THOMAS’S
TIMES
HALLOWEEN EDITION
2500 Mile Migration Completed by Wild Dogs F e l i x T, Editor
Lower Fourth,
Nature
R e c e n t l y, t h e B B C h a s r e c o r d e d a pack of wild dogs completing an astonishing 2485 mile journey through the tough terrain of Zambia. The three brothers were record breakers and scientists claim this was the furthest migration made by an African land mammal. The brothers navigated the broken up landscape, doing a 260 mile journey 10 times.
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The World of Holly Jackson A special double-page feature on the world of murder mystery author Holly Jackson on page and screen. continued on page 4-5
2500 Mile Migration Completed by Wild Dogs Continued African wild dogs are one of Africa's rarest land mammals and reports claim there are o n l y 6 0 0 0 Wi l d d o g s l e f t therefore this migration is c r u c i a l . Wi t h a t o p s p e e d u p to 70 km/h, they are Africa's most distinct scavengers. Whether it is their dog-like features, or ridiculously oversized ears, they are much-loved across the world.
In-School Phone Usage: A Student Voice Perspective Jamie T, Upper Fourth, Current Affairs Correspondent The recent faculty decision to introduce phone lockers has b e e n a h i g h l y c o n t r o v e r s i a l t o p i c w i t h i n t h e s t u d e n t b o d y. It was inevitable that this policy would be unpopular but highly beneficial. There have been many conversations between pupils about whether this was a good or a wrong decision. Studies show that phone usage in school and during school hours for a number of vexatious reasons. One states that the knowledge of your phone being in your bag or near you can thwart attention span during lessons. Also, going on your phone at school can make you dread lessons, make you more tired, depress you and generally hurt your mental health.
Life of Pi
Alongside them, 3 sisters had an astonishing journey as well but were trapped in a snare along the way towards the end of their migration. D e v a s t a t i n g l y, many other wild dogs were tracked by a GPS tracker but were eventually killed by illegal snares. Many BBC nature presenters say that this is a tragedy for African wildlife. So, in conclusion these 3 courageous brothers really answer the question “How far would you go?”
Student phone lockers have become a familiar sight to us all. Photograph credit: Effy B, Lower Fourth photographer To gain a better understanding of the overall impact this has had on the school, Aimi (head interviewer) and I took to asking students from various year groups to discuss their thoughts on the matter. Mbayang N and Flo B in Lower Sixth motioned that they interpreted it as a positive new development, stating that, ‘It is a good thing that our phones are being locked up, because it means that we’re not constantly thinking about what’s going on in the outside world when we’re supposed to be focussing on school. Additionally, we know that everyone else’s phones are also locked up which creates space for socialising.’ On the other hand, Luna M in the Lower Fourth argues that, ‘it would be better if kids could use their phones at breaktime and lunch but have them away in lessons,’ with a less intense approach. If you have any other thoughts or ideas, ask your form representative to bring it up in the next meeting.
