Christmas Magazine Beatriz Dinis, B2.2b
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Dear Students, Parents and Teachers, Time goes by very quickly and another Bristol School magazine is about to come out. The Christmas season has arrived, bringing colourful decorations to brighten streets, houses and cheer up our heart on these short, rainy days. It is a blessing which makes Winter warmer and more beautiful. Let’s forget all our problems, all negative episodes and replace them with good memories, positive attitudes, joy and hope. And let’s welcome good news! Firstly, all the Bristol School students have passed at their schools, having most of them achieved the highest grades. Secondly, the year 2023 has shown a huge increase on the number of candidates who have taken up International Cambridge English Exams. The range of students has varied from young learners (Starters & Movers) to A2 Key, B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency. We had 98% success in these exams and most of our candidates passed with “A” and “B”. These are pieces of good news and we couldn’t help but share them with all of you! We feel very proud of our students and teachers and are very grateful to both for the wonderful results achieved over 3 decades of teaching. We also would like to express our gratitude to parents for your cooperation and for being aware of the importance of English in your children’s future. It will definitely be essential for their life. A big thank you to all staff for your hard work, passion for teaching and cooperation. Without everyone’s contributions (students, parents, teachers and staff), Bristol School wouldn’t have the good reputation it has gained and the excellent results obtained over these 37 years of teaching. Our target is to do better and better and to meet our students’ expectations. We wish you a Merry Christmas, full of joy and peace! And a wonderful New Year! The Direction We must say the Bristol School team is the Best! We just ask you to keep it up in 2024 Diana, B2.1
Bristol School Magazine 2023
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Xmas Traditions around the World Christmas Traditions vary widely across cultures, yet they share a common thread of fostering joy, togetherness, and reflection. One ubiquitous custom is the decoration of homes with festive lights, ornaments, and evergreen trees. These symbols, rooted in ancient traditions, signify hope and the endurance of life even in the darkest winter days. The aroma of festive feasts wafts through kitchens, as traditional recipes pass down through families, imparting a sense of continuity. Carolling with voices harmonizing joyously, echoes the carols sung for centuries. Midnight Mass and nativity scenes evoke the spiritual essence of Christmas, fostering reflection and gratitude. In essence, these traditions create a mosaic of shared memories, forging a bond that transcends time. As each year unfolds, the embrace of these customs becomes a testament to the enduring magic of Christmas. Rodrigo Roque & Matilde Gomes C1.1c In the small town of Great Yarmouth an unusual Christmas tradition takes place known as “Mince Pie Madness”. This tradition has been delighting locals and visitors for decades now. Every CHRISTMAS Eve, residents engage in an exciting competition to see who can create the most outlandish mince pie. During this event, participants let their ordinary creativity run wild by incorporating unexpected ingredients such as chili flakes and blue cheese or even mustard into the traditional mince pie recipe. In the final day of the competition, the Townsquare transforms into a festival battlefield of flavours as judges try the unconventional creations. Legend has it that the tradition was originated during a baking mishap in the 19th century when a distracted baker mistakenly added the wrong ingredients to a batch of mince pies. Instead of discarding the pies, the locals embraced the mistake, arresting a new tradition. As the town gathers to share the peculiar pies, laugher fills the air. Great Yarmouth’s Mince Pies Madness has become a cherished part of the town’s holiday spirit. Tomás Pinto & Sofia Santos C1.1c A Swedish Christmas tradition One of the most interesting and odd Christmas traditions comes from Slottstorget, Sweden. They usually build up a huge Christmas goat, which is often burnt down by vandals. It's an enormous version of the traditional straw Swedish Yule goats. The goat is built to mark the beginning of the holiday season. People believed that the goat was an invisible spirit that would appear before Christmas to make sure that the holiday preparations were done correctly, thus the Yule goat was very important to the Swedish people. Most years, vandals get to the goat and burn it down. The town has already tried countless ways to protect their goat. For example, they’ve had guards stationed, security cameras put up and fences raised. They also tried to spray the goat with water and flameproof chemicals. Despite that, it has been burnt down many times over the past years. Although the goat is usually set on fire, there were times when the attempts to destroy or even steal it were more elaborate. In 1976, someone drove a car into the back legs of the statue, and it collapsed. Then in 2010, a security guard stated that he’d been offered a bribe but had turned it down. The two men who offered it, were planning on using a helicopter to fly away with the goat. Ana, B1.2b WEIRD CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS In Sweden, they have a really unique Christmas tradition. Every Christmas Eve, around 3 pm, they watch the 'Donald Duck Special' and all festivities are planned so that families can watch the program together. Swedes are so captivated by the cartoon that cell phone data usage drops dramatically during the show. In Sweden, Donald Duck has been a Christmas figure since 1959. B1.2b Diogo, Hugo and Guilherme
