The True Meaning of Christmas

Sonya Gorman (Headliners, 16)

Joseph Smyth (Headliners, 16)

It’s that time of year once again. Christmas trees, presents and Santa but is this really what Christmas is all about? Well, we don’t think so anyway. We think that Christmas should be about families and being together with those you love. We’re not saying that you can’t have fun and get presents and have a good time. But you should keep in mind the true meaning of Christmas.
People see Christmas as a chance to shop, drink and get fat. It should be about the love, but now it’s just a public stage for millions of big name corporations to broadcast propaganda on new merchandise to brainwash us further. But not us we haven’t fallen into the trap of other people telling us what Christmas is about (yet).
Christmas was once about a man in a green suit who helped people out of the centre of his heart. Now he has been transformed into a big, fat, jolly old man in a red suit that spreads coca cola to every child in sight rather than love.
Yeah, Christmas is fun, it’s a great time to have a laugh and get loads of presents but still the media creeps its way in and it’s kinda getting a bit boring now. People have there Christmas decorations up as soon as Halloween’s over. Then that’s when the Christmas spirit breaks out and you’re probably really sick of it by December.
We’re not a pair of Christmas haters; we just get fed up from time to time from all of this. Can we not just walk quietly down a street in the middle of summer without seeing all of these signs promoting the “Big Christmas Sale?”
So when that time of year comes again make sure that you spend it with you family, in December, and don’t get caught up in all of this advertising fiasco.

Stormont Child's Play

By Lyra McKee (17)
Headliners


Officials have met to discuss the importance of play in the first summit of its kind. The 5 Nation Summit, held in Stormont buildings, Belfast, saw workers debate government policy concerning recreation for children.
Junior Ministers Ian Paisley and Gerry Kelly addressed the Summit.
"As an Executive we are sincere about making positive changes for children and young people over the next 10 years", Mr Kelly said, "Prioritising and protecting their rights and addressing their needs are key issues for us."

Chairing the event, Children's Commissioner Patricia Lewsley spoke of the need for a Children's Minister within the Executive to ensure play policies are carried out. The problem is you don't have a Children's Minister, you have two Junior Ministers. "There is no clear line of responsibility." Jacqueline O'Loughlin, Playboard's chief executive, said that consultations on play policy between Government Officials and children's charities were not producing desired results. "[They] are edited greatly by the time they reach ministerial level."

Sizing up a weighty problem

By Orlanda Brennan - Headliners


Models are skipping meals, drinking and smoking and their bodies are not able to cope with the pressure.
The media has criticised this trend as it is taking a toll on the modelling world.
There have been many articles blowing the issue wide open and showing the consequences of this social sickness.
Most models I see are anorexic and I don’t think it’s in any way being a role model as teenagers are wanting to look like models.
Actresses are also following their lead and are going on the downward spiral to a lot of health issues.
Teenagers today see models, actresses and singers as role models and are copying these stars style, hair and now even copying the size zero popularity and it’s not in any way healthy, especially for teenagers who’s bodies are still developing.
I don’t believe people get this way on purpose as there has to be a problem behind it and it needs to be sorted.

Takin the Nik

Nikii Clinton (16) - Headliners

Taking the Nik on Free Speech, Retro chocolate and Incorrect Science

Citizenship for GCSE, what is with that? Citizenship is supposed to be about moulding our opinions of society and helping us to figure out our opinions.
So I guess if we have to do it for GCSE we should be allowed to have our own opinion right?
Well for our Citizenship Coursework, we were told to choose a topic.
So I choose sectarianism in Northern Ireland, I wanted to try to answer the question: Is sectarianism in Northern Ireland about religion or politics?
Now, I thought this is a good question which I actually want to find an answer to, not just for my coursework.
However, my teacher called me to her class and told me “the board says you cannot do that question for your coursework...” she said it was because I wouldn’t be able to get a straight answer.
I’ve to resort to using the question: Has sectarianism in NI increased or decreased after the Good Friday Agreement?
That question is so boring and just adds the snorefest that is citizenship class, if I was able to do my own question I’d enjoy citizenship and maybe actually learn something. Pffft, school.

Mmmm... Wispas are back. Okay they may be a Cadburys rip of Aero bars, but you can’t not love them.
And where did Golden Grahams go? Seriously, they’ve been replaced by Cinnamon Grahams. That’s just not right. Golden Grahams were the shiz.

