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Issue 1 Spring 2014
The
G ateway M agazine Written & produced by the students of The New Sixth, Bath
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In this issue The New Sixth Opens Tree of Knowledge Photography The Global Gateway The Well Up in the Clouds The Interview Music and more The Gateway Magazine is a not-forprofit enterprise published by The New Sixth. Our next issue will be out Summer 2014. Editorial: Contact us on 01225 838232. Advertising: Contact Liz Parr, The New Sixth, Combe Hay Lane, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA. Tel: 01225 838232 or email parrl@st-gregorys.org.uk The Gateway Magazine is available online at: www.newsixthbath.org.uk
Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors in content. Whilst every reasonable care is taken, the publisher shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by the failure of an advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions or misprints.
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Welcome Many thanks for your interest in the first issue of the Gateway Magazine, produced by the first ever intake of students in The New Sixth, the joint sixth form provision for St Gregory’s and St Mark’s schools in Bath. The New Sixth is located on purpose-built accommodation on the site of St. Gregory’s in Odd Down, at the southern entrance to the World Heritage of Bath, hence the name of our magazine.
Mr Raymond Friel,
Headteacher of
St Gregory’s
Catholic Colleg As well as students from St Gregory’s and St e Mark’s we have welcomed students from other schools in the area who wanted a different type of post-16 educational experience, where the high academic standards you would expect from any school in the area is combined with the caring supportive atmosphere of a Christian foundation. When you read about The Well in this issue, you will see what this means in practice. It hardly seems a few months ago when we had the formal opening of The New Sixth and the opportunity to publically thank B&NES Council for their exemplary support and commitment to the project. The Council provided the majority of the funding to enable Phase 1 of the Gateway Building to be built. We are now looking for funding for Phase 2 of the project, which will provide a 250-seat auditorium and a permanent home for The Well. If you have any ideas on how we can raise around £1.5m then we’d like to hear from you. We’d also like to hear from local businesses who are looking for a ‘gateway’ to the world. As Ben says in his editorial, we are hoping to reach around 2,500 families in the Bath area and will be sending copies of the magazine to our partner schools in China, India and Spain. But it’s not just advertising we’re looking for. We’re also looking for more partners from the business world to work with us to mentor and support the wonderfully gifted and skilled students in The New Sixth, who could well be your next intake of talent. We hear more and more from colleagues in the business world that what they value, above all, are the ‘soft’ skills of communication, team-working, flexibility and problem-solving. Any post-16 institution will be devoted to enhancing those skills, but what we want to develop in our young people as well is a clear set of values based on the Gospel which promote care for the individual and the environment. We want our students to be tomorrow’s leaders, but leaders with values and a conscience. If you want to be part of that vision, please let us know. Raymond Friel Headteacher, St Gregory’s Catholic College
advertise your business right here What better way to reach over 2,500 families in Bath, Wiltshire, Bristol, China, India and Spain? Spaces available from as little as £90 per year for three issues. A hand-delivered, tailor-made voice for your business. Need we say more? Contact Liz Parr or Paula Hawkins on 01225 838232 for further information and a media pack, or download one from www.newsixthbath.org.uk.
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Dear Reader, Welcome to the first ever edition of The Gateway Magazine! This magazine is a student run and created publication at The New Sixth, Bath. The editorial team have spent many hours creating and designing the magazine for your pleasure and enjoyment and as the editor, I really do hope you will enjoy it.
ge Ben Partrid f
We want to run a magazine that is self-financing and, for this to happen, we would like to invite local businesses and community organisations to advertise with us. If you know of anyone (or you are reading this at work!), please consider whether you, or your organisation, can advertise with us. In addition to reaching a target market of 2,500 families in Bath and beyond, you will be supporting our education and learning and helping us to understand (and work in) business and enterprise. More information on our advertising options can be found online at www.newsixthbath.org.uk or you can telephone Mrs Parr on 01225 838232.
