INK 2015

Welcome to INK 2015 INK is the Bentleigh Secondary College literary magazine, produced to record and celebrate just some of the writing and visual art achievements of our students in 2015. As last year, this edition is once again accessible online. Some of the writings published are excellent but it is also important to note that excellence was not the only criteria for inclusion in the publication. Students’ writings have also been included that demonstrated a commitment to producing the best they can by reworking their pieces and demonstrating improvement from their original drafts. This effort needs to be acknowledged and celebrated. Thanks to the many hard working and talented students who allowed their works to be published. Thanks to the English teachers who supported the magazine by contributing the pieces of work published. This year’s English teachers are Emily Johnson, Suzy Watt and myself. Thanks to Susan Hansen for supplying the photographs of student artwork used throughout the magazine. I trust that you will enjoy reading this material as much as I have.

Jude Makray (INK Publication 2015)

*WHOOSH*

Allofasudden,weweretakentoanunknownplace…

Wait,let’sgobacktohowitreallystarted…ItwasthemorningofJune28th,averycoldwinteryday.MyfatherwasgoingtoleaveforGreecetoday.Unfortunately,Junethe28thwasalsoaschoolday,averyboringWednesdaywhichsadlyIhadtofaceinordertofinishmySciencetestonPhysics.I’mLaylabytheway,andI’m15turning16onSeptemberthe4th.“HurryupLaylabear,you’regoingtobelate!”Dadcalledoutfromdownstairs.Ishotoutofbedinaflash,andimmediatelystartedgettingchangedandattemptingtopackmybagatthesametime.Eventually,Irandownstairsandjumpedonthekitchenbenchtohavebreakfast.ThankgoodnessMumwasservingpancakesthismorning,becauseIwasstarving.“MorningMum,morningDad!”Ismiledatmyparents.TheystaredbackatmeasifIwasalunaticorsomething.“Areyouokaydarl?Areyoufeelingundertheweather?”Mumaskedwhileshewascheckingmytemperature.“I’mfineMum!“Justreallyexcitedfortoday!”Igrinnedback.Truthwas,todaywasareallybasicday,butIjustwantedtoshowmyparentsnothing’swrong,eventhougheverythingis.

*

Iendedupgettingtoschool5minuteslate,soIhadtogetalatepassfromreception.Icheckedmytimetablefortoday;firstup:doubleAdvancedMusic.AssoonasIsteppedintothemusicclassroom,BenandSarahranuptome.BenandSaraharemytwobestestfriendsandwehaveeveryclasstogether.Ourteachersalwaysassigntablesforustosittogether,becauseweworkreallywelltogether.“Okayclass,backinyourseats!”MrGreenyelledouttous.“Getoutyourinstrumentsandplaythesongonpage3inyourmusictheorybooks!”Iplaythealtosaxophone,BenplaysthetrumpetandSarahplaysthedrumsandotherpercussioninstruments.*PFFHGFTCRDPPPPP*Benwastryingtoplayhistrumpet,butsomethingwasblockingthesoundhole.“StopplayingBen,you’redeafeningus!”Sarahscreamedathim,coveringherears.“There’ssomethinginyourtrumpet!”Iexclaimed.Benstoppedplaying,andshovedhishandinsidehistrumpet.“Ican’tgrabit,whatever’sinhereiswaytoobig!”hesaidwithaworriedtone.AllthreeofuswerepullingandpullingonwhateverwasinsideBen’strumpet,untilthishugemachinepoppedout!Itwasthesizeofhalftheroom,andIthinkitalmostknockedsomeoneout!NowordscoulddescribehowIfelt,becauseonesecondlaterBen,SarahandIwerewhiskedawayinaflash!

*

About3secondslater,IheardanoldcowbellandwhenIopenedmyeyesIsawamiddleagedmanyellingatIndianchildrentofinishmakinglunch.Theywereabout7yearsoldIthink,andtheylookeddirty.NowthatIthinkaboutit,wedon’tknowwhat’shappening.“I’mprettysurewe’reinRajasthan.”Benannounced.“AndhowwouldyouknowthatBen?”

Sarahquestionedsarcastically,rollinghereyes.“Because,there’sasignrightinfrontofyou?Duh!”heanswered.“Whocareswhereweare,wejustneedtogetoutofhere!”Ipanicked.Iwasreallyscaredthatwewerestuckinthisunknownplace,withoutanywayofgettingout.

*

BeforeSarahorBencouldopentheirmouthtorespondtome,wegottakenawaytoadifferentplaceinablink!Thistime,everythingarounduswasbeautifulandrich.“Woah,it’slikewewentbackintimeorsomething!”Benexclaimed.“Ithinkyou’rerightBen!”Ismiledandnoddedinagreement.Ihadnoideawhatyearwewereinthistime,butitlookedlikethe17thcentury.“Ohmygoodness,it’stheTajMahal!”Sarahsquealed.“IlearntaboutitinHumanities!Madein1632,bytheMughalemperorShahJahantohousetheremainsofhischerishedwife,theTajMahalstandsonthesouthernbankoftheYamunaRiverinAgra,India.”“You’relikeatextbookSarah,withallthisboringinformation.”Bengroaned.“AtleastIlisteninclassunlikeyou!”Sarahyelledback.“Guys,enoughwiththefighting!I’msickofthebothofyou!”Icriedouttothem.Theybothstoppedandstaredbackatmewithpokerfaces.“Maybe,justmaybewewentbackintime.Iknowitsoundsunreal,butIthinkthatwasatimemachinetoIndiathatcameoutofBen’strumpet.”Ideclared.“But,ifyou’rerightLayla,thenwhere’sthemachinenow?”Sarahaskednervously.Lookingaround,IrealisedthatSarahisright.Ifthere’snomachine,thenhowdowegobacktoourtimewithoutzippingtoanotherlocationinseconds?Arewestuckhereforever?

