Editors Note:
Coming up through AGS, we are all designated a house. As a Year 7, you don’t really understand what makes the houses so different, but having now made it to Sixth Form, I can proudly say that I am part of the house that needs no introduction: Denson.
In all honesty, I haven’t participated in House Writing since Year 9. However, the opportunity to contribute to the House in an event like this is something I simply couldn’t pass up on. House Writing has proved to me that it isn’t just about the literature. It’s about the work ethic. How you can get everyone in the House to submit their piece. It’s about teamwork, because every single member of the editorial team smashed it.
I am so proud of and grateful for the editorial team, composed of Ben, Joe, Srijan, Rishabh, Tanmay, Rafi and Alfie, because I know not everyone wants to read so much literature; I know not everyone enjoys reading a two stanza poem a Year 7 made in 5 minutes; but at the end of the day they’ve all come together to create something amazing
A special thank you goes out to Myles, who designed our glorious front cover, Seth, who created an equally dazzling back cover, and Louis, who despite having no given role to perform, had gone out of his way to contribute heavily, at times doing more than I did.
Of course I can’t go and conclude without thanking our Head of House, Mr Walker, and our previous House Writing Captain Diyon, as without them, this would have been a logistical nightmare. You have both helped out in times where it was crucial for the success of this magazine.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone in Denson House who submitted a piece. I know you must have been so tired of my poor speaking skills as I tried my best to gather in pieces. However, at the end of the day we managed to produce over 130 pieces, a figure I thought was going to be incredibly difficult to achieve.
I wish I could have the whole 24 pages to write about my appreciation for Denson House, but alas that is not the topic of this magazine. So please, delve into the starry sky of imagination produced by our House, and enjoy.
Yours Sincerely,
Eric
A Day in the life of a Star - Ryan N D7
Reminiscences of a dying star - Harry G D7
What can we learn from stars? - Pranshu P D12
A starry sonnet - Edward H D7
The Morning Star - Caleb F D13
The Striker’s Sign - Jaskirat G D9
Letter to Neymar - Obi O D11
Under the same stars - Alexander Y D9
Wuppertal Schwebebahn - Louis G D12
A transmission to Earth - Idris D D7
Tuesday 27 July 3045: First (and final) entry - Musa H D9 th
Star-gaz’d - Chaitanya B D10
The Cold Star - Daniel Y D12
A City with no Stars - Hunayn M D11
A (satirical) review of our sun - Leo P D13
A message to space - Aeron D D7
A story of a star - Jeremy M D11
Requiem of stars - Rafi G D12
The Starman - Thomas W D11
Turning towards the stars - Malachi O D8
Stars: an organic perspective - Matthew G D13
What are constellations? - Xavier H D9
The missing star - Avyan R D11
Where did the stars go? - Pranav V D8
Et pour les étoiles, je te remercie - Eric C D12
Star of the week - Zafirur R D9
Ad Astra - Rory F D8
The lonely Star - Gabriel H D9
Into the lights of interstellar - Revon S D10
The Woman among stars - Max R D9
Stardust - Diyon S D13
Lost at sea - Aakash M D8
The Weight of a Star’s light - Oscar R D11
How to be a star student at AGS - Alfie B D7
Those so called stars - Alfie T D12
Rocket Blueprint - Harry M D10
A day in the life of a star Ryan N D7
The average day of a star isn’t as glamorous as you think, you just sit in the dark with no purpose but to produce light and heat for life forms. And do we get paid for our cosmic service? Of course not, We do it out of the kindness of our hearts, except we don’t have hearts Life is very boring But I try to find some ways to keep entertained, like watching the inhabitants of different planets
But. That is still painfully dull. Only one planet really has my attention, planet Earth. The dominant life forms that have evolved on Earth are called humans, they behave as if time is running out every second - but who am I to speak: I only live for billions of years. Humans build all kinds of strange and extravagant machines: cars, to travel the country faster; phones, to talk across oceans; and rockets, to travel into the vast emptiness of space. The only thing that is boring about a human is that they always rush, they rush from place to place in their clunky wheeled boxes to get to and from work. And when they don’t rush, they just do work.
But, there is one species of life on Earth that can never get boring No, not that dog Not the snake nor the crocodile! It's something much more entertaining; the cat
Cats are the pets of humans, but to the cat it’s the other way around. Humans do everything for their cat, give it food, play with it, and even give it a bath. In my few billion years of life, nothing has ever rivaled the cat
Being a star might sound magnificent to you, but if I could choose another life, I would rule earth; I would be a cat.
Reminiscences of a dying star Harry G D7
Across galaxies, we watch in vain and envy. Most of us die and are forgotten, nothing more than insignificant specks, barely visible. But we are visible. So why does the sun have all the attention?
Its very existence mocks us; we resent the sun, yet without it none of us would ever be noticed. Without it, humans would never exist. And yet they mindlessly worship one of the most ordinary stars.
Apparently, all things are perfectly balanced Maybe for them The sun is simply lucky, and there’s nothing else to it
All of our planets are uninhabitable, so we keep grasping for the one species that can comprehend us. Maybe we aren’t jealous of the sun, but of the creatures living in harmony with the sun. As I slowly fade away, having failed to find true peace, I realise something.
The sun is the only one of us that found purpose, and the only one that will die having made an impact. Unlike me. Unlike us.
What can we learn from stars?
Pranshu P D12
Stars are created from clouds of gas and dust, which aren't even visible to the unaided eye. They then become one of the largest and most powerful single objects in the solar system
Just like a star which rises up from nothingness, remember that progress always starts small and then grows, so don’t pressure yourself if something doesn't work the first time around.
Stars provide light to help and guide our civilization (and perhaps others) among the backdrop of the bleak and lifeless (as far as we know) cosmic universe without expecting anything in return.
Just like a star, you can be that beacon of help and light in someone’s life.
A star is one of the single largest objects in any solar system which stands out the most, with absolutely no consideration of what goes on in and around it
Just like a star, unleash your talent without worrying about what others think of you.
Stars act like a platform, with their gargantuan gravity holding entire solar systems together and providing stability to certain planets, like our earth, to create life.
Just like a star, you too can be a platform, in helping to organise an event which can make this world a better place.
