CORPUS VOICEISSUE NO. 22016

S T U D E N T P U B L I C A T I O N

WHAT IS YR 12 LIKE?

Are they becoming anexcuse for exhibiting

wealth or do school ballsreally serve a purpose?

Is it really that bad andwhat could happen

next?

SCHOOL BALLS BREXIT: THE ENDIS NIGH

ORIGINAL STUDENTPOETRY

MUSIC NEWS

ART BY BECCA G

ContentsPg. 1 - School Balls

Pg. 3 - Ice (An original poem)

Pg. 5 - The Brexit Vote Fallout

Pg. 7 - Artwork by Rebecca Gibson

Pg. 8 - Yr 12 Thus Far

Pg. 10 - Corpus Choirs

Pg. 11 - MH17 (poem)

Pg.12 - Our journo in the Melville Times!

Read the newspaper, watch the news or listen to the radio. We may have vastly more freedom of speech than many, but if you're astute you’ll notice much of the news we consume is censored or doctored one way or another, whether by exclusion of information or the manipulative wording that decides our opinions for us.

Recently this was pointed out to me in the coverage of the attack on an Australian Islamic college - unlike the clearly-termed Islamic “terrorist attacks” around the world recently, theirs was branded a mere “hate crime.”

This creates the illusion the violence by non-Muslims was somehow less threatening, more like graffiti than an act of abuse (despite a building being burned down), and arguably therefore less worthy of serious discussion.

If that’s not enough to convince you, the recent Brexit “Leave” campaign was heavily endorsed by Rupert Murdoch. Mr Murdoch owns a ridiculously large proportion of the media, which means he was able to directly influence the way people voted. Scary, considering this is a man with a seemingly insatiable appetite for power and money.

I don’t know who said it, but journalism is the first draft of

history, so support your local and independent news outlets if you

want tomorrow’s history to be accurate and truthful. Don’t believe all that you read, and be the front line of journalism by making your own informed decisions.

Finally, enjoy this issue. But don't let it form your opinions for you.

Vicky Hebbs Editor-in-Chief, Journalism Club

Editorial

a show of excess Are school balls really a celebration or just displays

of wealth and popularity?

Schools balls have become a rite of passage

in Australian high schools, but are they

really worth the cost?

The Corpus Christi ball was held this

February at the Rendezvous Hotel in

Scarborough. Everyone looked stunning and

the atmosphere was buzzing, yet perhaps it

is the cynic in me who wants to point out

the darker side of school balls.

More than anything, the school ball has

become an excuse to present an image to

your peers - a flawless, expensive image.

To deny it is futile - you only have to look at

the showy display of elitism as people turn

up on the night in ridiculously overpriced

rides, or the carefully contrived Facebook

photos posted the day afterwards.

The males aren't excluded from my

argument, but it is clear females have a

whole lot more costs and pressures to

consider preceding the ball. Of course,

everyone has different body types and

preferences and I accept finding the ‘perfect’

dress is very important to some girls.

But is it really worth spending four hundred,

six hundred or even one thousand dollars for

one dress for one night?

As someone who spent under a hundred

dollars on her ball dress, I cannot claim to

understand the mindset of those who

splurged large sums of their (or more likely,

their parents’) hard-earned cash.

But I can say this: whether intentionally or

not, schools place unnecessary pressure on

students with the seemingly endless list of

expenses.

They advise students not to spend too much

on outfits, but then make decisions like

booking distant, costly venues and creating

strict dress codes.

Yes, a ball may be a fun idea, but is it really

more enjoyable at a fancy location or would

the school gym be just as memorable with

the right decorations?

And is it really necessary to scrutinise ball

dresses as though the world will end should

a girl show a little ‘too much skin’?

In 2012, Santa Maria’s principal, Ian Elder,

commented on the culture of school balls he

witnessed amongst his girls.

He, unlike myself, does believe the school

ball is a worthy event because it teaches

teenagers helpful social etiquette lessons.

Yet he criticised the excessive spending

associated with the ball by “parents who

always want to give their children more than

they had themselves.”

He called for his students to donate 10% of

their ball expenditure to charity.

