Issue 8 The Race to Change Perceptions Erin McQuade explores the impact of one of TV's most recent and popular cult hits. Here’s the question; how can one the struggles of being an openly gay man gender and sexuality such as “gender- programme create such a colossal in the world we live in today. They tell a fluid”, “non-binary” and “genderqueer”. change in the way we perceive the variety of stories - from being bullied at a They’ve unlocked the cage that society LGBT+ community? young age, for being different, by their has forced gender and sexuality into, RuPaul Andre Charles took this peers to being physically attacked for allowing gender just to be a concept of responsibility upon his own two shoulders their sexuality or having their own the mind and non-defined to the world. and used his influence through families reject them after coming out. But how much has it helped? Out there in performance to fill everyone with the These queens tell their heart-wrenching the world, drag queens are still knowledge they needed. The airing of his stories without fear, knowing full well that discriminated against for expressing their show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” in 2009 it could change the life of any of the art and individuality. The popularity of the allowed drag queens to come forward millions of viewers. The contestants show and the introduction of new LGBT+ and show that drag was more than just a relate this back to them and realise how rights doesn’t mean that everyone in the man dressed as a woman. The their lives could have been different if world has changed their views on the contestants within the show present the they had heard such stories when they community as a whole. You can’t always agonising and lengthy process of were younger. open the minds of the ignorant. becoming a queen to the audience. The Race, sex and religion play a key and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has been ever show is based upon “America's Next Top vital role within the making of the show. It growing in popularity, with it racking up Model,” where the queens compete in is a clear representation of the trying vieweing figures of 723,000 from just challenges and battle it out in order to times, that the LGBT+ community face. season 1 0 alone. As a result this means win the crown. We watch them create “RuPaul’s Drag Race” provides, what on the show doesn’t just reach its main new outfits out of what appears to be thin the surface appears to be a light hearted target audience of 1 8-49 year olds, but air, before padding and tucking to outlook on life, but on further viewing it instead reaches a whole new variety of completely transform into something reveals a much more insightful side to audience. Consequently, this has extraordinary. Then we expect them to the show. It fueled discussions about popularised highly expressive LGBT+ flip, act and lip-sync their way into the many political topics such as the pursuit community slang such as “the tee”, next round. Every year we watch the of marriage equality in the states. “reading” and “throwing shade”, all the quality of drag increase and the bar is “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has sparked the while gaining a deeper insight and raised to a brand new standard. confidence in many LGBT+ young people understanding of the LGBT+ community. However, over the course of ten seasons, to be themselves and to unapologetically Generally speaking the LGBT+ we’ve seen over one hundred queens live the life they want. The concept of the community has been more greatly step into the workroom. Each person show was taken to Thailand, giving accepted by society since the beginning shares their personal life and struggles Thailand’s best drag queens a chance to of the show almost 1 0 years ago. The throughout the show. This causes us to show their talents as well. In turn, this production of the programme still sparks see just how real these drag queens are, challenged damaging and degrading conversation and controversy between and just how hard their lives can be. ingrained perceptions of Ladyboy culture those unwilling to accept the new norm Every queen on the show falls into the for which the country had previously and be more open to new limitations bracket of the LGBT+ community - either been famous. associated to gender and sexuality. Now being gay, bisexual or even in some The show has introduced and educated all that’s left to say about people with cases, transgender. These queens reveal the world with new concepts about minds like that is, sashay away! thescope@ blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ @TheScopeLHS larebrthighschool.co.uk fa/thescope/ Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: The U.S and Their Dying Dream Bethany Duffell asks whether the long held American Dream is floundering in modern America.