To be continued……

Statement of Intention TheformofwritingIhavechosenisashortstory.Ineedtoincludecharactersandaplottoit.Thetextwaswrittentoentertainpeople,whileincludingabitofrealinformation.Theaudienceintendedwouldbechildrenbecausetheshortstoryisfictional.Therearealotofquotation/talkingmarksin

myshortstoryandIhavelanguagesuitedforyoungeraudiences.Myshortstory‘PlacebyPlace’relatestothetopicof‘ChangeinAustraliaandAsia’byshowinghowIndiais

now,andhowitusedtobe.

GUNLAWSSHOULDBETIGHTERINAMERICA.Writtenby:CristopherMoellerYear9

Contention-

• Gunlaws• Gunlawsarenotstrictenough• Therearetoomanyshootings• Toomanyguns

GunsinAmericahasbecomethenewhottopic.MoreandmorequestionsarebeingraisedastoshouldAmerica'sgunlawsbetighter?EverydaywearehearingaboutshootingsinAmericawhereinnocentschoolchildrenarebeingshotdownbyviolentmaniacs(Emotivelanguage).Becauseofthiswecanaskourselvesdowewantourchildrentobeshot?Dowewanttofeelsafer?Andaregunstooeasytoaccess?Orshouldyouneedalicenseasimplementedinothercountries.

America'sissueswithgunsstartwiththegunsbeingtooaccessible.Althoughsomestatesrequireyoutohavealicense,manystatesdon'trequireone,resultinginthegunpopulationrisingdramatically.Accordingtothegunviolencearchive.orgtherehavebeenarecorded11,186deathsfromgunsandmorethanquadrupleincreaseinshootingincidents.(Hardevidence)ThesenumbersareraisingspeculationsintoAmerica'sgunlaws.Ifgunlicenseswereintroducedforeachstate,thegunfatalitiesandincidentswouldsignificantlyfallastoowouldcrime.

Withthegunpopulationraisingasfastastherabbitpopulation(Imagery)thepolicehavelostmuchpowerinregardstoweaponsandauthority.Wheneverapoliceofficerpullssomeoneover,theyalwayshaveahandonthegunincasethesuspectopensfire.Becauseofthis,tensionsbetweenthepoliceandpublicgrow,makingitharderforthetwopartiestohelpeachother.Lately,therehavebeenprotestsinAmericaformultipleshootingsofthepublic.Oneoftheseshootingsbeganasthesuspectreachedintohispocket,resultinginthepolicethinkinghewasarmedandopenedfire.TheseeventsoccurofteninAmericaandmanyofthemarepreventableifthepoliceofficersknewthattherewerelessgunsincirculation.WiththesehappeningsinAmerica,itisnowonderweneedtoputabulletinthegunpopulation.

Thereasonsforsomeonewantingtohaveagunistofeelsaferathome,forentertainmentpurposesandhunting.Thereare318milliongunsinAmericawhichisequivalenttoeverypersoninAmericaowningagun(Generalization).AsScottMartellesaidintheL.A.Timesnewspaperin199926%ofpeopleownedagunforprotectioninAmericaandnowin2013thatnumberhasdramaticallyrissento48%.(Statistics)UsingtheseastoundingfigureswecanseethatnearlyhalfofAmericaareowninggunsforprotection,duetothemasskillingsinAmericaevolvingaroundguns.Asaresultpeoplearescaredofbeingshotatathomeandonthestreets.Mostgunsaremerelyonlyusedforprotectionandservenootherreasonanditisaminoritythatusegunsforhuntingandsportshooting.IfthenumberofgunsinAmericawasreduced,theneedforgunprotectionwouldbereducedeliminatingmillionsofweaponsinAmerica.

ManycountriesaroundtheworldhavestrictrulessurroundingweaponssuchasJapan.AlthoughgunsarenotentirelyillegalinJapan,youarerequiredtoholdalicenseandundergotrainingtoownanduseagun.Japanareagreatexamplewithonly11shootingsin2008whereasAmericahad12,000assaidbyjournalistMaxFisherofTheAtlanticnewspaper(Statistics).GunsarevirtuallyillegalinJapanandtoattainoneyoumostcompletewrittentests,mentalanddrugtestsandpassashootingrangeclass.TheseruleshaveclearlyworkedinJapan,whycan'ttheyworkinAmerica?

America'sgunpopulationisstillontheriseandunlesssomethingisdoneanaverageof36peoplewillbefatallyshoteachdayasstatedbyNickWingasenioreditorattheHuffingtonPostAustralia,andthesenumberswillcontinuetoriseunlesssomethingisdone(Statistics).Thesenumberscanbedecreasedbytightergunregulationssuchasstrictlicenses,gunexams,tighterrulesandundergogunchecksatleastonceayear.IftheseruleswereimplementedacrossAmericathenumberoffatalitieseachdaycausedbyguns,wouldbesignificantlylowerthanitisnow.

