EMMANUEL T
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MARCH 2013
ISSUE No. 53
Oakes in the Woods
Jolly Hockey Sticks
Wonder of Wonders
Advertising Addiction
What do you think of gambling? It’s dangerous, addictive, and could lead to losing everything. How many stories are there of individuals who have spent more than they can afford in casinos, betting shops or even those slots machines in pubs and arcades? Countless, I can assure you. Some experts view the effects of gambling as an addiction to an altered psychological state. It’s thought to be similar to the effects of stimulants with feelings of thrill and excitement linked to risk-taking. Eventually, the gambler becomes increasingly preoccupied with their habit, as do many drug addicts. They often feel the need to increase the size of their bet to get the same level of excitement, and struggle to control or stop their behaviour. Nearly three-quarters of Britons (73%) have indulged in some kind of gambling at some point in their lives; this includes buying a lottery ticket. This is a disturbingly high figure. UK consumers currently spend about £1.7bn a year at online gambling companies. But why? The answer is simple. Have you noticed something changing in television in the past year or so? Advertising. That’s what has changed. The frequency of advertisements concerning gambling has increased dramatically. The quantity of websites advertising cheap bingo, poker, casinos, and slots is disgraceful. The quantity alone bothers me, but even
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James Haikney Student Editor
Sarah James Student Editor
more so is the fact that almost every other advertisement on television is for gambling; or on websites, banners will pop up telling you that if you “deposit £10 you’ll get £30 freeplay!”. This explains the large increase in the money spent on online gambling. It’s too easy to access.
is the truth that gambling is like a disease. It can make a person lose their whole life: money, job, family and friends. Something has to change as gambling is currently destroying lives. Last year, the implementation of a tax on online gambling was considered, to help reduce the addiction. This is a positive move from the government, and the tax should be reconsidered, at a higher rate. If this tax were to be implemented across a wider field, I believe it could be a timely intervention and could help to prevent the damaging risks that come with gambling.
There are rules that must be followed when it comes to advertising. These rules are very slowly and carefully being broken by unscrupulous companies every day. The rules state that advertisements for gambling must not encourage gambling that could cause harm, suggest gambling as a financial solution or link gambling to seduction or enhanced attractiveness. These rules need to be enforced clearly. They must be strict on when and where these adverts are shown – for example, suitable, age-restricted channels – and confined to appropriate times and specific websites. What has emerged from this recent surge in advertising
Sarah James 12 Williams
Ryan Wright (12 Williams) recounts his remarkable journey from nomination for the prestigious Lord Glenamara Memorial Prize to meeting Michael Gove at the awards ceremony. Lord Glenamara (Ted Short) was an astonishing man; he died in May 2012, narrowly missing his milestone 100th birthday, having served as an MP for Newcastle Central, and Secretary of State for Education. In honour of his public service and passion for education, the Rt Hon. Michael Gove MP, with the Department for Education, launched the Lord Glenamara Memorial Prize, where schools across the North-East were invited to nominate a student who gave a considerable amount of their time to serving others in their community, and who had excelled academically. I was truly honoured to be
nominated by Mr Farquhar, Mrs Wiecek, whom I had helped in the Library for four years, and other members of staff for my commitment elsewhere in College; this included having attended and helped out in the ‘It’s Alive’ Biology Club since its founding when I was in Year 8, and also my academic achievement at GCSE level. I was named as a runner-up for the award in December, which I discovered while at a conference at Nottingham University. I can remember receiving a text message telling me that Mr Winch was trying to get in touch with me, although I couldn’t answer my phone as I was in a lecture, which did make me quite nervous as I had to wait about 45 minutes to find out what I had done! Thankfully I hadn’t done anything – at least nothing bad – and I was told some very sketchy details about my achievement. I later received
full details, as well as a letter from Michael Gove. On Tuesday 29 January, I was invited to Imperial College London for the awards ceremony. Accompanied by my mum and Mr Farquhar, we arrived in London early, so decided to begin the day with a visit to the Science Museum, where we encountered just about every primary-school child in London! On arrival at Imperial College, we had a guided tour of the South Kensington Campus, before heading to the Solar Room, where the function was to be held. A buffet lunch was followed by an incredibly powerful and immersive speech by Michael Gove about the life of Lord Glenamara. Mr Gove then handed out the awards to the runners-up and the winner. We also had the opportunity to meet Lord Kenneth Baker and Baroness Shirley Williams, both former Education Secretaries. Lord Baker was the mastermind behind the City Technology College scheme, and so ultimately is the reason that Emmanuel College exists. Baroness Williams was, in Mr Farquhar’s words, “such a genuine and lovely person: she took a real interest in everything that you said – and was even a fan of Gateshead!”
