table of contents goodbye notes student council report head first into sixth form summer bucket-list recipes digital leaders environmental week's winning essay entry book reviews poetry playlist of the month movies to watch crossword games student spotlight our team 1-3 4-6 7-9 10-13 14 15-16 17-20 21-22 23 24 25-27 28 29-34 35

- pyae

a goodbye noteMR. STEVE ELLIS Dear members of the MISY Community, Firstly, I would like to thank the MISY Rising Phoenix team for their endeavours with this beautiful publication. Secondly, for providing me with the opportunity of adding some essential words of thanks as I approach the end of my time at MISY. I can recall my interview at MISY and meeting members of the whole community with a genuine fondness. In particular, the Student Council and the Environment Committee meetings remain a vivid and positive memory of this process. Such searching and probing questioning and a clear vision of what both groups wanted in a new head of school. I hope that after two eventful years, I have contributed in some way positively to the development and growth of MISY? From my perspective, leaving after two years was not part of my planning; however, circumstances globally and now in Yangon have influenced my decision-making. I am sad to leave this beautiful country at the end of July and, in particular, will miss the fantastic people I have come into contact with and worked with at school. MISY will always have a special place in my heart, and I will return to visit the country and the school in the future. In conclusion, I want to thank the entire MISY community and the student body for welcoming me and accepting me into your unique family and supporting me with my endeavours over the last two years. I wish you every success for the end of this academic year and my best wishes for 2021/2022. Mr. Steve 1

Over the last 4 school terms you have as a student body, with your teachers, been doing exactly that: growing and exploring new possibilities. Who could have thought back in March 2020 that you would all sit examinations using an online platform or that your teachers would be working with you in different time zones and that you would develop an array of new independent learning and study skills? Whilst I see this all as a positive effect of the pandemic, there is also something that I very much see as a negative and potentially retrograde step in your life and the educational opportunities we try to provide you. Social and physical interaction can never be replaced by online teaching, an online game or a zoom chat. In my current working week, a highlight is the assembly or a meeting with students. I miss being able to walk out of my office along the corridor and seeing you in lessons, or in the corridors talking or looking apprehensive when you see the scary Head of Secondary School approaching and hoping he won’t speak to you! a goodbye note When I joined MISY in August 2019, who could have thought that so much in our lives would change? Change is a strange emotion; some people believe change is a good thing, others resist change; then there are people like me who see change as human development and an opportunity to grow and explore new possibilities. MR. DARREN JONES 2

The pandemic is not the only change that you have had to deal with in the last two years. I know that there are many students reading this who were very unsure of me when I arrived at MISY and wondered if I was up to the job. I can understand that as I have a very different way of doing things; I have to admit I was unsure about you. What I am absolutely sure about now is you as a group of students. I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of different countries and schools around the world and you are an outstanding group of students. You have a passion for your school, for your friends and for your education which is not always the case in other schools. The way that you rise to different challenges and support and interact with each other makes you a very special group of young people. I can't list here all the things that have happened in my two years with you, but a few prominent highlights would be: the tenacity of the Environment Committee to improve our school and local environment; your sporting achievements against schools with larger numbers of students and resources; the organisation and participation in school events like International Day when you walk into a classroom and actually you have walked into a different country. The fact that I am writing this article to be published in your own Student Council lead newspaper is a fantastic example of your drive to make the most of the opportunities you have. I move on at the end of this month to become the Principal of Beaconhouse Newlands International School, Kuala Lumpur and I already find myself having to check my thoughts as I compare how you would react to some of the things happening at my new school. I leave you with many happy thoughts and take pride in all that you achieve on a daily basis. I wish you all every success in the future and hope you will dream of the impossible and make it possible as you develop and explore this world. Finally, the photograph is obviously me but also one of the other members of my family, who has attended every assembly throughout the last 4 terms: Pippa. Mr Darren 3

