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- 02/2043 (18)
HOGWARTS MONTHLY: Y44 SEMESTER 1 ISSUE
Welcome Back By Aine Thompson (Camilla) |
Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts, and welcome to our new first years! This year we welcomed a lot of Gryffindors, and a smaller number of Slytherins and Ravenclaws. Of course, it’s not quantity but quality that matters, right? (Here’s how Hufflepuff can win the House Cup…). It’s not only amongst the students where we have some new faces, of course. This year we welcomed Professor Bertie Brigham to teach upper years Transfiguration. And the lower years have the benefit of not one, but two former Head Girls who have made the brave leap to teaching - Professor Adorah Zumwalt for Astronomy and Professor Emmaline Hopkins-Vance for Potions. We hope you have been making them feel welcome and making the most of the wisdom they have to offer! As always, there’s plenty going on around campus, and as always, we’re here to keep you covered. Clubs have gotten into full swing with a host of exciting events - though if the official clubs don’t appeal, there’s always the unofficial Quidditch and History clubs, or maybe you’re inspired to create your own? You could find plenty of surprising connections from unique interests or shared backgrounds! And as the weather heats up, so too does the Quidditch season. A quick shout out to the hard working nursing staff at the Hospital Wing - I hear a certain house’s training sessions keep them very busy… From all of us here at the Hogwarts Monthly, we thank you for your continued support and hope you enjoy our latest edition! |
Quidditch By Michael Watson (Camilla) |
Well, what a season it’s been already! Quidditch at Hogwarts rarely fails to impress, and even short games can be absolute nail biters, as we’ve seen this season. The season started off with the curtain-raiser between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. (Disclaimer: the writer plays for Ravenclaw but has spoken to impartial parties in order to write this article appropriately). And although Gryffindor looked strong early with chaser and co-captain Louis Alcott scoring almost immediately, Ravenclaw’s captain Xiuying Huang levelled the score right after. And then the claws came out, so to speak, as the Ravenclaw beaters rather mercilessly accounted for Gryffindor’s seeker, Rāwhiti Te Rangi. It was a devastating blow for the lions, and unfortunately for the Gryffindors, Ravenclaw’s Hamish Reid was much swifter than Gryffindor’s alternate at locating the snitch. It was a brutal, hard fought game that really showed off the skills of the two teams. Michael’s MVP: Look, I had a pretty good game with the bat, I won’t lie, but I’ll give it to my co-beater Monday Weeks for essentially halting Gryffindor’s momentum and ensuring Ravenclaw could catch the snitch without issue. I also want to shout out Rion Pendleton for fighting off first game nerves to score a goal. Playing in front of the school is actually pretty terrifying, and win or lose I think anyone who’s brave enough to get on a broom and play in front of the whole school should be proud of themselves. Unfortunately, due to circumstances outside of anyone’s control the Hufflepuff v Slytherin game resulted in a Hufflepuff forfeit, meaning we’re set up for a Slytherin v Ravenclaw playoff next semester. But we were treated to the bronze medal game between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, which was another thrilling and tense game. Thankfully, it was far less brutal than the last - with no injury substitutions required. Both keepers made the chasers' jobs much more difficult, and once again it looked like Gryffindor would have the upper hand with co-captain Zephryn Spencer scoring quickly with Hufflepuff unable to break through and level the score. It wasn’t until Hufflepuff’s Renata Stepanova stole the quaffle off Louis Alcott and finally level the score that the tide seemed to turn in favour of the badgers, but all eyes were on the chase for the snitch. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as Rāwhiti Te Rangi and Felix Carnahan were locked in a tight race, which could have gone either way. But it was Carnahan who won out, successfully reading the trajectory of the snitch to grasp victory for Hufflepuff. You have to feel for Gryffindor, the score line really doesn’t show just how close this game actually was. They may be licking their wounds now, but I wouldn’t count out Gryffindor for next year’s cup if these games are anything to go by. Michael’s MVP: Felix Carnahan, naturally, for winning the race for the snitch even though it looked like Rāwhiti Te Rangi had it for a bit there. But props to the pair of them for putting on a thrilling finish to another hard fought game. Honestly, you couldn’t pay me enough to play as a seeker. Look forward to next semester when Ravenclaw and Slytherin battle it out for the Quidditch cup - if the house points are anything to go by, both teams will be fighting tooth and nail for an edge over the other! And of course, the winner of that game will go on to the exhibition match with either the Ilvermorny or Beauxbatons team. Hope to see you all in the stands getting amongst it next semester! (Let’s go Ravenclaw!) |
Halloween By Emery Mettlestone (Daphne) | Club Events By Giulia Alcott (Rowan) |