ie Editor in Ch
I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few people. The first issue of our magazine has only been made possible with the expertise and support of The New Sixth staff, Mrs Hawkins, Ms Cornick, Mrs Boardman, Mr Friel and Mrs Parr.The magazine has involved many students along its journey and we would like to thank Lizzie Watts, James Mallon, Max Evry, Carmina Davis, Izzy Chaloner, Grace Valls, Matthias Jarosz, Ben Wright and Nathan Greaves for their valued contributions. Niall Conroy Niall is designer of the It leaves me to wish you happy reading of the content conmagazine, he also wrote and edited a tained within and wish you a happy summer! couple of the articles between school and heading up the new website. He is a keen Ben Partridge performer and plays several instruments in his spare time. Gateway Editor Studying: Maths, History, Performing Arts 08partridgeb@st-gregorys.org.uk and Psychology
Meet the team
Zoe Sinclair
Zoe is a journalist for the Gateway. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and watching Dr Who. You can read her thoughts on the 50th anniversary in her article in this issue. Studying: English Lit, Biology, Psychology and History
Joe Croucher
Joel Chandler Joel is the music reporter for
Sam Cochrane Sam is the advice man for the
Joe is the Gateway team's columnist. He loves writing funny lunchbox updates for his friends and was glad to get the chance to publish these. He is the 'Chief Whip' and would like to thank everyone for being so prompt with their articles. Studying: English Lit, History, Biology and Psychology
the Gateway and is a regular gig-goer. In his spare time, Joel also enjoys watching football. Studying: Psychology, Philosophy, History and English Lit
magazine and occasionally has a go at writing a cheeky article. He enjoys writing comedy sketches and hopes to pursue a similar career in the future. Studying: History, Art, Psychology and English Lit
Matt Marsh Matt is 16 and is the internet
Alex Dziadulewicz Alex is a reporter with an
and gaming columnist for the magazine. He enjoys football, gaming and basketball. Studying: English Lit/Lang, English, Business and Psychology
international interest, being our link to all things Spanish - as she takes A-level Spanish! Alex is an accomplished singer and is a part of the county choir. Studying: English Lit, History, Music and Spanish
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Having a faithbased sixth form in Bath is so important to our whole school community.”
the new sixth opens
building, will provide more choice for the families and young people of Bath and North East Somerset and indeed beyond.”
Staff, pupils and guests have celebrated the official opening of Bath’s newest sixth form in a series of Opening Events this year.
“The education offered here will be in the best traditions of both schools – academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care. I wish this new venture every success.”
The £2.8 million joint facility for students at St Gregory’s Catholic College and St Mark’s Church of England School opened to students this September in good time for the start of the academic year. The formal opening ceremony was held on Friday 4th October with guests of honour including the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Neil Butters; Mayor of Bath, Councillor Malcolm Lees; Bath MP Don Foster and representatives from Clifton Diocese and the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Executive Headteacher, Raymond Friel, thanked everyone for attending and told of the long journey that both schools have gone through to make The New Sixth a reality. He said the federation between St Gregory’s and St Mark’s was an unusual one, but was already proving to be a success. “The New Sixth is an exciting collaboration between St Mark’s Church of England School and St Gregory’s Catholic College to create a very unique sixth form provision in the state sector in Bath and North East Somerset with
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an explicitly Christian foundation.” “Our journey was at times a challenge,” he said, “but in the end what we have in common mattered more than what we don’t have in common and a vision was created for educating our young people in a setting which is Christian in its ethos while being faithful to both traditions.”
Mr Friel also spoke about the second phase of the sixth form, which includes plans for a 250-seat auditorium and a pastoral centre. The Gateway Fundraising Campaign was launched last year to find the extra £1.5m needed for this additional development.
Mr Friel thanked Bishop Declan Lang and the trustees of Clifton Diocese and the recently retired Bishop Peter Price and the education board of the Bath and Wells Diocese for their faith and support.
Mr Friel said, “Both our schools have always been ‘outward-facing’ - very much part of their communities - and our intention is that this next phase of our project will not only benefit our students but the people of the local community.We have already held further constructive dialogue with the council on how we might do that.”
The ribbon was cut by chairman of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Councillor Neil Butters after a joint blessing by the Vicar General of Clifton Diocese, Monsignor Canon Liam Slattery and Rev Michael Norman, representing Bath and Wells Diocese.
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Cllr Butters said, “I am delighted to celebrate the opening of the New Sixth.” “With the Council’s support, this new provision, made possible by this fine new
The education offered here will be in the best traditions of both schools academic excellence combined with outstanding pastoral care.”
