On February 14, 2026, shop windows glowed pink, florists sold out of roses, and restaurants filled with couples clutching bookings made weeks in advance. Social media feeds were saturated with carefully worded captions and soft, filtered photos. By the end of the night, heart shaped chocolates had been exchanged; playlists had been shared, and countless people had paused, however briefly, to acknowledge appreciation and love. Yet beneath the commercial gloss that defined the day lay a tradition far older and more complex than the modern packaging.  Valentine’s Day traces its origins back to ancient Rome. In mid-February, Romans celebrated...

What is unfolding in Iran is not mere unrest; it is millions of people refusing to disappear quietly into oppression. Since the revolution in 1979, Iranians have endured a government that controls nearly every aspect of life - a ruling system where real political power rests with an unelected Islamic theocracy and security forces, rather than with the people. Basic freedoms are supressed; differing religious beliefs are persecuted; peaceful protests are met with force; women’s bodies are regulated by the state and fear is used as policy. Things that we often take for granted - dancing, walking our dogs, holding hands, showing our hair –...

“Year 12 is the best and worst year of your life”  If I had to conclude everything I learnt from the extraordinary learners Q&A with our 2025 graduates in one line, I think that would be the most accurate way to put it. Year 12 was fortunate to have a group of 2025 graduates visit last Friday to share their experiences and journeys after graduation. For those of you who couldn't make it, here’s all the advice you need to know.   First things first, the ATAR.   Or more accurately, the myth of it.   One thing that was common among all the graduates was that they all agreed their ATAR was quite unimportant after gaining...

Being a Christian school, we attend chapels, preach about the Lord, sing his praises and offer discussions. But how can an individual express their beliefs amongst others who may not feel the same way? This article is not the usual type… As I am opening it up to you all on what you agree or disagree on when it comes to this topic. Please read through both the definitions and questions then when you wish you offer up your perspective, follow the structure in the comment section If you are answering a question… Question ____ If you are agreeing or disagreeing with the definitions Definition on _______ Use this article as a...

It’s safe to say, 2025 was a great year for movies, with tons of releases that audiences loved. I, as a passionate movie lover, watched many of these films, enjoying some and left disappointed by others. In this article, I’ll be giving my reviews and personal opinions on a few of my top 2025 films, with little to no spoilers.  BLACK PHONE 2  IMDB: 6.1/10  Rotten tomatoes: 72%  Letterboxd: 3.1/5  My Rating: 5 stars  As someone who absolutely loved the first ‘Black Phone’, I was rather excited for the second instalment to be finally released. The minute it came out, you bet I was sat in the cinema with...

By December 10th of this year, Australia will become the first in the world to enforce a ban from social media for all users under 16. The government claims this is about protecting young people from harmful content, cyberbullying, and the pressures of online scrutiny. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat will now be required to prevent under‑16s from creating accounts, or risk facing fines up to $49.5 million, while gaming platforms and certain messaging apps remain accessible, while gaming platforms and certain messaging apps remain accessible.  On paper, it sounds sensible. Social media can be a minefield....

Stranger Things has returned for its final season, releasing four new episodes after disappearing for nearly three and a half years. It’s a bittersweet reunion for us loyal fans as we soak in these last moments with the characters. Personally, Stranger Things has grown up with me over the past decade. I still remember crowning Dustin as my favourite back in Season 1 and playing “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush on repeat after Season 4. It’s safe to say Stranger Things raised many of us, and now that we’re reaching the end of this journey, we’re hit with the realisation that we’ll never again get the surprise of watching a...

There is nothing wrong with rules. In fact, I quite like them. They keep us safe from criminals, potential sickness, and maintain order within society. But some rules are ridiculous. For example, it is illegal to harm or kill pigeons in Australia. Yes, that is a legitimate law in Australia, or the jewelry rule at William Clarke College, or the hair rule. Can you believe that you cannot express yourself beyond the standard copy and paste uniform that everyone else wears? What happened to originality and showing one’s true individuality against the masses of society? Why are we subjugated to this pointless rule? The rules at WCC are...

Everyone has that point in their life, when they’re moving towards adulthood and suddenly they realise, they are completely unprepared. I’ve had it, and to be honest, its terrifying. The realisation that nothing you could of ever learnt in school would prepare you for life afterwards. So why is this? Is it because we were never taught the skills we need to manage money, pay taxes or face the everyday challenged of life? Once you step out of the classroom and into the real world, the gap between what school teaches and life demands becomes painfully obvious. One of the biggest areas where this gap shows is in financial skills. Most people...

As you all know, December marks the most wonderful time of the year. It’s not Easter, Thanksgiving or Halloween, it’s Christmas. It’s the time for giving out presents, having delicious feasts and somehow being forced to listen to loud Christmas songs that play on full blast in every shopping centre.  But no Christmas is ever Christmas without the most important thing of all: Christmas trees.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve never really been a fan of the fake Christmas trees, because you’re throwing money down a hole to receive a box of cheap plastic. The real Christmas trees are what appeal to me, because I know...