Internet Safety – Article for Parent’s Paper May 6, 2010

Internet Safety at School

Using the internet for education is beneficial to children as it enhances academic standards and assists staff in schools to deliver a higher quality service. However, the internet allows access to a lot of adult material, and so without some restrictions children are at risk of being exposed to harmful content.

The debate up till present has referred to whether schools should block content in advance, or educate children to use good judgement in avoiding anything they deem as harmful. On one hand, any caring parent would vote for protecting their child, however in reality this cannot be possible every minute of the day, and sooner or later children will come into contact with something that parents would rather they didn’t. This could make children feel uneasy and be hard to understand if they haven’t had some education on what to expect when using the internet.

Perhaps advising children via online safety discussions at school can work towards ensuring a constant measure of online safety. It allows children to use their own discretion and can help them to feel independent whilst equipping them with powerful tools for safe internet use. Teaching students to inform a teacher when they come across any material that makes them feel uncomfortable will help them stay in control and allow them a level of responsibility. It will never be possible to eliminate every single risk, considering how almost infinite the internet is, and so teaching children in this way is a practical method for ensuring a good level of content control.

It takes a lot of time and research on the part of the school to decide what is appropriate or not for the different age groups at their institution. For example, an older child may have been set a novel in class which includes references to sexuality, and therefore will need access to online material of a more adult nature, so this needs to be catered for via careful consideration. Online protection should be tailored to the institution, for example a primary school may have a strict internet access policy whilst a secondary school can be a little more lenient with what they filter. This teaches the child as they progress by addressing their age and level of maturity. Strategies that may assist in keeping the internet safe but allowing children to access a wealth of information may include blocking, filtering and incorporating a ratings system.

Blocking some access completely can sometimes be necessary for the safety of children at school. For example, chat rooms are not useful for education and may distract students from their work therefore blocking them wouldn’t take away from the quality of learning. Though children are more aware today than they were even five years ago about the dangers of chat rooms, they should still be controlled when in an educational setting as they can lead to distressing situations.

Besides safety measures sometimes better quality information can be obtained from books, so teaching children how to check for accuracy and to be aware that some of the information online will be less than credible is useful for ensuring that they get the most out of their education. Teaching children different ways to validate information before simply accepting it can be valuable and will be useful when they enter into further education.

Some schools have been in discussion with parents in order to ensure responsible use of internet at home and in the community, therefore perhaps having similar systems at home and school could help children to grow accustomed to safety methods and go towards giving parents some peace of mind, knowing that they can trust their child to use the internet safely whilst allowing children to enjoy the fascinating world of online learning.

Tackling Truancy – Article for Parents Paper April 25, 2010

Tackling Truancy

Knowing the causes of truancy and addressing them directly is much more valuable than simply punishing the behaviour. Parents may panic and react adversely when they hear that their child has been missing school on purpose, as they may fear being penalised by the law for this illegal activity. Often the causes for truancy are unique and therefore somewhat difficult to categorise. Every child who plays truant will have their own story; there are factors in common, however configuring a list of causes may not be ideal. Each child deserves an individual response as according to their circumstances, so it’s a good idea to listen before judging.

The reasons for truancy vary as aforementioned, though they are normally connected to problems of some sort at school e.g.: bullying or being unchallenged in the classroom, or personal issues such as low self esteem and loneliness. Some academics and psychologists argue that categories do exist, the main ones being:

• Home Circumstances
• School Factors
• Outside Pressures
• Child-centred Reasons

 

This is a credible view, which doesn’t try and list a number of possibly unrelated factors under each category, but simply seeks to understand some of the primary reasons by narrowing them down to general problem areas.

Every year children in the UK lose 5 million days of their education – with and without parents’ consent. In 2005 police in Manchester confronted parents who were out shopping over the Christmas period and found that many had their child with them during school hours. Parental attitudes towards school are usually the key to understanding and preventing truant behaviour, so it is important to educate parents on the consequences, which can include the child being put in the path of physical danger or being at risk of getting drawn into criminal activity.

The consequences of truancy with or without parents’ knowledge for the child include:

• Disruption to education
• Gaining a reputation
• Bad future prospects
• Never tackling the initial problem and instead allowing it to grow

 

Tackling the problem will depend on the child, the reasons that they give for their behaviour, what the school is willing to contribute, and how you as a parent react when conversing with them. Truancy can be a cry for help, so displaying anger towards the child may be counterproductive. Parents should make communicating appropriately with the child their main priority, however responding promptly to letters and phone calls from the school is an essential part of resolving things. It may be useful to arrange meetings at school to discuss the problem, and to take a list of questions you wish to ask.

Problems in the home could possibly be the reason for the child acting out in this way, so being open and honest with tutors and the head-teacher at the child’s school about anything that may be upsetting the child at home may lead to better understanding and therefore end the truant behaviour. Besides keeping good contact with the school, it is essential to listen and try to see things from the child’s point of view. Attempting to lay the blame on someone may not help and could lead to the child withdrawing due to lack of trust.

 It is critical to hold the child accountable for their behaviour and make sure they have learnt right and wrong from the experience, but it is useful to remember that children do try to test the waters and that this is a normal part of growing up that can be learned from and doesn’t have to escalate into a huge predicament.

