BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
Winter 2016/17
INTERVIEW
Our new Principal
RENAISSANCE DAY
Photos and thoughts
BOOK REVIEW
LGBTQ fiction
EVENT PHOTOS
Halloween
CREATIVE WRITING
The Hunt
Av. de Chatelaine 95A . 1219 Chatelaine
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T: 022 795 75 10
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www.britishschoolgeneva.ch
INTERNATIONAL IDIOMS
The idiom: “Les carrottes sont cuites.”
Translation: “The carrots are cooked.”
What it means: “The situation can’t be changed”
The idiom: “Die Katze im Sack Kaufen.”
Translation: “To buy a cat in a sack.”
What it means: “When a buyer purchases something without inspecting it first.”
The idiom: “In bocca al lupo.”
Translation: “Into the wolf’s mouth.”
What it means: “Break a leg.”
The idiom: “Z choinki siȩ urwal aś?”
Translation: “Did you fall from a Christmas tree?”
What it means: “You are not well informed, and it shows.”
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
Page 2
EDITORIAL
Carmen Priotto
Co-editor-in-chief
Gabrielle St.Hilaire
Co-editor-in-chief
Gaelle Biguenet
Sub-editor
Justine Tranter
Primary Writers’
Co-ordinator
Ishaan Sagar
Photographer and
photo editor
Fiona Crawford
Production advisor
Patrick Corsame
Chief commercial
representative
Lyo Yuson
Photographer and
photo editor
Valerie Hogan
Production advisor
Samira Abdulrahim
Commercial
representative
Thank you for picking up this issue
of the British School of Geneva
Gazette. We hope you enjoy what
we have in store for you inside.
Get to know our new Principal and
teachers through our interviews,
catch up with some of our alumni,
and check out the brand new
features we’ve added to the
gazette such as our book review
and gossip page. This issue will
also keep you updated on the
latest events at the school, such
as Renaissance Day, Prom, and
Graduation. The year 7 & 8 trip to
Lac de Serre-Ponçon is featured in
our cover photo.
This issue of the Gazette has been
made possible by the hard work
of our co-editors-in-chief, Gabby
and Carmen, our commercial
representatives, Patrick and
Samira, our sub-editor, Gaelle and
our graphic designers Lyo and
Ishaan. Also, with the assistance
of our advisors, Ms Crawford, Ms
Hogan and Ms Tranter, we have
been able to produce a wonderful
Winter issue of the Gazette.
Our goal is to keep our past and
current students, parents and
faculty in touch with the events
and life at BSG. Please share your
suggestions and keep inspiring
us with ways to make the Gazette
better than ever. We hope you
enjoy this edition of the Gazette
and encourage your friends and
family to read it also.
Gabrielle St. Hilaire, Year 13
Carmen Priotto, Year 13
Editors-in-chief.
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
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THE SCHOOL FÊTE
The school fête took place on a warm and sunny
night. The spirits were warm and sunny as well!
The community feel of the school was perfectly
captured on this night when students, teachers
and parents ran the stalls, catering to a very
busy crowd of laughing children running around
carefree. There was a nail-painting stall, a book
stall, a raffle, a bake sale, a face paint stall… and
many games.
I myself helped at the “splash the teacher” stall which was quite entertaining
- watching kids plunge their sponges into water and throwing them at the
teachers’ faces. Mrs Smith was especially brave, being the longest to stand as
kids drenched her in water. I bet she was very cold.
I also had the opportunity to speak to some teachers and students I had not
really spoken to before, such as a year 13 student I was very glad to meet
before he went off to university.
I highly recommend you attend the next fête!
By Annabelle English, Year 12
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GRADUATION 2016
As lovely an event as the Graduation Ceremony
is, I always find it difficult to see our students
off; many tears were shed! Also, this year’s was
particularly moving as it was Mrs Sundaram’s last.
Ms Susan Mesa
It was such a wonderful ceremony. We had a
great year together so it made saying goodbye to
everyone the hardest.
Timothy Inkoom, Head Boy
I particularly enjoyed the speeches from the Head
Girl, Head Boy and Mrs. Sundaram. I felt they were
quite thoughtful and reflected the BSG’s journey
through the past academic year.
Patrick Corsame, Year 11
Everyone looked very elegant. It was a sentimental
time for us and we’ll always cherish the bond we
built as BSG students.
