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HOGWARTS MONTHLY: Y41 SEMESTER 1 ISSUE
Welcome Back To Hogwarts! By: Rhys Garner |
| Hello, one and all and welcome back to another exciting Hogwarts year. For this new school year, we welcomed 43 new first years, with quite a few of them ending up in Ravenclaw in the end. We all also got to witness a hatstall, the first in some time. This year we also welcomed two new members of staff. Hiro Aoki has taken on the mantle of Muggle Studies Professor for the third and fourth years, while Abigail Cade will be taking on the role of Transfiguration Professor for the younger years. We wish both new Professors the best of luck with their new roles. As usual, at the beginning of the year, we had the Club Fair to look forward to which is the perfect opportunity to sign up for any new clubs you might have your eye on. But if you happened to miss the fair, don't worry, there is still time to sign up for any clubs. It's the perfect opportunity to make some new friends. There was also a lot else going on this semester, with some tough Quidditch try-outs, matches and the Halloween festivities. While the first Semester may be coming to a close, I am sure next semester will be just as exciting. And the Hogwarts Monthly will be right there to keep everyone up to date with everything going on. |
Semester One Quidditch By: Estella Fuentes | Op-Ed: Vote for Me By: Celia Vuong |
| With many new faces on the pitch this semester, the games were definitely interesting to watch. The cup was yet again up for grabs. It gave all teams a fresh start to proving their worthiness for it, and some teams certainly did! The first game of the year was against Gryffindor and Slytherin. It was a tough one for Gryffindor, with the majority of their team fresh on the field. Gryffindor was first to grab the quaffle, however Slytherin’s keeper Lucie Vernier was quick to block it. Slytherin’s captain Liusaidh Fergusson was first to score, followed by Gryffindor’s Zephryn Spencer. This was Gryffindor’s only goal however, with Slytherin’s keeper blocking the rest of the shots. The game was particularly tough for the Gryffindor beaters, Isaiah Thompson and his new partner, Aurora Archer, but at least they managed to keep the bludgers away from their teammates. Slytherin eventually took the victory when seeker Ivelisse Burleigh wrapped her fingers around the snitch. Despite injuring their captain, Slytherin had a rather good game. Hopefully their errors will stay in the past for another chance at winning the cup next semester. The second game was a quick one with Ravenclaw against Hufflepuff. Despite Hufflepuff’s new chaser unable to make the first shot, Hufflepuff played a rather efficient game, snatching up the victory in no time. Hufflepuff beater and co-captain Tilly Drage made the first hit, followed closely by the second one, towards the Ravenclaw seeker. Rene Tofilau helped her with the last hit, quickly taking Ravenclaw Seeker Hamish Reid off the pitch. Head Boy and co-captain Lucas Fletcher was quick to catch the snitch after that, ending the game for both teams. Better luck next time Ravenclaw! Now the question is: who will win the cup? Will Hufflepuff’s efficiency help them beat Slytherin? Or will Slytherin move on from their errors and snatch up the victory yet again? See you next semester when we find out! | If you're a regular reader of this column, then you know I usually spend these pages raising awareness about different issues at Hogwarts. I've covered everything from the way the school stifles self-expression to the exclusion of first years from valuable extracurricular activities. I'm going to do something a little different for this edition of the Monthly. It's not that I've run out of ideas. I could write about the woeful and outdated curriculum that professors are forced to adhere to. I could write about the school's complete disregard for the arts or the bizarre ways it measures success. I could write about the administration's lack of transparency and its inadequate response to last year's forest attack. I could write about all these issues and more, and while that could bring much-needed attention to these problems, nothing will change unless the authorities in charge decide they want change. So it's time to change who's in charge. The Minister for Magic election will take place over the summer, and everyone over the age of 17 will be eligible to vote, including students. If you are at all unhappy with how the school is being run, then this is your chance to do something about it. The Ministry oversees magical education and helps set the curriculum at Hogwarts. They can add and remove classes, implement new programs, and even change certain rules. If you are not yet 17, you can still get involved. Write to the candidates, and let them know what changes you want to see at Hogwarts. If you like a certain candidate, ask to volunteer for their campaign. (I'm currently volunteering for one and have found it rewarding). Talk to your older friends and family and encourage them to vote. You might find politics boring, but the reality is that this election will affect everyone at this school. Unfortunately, many of us will not be able to vote, myself included, whether because we're too young or because we are not citizens. But if you will be eligible to cast a ballot this January, then please vote—for me and for everyone who cannot. |
Halloween Feast: A Scary Good Time! 