The Road to Net Zero: Can the UK Transform Its Transport? Vasi F, Middle Sixth, Environment Correspondent
W h e t h e r y o u t r a v e l t o s c h o o l b y c a r, b u s , t r a i n o r bicycle, transport is part of all of our lives e v e r y d a y. H o w e v e r, t r a n s p o r t i s a l s o o n e o f t h e U K ’s b i g g e s t c o n t r i b u t o r s t o c l i m a t e c h a n g e . Wi t h the government aiming to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, making t r a n s p o r t m o r e s u s t a i n a b l e i s a m a j o r p r i o r i t y. S o what changes exactly are being made and will they be enough? Tr a n s p o r t i s t h e U K ’s l a r g e s t s o u r c e o f g r e e n h o u s e gas emissions, accounting for about 29% of the c o u n t r y ’s t o t a l e m i s s i o n s . C a r s a n d t a x i s a r e responsible for more than half of domestic transport emissions, while vans also contribute significantly because they rely so much on diesel. Av i a t i o n i s a n o t h e r m a j o r i s s u e . U n l i k e c a r s , w h i c h are being replaced more and more by electric vehicles, aeroplanes are much harder to electrify w i t h c u r r e n t t e c h n o l o g y. T h i s m a k e s r e d u c i n g e m i s s i o n s f r o m f l y i n g r e a l l y d i f f i c u l t r i g h t n o w. As a result, the UK government has introduced some changes and ambitious targets to address these problems. One of the biggest changes is the plan to end the sale of new purely petrol or diesel cars by 2030. This is meant to encourage more people to switch to electric vehicles. Billions of pounds are also being invested in expanding charging infrastructure across the country so that electric cars become a more practical option for people everywhere. The government is also focusing on encouraging people to walk and cycle instead of driving, especially for shorter trips. The government is investing in safer cycling routes, improved pedestrian crossings and better walking infrastructure.One goal that is especially relevant to students is that the government wants to increase the number of children who walk or cycle to school. This would reduce emissions and at the same time encourage students to lead healthier
lifestyles. But is it actually working? Some cities are making good progress. London has introduced the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to improve air quality by discouraging the use of more polluting vehicles. The city is also expanding its electric bus fleet and cycling lanes. It has set a goal for 80% of journeys to be made by walking, cycling or public transport by 2041. Greater Manchester is focusing on the Bee Network. Its goal is to connect buses, trams, cycling routes and walking paths into one integrated public transport system, similar to L o n d o n ’s . These different initiatives show that greener transport is already becoming part of everyday life. In fact, we are all starting to see changes around us everyday in London.
Despite the progress we all see, there are still a lot of challenges ahead. Electric cars are s t i l l t o o e x p e n s i v e f o r m a n y p e o p l e a n d i t ’s not always easy to find convenient charging points everywhere. Public transport can also be unreliable and costly so it makes it difficult for some people to stop using their cars. Av i a t i o n r e m a i n s v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o m a k e sustainable. Unlike cars, aeroplanes cannot e a s i l y s w i t c h t o e l e c t r i c p o w e r. R e d u c i n g emissions from flying will therefore require new technologies and alternative fuels that are still being developed or for now are extremely expensive. Across all of these areas, encouraging people to change their everyday habits takes time. The UK is clearly making progress towards greener transport but reaching net zero by 2050 will require more than government targets. Sustainable travel needs to become affordable, accessible and convenient for everyone. The question is whether these changes will happen quickly enough to make a real difference.
CRIMINALLY GOOD: THE The Books of Holly Jackson Esther P, Upper Fourth, Books Editor
Standalone Thrillers
T h r o u g h o u t h e r 7 y e a r c a r e e r, H o l l y J a c k s o n h a s written seven - extremely successful- novels , all critically acclaimed and celebrated internationally by thousands of readers. Jackson has received many accolades for her engaging and enthralling thrillers and has since been described as Britain's b e s t s e l l i n g f e m a l e c r i m e w r i t e r.
F i v e S u r v i v e i s J a c k s o n ’s f i r s t s t a n d a l o n e thriller and follows six friends who, when going on a camping trip, make a wrong turn in their caravan and end up lost. Before they can drive a w a y, t h e i r t i r e s a r e s h o t o u t a n d t h e y a r e trapped inside the van.
A G o o d G i r l ’s G u i d e t o M u rd e r ( J a c k s o n ’s d e b u t as a writer) follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a curious and hardworking student looking for an interesting EPQ topic. Promoted by a sense of justice she decides on solving the Murder of Andie Bell.