Bristol School Magazine 2023 X A Christmas Tradition in the Ukraine In Eastern Europe, especially in Ukraine, it's common to see spiders and spider webs hanging from Christmas trees at the end of the year. These decorations come in gold, silver or other colours, creating a consistent look during the festivities. These artistic spiders are not leftover Halloween decorations but rather a festive tradition that began in the late 19th or early 20th century. Historians say that the origin of Christmas spiders come from a tale called 'The Legend of the Christmas Spider.' The story revolves around a widow and her children who tried to decorate a pine tree in their garden after a pinecone fell there. Lacking money for Christmas decorations, the family had to find an alternative solution. One beautiful day, the spiders living in the house heard the family cry about not being able to follow Christmas traditions. In response, the spiders decided to decorate the tree's branches with their webs. The next morning, the family was delighted to find the creations shining in golden and silver tones in the sunlight. The joy brought by the spiders' gift made the financial challenges disappear. The legend of the Christmas spiders gained popularity in the region and eventually spread to various parts of the world. What was once an Ukrainian custom has now become a tradition in other parts of Eastern Europe, with thousands of families hanging spiders on their Christmas trees to this day. A trip to Vigo Last Christmas I went to Vigo with my family. We visited the Ciés Market, which is a very popular tradition in Vigo. There I saw some Spanish Christmas traditions. For example, I ate sweet coal, which is a” punishment” for children who misbehaved on Kings’ Day. The Ciés Market is famous because the Christmas tree and the Ferris wheel are very attractive. There was also the beautiful mermaid carousel and other activities for the kids. The main streets were decorated with Christmas lights and objects. I loved this trip and I recommend you visit this city at this time of year. It is well worth the visit! Beatriz Oliveira, Inês Mendes and Diana Sousa – B1.1 (F) Xmas traditions around the globe Christmas is one of the most celebrated events of the year. People all around the world put a lot of effort on decorating and making special festivals in order to show the world the beauty of Christmas: love, light and family. Germany is an example of one of the most famous countries because of the hanging of the advent calendars. They created this event, the chocolate calendar and now people all around the globe have at least one in their home. Gerhard Lang, a child, one day had the idea of a cardboard with doors, that could be opened. He was inspired by his mom. Later on, it became a commercial success adding candies to it. Sara Soares , Ana Catarina Silva – B1.1(F) The Advent Calendar and the Hanging of stockings The Advent Calendar has its origin in 19th century in Germany. In the early 1900s, German Protestants used a chalk line or lit candles to count the days leading up to Christmas. The first printed Advent Calendar appeared in the early 20th century, featuring windows to open each day, revealing religious images. Over time, the calendars evolved, incorporating chocolates and small gifts. The tradition spread globally, becoming a beloved way for people of various cultures to anticipate and celebrate the Christmas season. Hanging stockings, a whimsical Christmas tradition, finds its origins in folklore. Legend has it that St. Nicholas once dropped gold coins into stockings drying by the fireplace. Today, it’s a festive custom for families worldwide. The joyous anticipation of waking up to find surprises nestled in stockings has become a heart-warming symbol of the holidays. Duarte Domingues, Pedro Bastos , Renato Ferreira – B1.1(F)
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Poet’s Corner In a Winter’s night so crisp and cold, Santa Claus, with his sleigh of silver and gold, Glides through the sky, a vision so bright, Guiding reindeer under the soft moonlight. Snowflakes dance in a graceful ballet, Covering the world in a blanket of a white, they say. The North Pole runs with joyful cheer, Elves working hard, spreading holiday cheer Down chimneys, Santa Claus descends, Leaving gifts or family and friends. Stockings hung with care and delight, Glowing with the magic of Christmas night. So, let’s celebrate with joy and glee, The spirit of Christmas, for all to see. Santa Claus and snow, a magical blend Wishing you a Merry Christmas, my friend. Rita Almeida, Duarte Anjos & Ana Sofia Oliveira C1.1a Tiago Moneiro, Martim Marujo, Afonso Amaral, Beatriz Martins, Matilde Azevedo, M. Gabriela Sousa Merry Christmas The snow is falling down, A blanket for the frozen ground The trees are dressed in white and green A winter wonderland, it seems. With snowflakes falling, so white, Stars shining bright through the night, May your Christmas be merry and light, Filled with joy, from morning till night. The presents are there, under the tree, But Santa is nowhere that we can see. So, here’s a wish, sincere and true, Merry Christmas, from me to you! Mariana Jacinto
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Leonor A., B2.1b Dear diary… Dear diary, The Christmas season is one of my favourites because I love Christmas and the vibe it gives me. Although I don’t like the cold weather, I still prefer Christmas. I have been so busy this month, I’m so tired but at the same time I’m so excited to see the reactions to the presents. I have been making presents nonstop and I love the requests. Father Christmas tells us every day whatever we have to do, and it’s always something different. Before November, I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep without thinking about Christmas, presents and children’s wishes. After making the presents, I go home to be with my family. I always come home tired, but I always have time to spend with my family. I love Christmas and I can’t wait until it comes! Gui, B1.1 Dear diary, We’ve been really busy here in the North Pole, we have to work extra hours because humans are always multiplying unlike us elves. We had a stockings and Christmas tree shortage yesterday and we don’t have enough presents either but at least we have got the sleigh in good shape. Today we have to fix the hole in the roof. I told you last week that somehow, we made enough presents for two billion kids! That’s all I have to tell you, Bye now! Pedro, B1.1 Dear diary, The best season is coming soon, Christmas and this year it will be amazing! The children are waiting for me and I will give the best gifts to them. I hope that they love their gifts and enjoy the day. My elves have already prepared all the presents for the people, but we have made chocolates to surprise them. Last year, my sleigh broke down when I was arriving home, so for this year I will have a new “car” to deliver all of the things. If everyone wants to take a picture with my new sleigh, it is no problem! Now, I have to leave because it’s time for dinner, but as always, I wish you all a Christmas full of joy, love, and special moments, as if each gift were a smile in the hearts of someone you love. Merry Christmas everyone! Rafaela, B1.1 Carolina & Sara Catarina Lourenço & Tomás Barbosa Ana, Starters José, Starters
