Editorial Introduction

After months of hard work and deliberation it is finally here! The Lord Grey School Magazine! We have spent many weeks trying to create the ideal magazine for the Lord Grey community and we believe that we have finally succeeded. Our highly talented team of budding journalists have been searching high and low for all those juicy bits of gossip that the teachers store away and have included many interesting and rather amusing articles about their hobbies and hidden talents. We have also retrieved what we consider to be some of the best work produced by our students this year and given all those talented writers and artists their first taste of fame!

Throughout the magazine you will find several reviews, written from your point of view and includ- ing all those vital facts that you are dying to know about your favourite games and books. The mag- azine also contains a guide to what's been going on at the school this academic year including all the gossip from the amazing school production Grease, Rock Challenge, the dance sensation and student reports from your favourite school trips. With these great contents, the Lord Grey School Magazine is certain to keep you plugged in to the cool side of school and give you an insight into what really goes on behind the scenes. On behalf of the rest of the team I would like to thank every- body who contributed and hope you all enjoy The Lord Grey School Magazine! .

Miss Rachel Jones

Many Thanks To...

Ben Mallard Gemma Hudson Ben Miller Matt Woollett Louise Beach Mr. Chambers Lisa Turnbull Shelly Rowland Jenny Allsopp Gabriel Wallace Claire Baines Kathryn Entwistle Kishan Savjani Carly Theodosi Tara Smith Mark Ray Joe Moore Rakhee Modhwadin

Thanks also to: Beth Webster who produced the front cover David McLean for his art work

Anyone who has allowed us to publish their work.

The production Team would also like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Miss Jones who helped us all get organised and to get the magazine to come together. We couldn't have done it without her! Headteacher’s Welcome

When I joined The Lord Grey School a year ago, it was obvious to me that this was a school of great potential. Given the right mix of determination and enthusiasm, and the clear talents and abilities TCT Excellence and of our students, there is no limit to what we can achieve. I am Diversity delighted to introduce to you, from the students of our school, the first Lord Grey School Magazine.

The production of this Magazine has been no small feat. It has been stu- dent driven, and every poem, article, review, illustration and contribution has been made by a member of our learning community. The Magazine represents a massive achievement, and is, I believe, testimony to the exhilirating ethos we share.

I would like to extend my thanks to Rachel Jones, who has co-ordinated and overseen the production of the Magazine. I applaud the Editorial Team who have pulled out all the stops to ensure the timely production of this fascinating chronicle of life at Lord Grey. As an “in-house” produc- tion, my congratulations also go to our Reprographics team.

The forthcoming academic year will no doubt present many challenges, and each member of our school will face, and conquer, seemingly insur- mountable obstacles. This Magazine represents our school motto in abundance, and I have every belief that we will continue to move from strength to strength.

Having read the “first” magazine, I look forward to next year’s edition.

Excellence: Dare to Succeed

Despina Pavlou, Headteacher Report on the Talent Show

Late November last year, Lord Grey School hosted its first talent show. The event was a huge success with participants from all year groups displaying their talents in front of a spellbound audience.

Year 13 students Jonathan Tan and Gemma Peppard hosted the evening, prov- ing themselves to be two of the school’s most talented entertainers, using a mix of humour and style to captivate the audi- ence.

There were twenty-four unique perform- ances which displayed a selection of dances, songs and many other magnificent musical acts. Highlights of my evening included a beautifully sung rendition of 'When you say nothing at all' and several of the dance acts who displayed excellent co- ordination and flare.

Present at the show were an inspired audience consisting of fellow students and the proud parents of the performers. A panel of esteemed judges, including our Headteacher, Ms Pavlou, Manager of Chappells music store, David Meek, and gifted actress Wendy Kitching, appraised the event and after much thought and deliberation reached their final verdict. Jonathan Tan and Mark Calape came in third place after humorously presenting their amazing break-dancing.

Stacy Meadows achieved second place having demonstrated his fantastic piano skills and showing the audience how to really play the blues.

First place went to the incredibly talented Elisabeth Brown who won the judges' praise after singing a show tune flawlessly and showing off her beautiful voice. The winning acts were requested to perform in a whole school assembly following the talent show and were each given their prizes personally by Ms Pavlou.

The talent show was a very memorable event and we all look forward to witnessing the same excellence next year. On behalf of the school I would like to thank all the gifted students who took part.

By Jenny Allsopp Grease As most of you will know, the play this year was 'Grease' the musical. It was a huge success and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone involved. There were performances by two casts throughout a whole week from 12th February to 16th February with matinee performances for local middle schools. The tickets were all sold out for every performance with some special visitors, including the Mayor of Milton Keynes. The whole cast worked extremely hard for several months giving up their lunchtimes, after school and even a weekend. We were confronted with difficulty, as we had to learn all of our songs with just a piano accompaniment. Fortunately Mr. Wakley, our new Head of Music, was recruited towards the end and the band worked extremely hard to make everything come together. Mr. Brierly and Gemma Peppard directed us and put up with us even when it looked as though we wouldn't be able to pull it off, but however it fell into place in the end. To encourage us more, they awarded us with Director’s Awards for outstanding dedication and performance.

The absolute high received was amaz- ing and the whole cast got on very well and became really close. The feeling of performing on stage in front of hun- dreds of people is indescribable and everyone gave it their all. I am almost certain that everyone involved this year will want to be involved in next year's performance. We would like to take this opportunity to say 'goodbye' and 'good luck' to Jonathan Tan, he will be sorely missed, as this was his last performance.

By Luke Webb (Roger) and Kevin Rowland (Danny)

‘Grease’ was obviously a big hit as on the first performance the hall was full. The enthusiastic cast began the show with a wonderful opening and got the audience in the mood. Proud family and friends of the actors sang and clapped along the whole way through and by the interval everyone was having a great time!

We could see that the cast had spent a long time in rehearsals and getting the show perfect by their American accents! Many were impressed by the singing soloists and all the singers. The main characters had been carefully selected and had been carefully thought out. Backing dancers were also convincing and were all in time doing their Rock 'n' Roll moves. We also thought that the Guardian Angel (Cameron Parks) was a star!

