The 2011 Budget
By Sean & Amelia

Yesterday, George Osborne delivered out the 2011 budget. As he delivered them, he surprised a large amount of people with measures from the corporation tax and fuel duty costs.  Below are the effects that the 2011 budget cuts will have:

Fuel – Fuel prices will have a cut of 1p a litre as of March 23^rd

Alcohol – Alcohol prices will increase.  A pint of lager will have a 4p increase,  a bottle of spirit will have a 54p increase and bottle of wine will increase of 15p. Strong lager has also had a increase in price.

Tobacco -   All tobacco rises 2% above inflation; economy cigarettes up by 50p, premium cigarettes up by 33p, pipe tobacco 17p, five small cigars up by 10p.

Households - First time buyers are given a £250m, on a shared equity scheme.

Growth - The office for budget responsibility guesses that the economy is improving; growth in 2011- 1.7%- 2.1%, in 2012- 2.5%- 2.6%, 2013- 2.9%, 2014- 2.9%, 2015- 2.8%.

Debt - This year national dept is a huge 60% of national income which has fallen from 71% of national income.

Green Measures - A Green investment bank was created with £2bn to start the operation in 2012: this green investment bank includes off shore wind farms which Alistair Darling says is crucial for Britain to get out of the recession. There will also be a carbon price floor, which will be the first in the world, and this will help Britain become more sustainable and will help make more renewable energy sources also this will create many other jobs in these sectors.

Personal Tax – Personal Tax is encountering an increase of £630 as of April 2012, meaning it will rise to £8,105. The governments are considering whether to merge National Insurance and Income Tax and are not proposing to increase taxes for pensioners.

Employment & Skills – Twenty-one unemployment enterprises are said to be set up, with up to 100% tax discount rates whereas funding for twenty-four new colleges for vocational training will be expected instead of twelve and £100m will be spent on new science facilities in Cambridge, Norwich, Harwell and Daresbury.

Business - Corporation Tax will be cut of 2% from April, instead of 1% as previously announced and will fall continuously in the next three years, to reach 23%. Small businesses rate relief holiday will be extended  in October 2012, at a cost of  £370m and the Entrepreneur’s relief scheme doubles to £10m from April 6^th. Small businesses will also see effect of the research and development tax credit which will rise to 200% in April and 225% in 2012. Overseas Financing income coming into the UK will see a new rate of 5.75%. 

Public Sector -  The public sector will see a £250 pay rise for all those who work under the NHS, the Armed Forces, Prison, Civil Servants and teaching for those earning £21,000 and under. 

Today’s Youth’s Reading Skills
By Amelia

Reading. It’s a really useful skill. We use it every day: surfing the internet; cooking; watching television. But, as times change, the youths in society change too. The number of children reading for pleasure is also changing. While children these days have the guts to face tough situations, they are forgetting the importance of reading as they’re more interested in watching violent cartoons and playing violent computer games that have seemed to brainwash them to not read for pleasure.  If you ask around young children nowadays, they will say for a gift they would rather appreciate a computer game or a robot, rather than a book.

Children start to read on their own from about 3-6 years of age, however some people think this is too early and therefore don’t encourage their children to read. Studies show however, that people who can’t read well before their nine years of age are more likely to end up in poverty then those who can.  Statistics also show that 68% of children did not gain proficient levels in their 2009 tests.  A survey directed to parents also said that more parents agree that time spent on activities such as reading for fun, doing physical activity, socialising with family and doing homework has been decreased on a average of 25%.

But what’s a teacher’s point of view? I interviewed Mr Vessey, an English teacher at my school, to see what he had to say.

Q:  How hard is it to get a child to learn how to read?
Very difficult, as your language acquisition develops between the age of 0 to 6. However, we have a language base where pupils can go if they’re struggling and we introduce them to reading by using phonics.

Q: Why do you think children these days aren’t into reading than children from previous generations?
In my opinion, today’s children aren’t into reading we’re too materialistic. Electronic devices such as computers, Xbox’s, Nintendo Wii’s and PSP’s are replacing books for entertainment.

Q: Is there any specific author(s) that children tend to read more than others?
Young people tend to be into authors such as Jacqueline Wilson, R.L. Stein, Anne Fine, Tom Palmer, J.K Rowling and Anthony Horvitz.