This is then followed by Good Girl, Bad Blood and then As Good As Dead which continue Pippa a n d R a v i ’s ( h e r p a r t n e r s h e e n l i s t s t o h e l p h e r o n cases) crime solving adventures and navigation through sixth form as well. (However if I were do d i v u l g e t h e p l o t f u r t h e r, A G o o d G i r l ' s G u i d e To M u rd e r w o u l d b e r u i n e d ! ) Kill Joy is the final installment in this series, p r e q u e l l i n g P i p p a ’s f i r s t v e n t u r e i n t o c r i m e . S e t j u s t b e f o r e t h e e v e n t s o f A G o o d G i r l ’s G u i d e To M u r d e r, P i p p a u n c o v e r s h e r p a s s i o n t o s o l v e t h e Andie Bell case after participating in a murder m y s t e r y p a r t y a t a f r i e n d ’s h o u s e a n d r e a l i s i n g h e r affinity for solving large and complex problems.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price follows a young 18-year old Bel, whose mother suddenly reappears during the filming of a documentary specifically investigating her case - after having disappeared for 16 years. Bel however does not believe her story as to w h e r e s h e ’s b e e n a n d d e c i d e s t o u n c o v e r t h e truth. N o t Q u i t e D e a d Ye t i s R a c h e l ’s f i r s t a d u l t thriller and follows 27 year old Margaret "Jet" Mason after she is brutally attacked on H a l l o w e e n n i g h t i n Wo o d s t o c k , Ve r m o n t . S h e s u f f e r s a s e v e r e h e a d i n j u r y, w h i c h , w i t h o u t s u r g e r y, w i l l g i v e h e r o n l y s e v e n d a y s l e f t t o l i v e . U n w i l l i n g t o r i s k a s u r g e r y, s h e c h o o s e s to spend her last week solving her own m u r d e r.
WORLD OF HOLLY JACKSON TV Review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Hebe L, Upper Fourth, Media Correspondent A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder is a BBC murder mystery TV show adapted by Holly Jackson’s best selling young adult novel. It follows Pippa (Pip) Fitz-Amobi (played by Emma Myers) a smart talented high school girl who is not satisfied with the police’s handling of cases in the town of Little Kilton. The first season revolves around Pip solving the killing of Andie Bell for her EPQ, who went to school with her. She was supposedly killed by her boyfriend Sal Singh who confessed to the murder and was thought to have committed suicude shortly after. Pip is desperate to clear Sal’s name so she reaches out to Sal’s brother Ravi Singh for help with the case. As the season goes on Ravi and Pip become closer and take numerous interviews and pieces of evidence determined to solve this case.
The second season revolves around the d i s a p p e a r a n c e o f J a m i e , ( w h o i s P i p ’s c l o s e f r i e n d C o n n o r ’s b r o t h e r ) . C o n n o r h e l p s P i p trying to find Jamie when he was last seen at a memorial for Sal and Andie a few days before he was meant to be a witness in court. Pip investigates and spreads awareness through her podcast. Overall, I found the show really enjoyable and I think the show would be aimed towards people in Lower Fourth-9 as it is a 12+ age rating. I particularly enjoyed the acting skills of Emma Myers who plays Pip the main character and she is also very well known for her role as Enid in the tv show We d n e s d a y. I p a r t i c u l a r l y l i k e d h e r a c t i n g a s I think she really embodies the character and she shows how passionate and determined Pip really is. If you are someone who is a fan of murder mystery I would 100% r e c o m m e n d w a t c h i n g t h e s h o w.
THE BEST HALLOWEEN FILMS Sadie O, Lower Fourth, Media Correspondent Wi t h t h e e n d o f t h e y e a r q u i c k l y a p p r o a c h i n g a n d H a l l o w e e n r i g h t a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r, y o u n e e d t o s t a r t t h i n k i n g o f t h e m o v i e s y o u a r e watching for the spooky season!
Fear-Neutral Options Shrek A coming of age movie about a grumpy ogre named shrek who lives alone in his s w a m p . H o w e v e r, w h e n t h e f a i r y - t a l e creatures needed him, he stepped up and saved the day!
Spooky Season Classics
H o t e l Tr a n s y l v a n i a A vampire called Dracula helps his family when an unwelcome human comes for a visit. Ghostbusters Three lively young adults start hunting and fighting a haunted musician. Coraline Coraline is a slightly darker stop-motion movie about a young girl that is taken to an alternate reality that t r i e s t o k i d n a p h e r.