However, this stability and life-giving ability that these stars possess aren’t permanent; even though they live for billions of years When stars die, they usually form a black hole or a neutron star which too lives on for billions of years
Just like a star, we must learn that all of the good things in life - like a star’s stability - come to an end. In accepting this, we can start a new chapter in our lives.
When a star approaches its death, it undergoes a supernova, creating a giant explosion which reverberates over millions of light years leaving a new cloud of dust and gas in its wake which can be used to create new stars and other objects like planets.
Just like a star, the choices you make and the actions you take can have an impact after your death, good or bad
It is truly fascinating that principles of life can be seen in even inanimate and non-living objects like stars in the night sky which we can apply in our lives.
Be like a star
A starry sonnet Edward H D7
The stars that glisten in the night appear
To me so strong as if I could just reach Across and pluck them from the sky. Yet here I am so limited within my search For endless light It takes my breath away
When I am staring through my window At such majestic awesomeness that day
Can never yield The truth it seems is plan
Although I fear to face it. The strength Of my desire to reach them in Reality hampered by the length Of the journey across the void and thin Vacuum of outer space I long so much To cross that void to what I’ll never touch.
The Morning Star
Caleb F D13
In the beginning, there was the almighty
A righteous protector safeguarding the heavens
All who stood before thought of Him highly Apart from the son of the morning
He was known as the anointed guardian
Worship and prayer was his reason for life
His devotion towards the throne was almost arcadian
Though this idolisation breeds chaos and strife
As the light-bringer, his purpose was clear
But his admiration soon turned into envy
Actions tainted with pride and fear
Leading one third of the stars into aberrancy
Armies assembled to overthrow the heavens
A clash of pride, loyalty and rapacity ensued
The dragon’s tongue was persistent
Fighting for what he could only yearn for Though he was strong, baptism by flame was his fate
His wings clipped, tongue scorched
The violet eyed deviant fell like lightning from above
Along with his fallen followers to the lowest depths of the pit
He once shone with brilliance amongst those in the kingdom
But is now reduced to a venomous snake within the tall grass
Rewarding deception, sin and cruelty with phantom freedom
Cowering in the eternal shadow that fell upon him, alas
He travels the world predating on the weak and the youth
Convincing those to rebel in return for material gain
He rarely shows his face to those who speak in truths
Preying on others who foolishly walk through his domain
The Striker’s sign Jaskirat G D9
The winter air cuts straight through him, the kind that stiffens fingers before the first touch. He stands there anyway, boots planted on a pitch that hasn't even softened since Wednesday, breath hanging in front of his face as he waits for the whistle to slice the cold in half The United kit feels almost heavier than usual; not from sweat, but from the weight of a number he thinks he doesn’t deserve.
He doesn’t strike the ball so much as to release something he’s been holding: A regret lodged deep in his chest Thirty yards out he’s on his left foot, the kind of distance that he never quite cleared in practice But today his hips opened just right, they way they never quite did at fifteen under a dim car park lights, bending shots against a fence that never moved, whispering “Never Give up” to a goalkeeper who wasn't there. The ball argues with the air. The crowd gasps before realizing what has just happened.
Then something softens in him The next touch is imperfect in the way that makes it real: a tiny slip of the plant foot, a wobble in the ankle, details which you would only ever notice if you ever played on a pitch still frozen in patches near the left touchline. He adjusts without even thinking, that adjustment which took him 4 whole years of effort, and he’s still not sure he’s mastered it.
There’s a looseness in his hips that surprises even him tonight, something that wasn't present before; something that feels earned rather than just given. A rabona just appears out of the blue; unnecessary, amazing, the kind that would win a Puskás award, the kind that would make his coach scream at him while the defenders hesitate just long enough.
He carries his arrogance in a vaulted secret and his pace like a threat that he shouldn't let be known. When he moves, the pitch seems small, almost in slow motion, a message that shouldn’t need stating . The crossbar shakes when he hits it, not like a mistake, but like a “To Be Continued”.
And when the net finally gives way, it moves as if it is always waiting, expecting him
Mud clings to his studs. Breath just swallows the years whole. But the fire never subsides. Hard work didn’t do it during the years when no one was watching; it never did, it never will. He never gave up on hard work; hard work never gave up on him. It was the only language which he loved,the only one that spoke back, embraced and mastered, the only one that answered the whole world
One touch, one strike. For a whole second, it felt as if the whole world was watching him.
Dear Neymar,
Letter to Neymar
Obi O D11
I hope this letter finds you well My name is Obi and I have b - your talent has shone in my life like a guiding star. I am writing this letter because I have recently heard that you are planning on retiring and I wanted to share my thoughts on why you should consider continuing to play the beautiful game.
In my eyes, you are not just a footballer - you are a star to me Your passion truly burns like the core of a blazing star. Defenders gather around you in awe, unable to tackle you like constellations crowding the night sky yet you effortlessly glide past players like a comet dashing through a skyfull of stars. Your magic immensely draws countlessfans in like gravity pulling prodigious planets into orbit. You give many people in your hometown (Rio de Janeiro) who are living in poverty hope to become just like you, like a Star bringing life and warmth after all the matches you play In a universefilled with countless specks of particles, only the rarest of conditions create stars just like the rarest oftalents create a star like you.
I know retirement is a personal decision and that only you can decide, however please consider this letter when choosing your decision Thank you this letter and remember that you will always be supported n
Yoursfaithfully, Obi Okwudili Okwudili
Under the Same Stars Alexander Y D9
An empty void with stars so bright, Darkness in the sky at night, Far away is a sparkly show, Shining widely soft and low
A universal story of the brightest creation, The end of a story or beginning of a nation, Stars can come in a wide variety, Stars are seen by all of society
A well known star a musician, Someone with such high ambition, Music is sung in many styles, Each one brings a massive smile
Another star is one of an athlete, One so giving, famous, and sweet, One so great, strong, and kind, One that may be so hard to find
Wuppertal Schwebebahn
Louis G D12
Ständiges Stimmengewirr erfüllte die baufällige Fabrikhalle. Alle, von den Reinigungskräften bis zum Chef, saßen um eine einzige Zeitung versammelt Die Schwebebahn war eröffnet worden; der Zug, der fliegen konnte, war in Betrieb Aufregung und Begeisterung machten sich überall breit. Ein entscheidender Schritt in die Zukunft war für die Stadt endlich erreicht.
