School
Term 2: A Review
So, half term is about to start, so we would like to look back on the last month. We started the year off happily, with no school (sorry Mr. Smith ;) ), which was needless to say a relief for most of us but annoying for the rest. Mock exams for both year 13’s and 11’s were delayed which meant some more procrastination as well as the heads of departments getting frustrated. This frustration increased as we missed another two days of school because of the elections, which is probably the reason the school didn't close on an obvious snow day. I say obvious because the council of Lykovrisi told all schools in it’s region to close. But, thats all right, since we only had 5 people in our bio class meaning that although the school insisted on keeping open, we still didn't do any work. In fact, we learn more about the legal system concerning snow days than enzymes.
Anyways, back to happier topics: next week is the Valentines Disco, a tradition that has been going on at St.Catherines for a while now. However, our nostalgia is short lived, it seems that the disco isn't as popular as it used to be (possibly because of its name). In our time which, believe me, was much longer ago than it seems, it was pretty much the highlight of our ‘crazy’ love lives. Relationships bloomed, and died. Although I don't think that this years Valentines Disco was nearly as dramatic, it was still a fun night. Just before the end of term St.Catherines is starting to prepare an awsome forensics team (us) and hopefully we will manage to beat our competitors in Thessaloniki which will take place at the end of March. Our debate team also flew to Manchester for a tournament and made us all proud. Coming 12th place Jason Palmer and Erato Kallitsas represented the school well. Kelly Samuels and Valia Zafeiri also achieved 15th position. Its been a slow start but hopefully after the new term begins we can forget about those stupid CAS deadlines till next year. Hopefully everybody has a nice relaxing half term and enjoys the much needed break. See you guys soon!
xoxo Pandora and Maya
Published Friday 3rd April 2015 (relevant until half term)
Term 1: A Review
Ahh school, the time old hate of many a student. Come summer come winter the temperature is never right in the classrooms of this dear old constitution, a constant flow of homework restricts you from having much social life at all and is great in convincing your parents you don't actually exist without earphones in and a laptop glued to your lap (working on that english coursework of course, never procrastinating… mostly).
Since school has started there have been several mufti days and school wide events, including Bonfire Night. First let us discuss the very popular question of why ‘Friendship day’ would ever be associated with the colour yellow. You would probably lose more friends than you would gain since most people don't even like yellow. But alas it did work and a lot of money was raised, with the bonus of watching people struggle to find anything yellow to wear. Such things included; yellow post-it notes, stealing paint from the art room (soz Mr.Tite), wrapping yellow ribbon, wire and bandanas around wrists and just holding a highlighter in your hand. The second mufti day was pink themed in dedication to Breast Cancer Awareness day. This gave the chance for all guys to wear their hidden pink outfits, which was duly appreciated, and for the girls to dress up like it was a Wednesday and Regina George was on a rampage.
As year 12 students we can honestly say that behind the scenes of the Bonfire Night include a lot of fake blood, cussing and artistic differences. All in all it was an amazing event, full of fun and fear, just the way we like it. We hope that next year’s is just as great, however adding an actual bonfire might actually represent the name better and make the whole event slightly more Halloween-y. Who wouldn't show up to a giant fire at your own school? And incase any of you CAS desperate year 12’s are up to the task next year here are our top tips; You can never have enough back cloth, you might as well get used to the idea that you’re going to lose your voice, be aware that parents will act like their own little kids and heavy lifting will make you question how much you actually work out. And finally, don't forget to take this opportunity to scare all your teachers and throw some paint around.
Lastly the new and improved internet has also been a new addition to the school, which is probably the only thing you as the student have realise has actually changed. Other than the new additions to the canteen menu, oh no not any warm food, don’t be foolish but there is; cakes, more ice tea, better coffee, a couple more sandwiches and of course cereal! Breakfast in school has never sounded better. Its been a strong start to the year and lets hope it continues. This is your year 12’s speaking and we hope this gives us enough CAS to last the year.
xoxo Pandora & Maya
By Alberto Polimeni
February was a very active month for the St. Catherine’s debate team. Debate in February began with the annual Moraitis Cup. The motions of this tournament read: This House Believes that violent games breed violence, This House Would tax the Church, This House Believes that shops should have the right to remain open on Saturdays, a very uncommon motion, and finally This House Believes that nuclear power does more good than harm.
St. Catherine’s had several things to be proud of in this tournament. Firstly, magnificent, righteous yet misunderstood, debater extraordinaire Jason Palmer missed the semis despite obtaining 10 points because his single-handed excellence obscured the skills of others. In other words, Jason participated in the tournament as what is known as an “Iron Man”, doing both team speeches without a partner. As a result, he was ineligible for the semifinals. The second achievement of our wonderful school can be seen by the excellence of “Fran and Lubis”. Erato Kallitsas and Frini Taifakou broke into the semifinals with an impressive 9 points. Upon reaching the semis, Erato and Frini truly unleashed their pure, raw talent, winning their semi final that took them to the final. ‘This House Believes That we are all citizens of the world so we should be able to work live where we want’ was the final’s motion. Fearlessly, the St. Catherine’s wonder-debaters took a final loaded with Collegio and Moraitis teams, and came out on top. Their excellent points and speaking style were the pinnacle of debating excellence. Finally, in her first debate tournament ever, Kleio Kartalis decided to show everyone in the tournament what both she and her school are made of. Kleio blitzed the speaker tabs, coming in second place, an honor that few bestow.
On a sunny, warm Sunday, some of the best debaters both from our school and the entire country (the two clearly aren’t mutually exclusive,) came together to try out for the final 8 places in the Greek National Debate Team, and a chance to debate in Bangkok to represent the country. Erato Kallitsas, Magdalene Karalis and Jason Palmer fought for the opportunity. None of our debaters made it into the final team after the two rounds, unfortunately, but the absence of our debaters will most definitely be felt in the team. Though they may not be heard in the World Schools Debating Competition this summer, St Catherine’s will continue, as it always does, to dominate the Greek debating world with our delectable humor, our superior intelligence, our unmistakable wit and our fierce and relentless arguments.
Debate in February!