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January 15 was a big day: while a group of 12 students and former students headed to St James’s Palace to receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards from Prince Edward, Katherine Phillips (13 Moss) was at 11 Downing Street with George Osborne! In 2010, David Cameron launched the Big Society initiative: a scheme which encouraged young people and the unemployed to seek voluntary work, playing an active role in their local community, increasing their skills and experience and ultimately helping them find paid work. Since August 2011, I have been volunteering with The Reading Agency, an independent charity which seeks to increase literacy rates across Britain and make reading more fun and accessible to all. My work, which includes planning, promoting and assisting at events for young people at Gateshead Central Library, has provided me with great opportunities, the most notable being an invitation to a reception at 11 Downing Street, hosted by Mrs Frances Osborne. The day began early, as and I and some colleagues from the Reading Agency assembled at Newcastle Station to catch the 9 am train to London. Several hours later we arrived in our nation’s capital, happy to have some time for lunch and sightseeing. However, the hours flew by and before we knew it, we were filled with nerves in a taxi which had one destination – Downing Street!
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Upon arrival at the gates of what is arguably the most famous street in the country, we anxiously presented our invitations and ID to security. We were allowed to walk freely down the cobbled street towards Number 11, the home of Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne and his wife Frances, stopping off, naturally, for some photographs. Inside, we were met by a number of influential and inspirational figures including Minister of Civil Society, Nick Hurd, George Osborne and Mrs Frances Osborne, who, as an author herself, is a huge advocate of The Reading Agency. Before the reception began, we were summoned to be interviewed at the iconic front door by the BBC, who asked us questions on everything from our opinions on various government policies to our work within our local communities – an interview which I was surprised to see not only on the local, but on the national morning news, the following day. Once in the warmth of Number 11, the real purpose of the evening – acknowledging the work of young volunteers across the country – was underway. Speeches were made by Miranda McKearney OBE, leader of The Reading Agency, Mrs Frances Osborne and Nick Hurd MP on
the importance of reading and how volunteering can have enormous benefits not only for the individual, but for the community and the country. Following the speeches, we were finally allowed to tuck into the buffet which many of us had been gazing hungrily at throughout the evening. We spent the following hour or so socialising until, sadly, it was time to leave. I hope to return to Downing Street in the future, as the trip further inspired my interest in politics – particularly political journalism – and left me with some fantastic memories which I’m sure will last a lifetime. Katherine Phillips 13 Moss
Achieving your Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is no small thing. It marks the end of the two-year battle of determination, commitment and teamwork. On 15 January I began the last leg of my Award: a 560-mile round trip from my house to St James’ Palace and back in one day. Fair enough, I was doing 125mph for most of it, but it was a change from the four-day, fifty-mile walk the Gold groups had to complete in September 2011!
Our certificates were presented to us by Olympic swimming champion Nick Gillingham, who spoke to us about his own challenges in his sport and shared his Olympic medals around for us to look at. It was an extremely memorable day and a fantastic end to what has been one of the most worthwhile experiences in my life so far.
Mr Leonard said: “It was wonderful to see how the Award has helped these former students grow into confident young adults, full of independence, with a desire to make things happen. This was a very special day for them which they will probably remember for the rest of their lives, but the lessons their journey has taught them will definitely be valued for the rest of their lives.” David Allinson 13 Osterman
After a swift sight-seeing tour on this, my first ever visit to London, it was time to head to the Palace. I met up with eleven former Emmanuel students and it seemed like a lifetime since I had last seen them in College. Our group was directed to the Entrée Room where we had to wait a short while until Prince Edward appeared. We were all slightly nervous about meeting royalty but he soon had us laughing and talking about our experiences. Alison Seadon, who left last year, chatted to the Prince about her experiences living in Sudan, where she had completed an international version of the Bronze Award, before starting Gold when she joined Emmanuel’s Sixth Form. THE NEWS TEAM:
Kara Beattie, Matthew Bell, Erica Bone, Molly Bowden, Adam Bradford, Amy Calvert, James Clay, Olivia Cossey, Matthew Fairhurst, Jennifer Goon, Emma Hill, Alex Ip, Michael Iveson, Lauren Johnson, Matthew Maddock, Jennifer Reay, Hal Robinson, Declan Southern, William Todd, Harry Wilson
STAFF SUPPORT:
Mrs R Brown - News Co-ordinator, Mrs E Dickinson - Assistant News Co-ordinator Mrs S Fingleton & Mr S Richardson - Design and Layout, Mr G Nattrass, Mrs V Dixon & Mr R Metcalf - Photography If there are any items you would like us to feature here please contact:
Emmanuel College, Consett Road, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE11 0AN Telephone: (0191) 4602099
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We’ve said goodbye to three long-standing members of staff this year so far: Mrs Magill, Mr J Smith and Mr W Smith.