Dearpeopleofthepublic.

TheGreyhoundracingindustryshouldnotbecloseddownbecauseofwhatsomepeopledidtotheirowndogswhileothersdidtherightthing.Mostpeopleinthegreyhoundracingindustrymakemostoftheirmoneyfromracinggreyhounds.Iftheindustrywascloseddownlotsofgreyhoundswouldbeputdown.Greyhound’slovetorunandraceeachotherbutdependingontheownerthegreyhoundcanbecomecorrupt.

Inthegreyhoundracingindustrymostpeoplemaketheirmoneyoutofracinggreyhoundseveniftheyaredoingthewrongthing.Ifgreyhoundracingiscloseddownpeoplewhodidtherightthingwouldhavetoselltheirdogsbutmostlikelythegreyhoundswouldbeputdowninthemosthorrificways.Whatoftheinnocentgreyhoundsandpeople?Ifpeoplewanttoputastoptothecrueltyinthebusiness,thenthereshouldbeharsherpenaltiesforthosewhochoosetobecrueltotheirgreyhoundsandtowildlife.

Iftheindustryisshutdownthentherewouldbemoredeathsthenbefore.Ifthegreyhoundracingindustryisshutdowntheneverygreyhoundwhodoesn’tgetahomeorisunabletobesoldtobeadomesticpetwillbeputdownandnaturallytheownerwouldnothaveenoughtoputallofthemdownatthevetsotheywouldresorttoacheaperoption,doingitthemselvesinthemosthorrificways.Someofthosewayswouldabegunshottothehead,hitacrosstheheadorleftfordeadsomewhereabandoned.

Greyhoundshaveverysensitivesoulsandtreatedrighttheygrowuptobeverykindandlovablemembersofthefamily.Greyhoundsarefastrunnersandmostwouldlovethechancetoracewithanotherdogbutthere’sadarksidewheretherearegreyhoundsthatarecorruptedbylivebaitingandothermeansnecessary.Runningisinthegreyhound’snatureandifyoutheracingindustryawaywherewillthesegreyhoundsgetthechancetorunandraceothergreyhounds.

Greyhoundracingmaybecruelatthemomentbutifit’sbannedthenlotsofgreyhoundswillmeettheirdeathwhichismorethanalreadyishappening.Greyhoundsshouldnotbeblamedforthethingstheydo.Mostpeoplemaketheirlivingoutofracinggreyhounds.

http://www.unleashed.org.au/blog/2015-02/7-horrifying-truths-about-greyhound-racing

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-28/nsw-greyhound-racing-industry-in-crisis-inquiry-hears/6809724

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/issues/greyhound-racing.php

http://stopthegreyhoundslaughter.blogspot.com.au/2008/01/10-reasons-why-greyhound-racing-should.html

http://www.cagednw.co.uk/is-greyhound-racing-cruel/is-greyhound-racing-cruel1

MontanaMoonpenEuvrardYr9

ShouldChrisBrownbeallowedtoenterAustralia?RecentlytherehasbeenlotsofcontroversyregardingwhetherornotChrisBrownshouldbegrantedavisapasstoenterAustraliaforhis‘OneHellofaNite’tourinDecember.Chrisshouldbegrantedavisaduetothefactthatheisachangedmanandhasprovenhimselftohisfamily,friendsandfans.

ChrisBrownshouldbegrantedavisapassformanyreasons,onebeinghimannouncingthatifheweretoenterthecountryhewouldliketousehispastexperiencetoraiseawarenessabouttheissue.‘IwouldbemorethangratefultocometoAustraliatoraiseawarenessaboutdomesticviolence,’hetweeted.‘I’mnotthepinkelephantintheroomanymore’.HehasevenbeenpleadinghiscaseonTwitter.Byhimsayingheiswillingtoraiseawarenessfordomesticviolenceitisshowingeveryonehowseriousheisaboutthisissue.

ItisobviousthatwhatChrisdidwaswrongandheknowsandadmitsit.Chriswasonprobationforfiveyears,completedoneyearofdomesticviolencecounsellingand6monthsofcommunityservice;hehassufferedtheconsequencesofhisactionsandlearnthislesson.‘Mylifemistakesshouldbeawakeupcallforeveryone’.Chrishasbeenpunishedandwillcontinuebeingpunishedfortherestofhislifebecausenowpeoplehavedifferentviewsonhim.IfhewasgrantedaccessintoAustralia,hecouldcontinuetoprovehimselfandgaintrustagain.Hiseffortsaretobecommended.

Chrisnowhasadaughter,Royalty.SinceRoyaltyheisachangedman.Hewouldneverdoanythinglikethatagain,healwayswantstobeagreatrolemodeltohisdaughterandwouldneverwanttodisappointher.Chrisnowaimstobeanidolisedfatherfigureshedeserves.Chrisshouldnotonlycomeintothecountrybecausehehaschangedsincehisdaughter,butshouldcomebecausehehasenteredthecountrytwicebeforesincetheincident!

Chrisnowhas19daystopresentmaterialastowhyheshouldbegrantedavisatoenterAustralia.Ifhedidnotcareasmuchashedoesaboutcomingtothecountry,itisobviousthathewouldnotgothroughallthetroubleheisgoingthroughrightnow.IfChrisisnotallowedintothecountry,wemayaswellnotallowanyothermaleintheworldwhohascommittedacrimeenterthecountryeither,andthatisabsurd.Heistakingthisissueextremelyseriouslyandistryinghisabsolutehardesttogainbackthetrustandfaithpeopleoncehadinhim.

