Around ICS
Today on ICS news, the Secondary School is travelling to PGL. At PGL, we hope to do different activities and have yummy food. For the first time ever, Diploma Students will be joining us on Thursday. The school will not be doing any water sports available because of the trip’s timing relative to the season of the year.For those who don’t know what PGL is PGL is an outdoor education center in Liddington that we go to every year. The MYP will be going next Wednesday. Next Thursday, the Diploma students will be joining us. All students will return home on Friday. This is an exciting year as we will try different activities such as rock climbing, giant swing, trapeze and other team building exercises. This will be an exciting adventure. We will be in different groups and we will share rooms in small groups with their peers. This means that we will have to remember 3 groups; our activity groups, our room groups and our MYP/DP groups. This will be a hard challenge for students to remember.
Kate September 22nd[1]
Kate September 22nd[1]
PGL Aftermath
PGL (also known as parents get lost) is a camp the include school activities such as, big swing, rock climbing, archery, zip lining and much more. This was done throughout three days students left on Wednesday with excitement and came back sore for more.
The following are some photographs of the students arriving back to school after the trip.
The following are some photographs of the students arriving back to school after the trip.
World Wide News
The New Silk Road[1] - World News
In 2013, the People’s Republic of China announced a new economic initiative that, if successful, would connect various countries in Europe and Asia using a combination of deep-water ports, airports, fiber-optic networks, highways, train lines, and fuel pipelines, as well as economic alliances and political overtures. The so called Belt and Road initiative would span dozens of counties from the Pacific to Central Europe, which together make up for 70 percent of the world’s energy resources, and is predicted to generate $4 trillion in investment in the next 30 years.
The official statement on the reasoning behind the B and R initiative is that the “Silk Road Spirit” of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit” and “communication and cooperation between the East and the West” will “help align and coordinate the development strategies of the countries along the Belt and Road, tap market potential in this region, promote investment and consumption, create demands and job opportunities, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and mutual learning among the peoples of the relevant countries, and enable them to understand, trust and respect each other and live in harmony, peace and prosperity.” On the other side of the coin, Gal Luft, Co-Director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security and a Senior Adviser to the United States Energy Security Council, commented in a recent issue of Foreign Affairs that the unofficial goal of this utopian-sounding policy was probably to “save China from the economic decline that its slowing growth rate and high debt levels (seem to predict),” and she hypothesized that furthermore, the Party hoped that this would prevent discord and political dissent in the current government from “disgruntled bosses (of) struggling banks and state-owned enterprises”.
The Chinese government has set up several funds and banks, the best known of which are the AIIB, the Asian Infrastructure Initiative Bank, and the Silk Road Fund, designed specifically for this project, and which will be hard to outbid for the foreseeable future. President Xi Jinping’s analysts have dubbed it “the number one project under heaven,” but many around the world aren’t so sure. Pakistan has come out in ardent support of the project, with the Minister for Planning, Development, and Reform, Ahsan Iqbal, saying that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) outlined by the One Belt, One Road Initiative will turn “bilateral friendship into a strategic economic partnership,” while many Indian experts are alarmed by what they see as aggressive Chinese expansionism into regions around them such as Sri Lanka. However, officially India is being incredibly cautious, with India’s Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar saying only that he regarded “connectivity as having emerged as a theatre of present day geopolitics,” rather than openly expressing any kind of displeasure.
The same delicacy is, perhaps, the wisest course of action for the United States as they have to consider the input they might have on workers’ conditions and human rights in the highly populated China, something they have expressed displeasure with in the past, as well as possible Russian paranoia about these two hegemons forming an alliance as China makes further inroads in the Slavic markets in wake of the economic sanctions from the West.