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Christmas Stories Once upon a time, in a small town, there lived a little girl named Emma. As Christmas approached, she couldn’t contain her excitement. Enna loved everything about this magical time of the year. The town was beautifully decorated, filled with colourful lights and cheerful music. One snowy evening, Emma made a wish upon a shooting star. She wished for a white Christmas and for everyone to be happy. Little did she know, her wish was about to come true. On Christmas Eve, a heavy snowfall covered the town, creating a Winter Wonderland. The next morning, as Emma rushed downstair, she couldn’t believe her eyes: underneath the Christmas Tree there was a beautifully wrapped box with her name on it. When she opened it, she discovered a harmonica, her dream gift. Filled with joy, Emma ran outside to play in the snow with her family and friends- They built snowmen, had snowball fights, and shared laughter. It was a special Christmas where everyone’s wishes had come true. Years later, Emma would always remember that magical Christmas, when her wish had brought happiness and snow to the town. It taught her the true spirit of Christmas – sharing love, joy and bringing happiness to others. Lia Cerqueira and Matilde Venâncio C1.1a Shrek Santa “Shrek the Halls” is a festive delight that immerses the audience in the whimsical world of Shrek during the Christmas season. The short film follows Shrek’s comedic attempts to create the perfect holidays for his family, leading to a series of hilarious misadventures. As Shrek navigates the challenges of embracing holiday traditions, the story unfolds with a heart - warming exploration of togetherness and the joy of giving. True to the Shrek Franchise’s irreverent humour, the film seamlessly weaves festive cheer with the characters’ distinct personalities. “Shrek the Halls” stans as a charming and humorous addition to Christmas specials, capturing the essence of the holiday spirit through the unique lens of Shrek’s world, offering fans a delightful escape into a fantastical Yuletide celebration. Raquel Meireles & João Cruz C1.1a In the quaint town of Zinde, Emily, a spirited woman with a deep love for Christmas, Jake, an ambitious entrepreneur, found themselves happy and in love. They fell in love last year at Christmas and about her dream to visit Santa’s workshop in Lapland and he hatched a plan to make it come true. Driven by his passion for unique business ventures, Jake delved into the world of magical reindeer. He discovered a rare breed known for their mystical abilities to transport individuals to enchanted places. With determination and touch of Christmas magic, Jake established his business “Enchanted Reindeer Experiences”. As Jake’s business flourished, he carefully orchestrated a surprise for Emily. On Christmas Eve he presented her with a mysterious package. When she unwrapped it, a golden ticket revealed itself, granting her passage to the Lapland workshop of Santa Claus. Overwhelmed with joy, Emily embarked on a journey with Jake to the snowy wonderland of Lapland. The magical reindeer, guided by the light to the North Star, whisked them away to the enchanted destination. When they arrived at Santa’s workshop, Emily’s eyes sparkled with childlike wonder. She explored the bustling toy factory, met Santa’s elves, and even had a heart-warming conversation with the joy old man himself. United by love and the spirit of the season, Jake and Emily returned to Zinde with hearts full of gratitude. The Enchanted Reindeer Experiences continued to spread joy and their love story become a cherished tale in the town. Carolina Alves & Francisco Vieira C1.1c Pedro Magalhães, A2.1d
Bristol School Magazine 2023 The deafening sound of a crash resounded in his head. His vision was blurry, red spots wondering in the atmosphere surrounding him. Muffled noises coming from the outside grew louder and louder, until he hears the sudden and startling breaking of glass. His eyes snapped open as cold sweat ran down his face and spine. His body which had sat up after waking up was trembling and his heartbeat ran at a mile per second. It was the Christmas Eve morning, only some days after the car accident that took his parents lives. He left his room and went to the bathroom where he calmed himself down and prepared for the special day. Afterwards he went downstairs to meet his grandmother. Now with high spirits he greeted his grandmother and sat down at the table to eat breakfast. - Hey grandma. What are we going to do today? Maybe we can go to the mall and pay a visit to Santa Claus? Or maybe we could roam the streets of the neighbourhood and pass by the Christmas tree in the Centre? The boy’s eyes beamed with new-found light, unfortunately about to be crashed by the following words. - I’m sorry but you know I don’t find enjoyment or interest in this celebration, so I want be taking part in any of its activities. Silence permeated the room as the boy’s eyes became gloomy and his face sullen. He quickly left the kitchen, leaving his grandma and crushed dreams. Seeing the state in which her grands on left she began to think on possible ways of redeeming herself to him. The little boy isolated himself in his room, spending his time until late afternoon, drawing his desires on the paper. When lights no longer came through the window, he picked up his coat and left the house running without his grandmother noticing. It took him sometime but he eventually reached the Christmas tree that he had wished to see. However, besides the evident amusement in his face, a tint of sadness laid beneath it. And