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The Blue Wallpaper
Hello all:
Welcome back to school! Hopefully you’ve all had a great
holiday and are enjoying your enormous amount of homework
(or not). Term 3 is a great time to join clubs, and participate
in a variety of events, (as with all other terms). Currently, the
Newspaper Club is needing more writers (or journalists) who
are willing to write about world news, as well as more people for
graphics. So if you’re interested in any of these roles, or want to
do more, you are more than welcome to join us! Remember, we
can be found in U27, Tuesday Lunchtime; alternatively, you can
express your interest via email. (Email [email protected]
for more information)
(p.s. cookies for all new members!)
Aside from advertisements, recently we had a pizza lunch
(courtesy of Ms. Habel), and it was great taking a break from
all the madness. I’d like to openly thank everyone who have
contributed to our past issues! It’s been great working with
a team of very enthusiastic and dedicated (not to mention
hardworking) people and I look forward to working with you
in the future.
Wellbeing Week Competition
We’re very happy to announce that the Newspaper Club will
be holding a competition to promote Wellbeing Week. The
category includes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Poetry
Creative Writing (no more than 1000 words)
Visual Art (including posters, photography, etc.)
Foreign Languages (limited to Chinese Only)
WHO
Amnesty
International
Animal Welfare
League
WHERE
This then leads us to Wellbeing Week. Well, what is Wellbeing
Week? Obviously, it will be held in Week 7 and there will be a
Gold-coin donation breakfast which we are very excited about.
But the overall aim of Wellbeing Week, as the prefects would
say, is to promote “overall mental and physical health” and in
particular, resilience which is this years theme.
Well what is resilience?
Resilience is basically the ability to adapt and bounce back
when things don’t go as planned. Think about the time when
you received a really low score for a test, or when your plan for
success backfires; what would you choose to do? Of course we
can’t always dig a hole and wish to hide ourselves in there for
eternity; we must face up to the challenges. If you rise from your
depression, and try your best at doing well in the next round of
challenges, this is resilience. It shows that you are strong, in the
aspect that you resurface and fight your battle which happens
very frequently in senior schools and schooling in general.
Resilience is a very important trait to possess. Think about
Marie Curie, and countless other scientists; without a doubt,
there would have been periods of extremely hard times in their
career. If they chose not to persist with their pursuits, what sort
of world would we be living today?
There will be many classes and expos held during the week,
so make sure that you check out the table below to plan your
timetable during Wellbeing Week.
Enjoy this issue!
Sincerely,
Xinyu Shi and the Newspaper Staff
WHAT
Gym-Expo
Messages of Hope - to be sent to Detention Centres
Gym-Expo
Promote animal welfare and the positive impact animals have on people’s
wellbeing
Gym-Expo
Feminism
Discussion Group Box in the
library
3
Wellbeing Week Activities
Starting from today, you may enter a piece but you must ensure
that your work is linked to the theme of Wellbeing. So you could
write about persistence, motivation, etc. but it’s recommended
that you write about resilience, as it’s the theme of Wellbeing
Week. Remember, the deadline is Sunday Week 6, so send in
your works bright and early to grab some awesome prizes!
Wellbeing Week
Issue
Promote body positivity and self-love
The Wall:
The idea is that “the wall is listening” People can write things like “What
makes you happy”, “What matters to you” etc.
The Couch:
Attract/invite people over to have a conversation about the Wall/questions.
TBA
Answers recorded in snappy video, ‘what Glenunga thinks about wellbeing’.
Gym-Expo
Promotion
International Club Gym-Expo
International
Club/GSA
Leo Club
Student
N/A
Newspaper
Origami Club
Gym-Expo
Chess Club
Gym-Expo
Games Club
Gym-Expo
Gym
Club Red
MUN Club - UN
TBA
Youth
World Vision Club
Expo
The Sanctuary
Music Room
Musical Theatre
Gym
Club
Palm Oil Action
Gym
Group
Promotion of Wellbeing Creative Competition
Stall – making origami
Chess set up
Various Games
Display of information
Debate about Wellbeing
Information about giving to others
‘chill out room’
Musical Number
Petitions/information
1
The Big, the Bad and the Shocking: Top 5 TV Spoilers
that Rocked Comic–Con 2013
Written by Anisha Jay Ravindran
Spoiler alert: this article discusses plot points from past
seasons of various TV shows, including Bones, How I Met
Your Mother, Sherlock, Supernatural and Once Upon
a Time. Do NOT proceed with this article if you would
prefer to be kept surprised regarding said shows. You have
been warned.