What dream can they believe in? This dream of having financial security is drifting further away from the everyday American, the debt has creeped up on them and is now hanging over them, stopping them from being secure. The idea of moving up in the world has faded. It has been found that since 1 979, all of the income gains have been captured by the top 1 % and wages have stagnated for everybody else. The people at top of the ‘food chain' keep their wealth and don’t give a damn about those struggling to even pay for food. How can anyone expect to move up in the country when there is no guarantee of economic stability? Equality is an ongoing issue. It means that everyone has the same worth. Nowadays, people don’t feel like they are as equal as they should be. America has powered through slavery, the civil right's movement, marriage equality, gay rights, women’s rights. To sum it all up - human rights. Yet, issues still exist with equality in America. In a land where there is an unsettling amount of growth in diversity and inequality, the Dream of being equal to your fellow American is becoming further out of reach. People are constantly protesting to achieve equality, but do they really expect this to happen by the snap of their fingers? Especially now that they’ve got the most homophobic, racist, sexist, disgusting President's America has ever seen. Over 50% of minorities in America feel pressured and unfairly treated. You can’t expect The American Dream. The set of ideals in which Gambling became increasingly popular, and many everywhere and everyone to be equal, but in the freedom includes the opportunity for success and people invested extra cash into the stock market. ‘country of success’ you’d expect them to be close. prosperity. This is supposed to allow you to be Anyone and everyone wanted to be high-class and The Dream of being equal has gained rights for some whoever you want. ‘Supposed to’ being the key were desperate to be at the top of the economic people, but that success is being shadowed by the phrase. Is this American Dream actually achievable? pyramid. The high that came with prosperity blinded fact that we’ve seemed to go backwards. What Is the modern-day America anywhere near the people from seeing the eventual negative effects. happened to moving forward in life? America this dream originated in? Everyone was focused on living in the moment rather We have just witnessed the most diverse candidates In 1 931 , James Truslow Adams - the founder of the than protecting themselves from economic downfall. being elected to congress that we have ever seen Dream - defined the American Dream as “the dream The Dream had changed. It was no longer about before. The 201 8 midterms just happened and we are of a land in which life should be better and richer and making your life better, consumerism was way more starting to see the Trump administration crumble. The fuller for every man, with opportunity for each important. republican stronghold is crumbling. The diverseness according to his ability or achievement”. Of course, After the Second World War, the Dream skyrocketed. of the new elected officials is the largest diverse this concept existed way before Adams claimed it as America was growing faster than ever, becoming a government the US has seen before. An LGBT his own. From John Winthrop, who gave his ‘City world superpower. Prosperity increased. Industrial candidate is the first openly gay governor America Upon The Hill’ speech to fellow colonists in 1 630, to advances and a booming economy brought modern have had, Texas have elected their first Latino the Declaration of Independence in 1 776 which conveniences to many families. The war brought women, younger woman have been elected to asserted that every American was entitled to ‘life, millions of women into work, allowing them to focus Congress, Massachusetts have elected their first liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ (conveniently on their own version of the Dream rather than their black congresswoman, two Muslim women have been ignoring the fact most of the men who signed it were husband’s. Even though there was a post-war elected to Congress and Native American women slave owners). But it wasn’t until the late 1 800s that economic growth there was still around 20% of have been elected. This is just a few examples of the the words “American Dream” started to appear in American families living in poverty in the 1 950s. There new diverse elected officials. With this new found newspapers, often referring to hardy pioneers who was a potent atmosphere of hope and change. diversity is there more hope for the minorities? Well it headed westward to seek fortune or to the European President Johnson promoted Title VII of the Civil definitely shows the minorities that people like them immigrants who arrived in U.S. ports in search of Rights Act which ended segregation in schools and are achieving and are becoming powerful. Fair better jobs and homes in the country. the workplace. It fuelled the hope of equality and enough equality isn’t anywhere near complete but this At first, the declaration had only extended the Dream growth. is a huge stepping stone towards it. But we are seeing to white property owners. However, the idea of Nowadays less people believe in the Dream or the less rich white men so it is an improvement if inalienable rights was so strong that laws were accomplishments that could be achieved by the anything. created which extended this to slaves, women and Dream. The idea of owning a house with a white Is the American Dream still alive? Is every American non-property owners. Several presidents have picket fence is becoming a more distant dream. The really allowed ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of verbalized the evolution of the Dream throughout the financial struggle that the average American is happiness’? The whole point of the Dream is to years. President Lincoln granted equal opportunity to currently facing is taking a toll on the achievability of prosper, to be successful, to live equally and in slaves while President Wilson supported women this. Now in a land of diversity there are so many stability. But, come on, in this time of financial having the right to vote. America was changing issues that are interrupting and causing a stir in the instability, this Dream has become too hard to rapidly, equality was becoming clearer. ‘The Dream’, it Dream. Can this Dream ever be achieved? achieve. Less than 20% are openly saying that they seemed, was being achieved. Financial security is essential to the Dream. aren’t living the Dream. Are all Americans equal? Are It was in the 1 920s when the American Dream According to the federal reserve, Americans have they all prospering? Are they all successful? No, no, changed. It was the trend of the 20s after all, material more than $1 trillion in credit card debt, have over no. The Dream which has been a focus for decades is belongings became way more important than your $1 .5 trillion in student loan debt and even more dying. Maybe tomorrow it’ll be dead. own rights. The American people cared more about worryingly have nearly $1 5 trillion in outstanding extravagant parties, colossal houses and amazing mortgage debt. Obviously, the Dream is becoming cars. Everyone became Jay Gatsby. People were harder and harder to achieve. All these Americans breaking out of the norms and were wanting to live with their student loans and credit card debt and life, tempt laws and be free. Leisure activities, such mortgages that still need paid. All these Americans as dances, sports, and movies rose by about 300%. with debt hanging over them from every which way. We Ask: The Battle for Clicks: YouTube Do you prefer vs Mainstream Media YouTube content over traditional TV?

