In Toto Ed
In Toto Tales - March 2026
In Toto Tales offers an opportunity for our students to share a written piece about something they're currently working on or are passionate about. In this latest edition you can read all the news from In Toto Cambridge, from Tiana's artist focus, to a look back on the entire Horizon game series.
Easter egg raffle update
The Cambridge team have been selling raffle tickets - but what could you win?!
Simmer has been on a shopping spreee - the prize pot for the Chocolate Easter Egg Raffle has grown to include all sorts of goodies. Fear not, fans of the savoury; there is a chance for you to win some delicious chicken stock!
Artist focus: Tiana
My final piece is centred around exploring the exchange between historical textiles and fine art practices, and contemporary design techniques, while responding directly to my project theme; Tradition Vs Change. By developing the skills and understanding of the methods: pottery, crochet, crochet tree-decoration, wax resist, shibori, decoupage and surrealist collage, I aimed to demonstrate how traditional crafts can evolve while protecting and preserving culture within art.
So, I've chosen to merge traditional craft techniques with modern surface design to portray how heritage skills can evolve over time, while still holding meaning.
The ceramic piece refers to the fine art tradition and historical function, as pottery is one of the oldest creative practices, and I've been inspired by Grayson Perry, who uses traditional ceramic forms to address modern identity and social issues.
So, I've chosen to use his technique in a similar method by using the surface of the vessel as a way of storytelling, as I layer techniques and textures to reflect both personal and social change. The cracks that have appeared in the clay symbolise the transition from tradition to change, as this can cause tension, as well as growth.
Forza Horizon in the rear view - a look back at the series
Horizon - Aka Horizon Colorado (2012, PlayGround Games)
The first game in the series. It is a unique spin on the Forza Motorsport series that features an open world and festival-based progression. The handling of the cars is more arcade-like, making races unpredictable. The Horizon Festival is where you can buy cards, get upgrades, and customise your vehicle. Winning races and driving skilfully awards the player.
Horizon 2 - Aka Horizon Europe (2014, PlayGround Games)
One of the few racing games not based in the US. Horizon 2 had two versions: an Xbox 360 version, and an Xbox One version. This game featured championships, which limited vehicle choice to a single type. For example, in the 90s Rally a race that only allowed popular 90s rally cars to compete. FH2 also blended the single and online multiplayer modes, because online gaming is huge for Forza fans.
Horizon 3 - Aka Horizon Australia (2016, PlayGround Games)
The first game to not have wristbands as a progression system, instead an owner of the Horizon Festival. The aim of the campaign is to level up the Horizon Festivals dotted around the map.
Horizon 4 - Aka Horizon Britain (2018, PlayGround Games)
The first game in the series to have player houses, Festival playlists, and seasons. Player houses are mini Festival hubs where you can upgrade and decorate your car. There are 12 houses to find. Festival playlists – seasonal challenges that give you the chance to unlock cars – were added later in an update. Horizon 4 is the first game in the series to have seasons. The seasons affect the map: in summer, the sky is bright, while in winter, the roads are snowy and icy, which messes with handling.
Horizon 5 - Aka Horizon Mexico (2021, PlayGround Games)
The first Horizon game to bring in accolades and the first to appear on PlayStation. Accolades are a new way of levelling up and are earned by completing certain racing challenges. For example, trying to bank 2,000,000 points in a chain. Horizon 5 was heavily criticised because the progression was non-existent, and the starting cars were too high spec.
Tote-ally unique works of art
The In Toto Art Department has recently started an initiative called the "Enterprise Project". This is an initiative where every art student makes sellable items that the school will sell. This initiative is to teach art students how to sell things online. While In Toto Ed claims they will eventually share profits with the students, this might not be legally required, as the project counts as "work experience".
The current Enterprise Project sees students buying tote bags then doing a heat-press print onto the bags. A heat press collage works by cutting shapes from a specific material and then heat press the design slowly onto the bag using the shapes.
One student, Lucy, has made a design based on bricks. The reason for this is her aspiration to be a bricklayer. Some of the reasons Lucy claims her bag will do well is because it is handmade and brightly coloured in a bland, saturated market. Lucy would like her bag to be sold for £5.50.
Tiana made a more abstract design resembling a marbled cake. The reason for this design is because she likes fluidity in art. She thinks that the tote bag will sell well because of the uniqueness of the bag, since there is only one being made. The suggested price tag for this one is £6.50.
There has also been mention of a third student making a bag design; however, word is they have been too hyper-fixated on it, and have not made any progress...
Write for In Toto Tales!
Have you got something to say? Creating something that you want to show off to the whole school? We are always looking for cool shizzle to feature in In Toto Tales. Talk to Dan and get your masterpieces in print!