just when he was about to turn around and leave, he left someone’s arms hugging him from behind. His expression lighted up as he turned to face a familiar figure that showed worry and embraced him even tighter than before. And that’s how, among the immerse crowd surrounding the bright tree, an old woman and a young boy realised that Christmas is just about sharing bounds and spending time together with the ones you love. Gonçalo Costa & Francisca Casais C1.1a A strange Christmas Today is Christmas Eve. I can't wait to open my presents at midnight. My mom is already preparing the food for later and it smells so delicious. Our house is full of light and Christmas spirit! I’m so excited to spend the evening with my family and they are almost arriving. They have arrived and the Christmas playlist is already on. My aunts are helping mom set the table while dad and the uncles are choosing the wine. Me and my cousins are trying to guess what’s underneath those colourful wrapping papers sitting under the tree. It’s finally time to eat and the food looks tasty and smells fabulous! Everyone is catching up on each other's lives, but I can only focus on the clock. It’s almost midnight! My little cousins are sitting near the fireplace and my oldest cousin is going to hand out the presents. After opening the presents, since it was already late, everyone said goodbye and left, while me and my parents were getting ready for bed. I was supposed to be asleep, but I heard a really loud noise and went downstairs to check it out. You won’t believe what I’m going to tell you… The noise was coming from the chimney and I expected to see a bird in the fireplace however I saw Santa’s feet hanging there. I tried to get him out but it wasn’t successful. He finally managed to get down and he told me that he got stuck while trying to get inside my house to leave the present I asked for! I was in disbelief. I never thought I would get to see and talk to the real Santa Claus! He eventually left and I went back to bed and thought about what had happened. It was every child’s dream to meet Santa Claus but I was the lucky one who actually got to meet him. The following morning, I told everyone what I had seen and no one believed me. Beatriz Pina, Bárbara Costa, Filipa Vieira
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Clara & Leonor, B2.1a In the enchanting village of CrystalVal, a radiant girl named Lily discovered a gift of extraordinary propositions beneath the towering Christmas Tree. Adorned with a golden ribbon, the tag whispered: “For the one whose kindness illuminates the darkest night”. Eagerly unwrapping the gift, Lily unveiled a magnificent snow globe. When she took it, a Winter Wonderland appeared and within it, a tiny talking reindeer named Jingle, the guardian of this magical realm. Jingle revealed that the globe held the power to spread joy throughout the holiday season, Lily and Jingle embarked on heart warring adventures. Their adventures transcended the ordinary, as Lily and Jingle touched the lives of every village, unravelling tales of generosity, compassion, and unity. As Christmas approached, the entire village, united by Lily and Jingle’s enchanting escapades, gathered for a grand celebration. The snow globe, now a symbol of shared joy, cast its radiant glow over crystal rally turning it into a beacon of warmth and love. And so, every year, as Winter’s embrace enveloped CrystalVal, the echoes of Lily and Jingle’s Magical Journey reverberated, reminding everyone that the true enchantment of Christmas lies in the boundless expanse of a heart brimming with kindness and the transformative power of shared joy. Ana Rita Barreiro & Leonor Ramos C1.1c Do you think it’s better to be a kid or an adult at Christmas time? At Christmas, kids are really happy because they receive so many presents like toys to play, etc. And kids don’t spend money on presents. For adults, it’s a happy time too. They receive present also, for example perfume, clothes, jewellery, chocolate, decorations for their home and adults spend money to buys presents for their kids, family and friends. I think it’s better to be a kid at Christmas because they like putting up the Christmas tree and they are incredibly happy because Santa Claus gives presents to them. Petra and Tiago A2.2c The Horror of Evergreen In the quiet town of Evergreen, Christmas arrived with a sinister twist. The snow fell in heavy flakes, muffling the usual festive cheer. Lights flickered ominously, casting long, sinister shadows that danced along the frost covered streets. As families gathered around their fireplaces, a sense of unease settled upon them. Whispered tales of a mysterious entity, whispered for generations, haunted the season. The legend spoke of a ghostly figure, cloak tattered red, who roomed the Christmas eve, searching for souls to claim. Among the locals, the biggest fear that night wasn’t the darkness or the bitter cold, but the lurking dread that the fabled spectre might knock upon their door. Each creak from the floorboards or gust of wind made hearts skip a beat, fearing the arrival of the ominous presence. Children huddled close to their parents, wide-eyed and trembling as the clock ticked closer to midnight. The adults exchanged nervous glances, their bravado melting away in the face of this inexplicable fear that gripped the town. Yet, as the last chime of midnight echoed, nothing stirred. Evergreen, broken only by the faint sound of distant bells. Slowly, relief washed over the town, a collective sign escaping anxious lips. They say fear is a creation of the mind, but on that Christmas eve, the greatest terror was the fear itself. Miguel Pinheiro and Martim Brites B1.1a The Christmas Miracle ON a beautiful snowy day James was making a snowman while suddenly his mom told him to help her with preparing the house for his favourite night of the year “Christmas.” He set the table and decorated all the house. Night was falling and James’s family arriving at his house. James was sad because he didn’t have any friends and he always wished he had one. The next day, James woke up with a noise, he went downstairs and the snowman that he had built in the previous day was knocking at the window calling for James. James’s wish had come true. He finally had a friend. Sofia, Pedro, Leonor Moniz B1.1e