Katie, S1 I prefer YouTube because there is a wider selection of content. I like videos that are sometimes hard to find on TV. Is it time for YouTube to be accepted by the mainstream media? With YouTubers now more popular than ever David Stainbank explores the media's criticism of the online giants. Think ‘Charlie bit my finger’. Think me who have spent their whole entertain, it educates and informs. All Smosh. Think ‘The Gummy Bear working life in mainstream media and you have to do is look for it. Song’. No I am not talking about my are only now learning what YouTube The media never goes for the content browser history when I was seven, I is. aimed at them or even the content am talking about the early years of Before we go any further I think we that they produce on the site. They go YouTube. However those days of a need to look on at one key incident of for the most popular content, the site full of kids making fun videos in mainstream media versus YouTube. content aimed for young people. You their spare time and ludicrous viral In November of 201 7 it was could say that is fair, but in their videos were short lived. Currently the announced that YouTube creator Jack articles they generalise the website. term YouTuber is no longer the Maynard would be one of the ten so They are very selective of which Mr McDonald nickname of that boy who made called ‘celebrities’ heading into the creators they go after and it is usually I personally prefer the content on TV. I videos in your School, it is currently a jungle for ITV’s immensely popular the same sort of creator. A young job title for roughly 40,000 creators*. ‘I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!’. vlogger, who is very popular and is find YouTube content to be quite Not just that, YouTube has morphed This worried many in mainstream breaking into mainstream media. The unengaging whereas the content on TV into a massive media hub supported media as YouTubers were no longer problem that this creates is those who is more professional. by our good old pals at Google. With constrained to there juvenile site and don’t know the website and what is more and more YouTube originals were breaking into their beloved contained in it then thinks the entire coming out, although mainly broadcast television. They started website is full of bland content made negatively reviewed it does signal that roaming around Jack’s social media by stuck up children. YouTube is far from its humble trying to find any racist, homophobic It is fair to say the media is scared. beginnings. or sexist post to pin on him, and They are scared by the prospect of It is safe to say that YouTube is brilliantly they found one from his YouTubers breaking into their game becoming a powerhouse, and that early days of Twitter. He was and stealing their jobs. YouTube is does worry many in traditional media immediately forced to exit the jungle becoming more and more popular positions. Let’s face it more and more before the arguments had even everyday and the media have failed at people are watching YouTube for their started. their scare mongering tactic. Joe news rather than watching Now do I think that the tweet was Sugg, another creator, was attacked Haydn, S6 broadcasted news on the TV or wrong? Yes. Do I think that the in the same way as Jack Maynard reading newspapers. This has led to media’s response to the tweet was was when he competed on Strictly I prefer the mainstream because there an outcry against the site, with lots of fair? No. It was obvious they were Come Dancing. However their are a lot of programmes on at all times people questioning its legitimacy as looking deep into his social articles were mainly ignored and I think that many of the content an effective news outpost. Even media to find that tweet. It or discredited and Joe went leading to many attacking these so wasn’t as if he had tweeted onto the final of the creators on YouTube can be bad called ‘creators’. YouTube has the statement that week. competition. influences. sparked a war, and I am here to solve They were urgently trying to I may not like the content it once and for all; mainstream media find some way to expose that these bland vloggers vs YouTube creators. Jack so that he couldn’t post, however when the There are lots of articles out there have the chance to make media go after them, I feel a criticising the mainstream media as YouTuber’s look respectable. duty as an young person to well as YouTube, so in no way is this I think that the key problem with defend them. I have grown up with article groundbreaking. However I feel journalists attacking the site is that YouTube and I am still an active user. as though I am in a unique position. I they are attacking content and It is a brilliant website that can boost have grown up the majority of my life creators that are clearly not aimed at careers and when the media throws with YouTube being a valid way of them. The good thing about YouTube an extremely weak argument against gaining entertainment, at the same is that there is something for the website I feel a sense of injustice. time I have also realised that reading everyone, but the most frequent users Joel, S4 newspapers and watching broadcast are children, teenagers and young I prefer YouTube because there is lots In the war against YouTube vs news are better ways of keeping adults so the most popular of creators mainstream media, YouTube will of content on demand, I also like the informed. So I both know and trust the are targeted for these groups. There eventually win. The media just needs connection between fans and creators. two forms of media I will be is a constant flow of brilliant and to realise that. discussing, unlike journalists before insightful content which does not only Michael Bay: The Kayleigh Shaw critiques the polarising style of one of Best of the Worst Hollywood's best paid

Movies are a massive part of our social culture, and is shed, but not your average ‘Jock’ either, which isn’t fact that there is always more than one antagonist to something that people can either agree or disagree inherently a bad thing. However the scientists, the support the main one, but even then they can't seem on. With the sheer volume of films that are now out people you’d expect to be the ones to come up with to fill the void of Bay's poor writing. there which stir such huge reactions from audiences, the solutions, are treated like the numbskulls that The humour of Michael Bay can be summed up in a you can usually gauge how good or bad a movie is don't have a clue about what they are doing even if few words. Four-year old humour. Between the potty simply by saying the name and waiting to hear a gasp they are most qualified, especially when it's their job! jokes, stupid “comedic moments” and all around dull of horror or delight. Like many of us, you will have You'd think the scientists and military would know comedic relief characters he introduces, Bay’s your favourite actors, actresses and directors, what to do over a college boy, but according to Bay, humour is centred around the very pettiest of jokes alongside a plethora of hated counterparts. Among that's not the case. It’s prominent in Transformers, that most people would cringe at in disgust. Within the those, is one particular man, known for one of the especially with the ‘higher ups’ appearing as bad guys first Transformers movie, he makes Bumblebee, the worst movie series that is known to the movie or obstacles in the way of the protagonists mission to lovable yellow Camaro, urinate all over the bad guy industry, the one, the only, Michael Bay. Now he gets help save earth from another Megatron, who is turned good guy. This kind of thing is what children a lot of hate and that is a gross understatement. His another issue in himself! Seriously, they’ll do anything would laugh at, adults however usually have a career is solely talked about with spite especially from to bring the bot back, and they’ve killed him off twice reaction somewhere between cringing and feeling long time fans of his TV series remake of uncomfortable. Transformers. Although I must ask, why? You hear Considering that people talk about him making horrible films but they most of the films never give a reason to why this massive movie he makes are director is the worst of the worst when it comes to 1 2A’s you'd expect making enjoyable movies. the man to realise Well, to start things off, his plot lines, when there even his audience may are any, are all over the place. Between the massive not take his explosions, romantic trash and horrible jokes and unsavoury humour clichés, the plot is thinner than paper. The director lightly. has often been noted to lack a script and simply run However, despite on improvisation and does as he wants throughout all of these factors scenes, though that doesn't excuse the atrocious that point to his nature of the movies he seems to produce. The movies being fragmented plot, for the most part, is somewhat easy some of the worst to follow but the movie overall lacks a creative flare in Hollywood, that falls outside the regular form of plot that people still watch Hollywood seems to favour, and when you pair that this movie with the random events that happen, it can be tiring to now and have technically resurrected him three times “mastermind”, but why? Why do we still continue to say the least. You never know when the movie may as well (Galvatron being made ‘Megatron’ once give him the money and views to continue making end, and sometimes - don't lie - you end up skipping more). these dreadful movies? Well it’s simple really, it’s just some scenes occasionally. Especially the final battle, Megatron only goes to highlight the lazy writing of watchable. Not in a way that you’d get giddy at the but it really isn’t even ‘the final battle’ as you learn Bay, as he refuses to invent a new antagonist, but notion of being able to watch the movie again, but there is another 30 minutes left. In short Bay’s plot instead writes a lazy excuse of a story to re-introduce more along the lines of background noise. It’s messy lines are akin to Swiss cheese. a character who lacks depth, personality and even plotline meaning you could jump in at any point and A second flaw which we can observe with Bay’s motive,which we can see that in Megatron’s case as not be confused as to what is happening. It may not writing is that of his characters. They all follow a he is only there as an obstacle for the protagonist and be anything to write home about, but it’s good fun to similar pattern every single movie, which eventually nothing more. Even when Bay has introduced new watch and at the end of the day, isn’t that what films makes them all boring and predictable. You have our villains they too have lacked motive making them are meant to be about? main character, usually not the smartest tool in the bland and lack a sense of power, this is backed by the The link between Larbert High School and

