VOICE west side story success ISSUE07 APRIL2013 these people... Principal Mr P Morris Vice Principal Dr S Clark Staff Editor Ms D Gilraine Designer Marshall & Kemp Press Officer Ms S Pearsall Photo Editor Mrs S Thompson Student Editor Michael Cartledge Music Harrison Marlow Catherine Groucott Film Michael Cartledge News and Politics Robert James Dylan Waldron Literature Shannon Randolph Science Namrata Mishra Culture Robert James Gaming John Brittan Sport and Health Lauren Berry Fashion Emily Driscoll Cookery Rebecca Cutmore Gossip Natasha Crook principal’s comments Being a Welsh Rugby fan has not been easy Having taught in a large range of establishments made this possible... over the past few months. After winning a andg havin had the opportunity to work with “Grand Slam” and reaching the semi-final of the Armed Forces for several years in Officer the World Cup, no-one would have predicted Selection, I have seen how self-confidence 02 Principal’s Comments the run of defeats that we endured. Confidence plays a huge part in how they are perceived 03 Meet the Presidents melted away and we seemed to have forgotten and, therefore, how they progress. Taking how to play. Similarly no-one saw Italy beating pride in yourself, your appearance, and your News France on the first day of the Six Nations, so, on background are all vital to ensure that your real 04 Enrichment Saturday 8th February, two teams faced each potential is seen. 06 Academy News other in Paris, who were desperate not to lose, These aspects of the student’s development 09 News in Brief and that is how they played. Both sides were are an integral part of what we are doing here. scared of making mistakes and so the game Students look smart and are encouraged to Factual plodded on until one side, Wales fortunately, be positive about themselves. We promote 10 Science & Culture produced a piece of skill and scored the only try activities to allow the students to show what to win the match. The key element of this is to they are capable of in all sorts of different Entertainment realise how much self-confidence plays a part areas, and we encourage the students to in how well we achieve in life. These players aim high academically to go for their best. In 11 Games hadn’t become bad players but they were not this way I firmly believe that our students will 12 Fashion & Beauty confident. They didn’t play to win, they played leave us with the confidence they require to do 14 Music not to lose. themselves justice in their futures. 15 Film 16 Literature 18 Cookery 19 Sport & Gossip 2 meet the presidents I had the chance to talk to our gracious leaders, when something is good we say we want it to spaces that we want to develop. We also President Leanne Marsh and Vice President stay. looked into whether Year 12s could have home Ravin Thakrar, about what it is they do and study too, and whether we could upgrade the have done for us. After a brief introduction we Which aspects of college life do you hope to computers in the corridors. got right down to brass tacks… change during your term? How do you think the college has developed So, what made you take on the roles in the Ravin: Well there are some things that we have while you have been here? first place? already changed, for instance, a student came to us complaining that there wasn’t always Leanne: The main change has been the amount Leanne: I think the thing we wanted most was enough room in the restaurant, so we came of communication between the college and change, and to make more changes than the up with the idea to allow people to eat in the its students, there have been more meetings, Presidents who came before us. Presentation Suite. yet there can be more still, we have about a meeting every term. I personally feel that the Ravin: eW actually wanted to leave our mark Leanne: We are also organising the Year 13 students have had more to say and the college on Landau Forte and make a change that we prom. There are on-going issues that we are has been willing to listen. can be proud of. waiting for a response on; uniform for example, seeing how we can alter it to make everyone What plans do you two personally have for What do your prestigious roles entail? comfortable, and parking, which is an issue that the future? everyone has mentioned, so we are hoping for Leanne: Well, our main job is to put forward a good response. Ravin: Well I want to go to University and study students’ opinions about what they think should Economics, in the hope of a career in Banking change. But of course it isn’t all about the bad, Ravin: Also, the outdoor areas are excellent or Finance. Leanne: I want to go to University and study Criminology. Have you enjoyed your time so far as President? Leanne: sWell it’ been stressful, we are people pleasers, but sometimes it’s hard to please everyone! Ravin: sIt’ certainly never boring; it keeps us occupied and fills us with a lot of pride. Leanne: When we went to the gathering promoting the Sixth Form at Amington, a student came up to me and said that we had made them want to go to the Sixth Form, the feeling of inspiring young minds is great. How much do you love The Voice, out of 10? Leanne: 10! Ravin: 10. I love the fresh new look! Michael Cartledge www.lfatsf.org.uk 3 enrichment Once upon a time, during enrichment, a boy visited groups beyond his own. He ventured across terrifying corridors, relentlessly, on the search for knowledge. That boy was me, and the importance of this is what he discovered… volunteering work experience Volunteering is a group of kind hearted souls, working to help men and women alike, these ‘Work Experience’ is something that is wholly the skills you gain are great when you actually valiant warriors of good have brought food to encouraged at Landau Forte Academy go out to the workplace. He commented that the, poor visited Standon House to help and Tamworth Sixth Form. It is seen as taking work experience helps improve communication entertain the pensioners, helped to arrange another step into the fiercely competitive and it helps you improve your skills outside of the party for the over 60s, and made Operation working world. At the moment, students here the Academy. Christmas Child a roaring success. Bravo! represent the Academy when they go out to I spoke to a guest at our ‘over 60’s’ dinner and work during enrichment. We took time to ask We asked him if he had any advice or top she told me about the wonderful time she had people their opinion about the importance of tips for people looking to gain some work and said that she will definitely attend next work experience. experience. His definite advice was to, year! So nice one, guys! “Choose the right thing for you, if you don’t Mrs Wright (IAG Coordinator) agrees that like an office environment, don’t pick an office work experience is vital nowadays. Due to the job”. Finally, we asked Mr Morris to recall any economic crisis, potential employees with little work experience he did. He recounted: “I did digital fiction or no work experience tend not to get the job teaching work experience, in both primary and they are looking for, even if their grades and secondary, and worked in a pub; it’s good to qualifications suit the remit of the job. Mrs take a break and do different things.” From our The digital fiction writers meet in the LRC and Wright also argues that work experience is research, we established that work experience compose tales and fan fiction, the question important because: not only gives you a glimpse into a particular being; where will they take you? Into the sorcery • It provides students with the career, but allows you to develop your own filled lands of Harry Potter? Or perhaps Narnia? opportunity to experience a range of skills. tasks that are mentally stimulating • It helps with all types of applications The Academy has received positive feedback • It gives students the chance to find out from both students and employers for what’s going on in the world of work by their attitude to work experience. Students interacting with colleagues commented that it was good as it gave them spanish • It helps with career choices experience of the working world. Some also commented that it was like a test drive for future These ‘estudiantes’ learn the exotic Spanish But… work and this was a good advantage to have. language. After speaking to some of them (in • Keep work experience related to your Employers have said of students from LFATSF, English) I was told that it can be challenging, career interests “They are always punctual, well dressed and but will be totally worth the GCSE at the end. • Maintain high standards of dress, have excellent manners. They listen carefully; Jade Rowley told this reporter that the class punctuality, attendance and behaviour they learn quickly and work with accuracy and was “Bueno,”… whatever that means. • Start with what you’re good at precision.” We also interviewed the Principal, Mr Morris, “I would employ them if I could. They are an and asked him for his opinion on how vital excellent ambassador for the Academy.