TENBYZINE ISSUE 2 APR 2024 DON’T YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE? TALENTS VICTORIES TENBY CHRONICLES
Meet the heads Meet the members WE ARE TENBY: Tenby - Home, Sweet Home Tenby Travels: History trip to Vietnam ISP Chess Team - securing victories The Spirit of Sports day Breakthrough of women in sports Reaching the End Heartbeat of a drama student An inside look into textiles Diving into a World of Design Art, music, and literature What we can learn from writers: On Habits CONTENTS PAGE THE PILLARS: Global Values Student Voice & Welfare Service & Charity Eco Sports STEAM SPECIAL APPREANCES: Tiggers FC: Fur-ocious social clubs Herpetology: A slithering passion A FAREWELL Note from heads
COMPARISON KILLS JOY, THAT’S WHY YOU NEVER COMPETE WITH THE ONES AROUND YOU.
HEADS Co-Head of Tenbyzine Aimee Purna Head of Journalism Head of Editors SeonYu Ashaleen Kaur Head of Desginers Renee Co-Head of Desginers Law Jie Yee Co-Head of Marketing Khoo Zi Qi Co-Head of Marketing Head of Tenbyzine Nicole Advisor of Tenbyzine Ms. Clio ISSUE #2 MEET THE
O U R MEMBERS Journalists Adrian Nicole C Hester Le Yi Editors Zi Qi Ellery Jaishivan Annamitra Designers Photographers Ashley Ashreaya Julia Jing Yi Adila Kristina Kysha Ilyssa Iena Aditya Annika Charlotte Nicholas Seon Yu Sophia Justin Licia Grace Sydney Gowri Dorcas Antonio Raehan Rhys Eunseo Ariana Ethan
WE ARE TENBY ISSUE #2
TENBY HOME, SWEET HOME Ellery 9T Over the past 15 years of Tenby International School, Setia Eco Park, many new students have joined Tenby with fresh eyes and wondering what this strange school has for them, and many have departed, starting new journeys but having deeprooted memories and connections here that would last for eternity. Yet, for the “OG” students, for the ones who’ve been here through many seasons of change, we all know why we’ve stayed throughout every difficult exam and every conflict, despite the fact that it’s widely different for every student. This article surveys multiple, anonymous Tenby students from all different backgrounds and year groups who have chosen different things that they loved about our school. One student we interviewed for this article mentioned that he loved our Tenby community; both teachers and students alike! Our Tenby community features students from all different backgrounds and cultures, exposing us to new knowledge outside the classroom as well as other languages, arts and traditions. Furthermore, the Global English classes and TLC programmes offered to reciprocate our own learning and language to foreign students, showcasing just how inclusive Tenby is and how we welcome every student with wide and open arms. Another student spotlighted how unique our campus is, and how the Setia Eco Park campus exposes us to the outdoors throughout our learning. For example, our Eco Garden and Beehives are something unique to our campus only, as well as how there’s open air and spaces that aren’t enclosed in almost every building on campus. What other schools have the ability to say they have a fish pond in their science building? To learn inside our classrooms is one thing, but even outside, we get to experience new things and enrich our minds. A TISS student perfectly exemplified this in her statement by mentioning trips and opportunities the staff has brought us on throughout the years, such as the annual year group camps, to places such as Gopeng and Janda Baik, or the FOBISIA Leadership Conference which took place in Penang this year and was hosted by Mr. Callum Carr and Ms. Catherine Toms, and all the ILOS programmes offered to us, ranging from ISP Model United Nations, which several students participated in during the virtual conference in 2023, to ISP Filmmakers, which recently wrapped filming. This allows us to meet new people and immerse ourselves in cultural diversity, as well as allow us to pad our resumés by participating in events within and outside of our school. Celebrating 15 years of learning, Tenby is not just somewhere where we’re forced to do assessments and endless worksheets and tasks every day, but a place that nurtures us to be fulfilling and contributing adults to our communities, providing us with knowledge and accessible opportunities for all students. We watch every other student pass by, assuming they feel the same as we do, but as seen in this article, every student notices and cherishes completely different aspects of the school than we do, and it is, in fact, a second home and a safe haven.
