On 16th of November at 4pm, Grade 10 art and the Primary and Middle school dance team has done a special collaboration. Students in grade 10 art are currently learning and experiencing about “Texture and Surfaces “. Their recent project was to paint various textures on cardboard using acrylic paints. The completed works were soon displayed on the wall of Cervin building forming a large scale works showcasing a seascape and cloudy sky. Vibrant and different shade of blue and raging color of grey included elements in to the work that highlight the beauty of the sea and harmoniously, the plastic pollution that is threatening to damage its current state. The collaboration of dance and art has made the art works more special and unique.
        Dancers in primary dance team, wearing a transparent plastic bag danced around the wall along the music making big, soft, and gentle motions which represented plastic trash that floats in the ocean causing pollutions. It was interesting to watch their creative movements to depict the scene of floating plastics.
          Then middle school dancers appeared, dancing in powerful but smooth motions. This represented the storm. It was interesting to watch them to portray the process of a calm weather becoming a strong raging storm.

This dance was filmed. It will soon be shown to the public.

by Lukas Baumann

​ 
The Yemeni civil war started in 2015 and has cost 10,700 people their lives according to the UN. It started because of conflicts between the Hadi led government, Houthis, Al-Qaeda and Isil. The main belligerent parties in this civil war are the Houthis and the government, who associate themselves with the Shia(Zaidi to be specific), respectively the Sunni faith. However, Yemen has been in  crisis for a long time, so this civil war is the result of 12 years of turmoil. Tyo properly understand the conflict, we have to look into the past.
 
In 2004 rebel groups demonstrated with violence in Yemen, especially in the southern province of Saada which followed the Shia belief. These rebel groups call themselves the Houthis, because of their leader, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, who was killed by the Hadi Government. They want autonomy for their province of Saada, believed they were mistreated because of their interpretation of Islam and fought against the then president of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was also a Shia; however he involved himself in the War on Terror (since 2001) causing the Houthis to believe he was a US puppet.

 
In 2014, an international dialogue suggested the restructuring of the provinces in Yemen; however the Houthis were not happy, because they did not receive their own region with access to the Red Sea. During this time, the Houthi seized the power vacuum left in the Province of Sada to gain more territory.
In 2015 they seized the capital city and took over the presidential palace, forcing Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to resign. They then continued to take over more land and Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi fled to Riyadh. The Houthi were supported by the former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the few parts of the Yemeni military who stayed loyal to him.  This union between the Houthis and Ali Abdullah Saleh upset the Saudi government causing them to intervene again. This turned the situation into a civil war.

This time Saudi Arabia attacked with other gulf nations and supported by their close ally, the US. The Saudi government intervened in Yemen, because they were also scared that the Houthis could control the Bab al Mandeb strait controlling trade between the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. This strait is so important, because it is the way the Gulf countries’ send their oil to the West. So, in theory the alleged patron the Houthis, Iran, could close the Strait for the gulf countries giving them a possible powerful bargaining chip against the wet and the gulf countries.

​This time Saudi Arabia attacked with other gulf nations and supported by their close ally, the US. The Saudi government intervened in Yemen, because they were also scared that the Houthis could control the Bab al Mandeb strait controlling trade between the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. This strait is so important, because it is the way the Gulf countries’ send their oil to the West. So, in theory the alleged patron the Houthis, Iran, could close the Strait for the gulf countries giving them a possible powerful bargaining chip against the wet and the gulf countries.

​A year after the intervention (2016), Sanaa is still controlled by the Houthis but Aden was is taken back by the Hadi government. Right now no one can tilt the situation to their favour.

​Currently, there are peace talks happening in Kuwait under the guidance of the UN. These peace talks are vital, since - according to the UN - 80% of the Yemeni population rely on humanitarian aid. However, not all belligerents are included in these peace talks, since Al-Qaeda and ISIL have no say, even though they still are one of the main fighting parties. Sadly, many people say that this conflict will not be solved in the near future as they will have to make compromises with Jihadists if peace should happen. The UN or the Yemeni government will above all have to solve tribal and religious conflicts between the Shia and Sunni. 

          As most of us know by now, Donald J. Trump has won the 2016 US Elections. Even though Hilary Clinton won the popular vote by 0.7%, Trump reached 270 electoral votes before her. This outcome has caused massive protests all over the country against the results of the election. They are denying the results by chanting, “we reject the president-elect” in front of Trump Towers. Recently, a protest in Portland, Oregon was deemed a riot due to the violent behavior that was taking place. Several arrests were made and non-lethal bullets were shot into the crowd. Later, a protest took place in Chicago in front of Trump Tower chanting, “immigrants are welcome here, no hate, no fear.” The election has show how divided the United States really is and how both sides carry very strong views. Because Donald Trump is still just the President-elect, we will have to wait until January to see what exactly he will do with his new position and how the people of the United States will react to it. ​

