BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE · Fiona Crawford Production advisor Valerie Hogan Production advisor Patrick Corsame Chief commercial representative Samira Abdulrahim Commercial representative

EVENT PHOTOSHalloween

BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE

Winter 2016/17

Av. de Chatelaine 95A . 1219 Chatelaine | T: 022 795 75 10 | www.britishschoolgeneva.ch

RENAISSANCE DAYPhotos and thoughts

BOOK REVIEWLGBTQ fiction

INTERVIEWOur new Principal

CREATIVE WRITINGThe Hunt

The idiom: “Les carrottes sont cuites.”Translation: “The carrots are cooked.”What it means: “The situation can’t be changed”

The idiom: “Die Katze im Sack Kaufen.”Translation: “To buy a cat in a sack.”What it means: “When a buyer purchases something without inspecting it first.”

The idiom: “In bocca al lupo.”Translation: “Into the wolf’s mouth.”What it means: “Break a leg.”

The idiom: “Z choinki siȩ urwal aś?”Translation: “Did you fall from a Christmas tree?”What it means: “You are not well informed, and it shows.”

INTERNATIONAL IDIOMS

BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE Page 2

Thank you for picking up this issue of the British School of Geneva Gazette. We hope you enjoy what we have in store for you inside. Get to know our new Principal and teachers through our interviews, catch up with some of our alumni, and check out the brand new features we’ve added to the gazette such as our book review and gossip page. This issue will also keep you updated on the latest events at the school, such as Renaissance Day, Prom, and Graduation. The year 7 & 8 trip to Lac de Serre-Ponçon is featured in our cover photo.

This issue of the Gazette has been made possible by the hard work of our co-editors-in-chief, Gabby and Carmen, our commercial representatives, Patrick and Samira, our sub-editor, Gaelle and our graphic designers Lyo and Ishaan. Also, with the assistance of our advisors, Ms Crawford, Ms Hogan and Ms Tranter, we have been able to produce a wonderful Winter issue of the Gazette.

Our goal is to keep our past and current students, parents and faculty in touch with the events and life at BSG. Please share your suggestions and keep inspiring us with ways to make the Gazette better than ever. We hope you enjoy this edition of the Gazette and encourage your friends and family to read it also.

Gabrielle St. Hilaire, Year 13Carmen Priotto, Year 13 Editors-in-chief.

EDITORIAL


Carmen Priotto Co-editor-in-chief

Gabrielle St.Hilaire Co-editor-in-chief

Gaelle Biguenet Sub-editor

Justine Tranter Primary Writers’

Co-ordinator

Ishaan Sagar Photographer and

photo editor

Lyo Yuson Photographer and

photo editor

Fiona Crawford Production advisor

Valerie Hogan Production advisor

Patrick Corsame Chief commercial

representative

Samira Abdulrahim Commercial

representative

The school fête took place on a warm and sunny night. The spirits were warm and sunny as well! The community feel of the school was perfectly captured on this night when students, teachers and parents ran the stalls, catering to a very busy crowd of laughing children running around carefree. There was a nail-painting stall, a book stall, a raffle, a bake sale, a face paint stall… and many games.

I myself helped at the “splash the teacher” stall which was quite entertaining - watching kids plunge their sponges into water and throwing them at the teachers’ faces. Mrs Smith was especially brave, being the longest to stand as kids drenched her in water. I bet she was very cold.

I also had the opportunity to speak to some teachers and students I had not really spoken to before, such as a year 13 student I was very glad to meet before he went off to university.

I highly recommend you attend the next fête!

By Annabelle English, Year 12

THE SCHOOL FÊTE



GRADUATION 2016

As lovely an event as the Graduation Ceremony is, I always find it difficult to see our students off; many tears were shed! Also, this year’s was particularly moving as it was Mrs Sundaram’s last.Ms Susan Mesa

It was such a wonderful ceremony. We had a great year together so it made saying goodbye to everyone the hardest. Timothy Inkoom, Head Boy

I particularly enjoyed the speeches from the Head Girl, Head Boy and Mrs. Sundaram. I felt they were quite thoughtful and reflected the BSG’s journey through the past academic year. Patrick Corsame, Year 11

Everyone looked very elegant. It was a sentimental time for us and we’ll always cherish the bond we built as BSG students.Gianna Harness, Year 13


INTERVIEW

Getting to know the new Principal of BSG: Mr Tobin Connell

Tell us a bit about yourself before you started teaching

Well, at university I did a Bachelors degree in Law then I took on a few jobs before I began teaching. I went into farming, construction, sales. I was a swimming coach and judo coach. I also ran a pub and served as an Officer in the British Army.

