January-February 2024

Stanwell’s Ophelia

by Beth Lannon

Displayed in all her extravagant glory, the replica of the famous John Everett Millais’s beautifully constructed masterpiece, Ophelia hangs in the entrance to the art department of Stanwell School. This grand pastel painting was donated to the school by Dr Gwilym Roberts and his wife and the accompanying story can now be seen just underneath Ophelia. For those who do not frequent the art department on a regular basis or are far too busy to look for themselves the story behind this magnificent duplicate is this.

Found living on the streets of North West London in 1999, Derek, a 22 year old young painter had been seen doing many pastel paintings by a passing couple. This couple had not given much mind to this homeless man until the fateful Saturday when the bright melancholic eyes of Ophelia appeared sketched onto a piece of paper much larger than Derek's other works. The young man was seemingly copying the massive painting from a small postcard that he kept in his pocket and although he had only sketched the right side of her forlorn face, the copy bore an uncanny resemblance to the true oil painting. The donors were taken aback by this challenging piece that Derek had set himself and in response offered the deal that when he had finished this striking piece he was to call them and they would buy it from him. The painter was first surprised by this deal as nobody had ever asked to buy his painting before, he agreed and they left him with their phone number. The couple started to visit him semi-regularly and often brought him food but as the year progressed and summer became autumn they started seeing Derek less until one day he disappeared entirely. Three years had passed and Dr Roberts had lost hope of ever seeing this beautiful painting again. Eventually he and his partner decided to move back to Cardiff after living in London for so long. However, two weeks before they were to move out of their London house in October of 2003, they were contacted by Derek. Ophelia was finished and he explained that he had been busking around Europe whilst finishing the painting. Their Ophelia had seen the world as she was carefully brought to life. What was most surprising about this was the sheer size of the painting and how he was able to travel with such a large piece of art. As they moved to Penarth Ophelia followed, were she was framed by a close friend and stayed in their home for 8 years until Dr Roberts ran out of wall space so it was donated to The Washington Gallery then eventually gifted to the Art Department were Ophelia found her final resting place, inspiring young artists.

This story almost rivals the story behind the original painting. The subject of the painting is Ophelia, the love interest in Shakespeare’s famous play; Hamlet. This painting captures the moment that she drowns after being driven mad by the death of her father at the hands of Hamlet, her love. Her death is never shown on stage but is described by Queen Gertrude and her own brother, Laertes.

When down her weedy trophies and herself

Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide

And mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up;

Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes,

As one incapable of her own distress,

Or like a creature native and endued unto

that element. But long it could not be

Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,

Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay

To muddy death.

It appears as though Ophelia does nothing to prevent her death and it almost appears as though she regarded her watery grave as a home or an escape from her treacherous life.

This piece was first painted by John Everett Millais as he was part of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood when he was only 22 years old, similar to Derek as he painted the same piece decades later. The Pre-Raphaelites prided themselves in breaking away from the normality of the painters of the time; for instance they often painted from life which was wholly uncommon in the era and this group also believed that the landscape of a painting should hold equal value to the subject. The use of reproduction and detailed landscape can be seen in this painting as Millais painted the landscape outside from the banks of Hogsmill River in Surrey. The belief that artists should paint for life extended to the model. Elizabeth Siddal was the model for Ophelia in this painting and often modeled for other Pre-Raphaelite paintings and was an artist herself. This is one of the reasons that Millais was interested in using Siddal as the model because at the time women who pursued the arts were viewed as ‘fallen women’ and in popular media were shown drowning in polluted rivers. Millais saw the connection between Ophelia and these ‘fallen women’ and picked out Elizabeth. However, posing for this painting took its toll on Siddal as she was to be semi submerged in a bath that was only kept warm by oil lamps. If you are not familiar with oil lamps, much like myself, they have a tendency of going out which Millais tended to neglect to notice. This led to Elizabeth falling ill and Millais was forced to pay the medical bills by her father and soon after she recovered. Years after the painting was finished Siddal overdosed on laudanum, the drug that was used to treat her pneumonia when she had fallen ill, after losing her young daughter. Elizabeth’s story once again intertwined itself with Ophelias as both young women appear to take their own lives, seemingly suffering together.

New Year's Resolutions

by Nia Jones

Have you set yourself a new year's resolution for 2024? Well before you do, in 2023 recently published statistics suggest that out of one in five individuals that set new year goals (21%), their resolutions are likely to last less than one month. Setting resolutions often arises from positive optimistic energy however, studies are indicating that in reality they are toxic and can be incredibly damaging for your mental health.