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The event was also an opportunity to publicly thank the many friends, parents and supporters of the Campaign so far and Mr Friel recognised the donations from The Medlock Trust and The Van Neste Foundation as particularly significant. Speaking to the New Sixth’s Gateway Magazine reporter, Carmina Davis, MP Don Foster explained why he felt the new facility was so vital for the city of Bath. “I am very impressed by The New Sixth and when complete it will be mind-blowing. Phase Two needs to be built now as a benefit to the school community and the city. The sooner this can happen, the better.” “This sixth form enables local Christians to go to a faith-based school without leaving the city. It’s a great way for people and the community to unite and come together through their faith.” Chair of Governors at St Gregory’s, Cdr Peter Gilbert, added,“Having a faith-based sixth form in Bath is so important to our whole school community. The power of faith can be a quiet, supportive influence and doesn’t always need to be shown. It promotes a friendly, loving environment in a school that is nurturing and allows young people to flourish.” The official opening was followed by a celebration for sixth form students, parents and families at St Gregory’s Catholic College at The New Sixth on Friday 11 October. The event was the first collaborative effort by both schools’ PTFAs to work together for the sixth form community. Fun and frivolity were the key ingredients for
the evening as guests enjoyed a scrumptious meal and live music from Panama (the name of the band – not the country!) and tour of The New Sixth facilities. Andrew Jackson, New Sixth Community and Fundraising Coordinator, helped to organise the event. “The evening raised over £1,000 towards the fundraising campaign which is a fabulous amount. Our thanks go to our PTFAs for helping to organise the event and to parent, Dick Evry, for providing the band.” “We look forward to many more joint events like this over the coming months and urge any parent or family member interested in supporting the campaign to get in touch.” PICtured CLOCKWISe FrOM tOP LeFt: Chairman of the Council, Cllr Neil Butters cutting the ribbon; the New Sixth; Students celebrate their first day in their new sixth form; Gateway repor ter, Carmina davis with Chairman of Governors at St Gregor y’s, Cdr Peter Gilber t; White design architects, Matt Harrison and tim Forster with Mr Friel, Mrs Howard, Mrs Barrett and Mr Jackson.
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The Tree of Knowledge Is it wit? Is it harmless banter? Is it an agnostic attempt to be humourous? It is Joe Croucher. Happy Monday everybody! Welcome back to our sweet ride at the back of the bus and congratulations to the inhabitants of the great body of our gateway.These polyester sentinels whom guard the entrance to the city are a joy to behold. Silently superior to the humdrum-ness of the rest of the world, we thank those who have made The New Sixth possible.The young, suited and booted men and women of our new sixth form walk through the airy halls of the Gateway Building and look alive and healthy in a buzz of excited activity as they go from one place to another. In reality, this ‘buzz of excited activity’ is really the façade put on by a work force of confused and sullen teenagers who can’t fathom where they have to be when the sagacious timetable comes up with a blank period. ‘Independent Study?!’ we cry, ‘How does it work?!’ Well children, this is what we call growing up. As each of us age and becomes more mature we must, apparently, learn to teach ourselves. Gone are the days when our teachers would have to funnel the information directly into our brains. We must now go out and explore the world, bringing back the juicy fruits of knowledge. Or, alternatively, go out and sit in the less expansive walls of Wikipedia and bring back the cardboard boxes of its confusing technical talk. We have many different gardens through which to search for fruit: the internet-orchard with its apples of encoded (and very usually filtered) knowledge and the Encyclopaedia-bush, bearing the berries of formal experiments and their findings.
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Gone are the days when our teachers would have to funnel the information directly into our brains. We must now go out and explore the world, bringing back the juicy fruits of knowledge.”
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Many of us have finally discovered the fields of news where crops of real-life happenings grow and are harvested for their political and international nutrients. But one thing we must choose not to reap so often are the minds of our teachers. C’mon guys, it’s time we did our bit. They did their stuff last year, getting us through our GCSEs. Now they’re teaching another batch of GCSE-freshers AND a throng of New Sixth A-levellers too. Blank periods are a blessing for both staff and student alike.When the school-bell sounds its cockerel crow and we are free to go and harvest the educational crops of the LRC, go in haste to collect them! And, as always, remember to enjoy the view. -----------------------------------------------------Extended Metaphor – When you can’t find anything to comment on in the poems about food and rats in trenches, try to find three sentences with the same metaphor. It’s like catnip to the examiners and most of your AS English teachers too, so they’ll probably like the farming theme of this column. Furthermore, I’m sure Mrs Boardman will really have enjoyed my juxtaposition of the Cockerel’s Crow!
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1 st Photography @ The New Sixth
Over the holidays students of The New Sixth were asked to take pictures with the theme ‘Water’. The winning photos are now adorning the walls in The Well, a unique social and spiritual centre for the students of The New Sixth. Winners of the competition each won iTunes vouchers. In first place was Matt Hawkins with a picture of a waterfall. Lizzie Watts came in second with a beautiful shot of a duck. In third place was Ben Partridge with a clear shot of a water droplet. The competition was judged by Mr Duffy, photography teacher at The New Sixth.
