1. Lion Rock

Lion Rock gets its name because it resembles a lion's head. When you reach the top of this mountain hike, you have an amazing view of Kowloon in Hong Kong. The hike is moderately difficult and has many steps on a steep slope that get you to the top, but the view is worth it! 

The hike starts pretty easy with a straightforward trail and a few stop points for water and pictures but at the end of the hike, the toughest bit of stairs starts to get steeper and steeper and you wonder if you will ever reach the top. There isn’t much shade and there can be big crowds of people so it's recommended to go early in the morning so that it will be a bit chillier because you don't have the afternoon sun and you can still see the view from the peak in the morning.

Time: 2-3 hours 

Distance: 6 km  

Difficulty level: 3 out of 5 

Three years ago, I had never thought that I would be learning from the screen of a computer. When I thought about school before Covid-19, I could only think of being in a classroom face to face for the whole school year with my teachers and classmates doing activities like regular field trips, and holding school events such as assemblies, capstone events, and school productions to large audiences. The best part about all those things was that everyone didn’t even have to wear a mask everywhere!

It’s been three years since we have been introduced to virtual learning and all I can remember is spending half of each school year online and the other half in person. 

To this day, we are still wearing masks and social distancing everywhere. This has certainly affected my life and the people around me.  In this article, I will be explaining the effects that come with learning overseas and how our mental health and productivity are affected by it.

How does learning online affect mental health?

Online learning affects mental health in two ways. 

First, being online for long amounts of time can cause something called zoom fatigue. According to the Kentucky Counseling Center (KCC), this is when a student is physically exhausted from long virtual meetings and can sometimes affect a student's ability to comprehend new information. Although this is not a diagnosed illness, this can affect a student's mental health and overall happiness, as well as increase stress and anxiety levels. 

Second, the lack of interaction that online schooling students have affects their mental health. Without socializing and seeing friends, students will face greater social isolation. The KCC states that ”going to school teaches learning from books, but it is also where friendship starts and fun memories are created. Communication and social skills are best learned with social interactions.”  This tells us that any sort of socializing or communication with one another is crucial for our mental state.

However, it is not only the students' mental health that is affected but also those of their parents and teachers.  When students are in a different time zone and have trouble learning more independently, this can cause their parents and teacher lots of stress as face-to-face classes allow for more immediate support and feedback. Without being in-person for teachers to answer all the questions that they have, students could not be fully understanding a topic which causes more stress for themselves and their parents to help them understand. 

How does schooling online affect learning productivity?

Learning from another timezone has many effects on a student's capability to learn. Attending classes virtually while also in a different place means that most students will either have to start schooling early in the morning or end late at night. 

This might not seem like too much of a problem but online learning has a huge impact on a student's productivity level. In an article written on productivity by Ryan Luke, he states that scientists have proven that the most productive working time for students is in the early afternoon. The reason for this is that students' energy and efficiency are at their highest during this time so getting work done in the early afternoon is better.  This information tells us that students who start school at 5:00 pm or 3:00 am are not likely to reach their full productivity potential which may not be helpful for their  learning in the future. 

Another study from the Council of Ontario states that across the entire population, students who are tasked with homework formatted online are more likely to procrastinate and take longer to complete the assignments normally given to them in-person. This is because it’s a lot easier to get distracted by playing video games or finding something on your desk and in your home to fidget around with. 

Furthermore, a study by the Johns Hopkins Newsletter found that students who are in another timezone feel more depressed and not connected to their friends and family. More importantly, they feel as though they cannot adjust to the new school times while also juggling school and interacting with other people.  

How do THS overseas students’ view virtual school?

I surveyed some students at THS that were overseas and asked them about their opinions on VC@T. These students are currently in other countries like Singapore, Hawaii, England, Sweden, and Australia. 

Question 1. What is the biggest challenge you have/are facing with online learning?

Some of the biggest challenges that these students face with overseas learning is that it's really hard to focus because if schooling starts at a later or earlier time than usual, it is hard to adjust to the new school times. This also makes it harder for them to participate in classes because they do not have the supplies that they normally would have if they were learning on-site.

Question 2. Do you think that  this kind of schooling has affected your productivity? Why or why not?

Out of all of the responses, most students replied that since they are at a different timezone, it is hard to stay productive and concentrate when learning early or late in the day. On the other hand, there were a few students who thought that learning overseas, even with their classmates in person, reduces the amount of chaos and helps them work at their own pace.

Question 3. Do you prefer to be in online or in-person schooling?

This was a very controversial question because some students needed to be face to face to understand the topic while others preferred more individualized work so learning online wouldn't be so bad of a problem for them. This would generally just depend on who that student is and what they prefer.