Let's imagine someone who has set themselves a resolution to ‘get fit’. January the 1st, they go to the gym, the 2nd and 3rd… seemingly the resolution is going well. By the 4th of January, the person is tired or busy and they miss a session. This intense self-inflicted pressure ultimately leads to feelings of failure and can lead to feelings of anxiety, false hope syndrome , and severe damage to your self-esteem. Unfortunately then, if we fail our resolutions, many of us will set even more unrealistic expectations the following year, fueling a vicious cycle of disappointment and negative energy. And that’s the exact opposite of what many of us set out to accomplish with our New Year’s resolutions to begin with.

Now this is not to say that setting goals and targets are evil, infact when done correctly and with realistic intent they are often an insightful display of self-improvement. Below are some useful tips for goal setting in the new year.

Self-improvement is not only limited to January 1st.

If you are noticing something you would like to improve, develop or stop throughout the year, why wait for the new year! Treasure moments of internal motivation and not external societal pressures inflicted upon you at the beginning of the new year.

Reflect on the previous years successes and failures.

What worked for you last year? What didn’t? Take time to review the small wins and aim to implement them into your lifestyle more frequently. Little moments that you remember made you happy like a reflective walk in the park or a phone call with a long-distance friend are more productive targets to begin self-progression in the new year.

Do what you enjoy, be unique.

Being vague with goals such as ‘get fit’, ‘eat healthy’ and ‘be less stressed’ are destined for failure. Do what makes you feel good and be specific.

Be realistic and don’t overwhelm yourself.

Myrlinda Rose A. Ngo, a psychologist and counselor suggests “In order for us to be able to keep our resolve in doing our New Year’s resolutions, it would be helpful to just think of one goal that will be doable and keep it simple. We also need to come up with specific action steps that will help us achieve our goal,”

Don’t believe what you see on social media.

https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/life-insurance/new-years-resolution-statistics/

https://www.nature.com/articles/0801705#:~:text=The%20false%20hope%20syndrome%20results,not%20succeed%20at%20altering%20themselves.

Social media: the villain of the 21st century

by Eve Webster

I love social media. I’m an inquisitive person, so getting to see what’s going on in other people’s lives is great fun! Social media brings a greater sense of connection between those living far apart and keeps people in our lives (the Archer Eye team are missing you, Amara!). It’s also a great tool for school; being able to ask classmates about work whilst being outside of school is super handy, and has saved me from a few missed deadlines multiple times!

Yet, with all the benefits of social media come the concerns as well. It’s been said that social media has created an ‘always on’ society, which no one can ever escape and relax. In relation to school, social media (particularly platforms like BeReal) serve as reminders for anxieties asking “am I doing enough?” If there’s one thing social media is good for, it’s comparing yourself to others. If you are taking a break and going out, you compare yourself to those posting that they’re studying, and if you stay in and study, you compare yourself to those having a social life - it’s a lose/lose situation.

On top of damaging your mental health, social media eats up your time. With addictive apps like TikTok, we are discovering how little time in a day we have. Teenagers have an average social media screen time of 3 hours per day, and whilst down-time is essential for good mental wellbeing, longer time periods spent on have been shown to have correlations with higher rates of stress, anxiety, and low moods. With the added stress of exams, social media seems to be feeding the fire rather than putting it out. I’m not saying that you always should use that time for school work, but using that time to spend time with loved ones or on new hobbies is always better than mindlessly scrolling.

I know as much as anyone how addictive social media can be. Whilst watching TikToks or sharing Instagram posts with friends is a great way to destress from time to time, it’s important to remember to look up from your screen every now and then. Instead of sending TikToks to your best friends, watch a movie together (perhaps one from Catrin’s recommendations), actually try replicating your saved Pinterest pins, like a knitted project or an art style, and dedicate a night every so often to be completely social media free. Living life behind a phone screen isn’t all that fun; social media is just a reminder of what reality could be.

Extracurricular with Eleeza

by Eleeza Khan

Welcome to the third edition of extracurriculars with Eleeza. For this edition I thought I'd do a review of a couple of the clubs I've spoken about in the last few editions of the Archer Eye. So stick around to hear what has been happening in your favourite clubs and hear from some past and present members of them too!

Firstly, let's go back to our first edition where I spoke about the charity committee. This year the members of the committee have been extremely busy with fundraisers for various different causes. Back in September 2022, we raised money for the disaster emergency committee (DEC) to go to the victims of the Pakistan floods and in the last few months the committee, along with the school, held a fundraiser for Osian Jones, a current year 12 student in hospital awaiting surgery. One of last year's year 13 student ambassadors of the committee, Martha Jenkins said that ‘Running charity committee has honestly been one of the most rewarding experiences whilst in school so far, whilst also remaining fun and enjoyable. I’ve been going for a few years now, and being able to help develop a charity committee has genuinely been really satisfying’. She then went on to say ‘My favourite fundraiser was definitely our personalised candy cane delivery, which was definitely hard work and took hours to sort out but was ultimately the most rewarding and fun thing we’ve done so far’. ‘I would honestly recommend others to join and get involved, there’s very little pressure and there’s no requirement to join every week! Being a member of charity committee has allowed me to be a much more organised person whilst remaining productive and engaged within current events’.

