Innovation The Other Side of the Pillar
Editors Foreword As I sit here with The Other Side of the Pillar in front of me, the finishing aesthetic touches soon to be made, I can hardly believe it. What is little more than several weeks ago, I stood in front of the team and suggested pulling the plug as a real and palpable concept. Luckily the ever present, urging, stoic, encouraging, and at time frankly brutal force, that is Miss Gill, was there to give me a good slap on this wrists and give it some welly for the home run and my persona
Headmasters Foreword I am delighted to have been asked to write the foreword for this first ever The Other Side of the Pillar. I am sure that current parents and pupils will find it to be a very accurate reflection of the energy, enthusiasm and sheer range of interests of our student body. It is all the more impressive given that it was entirely conceived and produced by a small and dedicated band of our Sixth Formers. We are looking forward to future issues. Tim Cook Headmaster of Portland Plac
Headmasters Interview With Chloe Hibbert Waters Chloe To kick start the interview with a bit of fun, describe yourself in just three words. Mr Cook Conscientious, Professional, Playful. Having a sense of humour is no doubt essential in any work place. What would you say the relationship between both the students and teachers at Portland Place School is like Portland Place has a studentteacher relationship that is both informal yet productive. It is clear to see as soon as you are in the sc
Portland Place is also relatively small as far as schools go. Describe your take on the atmosphere. Portland Place is lucky to have both small class sizes and highly supportive teachers. There is a sense of camaraderie about the place and a collegiate sense of everyone working together. When youve been in the education sector for such a long time, you know that this is something to treasure. I feel lucky to have inherited this. As a headmaster of an independent school, you must have your own o
The Departments Portland Place has to offer. Photographed by Samuel Emmett Conor Ackhurst
English English English English English English English English English English English English English If there was one thing in the world that I could invent it would be a bag. Not just any bag, but a bag that you could fit anything into. Youre probably thinking, well they do have bags you can fit anything into except they are huge and noone carries them around. Well, my invention would be able to be folded into a very small shape and put into a pocket. For example, you could be just walking
English English English English English English English English English English English English English Year 9 Twisted Fairytales Myths The Story of Cinderella By Eleanna Pissas Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl named Cinderella who lived with her father, stepmother and her two sisters. They owned a restaurant called the Cinders. Cinderella was a hard working girl, she would mop the floor, clean the tables and do everything she was asked to do. Her two stepsisters were horrible, they
English English English English English English English English English English English English English Sleeping Brain Beauty By Raffy Cosyns, Year 9 Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl called Emma who had everything she ever wanted, but her brain did not. She would sit in her room and do nothing all day but watch T.V. and go on the computer. Slowly her brain began to shut down. It would get worse and worse, she would watch T.V. for an hour one day and the next it would be two, then th
History History History History History History History History History History History History History Previous Year 9 Propaganda Posters
History History History History History History History History History History History History History Year 9 Holocaust Essays Is it important that people, especially children, study the Holocaust Whoever Saves One Life Saves the World Entire Oscar Schindler Introduction There are many words which can be applied to the subject of the holocaust horrific, terrible, sickening. Unmentionable No. Argument If the subject of the Holocaust were denied from education, whether thats for adults or fo
History History History History History History History History History History History History History I think saying goodbye to the kids might have been the hardest thing I ever had to do. Waving to them, watching as the train went by. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. I feel as if Ive given away all my responsibility to my 12 year old girl. She has to look after her younger brother now. Poor girl. Shes still young herself Every now and then I hear from the Eliza, my neighbour who
Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Mapping from our head Favourite places 1. The library because it has the comfiest chairs and it is much quieter so we can read well. 2. Room 2 because its my form room so Im used to it most. 3. The basement because you get to see other people from different classes. Least Favourite 1. Harford House stairway because climbing the stairs is hard on your back. 2. The boys toilets because they smell a lot
Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography COMPETITION Congratulations to all Geographers at Portland Place School for taking part in the Royal Geographical Societys national competition Young Geographers of the Year 2011. Each student was asked to explain What should every good geographer understand Entries were submitted into the national competition and our inschool judging selected the following winners runnerups Year 7 Winner Zenon Christod
Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Year 11 Jeremy Ogunsulire Year 8 BettyBelle Thornton Year 9 Jono Deacon Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography Geography
Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Darwin, Dickens or Da Vinci Whether it be the books that evolved the core principles of science or the literature that entertained many during the Victorian era or even the unusual paintings that inspired many afterwards, all aspects of art, science and literature have contributed to the wellbeing of man. But does the advancement of one subject benefit us more than others The main art works
Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science As a student in Portland Place who takes all three sciences for Alevel, I can tell you all that there is no greater pleasure than never having to hear about a thousand word essay on a poem, that Im almost sure was written by a raging socialist intoxicated by narcotics, but instead having to study an evolving subject. Science in Portland Place School incorporates a more mature learning techniq
Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Music by Andrew David Tessellation by Maria Wanderley Mathematicians by Jonathan Lee Maths Fashion by Savannah Sara Maths Cooking by Louis Jamie Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths
Edward Trebilcock, Year 9 Miki Burnett, Year 9 Barnaby Woods, Year 7 Naz Simsek, Year 9
Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama This year has been the busiest, most chaotic, but ultimately the most fantastic year yet. The Drama Department just keeps on growing Our extracurricular calendar now includes the Upper School Show Richard III Shakespeare, the School Musical The Producers Mel Brooks, and the Lower School Show Wind in the Willows Alan Bennett. If you add to this list all of the examined work created by the students over an acad
Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Drama Confessions of a Drama Student Ellie Harriss, Year 11 Anyone who came to see The Producers or any of the previous Portland Place productions can confirm excellence of any show put on by our school. As students we feel a great sense of pride in our reputation of great plays and musicals and a great sense of responsibility to uphold it. But, not only are the productions of a high standard, they are an amazing expe
Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports play a very fun role throughout Portland Place School, with many internal and external competitions every year. Each year group has competitive sporting fixtures against other schools in a range of sports including football, netball, rugby, rounders, cricket and many more. Portland Place School has an excellent sports department that attempts to get all students to participate in spor
Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports The Portland Place Olympics has commenced with pupils and teachers embracing the Olympic theme during lessons, trips and special events. 45 FREE tickets have been reserved for pupils at Portland Place and these will be allocated and distributed to pupils at a later date. A PPS House Olympic Organising Committee has been formed and many pupils have volunteered to be part of sub committees in
Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Several of the Upper 6th have signed up to Team Heathrows Olympic volunteering programme for the London 2012 games in August. Over 70,000 volunteers are needed to aid in the successful running of the Olympics, offering a potential onceinalifetime opportunity for people to get involved in The Greatest Show on Earth. Heathrows volunteer manager Jo John, a former PE teacher at Portland Place, i
Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports Sports During a week in March, the Lower School competed in their respective Inter House Olympic Cross Country Competitions. There were many outstanding performances with many pupils producing personal best times over the 2km course, whilst trying to get maximum points for their Houses. Individual highlights were Barnaby Woods setting the fastest time in the school this year with 7 minutes 34 s
Year 5 and 6 have had a busy year and have quickly become an integral part of Portland Place. Here they are in action No doubt this will cause some embarrassment when they look back in a few years when they are making their own year book.... Several Year 6 students have represented the school at sport including football, swimming, netball and cross country. There are certainly some budding championship sportsmen and women amongst them. They have been competing at Year 7 level, which makes thei
Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 has launched themselves into Portland Place life with great enthusiasm and we are proud that this great bunch of students represents our school so well in everything they do. Did you know that between them, they have amassed over 1500 merits this year Keep up the great work guys... we look forward to seeing your stars continue to shine over the next few years. Sports Swimming squ
Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 Year 11 The Year 11s have had a busy year so far as the deadlines loom for coursework and revision for exams gets underway. Despite this, a number of the year group belong to sporting clubs outside of school Tegen Short plays cricket for Middlesex John Panteli and John Sperling play rugby for the Wasps Lucy Mitchell is in the Cumberlands netball team and Billy Ling swims for Brent dolphins. Jess
The sixth form is prospering. Last year we saw our highest ever academic grades with a 10 increase in A and A grades. The improved academic achievement had a marked impact on university progression with all students achieving places in a very competitive year. Most students achieved their 1st choice offers. There have been a number of changes that have taken place since September which will continue out positive progression. Pastoral System 6th form tutor groups are now mixed between Year Groups
Lower School Mentoring Programme Mr Dean set up the peer mentoring programme in September making sure that each student was matched with their preferred choice and as a result most of the lower 6th students and some upper 6th who enjoy the process have mentored pupils across the curriculum once a week during a free lesson. Feedback has been very positive, a new area this year has been the early morning lower school reading club when 6th formers such as Joe SherleyDale and Daisy Heath have worked
The Producers The sixth form have been absolutely fantastic in the whole school show, with very strong representations and performances on stage, and some wonderful performance from our superbly talented musician Sarah Rentoul. The backstage and technical crew Claire Sheil, Flynn Sager, Ben Chipperfield, Andrew David, Darryl BraierLorimer, Luke WilliamsRapata, Mia Swailes, Song Lian LiEverington, Mohammad JafariFini and Ainun Ahmad also did a superb job and we extend our thanks for all the staff
Photography By Mariko Kobayashi Lower 6 Due to movements of objects, these two pictures were taken using the long shutter speed function, which shows motion blur. The picture with the row of bikes was taken with a wide angle lens. I placed myself at the end of the row, so the whole row of bikes is shown in distance. The lines of the image converge to a vanishing point where the tree is located.