Year in, year out, millions of people around the
world anticipate the arrival of San Diego Comic-Con
International. This immensely popular event, which took
place between the 18th and the 21st of July this year, is a
multigenre convention that is held annually at San Diego,
in the United States, which features some of the hottest
comic-books, video games, film screenings and television
panels in today’s world of entertainment. Now that the dust
has long settled on this pop-culture event, here are some of
the best mind-blowing stories that were revealed from the
hottest television panels around:
1. Bones Wedding: “I’m Getting Married to David
Boreanaz!”
2. How I Met Your Mother: The Final Season’s New
Structure
In their first (and only) pilgrimage to San Diego, the cast of the
famous CBS comedy received a frenzied rock-star reception,
and assured fans that the final 22 episodes won’t be all about
Barney and Robin’s wedding weekend. This season’s structure is
going to differ slightly from previous seasons, and will only take
place over the course of Barney and Robin’s wedding weekend.
“We’re always going to be flashing back and flashing forward.
Decades will span over the course of this weekend”, said creator
Carter Bays. Fans were also treated to a ridiculously funny
footage of Ted’s kids begging their father to wrap up the story
and reveal the identity of their mother (although this was shown
in last season’s finale). It turns out they’ve been sitting on that
same couch for eight years! And of course, there’s still one more
slap in the infamous slap bet left. How I Met Your Mother’s final
season is going to be a splendid one indeed.
3. Sherlock: A Fake Suicide?
Well – technically she is. Bones stars Emily Deschanel and David
Boreanaz re-enacted key scenes from last season’s heart-breaking
finale (in which Temperance Brennan finally proposed to her
long-time work partner, and now father of her child, Seeley
Booth, much to the delight of millions of fans (like me!) around
the world, but was later on forced to renege the engagement
due to the threat of serial killer Christopher Pelant who would
kill five innocent people if Booth went on with the wedding or
even told Brennan of the reason behind his sudden reneging)
by switching each other’s parts and cracking up millions of fans
in the process. David even got down on one knee to propose,
in character, to Emily, who then replied “I’m getting married
to David Boreanaz!” Series creator Hart Hanson confirmed that
the highly-anticipated Booth-and-Brennan wedding will finally
happen in season 9, although he wouldn’t reveal the exact date.
In other news, Cam will have her identity stolen, Sweets may
leave the FBI and Hodgins and Angela will face a number of
marital problems. Season 9 is going to be an epic one for sure!
Heart-broken Sherlock fans finally got the opportunity to curse
creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat in person when they
descended upon Comic-Con. Fans have had to endure a longerthan-desirable wait between seasons two and three of the hit TV
series, but the wait is almost over as it returns this October. No
answer was provided as to the mystery of how Sherlock faked
his suicide (when it was clearly shown that he had fallen from a
tall building), but Gatiss indicated that it is possible to solve that
mystery using clues from last season’s finale. In addition, despite
speculation to the contrary, Moriarty has been confirmed to be
dead forever. Sherlock will also not be partaking in any more
romantic relationships with anyone in the future, be it with
Molly or anyone else (sorry Sherlock/John shippers).
2
4. Supernatural: Fans will Never See this Coming
Supernatural fans were treated to never-before seen footage of
the upcoming season, which showed Kevin freaking out in the
Men of Letters bunker. In it, it shows us that he almost shoots
Dean with an arrow when the older Winchester enters and Sam
brings a bagged-and-cuffed Crowley. Executive producer Jeremy
Carver said the new season would find the brothers “walking
into a world where all the normal constructs of Heaven and
Hell isn’t there anymore”, which would then help to strengthen
the bond between the two brothers. In other news, Castiel, the
former angel, will experience “a remarkable shift” in his new
state of being. It was also revealed that there will soon be a spinoff of the horror drama series, which will have a more urban feel
than Supernatural.