Also previously discussed in my column; the debate club. The ever-popular debate club last year faced the unexpected loss of its leader Mr Oxenham, but nonetheless continued to be run by the capable RE prefect and student head of debate club, Grace Dyer and this year the wonderful, Eve Webster. Throughout this year many insightful debates have taken place such as, ‘should the death penalty be abolished?’ as well as discussions on healthcare for immigrants and intense tanning and whether it can be classed as blackface. When discussing the experiences debate club has given her former head Grace said ‘There was originally a debate club in 2016/17 but then it fizzled out so I started it backup in year 12. As a member in year 12 we had Mr Oxenham as chair so that allowed me to experience competition style debates and learn the official process’ She went on to add ‘As a head I really enjoyed learning to chair and then finding a balance for the group as a whole to have the most productive debates. I think debate club is really important because it has really improved my argument skills supporting my A level in RE and eventually my university course in philosophy. The skills you learn in debate club are so important for life in general which is why I really hope debate club continues for years to come. It’s also a perfect casual gathering to meet new people and find common ground in a difference of opinions, which is essential in society today’. If you want to find out more you can speak to current head, year 13 student Eve Webster.

The Science Of Your Mind and Memory

By Xanthe Williams

The brain works in so many ways that we can't even understand yet, it has many different functions and without it, nothing would be able to work. Your memory is something that is individual to each person, no person's memory is the same. Even if two people were conjoined their memories would still be different, different perspectives, different dreams, scenarios.

The brain is a complex organ that controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger and every process that regulates our body. Together, the brain and spinal cord that extends from it make up the central nervous system, or CNS. The brain sends and receives chemical and electrical signals throughout the body. Different signals control different processes, and your brain interprets each. Some make you feel tired, while others make you feel pain.

Some messages are kept within the brain, while others are relayed through the spine and across the body’s vast network of nerves to distant extremities. To do this, the central nervous system relies on billions of neurons (nerve cells).

But most people's questions aren't about the brain itself, but our memories and how we can preserve things for longer. Well the memory part of your brain is actually in two pieces, Short term and long term memory.

Short term memory is exactly as it sounds, lasting around 15-30 seconds, it holds things that are kept in your mind for short amounts of time that usually hold small amounts of information and it's often referred to as the ‘working space’ of your brain. Long-term memory refers to the transfer of information from short-term memory into long-term storage in order to create enduring memories. This type of memory is unlimited in capacity and stable—lasting for years or even a lifetime. Short-term memories can become long-term memories through a process known as consolidation, Long term memory can be referred to as the ‘library’.

There are plenty of ways that you can keep things in your mind for longer, here are 4 for you:

Reteaching, this is where you reteach what you've been told to ‘someone else’ this is great for revision as it lets you repeat what you've gone through and push it further into your long term memories.

Use Your Senses, by allocating certain things to certain topics it can bring back memories of any answers you've revised, for example scented pencils, if you use one while revising your work when you go to use it during an exam the smell will bring back the memories associated with that work.

Creating a Memory Box, you don't always have to use preserving memory for revision, by keeping a memory box you can look after possessions allocated with memories that come back when the item is present.

Having a Diary or Journal, some people might find it difficult to write often and might choose to only write about their most memorable days that you don't want to forget.

We know a lot more than we think we do, we just don't have access to it until our memory is ‘jogged’ . This could be triggered by a song, a smell or maybe a texture, each part of it makes our memory individual to us.

Should You Skate This Winter?

By Ava McLellan-Morgan

Are you interested in learning something new? Rather than academic, something sporty? As the colder months arrive, every year, ice rinks become increasingly popular. Ice skating is viewed as quite a festive sport, due to it being romanticised around Christmas, but it can be enjoyed all year round, especially when the rinks are quieter.

There are a number of reasons why skating is popular, one of them being that it can be very social. You can go purely for fun, with friends or family, or enrol in lessons where you can meet all kinds of people, so if you love socialising, you may want to try skating this winter! The additional benefit to lessons is that you can learn the basics correctly, which from there, you can progress to any discipline you choose, whether that’s figure skating, ice dance, synchronised or speed skating.