Smarties, you ever get the random fact/question the back of the packets, you know the ones I mean.
Well me and a friend were eating Smarties and he read out the question on the pack, “What is the smallest planet, beginning with P?” Pluto would have been the answer, but it isn’t a planet anymore.
So we rang the company to put them right and they’ve now agreed not use the question anymore.
So it seems Smarties don’t have the answer after all.

American Gangster Review

Review - Daniel Stewart (19) Headliners

Gangster gunning for Oscar glory

November for a lot people is when the dreaded cold’s, flu’s and fevers’ begin to arise as winter draws near. With the 80th Academy Awards coming up in February and the nominations in January, Oscar fever is beginning to rear its glamorous head and one film to be released that might catch its symptoms is Ridley Scott’s, “American Gangster”.

Starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, two of today’s acting heavyweights who have both won the little golden man. The film tells the story of Frank Lucas, (Washington), who went from being the quiet driver of one of New York’s leading crime bosses, to building his own empire by ruling the city’s drug trade.

Russell Crowe plays Richie Roberts, the type of police detective which the phrase, “an honest cop” was coined for. When Richie finds a bag of one million unmarked dollars, he turns the money in, demonstrating how whiter than white this character truly is. Being close to what actually happens on the streets of New York; he can tell the power has shifted from the established mafia families.

Based on a true story being set with the backdrop of gritty 70’s New York, gives this movie more of an edge of attitude. Both of the film’s stars are on fine form. Washington acquired Lucas's Southern accent, and Crowe practiced to match Roberts's manner of speaking and body language, requesting tape recordings of Roberts to assist in his preparation. The film also stars another Oscar award winner Cuba Godding Jr as a rival drug kingpin. This is Russell Crowe’s third movie with Ridley Scott after “Gladiator” and “A Good Year”. It is also Russell’s second movie with Denzel Washington after 1995’s “Virtuosity”.

Another factor that makes this movie appealing is the real-life roles have been reversed. Denzel Washington, one of the Hollywood’s most charismatic stars, is seen as one of the movie industries most well respected stars and an all round nice guy. Though when he does bad he does it well. Anyone who has seen “Training Day” will know this and how “King Kong aint got nothing on him” as he so politely put it. Russell Crowe playing a straight lace cop will be interesting since his last memorable performance in real life was tattooing a telephone to some poor hotel receptionists head.

Ridley Scott might well be in contention for best director award which he has never won, considering he has made classics, such as “Alien” and “Gladiator”. The only thing that could hinder the movies chances is that it has to follow up to last years big mob winner, “The Departed”. The movie takes the best elements of movies such as “Godfather” and “Scarface” without seeming like a cheap rip off. With stiff competition from “Atonement” and “Michael Clayton”, the Oscars are already heating up and don’t be surprised if Russell or Denzel add another statuette to their mantle pieces come February.

A bohemian rhapsody

By Alana Breen
(Headliners)





The Frames are an Irish band who have been happily established for the past 17 years and are refreshingly unique.
Their contemporary mix of Irish folk and smooth rock blends for a magical and bohemian concert.
I was lucky enough to see the band live for the second time in the Grand Opera House in Belfast - a laid back venue for a laid back band.
Frontman Glen Hansard belted out each song with pride and passion which left me with the feeling that each song was his last.
Star Star was my favourite hit of the night, closely followed by Falling Slowly in which the band were accompanied by Glen’s girlfriend Marketa Irglova.
Hansard is without a doubt a superior lyricist and an outstanding vocalist and onstage he is a master in his craft.
When The Frames return to Belfast their concert should be made compulsory for discerning music fans. And when they do come back, I will be waiting in a front row seat.

Whizz Kidz: move a life forward.

By Sonya Gorman

(Headliners)

Whizz Kidz is a national charity which aims to equip families who can't get the adequate equipment such as personally designed wheelchairs off the NHS. Secondly it also provides disability awareness through training packages and also through the Kids Board which Miro Griffiths deals with.

Before meeting up with Miro and the rest of the Whizz Kidz on the Kids Board in City Hall, we were really nervous. Probably because there was no one to meet us so we had to approach the group ourselves. We didn’t know what to expect. Standing from a distance, we noticed one of the members had fallen from their wheelchair but we were too conscious to offer help because we didn’t know if our help would be appreciated.

During the meeting itself, Mark the facilitator, ensured that we remained separated in each of the activities that took place. This helped us feel like we fitted in because we were able to offer ideas of our own when brainstorming the “Don’t Push Me Around” campaign and we no longer felt like intruders merely sitting in on a meeting, taking notes.