The issue of Ameri-Chinese relations is a thorny one, and thus this initiative has the potential to alter the balance of power globally, affecting things from oil and power in the Persian gulf to the balance of power between smaller countries that are part of the road and their traditionally more powerful neighbors. If the Americans moved to support the parts of the Initiative that suit their interests instead of employing their current strategy of reactionary, blanket denial, and if the Chinese moved to allow in the Americans, it could make the transition a lot easier politically for both nations, as well as taking some of the brunt of potential failure off of only one nation’s shoulders and possibly attracting more private investors to the project; analysts on both sides have expressed support for the idea. In this project’s profound implication on global politics and economics lies great potential to lift many different peoples of the world out of the economic doldrums that have made things difficult since 2008, and further than that, for an unprecedented economic and political partnership with the power to achieve goals in the UN and achieve greater stability, prosperity, and many of the other starry-eyed sounding promises the official proposal makes.[2]
Blythe, 29th September 2016
World News
In Charlotte, North Carolina, a state of complete violence and chaos has erupted due to the apparent injustice of the so-called unprovoked murder of a black man. Keith Lamont Scott, 43, a disabled man who was said to be reading a book when he was shot by a police officer. This story sparked the attention of many who were led to believe that the police’s prejudice and racism is what caused the police to suspect the man had a weapon in the first place and fire at him. Scott’s family were in distraught and furious with the police for accusing him of having a gun. He died in the hospital a few hours later. Keith Scott’s daughter streamed a live video of the aftermath of the shooting, where she describes what had happened. In the video she says indignantly, “the police just shot my daddy four times for being black! They tased him first and then shot him.” His daughter argues that since he was disabled, and did not have a gun in the first place, how was he supposed to hurt the police?
However, this account of the events that led to Keith Lamont Scott’s shooting differs very much from the police officers’ story. The police claim that Keith Scott was holding a gun, and after officers gave him several warnings and asked him to drop the gun, they shot him because they believed he posed a threat.
The photo above shows the gun that Keith Scott was accused of holding, next to his body.
Initially I believed that the police officers were being racist and prejudiced when they shot Keith Scott, but the image of the weapon changes my opinion. It is possible that Keith Scott was holding a gun at the time, but it is also possible that the police officers have planted a gun on the crime scene near the body. I think this possibility is just as likely as Keith Scott having been holding a gun because in the video that the daughter released on the internet, the police officers seemed to be taking a long time working at the crime scene while closing it off to the neighbourhood. However, it is also possible that Keith Scott’s family members were biased, being in a close relationship with the victim, which is why they believed him to be innocent in the first place.
What do you think actually happened?
Interestingly enough, the family members seemed prejudiced themselves, as they were eager to blame white police officers for the murder of Keith Scott, but it was later revealed that the officer who had shot him, Brently Vinson, was in fact black himself.
The night after the shooting occurred, a protest broke out on the streets involving the looting of trucks, burning of materials, and the destruction of police cars. 16 police officers injured during this protest in addition to 9 protestors. The protests turned so violent and aggressive that police had to use teargas and stun grenades to stop them. If members of the community wanted to speak against the murder of Keith Scott, they could have simply had a peaceful protest, instead of the demonstration that they had carried out, which would only strengthen the idea that ‘black people are violent’ in the minds of those who are racist.
The images below show the protest:
In Charlotte, North Carolina, a state of complete violence and chaos has erupted due to the apparent injustice of the so-called unprovoked murder of a black man. Keith Lamont Scott, 43, a disabled man who was said to be reading a book when he was shot by a police officer. This story sparked the attention of many who were led to believe that the police’s prejudice and racism is what caused the police to suspect the man had a weapon in the first place and fire at him. Scott’s family were in distraught and furious with the police for accusing him of having a gun. He died in the hospital a few hours later. Keith Scott’s daughter streamed a live video of the aftermath of the shooting, where she describes what had happened. In the video she says indignantly, “the police just shot my daddy four times for being black! They tased him first and then shot him.” His daughter argues that since he was disabled, and did not have a gun in the first place, how was he supposed to hurt the police?
However, this account of the events that led to Keith Lamont Scott’s shooting differs very much from the police officers’ story. The police claim that Keith Scott was holding a gun, and after officers gave him several warnings and asked him to drop the gun, they shot him because they believed he posed a threat.
The photo above shows the gun that Keith Scott was accused of holding, next to his body.
Initially I believed that the police officers were being racist and prejudiced when they shot Keith Scott, but the image of the weapon changes my opinion. It is possible that Keith Scott was holding a gun at the time, but it is also possible that the police officers have planted a gun on the crime scene near the body. I think this possibility is just as likely as Keith Scott having been holding a gun because in the video that the daughter released on the internet, the police officers seemed to be taking a long time working at the crime scene while closing it off to the neighbourhood. However, it is also possible that Keith Scott’s family members were biased, being in a close relationship with the victim, which is why they believed him to be innocent in the first place.