Well done to everyone who took part and a special thankyou to Mr. Brierly. We are all looking for- ward to next year’s show!

By Shelly Rowland and Tara Smith Rock

After months of choreographing, many feared that Lord Grey's dance Challenge piece would not be ready for the rap- idly approaching performance. A day before the performance all the members of the Rock Challenge took part in the intense On the day we had three rehearsals all day. There were still final rehearsals with each one get- details we had to add, the dance was not ting better as we performed - each entirely completed and we had not one gaining in energy. When it came rehearsed with the set; Tuesday was our to our performance, and we were the attempt to get everything perfect for opening act, everyone was nervous yet Wednesday's performance at the excited and gave it 110% when we Oxford Apollo Theatre. entered the stage. Everything went well. After our performance we went back into the changing-room and waited for the results.

The judges left all schools waiting in anticipation as they began to talk. Many people lost faith when they heard that 3rd place had gone to Crickhowell High School, but when they read out Lord Grey School...2nd place, the atmosphere was electric! Everyone was screaming in the excitement, we couldn't believe we had come 2nd!

After the results had been announced there was a huge gathering of students from different schools out- side the theatre - congratulating each Lord Grey Poem other on their spectacular performance. Of course, Lord Grey were the loudest L is for Lessons, so we get in the know, there and all students were still on a high. It O is for Open days, for parents to go. was this school's highest ever placing. All the R is for Resources, the books and the pens, hard work had paid off. Even teachers from Stantonbury Campus were saying that ours D is for Detention, you must make amends! was excellent, and they thought that we would win!

G is for Grammar, corrected we stand, I definitely recommend people to take R is for Revision, for passing exams. part in rock challenge, it was excel- E is for Excellence, dare to succeed, lent. Maybe next year we can Y is for Yearbook, for information we need. come away with 1st place!

S is for Squashed chips, cleaned from the floor, C is for Canteen, the queue’s right out the door. H is for Homework, it must be on time! O is for Obligation, so we don't get behind, O is for OFSTED, to work with the Head. By L is for Lord Grey, come to school, don't stay in bed. Elizabeth Akinwande

By Emma Butler America 2001

The American Trip '2000' was arranged for Enigma Orchestra as part of an exchange, in which we stayed with our host families in Milwaukee. The trip consisted of ten days in which various venues were organised (most of which were of the unmusical kind) includ- ing a baseball game, a tour around the cave of the Mounds and a trip to Spreachers Brewery.

We were transported to all of these sights by the infamous yellow school buses with our lunches that we could probably feed the whole country. When we did actually play though, the Americans had the 'pleasure' of hearing us play the never tiresome, Rule Brittania at places including the Harley Davidson Centre in which we were also given a tour card and more free food!

Our day out to '6 flags Great America' theme park, was one never to be forgotten and although many of us ended the day feeling very queasy and sunburned, it was one of the most amusing days in our itinerary. On our last night at our host families houses, we had a party, where, to everyone else's misfortune I sang karaoke! Possibly not one of the most enjoyable times we had.

The next day we set off to Chicago, to the very impressive hotel Embassy suites, where we had the luxury of relaxing in a very nice swimming pool. All that was left to do at this point was to say our last goodbyes before leaving to come home.

This year, our American friends will be staying with us, and will enjoy a busy schedule including trips to London and I'm sure many more exiting things.

The trip went all too quickly, but overall it was a very enjoyable experience and when the Americans come to England, I just hope we can show them the same hospitality that they showed us.

By Sarah Allen Sense Poetry Pepper! They can be in tiny particles Or in a similar form to apples Either way they are HOT HOT HOT!!!! It smells like burnt crisps Or a cigarette that has been put in alcohol

It is used to add flavourings Or to spice up foods The pepper can make someone sneeze If inhaled at any time They look like tiny raisins scattered Across a field Or like an apple with an extended stem Inner Senses They come from miniature seeds Corpses dismembered, alone and stenching Eyes stare with emptiness at the world. Grown from the earth Hands, and legs grab you at every chance, The earth they come from is 'Stop' they say 'Don't go, stay with me.’ Dark yet moist The seeds are buried Sounds pounding to a deadly rhythm, Beneath the dark moist atmosphere thump, thump, thump. If it stops. Till they grow to become hot Death knocks at your door. And spicy vegetables. The temptation to run, impossible, By Kelly Longmore the sound will follow you. The will to live, unbearable, that thump will always be there.

Apples SNAP! Hard things A ray of light that shines in his eyes. Crunchy and delicious Angry, monstrous shells explode in the air Sweet and irresistible He cannot hear, he cannot see. After first bite his inner senses, fear, despair. Spilling juices That thump surrounds him, Like the plain taste of he can only feel it. Sugar and water. Mouth wide open, no one hears his screams, But that thump smoothes his fear. When they are picked and gathered He doesn't know they've been bombed, From the trees And the people around him scream. Their brown thin stems snap! All he knows is that thump, And their firm and solid figures Lifeless, gone and free. Are amazingly eaten through by worms 'Stop' they say 'don't go,stay with me,' the hands and eyes do call. Their appearance-colours of autumn leaves Next time listen to their song Blend with the trees Because it's the inner senses that sing. And sway silently with the wind The branches that they hang on are By Sarah Watkinson Strong and stay as still as the trunk Held down by its roots.

By Kelly Longmore An unwanted soul Lonely Poem A homeless piece of worthless trash. Tossed aside by society. Life on the fast lane. But I don't care, That's how I live. I have my world. No cares no worries, No-one puts one thousand tons I'm a free man. of pressure on your back. I do what I want when I want. No homework, I'm top of the world, the best, the King. deadlines No one can stop me, schoolwork, not now, work, nor ever. wages, Life is a speeding freeway. taxes, I'm flying down this freeway. just me. I'm gliding like a bird. But that's not what I want. No pressure, I don't really hate this world, no plan. I just don't understand it. But then I turn a wrong turn. I just want someone to turn to. The freeway runs out. When that one thousand tons I remember this alley, of pressure gets too much they're there to lift it. It's the real world. Just one friend for a giggle, Not my world where I'm the King or a bird. a talk, This is for real. a Christmas, Nothings good. a walk. No-one to turn to. But I'll never get that. No friends, So I'll just sit back. no family. Hop on the freeway and cruise. Alone in this dog pound. I'll take my life my way. Where they bite your leg, not scratch your back. The fast lane. Money is everything, Where I'm wanted and loved. more important than friends, So am I lonely. meaning of wealth, meaning of life. Yes. A favourite fairy tale. But I've got my world.

