What Issues Affect You?

What Issues Affect You?

College Buses 

Buses being on time is a very rare occasion. Getting a bus to college every morning is one of the biggest issues that affects teens at South Downs College today.

Bus drivers - as most of you will agree - are the furthest thing from charming. 

Frowning at the front of the bus , they try their hardest to leave students waiting in the cold. Driving past each bus stop without letting people on is one of the biggest issues.

After speaking to students at South Downs College , it was agreed that most of them are put off college all together due to the poor bus schedules and timetables (which they do not stick to).

Jade Hale said: 'My parents pay good money for me to have a bus pass, yet its a rare occasion that a bus comes past and lets me on it within an hour of standing at the bus stop.'

Bus drivers are not only late but sometimes early. Either is useless to college students. Watching the clock and planning the bus times is pointless as the bus drivers take nothing into consideration. Even running for the bus and waving at the driver to stop will not prevent them from driving away.

But Emily White - like most of us - is not worried about getting home. She says 'It's not so much getting back , it's being able to get there that's the problem and being late is not a good option. But , it is our only option.'

Athletics Interview

Mike Muckelt- ‘Sport is my life’

"I'm the nuts" 18-year-old South Downs College student- Mike Muckelt is a rising star in javelin, hoping to reach his peak talent level in time for the Tokyo Olympics. 

Mike can throw the Javelin 60M which has already ranked him 10th for the under 20s and last year he was ranked 2nd in the under 18s.

Mike has grown up around sport; he originally started off playing rugby for Hampshire and casual Sunday football. He says: ‘Sport is my life’. His sister is a gymnast and he has grown up around his dad coaching football and hockey. Mike has ‘grown up with sport’.

Whilst attending Petersfield Secondary School at the age of 15 he discovered his interest and talent for javelin and since then has stuck to a hard training regime of weights, gymnastics and other activities in order to push himself to the limit. 

Mike Muckelt: ‘In school I thought I was the nuts, then realized I wasn’t the nuts and now with all my training I am the nuts’.

Being ‘the nuts’ Mike picked himself up a sponsor: Anup-a Doctor from his area-has been sponsoring Mike in javelin.

Mike attends South Downs College and as well as sport he also studies biology and psychology . He left school with all As & Bs. He sees himself attending University in the future.

He often spends his free time training and revising to be the best he can be. Sport life has never interfered with his academic life.

Mike often participates in competitions and events. He has got competitions and training sessions every weekend for the next few months. Mike sees himself competing in the Olympics.

Mike says: ‘Most contenders in javelin are between 20 and 30 which is when they reach their best, so I would like to continue training to make the Tokyo Olympics, as Rio is too soon to compete’.

All the competitions take up a lot of his time especially as he is a member of Portsmouth, Southampton and Hampshire Athletics clubs. But Mike is still enthusiastic to do more and constantly trying to better himself by attending the gym to train 18 hours a week.

Mike also has a part time job at Havant Leisure Centre as a swim trainer.

His busy lifestyle is just a sign of things to come. Look out for Mike Muckelt – a great contender - at future Olympics. We are looking at a potential gold medalist in the making. 

Mike Muckelt - Athletics interview Q&A

Javelin specialist 
Born- Petersfield
Age-18
Age into sport- 15. Although general sport since 6.
Sister gymnastics Dad hockey & football coach.
Sport is his life.
Hampshire rugby casual football
Training- Weight lifting, Gymnastics, Stretching everyday 
pros & cons of javelin- Good throwing, takes up alot of time
Wants high level competition e.g olympics
Influences- Started at school thought he was the nuts then got better now he is the nuts
Steve backley influences. 
GCSEs- 6 Bs & 6 As 
Studying sport , biology and physcology. Wants to go to Uni. Possibly become coach.
Late 20s early 30s is the best so tokyo olympics not rio.
60M javelin. 
Up & coming competing events every weekend until about august.
When not doing sport- revise, chill, college.
Part time job- Havant leisure centre
Train between 12 & 18 hours per week
Sponsored by Anup a doctor. 
Petersfield secondary school. 
10th for under 20s and 2nd for under 18s last year in the UK.
City of portsmouth athletics team and southampton and hampshire. He plays for all 3.