TENBY TRAVELS: LE YI 11Y HISTORY TRIP TO VIETNAM Last year in November, some of the Year 10 and 11 history students embarked on a 7-day trip to Vietnam, and it was undoubtedly one of the most insightful trips I have ever been on! As someone who has a keen interest in learning about historical events, I was able to gain a plethora of new knowledge from the trip about the Vietnam War, which is part of the history syllabus, as well as the cultural aspect of the country. The trip was not only helpful in enhancing our knowledge for the IGCSE History course, but it also allowed us to create unforgettable memories with our peers and teachers. The trip took us to a range of different cities: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Hue, Hoi An and Danang. To my amazement, our itinerary was packed with a variety of tour activities such as exploring the Cu Chi tunnels, the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office, the village of My Lai and many more. Personally, one of the activities that I enjoyed the most was exploring the War Remnants Museum located in Ho Chi Minh City, as we were able to consolidate our knowledge and gain new insights and details about the significant events that happened during the war. The museum provided tons of details and poignant displays of war crimes, weaponry and the devastating effects of Agent Orange on the Vietnamese people as a result of the brutal tactics used by the US soldiers during the war. Additionally, upon visiting the Cu Chi tunnels, we were able to witness the merciless tactics such as the booby traps and tunnels that were designed and used by the Vietcong. We also had the chance to experience being in the claustrophobic environment of the tunnel to get a glimpse of the unpleasant living conditions of a Vietcong soldier during wartime. One of the most memorable sites that we visited was the village of My Lai where the My Lai Massacre took place. The massacre, performed by US soldiers, was one of the worst atrocities ever to occur in history, resulting in a devastating number of casualties. Although the site holds some very dark connotations, it was ultimately still a very interesting learning experience as we had the chance to witness the traces and ruins of the event for ourselves. Apart from gaining valuable knowledge solely about the Vietnam War, our tour guide also provided us with lots of interesting facts and information about the culture of Vietnam, as well as their living conditions and educational systems. Every part of the trip was truly enjoyable as we were blessed with a range of delicious Vietnamese delicacies and the excitement that ensued from the grounds of the bustling night markets! The night market that we went to in Hue was adorned with colourful lights and lanterns as we weaved through bustling crowds and the variety of souvenirs that swarmed passed our sights. Touring around night markets and historical sites with our friends and classmates is indeed a rare opportunity that is worth cherishing. A massive thanks to all the teachers for making this trip possible as it allowed me to explore so many different things and create such wholesome memories with my friends!
“One of the most memorable things about the Vietnam trip was being able to experience the night markets and understand the culture of Vietnam, it was crowded and busy and we were able to talk to the locals of the area. It was so fun being able to bargain for souvenirs, you could find almost anything at the markets, from clothes to jewellery to keychains. Another great thing was the food, every dinner was incredible, especially our first night when we were able to sit on a cruise in Ho Chi Minh City, enjoying the night view and eating such delectable food! Lastly, I really enjoyed learning about the history of Vietnam through our tour guides, Tom and Tony, as they were really informative in museums and historical sites and witty during bus rides.” - Xin Tong “I enjoyed every bit of the Vietnam trip last year, but if I had to choose my favourite activity, it would definitely have to be the Cu Chi tunnels. It was honestly an out-of-the-world experience, as the fact that we got to enter into the real tunnels that the Vietcong used in the past just blew my mind. Crawling through the tunnels on your knees as the path grew narrower and narrower was honestly so much fun, and the best moment was definitely when we got out of the tunnels and had a breath of fresh air, we could confidently say that we experienced actual history. History is honestly just such an amazing thing, both in the subject and in life itself. The idea itself of learning the ways of our ancestors and famous leaders from the past is honestly so interesting to me, it's because we're always living in the present and without the past, we basically would have no knowledge of whatsoever what happened in our world before us. Just the fact that we are able to learn about the past in such great detail amazes me.” - Ashreaya “For me, perhaps the most memorable part of the trip was the 6th day when we were able to explore a ‘Walking & Cycling Town.’ I enjoyed the experience of bartering with the locals and the sight of Hoi An, which was beautiful in both the day and the night. Most of all, I treasured the memories made in Vietnam. I’ ve always had a passion for history; it was far more interesting than the modern world in my opinion. I enjoy studying about the rise and fall of empires, the lives of some of the most unforgettable names, and how they affect the modern world. For me, history is a chance to get a glimpse into the lives and minds of those before us; understanding them would allow us to understand and marvel at how far humans have progressed.” - Jay Mie Lastly, history has always been one of my favourite subjects because exploring different historical events and sources from various points of view is always so fascinating and interesting. I also really like the fact that there are no limitations to how much one can explore in history, as we are always filled with endless questions and mysteries of the past to ponder. I’ m curious about the thoughts of others too - below are some experiences and thoughts regarding the trip and their passion for history from some of my classmates: “The most memorable part of the trip was when we went to My Lai to observe the ruins of the My Lai Massacre. I really enjoyed that as I never expected the Americans to commit war crimes in the modern era of warfare. It was a new learning experience. I really love history because it is a window into the past glories of many fallen giants. History shows us how we ended up with 197 nations, multiple military alliances, border disputes and so on.” - Jayden “The most memorable part of the Vietnam trip was visiting heritage sites and being able to experience the food and culture of Vietnam with my friends. I like history because I enjoy learning about how past events shaped the present and the effects we can still witness today.” - Kathleen
ISP CHESS: SECURING VICTORIES Jaishivan Paranam, 10B The ISP Chess Team has emerged victorious in the highly competitive chess arena, clinching first place in both the junior and senior categories at the prestigious ISP Chess Masters Tournament. This remarkable achievement underscores not only the exceptional skill and strategic prowess of our players but also the resilience, dedication, and camaraderie that define our team. The journey to victory was extraordinary, marked by rigorous training sessions, challenging competitions, and the forging of new friendships. Under the guidance of Ms. Miriam Lopez, the team's coordinator, the ISP Chess Team demonstrated unwavering determination and passion throughout the tournament. Reflecting on the triumph, Ms. Miriam Lopez expressed her pride and joy: "This year's ISP Chess Masters 2023/24 has been an extraordinary journey, culminating in a remarkable victory: our teams securing first place in the global tournament! As their coordinator, witnessing this triumph has been an absolute joy. It's incredible how our talented students, united by their passion for chess, came together as a cohesive team to compete against 2600 peers. Their dedication to CCAs was truly inspiring, and special thanks to Jaishivan for his exceptional leadership and expertise every Monday afternoon. Our team's success exemplifies the power of teamwork and determination, proving that anything is achievable when we work together towards a common goal. We couldn't be prouder of their achievement!"
