US Military and Hollywood

11th November 2022

The year is 1986. Top Gun has just hit the cinemas, and now, for the first time, we see Tom Cruise light up screens all around the world. Our hearts have been moved by Goose’s demise, stirred by Maverick’s romance with his Charlie, and we all whoop and cheer as Maverick and Iceman put aside their differences to focus on what’s important: flying. Ninety minutes of action-filled fun. So much ‘fun’ that young people, (mostly men) in their droves, touched specifically by the glamourous Top Gun lifestyle, flood to recruitment centres – in an increase never seen before. Rough estimates believe that there was a whopping five hundred percent increase in applications in for naval aviator positions between 1986 and 1987 alone.

US Military and Hollywood

Sports Advice from the Sports Scholars

11th November 2022

This article is aimed to help students who have to balance sport along with studies. Sports Scholars from Year 12 have shared their experiences regarding the challenges
they faced and how they overcame them during their GCSEs last academic year. I hope those who may feel overwhelmed and stressed, regardless of what year they
are in, are able to take something away from this article. Enjoy!

Sports Advice from the Sports Scholars

Residential School Trip Bingo

3rd November 2022

Having spent much of my half term on a school trip to the US, I have had the privilege of lots of time to people-watch (think subways, long walks, mealtimes, and a whole lot more). Whilst I can of course now recite the beginning of the American Constitution and tell you everything you did (or didn’t) want to know about the Liberty Bell, I have also learnt a lot about the different kinds of people you will encounter on said school trips. So, for your general knowledge, here is a WHS school trip bingo, of sorts, of the kinds of people to look out for (and perhaps avoid, depending on your personality!)

Residential School Trip Bingo

Halloween Around the World

3rd November 2022

Halloween is one of my favourite celebrations of the year, simply because I have a brilliant excuse to eat an awful number of sweets and insist on watching the scariest horror movies and freak myself out until I physically cannot sleep. This year, you may have gone to parties, got your creative juices flowing with costumes (even a pirate, which seemed to be rather popular) and had fun with friends and family with decorations, music and the outrageous amount of fake blood. The traditionally Celtic festival of Samhain is celebrated all over the world, in various ways and at different times, yet one thing they have in common is honouring or remembering the dead. So here is a quick international tour of five unique and spooky celebrations/traditions:

Halloween Around the World