by Juli Suleymanova 

   I always knew that I wasn't ordinary. I always knew that I acted differently compared to others. My stepmother and two complicated stepsisters often made that clear to me. Petunia and Gertrude took pleasure in telling me that I was strange, an alien to the world. I did not blame them, I knew that they treated me as well as they could. They did not see me as a member of their family, they saw me more as a servant, or a pet that was at their disposal to play with. I did not treat them equally as bad, nor did I ever want to. Mostly because I knew that the consequences would be great, but secondly I did not want to ruin them further. I knew that by being cruel to them, they would only become more horrid and ugly.
     Even though I was of no importance to them, my whole life revolved around the three women. I did not choose this, it just happened. I was in charge of cooking their meals, cleaning up after them and assisting them in any ways they wished. I had thought that they would be more civilised with their wishes, but I was mistaken. They never failed to present an uncomfortable task to me. Some days my stepmother asked me to scrape the entire kitchen floor with my own toothbrush, and she refused to buy me another one after. To make this situation worse, my sisters always made sure to take a picture of me and send it to everyone they knew. They would make jokes about my long hair, saying that I had a gruesome mop attached to the back of my head. My stepmother did not trust me with scissors, and so I have never cut my hair. When I walk, my blonde hair trails along the floor, so I suppose that my sisters were right in thinking that I resemble a mop.
     My stepmother does not permit me to go outside our house. She feels as if I might meet someone, and become friends with them. She believes that this will make me rebel, and disobey her. This is her greatest fear, that I will turn into one of her daughters, who don't listen to anything their mother says. I understand why she might think this, but I don't agree with her. I can’t see how friends can change a person. Nevertheless, I don't complain. I have always dreamed of having a friend, but perhaps imaginary ones will do for now.
     You might be wondering why I don't run away from this family.
     Firstly, I don't have a clue where I live. Stepmother took me in when I was very little. She does not tell me where I came from nor why I have come to live in this house. She only ever said how I wasn't her real daughter. I have not gone outside since the day I first entered this house. I don't know where I would go, or what the world outside my house looks like. I have always thought that I could borrow one of my sisters phones or computers, but they would never allow it. Even if they gave it to me, I have no idea how to use such devices. I read a lot of books, so I have an idea of how people live, and how normal life is supposed to be. I have never experienced it myself, but I would very much like to.
     My sisters and my stepmother always love to leave the house. They like to spend their time outside during the weekends. I don't know where they go, but they always come back with countless shopping bags of clothes, bags and shoes. The only clothes that I have worn, belonged to my sisters before they outgrew them. They are tight on me, but they work fine.
     The times when the three women aren't here, I feel as if I am in my own small paradise. As much as I would love to go outside, I don't despise living in my house. We live in a three story house deep in the woods, or so I think. The view from every window are just trees. Emerald leaves rustling on branches. It is a peaceful sight, seeing the same colour everywhere you look. I think that it’s clear what my favourite colour is.
    When I was alone, I received no hateful comments from anyone. I could take my time doing my job, or even take small breaks eating leftovers. I tried to turn on the TV a couple of times. Sometimes I was able to watch a programme. But most of the time, I forgot how to use the remote. I remember that I was once able to watch a documentary about ancient Egypt, I couldn't stop thinking about it for weeks. I continued to repeat to myself everything that I remembered from the show, making sure that I didn't forget any of the facts. I think that I still remember most of the information.
     Once, I opened the front door, but I dared not step over the threshold. Not because I feared my stepmother, but because I feared what would happen. My imagination went wild, thinking that monsters would appear out of nowhere and scratch my eyeballs out. I remember thinking that I should stop reading fictional books, they were ruining my mind.
     I did not expect my life to change at all, I always assumed that I would keep living with my stepmother and two sisters. I couldn't have been more wrong.
 

​       Zavodovski Island is located in the Antarctic Ocean and is also known as penguin island. The island was formed by a still active volcano known as “Mount Asphyxia”. In March of 2016 the volcano erupted causing large amounts of gases into the air as well as coating the ground in ash. These suffocating fumes released by the volcano give it the name “Mount Asphyxia”. 
      The island is home to a giant colony of chinstrap penguins and macaroni penguins. These penguins are able to live in such a cold place because of the volcanic activity on the Island. The ice and snow melts early because of the warm ground caused by heat underneath the Earth, allowing the penguins to breed more early than other species. 
     The penguins have a very difficult lifestyle. When a chick is born the father of the penguin must travel into the ocean and fish. This is a dangerous trip as the island has rocky cliff faces that are pummeled all day round by giant waves that can cause injury to the penguins and even death as they jump into the ocean. The penguins swim up to fifty miles away from the island to fish and in a day or two return to find their family. With thousands of penguins on the island the trek may seem impossible and finding their mate even more incredulous, but each penguin makes this trip every other day. When the father returns it is the mother’s turn to face this trip while he looks after the chick. A high price to pay for a safe island to themselves without any competition or predators but plenty of fish in the sea. A penguin paradise.