Assignment- Power to the pensioner

Fifty hairs of grey 

'Top 5 books of 2013 for the older audience'

Pick up some of the top books of 2013 at bargain prices. All recommended books are under £10.00. That way you can't afford not to read this summer. We also find the cheapest place to buy your chosen book. Novels are also found cheaply online the Amazon Store at prices starting from just £1.99! That way you can pick up your favourite 'hard back' without getting a 'bad back' from wandering round shops looking for a good read. No computer? No problem! Stay in the comfort of your own home and we will do it for you-all you have to do is send off the name of book you would like and we will order and drop it to your door for a small delivery charge of 99p.

FOR HER...

1- 50 Shades Of Grey- E.L James

Who says the older woman can't read about excitement? With the book that gripped the nation, hitting headlines it is a true must read by women of all ages all around the world. It is an erotic novel featuring a love story between a young women and an older business man. This book is available almost everywhere but our best found bargain was at just £4.99 from Sainsburys.

2-Summertime- J.M Coetzee

Summertime is a perfect read for the summer and at just £1.99 from The Works, you can't afford not to read this summer. The book features passion with Brazilian dancers and despair in the family as a sudden death occurs. Will the widow ever move on? Pick up this recommended novel this summer for a guaranteed good read.

3- The story teller- Jody Picoult

Jody Picoult is amongst many popular authors writing books for women. This time she is back with 'The story teller' and like all of Jody Picoults books it has been a great hit in the UK. Pick it up today from Amazon online for £7.99.

4- The Thread- Victoria Hislop 

Set in a thriving Greek city, the novel shows the journey as a fire devastates the towns people. Losing her mother in the blaze, the main character flees across seas to an unknown destination to start a new life. The thread is an epic tale and definitely worth reading this summer! The new out book sells for £8.99 in Tesco. 

5- Elouise- Judie Finnigan 

Elouise is written in first person so the empowering tale really grips you in from the first word you read. You will feel her emotions as a sensitive time in her life begins to progress. A perfect read this summer- especially selling at bargain price at Asda for just £4.99. 

FOR HIM...

1-Life of Pi- Yan Martel 

The Life of Pi was an extreme hit movie in cinemas around the world. The author brings across an incredible tale about one boy,one boat, one tiger and an amazing adventure. It is said to be one of the most extraordinary and most popular works of fiction in years. You will find the book at bargain price in Asda Supermarket for £6.99.

2-The making of modern Britain- Andrew Marr

An Incredible saving available in WaterStones, there is a brilliant discount of £19.00! The book paints a fascinating portrait of life during the first half of the 20th century. Read about the era that gripped the nation with feminism, vegetarianism, and the years were music soared to a new high.

3- Killing for the company- Chris Ryan

Absolute summer bargain at just £1.99 as part of the 75% off sale on Amazon. A war book based on the relationship strains between friends on the battle field. But hurry the offer only lasts for 4 more weeks!

4- Oblivion (power of 5)- Anthony Horowitz 

Another action packed novel by top author Anthony Horowitz selling at just £6.99 (saving £9.99)  from WHSmiths this is a gripping and tense story. Having escaped from Hong Kong, five gate keepers must fight the ultimate battle to save humanity. Excitement at its best. 

5-Great Victorian railway journeys- Karen Farrington

At £5.99 from WHSmiths it is a must read for 2013. The book is based on the very successful great British railways TV show which is now into its third series on BBC2. 

These are the top ten recommended reads for summer 2013. There is a mix in genres and these books have been recommended the best summer reads by you!

Save yourself some money and pick up a book or two at bargain prices. It's what everyone's talking about this summer. So, why not read your summer away? You can't afford not to.
Not sure what to do with your books once you've read them? 

Assignment - Interview

Band Interview

I interviewed a small local trio band who are new to the scene. The band Civil Eyes was formed less than a month ago and they are just starting off. 
The band has three members and each had their own opinions and views.

Band member 1:Matt Winslade 23

Band member 2:Ben Ward 25

Band member 3:Alex Woods 21

How was the band formed?

Alex said :"Well we were all mates before and we just randomly decided to start it up."
"We all had musical talent so it just kinda happened" answered Ben. They all had been to a few local gigs and agreed that they'd love to create that vibe themselves. 

What bands have influenced your songs the most and why?

Matt stated "Coldplay, the melodies of their songs and our songs are similar"
Along a different style of the rock genre Ben prefers Red Hot Chilli Peppers , saying:"I'd say red hot chilli peppers, similar style and influenced me in a lot of my music."
Civil Eyes explained that it is a mixture of all their musical styles that has made the band so unique.