What made you get into teaching?

I’ve always had a passion to make a difference. I realised that if there was something I could do to make a difference it would be teaching. To me, teaching is something that I am, not just something I do.

How many schools have you taught in so far?

I taught at three other schools prior to BSG. I taught two years in London, four years in Qatar, thirteen years in Malaysia and now three months in Geneva.

Have you had any head teaching positions at your other schools? I have been a Head of Maths, a Head of Year, a Head of Sixth Form and an Assistant Principal, where I was in charge of 800 students.

By Gabrielle St. Hilaire, Year 13


INTERVIEW

What has made you the most proud in your teaching career?

It all comes back to making a difference. The one thing that makes me proud is helping people to fulfil their potential and helping them be all they can be - both staff and students.

What has been your favourite moment at BSG so far?

I think it’s a tie between the first assembly and meeting the entire BSG community - parents, staff and students, all together and every single interaction where I know that I’ve made a positive impact on a student so far.

Do you see your role as a father fitting into your role as an educator?

Absolutely. It may sound a bit clichéd but I consider all the students as my children. I want the same things for my students that their parents would want for them and that is to be happy and successful.

Over the years, do students come back to express their gratitude?

They do actually. Every now and then a few former students or staff members contact me via social media or email to share a fond memory and I am just as grateful as they are.

What are three characteristics you possessed before you became an educator and three characteristics you gained after?

Before being an educator I would say that I was head strong, I thought I was right all the time and I was a bit of a “know-it-all” because I had done so much and worked very hard.

I’ve grown a lot since then. I see myself now as trying to be selfless, I try my best to be humble and I have a greater appreciation of my failings.

What are your hopes and aspirations as the new Principal of BSG? My main hope, goal or aspiration, call it what you will, is to contribute meaningfully to the lives of the people I come in contact with everyday. Even if it’s fist bumping the younger students or wishing a member of staff “Happy Birthday” or just greeting everyone in the mornings.

THE HUNT FOR A PARKING SPACE


It was a lively and bright day in Geneva and everyone was in a cheery mood. My family and I had embarked on a trip to the mall. As usual, I was reluctant to go but the constant whining of my little brother and the dangerous threats my dad made persuaded me to go. The ride was long, silent and very bumpy. We were returning to our abode from a long, exhausting day of following my mum around the mall. Keep in mind that whenever we go shopping with my mother, my dad, brothers and I find the nearest seat and just watch her dash from store to store. It got so bad that once, the store clerk asked her to leave the store because she stayed there even after the store’s closing time.

As we arrived back home, I noticed that there was a sudden change in my mother’s attitude. Her face was scrunched up like a bull which had just seen a red cloth. I knew that face too well. That was the face she made whenever we were about to park the car on a Saturday night. We searched and searched looking far and wide for a parking space. Before the story continues, I must inform you that the area in which I thrive is notorious for having a small amount of parking space. My mother always gets upset whenever she reaches home. The humorous thing about this is that half of the people who park at the lot don’t live there, so the fact that all the spaces are filled is beyond me. My mother has even filed several complaints about the situation to the concierge. I digress. Suddenly I saw my mother’s face light up. This meant that my mother had finally found a parking space.

My father loudly sighed. We all knew what this meant. If my mother found a parking spot that meant high chances of others finding that parking spot simultaneously. My father had a look of defeat on his face. He had clearly given up on this situation. My mother hastily slotted the key into the barrier and as soon as the barrier lifted up, she was off. She was going so fast that I had to make sure my seatbelt was properly buckled. All I could think of in that situation was my father always lecturing me to always put on my seatbelt. To this day, I still take what he said into consideration.