5. Once Upon a Time: Ariel’s Debut and the
“Complicated” Peter Pan
Make no mistake Once Upon a Time fans: The Little Mermaid
will finally make her debut in the upcoming season! Creators
Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz also teased the highly
anticipated unveiling of the new wicked person of Once Upon a
Time; and it’s no longer Regina. Horowitz spills, “Peter Pan has
a complicated motivation. It’s a little different than you’ve seen
before.” Last season’s shocking finale revealed that Emma’s son,
Henry, was the long-lost boy that Peter Pan had been searching
for a long time, and was kidnapped and brought to Neverland.
Questions were also brought up as to who Emma would choose
in the end: the evil-turned-good Captain Hook or her estranged
boyfriend Neal, assuming he’s even still alive? One thing’s for
sure though: next season is going to be even better than the last.
References
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http://au.eonline.com/news/440975/once-upon-a-time-at-comic-con-2013season-3-will-bring-ariel-s-debut-complicated-peter-pan-and-more
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/comic-con-how-i-met-589540
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/comic-con-how-i-met-583174
http://geek-news.mtv.com/2013/07/18/sdcc-2013-sherlock-panel/
http://geek-news.mtv.com/2013/07/18/sdcc-2013-sherlock-panel/
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00062434.html
http://adage.com/article/media/comic-con-2013-tv-teasers-revealed/243230/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_Comic-Con_International
AVCon Review
Adelaide’s Anime and Video Games convention, or AVCon,
took place from the 12th to 14th of July at the Adelaide
Convention Centre. Held annually, it celebrates, but is not
limited to, Japanese pop culture and video gaming. Showcases at
the convention include anime screenings, cosplays, video game
tournaments, special guests and exclusive vendor stalls selling a
variety of goodies.
Initially run by a group of volunteers and held at the University
of Adelaide, the main aim is to promote interest and appreciation
in Japanese culture and video games. The first convention,
originally known as A/V Connection, was held in 2002 at the
University with 400 attendees. As this number grew drastically
through the years, the convention moved from the University of
Adelaide to the Adelaide Convention Centre.
This year, the theme was entitled ‘School Days’. A magnificent
opening ceremony held on the 12th, a Friday, signified the start
of the convention. It was only a taste of what was to come during
the next two days. Over the three days, the Adelaide Convention
Centre became a living paradise for otaku (Japanese term
referring to someone with a great interest in anime and manga)
and video game fans alike.
The Saturday and Sunday of AVCon were filled with everything
otaku and video games. The Convention Centre was filled with
numerous stalls selling various wares, from games and comics
to replica swords and figurines. Those who wanted to showcase
their talents had a chance to set up their own stall and sell
homemade goods. This included jewellery, artworks, stickers,
bookmarks and much more. The possibilities were endless, and
there was always something that would catch your eye.
The atmosphere of the convention was emitted through the
smiles of peoples’ faces as they had the opportunity to live out
their inner fanboy and fangirl. A main feature of AVCon is
cosplaying, which is where people wear costumes to represent a
character from a video game, anime or the like. The Convention
Centre was vibrant with its display of magnificent and
colourful costumes. From sophisticated professional cosplayers
to beginners wearing their mother’s bed sheets, the joy of
cosplaying was shared by all at AVCon. Iconic female cosplayer,
Jessica Nigri, appeared as a special guest at the convention, and
lucky fans had the chance to get her signature and take a photo
with her.
The events that took place alongside those mentioned earlier
included Quiz Night and Neko Nation. Held simultaneously
during the Saturday evening, the Quiz Night allowed for
partakers to gather and test their knowledge in anime and video
games. In contrast to this, Neko Nation was a party-like event
that focused on… well, partying. While dancing to various
Japanese, Korean and video game soundtracks, participants
were welcomed with loud music, sparkly lights and free sushi.