How do the lyrics come to you when writing a song?

The whole band like to pitch in and contribute their owns thoughts and opinions and together a new song is made. "we all work together" says Alex. The band said they have their own ritual of getting a take away and a few beers when writing. Matt explained "its just fun chilling and playing xbox and a song comes naturally a few hours later." 

Are your friends and family supportive of your new band?

"Yeah as long as we focus on work & college they're fine with me taking on this hobby" Alex explained. 

The band love the support they get from their friends and family. Having the right support has helped them to grow as a band "Most of our friends are music enthusiasts so they love it" said Ben.

Ben added "Yeah they support me in whatever I enjoy, i've done a lot of hobbies in the past but music just feels right for me"

What genre would you class yourself as?

Civil Eyes decided together that they have not really thought about it before. Matt says :'Not thought too much about it before but indie i guess.'

Are you self-taught in your music or have you taken lessons?

Matt-"I've played drums since I was young and took lessons in junior school and 
played for the school band in senior school"

Alex-"I started a few years ago and just taught myself with YouTube tutorials. I got my first guitar years ago though and i'd played about a bit before my lessons"

Ben-"Me and my cousin played about with his guitars I know a bit but I'm a singer so you don't really need lessons for that (laugh)" 

Assignment Feature Article

How long would you wait for a concert to begin?

Biebers late performance gets us thinking

After being nearly two hours late on stage at the O2 on March 5 , Justin Bieber angered many fans. 

Devoted , the fans waited for the concert to end and many stayed until 11:30PM when the concert finally ended. Some , on the other hand , didn't even catch a glimpse of their idol. Many parents were worried about missing the last train home and some children even fell asleep waiting for the show to begin.

Justin Bieber tweeted apologising for the delay and that 'technical difficulties' prevented him from beginning the show on time.  However staff at the O2 described the young singer as a 'diva' and that in fact he was playing video games and threw a tantrum. He snapped at worried staff: 'its my gig and i'll do it when i want to'. Another worker, Ellie Grace, said: 'I hope I never have to experience so many upset children and disappointed fans again.'

Justins team stated that the events of the evening were wildly exaggerated. 

But , it's not the first time that a big star has been late to an event. Throughout history big stars have managed to arrive late. 

Back in 2007 Jessica Simpson was 11 hours late to a promotional interview. The interview was intended to begin at 10AM however the diva star walked in at 9PM. Big celebs tend to show up whenever they feel like it. 

Jimi Hendrix was over 8 hours late however nothing major was said. Yet Bieber, on the other hand, has been receiving hate over last weeks events. 

INTERVIEW The question is: How long would you wait around for your favourite band/artist?

Jade Hale stated: 'I would wait all day for One Direction, I wouldn't care how late they were as long as I could see them.'

Emily White said: 'I would only wait 3 hours before getting very annoyed and leaving.'

Ashleigh Kimber: ' I wouldn't like to wait long as you have to think about getting home.'

Charlie Dowling Jones: 'I'd pay to stay over in a hotel and wait.'

Many teens would stay patient to see their idol. However , many parents do not agree with missing the last trains home and paying extra to stay in a hotel overnight. 

Assignment Believe Acoustic review

Believe Acoustic album review

Justin Bieber scores fifth no.1 with Believe Acoustic

With his fifth album to go straight to number one , Justin Bieber is back again with Believe Acoustic. This album is nothing like you've ever heard from him before ever since his YouTube road to stardom.

 Justin Bieber is going back to his roots -which makes perfect sense considering that singing acoustically got him where he is today- behind all the studio auto-tune the YouTube star is still there. Believe Acoustic is a chance to prove this to everyone. 

The album features stripped back versions of Believe's biggest hits. Including 'as long as you love me' 'beauty and a beat' 'boyfriend'  plus three all new original songs. 

Although Biebers' songs are not to everyones taste, the tracks on Believe Acoustic work with all the highgloss production stripped away. Justin shows off his talent playing the acoustic guitar , piano and drums alongside the soft vocals. 

As a teen-pop idol, he has been described as 'inauthentic' throughout his musical career. Whatever that's supposed to mean. Yet this album is the answer to all critics and solid proof that Bieber is a very talented musician. 

Bibliography:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/believe-acoustic-20130129