By Millie Hughes
During autumn half term, Harri Donovan of Year 13 made Stanwell proud by completing the New York marathon, all in the name of Young Minds mental health charity.
With an excellent time of 5 hours and 18 minutes, Harri ran the full 26 mile track on the 3rd November with some family, all while campaigning for mental health. As well as this, Harri even raised a staggering £2,285 for charity, with proceeds coming from a non-uniform day in school and his own personal GoFundMe.
Young Minds is a charity which aims to support struggling children and their families through times of crisis; an imperative service in today’s society. Their website delivers services such as information, contact details for help, and tips and tricks for kids and parents on how to tackle whatever they are struggling with. They also run ‘Hello Yellow’ non uniform days for Mental Health Day, which Stanwell partook in this October.
If you are struggling to cope with anything whatsoever, visit the Young Minds website: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Well done Harri!
by Eleanor Harris
Have you ever fallen victim to being a fast fashion consumer? I know I have. Without realising, the fashion markets of today have become corrupt, focusing more on profits, than the quality of products they are producing for their consumers and the environments of those who craft all of our garments. Though, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish fast fashion retailers as they are concealed by countless advertisements and brand deals with the most popular influencers of today. Let me uncover these brands for you. Though there are the obvious retailers such as Shein and Pretty Little Thing that have undergone many ethical controversies for the pressure that their workers are put under, there are more of the beloved brands like Urban Outfitters and Hollister that have concealed the true reasoning for their ability to mass produce.
Why is fast fashion so bad? What wider impact does it have? I am assuming that you've asked those questions to yourself. I know, that trying to find a more ethical, yet fair-priced, alternative for the brands that you love can be difficult. Especially when the next sale is around the corner. However, there are an abundance of reasons to search deeper for the more noble substitutes.
Environmental impact - When was the last time you considered the environmental footprint of your latest fashion find? The fashion market of today is now the second largest consumer of water internationally and contributes on average to about 10% of the global carbon emissions. The fashion industry has become one of the largest contenders in the pollution of our waters, chemical waste and carbon footprint. It is a pollution machine that is not only sacrificing our environment but the environment of future generations.
Labour conditions - I had never considered the lengthy process it takes to get our clothes from fabric to hanger. Until the uproar scandal that involved Shien, and the lack of respect and safety for its workers. There should be an equivalent level of concern for the labourers who fast fashion retailers capitalise on. This industry has a fond habit of disregarding its workers, providing conditions that can only be described as exploitative and corrupt. Not to mention children who account for a sizable mass of the workforce. These workers, who provide us with clothes that make us feel confident and comfortable, are exposed to inhumane working hours, unjust wages and unsafe conditions. The endangerment of these workers' lives is concealed by the desire for a quick and affordable steal.
Impact on local communities and craftsmanship - Those who provide us with quality craftsmanship from local communities should not be neglected either. The dramatic increase in mass-produced products has completely shadowed the presence of small businesses that aim to create unique and high-quality attire, in contrast to corporate companies that are only focused on replicating these designs and consequently stealing their target market. Businesses that survive on their own traditional skills are outcasted by the cheaper alternatives. It is a personal loss for these people; not only is their livelihood sacrificed, but also their heritage.
By Francesca Coleman
The rise of ‘brat’ by Charli xcx has been phenomenal. From its eye-sore cover art to its pumping beats, this album has changed pop. Although Charli xcx has come out with numerous hits over the years she has never been a household name such as artists like Taylor Swift or Harry Styles. In a recent interview, Charli revealed that she was sure that people wouldn’t like ‘brat’ and she even cut costs on the now-iconic cover art. She said that the album was, ‘Not going to appeal to a lot of people’ but boy, was she wrong.
Under its many layers of electronic sound and autotune, this album is truly beautiful. Alongside its upbeat songs like ‘360’ or ‘Club Classics’, songs including ‘So I’ can be found. This song was a tribute to Charli’s friend Sophie, an icon in the hyperpop world who tragically died in 2021 and discusses her impact on Charli and Charli’s regret and guilt of not reaching out and seeing her friend as much as she could’ve. This can be seen in lyrics like ‘You’d say, “Come on, stay for dinner”, I’d say, “No, I’m fine” (Now I really wish I stayed)’. Another heartfelt song on the album is ‘I think about it all the time’. This song illustrates how Charli visualises her career as small against how vast our world is in comparison. She also discusses meeting her friend's new baby and wondering if she’s missing out on this chance in life due to her career. She contemplates having her own child in, “But I finally met my baby, And a baby might be mine”, referring to her Fiancé, George Daniel, drummer of ‘The 1975’.