Halloween came and went like it always does. Some people put a lot of time and effort into their costumes, presumable in hopes of winning the costume contest. Some students seem to just throw something on and make some titles up to go with it. There were quite a few impressive ones, like Genevieve Fuentes as a princess, Savannah Walters as a corpse bride, and Crystal Holmgaard as a dragon. Though a few students wore repeated costumes, like Louis Alcott and Ethan Alexander. If they hoped to win a prize, they did it wrong. Let's hope for a bit more creativity from them in the future. The event itself was much the same as usual, with the big tent in the middle of the room and the Halloween-themed snacks. It's nice, but sometimes new things can be nice as well. Some variety to liven things up. We've seen the grindylow pinata by now, Professor Ward. The winners of the contest are: Best overall: Caleb Thorne as Edward Scissorhands Best magically enhanced: Giulia Alcott as a Green Screen Most scary: Maisie Morvay as an Evil Clown Most Ridiculous: Hugo Stark-West as a Confused Christmas Elf Most traditional: Lucy Montague as a Princess Congratulations winners, they're all well deserved. | Hogwarts has many clubs you can join, and they all will have events for the club members to enjoy. This semester, there were six club events. The Hogwarts Monthly had a meeting for all of the members to discuss ideas for the new year, so that the paper will become even better than before. There are two clubs that are for girls and for boys. The girls club, which is called Heta Omega, had a meeting to write positive notes, and pair up with other students to make friends. The boys club, which is called The Brotherhood of MAGIC, had a game of dodgeball, which was very nice. The Conglomerated Arts Club is a place where people can create art together, and this semester they had a celebration of Scandanavian Christmas, because their leader, Sky, is from Norway. It was very fun and cosy. The Student Defense Association, which is the duelling club, had a game of Capture The Flag, which was more dangerous than it sounds. There were bludgers flying, as well as the spells. The Wild Patch and Accio clubs didn't have events this semester, but they hopefully will later in the year. There is also an unofficial club for History and another one for Quidditch if anyone would like to join. |
Unveiling the Top 10 Hogwarts Classes A Magical Curriculum By Aaliyah Chun (Arle) | Op-Ed Hogwarts Must Raise Its Hiring Standards By Celia Vuong (Ana) |
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is renowned for its comprehensive magical education. With a wide range of captivating subjects, students have the opportunity to explore various branches of magic. In this article, we'll delve into the top 10 Hogwarts classes, ranked based on their popularity, practicality, and overall impact on a wizard's education. 1. Defense Against the Dark Arts At the top of the list is Defense Against the Dark Arts. This class equips students with the skills to protect themselves against dark forces. With ever-changing instructors, this class offers a diverse range of techniques and spells to counteract the dark arts. 2. Potions Potions class comes in at a close second. This class challenges students to master the delicate art of brewing magical concoctions. Potions play a crucial role in the wizarding world, making this class essential for aspiring wizards. 3. Transfiguration Transfiguration is the art of changing one object into another. This allows students to develop their abilities to modify the form and appearance of objects. Transfiguration is a complex and highly respected discipline, earning it a well-deserved spot in the top three. 4. Charms Charms class focuses on the manipulation of objects using incantations and wand movements. Students learn a wide array of spells that prove useful in everyday life. From summoning objects to conjuring protective shields, this class is both practical and enchanting. 5. Herbology Herbology introduces students to the magical properties and uses of plants. In this class, students learn how to tend to and cultivate magical plants and herbs. Herbology is not only essential for potion-making but also plays a vital role in the care and maintenance of the magical world. 6. Astronomy Astronomy explores the magical aspects of celestial bodies. Students learn about the stars, planets, and their influence on magic. Though not directly applicable to spellcasting, a solid understanding of astronomy enhances a wizard's overall knowledge of the magical world. 7. Care of Magical Creatures Care of Magical Creatures offers students the opportunity to interact with a variety of magical creatures. This class enables students to develop a deep appreciation for and understanding of magical creatures, fostering empathy and respect for all creatures in the wizarding world. 8. History of Magic The class of History of Magic explores the rich history of the wizarding world. While the teaching style may be monotonous, this subject provides valuable insights into the origins of magical practices and significant events that have shaped the wizarding community. 9. Divination Divination delves into the mystical art of predicting the future. While the accuracy of predictions may be questionable, this class encourages students to develop their intuition and connect with their inner selves. Divination offers a unique perspective on magic, making it a fascinating but polarizing subject. 