Sixth Form Mercury Wilson’s School’s newest student-run publication Volume 1, Issue 4 - November 2010 Snow, Jon Snow Adam Worsley particularly want to mess up my first inter- one about his views on the legalisation of- view with a celebrity! drugs. This was interesting to me as I had just written an article about how the Gov- After subtly attempting to find the best in- ernment should legalise drugs and control terview technique, we settled on an infor- the supply themselves, and funnily enough mal style of questioning. Jon Snow was a Jon Snow agrees with me. Instead of leav- failure at school, gaining very poor results, ing the distribution of drugs in the hands of and took a gap year to pick himself up and criminals, he believes that it should be left see the world. When he finally got into uni- to the lesser of the two evils; the capitalist versity, he admits that he didn’t survive. It’s market. One of the main issues I have with hard to recognise how he feels about this, this view is that I doubt the government as Jon Snow is a man who keeps his emo- would take the U-turn and legalise drugs tions close to his chest. His first job in the after so many of the “just say NO” cam- media industry was with LBC working on paigns. However he believes that the legali- a late night phone in, dealing with “people sation of drugs is inevitable, citing Prop 19, too bonkers to put onto the air”. Unfortu- which was the legalisation of drugs in Cali- nately, and predictably, everybody was too fornia. However, that law was not passed, bonkers for the air so he quickly moved on either because the stoners were too lazy to to reporting work. get out of bed, or because ‘civilised’ society is not ready for it. Personally, I believe Prop To anybody reading this and dying to go 19 will be passed, but only after two puffs. Thanks to http://anyclip.com/actors/jon-snow/ into the media industry with your impres- I’d like to point out that neither Jon Snow, sive qualifications, Jon Snow is insistent nor this paper, condone the use of drugs, I arrived at the ITN building in London that landing a job in the industry is down but do condone the consumer’s right to with high hopes and sweaty palms. I gave to luck. However, if you get work experi- choose. On to the budget; fairly simply, Jon my name, and the reason I was there to the ence, and get to know people in the media Snow thinks it is impossible for the gov- receptionist, before sinking onto a plush who appreciate you, you may make it. It was ernment to make as many cuts as they said chair in the foyer. Moments later, a grey at this point I started considering alterna- they would. haired man strolled out into the foyer and tive career options; what if Jon Snow gives looked at its occupants. Was this Jon Snow? me a bad name, or even worse, forgets my As he mentioned in the talk with our Sixth Did he really look like this up close? Ner- name! Coincidentally, later in the interview, Form, the most impressive individual he vously, I Googled an image of Jon Snow he did just that! has ever interviewed was Nelson Mandela. on my phone. Of course it wasn’t him! He He holds Mandela in very high regard, wasn’t wearing a tie! Shortly, the real Jon Although the media has evolved rapidly quoting “I will forgive, but I will not for- Snow greeted me and led me to his office in the past decade, it has been easy to keep get.” Unfortunately, when it came to saying on the newsroom floor. Other than asking up with as it has done so in a very logical who the most boring person he had inter- where my partner was (“he’s at home, ill, way. There is no doubt that there are end- viewed was, he was obviously very silent on he sent me a very graphic text this morn- less possibilities of reaching the public, and the matter! No amount of persuasion could ing”), the first thing he commented on was Jon Snow is one of the forerunners. He change his mind, unluckily. my below average performance at school. has a popular blog, and is an avid Twitter Hugely embarrassed at this, I could only fan. Apparently not avid enough to reply Unlike most celebrities, Jon Snow doesn’t stutter out responses to his probing ques- to my thank you comment, though. His lie about his feelings on being well known, tions, and realised what a great interviewer blog is very interesting, and it covers a vast although, rather modestly, he doubts this guy actually was. I planned on getting spectrum of topics. Prior to our interview, I him back by giving him a gruelling inter- scoured through it looking for an interest- Continued on page three. view, but I had second thoughts as I didn’t ing post that jumped out at me, and I found 2 Sixth Form Mercury - November 2010 From the Editors Comment Welcome back from the half term holiday What’s and to the fourth edition of the Sixth Form Mercury. As usual we would like to thank America: to everyone who has written for us and helped. Inside? Most of the following articles were writ- the rescue ten before half term, which would inevi- Article Pg tably lead to a delay in publication! If you Snow, Jon Snow 1 want to see more of what you like to read again? about (and, hopefully, others would too) Nick White From the Editors 2 please do write for us. The Mercury is in- As most, if not every football fan knows, America: to the rescure tended as an open platform for the Sixth Liverpool has been successfully acquired by again? Form to express themselves in print, and the owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball we’ll print (almost) anything that’s on your To Autumn team. Times were looking good and it came mind. There’s no formal process to get your at the perfects time: just a few days before X Factor 3 work printed; simply email it to either of the Merseyside Derby; dubbed as the most the addresses below and we’ll aim to get it ...Jon Snow important ever. Liverpool fans were in high included in the next issue. The deadline is Can Someone Put an End spirits, hoping this boost would spur on the Tuesday A for Monday B publication. players and allow them to kick-start their to the Growing Ignorance? 