On a lighter note, here are some humorous excuses that children have given to parents and teacher for unexplained absences:

• I had a spot on my nose!
• My hamster died and I had to get a new one…
• I just don’t like Mondays.
• I was out buying new shoes.
• We don’t have an alarm clock…
• A can of beans dropped on my foot (excuse for missing P.E.)
• The dog went missing!
• I’ve got to stay in to be ‘phone-a-friend’ on ‘Who Wants to be a Millionnaire’

Waterways Trust’s Annual Awards Evening 2010 – Main Article April 25, 2010

Waterways Trust’s Annual Awards Evening 2010

 

2010 saw the return of the Waterways Renaissance Awards, an event to document and commend all the hard work and positive changes made by groups and projects across the UK in order to improve the waterways in our country. The successes of individual projects were acknowledged during an enjoyable evening, during which a delicious meal was served followed by an inspirational awards ceremony.

Mr. Jim Hancock commenced the evening with introductions and a few short speeches by presenters whom thanked the audience for attending, before dinner was served. Whilst dining, guests had the opportunity to enjoy spectacular views of the River Irwell. The city of Salford was quiet but beautiful at night, and the view from the windows of The Lowry made the perfect setting for the Waterways Awards. The meal itself was well presented and was a delightful bonus for the evening.

The ceremony was hosted by Sir Peter Soulsby, Labour MP for Leicester South and Chair of the assessment panel, who began with a short speech during which he graciously thanked all the members of the panel for their work throughout the year. His knowledge and passion for the regeneration of the UK’s canals and rivers was evident through his enthusiasm, which served to bring the ceremony on with style.

The first award went to the Lough Neagh Regeneration Programme, for Area Based Regeneration. Lough Neagh is the largest body of water in the UK, and up till recently was not used to its full potential. Now, you will find a warm community feel in the atmosphere and find many activities and clubs to get involved in at the Lough.

Next was the award for Community, which went to Middlewich Vision for transforming the town from a sleepy spot on the map to the ‘volunteering capital of the world’ as it is now fondly referred to. Middlewich is a beautiful town which has recently seen a rise in trade and community involvement that has served to change the lives of citizens and create a sense of place for all.

Liverpool Canal Link walked away with the award for Design and Construction. Their winning project saw a sizeable £22m invested in reconstructing a connection from Stanley Lock flight to Canning Dock, which will allow travellers to cross England by waterways once more. The finish of the design is exceptional, and sets a fine example of what teamwork and imagination can achieve.

The people behind Action Outdoors were happily surprised when the name of their project was announced as the winner for the category of Education and Learning. Their aims were simple – to educate young people and to get them outdoors! This was accomplished via their Outdoors Learning Centre, situated on the bank of the Union Canal in Falkirk, in which people of all ages were welcome to get involved doing a variety of healthy and fun activities, make new friends, and widen their horizons with unique experiences.

The award for Historic Environment was presented to ‘Railway on the Water – Relaunched!’, a project which restored compartment boats, known as Tom Puddings, to their original grandness and simultaneously restore understanding of heritage and culture in those who became involved. The aim was to help the communities to understand the importance of using the Yorkshire Waterways as a system of export to London and other places.

For the category of Flood Risk Management the winners were the Rotherham Renaissance Flood Alleviation Scheme. Their work has achieved investment to the river, which in turn protects businesses in the area from risk of flood. The alterations brightened a derelict area whilst creating a refuge for wildlife and a space for education for the local community.

Surprisingly enough, the panel were stumped when it came to picking a solid winner for the category of Innovation, and instead paid tribute to two individual projects. These were the Kings Lock Officer Centre and Lock Office Extension, and the Porter’s Lock Canoe Fishway. Both of these projects demonstrated innovative thinking and exceptional imagination in developing useful solutions to challenges.

The Trinity Broads Restoration project walked away with the award for Natural Environment, an important category in that the winners had certainly done their part to protect the environment and contribute to keeping our planet safe and clean. The project encouraged environmentally friendly use of the water, look after plant and fish species, and encourage local involvement in restoration, and continue to promote tourism in the area.

The Partnership award went to Pride in our Promenades, a project that worked towards enhancing public usage of the Mersey Waterfront. Working together certainly achieves more, and there is no better example than the programme that saw investment in the promenades in order to promote local interest and encourage people to use the waterfront for a number of enjoyable activities.

The Great Glen Ways Initiative was the proud winner of the Recreation and Tourism category. This award is given out to schemes that enhance the use of waterways for recreation, and the winners without doubt deserved their prize. The project had succeeded in helping locals to interpret the Great Glen Ways positively and to encourage more tourism by reinventing the area, making it more attractive and suitable for recreational use.

The final category was Strategy and Masterplanning, and the winner was the Erewash Canal Access Strategy and Development Plan. The aim of the project was to unlock the potential of the Erewash Canal as a fantastic leisure destination in the Midlands, which was achieved through a number of small projects that worked towards increasing access for the community and promoting the Canal as a leisure and tourism destination.

An award for Outstanding Achievement was given to the Lough Neagh Regeneration Project, with the mention that the project could have actually won in a number of categories and so was more than deserving of the title. Gerry Darby said that it was “unbelievable to win” and ended by encouraging people to visit the wonderful place that is Lough Neagh, claiming his prize to cheers and applause from an elated audience.

The night ended on a high note, with everybody engaging in excited conversation and posing for photographs with their proud teams whilst showing off their hard-earned awards certificates. Overall, the ceremony went smoothly and everybody walked away with a deep sense of achievement and enough motivation to see them through the year, with the promise of a big return in 2011!