This year, because of the online platform that all of us are on, paired with the inability to organize or do much at times provided many people in the Student Council the time and ability to reflect on past year’s student council. And develop new ways to improve the current Student Council fundamentally for the next academic year. So, one of the first things the Student Council did was form a Constitution Committee, which later became the Charter Committee, to draft a Charter that outlines how the future operating system of the student council should function. It took many months and countless efforts to develop a carefully crafted Charter that would be in the interest of all students. I believe firmly that this Student Council Charter will bring better structure, clearer objectives to the Student Council and above all, an effective system that truly delivers for all of the students. While the Student Council Charter was in process, the Student Council formed a News Committee, now known as the Rising Phoenix, led by Student Council Secretary Pyae to develop newspapers. And the Rising Phoenix has now produced three editions of newspapers that are of top quality, the January, May, and June editions. However, the January edition was never published because the draft finished on the 31st of January. And the team and others, including myself, decided it would have been wrong and untimely of the newspaper team to publish the newspapers after the chain of events that took place the next day. Three months later, the team tried tremendously hard to get the May and June editions done. And the May and June editions are now published for all to see. I want to commend everyone in the Rising Phoenix Team and, in particular, Pyae Pyae for her display of exemplary hard work that she is to others. And because of her, the Student Council benefits and the school benefits. student council assessment 2020-21 4

In April, a Bridge Team between the Environmental Committee and the Student Council was formed. And ever since then, it has been beneficial to the relations between the Student Council and the Environmental Committee. It has promoted a sense of cooperation. Thus, both the Environmental Committee and the Student Council cooperated in the Rising Phoenix, Environmental Week, Yearbook, and the Art Competition. Whatever happens next year, one thing seems already clear, the cooperation between the Student Council and the Environmental Committee will only keep growing. I want to thank Chit Chit and Steven for bringing the Student Council and the Environmental Committee closer than it has ever been. Shortly after, the Student Council joined the Interschool Platform for Cooperation (IPC) with the student councils from YIS, ISY, and YA. And, because of IPC, it will be much easier to collaborate with other schools and work collectively in a common cause, such as the mental health day event that took place earlier this year. In May, the Student Councils from both primary and secondary school hosted an expressive art competition. The art competition went smoothly and soundly. Which is why, I want to thank all the members and judges of the Events and Activities Committee. In particular, to May and Cimon, who have worked hard to make this art competition possible. On the 5th of April, a Yearbook Committee of 2020-2021 was established. And on the 1st of June, all the yearbook pages, of all secondary classes, were completed ahead of schedule. For this year, there is an extended role for the Student Council to add the artworks of the students section and a Student Council section in the yearbook. Peter has graciously volunteered to help with those additional sections. I want to thank Peter, and the 33 volunteers in the yearbook team for developing such a brilliant yearbook. Despite the external difficulties around the world and in Myanmar, I hope the Student Council of 2020-2021 provided you with some sense of joy or hopes that are to come. I hope all of you are satisfied with the Student Council Charter. 5

I hope all of you have enjoyed reading the Rising Phoenix. To those who have entered the art and yearbook cover competition, I hope you have enjoyed your rewards and experience. I hope all of you will enjoy the yearbook designs for your class and as a whole for the secondary school. I hope there will be more fruitful cooperation between the Environmental Committee and other schools for collective causes. In closing, I want to thank Mr. Darren for providing valuable advice to me personally and to the Student Council. I want to thank Ms. Karima, who was the caretaker of the Student Council in previous years, for providing the current Student Council with the knowledge and experience it needs to excel. I want to thank Lilian, Yuya, and Pyae for always assisting and helping the Student Council. I want to thank May, Phyo, and Cimon, for managing respective committees. I want to thank Khin Htar, Lin Let, and Cherry, for always providing the viewpoint of each year group concisely and for being great leaders of their year group. Last but not least, I want to thank all the Student Council Representatives who made all the things the Student Council did possible. Student Council President, L. Dau Khaung (DK) 6