Gianna Harness, Year 13
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INTERVIEW
By Gabrielle St. Hilaire, Year 13
Getting to know
the new Principal
of BSG: Mr Tobin
Connell
Tell us a bit about yourself
before you started teaching
Well, at university I did a Bachelors degree in Law then I took
on a few jobs before I began teaching. I went into farming,
construction, sales. I was a swimming coach and judo coach. I
also ran a pub and served as an Officer in the British Army.
What made you get into teaching?
I’ve always had a passion to make a difference. I realised that
if there was something I could do to make a difference it would
be teaching. To me, teaching is something that I am, not just
something I do.
How many schools have you taught in so far?
I taught at three other schools prior to BSG. I taught two years in
London, four years in Qatar, thirteen years in Malaysia and now
three months in Geneva.
Have you had any head teaching positions at your other schools?
I have been a Head of Maths, a Head of Year, a Head of Sixth
Form and an Assistant Principal, where I was in charge of 800
students.
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INTERVIEW
What has made you the most proud in your teaching career?
It all comes back to making a difference. The one thing that makes
me proud is helping people to fulfil their potential and helping them
be all they can be - both staff and students.
What has been your favourite moment at BSG so far?
I think it’s a tie between the first assembly and meeting the entire
BSG community - parents, staff and students, all together and every
single interaction where I know that I’ve made a positive impact on a
student so far.
Do you see your role as a father fitting into your role as an educator?
Absolutely. It may sound a bit clichéd but I consider all the students
as my children. I want the same things for my students that their
parents would want for them and that is to be happy and successful.
Over the years, do students come back to express their gratitude?
They do actually. Every now and then a few former students or
staff members contact me via social media or email to share a fond
memory and I am just as grateful as they are.
What are three characteristics you possessed before you became an
educator and three characteristics you gained after?
Before being an educator I would say that I was head strong, I
thought I was right all the time and I was a bit of a “know-it-all”
because I had done so much and worked very hard.
I’ve grown a lot since then. I see myself now as trying to be selfless,
I try my best to be humble and I have a greater appreciation of my
failings.
What are your hopes and aspirations as the new Principal of BSG?
My main hope, goal or aspiration, call it what you will, is to contribute
meaningfully to the lives of the people I come in contact with
everyday. Even if it’s fist bumping the younger students or wishing
a member of staff “Happy Birthday” or just greeting everyone in the
mornings.
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
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THE HUNT FOR A PARKING SPACE
It was a lively and bright day in Geneva and everyone was in a cheery mood.
My family and I had embarked on a trip to the mall. As usual, I was reluctant to
go but the constant whining of my little brother and the dangerous threats my
dad made persuaded me to go. The ride was long, silent and very bumpy. We
were returning to our abode from a long, exhausting day of following my mum
around the mall. Keep in mind that whenever we go shopping with my mother,
my dad, brothers and I find the nearest seat and just watch her dash from
store to store. It got so bad that once, the store clerk asked her to leave the
store because she stayed there even after the store’s closing time.
As we arrived back home, I noticed that there was a sudden change in my
mother’s attitude. Her face was scrunched up like a bull which had just seen a
red cloth. I knew that face too well. That was the face she made whenever we
were about to park the car on a Saturday night. We searched and searched
looking far and wide for a parking space. Before the story continues, I must
inform you that the area in which I thrive is notorious for having a small amount
of parking space. My mother always gets upset whenever she reaches home.
The humorous thing about this is that half of the people who park at the lot
don’t live there, so the fact that all the spaces are filled is beyond me. My
mother has even filed several complaints about the situation to the concierge.
I digress. Suddenly I saw my mother’s face light up. This meant that my mother
had finally found a parking space.
My father loudly sighed. We all knew what this meant. If my mother found
a parking spot that meant high chances of others finding that parking spot
simultaneously. My father had a look of defeat on his face. He had clearly
given up on this situation. My mother hastily slotted the key into the barrier
and as soon as the barrier lifted up, she was off. She was going so fast that I
had to make sure my seatbelt was properly buckled. All I could think of in that
situation was my father always lecturing me to always put on my seatbelt. To
this day, I still take what he said into consideration.
In the distance, all I could see was another car’s headlights. My mother
brought the car to a halt. It was as if we were a bunch of deer in headlights.