In conclusion, virtual learning can be good or bad depending on the type of student you are. It is still important to understand how to handle the stress of being online and how to make sure that you are keeping productive. Learning overseas has its pros and cons but it is also about exercising a growth mindset and having a positive point of view. 

Sources:

• Mental Health Effects of Online Learning

• Mental  Health Implications of Virtual Learning

• Effects of online education on mental and physical health

• Virtual school can be damaging to children’s mental health

• Up All Night

• Learning in different time zones

• International students discuss how online classes are in different time zones

• Learning in two time zones

• Associations Between Screen-Based Media Use and Brain White Matter Integrity in Preschool-Aged Children

• https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/the-time-of-day-youre-at-your-most-productive-is-not-what-youd-think-scientists-say

Have you ever thought about learning how to make a movie? 

If not, then it might be because the task seems very challenging. However, many professionals in the filmmaking industry say that it’s a good skill to learn, with many benefits throughout.

Collaboration and teamwork can be extremely helpful in projects, but can also be very hard to manage. This is an example of a life lesson learnt from learning filmmaking, and an example of a possible benefit from learning this skill. There are also many more skills that can be learnt, such as time management and communication skills.

Our Media Tech teacher, Mr. Michelson agrees. “We want students to be able to express themselves in many various ways as well as be able to approach assignments with different mindsets,” he tells us. This is only one reason why it’s useful for students, and even adults to learn movie making, and there are plenty of other benefits.

Movie making is a very useful skill to learn, however, that doesn’t only teach you lessons within technology and production skills, but also lessons that can apply to real life situations. According to Charlotte Weiss, who is an assignment helper in the UK who helps filmmaking students, an example of a skill that can be learnt from producing movies is learning how to read people’s expressions and body language better. “In the world of cinema and theater, you need to study people carefully. You need to pay attention to their mannerisms, expressions, how they talk and walk, and how they will react to a given situation. This is essential to develop your characters appropriately,” she says. This implies that while making a movie, it makes you better at paying attention to small details and emotions, since you have to know the character well so that you can help actors/actress’ portray their roles well. 

According to an article written by MIT Art, Design, and Technology University based in India, filmmaking can also help you learn project management, communication skills, time management, and leadership skills. Clarissa Leung, a student in Grade 6 who learnt filmmaking, also shares that through learning this skill, she was able to learn more about teamwork. “I have learnt an important lesson, it is don’t fight about what you want or what your teammates want. Decide it as a group.” 

Through making your own movies, you can also inspire others. Valerie Wong, Grade 6 student shares with us that “The Matrix has overall changed my point of view on movie making, because of how interesting it was shot…It inspired me.” 

Other than movies with impressive techniques and visuals, movies can also help viewers feel emotion, and help them feel more comforted. Encanto and Luca, both recent animated Disney/Pixar movies are a great example of this. Encanto, a story about a magical family in Colombia, talks about pressure, specifically from family, and also about feeling like an outcast since the main character, Mirabel, has been given no magical powers, unlike her family. Luca helps tell us a moving story on how two characters are afraid to reveal their identity as sea monsters for how they imagine others in the human town will treat them. These types of movies are great because to some, they are relatable and help them feel less alone in their situation, as well as being able to make audiences of these movies inspired. These are only two movies, though, and there are plenty more that can help have similar purposes. These movies could also be considered inspiring, whether because of the actor or actress’ talent, or the amazing technique of some sort used, such as filming techniques and stunts. On the other hand, there are also movies that can be simply for enjoyment. However, overall, It really depends on the audience who are watching to decide if it makes them feel inspired or not.

According to askwonder.com, there are 2-9 million movie producers globally, which is a very little amount, compared to our world population of 7.9 billion. But have you ever thought about increasing this number by learning how to make movies, and joining the film industry? You don’t have to necessarily become a professional to create your own movie, however, and it’s a skill that can be self-taught if your goal is simple enough.

To conclude, filmmaking is a recommended skill to learn, because it can teach you skills as well as life lessons that are beneficial in real life situations, and can also help others by making them feel a certain way or a certain emotion, whether it be inspired, happy, and even sad or angry. We hope that in the future, you will consider studying filmmaking if you haven’t yet, because of all its benefits.

15 December 2021 -- On August 15th, 2021 the Taliban arrived in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, after hiding in the mountains and their strongholds to the East. They suddenly took control of its government and the citizens, stopped girls from going to school and confined women to their homes. Many girls feel like they have no hope of a future.The Taliban, or “students” in the Pashto language, are followers of Islam founded in early 1990s. There are 2 forms of Islam - Sunni, and Shia. These differ because they have different interpretations of what the Quran says (the Islamic Bible). The Sunni say that humans can be redeemed by worshipping Allah, their god. On the other hand, the Shia worship Imams, who they say have been picked by Allah to lead them into the light. The Taliban are part of the “Sunni” , but are extreme followers. They interpret the Quran in a very conservative form. Though originally the Quran said women and men are equal, this definitely has been changed and shaped over time. 

