In the previous edition we only had two editors, but this term we have five which means that we have been able to produce a better Student Magazine with better quality in design and writing. Together we’ve composed an edition that helps talented writers in our school to shine and display their talent in writing.

Our editors:

Charlotte Cheung, Charmaine Pilard, Cherie Chan, Chloe Leung, Lucia Pareja Lopez.

Welcome to the third edition of ICHK’s student-published magazine.

During the second term of the 2018-2019 school year, the editing team that this would be a special edition, focusing on the wonderful feature articles written by our year nine students. These range from personality profiles, human-interest and trend articles.

This edition also includes an interview with our U16 Basketball champions and a “School Strike for Climate Change” protestor, a Pandemic piece, a writeup from this year’s HKMUN, a recount on the success of the recent Hispanic Festival, and last but not least an artist analysis on the famous Georges Seurat painting - "A Sunday Afternoon".

Thank you for reading our magazine and we hope that you’ll be back for future editions.

Recently, a dozen amazing and inspiring feature articles were beautifully written by our year 9 students, for their feature article English unit. These articles range from a Simon Biles personality profile, an introduction to the TV show Modern Family, and a London Natural History Museum exhibit review. There is a large variation of articles to choose from and we’re sure you’ll find one that interests you. Please browse below.

Recently, our U16 Basketball players competed in the final against GSIF in the ISSFHK league and returned home as champions. Players Russell Pilard and Monty Davies joined us for a short interview to give a recount on the event. During the interview, we discuss in depth the atmosphere and the tension during the intense game. We also discuss how basketball can improve other areas of life and why basketball is a good game to be taught to people as an opportunity to learn about teamwork.

Q: What was the atmosphere like in the final match?
Russell: The atmosphere was very tense. We went to German Swiss International School so we were a little nervous as we only beat them by very little in the first game. As soon as the game started, we had the lead and then it was more relaxed after that.

Monty: The atmosphere was very energetic and the crowd was cheering the whole time which made it better. We were all a bit tense about the championship final until we remembered that we play this everyday, this was just another team to beat.

Q: How did you prepare for the match?
Russell: I slept well the night before and practised a bit at school during lunch with my teammates.

Monty: We had 4 extra training sessions in the week leading up to the game. We played against our coach and our coach’s friends and we spent every lunch break playing together.

Q: How were you feeling before and after the match?
Russell: Before the match, I was feeling a little bit nervous but after it I was ecstatic.

Monty: I felt a bit sick before the match but the speech that the coach gave made us all energetic and ready for the game. At the end of the game we were all feeling incredibly happy because we were able to win with a considerable lead. We had also become the first ICHK team to win the basketball championship.

Q: Why would you encourage other students to play basketball?
Russell: I would encourage other students to play basketball because it is a team sport and it helps build friendships and it is good exercise.

Monty: I encourage others to play basketball because it is a fun team game and it doesn’t take too long to get good at, My teammate, Russell and I had never played basketball (properly) before this season and we played every lunch and we were able to become the best defenders in our team.

Q: What has basketball taught you that carries over into the other areas of your life?
Russell: It has helped me improve my teamwork and how important that is everywhere in life especially in school.

Monty: Basketball has taught me that it is easy to become good at something if you enjoy doing it. I also believe that basketball is like life, sometimes you miss but if you work hard enough, you create better opportunities for yourself to score.

Climate Change is an important topic that has been ignored by politicians and world leaders in the past decade. However, this has changed with the global “School Strike for Climate” movement, led by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg from Sweden. Students from Hong Kong helped make a great difference by participating on the 16th of March this year, and Jack from 9.3 is giving us an insight into what happened and his personal view on climate change.

Q: What was the atmosphere like?

Jack: It was very crowded but the atmosphere overall felt very powerful in a way because everyone there was supporting the same case.

Q: Who were the type of people who went to the protest?

Jack: Mostly teenagers or older but there were a lot of little kids as well.

Q: What were you feeling during the protest?

Jack: I felt like I was part of something, part of a bigger cause and something bigger than myself. We were all there supporting each other and supporting the planet.

Q: What are your thoughts on climate change?

Jack: I think it’s very bad because you know it’s our future and it’s the planet we are going to live in when we’re older and it is just being ruined by climate change so we need to put a stop to it.

Q: Do you have any ideas that could possibly solve climate change?

Jack: Yes, I do, I think we need to tell the government to use more efficient ways of energy and turn all the cars electric. Ban all the gas powered cars and replace them with electric ones.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to stop climate change?

Jack: Like I said it’s our future and if we don’t stop it we’re going to have to live in a disgusting planet with a lot of water because climate change make the icebergs melt and we would all drown.

Q: How do you think climate change ties into other problems?

Jack: I think it ties in with things such as overusing fossil fuels etc.

Students from year 7 - 13 participated in the recent HKMUN. This is a short writeup of Charlotte's take on the event.

MUN is an academic simulation where students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. It also helps raise awareness of global affairs with young people. This year, our school competed in the annual HKMUN at the science park that included three days of intense discussion, debate, the drafting and voting on resolutions on important topics in today’s world.

HKMUN was my first “big” MUN, and I really enjoyed learning more about the topics, debating on them, submitting many amendments and giving speeches on them, even though it was really nerve-wracking at first. Over the three dates, we debated on two topics in the World Health Organisation. We had delegates representing Russia, Norway, Kenya etc. Delegates made many interesting comments and questions, that make you think and wonder further about the topic. One of the most rewarding parts was that I made special memories that I would never forget, and developed new friendships.

I think that MUN is an amazing experience that also helps tackle the fear of public speaking and sparkling confidence. The activity can be joined by anyone that is interested in world issues, enjoys debating and public speaking, or just wants a fun, life-changing and phenomenal experience!

Chloe and Lucia, year nine art students, have both written great and incredibly detailed examinations on a famous painting, Sunday Afternoon by Georges Seurat.

Read the piece here.

Read the piece here.