Boys’ Underachievment in School- Truths and Misconceptions April 25, 2010

It has become somewhat general knowledge that girls supersede boys in education, they receive better grades at Key Stage and GCSE levels in a variety of subjects. Boys seem to achieve higher grades in more practical subjects, such as Art and P.E. The aim of professionals and parents across the country has been to find out why boys underachieve and whether it is just a certain group of boys or more widespread. So why is this happening, and what can we do to close the attainment gap between boys and girls?

Many reasons have been suggested for this reoccurring pattern of underachievement in boys, one of the most recent being that primary school teachers are mostly female and thus from a young age boys do not have a positive male role model. Educational Researchers Carrington, Tymms and Merrell (2008) conducted cross-cultural research in order to explore this dilemma. They found that a number of countries were running ‘role model recruitment drives’ under the assumption that teachers should be of a similar ethnicity and gender to their groups of students. Their hypothesis was that male teachers will produce more positive attitudes amongst boys. Students were asked to fill out questionnaires to indicate their attitudes towards school and the like; however the experimenters did not find much support for their theory, in that there was no positive relationship between having a male teacher and educational achievement.

It seems plausible to say that perhaps it isn’t the gender or ethnicity of a teacher that matters, but that it may be something to do with the communication style incorporated into classrooms. Boys have always been a little bit rowdier and more boisterous than girls, and are therefore more likely to act out in order to impress their peers, as aforementioned. Therefore failing at tests and defying authority is seen as cool and rewarded with acceptance. Possibly if the teacher acted as more of a ‘friend’ than a hard figure of authority then these boys would be able to relate more to them; they may see them as a ‘real’ person and thus show more respect if they find them funny and enjoy listening to them. Finding other ways of demanding respect rather than shouting and promising punishment for negative behaviour may be a more effective methodology.

Sociologist Ghaill (2009) found that media representations of boys as victims of institutional gender discrimination may lead to stereotypes being reinforced. White working class male students are said to be suffering a ‘crisis in masculinity’ as they face the stereotype of having little prospect of future work. They become low academic achievers in order to fulfill their masculinity and compensate for what society expects of them. This sort of mentality can often lead to bad attitudes and therefore the likelihood of getting penalized is much higher, which in turn may get them approval from friends and therefore end up in a vicious cycle of getting in trouble in order to be accepted.

Perhaps a change in these rigid gender categories for both boys and girls would benefit all young people and may even be an effective way to narrow the academic gap between the sexes.

An excellent tool for gaining positive results in low achieving students is the self-fulfilling prophecy. If a teacher indicates through attitudes and behaviour that they expect these students to gain high grades, do well in class and then reward small changes with encouragement rather than dismissing them as one-off occurrences then perhaps we may begin to notice a difference in the grades of boys. Unfortunately, self-fulfilling prophecy is often used negatively, through no fault of the teacher. Everybody has their expectations; from first meeting you begin to judge the new person by studying their appearance and body language. Being completely non-judgmental is near impossible; it is a natural human instinct to size up those around you.

Often, children will behave in ways that confirm other’s expectations of them, and a teacher’s expectations can be highly influential to young people. Being a good judge of character is important for an educator, however being aware of how frequently and unexpectedly young people change is critical in order to avoid placing a lasting label on a child. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, if they are viewed as low achievers by their primary school teacher and labeled as trouble makers, and these reports are passed on to their secondary school then these beliefs will no doubt have an effect on how their new teacher will view them.

Another point to make is that teachers usually get from students what they expect, so believing that boys are underachievers may in fact have led to the self-fulfilling prophecy coming true and therefore the current talks in the media and within educational institutions which continue to reinforce the idea that boys are underachievers.

The self-fulfilling prophecy could ensure that a student does well rather than working to their detriment, and with continued positive use could be a great tool for combating under-achievement in boys.

The media and academic bodies across the country have created a ‘moral panic’ about the underachievement of boys in class. Educational Researchers Gorard and Smith (2003) believe that accounts which dominate our society at present no longer have much validity. Gaps in achievement between girls and boys may be related to socio-economic factors rather than gender alone, and therefore simplistic solutions such as single sex teaching don’t make much sense.

Gorard and Smith found that the gender gap is not relevant at the lowest level of grading in any subject, whilst at the higher levels there is a slight achievement gap. However, they also stated that these gaps are not increasing over time; they have remained more or less consistent for decades. They suggest that more effective methods for helping boys achieve would include homework clubs, rather than giving them work to take home, which they are less likely to complete than girls. Also, it was found that differences in achievement were highly dependant on the nature of assessment; boys gained lower grades when assessed by a teacher, whereas they did well on task/test assessment. This may be connected to the previous discussion on self-fulfilling prophecy, as the boys could be ‘acting up’ when confronted with teacher assessment.

It was also found that girls were no more likely than boys to attend school regularly or to have higher scores on end of Key Stage tests in math’s/science – subjects that are seen to be traditionally male. The only consistently different results were found in English. These tests were compared between students who received free school meals and those who paid; it was found that the ones who received free meals were disadvantaged on each outcome, so this indicates a correlation with social class. However, the relationship with gender was still very weak.

We have possibly been looking at the problem from the wrong angle; it may be that some groups aren’t actually underachieving, but are just low achievers because of the methods used to test students. By incorporating different methods of teaching we could assist them to better reach their potential. We have consistently targeted the male gender as the problem; perhaps it is time to gain a new perspective and ultimately close the gap in educational achievement.