4 season. However, lacklustre performances Now, how long is it until the Christmas The Long Gone Summer have been epitomised by the, again, noth- holidays? ing short of disgraceful Fernando Torres, who evidently has no desire whatsoever to Tom Sutherland and Matt Tijou be at Anfield. [email protected] WANT TO REACH AN [email protected] AUDIENCE OF 300+ ‘Inspirational’ leader, Gerrard, has been non-existent so far and Roy Hodgson, just 16-18 YEAR OLDS like Benitez, has been unable to find his best position, whilst also accommodating (AND THEIR PARENTS)? To Autumn another ten players into a system. I feel it’s only a matter of time before both Torres We are looking for sponsorship to O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain’d and Gerrard have left Anfield in search of help make this magazine financially With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit glory. viable. If you are interested, please Beneath my shady roof; there thou may’st rest, get in touch for a quote. And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe, As for Liverpool, they need to spend large in the January transfer window, if they are And all the daughters of the year shall dance! Telephone: 020 8773 2931 to make anything of this season. To my Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers. Ask for the Sixth Form Office eyes, they aren’t being particularly missed “The narrow bud opens her beauties to in the Champions League, with perhaps Email: sutherlandt@wilsonsschool. The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins; one of the most exciting starts to the group sutton.sch.uk Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and stage ever. Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve, Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing, My opinion? Rebuild in January, focus on And feather’d clouds strew flowers round her a mid-table finish and look to win the FA head. Cup. My reality? Twelfth in the Premier League, quarter-finals of the FA Cup and “The spirits of the air live in the smells already out of the Carling Cup. Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.” STOP PRESS Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat, Gerrard scores a hat-trick against Napoli... Then rose, girded himself, and o’er the bleak game on again. Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.

William Blake Sixth Form Mercury - November 2010 3 silent song - John Cage’s Review track 4’ 33” - has been Interview elected to ‘cage’ against the X Factor machine. The X Factor’s Facebook group already ContinuedJon fromSnow page one. has over 30,000 members. Oliback. Bishop Again. many people would know his face. He likes In the end, Stin... I mean it. People talk to him, and he only wishes Storm, and Diva Fever Copyright Simco Well, it has officially started again - the that people could be more open and talk were eliminated, the to everybody, instead of living the closed weekends are completely dominated by latter leaving only the two manufactured lifestyle that many people do. However, he the nation’s favourite show: The X Fac- groups left in the competition; Belle Amie does get his fair share of long lost relatives tor. Thanks to the magic of Sky Plus, I (know any other GCSE French words, approaching him. No interview would be had the privilege of enduring the Satur- girls?) and One Direction, whose audience complete without a gimmicky question, day show three times over the weekend. largely consists of pre-pubescent girls. Hav- and this is no exception; Jon Snow owns On Sunday, the lamb was undercooked ing said all this, one cannot deny that the about one hundred brightly coloured ties, show does feature some truly phenomenal so that, despite playback TV, my sister give or take. He even manages to auction singers. Mary and Matt - Tesco worker and would be able to watch the eliminations some to charities! This wrapped up the in- decorator respectively - do deliver perfor- terview, although I still had time to request as soon as possible before she received mances that could compete professionally. text messages about either the elimina- a ‘get well soon’ card for Alex Ladyman, and (By the way, why are all the competitors managed to get a signed picture myself. tion, or about how cute Harry Styles down on their luck? You never see a doctor is and how glad her friends are that he or a lawyer on the show!) I came away from the interview with a stayed in. Finally, I was subjected to the mixed bag of emotions; I had interviewed train wreck that is the Xtra Factor, as I My cynicism aside, the show has its place one of the greatest interviewers of all time, tried to sleep at 11pm. Evidently, mine - it certainly has entertainment value, but had a conversation with him, and enjoyed isn’t the only family who are X Factor- I wish the whole world would just town myself. I had a glimpse at his fabulous job, down the X Factor obsession. Just a bit. mad; the Sunday show averaged 13.4 and seen what an intellectual he really is. million viewers - almost 50% of the en- However, I felt that it is hard to make a tire Sunday night TV audience. Across lasting impression on him, and left the 1. Eager involvement (10) building feeling as if I hadn’t learnt any- Having ‘passively’ watched the show sev- 8. Stream of water (5) thing new about him on a personal level; eral times, I have to confess that I did in 9. Take as one’s own (5) although he did suggest I wear my interest- fact enjoy a few of the performances. My 10. Ball game (4) ing ride in school as a “badge of honour”. favourites included the middle-aged rock 12. Guard (6) I was starstruck, and after every answer he star wannabe with fire-red hair, and the girl 14. Language communication (6) gave I thought “straight from the horse’s clad in pyjamas. I’m no Gok Wan, but I’m 17. Fruit (4) mouth.” Perhaps a callback interview will pretty sure that’s awful fashion. 21. In addition (5) be required in the future. 