Secondary News

In 8a English we have been studying the structure of stories. Mr Adams kept emphasizing audience then one day he revealed that we were going to write a story for a real person – not a teacher. First we went to visit Miss Lorna Cedras’ Y2 class. We were paired up with a partner who read to us. We then asked them about the stories they liked reading. We had two weeks to write a story for our partner. It was hard work but we knew we would have to meet our deadline or we would have a very unhappy child.

We learnt a lot about stages of reading and how to relate our language to the reading ability of our child.

Sports and I don’t go together. It’s like mixing custard and soda. I’m custard; indolent, lethargic and I curdle when put in the sun too long. Sports is soda; fizzy, annoying, and it gives you gas. A human automatically hates something they are not good at no matter how much they try, and when it comes to physical exertion I have tried and failed.

There are several reasons for my vehement hatred of all things physical. The first reason is that I am not good at it. I am the kind of girl whom you find in the library reading a good book or sitting down quietly listening to music, rather than sweating it out in the playground with my peers. My hand-eye coordination is zero. The second reason is that my P.E teacher has a severe vendetta against me, and for some bizarre reason, finds pleasure in doling out physical tasks to me alone, specially designed to bring me to near death with exhaustion and stop my heart beating. The third reason is that apart from being healthy, I find exercise pointless. My biology teacher would scream in horror, as would, I’m sure, other healthy lifestyle specialists, but that is a fact. I do not see the need in being forced to run two kilometres in under six minutes because unless I become a convict or engage in a profession that requires a lot of running, which are usually careers that are not entirely legal, I do not under any circumstances need to spend eighty minutes each week being timed while I am forced to run two thousand meters.

I am inevitably mercilessly teased by my peers because of my lack of fitness, and when it is time for the heats, the short kid with asthma and sinus problem sniggers as he knows even he can beat me at the hundred meter sprint. I don’t sprint; I amble. I run a little bit faster than a 1959 Chevy truck with a puncture; and I know an old Chevy isn’t a particularly speedy vehicle, let alone a punctured one. I had lessons on how to run when I was in year 4. I know for a fact that that isn’t normal. Normal human beings know how to run without any extra help because it comes naturally, right after walking, but I guess that particular strand of DNA forgot about me. And the fact that I run like “I’m walking fast” as my P.E teacher puts it, doesn’t help at all. But the verity of my year 4 P.E teacher’s valiant attempts to get me to run properly that all the delightful people in my class remember, and remind me without fail at every possible opportunity they get, might also have something to do with why I hate doing sport so much.

I am an extremely lazy person, but laziness is nothing more than resting before you get tired. I’m also always the last to get picked for teams. After a decade, I don’t necessarily mind as I’m pretty much used to it, but it does gnaw at the old ‘self confidence’ a tad. To make things worse, the megalomaniac, torturous, love-deprived heads of the athletic department of the school have found a way to compile a list of my least favourite activities all in one calendar year. The fact that the activities that top my “Sports never ever to do even if my life depends on it” list, such as swimming, football, and the dreaded athletics, does not, obviously, help me lessen my loathing of exercise in any way either.

But I am open-minded about it. I appreciate that those who love sports love it because it makes them happy and keeps them fit. I am not oblivious to the fact it sends endorphins raging through your body, but I prefer to send endorphins raging through my body through chocolate.

BY: Nandita Nair
Year 10

Congratulations to Nandita Nair who won 1st Prize in the Seychelles Poetry Competition organized by SUBIOS! Here is her original prize-winning entry:

On Sunday 18th May 2008, our school rock band Raiden Seven, went over to Cerf Island to make a video of their cover song “Don’t Look Back in Anger”. The filming was done with the assistance of Mr Scott and Nandita Nair, who wrote the scenes. We all had a great day out, thanks to the generosity of Vicky Alis’ family who provided the boat, hotel and food. We could not have done it without them!
We would like to thank Michelle Tomkinson for her help in transporting band members and equipment to the boat.

–Jacquie Scott

The rumors had spread like wild-fire. Apparently, after two years of anxious waiting, year 9 was to be granted a valentine’s disco. Finally, one windy afternoon, the speculations were confirmed and the disco was to be held on the 14th of February (Valentine’s Day).
Kelly Mothe, the council representative of Year 9, had pulled through and made sure there was some sort of disco or celebration for 2008 Valentine’s.
A council meeting was held, and it was announced that the entire secondary, including sixth form, were invited to the Valentine’s disco. At one point, some lower secondary protested to the fact upper secondary were invited, (might I point out here that Year 10 and above did not call us for their prom apart from five waiters who were summoned to cater for them), and went so far as to petition against it, but the council won the battle, and they were invited. Kelly and I were in charge of ticket sales, and we managed to sell 100 tickets, most of them being to lower secondary.

After three weeks of convincing potential ticket buyers every break and lunch time, the night arrived and the air was heavy (with humidity from the rain rather than the excitement.)
At 6:59 pm, the music began to blare from four massive speakers, a professional DJ in charge, contrary to Year 9’s last disco, (we were then in Year 7), where our former P.E teacher Danny Philoe got out some old CD’s and connected two small speakers.
By 7: 30 most of the crowd had arrived, and by 8:00 the disco was in full swing. The highlight of the entrance was the wonderful ‘love arch’ that sixth form had created, decorated with hearts and pink sequins. Not that the teachers that watched us like hawks with beady eyes would have permitted anything remotely to do with love under the arch, but it was nice to look at.
A mix of Creole and English music was played, and everyone found something to dance to, apart from those couch potatoes who sat on the strategically placed chairs on the side and consumed caffeine more than that was good for them. The remaining hogged the dance floor, the hours passing quickly as we danced the night away.
Drinks were served outside, and many had to take breaks of cold fresh air outside even though all 8 air-conditioning systems were on in the hall.
From 7:00 to 10:30 pm, everyone (almost everyone) was busy on the floor, spending Valentine’s with their friends or dates. Three and a half hours ran out fast, and soon it was time to be picked up. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the disco, and we had a great time. Can’t wait for prom!!

(By: Nandita Nair, Year 9)