The Taliban are no strangers to taking over Afghanistan, as they have done so before between 1996 to 2001. During their regime in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, they banned women from work, stopped girls from school, burned down many famous cultural sites and icons, including cinemas, and a Buddha statue. They also made boys wear turbans while girls must wear a head to toe covering.

Crackdown on Education and Women

Ever since the Taliban have taken over, women have been experiencing bans from society. The last time the Taliban took over Afghanistan, they tore down many important cultural items, undergo mass executions and enforced the strict following of Sunni Islam. In particular, they treated women in contempt, such as nothing was allowed to be named after women, and people were not allowed to take photos of women. 

This time the Taliban have taken over, they said that they would respect and allow women more rights, but these rights must be determined and decided by the Taliban council. Yet, they gave no response to what rights would be granted, and what would be stopped. Education in Afghanistan is a prime example of uncertainty in the Taliban’s promises, 

Previously, high schools and universities all around Afghanistan were closed for girls. A few universities have begun to open their doors for women to attend, but there has been no mention of when high schools would re-open. In university, women must be separated from men in the classroom, and must take buses with shielded windows to school. Women must be taught by female teachers only, while men cannot be taught by women. These beliefs come from their greatly conservative way of interpreting the Quran. 

In the Northern and Western sections of Afghanistan, which is known to be more liberal with many different minority groups residing there, girls are allowed to attend grade schools. However, in Kabul, which is in the Southeastern Section of Afghanistan, girls have to reside at home, while boys are going to school. This is mainly because of the large number of Taliban bases and strongholds in the South and East, which means they have more control over the capital population. However, even in the north, only ⅓ of 3000 kids in a school have opted to return as many have been experiencing harassment or violence on the way to school by the Taliban. Moreover, in Kabul, Talibans have not released any responses to when grade schools would re-open to girls. 

 As well as that, the Taliban recently said that all women should stay at home, for “security reasons” and if they go outside, they should be accompanied by a male. The Washington Post has also released an article saying that the Taliban have stopped women from working government jobs. They claimed that they would be setting up another system for work as a pretence to ban women from work. Another very important issue is the opinions of women. Many Afghan men believe that women only govern over familial life, and men dominate everything else. 

The Violation of Rights 

 In an interview with UNICEF, many women and girls reported feeling afraid. One unnamed student said ”I had a plan to accelerate my studies, and take more classes. I went to the gym after university. I had a plan to launch a small business for myself in Kabul. But everything vanished in a matter of hours. Words cannot describe my current depression.” Many young women have also started hiding their achievements, awards, and certificates, so the Taliban couldn't find them. Human Rights are a necessary thing that all humans should have access to, but in Afghanistan, so many of these rights are being taken away from women, and girls.

Firstly, Article 26 of the Human Rights Act states that “everyone has the right to education” and that “elementary education shall be compulsory…. and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit”. With the current ban placed on girls attending grade school, this is a clear defiance of Human Right. Additionally, one female teenager in Afghanistan said during an Interview with the UN that, “Everything I wanted to do, all my dreams have just stopped.” as she was just finishing high school and was about to start university but now cannot. As a result of this, the future of 3.7 million girls have been changed, because they cannot go to school.

Furthermore, this goes against Article 5 of the Human Rights, which proclaims “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment.” In an article published by BBC, many women were beaten as they were fighting for their rights. “The women say they were stopped, lashed with whips, and beaten with batons that emit electric shocks.” As well as that, in an interview with New York Times, a young woman named N was subjected to torture from her father, because he wanted her to marry a Taliban man because he used to work in the Afghan military, and is afraid the Taliban will target him. Her father beat her a lot, because she didn’t want to marry a Taliban man. 

“Sometimes when they beat me, I cry. It’s a normal thing. When you feel pain, you start crying, and he locks the windows and the door.”  --N

As well as that, Article 23 clearly states: “Everybody has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and protection against unemployment.” However, all the women except for Public Health workers have been sent home for their jobs, because of “security issues' '. The only ministry to have been abolished is the Women's Affair Department. The Women's Affairs Department takes care of the welfare of women, and many are afraid that without this department, they will have no protection, or safety.Women have been allowed to work freely for 2 decades. But what the Taliban have been doing goes against all the change and hard work the Afghanistan has been trying to do.  This completely goes against gender equality, since only women have been stopped from work, and school.