Surprisingly, the answer to this question seems to be unanimously agreed upon. Most of our alumni wished they had discovered what their passions were before starting the school year instead of forcing themselves to pursue fields they had no interest in. You might wonder, ‘if the solution is that simple, why is it so hard to achieve?’. It would be dismissive of us to not acknowledge the heavy emphasis our culture puts onto academic excellence. More often than not, this emphasis results in favor of the STEM subjects and plants a misconception into our minds that pursuing the arts or humanities are not as fulfilling. MAY MYINT MO ZAW Feeling a little overwhelmed by the thought of starting sixth form next year? Don’t have a big sibling to ramble to? Well, consider your troubles relieved, if not solved. Our alumni from the Class of 2020 are here to rescue! What is something you wish you had known before starting Year 12? Perhaps, your passion is currently unfound because you have not fully explored other fields. This summer is the perfect opportunity to experiment around and discover what you really love. You are not, by any means, one-dimensional. Therefore, your interests are not singular and your passion does not have to be academic. You could love the feeling of adrenaline, sweat and muscle ache the same way you love that sense of achievement after solving quadratic equations. 7

Working smart > working hard A "life-saving" habit: manage your time Sleep. Spending 2 hours actively recalling content and practicing questions triumphs 5 hours of copying down pretty notes or passively reading your textbook. We are all guilty of the latter. Next year, let's drop counter-productive methods and proudly adopt new effective ones. Time will be scarce in the coming years. It's important that we take into consideration our opportunity costs when utilizing time. More time into work means less time for friends and activities, vice versa. Impossible as it sounds, we need to find a balance that satisfies both aspects of our lives. “”It's about being free enough to be spontaneous”. PLEASE SLEEP. As we grow older, our sleep schedules seem to become more and more dysfunctional. The importance of sleep cannot be stressed enough. Bragging about all-nighters will get you nothing but a subpar story to tell. Waking up early to do left-over work rather than staying up late, will make you feel a million times better - that is a promise. What study habits/routines have you developed that helped you survive A-Levels? In fact, when we asked our alumni, “What made your sixth form years memorable?”, none of the responses involved acing their exams - something you might expect from a record breaking class. Instead, the responses were filled with memories from their lounge rooms, Week-Without-Wall trips or winning MISAC tournaments. However, it does not mean studying is not important. It simply means that when you look back at your school years, they are factors that seem insignificant to the friendships and memories you made. We should make an effort to join extracurriculars, bond with our classmates and be open to new experiences. 8

Special thanks to: Su Khin Lay Tun from the University of East Anglia Yoon Pyae Mon from the London School of Economics Lin Let Let Kyaw @ Dimple from the London School of Economics Nyein Kyi Thu from the University of Melbourne Yan Naing Win @ William from the University of British Columbia, I wouldn’t let comments & comparisons adults made about me get into my head. Understand that everyone learns at a different pace, comparing myself to another’s progress benefits no-one. Be aware of life beyond academics and the importance of life skills that help you become more independent Try to find out what I was really passionate about Use my free periods wisely I wish I made more time to spend with my friends and the football team 9

Khaymar Aung Moe & Hsu Mon Zaw 10

(Check our article on recipes!) It's nice to spend time with your family and having a strong family bond is important, especially during these trying times. 11

After working hard the whole year, you definitely deserve a break. Take advantage of this summer and start taking care of yourself! After a long school year of being cooped in your room, taking some time to walk around in your garden or step out onto your balcony, you'll feel great. Taking care of your body is extremely important and one of the best ways to do that is by exercising. You don’t have to do it alone - make it a family activity to spend more time with your family. you deserve it. You never know when they might come in handy, they can be lots of fun too! 12

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mug cakes brownies recipes You may not be a Michelin star chef but it does not hurt to experiment with different recipes! Here are some yummy recipes you can try. Make sure to share your delicious creations with family and friends as well! kimchi fried rice KHAYMAR AUNG MOE HSU MON ZAW ram-don (jjapaguri) dalgona coffee pizza click the titles to check out the recipes! 14