Nacht. Aufgaben haben geendet. Alle waren gegangen. Ein Mann, von Kopf bis Fuß mit Ruß und Schmutz bedeckt, setzte sich in den Zug; seine schmutzigen Hände umklammerten einen Hut, den er nie trug Ihm gegenüber saß eine Frau in einem eleganten, perlmutt weißen Kleid, die weiche Regency-Handschuhe auf dem Schoß Beide blickten aus dem Fenster, ohne einander zu beachten.
Zwischen den Fabrikhallen funkelten Sterne am dunklen Himmel. ‘Es ist seltsam’, sagte sie leise, ‘man würde erwarten, dass die Sterne bei all dem Rauch verschwunden sind’
Der Mann antwortete nicht, hob aber den Blick. Die meisten Tage endeten für ihn an eisernen Türen und kreischenden Maschinen. Der Unterschied zwischen dem normalen Leben und diesem Ort befreite ihn Kurz von der Last seiner Arbeit und Routine.
Über dem Fluss herrschte Stille; die Stadt war still Sie wirkte fern, reduziert auf schemenhafte Gestalten und vereinzelte Lichter. Die Schwebebahn glitt mit ungewohnter Sanftheit dahin. Keine Reder auf Stein, keine Pferde, die sich bemühten. Sie summte leise, als schwebte sie in der Luft.
Die Gebäude hielten an, und der Himmel öffnete sich vollständig Sterne funkelten in der Dunkelheit, spiegelten sich im sanften Wasser und boten ein Schauspiel über und unter dem Waggon.
Stille senkte sich zwischen den Fahrgästen herab. Die Höhe ließ die Unterschiede zwischen Stand und Änderung verschwimmen; sie waren nur zwei Gestalten, die von derselben Erfindung getragen wurden
Der Zug näherte sich langsam dem nächsten Bahnhof, kein Quietschen war zu hören. Lampen tauchten wieder auf, Schornsteine erschienen, und die Sterne verschwanden wieder teilweise hinter Gebäuden und Rauch.
Die Frau erhob sich und raffte zögernd ihre Handschuhe zusammen, als wollte sie nur ungern aussteigen. Die Türen öffneten sich, kalte Luft strömte herein. Sie stieg aus und verschwand in der Nacht.
Der Zug fuhr weiter Die Stadt setzte ihre rastlose Bewegung fort Darüber standen die Sterne still, unsichtbar, und beobachteten, wie das neue Jahrhundert seine Passagiere voran brachte
Im leeren Waggon blieben Erinnerungen zurück, als ob die Reise Momente aus allen Gesellschaftsschichten in sich barg. Der Mann legte den Hut neben sich, schloss die Augen und ließ sich vom leisen Summen den Weg nach Hause weisen.
A TRANSMISSION TO EARTH
Idris D D7
INCOMING SIGNAL DETECTED
Location: B-26 Lorus, Bode’s Galaxy.
Declination: 49 8906 Degrees
Distance: 11 74 million light years
Transmission Frequency: 1,420 megahertz
Origin: Unnatural
Anomaly: Assured
Transmitter Identification: UNKNOWN
We built our cities under safe light, We studied day, and measured night We learned all the ways of the world, Yet we weren't expecting what unfurled
Our star has changed. It burns too fast
By the time this reaches you, We’ll be stuck in the past
We tried to find another way,
But still we failed, to great dismay
We searched for others, far and wide, But found no hope, no life, no sign So now we leave this final token, In hope that we won’t be forgotten
This signal travels through deep space, Beyond our world, outside our place. It moves through space without a guide, No end to this endless ride
If you receive this, our last communication, Then something else exists, another nation
And though our world’s dead, through and through,
This signal proves we once were true
Tuesday 27th July 3045 First (and final) entry.
Musa H D9
I have woken up from my slumber, underneath the dazzling stars in the dark eternal abyss of space To my right, I have my powerful torch and to the left of me lies my benevolent pet Wilson Everything near the perimeter of my tent is tranquil and still. I began to get up from my rest and prepare myself for the energetic yet tenacious journey that awaits.
Before embarking on my journey towards the Lost Soul of the Great Giants, I must first tend to the livelihood of my living areas First I must tend to my garden which consists of shimmering moon berries that require careful pruning before I can set off. After I have tended to my plants and wildlife, I am ready to depart on my journey, however Wilson suddenly stops…
Wilson perks up, fur bristling. The Lost Soul of the Great Giants isn’t somewhere you must find, it has already found you A colossal silhouette emerges from the abyss, and everything I thought was a journey becomes a destiny already unfolding before my eyes
Chaitanya B D10
Sunday Dusk: Florence Enter Caelus
Caelus:
The dying flame no more relights yon sky, For Death comes stealing swift to swipe, and sly! Be-torched the bird; it soars its wings too high, To ash reduced the mighty creature lies Marches the triple-headed dog of hell, Mors seize the eagle ere his strength than quell’d, Like to the lightning, which doth cease to fell, Should, eye-less, see the pathways to his tell! Now, ere the Sun advance his burning eye, The day to cheer, and night’s dank dole to dry, Why must the Titan’s fiery wheels be vie? So sweet to rest my ghostly sire to aye! Here leave our mournful smiles on frowning night, Let Pluto ruin; let God bring forth his light
Exeunt Caelus
Monday Dawn: Florence. Enter Caelus and Nequamus
Nequamus:
To hell with all thy vain and swelling pride!
To hell with ego fed by hubris lies! Thou act’st as though thou wert Jove’s very skies! A villain! Still than chidest without right!
Caelus:
My brother, what doth anger thee so much? Thou art a Grendel. Soul-stuff’d, raging age. Troy burns as doth thy heart at passion’s touch. Be bless’d, for Lyssa’s serpent coils thy cage
Nequamus:
Since Father’s fatal finish, thou hast trick’d!
Thee claim’dst the heirship! Thou to me compare! Though blood be thine, the fitter traits I bear! For firstborns luck-
Enter Maid
Maid:
Oh, sir! Here stand I, perched atop my coils!