The tournament provided an opportunity for intense competition and served as a platform for personal growth and skill development. Jen Jun, a member of the ISP Chess Team, shared his experience, saying, "The ISP Chess Tournament was enjoyable as I had the opportunity to play with ISP students worldwide. I also developed new skills, such as decision-making and problem-solving." Jen Jun's sentiments echo the sentiments of many team members who found the experience enriching and fulfilling. Beyond the thrill of victory and the acquisition of new skills, the ISP Chess Team's journey resulted in lasting bonds and friendships. The camaraderie among team members served as a source of support and encouragement, further fueling their collective drive to succeed. As we celebrate this momentous achievement, it is essential to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ms. Miriam Lopez for her unwavering support, guidance, and belief in the team's potential. Her dedication and commitment have been instrumental in shaping the ISP Chess Team into a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. In conclusion, the ISP Chess Team's triumph in the ISP Chess Masters Tournament is a testament to the power of perseverance, teamwork, and passion. As we bask in the glory of our victory, let us cherish the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the memories created on this remarkable journey.
THE SCARIEST PLACE TO BE IS THE SAME PLACE AS LAST YEAR. GROW.
The SPIRIT of SPORTS DAY Charlotte Wong 11T n many schools across the world, teachers and students gather around to celebrate athleticism, teamwork and school pride on sports day. The day is filled with excitement and promotes healthy rivalry and unity amongst students. Sports day goes beyond just mere physical activities and joyful moments. It instils important values like perseverance and resilience. We are able to learn the importance of fair play and gallantry in both victory and defeat. These lessons would benefit us not just in the sports field but also moments in our everyday lives that would help shape us to become well-rounded and empathetic citizens of our society. Furthermore, sports day is a crucial event that promotes school spirit and a sense of community. Students participating in events and cheering passionately for their friends builds a strong sense of camarderie. It goes beyond just individual achievement, it becomes a collective triumph and unity amongst houses. It's a day where differences are set aside, and everyone comes together in the spirit of fun and friendly competition. Additionally, sports day promotes physical well-being amongst students. In an age where screen time plays a major role in our lives, this annual school event encourages young people to get active and reduce future health risks significantly. It underscores the importance of leading an active lifestyle and making healthy choices that will positively impact students’ future. In conclusion, sports day is much more than just a day of sports; it's a celebration of sportsmanship and the joy of physical activity. It brings together students from different year groups and house colours, instilling invaluable lessons and memories that will last a lifetime. I exhilarating day that was about to unfold. As the day progresses, students engage in different sporting events, ranging from sprinting (1.2km, 800m, 400m, 100m), relay, long jump, high jump, shot put, javelin and many more. Every student, regardless of skill level, has the opportunity to showcase their talents and contribute to their house’s success. Our sports day was held on the 24th of January. The day started off with an amazing opening ceremony by the Tenby Drummers, captivating us with their energetic performance that prepared us for the Celebrating Unity and Healthy Competition:
Similarly, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has grown significantly, helping to promote funding for women’s basketball in local schools and new laws against unfair discrimination. Known as a physically intense sport that has been primarily open to men, the basketball community is growingly supporting many young and talented players. Breakthrough of Annika 11N This evocative quote from American surfer Bethany Hamilton entails the indisputable strength of young girls with a passion in sports. The breakthrough of talented female athletes in maledominated sports has seen many peaks in recent years. Women in Sports “Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That's what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice.” Often stereotyped; women’s skills are secondary to those of men, less competitive, and deserve underrepresentation. However, these norms are constantly challenged by emerging female athletes who prove their equal place in sports. Widely known, F1 Academy challenges women under 25 to race in motorsport. With its launch in 2023, this pathway gives women an equal opportunity to showcase their love for racing. Marta Garcia, at 23 being their first-ever drivers’ championship winner has already exceeded expectations with records; moreover, these young women support further growth in media coverage and inspire young girls globally. Pertaining to our school community, Tenby provides equal opportunity for girls and boys in sports. Especially seen is a rise in participation and outstanding achievements in countless sports (such as football, volleyball, netball, and swimming). Having asked Dorcas from 11N if she experienced inequality between boys and girls, having completed black belt taekwondo; “both genders get the samepunishment if we misbehave… We also do the same warm-up and physical fitness, ” she said. It is especially interesting to see fair treatment, as well as the sport allowing her to “ socialise with my taekwondo friends” while getting weekly exercise that is “ enjoyable and quite fun.” It can be apparent that the burgeoning number of women in sports is innumerable, and the passion continues.