By David Crisp The Accident

In the beginning God created the Heavens, the Universe and the Earth. The Earth at the time was engulfed by the raging blue ocean with no land in existence. The Earth was not only covered in ravenous waters but it had also been plunged into a darkness that meant nothing could live. Then God decided to give the world light, and as the heavens opened up, there was a tremendous light that filled the sky lighting up all the four corners of the Earth. Even the darkest, most distant, secluded areas of the world were filled with light beyond the stretch of the imagination. This was the light that would light forever, this was the light that would see the world go day by day and this was the light that would see all the triumphs and all the failures of each and every individual of the planet. No one could escape the light. But where was the amazing light coming from? The answer to this is what peo- ple call the sun, the greatest object in existence.

Now that there was light, the world was free to start growing plants and ani- mals and most of all, humans. From the primitive humans and Adam and Eve the world had begun and as with the dinosaurs before the humans started to form dominant groups. The groups each had one thing in com- mon: the need for power. Prominent groups rose and fell as the quest for total power had begun.

As time passed, the mighty Aztec civilisation and then the powerful Inca empire both came and went. Then came the Egyptians, a very religious and powerful culture, with many Gods. But the Egyptians were different. They had no weapons of mass destruction or enormously large armies but the outside world was extremely cautious when handling matters with them as they had the one thing that scared the world more than large arms: the Pharaohs, or the living Gods. The Pharaohs were the Gods that lived on Earth, specifically Egypt. The world knew the Gods had created the uni- verse and they also knew of the awesome power it must have taken to do that. They also knew that the Gods had bestowed on them the Earth and all its power, which could be taken away in an instant.

The pharaohs were worshipped by all of the inhabitants of the country and as far as the Egyptians were concerned the river Nile was a gift back from the Pharaohs. The River Nile

The river Nile was the thing that was most important to the survival of the Egyptian people. As Egypt was a country that was nearly all desert there was not much space for farming and so the Egyptians had no way to feed their starving families. The Nile changed all that. Once every year the Nile would burst its banks and flood all the area around the Nile for a radius of approximately one mile. When it flooded it brought with the water large amounts of fertile soil so when the floods had gone there was soil to farm on, and crops to sell and eat.

The Pharaohs controlled all that happened in Egypt and they had ultimate power. The people built great monuments and spectacular temples to honour the Gods and there were the colossal pyramids, so great they are now some of the most talked about wonders of the world. The Pharaohs had powers they possessed as Gods, but it was said that they often used them for threatening people. Then there were the Pyramids, the resting place of the Gods who were buried there after they had been mummified. The Pharaohs’ mummified bodies would be left there with all their treas- ures and the mummified bodies of a few of their most loyal servant. As all the Pharaohs’ gold was left in the Pyramids with the bodies of their owner, Pyramids were a very good target to rob and grave robbers would con- stantly try to break in. But the Pyramids were protected by booby traps...

The large stone door slowly came towards the thieves and, knowing that they would be the first ever people in hundreds of years to see the inside of the ancient pyramid, they would step nervously. The whole team went silent, the sight was stunning: to be the first ever modern day people to see the inside of an ancient pyramid was a mind-boggling fact for the team of experts to comprehend. Even though every person standing outside the tomb had had some kind of significant find or discovery no one there knew what to do. Then slowly the group of explorers would go in, wan- dering forward step by step. About three steps into the pyramid they all- would stop to marvel in its glory and to investigate the various different inscriptions on the walls of the amazingly magnificent pyramid of Giza.

By David Courcoux Interview with Mr Pomfret

Mr Pomfret has a great story to tell about the past and present in his sporting career.

When he was a child his father was a car mechanic, and the fam- ily of three lived on a farm. Although he saw motor racing on the telly, it wasn't a major ambition of his to become a motor racing driver. However, for Mr Pomfret’s ninth birthday, his father gave him an old car to ride in around the farm fields, and he learnt to drive at this amazingly young age! This was when he became inter- ested in racing and he now looked up to his new idol, Jim Clarke.

When he turned eighteen, he joined a Racing Driving School at Silverstone, and began to motor on in his learning. Mr Pomfret first drove in a race in 1979, but due to a heart condition which was treated at the famous Papworth hospital, he was forced to stop racing for four years. He then restarted in 1983.

Motor racing is an extremely expensive sport and it can be very dangerous. When he was younger, his parents were not unduly worried about the possibility of an accident, although over the years he has had several major accidents during races.

Mr Pomfret has raced against a number of drivers who are now very famous and have since taken part in races in Formula 1. These include Damon Hill and David Coulthard. He also raced against Jonny Herbert and Jenson Button. At the time he raced against them they weren't very well known, but they all went on to be famous. Mr Pomfret says he doesn't feel any resentment towards them and he's very happy for them!

As some of you may know, Mr Pomfret runs his own team. In order to save the enormous expense of travelling from place to place, and also the mechanical expense, he has help from current friends. Mr Chambers drives the team truck, and an old student of Lord Grey, Daniel Hill, helps with the mechanical side. Former team member, Antony Childs, through Mr Pomfret's knowledge and teaching, went on to become a Formula 1 designer. Gerard O'Reiley, went on to be a chief truck driver for the Jordan Formula 1 team.

Mr Pomfret's sporting career has rewarded him with awards such as winning the BARC FF1600 National Championship in 1990, and coming second in the National Championships in 1996.

By Beth Webster Interview with Mr. Berriman

Mr. Berriman is a teacher in the science department at the school. He has worked here for a while and is very interested in the sport of Fencing, so we decided to find out more about the sport.

Q1. How were you introduced to the sport and who by?

A1. My mother encouraged me to take up Fencing because she always wanted my sister and I out of the house.