The car wanted one thing and one thing only. The last parking spot. Before
I resume this story, I must inform you that my mother is very competitive and
does not give up easily. She would make parking seem like a scene from
the latest fast and furious movie. That last parking space was hers and she
wanted everyone to know it was hers. This was it.
No one in the car uttered a single word. Even my younger brother who is
famous for usually coming up with quirky remarks was as quiet as a church
mouse. It was as if the parking spot was an antelope and the two cars were
two hungry lions ready to catch their prey. Without any warning my mother
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
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sped the car. All she said was, “I have had enough of these people always
taking my spots. It ends today.” I could not help but let a sliver of laughter
escape from my mouth. Two adults fighting for a parking space. The fact that
my own father did not object clearly meant that he was okay with all of it. As
my mother quickly changed the gears, you could feel the tension rising in the
car.
My mother’s nostrils flared. I closed my eyes bracing for the worst. As I opened
my eyes, I saw that my mother had calmly parked the car. My mother looked
as smug as a pelican. She had won the battle but the war was going to rage
on as my mother’s opponent stepped out of the car. Lo and behold, it was my
mother’s enemy, also known as the concierge’s pet, Mr Rochat*. My mother
had described him as an ill-tempered man. Earlier that year he had told her
off for parking in a prohibited area, even though she was just unloading the
groceries.
They had been feuding ever since. As they passed each other, I made the
conscious decision to rush into the apartment and take the lift since I knew that
otherwise I would have to share the lift with another person, my number one
pet peeve. My family later came up and we all decided to call it a night. At the
crack of dawn, my mother made a conscious decision to park all her three cars
in the parking lot as revenge to all those who stole her parking spaces. You
know what they say, the ones who look the most innocent tend to be the most
cunning, according to my father.
By Nana Asiedu, Year 10
* not his real name.
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
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THE PURPLE-TAILED LEMUR HUNT
It had been six weeks since the
Hunt had started. Her whimsical
majesty, Queen Sasha had
called for the aid of her citizens
for the handling of a matter
of utmost importance: fur for
her new coat. It could not be
simply any fur however, it had
to be that of a purple-tailed
lemur. I remember having seen
one when I was a little girl of
no more than four: a beautiful
little creature of creamy white,
with a voluminous tail speckled
in purple. I consider this one of
my earliest memories and quite a
cherished one. Therefore, it was to my utmost horror when I had heard that they were
now a rarity and even more so when the Queen ensured their complete extermination
with her demands. The Queen’s words were seldom questioned, perhaps because of
the bounty her requests offered, or maybe in this case, because no one really cared
about the fate of the purple-tailed lemurs. My biased love for the lemurs somewhat
surprised me; I never cared when I ate chicken.
Grandpa Joseph was exceptionally keen about the Hunt. Long since the time I was
little had our family experienced any sort of luxury and my Grandpa hoped to earn
some by presenting the Queen with what she desired. I voiced nothing against his
wishes.
“If any of you see them purple-tailed lemurs hanging around, you better let me know.
Or you could tell Brego,” he said on a daily basis, clearly enjoying the recent uplift in
the mood of the village caused by the Hunt.
I never showed any signs of agreement or disagreement. I would come to realise later
on that I may not be as good at controlling my actions as much as I am at controlling
my mouth.
Grandpa had gone out to join his group of fellow huntsmen. The group had promised
to split whatever they would receive amongst themselves. He had headed out after
sundown and said that he would not be back before daybreak. The purple-tailed
lemurs were nocturnal after all. I was lying down, reading under the dim light of my
hurricane lamp. I grew tired of trying to decipher the tiny letters in the dim light of the
lamp so I turned my head, staring out of the window. And then I saw it, a little fleeting
tuft of white made orange by my hurricane lamp, scamper past the window sill. I got up
quickly but carefully, making sure to not topple anything over in my anxiety. Although
at the back of my head I wished it were a purple tailed lemur, it could be many things.
Nonetheless, reason and fear could not suppress my curiosity. I had taken in hand one
of Grandpa’s tranquilizer contraptions, which I had spotted on the dining table on my
way out. Just in case.
I crept out of the house on all fours hoping that whatever creature I had seen was still
around. I looked around and scanned the trees and tried my best to hold down an
abrupt gasp. There, sitting on the branch of a tree was a purple-tailed lemur.