Art thou made ready to feast, new Duke of Florence?
Let Jesu guard thy’s father’s parting spirit, However let thy spirit climb thy mistress’ circle!
To many of ladies let thy nature stand. As newfound lord of this most humble realm, Let many to thy’s truckle-bed and taste what we poor maids call the medlar’s flesh. And feast upon that mistress-noble fruit!
Caelus:
My dearest maid, we quarrel o’er one point.
Nequamus:
Our dearest maid, we argue o’er that point.
Caelus:
The label “Duke”, we trouble to whose right.
Nequamus:
The title “Duke”, we wrangle whose the right.
Caelus:
I argue blood and fate with stars are joint.
Nequamus:
Whilst I claim skill and talent crown my might
Caelus:
Thou call’st me Jove, yet claim’st Apollo’s sight.
Nequamus:
The Sun serves eyes, whilst Sky doth crave anoint
Maid:
Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow. I stand disgraced, impeached and baffled here. We will perform in measure, time, and place Till dusk of God’s own seventh day of rest Nequamus shall be Duke of Florence fair. If judged most fit, he’ll reign - not, Caelus so.
Nequamus and Caelus: We say aye
Exeunt Caelus, Maid and Nequamus
Sunday Dusk: Florence. Enter Caelus and Nequamus
Nequamus:
My brother, thou wert right, and wrong’d by me. For Janus led me through the Iv’ry Gate. And Fraus deceived me into hating thee. But these excuses cannot cleanse my prate
Caelus:
O fret no more, my comrade, brother, friend. For Stars and Fate, the Moirai, rule all paths. As seasons change from Spring to Winter’s end, I’m fated thus to rule; thou to serve fate
The Cold Star
Daniel Y D12
It was a blustery black night, When I offered my warmth and light. The planets orbited below, Enlightened under my joyous glow
But I knew my love would not last, My vigour was not like the past. I tried to burn like a cigar, Until I turned into a big red star
I thought everything was good now, Until my comrades were ploughed One by one they were enveloped, By my own love: they were redeveloped Into dust
Distraught, I burnt brighter with fury, On this giant desolate stage, But I was now shrinking quickly, I felt myself become sickly
My outer layers were shedding, This was what I had been dreading. I exposed myself to darkness, As a glowing shell of gas
I was hot but cold inside, In my eyes I had already died. I was now lonely and dying, No one could stop me from crying
I transformed into a white ball, I was alive but I could only bawl. When would this heartless torture end? What was life without any friends?
Slowly, I started to cool down, My lifeforce waned like I had drowned My skin starting to match my mind, As I drifted into a cold, black sleep.
A City with No Stars Hunayn M D11
The night sky should be dispersed with silver dust,
It should be a sky infested with ancient fires. The night sky should have shimmering stars stitched in patient patterns, It should be packed with silent, silver miracles. It should have a stream of prehistoric lights that flow across the heavens, Guiding lost eyes home.
Instead, the city glows, but not with sensation Neon leaks into the night sky, Roaring engines disrupt the night’s silence. Concrete, bricks and smoke devour the horizon. The dispersed silver dust looks faint, As if they are trying to escape the dark canvas they are painted on.
I remember a meadow once, The chilled grass brushing through my fingertips.
The night sky was vast and alive The stars; wild and limitless
But now - no one looks upNo one wants to look at a sky bleeding with neon.
A child calls for their mother “Where do the stars go when it’s dark?” The mother pausesShe searches the once glowing skyline for an answer -
All she finds is deceitful lights scattered around the city, A light that cannot guide anyone home.
Leo P D13
After reviewing the Sun, I give it one star - which, while accurate to astronomy, is a terrible score for a service provider…
It is safe to assume us meat-sacks unite in our collective hatred for the usual early shuffle out of bed each morning. Bonus points if it’s a Monday!
However, we do not question why our hate is so collective
The answer is simple: the sun is solely at fault.
The average human lifespan is roughly 4,000 weeks; the sun impedes our lives for all 28,000 of these days Take the example I gave of the average morning When you crave sleep the most, yearn for an extra few minutes shut-eye - the garish sun peeks through the blinds, travels through the dark air and practically pries your eyes open, each blazing ray colliding with your face like a punch from a heavyweight boxer.
How, then, can we describe the sun as a life-giver? As a necessity? The answer is, we cannot
The sun is effectively an intrusive, radioactive paparazzi that peers through your curtains, bullying you. It dictates when you wake up, causing skin damage from long exposure, and worst of all…
It creates glare on your smartphone screen
That’s right; while the current rhetoric is proud of the so-called “Great Outdoors”, recent surveys have found the youth of today would much rather shelter from the big, angry orange ball floating above.
Would you rather be too hot, sweat, and have your eyeline impeded by the bright light? Or would you rather stay inside with the comfort of a controlled climate and, best of all, a stable Wi-Fi? The truth (that has been hidden for so long) is simple: space cannot achieve the greatness of the modern-day internet connection.
And, what’s worse than the sun? The answer is obvious When the sun finally resigns itself to below our skyline, we cannot yet emerge from our reclusion. The night sky is tarnished with the sun’s cosmic dandruff.
The stars.
Imagine romanticising the speckish pebbles overhead. “Stargazers” are simply individuals that enjoy freezing in a moist field, cricking their necks to view gaseous balls of pure indifference billions of miles away. And constellations? “Star signs?” They are simply a social construct of poorly connected join-the-dots:
“That’s not a bear! That’s a wonky trapezoid, you liar ”
Ultimately, the sky is simply too much open space, the sun is a gaudy carcinogen, and stars are a social construct made by humanity to drown out our terrestrial sorrows somewhere in the heavens above.
I propose, therefore, that we boycott each and every star. They do no good for us, so let’s get rid. 13
A message to space Aeron D D7
To Whoever receives this communication, We send this to your people, Even as we send this, from our lonely planet in space, We remind you, we preach to you, we all have some worth
You will find us in the centre, Of a galaxy called Milky Way, And our neighbour is Andromeda, Who is not too far away
And at the centre of our solar system, Is a star we named the Sun. You may call it something else, But this name is our one
And if you all are older, we will show respect, And then if you are younger, Then know that we will care.