Not only is skating social, but it is proven that it has many health benefits, both physical and mental. All forms of skating help strengthen your endurance and stamina, as well as your muscle health. Requiring full body movement, skating works nearly every muscle group in the body, gliding requires the synchronised movement of legs, which improves your joint flexibility. It elevates your heart rate, proving to be a great form of cardiovascular exercise. Even better, it won’t feel like a work out due to the fact that gliding around on the ice is generally enjoyable.

Though the media sometimes says otherwise, it has been proven that ice skating is ideal for stress management. Like any other exercise, it is a great way to relieve stress as physical activity releases endorphins in the brain. After a long week, it may just be what you need! Additionally, skating is highly likely to improve your self-confidence, especially during the beginning. There's no denying that skating is very difficult, but once you find your balance, you’ll be able to develop lots of skills, such as footwork, spins and jumps. As well as having steadier balance, you’ll also find yourself becoming more flexible every time you skate. Additionally, you’ll have improved posture, coordination and agility. There's a variety of stretches you can do before entering the ice, which is important to do so that you don’t accidentally injure yourself.

Many people avoid skating due to their fear of falling over and hurting themselves, but as long as you follow safety precautions, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll be terribly hurt. As well, falling over is part of learning, so it’s important not to be discouraged by this.

Overtime, you’ll find yourself becoming more resilient and motivated. Of course, skating is a little pricey, though arguably it’s worth it! Ice skating is for everyone, so whether you start it for fitness or fun, ice rinks are able to provide you with skates alongside your admission, so there's no need to spend lots of money immediately!

Is it too late to save our planet?

By Francesca Coleman

Since the beginning of time all the creatures of our wondrous earth have lived in harmony. Until now. Due to the increase in the amount of fossil fuels being used by humans. We are the problem. We need to stop and help. We as a collective have to try. Rainforests are being cut down so more palm oil trees can be grown. This means species like orangutans are losing their habitats. Global warming is making the ice caps melt. Polar bears and penguins are tragically dying because of this. Our absolutely blind assault on our planet should stop or the beautiful biodiversity of our planet will be brutally affected.

What happened in Chernobyl in 1986 was devastating. On the 26th of April it became uninhabitable due to an awful nuclear explosion that occurred. This location once homed 50,000 people and now it is what can only be described as a ghost town. On that one fateful day the city was evacuated due to the toxicity of the area and no one has lived there since. The soil became toxic. Worst of all, most of all life was completely wiped out. Chernobyl is uninhabitable for another 20,000 years. This should be a wake-up call for us humans to make a change.

Half of the land species of our extraordinary earth live in rainforests across the world. Think about how many living creatures that is. A lot. However, half of the world’s rainforests have been cut down, leaving many animals homeless. Take the orangutan as an example. This beautiful animal has been wiped out almost completely due to deforestation to plant palm oil trees that are in products WE consume like Nutella. These poor creatures are left without parents or a habitat and are mercilessly left to die. We need to help them.

It's not only land animals that are getting harmed either. In the 1970s there was a whaling takeover. By then there were only a few 1000 whales left in our ocean. Shockingly, we humans have removed a whopping 90% of the larger fish in the sea which is awful. We need to stop fishing, hunting, killing these wondrous creatures that have done nothing but live alongside us for decades. We need to work together. We being us humans and the animals of our planet. We all know how beautiful coral reefs are. Well, they won’t be for much longer. Pollution of the sea is turning the beautiful rainbow of coral reefs into a bleached wasteland of bleak skeletons. We need to stop throwing our rubbish into the sea. We need to start caring.

Now, some might think that the drastic changed that will happen to earth will be in more than a few decades. Sadly, this is false. Changes will start happening as soon 2030 when the amazon will most likely be cut down and turned into a dry savannah and that’s just on land. No white ice caps will be left as global warming will melt every last one. We need to make a change.

Undoubtedly, we have brutally murdered our earth. However, it’s not too late to make a change. We need to stop overfishing so there is time for fish to reproduce, helping them and us as there will be enough fish in our ocean and also enough for us to eat. We need to phase out fossil fuels and discover more sustainable ways to produce energy so our society can carry on without emitting greenhouse gases. We need to reduce the land we use for farming to enable rooms for rainforests to thrive and continue to be the lungs of our planet, the trees look after us, and we should look after them. All in all we need to help.

In conclusion, our planet needs help. It may seem too late for some but if we work together we can change the future.