By: Margo Fox |
The spookiest time of year has come and gone again! The Halloween feast did not disappoint with games and sweets, there was something for everyone. Students and professors alike donned their most impressive outfits and took to the great hall to celebrate the holiday. The hall itself was decorated for the occasion with enchanted fog that really set the scene for everyone’s creative costumes. The costume contest is always the most exciting event of the Halloween feast and the competition was tough. There were plenty of students who came to cause a fright as vampires, creepy clowns, and skeletons. But there were also many who decided to use the night to make believe and pretend to be something a bit more fantastical, like the angels and royalty that decided to grace us with their presence. Then there were those who took a more practical approach and decided to be sports players, muggles, and cheerleaders. While not as show stopping they added to the fun all the same. But there were a few students who went above and beyond and earned some house points for their costumes. For most traditional costume, the prize went to Louis Alcott who dressed as a skeleton. Most ridiculous went to Sawyer Carnahan as A Man with Too Much Time on His Hands. Best group costume went to Rose and Aurora Archer as Minister Candidates. The prize for most scary costume went to Andi Hart as clown. Some costume’s used magic to achieve their looks and the best of the night went to Caleb Thorne as a Fairy. And last but not least, the best costume overall went to Louis Vernier as a Knight in Shining Armor. Congrats to all the winners! |
Club Events By: Estella Fuentes | Spotlight Interview By: Elara Chatelain |
With the new year kicking off, Clubs at Hogwarts were definitely busy and getting back into the swing of things. A new year gave us some fresh leaders for most of the clubs with the previous ones having graduated. For Accio, we had Hufflepuff student Eugene Nestor take over. Additionally, taking the title of Heta Omega president and Queen of Flowers, were Ana Sofia Burleigh and Rosemarie Chatwin respectively. All leaders definitely earned it! Club events were quite hectic, with the new Queen of Flowers organising a special event where the members grew their own vegetables to eat. It was definitely a thoughtful idea, and the end result was astonishing with everything from tomatoes, carrots, and even a large fruit tree, that provided healthy food for the students of Hogwarts to eat. The selflessness of the students was very much appreciated. The Conglomerated Arts Club also held an interesting event, where a sandy beach was set up for the members to build sand castles in. For those who preferred playing instruments, there was a theme of ‘the sea’, in which people could play music and relax. It took ages to get the sand out of your shoes, but it was definitely worth it and provided lots of fun to the members of the club. Heta Omega also had their usual meeting take place, with the addition of pretty name tags to hopefully help everyone become acquainted. They were yet again assigned little sisters and big sisters in order to help them socialise amongst other year groups. There is nothing like girls helping out girls! As for the Brotherhood, they spent their time getting to know each other, playing games and becoming acquainted. Maybe next semester they will have something planned with the Heta Omega again such as blind dates for the Yule Ball? It would definitely help spice things up a little! The Student Defence Association headed straight into practice for the dueling tournament next semester. It will be interesting to see who wins this year. Accio have also been working hard, taking everyone’s pictures at the start of the year in preparation for this year’s yearbook. I’m sure I’m not the only one who is eagerly awaiting the final product. If you’re thinking of joining a club, please don’t hesitate! There are many different things out there for everyone and it is never too late to join. So please, if you want a distraction from classes and to join in on the