Panic in the Editing Room!

By Jess & Kitty

Solar Eclipse

Partial solar eclipse on Friday 20^th March 2015

This Friday we will witness the first partial solar eclipse since 1999. Once thought to be the signal to the end of our world, it is now to be a 4D attraction throughout the globe.

A solar eclipse, although very rare, is when the sun, moon and earth all align. This creates and casts a luminous shadow over certain parts of the earth. We haven’t had a total solar eclipse since 1999 and if you miss this partial one you will be waiting until 2026 for the next.

As it’s such an unusual occurrence, it’s worth the time spent on watching his event unfold.

The next total eclipse won’t be until 2090 as scientists predict in the UK so it’s worth counting up all the partial eclipses you witness.

Starting at 8:45am in the UK it’s going to be a breakfast affair as you munch on cereal and stare bewildered at the sky. The maximum eclipse will take place 9:31am, where the moon is nearest the centre on the sun and this is where you all pay the most attention. In the end it will all wind down at 10:41am.

According to astronomers, the further you are north and the clearer your view of the eclipse, the greater the shadow and the fuller it is. But if you can’t make it far up north, you’ll still get a breath taking view and another tick off your bucket list.

If you are going to watch the eclipse, don’t watch it without eye protection as it can damage your eyes. Special ‘specs’ are specially made to filter out harmful radiation and ultra violet light so you can gaze at the star without hurting your vision. They’re relatively cheap and you can buy them online. Alternatively you can build your own at home.

1.    Get yourself a piece of card and cut a hole in it.

2.    Cover that with a piece of tinfoil and pierce a very small hole in it.

If you point that towards the sun and project the light coming through the pinhole onto a piece of white cardboard or paper then you can view the sun and view the Sun's projection there, so you aren't looking directly at the sun.

Voila! Your own pair of eclipse watching glasses. Enjoy this rare occasion as you might have to wait a while for the next!

By Lilly

The End Of The Day

The day has been a massive success thanks to the hard work of all these students - well done!!!

Fandom day 2015

 Fandom day:

Members of the fandom community, our prayers have been answered… We finally have our first ‘official’ national fandom day!

On the 1st of April across the UK, fans are to dress up as their favourite characters from films and TV shows or to wear selected colours.

Whovians = T.A.R.D.I.S. blue

Once-ers = Silver                              

Sherlocked = Black

Supernatural = Green

Marvel universe = Red

Disney = Yellow

Divergent = Pink

Harry potter = White

Hunger games = Orange

Hobbit /Lord of the rings = Gold

Other = Grey

Merged fandoms = Rainbow

If you don’t know what a fandom is here is a brief introduction and some simple steps on how to join:

Do you ever find that when you talk about doctor who or your favourite film/TV show that everyone around you tunes out? Even your friends? – but don’t worry you are not alone, this happens to so many people. Fandoms- communities built up of fans the come together to share their love of their idols, when their friends and family will not. So how do you join and what do you do in a fandom?

Step 1. You're probably browsing the internet bored stiff, but then you notice something…

You see gushing posts/ tweets and re-posts of GIFs by fans of their favourite book, film or TV show.

Step 2. At first you roll your eyes, because you can’t think that what all these people are raving about can be so great.

Step 3. Although your own curiosity gets the better of you, so you can’t help but look at what all the ‘hullabaloo’ is about.

(And at this point is your last chance to turn back before it’s too late.)

Step 4.then it begins when you read the first few pages of that fantastic book or the first few episodes of that amazing show you have been ignoring.

Step 5. After a while you realize that you are trapped and that there is no exit to your fandom and you begin to regret not joining in the first place.

Step 6. You then try to drag your friends and family into your fandom.

Step 7. And finally you begin to wonder if other people  think that you are crazy.

 

So Wednesday the 1^st of April 2015 will be the day to put on your fezes, to pull out your wands and kill dragons… happy fandom day to all...