Sadie Kitson is a former student of Mr W Smith, who taught Science at Emmanuel for many years.
Mr Smith was my Chemistry teacher. The impact he had on me and my interest in Science has defined my life choices since. Science was never my forté but Mr Smith never took “I’m just no good at it” for an answer. From the moment I set foot in his classroom he inspired me. His passion for Chemistry was infectious. Rather than scaring me with big concepts and frightening words, he eased me in with tales of little shrimps under the sea, and stories of exploding laboratories. Every time I struggled, he was there. Without Mr Smith I wouldn’t have carried on with Chemistry into A level, and I’d never have been able to apply to medical school to realise my dream of becoming a doctor. He taught me that sometimes it’s worth working hard at the things which might not come as easily to us. Now, as an almost 22-year-old, three years into Medical School, I look back and see what a positive influence he had on the rest of my life. I am sure I speak on behalf of many when I say, “Thank you, Mr Smith. You are truly the most wonderful teacher I could have wished for!”
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Emmanuel Times interviews Mrs Magill: How long did you work here? I was in my 21st year when I retired. Originally I was employed as a PE teacher but, being interested in the pastoral side, I became a Pastoral Head and the Child Protection Officer. I loved my time at Emmanuel and even on the day I left, I loved it as much as the day I started. What did you most like about working here? The students are awesome at Emmanuel and I am very proud to have worked with them for so long. Another important aspect about the work is the support from management, both on a personal and professional level. Emmanuel introduced me to Christianity and it was during my time there that I was baptised and really discovered God’s love. What have been the highlights? Winning a hockey trophy with the Under-16 squad, performing in the choir for Rumours of Angels and Prom Praise, watching Mr Burn, one of our former Principals, taking part in a Mr Bean sketch, reaching a trampoline final with senior students (including Mr Rear!) and travelling with them to Northern Ireland and, finally, watching some of our most difficult students mature into very special adults.
Can he fix it? Yes, he can!
Mr J Smith worked as Facilities Manager since the day Emmanuel opened. From clearing snow in the winter to fixing a leak in the ceiling, he was your man! He remembers the huge physical changes to the College over those years, like the addition of the Granary, Lecture Theatre, and the Music and Art Block. But what impacted Mr Smith more than anything was the friends he made here. “It has been a pleasure to have known them, especially those at Emmanuel at this present time,” he said. “One of the best surprises was in 2000 when four members of staff were presented with a gift for our continuous and dedicated service to Emmanuel College. The best part about that day was the fact that we knew nothing about it until we were called upon during the Monday morning assembly. What a surprise!” But Mr Smith received a greater surprise this year on his birthday. “I thought I was having an evening out with two friends, but I entered into the Angel View to a tumultuous surprise and a birthday/retirement occasion organised by many of the staff at Emmanuel College! Thanks to all of them; they will always be remembered.” And so will you, Mr J Smith, for your dedication and hard work over so many years! Amy Calvert and Matthew Maddock 10 Ward
Rarely are we exposed to the hardships that other people face in life but, when we are, the hope is that we will respond compassionately and be appreciative of how much we have. This was the aim of College’s new initiative: ‘Make a Difference Week’. The week was comprised of numerous opportunities to learn about others’ circumstances and to become involved. Monday morning’s assembly kicked off with Ethan Lisk (12 Begg), a volunteer at ‘Gateshead Foodbank’, being interviewed about his work there. He suggested ways that we could help by volunteering ourselves and by donating food; even a can of beans would help. Tuesday and Wednesday brought some inspiring assemblies from Mr McMaster talking about his work with ‘Walter’s Kitchen’. We found out that, whilst we may not notice it, there are people facing considerable hardship right on our doorstep. Walter’s Kitchen provides homeless people with physical and spiritual food: a hot, tasty meal and the Gospel (the good news about Jesus). The charity goes out in all weathers, at all times, and really makes a difference to the local community. Thursday was when the rubber hit the road. The school children supported by ‘Pearl of Africa’ receive porridge for their one meal of the day.