Each of the three days was filled with much to see and do; you
would have to have been there to fully experience the awe and
excitement of the convention. A once a year opportunity, AVCon
is the haven for video gamers and otaku of Adelaide.
3
I used to love my mother—a long time ago, in the
safety of her embraces and in the warmth of traditional
fireplaces because we couldn’t afford to switch to an
electrical room heater. I used to love the way she’d read
the newspaper and swat the back of my head lightly if I
teased our ginger tabby cat of five years too much, the
way she would obsessively sort through the stacks of
paper that cluttered our grossly abused coffee table and
hum cheesy pop songs that the radio blared as she set
about making dinner. I used to love her when she would
remind me time and time again to not leave my coat on
the floor—because we didn’t have the money to buy me
another one, but she never let me know that then—and
when she would point out the heavy, black smears I
tracked into the tiny foyer.
I think I stopped loving her when I returned from
school one evening to find her on the couch, blotchyfaced but indifferent—she had changed somehow;
I remember thinking that she shouldn’t even have
been home at four in the evening, let alone glaring
murderously at her fists and ripping an innocent sheet
of paper to miniscule shreds. I remember that night I
didn’t eat dinner; mum stayed in her room. Through the
paper-thin walls I could hear her insistent sobbing and
along with her joy went my appetite. Unemployment, she
told me but I was too young to understand the menacing
word and all it signified then. I think I stopped loving her
when I watched her fall apart and try as I might I couldn’t
piece her back together—inexperienced and uncertain,
I could only observe as she downed bottle after bottle of
whiskey and threw profanities.
I know I stopped loving her when I woke up one
morning to find a climax in our miniature living room
designed exactly for two; I know I don’t’ have the capacity
to forgive her now and neither did I then when I would
forever be more a bumbling nuisance than a daughter
to her. I knew the last straw had been when I asked her
to stop please, to revert to the kind-hearted woman I
adored and her only response had been a toss of a delicate
white plate across the room that missed my face by a few
centimetres. Amidst the sound of china—expensive china
that had been a gift from a generous friend that I knew we
could never dream of replacing—smashing into a wall, I
realised I had lost my mother.
I wish I had been able to understand her; I wish
I had been taken by the hand and led to the answers
rather than left to stumble around in the dark to scratch
at surfaces and find them. I wish I knew what drove the
woman I once respected to deteriorate into a vulnerable
mess of uncontrollable anger and spitefulness. I wish I
knew why we could never make ends meet, why we had
to cut back on electricity and why we had to sell all our
old furniture and why we couldn’t get our leaky ceiling
fixed but I was only a child and she was only a deranged
victim; in the chokeholds of our problems, perhaps we
were lucky to be able to even breathe. I wish I knew what
I could have done to change everything though now
I understand it was never my blame to bear. It was a
collection of accidents, a montage of pessimistic events; I
couldn’t have changed it.
I don’t love her now—or so I think as I stand
in front of a dingy bathroom mirror and survey my
reflection with much difficulty through the grey smudges
that the mirror has accrued over the years. I don’t love
the way she pities herself and expects apologies to fall in
her lap. I don’t love the way she watches television—that
pathetic box the size of a cereal carton which struggles
to display the evening news—and she can’t spare so
much as an ounce of sympathy for the millions of people
who suffer worse than she does. I don’t love the way
she hisses at our cat and kicks it away when it crawls up
to her for sympathy or maybe a kind hug. I don’t love
anything about her I tell myself firmly—not her screeched
insults, not her desperation for pity, not her severe lack of
maturity.
I can do better than not loving her.
I can escape her.
The scissors are fresh and sharp, as expected of a
new pair. The slice away at strands of my long hair with
rhythmic clicks, the very hair people ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ at and
claim makes me a splitting image of my mother. I watch
at they fall into the water and my hair now barely tickles
my chin—and it feels wonderful. Distant sounds ring in
my mind—the snapping of chains, a lock clicking into
freedom. I know I’ll bury her existence under layers of
make-up and haircuts and detachment with the cycling of
seasons.