Q: Is there a specific group of pupils that are more reluctant to reading than others?
I’d probably have to say that the sporty boys aren’t into reading, compared to the girls or the not-so-sporty boys, as they think that reading’s not “cool”. However, in the future, we’re planning to bring some players from the local rugby team to encourage the sporty boys to read.

Q: Why do you like teaching young people how to read?
I like to teach young people how to read because otherwise, they wouldn’t live the great life they have ahead of them and wouldn’t reach their full potential. Also, if they can’t read they won’t be able to have a career...I’d hate to say any of my pupils being unemployed because they can’t read.

Q: How do you think reading benefits people in everyday life?
Reading helps everyone to function: it helps you to do everything. For example, if you couldn’t read – you wouldn’t be able to choose the right cereal when you’re shopping , as you couldn’t see what the label said.

Q:  Do you think it’d be easier to learn to read at a young age or an older age in life?
It’s easier to learn to read at a younger age, as your language acquisition develops when you’re young.  Also, it’s proven that if expecting mothers talk to their babies when they’re in the womb, they’re more likely to have better literacy and musical skills in life.

Q: If you had a choice, would you teach something else?
No. English is such a dynamic, interesting subject which makes me love teaching it so much.

Q: What advice would you give to parents if they’re struggling to get their child(s) to read?
I’d probably say to try reading to them first as you pick up your language by hearing. I’d also suggest to let them read comics, or something educational on the internet to get them interested.

We’re going to London with the F1 Team!

I interviewed the team and the teachers who helped them. I asked them lots of questions about the challenge. What is F1 in schools? “A competition that involves designing and making model cars, racing them and presenting your work in the form of a portfolio and a portfolio and PowerPoint to some judges” What do you do? “I help the teams with their designing and manufacturing of the car and I also help them with any other aspect of the competition that they need help with” What software do you use? “3D modelling software such as: auto desk; solid works and for the wheels 2D design” What do you have to do to get through to the nationals? “Produce a fast car the specifications of the competition, have a good presentation as well as producing a Backboard for you pit display and make merchandise as well as trying to get sponsored” Mr. Brooke.

Next I asked Mrs Atkinson about the competition. What is F1 in schools? “A competition with 3-6 people where they design a racing car of the future also incorporating a presentation and a portfolio. The aims are to engage young people in a stem subject and also to help the people who run the competition to help find engineers of the future” What do you do? “Administration, ensure that the teams know the rules, register the teams and help them get the resources they need”   When and where are the regional/national finals held? “Regional’s in the U.K are held about January/February time and the Nationals in the U.K are held on the 11^th to the 12^th March in the National Science and Engineering week at the ICI Excel in London” Mrs Atkinson.

I asked the team who got through to the Nationals some questions and this is what they said: You when to the nationals last year what was it like? “It was really exciting we got to meet loads of new people as well as seeing other peoples pit displays and got some new ideas for our team” How did you think of the team name? “We thought of our team name because its mysterious, it very powerful and you can do lots with it” Do you think you’ll get through to the internationals “We would certainly hope so” Why do you take part in the competition? “Because it’s fun and you get a day of school plus you get to meet lots of new people” the team Chemical X. F1 in schools is not just for the U.K it’s an international competition with 33 countries taking part.

Young Journalist Henri, 13  

The Trip Down Under.

We interviewed four lucky lads going on the ‘Oz’ trip. These boys were Mason (captain), Jack, Lewis, Brad.  Mason stated that: “This trip is going to be a once in a life time chance for us all and it will be something we’ll never forget.” We asked the students if they were going to miss their family and friends and Jack said “I’ll miss my mum yes but it will be good not having her in my ‘lughole’ all the time.  Mr Holmes head of P.E department added “This is will be a great opportunity for the boy’s and a chance to pick new skills up and show Australia our stuff, which Lewis agreed with.” The 16 year olds said that they’re raring to go in June and are excited to have freedom of being away from home for 3 months. One of the lucky boys going, Brad also added “I am very lucky as I have only been at this school for 2 years and I still have the opportunity to show Australia my skills.”