ThereisnodoubtChrisBrownshouldbegrantedavisapasstoenterAustralia.Heistrulyarolemodeltoothersandhasacceptedhismistakesandtriedtomoveonfromthem,eventhoughhispastwillalwayshaunthim.Rihannaforgavehimfortheviolentattack.She

confirmedtheystillhavea'veryclosefriendship'andaddedshefeltsympathyforhim.Sheexplained,'Ijustfeltlikehemadethatmistakebecauseheneededhelp.Themainthingformeisthatheisatpeace,'shecontinued.'I’mnotatpeaceifheisunhappyorheisstilllonely.Icare.Itactuallymattersthathefindspeace'.IfoutofallpeopleRihannaforgavehimforwhathedid,itisevidentthattherestoftheworldshouldtoo.ChrisBrownshouldbegrantedavisatoenterAustralia.Thefactthatthisisevenanissueispreposterous.Whogivesatossifheisfamousornot!Itisguaranteedthatifhewasnotthefamouspopstarheistodaythiswouldmostcertainlynotbeanissue.Chrisisachangedmanforthebetteranddeservesforgiveness.Itseemsasthoughmanypeopleareoblivioustothefactthatheistryingsohardtoturnhislifearoundandbeacceptedasheoncewas.

Persuasivetechniques

Audience

Thisisaimedatteenagersandabove

Form

Essay

Repetition

Praise

Sarcasm

Colourfullanguage

Bibliography

DailyMailAustralia,published12/9/12,updated4:14pm12/9/12,viewed4/11/15

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2201616/Chris-Brown-reveals-new-tattoo-beaten-woman--denies-ex-Rihanna.html#ixzz3qWABICHG

TheDrum,ByMonicaAttard,updated4:24pm2/10/15,viewed4/11/15

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-02/attard-chris-brown-and-troy-newman-visas/6822028

DemiDrakopoulos9.3

Dear International Fund for Animal Welfare, Less than one hundred years ago up to 100,000 wild tiger roamed across Asia, Turkey and Russia but now there are only 3,200 wild tigers left in the world due to tiger poachers and the rising human population. In the past ten years over 1,000 tigers have been killed by poachers so they can traffic their parts for traditional Asian medicine (TAM), folk remedies and many more products. Tiger whiskers, claws, teeth, skin, bone and fur are sold on the black market. If tigers are poached at this rate they will be extinct in just a few decades. The use of the Black Market’s selling of tiger parts are driving tiger pouching to continue from both wild and farm sources. Even though tiger poaching is illegal the punishment for poaching should be stricter, as many people can see how the laws are implemented are not working very well to stop poaching. Many people are killed protecting tigers from poachers. There has to be more laws and stricter punishments to stop poaching because the lives of the tigers and many other animals are in your hands. At the moment many owners of tiger farms in china are asking the government to allow the trade of tiger goods to be legal and one of the

23/10/2015

farms have been caught illegally selling tiger bone wine and meat when this was supposed to be a place a tiger should feel safe. The United States of America has the largest population of captive tigers in the world with an estimate of 5,000 captive tigers. So if you think about that there are more captive tigers in the USA then there are wild tigers in the world, that’s not right, tigers should be roaming the wild feeling safe not having to watch every step scared that they are going to be shot or caught in a trap. Tigers are not only endangered because of pouching but also human population growth the larger the population grows the more into the tiger territory we enter forcing competition between humans and tigers over territory and food. Tigers struggle to find food it has becomes so hard that they end up hunting livestock such as cows, pigs, sheep and other animals. Tigers are the largest species of cat with a body length of up to 3.38 m and a weight of up to 388.7 kg. The beautiful animal is being drowned in to extinction and if you don’t do something more dramatic soon they are going to be gone; a majestic animal like the tiger should be one the animals all generations should see, not just read or heard about in a book or at a museum like the Tasmanian tiger, Homotherium, Bali tiger or javan

tiger. People shouldn’t have to sit by and watch so many innocent tigers be killed and slaughtered for absolutely no reason apart from money. I understand that you are trying and it is helping but you obviously have to do more to stop the slaughter and poaching of tigers or it’s going to be too late. Thank you for reading my letter and please consider doing more for the tigers. From Jasmine Ruffin YEAR 9 J

Bibliography 30/10/2015 http://www.savetigersnow.org/problem 30/10/2015 http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/save-the-tiger-poaching-facts-9630722.html

FromtheWesternMirror,22april1987

MYSTERYHUMANHANDPUZZLE-Alinkfound

Perth,Tuesday:16-yearoldboyStevenMessengerwhodiscoveredtheCannibalpotdiscoverscrucialevidencerelatingtothehumanhand.

Onthe16thapril1986StevenMessengerwithhisotherclassmatesofHamelinhighschooldiscoveredacannibalironpotwithahumanhandinthecavesofMurchisonRivermouth.AfterthediscoveryoftheironpotSergeantNormandeclaredtherewasaanotherpieceofevidencepossiblya‘ring’whichwasremovedfromthehumanhand

Onthe21AprilStevenMessengerdiscoveredtheringathome[midwayroadhouse]whichhesaidtohaverolledoutofbackpackwhenhetriedtouncoverit.Whenaskedhowtheringreachedhisbackpackherepliedsaying,“WhenIdiscoveredthehandIwasshockedandscaredanddroppeditonmybackpack,Ididn’tnoticetheringbecauseitwasdarkbut,itmusthavefelloutandthenstayonmybackpack.”