What do you think actually happened?
Interestingly enough, the family members seemed prejudiced themselves, as they were eager to blame white police officers for the murder of Keith Scott, but it was later revealed that the officer who had shot him, Brently Vinson, was in fact black himself.
The night after the shooting occurred, a protest broke out on the streets involving the looting of trucks, burning of materials, and the destruction of police cars. 16 police officers injured during this protest in addition to 9 protestors. The protests turned so violent and aggressive that police had to use teargas and stun grenades to stop them. If members of the community wanted to speak against the murder of Keith Scott, they could have simply had a peaceful protest, instead of the demonstration that they had carried out, which would only strengthen the idea that ‘black people are violent’ in the minds of those who are racist.
The images below show the protest:
Aryam, 25th October 2016
Creative Writing
The wind rustled against my pale skin.
The after effects of cigars strangled my teeth
The aftermath of chewing cigars left my teeth with a basic formulated colour palette
It was the colour that an apprentice art virtuoso could meticulously produce in a matter of seconds
The Mixing 101 tutorials would preach this mixing as something quintessential. As something of desire
However my personal opinions of the colours meandered of this straight, narrow thinking.
This colour was the standard colour picked from the blandest of colours in an artist’s toolbox
It was ordinary,
It was yellow,
Pure,
A mix between black and white,
Somewhere in between,
Mixed race.
It was something that I often rejected
“White Superiority !”. I claimed this as the most desirable thing in existence
My domination and forced aggression towards the black race was pure.
It was born out of a need.
The balance between blacks and whites had once again been broken.
It needed reaffirmation, confirmation and assurance
White skin was always the go-to colour.
The great cities of the western world expressed a silent favorability in skin colour.
The issue’s omission on the political stage left few to question the supposedly unfair balance.
White skin was always destined to obtain the fate
On a different note my opinion towards to blacks remained unchanged
I hate those kind of scum
Black, Prideful, Chaotic.
There are no exceptions to the rule.
There is no outer rim to place them.
They are confined into a box.
I acted upon my impulses
I employed black slaves
By doing so, I started exacting my hive of vengeance
Every day was a whipping day.
It was a picture that couldn’t be painted.
Regardless of skill,luck and experience.
The usual factors that determined success.They were flipped on their heads or tails.
Whatever option that was more convenient to us.
We are anti social progression. We are pro-white.
The scale of such an event. We grew fearful of the blacks.
Congregating in the suburban areas of prestigious boroughs.
Producing large families. To even suggest Quantity has supremacy.
Quality , Quality, Quality...
Quality matters
We deployed the Rwandan genocide
We started #Black Lives Don’t Matter#.
They retaliated.
We retaliated.
Our theories suggest differences in skin colour as some way to segregate society and limit influences.
We viewed them as humans that were radically programmed
White is pure, upper-equestrian.Civilised
Black is dirty, infested, unclean, barbaric
Black is a sin.
The consequences of sin are unavoidable.
Hashtag Florida,
Hashtag Mississippi,
Hashtag Martin Luther King,
Colour.
By oath I solemnly swear to dedicate my life to the party.
By oath I solemnly swear to take up arms if my life is danger
By oath I solemnly swear that partaking in such activities is morally, ethically and socially responsible.
By oath I solemnly swear that the party is absolute
I am not regretful
I am not remorseful
I understand the consequences of my decisions.
I understand how my decisions may affect others
I am taking part in such activities because I aim to look after society.
I understand that such actions may result in expulsion of mainstream society
I recognise that this course of action is essential for societal progression.
I understand that my decision to bear arms might have repercussions in the foreseeable future.
I am the party.
I am the future.
I am absolute
I am the white.
I am white.
Callaghan 25/09/16
The after effects of cigars strangled my teeth
The aftermath of chewing cigars left my teeth with a basic formulated colour palette
It was the colour that an apprentice art virtuoso could meticulously produce in a matter of seconds
The Mixing 101 tutorials would preach this mixing as something quintessential. As something of desire
However my personal opinions of the colours meandered of this straight, narrow thinking.