10. Arithmancy Arithmancy combines magical theory with mathematics. This class focuses on the magical properties of numbers and their influence on spells and predictions. Arithmancy requires logical thinking and problem-solving skills, providing a unique blend of magic and mathematics. The Hogwarts curriculum offers a diverse range of classes that cater to various magical interests and talents. From Defense Against the Dark Arts to Arithmancy, each subject provides valuable knowledge and skills to aspiring wizards. While the top 10 classes may vary for each student, this list highlights the most influential and captivating courses that shape a wizard's education at Hogwarts. | This semester I had a class where I didn't learn anything. It wasn't for lack of trying on my part. I attended every class. I paid attention to every lesson. I did every assignment. Rather, the problem was that the professor had decided we would spend the entire semester reviewing old material. We had already covered everything that would be on the NEWT, which apparently meant there was no point in going further (never mind that there's so much more to magic than what is covered by the NEWTs). She was a teacher who had seemingly decided she didn't want to teach. Hogwarts has a lot of those. During my six-and-a-half years at this school, I've taken classes in 11 subjects with 26 different professors. I cannot count the number of times professors have cancelled class without warning or held a study period instead of an actual lesson. And that isn't the worst of it. I've had a professor spend a semester repeatedly falling asleep during class. I've had a professor organize a field trip to watch a fictional fantasy film and call it a "History of Magic" lesson. I've had multiple professors straight up fail to show up to class, leaving all the teaching to substitutes. It's also not hard to notice the recent trend of hiring extremely young professors. In the past four years, Hogwarts has hired at least three recent graduates to teach, all of whom were either 19 or 20 years old when they first started. One of them was even given an upper years teaching post, meaning that he was responsible for instructing his former schoolmates. Some might argue that those recent graduates deserved their positions by virtue of their NEWTs. However, there is so much more to teaching than just knowledge of the subject. In the muggle world, aspiring secondary teachers must go to school for an additional four years and register with a professional association in order to earn their teaching qualification. During those extra years of study, they learn methods of teaching and gain experience by helping more seasoned teachers. Those are the bare minimum requirements to become a teacher in New Zealand. Why isn't Hogwarts demanding that its teachers meet those standards? At the very least, Hogwarts should require its professors to have teaching experience before hiring them. A stint as a hit wizard doesn't necessarily mean someone will be a good Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. The same goes for a fortune teller who wants to teach Divination. In the muggle world, people who wish to switch careers to teaching must go back to school for at least a year to learn how to teach. It's shocking that Hogwarts would gamble its students' educations on such inexperienced hires. Not only does bad teaching leave students unprepared for exams and life after school, but it also means the administration wastes its time firing and then rehiring professors every year. Turnover at Hogwarts is very high. In some subjects, I've had four different professors in the span of six years. While some of those professors have left due to other circumstances, others were clearly not up to the task of teaching. At the end of the day, Hogwarts' lack of hiring standards means that everyone's time is wasted. Students are stuck in classes where they don't learn anything. Bad professors are stuck doing a job they dislike while good professors are stuck making up for their colleagues' shortcomings. And the administration is stuck with a revolving door of employee turnover. It's past time that Hogwarts raise its standards for its professors. |
Horoscopes By Ruto Vernier-Raison (Kaye) |
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) This month brings you many opportunities to socialise with your peers. And whilst the idea of that sounds fun to you, you will soon become tired. Tomorrow you may wake up with your robes on inside out if you are not careful. Don’t forget to keep in mind what you are saying and how you say it. Many people are nice to your face, but what they say behind your back can be upsetting. You may be thinking you have a tough shell, but even the toughest can crack. You have many talents, so don’t others get in the way of your ambitions. Pisces (February 19 - March 20) Keep close to your friends, but not too close. You will need a lot of time to yourself this month. I know you most likely are wanting to help your friends, but this month is all about you. Let your mind wander with fairy tales, myths, and legends as your daydreams can provide some uncanny insights. Maybe this is a time to invent your own potion recipe and go above and beyond what you think you can do? Your work is bound to benefit humanity, so don’t let anything stop you. Continue to be patient and you can achieve greatness. Aries (March 21 - April 19) This month you will learn a lot about the people around you. You will also find out more things about yourself, such as when to keep your mouth shut, or when to avoid acting on impulse in order to use a situation to its best advantage. But if you can learn to manage your blind spots, you will go far. Fight hard for what you believe in, even if it is valuing play over work. You know more than anyone that it’s impossible to tolerate stupidity, so instead, find some patience and guide them and show them everything you’ve learnt. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) This month, your pragmatic streak will stand out. Those exams that you were worrying about are going to go perfectly fine. But please, do not overwork yourself. It is important to pace yourself, and not only stay loyal to your work, but also to yourself. Take a break, borrow one of the school’s brooms if you don’t have your own, and let your hair loose. You have everything under control. Gemini (May 21 - June 20) I know you love doing things last minute and that you have a million projects you are currently focusing on, but this month you need to slow down a little bit. Differentiate between what is viable and what is best left as a really good idea. You are intelligent and can get through anything that you put your mind to, so don’t worry about the little things, because you will eventually get through them. This month, focus on what is really important. Cancer (June 21 - July 22) You have big dreams, and most of them involve your friends, but you need to realise the importance of some alone time. Your friends still love you and cherish you, however taking a step back from them can help heal yourself from any pressure you are feeling. This month will be full of a lot of stress and hardship, but it’s important that you look after yourself for once. Your true friends will always be there to go back to in the end. Leo (July 23 - August 22) I know this might sound a bit harsh, but not everything is about you. Everyone knows you’re confident, intelligent, and can be a little bit over the top, but this month, you need to keep everyone guessing. You will be facing some challenges that require you to be a bit more patient and a bit unlike yourself. Hold back a little on your desires and you will find that they will come to you at the right time, even better than you imagined. This isn’t to say that you should stop being yourself. It is simply important to distinguish what is morally right and stay true to those around you. Virgo (August 23 - September 22) Be proud of yourself this month, because some positivity will be needed for what is about to come. People are under the impression you are quiet and sensitive, but you know you’re much more than that. Show everyone your confidence and your ability to stand up for yourself. You’re much more intelligent than what everyone thinks, including yourself. You have the ability to go far with that amazing imagination, but don’t let others take advantage of you. Let other people do the leading and the decision making, for you are content to serve. Libra (September 23 - October 22) As you are well aware, justice will always be served and karma definitely comes around. This month you may start reflecting on your future. It is important that you realise that, even though you may have done some sinful things in the past, your karma has already come around, and your long-term future stays safe. You know what is ethically right and wrong and you have a sensible mind. You can do anything you put your mind to, and you even have the capacity to become an auror or even start your own business if that’s what you desire. You may not be the most athletically inclined, but you have more ability than you think. Don’t let anyone get in the way of what you dream. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Your love to try new things and stay active is what makes you likable. Everyone around you recognises your achievements, and you are well aware of this. To you, success is more of an accomplishment than prestige. But this month you may not achieve as much as previous. Sometimes everyone comes along a bump in the road, and quite soon, you will find yours. It is important to continue to stay indefatigable and kind to those around you. You will see your inner darkness, but never forget how important it is to face your fears, for it will help you learn many things about yourself that you never knew possible. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) Everyone loves your humor for it is everyone’s favourite part of you. It helps you teach those around you, for you are extremely intelligent. Perhaps consider becoming a professor after you leave Hogwarts? But I’m not here to give you career advice. This month it will be important for you to focus on your own studies and try your best to stay disciplined. I know it’s hard to follow rules made by someone else, but they are in place for a reason, and this month you will need to follow them if you want to stay on good terms with those around you. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) This month, your hidden dreams will come to light. Those lofty ideas that you often think about in the back of your mind will be resourceful. Never underestimate your imagination, because it can be helpful in tough situations. You love being useful to others, so take advantage of that. One thing you need to work on however are your relationships. Don’t just become friends with someone because they are useful to you - it always ends up in a fight. Embrace those around you and help them wherever you can. Maybe with a little more extrovertedness you can achieve what you desire. |
Recipe Missisippi Mud Pie By Alexander Woodlock (Alex) (Source) |
You all know me as being born and raised in the small town of Stratford and had shared tons of Māori culture. Now, I want to share the cuisine of my other side. My father's side are hailed from Mississippi. The South as everybody call it whether that's Florida or Texas. The South has its own variety of their own food that they're proud of, and Mississippi has them too; their decadent Mississippi Mud Pie, spice laden Comeback Sauce, that tangy fried Dill Pickles. Saucy Delta Tamales, that overloaded Pressed Po'boy and the most famous of them all are the spiced up Seafood Boil. But today, I will share my favorite, The Mississippi Mud Pie. Can you all tell I have a sweet tooth? This dessert will surely be a perfect partner for your Hāngī or Seafood boil. |