I crouch down on one knee and retie my shoelaces, just to make sure they don’t come out. I pull them tightly and stand back up as I gaze at the blazing sun, sweat dripping down my cheeks. I hear the cheering and screaming from the other schools, watching the eager faces of parents waiting patiently to record their child racing. I stretch my legs that feel like jelly, my heart beating out of my chest. Adrenaline pumps through me as I look around the starting line and see my opponents. They look fast. A storm of worry takes over me and I feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach. My mouth feels dry and my body is stiff. What if I don’t place? What if all my training goes to waste? I have to push all these thoughts away and just focus on reaching the end line. The girl next to me wishes me good luck. I smile back and return the words. She looks really fast. I’ m getting more nervous each second. Schools start chanting and parents are shouting; the white flag is raised at both ends. My opponents are getting ready to start running. I do little jumps and get ready for my running start. All I have to do is run the 100 metres and reach the end. That’s all. Just run. I have to place. I have to make my parents proud. I have to make my school proud. I have to make myself proud. “Are all the runners ready?” the lady in blue asks through a megaphone. I always wanted to speak through a megaphone, it sounds really cool. Everybody next to me is crouched in their starting position, prepared to race. The cheers get louder and many people surround the track o watch the race. Birds are chirping and flying through the clear blue sky. There was no wind, and the day was calm, opposite to what was going on inside my mind. see my mom with her phone out, ready to start recording. I see my dad, keenly waiting for the race to begin. I see my friends, cheering me on with endless screams of my name. I see my teachers, smiling at me. I see the red track laid out in front of me, looking clean. I see my neon green spikes with tight shoelaces because I tied them again. I see my shaking hands next to my feet. I see the white line I am standing behind. I close my eyes. I see nothing. The noise is tuned out for just a second. All the cheering, clapping, shouting, and chirping, gone. It feels as if it was only me standing on this track, no one else around me. I take a deep breath in, and out. I open my eyes. The sounds come rushing back into my ears and I can sense the other runners standing right next to me. I see everything back again. I wipe the sweat off my forehead and tuck my hair back. REACHING THE END. Annamitra Gopinathan 9B This is it. Run. Run. Run, until I reach the end. “On your mark…” I feel the adrenaline rushing through my body. I lift my leg up, ready to push out. “Get set…” My heart is beating like a bass drum and I feel my wobbly legs. Just a few seconds ‘til I start running. “GO!” This is it. Run. Run. Run, until I reach the end.
RECOVERY IS ESSEN I T LA
HEART of a IENA KAUR 10T BEAT DRAMA STUDENT Whether it is on a stage, in front of the class, or even in everyday life, drama has a way of evoking emotions and transporting us to different worlds. If you find yourself drawn to the magic of the stage and have a burning passion for drama, you ’ re in for an exciting journey! Discovering your passion for drama is like finding a hidden treasure within yourself. As a drama student, I feel that it is an opportunity to explore different characters, dive into their emotions, and bring their stories to life. Drama allows you to step into someone else ’s shoes, experiencing their joys, sorrows, and way of life. It’s a chance to connect with your own emotions and develop a deeper understanding of them! Drama, the art of storytelling through performance, has captivated audiences for centuries...
Early morning drama lessons are my favourite; such a calming way to start the day. Despite the treacherous journey from the secondary block to primary, it all seems worth it when the familiar black walls of the drama room encase you—an escape from reality, if you will. Currently, we are completing our group performances, and getting ready to showcase them! Our first project was a devising piece, where we chose a topic and used movement techniques as well as our genius creative minds to create an exceptional and dramatic piece. Now, we are finishing up our scripted pieces, which is when we create a performance for a drama that has already been made, hence the name ‘ scripted’. We have been doing a play called ‘The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-Time ’ which is a play that we have studied before in English! Although drama may seem to be fun and easygoing, a lot of hard work and planning goes into creating the pieces. We question every detail, every movement, and every gesture to ensure we are conveying the correct message to our audience. However, the best part in drama -in my opinion- is when we get our 15 minutes of fame. Of glory. When we finally get to show off all of our hard work, all of our efforts, all of our planning. To be honest, it all boils down to these moments—the qualification round. The stage is set, and the lights are off. Gleams of red and white bounce off the walls and shine on us. The rest of the class sits around. Silent. Waiting. Waiting for our performance, eyes fixated on our every move. Silent. Waiting...watching. Ms Jessica remains seated, on her throne. Notepad and pen, hand in hand, waiting...and watching. This is the qualification round. This is the time when you are judged. Eyes gawking: every movement; every gesture; every pose seems like a year. Beats play in your head as you count the passing seconds, praying you are in sync with the others. She sees all. Perched on her throne, eyes glued to the stage as she scribbles away on her notepad, words of affirmation and advice to improve our piece. This is my favourite part of Drama. What’s yours?
AN INSIDE Zi Qi 11B LOOK INTO TEXTILES Textile Design submissions. The textiles studio has been busier than ever as students work tirelessly to complete their pieces, which have been in the works for a year and a half. Through this entire year-and-a-half journey of ideating, experimenting, developing, sampling, and producing, I’ve learnt many lessons about textiles and the types of skills required to help excel at such a subject. As the end of Term 2 quickly approaches, so do the deadlines for the IGCSE (as a subject)
GALLER Y TEXTILES TIME- MANAGEMENT When it comes to a coursework subject such as textiles, the creative process is different from one person to the next. For this reason, the process timeline is mostly one that is loose and undetermined, leaving it up to your discretion to set up such schedules for your customised process. This was something I had struggled with initially, as the newfound freedom to create my schedule came with a responsibility that I wasn’t used to. Previously in Years 7-9, deadlines for pieces of homework were always set on a strict timeline. But when coming into textiles in Year 10, I was surprised to find that a series of artist research pages could be due within two weeks, and it would be entirely up to me to decide how I was going to split my time researching, selecting, and designing my pages. However, as time passed by and the added pressure of impending exam deadlines grew, it became a lot easier to overrule the procrastinating tendencies and tackle the task at hand. I found that breaking down steps within the process into smaller and simpler tasks made it a lot less threatening and made it a lot more manageable and easier to start.