I see what he is getting at, but it isn't really

addressing the colossal importance placed

on the ball.

It is only soothing any underlying guilt of

students who spent too much on their dress.

Aside from the cost, the social implications

place upon the ball are alarming.

Some particularly shallow students might

consider the ball a popularity contest, and

guess who has to suffer as a result of their

viewpoint?

The rest of the cohort, who maybe just

wanted a pleasant night with friends.

Refute me all you like, but the proof is in

the pudding: a decent number of tables at

this year’s Corpus ball refused to vote for

the “belle” and “beau” of the ball.

This makes me a little less cynical - perhaps

not everyone is quite so enraptured by the

‘mystique’ of the ball.

I respect the beau and belle winners ; they

are undoubtedly lovely and well-liked

individuals, but do we really want to select

individuals for praise based on such

superficial attributes like ‘their ability to

mingle during the night’ and ‘how dazzling

their smile is’?

What precedent does that set for later years?

For many, the school ball is the highlight of

Year 12 and that isn't likely to change, but

perhaps more focus on friendship and

enjoyment over appearances would improve

the way we view the ball and make us a

more friendly, less vain society.

Ice - An Original Poem

by Sam Vincent

The people whom I called friend! I tried to stay cool and blend.

But I did know what I was doing Slowly my life I was losing.

I did everything they said: Shoplifted, drunk and sped.

But what thing they asked me to do was bizarre, this time I knew I went too far.

But that thought didn't stop me.In the clutches of peer pressure, I couldn’t get free.

I went into hospital,And no one but me is responsible.

Crystal Meth was what I did,for some attention I bid.

I got fist bumps and manly pats on the back, after that it was hard to get back on track.

I was soon slowly dying.Every single cell in my body frying.

After school I was still addicted.My dreams of becoming a pilot afflicted.

I stole from a shop and attacked a cop;

soon getting a criminal record!Then in jail for two years which I abhorred

But in those two years many times I became crazy,I was hearing noises and everything around me was

hazy. I became unconscious and fainted;I woke up in a hospital being aided.

After release, into the picture my family came! In front of them I felt only shame.Soon by their love I was recovered,

but my two years in jail was still not covered.

I started my life as a new man:hugging true friends and family as tight as I can

I tried to pursue my dream of being a pilot but couldn’t because of my past behaviour as a tyrant!

Today I am unable to work in any joint, because not one would appoint!

Whenever I hear a plane whir above a tear rolls down as I rasp, ‘my dream is no more’.

What is Brexit? By now you should be familiar with the British voters’ decision to leave the European Union, the trading bloc comprising of most European nations. The vote, held on 23 June, was incredibly close, with 48% voting to stay and 52% voting to leave the EU.

The day the results were announced panic set in, with market prices falling and the pound plunging to its lowest level since Britain’s last recession.

There were reports of British voters who did not ‘intend their vote to be counted’ - meaning they voted to leave the EU as a protest vote and did not ‘realise' their vote would actually count for something.

These and other stories flooded the internet in the hours following the vote, with many around the world criticising or even outright mocking Britain’s decision.

But none of this is helpful. The referendum is over. Britain is no longer a member of the European Union and the world needs to start seriously contemplating the possible effects of the vote to ensure the best case scenario occurs.

So with all the controversy, why would anyone vote to “Leave”?

Rise of the patriot

Whether you see this as a positive or a n e g a t i v e , m o s t o f t h e “ L e a v e ” campaigners have been staunch patriots and leaving the EU will result in a rise in national confidence and pride.

The danger of this is the possible rise of right-wing extremists who are hostile towards immigrants and ‘outsiders’.

Tensions have been rising across Europe in recent months, with the current poor economic situation creating discontent. As history has dictated, when times are bad, the first to blame are immigrants and eventually anyone who supports a global community.

We must only hope the UK becomes more united, and not overrun by right-wing terrorists.

Border control

Possibly the most attractive feature of Brexit was the promise of t ighter immigration control. With no obligation to accept any EU citizens who wish to enter Britain, now it will be much easier for the British government to restrict entry.

What happens now?!