fun, signing up for clubs is definitely the way to go! | I had the honor of interviewing a pretty cool figure for this edition's spotlight. Catherine Barrington is a ghost you might have seen roaming around the halls and Brightstone. EC: Hi Ms. Barrington, or is Catherine alright? CB: Hello, Catherine is fine, yes. EC: Perfect! I'd love to learn a little about you. Where did you grow up and go to school? What did you like to do before... you know? CB: Oh, alright. I was born in 1807 in London, England. I attended Hogwarts in Scotland in my youth but had to leave before graduating to go out into society and find a husband. I used to love dancing and was quite an adept painter. EC: Wow. May I ask... how long you've been dead? CB: I died in the year 1824, so quite a while. I'm not quite positive what year it is now but I'm sure you can do the math. EC: That seems like such a long time. It's currently 2056 so that's been...232 years! Are there exciting or favorite parts to be a ghost? CB: I'm not sure if I have many favorite parts. I enjoy being able to float, I suppose. EC: Floating sounds really cool, almost like flying. Speaking of, is quidditch something you watch? Do ghosts attend events? CB: I never quite got into Quidditch, but I sometimes attend the dances. I especially love the yule ball, though some of the dresses these days are quite daring. I love the romantic atmosphere at these dances. I'm a very good matchmaker so if you are ever in want of a date, I could give you my assistance. EC: I would have never thought about a ghost matchmaker. Maybe we should have you help out around Valentine's Day. I'm curious, what house were you in during school? CB: I was in Hufflepuff. EC: Oh, okay. And last question becasue I just heard the bell ring - where do you usually spend your time haunting? CB: I don't always haunt at Hogwarts, I spend a lot of my time at Brightstone as well. I'm always happy to talk to someone, it gets rather lonely, being a ghost. EC: Maybe I'll come to stop by sometime for a visit, if you'd like. Thank you for speaking with me! |
"If you could vote in the election tomorrow, who would you vote for?" By: Giulia Alcott |
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Pearl Parra Slytherin First Year "I would vote for James Cade of course. He's an old family friend...soooo duhhhh..." | Aine Thompson Hufflepuff Second Year "Probably Victoire Fontaine? Mostly because she visited Brightstone to talk to students and listened to my weird questions." | Jingyi Huang Gryffindor Third Year "Er, don't really know haven't been paying attention. Isn't one of them a werewolf? Then that one. A werewolf minister would be cool." | Manaia Te Rangi Hufflepuff Fourth Year "I dunno, probably Siobhan aye? She's dating my auntie, so I reckon she must be pretty cool." |
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Indira Khatri Slytherin Fifth Year "If I had to? Probably Briar Rowan-Cullen." | Liusaidh Fergusson Slytherin Sixth Year "None of them. I'd ruin my ballot paper [...] The Ministry would be better off being lead by an owl, though maybe that's an insult to owls, because owls actually do work." | Augustus Westwick Ravenclaw Seventh Year "Uh, probably Rupert Cresswell. He really seems to know what he's talking about." | Professor Hiro Aoki Muggle Studies Years 3-4 “My apologies, I have only recently moved to New Zealand as a foreigner, so I have not really been following the election. But I am sure each candidate has good some points." |
10 Horrifying Halloween Costume Ideas By: Aine Thompson - Someone who's never celebrated Halloween before in her life | Horoscopes: What Does Your Month Hold? By: Emmaline Hopkins-Vance |
This year’s Halloween Feast was a fascinating experience. The variety of costumes on display ranged from silly to scary, fun to frightening. As my first actual experience with any kind of Halloween celebration, I can certainly say it was eye-opening. Inspired, I have put together a list of totally legitimate costume ideas for future Halloween celebrations. Please enjoy and hopefully be motivated for next year!
| Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Your social life is about to flourish! You may have new influences coming into your life whether they be friends, professors, or even love interests. Don't turn them away. Embrace the social aspect that the planet Mars will bring to you this month. Emotions may be a little high this month. Let other's help you ground yourself again. Pisces (February 19-March 20) Opportunities will come knocking on your door this month, dear Pisces. Don't be afraid to answer. You may find yourself with an opportunity at Hogwarts or even in your future career that will lead you down a path you only dreamed of. The planet Mars is in your alignment. Allow that to guide you taking this big step to following your dreams. Aries (March 21-April 19) Education should be your focus this month. You have a lot on your plate recently. This means you have pushed aside some of your studies in aim to focus on other issues. Although, this has worked in the past. It is suggested that this month you turn your focus back to your studies. That is where you will find your truth. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Wealth should fill this month for you, dear Taurus. This wealth may be in monetary items such as receiving a bit of money or an inheritance. However, this does not have to be the case. Wealth comes in many forms: friendships, love, family. No form of wealth is more important than the other. Enjoy the wealth in any form that will fill your month. Do not take it for granted as you may have in the past couple of months. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Commitment is the word of the month for you. You have been struggling to admit that you are ready for such a big leap. Jump! This is the month that the planets are looking down on you. Do not be afraid of the commitment. You will never know if you can reach what you have been dreaming about if you don't try. Cancer (June 21-July 22) I am sad to say, dear Cancer, that this month will not be an easy one for you. It is necessary to struggle a little on your own path. Health is a major concern of this month. Try to take better care of yourself. I promise it will be more beneficial than your think. Another struggle of this month is love. You have to realize that you cannot simply ignore the troubles in your love life. A bandage won't fix this. Take a hard look at what you want and where you want to go. Leo (July 23-August 22) Leo, this is your month of creativity and self-expression! Do not be afraid to be yourself and let your work be shown. You may have a project that you are working on that you are not sure if it is good enough. Let the world see it! If you have been going through a bit of a creative rough patch, this month is the time to start again. Pick up that quill or paintbrush. Start a new creative project. The planets are on your side to guide your through this creative process. Virgo (August 23-September 22) A massive change in your family life is about to occur. This can be seen as negative, but it does not have to be. Tie up some lose ends with someone you love. This month is one for you to sort out any differences that you may have with your family. Dear Virgo, you may often fear underappreciated in this aspect of your life. Let them know. Understanding and love are in your cards this month. Libra (September 23-October 22) Lately, you have been feeling trapped. You feel as if you have fallen into a routine that can never be changed, taking the excitement out of many aspects of your life. Fear not! This month is meant for change. Travel is in your cards. A new experience awaits you as long as you are willing to make that first step to change that pattern that you find yourself in. This new experience may even shine light onto why you have been feeling so trapped in your day-to-day life. Scorpio (October 23-November 21) A potential financial decision is in your path this month, Scorpio. You may be feeling nervous about taking this step towards a potential money-making situation, but the planets are aligning with you. Venus is also in your path this month. This means you have to reevaluate how you approach love. Often times, you close yourself off to the possibilities. This whole month is full of possibilities. Let your heart lead you and forget those anxious thoughts swirling in your mind. Your heart will guide you to make the right choices. Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Fresh starts will fill your life this month in many different aspects of your life. Not all of these will be positive, but you have the knowledge to spin them however you seem fit. A big move may be in your future. This can mean a move of location or even a move in a mindset. Has a problem by weighing you down that you just can't seem to find the answer to? With Jupiter in your realm this month, that answer may become clearer to you. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You have to put yourself first this month, dear Capricorn. You have a habit of worrying about others first and foremost. It has been exhausting. You need this time to recharge and self-reflect. What do you need? What would make you happy? Focus on those things this month. It does not make you selfish to need self-care. Take time out for yourself, mediate, relax, go for a nice ride on your broomstick. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself a priority. Planetary Alignments Referenced Can Be Found At Find Your Fate |
Learn and Fall in Love With Hanbok By: Aaliyah Chun | Hogwarts’ Music Corner 
By: Charlie Helkovaara |
Hanbok is the conventional apparel of Korean citizens. Nowadays, it's far best worn on unique events or anniversaries. It is a proper put on and lots of Koreans hold a hanbok for such events.
Features of Hanbok The precise traces of hanbok seem at their finest while the wearer is in motion. Hanbok is innovative and expressive in its layout. Another unique function of the approximate hanbok is its form, having a slender pinnacle and extensive bottom, just like a bell. The tightly becoming jacket attractively displays the form of the higher body. The extensive and bendy skirt flatters the wearer`s gracefulness via way of means of hiding the actions of the body, so the wearer seems to be floating on air. Hanbok cloth has colored the usage of herbal dyes. A complete set of hanbok for guys includes a vest, jeogori (pinnacle jacket), and 2 pants at the same time as women`s consist of a jeogori, undershirt, skirt, and 2 pantaloons. 