Parent’s Evening – Article for Parents Paper April 25, 2010

How to handle parent’s evening

Parent’s evenings are designed so that teachers and parents may come together and discuss children’s educational achievements. As a parent, it is needless to stress to you the importance of being aware of your child’s school life; celebrating their strengths and tackling weaknesses will only serve to help children reach higher and motivate them towards accomplishing goals. Their experiences at school will help them learn more about themselves whilst on the path to adulthood, therefore it is essential that parents understand how their child is doing academically, what they enjoy, what they may be struggling with, and the most effective ways in which to support them on their journey.

Parent’s evening is for talking about academic progress, but you may wish to relay something which you feel may be connected to problems your child may be having during school. For example, if the teacher mentions that your child has been overly quiet or boisterous in their lessons, you may feel that this may be connected to a problem at home; therefore it is important to make sure the teacher understands the reasons for their behaviour, as it will assist them in dealing appropriately. It is a private discussion, so feel free to talk to the teacher openly – they only want to help.

During a meeting with your child’s teacher you will have the opportunity to set targets for future learning. The educational system will undoubtedly have changed somewhat since you were last at school, and may seem complex. There might be new teaching methods or new topics; your child’s teacher will be aware of this, so ask if you ever feel unsure about something that has been mentioned.

Seeing your child from another point of view is advantageous; as a parent you will normally see them from one perspective and may end up missing something of value. Staying open minded and not becoming overly sensitive to any constructive criticism at parent’s evening will only improve your child’s educational attainment. Look at it as entering into the world of your child – seeing where they spend their time, meeting the people they interact with; this could be a refreshing and eye-opening experience!

In the same way, getting to know your child’s teacher is a priority. This is a person whom has regular influence in their life, and is also a primary disciplinarian. Taking advantage of parent’s evening as a way to become familiar may help you to understand some of the things your child is being taught, and can in turn assist you in helping them learn whilst at home.

Many schools have a display of work out at parent’s evenings, so you might have the pleasure of seeing some of your child’s work. When this isn’t available you should feel free to ask the teacher if you can have a look at work they have recently completed. It is joyful and often quite surprising to see how much knowledge your child has acquired over the school year. A useful tip is to have a look at the teacher’s comments and then see how your child has gone about tackling tasks; this is also valuable for helping them with homework.

Ask the teacher if they have any suggestions to do with your child’s learning; together you are a team who will inspire your child’s education, and working together will only serve to benefit them.

Try not to be late to a parent’s evening – appointments are often made to avoid queues and confusion and so disrupting the system may lead to things becoming disorganised. If you can’t make the appointment then it is fine to book for a more appropriate time, schools are always happy when parents want to take an active role.

Stepping Stones – Article for Get Smaart Magazine April 25, 2010

Stepping Stones to University

The stress of revising for GCSE’s is still fresh in my mind – too many subjects to study for, not enough time to get it all memorized! Having to run around all the colleges with predicted grades and impress admissions staff into offering you a place does nothing except make things a little more hectic. Before your head explodes, just breathe deep and take a look at this cool little guide to get an idea of the steps you should be taking in order to get through the last bits of school in one piece, choose useful A Levels, and finally get away to university.

 GCSE’s and looking towards college:

The requirements to get into college are 5 GCSE’s at A-C. If you don’t make the grades, it’s not too late. Go to college and re-do the subjects you failed, and then carry on to A Levels or apprenticeships. 6^th forms often have slightly higher entry requirements than colleges, so do some checking before applying for a place. Your teachers at school will normally help you along with the application process, and advise you as to which colleges in your area are the best ones to attend. Speaking of attending, colleges also look at your punctuality and attendance records along with your exam results, so make sure you come in on time (or just come in)!

Do some in-depth research on the different subjects on offer at college – there are loads to choose from – speaking to current students on thestudentroom.com is a great way to find out stuff. Some of them seem exciting and fun, but have a think about what you can do with the qualification after you have it. An important thing to look out for when choosing A Levels is whether your choices will be relevant to your desired career path or not.

College is a stepping stone to university, so taking the time to learn a little independence now will go a long way. It’ll be tempting to follow your friends to whichever college they decide upon, or even onto their courses, but try and resist. Also, doing the things you like will make going to college a whole lot of fun, so try and be adventurous and take a shot at a subject you’re fascinated by rather than copying someone else. Get yourself out of that comfort zone and experiment with a new subject, instead of doing something you may be really good at but lack passion for.

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A Levels – preparing for indecision:

It’s a good idea to keep the focus on quality rather than quantity; doing five A Levels may sound easy on paper compared to the ten GCSE’s you just battled through, but you’ll end up spreading yourself way too thin and in turn not gain the results you’re most capable of. Pick two or three traditional subjects for A Level and stick to doing just one non-traditional. AS Level (the 1^st year of college) is a good platform for experimenting with a couple of subjects you’re unsure about; you don’t have to carry them on to A2.

 

A few universities have published lists of subjects they deem as non-traditional (or ‘soft’), and stated that this is due to them not being the best preparation for doing a degree. Try and only do one of these, especially if you’re still unsure on what course you want to do when you reach higher education. Photography may seem like the perfect career now, but you may well change your mind and find yourself a little stuck in the future. Don’t close any doors; make sure you have freedom to do whatever you want at any time.