The activities really helped us bond with many of the Whizz Kidz and because of this we were then invited to a karaoke party that Mark and the other facilitators were holding at the Holiday Inn later on that evening. This was where we were able to interact with certain members and interview them more personally, particularly Ambassador for Northern Ireland, Gareth, who is based in Coleraine.

They surprised us by having the DJ introduce two of the charity’s close friends taking the mic to sing “Cheeky Girls” and when we realized we were the object of attention we felt immediately accepted, however we vowed revenge and in turn had several members sing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” in which we were roped into due to the fact that this was the last song we would hear that night. On our knees, we no longer noticed the wheelchairs.

Arriving we were anxious, leaving we were privileged.

Zodiac is Zodicrap

Zodiac Review - Daniel Stewart (Headliners)

Director: David Fincher
Starring: Jake Gyllenhal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr.
Rated: 15
Currently released on DVD

A movie that I thought I would be very interested in watching but which I didn’t get to see in the cinema but later when it came out on DVD this month. Even with all the critical acclaim I was more bitterly disappointed than thekid you always see in Woolworths that cries when the damn thing doesn’t get whatever sweeties it wanted.

The film is Zodiac and simply it didn’t fulfil its potential. The film is about the notorious 1960’s/70’s Zodiac killer from the San Francisco Bay Area that terrorized the San Francisco community with killing five known victims and taunting the police with letters and cryptic messages the killer sent to them which were published by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The movie follows the timeline of the known Zodiac killing but more so of the cartoonist that works for the San Francisco Chronicle, Robert Graysmith, played by Jake Gyllenhal, who becomes obsessed as the years go by, even becoming determined to find out who the killer’s identity is even when the cryptic letters have stop, the police stop bothering with the case and the Zodiac has become yesterday’s news. The film is based on the book that Robert Graysmith had written on Zodiac from all the information that he had kept and gathered throughout the years.

With a strong cast that also included Robert Downey Jr and Mark Ruffalo, the fact that it was a true story and the uneasy fact that the Zodiac killer was never caught which would make you watch your back as you get into your car at night, should have given this movie an edge over mediocre and gory or yet pointless horror movies of recent years, but it didn’t. It could have given you that uneasy feeling of without needing the traditional scares mixed with a topic not only could happened in real life that would make it gripping, but did actually happened, the stuff that makes a truly great thriller, but it didn’t. It could have been a lot of things, but it wasn’t.

Yes there are some moments that put you on the edge of your seat as the case unravels, but there few & far between. Apart from the murders, nothing really happens in this movie. They think someone is the killer, they talk about it, they talk about it, they try and get a warrant for a house search, they cant, they talk again about nothing. Jake Gyllenhal has a good performance as a man who was not involved in the police investigation becomes obsessed in his trail of the killer with the information that he receives but this thriller doesn’t thrill.

Extinction, the best of Resident Evil

By Orlanda Brennan
(Headliners)

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Oded Fehr, Ali Larter
Directed by Russell Mulcahy

Resident Evil Extinction is back for the third film of the series and possibly the last. As Paul W.S. Anderson is hoping to end the series in a trilogy.
Extinction is the best of the series by far with a more lateral storyline and has more realistic sets as it is filmed in Mexico.
The story took place five years after the infection of Raccoon City. In these five years the world has been run over by zombies. Although there is a supposed safe haven and refuge in Alaska, Claire Redfield (Ali Larter, heroes) said rightly “soon enough there will be more people dead than alive”.
Meanwhile Alice is staying hidden from Umbrella. That changes when she uses her powers of telekinesis to save Claire and her convoy from a flock of infected crows.
When the new artificial intelligence The White Queen finds Alice and tells Dr Isaacs (Iain Glen) he then becomes obsessed with finding her because she is the pure source that could bring them out of extinction.
The ending leaves the film wide open for what is to hope for an anticipated fourth film but I won’t spoil the ending for fans. I promise it’s the best in the franchise. And like original director- Paul Anderson said: “Never say never.”

Can You Dig It?

By Joe Smyth
(Headliners)






The Warriors is one of the greatest cult classics movies of all time. The film is set in the deserted night time of New York, where all the gangs ‘come out to play’. The story is based upon a rival gang leader who was “wasted” in cold blood. None other than The Warriors, a Coney Island based clique, are framed for the murder. The rest of the film follows the infamous heroes fighting through enemy gang territory to stay alive and reach their home turf in Coney.