3 rd
Photography Competition 2 nd
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Global Gateway
St Gregory’s has excellent connections with other schools across the world including Spain, China and India. Sam Cochrane, New Sixth student at St Gregory’s, looks at how these links can develop even further through the sixth form. The Bath-Suzhou Partnership was formed in 2010, when Richard Kemp, a retired head teacher, invited eight other head teachers to visit Suzhou. Whilst there they visited the partner schools and signed friendship agreements. For the past two years, twenty Chinese students have visited St Gregory’s for the Summer Term. Both the Chinese students and the students here at St Gregory’s gained from the experience. In China, the teachers typically teach more traditional methods, from visiting St Gregory’s the Suzhou students got the opportunity to partake in more creative forms of learning. The St Gregory’s students, in turn, gained an understanding of Chinese culture. This understanding will be increasingly more important as the students grow up as working with foreign employers will certainly become an increasingly common thing. Along with the Chinese students, Chinese teachers have also come to St Gregory’s, and St Gregory’s teachers have had the opportunity to visit China. Both groups of teachers have learnt from each others’ methods, taking things that they saw were useful and then incorporating it into their own teaching. In 2011, I and several other students from St Gregory’s and schools around Bath got the opportunity to visit China. As part of the trip we got the chance to tour the city of Suzhou and visit the school that St Gregory’s is linked
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to. We also got to teach a lesson to a packed class of Chinese students and their teachers. We taught them about the geography of the UK and how to say various types of weather in English. We got them into groups, and made some of the lesson into a competition, which was a lesson structure that we could see they weren’t familiar with, but they adapted to it quickly and enjoyed it thoroughly. This form of teaching was something that I thought both the Chinese students and teachers would benefit from as this a fairly normal method of teaching in the UK but uncommon in China. One thing that astonished me about these children was their pure love for learning; not one of them was against the concept.
PICtured CLOCKWISe FrOM tO Chinese students visit St Gregor y’ and St Gregor y’s Year 7 trip to Fra St Gregor y’s ski trip to Serre Chev
I remember waking up in the morning, looking out of the hotel window across from the school and seeing the children in class, and when I got back in the evening they’d still be there working. A brilliant opportunity for some students at St Gregory’s is actually learning Chinese. Dr Mumford, our Chinese teacher has already received significant interest in the classes. No doubt it’d be great if the students learning Chinese will be able to have conversations, and write to the Chinese students in each others’ languages.
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Global Gat
The New Sixth provides a uniqu partnerships and enrichment opport both schools, to continue to grow an
Within the next 12 months, students will be visiting Iceland, New York, Ch
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CKWISe FrOM tOP LeFt: visit St Gregor y’s; joint St Mark’s Year 7 trip to France last year ; rip to Serre Chevalier, France.
bal Gateway
ovides a unique opportunity for the chment opportunities, established by nue to grow and strengthen.
Global Gateway St Mark’s have developing partnerships with a number of schools across France, Spain and beyond. Ben Partridge, New Sixth student at St Mark’s, speaks to Head of Languages at St Mark’s, Madame Colin about why the study of language and culture is so important in enhancing learning opportunities for young people. Students at St Mark’s School also benefit from a wide range of international and cultural opportunities as a result of the experiences and connections of their Head of Languages, Madame Colin. “I joined St Mark’s School in September 2011 as Head of Languages in order to continue to share my passion for language learning with my students and create opportunities for them to discover and study other cultures which make the beauty of our growing international world community,” said Madame Colin. “We have organised new partnerships with schools and colleges across Europe and this has lead to an increase in the number of international visitors and students to our school enriching the school community.” “This year, we are very lucky to have four Spanish students who have joined our Year 7 cohort. Everybody at St Mark’s enjoys hearing them speak in Spanish around the school.” “In December, they led an assembly to tell us a bit more about the Spanish culture and way of life. They came dressed in traditional Spanish clothes and did a presentation in Spanish as they did not have the linguistic skills to manage it in English yet.” The study of languages goes even further than the classrooms at St Mark’s as this year, they welcomed 25 university students from Spain. The main purpose of this visit was for them to learn more about education and secondary schools in England, but also for St Mark’s students to understand the importance of learning languages and being aware of different cultures. “Our visitors attended a couple of lessons with our St Mark’s GCSE students. They were given
a tour of the school by our fantastic Year7 Spanish guides. Finally, the Spanish students gave a presentation to our Year 9 students about what languages mean to them and how important they think it is to learn and know different languages. “They also told us more about where they come from and about their culture: music, sports, food and Christmas celebrations. We ended the day in a joyful atmosphere with all students dancing the Macarena!“ St Mark’s also has two Hungarian students with them in Year 7, who have not studied English before. “Being passionate about languages, I have on various occasions asked them how to say various words in Hungarian. I was quite impressed on how different to English and even French, Hungarian is. I am hoping that once they have gained sufficient vocabulary in English, they will be able to do a presentation, in their turn, to the whole school to let us know a bit more about their culture.” In June 2013, Madame Colin organised a joint trip to France for Year 7 & Year 8 students from both St Gregory’s and St Mark’s. They took 88 students on a 5-day trip to Paris and Poitiers visiting Disneyland, the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower before heading south to Poitiers to visit the Futuroscope. This year, students from St Mark’s will be partaking in a 6-day trip through France to Barcelona, Spain. “Although St Mark’s does not currently offer Spanish, I thought it would be a great cultural experience for them to visit another country and hopefully learn a couple of words and sentences! I think we may struggle with the heat, but let’s not complain!”
onths, students from The New Sixth New York, China and Washington.”