Q2. Did you start Fencing at a very young age or when you were older?

A2. I started Fencing at the age of fifteen.

Q3. What attracted you to it in the beginning?

A3. I hated it! Then I won a regional champi- onship after doing it for just six weeks, so I changed my mind.

Q4. What protection do you have to wear?

A4. I have to wear quite a lot of protection. I wear a mask which is made of steel, a jacket and breeches made of Kevlar, gloves, socks and an under jacket.

Q5. How long have you been Fencing for?

A5. I have now been fencing for about twenty- three years

Q6. Do you compete in competitions or do just do it for fun? If you compete, have you won any trophies?

A6. I don't at the moment , but I intend to start again in September 2001 to go to compete in the Commonwealth Championships in 2002. I have won two Commonwealth Silver & Bronze medals in the past.

By Kishan Savjani The Lord Grey School Staff Football Team

If you have been to the National Hockey Stadium on a Wednesday evening, you will have surely spotted the bright green shirts of the LGSSFT, worn by your favourite teachers winning yet another match.

We play 8-a-side games and this season our results speak for themselves: Played Won Drew Lost 20 15 1 4

We normally travel to Barcelona to play 2 or 3 matches at Easter, and you'd be surprised how many play- ers can get by in Spanish! We also travelled to Germany earlier in the year to face yet another challenging match.

Regular team members include: Mr Chambers (ICT) Mr Bloomfield, Mr Patey (Maths) Mr Brierly (Exp Arts) Mr Dipple, Mr Thomas (ex-LGS) Mr Berryman, Mr Matanda (Science) Mr Day, Mr Hately, Miss Lewis takes Torster Schwaemmle (Languages) And occasionally Ms Tetlow some 'stick'! Our opposition has included teams from the Council, Hewlett Packard, Jupiter Sports Club, Miss Lewis, former head of English at our school, Barcelona, Chappels Music, Halfords, Denbigh hides behind her a secret past of sporting excel- Staff, Year 13, Year 12, Year 11, Year 10 and lence. Not many people know of her previous life, many others. So why not come along on a goal keeping for university and county hockey teams Wednesday evening to support us? There are or the time she spent training with the England 6,000 seats at the stadium (and most of them under 21's hockey squad. are usually empty!) Her enthusiasm for hockey began at twelve years By Mr Chambers old when attending a junior school in Hampshire. This led to her becoming a member of several coun- ty teams in her teenage years, playing alongside many now famous players, including some of Great Britain's Sydney Olympic squad.

At 19, whilst playing for the English Universities hockey team, she was selected to train with the England under 21 squad.

"It was the highlight of my hockey life," she tells us. "I can remember trembling at my first big game, it was part of a tournament against the Welsh, Irish and Scottish University teams." Her team was victo- rious and won the entire tournament, one of the many memorable wins she experiences. She is the proud owner of many trophies awarded to her in the prime of her career and her proudest moment was saving a penalty shot by the current England captain, Jane Sixsmith, in the last seconds of a county championship!

Her talent continued to grow, but in 1990 tragedy struck when she suffered a severe knee injury. "Unfortunately I had to stop playing after that, though I have a nine inch scar on my knee to remind me of those days!" Although Miss Lewis has retired from hockey, she still enjoys many sporting activities today including snowboarding, tennis, badminton and mountain biking!

By Jenny Allsopp 3 1 2

-Baby Faces-

Can you guess the teacher from the baby photos? The answers are hidden in this magazine... 5 4

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6 7

Where the Pain Can't Reach You

I glanced over the edge of the bridge onto the motorway below. Ten metres of sheer emptiness, before the concrete strip of reality beneath it. The road itself was bathed in pools of orange light. Every now and then a car would speed by, punc- tuating the eerie silence with a sense of urgency, a purpose.

I looked up to the stars, the bright pinpricks of light piercing the infinite darkness that was the night sky. . "Where's my purpose?" I muttered, more to myself than anyone else. As I looked back over the last few months of my life, I could see I'd been missing that. I think they call it 20/20 hindsight. I tried to remember when I last had a sense of Being Lonely ambition, had a goal, a life to look forward to. Where had all that gone? I feel like my life has no meaning anymore Because I have no one in my life. I shut my eyes tightly, trying to block out every- All my life I've been blocked out from the world thing, clear my mind. It didn't work. All I could Throughout my life many people have looked after see was the image of my step-dad, Jake, stag- me gering through the front door of our semi yester- But none have ever loved me. day afternoon, yelling orders left, right and cen- tre. I've never realised how cruel this world could be It's like everything is always my fault. "Dinner ready yet? It better be!" he slurred, drunk Even when people stab me in the back as usual. It's like my back has hurt their knife. "Yes" I replied, abandoning my unfinished home- work. Everytime I try to get close to someone "Danni, where's your mother?" Jake demanded. They just get rid of me like a bad bit of fruit. "In bed, where do you think?" I retorted. He had I am just an empty vase with no meaning of my such a talent for asking the most pointless ques- presence. tions. It wouldn't have mattered what my reply I hate this world and everything about it. was anyway, as Jake had fallen restless, drunk- en sleep and was calling out some woman's I hate being lonely in this cruel world name. Sandra. I dismissed it with a sigh and Because my heart sinks like a stone in water. retreated to the drab kitchen. As I began to get When I see people getting love and attention some kind of meal together, I begun to wonder I just wish that I could get that kind of love. how mum ever managed to get custody of me in Just once in my life, just to see what it's like to be the first place. How was I going to get past my loved. GCSE's? Whether I was going to see Ryan or not tonight. When I fall people never pick me up. When I'm sad people never cheer me up. I shut the front door as quietly as I could. With And thar's what my whole life has been like. any luck Jake and Mum would still be dead to the People never loving after me and caring for me. world on my return. With any luck. Nobody deserves to be lonely.

By Kathryn Entwistle By Adam Gregory Rainy Day

Finally, a break in the intense, stormy rain clouds allowed a small ray of sunshine to burst through and shine down onto the sodden ground, in a desperate attempt to dry up the enor- mous puddles which had formed. Persistent rain and hail had battered the beautiful petunias and the vibrant green of the freshly cut grass had been brutally transformed into a dirty brown. Huge puddles had filled the cracks in the pavements and windows were covered in rain drops. The rain water gushed down the hill and simply ran straight across the tops of the drains as they were already over flowing disastrously.