U Woodlands Primary was established in 201 2 with the first group of pupils making

C the trip to South Africa in October of that year. Woodlands Primary School is in

G Heideveld which is situated in a suburb in the Athlone part of Cape Town. The primary school has around 800 pupils between the E ages of 4 and 11 and offers educational

H provision for Grade 1 to Grade 7 all looked after by head teacher Mr Meyer. The school

T has around 1 8 teachers. Woodlands Primary, just like Larbert High, is local authority funded. D Another similarity between LHS and Woodlands is the focus on extra-curricular N activities. While we have the Tryst they have the GCU. The GCU (Grand A Commission United) is currently in its 1 9th year. It was founded by Mario Van Nierick

S and originally was set up as a football academy in 2000. It is now run as an after

D school sports programme every day by our friend Robbie. The GCU uses sports to give

N young people opportunities and aims to get young people off the streets. Now the GCU

A not only offer football but has expanded to include many other sports such as rugby, L basketball, skipping and boxing. But it’s not all about sports at the GCU there is also a D strong focus on education with tutoring in

O literacy and numeracy as well as numeracy and strategy games like dominoes and

O chess. The original school building was constructed in the 1 960’s and was originally

W supposed to last for ten years. Now, over 58 years later, there is a new school building in the works. The school currently operates from a temporary site while they wait for You have probably heard of Woodlands in their brand new building which will be connection with the many, many fundraising opening soon. The new building will include activities which happen throughout the year a computer lab which is a very exciting at LHS. This is because LHS have a opportunity for their young people to learn a sponsor pupil program which allows a whole range of new skills. Woodlands Primary pupil to expand their opportunities by moving on to high school at Spes Bona. Spes Bona High School is further away from Woodlands than other high schools in the area but it’s reputation and record of academic and technical achievement means it gives our sponsor pupils a better chance of reaching a positive destination. Sponsorship pays for costs associated directly with the education of our friends and sponsors – paying for school fees, travel, stationary and uniform. There have been six sponsor pupils in total. Our first three sponsor pupils were Junaid Darries, Emile Le Roux and Aasheeqah Lakay. The fourth LHS sponsor pupil, Darren Hortagh, was personally sponsored by LHS pupil Emily who found herself in a position to offer this opportunity to Darren after having experienced the trip and getting

S to know Woodlands well. Junaid, Emile and Aasheequah have all now completed L secondary school and have moved into the Shiloh I world of work with Junaid undertaking an

P internship at a hospital and Aasheeqah and Emile pursuing careers in sports coaching.

U Darren has recently started his final year of school.

P The new structure of sponsorship means that each year group is affiliated with a sponsor pupil and the money they raise

R through fundraising activities helps to pay for their education. Current S2 are affiliated O with Jaidene Okhuis who is in the equivalent of S2 at Spes Bona while current S1 are S team Shiloh Hamidi who has just started her high school journey. Both girls give back to N the Woodlands community by regularly

O helping out at CGU after school. It is also Jaidene not unusual to see Darren, Emile, Junaid or P Aasheequah pop by after their other commitments and spend some time at GCU! S You might be wondering what our LHS pupils

E do when they are at Woodlands? Every day in school LHS pupils use their resource pack

R to work with each grade in turn. The resource @LHSWoodlands packs are made up by each individual on the

U trip and contain booklets for pupils to work through, coloured pens and pencils, T stationary, bubbles, stickers and other fun L things to help make a connection with the young people. The booklets focus on literacy U and numeracy but also try to help teach about life in Scotland, Scotland’s culture and C focuses on identifying similarities and differences between Scotland and South

D Africa. As well as working with Woodlands pupils

N Larbert High pupils help out in the kitchen. The school has a feeding program which

A provides nutritional and tasty food for any learners who need it. Working in the kitchen involves washing dishes, serving meals and H organising the queues. After school is over Larbert High pupils D

I attend GCU where they help to organise games and activities alongside our sponsor

L pupils and Robbie. Everyone has a place at I GCU whether it’s helping others learning new

E skipping techniques from the skipping coach or organising the ever traditional Scotland vs