Theringisanactuallinktothehumanhandandsergeantsaysthatitmayalsogiveouttheidentityofthepersonthehandwasfrom.

StevenmessengergavetheringyesterdaytohisteacherMsShulerwhoalsodiscoveredthehandwhileinaMarineBiologyfieldtrip.MessengeralsoaddedthathefeltmoresecurebygivingtheringtoMsShuler.MsShulerrespondedsaying,”Thering,whenStevenMessengergaveme,heseemedreallyscared.Hekeptontalkingaboutitwasnothisfaultandhowitcameinhisbackpack.Itriedtocomforthim,butheseemedtobescaredbytheringinhisbackpack.”

Theringwasreturned2dayslaterwhenSergeantNormanvisitedtheschooltoaskaboutthequeriesofthering.Whensergeantwasinterviewedhereplied,”Thekidmusthavebeenreallyscaredbecausetheringwassaidtolinktothehumanhand.”

TheMaritimearchaeologistsarestilltoverifytheringanditsbelonging.Theysayitwilltakethemalongprocess.

VanyaVaid9

FromtheWesternMirror,2ndMay1986

Schoolboyturnsinvitalpieceofevidence

Perth,WesternAustraliaToday,schoolboyStevenMessenger,handedinaringtoSergeantNormanatthePerthpolicestation.Thisringcouldpossiblysolvethequestionofwherethemummifiedhandcamefrom.

Recentlyamummifiedhandwasfoundbyagroupofschoolboysonaschooltrip.TheHamelinHighSchoolboys,onabiologyfieldtripwerecampingforthenightinacaveamongcliffstothenorthofMurchisonRiver.

ThehandwasfoundwithajournalwhichhasbeenanalysedandtranslatedfromDutchtoEnglishbyanAustralianNationalUniversityProfessorbythenameofHansFreudenberg.

ThejournalisbelievedtobelongtoWouterLooswhoisasurvivoroftheshipwreckedBatavia.TheBataviawasaDutchshipthatinitsmaidenvoyagehitareefonthe4thJune1629.ItisbelievedthatthehandmaybelongtooneofthecastawaysfromtheBatavia.

SergeantNormanspoketothemediaearliertodayaboutthering.“Wearetakingverygoodcareoftheringuntilwefindoutwhereitoriginallycamefrom”hesaid.

Stevenwasalsointerviewed.Hesaid“IfounditwhenIwaspackingupmysleepingbagathomeearliertoday.Thebandoftheringwasgoldwithadarkredstone.”

Policeofficersbelievethatthethreeobjectsareconnectedandtheinvestigationcontinues.

MitchellBaudinette9

RING FOUND! NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Steven messenger, 16 year old boy that found the mummified hand

in a cannibal pot. Steven said “I found the ring two days after I

found the hand but I didn’t want to tell anyone, well not at the

time. I was packing away my sleeping bag and shock it and I heard

a notice kinder like a coin and I looked down and there was a ring

covered in black wax”. Ever since the hand was found the police

have been searching the cave for the ring; the police said “the

search for the ring was a complete waste of time”. The ring is

gold with a deep red stone in the middle of it, the search for more

evidence has been noting but disaster in till the ring showed up.

Steven messenger said “I am sorry for anything I have done I

wasn’t quite shore what I should have done”. The ring has been

taken to the police station where it is being analysed for any other

evidence, such as what type of ring it is, is it an engagement ring

or just a common accessory? Steven is being questioned over the

ring and why he didn’t tell anyone sooner. Irene messenger,

Steven’s mother said “Steven has done nothing wrong he is a good

boy, a quiet well-mannered boy. He wouldn’t do this on purpose

he just wouldn’t. The only question now is how is the girl that the

hand and ring belongs to and why does she no longer have a hand?

BY JASMINE RUFFINJ 9.3

Born Yesterday Philip Larkin

For Sally Amis

Tightly-folded bud, I have wished you something None of the others would:

Not the usual stuff About being beautiful, Or running off a spring Of innocence and love —

They will all wish you that, And should it prove possible,

Well, you’re a lucky girl.

But if it shouldn’t, then May you be ordinary;

Have, like other women, An average of talents:

Not ugly, not good-looking, Nothing uncustomary

To pull you off your balance, That, unworkable itself,

Stops all the rest from working. In fact, may you be dull — If that is what a skilled,

Vigilant, flexible, Unemphasised, enthralled

Catching of happiness is called.

PoetrySlamName:IsabellaChan9.3Topic:BullyingPoetryDevices:

∞ Repetition

∞ Simile

∞ Hyperbole

∞ Rhyme

Words.Everyday,Peoplesay,Meanwordsbehindherface.Shelooksaway,Straightaway,Notbotheredbythewordstheysay.She’sjudgedeveryday,Bytheclothesshewears,Bythefoodsheeats,Andbyhowmuchmakeupshewearstocoverherpain.Butovertime,Thehatebecomesasadailyroutine,Theteachersdon’tsayanything,Onlookers,lookaway.

Nobodywillhelpthisgirl,Thegirlinpain.Atnightshecries,Atthewordssaidthatday.Why?Shecries,Whywasshetheonelivinginpain?Thisgirlwasashappyasever,

Andnowpeoplehadtakenthathappinessaway.