Through all that you may know, know we come in peace, as if we are all we have in this universe, we might as well keep it neat.
A story of a star Jeremy M D11
At first there was nothing Space held its breath in suspense. A nebula drifts, aimless, in the cold void of silence.
A force from within calls its name, gravity tightens its grip. Pressure builds; heat grows, and gives birth to a spark in the abyss
A fiery ball cascades its light, radiating hope and joy throughout A Star in the sky
Fueling our great lives
But fuel runs thin; gravity loses its fight it swells and burns brighter The light retreats, the warmth fades, as dark forces in, Life withers away, in the pit of darkness
Reqiuem of stars
Rafi G D12
The Starman Thomas W D11
Once there was a star man
Waiting in the sky
He’d like to come and see us
What he does will blow your mind
It is worth all your love and time
He was there outside my window
A beaming ray of light
He landed on earth that night
Floating way down, from high to low
He gave some such a fright
He showed me a tiny magic star
I thought it was a joke
I laughed at him like a normal bloke
When I opened my eyes he was very far
It was not a joke
He was never seen again
He floated away with a frown upon his face
Now he thinks we are a mean race
He believes we will never break our chain
He will never come back to our place
Now there is no longer a star man
He’s no longer in the sky
He no longer wants to come and see us
Nothing he did blew our minds
He never knew our love as we never gave him time
Turning towards the stars Malachi O D8
When I can't sleep, I come outside, And cooler air works to unwind. The world is quiet, soft and wide, And my own noise fades far behind.
The stars don't shout; they don't demand; They don't compete to be the best. They simply shine in the places planned, Like little armies far away.
Sometimes they're dim through city lights, Half-hidden by a restless night, But they remain with patient light, No need to justify the reason why.
I stand beneath them, small and loud, A head that won't be quieted down They shine above without a crowd, Of doubts like those that follow me around.
A star may streak, a fireball fall, A flash, a breath, a silver scar
It doesn't last a moment at all; It shines because that's just who we are.
And perhaps that's why they shine so bright, So close to something deep inside my chest They shine, they fade, they find their way, And never question being blessed.
And when my thoughts start to argue and spar, And everything seems just too far, I look up to the darkened sky
And let the stars rhyme with a spark.
Stars: an organic perspective
Matthew G D13
Tannic acid. This is not a single molecule but a constellation. A mixture of water-soluble polyphenolic compounds known as hydrolysable tannins, found in tree bark, tea leaves, and countless plant tissues Beyond the forest, it plays roles in industry as an antioxidant, a pharmaceutical precursor, and a metal chelator. But what has this to do with stars?
Zoom in one hundred million times, past the visible world and into the molecular menagerie of the organic world. Suspended invisibly around you are molecules of…
1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl)-β-D-glucopyranose
These are one of the fundamental structural units of tannic acid. Each spans roughly two nanometres across, approaching the scale of DNA itself.
At its centre lies a glucose core which is joined to five galloyl arms These galloyl groups each have an aromatic ring (hexagon) adorned with three phenolic hydroxyl groups and an ester carbonyl. Its molecular structure extends outward like the points of a star. The symmetry is striking. A polyphenolic starburst composed of five arms projecting from a saccharide nucleus. Interestingly, tannic acid itself does not have an overwhelming smell, it is a light ‘woody-earthy’ smell, this is due to its large molecular constituents, low volatility, and high density of hydrogen bonds
Chemically, tannic acid is classified as a hydrolysable tannin, meaning its defining ester linkages can be cleaved by water under acidic or basic conditions. In acid-catalysed hydrolysis, the carbonyl oxygen of the ester is first protonated by hydronium ions, increasing the electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon Water then attacks this activated centre, forming an unstable tetrahedral intermediate. After proton transfers and collapse of this species, the ester bond breaks, regenerating gallic acid and glucose. Under basic conditions, hydroxide ions attack directly in a nucleophilic acyl substitution, producing gallic acid salts and glucose more rapidly. At the macroscopic scale, it stains leather. At the molecular scale, it radiates reactivity and binds proteins
What are constellations?
Xavier H D9
Constellations are 2D or 3D groups of stars that appear to be in patterns in the night sky. There are 88 constellations that are officially recognised
They form patterns that astronomers use to identify celestial locations, they also aid people with navigation and they are used in cultural storytelling.
The most famous constellations are Orion, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopei, Taurus, Scorpius and Leo
Constellations are named after famous figures from Greek and Roman mythology, as well as animals that they look like. This system was inherited from Middle Eastern and Greek cultures. In 1922, the 88 constellations were recognised by the IAU (International Astronomical Union), creating their official names
They have not been formed naturally, humans throughout history have drawn imaginary lines between the stars to create a pattern which then forms a constellation. They were mainly formed to help humans navigate as long ago, people navigated by the sun and stars.
The stars that form these constellations are born in interstellar clouds of cold gas and dust, which collapse under their own gravity to form protostars; this process can take millions of years. However, the constellations will not be the same after a long time, stars move independently through the galaxy.
Constellations are still used to this day but not as much due to the rapid development of technology
However, they are still used by astronomers as a celestial mapping system to divide the sky into 88 recognised regions for locating stars, planets and galaxies. They are also used to name new astronomical discoveries, including meteor showers and to categorise stars
In the northern hemisphere in Winter the easiest constellation to see is Orion. It lies near the equator, this means that most people in the world can see it.
It was given its name by the second-century astronomer Ptolemy, who named it after a mythological hunter in Greek mythology
The missing star Avyan
R D11
Polaris has gone.
Looking up at the clear sky, my eye rests on the soft, slightly cold eyepiece in the barn. After years of stargazing, my telescope always points to my favourite star, inviting my attention. Polaris.
It was as though something ancient was gone A memory ripped with no remorse A bitter taste enters my mouth as I come to my senses. Alarm bells ring in my brain; however, this was inevitable. Every day, Polaris inched closer to its final breath. A point of no return. Collapse. The old star radiated a comforting glow on its wandering peers but always stood its ground Never moved Except today
Where is Polaris?