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The
WORD from
Jerr
y Parr Chaplain at St Mark’s & The New Sixth
ley Derick Gorm The New Sixth
’s St Gregory t a in a l p a h C
&
The Well is the new chaplaincy space for the students of The New Sixth, providing a place for spiritual growth and development for students as they continue their academic journey through sixth form. Students, Zoe and Lucy, met with Derek Gormley, Chaplain for St Gregory’s and The New Sixth to find out what life was like in The Well. What is the purpose of The Well? The Well is a place for sixth form students to come to and chill out, be alone with their thoughts, discuss current events or even just to have some company. It is a welcoming spot where they can have a cup of tea and simply have a break from lessons and probably thinking too much! The Well has a lot to offer the students. However, I think we are only in the initial stages of this so I hope it will have a lot more to offer students as time goes on. I look forward to developing The Well and creating a place that will be a beneficial, restful and enjoyable space for students to come to. Do the students get to help planning in The Well? Perhaps there could be activities as well (pardon the pun) as just a spot for relaxation? We have two Bath City Church members with us at the moment who have lots of ideas, and along with myself and Jerry (who is here from St Mark’s School on Mondays and Thursdays), we have a lot of fun planned, including social activities, Xbox competitions and perhaps bringing in live bands once a week for lunch time. On other occasions we might have a prayer liturgy, which will be easy going and hopefully
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cater towards the needs of the students. We’re always happy to listen to ideas so would encourage students to get in touch with us and share their thoughts. Do you have to go with a religious purpose? No, you don’t! The Well is about getting to know the students and supporting them. It’s a place where the students can feel comfortable and can get to know their Chaplains too. If people don’t want to talk, they can come in for just a cup of tea. We hope that students will make the place their own and develop it into a useful, purposeful space. We’d like to introduce more games; maybe get a table-tennis table or a ‘foosball’ table, Connect Four, draughts, chess, or cards. Again, it’s going to be a place just for sixth form students and so we will be looking to the students for their ideas. Do you have anything to say to welcome the students of The New Sixth? All I can say is, from my experience so far, I have found the students who have dared and ventured to come in to have found it very different to what they thought it would be. I think it has pleasantly surprised people. I have enjoyed my chats and getting to know the students and staff, so would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet had an opportunity to drop in and say hello.
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The Well is a place of welcome for all students. It’s an attractive multi-purpose space that caters for the soul and the body, with food and drink, space to ‘hang out’ with friends and a sacred space for quiet reflection and prayer.”
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The 50th Year of The Doctor Self-confessed Dr Who fan, Zoe Sinclair, has been waiting for an opportunity to bring together the two loves of her life, writing and THE DOCTOR. As I sit writing this article, I have the television on (probably not the best idea, as teachers have always told me that the best way to work is in a quiet environment, something I have yet to try), and can’t help noticing a television show that I have known and loved for 8 years: Doctor Who.
“John Hurt?” I hear you cry. “Who’s he?” John Hurt was revealed to be The Doctor earlier this year, raising the question “Doctor When?” as opposed to “Doctor Who?” Stephen Moffat clears up the confusion by saying: “I’ve been really, really quite careful about the numbering of the Doctors.”
The show’s history spans back slightly more than 8 years - 42 more years to be precise. On the 23rd November, Doctor Who was 50 years old, and Whovians (die-hard fans of Doctor Who) across the world celebrated with a special episode: “The Day of The Doctor”, where minds were blown as three incarnations of The Doctor appeared on our screens, at the same time!
“He’s very specific, the John Hurt Doctor, that he doesn’t take the name of the Doctor. He doesn’t call himself that. He’s the same Time Lord, the same being as the Doctors either side of him, but he’s the one who says, ‘I’m not the Doctor.’ So the Eleventh Doctor is still the Eleventh Doctor, the Tenth Doctor is still the Tenth…”
On the 4th November, the BBC released a synopsis of the episode, stating: “The Doctors embark on their greatest adventure in this 50th anniversary special.”
The episode received international acclaim, being viewed in over 75 countries simultaneously and recently nominated in five categories for the 2014 BAFTA Television Craft Awards.
“In 2013, something terrible is awakening in London’s National Art Gallery; in 1562 a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake as the Doctor’s own dangerous part comes back to haunt him.”
Doctor Who ended the year, returning to BBC for its annual Christmas Special bidding a fond farewell to Matt Smith, and to welcome the new Doctor, Peter Capaldi. Filming for Series 8 is already well underway with the twelfth Doctor to be revealed in the flesh later this summer.