After a few minutes of signs of a definite break between storms, I hurriedly got ready to make a run for town. I jumped into my bright red wellington boots, pulled on my navy blue raincoat over my three, thick, woolly jumpers. I wrapped my cosy green and yellow-striped scarf around my bare neck, briskly pulled on my bright blue bobble hat, hurled my bag onto my back, grabbed my keys and swung out of the sopping wooden door.

As I scrambled along the deserted street, I heard rumbles of angry thunder in the distance. I had only just reached the rowdy pub at the end of the street, and there were threatening signs of another distressing storm.

I began to briskly jog along the road in hope of reaching shelter before the rain began to fall, but without any delay, an enormous sweep of rain and hail came over my path. Huge claps of threatening thunder followed monstrous flashes of lightening. I shot along the street. My umbrella inside out and being no use at all somehow found its way beneath my feet and I tumbled onto the floor in an embarrassing heap.

As I lay on the freezing pavement, staring up into the violent skies, I summoned up the strength to heave myself to my feet. Even though I had badly bumped my knee, I could not feel the pain due to how hopelessly cold I was. My waterproof clothes had been totally use- less as the rain had soaked straight through to my underwear.

The rain began to ease and the time between thunder crashes lengthened, but I just could not face another scary spell like the last one. So, I picked myself up, and swept my hair behind my ears. With my feet squelching at every step I took, I slowly began to hobble home.

By Beth Webster There is Nothing Good About War The Soldiers Prayer The rotten stench of the dead bodies and still water Dear Lord, overcome the trenches, I pray for the safety of these men Crippled and almost paralysed we struggled through the Who sit and wait for their dying day, Amen. death site, We barely stumbled through the French fields with our I pray for the end of chaos and destruction, mental and physical disabilities, And to pay attention to my simple instruction. The men marched on with no boots and drained of "The people who cry most readily are always energy, the ones with the least feelings for others; Wondering how hard it will be to jump the next hurdle, They cry for themselves." The sound of shells behind kept us marching at a mod- erate pace, A quote from a woman, what a surprise, I'll give you a moment to summarise. GAS! It’s bloody GAS! If she was here, sitting in silence, Or looking over, watching the violence, The extreme clumsiness of fitting gas masks was too She would not have said this, late for some including me, She would not have sent us away with a single For where the green stench was tearing apart our solitary kiss. lungs, The internal bleeding sucked my team mate inside out The men who cry while I watched, And don't know why, Unaware that the same process was happening to me, The shock of it all, Painfully and slowly I melted, until death was ready to No longer a ball. take me away, The women who wrote Out of the green smog appeared a murderer, That misgiving quote, Dressed in an army suit ready to take me away, Should sit and cry, And realise why. Helplessly I got hurled on to the back of a wagon, Giving me a couple of broken bones as well, "The only failure is not knowing how to be Blindness took my eyes and all hope was lost. happy"

War is a joke, An invention, a fabrication, just like the other, Committing suicide for your Prime Minister, That reminds you of the tales when you sat with It's definitely not a game, your mother. Instead savagery and nonsense, There's nothing good about war. I pray and pray, To you The Lord, By Luke Jenkins To take me away, far, far away, And from around my wrists, remove the cord That binds to this murderous war.

Dear Lord, I pray for the safety of these men, Who sit and wait for their dying day, Amen.

The fear on the men's faces, The destruction in their eyes, The tremour on their lips, Death is not a surprise.

By Sara Green FUTILITY Dirty repellent rats screeching with joy at their food - the dead. Funereal repulsive lice crawl through life, lasting longer then the soldiers do. Merciless solidified mud destroying evidence of death and other horrors of war. The Miltitary Services Act Everlasting immoral Death, looming over soldiers A little note to you from the conscientious objector, like shadows. Who told you things wouldn't make it better. Sickening nauseating food, reminding you of the You say I'm weak, you say I'm scared, destruction accomplished by soldiers. "Join the army it's time you cared." Deep obscure trenches, filled with death decom- Thanks for the advice; I really appreciate it, posed, deteriorated bodies. "Yeah let’s go and die!" you arrogant twit. Brave courageous soldiers beaten to their death It's a waste of time; it's a waste of life, at the corresponding pace of the rain. "Let’s go and die" forget your kids and wife. Dark forbidding rocks represent skulls - both We get put in prison for our beliefs, indistinguishable. "I'd rather be there," we sigh in relief. Bloodless murderous shells like the ticking of the "You stay at home and do women’s work you clock, never missing a beat. pansy!" Pallid passionless guns, no longer in it for the "You go to work and die!"great advice from me the game, the excitement. Conshie. Deranged dispirited friends, not really worth The British flag, a marvellous thing, making. A united country, as round as a ring. Disheartened innocent life destroyed by an antag- You hold the flag, you hold it high, onising phantom. Get blown away, no time for "bye." You've got a gun, no training needed, By Sarah Green Your victim’s dying, he can hardly feel it? Millions of men dead, from their stupidity and fool- ishness, "But you let them die from your own selfishness." It's a two-sided arguement; it's the real war, I'm the conscientious objector, I can't take it any more.

By Joanna Barlow

Life During the War Gnawing, clawing rats scurry ominously, Rotting, lice-ridden corpses scattered like confetti, Death ridden, life snatching trenches filled with devastating, Thrashing, driving rain, crashing down like bullets, Powerful, devastating guns roaring like lions

Corpse-filled, rotting shell holes filled with death and pain, Inevitable, excruciating death, staring men in the face, Smashed, decaying skulls, innocent victims of war, Fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers like sitting ducks.

By Joanna Barlow The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

The Amber Spyglass is the final book in a trilogy called His Dark Materials. The other two books are Northern Lights and The Subtle Knife. Although this book could be read as a single novel, there are some references to events in the earlier books, and the beginning of the book picks up where the last one left off.