We were therefore invited to substitute our usual meal for a plain bowl of porridge. The money we would have spent was then given as a donation to the charities ‘Pearl of Africa’ and ‘The Molly and Paul Childcare Foundation’ that provide low-cost education for orphaned and destitute children in Uganda, Africa. “It was really memorable,” said Mr Farquhar, “because even after I had my porridge, I was still hungry. If this is what children have to do every day, then it must be really hard!” However, it didn’t stop there. We were given the chance to swap our normal cookie for a virtual one, and we could also exchange our usual choice of flavoured water for a plain bottle, which raised money for the charity ‘Wells for Africa’. These small sacrifices would provide for someone in need. The first-ever ‘Make a Difference Week’ has been packed full of
different events which we could all get involved in. But making a difference isn’t just for this week; we can help so much all of the time. This is why having school charities can be so useful - not only is it easy to organise events but we can get feedback and really understand the heart of the charity. So let’s make a difference today! Anna Spence 9 Robinson and Holly Parkin 9 Renham
Total Raised for Cancer Research Cake Sale on Thursday 7 February was
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“If I Were a Rich Man” sings Tevye, the Dairyman (Callum Jessop). He daydreams that if he were a rich man he wouldn’t have to work hard or worry about feeding his five daughters and feeling the wrath of his long-suffering wife Golde (Rachael Lally). Life is difficult for Tevye and his family in the small Jewish village of Anatevka in Tsarist Russia in 1905, but they work hard, pray hard and keep life in balance with faith and ‘Tradition’. They have traditions for everything: how to eat, how to sleep, how to wear clothes and how to get married. Meet Yente, the “Matchmaker” (Mollie Kerrigan). She brings great news to Golde and Tevye that Lazar Wolf, the wealthy Butcher (Josh Barney), has fallen for their eldest daughter Tzeitel (Samantha Morrison). So, the men drink to the match and “To Life, to life L’Chaim!” But ... Tevye’s eldest daughters Tzeitel, Hodel (Rachel Johnson) and Chava (Katie Ackerley) have their own ideas about whom they should marry. Why not? They are young, they have their father’s spirit and their mother’s tongue and they believe in a thing called love. Tevye’s traditions are challenged when Tzeitel wants to marry Motel, the Tailor (Jordan Bone) not Lazar, the chosen match. “Miracle of Miracles”, Motel convinces Tevye; Tevye convinces Golde and, as the sun sets on Anatevka, there is a marriage. Mazeltov! But all is not well, there is a growing unrest between the Russian and Jewish communities and revolution is in the air. Tevye’s traditions will be challenged to the full in his home of Anatevka. Thus the epic tale of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ came to Emmanuel. The cast and crew added their unique flourishes to the production: Callum and Rachael’s heart-warming rendition of ‘Do you love me?’ was a regular tear-jerker; the spectacularly masterminded choreography from our very own Mrs. Wells, Miss. Griffin and Conor Kerrigan moved the audience to rapturous applause; and the combination of the technically executed acting, singing, dancing and stage effects to form the ‘Dream’ scene was enough to please the most hardened of critics. As Mr Layfield said, “Bravo!”