The 50th anniversary episode saw the continuation of the time-travelling duo, the 11th doctor (Matt Smith) and Clara Oswin Oswald (Jenna-Louise Coleman), joined by the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and Rose Tyler (Billie Piper).The third embodiment of the doctor (John Hurt) also joined the team.
Four Doctors in one year is quite confusing, especially when one of them doesn’t really fit into the timeline. However, people assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a nonlinear, non-subjective viewpoint, it’s more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly. . . time-y wimey. . . stuff.
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Up in the clouds by Sam Cochrane The theme for this issue is: CONFIDENCE Confidence is vital to everyday life. My advice for this issue is separated into two categories, ‘Social Life’ and ‘Work Life’, where confidence is needed most. I'd argue that the time when you need to be confident most is when meeting new people. I'm quite shy myself, so I know how difficult it can be to find the right words when introducing yourself. Here's a tip for a good chat - think of it like sharpening a pencil, it starts out blunt and can take a while, but don't let it break off, and get to the point!
SOCIALLIFE
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‘With great power
Yet, it's possible that you may be too confident in your thinking - you're outgoing but you don't think things through. If you're a spontaneous person try and do something planned, an organised event. Don't fret if you want to pursue your spontaneity because, in a way, being predictable, for you, is spontaneous. Love is an issue that everyone experiences at some point in life, but I wouldn't say I'm the best person to give advice on the subject. However, I do have one piece of advice that I am certain of - The Spice Girls once said: 'If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends'. Do not do that.
comes great responsibility.” Spiderman
WORKLIFE Perhaps you're creative but have no belief in your abilities. Maybe you're musical but can't find the tune you're longing to write. Remember, Beethoven was one of the greatest composers of all time and he was deaf. If he could make incredible music without hearing the notes, imagine what you could compose with the ability to hear. Maybe you're a writer but you have a mental block. Remember this, J. K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter on napkins: imagine what you could do on paper. Whatever you want to do with your life, just remember that 'With great power comes great responsibility' - Spiderman. So now you know how to be confident whether with friends or at work.
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The key to a good chat is to think of it like sharpening a pencil, it starts out blunt and can take a while but don’t let it break off and get to the point!”
Next issue: ADVICE FOR THE FUTURE 12.
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The Interview: Sam Holliday Regional Development Manager of the Federation of Small Businesses and former Editor of The Bath Chronicle, Sam Holliday, joined students for their February Business Breakfast, giving advice on work, life and a new magazine. Sam was interviewed by Alex Dziadulewicz and Niall Conroy. Did you think the Business Breakfast was a success? I think it was great! There are lots of business breakfasts in Bath, but there’s not many that bring business and schools together. You are going to be the business people of tomorrow so I think it was a very successful and relaxed morning. What do you think about us sixth form students setting up our own student magazine? I think it’s brilliant! You’ve got to start off with something like this if you want to go anywhere. I used to send in music reviews to my local newspaper and even though they never paid me, it was good to have my name in print and I got established. This is the same, it’s a physical object that proves that you are learning how to meet deadlines, learning how to write and I think it’s a cracking idea! Richard Branson set up his own student magazine and he’s now one of the richest men in the UK and owns an island. What are your opinions on work experience and do you have any advice for young people in how to get the most out of work experience?
Development
Sam Hol ida
Manager, F ed
y
eration of S ma l
Businesses
Find the right course, take it seriously, be interested in everything and surprise people! Make them a cup of tea or buy some biscuits (it will make you eternally popular!) and if you really like the organisation, say you’d like to come again and thank them for their time. What advice would you give to sixth form students applying for jobs? My advice for finding jobs would be the same as work experience, really. Find something you’re interested in and go for it. Make your cover letter the best it can be. You may have the most sparkling personality and skill base but they won’t see that unless they like your cover letter, so grab their attention and don’t fill it with too many clichés.
You have to think about what you want to do, things that you’re passionate about doing and target those. Don’t just go somewhere that will get you by for the week. For example, if you want to be a journalist and you go to work at a paper or magazine, make sure you’ve at least read the paper before you go so you have some knowledge on what you’re getting in to. Make yourself open and willing to do anything and look interested: first impressions are everything.
When I’m looking at applicants I give their CV a quick glance to check they have the right qualifications and skills but I then look at their hobbies and interests because I’m looking for personality.
They say it only takes 15 seconds to judge someone; well I’m nice and usually give them 30 but many employers won’t so you need to give them a reason to listen longer. Just remember these guys don’t have to do it, so if they have a bad experience with a student they’ll never do it again which makes it harder on the next person applying.
What are the most important skills I will need in the business world in 5 years time?