The Amber Spyglass follows the adventures of Will and Lyra, two children from different worlds, both with a destiny to fulfil. In the previous books, they have met people and creatures such as Lorek Byrnison, Dr Mary Malone and Lee Scoresby. These characters appear in the story to help them, along with new ones such as the Gallivespians, hand-high spies with poison spurs. The chil- dren travel to different worlds using the knife that Will has in his possession which can cut through the air to reveal a "window" to another place.

Lyra is unaware of the impact she could have on the world and everything in it, including the Authority (or God). Various organisations (including the church) are searching for Lyra, in the hope they can manipulate her into doing their will. Her reaction and response to a story could change the world. This story challenges what you believe, or thought you knew about death, God, our signifi- cance in the world and whether there are parallel worlds out there where things are slightly differ- ent.

This novel is very well written, and certainly makes you think.

By Kathryn Entwistle

Good Night Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian

Goodnight Mr Tom was written by Michelle Magorian. It is a heart-warming story set in World War II. It is based in the British countryside where the evacuees were sent. I first read the book when I was eleven. I would say that age or maybe a little older is perfect for reading Goodnight Mr Tom since it was quite upsetting in some places. Someone younger may find it very hard to understand, but I thinki either males or females would enjoy this book.

Michelle Magorian has captured the wartime feeling so well that I thought I was living in the story. She emphasises the characters’ accents in the way she writes by using apostrophes and commas.

Good Night Mr Tom is quite a sad story. It is very moving and really captures the feel and the emo- tion that wartime evacuees, and also grown-ups must have gone through.

By Beth Webster HAVE A NICE DAY! by

Enter the world of Mick Foley: WWF Wrestling superstar, father of two and now best-selling author. This is his revealing and thoroughly entertaining life-story, which documents the Long Islander's upbringing through to his emergence as a wrestling superstar and hard-core legend.

What makes this book stand out from most other biographies is that Mr. Foley is an intelligent and likeable person, who gives an honest and insightful account of his life without insulting the reader's intelligence or blowing his own horn. His relaxed writing style is both captivating and witty. He offers a look behind the scenes of and gives detailed accounts of his bloody escapades. These include hard-core matches in Japan, the battle in which he lost half of his ear and the Foley perspective of his now famous WWF 'Hell in the Cell' match in 1998. Yet he still finds plenty of time to talk about his family life. Along the way, you will read about Foley's encounters with some of the biggest names in wrestling including , , Stone-Cold Steve Austin and . The wrestling anecdotes are hilarious, the gory details are fairly disgusting and the family stories are often quite touching.

This book is a must, for people who enjoy watching wrestling or even wrestler-wannabes and is def- initely worth a read even if you don't know a 'Fisherman's Suplex' from a 'Knife-Edge Powerbomb.' Many other wrestlers-turned-writers have tried to surpass Foley's writing achievement, including The Rock, and Goldburg, but Have a Nice Day! knocks them all out for the count. Bang! Bang!

By Andrew Blow

Library Monitors

The library has a team of Year 8 and Year 9 helpers who give up some of their break and lunchtimes to help in the library. We are also very lucky to have a senior library monitor, Martin Higgs (Year 12), who helps us with the desk and computers.

Each momitor is allocated an area of shelving within the library and they are responsible for keeping this area tidy and shelving books. They are also able to help with other duties, such as covering books, creating displays and helping on the issue desk.

We are looking for more volunteers, particularly from Year 8. If you think you might like to become a library monitor then come and see me in the Learning Resource Centre.

Isabella Coles, Chartered Librarian WRESTLING

WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION & WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING THE GREAT DEBATE: WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

After watching WWF & WCW for the last ten years I have come to the conclusion that the WCW is the number-one wrestling organisation for several reasons that I will talk about in this article. I also believe that both groups can be greatly improved so there is thriving competition within the wrestling business.

WCW's professional wrestlers are much more athletic and tal- ented than those in the WWF. In the terms of ability, strength, athleticism and overall charisma , SCOTT STEIN- ER, , , , GOLDBERG and BERT HART (now retired), DDP, , SID VICIOUS and many other superstars are light-years ahead of any of their WWF equivalents. WCW exemplifies youth, hard work, realism, determination and proof that big is not always best.

Many of the WCW wrestlers are not recognised by many peo- ple, as they are less famous than the WWF ones. I can think of many wrestlers in WCW who deserve to be recognised includ- ing SEAN O' HAIRE, CHUCK PALUMBO, MARK JINDRAK, SHAWN STASIAK, , GENERAL REACTION, ELIX SKIPPER, CHAVO GUERRERO JR., REY MISTERIO JR., , , CROWBAR, KANYON, and many others including CRUISERWEIGHTS. In the terms of production WCW is flawed. For example, WCW only has NITRO and THUNDER shows plus pay-per-view which are not shown in the UK. The WCW wrestling magazine is by far the best wrestling publication due to its information, facts, figures and the intriguing interviews, showing what the wrestlers are really like.

Another thing is WCW tries to eliminate all this hullaballo and nonsense involved in the sports enter- tainment side of wrestling. For example, in the WWF, CHYNA is faking the injury to promote her awful book (unlike who is really paralysed). There is less emphasis on scantily clad women and violence, which the WWF promotes. The WWF under-uses many of its superstars like D.LO BROWN, CHAZ, VAL VENIS, , , , , and PERRY SATURN among others. The WWF promotes older wrestlers like the UNDERTAKER, , and RIKISHI. The WWF makes a mockery of its tal- ented wrestlers like the HARDYZ, EDGE/CHRISTIAN, , , HHH, X- and the .

WCW wrestlers are scientific, technical and several WCW wrestlers are actually related: BOOKER T AND STEVE RAY (), and and many other per- sonas reflect real life including SCOTT STEINER, BOOKER T , LANCE STORM and KEVIN NASH. Lastly the WCW is the superior wrestling company because, through the preservation and dedica- tion, it has managed to survive (unlike the ECW) through the years against the over-hyped WWF.