It is a saying that you shouldn’t make your hobby your job, because when an activity switches from being done out of a free will to being done out of instruction, one may start to lose passion. For this reason, many tend to keep their hobby as just that – their hobby. For many textile students, including myself, it is a dilemma that we are put into when textiles are chosen because there is a pre-existing passion or enjoyment for it. This may sometimes lead to a moment of creative burnout, especially when you have to be constantly creating and producing samples. However, I find that it is this already present passion that fuels imagination and innovation to produce exceptional works. Although it can get tiring, it still remains almost impossible to feel bored by the idea of textiles as the journey to researching new techniques, designing, developing and attempting new samples is constant. These new and experimental techniques often cause a natural spark, and then surge, of ingenuity, which becomes evident in the pieces produced. When in a moment of creative fatigue, there is always Pinterest – and other such resources – to take inspiration from; when in moments of overwhelm, there is always the support provided by teachers and friends alike that helps to release some of my burdens. Aiding with decluttering the mental disarray and resolving the small intricacies of mounting and figuring out layouts, I was able to focus closely on refining the quality of my work. INSPIRATION & PASSION There is no set marking scheme for textiles. As a somewhat subjective subject, the exam board can only judge work based on the skills demonstrated and the experimental journey one has gone through. Hence, it can be a challenge to look at one’s own work and be able to judge it objectively. This may lead to people comparing themselves and their process to others in the classroom – which can do more harm than good. Although it is beneficial to take inspiration from those around you, it can also cause doubt to swell within a creative process and may cause one to start questioning ideas and next steps. Comparing my work to others led me to question my own progress and made me feel extremely discouraged. By focusing on the quantity and quality of work others had produced, I felt extremely doubtful of the value of my work and its place within my developmental journey. However, I came to understand that it isn’t fair to compare my unique journey to others who – although they have experienced their own respective journeys – had not gone through the same developmental processes and experimental ideas that I did. By assessing my work based on its place within my piece instead of where it fits within others’ journeys, I was able to rid the doubt I had felt previously. COMPARISONS
From a student’ s AR perspective T, MUSIC& LITERATURE School life can be quite stressful. There ’s no doubt about it. Students have to deal with various types of pressure including academic expectations, social life, and grades. In addition to their academic workload, students also have to balance extracurricular activities, making their school day quite hectic. So, how do students find some refuge from this busy and demanding school life? The answer is simple: art, music and literature. Art is the essence of humanity's expression; music is its heartbeat, and literature is its soul, this is how I would describe the three. Whether it's a brief interlude between classes or a precious hour snatched from their after-school commitments, many students turn to creative outlets as a means of expression and rejuvenation. provides students with a blank canvas, where they are free to paint whatever comes to their mind. They might paint their deepest desire or a starry night. They may paint their wildest thoughts, or maybe waves crashing on an island. Art is celebrated all over the world, and you can find it everywhere. People are constantly pushing the boundaries of art.. Art
To read is a skill, a blessing, an invitation, an opportunity/ is like a creative playground for people. They could play instruments, compose songs, create beats online, or maybe even sing in a choir! Whether strumming a guitar, pounding on drums, or belting out lyrics, music allows students to release their stress and enjoy the sound of their melodies. creative outlets like art, music, and literature can serve as a refuge for students from the demands of school life. These help students cope with school life, while also releasing stress and negative feelings. too holds a special place in the hearts of many students. It comes and can be practised, in many different ways. One could be writing a short story, reading a novel or even devising scripts! When writing, the ideas buzzing in one ’s mind could be put on paper, creating a fictional world with its characters. One anonymous student remarked, “I feel when I write, I’ m pouring out all my thoughts onto the paper. I don’t care about what’s happening around me. I just want to write, and write, and write until someone stops me.” Similarly, reading transports characters to a world where they can be anything they would like to be. To quote Aaron Koblin, from A Velocity Of Being: Literature Music To read is to push upon the boundaries of human consciousness / To read is to be alone / To read is to be together To read is to stand naked in the cold and scream “What do you got?” In conclusion,
DIVING INTO A WORLD OF DESIGN An interview with textiles student, Emilie Rawlins from class 11N “AN OUTLET TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT MEDIUMS” Textiles allows the creative exploration of fabric and fashion techniques to achieve greater meaning. Interviewer : Ohh! So why did you choose ocean life? Emilie : I chose this because I felt that it connected to what I liked, which was the ocean. I enjoy swimming in the ocean. I also feel really strongly about coral bleaching and the impact humans have on the environment. Interviewer : What is your creative process? Where do you like to start first? Emilie : Umm, usually I don’t really have a plan. I just go with samples and see what works, and usually I combine things that look good. Interviewer : So do you have things like mood boards? Emilie : Oh yeah, in textiles, we usually use mood boards and designer influences. Then, we do samples, and finally, we do the designs for the final piece before doing the actual piece. Interviewer : Why did you choose textiles as a subject? Will the textiles industry be prominent in your future? Emilie : I took textiles because I wanted to have another avenue for expressing my creativity because usually, exams are kind of one-sided. So, I took textiles to have an outlet to explore different mediums, apart from just paper and pen. I don’t think textiles would be really something I’ll pursue in the future, because I want to do graphic design, but it is just a good way to show that your portfolio has diversity. Interviewer : That’s really cool! So what would you say is your favourite medium? Emilie : Probably, crocheting. Interviewer : Okay! So talk to me about your current projects and themes. How have you explored different perspectives on this theme? Emilie : So, recently, I’ ve just finished component 1, where the theme is ocean life. I focused on coral bleaching and the environmental impacts of humans on the oceans. I explored that through the colour process of the coral that was dyeing. Interviewer : Just now, you mentioned designer inspiration. Is there any designer that you look up to who may have played a part in your final piece? Emilie : Iris Van Herpen is a very significant and crucial part of this piece because she does a lot of service design, like fabric manipulation. There is also Vanessa Barragao, because she does lots of crocheting and weaving. Interviewer : Do you have a personal style in your work that makes it unique aside from others? Emilie : I think I like to use colours and make it quite showy and embellished. I love using beads and bright colours. Interviewer : Thank you for this interview! Emilie : Thank you!