C South Africa football match. Another way LHS pupils get an insight into South African culture is through various trips and visits which take place in the afternoons and weekends after work at school is over. One of the highlights is always the visit to the Langa township. It is all about the people. To truly experience the warmth, friendliness and humanity of life in a South African township, you have to walk its streets. Hear the children at play, smell the sidewalk barbecues, taste local drinks and learn to say “Molo” to the Larbert High School are proud to have funded and many residents you meet. supported the school library in Woodlands Primary. Another emotional cultural experience is Through this support the school librarian, Laeeqah Robben Island where LHS pupils learn about Safter, has been able to provide a better range of the fate of many political prisoners held there literature for the children to read. She has also been under the apartheid government. Walking the able to provide support both for class research projects and additional help to improve the literacy of

same narrow corridors and prison yards as Y Nelson Mandela truly gives an insight into the young people. There are also a range of arts and craft based creative projects that take place in the school horrors that become a reality when such R vicious and abhorrent racism is allowed to library.

run unchecked. A bittersweet tour which A The library is a place for the learners to feel safe and gives an honest account of the situation to grow their imagination by losing themselves in the

while, in true Mandela spirit, choosing to R story they are reading. With books both in English and focus on a narrative of hope. Xhosa, one of the eleven languages spoken in South

B Africa, there is a wide variety for the children to I choose from. But any library could always use more books – in this case particularly for Xhosa speakers! L South Africa LHS & Woodlands Partnership This is Your Homework Online Shopping In this section we ask one of your On The Rise favourite teachers to set some extra curricular homework for you to indulge in over the weekend. In this issue it's Mr Tyrell's turn to set the homework. Film My film recommendation could be a controversial one, I am a big fan of the new Star Wars movies coming out. Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is probably Vania Martin looks into the impact our online habits are my favourite, with nostalgic call having on our high streets. backs to ‘A New Hope’. As well as new iconic cinematography, Do you ever do that thing when you’re mostly because it’s easier just to grab such as the star destroyer buried in the sand. bored where you just start shopping your phone, punch in your card details online and the next thing you know and bada bing bada boom, you’ve just you’ve bought five pairs of shoes you bought your dog an afro wig. You can’t Book don’t need and some stupid phone do that up the high street. My current recommendation is actually a case that looks like an ice cream? I’m Alas, as our lovely high street stores Christmas gift. It is a book called ‘Let Her Fly’ pretty sure we’ve all done it once or have announced the amount of stores by Ziauddin Yousafza which details his life as twice...in a week. It’s just so easy, they have to close in order to get the father of Malala and their fight for equality. maybe too easy. You go online, scroll themselves out of debt, the online through your favourite shopping fashion retailers announced soaring Malala was a strong advocate for education for website, whether that be Pretty Little sales in the first quarter of 201 8. women, and a strong feminist leader. The book Thing, Amazon or Etsy, and then in Boohoo managed a spectacular 53% is really inspirational to me, as a father to two three to five business days you’ve got increase in sales in the three months daughters. four packages sitting on your back running up to the 31 st of May, while doorstep and the deliverer has put a ASOS outlined a sales growth of 22% letter through your door saying “sorry in 201 8 up to the end of June. You can we missed you”. probably imagine how jealous House of A favourite album Awoullbd bue hmard So what does this rise in online Fraser and their buddies are by now. one to whittle down, however a shopping actually mean? In the good I wouldn’t say it’s all doom and gloom good recommendation is an album ol’ days, we had to hit the high street to though. Primark and Zara are buy a new bag or find the perfect examples of fashion retailers that have called ‘Meltdown (Live in Mexico)’ blender. The stores boomed, the soared through the years. Zara know by prog rock artists King Crimson. people behind the counter hid their exactly how to keep their stores fresh They don’t have a huge amount on stress behind large, fake smiles and and cool enough for people to want to Spotify, that is my favourite from there was a sense of community in trek around in uncomfortable shoes what they do. shopping at such a large place. Do you while it rains outside, whereas Primark remember that? Do you remember don’t actually have an online store so Podcast having coffee with your mum after you you have to get out of your bed if you One of my favourite podcasts is ‘Evil had finished a rather long few hours want beautiful and comfy clothes at low Genius’ with Russell Kane. It is a shopping for your holidays? Do you prices. These are the two stores that remember actually having to get out of have actually been managing to keep podcast that details famous people your pyjamas to shop? up with their online competitors while from the past and should they be If you don’t, well done, you’re one of the likes of H&M’s sales dropped by classed as genius or are they evil. For the handful of people who caused 62% example one of the podcasts was House of Fraser to close 31 out of its Honestly, though, can’t you see why about Roald Dahl who wrote iconic 59 stores across the UK after 1 69 there’s been such a rise in online years of being in our shopping centres shopping? You don’t have to leave your books however he also had a or on our high streets. This was due to house - ‘thank god’ says the introverts - reputation for being extremely a 6.3% drop in sales in 201 7. But as and you can buy anything you want at unpleasant. It is an intriguing listen. Harry Styles told us it’s just a ‘sign of anytime you want from anywhere you the times’. It was also reported earlier want. You can’t do that up the high What is a funny anecdote from your this year that New Look was closing street. So yeah maybe you’ll lose the teaching career? over 60 of its stores around the UK, but memories of listening to your dad One of my favourite things as a teacher right now is Google at least we still have M&SPoh wait, complain about the pushing and even they’ve announced that they’re shoving that happens around the Classroom. I set all my homework on Google Classroom now. closing at least 1 00 stores by 2020. holidays in TKMaxx. But, you’ll find it I love to read through the typos, for example one of my pupils The in-store sales of all these high much easier to get your Black Friday was meant to say ‘opinion’ but somehow it had change to ‘ooo street shopping retailers have dropped and Cyber Monday deals. Even if Jim’. direly in the past few years and that’s you’re snowed in. Film Picks: Games & Puzzles Coming in Vania Martin looks at 2019's most hotly 2019 anticipated future blockbusters. Captain Marvel When a war breaks out between two alien races and the Earth is caught in the crossfire, Carol Danvers, played by Brie Larson, becomes the Universe’s most powerful hero. Captain Marvel, the character, is super strong, can actually fly and can both absorb and project energy due to the mixing of her human and alien DNA. This feminist masterpiece will be released on March 8th 201 9, which many have said is the perfect date for such a movie as this is also International Women’s Day. Two trailers and multiple movie posters have allowed us to see Larson in all her Captain Marvel finery. Get your super suit on, because, honey, our nights are in dangerP and we’re loving it! Across Down Toy Story 4 2. Who wrote 'A Brief History of Time'? 