Firstly, a big for letting us introduce ourselves in the school newsletter! We have been getting together every cycle to learn about digital safety and have then been teaching the other students in Primary all about how to keep safe online. Recently we entered an International video competition all about how to determine fact from fiction when visiting different websites. the OG digital leaders THANK YOU we are 15 R A C H E L ( 6 R ) F A U N F A U N ( 6 R ) K E V I N ( 6 R ) G L O R I A ( 6 A ) S A N D A ( 6 A ) T H I R I ( 6 A )

We are excited that it is nearly holiday time, but we still all need to remember to keep safe online. Here are our top 5 tips for keeping safe and happy online this summer: Thank you for reading and have a great summer holiday. We are looking forward to meeting you in Secondary next year! Year 6 Digital Leaders Don’t give out important/sensitive personal information to people you meet online Remember that people you meet online are in fact strangers and can sometimes pretend to be people they are not…. If you receive a message/image that makes you feel uncomfortable: talk to a trusted adult; block that person; report it on the site. Don’t trust everything you read online - remember there is a lot of fake news out there! Go to trusted websites (try and check on at least 3 websites) and always question what you read. Be kind to others online - even though you are not in front of them in real life, people still feel hurt by unkind comments and cyber bullying is a real issue. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 16

environmental week's winning essay entry! In modern times, everyone is uncomfortably aware of those fearsome headlines which paint lurid images of rainforests burning in swathes of orange flames only to be replaced with barren, bovine-raized pastures and plantations1. It is something of an apocalypse turned to reality, even more so for the wildlife dying left and right2. However, it is not the increase in the world’s population - in fact, overpopulation has been debunked as a myth, with global food production being sufficient enough to nourish every hungry mouth3 - but our changing eating habits that feed the almost-inevitable destruction of our planet. Our gluttony is fatal: The global demand for meat-derived foods far outpace the global population growth, intensified as countries develop. Meat, once considered a luxury, is becoming cheaper and cheaper, gorged in greater and greater quantities for every meal as the average wages increases4, and all this comes at the cost of the forests and oceans. Nowadays, over a third of the world’s land surface and 75% of Earth’s freshwater sources are used for agriculture5. There are over 400 ocean dead zones6 caused by overflowing waste and fertilizers, and 33% of marine fish stocks were harvested at unsustainable rates in 20157. Prompt: What are the impacts of meat consumption and veganism on the environment? Should we all go vegan? MI THUTA - YEAR 11E 17

In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, even the transport industry is outmatched by livestock8. The end of the world comes not with a Biblical flood or reckoning but with insatiable appetites, oceans devoid of fish, and monoculture agricultural complexes. Not only are the ecological impacts grave - agriculture uses more freshwater than any other human activity, a third of that for livestock9 - but it is also harmful to the livestock and consumers themselves. This is not an out of sight, out of mind scenario: Intensive factory farming results in pneumonia-ridden pigs, obese poultry and tons of manure washing into rivers and lakes, leading to deadzones and eutrophication10 in vital fishing habitats. These livestock, trapped in suffocating enclosures and waiting unknowingly to be slaughtered, carry a whole host of zoonotic pathogens11 which very easily pass unnoticed into the meat we consume. They are pumped full of growth hormones and antibiotics which can lead to antibiotic resistance in human pathogens, making this not only an ethical crisis but a matter of public health as well. Furthermore, we don’t even need the amount of meat we eat - studies show that 90% of people overconsume protein12, and red and processed meat in particular13 can increase the potency of a plethora of health issues: high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular mortality (by up to 15% for the latter)14. Moreover, with the rise of fast and processed food, people still aren’t receiving the adequate nutrition that they would otherwise get from fresh fruits and vegetables despite vast increases in caloric intake. While reports in third world countries are full of malnourished skeletal bodies, on the flipside, bloated, obese corpses are the new standard for malnourishment in first world countries. Veganism seems like a golden solution - if everyone eliminated all animal products entirely, this crisis will be solved, right? Unfortunately, we can’t yell ‘Eureka’ just yet. For many people around the world, veganism is simply not an option. For people in water-scarce or low-fertility areas like the nomadic pastoralist Bedouin people of the desert or the Inuit tribes in the Arctic, crops can neither be reliably grown nor can vegetables be eaten as caloriedense food. Therefore, in harsh conditions, meat from camels, goats and seals are the only viable sources for survival. Even in MEDCs, veganism is very much reliant on socio-economic factors. 18