In the distance, all I could see was another car’s headlights. My mother brought the car to a halt. It was as if we were a bunch of deer in headlights. The car wanted one thing and one thing only. The last parking spot. Before I resume this story, I must inform you that my mother is very competitive and does not give up easily. She would make parking seem like a scene from the latest fast and furious movie. That last parking space was hers and she wanted everyone to know it was hers. This was it.

No one in the car uttered a single word. Even my younger brother who is famous for usually coming up with quirky remarks was as quiet as a church mouse. It was as if the parking spot was an antelope and the two cars were two hungry lions ready to catch their prey. Without any warning my mother


sped the car. All she said was, “I have had enough of these people always taking my spots. It ends today.” I could not help but let a sliver of laughter escape from my mouth. Two adults fighting for a parking space. The fact that my own father did not object clearly meant that he was okay with all of it. As my mother quickly changed the gears, you could feel the tension rising in the car.

My mother’s nostrils flared. I closed my eyes bracing for the worst. As I opened my eyes, I saw that my mother had calmly parked the car. My mother looked as smug as a pelican. She had won the battle but the war was going to rage on as my mother’s opponent stepped out of the car. Lo and behold, it was my mother’s enemy, also known as the concierge’s pet, Mr Rochat*. My mother had described him as an ill-tempered man. Earlier that year he had told her off for parking in a prohibited area, even though she was just unloading the groceries.

They had been feuding ever since. As they passed each other, I made the conscious decision to rush into the apartment and take the lift since I knew that otherwise I would have to share the lift with another person, my number one pet peeve. My family later came up and we all decided to call it a night. At the crack of dawn, my mother made a conscious decision to park all her three cars in the parking lot as revenge to all those who stole her parking spaces. You know what they say, the ones who look the most innocent tend to be the most cunning, according to my father.

By Nana Asiedu, Year 10

* not his real name.


THE PURPLE-TAILED LEMUR HUNT

It had been six weeks since the Hunt had started. Her whimsical majesty, Queen Sasha had called for the aid of her citizens for the handling of a matter of utmost importance: fur for her new coat. It could not be simply any fur however, it had to be that of a purple-tailed lemur. I remember having seen one when I was a little girl of no more than four: a beautiful little creature of creamy white, with a voluminous tail speckled in purple. I consider this one of my earliest memories and quite a cherished one. Therefore, it was to my utmost horror when I had heard that they were now a rarity and even more so when the Queen ensured their complete extermination with her demands. The Queen’s words were seldom questioned, perhaps because of the bounty her requests offered, or maybe in this case, because no one really cared about the fate of the purple-tailed lemurs. My biased love for the lemurs somewhat surprised me; I never cared when I ate chicken.

Grandpa Joseph was exceptionally keen about the Hunt. Long since the time I was little had our family experienced any sort of luxury and my Grandpa hoped to earn some by presenting the Queen with what she desired. I voiced nothing against his wishes.

“If any of you see them purple-tailed lemurs hanging around, you better let me know. Or you could tell Brego,” he said on a daily basis, clearly enjoying the recent uplift in the mood of the village caused by the Hunt.

I never showed any signs of agreement or disagreement. I would come to realise later on that I may not be as good at controlling my actions as much as I am at controlling my mouth.

Grandpa had gone out to join his group of fellow huntsmen. The group had promised to split whatever they would receive amongst themselves. He had headed out after sundown and said that he would not be back before daybreak. The purple-tailed lemurs were nocturnal after all. I was lying down, reading under the dim light of my hurricane lamp. I grew tired of trying to decipher the tiny letters in the dim light of the lamp so I turned my head, staring out of the window. And then I saw it, a little fleeting tuft of white made orange by my hurricane lamp, scamper past the window sill. I got up quickly but carefully, making sure to not topple anything over in my anxiety. Although at the back of my head I wished it were a purple tailed lemur, it could be many things. Nonetheless, reason and fear could not suppress my curiosity. I had taken in hand one of Grandpa’s tranquilizer contraptions, which I had spotted on the dining table on my way out. Just in case.

I crept out of the house on all fours hoping that whatever creature I had seen was still around. I looked around and scanned the trees and tried my best to hold down an abrupt gasp. There, sitting on the branch of a tree was a purple-tailed lemur.