At World's End

Kitty: "Oh, hey, Jessy, question. Why are are we upside down?"
Jessy: "Because the world hates us."
Kitty: "...Oh, okay. I'm part of the world; I don't hate us! Well, maybe. It's pretty debatable."
Jessy: "Fine. The world of computers hates us."
Kitty: "Even Tumblr?"
Jessy: "Even Tumblr."

 Refurbishment in the William Allitt Library

Students and staff at the William Allitt School are eagerly anticipating the refurbishment of the school library. The library, which hasn’t been refurbished for an estimated 15-20 years, has to act as a classroom on many occasions and therefore finds itself in frequent use- the school librarian, Mrs Collier, explained that requirements of the library had, inevitably, changed. She plans to prioritise mobile shelving as the allocated budget is significantly lower than would be preferred at £10,000. The budget is responsible for new carpeting, paint and furniture hence the separate money for new computers. When asked about other prospective new resources, Mrs Collier mentioned that as well as new computers the school are always purchasing new books and upgrading the library collection.

Mrs Collier confirmed that the plans had been constructed almost two years ago and explained that the budget had been insufficient for the needs of the library. She further hinted that the refurbishment had really just involved her and that this time around she hopes to include more of a student voice. Our survey results suggest that most pupils asked would prioritise soft furnishings over new books and computers. Series 1 represents what the students would prefer whilst series 2 shows how many pupils would be more likely to visit the library if their choice of features were to be implemented.

The same group of student inputted the data displayed in the pie chart concerning how often they visit the library. As is evident in the pie chart, more than 75% of students quizzed replied that they prefer to only visit the library in lessons; the common response being that they “have better things to do”. Mrs Collier also suggested that she is satisfied that the library is a sort of ‘safe haven’ away from large crowds. Some students have speculated, in their questionnaires, that the capacity if the library could be a hindrance to the prospective library visitors. Deputy Head, Mr Henshaw, said “at the moment it is very busy” referencing the current state of the library, he further expressed opinions of encouragement towards more students utilising the facilities and resources of the library.

Overall, students and staff alike are keenly awaiting the transformation of the William Allitt School library which should commence very shortly now that the funds have been acquired.

Written by Katie

Exam Pressure

Every year students all across the nation face exams. The pressure to succeed soon mounts up from parents, teachers and even Ofsted. Surveys have shown that many students are having difficulties with exam pressure, in a survey of 1300 UK students, 96% felt anxious about exams and revision, 59% said they feel pressure from their parents to do well and 64% say they’ve never received any support in dealing with exams.

The Child Line website states that: “Worryingly in the survey results, some of you said that you coped with anxiety by smoking, taking drugs and self-harming.” The statistics are alarming, revealing that almost 50% of pupils say they have skipped meals, two thirds of the pupils surveyed said they have had trouble sleeping and 14% said that they have drank alcohol as a way of dealing with their anxiety about exams.

There are some things you should watch out for if you think someone you know may be suffering from exam stress such as:

•     Tiredness
•    Aching all over     
•    Crying and feeling sad
•     Panic attacks
•     Trouble sleeping/ broken sleep
•     Suffering from stomach upsets
•     Having itchy skin rashe  
•    More likely to get colds and flu

Any of these symptoms are not good for you and you should try taking a break. The issue of exam stress is a well-known problem as organisations such as the NHS and child line offer help and support. If you are finding exam revision especially hard then you should talk to someone and ask for help. They won’t think that you’re being stupid, so don’t worry about that. Most people in your life only want what’s best for you so will do what they can to help you. The most important thing is that you need to make sure that you eat often and keep hydrated. Also make sure that you get some sleep because you are less likely to succeed if you are too tired.

BBC Radio 1 have created a link which offers advice to all ages on exam pressure -BBC Radio 1 - BBC Advice This link offers help and guidance for you to understand the true meaning of what you’re experiencing.

If you think you suffering from exam stress then don’t just carry on with it, do something about it and get help, don’t make yourself ill because of exams.

By Abbie & Tammy