Many have called this a racist decision spurred by the misguided belief people from other nations will taint or invade the British way of life. Others argue citizens of neighbouring EU nations have been claiming benefits they should not be entitled to from the British government, and present the argument Britons would not be so welcome were they to decide to live and work in EU countries such as Poland.

Eventually, this decision will mean England will adopt an immigration system like Australia’s, whereby potential immigrants require a certain number of points to be accepted into Australia. These points are earned through a number of things, from level of income to skill set to country of origin, and will make it a longer process for people to emigrate to Britain.

What does it all mean for Australia?

There is no real certainty as to what Brexit will mean in the long-term, but there are a few possible effects on Australia.

The first is that acquiring a British visa for work or travel may be easier. Since Britain joined the EU in 1973, Australians have received significantly less visas and there was a subsequent plunge in the number of Australians visiting Britain.

Now, however, with no automatic EU residents to accomodate, Britain will likely increase the number of visas for citizens of countries such as Australia.

Australia has recently been in talks with Europe regarding a free trade deal, which has been put on hold for now. Australia

will want to proceed with the negotiations, however they will be forced to negotiate with Britain separately to the rest of Europe.

This is more a hindrance than anything in the short-term, because Britain will no doubt place Australia towards the end of their priorities list, below their trading partners in Europe, Asia and North America. Delay in decisions on a free trade deal could mean loss of potential profits for Australia, but eventually they will come to an agreement.

The Outcome

Only time will tell what the Brexit decision will do to Britain (and the world), or even when the decision will be formally invoked, because for the moment Britain is still part of the EU.

There have also been murmurs British MP’s will move to block the vote, though this is unlikely to be a successful attempt.

Hopefully, Britain will come out stronger, because this is the best outcome for them and for the rest of the world, but if it were so easy to predict what will happen, the vote would not have been this close.

Digital ArtworkYear 12 artist Rebecca Gibson

Year 12 has been good to me thus far By Perpetually Tired and Hangry

Before launching into a confusing tirade, I would like to accentuate the point this serves as nothing but a musing of my own brief experience of Year 12 so far. If it is encouragement or a non-sarcastic truth you seek, stop reading now and go back to scouring Tumblr for motivational quotes.

But I digress.

It’s a weird year, Year 12, the first that truly counts for something. Maybe that’s why everyone seems a little more wired up. Caffeine dependency seems to have skyrocketed, and under-eye circles are so common they're the latest body part to compare.

The complaining done by students is something else. Honestly, if you want a laugh or alternatively a reason to expel someone, just sit in on a Year 12 lunch.

Loudly, angrily they slam everyone and everything. No decision or indecision is too little to be whinged about, no teacher too try-hard popular to be scorned.

But possibly my favourite complaint type is the school grade complaint.

These ranters fall into one of two categories: the first being those who cry over their 90% average because their entire futures depend on a 91% average.

The second are those who cry over their 40% averages because they did so much work and it got them nowhere… at least, they would have done so much work if they weren't too busy binge-watching. But they'll do so much work next time.

Clearly I have less sympathy for the second group, but the first can be just as annoying, even if they are tragically caught in a time-loop where Year 12 is a vicious beast that must be mercilessly slaughtered.

They are especially painful to bear when you dry their eyes before realising their worst grade is your 150%.

Regardless, everyone is one (or both?!) of the two complainers at some point, however hard we try not to be.

Whether it’s the hormones, the stress of looming tests or the newfound discovery of communism by jumped-up little history students, there is a stench in the air far more cynical and defiant than in past years.

But, thankfully, the standard of teaching remains phenomenal.

It’s so great that I even have a class where the teacher does not even feel the need to assert her authority.

Her class are accomplished in conducting their own intellectual stimulation, with conversation spanning across a wide variety of topics from the true potential of chakra to the new PM’s bald spot, whoever the latest hairless joke is.

Never mind these conversations rarely have anything to do with the subject in question; we’re all becoming more well-rounded, sociable people and that’s what school is all about, right?

Then there is exam time, when everyone magically remembers we are here for a reason - to cram our heads with as much useless information as physically possible.

So school is not about well-rounded individualism, you say? No, it is. But then sometimes it’s not.. But it is. Just make sure you keep filling your head with that useless information when not off ‘being you’.