I acted fast. I loaded the hollow tube with the tranquilizer shot and blew through hard, just the way Grandpa had taught me. It struck the lemur above its right hind leg. A wild idea had occurred to me when I spotted the lemur: I would personally go and leave it at the western forest. There was honestly nothing of interest there, no-one even bothered checking that place for the lemurs. It had been burned down during provincial conflicts; 11 years after the incident there were some trees that had grown bordering what had previously been a forest. I had one of a species of lemurs that was endangered and being hunted down. Maybe somehow I would be able to save it. As farfetched as it seemed it was still worth a shot. I had all the time I needed. How big a deal was it anyway? Might as well consider it a productive evening walk.

I wrapped my cloak around me and used another one of my cloaks to conceal the lemur before stowing it away safely under my cloak, my left hand its bed. I took my hurricane lamp in my right hand and set off.

I made my way through the unused village road overgrown with weeds towards the western forest. I reached it after a fair amount of walking. The lemur was still out cold. Hopefully, the tranquilizer hadn’t done any worse. I placed the lemur still wrapped in the cloak on the ground. It was cold and my skimpy cloak didn’t do much good. The air was getting more and more turbid as time went by. I reckoned there was still a lot of time until the sun came up and so was relieved that I had taken care of everything in time. If someone found me on my way home, it was well within my ability to whip up a lie. But just as I was turning around to head back, I heard a voice.“Susan! Susan, is that you?”

I felt a gush of fight or flight chemicals flowing into my bloodstream upon hearing the voice. However, as soon as I looked back I realised who the owner of the voice was, and was almost surprised at how I hadn’t already made the connection.“What in the world are you doing?” exclaimed grandpa. “You had me worried sick! One of my tranquilizer shooters and some ammos were missing and so were you. I thought you’d been kidnapped!”

I wondered how he had got wind of where I was. My question was answered. Brego emerged from behind Grandpa with my bonnet in his mouth, wagging his tail erratically. “I’m okay. I just went out for a walk,” I replied, trying to seem as calm as possible.“Why on earth did you not tell your grandma?”“She was sleeping. I didn’t wanna wake her up.”Grandpa’s sigh was a mixture of annoyance and relief.“For goodness sake, girl. Don’t you ever do that again.”“I thought you said wouldn’t be back until sunrise?”“I realised I left my tranquilizers at home. You know, I might just need them for some reason.”

Just then, something rustled behind us. Grandpa reacted with lightning speed; almost immediately he plucked an arrow from his bag and shot the little wriggling lump under the cloak on the ground.

Brego started whimpering.

By Ahona Khan, Year 10


I learned so much at Renaissance Day. I had a great time and can’t wait for year 7.

Muhammad (Year 6)

RENAISSANCE DAY

We were separated into two groups: Galileo and Leonardo. The year sixes were invited to spend the day with us.

In History/Geography, we learnt about medicine, the different cures, and the difference between medicine in the Middle Ages and medicine in the Renaissance. It was fun but some of the facts were weird such as, tying a ligament from a cat on a freshly amputated leg and pouring rose and herb oil on it. Before that, they would use boiling oil.

In French, we learnt about royalty, architecture, and religion. The royalty section was about King Francis I. He made French the official language of France, he made castles to be used for entertainment and surveying Lords, and lastly he made the monarchy in charge of everything.

In English, we learnt a little bit about Shakespeare and we looked at a scene from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

Rhea (Year 7)

In Science we built capsules with an egg in it and attached it to a parachute made in art. Building the parachutes was difficult because we had to make our parachute take up as much air as possible. When we finished we made them fall from the fire escape..

Edi (Year 7)

ROALD DAHL DAY


ROALD DAHL DAY

ANTI BULLYING WEEK


INTERVIEW

Meet Ms Tranter, our new Year 4 teacher. She is from Kent/ West Sussex in England and is a very well-travelled

woman.