WHAT WE CAN LEARN or me, the promise of a FROM WRITERS: new day began with waking up alongside the soft glow of the emerging sun filtering through the canopy of branches outside the window, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow upon the verdant landscape. Shadows would stretch and dance across the lush greenery, painting the scenery with an ephemeral kind of beauty. It also came with the promise of gaining a new breadth of knowledge and expanding an evergrowing bank of what I didn’t already know in organic chemistry. hristopher Isherwood’s way was a slightly different approach. His days began with travesties and anxieties towards all matters of life that would extend endlessly if it had not been for his morning ritual of meditations and doing a crossword puzzle at 6.00 a.m. to sharpen his mind. Then, as the world around him slowly awoke, he would set his intentions while taking a short walk, and look around him - the trees, adorned with dew-laden leaves, swaying ever so slightly in the early morning breeze, whispering secrets of the night passed; birdsong filling the air, a symphony of melodies heralding the arrival of dawn. Each chirp and trill adds to the harmonious chorus, creating a soundtrack that accompanies a tranquil journey of writing. icture a tapestry, rich and intricate with gilded edges, where every thread would represent a habit woven into the grand design of our lives. Some threads are vibrant and bold, standing out against the backdrop of what one would ‘routine’ , while others blend seamlessly into the background, quietly influencing our thoughts and actions. hen, consider the simple act of waking in the dawn, greeted by the soft embrace of morning light. This daily ritual born of habit, sets the tone for the day ahead, infusing each moment with a sense of purpose and intention. With each sunrise, comes an opportunity to open more days for the coming days after that, and with each sunset, comes a reminder to carve out moments of beauty and grace amidst the chaos of the world. o o n n h h a a b b i i t t s s F C P T Nicole Choo 12T
“Repetition itself becomes the most important thing. ” To quote Murakami, “Don’t do more today than you can completely recover from by tomorrow.” onsider the artist, who paints each stroke with unwavering precision, guided by the familiar cadence of their craft. Through the repetition of their art, they hone their skills and deepen their understanding, transcending the limitations of the canvas to express the ineffable beauty of the human experience. having their eyes open at this time of day could be what is known as ‘ categorically insane ’. What I mean to say is that we can take this as a learning lesson, to know that sometimes working isn’t about ‘brute-forcing ’ all the tasks that you have to do in a day. Sometimes it’s simply about eating well, getting rest, or completing those nagging tasks that have been on your to-do list for 12 days, in other words, ‘ eating the frog ’. The second effect was a sense of relief. Once the day ended, he was off the hook, with no more pressure to conquer another academic demon, because he knew when to rest. As Greg McKweon put it, ow, listen - I’ m not telling anyorne to wake up at 4 like a lunatic. To all students who are known to the arbitrary concept that ‘ school is stressful’ , and head immediately for sleep. knowing of balance, he would clock out at 9 to Murakami’s prolific output and unwavering discipline, while He would ‘ eat the frog ’. Anyone could tell, this has always been a testament at 4, forcing himself into hours of writing, then engaging in rigorous exercise in the after. the Japanese author begins his day with highly disciplined precision - rising before the break of n contrast to Isherwood, C I T N his had two effects: the first was the pressure to complete his work before his early bedtime, meaning that he would not have an opportunity to procrastinate but allow him to get his work done as efficiently as possible.
