News

By Ellie, Megan, Josh and Matthew

Number of rough sleepers in England rises at unpredictable rate.

The figure for homelessness in the United Kingdom has seen an increase by 30% in the last three years since the conservative party was elected, meaning that there are now approximately 3,600 homeless people sleeping on the streets each night.

Homelessness is a serious condition where people are unable to acquire a regular and secure home and are sometimes left without food, shelter and essentials. Ashton-under-Lyne MP, Angela Rayner, confirmed that domestic abuse between couples can be one of the most known causes to sleeping rough along with alcohol and drug addictions, ex – offenders and mental health problems.

She said that during the last year independent charities have worked with over 2,000 individuals and made their lives better. In Tameside it has been recorded that there are 250 cases of homelessness in Tameside. Back in 2014 the council conducted a survey and discovered that around 144 people were sleeping rough on the streets with no help, and were more shocked when they discovered that there were a number of 16-17 year olds. Everybody is becoming homeless every second from youths to elderly, homelessness effects all.

Recently, Great Academy Ashton, In Ashton-under-Lyne raised nearly £400 for homeless people in local areas – Tameside and Manchester. This was part of the Citizenship GCSE led by Mr Anthony Jacques, two of the year eleven pupils, Ikra and James told us:

“Our top goal was to raise as much money as we could and to teach awareness of homelessness as it is a national problem and it was a success”.

They raised the large amount by holding a disco, selling drinks and food. With the money they plan to buy essentials like sleeping bags, food, clothing and some shelter and deliver them to the people.

“We decided to do a disco to raise money as it was a quick and efficient way of getting money fast.”

According to a recent ‘Teen Sleep’ survey teenagers have a hard time sleeping when they go on their phones before going to sleep.

By Alex and Iman. (Year 8 students at Great Academy Ashton)

Teenagers need to sleep but many underestimate the consequences of sleeping too much. In a recent survey many teenagers said that they go to bed and then go onto their phones for thirty minutes, they said this made them have a rough night’s sleep.

“Last night I fell asleep at about half past 10 and I put the lights out to go to bed at 10 o’clock, but I was on my phone for about half an hour – and it affected my sleep,” said Amy Rose from Northumberland.

“Last night I didn’t get to sleep until about half 11 and then in the morning I didn’t wake up till eight o’clock which is really late, so I had to get ready in the car on the way to school,” added Christina, 14 from Northumberland.

Teenagers said that if they go to bed early and don’t go onto their phones they wouldn’t learn new things because they would be tired from the night before. It helps them focus in lessons and not get into trouble from teachers. Students, who are currently taking their GCSE’s, stated that sleep is very important to them because it helps them concentrate in exams.

2016 marks 400 years since Shakespeare’s death

By Katie, Great Academy Ashton

William Shakespeare was a famous playwright who lived from 1564-1616, he wrote about 38 plays, 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems. This year marks the 400th anniversary of William’s death. Most celebrations will be held in his home town, Stratford-upon-Avon and start on April 23rd.

Many celebrations and festivals are going to be taking place throughout this year and around the world different cities will be celebrating Shakespeare’s legacy by watching his most famous plays. Many people will be visiting William’s hometown, to maybe learn more about his history, look around his birthplace or pay respects at him grave at Holy Trinity Church.

The Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration parade is one of the many parades that will be taking place. The parade will accompanied by marching bands and locals making their way through the streets towards Holy Trinity Church.

Is technology something we really need?

By Amber and Yesirat

In the modern age our lives are centred on technology. Technology has taken over our lives but is it good for us?

Some argue that technology has made our lives easier by making things more efficient and easier to use. From the rise of automated cars to 3D printers we have been obsessed with finding newer, more effective ways to live our everyday lives.

Others say that technology has a negative influence on today’s society. As our generation has especially become infatuated by the nature of social media, people insult and offend others, which may lead to hurt and disruption in everyday life.

Technology has advanced over the years from the flip phone to the touch screen mobile. The touch screen phone has greatly advanced our society as we can now access most things we can on a computer on a mobile and complete thing that would have otherwise taken longer.

If used in moderation technology can aid humanity but in the same way it could be our bane.

Students preparing for GCSE PE practical exams

Reported by: Ayan, Ais, Sean, Jhubel, Harrison and Adam

The Rugby Football Union has renewed their attempts to convince schools around the United Kingdom and Ireland to stop playing contact rugby because of an overload of injuries that impact on the future of children’s lives. Schools, like GAA, now have to change their way of teaching rugby.

Mrs Pilling a teacher at Great Academy Ashton has said,

‘My opinion is that contact rugby should be banned as it is dangerous, however my twelve year old son doesn’t seem to worry. Even if they use gum shields and guards they can still be injured.’

She added, ‘Without contact rugby students can’t progress in the sport because it will lead to tag rugby which is for children around seven years old.’