Where did you catch the travel bug? What influenced you in your life to be so adventurous?When I was four I told my mom that I would have a house in every country, which obviously I cannot afford, so I am aiming to travel to every country instead! I am not sure where I got this idea from. However, in the school I went to in England, I was a minority, being English - a third of the students were from Africa, a third from Asia, and if I had stayed at that school for sixth form I would have been the only Caucasian. This school was in Surrey but it was very international. I also went on holiday every year with my family, mainly to destinations in Europe - France, Germany, Switzerland…

How many languages do you speak?English, Spanish, French and some Japanese. I lived in Japan for 4 ½ years.

How did you end up teaching?I always said I wouldn’t end up teaching, because my mum is a teacher. But then after university, where I studied English and Creative Studies, I went travelling for 6 months in North America, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, and when I came back I just knew I didn’t want to stay in England! I saw a job advertised for teaching in Japan so I moved there, and that’s how I got started. I worked in a language school where I taught English to students ages 2 up to 70. Then I worked in a specialised high school teaching a ‘normal’ English course. I stayed in Japan for 4 ½ years. After Japan I then moved to France where my sister was getting married, and lived near her in Paris. This was in 2005. In Paris I experienced such reverse culture shock that I did not particularly enjoy the French experience. I therefore decided to leave for San Sebastian in Northern Spain and lived there for a couple of years.

What is the most interesting job you’ve ever had?The most interesting must have been working in Kazakhstan. After living in Spain for a couple of years I moved back to England, more precisely London. After four years in London, I’d had enough and started looking for jobs abroad and found one in Kazakhstan. There is a school

in England called Haileybury - a 150 year old school where Clement Attlee and Rudyard Kipling went - that set up a sister school in Almaty, South Kazakhstan. Since the end of the USSR the new president wanted a new British school in his new capital - he changed the capital of Kazakhstan from Almaty to Astana - so he decided to open a new partner school in Astana. It was brand new, there was nothing there, and it was still being constructed when I arrived. We started with 100 children and by the end of the first year we had 400 students. It was very international, with a lot of diplomats’ children. However, the grand majority were Kazakh.


INTERVIEW

How many countries have you lived in? How many have you travelled to?I have lived in 6 countries - England, Japan, Spain, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, and France. I’ve been to 65 or 64 countries depending on how you count it. According to the UN there are 196 recognized countries. I’ve been to 64 that are recognized and one that isn’t, which is part of Moldova, a country called Transnistria, which has its own army, its own currency, and you have to get your passport stamped in and out, but is not recognised.

What would you say is the most difficult aspect of moving to a new country?Sometimes it can be the language. When I first moved to Japan I did not speak a word of Japanese, and it’s not just about how it’s written - it’s also really hard to guess what somebody is saying because it does not resemble the Latin languages, and the intonation and mannerisms of speech are completely different too. That was quite difficult - on occasion I bought things I didn’t mean to buy, or I poured yoghurt in tea because I thought it was milk… silly things like that. Also, the Japanese language is very hierarchical. It is just a different way of thinking!

The most difficult, however, I’d have to say is the reverse culture shock from coming back home after living abroad. After 14 months of living in Japan I went back to England on holiday and I hated it. I had got so used to the Japanese way of doing things and to Japanese products that I felt like I just couldn’t find anything I wanted. I also felt like people just wouldn’t understand me. Even just waiting around at the bus stop and having someone approach me and start talking was difficult for me, as I didn’t know how to answer. When I left Japan my last two bosses both said to me that I wouldn’t find a job in Europe because I wasn’t European enough. And indeed I found it very difficult living in France, in Paris - which was the complete opposite of Japan. For me it’s definitely the coming back that’s harder than moving to a new place, because when you move to a new place it’s exciting and you don’t realise you’re picking up on everything and you’re learning. You get so used to it that when you go back home you’re expecting to fit in but you don’t fit in because your whole mindset has changed. You feel like you don’t belong there anymore.

Do you travel solo?It depends. My bigger trips, that are 6 or 4 months long, will normally be by myself because it isn’t easy for others to get time off work or have the money at the same time. Smaller trips are with friends. I enjoy solo travelling as you’re never actually alone. I need to go to Africa more… I’ve only been to a couple of countries in Africa - Egypt and The Gambia. I’ve got a lot to do!