I don’t need to love her anymore.
4
Life’s photo album
21st October 2011 was the day they told me I had one more year to live. That is, if
by some miracle my condition suddenly recovered and I survive all those chemo
treatments. It was also on that very day that I was admitted into the hospital and met
Melanie Summer.
“You’ll be sharing this room with Melanie from now on,” the nurse told me and
smiled at the tiny figure of a girl sitting – tucked into – the starched white bed sheets
on the other side of the hospital room. “I’ll let you settle in then.” The nurse lady
gestured with her clipboard at my bags and belongings placed on my side of the
room. She said something else – I knew she did because I saw her lips move but my
mind refused to accept anything other than the fact that my body was slowly being
consumed by death – and there was nothing I could do about it. The thoughts that
pounded dully in my head must’ve surfaced on my face, for the nurse patted me
sympathetically and backed out the door.
“Hi,” someone startled me. The girl named Melanie had climbed out of bed and
was standing there with a friendly smile. Despite the sickly-pallor and frailness, I
recognized the bright glitter of a strong-spirit in the girl’s lively blue eyes. Her head
inclined sympathetically, “cancer?” The hard lump in my throat cut off any words I
was about to say. I responded with a stiff nod. Melanie’s eyes brimmed with a tender
understanding that wrenched at something within me. “Me too – I’ve been here for
quite a while now,” she surprised me with a smile. “Would you like some help with
your things?” I glanced at my belongings that were waiting to be sorted, then back
at the pale girl who looked like one puff of wind would knock her over. Quickly, I
thanked but declined her offer. That brought a hurt little frown across her eyebrows
but she shrugged and smiled warmly before climbing back into bed. From the corner
of my eye as I worked, I saw Melanie pull out an instant camera and snap a shot in
my direction. She must’ve seen the look on my face because she apologized and said
that it was for her photo diary.
“Photo diary?”
“Yes, I want to capture as many memories I can – so I take pictures and keep them all
in this photo album.” I walked over to take a look at the blue bound book in Melanie’s
hands. She stroked it lovingly, “hopefully I can fill it all up before, well, before I
go.” She smiled and again I felt that uncomfortable tug in my stomach. Nodding,
I left Melanie to her photos and returned to unpacking furiously. I knew what the
wrench was and the more I thought about, the more complicated did my emotions
churn inside me – a tug of jealousy, a prick of shame and dislike. At what? Melanie’s
sunshine and the depressing thundercloud of self-pity over my head. The more I
thought about it, the more frustrated I became and before I knew it, I was grabbing
the ‘get well soon’ balloons and cards and shoving them in the bin. In a flash, Melanie
was at my side. “What are you doing?” I ignored her and continued cramming.
Hey everyone- Glenunga sports update here.
First off, a huge congratulations to the year
8/9 knockout netball team for making it to
the next stage of the interschool knockout
competition. Our star netball players played
at the Adelaide Thunderbirds home ground
in week one this term against Willunga
High School. They played a great game,
but the opposition proved too tough (and
tall) resulting in a defeat by Willunga High
School.
Glenunga has three senior teams playing
head to head with Banksia Park International
High School. We have a strong basketball,
soccer and netball team. Last year Glenunga
took home the trophy in both soccer and
netball. Results will be posted in the next
issue, so stay posted.
Our first ever boy’s netball team played
against Blackwood High School and
Mount Barker High school in week three
of this term. These keen senior boys had a
convincing 30 point win against Blackwood,
although we beaten by Mount Barker by 30
points. Nevertheless, a big congratulations
to them.
As winter sport comes to an end and summer
sport comes rolling in, if you’re yet to sign
up for a summer sport then head to Craig’s
sports office ASAP.
To finish up, some quick stats from the
sports department; 234 students from GIHS
participated in winter school sports, where
53% were boys and 47% were girls.
Sofia Valero
“Stop – why are you throwing the kindness people are giving you into the bin?!”