​You might have seen them around: the Poppy flowers. The red artificial flowers on lapels of coats and jackets have acted as a symbol for the commemoration of the military personnel who have died in the First World War. It been done for almost a hundred years. The poppy was the only flower that grew in the battle-scarred fields of northern France and Flanders during WWI, thus when Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae wrote the stanza above as part of the famous poem “In Flanders Fields”, the poppy was accepted as a national symbol of remembrance of the fallen. 
    Even though today the flowers are mostly worn by the British, the idea of selling poppies to raise funds for ex-soldiers was American. It was the American secretary Moina Michael who started selling the national emblem in 1920. The UK followed only a year later. Nowadays in the US, the sight of them has diminished around the armistice anniversary. The 11th day of November is known as Veterans Day, when a more common adornment on the lapel is a red, white and blue ribbon. But there are some poppies laid and worn for Memorial Day in May, in parts of the US. Nowadays, however, the appeal of the poppy does not gather a unanimous audience. Especially in the UK not everyone is “pro-poppy”, as some say that the poppy is forced on them by peer- and public pressure. The issue has been discussed for many years, so when the famous news reporter Jon Snow refused to wear the poppy on national television, underlying criticisms resurfaced. People claim that the Poppy Appeal has gone too far and that the cultural pressure to wear a poppy is now so great that we are witnessing what Jon Snow described as ‘poppy fascism’. “Wearing the flower is no longer a free choice; it’s a stifling requirement,” the independent says. Lastly, pacifists have a strong opinion in the social media. Most do mourn those that died in wars; they simply refuse to donate to an appeal that they perceive to glorify war.
    After reading, and hopefully understanding both views, it is now up to you to decide whether a poppy should be worn or not.

by Farrah Vogel 

New at Collège du Léman this year is the International Baccalaureate Career Program, also known as the IBCP program. Thanks to the hard work of Mrs.Hutchins, Dr.Krainova and Mrs.Cosso, students who wish to have an IB diploma but also want to have hands on experience have the possibility to do so in not one, but two areas of learning. Those wishing to pursue hotel management, the hospitality option offers them with a wide variety of learning possibilities. Those wishing to go into business studies or who want to own a business themselves may choose sustainability management. But don’t let me tell you this, here is the first of three interviews that may guide you when deciding whether this program is for you

Q: What is the IBCP?
A: It is a new diploma started in 2016 from the IB. Although it existed before, this year is the first year that it is offered at CdL and comprises vocational training as well as some “traditional” IB courses
Q: Why is it important?
A: A lot of students who wouldn’t adapt to IBDP because of its academic requirements but want to do more than high school, yet are not necessarily aiming for university
Q: What more does it offer than the traditional diploma?
A: It is flexible, at the moment there are 2 career pathways which can open a lot of doors and we are hoping to develop more

Q: Who should consider doing it? 
A: Students who do not want to go to university but would rather go straight into the workforce. However, this does not belittle it, as it is still a qualification and is recognised by many universities
Q: What, according to you, is the best thing of the IBCP? 
A: it’s Flexibility and range
Q: What, according to you, is the worst thing of the IBCP?
A: It’s flexibility because it could be a danger and requires a lot of focus and shouldn’t be approached light-heartedly
Q: What does it involve? What do you do when you aren’t in class? We do a reflective project, which is an Extended Essay equivalent but it has to be related to their career path
Q: Where can the diploma lead?
A: It can lead to further education, as well as hotel management, where you can start an apprentership. It’s important to note that it is not a dumbed down version of the IB. It’s different. Three IB subjects have to be taken and there’s an external assessment as well. It shouldn’t be seen as an easy IB. ​

The Calais refugee camp, also nicknamed the “Calais Jungle” is home to over 3000 people.  These people are often trying to get across the Channel via boat or the Euro tunnel as they believe that moving to the UK will allow them to have a better way of life and many already speak English or have relatives in the country. 


Although the camp only came to light in the news recently, it began in 1999 and makeshift encampments have been popping up here for years next to the port. Many of the people living here have been displaced from Syria, Afghanistan and North Africa as a result of war.
The camp today is based around the Jules Ferry Day centre, opened in 2015. The centre provides services such as showers, one hot meal a day, housing for women and children, toilets and phone charging.


This year the NHS is collecting canned food to donate to Calais. With more and more people fleeing Northern African countries and an increasing population in Calais aid services are running out of food. This is why the NHS has decided to help, but we cannot do it alone. We need as many cans as possible to be donated between the 7th and 11th of November. The cans cannot contain pork products and must have a ring pull top. Examples of suitable foods are beans, lentils, vegetables, fruits and tuna. Please join in to help the refugees of Calais. Every can helps!

Image Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/ng-interactive/2015/aug/10/migrant-life-in-calais-jungle-refugee-camp-a-photo-essay