THE PILLARS ISSUE #2
GLOBAL VALUES n the future, we plan to have a Media Literacy Event to help shed light on how to responsibly consume media and how media can be manipulated to change the opinion of its viewers. We also have a “Cultural Potluck” event planned to help increase our international awareness of different cultures and their foods. rguably most exciting, however, is the Street Child United week that will end with our School Charity Carnival. Get ready for engaging art competitions, a presentation on Street Child United and a very special booth we'll be hosting during the Carnival. Lee Xin, Head of Global Values ur year in the Global Values Pillar has been rich with planning and executing enrichment for our Tenby SEP community and making connections with our wider ISP family. This academic year, we carried out our “Think Global, Act Local” program where we connected with our ISP sister school in Peru to exchange stories of our schools and our experience with studying in our different environment. Through this we were able to gain a stronger sense of interconnectedness with students across the world and learn from our similarities and differences of learning. O I A
STUDENT VO W IC E E L &FAREThe Student Voice and Welfare Committee (often abbreviated to the SVW Committee) is a team of students dedicated to safeguarding the wellbeing of students, demonstrating care and respect towards others, and promoting a healthy learning environment. This committee organises various events, conducts surveys to collect feedback from the student body, and communicates with the heads of Tenby to devise and implement ideas aimed at improving certain facilities in Tenby for current and future students. Having been a member of this committee for about 3 and a half years now, and as the current head of the committee, allow me to share a few insights on what I have learned from my past experiences within this committee. WHY DID I JOIN THE COMMITTEE? I first joined the Student Voice and Welfare Committee back in 2021 - when I was in Year 10. I chose to join this committee as I figured that working for it would give me the best possible opportunity to give back to my school and develop the various soft skills required to thrive both inside and outside of academics. I was appointed as the committee ’s secretary and played an active role in weekly committee meetings and the organisation of events. WHAT AM I DOING AS THE HEAD OF THE COMMITTEE? As the current head of this committee, I try my best to live up to my former heads. I work closely with my team to deliver on the visions and missions of this committee. Our most recent event - the Valentine ’s Day fundraiser - was organised to promote togetherness among the TISS and Pre-U students. Working ‘ overtime ’ with the members of my committee to choose, purchase and make the contents of the packages, assembling the packages and delivering them to our customers was enjoyable and rewarding. Besides that, carrying out the canteen survey and relaying the results to those in charge of the canteen was an enlightening experience. The task required me to think critically to compromise and think of effective solutions and taught me the importance of listening to all sides of an issue before making decisions.
WHAT HAVE I LEARNED FROM MY PAST EXPERIENCES WITHIN THIS COMMITTEE? Something I have learnt from participating in the organisation of events like the Valentine ’s Day fundraisers, Self Appreciation Day and the Mind Month challenge is that effective communication and collaboration are essential for any project. All events organised by this committee are products of brainstorming by all of its members. Without the trove of ideas and collective efforts of the members of the committee, our projects would be significantly less interesting and successful. Besides that, proper planning and time management skills are key in ensuring that a project is organised and executed as envisioned. Organising events is oftentimes not a straightforward process, so one must give themselves and their team plenty of time to work with to ensure that tasks are completed to the highest possible standard. If you are a student from TISS who would like to give back to your school community, develop the skills needed to become a leader and play a role in organising some school events, please join the Student Voice and Welfare Committee! I think it is safe to say that joining the Student Voice and Welfare Committee helped me develop in more ways than I initially thought. My time in this committee has made me a more ef ective leader and a more versatile student. ADRIAN MAH, 13E
S&C Charity Service and Charity Service The Service and Charity leadership pillar is one of the six leadership pillars in Tenby Schools. Our pillar aims to raise awareness of the unfortunate through means of raising funds and fun activities or campaigns within the school. I’ m sure you ’ ve heard of some since you ’ ve joined the Tenby Family.
Charity Service and Charity ServiceWe ’ re currently in the midst of organising a booth for the Tenby Charity Carnival 2024, a very exciting event to look forward to. Do keep an eye out for our booth promotions and get a chance to experience a Tenby Carnival at its best. On top of that, we also aim to give back to the Tenby community through a variety of events. One of the main events is our auxiliary party which many people may not be aware about. Security guards, cleaners and auxiliary staff of the school are invited for an evening party held in school as part of us saying thank you to them. Not only is being part of such a welcoming committee fun to lead, I have the opportunity to build leadership and teamwork skills by being the Head of Service and Charity. So if any of these events catches your eye, look out for applications in the upcoming academic year and apply! Isabelle, Head of Service & Charity One of our proudest achievements is our annual Tenby Elf campaign - where we raised funds or donate gifts towards a selected charity. Last year, we obtained a total donation of a whopping RM60,000 towards EPIC Homes, a social enterprise which builds houses for the indigenous population of Malaysia. This could not have been done by a single person, and this is where teamwork and resilience really comes into play.