Itfeltasif,itwasamillionyearsagothatshehadeversmiled,

Orlaughed,

Orfelthappy.

Nightgrew,

Asshedecideditwastrue.

Shewasn’tloved,

Shewasn’tliked.

Whystaylikethiswhenshecould...die

Shegrabbedthegun,

Holdingittoherhead,

Beforeagunshotwasmade,makingherfalltoherdeath.

Thisgirlwasgone,

Becauseofthemeanwordsshewastold.

Whatdoesittake,tostopsomethinglikethishappeningeveryday?

Forallthehatetogoaway?

Thinkaboutwhatyou’regoingtosay,

Forallyouknow,

Maybesomebodyfeelslikethiseveryday.

Madelyn Boustead

“Belonging is a fundamental part of society”

The collection of Zate’s short stories titled ‘Lets get into perspective”, was written as an account of the simple human right many young girls have denied time and time over-the right to belong. Regardless of race, gender or society, each human has the burning desire to belong, however, for some belonging is not possible. The world’s inhabitants like to think everyone has a place to belong, yet the harsh reality is that there is someone always left behind.

The first edition of the collection, “Hitler Hell” was inspired by the events surrounding the era in which Anne Frank lived. The story follows the narrator of the story a little Jewish girl, Michela. Michela gives an insight on the hardships her young seven year old self faced, having to salute the beast who was responsible for the savage murder of her beloved family and friends. Although her identity had not been fully shaped, she knew who she was, a Jew. Living amongst a sea of blonde haired, blue eyed people brainwashed by a man who never smiled, the dark haired and green eyed girl did not belong. She tried everything possible to feel a part of the other’s worlds, hanging the Nazi flag from her bedroom window, putting propaganda posters on the walls, yet none of it felt right. Michela could not pretend to be a nazi follower, yet she could not let her true identity become apparent without risking her life. Michela was conflicted.

The second story of the “Let’s get into perspective” was based on the true story of Debra Mauboy an Aboriginal girl that endured the inhumane period that was the stolen generation. The story begins on a normal afternoon for the Mauboy family, the sun shining on the vibrant red sand, a mist of smoke travelling through the air. Suddenly their world was turned upside down, Debra and her sister were stolen from their parents with no opportunity to say goodbye. Throughout the years, Debra has had a constant battle to fit into society. As she was raised by a white family, she was seen as a ‘gubba’ and was rejected from her initial Indigenous community. As her caramel like pigment did not match the glowing white of those she grew up with, she was shunned by the white society. This story follows the struggles and events Debra is faced with in finding her place of belonging.

“Segregation nation” is the third instalment of “Let’s get into perspective”. This story begins in 1965, the time of the apartheid. Sandra is a young 6 year old girl that cannot comprehend why there are one rule for blacks and one rule for whites. As she grows older she decides she wants to be a nurse in the Hiltop hospital but this dream being ruthlessly refuted by her white neighbour that reminds her of the segregation laws. However, strong natured Sandra remains adamant that she will be a nurse. In an attempt to make her dream a reality, Sandra tries to bleach her skin to become white. This is a tale demonstrating the cost of trying to belong in society.

The final instalment is quite a personal recount assisted by Zate. This story entails that horrible journey that her friend recounted from the war torn Afghanistan (the place in which

Madelyn Boustead

Zate travelled to recently for a journalistic coverage). “Mayla” and Zate met a few years ago and have remained in touch via letters. Mayla had insisted she must flee the society that idolises the idea of killing. Before departure to Australia by illegal boating, Mayla and Zate corresponded briefly, Zate insisted that Mayla could stay with her for a while. Little did both of the girls know the treacherous living conditions that Mayla had to face. There were a number of mishaps in her journey that she wrote in her diary. Once finally reaching Australia’s border, Mayla was refused access. She tried for several days to get into the country, eventually successful in her attempts. Once meeting Zate, Mayla was verbally abused by many Australian’s that do not approve of asylum seekers taking refufe in their country. Mayla, felt like she did not belong to either country- critisied for being against the Al Qaeda, critised in Australia for trying to escape these malicious leaders. The recount adapted by Zate was included to provide her audience with the knowledge that these difficulties in belonging still occur today and to some of those we are close with.

These short stories demonstrate that belonging is a right that each individual should be allowed access to- sometimes we need to see through the eyes of others to understand people’s circumstances.

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Year10CurlingUnknown

Year10CurlingImageUnknown

Year10ImageUnknownNever Forget Outinthebackyardbehindtheshed, Ilayuponagrassybed,Thesunglistensabeautifulorange, Itsbeautyreflectsoffthegleamingstream.Theskyglowsanoutstandingblue, Notacloudtohidethecolour’sgrandeur, It’sasightthatcaninspireanyone, It’sasightthatmakesyouwonderwhatyou’reseeingistrue. Agracefulpelicanskimsthroughthewater, Notatallafraidtoshowitselegance, Andacheerfulduckwaddlesacrosstheshore, Makingitlookasifitistryingtodance.ThesearethemorningswhereIlivewithoutregret, Thesearethemorningsthatfillmewithhope,ThesearethemorningswhereIfeelfree, AndthesearethemorningsthatIwillneverforget.JayMatthews8

ByMichaelWhelan

ShortStoryCrawling…clicking…flicking…Thisiswhatwokethemthismorning.Thesenoises,abundantinthenight,hadfinallyawokentheyounglizards.Sprawledacrossthebark,wherethetwoglasswallsmeet,thetwolizardssurrenderedtheirperfectspotintheheatandgotup.Oneofthelizardslookedup,pokinghisheadaroundvigilantlylikeameerkat.Henoticedthattheirownerhadalreadyswitchedontheheatlamp,bringinghimselftotheconclusionthatheandhisbrotherhadsleptin.Thelizardpannedaroundtheenclosure,determinedtofindamorningmeal.

