A Warm Welcome

Dear Students, Parents, Teachers, Staff, and all our readers, A warm welcome to our Festive Issue of Newark Times! As the holiday season approaches, we have gathered a range of articles that we hope you will enjoy. This issue has been created entirely by the Year 10 team, with the guidance of our class teacher, Ms. Sophia.It is proudly brought to you by myself, Yuhan, together with my classmates Chelsea, Daniyl, Inna, Mihail and last but not least Muqing. Wishing you a joyful holiday season — enjoy the read!

by Yuhan Zhang

Santa Spotted in malta

It was a peaceful and lovely Friday night. Mihail was taking a stroll with his mum along Valletta’s scenic streets. Suddenly, he saw a really fast unknown flying object. At first, he thought it was a shooting star so he decided to make a wish: I wish I pass all my tests with an A+. But then he heard sounds and realised it was not a shooting star at all. Could it be a U.F.O?But no! He could hear the sound of bells, and with the illumination of the moon, he could make out the shape of a sleigh and reindeer! Most importantly, though, he saw him — you know, the guy: the one wearing red clothes and a red hat, with a long white beard and a little round belly... Santa Claus!Yes! You heard me right! Santa was here in Malta! Mihail did not know what to do but despite his surprise, he was able to take his phone out
and shoot this amazing, precious photo! And yet, Mihail was sad. Since he had seen Santa and not a shooting star, he realized his wish couldn't come true, and he wouldn't get an A+ on his tests.

by muqing Liu

Malta this Christmas

Malta may be small but there is so much going on at Christmas! Here are my personal top 3!3rd place: 21st Dec. The opportunity to write Santa a
letter! Amazing event for children and grown ups! Meeting point at St. George Square in Valletta!2 place: Xmas Eve. Live Concert with the New Victorians! Freedom Square,Valletta at 23.00. Maybe not the best time for the younger ones but I am sure adults will love it!and the winner is...The Magical Illuminated Trail at the
Verdala Palace, Buskett! I just love this event! The lights make the place look unreal! Truly impressive! Book your tickets online! Do Not Miss It!

by Daniyl kudrovskyi

Newark: Behind the scenes

Only here at Newark Times— we, the Year 10 students, bring you exclusive interviews with the Head and Deputy Head of School! Stay tuned for student Q&As!Chelsea and Muqing talk to Ms. Corinne, our Head of School.Q: What Christmas traditions do you enjoy?Ms. C: Going to Mass with my family, giving presents to the children and having Christmas lunch- always turkey!Q: What is your favourite Christmas movie?Ms. C: I would say “Holiday”.Q: Do you like your job?Ms. C: Definitely! Sometimes it can be demanding and challenging, but I always like to see the glass as half full.Q: What is your New Year’s resolution?Ms. C: Being more active! I sit in the office most of the day...Q: What would you wish to all Newark students?Ms. C: Be peaceful and respectful to each other. Don’t forget that everyone comes from a different country and at Newark we spend so much time together so this is like a home. I always remind this to the teachers as well: be respectful and peaceful before academic.Daniyl talks to Ms.Fiona, our Deputy HeadQ: What are your plans for the holidays?Ms. F: To spend more quality time with my boys now that they have a break from school and I get a break from work!Q: What is your New Year’s resolution?Ms. F: To be more active!Q: What would you wish the Newark students this Christmas?Ms. F: To appreciate what they have, to enjoy their school years, because they only come once in our lifetime! And of course to always look at the bright side of life!Q: If Santa was truly here in Malta, what would you ask for?Ms. F: For health and peace.

what did the Newark students say?