Would you recommend this “jetset life,” for lack of a better word?It’s the poorer version of the jetset life! Why yes, you meet so many interesting people. All of my friends are either from another country or have lived in another country. It just gives you a different perspective on, well, everything. It makes you more open to ideas, and it changes your own view of your own country, both politically and just on how things work, the mentality. And you pick up the best of each country and “take it with you”.

By Carmen Priotto, Year 13


DINOSAUR DAY


HALLOWEEN


ALUMNI INTERVIEW

Aklesia Kiflemariam

When did you go to BSG and why did you move away?

I studied at BSG from year 9 through year 11. After I graduated and completed my IGCSEs, I decided that I wanted to move away from Switzerland to pursue further education because I wanted to experience a different culture and way of life.

Where do you live now?

Currently, I live in Melbourne, Australia, which is definitely an exciting place to be.

What is it like to live there?

The city itself and the people in Melbourne are vibrant, fun and lively, making it easy to adapt.

Do you think you learned anything from living in Geneva that helped you when you moved?

While I was at BSG, I believe that I learned how to think more creatively and work better at networking, which really helped me when I moved to Australia.

You were busy even between leaving BSG and starting university, weren’t you? Can you tell us a little about the Innovative Youth event you put together in BSG after you had left?

A few months after I left BSG, I initiated the InnovativeYouth@geneva event. The vision of the association was to provide a platform for young talented public speakers to share their thoughts and spark new ideas. We invited guest speakers from organisations like the UN and had 8 youth speakers from different international schools in Geneva. Creating and working with a team of talented people to make this happen was such a learning experience for both me and my team.

What are you currently pursuing academically?

Because I moved after the IGCSE results, I had to do a 9 month Foundation course which acts as a pathway to a Bachelor’s degree, since the IGCSEs were not equivalent to completing year 12 there. Right now, I have completed my Foundation course studies, which was a great learning experience and I am doing an internship at a small marketing company.

What are your goals for the future?

During this time, I am also applying for a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Information Technology, which I think will give me better opportunities in the future. I aspire to some day start my own business and become a successful entrepreneur.

By Gabrielle St. Hilaire, Year 13


ALUMNI INTERVIEW

Meet Gianna Harness, from the graduating class of 2016. She is now studying Psychology at the University of Liverpool.

How has your university experience been so far?

So far it’s been great! I barely get any work and I only have 9 hours of lectures/seminars a week. It is fair to say that university life is definitely exciting and there are lots of things to do. Also, you get all the freedom in the world so there are no teachers running after you asking where your homework is (plus, so far we have hardly got any homework). Of course there are times where you miss being looked after (like when you’re sick), but overall university is definitely something to look forward to!

What advice do you have for students finishing their time at BSG and going off to university?

It may seem like an obvious answer but put in lots of effort as this year counts the most. Although there is so much to think about (such as exams and planning for next year) it will feel so much better once you have everything sorted and you’re settled in at university. Also, don’t leave exam revision to the last minute otherwise you will be extremely stressed out during exam time which can affect your performance. It is also important that you don’t overthink or put too much pressure on yourself because if things don’t go as planned (for instance if you don’t get into your university choices), then there are always alternatives and it doesn’t mean the world has ended. It’s better that you keep your sanity and not get into your first choice university than vice versa.

What direction do you see yourself going in?

I would love to work in an institution such as a drug rehabilitation centre, a prison or a psychiatric hospital. It’s a little early to know exactly what I want to do now, but I’m enjoying Psychology a lot at the moment and plan to continue on this track!

By Carmen Priotto Year 13


BOOK REVIEWS

LGBTQ Fiction By Eleanor Munt, Year 10

Beautiful Music For Ugly Children

Openly Straight

Recently I read two books that explore the topic of LGBTQ acceptance among young people. The first novel Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronin-Mills focuses on the journey of an 18 year old high school senior who was given the birth name Elizabeth but goes by the name Gabe.

My birth name is Elizabeth, but I’m a guy. Gabe. My parents think I’ve gone crazy and the rest of the world is happy to agree with them, but I know I’m right. I’ve been a boy my whole life.

When you think about it, I’m like a record. Elizabeth is my A side, the song everybody knows, and Gabe is my B side--not heard as often, but just as good.

It’s time to let my B side play.