Photography I have been taking photographs for about 2 years. I started after my mother bought me a Canon Eos 450d camera whilst on a trip to Germany. By Salome Lomtadze Year 11 I like taking portraits and when I see beautiful people in the street I just want to stop them and take their picture. I mostly photograph my friends and I have been the unofficial school trip photographer since I started at Portland Place
Debating... by Isaac Freeth At some point during an argument I always hear the words This isnt a debate. At the moment the words come out of the other persons mouth I always want to go Actually it bloody well is so shut it you one eyed goat or something to that effect. This situation may not be recognisable to most of you, and if so this is because you are not a debater. A debaters life is filled with red faces and tired expressions, with numerous people storming out of the room because youve
Debating is an amazing way to make friends. It also helps build your confidence along with helping you gain knowledge. At the beginning I did not want to do it but then my friend and English teacher told me to try it and see how it goes, and so I did. When I started debating I was a shy character but now I am so pleased I listened to them and gave it a try as it has helped to build my selfesteem and made me a more dominant character. Debating has helped me a lot as I have learnt the difference b
Cultural Diversity Portland Place is not any ordinary school, but a school that is warm and inclusive. The school has accepted pupils from different schools and overseas from many different backgrounds. As pupils of Portland Place School, we have understood many cultures and the different ways they work, socialise and communicate amongst the peers. Every year, pupils from abroad such as from the USA, Japan and Uzbekistan, attend Portland Place School. But why this school in particular The school
Cultural Diversity Japanese culture is the understanding of just how different and unique this specific country is. Japanese culture has brought a multitude of interesting and famous cultural aspects into the world such as the Maglev Bullet trains, Kimono garments, Manga Japanese comic, origami and Sumo Wrestling. Not only are the Japanese famous for the above mentioned, but in particular for their food and for the biggest electronic industry in the world. The creativity of the Japanese has broa
The Price of Arab Democracy by Ahmad Alkhlaifaoui The Arab world is currently moving through a significant transition from an oppressive totalitarian dictatorship into a prosperous democracy. When the people will to live, destiny must surely respond. Oppression shall then vanish. Abu alQasim alShabi The Arab spring is currently a revolution for all seasons. The Panregional movement was driven by macroeconomic failure high CPI inflation 12.5 in Yemen and 10.7 in Egypt, elevated youth unemplo
The patriots blood is the seed of Freedoms tree. Thomas Campbell The struggle for liberty and democracy in the Arab world came at a high cost. Since the Arab uprisings began, the region has experienced an extensive refugee crisis and immense bloodshed. Libyas exodus saw more than 900,000 people leaving the country with 666,000 Libyans fleeing to neighbouring countries, Egypt, Tunisia and Niger. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR, 70 of the population of Ajdabiya
The Islamic Freedom and Justice party won a plurality in the election 37.5. However, Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Chairman of the Supreme council of the Armed forces, remains President since 11 February 2011, after Hosni Mubarak was ousted from office. His presence remains an issue of great concern for the Egyptian people with common protests in Tahrir Square demanding for his resignation. Despite the rise of Islamic parties in North African politics, political leaders say they are firmly committed
A further US100 billion in support has been agreed upon through the Breton Woods organisation. However, there has still been no impact of this assistance and aid must accompany political reform in order to succeed. The World Bank and IMF have been attempting to restructure the economies in the MENA region in the past, with largely negative results mainly due to political corruption. For the financial aid to be translated into economic growth and prosperity there must be panregional confidence r
Portland Place School Experience...
The Other Side of the Pillar Acknowledgement Page EDITORIAL Joe SherleyDale Darryl BraierLorimer Photographers Conor Ackhurst Samuel Emmett Journalists Mariko Kobayashi Nicolas Mac Iz Flieh Ahmad Alkhlaifaoui Chloe Hibbert Waters IT DEPARTMENT Manuel Furriel Ainun Ahmad Special thanks to The teachers for giving up their time to provide the materials needed to create the magazine. The students for contributing their work. Miss Gill, without her, this magazine would not have happened. Bi