This colour was the standard colour picked from the blandest of colours in an artist’s toolbox
It was ordinary,
It was yellow,
Pure,
A mix between black and white,
Somewhere in between,
Mixed race.
It was something that I often rejected
“White Superiority !”. I claimed this as the most desirable thing in existence
My domination and forced aggression towards the black race was pure.
It was born out of a need.
The balance between blacks and whites had once again been broken.
It needed reaffirmation, confirmation and assurance
White skin was always the go-to colour.
The great cities of the western world expressed a silent favorability in skin colour.
The issue’s omission on the political stage left few to question the supposedly unfair balance.
White skin was always destined to obtain the fate
On a different note my opinion towards to blacks remained unchanged
I hate those kind of scum
Black, Prideful, Chaotic.
There are no exceptions to the rule.
There is no outer rim to place them.
They are confined into a box.
I acted upon my impulses
I employed black slaves
By doing so, I started exacting my hive of vengeance
Every day was a whipping day.
It was a picture that couldn’t be painted.
Regardless of skill,luck and experience.
The usual factors that determined success.They were flipped on their heads or tails.
Whatever option that was more convenient to us.
We are anti social progression. We are pro-white.
The scale of such an event. We grew fearful of the blacks.
Congregating in the suburban areas of prestigious boroughs.
Producing large families. To even suggest Quantity has supremacy.
Quality , Quality, Quality...
Quality matters
We deployed the Rwandan genocide
We started #Black Lives Don’t Matter#.
They retaliated.
We retaliated.
Our theories suggest differences in skin colour as some way to segregate society and limit influences.
We viewed them as humans that were radically programmed
White is pure, upper-equestrian.Civilised
Black is dirty, infested, unclean, barbaric
Black is a sin.
The consequences of sin are unavoidable.
Hashtag Florida,
Hashtag Mississippi,
Hashtag Martin Luther King,
Colour.
By oath I solemnly swear to dedicate my life to the party.
By oath I solemnly swear to take up arms if my life is danger
By oath I solemnly swear that partaking in such activities is morally, ethically and socially responsible.
By oath I solemnly swear that the party is absolute
I am not regretful
I am not remorseful
I understand the consequences of my decisions.
I understand how my decisions may affect others
I am taking part in such activities because I aim to look after society.
I understand that such actions may result in expulsion of mainstream society
I recognise that this course of action is essential for societal progression.
I understand that my decision to bear arms might have repercussions in the foreseeable future.
I am the party.
I am the future.
I am absolute
I am the white.
I am white.
Callaghan 25/09/16
Art
Georgia O’keefe exhibition in London
Georgia O’Keefe is a very famous American painter; she is best known for her microscopic paintings of flowers with bright popping colours, her animal skulls and western landscapes from where she grew up. Many call her the “Mother of American Modernism” because she was such an important figure in the development of American modernism.
Fortunately, London is lucky enough to have a chance to view her art this month; you can see some of her best work, like the Oriental Poppies, Jimson Weed/ White flower and her New York Street with Moon. Tate.org.uk calls this “a rare opportunity to see over 100 remarkable paintings by this pioneer of 20th century art.”
Her poppies are one of my favourite paintings, not only by her but by any artist. I love the contrast between the warm tones and the cool tones.
Georgia O’keefe was a very important feminist icon. There being so few successful female artists in the first place, it’s quite impressive that she got so far in her career. Though many male artists put her down for being a woman. However to this she responds “the man like to put me down as the best woman painter. I think I’m one of the best painters.”
You can see these wonderful paintings at the Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG, the exhibition started on the 6th of July and it ends October 30th. It’ll be £19 for adults, free for members and children.
www.georgiaokeeffe.net
Laila, 25th October 2016
Georgia O’Keefe is a very famous American painter; she is best known for her microscopic paintings of flowers with bright popping colours, her animal skulls and western landscapes from where she grew up. Many call her the “Mother of American Modernism” because she was such an important figure in the development of American modernism.
Fortunately, London is lucky enough to have a chance to view her art this month; you can see some of her best work, like the Oriental Poppies, Jimson Weed/ White flower and her New York Street with Moon. Tate.org.uk calls this “a rare opportunity to see over 100 remarkable paintings by this pioneer of 20th century art.”