Book Review: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

By Naomi-Claire Lloyd-Latham

Scandalous, horrifying, and with a bittersweet ending, “The Bell Jar” is a whirlwind of a book. An eclectic mix of genres - from slice-of-life to drama, romance, and tragedy - this book is rather an acquired taste.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

After I finished reading this book, around mid-October, I sat absolutely shocked and spellbound for a good 10/15 minutes. It was intense, emotional, and rather uncomfortable. The book acts as a semi-autobiographical novel of Plath’s life (the well-known, modern poet that infamously committed suicide). Without the background information, which AS English Literature students know all too well, the book still makes meaning through the detailed accounts that the protagonist, Esther, provides.

In terms of technique, “The Bell Jar” is quick and fast-paced, it being a considerably short book despite the punch it packs; I was able to binge-read half of it in one evening. The use of first person aligns us with Esther allowing us to see her external as well as internal reactions to the disruptions in her life. This creates a very intimate experience that can get a bit suffocating, as we are placed within Esther’s “Bell Jar”. At certain points I physically recoiled due to this in-depth method of writing that Plath uses.

So, why on earth should one subject oneself to this semi-torturous experience (as I stated previously, I felt like a different person after finishing this novel)? For those among us that have taken English Literature AS, or are studying for GCSE, or plan on taking English Literature in the future, I would highly recommend this novel. A perfect piece of extra reading, that allows one to have a better understanding of Sylvia Plath and her poetry.

As a casual read, “The Bell Jar” isn’t a perfect fit. It’s strange, deals with the discussion of deep and uncomfortable topics, thus making it a jarring read. “The Bell Jar” is best taken as a novel that challenges, not a hot-chocolate-by-the-fire-feel-good book, but a wow-mental-illnesses-are-awful kind of novel. It’s not for the faint hearted but a must-read book all the same.

Eleeza and Rosheen Khan: Two Sisters, Two Trailblazers

By Olivia Goodman

This article is a piece I wrote for the Winter Edition in October 2023 for The Penarth View. I chose to include it in this edition of The Archer Eye because I wanted to celebrate the wonderful achievements of Eleeza Khan, current student at Stanwell and reporter for the newspaper, and her sister Rosheen Khan, a former pupil at Stanwell. You can find the article here: https://viewmags.co.uk/eleeza-and-rosheen-khan-two-sisters-two-trailblazers/ and below too.

The seasons have changed and it is raining heavily outside. The coffee shop is quiet. In the far corner, I read over my notes, warming up with coffee. Alone. Then, suddenly, there is a shift.

Reader, the first thing you will notice about Eleeza and Rosheen Khan is their radiating kindness. A sudden embrace and compliments and smiles. I automatically forget the sombre setting outside and I am completely uplifted, calm and relaxed. They light up the room. They make you feel at home. They find a common connection and it’s that compassion, I think, which is remarkably special.

At the ages of 17 and 19, Eleeza and Rosheen became Wales' first Muslim female football referees. After working towards their ‘C-Certificate’, the two sisters have been committed to breaking stereotypes, defying age limits and encouraging all people to pursue their passions.

I am curious to know how it all began. Rosheen recounts her earliest memories of watching the game. She tells me that football was a “culture instilled when we were kids”. Eleeza says that it was their Dad who inspired them to watch the game, but what captivated her was the fact that “football is the game where you can get a ball and throw it on the pitch in any country and, without saying anything, people automatically know what it is.”

It’s that universal connection, the ability to unite with all.

The sisters, from Cardiff and schooled in Penarth, began working together with the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

“Sometime last year, we were in our youth group. We kept seeing this man pacing back and forth in the building and wondered what he was doing. One of our youth workers, Ali, came up to us and said: ‘Girls do you want to be referees.’”

From there, Eleeza and Rosheen first completed a six-hour online course in 2022 with the FAW and later in 2023, worked towards their ‘C-Certificate’.

Eleeza said: “I think we were lucky, balancing it with school and other stuff, because usually it takes 3-4 months to do, but FAW were kind enough to speed up the process. The things that we did in 6 weeks, would be spread over 3-4 months. It was a bit more intense; we met up regularly and it was all completed over the summer.”

“There were about 10 of us, all from different areas of the community. 10 of us were girls, but me and Rosheen were the only ones that went through with it.”

Lowri Roberts, Head of Women’s Football at FAW, and Jack Rea, Referee Recruitment and Retention officer at FAW, “were two people who played a massive role in helping us”, says the sisters.

Despite radiating positivity, both Eleeza and Rosheen are candid in sharing their struggles.

Eleeza talks about how “imposter syndrome and positive discrimination are the two big ones for us”. She adds, “It’s feeling as though you shouldn’t be there” and that “imposter syndrome is an internal barrier and a lot of our struggles are internal.”

I touch on how they try to navigate these barriers and what they do to overcome them.