The Wizard of Oz A slightly older movie but still doesn't d i s a p p o i n t . Yo u n g D o r o t h y a n d h e r d o g To t o g o t c a u g h t u p i n a t o r n a d o a n d w e r e swept away to a magical land called Oz. Once there they had to risk it all, make n e w f r i e n d s a n d f i g h t a g a i n s t t h e Wi c k e d Wi t c h o f t h e We s t t o r e t u r n h o m e . Wicked I f y o u l i k e d T h e Wi z a r d o f O z y o u s h o u l d c o n s i d e r w a t c h i n g i t s p r e q u e l , Yo u n g Elphaba had to face struggles from early on due to her unattractive appearance. And at the same time young Glinda was spoiled a n d p o p u l a r. T h e t w o f o r m a n u n l i k e l y friendship and go on a heartwarming j o u r n e y t o g e t h e r. T h e P a r e n t Tr a p Annie is a cheeky but kind Londner that w e n t t o C a m p Wa l d e n f o r t h e s u m m e r. Hallie is a American farm girl that also w e n t t o c a m p Wa l d e n f o r t h e s u m m e r. W h a t they didn't know however was that they were identical twins that had to save their parents.
HOW TO Seren A, our Lower Fourth food editor, shares a recipe for some delectable (and spooky!) cookies. Method: Cream the butter and sugar together until smooth. T h e n , a d d t h e f l o u r, o a t s a n d b a k i n g p o w d e r. After that, add the fruit, cinnamon and the maple syrup. F i n a l l y, a d d t h e e g g . Mix until smooth. Get a baking tray and cut cookie dough with halloween.
your
Ingredients: 100g of brown sugar 100g of unsalted butter 20g chopped apricots/apple 200g plain flour 80g oats 50g chocolate chips 1tsp baking powder 20g mashed bananas 1tsp maple syrup 1 egg 1tsp cinnamon
Then, gently squish them down into a pancake-like shape. F i n a l l y, b a k e i n t h e o v e n f o r 1 5 minutes or until golden brown!
S e r e n ’s f i n i s h e d p r o d u c t ! P h o t o credit: Seren A, Lower Fourth
STUDENT POETRY Student poet Josie D, Upper Fourth, has been inspired by the autumnal weather. Here, she explores this in a tanka - a classical form of Japanese poetry.
Golden-brown leaves fall Squirrels scurry all around Birds swiftly migrate A vibrant season has come Autumn is finally here
STUDENT ARTWORK
Connie A, Lower Fourth, Artist
Connie A, Lower Fourth, Artist
PUZZLE CORNER Challenge yourself with our Halloween wordsearch!
HAUNTING SPIDER PUMPKIN SKELETON ZOMBIE COSTUME MUMMY BAT Puzzle by MJ H, Lower Fourth, Puzzlemaker.
SCHOOL NOTICES
CONTRIBUTORS Editors Marnie M-C and Angela A, Upper Sixth Enviroment Correspondent Vasi F, Middle Sixth Current Affairs Correspondent Jamie T, Upper Fourth Books Editor Esther P, Upper Fourth Media Correspondents Hebe L, Upper Fourth Sadie O, Lower Fourth Nature Editor Felix T, Lower Fourth Food Editor Seren A, Lower Fourth Photographer Effy B, Lower Fourth Puzzlemaker MJ H, Lower Fourth Poet Josie D, Upper Fourth Artist Connie A, Lower Fourth
J o i n T h o m a s ’s T i m e s ! A r e y o u a b u d d i n g s t u d e n t j o u r n a l i s t , w r i t e r, p u z z l e - m a k e r, p h o t o g r a p h e r, o r cartoonist? Join the school newspaper club after half term! Contact Miss Mills (lmills@thomas-s.co.uk) for more details.