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
Page 10
I acted fast. I loaded the hollow tube with the tranquilizer shot and blew through hard,
just the way Grandpa had taught me. It struck the lemur above its right hind leg. A
wild idea had occurred to me when I spotted the lemur: I would personally go and
leave it at the western forest. There was honestly nothing of interest there, no-one
even bothered checking that place for the lemurs. It had been burned down during
provincial conflicts; 11 years after the incident there were some trees that had grown
bordering what had previously been a forest. I had one of a species of lemurs that was
endangered and being hunted down. Maybe somehow I would be able to save it. As
farfetched as it seemed it was still worth a shot. I had all the time I needed. How big a
deal was it anyway? Might as well consider it a productive evening walk.
I wrapped my cloak around me and used another one of my cloaks to conceal the
lemur before stowing it away safely under my cloak, my left hand its bed. I took my
hurricane lamp in my right hand and set off.
I made my way through the unused village road overgrown with weeds towards the
western forest. I reached it after a fair amount of walking. The lemur was still out cold.
Hopefully, the tranquilizer hadn’t done any worse. I placed the lemur still wrapped in
the cloak on the ground. It was cold and my skimpy cloak didn’t do much good. The air
was getting more and more turbid as time went by. I reckoned there was still a lot of
time until the sun came up and so was relieved that I had taken care of everything in
time. If someone found me on my way home, it was well within my ability to whip up a
lie. But just as I was turning around to head back, I heard a voice.
“Susan! Susan, is that you?”
I felt a gush of fight or flight chemicals flowing into my bloodstream upon hearing the
voice. However, as soon as I looked back I realised who the owner of the voice was,
and was almost surprised at how I hadn’t already made the connection.
“What in the world are you doing?” exclaimed grandpa. “You had me worried sick! One
of my tranquilizer shooters and some ammos were missing and so were you. I thought
you’d been kidnapped!”
I wondered how he had got wind of where I was. My question was answered. Brego
emerged from behind Grandpa with my bonnet in his mouth, wagging his tail erratically.
“I’m okay. I just went out for a walk,” I replied, trying to seem as calm as possible.
“Why on earth did you not tell your grandma?”
“She was sleeping. I didn’t wanna wake her up.”
Grandpa’s sigh was a mixture of annoyance and relief.
“For goodness sake, girl. Don’t you ever do that again.”
“I thought you said wouldn’t be back until sunrise?”
“I realised I left my tranquilizers at home. You know, I might just need them for some
reason.”
Just then, something rustled behind us. Grandpa reacted with lightning speed; almost
immediately he plucked an arrow from his bag and shot the little wriggling lump under
the cloak on the ground.
Brego started whimpering.
By Ahona Khan, Year 10
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RENAISSANCE DAY
I learned so much at Renaissance Day. I had a
great time and can’t wait for year 7.
Muhammad (Year 6)
We were separated into two groups: Galileo
and Leonardo. The year sixes were invited to
spend the day with us.
In History/Geography, we learnt about
medicine, the different cures, and the
difference between medicine in the Middle
Ages and medicine in the Renaissance. It was
fun but some of the facts were weird such
as, tying a ligament from a cat on a freshly
amputated leg and pouring rose and herb oil
on it. Before that, they would use boiling oil.
In French, we learnt about royalty,
architecture, and religion. The royalty section
was about King Francis I. He made French the
official language of France, he made castles
to be used for entertainment and surveying
Lords, and lastly he made the monarchy in
charge of everything.
In English, we learnt a little bit about
Shakespeare and we
looked at a scene
from “A Midsummer
Night’s Dream”.
Rhea (Year 7)
In Science we built capsules
with an egg in it and
attached it to a parachute
made in art. Building the
parachutes was difficult
because we had to make our
parachute take up as much
air as possible. When we
finished we made them fall
from the fire escape..
Edi (Year 7)
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ROALD DAHL DAY
ANTI BULLYING WEEK
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
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INTERVIEW
Meet Ms Tranter, our new Year 4
teacher. She is from Kent/ West Sussex
in England and is a very well-travelled
woman.
Where did you catch the travel bug?
What influenced you in your life to be so
adventurous?