Another stirring and dangerous issue is child marriages. Many families are struggling, since many don’t have jobs. Fathers and Mothers are selling their children, some as young as four, to fifty to eighty year old men, so they can get money in exchange for a daughter.As stated in Article 16 of the Human Rights“Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.” The actions of the Taliban goes against human rights because girls as young as four are being married off to men as old as 70. Due to extreme poverty, girls are being treated as just products. This  extreme poverty is a result of the Taliban shutting off jobs and families becoming desperate. Many girls want an education, but are instead being married off to The Talibans into futures they don’t want to have. 

Women are afraid to stand up to the Taliban for their rights. Women are afraid the Taliban would whip them, and use gun violence against them, which has happened before. In May, the Taliban attacked a school in Kabul and killed 85 people, most of them were school girls. This is one of the many examples where girls have lost their lives in schools. As a result, many girls are not choosing to go to school to prevent being harassed, attacked, or killed. The human rights this defies, include the right to freedom from torture and inhumane treatment, the right to equal treatment towards the law, the right to marry and have families, the right to work, the right to education. Girls are passionate in Afghanistan, ready to work as hard as possible for their families. If girls and boys can be sent back to school, they can get jobs, and become the breadwinners for their families, thus starting up the economy again. 

Actions Being Taken

Having an education is a basic human right. As well as that, the treatment of women is unfair, and women deserve to be treated as equals to men. However, the things that are currently happening include bans from society, and bans from education. ‘

Recently, the New York Times posted an article saying that the Taliban opened some middle schools and high schools to girls. Many are regaining hope, and are starting to pursue their futures. An impressive 87% of Afghan civilians believe that girls deserve the same education as boys.   For many girls, the fact that the Taliban have middle and high school girls go back to school opens up a future for them, because they can finish their grade education, and can go abroad to study in colleges around the world. 

As well as that, many women are taking to the streets wearing bright clothes to make a statement to the Taliban that they are free. With more international pressure, the Taliban will be forced to to open grade schools, and allow everybody to be free. Girls are the powerful clogs of the economy, and when girls have their educations, they can make money, start businesses, buy things from other businesses, so that they can feed their families, and other people have money to feed themselves as well.

Actions you can take are supporting and helping donate to charities supporting girls and families in Afghanistan. One donation you can make a fund to, is Mahboba’s promise, which donates money, clothes, food, and technology to children in Afghanistan, and help Afghan children escape and help children relocate to better places. 

For more information visit https://mahbobaspromise.org/ 

Did you know that one in every three bites of food you eat is all thanks to bees? Bees are one of the main reasons why you see flowers, trees, and lots of animals in your life. They are important to have on this planet and their pollinating has helped millions of fruits and vegetables that we all eat, grow.

Dying bees are becoming a much bigger problem because right now, they are dying at a rapid rate and that is because of the problems that humans have caused. 

Bees are very important to have in our environment. According to Greenpeace.org, “Seventy out of the top 100 human food crops — which supply about 90 percent of the world’s nutrition — are pollinated by bees.”

The Process of pollination starts when a bee lands on a flower. Its stomach hair creates static electricity on the flower and this is what forces the pollen from the flower onto the bee's stomach. When the bee flies around,  the pollen falls on other flowers and this is what makes crops grow. 

Bees' cross-pollination is actually accidental but, even though they don’t know what they are doing, this is what has kept humans and environments alive for decades so we should try to do our part to help the bees.

There are a few reasons why bees are dying so fast.   The one that is most harmful is pesticide use. On most farms or fields, farmers use chemicals like pesticides or insecticides to make sure little pests or bugs stay off of growing food. 

If this chemical is used responsibly, it is not too harmful to plants or animals.  But now, the problem is that we are using chemicals that are too powerful and we are using too many chemicals at a time. Every day, thousands of bees are dying because of our problems like too much pesticide.

Another major reason why bees are dying is because of things like climate change and habitat loss. Because of climate change, the temperature would rise, and the weather would become very hot. Bees are very sensitive to small changes in their environment so they would either die or flee their hive. This would not be good because now, that place would be without bee pollination.

If bees became extinct then that would be incredibly bad for animals, humans, and environments all over the world. Without bees pollinating any plants, there would be a sudden decrease in food and the production of cotton, so prices would rise to unreasonable amounts since there would be less of these resources. 

This also would affect how we get our red meat. The Peace Bee Farmer says the main part of a cow's diet is a flower called an Alfalfa. And in order for that to survive, bees need to pollinate them. 

If the bees aren’t here, the Alfalfa could die or there wouldn't be enough to feed all the cattle. 

Cows would ultimately be able to survive this but the cows fed alfalfa usually grow faster, produce more milk, and are in better condition than normal cows.  So this would affect not only our supply of cows but also the quality of milk and beef we would be consuming.