1 . The abbreviated term for someone 'being alright' We were left saying 5. Machine used by police to detect lies 3. 201 8 King of the Jungle goodbye to Andy at the 6. What is the first name of Indiana Jones? 4. What fruit shares its name with a colour? end of Toy Story 3 and it seems as if we might be 8. Who is the king of Spain? 7. Ottawa is the capital city of the country saying goodbye to some of 1 0. The mastermind behind the gunpowder plot 9. Only team to be top by Christmas but not win the our favourite toys at the 1 3. Surname of emperor in Star Wars Premier League? end of toy Story 4, if the posters are anything to go 1 4. Craig's first Bond film 11 . A Belgian language by. We don’t know much 1 6. Bill Gates is the founder of this computer corporation 1 2. The largest organ in the human body about the storyline but we do know that 1 7. What is the capital city of Japan? 1 5. The only letter in Scrabble worth five points Bonnie, the toys’ new owner, buys herself a new toy, ‘Forky’. This leads to an 1 8. The plant fibre used to create linen 1 6. Croatian Ballon D'or winner adventurous road trip that allows Woody to 1 9. What is Lil Yachty's real first name? see just how big the world actually is for a toy. This long awaited fourth movie of the much loved Pixar franchise will be released on Guess the Flag the 21 st of June 201 9 in both the U.K and U.S. So grab your tissues and get those snakes out of your boot as we get ready to sing ‘You’ve Got A Friend In Me’ for the last time. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood You’ve not seen a cast this big since Ocean’s Eleven. Here we welcome a movie about a faded TV actor and his stunt double embarking on a journey to make a name for themselves during the Helter Skelter Trivia Word reign of the Manson family 1 . Which star performs under the name Childish Gambino? during 1 969. Just to name drop some of 2. How many electrons are there in a helium atom? the big actors taking on big roles in this Wheel based-on-true-events blockbuster; Margot 3. Which country held the first Winter Olympics? How many words Robbie, Kurt Russell, Leonardo DiCaprio, 4. What does the online acronym SMH stand for? can you find in this Tim Roth, Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning and 5. Which is the only snake to build a nest for its eggs? wheel? Words that best of all it’s written and directed by 6. Who wrote 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? include the middle Quentin Tarantino. This comedy-drama will be released in the 7. What is the largest country located entirely in Europe? letter receive a 5 U.K on the 26th of July 201 9 and true to 8. In Greek mythology who is the goddess of beauty? point bonus. Tarantino’s word, it will be full of blood, 9. Which NFL player was first to kneel during his national anthem? guts and gore. So bloody up and prepare yourself for the biggest movie of the new 1 0. Which song won the 201 8 Academy Award for Best Original Song? year. A Heavyweight Battle With Depression Haydn Smith looks at the exceptional journey of heavyweight phenomenon Tyson Fury. 201 8 ended with one of the biggest heavyweight fights in recent boxing history. Fury’s turning point finally came at Halloween in 201 7, where he attended a party Taking place at the Staples Centre in California, this event was unmissable. It was dressed as a skeleton. As he looked around at the party, he noticed that everyone Tyson Fury, the undefeated lineal heavyweight champion of the world, vs the also there was much younger than himself. This forced him to think about his life in undefeated WBC (world boxing council) heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder. depth - how he had thrown away all his fame and glory. He states that he left the But this was more than just Wilder vs Fury - this was Britain vs America, skilled party early, returned home and locked himself in a dark room, where he began to boxer vs power puncher and most importantly, it was Tyson Fury vs himself. Prior cry for help. Fury says that he was on his knees, crying his eyes out and begging to this fight, Fury had been away from the sport for almost three years! During this for God’s forgiveness. He claims that as he stood up, it felt as if a huge weight time Fury learned more about himself than he could have ever imagined. had been lifted off his shoulders. Following this, Fury decided that enough was It all started on the 28th of November 201 5, when Tyson Fury dethroned the enough - he promised to give up drinking, drugs and partying and instead make a heavyweight king, at the time, Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko had been champion comeback, in order to regain the heavyweight championship of for nine years and Fury was obsessed with beating him. Fury impressed the world. He called it ‘return of the Mac’ (after the song by that night in Dusseldorf, arguably winning all twelve rounds of the fight. Mark Morrison) and gained the help of his new trainer, Ben However, it was after this match that the problems began. Fury had Davidson. worked his whole life to get to this moment, and after breezing past Fury was originally scheduled to have four ‘warm up’ Klitschko, he began to think ‘what now?’ This was then followed fights before taking on a champion. His first fight by two years of drinking, drugs, depression and obesity. ended in a quick fourth round TKO (technical Fury was scheduled to rematch Klitschko in 201 6, but before knockout). This was followed by his next match this could happen, he tested positive for cocaine - twice. This where he won an easy twelve round decision over led Fury to be stripped of his IBF title, become inactive and Francesco Pianetta. Instead of taking part in vacate his WBO and WBA titles. another two ‘warm up’ fights, Fury decided he was Fury states that he has suffered from mental health issues his ready to take on the undefeated WBC heavyweight whole life, but they did not become a real concern until after the champion of the world, Deontay Wilder. This was to Klitschko fight. Fury became depressed, and in order to deal be Fury’s toughest fight, as Wilder was 40-0 with with his depression, he started partying, drinking, eating junk thirty nine of his wins coming by way of brutal and taking drugs. On the ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast, Fury knockouts. Despite this, Fury was not phased - he stated “I’d wake up and I’d think, why did I wake up this morning?” believed that if he could beat his own depression, then Then in summer 201 6, Fury bought a brand new Ferrari convertible. there was no way that Wilder would win. One day when driving this Ferrari down the highway, Fury decided that The match itself lived up to the hype and did not disappoint he was going to end his life. He claims that he got the car up to 1 90 mph fans one bit. It was a gruelling twelve round fight with unbelievable and was heading straight for a bridge. “I didn’t care about nothing, I just wanted to action. Many believe that Fury won the first eight rounds before being knocked die so bad.” Fury stated. However, before he could end his life, Fury (a committed down in the ninth. He managed to get back up and edge the next two rounds. Christian) believes he heard a voice telling him not to. The voice also told him to Then, in the twelfth and final round, Fury was hit by two massive shots, from think about his kids, and how they would grow up without a father. Whether this Wilder. Many thought Fury was down and out, and there was not much sign of voice was just in his head, or something of a divine power - it was enough to stop him getting back up. However, to the shock of everyone in the arena and Fury from ending his life. everyone watching at home, Fury managed to rise to his feet - without a wobble. Following that day Fury promised himself that he would never attempt suicide To the disappointment of Fury, his team and his fans the match was declared a again. However, his drinking problems continued. At his lowest point, Fury was up draw - meaning Wilder would keep his title. Despite Fury not gaining the victory, to 400 pounds (28 stone) in weight, and would drink almost a hundred pints of the contest was still one for the ages, and will hopefully produce an even better beer in a week. rematch.