EChe Eco Pillar works within our school, as well as with ISP Futures, striving to provide a healthy and sustainable environment for students and faculty alike. Simultaneously, we work to promote energy conservation and solutions to existing environmental issues. Though we mainly work behind the scenes for most projects, the members of this committee are a dedicated community of people who strive for the same goals: making Tenby and hopefully the world, a better place! Our projects range from harvesting honey from stingless bees (with help from professionals) and raising money with the sales from this honey to put towards animal conservation efforts, to interactive and ‘Fun Shaped’ boxes to promote recycling. T Aaleyah, Head of Eco Committee O
he STEAM committee (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) allows students to enhance their skills in these subject areas and truly discover their passion, whilst developing critical thinking skills, creativity and the ability to work in a team. STEAM T T A E H Y E O N , H E A D O F S T E A M recognition and have a great opportunity to add competencies and skills to your CV. We organise a myriad of competitions and events both in and out of school, which provide leadership opportunities through leading and handling these events. As a committee, we engage in a variety of competitions which allow students to not only test their knowledge, but also to have fun. Through participation, you ’ll be able to gain
S PORTS Joey, Head of Sports ne of our smaller initiatives we organise is the concept of ‘Play Leaders’ , where our older students lead theoretical and practical lessons to build a fundamental idea of what leadership is and enforce the expectations of what a play leader should be to our Primary students. Our famed Sports day is a very important event for the school, in which we play a massive part in organising. It is a day where students can not only push their limits and compete, but also support each other and have fun. This goes the same for inter house competitions. O he Tenby sports pillar is responsible for ensuring both a healthy physical and mental lifestyle for our students. We organise events such as whole school sports days, inter house competitions as well as more discrete initiatives to involve physical education into more aspects of school and academic life in an engaging and memorable way. eing a part of our pillar doesn’t mean you only have to focus on sports participation, but also providing everyone with an opportunity to become confident in leadership and the many skills that come with that. Applications open within the first half of term one, so please keep an eye out if you ’ re interested to truly make a difference. B T
SPECIAL APPEARANCES ISSUE #2
DISCUSSIONS WITH TIGGERS FC Recently, Aimee and Nicole (the heads of TenbyZine), sat down and had a conversation with two members of Tiggers Football Club, an incredible football club created by a group of friends in Year 12. Read on to discover how these boys two masterfully transformed their passion into practice and performance. Could they be the legacy of football youth? A FUR-OCIOUS INSIGHT INTO ATHLETIC SOCIAL CLUBS. TZ: “What is your name and position in Tiggers FC?” KAEMON: I’m Kaemon and I play left wing. I am also part of the Tiggers management team.” LUK: “I am Luk. I play left back and also hold the position of the waterboy, alongside being a part of the management team.” TZ: What does it mean to be a waterboy? LUK: “Since I play an important role in the team's management - the wellbeing of the players included - I must ensure our players are hydrated in order for them to perform at the highest level on the pitch. So, being a waterboy means retrieving water for my team!”
TZ: “Could you please give us a brief introduction to Tiggers Football Club?” LUK: “Our goal with Tiggers FC was mainly to create a team with our boys. We have been playing football for fun together for years at Tenby, and really wanted to take it to the next level. Another one of our goals is to take down every other social club in KL and to try and be the best! We’ve noticed how many other teams there are and we want to compete as well as to have some fun. TZ: “Where does the name Tiggers come from?” KAEMON: “Growing up, we all loved the character Tigger, from Winnie the Pooh, and have used him ironically as an inside joke for years. As children, we would watch the show together at sleepovers, so, Tigger being something rather significant to us, we found the name stuck. Not to mention, a lot of us are also Tenby Tigers!” TZ: “What is your most memorable moment from a match?” LUK: “I’d have to say it was when we played another local social club, NWA, and victoriously beat them. It was one of the toughest teams we have ever played and they had big guys who definitely gave us a hard time. However, by the end, we had managed to flip the game over and win.” KAEMON: “It was definitely a rough game but we ended up on top.” TZ: “That’s great! Now what was the worst moment you had during a match?” KAEMON: “It would have to be when we lost to another local club named OPS FC. We did not play very well, and unfortunately lost 7-0. Personally, I think we may have done badly because it was very hot which made it really hard to play. It also seemed like not everyone was in the mood to play, which happens - we’re all only human, after all! We had also brought in a few new players for that game and unfortunately we were really lacking chemistry on the pitch which is essential. Oh, and how could I forget - our keeper arrived late so Luk had to stay in goal, which was a hilarious failure as he never plays keeper. He ended up just laying on the floor.” LUK: “Yeah, OPS are a really talented team with some players who play for state, and a few players who play for other big clubs in KL. That’s crazy!”
TZ: “That could be you guys one day! What do Tiggers do to prepare for each match?” LUK: “We often got to have some McDonalds, which is just across the road from our go-to pitch. I have to have at least one, or sometimes even 2 Oreo McFlurries, fries and 20 McNuggets!” KAEMON: “We always pass on the pitch to warm up before each game and have a team huddle before the match begins. Strangely enough, we don’t actually talk about anything professional - we mostly just talk about random things and our desire to win. We avoid stress and make sure we relax before the game in order to really enjoy it.” LUK: “Everyone has those specific songs that hype them up. Mine would definitely be “Enchanted” by Taylor Swift! I know Kaemon enjoys “Waka Waka” by Shakira. Iconic. Occasionally, a player will bring a speaker to play some music for us during the game.” TZ: “Where do you see the future of Tiggers?” KAEMON: “It’s quite hard to say as Tiggers FC is simply some fun for us. However, once we complete our A-Levels and graduate, Tiggers will most likely disband and everyone will go their own ways (but the memories will always stay with us). In the meantime, we’d really like to have an awards evening and potentially acquire a sponsor.” TZ: “Finally, does Tiggers FC have a slogan you would like to leave us with?” “CAMPIONEM FERUS!”
HERPETOLOGY: A SLITHERING PASSION My passion for animals started when I was 3 to 4 years old. Since then, this obsession has only grown, specifically for reptiles and amphibians, which are referred to as 'herps'. By moving to Malaysia, my dream of being in a country with super diverse reptile and amphibian fauna (herpetofauna) came true. Ever since I’ve arrived, I have spent a lot of time herping (the act of looking for these creatures). These pictures are my highlights so far, especially the snakes, because they are my personal favourite herps. If you enjoy these pictures, you can find more of them on my instagram: @daniherpetology. I also post the results of my herping expeditions there! Daniel Buonoua, 10B Mangrove Cat Snake no. 11
no. 3 no. 13 no. 9 no. 12 no. 14 no. 7 no. 1 no. 18
no. 16 no. 6 no. 17 no. 8 no. 2 (Highly venomous)