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Back Stage Tradition
Tradition has it that all involved in Emmanuel College Productions are highly skilled, extremely dedicated, and have a spectacular sense of humour. Unlike six certain inhabitants of Anatevka, there were no radicals breaking with such traditions for this year’s production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’! From arduous auditions came a cast of over 40 talented students, including a strong body of both male and female talent. For 25 weeks these enthusiastic folk have been attending rehearsals on a twice, sometimes thrice, a-week basis to produce a refined and beautifully crafted piece of musical theatre. The crafting, however, must be credited to those who have scheduled, rehearsed, and nursed this show from page to stage. They need no introduction: the production team! For those of you who did not grace our auditorium, or were still collecting yourself following the laughter and tears of the previous scene, allow me for a moment to pay tribute to the Stage Management Team, led by Charlotte Jones (12 Oughton), and the technical crew consisting of Emmanuel students past and present: Declan Southern (10 Foster), James Clay (10 Griffiths), Amy Blackburn (13 Moss), Rachel Moorhead (13 Buckley) and Rebecca Cruxton (12 Lawrence). One can begin to imagine the hours of line-learning, singing rehearsals and dance-perfecting experienced by the cast, but the Stage Management Team were also put through their paces as they familiarised themselves with the scenes and stage that they had to, well, manage! No simple task, as Charlotte and her team would certainly reassure you. At last, five days before the curtain came up on months of hard work, the cast and crew met with the technical team to bring together, scene by scene, dance by dance, and song by song the show that would later be acclaimed to be “the greatest show in Emmanuel history”! To all who created, and to everyone who supported, Mazeltov! Matthew Tuckey 12 Oughton
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In the summer of 2011 former students Christopher Noble, Callum Robinson and Alex Rayner attempted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for the charity Practical Action. We are proud to say that at 9am on Saturday 2 July 2011 we stood on Uhuru Peak at 5,895m up: the highest point in Africa! It began in June, setting off from Newcastle to take on this fantastic challenge. We arrived, bright eyed and bushy tailed, at Heathrow and met 28 other excited hikers, all sharing the same mix of emotions: excitement, apprehension, fear, determination. We began to bond as a group immediately but it all still felt a bit surreal – we were a group of travellers sitting in an airport – nothing out of the ordinary. However, after a sleep-deprived 11-hour flight (thanks to some horrific snorers!) and a bumpy eight-hour bus journey from Nairobi, Kenya, into Tanzania, we stood at the foot of the task ahead. That’s when it hit us; suddenly it all seemed so real
– our legs began to tremble, our hands shook… we looked up… and up… and up… yet the top was nowhere to be seen. We all looked at each other, sharing the same feelings but we each knew to swallow our anxiety, bury it deep down; Kilimanjaro can smell your fear. That first day we climbed to 3,000m through the rainforest, spotting blue-bottomed monkeys galore, and birds only previously seen in documentaries, and engulfed by sounds which would remain imprinted on our memories. The second day we climbed to 3,800m, and then disaster struck: altitude sickness hit the group. At this height Chris and Callum were unaffected; however, Alex would walk a few metres and spend the next five minutes on his knees vomiting. Most of the expedition was very similar to hiking through the Lake District, but with much harder terrain and a gorgeous sunshine beating down on us. However, there were parts where we actually had to climb. On the morning of the fourth day, we arose to find ‘Barrafu
Wall’. It was dauntingly steep! The whole climb took us a gruelling six days – and despite the headaches, vomiting and unfamiliar diet they were the best six days of our lives! With the support of the fantastic porters who helped us, encouragement from new friends on the mountain and determination to help the charity, 24 of the original 31 made it to the peak. There are few words to describe our feelings at the top: pride at meeting the challenge, satisfaction at helping the charity and gratitude for all the support Emmanuel College gave us to get there! Later we visited a local Maasai tribe school to see some of the differences we could be making. It was heart-breaking to see such poverty and it made us appreciate how fortunate we are in the UK. The school was a large mud hut with one class of over 30 children aged three to eight. They are sent out into the wild to hunt with the men of the tribe. Each child’s education lasts just five years. The whole expedition was a huge success and a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity. However, we would not have made it without everyone who supported us, so we owe a huge thank you to them. Callum Robinson, Chris Noble and Alex Rayner
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Inspired by the Pearl of Africa Choir in November, a group of Year 13 students are planning to climb Kilimanjaro in January 2014 to raise further funds for the Choir and its work. “We’re slightly apprehensive, but optimistic overall,” said Robert Britton (13 McKenzie) of the week-long, 5,895metre climb. Look out for the many fundraising events coming up so we can help the group accomplish their exciting goal!
