Language & Literature

The Contronym – a Word that Bends Over Backwards

I expect most of you have heard of antonyms, and even if you haven’t heard the word, you know them and use them every day. Antonyms are words that mean the opposite. For example, hot is the antonym of cold, rich is the antonym of poor.

But what happens when we have a word that doesn’t have another antonym – it is the antonym of itself?! You are probably wondering what on earth that could mean. Well, there are some words that have two meanings which are the opposite of each other. This makes the word its own antonym. Words like this are known as contronyms.

LEFT

One very common one that we shall start with is a word that you use all the time without ever thinking about it being a contronym. This is left, which can mean “gone, departed” or “still there, remaining” . If you have gone, then you have left, but if everyone else except you has gone, then you are left!

Home, Health & Style

What Happens After Someone Dies?

Parental information – this article contains a frank factual interview about what happens to a person procedurally after they die.

Have you ever wondered what actually happens after someone dies? And what is it like to work in this area?

This subject can be a difficult and emotional one, but the whole mystery surrounding death can be better understood with a clear explanation of what happens, step by step.

Carolyn Ward talks to Anna, a mortuary assistant or ‘Anatomical Pathology Technologist’, about what happens when somebody dies, and what led her to choose such a potentially sad career.

Travel

What Do You Know About Africa?

What do you think of when you hear the word AFRICA?

Do you think of safaris? And villages?

You might think of drums and dancing. Or do you think of something else?

These are stereotypes of Africa, which means they are a conventional, over-simplified image or impression of the country.

Written By You

History of South Africa – Written by Bruntville Primary School

The pupils of Bruntville Primary School have written a short article about the history of South Africa, and an explanation of Apartheid.

What Was Apartheid?

Apartheid was a system that existed in South Africa that separated people based on their ethnicity and skin colour. It became law after the National Party won the election in 1948. They declared many areas as only for white people, and discriminated against people of colour (POC).

Language & Literature

I am Dandelion, Hear Me Roar – The Origin of Dandelion

This little flower gets a raw deal, often regarded as a weed to be dug up, but it is actually quite pretty, with its bright yellow colour and distinctive leaves. Even the etymology of its name is pretty. Millie explains the origin of dandelion, and how people in other countries refer to this cheery flower.