Following the success of the album, Charli xcx released ‘Brat and it’s the same but there’s three more songs so it’s not’. This album, as it says in the title, featured three more songs, ‘Hello Goodbye’, ‘Guess’ and ‘Spring Breakers’. These songs received a lot of attention from the fans and shortly after, ‘Guess featuring Billie Eilish’ was released. This song blew up straight away and has since gained 100+ million streams. On the 11th of October another brat album was released! ‘Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat’ featured each song of the original album and ‘Guess’ ; however, each song was a remix of its original counterpart with a featuring artist. The featuring list included names like Troye Sivan, Ariana Grande and The 1975. In the ‘I might say something stupid remix featuring Jon Hopkins and The 1975’ the narrative of the original song changes slightly. Matty Healy and Charli xcx present to the listener the pressure and harsh expectations of the music industry. The lyric “these interviews are so serious” can be heard, painting a picture of how artists need to think very seriously about what they say in interviews out of fear of their words being misconstrued. This idea can also be seen in ‘Sympathy is a knife featuring Ariana Grande’ when Charli sings, “It’s a knife when a journalist does a misquote”. A prevailing theme of this album is collaboration, appreciating what other artists can bring to already established songs and also, throwing away feuds. For years, Charli xcx and Lorde have been compared and put against each other. On their song, ‘The girl, so confusing remix with Lorde’, they worked it out and worked through their differences. The two were very transparent on this song and even discussed their insecurities. With Lorde singing, “‘Cause for the last couple years, I’ve been at war with my body”. The rivalry the industry set up was shown through, “It’s you and me on the coin, The industry loves to spend” and was put to bed with Lorde stating, “I’m glad I know how you feel, ‘Cause I ride for you Charli’”.
Along with the success of this album, came brands trying to profit from it. All kinds of brands used the now dubbed ‘brat green’ to gain traction to their content and products. This was a great marketing strategy as ‘brat summer’ had then been established. A similar example was Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign. With ‘brat summer’ at its peak and the younger generation having an obvious liking to Kamala it was only natural that she gained even more of these supporters with the use of ‘brat’, shown through Kamala HQ on Twitter changing their backdrop to the iconic ‘brat green’. The use of this advertising was intelligent due to the fact that having the younger generations vote is crucial as they are the ones that will be pioneering later generations and making future decisions.
Overall, I am extremely happy for Charli as she is finally getting the recognition that she deserves. The impact this album has had on our society over the last few months has been staggering and I definitely believe this album is a must listen!
Democracy is a gift widely taken for granted. We have the right to vote, petition, protest, and contribute to making a difference in our country. Too often are these rights overlooked. Too often do we feel helpless in the face of injustice, and too often do we forget that we are not.
I understand the majority of those reading are not yet eligible to vote in general elections, where eighteen is the minimum age. However, in Wales the voting has recently been lowered to sixteen. The next Senedd elections are scheduled for May 2026, and this means many of you will be able to help shape the way the Welsh government looks. I encourage you to look into the options available and make an informed contribution to our democracy.
While voting is the most direct form of democratic participation, there are an array of other ways in which you can use your democracy. These include protest, discussion, petition and more, and are all great ways to stand for something you believe in. To learn more about these, I can recommend through personal experience, an organisation called the Democracy Box, aiming to educate and inform young people on what democracy is, and how it can be beneficial to us. This link will bring you to their website and specifically their page on how under 18s can get involved. https://www.thedemocracybox.co.uk/your-voice/
It is important to put our democracy into perspective. The Economist Group’s research found that we live in one of just 24 countries known as a ‘Full democracy’ (see footnote (1)) , representing just shy of 8% of the global population. So when I say ‘we are the lucky ones’ I mean this statistically, we are lucky to live in a democracy as fair as ours. As shown below the number of countries without democracy is genuinely terrifying, where power has been monopolised into the hands of few.