Her poppies are one of my favourite paintings, not only by her but by any artist. I love the contrast between the warm tones and the cool tones.
Georgia O’keefe was a very important feminist icon. There being so few successful female artists in the first place, it’s quite impressive that she got so far in her career. Though many male artists put her down for being a woman. However to this she responds “the man like to put me down as the best woman painter. I think I’m one of the best painters.”
You can see these wonderful paintings at the Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG, the exhibition started on the 6th of July and it ends October 30th. It’ll be £19 for adults, free for members and children.
www.georgiaokeeffe.net
Laila, 25th October 2016
Top Music
Music is common all around the globe. When you go into a store there is music in the background. When you wait in an elevator there is music too. Music can have any type of genre, culture and language. Today, I will be talking about the Top music list of the billboard.
First up, we have Closer by the Chainsmokers ft. Halsey. I personally adore Halsey so I was excited to hear this song. Its theme is love and it’s a quite soft song with mixtures of computer techno. Halsey’s voice fits well with the song and the other singers , the chainsmoker’s. Halsey voice is deep but feminine which is a perfect fit. I personally think it’s a nice song, the singer’s have amazing voices but it is not my style of music.
Moving on to the 2. Is Heathen buy Twenty One Pilots. This song was recorded for the movie, Suicide Squad. The song’s theme is friends, religion and mainly non- believers. It is quite slow and the drums are very powerful in the music, which is typical Twenty One pilots. The singing has a mixture of rap and singing which again is typical Twenty One Pilots. I personally think this song turned out amazing.
Number 3 we have Major Lazer - Cold Water. This song’s theme is love again. It a techno computer DJ song. The singer is Justin Bieber and MO. I can’t really say much of this song. It typical 2016 party song. I personally dislike this song. I’m not a big fan of Computer Dj songs and neither am I a big fan of Justin Bieber. Other then that the song is slow but at the chores it turns in hype techno.
Number 4 we have Sia- Cheap Thrills. I find this song hilarious. It’s about having fun and partying without money. The song it quite hype. It starts with rap from Sean Paul then we have sia singing. It’s a really fun song not my type but I personally think it’s fun.
And last but not least is don’t let me down by the chainsmokers. It’s mainly electronic techno so a typical party song. It has smooth vocals by the singer Daya. It is a great colab song perfect for parties and just to have fun. I personally really like the vocals though the chores is mainly just the DJ doing his job.
For more information, go to: http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100
Csenge, 25th October 2016
First up, we have Closer by the Chainsmokers ft. Halsey. I personally adore Halsey so I was excited to hear this song. Its theme is love and it’s a quite soft song with mixtures of computer techno. Halsey’s voice fits well with the song and the other singers , the chainsmoker’s. Halsey voice is deep but feminine which is a perfect fit. I personally think it’s a nice song, the singer’s have amazing voices but it is not my style of music.
Moving on to the 2. Is Heathen buy Twenty One Pilots. This song was recorded for the movie, Suicide Squad. The song’s theme is friends, religion and mainly non- believers. It is quite slow and the drums are very powerful in the music, which is typical Twenty One pilots. The singing has a mixture of rap and singing which again is typical Twenty One Pilots. I personally think this song turned out amazing.
Number 3 we have Major Lazer - Cold Water. This song’s theme is love again. It a techno computer DJ song. The singer is Justin Bieber and MO. I can’t really say much of this song. It typical 2016 party song. I personally dislike this song. I’m not a big fan of Computer Dj songs and neither am I a big fan of Justin Bieber. Other then that the song is slow but at the chores it turns in hype techno.
Number 4 we have Sia- Cheap Thrills. I find this song hilarious. It’s about having fun and partying without money. The song it quite hype. It starts with rap from Sean Paul then we have sia singing. It’s a really fun song not my type but I personally think it’s fun.
And last but not least is don’t let me down by the chainsmokers. It’s mainly electronic techno so a typical party song. It has smooth vocals by the singer Daya. It is a great colab song perfect for parties and just to have fun. I personally really like the vocals though the chores is mainly just the DJ doing his job.