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Muggle Moment Learning To Take The Pressure Out Of Cooking By Lorenzo Vero (Kiersten) | 
What's Hot This Semester? Layered Necklaces By Gemma Delaney (Sam) |
As I continue my journey in learning about the muggle world, I am fully surprised by how clever some of their inventions have gotten to deal with life's troubles. While our community has numerous charms to assist in the everyday task of cooking, muggles have created an item that allows them to cook food faster and imbue said food with flavor, almost like magic. It is called a pressure cooker. The took a traditional cooking pot with a lid and made it possible to seal so tightly that as the heat causes more and more steam to form, it builds up pressure inside, making the temperature very hot. This makes it possible for the food to cook faster. After it's done cooking, there's a valve to release all the pressure so it doesn't hurt anyone, as this cooking tool is a very dangerous item in the muggle world. While it seems useful, it makes you wonder why someone would create something like this that could be helpful but still hurt people. I suppose we deal with the same kind of things here in our world, as well. | Hogwarts is a magical place, but it is often fashion-missing. Wearing uniforms day in and day out gets rather annoying. Let's be honest, the uniforms wouldn't be seen on a runway. So my advice? Let's spice up the daily outfit with something that will draw some much-deserved attention your way. What am I talking about? Layered Necklaces of course! Layered Necklaces are the accessory of the semester. Layered Necklaces come in various designs, materials, lengths and sizes. The combinations are endless! My favourite combination is layering chucky necklaces with a single pendant necklace as the longest layer. Don't be afraid to get a little crazy with the colour combination or even change up the metals. This is an easy fashion trend that might make even the laziest person look like they care about their appearance, as you should! So take this fashionista's advice and start layering those necklaces to turn our boring uniforms from drab to fab! |
Hugo's Book Club The Hobbit By Hugo Stark-West (Mia) |
Hello and welcome to Hugo’s book corner. This semester I am taking over the role from Branson. It is going to take a lot to fill his shoes. But here we go with the first book for Hugo’s Club. If you like fantasy books, you would have heard of JRR Tolkien, he is basically the grandfather of fantasy. Even after a century and a half, his are classics and don’t feel that old, and are almost legends in their own right. If you have seen the old Muggle Hobbit movies based on his works, you may think that the Hobbit is based on three volumes as impenetrable as the Mirkwood Forrest. But no, the Hobbit is just one book and will take less time to read than it would take to watch all the (extended) movies. The only thing you would be missing out on is the New Zealand landscapes. But you are in luck. Reading it from the north tower or the window seats on the fifth-floor corridor has that covered. We follow Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, who goes on an adventure with Gandalf, the wizard, and thirteen dwarfs, including Thorin Oakenshield, the king who wants to win the lone mountain back from Smaug, a dragon who took it over a few generations ago. Through the book, we travel over landscapes and under mountains and along rivers and across forests. In each chapter, we meet something new, friendly elves, less friendly elves, trolls and a bear person. The Hobbit is one of those books that you have to be able to say you have read. And I am pretty sure it is one of those books when there is a copy living in everyone’s house (I think my mum has five, plus a graphic novel based on it floating around somewhere). So it is a good job that it is a good read. |
Comic Corner By Jupiter Ascot (Charlie) |
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Student Poll "What's your advice for dealing with people you don't like?" By Giulia Alcott (Rowan) |
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Marley Pattinson Hufflepuff First Year "Honestly, that's a bit hard to answer... I'd still be friendly and talk with them, so it isn't too obvious... You don't wanna be too mean!" | Airen Gates Hufflepuff Second Year "Oh, that's easy! You just talk to them more, find some common ground, anyone can be your friend if you're willing to put in the time and effort!" | Thistle Carnahan Ravenclaw Third Year "Bugs in their bed." | Mischa Falter-Butera Slytherin Fourth Year "Advice? Just hex them. They should get the message." |
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Aurora Archer Gryffindor Fifth Year "Confront them about it. Make it clear you aren't getting along with them and then remove them from your life." | Hamish Reid Ravenclaw Sixth Year "If I don't like someone...? Honestly, just walk away. No one is worth that much trouble." | Celia Vuong Slytherin Seventh Year "I've never disliked anyone in my life." | Professor Gabrielle Moncrieffe History of Magic Years 1-4 "Take a job working in a boarding school so you never have to see them. Oh, for the students? Grin and bear it until you can move to the other side of the world." |
Editor's Note |
Running the Hogwarts Monthly is a big responsibility, and we would like to thank our wonderful team for all of their contributions. Everyone worked very hard on this issue, and it looks fantastic. Thank you for reading, and we will see you in the next one. -Giulia and Aaliyah |