So it is safe to say we are lucky to have the democracy we observe. Therefore it is a worrying trend that many young people seem to be disinterested and apathetic towards politics. As shown in the 2019 general election where only 54% of people aged 18-25 voted. How can we call this a ‘Full Democracy’, when only half of the youth bother? And this is significant because the decisions and policies put in place by future governments will undoubtedly impact everyone in some way or another. One example was the proposed idea of mandatory national service. Policies such as these, like them or not, serve as proof to the idea that politics affects you.
I am not saying young people are at fault for this disinterest towards it. It stems from a number of causes, a lack of education is one, but also the politics itself. British politics has been proven to be, while entertaining, frustrating, with broadcast debates often descending into child-like bickering.
And in light of this it becomes so easy to forget that these people are the ones making day to day decisions directly affecting us, and drastically changing people’s lives. And that is why we should have a say in what they stand for from no matter what perspective and make our voices heard. Not just to help fight injustice but also to help bring about the change you want to see.
Another misconception is that one person doesn’t make a difference. The more people who have this mindset the more our democracy is undermined, and the less it truly represents the people’s beliefs. We are lucky to live in a democracy, I strongly encourage you to play your part. No matter your view you should make your voice heard, help to shape the world you want to live in.
By Millie Dowdall
Modern day education arguably focuses on knowledge rather than action. Typically, facts and figures that cannot be contested are presented to us, recited, and then vaguely referred to in some exam question months later. This is no doubt an essential process as knowledge can be power, but how powerful is it in absence of real application? To what extent do we question the things we are told, formulate individual opinions, and use them to navigate later in life?
Regarding politics, few of us benefit from the knowledge in the first place. The constraints of the national curriculum means that thousands of students are leaving school without receiving any political education at all. It is then wondered why voting turnout among young people is so low.
Avoiding involvement at all later in life can be the opportunity cost of the absence of this education. Those eager and interested will read around it and build extensive feelings based on many political affairs from a young age. Those who don’t, won’t. Silent in heated debates, too embarrassed to ask the simple questions, they will face high adversity when it comes to voting with uncertainty they are about to plunge headfirst into a deep pool they can’t quite see the bottom of. I’d be happy staying by the side.
Political education is not destined to become some form of brainwashing attacking from the right or left. Political education is providing students with identical sources these parties produce, political language, voting systems, and current policies being actioned. Returning to the original point, the knowledge given should inspire action for what individuals believe in. Only then are they politically equipped to contribute to what they believe is right.
By Millie Hughes
With autumn now coming to an end, you’ll be sure to spend many evenings wrapped up on the sofa looking for a film to dig your teeth into. When trick-or-treaters are knocking at the door and the spooky season is in full swing, what better way to fill your free time than by watching some scary movies!
Film rating: 5/5
Age rating: 18
Kicking this off on a self indulgent note in regards to my favourite film, Saw is a low-budget horror film from the early 2000s directed by James Wan and Leigh Whannel. While the franchise has become infamous for the many sequels it’s inspired over the years, the original instalment explores a self-righteous serial killer known as Jigsaw subjecting helpless victims to near-impossible ‘games’ designed to prove their will to live. With a narrative that flips between Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) and Adam Faulkner Stanheight (Leigh Whannel) fighting to escape their trap, and the ensuing police investigation of the Jigsaw murders, Saw is a must-see film for anyone who loves a good plot twist!
Film rating: 5/5
Age rating: 15
For anyone who has a soft spot for sci-fi, then look no further than Jordan Peele’s Nope, the most recent of the director’s critically acclaimed horror films (of which I also highly recommend). The storyline follows a brother and sister (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer respectively) who are struggling to make ends meet on the family ranch after their father’s untimely death. When the two begin to encounter uncanny alien appearances around their farm, they set out on a mission to earn fame and fortune by capturing footage of this creature. With its modern take on the sci-fi tropes we all know and love, as well as a critique on Hollywood’s treatment of animal stars, Nope keeps audiences on the edge of their seats and begs the question: is there such a thing as a ‘bad miracle?’