One man I hired had done a bit of research on me, which was a bit spooky, but it meant he could have a nice conversation with me about my favourite bands. I just thought ‘Wow, this guy is serious’.
I can happily say, I can’t answer that one. Nobody could ever have predicted businesses and formats such as Twitter and Facebook. Even Mark Zuckerburg didn’t think that his fun ‘facesmash’ website would make a multimillion company. As we speak there is something bigger and better than this being created. We don’t know what it is, but we know for a fact it is happening. It’s about believing in what you do and being open and adaptable for the future. Bear in mind that you’re going to be working for the next 50 years or so; if your first job doesn’t work out it’s not the end of the world. So many of today’s entrepreneurs didn’t hit their ‘eureka’ moments until much later in their life. So to answer your question, I haven’t a clue, but isn’t that just great?
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Music
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Every great album must have great depth, and ‘One for the Road’ is the first indication that AM has it.”
ARCTIC MONKEYS: AM By Joel Chandler
In my opinion, the past 12 months have been a pretty bland so far in terms of album releases, especially regarding the Indie scene. There is one release however, that has been anticipated from the minute people finished listening to the last one, The Arctic Monkeys. Entitled ‘AM’, the album is not strictly in the style of their previous instalments. ‘Do I Wanna Know’ was released as a single prior to the actual album release, giving people a taste of what was to come. It incorporating a heavy bass line seemingly inspired by one of the great Indie Rock bands of the modern era, The Black Keys. The bass line is reminiscent of Lonely Boy by the aforementioned artist and there were immediate links drawn. Some assumed that the style of the whole album would follow suit, and to a certain extent they were right. That said, however, it is difficult to fit the album as a whole into a genre as the band have evidently gone out on a limb to make it as unique as possible. It says something about the album that the hit single ‘Do I Wanna Know’ is debatably not the best song on the album, but disregarding that
fact, we may as well start with that. With solemn style vocals Alex Turner doesn’t leave anything to chance as the meaning behind the lyrics resonate in the listener’s ears. Songs about break-ups are nothing new, but in this case, Turner vividly describes a situation where one party cannot start anew, and because of this, the infatuation with the other party still vastly dominates their world. The song is very true to life, so much so that you feel this is Turner’s story, not just a situation that was conjured up out of thin air. He is also unsure whether she feels the same way, referred to in the telling line ‘Do I wanna know if this feeling flows both ways’. ‘One for the Road’ is a more underrated track. In contrast to ‘Do I Wanna Know’ it is played at a higher tempo, but still has the characteristic heavy bass line that seems to become a theme throughout the album. I find it to have a catchier ring to it than ‘Do I Wanna Know’, whether this makes it a better song is up for debate, but you’ll feel inclined to listen to it more. It provides strong back up to ‘Do I Wanna Know’ and ‘R U Mine’ which were both released prior to the album. This song is an incredibly important one as it shows the
listener that AM is more than just the two pre-released singles. Every great album must have great depth, and ‘One for the Road’ is the first indication that AM has it. My personal favourite, however, is the final track of the album ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ which I can assure you is even better live. More acoustically based, it is a more simple song both lyrically and musically, and because of this I prefer it to the rest of the album, which is by no means shabby. I understand that it is completely subjective and that some people would prefer the previous songs that I’ve mentioned as they display and encapsulate the band’s new style and direction better, but to me this song is just purer than the rest and that is the reason I love it. In conclusion then, AM isn’t their finest album to date, but comparing it to albums such as ‘Whatever people say I am, that’s what I’m not’ and ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ is maybe unfair, as they are held in such high regard. However it is definitely up there with the best albums released this year, and that says a lot about the standard of music Arctic Monkeys are now being known for releasing.
THE UK’S ULTIMATE SUPERBAND?
By Niall Conroy
When ‘BUSTED’, the famous British poprock band, were formed in 2002 they had planned on a fourth member, Tom Fletcher, to be part of the starting line-up.When they realised it wasn’t for him, Tom wrote a compilation of songs with Bolton-bred Danny Jones in a hotel room. The tracks went to become the debut album of ‘MCFLY’ after the boys recruited the Jungle King, Dougie and Strictly-Come drummer, Harry. ‘Room on the Third Floor’ was the album that won McFly the title of ‘Youngest band to get a debut number 1 album’ (a record previously held by the Beatles).
The successful Busted helped McFly rise to fame by supporting them on tour and the boys writing each other’s best hits.Tom and James Bourne worked closely on ‘Year 3000’ and ‘Obviously’, two of each band’s most famous songs. Busted’s lead singer, Charlie Simpson, left Busted to start his solo career. When he joined his new band, Fightstar, Busted were forced to split up.This devastated the hearts of millions of fans. 10 years on from these bands forming, McFly were still growing strong and gained 4 sold-out shows at the Royal Albert Hall celebrating 10 years of music.