Recent occurrences have caused universities to cap the number of places they offer. It is therefore essential to be aware of what different uni’s are looking for in terms of A Level subjects. For example, universities at the upper-class end of the scale would favour more academic courses, whilst other institutions may be a little flexible in their requirements. A nice little tip for those of you who are interested in the high-end uni’s would be to get involved in some extra-curricular activities or volunteer work whilst doing A Levels; your application will stand out for them if there’s a little something different to it.

You’ll most likely leave college with a whole new plan in mind than when you first started. I guess it’s only a lucky few who are concrete on where they see themselves in 5 years! The subjects you choose to carry on to A Level will be the main focus of university admissions tutors, besides your actual grades. Hopefully you had a vague image of your future swimming around when you made your A Level choices, so now all you have to do is check entry requirements of courses that catch your eye and match them to your skills pool.

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 The UCAS process: It’s all about your personal statement! Get online and check out all the different databases to get a feel for the format you should be aiming at. Include interests and hobbies as well as personal achievements, and keep it fairly formal. Having said that, don’t be afraid to express yourself in a unique way – admissions tutors trawl through hundreds of applications and, as you can imagine, it becomes tedious sooner rather than later! Giving your application an edge by having a play with the language now and then will make it stand out from the masses. So, instead of saying “I enjoy doing sports” you could say “I find inspiration through sporting activities”, whilst making sure to keep it all relevant to the course you’re applying for by linking it back consistently.

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Which Uni? There’s an infinite selection of universities out there. The priority is which places offer the course you’re interested in, but it doesn’t just come down to that. Picking a uni is like choosing a new outfit – does it fit right? Does it look good? Will you get a lot of wear out of it? It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make in life, so don’t rush it.

 After getting information on whereabouts your course is taught, take the initiative and speak to staff and other students who go there. It’s critical that whichever institution you choose shows a strong commitment to its students, so do some digging and find out what their goals and morals are. If your speciality requires certain facilities then double check that your university has these available.

Most places have loads of societies and different activities to choose from, but also have a look at whether or not they have a volunteering organisation. One university, for example, helps their students find relevant placements, which will be invaluable when applying for jobs in the future and just makes life a whole lot easier for those who want to volunteer but aren’t sure where to start looking. Also, find out what’s happening in the neighbourhood; whether it’s a city or a campus university can make or break, so have a think on which you prefer. City centre locations are great for a fast-paced and exciting lifestyle, whereas universities in smaller areas are good for making you feel as though part of a huge extended family!

Other little things to check up on are transport services, availability of part time jobs, and of course … the nightlife!

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Halls or home: It’s a big one! Stay at home through university or branch out and live in student accommodation? I don’t know about other people, but living in halls was the best thing I’ve ever done! I made lifelong friends, learnt how to cook (yes, I was that bad), set my pillow on fire (by accident) and all this right next to the lecture theatre so I never had to get up too early. Living in halls is a nice transition phase, you’ll learn from your experiences whilst having lots of fun. If you know someone who goes to the same place you can even request to live together, so it doesn’t have to be too daunting!

A few tips for the first day or so:

1. Learn your flatmate’s names (and figure out who lives there, chances are there’ll be people traipsing in and out all through the first couple of weeks – I speak from experience!)
2. The first day will be complete chaos, so get your bed spread out ASAP (you’ll want to fall right into it after the long day you’re bound to have)
3. Do the first round of food shopping with all your flatmates. It’s a great way to bond and start getting to know other people’s habits.
4. Go round together to see your neighbours and introduce yourselves
5. Don’t go out of your way to tell everyone your life story straight away! Student halls are a harbour for gossip, so let your friendships develop naturally and take it slow.

 

In some places, however, it’s just less hassle to live at home. Many students in and around London, for example, choose to stay put due to the cost of things in the city. It’s still possible to enjoy a full student experience whilst living at home, you’ll make friends on your course and if you get yourself to socials then there’ll be no problems! Plus, you’ll probably have a little extra cash for drinks and shopping.

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Fresher’s week & 1^st week of studies: Be prepared for lots of new faces, loud music, no sleep and even more decision-making! At my old uni, we all propped our front doors open with chairs and everybody walked around to get to know each other. There was always a party going on, and always someone to complain about the noise. It’s fun and frustrating at the same time, but try to get involved in all the events – it’s one of those things you’ll remember and want to time-travel back to!

 Make the most out of this quiet time before lectures start by going to the fresher’s fair at your place of study and finding out about different clubs and societies, plus you’ll get an in-depth look at some of the services offered at your university, and probably pick up a few free goodies!

First week of studying will most likely be full of introductions to subjects, sorting out tutorial groups and getting to know your lecturers. Take advantage and learn how to do things you won’t be bothered doing once all the coursework starts rolling in – this includes referencing, how to use the library and getting familiar with online databases/journals. The writing style will be different when it comes to essays, so don’t use your A Level stuff unless you want lots of frowns from unimpressed tutors! Familiarise yourself with the new academic style and you’re sure to happily settle in with the flow of things.

Now that teaching has begun you’ll hopefully be prepared and focussed on getting a good degree. Don’t worry too much if you change your mind after graduation, two-thirds of graduate jobs are aimed at people of any discipline, so you don’t necessarily have to have a degree that leads to a particular career. You finally made it, so work hard, play hard and enjoy your life at university!