When I was four I told my mom that I would
have a house in every country, which
obviously I cannot afford, so I am aiming to
travel to every country instead! I am not sure
where I got this idea from. However, in the
school I went to in England, I was a minority, being English - a third of the students were from
Africa, a third from Asia, and if I had stayed at that school for sixth form I would have been the
only Caucasian. This school was in Surrey but it was very international. I also went on holiday
every year with my family, mainly to destinations in Europe - France, Germany, Switzerland…
How many languages do you speak?
English, Spanish, French and some Japanese. I lived in Japan for 4 ½ years.
How did you end up teaching?
I always said I wouldn’t end up teaching, because my mum is a teacher. But then after
university, where I studied English and Creative Studies, I went travelling for 6 months in North
America, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, and when I came back I just knew I didn’t want to
stay in England! I saw a job advertised for teaching in Japan so I moved there, and that’s how
I got started. I worked in a language school where I taught English to students ages 2 up to 70.
Then I worked in a specialised high school teaching a ‘normal’ English course. I stayed in Japan
for 4 ½ years. After Japan I then moved to France where my sister was getting married, and lived
near her in Paris. This was in 2005. In Paris I experienced such reverse culture shock that I did
not particularly enjoy the French experience. I therefore decided to leave for San Sebastian in
Northern Spain and lived there for a couple of years.
What is the most interesting job you’ve ever had?
The most interesting must have been working in Kazakhstan. After living in Spain for a couple
of years I moved back to England, more precisely London. After four years in London, I’d had
enough and started looking for jobs abroad and found one in Kazakhstan. There is a school
in England called Haileybury - a 150 year old
school where Clement Attlee and Rudyard Kipling
went - that set up a sister school in Almaty, South
Kazakhstan. Since the end of the USSR the new
president wanted a new British school in his new
capital - he changed the capital of Kazakhstan from
Almaty to Astana - so he decided to open a new
partner school in Astana. It was brand new, there
was nothing there, and it was still being constructed
when I arrived. We started with 100 children and by
the end of the first year we had 400 students. It was
very international, with a lot of diplomats’ children.
However, the grand majority were Kazakh.
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
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INTERVIEW
How many countries have you lived in? How many have
you travelled to?
I have lived in 6 countries - England, Japan, Spain,
Kazakhstan, Switzerland, and France. I’ve been to 65 or
64 countries depending on how you count it. According
to the UN there are 196 recognized countries. I’ve been
to 64 that are recognized and one that isn’t, which is
part of Moldova, a country called Transnistria, which has its own army, its own currency, and you
have to get your passport stamped in and out, but is not recognised.
What would you say is the most difficult aspect of moving to a new country?
Sometimes it can be the language. When I first moved to Japan I did not speak a word of
Japanese, and it’s not just about how it’s written - it’s also really hard to guess what somebody
is saying because it does not resemble the Latin languages, and the intonation and mannerisms
of speech are completely different too. That was quite difficult - on occasion I bought things I
didn’t mean to buy, or I poured yoghurt in tea because I thought it was milk… silly things like that.
Also, the Japanese language is very hierarchical. It is just a different way of thinking!
The most difficult, however, I’d have to say is the reverse culture shock from coming back home
after living abroad. After 14 months of living in Japan I went back to England on holiday and I
hated it. I had got so used to the Japanese way of doing things and to Japanese products that I
felt like I just couldn’t find anything I wanted. I also felt like people just wouldn’t understand me.
Even just waiting around at the bus stop and having someone approach me and start talking
was difficult for me, as I didn’t know how to answer. When I left Japan my last two bosses both
said to me that I wouldn’t find a job in Europe because I wasn’t European enough. And indeed
I found it very difficult living in France, in Paris - which was the complete opposite of Japan.
For me it’s definitely the coming back that’s harder than moving to a new place, because when
you move to a new place it’s exciting and you don’t realise you’re picking up on everything and
you’re learning. You get so used to it that when you go back home you’re expecting to fit in but
you don’t fit in because your whole mindset has changed. You feel like you don’t belong there
anymore.
Do you travel solo?
It depends. My bigger trips, that are 6 or 4 months long, will normally be by myself because it isn’t
easy for others to get time off work or have the money at the same time. Smaller trips are with
friends. I enjoy solo travelling as you’re never actually alone. I need to go to Africa more… I’ve
only been to a couple of countries in Africa - Egypt and The Gambia. I’ve got a lot to do!
Would you recommend this “jetset life,” for lack of a better word?