Food deserts and fast food chains are prevalent in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, targeting the poor and elderly. Would a struggling, working class mother drive miles away to buy pricey supermarket vegetables that her child might not even eat, or a cheap, quick and filling burger combo at a drive-through on her way home? And vitamin deficiency can be woefully common amongst vegetarians, who have to take expensive supplements16 to make up for vitamins that most plant-based foods cannot supply. When an individual is forced to prioritize paying the bills and having enough to eat, they are simply unable to consider the ethical and environmental repercussions of their purchases, and the holier-than-thou attitudes of many vegans further alienates people from considering veganism. That isn’t to say that veganism does not have its merits. The obvious are health benefits such as reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers17, a heavily reduced carbon footprint, and improved nutrition from eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Researchers have stated that switching to plant-based diets could save 8 million lives by 205018. As technology marches on, going meat-free becomes less daunting. Mind-boggling alternatives like mycelium bacon19 and the Beyond meat20 as well as labgrown meat made entirely from cultured cells collected from animal biopsies21, act as shockingly accurate and nutritious incentives for people looking to make the switch and offer a glimpse of a future where technology and nature go hand in hand. However, these kinds of foods (as well as regular alternatives like tofu and soy patties) are not available everywhere, especially poorer countries. Even consider Myanmar: a rural farmer could not hope to afford nor find these kinds of alternatives in a tiny village, and eating an egg with each meal is an easier source of nutrition than pricier vegetarian options like tofu. Furthermore, veganism can also have negative effects on poor communities while remaining centred in privileged countries: The rise in popularity of superfoods like quinoa (often consumed by vegans for its high protein content) has lead to the dramatic increase in prices of these once-neglected staple crops, spurring food insecurity, land degradation and poverty in South American countries like Bolivia and Peru. 19

To meet the demand for quinoa, farmers have to forgo ancient environmentally-friendly farming practices, replacing biodiverse plants and quinoa strains with mono crops. Asparagus’ newfound celebrity status, too, has made foreign exporters all the more richer while the exploited labourers toiling away in fields get all the more poorer. Furthermore, simply exporting these goods racks up food miles, with 5.3 kg of CO2 emissions being produced for one kilogram of asparagus, which negates efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. Due to the sheer expense of these sought-for crops, local communities are now forced to buy cheaper but much less nutritious carbohydrates like bread to survive while vegans and health nuts in North America and Europe hail these exotic superfoods as the saviours of the Earth and our health. Meat consumption isn’t inherently evil. We must not villainize local fishing, hunting, and agriculture. Societies like the aforementioned Bedouin, as well as Native Americans on reservations and other indigenous peoples have thrived for thousands of years while consuming meat because they consider and integrate themselves as part of the ecosystem. Humans are not impartial purveyors to nature - seeing ourselves as onlookers only serves to reaffirm our own hubris. We do play a crucial part in controlling it, yes, but we are also a part of the food chain. A large majority of livestockrelated issues comes from severe mismanagement and complacency on a governmental and global scale - if there was proper waste disposal; stricter regulations for land usage and development, fishing, and intensive farming; promotion of sustainable farming and fishing practices; promotion of cheaper, more accessible meat-free alternatives; and crackdowns on the rampant corruption and cruelty in the livestock industry, we would be able to feed the world without completely eliminating meat altogether. In the meantime, the average privileged person should do their part for the environment. Considering that 477 gallons of water are required to produce one pound of eggs, and nearly 900 gallons of water are needed for a single pound of cheese26, it is safe to say that we should indeed cut down on animal products. Not only that, we must also shy away from waterintensive and exported plants like avocados and almonds, and focus on buying local. For those hesitant or unable to make the switch, consider flexitarianism like the Planetary health diet27, which is specifically designed to be as environmentally sustainable as possible with the world’s current resources. If we wanted to, we could have our fishcake, and eat it too click here for references 20