Nothing.

Herepositionedhimselfsothathecouldlookfurther,beyondhisbrother,butstillnothing.Thelizarddecidedthatifhewasgoingtosatisfyhisemptystomachhewouldhavetoact.Asplanned,theyounglizardslowlystumbledaroundsothathecouldgetabetterviewofbehindthelog.Thereitwas.Theglimmeringglowofthebowlimmediatelycaughtthelizard’skeeneye.Slowlyitcrawledtothebowl,dodgingandweavingthroughstubbornobstacles.Whenhearrived,thelizardwasextremelydelightedtoseefivejuicymealwormslyinglazilyinside.Withintheblinkofaneye,themealwormshadbeendevoured.Thelizardstumbledbacktothelogonafullstomachandcollapsedinthesamespotithadawoke.

Theotherlizarddecidedhetoowouldsatisfyhishungerwithamorningmeal,buthewasinterestedinamorevegetarianoption.Thelizardmusteredallthestrengthitcouldandcreptthemerethreestepsittooktoreachtheglisteninggreenofthelettuceleafleftoverfromlastnight’sdinner.Likethemealworms,thelettucedisappearedinseconds.

Hourspassed,warmhoursatleast.Repositioningthemselveseveryfewminutesuntilaverysmallhandemergedandpokedintotheenclosure.Itrestedontheedgeoftheglassforonlyafewmomentsuntilanotherhandappeared.Slowlythetwohandsapproachedoneofthelizardsandlifteditupintotheair,carefulnottohitthelizard’sheadagainsttheglassopening.Theotherlizardwatchedashisbrotherascendedupandoutofthesmallenclosureuntilittoowasliftedup,clearingthesmooth,glassopeningwithease.Bothlizards,oneineachhand,werecarriedthroughalongcorridorandintoalargeroom.Itwasmuchlargerthanwhattheywereusedto.Thefloorwasdifferent,itwasflatandwoodeninsteadofsandy.Thiswasacompletelydifferentworldtotheirs.

Theylookedupinsteadofdownandsawtheownerofthetwohands.Thispersonwasn’ttheirowner,itappearedtobefemaleandwasmuchsmallerandyoungerthantheirowner.Bothlizards,jostlingforroominthesesmallhands,darenotlookdown,astheyknewtheywereaveryhighwayupandrefusedtoscarethemselvesanymorethantheyalreadyhad.Finallytheycametoahaltandthelittlegirlgentlyplacedthelizardsonthethick,lusciousgrasssimultaneously.Theyhadbeenherebefore,ithadspacefarmorethanthatoftheenclosure.Thiswasaplacetorun,tobefree.

Theirrealownerseemedtohavedisappeared,howevertheywerestillunderthewatchfuleyeofthelittlegirl,whowasclearlyinstructedtoguardthelizards.Theyhadtheeyesofaneagleandthevisionofahawk,panningacrossthegrass,noticingeachandeverydetail.

ByMichaelWhelan

Theywerelookingforsomewheretohide,somewheretorunwhenthelittlegirl’sdistractionsfinallygotthebetterofher.Theyhadplannedtheirescape.

Thelittlegirlseemedquitedistracted,andalthoughherjobspecifiedthatshelookoverthelizards,sherepetitivelylookedbehindherandthenbackatthelizardsagain.Theyknewthattheycouldusethisdistractiontotheiradvantage.

Theystayedperfectlystill,watching…listening…waitingfortheirmoment.Oneofthelizardsspottedaholeinthefence.Itwasquiteadistanceawayandiftheybrokeawayattherighttime,theyshouldbeabletoreachitwithouttrouble.Thelizardscontinuedwatchingthegirl.Theycouldsenseshehadcompletelylostinterestinhertask.Nowwastheirtimetorun.

Withaquicksurgeofpowerthroughtheirlegs,theywereoff.Bothlizardsgotofftoagreatstartandwereflyingacrossthegrass.Soonenoughthethickgrasstookitstollontheyounglizardsandtheysloweddowndramatically.Suddenly,adarkshadowrosefrombehindthem.Theycouldseeitmovingwithdetermination.Thelizardsdarenotlookbackastheyknewwhoeverwaschasingthemwasgaining.Bothlizardswerenowstruggling.Theirlittlelegsbattlingthepain.Itwasatthispointpureadrenalinekickedin.Thelizardsseemedtofindsomethingfromthisnewsourceofenergy.Theholeinthefencewasgettingnearer.Witheachdeepbreathitseemedtogetcloser.20meters,became15andsoononly10.Thedarkfigurewasstillpursuingthem,howeverthelizardscouldhearitwastiring.Itsbreathwaslongandlaboured.Itsfeet,insteadoflightlytappingtheground,hadlosttheirspringandwerenowcrashingheavilyintothegrassunderfoot.Theywerenearlythere.Freedomwasintheirgrasp,theycouldfeelit.Togetherthelizardsfellthroughtheholeandcrashedtothegroundinaheap.Theyhadescaped.