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Ana Veloso, A2.2a A Magic Christmas Once a upon a time, there was a lovely family that lived in Los Angeles. The family was the mother, Megan, the father, Robert and two twins, Mary, and Mike, whom were 4 years old. It was the 1st of December 1913 and the family bought a put up a huge Christmas tree. The twins were the ones who decorated it, they used red and green ornaments, a golden star, and a lot of little toys. Everything was perfect, until the night of the 24th of December. The family started to open the presents and suddenly, the Christmas tree started moving and said: “Thank God it’s midnight! I was tired from standing still for so long! Merry Christmas dear family! Could you give me some food? I ‘m starving!” The twins were really, really happy, but the parents were completely in shock. The giant green tree started to talk, talk and talk while walking everywhere. They all started to sing and the tree got really excited and broke all the plates in the kitchen. Megan almost killed the tree! The twins couldn’t stop laughing and because of that, the parents started to think that the tree was very good company for the family, so she stayed there until New Year’s Eve. It was the 31st of December, almost midnight, and the tree explained that she would have to be back to her normal state and she would come back again next year. Everyone started to cry, but one thing made them happy, that Christmas had definitely been the best of all. Inês João & Sofia Soares B1.1a One day, I was shopping and I saw a shampoo very famous. People say that makes the hair very shiny, hydrated, and beautiful. The next day, my family dinner, we decided to do a “Secret Santa.” We were choosing the names and I get my uncle Joe. I thought to buy him a sweater, but his style is very different from mine. He loves video games and I saw a good one two weeks ago, but when I got in the shop, the game was sold out. So, I decided to buy him the shampoo that I had seen the day before. I bought the shampoo, wrapped it up and it was very difficult to know what was inside the box. On Christmas eve night, when were exchanging presents, I gave my present to my uncle and when he opened the present everyone started laughing very loud and I didn’t know why. Later, I remembered that my uncle is bald. Clara and Leonor Neves B1.1e On one beautiful Christmas morning, a humble old lady was making some gingerbread men for her grandsons. Then, when she put them into the oven, she received a phone call from her daughter. So, she left the door of the oven open. Then, one of the gingerbread men took the opportunity to escape. When the old lady returned, she noticed that one of the gingerbread men was missing, but the old lady didn’t try to find it because she needed to hurry up as her daughter and grandsons were almost arriving. After that, she closed the oven door and started setting the table for her grandsons. The gingerbread man took advantage of the time that he had to try to save his friends. He tried to open the oven but he wasn’t strong enough. Suddenly, he heard knocks on the door, so the old lady ran to open the door and saw the gingerbread man and picked him up and put him into the oven. Sadly, they couldn’t escape and they all got eaten by the hungry grandsons. Guilherme Neves and Filipe Leal B1.1e Estrela, A2.2a Pedro Gouveia
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Carolina Sousa, A2.1c Carolina Castro & Bruna Madureira, A2.2d Maria Carolina, Ana Magalhães & Ana Gil, A2.2d One day, Santa Claus was making the presents with the help of the elves and then a sleigh went through the wall. Santa Claus and the elves needed to fix it quickly to deliver the presents so they put candies to patch up the sleigh. After that, they managed to transport the gifts, deliver them on time and everyone was happy and able to celebrate Christmas with their families.
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Christmas Memes Beatriz, B2.1b Leonor A., B2.1b B2.1b Tiago Andre, Salvador and Antonio B2.2d Joao Calo C2.1a Rita Rodrigues and Ines Reis B2.2d Rita Rodrigues and Ines Reis B2.2d Raquel Pedro, A2.1c
Bristol School Magazine 2023 + When you wait for that expensive present you’ve asked for the other 12526272 times When you receive more presents Christmas 2023 in Portugal than your sibling Tomas Campelo and Mariana Moreira, B2.2d Goncalo Ferreira & Emilia Batista, B2.2d Joana Ribeiro C2.1 This is an Angel. I like angels because Jesus is important. Manuel Souto This is Mike, the Ginger Man. He is like FIFA. Tomás Soares Tomás Soares
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Merry Swiftmas (Teamwork makes Swiftmas work) Blank space (Xmas version) Nice to see you, how’ve you been? I hear you’ve got incredible things Magic, garlands, snow and string Saw your post and I thought "Oh, my God, look at that tree That looks so good shortie” You go queen, yes you slay. Ay New decor, all around Looks straight out of a magazine Ain't it sparkly? All the lights And I know you agree with me So hey, let’s be friends I wanna see your ornaments Grab your coat now and my hand Then we can go out and take in the season. Oh, I wish this were forever This time is way too fun I can tell you, when it's over, mm That the high was worth the pain Got a long list of new presents And memories with my gang 'Cause you know I love my friends, yeah And they love me back 'Cause we're young, and we're reckless We'll take this way too far It'll leave us bankrupt, mm But that’s just who we are Got a long list of new presents And memories with my gang But I've got a blank space, baby And I'll write your name Fuzzy coats, snowy skies I could show you incredible things Roasted chestnuts, mulled wine Christmas is our kingdom now You’re the one that I want, And I’ll be your confidant Just don’t forget seasons change, oh no. Screaming, crying, no one here I miss all of my relatives Window shopping by myself Last Christmas season ended like "Oh, my God, what day is it?" With trips down memory lane But it’ll come back cause it’s our reign And darling, all that magic is just an illusion Oh, I wish this were forever This time is way too fun I can tell you, when it's over, mm That the high was worth the pain Got a long list of new presents And