What would you do if you found yourself on a deserted island with no means of contacting anyone for survival? Would you find yourself able to go out on an island adventure such as those found in “The Coral Island” or will you be pushed to the edge of sanity with no one to impose civility and reason. Follow these young boys’ descent into anarchy in the novel “The Lord of the Flies”, a title which is shared with the demon, Beelzebub. “The Lord of the Flies” was written by William Golding. The book details how a group of boys stranded on a tropical island would fare and how little it takes to bring out the very roots of human nature from innocent children. A bleak satire of a classic island adventure story, a popular genre where young boys get shipwrecked in exotic locations. What seems to be the beginning of a paradise with fresh water, shelter and abundant food sources, a macabre darkness hangs over this seemingly tranquil situation. Watch in real time as Golding’s narrative reveals how quickly cooperation unravels without the presence of adult authority. What seems to be an attempt of establishing some sense of order was thwarted as the group splinters from infighting and the boys submit to their darker urges. The ugliness of humanity even in the most innocent of people, children, has been laid bare by Golding and some may find it disturbing to read. However, The significant symbolism which is rather easy to comprehend and the universal themes of morality, civility and society which have made it a literary classic is why I urge you to read such a memorable and haunting account of believable characters portrayed so subtly and accurately. lord of the flies KHANT ZAW HEIN - william golding 21

If you are an animal lover and want something heart-warming at the moment, make sure to check out ‘A man and his cat’. Those perfect illustrations will undoubtedly make you bawl your eyes out, no wonder a lot of readers comment on how moving the story is! What’s exciting about this manga is that there are 5 books that you have to read in order, and all of them are available both in Japanese and English online! According to Japanese bookstore employees, the manga was voted as one of the top ten manga of 2018 and has surely won hearts. There sits an old, discounted cat in the pet shop, his only home, and is waiting for a special someone to give him a new home. He sees, most importantly, he listens to animal lovers amorously murmuring fondly about which pet they’d buy. His price seems to drop day by day, and so does his motivation. His sell-by date is coming over, will the kitten be adopted? Who knows? Go read ‘A man and his cat’ now! Umi Sakurai, a Japanese writer and illustrator, created “A man and his cat” after her debut series, “The Vampire called God”. a man & his cat - umi sakurai THET MYANMAR LWIN 22

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student council art competition: winners 2nd Place Phyo Min Htin Year 12 1st Place Yeon Thanaka Year 12 3rd Place Phoebe Year 9K 30

student council art competition: special mentions Yeon Thanaka Year 12 Ahlinkar Year 10T Nyan Min Hlaing Year 10T 31

1st Place Nyan Paing (Year 3J) r i m a r y 3rd Place Elle Elle (Year 6R) 2nd Place Nay Aung (Year 6A) 32

econdary 1st Place Phoo Hayman Khin @ Stephanie (Year 8N) 2nd Place Yeon Thanakha (Year 12) 3rd Place Ahlinkar Chan Myae (Year 10T) 33

r i m a r y Zwe Paing Linn Htet (EYFS) Nay La (Year 5R) Yumi (6A) 34

our team writers khaymar aung moe khant zaw hein mi er mani eain hsu mon zaw phone myint myat thet myanamr lwin designers lay pyay phoo pyae sone yeon thanakha may myo maung ahlinkar chan myae thu thinn thinn san may myint mo zaw thinn thinn san editors 35