DCaluam rSttarksex,plaAins whTy threufesetive sCeashon arndisthetmmuch oaverslookeTd sproart gdo haintd iinohannd. Christmas has come and gone, and although it was only a few weeks ago now it unpredictable at the World Championship. Every year there is often a small seems like it was a millennia ago. December is usually a month which we handful of players who completely upset the competition. Last year we seen the associate with Christmas and New Years, however for some it has a different biggest upset in the tournaments history with winning the tournament. meaning entirely. I am of course speaking about the , usually people would Rob Cross joined the Professional Darts Corporation in February of 201 7, he had tell you that darts is just an old man's game played in the pubs and clubs of a magnitude of successes on tour and floor events, although he never won a working class Britain but it has become much more than that, and its association televised event, he made plenty of finals, just couldn’t break his duck. For with Christmas and all things jolly has helped give it an unseen amount of fame someone who had just started playing professionally he had far exceeded the around the world. I bet you probably disagree with me, but think about it. It’s true standards which new players generally had. Many were skeptical of his chances isn’t it? at the World Championships let alone going far in the competition despite his Sky certainly seems to think that the Darts World Championships is well worth incredible form on the tour and floor events so he was the number 20 seed going promoting at Christmas time. As darts has had its own channel, ‘Sky Sports into the tournament.Yet, Rob Cross won the tournament. In short, darts is fickle. Darts’, since 201 5, and many other nations around the world cover the event such This year's tournament further solidifies this notion as many of the tournaments as Holland, Germany and Italy, darts was even covered as far as Australia and top seeds were knocked out in the second round as part of the World New Zealand too. Sky’s faith in the Darts World Championship is more than Championships new stipulation, which seen all the seeded players get an instant backed up by viewer numbers; as of 2007, the World Championship finals have pass into the second round of the tournament. On paper a fantastic idea - more averaged just over 950,000 TV viewers! players can enter into the tournament without more matches needing to be This years PDC World Darts Championship will again be held at the Alexandra played, although the non-seeds get an unfair advantage in more game time - and Palace, the iconic venue that has been witness to many an iconic and in practice with a few more years for the players to adapt to the stipulation it can unforgettable moments, such as Rob Cross’ infamous 1 40 outshot against Phil only be a good thing. “The Power” Taylor to win the title, ’ unbelievable comeback against A second good thing which came from this tournament was of course the in the semi-finals of 201 2 and who could forget Sid Waddell’s inclusion of female players for the first time since 2009! This year's tournament infamous line: “The greatest year of his life!” When won seen the inclusion of two female players - Anastasia Dobromyslova and Lisa the coveted World Championship way back in 2007! The Alexandra Palace is the Ashton - unfortunately neither progressed past the first round, although it was home of darts. fantastic to see female players on the Alexandra Palace stage playing darts and in Darts wouldn’t be the same without the Alexandra Palace, but darts could never the process making darts more inclusive too! be what it is without the famous atmosphere. People come from far and wide to This year we saw number 1 seed win the tournament for a take part in a festival that lasts from early December all the way into the New third time, putting him in the same league as legends such as and Year. This years order of play took place from December 1 3th all the way up to . Throughout the year we had seen van Gerwen been upset on multiple January 1 st, and was set to be the most tightly contested World Championship occasions in other floor and televised events, however the “Green Machine” yet. There were many names thrown about as to who could win the event such as saved his best darts for the biggest title, respectively, and seen him net a Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Rob Cross, Mensur Suljovic, whopping £500,000. Although the tournament is well over darts fans now have the James Wade and even names like and were touted to Premier League of darts to look forward to, and to come back to my original point, go far. although there isn’t much Christmas tradition about the Premier League, Though darts is a very fickle game and becomes the very definition of Christmas just wouldn't have been Christmas without the darts. Daniel Nash looks into the ever prevalent subject of Football: football and money. Has cash ruined the beautiful game? The Rich Man's Game