Modern Hanbok For present-day Koreans, hanbok is the formal garb worn at some point during Korean vacations or at unique events. Children put on hanbok on their first birthday and adults put on it for his or her bridal ceremony or most important occasions in the family, such as funerals. Although hanbok has grown to be the ritual get dressed of preference worn best on conventional vacations, Koreans' love for hanbok is tremendous. The range of humans sporting fashionable hanbok changed to in shape as a normal put on maintains to increase, and lots of experience trip in hanbok via way of means of renting one from hanbok apartment shops. | If there is one thing that everyone can agree on, in any culture, anywhere in the world, it’s that music is a force of unity. It leads congregations in worship of their deity(s), it leads the rebels against the rules, it leads crowds of thousands of strangers. Music brings the world together. Religion, Charity, Unity. Music is a universal language that the world all knows. Of course, that language has spilled into the halls of Hogwarts. Music is so powerful, even the current King of Crafts has expanded the arts club to include the musicians roaming our halls. He has even appointed the new Music Maestro to help lead the others that are musically minded. Following this thinking, I decided to approach one of the bands in the castle- the one in my own dorm. Manaia Te Rangi, Nolan Burke, and Eugene Nestor. Their response was universal- their love of music brought them together. I asked how it differed from being solo. Working together, they feel like they can experiment with different sounds, bounce ideas off each other- they can build a symphony, a harmony of voices. Every individual has different music tastes, different strengths. There’s a lot more back and forth when you’re in a band instead of being on your own. Music is always something to connect people, whether its families, friends, or even new dormmates. Music is calming, a good skill to learn. I know personally, I always thought I would be a journalist. My father is a sports columnist, and I always thought when I grew up I’d follow in his footsteps. But in my first initial exploration of the castle, I found an old, abandoned violin in the arts room. I picked it up, and just fell in love with it. I’ve been playing ever since. Music is one of the easiest social connectors. I met one of my closest friends playing my violin in the common room. It definitely made most of my dormmates closer. I also know it brought a ravenclaw and hufflepuff together to be best friends. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from. Music is a universal language that we all know. Passed on to us by our families, found in the dark corners of the world. Music is a way of life. |
A Taste of New Zealand By: Alexander Woodlock | Dear Aunt Meg By: Anonymous (OOC: Aaliyah Chun & Estella Fuentes) | ||||
Ever wonder about the traditional food of the Māori? What do they eat, grow and take care of? Our mother is Māori and had served us some of our favourite meals and desserts (Some she learned from friends of different cultures) using Native New Zealand food. I will share with you all, two of my siblings and I’s favourite appetizer and dessert.
| Do you ever feel like... you aren't special? When everyone else around you is doing these amazing, wonderful things and you're just... normal? I just feel so average, all the time... I don't know what to do about it. I'm happy for the success of others, but... I don't know. I'm not sure what I'm even asking. I would feel silly taking something so trivial to the school counselor. Do you have any advice? ~Just Another Hufflepuff – My poor child, you are definitely overthinking this! Everyone is special in their own way, and it can take a whole lifetime for some to realise just how special they are. You may not see it yet, but you were brought onto this planet for a reason. Don’t let these thoughts haunt you forever! Dear Aunt Meg, what am I supposed to do if someone keeps picking on me? I don't want to get in to a fight or anything but I'm not sure how to make it stop? – Stand your ground my poor pet! Tell them they smell like old shoes, and when they ask what old shoes smell like, take your shoe off and slap them across the face with it. Dear Aunt Meg~ How do you get out of the friendzone? I'm not going to lie, I've never had much luck in love. I've never dated anyone, every time I've tried its ended badly. But... I think I'm in love with my best friend. Honestly, I always have been. But he's made it perfectly clear for years that he doesn't see me that way. I thought I was over it. I've been interested in other people (to no avail, I might add), I've been fine. But... I don't know, lately he's been... Sometimes I think that we're having these... moments, like there's something else there... but every time I think somethings happening, he shuts me down again. Am I just going crazy? Maybe its just wishful thinking. Should I wait for him, or should I move on? ~Perpetually Single – Honey I can