“I don’t need pity from others!” I saw the look in her eyes. “I don’t need pity –
especially from you!” The hurt in the girl’s wide blue eyes pricked my conscience,
and I expected her to walk away after throwing a string of insults at me. Instead,
she did the most surprising thing – she hugged me tightly. Strangely, her frail bony
arms were the strongest and warmest embrace I’d ever felt; and as I looked past the
knitted beanie on her head, I saw that my hands were trembling. “Is that really how
you feel?” she whispered, “pity? Is that all you really see?” The cards – bought and
hand drawn – and the little helium balloons that I managed to cram into the bin,
blurred into a colourful canvas through my veil of tears. All the emotions I’d been
suppressing and bottling for all those weeks came gushing out. And in the arms of a
stranger, I allowed myself for the first time in my life, to cry freely.
Written by Ruth Wang
5
Let Sensei Teach You
Let Sensei Teach You
How to be a NINJA
Beginner edition…
Before you start your journey to become a ninja in
training, you must first understand what being a
ninja involves. Ninjas are often referred to as Japanese
covert agents that specialise in espionage, sabotage and
at times, assassination. They were common during
ancient Japan and they were present before the 14th
century. Being a true ninja is more than dangling from
the ceiling or being able to kill a man with your bare
hands, there are numerous other disciplines involved.
Proceed, brave young warriors with that in mind.
Step 3:
Acquire some fighting skills. Take note that real ninjas
AVOID COMBAT when possible. Highly skilled ninjas are
able to get their way without raising their fists.
Step 4:
To be a ninja you must be able to escape a location as
discretely as possible. You may need to distract others
before making your unnoticed exit. Leave no evidence
behind!
Step 5:
Master the art of self-control. Don’t let your emotions
influence your decisions. Be logical in every situation
and make strategic decisions. To control others and your
surrounding you must control yourself first.
Step 6:
Exercise to build and preserve a ninja body. This doesn’t
only mean being muscular or lean, but also having an agile
body with plenty of stamina
and strength. This can be
achieved by doing basic
exercises like push-ups, situps, stretching, etc.
Step 1:
Silence is key! You must under no
circumstances reveal your identity.
Step 2:
Learn to be discrete, train yourself to walk quietly.
Blend in with your surroundings. However this does not
necessarily mean wearing black clothes and masks. Don’t
bring
unnecessary
attention to yourself.
Try
to
choose
suitable clothing for
different
situations
and disguises. Seem
sociable when you
need to, fool them
into thinking you’re
just like everyone else.
That is the closest
you can be to being
invisible.
Step 7:
Be knowledgeable, read
widely. By understanding
your surroundings you will be able to blend in more easily.
There are also many other benefits. Remember, knowledge
is power.
Extras:
Learn the art of parkour, but don’t hurt yourself now.
Go well, young ninja. I hope you find delight in your training.
By: Sensei X
Advisers: Wikipedia,Wikihow.
6
RIDDLES
1. The more there is the less you see. What is it?
2. The person who makes it, sells it. The person who buys it
doesn’t use it. The person using it does not know they are
using it. What is it?
Bookylin Newsletter
The Chinese book club (Bookylin) has carried on with new
ideas and plans for the coming semester. New progress was
made and effort paid off when a wechat platform was built
online in order to send daily posts to Bookylin members.
Such posts featured mostly on news and commentaries on
contemporary literature with social relevance. We have more
than a dozen readers in the platform who can receive the
message with their phone every day. We hereby welcome more
joiners to sign in with their wechat ID by scanning the QR
code. We look forward to more members who share a common
interest in reading.
3. What happens when you throw a pink rock into an orange
river?
4. Call me and I disappear. What am I?
Riddles from: http://dan.hersam.com/riddles.html
Answers for last issue:
5. The traveller simply asks which is your city. If the man
were a liar he would point to the truth telling city but the
same thing would happen if the man is from the honest
city.
4. The future is always in front of you, but can’t be seen.
3. The five letter word which is pronounced like a single
letter is queue.
2. The magician did this by simply throwing the ball up in
the air!
1. The four days in the week starting with T are: Tuesday,
Thursday, today and tomorrow
Riddles gathered by Xinying Xie
7