Film rating: 4.5/5
Age rating: 15
If gory, keep-you-up-at-night horrors aren’t really your cup of tea, then why not give the campy, 90s slasher Scream a try for your frightening fix? Directed by Wes Craven, the film follows a series of mysterious murders among high school students committed by the elusive Ghostface; an antagonist whose infamous mask has since become the face of scary films. The film is almost meta in its portrayal of horror-obsessed characters and classic cliches, with countless references being made to famous films from start to finish that viewers will instantly recognize. While the basic storyline isn’t anything necessarily original, the self aware nature of the narrative provides a fresh perspective on the genre, cementing Scream as a true classic and a real love letter to horror films on the whole.
Film rating: 4.5/5
Age rating: 15
Are psychological and serious scary films not quite to your taste? Fancy something a little bit more light-hearted for your autumnal celebrations? Then look no further than Edgar Wright’s ‘zom-com’ Shaun of the Dead. This horror/comedy follows underachiever Shaun (Simon Pegg) and how his main priorities of video games, booze and a failing love life are threatened by an upcoming zombie apocalypse. Despite its laugh-a-minute script and excellent visual gags, Shaun of the Dead is in no way a spoof or parody movie, and never struggles to deliver a good scare or emotional moment that has audience’s hooked from start to finish. As someone who isn’t particularly interested in zombie films, even I was unsettled by the slow but steady growth of the apocalypse that lingers in the background of each shot! Shaun of the Dead is a horror film like nothing else; after all, where else are you going to watch five people fight zombies to the tune of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now?
Film rating: 4/5
Age rating: 12
Directed by the late, great Alfred Hitchcock, you can’t call yourself a true horror fan until you’ve watched the classic Psycho, starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh. This neo-noir staple revolves around the Bates Motel and the gruesome happenings inside it, run by Norman Bates and his mysterious, housebound mother. This sixties masterpiece truly paved the way for horror films and is still highly praised to this day, inspiring many an homage (where do you think Patrick Bate-man got his name from, after all?) No film sequence will ever be as parodied and recognisable as the infamous ‘shower scene,’ so why not watch it for yourself this autumn?
Film rating: 4/5
Age rating: PG
If you’re looking for something fun to watch with a younger sibling that still brings that spooky atmosphere, give Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride a go this autumn! This beautifully animated stop-motion production explores Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp) practising his vows for his impromptu wedding when he accidentally finds himself married to Emily, the living corpse of a bride (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter). He now must fight to return to the living world while tackling the dilemma of which woman to marry; a task which leads to some great musical scenes, excellent fight sequences and some truly heartfelt moments. This underrated gem is the perfect mix of gothic scares and classic British humour, leaving it on par with other spooky stop-motions such as Coraline, The House and Frankenweenie.
Are films not really your thing? Give some of these spooky TV shows a watch this autumn instead!
Where to watch: Netflix
Age rating: 18
This Silence of the Lambs spin-off follows FBI agent Will Graham getting sucked further and further into the life of his so-called therapist; police psychiatrist and infamous murderer Hannibal Lecter.
Where to watch: iPlayer
Age rating: 15
Following the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, Partially Deceased Syndrome sufferer Kieren Walker must adapt to being alive again while avoiding the many people in the town of Roarton who want ‘rotters’ like him purged.
Where to watch: All4
Age rating: 12
This internet series-turned television show explores puppets Yellow Guy, Duck and Red Guy and the wacky lessons inflicted upon them revolving around the topics of jobs, death, family, friendship, transport and electricity.
by Abigail Cannon
I have never been someone very interested in football. Of course, it has always seemed that everyone around me is passionate about it - my friends discussing the latest match in class, or my uncles goading each other about their teams on the family group chat. But I have never cared about the outcome of a match or if a team is getting relegated. That is, until I found this programme.
In my house, my parents usually get a choice of what goes on the TV, which has often led to my sister and I scrolling on our phones rather than being engaged in Antiques Roadshow or A Place in the Sun. However, recently I found myself suddenly drawn into my dad’s choice that evening: Ted Lasso. This show follows American Football coach Ted Lasso on his adventure coaching a struggling premier league football team, with no knowledge of the sport and an unending supply of ‘never give up’ attitude. Ted’s constantly cheerful demeanour is refreshingly contrasted by Brett Goldstein’s character Roy Kent’s cantankerous yet charming personality. The Richmond team is filled with lovable characters such as kind and optimistic Sam Obisanya and fiercely enthusiastic Keeley Jones, and we follow each of their personal journeys alongside the team’s progression. One of my favourite parts of the show has been witnessing the most drastic character development I have seen, transforming from completely hating the character, to having so much compassion for them.