Mr Simpson, Head of PE ,at Great Academy Ashton added,

‘It is ridiculous; contact is an integral component of rugby. If they banned contact in rugby it is like banning heading in football and the whole hockey sport. There is a place for no contact in year seven and primary schools. However when you are in year eight it is a vital part of progression in the sport. Instead of banning contact, they should hire qualified teachers who have had proper training and keep the lesson at its safest potential.’

So far approximately 400 schools have agreed to ban contact rugby. However there are still 350 schools remaining to agree.

“It is ridiculous; contact is an integral component of rugby” N Simpson, GAA

The main reason so many schools have agreed is because two thirds of injuries in youth rugby and most concussions are down to tackles.

According to rugby fans, rugby can build physique and character. This makes other forms of sport less challenging. Chief medical officers and children’s commissioners say the risks are very high for children less than eighteen years of age.

By Jay and Anand

In Africa and Asia Rhino poaching has been on the increase dramatically over the past six years.

It is claimed that poachers take rhinos horns because they are worth £40,500 per kilo (more than gold) and are wrongfully believed to have remedial properties. Poachers take off the horns by sawing and drilling around the Rhino.

The minimum amounts (1,338) of the Rhinos were killed for their horns in Africa in 2015. This is the largest amount killed in a single year since a giant wave of killing Rhinos began since 2008, as many as 5,940 rhinos have been killed although experts worry that could be a miscalculation. The findings were compiled by scientists from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The deaths come although a drive to fight poaching gangs by toughening patrols, putting satellite technology and boosting intelligence-gathering. The IUCN blames continuing requirement from South East Asia, Mr Bruce said that every new technological advance designed to help the conservation effort – including drones, radios and intelligence-gathering – is matched by the poachers.

Wildlife crime is the fourth largest global illegal offence, according to WWF, after drugs, poaching, and human trafficking. Rhino horns are more valuable by weight than gold or diamonds and many other goods. Poaching is restricted to South Africa, home to the highest amount of the world’s population of rhinos.

Image supplied by the BBC website.

An Open Book On Reading
Reading is fun but why is it so important?

By Amber and Katie, Year 8

Recently we had world book day and around the country many people dressed up as their favourite book characters. Across the globe people were involved in many activities but were left with a question. Why is reading so important?

“World Book Day was to encourage more people to read”

Reading is usually considered a hobby. Some people enjoy reading, whilst other people loathe it. Many young children are encouraged to read as it stimulates their brain and helps them increase their vocabulary. Children’s books are usually more bright and colourful and they contain more illustrations than the ones you might find on your parents bookshelves.

Mrs Robinshaw, an English teacher at Great Academy Ashton, says, “World Book Day was to encourage more people to read as many people do not like to read anymore because of technology.” She also said that “reading improves understanding and broadens your vocabulary.”

Although you may not know it but whilst you are reading your favourite book not only are you entertaining yourself but you are developing other skills. While you are reading a novel you are also improving you are also improving your concentration skills as you are sat for long periods of time reading. You may also develop a better memory as you have to remember things from earlier in the book or, if you are reading a book series, you will need to remember things from previous books.

When you read bit of information from a book you will remember and use it for future references. For example reading a science novel will help you with your science skills. When reading a murder mystery book you often find yourself feeling as though you are the detective trying to figure out the mystery. This is because the use of vocabulary entices you into the book, feeling as though you are in it. These skills are useful in everyday life, for example, police, detectives and doctors.

You may not know it but reading plays a big part in your health. According to the NHS, reading books on self-help can help people suffering from mood disorders and mild mental illnesses.

Loyal penguin swims 5000 miles each year, to be reunited with his saviour.

By Amber and Yesirat

A South American penguin travelled 5000 miles from Rio Grande to Rio de Janario to the same beach each year to be reunited with the same man who rescued him back in 2011.

Joao Pereira de Souza, 71, an elderly fisherman and retired bricklayer lives on an island village near Rio de Jenario, Brazil, where he found a penguin covered in oil close to death, lying on the rocks by the local beach. Never did he think that saving one penguin could lead to a budding friendship.

When Joao found the young penguin he was so distraught and in need of a lot of help. When he rescued him he cleaned off all the oil that he was covered in, fed him a healthy diet daily and he recovered enough strength to swim again. When they became great pals, he named him, Dindim.

It was speculated that Joao thought the little penguin would not return however Dindim has been returning to visit him for years. Arriving in June to leave eight months later in February the time they spent together is cherished by both Joao and his pal.

“I love the penguin like it’s my own child and I believe the penguin loves me.” Joao stated.

Millions of species is listed as near-threatened owing to oil spills which kill more than 40,000 a year of the coast of Argentina alone. The flightless birds, which live for about 25 years, are known for their loyalty and mate for life. Experts believe Dindim goes to breed of the coast of Argentina and Chile before making the 5,000 mile round trip trek back to Mr de Souza. A recent video, available on youtube has captured the pairs love for one another showing the penguin behaving just like any other affectionate pet. Dindim is seen nuzzling up to the 71-year-old and playfully pecking his neck.

You can watch the video here: Patagonian Penguin Finds Second Home in Brazil