Rosheen said: “I do what I do because I want to inspire so many other girls to get into the game because so many people inspired me. We want to inspire the next generation and to get as many more girls, and girls that look like me, into the game.”

I ask about their views on the representation of women and girls, as well as ethnicity, in football.

“It’s got a lot better since the World Cup. Last year, when we became referees, we were shocked knowing we were the first Muslim female referees in Wales.”

Eleeza shares that, “the man who delivered our workshop is an ethnic minority referee himself and was championing representation in football before us, but there was no women representation.”

They both agree on one point, “there is still much more to do.”

The sisters open up about recent encounters with discriminatory comments, both because of their gender and religion. I ask what they would say to those who don’t understand.

Rosheen says: “We are always going to be here and we are going to do what we do no matter what anybody says.”

Eleeza adds: “It’s okay to have those difficult conversations with us; we're not here to try and catch you out. It’s okay to ask those different questions and it means a lot to us. It’s probably very hard on the other side asking those questions, but ask those questions.”

As two pioneers, I wondered what advice they would say to those who wish to fulfil their ambitions. We all face difficulties and challenges, and we all have times when we struggle, but the sisters both agree that “every opportunity and every risk is a learning curve.”

“Mine would be, just go for it. Because if I never went for it, we wouldn't have been the first [female Muslim Referees] in Wales and we would not have been able to break down those barriers.”

Agreeing, Eleeza adds: “A phrase I heard from someone was that, the other side of failure is growth, and that is something that I keep in my mind a lot.”

A 3-minute introduction became a 3-hour conversation. The sisters tell me of their busy day ahead; birthday celebrations, homework, a fundraiser at their Youth Forum at the Grangetown Pavilion and, of course, a little time to watch the football.

We ended as we began; a sudden embrace and compliments and smiles. Walking back out into the rain, something spoken by the sisters stuck in my mind.

“We feel that we need to do it, do it for every other girl.”

Why is 2024 going to be such an eventful and important year politically?

By Olivia Lyons

In 2024 elections will occur around the world in at least 64 countries. We will see more than 2 billion voters heading to the polls in countries including the United States, India, Mexico, South Africa and the United Kingdom. These voters represent the population of about 49% of the people in the world. The results of these elections will likely have a substantial impact on geopolitics.

Locally, in Wales, Mark Drakeford will step down in March 2024 after five years as first minister. Economy Minister Vaughan Gething and Education Minister Jeremy Miles as well as Health Minister Eluned Morgan are seen as likely candidates to replace Mark Drakeford.
In the UK a general election is expected to take place in the second half of 2024. This election is incredibly important as it’ll be Rishi Sunak’s first-ever contest as the country’s prime minister and this will be the first general election since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Conservative Party who have been in power for 14 years will lose to the opposition, The Labour Party according to opinion polls.
The US presidential election is set to take place in November 2024. In this election current President Biden is likely to face former US President Trump, the result of this election will undoubtedly have implications for the current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine as well as relations with China.
Russia is also expected to hold elections which will most likely see the return of Putin as President and the continuation of the occupation of Ukraine.
India is the world’s largest democracy so their election, between April and May 2024, will be the world’s largest, with current Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoping to be re-elected for a third five-year term.
For the first time in the history of Mexico, the two leading presidential candidates are women, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and Xóchitl Gálvez. The country has almost 100 million voters. Ballot papers across Mexico will also include votes to fill more than 20,000 public positions.
Other crucial elections in 2024 will take place in Taiwan, South Africa, Indonesia, Russia, Iran and Pakistan and more.

Interestingly, this unprecedented amount of elections comes at a moment when classic forms of liberal democracy are under huge threat from authoritarians and dictators such as China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin and far-right nationalist-populist parties such as Fidesz in Hungary.

Film Reviews:

Written by Catrin Edwards. In this edition, Catrin has chosen to write two film reviews, including Little Miss Sunshine by Johnathon Dayton and Valerie Faris and The Blues Brothers, directed by John Landis.

Little Miss Sunshine

Film rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Little Miss Sunshine is about a family on the verge of a breakdown. This film includes a dysfunctional family with very flawed characters but each individual has had their own experience which builds the foundation of this wonderful heartwarming story. It shows society in an honest and authentic way. The script and acting can make you laugh the hardest you ever have, then bawling your eyes out because of the pure warmth that this film will fill you with.

Dayton and Faris explores what it truly means to be a winner through the character of Olive Hoover who wishes to compete in a beauty pageant which then takes the family on a road trip. This beautiful, philosophical film shows how life shapes people in different ways which is then reflected through the decisions that these characters make. That they learn to live life and become winners at being losers. Not only does this film aim to inspire but it is also a delight to watch. Every shot is well thought out and very aesthetically pleasing.

