The Biggar Buzz! Issue 2. The Buzz How did we come up with the Easter Bunny?

Easter Special! FIND OUT WHAT IS BUZZING AROUND OUR SCHOOL!, FEATURED ARTICLES Where did the snow go? Movie Review Teacher s Secrets! What I think of Easter An article from Mr. S! 2 3 5 8 9 School Buzz 10 Recipe! 11 The Biggar Buzz! Issue 2 The Buzz How did we come up with the Easter Bunny? How did we come up with the concept of the Easter bunny? Easter is all to do with Jesus and the rolling of the stone. But how did we get from this to a bunny that leaves Easter eggs in our garden? As it turns out, the Easter bunny has a long history as a pagan symbol that predates the Christian holiday. Quite a few pagan cultures hold celebrations in the spring. It's the time of year when plants return to life after being dormant all winter. In the second century A.D., a group of Christian missionaries tried to convert northern European tribes to Christianity. To help make Christianity attractive, the missionaries turned pagan festivals into Christian holidays. The pagan Eastre festival occurred around the same time as the Christian celebration marking Christ's resurrection so the two celebrations blended into one, rabbit and all. Eastre soon be came Easter and the symbolism changed to fertility and innocence- a venerable creature that can t be sacrificed. The Easter bunny that we know today was influenced by many German traditions which date back to the 5000s. Children hoped that the Oschter Haws (a magical rabbit) would leave them a basket of coloured eggs at Easter. Settlers from Pagan traditionsbrought this tradition to America.

Where did the Snow go? I found, this winter (and I am sure many of you did too), that although we had a few very heavy days of snow, it came, and had gone within about 2 days! This was upsetting for me as I feel you are never too old to sledge! I am also a skier so it was a huge blow to find that I couldn t practise at all at home! But having this loss for the last two years has made me think Where has the snow gone? 4 years ago, we had a very deep amount of snow. I remember being off school for about a week before we could go back! The next year was very similar; I built snowmen larger than myself with the dense, deep snow. We never had a shortage! In fact, a newspaper article, sent out in June confirmed that it was still possible to ski in the Cairn Gorms! However, the next year was disappointing. Although in early November, we had very deep snow overnight, causing the buses to be cancelled, the rest of the season was dry and, in my opinion, a bit boring! I don t know what happened this year. In January it snowed for about 1 and a half days, before melting the same day it stopped snowing! It could be argued that before our two years of fantastic snow, we didn t have consistent snow every winter but the way I think about it, the years we have had heavy snow it has stayed there for a lot of the winter, and melted slowly. Now, we have very heavy snowfall and it melts before the week is over. But why is this? It is hard to think that this time last year, we were suffering from a heat wave! This is partly to do with the ozone layer, the atmosphere around the earth which protects us from the Sun s Ultra Violet rays. The sun would feel much hotter if we didn t have to ozone layer. It is mainly around the Antarctic that the ozone layer is dangerously thin, but there certain areas towards the north of our planet that are changing in depth also. There have been certain days when the UK has had a dangerously thin layer as well, but the thickness changes every day, everywhere. Page 2 THE BIG G AR BUZZ!

I SSUE 2 Page 3 When we have cold weather, the air mass has often travelled East, from The North Pole, or North - East, from Scandinavia. The reason why we are having these brief, heavy snowfalls is because this air has to travel over the sea before it can reach us. It collects water and the forms the gentle ice crystals, which create snow. However, shortly after, the wind carries over a slightly warmer air mass and al the snow melts. This is an aspect that doesn t really have anything to do with Global warming. This is such a large mystery, and is impossible to fit into just a bit more than a page, but if you want to find out more visit the MET office website. It helped me understand so much more about this complicated business through the use of text, videos and animations. It really is an intriguing subject! Book and Movie Review! The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins You say the name and everyone s heard of it! Lots of people have read it, but wouldn t realise that it is actually a science fiction novel. It is set in the future, somewhere in North America. Before the novel starts, the reader learns the history of the Panem, where the whole trilogy is set. It is explained that many years before, the 12 districts of this area came together in a rebellion against the Capitol. As a punishment, the people of this city made 1 boy and 1 girl from each district take part in the Hunger Games. This brutal competition forces the 24 children to fight to the death. The last one standing is, of course, the winner. The story focuses on Katniss Everdeen, a member of district 12 who is still within the age limit of entering the Hunger Games (between 12 and 18 years). Her younger sister, Prim, is just turning 11 as her name is pulled out of many to enter. Katniss, however, volunteers herself to take Prim s place! This means that she has a 1 in 24 of a chance of living another year. Continued on the next page