What has happened to my beautiful game? paid for him was, at that time, a British transfer league has four champions league spots Everything I see today in football seems to have record. They paid this huge fee for a world-class however the top leagues in other countries have some sort of link to business. From extortionate central defender who was crucial for the team. less. The number of spots given to each league transfer fees to the richest businessmen in the But nowadays around £1 00 million is being is a little bit complicated, but essentially it is world literally owning clubs. I, like the rest of us, splashed out for Manchester City full-backs Kyle based on the countries rank in Europe. Higher have had enough! The most recent story which Walker and Benjamin Mendy. Another shocking ranked teams have access to a higher number of has brought this to my attention yet again is that fact is that the new world record fee this year qualification spots. Unfortunately, this once again the top league in Spain, La Liga, have branched was for attacking superstar Neymar Junior, who paves way for money making teams and out. They agreed to a 1 5 year joint venture with cost Paris St.-Germain 220 million euros. Back in countries to dominate. UEFA decides the rules the American company Relevant Sport with 2009, the world record fee was only 90 million and they, acting as a business, want the most plans to host at least 1 league game in either the euros for a much better player, Cristiano popular teams on their big stage. The more USA or Canada. Ronaldo. A huge jump of 1 30 million! Ronaldo popular the teams in the competition are, the There is no denying that it is a good way for has now gone on to win five Balón Dors more money UEFA make. Spanish football to reach more of its fans across compared with the more expensive Neymar, who Luckily I have faith that the majority of players the world. However, it will likely prove to be has won a grand total of zero. Nowadays teams and managers, who put their endless hard work catastrophic for the teams selected, who will are willing to pay extreme amounts for less and time in on the training ground, still care and have to travel abroad, possibly to play their impressive players. This ludicrous increase in have that fire to win. They’re not just in it for the league-defining match. There has even been market value for players has made it possible for money. The problem starts at the top with the significant backlash and disapproval from the teams to ‘buy’ the league title. owners and board of directors. These corporate Spanish fans as well as American fans who also By simply having the most money, the Big Six of badmen, pass their ideas down the chain of deem it unfair on the players. If they are forced the English First Division, have been able to go command and no matter how passionate, no to play abroad, all 20 captains of the 20 Spanish undisputed in the league and they have all rarely matter how committed the players are to their La Liga teams have agreed to protest by fallen below 6th place. This paints them as the club, a small part of this money hoarding threatening to go on strike. All this because of a villains in most supporters' eyes, hoarding their personality is rubbed off onto them. It's not only business venture! wealth and capturing young, talented, aspiring clubs directors and owners, governing bodies of This is the underlying issue with football at the players with the promise of riches, instead of corrupt organisations such as FIFA and UEFA moment - there is more and more focus on the offering them the opportunity to play good quality have control over entire competitions and award business side instead of the performances on football, and achieve their dreams of glory. ceremonies. I don't even want to take you back the pitch. Don't get me wrong: business ventures The next heartbreaking fact which seems to be a to the highly controversial Sepp Blatter, or the such as sponsors have been around in football result of sponsorship money is, the team's unauthorized payments to countries and since the 1 970s, but they were never a huge motivation has changed - they no longer play for organisations in the setup of the World Cup, or deal, not until the rise in popularity of glory. even the fact the champions league no longer mainstream television. When given the Finishing in the top four of the Premier League lives up to its name! opportunity to boost business by associating qualifies your team for the greatest club I think it's time that we, the fans, take matters yourself with the biggest sport in the world, why competition there is, the Champions League. into our own hands, we can no longer sit idly by wouldn’t you take it? However, this does not This is what every supporter wants their team to while the rich govern over us and we suffer the make the scale of money being pumped into achieve. We dream of watching our childhood consequences! We are pawns in the game, we football teams, leagues, and competitions team lift that prestigious trophy while we claim are providing the money to these dominating acceptable. To the point where branding is more bragging rights over our rival teams and our organisations. We might even need to start our important than the game itself and the money is friends who support them! The owners of the big own leagues, our own competitions, our own reaching astronomical levels! clubs apparently don't see it this way. They see clubs in order to escape the trap we are in. At Let me take you back to 2002, 1 6 years ago. big competitions like this as a way of being able this point in time, I’m open to any suggestions. Manchester United paid a fee of £30 million for to have their brand seen on a larger stage, with a young Leeds defender Rio Ferdinand, who is larger audience. They see it as a business now a Manchester United legend. The amount opportunity, and nothing else. The Premier The American Dream never really existed. It was a marketing scam. JAMES ALTUCHER