Overall this film is perfect to watch; filled with emotion and comedy.

AGE RATING - 13

The Blues Brothers

Film rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another film that is filled with pure joy is The Blues Brothers. It's about two siblings who grew up in an orphanage which is due to be demolished. In order for it not to be, they reunite their old blues and soul revivalist band for a fundraising performance. It includes a script full of witty jokes and ludicrously funny action but most importantly the film is about music and the way it connects people. This film has one of the best soundtracks including some absolute legends such as Aretha Franklin and James Brown. The music is full of passion and soul that could get anyone dancing.

Not only does this film include one of the greatest car chases on TV, its simplicity yet chaotic nature makes this film one of the best classics out there!

AGE RATING - 13

2024: the ins and outs

by Alice Shields

I figured the most evidently new element of this Archer Eye edition is that it’s the first of the New Year!

2024 is the perfect opportunity to strive for new goals and a ‘better you’ with a good source of motivation. If you haven’t yet set any resolutions or thought about the time ahead of you, now school could be a good place to start.

School sets us up for the rest of our life and plays a big role in it currently, so, ensure your experience is the best and most valuable it can be. If you’re struggling to think of ways to do this, I've created a trending ‘ins and outs’ guide for 2024 school resolutions, Good luck!

INS:

Join a new club! From sports to debating to radio- find what suits you or go out of your comfort zone to try something new!

Homework by deadlines! Hand it in before it’s due- keep your teacher happy and your schedule manageable.

Wake up early! That extra 5 minutes everyday could get you in on time minus the rush.

Eat breakfast! Also refresh and refuel at break and lunch so you are able to focus and perform to the best of your ability in lessons.

Bring in a water bottle to refill! Save plastic and stay hydrated.

Be strict on yourself and put your priorities/ concentration first (even if that means separating from your friends in some lessons).

Put your hand up! Get involved and give back.

Come equipped- possibly even splash out on some new stationary!

Free up weekends! Stay up to date with work and complete tasks during the school week instead! Rest and recreation is very important.

Represent the school! Not only will it be greatly appreciated and applauded but will also make your Uni/ Career CV stand out!

OUTS

Late nights! Stop yourself from scrolling and maybe pick up a new book instead.

Procrastination! Fight the urge to ignore what needs to be done and feel the rewards afterwards!

Embarrassment. Everybody is learning together, mistakes are natural and necessary for improvement.

Pressure! Relieve yourself from the false hope of performing well 24/7. Allow yourself to have bad days and applaud yourself for the good ones too!

Comparison. Focus on your own improvement and understand that results fluctuate in every environment!

Jealousy. Be happy for your peers, your time will always come!

Stubbornness. Accept help, reach out, take inspiration from others as there are so many ways to improve yourself and your work in this environment.

Bad mental health! - It’s difficult to do well in school if you aren’t enjoying it or have other things on your mind. Never be afraid to confide in a teacher or ask about the mental health facilities; help Stanwell help you!

Negative mindset. Avoid the word ‘hate’, try not to complain and instead, spread positivity this year!

Living for others! Be yourself, do what it takes to get where you want to be and respect others that are doing the same! Don’t be a victim to peer pressure and lose sight of your goals and who you are.

First-Choice Reject

by Angharad Bridges

In my struggle to choose a topic to write about this term - and delay the inevitable Welsh Bacc write-up - I decided to write about university rejection. My first choice university rejection was the most disappointing and demoralising event of my life (dramatic, I know). Some readers might be able to relate to the pain that is getting a rejection from your first choice course. Or, maybe you got rejected and are over it already. Or, maybe you got an offer for your first choice and cannot relate whatsoever. Either way, I hope you enjoy the article!

I was rejected from my first-choice university back in November due to a poor score in an entry exam. I was very upset and disappointed because I worked extremely hard to get to where I was - instead of spending my time on hobbies or revising my subjects, I spent every school evening practising past papers for this entrance exam for about two months. I thought that if I just worked really, really hard, I would get what I wanted. I treated my first choice as if it were the only way that I could mould my own successful career. If you’ve been rejected, then perhaps you feel this way too. Or, maybe I’m just being way too dramatic.