memories with my gang 'Cause you know I love my friends, yeah And they love me back 'Cause we're young, and we're reckless We'll take this way too far It'll leave us bankrupt, mm But that’s just who we are Got a long list of new presents And memories with my gang But I've got a blank space, baby And I'll write your name I only want Christmas if it's with you No one else, no, no, no one else I only want Christmas if it's with you No one else, no, no, no one else, yeah Oh, I wish this were forever This time is way too fun I can tell you, when it's over, mm That the high was worth the pain Got a long list of new presents And memories with my gang 'Cause you know I love my friends, yeah And they love me back 'Cause we're young, and we're reckless We'll take this way too far It'll leave us bankrupt, mm But that’s just who we are Got a long list of new presents And memories with my gang But I've got a blank space, baby And I'll write your name. Sofia Cabeda C2.1 Pay it off (Shake it off) I stay out too late Shopping for Christmas day That's what Santa says, ho-ho That's what Santa says, ho-ho I go to too many stores But I can't take it anymore At least That's what Santa says, ho-ho That's what Santa says, ho-ho But I keep buying Can't stop, won't stop crying It's like my wallet is dying In my mind saying "it's gonna be alright". Joana e Peixoto C2.1a Christmas Story (Love Story) Merry Merry Christmas Kiss me under the mistletoe Santa loves us And that’s all we need to know Diana and Rita Meireles B2.1 and C2.1 You belong with Eve (You belong with me) Walk in these snowy streets with you in your worn out hat I can’t help thinking that this is Christmas Eve Laughing on a cold sleigh thinking to myself, “Hey, isn’t it breezy?” And we’ve got ourselves under the mistletoe Oh you’re so wonderful to get to know I haven’t been this happy in a while Hey, aren’t we having the most magical time? I wear warm uggs you give the best hugs I hope you notice that I’m definitely a dreamer Dreaming ‘bout the day when I wake up and find All the presents With you by my side If you could see That I’m the one who truly loves you Been here all along so why can’t you see You belong with Eve Mariana Felix, Matilde Castro, Lara Pinto, Maria Joao Costa, Rita Polido & Ricardo Lage C2.1 Christmas On My Way (All YouHad ToDo WasStay) Hey! This year was a slay To fun drinking my problems away Santa Claus give my presents Or I'll go after you anywayayay I know I might be naughty And I know how to throw out a party Me with my fam I'll eat until I no longer caaannn Daniel Gomes and Giovanna Marin C2.1a
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Christmas Articles Christmas! What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Christmas? You probably start thinking about gifts and Santa delivering them to children, but what would Santa get for Christmas? Although some people might think that he would ask for World peace or happiness, I believe that Santa would ask for something easier to find and buy, since he is the one who “makes” everyone’s presents. In my opinion, Santa would be one of those people who would be satisfied with a sweater or a pair of ugly socks, and then give everyone the craziest presents ever! Martinha Pacheco B1.2a Happiness! In my country, people usually give gifts as a way of showing affection and love. We like to show others that we care about them, and we are happy to be with them. I believe that Santa only wants everyone to be happy, to feel love. I think that Christmas is all about being thankful for the people we have in our lives, being grateful for what we have. That's why, in my opinion Santa only wants people to be happy! I would love to have Thanksgiving in Portugal. In addition to having more holidays, we can spend it with our families. What about you? What do you think? Inês Miranda. B1.2a A Gift for Every Child Have you ever thought about what gift you should give to your child? Many people ask their child what they want and others, generally, buy things what they think their children will like. If I were to give one gift to every child in the world, it would be a teddy bear. I know it's a classic present to give but many children would probably be happy to have a new plushie to play with or they would like to sleep with that plushie, hack, even some of them would be so happy to receive a gift that is adorable and fluffy and a friend for life! Petra Silva B1.2a Have you ever thought about buying Christmas gifts with your family? I believe that it can be easy but boring. In fact, nowadays people do gift exchange, and it is the most exciting thing because we don’t know who has a gift for us. However, with my family we always go shopping in Porto, and we also do gift exchange. What do you think about buying things online? My family never do it, because they like to see and touch things at the shopping centre, that’s why I like to go shopping in my free time. Cristiana Sousa B1.2a Christmas Gifts Have you ever thought about what Christmas gift you should buy? Well, this question is often asked, especially if we have to give a gift to many people. In my opinion, there are some gifts that you should avoid buying. I believe that cleaning supplies are one of the worst gifts that you can give to someone. I think that giving it is quite rude. It's like saying that the house of the owner of the gift is dirty and messy. I wouldn't enjoy receiving it. In addition to this, I truly think that a diet cookbook should never be given. Imagine opening a gift and it is a diet cookbook. I would hate it and I believe that most people would also feel offended. We need to respect every body type and this gift can affect the selfesteem of the person. Although you might think that with this gift you are helping someone to stay healthy, this gift is a BIG NO!! I firmly believe that, if you don't know what to give to someone, simply give an amount of money. Then the person can buy something that she or he likes. What do you think? Do you agree with me, or would you like to have one of these gifts? Francisca Silva B1.2a The Cancelled Christmas In my town, the president just cancelled Christmas. Why? He thinks that Christmas is an unnecessary celebration, and people spend too much money in this holiday, and he thinks that the city spends too much money on lights. Christmas is very important, like for the children, they always want to receive presents and leave food for Santa, and with Christmas cancelled, this cannot happen. Another point is that some families are only together when it’s Christmas and if the president cancels it, they cannot be together, like mine, my family are only altogether, when me, my parents and sister travel to Brazil to spend Christmas with them. What do you think about that? Would you like that your president cancels Christmas? Cecilia Fernandes B1.2c Leonor Santos,A2.2a Leonor Mendes, Starters