It’s the poorer version of the jetset life! Why yes, you meet so many interesting people. All of
my friends are either from another country or have lived in another country. It just gives you a
different perspective on, well, everything. It makes you more open to ideas, and it changes your
own view of your own country, both politically and just on how things work, the mentality. And
you pick up the best of each country and “take it with you”.
By Carmen Priotto, Year 13
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DINOSAUR DAY
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
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HALLOWEEN
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ALUMNI INTERVIEW
Aklesia Kiflemariam
When did you go to BSG and why did you move away?
I studied at BSG from year 9 through year 11. After I graduated and completed my
IGCSEs, I decided that I wanted to move away from Switzerland to pursue further
education because I wanted to experience a different culture and way of life.
Where do you live now?
Currently, I live in Melbourne, Australia, which is definitely an exciting place to be.
What is it like to live there?
The city itself and the people in Melbourne are vibrant, fun and lively, making it
easy to adapt.
Do you think you learned anything from living in Geneva that helped you when
you moved?
While I was at BSG, I believe that I learned how to think more creatively and work
better at networking, which really helped me when I moved to Australia.
You were busy even between leaving BSG and starting university, weren’t you?
Can you tell us a little about the Innovative Youth event you put together in BSG
after you had left?
A few months after I left BSG, I initiated the InnovativeYouth@geneva event.
The vision of the association was to provide a platform for young talented
public speakers to share their thoughts and spark new ideas. We invited guest
speakers from organisations like the UN and had 8 youth speakers from different
international schools in Geneva. Creating and working with a team of talented
people to make this happen was such a learning experience for both me and my
team.
What are you currently pursuing academically?
Because I moved after the IGCSE results, I had to do a 9 month Foundation
course which acts as a pathway to a Bachelor’s degree, since the IGCSEs were
not equivalent to completing year 12 there. Right now, I have completed my
Foundation course studies, which was a great learning experience and I am doing
an internship at a small marketing company.
What are your goals for the future?
During this time, I am also applying for a Bachelor’s degree in Business and
Information Technology, which I think will give me better opportunities in the
future. I aspire to some day start my own business and become a successful
entrepreneur.
By Gabrielle St. Hilaire, Year 13
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
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ALUMNI INTERVIEW
Meet Gianna Harness, from the graduating class of 2016.
She is now studying Psychology at the University of
Liverpool.
How has your university experience been so far?
So far it’s been great! I barely get any work and I only have 9 hours
of lectures/seminars a week. It is fair to say that university life is
definitely exciting and there are lots of things to do. Also, you get
all the freedom in the world so there are no teachers running after
you asking where your homework is (plus, so far we have hardly
got any homework). Of course there are times where you miss being
looked after (like when you’re sick), but overall university is definitely
something to look forward to!
What advice do you have for students finishing their time at BSG and
going off to university?
It may seem like an obvious answer but put in lots of effort as this
year counts the most. Although there is so much to think about (such
as exams and planning for next year) it will feel so much better
once you have everything sorted and you’re settled in at university.
Also, don’t leave exam revision to the last minute otherwise you will
be extremely stressed out during exam time which can affect your
performance. It is also important that you don’t overthink or put too
much pressure on yourself because if things don’t go as planned
(for instance if you don’t get into your university choices), then there
are always alternatives and it doesn’t mean the world has ended.
It’s better that you keep your sanity and not get into your first choice
university than vice versa.
What direction do you see yourself going in?
I would love to work in an institution such as a drug rehabilitation
centre, a prison or a psychiatric hospital. It’s a little early to know
exactly what I want to do now, but I’m enjoying Psychology a lot at
the moment and plan to continue on this track!
By Carmen Priotto Year 13
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
Page 19
BOOK REVIEWS
LGBTQ Fiction
By Eleanor Munt, Year 10
Beautiful Music For
Ugly Children
Openly Straight
Recently I read two books that explore the topic of LGBTQ acceptance among
young people. The first novel Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin CroninMills focuses on the journey of an 18 year old high school senior who was given
the birth name Elizabeth but goes by the name Gabe.
My birth name is Elizabeth, but I’m a guy. Gabe. My parents think I’ve gone crazy and
the rest of the world is happy to agree with them, but I know I’m right. I’ve been a boy
my whole life.
When you think about it, I’m like a record. Elizabeth is my A side, the song everybody
knows, and Gabe is my B side--not heard as often, but just as good.
It’s time to let my B side play.