Coming back the next day, I longed for reassurance. Gazing up at the void, the darkness was unusually clear. The vast sky remained littered with blinking planes and grinning lights. However, the one constant entity in the depths of space, whilst everything around whizzes and blurs, it stays firm in the soil - but now it’s gone
Stars live for millions of centuries, yet their ephemeral nature adds to the beauty of their presence. My favourite star. The motionless star. The star which navigates us. The consistent star Without Polaris, are we truly sure the way we are headed is north? It points forward, giving direction to those who need it most
Polaris has gone.
Where did the stars go?
Pranav V D8
Stars. When I think of stars, I think of those humongous burning balls of gas, in space, far, far away But then, when I look up, I can barely see them Like, there’s 1 or 2 vaguely bright ones, and nothing else This is because of light pollution
Light pollution is the excessive, misdirected, or unnecessary use of artificial light at night, creating an artificial brightening of the night sky known as "sky glow". This means that there is light, just not from the stars Lots of people love to look up into the sky and watch the quintillions of stars shine brightly at them But this is ruined by light pollution
I don’t like it. Nature gave us this option, and we took it away ourselves. But it’s never too late to fix something. Yep, that’s right, we can reduce light pollution.
By turning off lights when you don’t need them and using warm colour lights, the stars can make a comeback! Everyone would be able to see the stars again, and they can enjoy a happy and starry night.
Dear Diary,
Et pour les étoiles, je te remercie
Eric C D12
Prends soin de moi, petite étoile
Sois la lumière qui me guide à travers le noir
Peu importe si je suis proche ou loin
À la maison, reviens-moi des voyages sur lesquels j’embarque
Et pour l’étoile qui guide, je te remercie
Éclaire-moi, ancienne étoile
Plonge moi dans les richesses du passé
Guide-moi vers les histoires des millénaires passés, et découvre
Les annulations du temps qui sont passées, trop vite sont largement dépassées
Et pour les étoiles du passé, je te remercie.
Inspire moi, étoile grandiose
Vos actes d’inspiration ont traversé le monde
Votre histoire donnera naissance à une nouvelle superstar
Un héros, pendant longtemps son histoire sera racontée
Et pour les futures étoiles, je te remercie.
Star of the week Zafirur R D9
I’m good now I know I used to be bad Like really bad Malicious even (Mrs Smith taught me that word in class) but I’ve changed now.
Today was a Thursday so it was the star of the week day. I’d never gotten the award before, so I just sat on the cold, lifeless floor, trying to bring joy to my classmates (and mainly myself) by making silly noises Mr Simon’s shouts, telling me to stop, were muffled by my fart noises and burps.
Suddenly, Mr Joel, the headteacher, strode in. A menacing aura stood around him. Menacing, but strangely calm, like an eagle perched on a willow tree, looking at its prey. The whole room went silent at the sight of him, including me
“Good morning students,” he exclaimed. “Good morning Mr Joel.” The students replied. “Today is the star of the week. All of you have undoubtedly been good students, as you should be, but this award is to be given to a student, usually naughty, but reformed, having gotten full marks on his maths test ” I wasn’t listening to a word he was saying though, I was silently staring at a hole in the wall
“James!” a person sitting next to me shouted. Hey, that's my name. I looked to my right and surely enough, the boy was looking at me. Everyone else in the assembly hall was also looking at me
“You’ve won star of the week, go collect it!” He said
I can’t even explain how I felt, my vocabulary is too small to use the right words for what I felt. I was more than happy, more than joyous, more than content. I did it, I was a star.
Ad Astra Rory F D8
For so long, us humans looked. We looked, and stared, and looked again for answers And we always looked in one place: The Night Sky, so bountiful with knowledge. Were they nails holding up the sky? Were they holes in the fabric of space-time? Were they traces of the Gods’ many stories? Were they the yearning souls of the dead?
They were guidance, all stars lead to home. They were the weather forecast, predicting rain and shine. They signalled shifts in the seasons’ passing They connected the Earth to the never-ending sky
We had to draw lines to make sense of them. Celestial Markers to draw animals, people and stories. The Zodiac, Our Star Signs, Constellations. Taurus stands strong and Libra is always balanced Orion is battle-ready and Pisces dreams endlessly. Capricorn doesn’t give up and Leo guards us all.
We look to them for our personalities For Wishes For Dreams For the Past For the Future For Hope.
The Lonely Star
Gabriel H D9
Today was actually exciting! I saw a few comets passing by But sadly that’s really it since nothing really happens out here. My good mate Will blew up a few days ago in something the local Earth people call a supernova. After a few million years of just about existing I’ve lost the will to live, but sadly I can’t choose when to do a Will and disappear. I often stare out at the weird stuff the humans sent out of their planet, little cylinders with wings. Quite pretty to stare at since they shine so well in the big lad Charlie’s light.
So weird how me and all these other stars exist, right? Like we were held together by the hydrostatic equilibrium WE make. It’s already been 2 million years since I was a protostar, which is really weird to think about as I’ve done nothing since. I do get rather lonely out here, it’s too cold for most but I’ve gotten quite used to it. I wish I could tell everyone how lonely it is to be a star, we’re all separated by thousands of miles. And the most action you’ll get is seeing something go boom, anything really And an absolutely corker of a trait we have, we can’t run, walk, talk, hear, or anything Maybe a slight turn here and there but not much else So yeah, another great day, that I wish ended just as quickly as it began.
Into the lights of Interstellar Revon S D10
In the world of Interstellar, the stars are used to show the ongoing fight between a dying world and a new hope for life. On Earth, the sky is disguised by the dust, so the stars represent the only “escape” left for our species.
The protagonist of the film, Cooper views the stars from below, his only option, a gamble in order to find a new home for his children before the air runs out By making the star the main objective of the story, the film shows that the only chance for the future is to look towards the sky.
However, the stars also act as a wall separating Cooper and his family. As Cooper and his space crew travel deeper into space, the immense gravity of the black hole, Gargantua, causes time to warp
Cooper returns from a short mission, to find twenty-three years of video messages from his children waiting for him. At this moment, the stars become “thieves” of time. They become a physical barrier between a father and his daughter The cost of exploring the universe is often losing the very people you are trying to save, supporting the argument that the stars are a brutal test of what humans are willing to sacrifice.
Finally, one of the most crucial themes in Interstellar is curiosity, particularly shown through the newly discovered “wormhole”, marking the curiosity that make us human. This exact drive to explore is shown throughout the poem, “Do not go gentle into that good night” repeated by Dr Brand.