assure you it will happen. Keep a positive mindset. Just don’t kiss him in front of your ex lover. Oh, and don’t awkwardly avoid him for too long afterwards. He may lose feelings. Dear Aunt Meg, It has occurred to me that I am getting older, but as this happens every year, I am feeling very nervous seeing people get together romantically. I have a feeling a couple of people feel romantically towards me, but I just want to be their friend. Why do I feel like this and how do I tell them I just want to be their friend without hurting their feelings. – My dear, what you feel right now is completely normal. There's no saying you'll not break hearts but it would make things easier if you just tell them what's in your heart - politely, I hope - when the topic comes around. Focus on them and their feelings and emphasize the friendship that you treasure at that moment. One last thing is to never change how you are to them afterward if you don't want things to become awkward. Dear Aunt Meg, I've tried being polite and kind, but I'm still not having much luck. Are there any other ways to make friends? Sincerely, Lonely. - One thing I can definitely say - Go out there, my friend! I gotta ask you these questions. Are you a member of any club? Volunteer to deliver roses? I suggest you start with that. Friendship is not forced, it just happened. No need to limit your circle to your classmates. The castle is too big to do that. Start with one club, and see how it turns out. Never say you don't have a friend. You already have me. | ||||
Branson's Bookclub By: Branson Archer | Poetry By: Aine Thompson | ||||
| The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern With OWLs right around the corner for me, reading has been a little tricky. I’ve always been the sort of person to do a lot of reading, and prioritise reading over other hobbies, but it has been a difficult time to pick up a book and be able to focus on it with the slight guilt over feeling like I should actually be studying. It is possibly why of all the books to study I have gone for a very fantastical novel of The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. This was the second book of hers released in the late 2010s. So another oldie! The Starless Sea is a book probably especially loved by people like me, who like books, libraries and bookstores. It was a book I found in Flourish and Blotts in amongst the muggle book section, and enticed immediately, if only because the start of the book features the main character discovering a book in amongst a stack of books. From there the main character of Zachary Ezra Rawlins is led into an adventure which finds him in a secret underground world. The novel features romance and suspense, has a rich tapestry of an underground world. The author really did an excellent job of building the world around the main character. Where I felt the book had a bit of odd pacing in places and made a number of references to long dead muggle media, the world was so rich, that it felt a little like honey. Which is a good analogy as the bee is a running motif in the novel. I feel this book would be of real interest to people who like myself have been raised on novels, on stories, on libraries and bookshops, who find pleasure in being in a world and learning about stories within stories. The author so rightly puts in her work: ““Strange, isn’t it? To love a book. When the words on the pages become so precious that they feel like part of your own history because they are. It’s nice to finally have someone read stories I know so intimately.”” The love of a novel and the desire for others to share in that love is one I know well. To feel like you know the characters in a book, to want to read more of it is something the book handles. While I enjoyed this novel, I do get the feeling it wouldn’t be enjoyed by all, the plot of the novel can be tricky to follow at times, and it is a little full of itself at times, but I enjoyed it and will leave you with one last quote from it. This is likely the only review I will do this year, given OWLS, so make the most of it. “We are all stardust and stories” | 
I wake, and you demand attention Scratching and licking at my face I get it, this is how you show affection But please, there is a time and place! Upon my textbooks you love to sit (If not upon my favourite chair) You spilled ink and sent me into a fit Of rage, and then helpless despair. But when I feel alone at night And it seems there’s nothing I can do You do not scratch, you do not bite You sit with me, and see it through. So thank you, cat, for being my friend Let’s stick together until the end. |
Editor's Note By: Estella Fuentes |
| I am so happy and so proud of the Hogwarts Monthly team for what they have produced this semester. This is my first issue as editor and I can honestly say it was not an easy job, but it was definitely rewarding. Congratulations to everyone for an amazing semester and I hope next semester will be just as good! Have an amazing break, keep up the hard work, and don’t forget how brilliant you are <3 |