For more information, go to: http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100
Csenge, 25th October 2016
Sports
The London Derby
Yesterday, on the 24th September, Chelsea played against Arsenal in the Emirates stadium (Arsenal’s stadium). Those teams are very solid, they both have very good defenders and attackers. Unfortunately Chelsea didn’t prove this yesterday. The blues (Chelsea) lost 3-0 to Arsenal who played magnificently; made lots of good passes while the defenders speedily stopped goals from Chelsea. It was unfortunate because I wanted Chelsea to win but when I saw how they played, they didn’t deserve to win and I couldn’t believe that was the Chelsea I support.
https://youtu.be/0KR5KH-tRnA
Highlights of the game
0’ Great atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium, the weather is fantastic and we are all looking forward to this great Derby.
1’ The game has started - we can hear Chelsea fans singing and shouting; Arsenal supporters are very quiet.
11’ And here is the first goal from Alexis Sanchez, terrible pass from Gary Cahill leaves Alexis one on one with the goalkeeper and he then chipped the ball to the back of the net - great goal from a bad mistake by the Blues. 11 minutes played, 1-0 to Arsenal.
15’ Here is the second goal for Arsenal! Theo Walcott scores into the empty net after a great attack from Arsenal. Chelsea are just helpless, 2-0.
38’ Great chance for Chelsea but Koscielny, the central back, with a great save stops the shoot by Diego Costa, who is very angry right now.
40’ Another goal! This time from Ozil, who scores with a great cross pass from Sanchez to Ozil’s leg, who then volleys it into the net. Who would believed be the score line of today’s game would be 3-0 to Arsenal.
45’ Half time. Arsenal are playing incredible football. The best thing about Chelsea today are the supporters - but nothing else.
81’ An amazing chance for Chelsea: Batshuayi is one on one with the goalkeeper but the young striker kicks the ball straight at the goalkeeper.
90’ 3 minutes extra time in the Emirates stadium: 3-0 to Arsenal.
93’ And it stays like this. Such a great game for Arsenal; nothing to say about Chelsea!
Summary
To summarize the game, Arsenal played by the book; Chelsea didn’t do their homework.
Yesterday, on the 24th September, Chelsea played against Arsenal in the Emirates stadium (Arsenal’s stadium). Those teams are very solid, they both have very good defenders and attackers. Unfortunately Chelsea didn’t prove this yesterday. The blues (Chelsea) lost 3-0 to Arsenal who played magnificently; made lots of good passes while the defenders speedily stopped goals from Chelsea. It was unfortunate because I wanted Chelsea to win but when I saw how they played, they didn’t deserve to win and I couldn’t believe that was the Chelsea I support.
https://youtu.be/0KR5KH-tRnA
Highlights of the game
0’ Great atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium, the weather is fantastic and we are all looking forward to this great Derby.
1’ The game has started - we can hear Chelsea fans singing and shouting; Arsenal supporters are very quiet.
11’ And here is the first goal from Alexis Sanchez, terrible pass from Gary Cahill leaves Alexis one on one with the goalkeeper and he then chipped the ball to the back of the net - great goal from a bad mistake by the Blues. 11 minutes played, 1-0 to Arsenal.
15’ Here is the second goal for Arsenal! Theo Walcott scores into the empty net after a great attack from Arsenal. Chelsea are just helpless, 2-0.
38’ Great chance for Chelsea but Koscielny, the central back, with a great save stops the shoot by Diego Costa, who is very angry right now.
40’ Another goal! This time from Ozil, who scores with a great cross pass from Sanchez to Ozil’s leg, who then volleys it into the net. Who would believed be the score line of today’s game would be 3-0 to Arsenal.
45’ Half time. Arsenal are playing incredible football. The best thing about Chelsea today are the supporters - but nothing else.
81’ An amazing chance for Chelsea: Batshuayi is one on one with the goalkeeper but the young striker kicks the ball straight at the goalkeeper.
90’ 3 minutes extra time in the Emirates stadium: 3-0 to Arsenal.
93’ And it stays like this. Such a great game for Arsenal; nothing to say about Chelsea!
Summary
To summarize the game, Arsenal played by the book; Chelsea didn’t do their homework.