This poem acts as a protest against the fading light, telling humanity to fight for its place. By illustrating the stars as a destination worth fighting for, the film explains that exploration is a part of us that makes us human We weren’t meant to sit as our light goes out; we were meant to find our home among the stars
Ultimately, Interstellar uses the stars to show the duality of the human spirit. They represent our biggest fears of isolation and death, but they also reflect our greatest strength in sacrifice and love. The film reminds us that even though we may be tiny pinpricks in the universe, we aren’t insignificant Even in the darkest depths of space, the brightest light is the fire we carry inside our own hearts.
The Woman among stars Max R D9
Svetlana Laika Kochenkov was born on Friday 13th of July 2159, and everyone around her thought that she was bad luck Except for her parents They supported her, helped her through tries and tribulations, until the day came Friday 13th of June 2177 The day that Svetlana was accepted into the Earth Space Coalition College. Svetlana trained hard to become an astronaut, and become one she did. She was assigned to become the first human to travel to a faraway planet believed to support human life, Eukterion IV. On Friday 13th of February 2184, Svetlana boarded her ship, nicknamed счастливчик, and started her journey to Eukterion IV She clambered into her cryostasis pod, and prepared for the discovery of a lifetime
As Svetlana’s eyes opened, all she saw was red. It took her a few seconds to realize that it was the emergency lights, telling her that something was wrong. The cryostasis pod opened, and she stepped out, almost losing balance as she did so She headed for the cockpit, in search of a reason for this problem; when she arrived, she checked the report The ship's copilot had failed, and with approximately 72 years left until she arrived at Eukterion IV. She stepped back, then turned, and ran. And ran. And ran. But she had nowhere to go, and nobody to talk to. She was alone.
‘#1 Dad’ That’s what Svetlana’s mug said It was a parting gift from her younger brother, Dimitri. Her family. The ones who helped her through thick and thin, who were so proud to see her succeed, who she left behind. Svetlana knew going into this mission that by the time she reached Eukterion IV, her family would be long dead. Yet she still went. She was so excited by the opportunity, she never thought how much she’d miss them. But she did. She missed them every second of every day, as she slowly drifted towards her destination 39 years left, till she reached the planet
Silence. That’s all there was now. When Svetlana had first thawed, she’d listen to music on her vintage walkman that her girlfriend had bought her, but that broke years ago. It had been so long since Svetlana had last seen other people, she stopped talking. In fact, Svetlana, in her old age, had started to forget what people speaking even sounded like 5 years left, till she reached the planet.
Friday the 13th of July. Svetlana’s birthday. And the day she’d finally reach Eukterion IV. When she woke, she dragged herself out of her makeshift bed, and headed to the cockpit. She finally got to see the brilliant blue planet that she’d devoted her life to finding She entered the cockpit and looked up to Euktarion IV and No It wasn’t blue, there was no grass, the planet was red and dry. Just like Mars. Svetlana fell to her knees and cried. Then, she looked at the mug in her hand and whispered, “I’m so sorry.” And she fell to the ground.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT
Stardust Diyon S D13
The SERGEANT leads the DEALER into a small, dimly lit interrogation room, and attaches his cuffs to the table. He sets down his coffee and sighs.
SERGEANT
Okay before I start questioning you I’ll begin with your Miranda Rights.
The Sergeant reads out his rights. The man in the corner begins clicking his pen The dealer looks over.
SERGEANT
Okay with those out the way, who gave you it?
DEALER
I don’t know nothing.
SERGEANT
Let’s not waste anyone's time here DARRELL You are one of the most frequent customers in this station. Hell, I see you more than some of my own damn boots.
DARRELL
I told you I don’t know nothing, I haven’t known nothing and I ain’t ever gonna know nothing
SERGEANT
Come on Darrell, you’re one of the most prolific drug dealers in the area You sell molly, you sell mary jane, hell last week we caught you selling laced Haribos for god’s sake. If anyone’s gonna know, it's you. So where’d you get it?
Darrell stays silent. The pen clicking speeds up. Darrell begins to get visibly ticked off
DARRELL
Yo who is that guy man?
SERGEANT
Darrell, do you really want this? Remember what happened to your daughter last time you lied and got sent away?
DARRELL(angry)
Yo who the hell do you think you are? AND WHO THE HELL IS THAT GUY?
The man quickly leaps up from the chair and proceeds towards the table.
NOVA (happy)
Hello nice to meet you, I’m DETECTIVE SAMUEL
NOVA, I’m the lead on this case and I thought I’d sit in during the interrogation. Now I’d like to ask you a few questions
Nova’s eyes turn ice, as he picks Darrell up by his collar.
NOVA (cold)
Now tell me, where the hell did you get the stardust?
DARRELL
Like I told your boss, I don’t know nothing. Nova suddenly swings at Darrell. Darrell's body slumps into his chair
SERGEANT
Great work Nova. Now I’ll have to wait 5 hours for this mug to wake up, and have to deal with more paperwork Some star of the show you are Nova storms out back to his cubicle and shoves down a handful of pills. He stares at the half torn down poster across the street through the window. It reads:
FROM THE OUTSIDE, STARS SHINE BRIGHT BUT ALL THEY FEEL IS HEAT AND A LOAD OF PRESSURE.
WANT SOME HEAT OFF YOUR BACK? TAKE STARDUST TODAY!
smashed into the hull of our boat with its head shaking the boat. My dad came rushing up the stairs from below deck clearly annoyed because I didn’t let him sleep. He took control of the wheel and was able to fend off the orca for enough time to bore the beast Just as the whale was leaving, he smashed into the hull one more time cracking into it. We were finished. Now we had a hole in our hull and water flooding in.Great just great. Days went by, and all hope was lost. We were stranded.