Movie review(continued) I think it was a bit boring. There were parts that got me gripped for a few pages, and then lost my interest quickly. There is a second and third book in the series, so there is no point in denying that she survives. However, there are many twists along the way! My favourite of the trilogy has to be the first one, but the second one has a fantastic plot, with lots of interesting twists I think, personally, the third one was a bit disappointing I just couldn t really get into it and it was just However, this is really just a personal opinion of what several people would find a good book. Overall, I think the Hunger Games is a really fantastic read, with page turning plots, and interesting ideas. I would really recommend it to anyone who hasn t read it as it is just brilliant! Recipe Page - Cupcakes Difficulty and servings Makes 9 Preparation and cooking times Prep 15-25 mins (without decoration) Cook 20 mins Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4/fan oven 160C and line a large muffin tray with 9 muffin cases. Tip the butter and sugar into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until paler in colour, light and fluffy. Pour in the eggs and beat until the mixture is light and creamy. Use a wooden spoon to beat in the flour, milk, vanilla and coconut until you have a soft dropping consistency. Stir in the cherries. Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases and bake for 20 minutes until risen and golden. Lift the muffins out of the tray and sit them on a wire rack to cool slightly. To decorate, tip the jam into a small saucepan and gently warm, stirring, until melted and smooth. Generously brush the tops of the warm cakes with the jam, stick the quartered cherries on top and sprinkle with the toasted coconut. Serve on the day of making. Page 4 NEWSLETTER TITLE

I SSUE 2 Page 5 Teacher s secrets! Name: Mr Nelson Subject: Chemistry Favourite Food: Italian Favourite Place: York Favourite Birthday Present: Motherwell Football Club football strip Favourite Book: The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsasrrat as Adult and Oor Wullie by DC Thomson as a child Favourite Film: The Godfather Favourite colour(s): Claret and amber Interesting Fact: Trained as a metallurgist on leaving school. Dream Job: Police (his uncle was a sergeant) Best Joke: A neutron buys a drink in a café and asks how much it is. The girl at the counter says To you, no charge Favourite Subject at School: Technical (metalwork) Inspiration for becoming A Teacher: Liked his Chemistry teacher, Mr Fraser Broken Bones: Broken ribs playing football Funniest Memory: Seeing someone blown many yards away by a gust of wind Hobby: Motherwell F.C. and model railways If he had to teach another subject at school: Geography Why: 2 nd favourite subject at school

The Egg Awards! Page 6 NEWSLETTER TITLE

I SSUE 2 Page 7 What I think of Easter - Eilidh Stewart I like Easter! The weather is normally really nice around that time of year, I love chocolate eggs and have many fond memories of rolling boiled eggs down the hill in Carnwath then having Easter egg hunts, when I was younger. But as I am get older Easter has become overrated and commercialised. It is now a huge event where Supermarkets sell huge chocolate eggs, mini chicken figurines and pastel coloured stuffed rabbits. Overall Easter is now made out to be this big event where you spend lots of money when really it s a day which was created to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus What is Easter like in other countries? Ever thought about how other countries celebrate Easter? Well we at the Biggar Buzz have! We looked into some of the traditions of France at this time of year and lets just say, their celebrations are completely different to that of our own France In France, there are no such things as a large Easter bunny that gives children chocolate. There are however, flying bells..yep it is said that the church ordered the bells not be rung on Easter so the bells flew to Vatican City, visited the Pope and he gave the bells sweets and candy to throw over the children as they flew back home. Another strange thing in France at Easter are Poisson D'Avrils. In Britain we eat chocolate bunnies, rabbits and chickens but in France they eat chocolate fish. They will first appear in France around April Fool s Day, where it is tradition to play tricks on adults by sticking paper fish to their backs then run away yelling Poisson D Avrils! (Translating to April Fish!). Although it seems as though French Easters are different to that of our own, they re not. The festival is still revolves around the religious events that take place during Easter in the Christian faith and they still have Easter egg hunts and roll eggs down hills. Overall Easter is universal and although it may seem as if other countries have changed it, the basic ideas are still there

