really good. They feel really good. But not good enough.

Aayush Singh, S5

Page | 9 Rest and Review

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, rated 12+ by Pegi, is a murder-mystery game originally released by Capcom in 2001; it is the first in the Ace Attorney franchise. It was originally released for Nintendo DS but has since been made available for 3DS digital download and iOS; it has seen an HD remaster alongside two other games in a collection called the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, available for Nintendo Switch, Windows, Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Set in the year 2016, you play as the inexperienced yet talented defence attorney Phoenix Wright as he tries to prove the innocence of his wrongfully accused clients in murder trials. Along the way he’s assisted by Maya Fey, a hardworking and optimistic spirit medium-in-training and teenage sister of his mentor, Mia Fey. In the trials, Phoenix must face off against the prosecutors Winston Payne, a pushover who only exists to be a tutorial; Miles Edgeworth, a man whose ruthlessness in trials earned him and title “The Demon Prosecutor”, and Manfred von Karma, the perfectionistic prosecutor with no losses in court over his 40-year career but a lot to hide.

While often unrealistic in its portrayal of the legal system, Ace Attorney provides the player with a colourful atmosphere and fun yet often challenging gameplay as you collect and piece together clues to work out the details of these bizarre cases. I found that the investigation segments of the game tended to drag a bit, but the trials themselves are fast-paced and rarely a bore. There are five cases in total, although the fifth was added after the initial release and exists independently from the main plot; they all had me hooked on every word.

With a colourful and goofy atmosphere combined with mystery, plentiful plot twists, and its more emotional moments, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is great for anyone looking for an engaging and challenging game.

Calum Williamson, S5 Page | 10 Book Recommendations

Everything from chart-topping biographies to fast-paced thrillers!

Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton Set in a rural school in Somerset, England, Three Hours follows a group of pupils and teachers whose school is under siege. The reader is catapulted into the action as the beloved headmaster is shot in the first couple of pages. It is then a race against time to understand the motivation for the attack and discover who is hiding behind the mask, before lives are completely destroyed. This is a fast-paced thriller which cleverly uses the school’s production of Macbeth as a way of exploring, and making sense of, the corruption that has brought the characters to this point. This is a book for our age exploring the dangers being too connected online and disconnected in real life; and the importance of families: those we are born into and those we create for ourselves. I highly recommend this book to anyone 15 and above. Miss Mackenzie

Becoming by Michelle Obama Michelle Obama’s best-selling memoir is the most inspiring book I have ever read! She tells the story of her life so far, from growing up on the South Side of Chicago to her final days at the White House, and honestly reflects on the ups and downs along the way. I usually read fiction and haven’t read a memoir for a long time, so I was surprised that I enjoyed it so much. I would recommend this book to S4 pupils and above. Next month, she is publishing a version for younger readers which S1 and S2 pupils might enjoy too. Ms Merton

Page | 11 Pine by Francine Toon Pine is one of my favourite books from last year. Set in a fictional forest town in the Scottish Highlands, it follows the life of a young girl as she grapples with the disappearance of her mother. At first it appears to be a typical crime story, though it develops into a coming- of-age tale and a sensitive portrait of a father-daughter relationship. It’s imbued with all my favourite horror themes: small town secrets, dysfunctional families, eerie forests, and witchcraft. Better still, it’s short – I read it all in one evening! I recommend it to any fans of atmospheric mysteries: a perfect read for these cold and rainy winter nights. Ms Bechelli

Pupil Choice: Us Three by Ruth Jones This is Jones’ second novel and explores the lives of three women who have grown up together; however, as time passes, they begin to grow apart. The book begins with the three girls going on holiday together as a celebration of leaving school and moving on to the next chapter in their lives. Something happens during this trip that shocks them all and will change one of their lives forever. There are lots of twists and turns in this book and it’s quite fast paced; I found myself unable to put it down! The narration of the book is shared between the three women and the other important people in their lives. I would recommend this book to those 15 and above. Rachel Lochhead, S6

If you have read anything recently that you think others might enjoy, why not send in a mini review of your own!

Page | 12 Linkee Questions

This is a fun game that you can play alone or with your family. There are four questions in each round, and there is one word that links the answers to all four questions, the aim of the game is to find the one word that links all the answers together. Last weeks answers were: 1. Types of nuts and 2. Superheroes. Medium 1. Whose grandmother was eaten by the Big Bad Wolf? 2. What is the most common fruit juice people drink at breakfast? 3. Snoopy’s best friend is called Charlie ‘who’? 4. Who lived with seven dwarves? Snow _____

Hard 1. Name the Disney movie based on the story of ‘The Snow Queen’ 2. An Apple product that gave you “1000 songs in your pocket” 3. When jealous, you can be described as being “______with envy” 4. Adam and Eve were kicked out of the ‘______of Eden’

Millie Howat, S6

Page | 13 We Want You! ?

Have you or anyone in your family achieved anything that you are proud of? Such as writing an essay? Becoming an artist? Even if you haven't done anything as extravagant as that simply baking a cake is worthwhile sharing.

Send us anything creative, innovative or down right wacky: we want to see it all.

Don't hesitate to send us an email to [email protected] and you could be featured in the next edition.

We hope you enjoyed reading, The QuaranTeam

Editors-in-Chief: Andrei Podaru & Ben Jackson-Morris, S6 Managing Editor: Louisa Herbert, S6 Copy Editors: Emily Worthington & Callum Friel, S6 Page | 17