Written in the first person point of view of Gabe, the book explores how being transgender affects Gabe as an individual and his relationships with others around him, such as his parents, his school peers and his friends. The book also looks at how being transgender affects his job as a DJ at a radio station where he calls his show Beautiful Music for Ugly Children.

Overall I enjoyed the pace of the story and found it interesting to read. At times, I did find it a bit confusing to follow some of the music references. However, it was not such an issue that it ruined the book. I was especially interested in how Gabe’s gender identity along with his job and passion for music affect how his relationships change throughout the book. Some of the language and content makes this book oriented to older teens. This does not take away from some of the more funny scenes in the book, however - for example, when Gabe can’t make his mind up about who he would choose if he could be with one of three girls.


The other novel, Openly Straight, was based on the story of a homosexual teenage boy called Rafe. The blurb reads:

Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He’s won skiing prizes. He likes to write.

And, oh yeah, he’s gay. He’s been out since 8th grade, and he isn’t teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that’s important, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that GAY guy. To have it be a part of who he is, but not the headline, every single time.

So when he transfers to an all-boys’ boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret -- not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But then he sees a classmate breaking down. He meets a teacher who challenges him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben... who doesn’t even know that love is possible.

I did not immediately enjoy Openly Straight because the pace of the first two chapters was slow. Eventually, once the pace sped up, I enjoyed the book and found that it was fairly light hearted. The plot of this story was similar to Beautiful Music for Ugly Children as it explored the theme of LGBTQ issues and its effects on an individual. Also, some of the scenes portrayed in Openly Straight would suggest that it is directed towards teenagers/YA as with Beautiful Music for Ugly Children.

The humour in Openly Straight was also well carried out. However, I found the stereotypical dramatic love story setting a bit tedious at times. Despite this it was interesting to see the main character develop throughout the novel and to see how his actions affected his life.

Comparing these two books I would say that while they do cover similar issues of acceptance from self and others, being gay and transgender, they are explored in different ways and from different perspectives.

Gabe’s story is told two months after he comes out as transgender and he is not generally accepted by many people except his two closest friends. On the other hand, Rafe has been known as gay since the 8th grade and is generally accepted by many people.

I found that both books did a good job at explaining the situations of both of the main characters. These books were also successful in making the characters self-aware and relatable to the average reader.

Out of the two I couldn’t say which I preferred because I found them both easy and entertaining reads and I liked them both equally.

THE AUTUMN UN WALK BY YEAR 4


It was cold and raining. However, it was the UN sponsored walk to raise money for children in need, so dressed in our PE kit and coats, we took the bus from school to the UN. Once we arrived we entered the UN through doors that are usually reserved for the UN Secretary General! It was very exciting! Then we went into a large, gold opera-style room where we danced like crazy people and listened to a speech. It was good fun, although parts of the speech were in French and so we couldn’t follow it all.

Then it was time to start walking. From a big tent, we all started walking together, although some started running! The Year 1 and Year 2 children completed a shorter circuit round the flags, but we went all the way around the building. After each lap of the building we could go back to the tent to get snacks and drinks and to get our walking passport stamped. It was very important to get our passport stamped, as it showed how many laps we completed, and then we would know how much sponsor money to collect.

At the end we felt exhausted, hungry and had soggy feet, but we were happy that we had been able to help other children, and once back at school we were soon warm and cosy!

By Year 4


GOSSIP PAGE... psst ...

“If all goes well in my life, by the age of 60 I will have bought a castle on an island with my best friend and filled it with cats - making it a retreat where visitors come to be healed by the powers

of the feline.”

“When I was younger, and actually not that young, I would use the girls’ bathroom as much as possible because it was always cleaner

than the men’s… and I’m a boy.”

“I used to live in the same building as the French singer Christophe Maé in Paris.”

“While in China, I ate raw pig hide on ice, as well as rat.”

“I own a pet snake.”

“I have flown a plane

myself 20 times.”

“I have travelled to 64 countries.”

“My cousin is an NBA player.”

“I can touch my nose with my

tongue.”

“I once did not leave my house for a month

and a half.”

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BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE · Fiona Crawford Production advisor Valerie Hogan Production advisor Patrick Corsame Chief commercial representative Samira Abdulrahim Commercial representative