By Andrew Blow HEROES OF MIGHT AND MAGIC III The Restoration of Erathia

Theme: Strategy Time: Turn based

Enter the magical world of Erathia, where it seems the Dungeon Overloads are surfacing to "Take over the world!" Well naturally someone has to stop them...someone with brains for tactics and empire building... someone who will overthrow the Evil Empire of cruel sorcerers and destructive monsters once and for all!! Err, someone like you.

The game starts you off with a castle and a hero. You can move your hero around the map collect- ing resources, taking control of mines, sawmills, factories and starting fights. Now a hero always has an army following him/her (even though you can't see them on the exploration map) and when you get into a battle, your army and your opponents’ forces battle it out. Your hero stands on the sidelines and you can get him/her to hurl a spell across the battlefield to help your army.

In your castle you build structures, recruit soldiers and quite a lot more. If you're a newcomer to the Heroes of Might and Magic series, it may sound very complicated at first, but as you get used to it, it seems quite simple.

This certainly lives up to its predecessor's in the Heroes of Might and Magic series (I myself the proud owner of Heroes of Might and Magic I, II, and the expansion pack II ), and it is worth getting. It's turn-based so you can have a multi-player game without having two computers and has a good map editor. The game isn't perfect though, as after a few months you may find yourself getting a lit- tle bit bored of it. But, on the whole it will give you hours of fun!

Effect It has very original ideas. 89%

Sound A lovely soundtrack and good effects. 85%

Gameplay It deteriorates, but not quickly. Pretty challenging. 96%

Graphics Superb artistry on some of the castle pictures. 87%

Overall Just lacking a little bit to make it a best seller. 95%

By Jonathan Durnord Every two months in Milton Keynes, around three hundred teenagers from across the city meet at The Pitz to worship God. Sounds boring? It’s R anything but that! Revive has recently celebrated its tenth birth- E day, and in that time it has been held at the New Life Church in New V Bradwell, the Oldbrook Christian Centre and its home venue, The Pitz I on Woughton Campus. Revive has seen bands such as Shine (who you V may remember from their visit to Lord Grey a couple of years ago), E V*Enna and Glass, who get The Pitz and the young people there rockin'. Riding lights have performed drama, and there have been many speakers such as Tim Cutting, Drew and Cally Cameron. They have all spoken to young people to inspire them to live for God in MK.

Revive also has its very own worship band, one of its members being Lord Grey's very own Mr Hancock on his funky pink guitar. The youth worship band per- forms at some of the events giving the young people an opportunity, a chance to get involved in their own event.

Although much talent can be seen at Revive, its not just about the people. It's all about God. He is the reason young people from all corners of MK and beyond come together and worship. The worship that happens at Revive is streets ahead of the worship you might think of - our worship is upbeat with the power of a band behind it. Through God, it has the power to reduce people to tears or give them an incredible high. Either way, it is an amazing experience.

Revive is also a social evening for people who go there. It gives them a chance to meet up with people they wouldn't see otherwise, and make new friends, but more importantly friends in Christ. If you would like to find out more about Revive, there is a web site. Visit Revive at www.revivemk.org.uk to find out more!

By Kathryn Entwistle Tomorrow's Child

For a while he slept and dreamed of trees and flow- ers and girls with corn-silk hair. The trees were bright, fluffy, a mellow green. They blew gently in He drew his legs, hugging them tightly into his the balmy, warm wind like balls of candy floss. The chest, and dropped his head onto his knees. He felt leaves were glimmering and shimmering in the no remorse at denying shelter to that creature; only sunshine, the birds tweeted, twittered and sang those with souls had the right to survive. For a their charming lullabies. Others were scouring the while he closed his eyes, and let his thoughts roam long spiky grass for their slimy, luscious feast. Pink over what could have been, his glorious future. He, squirming worms wiggled and wriggled hoping to Paul Mandrake, rising above the crowd, hailed as a plunge and be spared from the voracious, razor- hero, the head of a victorious army. He would be sharp, petite beaks they were destined for. known in years to come as the man who saved humanity. The flowers were intense pink, purple, red, blue - an ocean of fragrant smelling beauties with clay Like a huge thunder storm on a hot, sultry August pollen and bees penetrating the flawless arrange- night, the light flashed and then a petrifying whine ment of pettles for their Queen’s majestic, bulbous starting off in the distance but quickly homing in on belly. him. Paul's senses come back to him. Should I run? He tried to move, but his legs flayed useless- The girl ran through the bold, blossoming trees, ly, his whole body felt detached from his mind. idyllic song birds and oceans of flowers simpering. Running and springing she scampered like a Sitting in the freezing alcove, Paul could only wait cavorting deer to a wall of ivy and thrusted into it for his certain fate, his breath coming in short rat- revealing a door, a door to Hell. tling gasps, his heart fluttered like a trapped bird. There was noise all around him. Screams pierced What had once been a village was a burning city of the darkness. The noise of the thunder vibrated the people they were screaming, squealing like a pig in broken buildings protecting his battered body. How a slaughter house. Their pitiful bodies, the energy had he got himself trapped like this? This was not of a scorching fire. The fire eddied and swirled out in his master plan. Paul closed his eyes and of control, spoiling captivating cottages, blackening thought about the day that would turn out to be the a field of azure blue sky, choking trees in its violent last day of his miserable existence. path. Paul had collected the package of death on his way When he looked back at the pretty, young girl she to the station. "This will make you famous in our lit- focused into the devastation and shed a tear, a tear tle community" Shaun knowingly whispered. "It will of laughter. Her laughter applauded loudly the hor- make up for your failure last time." ror of the smouldering citizens. Her laugh echoed through the valley, it trembled the ground he stood The last thing that Paul saw before his tortured soul on. Her body shook as though she was a victim of left his bloodied body was the broken watch on epilepsy, her ribs expanding alongside her roarous what remained of his wrist: it had stopped at seven laugh, deep as the sea, high as a nail on a black- thirty-four. board. It was pure pleasure from the devastation. Her innocent face, hair and body resembled an In the street outside of Euston station a lone figure angel, her heart was that of Satan, sickened with in a thin green jacket stood slightly apart from the poison, poison for the tragedy of others. throng of police and ambulances. His eyes never leaving the scene of carnage spoke into his mobile By Naomi Sinclair phone. "Shaun this is Semus. The snake won't be coming back to Ireland.” Lower Sixth Geography Field Trip Oct 2000

Wet Wet Wet

Despite the lashing rain and the occasional clap of thunder this Geography field trip to Dartmoor, Devon was a very enjoyable time. It was by no means the easy week that many members of the group anticipated. Instead, it was late to bed, early to rise and with many miles of map to be covered.