Chip butties, Star Wars and mobiles switched on? Sounds unfamiliar to an Emmanuel student, but so was being snowed in until almost 10 pm! The usual scholars’ bus services did not arrive until after 9:30 pm on 5 December, resulting in some students not returning home until almost midnight – the last student was at College until 11:20 pm (Josh Owen, 7 Fairhurst)! Special thanks go to Dr Massen who stayed on the specially commissioned doubledecker bus until the last student had got off. With hundreds of other students and staff stranded in College, two Sixth Formers
came across a man drifting in and out of consciousness with a serious head injury on their journey home. Thanks to the knowledge gained on a recent First Aid course in College, one of the boys was able to put him in the recovery position and administer first aid until the ambulance arrived, called by his companion. The students described it as “all a bit of a shock” but they “just acted on instinct”. With Star Wars showing in the Main Hall and the Library open until late, Mr Winch thanked his “heroic staff” for their patience and sense of humour that “made the night endurable” – probably enjoyable! – for
students. Everyone expresses huge appreciation to the catering staff, who returned voluntarily to “produce the nosh for the remaining waifs and strays”. Just when we thought the drama had subsided, the New Year brought even more snow – heavy enough to close the school for a day, despite Mr Winch’s determination to stay open! The week, beginning with the closure on Monday 21 January, was a challenge to both staff and students, who had to shuffle and slide through the snow for several days. Jennifer Reay 10 Barlow and Amy Calvert 10 Ward
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Never mind Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman; we have our very own ‘Les Misérables’ stars. From 16 to 19 October 2012 two of our students took part in a professional production of the world-renowned musical ‘Les Misérables’ at the People’s Theatre, Newcastle.
What a perfect preparation for our College production! “My character (Hodel) in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ was similar in a way, and I had another very emotional song to perform,” added Rachel,
who is hoping to progress on to acting school to pursue a career in musical theatre. Look out, West End!
Running your own business in Year 8 may sound more than a little daunting. But that is exactly what Nick Hall (8 Farquhar) has done, following in the footsteps of his father. Hoping to make some extra money, Nick began his own business on 1 August 2012 and now has eight employees working for him, including a dedicated advertising team. The company buys clothes in bulk and has T-shirts printed professionally, then
sells them over the internet. On the subject of starting his business, Nick admitted that it’s “hard to start off with...we doubted ourselves at times”. He also warned any aspiring entrepreneurs that “you will be in debt” at first, but that things soon improve, and that “it becomes a breeze, really”.
Jennifer Goon 10 Barlow and Molly Bowden 10 Ward
Emma Anderson (11 G Thompson) and Rachel Johnson (12 Begg) found out about this fantastic opportunity through Mrs Wells, who encouraged them to audition. Emma, who played Cosette, said: “It was amazing to work in a real theatre experience - but really challenging as well!” In her first experience of acting outside school, Rachel (photo right) took on the role of Fantine, which involved performing a solo of ‘I dreamed a dream’.
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Hal Robinson 10 Foster and Matthew Fairhurst 10 Greenshields
“I had a great time and learned loads about bushcraft.” Lucy Kelly “I discovered that coping with heights is my new thing; at least, that is what I think!” Connor McDonald
Favourite Moments
On Friday 1 March we all (6 Oakes) went to the Kingswood Centre in Hexham. There were lots of different activities – some were new and some made us work together as a team. These were some of the things that we experienced and learned. Edward Chowdhury
by encouraging them to do the things that they have never tried before.” Zane Akhter
Working as a Team
“I realised that there are many ways to make a fire.” Alex Moreno
“I learned that working as a team is the best way to get on; also, that you can help others
Year 6 Music Evening
Four music enthusiasts from Year 6 were interviewed about their experience of the ‘Year 6 Music Evening’ on 27 February. Lucy Kelly “It was very inspirational and helped me to think about what kind of instruments I want to play in Year 7.” What was the evening all about? It was about options for music lessons. We were able to try out lots of different musical instruments, including guitar and drums. There were also some really good performances from the Year 8
“I learned that it is important to work as a team.” Paul Douglass-Haywood
New Experiences
string ensemble and the Year 9 wind band. Paul Douglass-Haywood “I had a very good time! I would definitely go back again.” What was memorable about the evening? The drinks and snacks at the start made it feel like a proper music concert! We all loved the ‘Pink Panther’ song, which was played on a saxophone, and the Jungle Book’s ‘I Wanna Be Like You’ which the music teachers performed.