Written in the first person point of view of Gabe, the book explores how being
transgender affects Gabe as an individual and his relationships with others
around him, such as his parents, his school peers and his friends. The book
also looks at how being transgender affects his job as a DJ at a radio station
where he calls his show Beautiful Music for Ugly Children.
Overall I enjoyed the pace of the story and found it interesting to read. At times,
I did find it a bit confusing to follow some of the music references. However,
it was not such an issue that it ruined the book. I was especially interested in
how Gabe’s gender identity along with his job and passion for music affect
how his relationships change throughout the book. Some of the language and
content makes this book oriented to older teens. This does not take away from
some of the more funny scenes in the book, however - for example, when Gabe
can’t make his mind up about who he would choose if he could be with one of
three girls.
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The other novel, Openly Straight, was based on the story of a homosexual
teenage boy called Rafe. The blurb reads:
Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He’s won skiing
prizes. He likes to write.
And, oh yeah, he’s gay. He’s been out since 8th grade, and he isn’t teased, and he goes
to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that’s important, all
Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that GAY guy. To have it be a part of
who he is, but not the headline, every single time.
So when he transfers to an all-boys’ boarding school in New England, he decides to keep
his sexuality a secret -- not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean
slate. But then he sees a classmate breaking down. He meets a teacher who challenges
him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben... who doesn’t even know
that love is possible.
I did not immediately enjoy Openly Straight because the pace of the first two
chapters was slow. Eventually, once the pace sped up, I enjoyed the book
and found that it was fairly light hearted. The plot of this story was similar to
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children as it explored the theme of LGBTQ issues
and its effects on an individual. Also, some of the scenes portrayed in Openly
Straight would suggest that it is directed towards teenagers/YA as with
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children.
The humour in Openly Straight was also well carried out. However, I found the
stereotypical dramatic love story setting a bit tedious at times. Despite this it
was interesting to see the main character develop throughout the novel and to
see how his actions affected his life.
Comparing these two books I would say that while they do cover similar issues
of acceptance from self and others, being gay and transgender, they are
explored in different ways and from different perspectives.
Gabe’s story is told two months after he comes out as transgender and he is
not generally accepted by many people except his two closest friends. On the
other hand, Rafe has been known as gay since the 8th grade and is generally
accepted by many people.
I found that both books did a good job at explaining the situations of both
of the main characters. These books were also successful in making the
characters self-aware and relatable to the average reader.
Out of the two I couldn’t say which I preferred because I found them both easy
and entertaining reads and I liked them both equally.
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THE AUTUMN UN WALK BY YEAR 4
It was cold and raining. However, it was the UN sponsored walk to raise money for children
in need, so dressed in our PE kit and coats, we took the bus from school to the UN.
Once we arrived we entered the UN through doors that are usually reserved for the UN
Secretary General! It was very exciting! Then we went into a large, gold opera-style room
where we danced like crazy people and listened to a speech. It was good fun, although
parts of the speech were in French and so we couldn’t follow it all.
Then it was time to start walking. From a big tent, we all started walking together, although
some started running! The Year 1 and Year 2 children completed a shorter circuit round the
flags, but we went all the way around the building. After each lap of the building we could
go back to the tent to get snacks and drinks and to get our walking passport stamped.
It was very important to get our passport stamped, as it showed how many laps we
completed, and then we would know how much sponsor money to collect.
At the end we felt exhausted, hungry
and had soggy feet, but we were happy
that we had been able to help other
children, and once back at school we
were soon warm and cosy!
By Year 4
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... psst ...
GOSSIP PAGE
“If all goes well in my life, by the age
of 60 I will have bought a castle on an island with
my best friend and filled it with cats - making it a
retreat where visitors come to be healed by the powers
of the feline.”
“I used to live in the same
building as the French singer
Christophe Maé in Paris.”
“I have
flown a plane
myself 20 times.”
“When I was younger, and actually not
that young, I would use the girls’ bathroom as
much as possible because it was always cleaner
than the men’s… and I’m a boy.”
“I once did not
leave my house for a month
and a half.”
“While in China,
I ate raw pig hide on
ice, as well as rat.”
“My cousin is an
NBA player.”
“I have travelled
to 64 countries.”
“I own a
pet snake.”
“I can touch my
nose with my
tongue.”
BRITISH SCHOOL GAZETTE
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