There were many interesting tasks, activities and places to visit on the trip, ranging from decision-making exercises in Plymouth to investigating types of flora in a bog, each as fun and educational as the other.

After a hard days fieldwork we would return to the house, where Carl Miller would make many attempts to light the wood-burning fire and eventually failed miserably. Once Nigel Handyside had rescued Carl and lit the fire we would set about writing up the days’ activi- ties. This consisted of plotting graphs, drawing maps and filling in tables, which would prove vital to the forthcoming course work. The evening work was split up into two parts, before and after dinner. The dinner consisted of a large variety of dishes, which according to the Head Chef (Nigel Handyside) were enough to put the likes of Raymond Blanc to shame.

Once we had finished working (9-10pm) the rest of the evening was up to us. While many of the group would retreat to the arctic conditions of the boys dormitory, a few of us would remain in the warm and challenge the teachers to a game of Contact Solo. This would end up with Nigel claiming his defeat was due to exceptional tiredness, then going to bed early to prove his point. When the rest of us finally retired, the boys would spend hours discussing current affairs and putting the world to rights, until conversation seized to a halt.

With the majority of us glad to leave the bleak conditions of Dartmoor, hav- ing had a thoroughly enjoyable time, we set off back to Milton Keynes all feeling ready for a restful weekend.

If you are considering taking geography as an A Level at Lord Grey School, then I would highly recommend it, not least for the week in Dartmoor.

By Steven Allsopp Sixth Form Longrigg Trip July 2000

We woke up first to quite a bleary Monday morning, a feeling that soon cleared and cheered when it dawned that it wasn’t an ordinary start to a school week. No, instead the immediate prospect of a rugged few days of intrepid outdoor activities in the wilds of the North Yorkshire Moors was what we found facing us. Quite a pleasing prospect too.

We met up early in MK Central Railway Station with cups of cappuccino and chocolate for breakfast. We might need energy for all those moors, hill walks, river scrambles, canoeing expeditions, cave explorations, mountain climbs and abseils. On board the train it was gratifying to see the staff had done some sort of deal and secured first class accommodation for us, both outward and return. The consensus was that this was cer- tainly what we all deserved. So we were wined, dined and our every other little need was pandered to; luxury we soon become accustomed to.

We were brought back to reality at the other end when the Longrigg commandant tried to organise us into mini buses for the remaining leg of the journey in more of a brusque, military fashion. I suppose he had to let us know who was in charge though.

We soon discovered we had our own pad, on arriving at a large converted stone barn on the outskirts of a hill farm. We were pretty well equipped too. Earlier, we had been divided into groups of three outside the local Tescos, and each of the groups had been provided with £60. We set out buying the provisions needed for evening meal cooking and packed lunch making, each glancing at the contents of others trolleys as we passed in the aisles. Some of us seemed to have some strange recipes in store!

We were staying in a converted barn in the middle of nowhere. The building had the feel of an old monastry. The converted barn was good and there was already a prom- ised final night party to look forward to. We set about bagging bunks and rooms.

Not much time to rest though for the commandant had other plans that included a fif- teen mile yomp up and down a nearby hill/mountain. Anyone who had not spent months on training was left gasping.

Over the week activities became increasingly death defying as we discovered ourselves in a harness, lowering ourselves cautiously (some in abject terror) over the edges of immensly tall railway viaducts and the like. Wedged, crawling on the stomach in tight, pitch black tunnels miles underground with a shallow flowing stream filing cave suit and wellies was a claustraphobic experience not to be missed.

All in all we experienced an excellent week with people learning to face up to some real fears and overcoming them (well all of them exept the prospects of actually trying to eat the one disgusting evening meal that one group who shall remain nameless decided to concoct for us. NO-ONE could eat a second mouthful!

The final party was unmissable too although I'm sure some of us has clearer memories of that particular event than others!

By Steven Allsopp Haiku

One frosty morning A snowman was being built In the deep deep snow

On a windy night Owls were howling at the sky Looking for a mouse

The crunchy leaves fall Little children playing games Stack the leaves high

The snow is white As it settles on the ground Laying calm and still

The wind whistles loud Leaves blow around the forest The trees are now bare

The dry leaves tumble Swirling in the stone cold wind Winter is soon here

Summer is over I have to go back to school I like the summer

The warm spring rain fell On the little bluebell's head And bounced off slowly The Fox Hunt

The soft breeze gently ruffles his fur. As he waits, watching for his mother. The fox cub starts sniffing the air. His cold, wet nose twitching, trying to pick up her scent. His ears picking up every noise. He freezes. Something’s not right. Hound dogs. He turns around, every muscle contracted Paralyzed with fear. His copper tail hanging low between his powerful rear legs. His amber eyes burn into the approaching, blood-thirsty dogs. He turns his tail and runs, his heart in his throat. He can feel the sanguinary breath, hot against his fur.

By Toni West

My Body

I saw her lying there surrounded by velvet. So peaceful. Her creamy white face perched on the spot pillow. Her rosy lips in a smile. Her eyes sealed by her eyelashes. Her hair cascaded over her smooth shoulders. Tears stung my eyes and blemished my view of this girl. The coffin lid was gently closed and lowered into the ground. The body... The girl's body.... My body. A Sonnet on the Tower Block By Toni West The Tower block dominates the landscape, Aerials cluttered along the whole roof. People's views this building cannot escape, To say it is useless is a disproof. Shooting up high, it seems to never end, It looks slightly tiresome, clad in grey brick. But to humanities, help it can lend, As the building can help make your mind tick. Languages too has part of this tower, Guten tag, willkommen zu das Turm block. Although it is no real spring flower, It still has many miles left on the clock. It's now an every day part of life, And its image is still sharp as a knife.

By Harry Sherratt