By Becky, Amy & Dee

UK Top 40 Opinions

By Amelia

The music industry has changed dramatically over the years. We’ve seen acts such as The Beatles and Queen and we’ve seen today’s music acts such as Tinie Tempah and Rihanna. I’m taking this weeks UK Top 40 to the students of our school to see what they think.The first track I’ve chosen is this week’s number one, Someone like You sang by British singer-songwriter Adele. The 22 year old has had a successful singing career since 2006, having at least two top ten hits in her five year career. Someone like You is Adele’s first number one hit in the UK, but what will the students think?

 Matty; I feel passion has gone into this song – I get Goosebumps every time I hear this song.

Connor; Adele is really talented. The song deserved to be number one.

Carly; Yeah, it’s a good song – Adele’s an amazing singer.

Charlotte; I don’t particularly like the song that much, as it’s not the sort of genre of music I’d listen to.

The second track I’ve chosen is this week’s number thirteen from Jessie J. Jessie J is another British singer-songwriter who debuted in 2010 however, her career started in 2006 when she started writing songs such as Miley Cyrus’ Party in the USA which she co-wrote with Miley Cyrus herself. Her first single was release in 2010 and was called Do It like a Dude and became a UK number 2 hit. Sounds positive, but what will the students think?

Matty: I like this song – I find that the lyrics have some meaning to them, especially in the economic status the country has at the moment.

Connor: I like the song, it’s catchy, but I find Jessie J herself slightly annoying.

Carly: I like this song, it’s really catchy!

Charlotte: It’s a good song, and has relevant lyrics.

The third and final track I’ve chosen is this week’s number thirty eight. Justin Bieber released his first 3D concert movie last year entitled Never Say Never. On the other hand, the song Never Say Never which features Jaden Smith, was re-wrote for the movie The Karate Kid staring Jaden Smith. The song was then used to promote Bieber’s movie, with the same name. It came number eight on the US Billboard Chart - but will the students have a different opinion?

Matty: I find the song motivational – as the lyrics say “Never Say Never” – but I find it’s not the type of music I listen to.

Connor: I don’t like it. In my opinion, it’s just really cheesy and false.

Carly: I find it boring and a bit repetitive.

Charlotte: I agree with Carly.

So, there’s three songs from today’s music industry but what will the students say when they hear a song from a popular band from the 1980’s. The song I chose is Panic!  By The Smiths.

Matty: I like it because it uses actual instruments and not computer generated music but I prefer more modern types of music.

Connor: I prefer older music better so I like this song.

Carly: I don’t like it ‘cos it’s old and I prefer more modern music like Matty.

Charlotte: It’s not really my type of genre.  

BRIT AWARDS RESULTS

On the 15^th of February the 2011 Brit awards were awarded live from O2 arena in London. The awards were designed by Vivien Westwood an it was presented by James Cordon.

Live Performances.

Tinie Tempah Performed We Bring The Stars Out featuring Eric Turned and Labyrinth, a mix of Written In The Stars, Miami To Ibiza and, Pass Out. Rihanna performed a mix of Only Girl In The World, What’s My Name and S&M. Take That performed their new single Kidz. Adel performed Someone Like You. Arcade Fire performed Ready To Start. Plan B performed She Said and prayin’. Cee Lo Green performed Forget You with Pamola Faith. Munford & Sons Performed Timshel.

Word On The Corridor.

We interviewed two year nine girls, Becky and Amy, on what they thought about the Brits this is what they had to say.

What did you think of the Brits?

“it gave me something good to watch on the T.V.”“I thought the Brits was a good night and everyone looked amazing.”

Who were your favourite performances?

“Rihanna, I thought she was amazing.” “Tinie Tempah, Plan B, Adele and Rihanna.”

Do you think the right winners won?

“Yes, but I think British Female Solo Artist should have gone to Cheryl Cole to be honest.”“No as I didn’t know some.”

What did you think of the outfits?

“I loved Cheryl’s and Rihanna’s white floral dress. “Some were ridiculous but others were beautiful.”

Was James Cordon a good presenter?

“James Cordon was hilarious, he made the show.” “James Cordon was mint, never better, made it funny and was good.”

What did you think of Mike?

“Mike’s awesome.” “Mike was Awesome.”

By Hannah and Faye.