The film was made in 1979 by Walter Hill and is still today a top notch movie. At the time the cast were unknown however they have gone on to star as the lead roles in other classic films or some other TV series’. James Remar (Ajax) has gone on to star in such soaps as CSI Miami, Sex and the City, Battlestar Galactica along with the newly released film Ratatouille.
While Michael Beck (Swan) has went on to star in many soaps such as Diagnosis Murder and Murder, She Wrote.

Thirty years on the success of the film is showed through the recent release of The Warriors Game. Fans are now furthermore overwhelmed with the latest news of a remake of the film. The game was close to the film and also gave a background history to the film, so it will be interesting to see how the remake comes along. This is definitely one to keep an eye on in the future.

I first saw this film at the beginning of the 2007 and was amazed at the simple yet powerful storyline. After a mind blowing intro we are suddenly plunged into the dark and seedy world of the “Armies of the Night,” where “the future will be yours if you can count.” After a brief and adrenaline rushed introduction to the Turnbull A.C.’s we see what The Warriors really face along their way home to safety. But how easy will it be to get home, alive, when everyone is looking for you?

Amazing Berlin

By Alana Breen
(Headliners)

Berlin is rapidly climbing the ladder of European hotspots; Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have recently bought a house in the trendy Mitte district in the former eastern quarters of the city. I was lucky enough to be discovering this city with my friends, teachers and even some Berlin locals.



We were none other than the ‘special guests’ at the European Academy in Berlin situated just five minutes from the busy Kurfurstendamm area. The academy plays host too many important conferences and events as well as being a three star hotel. The area boasts idyllic avenues, and the sea of red and yellow leaves give the area a warm autumnal feel. The hotel was the height of city centre luxury with a range of double and single rooms and a buffet-style menu every evening. I can safely assure that the academy lived up to the standards of the St Michael’s teenagers.


Our first port of call was guided tour of the Jewish museum. Built in 2002 by a polish architect, the museum has many rare and unusual artefacts on display. It has nine different sections all conveying a different aspect of the lives of Jewish people in Germany. The architecture of the building, as well as the layout of the museum leaves a lot to the imagination of the visitor; the architect wants us to take away our own personal message from the museum. For any visitor to Berlin the museum is a must see; take a guided tour or at your leisure it is guaranteed to be a long lasting memory.


We were given a tour of the city by a local professor of political science. One of the sights he took us to was the Olympic stadium. Built in 1934 under Hitler’s orders, the sheer size of the building is spectacular. Although unlike any other Olympic village it is derelict and only used for the occasional Rolling Stones concert!

The Brandenburg gate is situated in the former eastern quarters of the city, it was the only monument that could be viewed from the west, and its height clearly tells us why. Just seconds round the corner is the Reichstag, famously burnt down by Nazis in the 1933 fire. The dome situated on top of the building gives a spectacular panoramic view of the city like no other.



Berlin by night is very limited for under 18s but the TV tower is one such activity that can be enjoyed by all – except those who have a fear of heights. In less than six seconds the elevator takes you up 40 000ft where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city by night and enjoy a meal in the revolving restaurant.


As part of our programme staying with the academy we had to spend two days with students from the Sophie-Charlotte school in Berlin. Although our German was limited their English was fluent and conversation was soon flowing. We enjoyed two days and nights together and within hours they were already looking to come back home to ‘party in Lurgan’ although I’m not sure if that is even possible.


Walking round the city it is hard to believe that it was once the centre of European politics, what went on in Berlin has shaped the world into its current state. Nowadays it’s easy to see how the war has affected this city. Where spectacular buildings once stood concrete blocks have filled their place. Where millions of people lived only three and a half million remain. Berlin is a city that has so much to offer in the way of everything. History, Museums, Shopping, Culture. It is a city well worth the air fare and one I intend to revisit.

Deaf Youth Provision

Article by Kevin English
(17, NIDYA)

Picture by Michael Hudson
(18, NIDYA)

Deaf Youth club

NIDYA: Northern Ireland Deaf Youth Association

Where are we: Wilton House, 5/6 College Square North, Belfast.

The Youth Club is a place for young deaf people to go. There are three different groups, one for young children aged 5 to 12, one group for older teenagers aged 12 to 18 and another one for adults aged 16 to 25.

In the deaf club we often go on residential weekends. We do workshops and team building activities at these. Also, we take part in outdoor activities like banana boating, climbing and canoeing. When we are in Belfast, we play games or watch DVDs. We also go out to different places like the cinema, 10 pin bowling or a funfair.

We can go to the youth club on Friday nights from 6.30pm to 9.00pm. I enjoy the Youth club because it is good fun to meet other deaf teenagers. It’s also a good place to socialize with my deaf friends.