What did you ask Santa to bring you this Christmas?“I asked for a new gaming stirring wheel”,
Oleg Dumskis, Year 9“I want an Mp3”, Queenie Yin, Year 8“I asked for a Kindle so I can read more books” , Khaleesi Wallis, Year 7“All the Apple products!” , Hong Ziting, Year 9“To get good grades in my SEC exams!”, Jake Wu, Year 11“670 €!” Nathan Iorillo, Year 7“A Dyson Airstrait Straightener”, Emma Hamza, Year 7“An iPhone 17 Pro Max with 1 TB”, Cici Chen, Year 7

What is your favourite Christmas
treat?“I like everything but if I had to choose, chocolate!” , Mathilda Kiedel, Year 7“Melomakarona, definitely! A greek biscuit with oranges, cinnamon and honey”, Ioanna Machell, Year 7“Cake!” , Steven Lu, Year 9My favourite Christmas treat is cookies!”,
Kristin Pedrova, Year 7“Christmas gummy bears!” , David Kiedel, Year 5

What do you love about Christmas?“Getting presents!” , Adam M, Year 7"Going to Valletta and seeing the Christmas market, the shops, the lights” Betty Zhang and Jelly Wan, Year 11“When my mom bakes this big bread with a coin inside and whoever gets the piece with the coin is lucky for the year!”, Dusan Konic, Year 7“When the whole family gets together and everyone brings their own dish for Christmas lunch. And when I say everyone in the family, I mean everyone!”, Daneel Barlow, Year 11“I love all the decorations!” , Ruby Kiedel, Year 5

Warm thanks to all Newark students for their unique answers

Round the World

Christmas in Ukraine has many traditions. Children go from house to house, singing our country’s Christmas Carols or “Kolyadki”. Then the children get sweets or money. Also, we have a special carol called "Liedreche", with old book characters such as “Koza” (goat), or “Kozoyka”. Of course, we have traditional Christmas food, too!One of these is “Kutia”, a sweet grain pudding, traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve. The most interesting thing, though, is that on Christmas Eve, our dinner must consist of exactly 7 different dishes — no more, no less!

by inna Yankovenko

We don’t have Christmas in China but we do celebrate New Year in February! There are lots of lanterns on the street which create a very warm atmosphere.We also have “fai chun” hanging on doors. These are paper notes with blessings and wishes for the New Year! The older generations give the young ones special red envelopes with “lucky” money! We love these! In the afternoon we visit friends and family, bringing gifts. In the evening, there’s a reunion dinner and we exchange warm wishes.In the North of China we traditionally eat “Jiaozi” but in the South we prefer noodles! Finally, no one should miss the fireworks at midnight!

by Chelsea Xu

All illustrations created by
Yuhan Zhang, Year 10

Creative corner

The day that wasn’t there

One bright, cold morning, I woke up to find that there were no presents under the Christmas tree. I instantly resumed the role of the young detective and started to investigate. I noticed that my mother was going outside with an empty bag. She was being secretive and making sure nobody saw or heard her. But I did! So I followed her. Some minutes later, I saw a masked man talking to my mum and taking the empty bag from her. She gave it to him without any resistance. I didn’t know what to do so I returned home. Just then, the phone rang. It was my grandma who called me to say that I should go to her place for dinner later. I lost all hope of getting any Christmas presents... Disappointed, confused and forgotten, I decided to go to bed and sleep. This was not a good Christmas morning.It was a nightmare! I slept for so long... When I finally woke up, I could hear music and voices. I ran out of my room and saw my whole family gathered around the Christmas tree with piles of presents underneath. Everyone looked so happy! That’s when I realised what had happened: I hadn’t woken up on Christmas morning at all. I had actually slept through most of 24th December, woken up in the afternoon, and thought it was morning. But now, it was finally Christmas Day!

by mihail dimitrov, year 10

All illustrations created by
Yuhan Zhang, Year 10

The Tail was The Fail

Once upon a time, there was a young bobcat (a lynx) whose name was Bob. Bob loved singing more than anything, so he wished that he could sing like Bob Dylan. He made his wish again and again, and he even made it on Christmas Eve, hoping it would come true.When he woke up the next morning, he had a smooth and elegant voice, and he realised that his wish had come true. He spent his morning singing and thought he should sing in a concert, but then he realised that he did not look at all like Bob Dylan. He still looked like a bobcat.So, he wished that he looked like Bob Dylan! His wish came true once again — but not entirely. His very long, furry tail was still sticking out from the back of his trousers! He decided he would still do the concerts and hide the tail. Everyone loved Bob! They loved his songs and his voice!One night, during one of the concerts, he heard a strange sound and suddenly his tail burst out of his trousers—they had ripped! The crowd could see the tail, and they couldn’t understand what was going on. Some children started laughing, and a lot of boos followed. Bob the bobcat was devastated. He fled in embarrassment, and to this day no one knows what happened to him.But if one day you happen to walk in the forest and you hear the spectacular voice of Bob Dylan… then close by, you will find the bobcat who wished to be Bob Dylan.