22. Boundary (5) Diana Vickers and Katy Perry did give pret- 23. Executives (10) ty good performances, infinitely better than that of Usher the week before who overall Down sang probably ten lines - many of which 2. Pertaining to warships (5) were “come auwn!” They may be looking 3. Solid (4) for the ‘X Factor’, but I’m pretty sure that 4. Apportion (5) singing is a requisite of being a pop star. 5. Concerning (5) Joe McElderry also appeared last week - 6. Friendly (5) the only winner to never have achieved a 7. Boast (4) number 1 single, despite managing to make 11. Enemy (3) the headlines this year, albeit not for mu- 13. Doze (3) sic. For the former, he has to thank those 14. Water vapour (5) who downloaded left-wing radicals Rage 15. Consumed (5) Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name 16. Loud, resonant sound (5) last Christmas. The campaign was support- 18. Yellowish citrus fruit (5) ed by musical figures Dave Grohl, Muse 19. Mongrel dog (4) and even Paul McCartney who actually ap- 20. Shut with force (4) peared on the show. This year a completely 4 Sixth Form Mercury - November 2010 Debate The Long Can someone put an end to the Gone Summer Max Edge growingAdam Worsley ignorance?with cannabis as it is to be caught with am- The long gone summer showed once again phetamines like speed. One is clearly much the outstanding performance of Wilson’s in Professor David Nutt graduated from the more dangerous that the other, but as they both A level and GCSE results, consolidat- University of Cambridge with a degree in both have the same punishment as each ing our status as a top school. medicine, and is currently the President other, why not push the boat out? Holland of the European College of Neuropsy- has barely any hard drug users compared With 91% of grades at A*-B and 23% of chopharmacology. He has a huge amount percentage-wise to the UK, and the sale grades at A*, the overall A level results were of educational honours and was on the of cannabis is still legal there, but the laws exceptions, translating into a position of AMCD (Advisory Council on the Misuse are complicated and I will not go into them the 3rd best boys’ state school in the coun- of Drugs.) He was later dismissed, without here. try (if anyone’s interested in league tables.) consultation, from this body. Why? Be- Most notable is the amount of A*s attained, cause, despite being in a far better position The government has spent approximately and the amount of boys who secure their than government ministers regarding his £10 billion on the war on drugs - double place at their chosen university. field of expertise, they did not agree with the amount it has spent on the Iraq war. his views. However, the real, unknown (and untaxed) AS results were also extremely high, com- profit is reaped by criminal gangs - the ing close to the record of As set by Year 12 My colleague, Jordan Childs, appears to main benefactors of the government’s cur- in 2008. Many boys managed to achieve have a very weak knowledge of this subject. rent stance on drugs. So, why is the govern- four or five As in their subjects and many He wants drug policy ‘formed on a scien- ment unable to realise that their approach others achieved fantastic results. tific basis’; however, his solution to this is not working? The illegal drug industry is would not be to crack down harder on the hugely profitable; if the government were Once again, GCSE results were extremely possession of illegal drugs. This conclusion to bring in new legislation making safe high with 92% of boys gaining five or more does not fit in with his aim; in fact, it is drugs legal, add a tax onto them and make A* and A grades, consequently placing widely recognised by scientists that LSD sure that they are pure and safe to consume, Wilson’s high up the league tables as the and MDMA, class A drugs, along with they would make a lot of money. Obviously seventh highest ranking state school in the cannabis, a class B drug, are a lot less harm- safety measures would need to be taken country for GCSEs. Special applause go to ful than alcohol. The mistake Jordan has into account, and asking the government the numerous boys who secured nine A*s made is to equate all drugs as equal, exclud- to legalise heroin and cocaine would be ir- or more. ing, of course, alcohol. Heroin and LSD are rational, but it would stop criminal gangs on completely opposing ends of the drug dead in their tracks; people don’t sell al- Finishing off, we wish the best of luck to spectrum. However, they are all too often cohol on street corners and dark alleys, the Upper Sixth in their final year, hop- considered one and the same. Heroin is of do they? You don’t read about nine year ing they get the university offers they want course one of the most dangerous drugs old kids selling cans of Strongbow on the (and reaching the necessary results!) Best of imaginable, and it deserves its class A sta- school playground, do you? luck to the Lower Sixth, too, in thei final tus.However, saying that ‘burning the pop- two years at Wilson’s School. py crops in Afghanistan’ would solve the Britain needs to be honest with its people UK’s drug problem is, frankly, naive. about the dangers of using drugs. At the moment, drugs are potentially lethal. The The facts are simple: caffeine is the most risk of getting them from an unlicensed And in the end it’s not the widely consumed psychoactive substance trader is enormous. People are not deterred years in your life that count. in the world. 80% of Londoners consume by this thought, and the increasing flux of “ it on a daily basis, some of whom ‘cannot legal highs proves that some people want It’s the life in your years. function’ without it. My point is this: drugs to use safe drugs, in moderaion, as they do are found in all walks of life and the drugs with alcohol. Abraham Lincoln classification system is in dire need of a (In other words: write for the Sixth ” shake-up. Many people have accused mari- juana of being a ‘gateway drug’, and this Form Mercury!) is, to an extent, true. Beause of its illegal status, it is just as dangerous to be caught