I am writing this article because basically everyone I know is starting to have their dreams come true. I am surrounded by people that are at least satisfied, if not overjoyed, with their further education pathway. If you’re like me - a first-choice reject - then I want you to know that there are many pathways beyond university. In the process of trying to comfort myself, I realised that my career is not over just because I don’t get to go to my first choice university. Getting a degree is just the first step in a career. After that comes finding a job. Then, you have to find a job you actually like. Finally, if you want to, you can climb the ladder.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that careers are, well, “mouldy”. You could get a history degree, and wind up working for a tech company. You could get a chemistry degree, only to become the Pope (Francis, *nudge nudge*). I attended a webinar where someone with an English degree somehow found her way climbing up the Salesforce Representative ladder (her job had something to do with technology, but all I can remember is the neat £50,000+ salary). I also attended a lecture where someone with an English degree from some random university in the middle of who-knows-where ended up as a musicologist at Oxford University. There are many paths, and it is possible to mould your own career, regardless of which university you go to and what degree you choose. Or maybe you just need an English degree, and your career will automatically be successful.

I want to congratulate anyone who has been faced with a soul-crushing rejection of any kind, university or otherwise. There are many rejections in life - rejections from jobs you really wanted, jobs you thought you were very much qualified for, or even someone you had a major crush on. Personally, this is the first rejection I have had that will alter my career path. As upset as I was, I am glad that I have had my first major rejection now and not later. Congratulations if you have been rejected from your first choice university or course - you are now qualified to go out into the world, get rejected, and survive it!

The Value of Games in Education

by Abdullah Al-Zubaidi

You may be wondering, why bring games and play into learning? Is it really a good idea?

We often think of play as something children should do outside the classroom, just for fun. But games are used in the classroom too. Teachers use games for a fun start to the lesson, to practise vocabulary and grammar, or to practise language in ‘real-world’ situations through role-play. Play lets children practise what they know, and also what they don’t. It allows them to experiment through trial and error, find solutions to problems, work out the best strategies, and build new confidence and skills. In our busy lives, it can be easy to forget the value of play.

We often think play is not a good use of time and children should be doing some ‘proper’ learning instead. But doctors and educators believe that we should see play as serious learning. Through play, children develop thinking skills and abilities that help them to succeed in their future, including in language learning. The balance of enjoyment and challenge makes games such amazing tools for learning. There are many different types of games and some are better for learning than others. ‘Chocolate-covered broccoli’ is used to describe something that looks like a fun game on the outside, but really isn’t rewarding to play.

Kids can usually see these types of games straight away! As one child said, “I like games, but not the boring ones.” A good educational game needs to be ‘authentic’. A task should be closely connected to what learners need to do in real-life situations and to solve real problems.

Climate Change

by Izzy Duffy

We have all heard of climate change, whether you’ve seen reports on the news of politicians and protests, or videos on social media from areas around the world affected by it, we all have our own perception of it. However, all this information of climate change, disasters, oil mining, statistics, temperature changes, sea levels, COP meetings, insane weather conditions and never ending pessimistic news can become extremely overwhelming. So, this article is here to provide you with some positive comfort that we are not all ‘doomed’, and that there are many small lifestyle changes which you can contribute to reduce your individual carbon footprint.

You do not have to become a Greta Thunberg or a David Attenborough to make a difference to our planet, small actions add up and can become part of a larger change. Here are some examples of action you could take locally:

1) Buy second hand clothes - there are 9 charity shops in Penarth with many items of clothing available in many styles, colours and sizes meaning you are likely to find something to love. Along with helping the environment, charity shops sell clothes for incredibly cheap prices, and give all their profits to charity which makes them the best place to shop at!

If you are sure that this is not for you, there are multiple online shops where people sell their own second hand clothing for example Depop or Vinted. You could also sell your own clothes here to make a profit and be sustainable simultaneously!

The textile industry produces more carbon emissions than the airline and maritime industries combined
Buying and wearing secondhand clothing can reduce carbon emissions by 25%!

2) Drive less - as driving is becoming more expensive, there are many alternatives becoming increasingly popular with the public. There are many electric bikes and scooter stations locally, where you can rent one and use the bike lanes on roads to get to your destination quicker, while having lots of fun! Additionally, the buses and trains are available every day for public usage which significantly reduce carbon emissions. Also, walking is a great alternative to driving if it is a short journey as you get fresh air, exercise and vitamin D, which you could pair with a podcast or music playlist of your choice to make the walk even more enjoyable!

Private transport is one of the world’s biggest sources of greenhouse gases, with emissions rising every year!
Using public transportation instead of driving alone reduces CO2 emissions by 45%!

3) Eat less meat and processed foods - you do not have to go 100% vegan overnight to help the environment but by cutting down on your meat consumption and processed foods to just 1 day a week where you eat fully natural produce is highly beneficial to both you and the environment. There are many delicious meat free recipes online and in cook-books which provide you with many vitamins and minerals as they contain more natural ingredients, for example vegetarian tacos are equally as delicious without meat!

Processed foods are harmful to both us and the environment!
A global shift to a plant based diet could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2050!

-The Archer Eye-

Est. 2022

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