Gryffindors, it's the end of the first term. Do you know where your points are? Hopefully you do because time is running out if you want to earn those last minute points to brighten up your HOL student files and bring you just a little closer to Missa Matz, the current point leader of Gryffindor with an astounding 1810 points! Not only that, but earning more points will help lift Gryffindor out of our current third place in the Inter House Points Race as well!
Completing your class work and extra credit assignments should always be the first place you turn to in order to earn points, but there are several other ways to earn them (a few of which are mentioned in this OP, so read the whole thing *nods nods*). There's still an entire term ahead of us before the school year ends so work hard to earn points for Gryffindor in the coming months. If we're successful, perhaps we can bring the House Cup back to Gryffindor this year! (And have a fantastic butterbeer-rific party in celebration of our success! \o/)
This Gryffindor public service announcement was brought to you by the Owl Post staff, the Gryffindor Brewery, and Randomhobosaurus. Rawr!
Contents
1. Gryffindor Staff Changes
2. Spice Girls Tryouts
3. January Den Challenge
4. Class Sign-Ups
5. QuadWizard Tournament Returns!
6. HOL Library
7. HOL Art Department
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1. Gryffindor Staff Changes
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Out with the old and in with the new! ...or something more sensitive toward the leaving staff members and congratulatory toward the new staff members. XD That's right, Gryffindor's staff is once again bidding farewell to a few staff members as well as welcoming in several more!
Although it's always sad to lose our hardworking staff members, let's first say goodbye to Prefect Amanda Hensgen. Amanda has left due to a desire to spend more time with the Whomping Willow. Er... the staff wasn't quite sure what to make of Amanda's request, but have fun Amanda! Next, please say goodbye to Prefect Julie Garnet who is also leaving the staff. While the official report is that Julie is leaving in order to spend more time training for quidditch, it has been speculated that she is currently being locked away in the non existent Gryffindor dungeon until further notice.
In order to make up for the gaps and whip-shaped holes left by our leaving prefects, please welcome in the next generation of corrupt Gryffindor staff members! Please congratulate Joanne Grey and Pandora Black to the realm of pie Junior Prefect-dom. As always, steer clear of these new JPs for a week or so while they practice using their new JP weapons (unless you want them to test out their new weapons on you!). Additionally, please welcome Professor Morgana Soredamorsto our ranks!
Also, the staff would like to announce the promotion of former Junior Prefects Jenny Lupin and Katie Potter to full prefects! Congratulations Jenny and Katie! May your shiny new promotions be enough to crush all of the new first years underfoot! :D
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2. Spice Girl Tryouts
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EVERYBODY ROAR!
What? That isn't loud enough for you? Then perhaps you should be the one to lead the house when it comes to cheering! If you have an interest in promoting house spirit within Gryffindor, then the Gryffindor Spice Girls are looking for you! The Spice Girls, Gryffindor's very own cheerleaders, are holding tryouts and they're looking for people who like to shout, who like to jump and dance like a maniac, but most of all they're looking for people who like quidditch! :D
Do you fit these requirements? If so, you're on your way to becoming a Spice Girl. All that's left is for you to *carefully* read this post and send in your application before January 31st! More details can be found in the above link. Good luck to all of the applicants and shake those pom pons!
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3. January Den Challenge
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What's more fun than bouncing on padded walls? Nothing, of course. Well... perhaps participating in the Gryff-lympics might be more fun. :D This month's den challenge is an all out competition between dens and staff members alike! \o/ Take your pick from several different events and strive for greatness as you push your skills to the test. Take a stab at writing haikus, show that you're second to none when it comes to art, flex your trivia answering abilities, play until you can play no more to become the #1 padded wall bouncer arcade gamer, and much more!
All of these events and more can be found over at the Gryff-lympics forum. These events are all weekly events with changing themes and new medal winners each week! Many medals have already been handed out, but that doesn't mean you've missed your chance to earn yourself (and your den!) some glory! Go participate now and join in the fun and insanity! \o/
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4. Class Sign-Ups
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The sign up period for new classes has already begun, so what are you waiting for?! You're allowed to take a maximum of 5 classes per term, so fill up your schedule by choosing from the wide selection of classes offered to you by the HOL professors and student teachers! The classes taught by Gryffindor professors and student teachers are especially splendid. *cough cough* *wink wink* *hint hint* *nudge nudge*
For more information about how to sign up for new classes, please check out this post. Here's the full list of classes taught by a Gryffindor this semester:
Animal Magic (Prof. Pezzie Wolfe)
Defence Against the Dark Arts (Prof. Wylie Weasley)
Divination (Prof. Morgana Soredamors)
Greek Mythology (Lily Padfoot)
Healing Herbology - Nature's Poisons (Prof. Aislynn Willow)
Magical Musicology (Prof. Ruben Orion)
Magizoology (Prof. Morgana Soredamors)
Practical World Domination (Prof. Ben Quaddler)
While taking a Gryffindor-led class doesn't mean automatic full points or automatic quills awarded at the end of the term, having a Gryff teach your class does have its perks. Did we mention free cheesecake, complimentary butterbeer, and the priceless appreciation of the professor of the classes you take? :D
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5. QuadWizard Tournament Returns!
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The Goblet of Fire is now accepting names for HOL's second QuadWizard Tournament. The QuadWizard Tournament is a HOL wide event. A representative from each house is selected to compete. There are four tasks to complete. The student that not only survives the tasks but gets the highest score will become this years QuadWizard Tournament Champion.
The Goblet closes on January 28th, so get your name in soon! The requirements are simple. You must have been a student since before September 1st, 2006, you must fill out the application, and you cannot be involved in the judging or tournament planning panel. Good luck to all Gryfindors!!
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6. HOL Library
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The HOL Library currently has two projects running. This is a fun and easy way to earn points!
The first is an oldie but goodie: Getting Into Harry Potter. Started a few years ago, this is your chance to walk down memory lane and share how YOU got into Harry Potter. There is currently no deadline for this project. You can earn 10 points for your story.
The second is new. It's called "First Day of Class After Christmas Holidays." The deadline for this project is February 4th. You have to write a 500-1000 word story on the events of your first day of classes after being on holiday. More information can be found here.
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7. HOL Art Department
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Do you like to draw? Do you wish that HOL had as many art contests as story contests? Well, HOL now has an Art Department! Just launched today, the Art Department is lead by Head Girl Cosmo Brown. To start off their first year, they have a contest running.
The Deathly Hollows User Icons contest runs until February 28th. You can win a maximum of 20 points. We know we have some talented icon makers in Gyffindor, so please submit something! If you need to brush up on your Photoshop skills, Cosmo Brown had a Photoshop class this term that is a wonderful resource. Her lesson on layers in particular will make your icon look amazing!
Taken from the Art Department's website (http://hol.org.uk/art.php):
"Design a 100x100px icon in GIF, JPG or PNG format (max. file size 100KB) that can be used as a user icon in message boards, on your blog, Vox, LiveJournal or similar. The image must include the words Deathly Hallows somewhere. Animated icons are allowed."
Good luck!