What I think of Easter Jennifer Futty I think Easter is a good celebration for those who take part in it properly. It is all very well getting Easter eggs, but if you are not religious, then is this not more of just an excuse to get more? Having said that, I do feel I am one of these people who buys Easter eggs for the chocolate, without even thinking about it. However, it is a worthwhile celebration to those who know its true meaning In my opinion, though I really love chocolate Easter eggs, I think that Easter is simply an excuse to get more things than we really need. TV programmes I spend quite a bit of time watching the TV. I like comedy programmes and recently notices how much better they have become in the past 3 or 4 years. For instance, I used to watch Friends constantly. I mean it was a bit of a craze! But now a days I watch; How I met your Mother,, The Simpsons, 2 Broke Girls, The New Normal, but not so much now, The Big Bang Theory. If you were to watch an episode of Friends and then an episode of 2 Broke Girls, they are so similar yet so different. The newer has been made really well and is fairly modern perhaps that is why it is so good. I am very sorry to anyone who really likes Friends, but it s not very funny at all compared to the brand new programmes that we have now a days. What I think of Easter - Lauren service I have never really celebrated Easter hugely. Apart from a couple of my aunties and uncles giving me an Easter egg here or there I don t think much of Easter. However I do appreciate the nice holiday that comes with it! Page 8 NEWSLETTER TITLE

I SSUE 2 Page 9 What I think of Easter - Eilidh Fraser I like Easter, but I think it is a bit mean to lie about it to children. For instance telling them that the Easter bunny is real and then breaking the news to them after years of thinking that an oversized bunny that delivers chocolate to small children s houses was not real. ( I mean Stranger danger! Never take sweets from people you don t know! ) I never really believed in the Easter bunny but I do remember playing along with it. My mum would hide mini chocolate eggs in the garden and would run around the garden looking for them! I could never find them all and one year I only collected 9 out of the 10 in the garden. I found the missing one a year later! The chocolate had melted and remelted and was two different colours! I just left so it could still be there today! Anyway, my main point is that lying to children is a bit mean and if we do.. Well come on! I giant bunny! Even I could think of something Mr. Stewart s Favourite Jokes We asked Mr. Stewart to write something about Easter and he decided to tell us his favourite jokes! Why did the Easter egg hide? He was a little chicken! How many Easter eggs can you put in an empty basket? Only one after that it s not empty! Why does the Easter Bunny have a shiny nose? Because the powder puff is on the other end! How can you tell where the Easter Bunny has been? Eggs (X) marks the spot!

School Buzz! Red nose day went well with people wearing red noses all day at school! Others did their part by doing a sponsored silence or dress up! Although this was not one of our school's charity days, we all had lots of fun! Our charity day was from 19th-22nd March and we raised 3000 for Teenage Cancer Trust! Biggar High Paris Trip 2013 will be leaving on Thursday 28th March. We hope they all have a great time and enjoy sight seeing!! Enjoy your Easter holidays! What I think of Easter - Criosaidh Mould The only thing I like about Easter is the chocolate, really Doesn t everyone? I don t see the point in having a day where you get chocolate eggs. Well.. it s ok for little kids who believe in the Easter Bunny and think that he comes during the night with his little eggs. I mean come on, that is just copying Santa!!! Well it can be good in the way that you have a holiday to eat chocolate in but the Easter Bunny is just not for me. I think everyone can enjoy Easter though and I. personally, enjoy it every year. Happy Easter everyone and enjoy the holidays! What I think of Easter Rowan Stewart Easter to me isn t a big occasion. To be honest I think the whole idea has been severely commercialised by big supermarkets and card stores as they see it as a way to make money. I think it has loss its real meaning; a religious day. Page 10 NEWSLETTER TITLE

I SSUE 2 Page 11 Recipe page - Hot cross Bun cookies! Here is an interesting Easter recipe; it is a twist on the classic Hot Cross Bun. It is also a very easy recipe to bake for people who are a less experienced baker! Ingredients 200g softened butter, plus extra for the trays 100g light muscovado sugar 1 egg 250g plain flour 1 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp baking powder 100g sultanas 200g white chocolate chips Method 1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly butter a few baking trays. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar and egg until smooth. Sift in the flour, cinnamon and baking powder, then combine to make a dough. Add the sultanas and 100g of the white chocolate, and mix to combine. 2. Roll lumps of dough into balls the size of golf balls. Flatten these onto the trays, leaving enough space between each for them to expand. Bake for 10 mins until golden (you may have to do this in batches). Remove the cookies from the trays and cool on wire racks. 3. Melt the remaining white chocolate in the microwave on Low in 20-second bursts. Using a small piping bag or a teaspoon, carefully drizzle a cross on top of each cookie. Leave to set before eating. These cookies can be stored in a cookie jar for up to 3 days.

If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts. Albert Einstein My fake plants died because I did not pretend to water them. Mitch Hedberg Did You Know? Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite. AND Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated. Thanks to: Eilidh Fraser Criosaidh Mould Jennifer Futty Eilidh Stewart Rowan Stewart Lauren Service Sophie Lawson And Thanks to Mr. Stewart, Miss McKelvie and Mr. Nelson who helped make this issue!!