Tackling Bullying – Article for Parents Paper April 25, 2010

Tackling Bullying At School

 

“It is a fundamental democratic right for a child to feel safe in school and to be spared the oppression and repeated, intentional humiliation implied in bullying” – Olweus, 1999

Children who are victims of bullying are considered to be slightly different from the crowd, whether that refers to skin colour or hair colour. They may be smarter, taller, or quieter than somebody else, be this just one individual or a group, and so are seen as easy targets. On the other hand, children who bully often have troubles of their own, which can result in low self esteem compensated for with bravado and aggression, amongst other defense mechanisms. When a child is suffering from bullying, it can feel like they are alone in the world and that nobody could possibly understand what is happening to them. In short, it is an isolating and depressing experience which can have severe effects on the emotional and physical health of a young person.

There is a minority view that bullying is a character forming and necessary part of growing up; however the majority sees it as at least unfair, as suggested by psychologists Smith and Brian (2000). Therefore, there are many resources available which are designed to combat the dilemma of bullying. Nonetheless, it is extremely difficult for a child to contemplate ways of handling the situation, and overcoming bullying could seem impossible. It takes bravery and strength to approach another person, especially an adult, and admit to having a problem of this magnitude. Therefore it is essential that, as a parent or carer, you understand how to deal effectively and calmly if your child confides in you about being bullied.

Types of Bullying

Sexual Harassment is frequently viewed as a taboo topic and thus avoided when in relation to school-aged children, though it is well addressed at colleges and universities. However, to a teenager, this sort of bullying can make the school environment unbearable, and furthermore is perhaps more difficult to admit to than another form of bullying. Teens who engage in this behaviour need to be held accountable, as they may be using sexual touching or language as a social weapon in order to intimidate and upset others. It is important to bring more awareness to sexual harassment in order to allow for parents and school officials to be prepared on how to combat this surprisingly common problem.

Racism: Britain is a mix of cultures and faiths; however some young people are unaccustomed to differences and therefore engage in racial bullying. The important thing to realise is that racism is illegal and that if your child is the victim of this sort of bullying then it is possible to contact the police if you feel the school is not addressing the problem sufficiently. However, in most cases, the head-teacher will make it their priority to quickly eliminate this sort of behaviour, so make this your first step if you fear your child is being victimised.

Physical Bullying may leave visible evidence, and so it is far easier to be seen as an offense than another form. Victims can be too scared to tell who is bullying them, so being sensitive to your child’s reactions when dealing with this situation will allow them to feel safe whilst confiding in you. Often the threat of bullying is more severe than the frequency of physical attacks, therefore it is important to realise that there is likely to be a deeper level of emotional scarring than anything you see visibly.

Reactions

Initially, it is normal to feel anxiety and rage when you become aware that there is a continuous threat to your child, but in spite of this remaining composed and open-minded is critical for the child’s well-being. They will have summoned up a lot of courage in opening up to you, and so your reaction will directly affect how much or how little they tell you. If your child imagines that you will storm down to the school in anger, they are likely to attempt ‘protecting’ you from becoming upset in the future, by deliberately denying further bullying that they suffer, or playing down the extent to which they are victimised.

It will be tempting to keep close surveillance once you are aware of what is happening; parents often struggle with guilt, however it is imperative that you give your child room to grow and to deal with their problems – by closely monitoring them you may cause feelings of self-consciousness and embarrassment.

Calm Communications

Show your child that you are ready to listen, that you are grateful for their honesty, and that you want to work with them to resolve the problems. If the child feels in control they are likely to become relaxed and keep you updated with what is going on in their life. Ask open-ended questions to allow them freedom of choice and come to an agreement together on how to proceed.

Take your time and get the whole story by talking to a variety of people, as well as discussing the matter on several occasions with your child. Being clear that your intentions are simply to understand the problem rather than seeking to punish anybody will ascertain you have people’s attention and result in your situation being dealt with more efficiently.

Try to be open to the possibility that your child’s reaction to an interaction may have caused the bullying to begin; some children, as aforementioned, are suffering from their own problems, and so may be highly sensitive to behaviour that may be seen as humorous or non-offensive by another child, therefore will react in an unusual manner.

Taking Action

Dealing with bullying isn’t easy, being that it is such a delicate circumstance, and often results in a number of people becoming involved in order to resolve. As well as your family, the school will be engaged, along with the other child and their family. Getting advice from a professional, such as a counsellor, on what to do is a good idea. Also, speak to your child’s class teacher or form tutor, and ask them to keep an eye out for anything unusual regarding your child.

When speaking with school officials, it is useful to keep in mind that they may have also been unaware of the bullying occurring, as often a bully will not show negative behaviour in front of adults in order to avoid getting in trouble. You’re guaranteed better results if you approach in a calm and respectful manner, as people will react defensively if they feel attacked. However, remain persistent and assertive, as some people may still react badly.

What Next?

Once the problem is out in the open, it is very likely to be resolved successfully by the school, however do keep an eye out and make sure you’re continually being updated on any progress being made. Also, bring to your child’s attention the resources available to them, such as books and skills workshops to teach them how to walk away from threatening situations, whilst maintaining strength and self-respect. There are plenty of resources available online as well as in the community, so do your homework and see what’s out there.