Okay, maybe don't think too hard on that one; the contradiction’ll blow your mind.

Ultimately in November, this time spent locked away muttering to ourselves will serve a wonderfully satisfying purpose - we can unburden some of our ‘knowledge’ onto some harried, time-poor examiner, who will no doubt be delighted to receive it.

No matter how colourful your notes or how carefully designed your study timetable, it’s almost the one true guarantee in Year 12: you’ll still be in full panic mode three weeks, one week (two days if you're a serial procrastinator) before exams.

You'll be alternating between cramming pages and pages of facts, doing practice exams if you’re really on top of things, and writing last essential notes you were meant to write six weeks ago.

All fun and games.

Until someone has a nervous breakdown.

So that’s a wrap, people. That’s Year 12 thus far. Pretty awesome, I’d say.

TAKE NOTE: The above article is not to be taken seriously (but you are more than welcome to take it good-humouredly.) Any offence taken should be reported directly and promptly to the writer’s junk email folder.

Annalise Fernandez Year 7 Merici

CORPUS CHOIRS Annalise Fernandez

The Fremantle Eisteddfod On Friday the 13th of May, accompanied by Mr Harries, Miss Palfrey and Miss Meegan, The College Choir, Girls Choir, Boys Choir and the the newly formed year 7 choir, the Minor Details, took part in the Fremantle Eisteddfod in the Fremantle Town Hall. Each choir performed two songs, The College Choir sang Joyful Joyful and Since You Went Away, Boys Choir sang Good Vibrations and Put Your Head On my Shoulders, Girls Choir sang My Cup Runneth Over and A Beatles Medley and the Minor Details sang Who Will Buy and Don't Stop, Never Give Up. Each choir harmonised perfectly together and each person put in terrific effort into their ensemble. Each choir received positive feedback and the Boys Choir came 2nd, Girls Choir came 1st, Minor Details came 2nd and the College Choir came 3rd. It was simply entertaining to watch each choir perform and all the choir members were really enthusiastic with each song.

Corpus Choir �1

MH17 By Sam Vincent

There was a plane with hopes and magic, but sadly ended very tragic. Because violence is our only answer, we are consumed by hatred and

anger.

MH17 was its name, Ukraine and Russia debated the blame.

They used a very powerful missile, not anywhere close to being civil! This plane was blown to pieces, an important lesson this teaches.

Violence is not the answer. Fight back with peace and prayer.

So please, please stop war! Innocent lives should not be lost anymore! There is no place for greed.

Peace is what we need.

For those who delight in people’s mourning and pain, who make innocent people not remain: please stop, we all have had enough,

Let us all work toward better stuff.

This July 17th marks the two year anniversary of the disappearance of MH17. Though the tragedy has not yet been fully resolved, it nonetheless serves to remind us to appreciate the fragility of human life and the fatal implications of divisions in our world today.

Good Samaritan LawsKenith Png (Year 11 Salvado)

Do you know what ‘good Samaritan laws’ are?

They exist to protect those who help injured or endangered persons, encouraging bystanders not to reconsider their actions for fear they may be prosecuted if their attempt at saving someone should fail, for instance the victim dying.

In 2003, laws were passed in Western Australia to protect good Samaritans from civil prosecution if their help is in good faith, and not reckless.

The curious thing about good Samaritan laws is that they set a moral minimum for us, but vary around the world. Hence, this moral minimum is clouded.

The absence of good Samaritan laws may result in more situations like one in China where a girl playing on a street was hit by two vans and eighteen bystanders failed to help her.

Conversely, when the ‘duty to rescue’ concept is applied, bystanders are legally required to aid. This requirement may unfortunately see a increase in cases such as one in 2004, where in the midst of a car accident involving two Californian co-workers, one was dragged out by the other and became a paraplegic.

It is essential for us as global citizens to know what laws are in place here and abroad when travelling. Even when innocent lives are involved, it isn't always as simple as doing the right thing.

Last week’s Melville Times featured a letter from Year 11 student, Kenith Png, a member of Journalism Club. This was the shortened version of a longer article Kenith wrote for Corpus Voice last year.

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