“I liked learning more about people. My favourite moment was when all the girls started screaming in the ‘Night Line’. There were ropes and wires hanging down and it felt like they were worms and snakes!” Jodie Brown “My highlight was when I pulled the lever on the 3G swing; Amy and I went flying through the air and Amy looked totally terrified!” Rebecca Jeffrey “The worst part was when we had to come home!” Thomas Blench Connor McDonald “The drum teacher was inspirational and wasn’t very quiet!” Did you learn anything from the event? We were inspired by the older students playing on the stage. It looked really frightening to perform like that in front of so many people but you could tell that the musicians had rehearsed a lot as their performances were perfect. Adam Bradford 10 Carruthers and Lauren Johnson 10 Blood Rebecca Geffrey “One of the best music performances I’ve ever been to!” 13
World Book Day is a great way to promote reading as well as being a fantastic celebration of the written word. This year at Emmanuel we haven’t been able to cram the bookmark competition, book reviews, teachers’ desert-island book display and the live online book festival into just one day so it’s become more of a World Book Week! Most excitingly for those with an appetite for books, the Library hosted a Literary Lunch, where the guests dressed up as storybook characters and all the food was themed according to dishes found in various popular texts, like Paddington Bear’s marmalade sandwiches, Grapes of Wrath, Catcher in the Rye (bread), croissants from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and even a home baked Bruce Bogtrotter’s Chocolate Cake from Matilda. Book Swap parties and reading for pleasure in the last lesson of the day demonstrated how much we all value and respect literacy at Emmanuel - not to mention fun!
Staff Guess Who? 1 3 2
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Devon Carr 8 Butterfield
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Nicole Armstrong 8 Colquitt
Tina Soulghani 8 Farquhar
Jack Davidson 8 Wiecek
Bookmark Design Competiton
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14 Answers to Guess Who? :1. Mis Colquitt, 2. Mr Buckley, 3. Mr Hall, 4. Dr Parkhurst, 5. Miss Fairhurst, 6. Mrs Boath, 7. Mr Richardson
Staff Desert Island Books Book Reviews
Harriet Hawdon 8 Butterfield - Goodnight Mr Tom
Tina Soulghani 8 Farquhar Jessica Saunders 8 Rear
Andrew Ewart 9 Glover
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Anticipation buzzed in the air as we piled on to the minibus, heralding the start of the 2013 ESF Puma Hockey Tour. There were 16 of us, chosen from Bede, Trinity and Emmanuel schools, to go down to Stratford upon Avon to represent ESF in hockey. Emmanuel was represented by Emily Graham, Jessica Page, Anna Steanson, Emily Crow, Alice Cassidy and me. Despite the mixture of students, we were immediately united by our new team kits. It was amazing how uniform body warmers made us feel like a proper team! Each day we played a different school but the recent snowfall hindered the matches somewhat and we had to play two out of the three schools indoors. However, we pulled together and convincingly won our matches against Blue Coat School, Coventry. The second team we faced was from King Henry VIII School, Coventry. The matches were competitive and exciting, and in the end we were pleased to finish with a loss, a draw and two wins. On Thursday we played our first and only match outdoors.
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Everyone played extremely well and we had our best game of the tournament, but Bablake School were worthy winners. In spite of our losses, during each of the matches we were encouraged to hear people cheering from the sidelines and shouting “Well done!” We became so used to hearing ‘Well done’ that it became a tour expression and we began saying it to each other, even for the smallest of things! Various prizes (chocolate bars!) were given to girls from each of the three schools. Player of the Tour was awarded to Amber Witson from Bede, Jade Bate from Trinity, and I was overwhelmed to receive it for Emmanuel. There was also a brilliant prize which Ellen Calder from Bede received for being the kindest and friendliest player on the Tour. During the day we were able to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace where there was a man dressed up in Elizabethan clothes; he sang Shakespeare’s songs, playing on his guitar, and tried get us to join in with him! Another day we went to the zoo and most of us headed
straight for the train ride which toured the animal enclosures. We were able to get incredibly close to the monkeys, and the Bede Captain, Callie, actually managed to touch a penguin. An evening activity was also kindly arranged for us; we went bowling and had the most delicious food. We had had a few disappointing meals, so the offer of pizza and chips was much appreciated and we all tucked in happily. We spent all our spare time talking to the girls from the other schools and becoming friends with them. We particularly enjoyed trying to speak in each others’ accents and, since Trinity Academy is in Doncaster, the Yorkshire accent was the one we all tried to perfect! We all hope to stay in contact so we swapped numbers and made plans to see each other during holidays. I would say we all had a fantastic time doing this tour and hope to do something like this again. Jannah Uddin 10 Ward