Useful Websites

http://www.bullying.co.uk/ – Books, advice and useful contacts

www.childline.org.ulk – Childline official website

www.kidpower.org – American website with interesting tips and facts

http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk/ – For parents concerned about bullying

www.antibullying.net – Fun and easy to use website for children and parents

Summer Jobs – Article for Get Smaart Magazine April 25, 2010

Summer Jobs

Getting a summer job is a fantastic way of beating the boredom bug and injecting adventure into your holidays. The transitory nature of the experience is the perfect opportunity for you to explore different avenues and decide upon the type of employment which interests you the most. Usually students will go back to the same employer; however there’s nothing wrong with moving into unfamiliar territory once the season comes back around. Through experiencing different occupations you may stumble upon your dream job when you least expect it, or discover an untapped love for doing something you never even thought to get involved in!

Summer jobs are one way to make money without bugging your parents for it, plus a job will rescue you from endless months of bickering with the family – even more so if you’re brave enough to take on a live-in position! You’ll find these during seasonal work at resorts, holiday villages or cruise ships. You’ll enjoy leisure-filled days whilst contributing in an important way and building on your own talents; it may be the perfect way to commemorate your summer. You may be offered a fixed term contract, renewable from one season to the next, and have the choice to work in one of many professions. You’ll meet people from all over the place, do some brand new things, and be very well looked after on top of that. It’s an escape from home, and a chance to expand on your knowledge of the working world.

If that doesn’t sound appealing, but you still want an exciting summer vocation, then check out what work is available at nearby theme parks or visiting carnivals. Take a look on theme parks’ careers pages to get in contact with the relevant person for details on their seasonal positions, or go for a stroll around the local carnival and ask how to get involved. Variety, entertainment, a happening social life, and extra cash in your pocket are what to expect during your contracted period, plus free rides on your days off!

Moving away from the standard 9-5 can be exhilarating and a way to switch things up over the holidays. It gives applications a sprinkle of imagination if you’ve been involved in a job that stands outside the boundaries of traditional experience. Besides being a lot of fun for you, it shows creativity and initiative to prospective employers, and is sure to impress admissions staff at colleges and universities.

If you can’t go away from home for the whole summer, there’s still ample choice in vacancies to suit your needs. For those of you with a love of music, art and culture, see what’s on offer at one of the many summer festivals which take place each year. Mainly, these hire unpaid volunteers, though some will pay assistants for help on tasks such as cash handling, managing volunteers, stewarding, and general festival-day duties. All of it is good experience, plus you might even get to meet a couple of celebs!

Alternatively, landing a retail job is a good way to learn how to work under management in a fast-paced environment. You don’t usually need any experience, but you do have to show a passion for customer service and display an interest in the product on sale. If you love fashion, or have an interest in the latest technology, then you’ll enjoy spending your summer acquiring knowledge, polishing your skills, and abusing your staff discount!

For something a little more demure, take advantage of the opportunities available at galleries and museums across the country. Most of them start looking for seasonal staff early in the year, so get your applications in quick because competition is plenty. Your duties will vary so check out the criteria before applying.

Doing something resourceful with your summer will put you above heavy competition and inject your CV with a wealth of traits, skills and experiences that’ll catch the eye of future employers. Besides all that, you may meet influential people in the field you plan to enter; having contacts is invaluable in many industries. Choose a job that not only fits in with your career plans, but with your personality and interests too. No matter the type of work you do, you’re sure to walk away with bundles of skills and dozens of memories. The long-term benefits outweigh the shopping you’ll be able to do with the money you earn (imagine!) so have fun on your adventure while keeping it professional and making a memorable impression!

Eat Smaart in London (another advice piece for Smaart) April 25, 2010

Eat Smaart in London

London’s lively atmosphere and colourful heritage makes student life an unparalleled experience, though the higher prices are likely to quickly exhaust your bank account. Most students understandably have the misconception that good food is above their means, and end up relying on cheap takeaways for sustenance. Sure, you can go to the usual McDonalds and KFC, but there’s choice in abundance when it comes to getting quality food on a tight budget in London. Our short guide will tell you where to look for yummy food at affordable prices, so say goodbye to greasy take-outs and learn how to eat Smaart in London!

Camden Town is famous for its other-worldly atmosphere and eclectic style. Besides amazing shopping and unique finds, Camden’s Stables Market offers a diverse range of cuisines to satiate your cravings. Stroll through the stalls and you’ll be pleasantly greeted with titbits of free tasters from vendors eager to win your custom. Once you’ve narrowed it down to just one (or two!) dishes, you can relax in the outside dining area and watch the busy shoppers bustling by whilst enjoying your meal. If the market stalls don’t offer what you’re looking for, there’s still plenty of choice in Camden, so you’re sure to find something you like.

For a gorgeous curry check out Masala Zone in Covent Garden. Despite the location, meals are reasonably priced and well worth the couple of extra pennies you would save getting a takeaway! The food selection is straight out of India and includes traditional recipes prepared by Indian chefs. You will be greeted by happy staff, flavourful dishes, and amazing prices. By combining colour and special blends of spices, Masala Zone provides diners with a tasty and effortlessly healthy meal.

Veggies in London have more choices for places to eat that in any other UK city. One restaurant to try out is Mildred’s in Soho. Serving an international selection, Mildred’s is a friendly and informal hang-out for vegetarians who like their food served in a lively atmosphere. One delicious option is the mouth-watering chunky veggie burger and sweet potato fries for under £10, followed up with a gooey dessert from the wide ranging menu. The food is truly original and the ingredients are carefully chosen for their nutritional value and fresh tastes.