As part of the set, James and Matt from Busted joined them to play ‘Air Hostess’. Social media went crazy for the idea of the superband McBusted to continue beyond this spectacular event and on November 10th 2013 the verified Twitter account @McBusted posted : “The rumours are true… #McBusted.” Critics say their 2014 tour may flop due to a lack of ticket sales but the new superband and their fans are certain of a Number 1 hit in early 2014. McFly have confirmed this is merely a short project as a break between albums. Personally I am looking forward to the tour, just uncertain of the £57 ticket!
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Gaming and social media have changed the way in which we communicate, network and relax. Matt looks at how this impacts on young people.
Socia
g n i m l Ga
Gaming and social networking has had a profound effect on the public in recent years with the world of the young teenager increasingly dominated by video games and online social media. Facebook and Twitter have exploded in terms of popularity in the last 5 years and this has changed the world and the young generation in it. For example, many young teenagers spend hours on social network sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and others and don’t go outside and socialise. The internet alone is worth over £100bn to the UK – that’s almost 7% of the national GDP per year. Some individuals go to extreme measures: recently a 23 year old man was assaulted and his recently purchased copy of Grand Theft Auto V stolen. Although ridiculous, it’s hard to blame teenagers for playing such addictive games – it’s equally hard to blame gaming giants such as Activision and EA for making said games.
Gaming FIFA 14 By Matt Marsh
If you’re above 9 years old and male, there’s a good chance that you like watching and playing football. However, playing football is tiring and requires way too much effort, and watching football games can sometimes result in boring, tedious 90 minute duels between 2 teams of mindless drones. The answer? FIFA 14, of course. Now you can play and watch football at the same time, whilst being in the comfort of your own house. FIFA 14 isn’t great if you want to have an active hobby such as actually playing football. However, if you have some free time, FIFA 14 is another great annual release by EA which will no doubt eat away at hours of your time. It’s an addicting and thrilling game, and FIFA delivers on almost all fronts – it actually feels like you’re watching a Premier League game. The graphics are supremely detailed, in comparison to the boxy monstrosities created by Pro Evolution. With ‘Soccer’, FIFA’s only real competitor, the game play is much harder to control and the new fine tuning to momentum, shooting and tackling adds a frustrating, yet realistic, aspect to the game which adds a depth that hasn’t been seen in FIFA yet. Shooting is now much more reliant on the in-game skill attributes for players, but this means that long range specialists such as Gerrard and Bale are able to unleash more devastating shots at the opponent’s goal than less skilled footballers. Shots could curve off the outside of the player’s boot and find the top corner, or could be smashed to provide a fiery shot.
“The same potential risks for children that we associate with internet use, apply to games and the message we are giving out to parents, carers and young people, is to know and remember the key internet safety messages when playing games.”
The details of the game are incredibly impressive, as players in FIFA 14 have surprisingly good resemblance to real-life stars. When a foul is committed, the offending player may throw up his arms in protest and other players may sprint over to confront the referee. A speedy winger may be jostled by a hulking defender who’s pulling his shirt and holding his arm back in order to gain every inch he can. Players now launch shots and passes according to how balanced they are – if they are sprinting down the pitch, then a cross could be inaccurate as the player is unbalanced. Ball physics have been drastically improved, as well as your team’s general intelligence.They will likely make a darting run into space if you’re sprinting down the wing and about to cross a ball into the box. However, players are more prone to errors and the movement is a little clunky, no matter how much realism it adds. It’s a small price to pay for an otherwise spectacular game.
Getsafeonline.org.uk recommend that people talk about why games publishers put out games for people of certain ages and why they may be inappropriate for some. Parents are advised to talk to their children about communicating with online strangers in games: even though they may seem friendly, their motives may not be. If they play games that involve buying and selling ‘in game property’, there’s a risk of fraud, as many parents who have their credit card maxed out have found.
Overall, FIFA 14 impresses with its crisp mechanics and refreshing gameplay. There are many more modes for offline play as well as online play, as well as drastic enhancements to career modes and online matches. Sure, there are still some issues with passing, shooting and the control of players but the general feel of the game is smoother and fine-tuned with added emphasis on tactical awareness. Due to this, I award FIFA 14 an 8/10 – a solid performance by EA and a must-buy for any football fan.
The Safer Internet Centre is highlighting the enjoyment that online gaming can bring but urges caution to parents and young people as there are still potential risks such as contact with strangers and exposure to inappropriate material in this environment. “This year, we are raising the issue of online games,” says Will Gardner of the Safer Internet Centre.
For more information and advice, visit www.saferinternet.org.uk.
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