By a Newark student (who wishes to remain anonymous).

Oh Brussel Sprout

Brussel sprout, brussel sprout,
I hate you so,
I wish you would leave
or never grow
You taste bad but smell worse
It honestly feels just like a curseIf when I sat on the seat,
when waiting for food,
there were no brussels,
I’d be on a cruiseI hate you, if you would just leave
oh brussels! just leave me be!

by tyler Jack Azzopardi, year 7

Talents wanted!

If you’re feeling creative and would like to share your artistic talents, drawings, poems, or stories, contact The Newark Times at [email protected].

Stay Green this Xmas!

5 ways to be eco-friendly at Xmas time!1.Use recyclable wrapping paper or re-use gift bags.
2.Use led-lights to save on energy
3.Homemade gifts, to save money and the planet!
4.Use rechargeable batteries for all your amazing toys.
5.Don’t throw away leftover food! Share it, preserve it or re-use it!

by Daniyl kudrovskyi

Xmas gifts- under 5€

Some cool ideas to help you buy gifts for all your friends, so that no one is left out!• A Christmas candle.
• Print a photo with you and your friend or family member and frame it!
• Bake some cookies or a cake with some Xmas icing decorations!
• Craft something! Knit a scarf or make a bracelet!
• Infused olive oils! Make your own infused oil by adding chilli, garlic, herbs or some Maltese salts!
• Make some homemade jam or chutney!

by Yuhan Zhang

Valletta Sparkles

By the end of November, the capital of Malta already had its grand decorations. Valletta Mayor Olaf McKay, artist Henry Galea, and his team officially launched this year's Christmas in the Capital programme during a ceremonial switching-on of the Christmas lights and iconic Christmas tree."This year's Christmas tree stands at 15.6 metres in height, 6.5 metres in diameter, with a 20-metre circumference, making it one of the capital's most impressive and festive centrepieces” a statement by the VCA said.It is adorned with 2,000 metres of shimmering lights. The Christmas in the Capital programme features the traditional procession with Baby Jesus around the streets of Valletta.The programme also includes live concerts by Klinsmann and Kevin Paul, as well as the massive annual New Year's Eve celebrations, making Valletta the heart of Malta's Christmas celebrations.

by Chelsea Xu
(source: Times of Malta & Malta Independent.)

Favourite xmas Jokes

What do you get if you cross a snowman and a dog?
- Frost-bite.What do you call a very old snowman?
- Water.What is every parent's favorite Christmas song?
-Silent Night!What was the Christmas tree’s favorite subject in high school?
- Treegonometree!
[dedicated to our Maths teacher, Mr Chris!]What was Santa's favourite subject in school?
-Chemis-tree
[dedicated to our Chemistry & Biology teacher, Mr. Mattia!]The 4 stages of life:
1. You believe in Santa Claus
2. You don’t believe in Santa Claus
3. You dress up like Santa Claus
4.You look like Santa Claus!

Selected by Year 10 Students

Our Top xmas Recipe

Scottish shortbread

Ingredients
175gr. unsalted butter, softened
75 gr. caster sugar plus extra to finish
175gr. plain flour
75 gr. semolina (fine)Method in 6 simple steps!
1. Beat butter & sugar until smooth.
2. Add flour & semolina and mix until
you have a small ball of dough.
3. Use a rolling pin and cut into
shortbread rounds or fingers.
4. Chill in the fridge for 20'.
5. Bake in the oven for 15-20' until
golden.
6. Sprinkle some sugar and Enjoy!

by muqing Liu

I fall in winter, sometimes
heavily, but I never get
hurt or feel a thing. What
am I?

(the snow)

You can catch me easily, especially during the winter holidays, but you can never throw me. What am I?

(A cold)

Thank you for reading this Festive Issue of Newark Times—enjoy the holidays!