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Christmas isn't over! Have you ever thought about a December without Christmas? Despite having some people who are not Christian, the majority of people cannot stand without it, so Mr. President must not ban Christmas! First of all, by banning Christmas in our lives, the president is taking our main right: liberty. We should do what we want and if Christmas has grown with us, it can't be taken out, in this simple way. Secondly, Christmas is mainly considered love, because it is a special moment, where we can stay with our family and have some fun altogether. Overall, Christmas has the capacity and the magic to join all of us and make us more helpful with people, too. So, Mr. President shouldn't ban Christmas, this fantastic time of the year, unless you want to be the grinch of Christmas. Juliana Ferreira, B1.2a TOP 2 WORST CHRISTMAS GIFTS EVER! Have you ever thought about someone giving you a really bad present? Today, I´m here to say the worst two Christmas gifts, so you don´t give that to anyone! So, in my opinion, the worst present ever is giving socks! Why do people give socks to each other on Christmas? If someone gives me that, I will be really angry! Another one is giving a gift card! I hate that. If you want to give me a present, make sure that it is not a gift card! I really hate it because I know that I will lose it and never use it. What would happen if you received one of those presents? I´m sure you won´t love it! I think that the best present to give to someone is a phone because it is useful! Even though they don´t need the phone, or even if the phone is not their type, they can sell it and with the money of the sale, they can buy other things! What do you think? I believe when someone gives you a phone, you will love my opinion, right? Leonor Neri B1.2a The Worst Christmas gifts ever Have you ever thought about getting a really bad Christmas gift? Then you have to fake your reaction by saying that you loved it when you know that you will never wear or use that in your life. In my opinion, the worst Christmas gifts ever are pieces of clothing because, at least for me, the person gifting me has no clue how I like to dress and gives me some Christmas themed shirt with “Merry Christmas” written on it. Then, we have games. And I’m not talking about PC or PlayStation games, I’m talking about games like monopoly, chess, cards… This is the common grandparents’ gift, it’s like they want us to experience a bit of their generation, which I understand but it’s still boring and I will never play those games. I wonder if anyone likes these types of gifts. To me, the best gift ever is money. I can spend it on whatever I’d like, and money is never a bad thing, especially when you don’t have to work for it. What about you? What do you think? Do you agree with my opinion? Martim Fernandes B1.2c Mariana Ferreira, A2.2a Leonor Moreira Matilde martins
Bristol School Magazine 2023 “Christmas Shopping” Have you ever thought about whether or not you like Christmas Shopping and where your family usually goes shopping? The days and the weeks before Christmas are characterised by shopping for presents. Me and my family usually buy gifts in physical stores and always at the last minute. Although, every year, it seems that we do more of our Christmas shopping online. Shopping online is much easier, we are able to compare the prices quickly and easily, and there is no lines, definitely different from buying in physical stores. Now, we also can shop and buy things for almost 30 family members in less than 5 days. If you live in a small city, like us, you probably will buy the Christmas gifts online, too. Matilde Santos B1.2c IS CHRISTMAS GONE? Do you agree about banning Christmas? Most people love Christmas, and I am one of those people. Have you ever thought about not having Christmas in your own country? I think it is a terrible idea! I can’t imagine not having Christmas. Christmas is about people at the mall buying gifts at the last minute, the streets are decorated with Christmas ornaments, etc… That’s before Christmas day! But Christmas day is everyone at the table, that’s one day for family time. Christmas is family! … The children are waiting until midnight for receiving your gifts which is very exciting! DON’T BAN CHRISTMAS! Christmas is family! Ana Teixeira B1.2c The Worst Christmas Gifts Do you agree that some presents are just better than others? I believe that we should think a lot before giving a present to someone. The worst thing you can receive is plain socks. They are useful but at the same time they are super boring, if you are going to give someone a present at least they need to be colorful. Another boring gift is a Christmas post card especially without money, because it looks like you forgot to buy a present and ran out of time. People should try giving more pencils and pens to keep our notebooks cute and organized, I think it's a very good gift. So, what do you think about these gifts? Do you prefer the plain socks or some cute pens? Marta Fontes B1.2c Francisco Ferreira