One night, I was praying for the first time begging the lord to free us from the sea and let us find land Suddenly, a bright light shines in my face and I look up at the sky and see the most beautiful star ever. The North Star. Its light instantly gave me hope to keep pushing forward and I knew that for our survival we had to follow the star. So in the morning I told dad about my spectacular plan. And he said, and I quote,” It’s worth a try kiddo.” So at night we marked where the star was and followed it. We followed the star for days on end without sleeping. One day my dad came up to me and said,” I think it’s time to give up” I was dumbfounded My dad never wanted to give up on anything even if he’s losing a FIFA game 10-1. Just as I was about to agree with him, in the distance, I could see the edge of a coast we’d made it. We found land. My dad and I hugged each other and jumped up and down in joy as we slowly but surely approached the land. It was a sight for sore eyes.
The Weight of a Star’s Light
Stars burn their fires, and we see with our eyes, What they can inflict with glory or lies.
We don’t have a choice, They’re just there, and that’s that. We have no choice.
And even when dead, They still glimmer on, And they’re names get abused For parody and song And we notice.
So the life of a star
Seemed all open and free
We hope some don’t grow old, Or get cast to the sea. Why should they?
Oscar R D11
But there are some who we can’t help about but chat
And their legacy lives on, in our minds like a rat
Those who inflicted glory shine forevermore
But those who used lies stay around like a law
That we must hear about everlong, evermore, ‘Til it dampens us down to a state feeling poor.
But there is just one thing that they showed us how to,
At least we know now, what a star shouldn’t do.
How to be a star student at AGS Alfie B D7
Ingre Y A O D R C
STEP If you smar dedic end o being thing STEP I'm su it. Bu test o that m other STEP I have think doing duoli succeed at something (e.g. passing a really hard test) youll feel AMAZING.
STEP 4: Resilience
Let's say you get your results back from your teacher and you don't quite get the grade you wanted. What are you going to do? Are you going to mope around and not do anything about it, or are you going to be committed to getting 100% in the next test? Well the right option is the second one, yeah you didn't do well this time, so what are you going to do next time to do better
Those so called stars
Alfie T D12
They told us that they were stars
Burning bright, brilliant on our TV
Scattered across a velvet sky
That no hand could ever reach
But. Look. Closer.
There are silky strings
Pulling us tight together
By thin spindly hands
That we could never see
Constellations, they’ll call it
Order Your Destiny
A story already written for us
Before we get to shine
They chart how bright we glow
Into their neat ledgers
Choose which of us burn the best
And which stay as dust
We flicker
As if We have a choice
Left, right, bright, dim
As if the sky we adopt isn’t already owned
Some stars burn out
Trying to shine alone
Some surrender their shining light
To burn the bright they’re told
And still the astronomers speak up
Tell us: ‘’This is order, See how naturally you fit”
Imagine if
Just if we refused this pattern
If we shined without permission
Shifted without signal
Rewrote the velvet with our light
The sky would crumble
Not because it was breaking
Not because one was burning bright
Because one star - compared to all Does not light up the night
And so those
Who so diligently told us
Our map
Predetermined to one place Will have to navigate our velvet
Without a guide in hand
Rocket Blueprint Harry M D10
External tank - Filled with liquid oxide and liquid hydrogen that then is flowed into the engines to propel the space shuttle into orbit.
Solid rocket booster - Boosters that accept fuel from the external tank to provide 70% of thrust to raise the of the pad at launch. These are unattached later in the flight.
Cockpit - A pressurised cabin for the pilot and crew. Where the pilot can control the spacecraft Fact: Contains over 2000 controls and displays inside, triple the amount in the Apollo
Payload bay - Area inside the orbitor where cargo or satellites/probes can be stored to be released into open space. Includes large doors on the top to release satellites quickly
Wings - Uses a double delta wing format to get maximise fuel efficiency as well as high speed
RCS and OMS engines - Once the solid rocket booster have dropped off, these engines are used for roll pitch and yaw motions (OMS) and for altitude control (RCS) and for a safe landing on the way back to earth
Appendices:
Translation of “Wuppertal Schwebebahn”, by
Louis G D12,
page 9
Constant chatter crammed the dilapidated factory. Everyone, from cleaners to the boss, surrounded a single newspaper. The Schwebebahn had opened; the train that could fly had opened Excitement and enthusiasm spread both inside and outside A key step into the future had finally arrived for the city
Night time. Work finished. Everyone had left. A man, head to toe in soot and dirt, sat down on the train; his squalid hands wrapped around a hat that he never put on. Opposite him sat a woman dressed formally in a pearl-white dress, with soft Regency gloves on her lap. They both watched the windows, not acknowledging each other
Between factories, stars presented themselves, light against dark skies. ‘It is strange,’ she said quietly, ‘You would expect the stars to be gone with all the smoke in the way.’
The man gave no reply, yet he lifted his gaze Most days ended at iron doors and screeching machines for him The difference between normal life and here briefly separated him from the weight of his labour and routine.
Above the river, everything was silent; the city was silent. It felt distant, reduced to dim figures and scattered lights. The Schwebebahn moved with an unfamiliar smoothness. No wheels against stone, no horses straining It hummed softly, as if it were drifting on air
The buildings stopped and the sky opened completely. Stars were scattered across the darkness, mirrored in the gentle water, creating a display both below and above the carriage.
Silence settled between the passengers. The height blurred the gap between class and circumstance; they were just two figures being carried by the same invention
The train slowly approached the next station, no screech to hear. Lamps reemerged, chimneys returned and the stars partially disappeared behind buildings and smoke once again.
The woman rose, gathering her gloves with hesitation, as if she were reluctant to get off The doors opened, cold air creeping in She stepped off and disappeared into the night
The train moved on. The city continued its restless motion. Above it, the stars stood still, unseen, watching as the new century carried its passengers forward.
In the empty carriage, memories remained, as if the journey held moments from every class The man placed the hat beside him, shut his eyes, and let the slight hum be his only guidance home
Appendices:
Translation of “Et pour les étoiles, je te remercie”, by Eric C D12, page 20
Look after me, little star Be the light that guides me through the dark Regardless of whether im close or far To home, return me from the journeys on which I embark And for the guiding star, I give my thanks.
Enlighten me, ancient star Plunge me into the riches of the past
Guide me to the stories of past millenia, and uncover The annuls of time which too fast have far gone past. And for the stars of the past, I give my thanks.
Inspire me, grandiose star
Your acts of inspiration have crossed the world Your story will give rise to a new superstar A hero, for a long time his story will be told. And for the future stars, I give my thanks.