Theownerheardthecallofhisname,hedetectedtheurgencyinthelittlegirl’svoiceanddroppedeverything.“Wherearethey?”hescreamed,“wherearethey?”Theownerranaroundlikeamadman,heappearedfrustratedandangry,hisfacecontortedinanguish.Hewasoverturninglogsandlookingthroughbushes.Thelizardswerenowheretobeseen.Shehadlostthem.Theowneropenedupandletgo.Tearswelledinhiseyesanddropbydrophelethisemotionsout.

BonfireThump.“Ow.”IreacheduptorubmyheadasIfelloutofbedonawarmFridaymorning.IsaidgoodbyetoMumasIstrolleddownthedriveway,withmybulkyschoolbagweighingmedown.Ireachedtheend,enteredthebusandsatmyselfonthedust-glazedseatnexttomybestfriendMarvin.“HeyMarv,”Isaidblankly,justlikeeveryotherday.“HiFletcher,”hereplied.Therewasn’tmuchtotalkaboutonthelongbustrip,butwefinallyarrivedatourlittle,countryschool.Infactitonlycontained150students.Therewasn’tmuchtoexpectfromaschoolinsucharurallocation.Wewereabout50kilometresawayfromAdelaide,inaminortowncalledJamestown.

Todaywasanunusuallyhotday,evenforaplacelikeAdelaide,at38degrees.Thetiringdayatschoolwaslongandtedious.MarvinandIheadedtowardsthebushomeafterthelongawaitedbellwent.Ilazilyinvitedhimovertomyhouseandheacceptedtheoffer.Oncestopped,weexitedthebusandwalkeddownthedrivewaytofindDad,whowaswanderingaround,stackingsticksandleaves.“Areyouboyswillingtohelpmecollectthesticksandleaves?”heasked,“They’remakingthedrivewaylookhorrible,soI’vedecidedtoburnthem…undercontrolledconditionsofcourse.”Marvinnoddedinapproval.“Sure”Ireplied,unenthusiastically.Foralmostanhour,Dad,MarvinandI,piledupsticksthatwereobstructingthedriveway.Weheadedinsideanddecidedtoeatdinner.MumandMarvingreetedeachotheronMarvin’sentrance,andthenweallproceededtoindulgeinsomeofmum’sfamouslydelectablelasagne.

Afterthetastydinner,wewentbackoutintothewarmairandsawDaddrizzlingoiloverthesizeablepileofsticksandleaves.

Fwoosh!Asdadthrewsomematchesatit,thepileexplodedinstantlyintoaballofflames.Isteppedbackwards,shieldingmyfacefromtheintensityofthefire.MyeyeswerelockedonthebrightcoloursofthefireasIhazilydaydreamed.Dadstoodupandannouncedhisretreatbackintothehousefordinner.Hewarnedustokeepacloseeyeonthelargeblaze.‘Klink’AsDadhadstoodup,heknockedoverthelargecontainerofoil,thatwasstupidlyleftbehindthefire,spillingitscontentsinthedirectionoftheblaze.Thethreeofuspausedforasplitsecondandalllookedateachotherincompletedisbelief.‘RUN!’saidaloudvoice.Weallsprungtoourfeetandboltedtothenearestcoverwecouldfind.Myeyesrapidlysurveyedthearea.Trees,ahouse,ashed,anything.Ithrewmyselfbehindathickgumtree.Suddenly,anearpiercing‘boom’filledmyhead.ItwasunlikeanythingIhadeverheardbefore.Itleftmestunned.Ialmostwentdeafandtheringinginmyearsfinallysubsidedafterwhatseemedlikeaneternity.Ipokedmyheadoutfrombehindthetree.Amassivelydevastatingmushroomcloudwasengulfingtheentiretyofthehouse.ThehouseIhadbeenraisedin.ThehouseIhadspentmyentirelifein.Thehousewithallmymemories.Iwatchedincompleteawe.Mymindwasindisarray.Wherewaseveryone?Aretheyalright?Iheardafamiliarvoicecallmyname,comingfromtheendofthedriveway.IstoodfrozenforafewsecondsbeforeImademywaytotheendofthelongdriveway.Istartedcoughingandchokingasthethicksmokefilledmylungs.ImadeittotheendofthedrivewayandsatmyselfnexttoDad.Atthispoint,mychestwasinlargeamountsofpainandmadeitdifficultformetoevenbreatheletalonemove.Incouldtastethethickbloodwellingupinmymouthandtheoverpoweringodourofsmokefilledmysinuses.

IlookedupandsawMarvinandmymother.Imovedmygazetomyhome.Itwasbarelynoticeable.Theraginginfernohadalmostcompletelyconsumedit.Mymindwasracing.Myvisionwasbecomingcloudyandunclear,butnotfromthesmoke.IfeltasifmylimbsweighedatonandIwasabouttocollapse.Ifellheavilyontomyback.Mylastsightwastheroofcollapsingoverthehouse.Multiplejetsofwaterwerebeingblastedtowardstheinferno.Mumwaswailing,tearsstreamingdownherface.Thesoundofsirensfilledmyhead.Myvisionwentcompletelyblank.Islippedoutofconsciousness.

ByKhyRasmussen,8.4