Bristol School Magazine 2023 111111111 We Want Christmas back! Who doesn’t like a Christmas night with their family? Or even the Christmas decorations that makes the cities and houses magical. Everyone does. Christmas is the most important time of the year. It’s a time where we should be kind and give presents. Firstly, Christmas makes lots of people happy, especially children, because we receive presents, which makes us feel thankful and we give presents which is good for our kindness. Although it may be expensive, we always receive something in return. Then, Christmas is a time of the year where our families come from far to spend time with us and even just to see us. Christmas is a tradition that happens for lots of years, and it can’t change now. Rodrigo Gomes B1.2c My Christmas Shopping Have you ever thought about how many people go shopping during Christmas week? It's crazy! They buy many gifts for their family members. The stores end up selling all products. But I do the same thing. In this article, I'll talk about my Christmas shopping! As I have to study for my winter tests, I don't have time to buy Christmas things with my parents. This is sad because Christmas is the most beautiful and special event in the year. My family and I value traditional commerce a lot. It's more interesting than a commercial mall. Walking through the fully lit streets of Porto and drinking hot chocolate. What would happen if my family bought things online? Because it would lose its charm. And would you buy things online? Gonçalo Silva B1.2c The Toy Have you ever thought about toys? Well, of course you have, and I will tell you the reasons why every kid should be gifted with toys, especially at Christmas time. Christmas is the time of the year when dreams come true, and to every child, a toy, is everything that they need to be happy. A toy makes a child happy, they can play with them, talk with them, cry with them, smile with them, sing with them, you can do everything with every toy. When you are playing with toys, you enter a different world, a magic world, when everything is real and possible, a toy is a kind of dream lived in the present, that makes every child the happiest one in the world. What would happen if toys didn’t exist? Well, the answer is pretty obvious, the world would be darker, sadder and without them, kids wouldn’t be as happy as they are, because a toy, a simple toy, is everything to them. What do you think about toys? Do you have the same opinion as I do? Well, you must, because no one lives without a toy. Tomas Morais B1.2c Mariana I, B2.1b Rita Ferreira, A2.2a
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Recipes “AletriA” Ingredients: • 150g of Vermicelli • 5dl of milk • 50g of butter • 200g of sugar • 4 egg yolks • 1 lemon peel • Cinnamon powder • 1 pinch of salt Preparation: 1. Cook the vermicelli in water seasoned with a little salt. Drain the water. 2. Separately, heat the milk with a thin lemon peel and then add it a little by little to the vermicelli, keeping the heat low and stirring constantly. 3. Add the butter and then the sugar. Beat the egg yolks and mix in a little milk. 4. Remove the Vermicelli from the heat, carefully adding the egg yolks. 5. Bring it back to the heat for a minute or two without letting it boil. Place the still hot vermicelli on a platter. 6. Let it cool a little and decorate with cinnamon to your liking. Sofia & Simone B2.2a Pão de Ló Ingredients: • 9 eggs • 1+ ¼ cups of sugar • 1+ ¼ teaspoons of vanilla • 1+ ½ cups + 2 tablespoons of flour • ½ teaspoon of baking powder • ½ teaspoon of salt Instruction: 1. Preheat oven to 200ºC. Lightly grease and flour a 0,3m tube pan. If you are using a pan without a tube in the middle, line the bottom with parchment paper. 2. In a stand mixer using the whip attachment, beat room temperature eggs for 5 min or until thickened and lighter in colour. Gradually add sugar in a fine stream and beat for another 5 ,min or until thick and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. 3. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Sift over the beaten eggs mixture in 3 or 4 stages, folding in by hand with a wire rack after each addition. Do not over mix so as not to deflate the batter. Pour into the prepared tube pan and smooth top gently. Bake at 200ºC for 10min, then reduce the heat to 177ºC and bake for another 25-30 min. A toothpick inserted in the centre should come out clean. 4. Turn cake upside down and allow to cool almost completely about 1h30/2 hours. To remove cake from pan, carefully slide a small, serrated knife down the side and saw around the edge to loosen. Do the same for the middle tube part. Remove the cake from the pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Serve with queijo da Serra. Sofia Nogueira B2.2a Hello, My name is Rosita and I’m going to teach you how to make a mug cake for you on Christmas Day and it’s just for you! This cake contains an egg, a touch of plain flour and some chocolate, then it goes in the microwave for a minute. When the cake rises, you have to open the door for 5 seconds. Close again and cook until it rises again. Repeat this until it is cooked! Tis is a great recipe to eat! Merry Christmas! Rosita Martins A2.2b Mafalda, Starters
Bristol School Magazine 2023 ~ Panettone The ingredients are: ▪ 1kg of sifted wheat flour ▪ 3 bars of half-bitter chocolate ▪ 3 eggs ▪ 1 cup of warm milk ▪ 1 tablespoon of organic yeast Method of preparation: Beat all the ingredients except the flour and chocolate. In a large container, place the sifted flour and open a hole in the centre. Then put the beaten ingredients in this hole in the flour. Knead well until the dough comes off your hands. Add the broken chocolate into pieces to the dough and knead a little more. Distribute the dough in specific forms for panettone. Let it grow until it doubles in volume. Make an x-cat on top of the dough, brush beaten yolks. Bake in the preheated oven at 180 degrees and let it bake for about 30 min. until it starts to gain colour. Ana Isabel Moreira & Rita Branco B2.2a David, Starters In case you still don’t know the name derived from the Italian, Pani di Toni. This is because the recipe was created by an Italian baker from the city of Milan, named Toni. The story says that on Christmas Eve 1945, the baker was working exhaustively on the preparation of breads and pies and tiredness made him mix the recipes. That is, it includes the fruits of the pie in the bread dough and so this tradition would have arisen. Obviously, over the centuries the recipe has been some changes, especially in the Brazilian versions. Beatriz, Starters Luísa, Eja
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Time to play! Gonçalo, Tiago and Guilherme, A1c Maria Vitória, Manuela and Beatriz, A1c Maria, Núria, Bárbara and Mariana, A1c Ana Veloso, A2.2a
Bristol School Magazine 2023 Mariana M.
Bristol School Magazine 2023 E um ano de 2024 cheio de novas aprendizagens!