The show handles topics such as anxiety, female empowerment, and that anger is never the answer. Ted’s yellow “believe” sign in Richmond’s locker room is a prime example of the positive and supportive atmosphere the show creates. Ted Lasso made me laugh and cry, and helped me see the sport in a way I never have before. It has easily grown into one of my favourite comfort shows, and I will definitely be watching it again.
So, if you can get hold of your friend’s Apple Tv login, or you are lucky enough to have one yourself, I recommend introducing yourself to AFC Richmond and this joy filled journey of a tv show. Perhaps you’ll find yourself, just like Richmond player Dani Rojas, saying “Football is life!”.
by Naomi-Claire Lloyd-Latham
No, it’s not an extended ice cream advert, it’s a comedy spoof trilogy (of the horror, crime and sci-fi genres), consisting of “Shaun of the Dead” (2004), “Hot Fuzz” (2007) and “The World’s End” (2013) - all directed by Edgar Wright. It’s three separate stories, set in three different universes, with different characters. The only factor that links these narratives together are the Cornettos; One appears in each film - its flavour dependent on the genre.
I am not a fan of comedies. One must take in mind the fact that I haven’t watched a comedy - let alone a good comedy - for numerous years. I am the first to say - not so much with pride, but a sense of integrity to myself - that I don’t have a diverse film taste. I like my detective films, murder-mysteries, thrillers - basically anything in the crime genre. I am partial to an adaptation; though I will often tear these poorly made attempts at cinema into little pieces (no matter the production value). I also really enjoy both the fantasy and dystopian genres, equally. But I reiterate, I am not a fan of comedy. Yet, against the odds - which were very slim - I now regard this comedic masterpiece (emphasis on comedic) as one of my favourite series of films.
So, what on earth is it about?
“Shaun of The Dead” is a zombie-rom-com parody. Not only does our main protagonist Shaun have to save the world (or just survive it for the meanwhile) but also save his relationship with his girlfriend Liz. Bit cliche? Far from it! Lots of gore, a humorous best friend, suspense, a pain-of-a-roommate (Pete), all rounded off with a nice pint at the Winchester.
“Hot Fuzz” is a spoof on buddy cop movies. Top of the London Met. Police Service, Sergeant Angel is forced to combat crime in the safest town in England, Stanford. What could possibly go wrong, other than the ever-present danger of dying of boredom? The less you know about this film the better.
“The World’s End” is a rather silly sci-fi film. Gary King decided to relive the best moment of his life, 40 years on: The Golden Mile pub crawl of his youth. What initially appears as a quest for beer and glory ends up being the revelation of the century - nothing remains the same forever and there are robots among us. Moments of deep despair, more humour, crying, laughing, perhaps some screaming, it’s got it all!
Why is it so brilliant?
Maybe it’s personal preference. They are all hybrid films, so naturally I would be inclined to like them through the lens of genre. But if I am to take the objective standpoint (as much as I am able to) I think that I just really enjoyed the film craft itself. The script writing is phenomenal. Through the use of foreshadowing, the plot of the film is hidden in plain sight. The first Act sets up the second and third Act in such a manner, that they are almost repetitions of previous points. One is almost decoding the plot as they watch it; it’s half the fun. All the films are also clearly films - they seek to use all the micro-elements. Instead of there being an overreliance on dialogue to make a scene funny, editing, mise-en-scene, and cinematography are all incorporated. That being said the dialogue - which isn’t over -used and often reveals character’s motives - is also fantastically witty. By making use of underappreciated elements of films (such as editing) as well as strengthening the already established areas that are so commonly found in comedy (such as tight scripts), the end result is a good well-rounded film series.
Now, how's that for a slice of fried gold?
Rating (of the entire trilogy): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Personal Ranking: “The World’s End”, “Hot Fuzz”, then “Shaun of The Dead”.
Age Rating: 15 (all of them)
POTENTIAL TRIGGER WARNINGS: They include comedic, though sometimes realistic, gore and blood quite frequently. Death of characters, sometimes bloody, is also common. There is a mild suicide reference in the final film.
-The Archer Eye-
Est. 2022