London’s famous China Town is a must-visit location for all the Chinese food fans out there. Mr Wu’s restaurants are rated amongst the highest for quality and taste, and provide diners with a good choice of dishes in a cosy environment. They are scattered around London (with one in China Town, of course!) and offer an all you can eat buffet for an unbelievable £4.50 per person! Besides Mr Wu’s, there are lots of fantastic restaurants in the neighbourhood serving time-honoured Chinese food and making your choices endless.

Here’s a clever tip for you: check out Toptable.com and receive mindboggling discounts on meals at 5-star restaurants. You can eat out for less than £20 (including the drinks) if you book online and take note of the special offers. Perfect for celebrating any occasion in style – or just a Tuesday night!

One of the restaurants we came across while exploring the site was Navajo Joe’s in Covent Garden, a vibrant eating place decked out in Native American decor and, interestingly enough, offering the largest collection of Tequila in the whole country! The student friendly prices do not hamper the quality of the American South-West and Pacific Rim inspired cuisine, with mouth-watering dishes like the signature Tequila Lime Chicken amongst more traditional meals like Fajitas, plus yummy desserts to polish off what promises to be a flawless evening.

 The former Millennium Dome, now known as the O2, is a haven of scrumptious cuisines and ethnic dining. Amongst the usual Nando’s and Pizza Express, you’ll find fun places like Rodizio Rico, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian restaurant, where the waiters consistently fill your plates with delectable meats while you chow down on salad and hot food from the buffet. For a lighter meal, head over to Tapa Tapa and get a few of their lovely £3 dishes to share between you, whilst enjoying a rustic and relaxed atmosphere.

So there you have it, some of the best places to eat in London without ever breaking the bank. Keep your NUS card with you, as a lot of restaurants offer 10% discount for students, plus make sure to check online for promotions and deals before going out for a different sort of dining experience in London!

Student Cities – Midlands Edition April 25, 2010

Student Cities

Though moving away from home can be a scary time, it is also a ticket to fun and ultimate freedom. Waving goodbye as your parents drive off must be one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world; now you can finally go see what the city has on offer! There’s a seemingly infinite choice when it comes to great places for getting that university life started, so here’s a narrowed down guide to some of the most happening cities in the Midlands!

Let’s start with the East, and the first city that comes to mind is Leicester. The saying ‘Paint the town red’ originates from this cosmopolitan dwelling and it’s no wonder considering all the great venues! The 20, 000+ students are spoilt for choice when it comes to nightlife. Make sure you get to Liquid for heavy student nights on Friday and Saturday, you’ll love the mix of music across the two rooms plus the drinks are almost free! Cool places like Mosh cater for the indie and heavy metal crowd on a Friday, and then switch it up with a Saturday night full of Motown. It’s not just about clubbing though, you’ll have huge festivals like the Big Session and Leicester’s Comedy Festival, plus fun exhibitions at the National Space Centre, which incidentally has appeared in The Da Vinci Code. Students even have the choice of escaping for a weekend in the countryside when things get too hectic!

Nottingham rivals Leicester when it comes to unforgettable memories. It is steeped in heritage, but that’s not to say it’s full of stuffy old museums. In fact, students have fun participating in a variety of activities, including exploring the mysteries of Creswell Crags at the City of Caves attraction, where some major ice age discoveries were made, or trying out horse riding, quad-biking and white water rafting on days off. If adventure sports aren’t your thing, get your mates together and have a night of laughter at Jongleurs Comedy Club, then check out one of many clubs, such as Dogma which is open most of the week and is uber-student friendly! If large clubs aren’t your thing, Nottingham also caters to your needs via lots of small venues, the most popular being The Rescue Rooms, where you can check out up- and-coming musical talent performing live, or party hard to an alternative mix on a Saturday night.

Moving onto the West Midlands, it would be a crime not to mention Birmingham. This place is a haven for sports fans, and was even voted the 1^st British City of Sport. There will never be a shortage in things to do; you can visit one of Birmingham’s 19 swimming pools, or try your hand at climbing, skiing or snowboarding amongst the oodles of other gaming options available. Birmingham is a shopper’s paradise – huge malls and major department stores (get a Krispy Kreme doughnut from Selfridges!) will ensure you always have a place to hang. The many markets are a perfect place for those once in a lifetime finds, plus the Clothes Show Live is hosted at the NEC every year! Birmingham’s nightlife will have you telling stories for days. Some of the best places include Factory Club for happy vibes, Oceana for an eclectic mix and lots of fellow students, and super-club Gatecrasher, which needs no introduction!

A hidden gem of a city, Coventry is up and coming as one of the most enjoyable places for students. It has a great community feel and is the perfect place to get your sea legs out in the big world of independence. If you love theatre, then check out the Belgrade for amazing shows. For entertainment, you can’t go wrong with the Skydome. Everything is under one roof, including the Odeon cinema, amidst a cocktail of bars and clubs. If you haven’t overdone it by the time the weekend rolls on, get yourself to ‘I Love We Love’ at Carey’s Nightclub and party hard to awesome club classics. If dance music isn’t your thing you have a massive choice of places to party, such as Mojo which opens summer 2010, or Escape for an upscale experience. When the sight of your study bedroom becomes overbearing then head down to Coombe Abbey Park for some fresh air (see how many deer you can spot!) and relax before the next big night out.

Hope this has narrowed it down a little for you, good luck choosing and try not to get too lost exploring your new city!