I first joined the deaf youth club when I was five. I found out about the deaf club through Jordanstown Schools, my school. The school told me about NIDYA and who to contact there.

I would recommend the deaf youth club.

Belfast prays for Burma

Article by Lyra McKee
(17, Headliners)

Pictures by Lyndsey McQuitty
(18, Headliners)



Following the military crackdown in Burma after pro-democracy rallies last week, Belfast members attended a demonstration in support of the country's imprisoned Buddhist monks.

Leading Irish charity, Trocaire and Amnesty International have called on the public to support the Burmese people after the recent military crackdown. Speaking at an international solidarity event on Saturday at Queen’s Bridge, Belfast, a spokeswomen for the charity urged the UK and Irish governments to put pressure on the Burmese junta.

Regional Manager Eithne McNulty scattered petals onto the River Lagan in a symbolic gesture to show the desire for reconciliation within Burma. “The event is not so much about getting a lot of people to show up, but about getting media coverage and getting the message out there,” she said. The Burmese government clamped down on the pro-democracy movement last week which sparked an international outcry.


MLA Carmel Hanna from the SDLP, said she was putting forward a motion to the Assembly on Monday calling on the UN to lobby the Burmese government.
“We need to be calling on the United Nations Security Council to put pressure on countries which have a vested interest in Burma, especially on China, because they have the most influence there,” she added.

More than 100 people attended the demonstration.

Fore more info - Follow the link, to watch a video of the protest
http://lendyourvoice1.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post_11.html

Smoking age

By Ben Ritchie
(16, Headliners)

From Monday it’s now illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under 18 in England, Scotland and Wales. So, do I think that this will work? Well, to be honest, no. Yes, young people will find it harder to get smokes but will it stop them from smoking?
Of course not, they will do what they do when it comes to buying alcohol – and get older people to buy it for them or one of their mates who look old enough. I’m not sure that many shop keepers will take this new law seriously as well, why lose out on so much profit? If young people want to smoke, they will whether the law allows it or not.

Resident Evil extinction

By Orlanda Brennan
(15, Headliners)



Starring: Milla jovovich, Oded fehr, Ali larter
Directed by Russell Mulachy

The first film was based on the popular Capcom games and it was the first zombie movie franchise.
The second one, which was not so great because a second unit director decided to make it an action movie, failed miserably.
However, this time it's back to the gore and violence which audiences have come to expect. Director Russell Mulachy has much more experience making movies and reviews from America have mostly backed that up.
The Resident Evil franchise, both movies and games, has been a great experience - for horror fans. The film will be released later this month.

Atonement

By Alana Breen
(Headliners)




Starring : Kiera Knightley
James Mc Avoy
Directed by: Joe Wright

Just when you thought Kiera Knightleys acting skills were limited to period dramas, she defies critics and goes and stars in another period drama.
The movie is set in upper-class England in the early 1930s; the movie is portrayed through the young, innocent and prying eyes of Briony Talls (Saoirse Ronan). When she catches her sister (Knightley) with the handsome gardner Robbie, played by James Mc Avoy she knowingly accuses him of rape. He is arrested, imprisoned and we later meet him 1o years later in France serving in World War II. The story jumps ahead creating a stark contrast between the young boy we first meet and the man he has become. Knightley has developed into a mature young nurse, a far cry from the daddy’s girl she was.
United for a brief second their undying love becomes clear and Briony becomes an object of mutual hate between Robbie and Cecilla and the viewer alike.
With a clever twist at the end the viewer is captivated until the first credits role. Wright has done Ian McEwan’s bestselling novel justice in every aspect. This film is a must see for any movie buff and a highlight of the spectacular cinema of 2007.

Knocked Out and Knocked Up

By Orlanda Brennan (15, Headliners)





Directed by Judd Apatow, 40 year old virgin
Starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl and Paul Rudd.

Knocked up is about a girl, Alison (Katherine Heigl) who recently gets a promotion at E!news and goes out to celebrate at night. She meets Ben (Seth Rogen), an unemployed male. They hang out and eventually she gets pregnant to him. It’s a funny tale about two strangers who try to get along and bring a baby into the world…I wont spoil the ending for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet.

I recently went to see knocked up and it was very funny but I would not recommend it to any young couples going out on a first date. Some parts are not to be seen by really anyone as there is a whole birth scene at the end that some people just don’t need to see. It may ruin your appetite but that’s the only thing to criticise apart from the cursing. Overall it is a very good and entertaining film.

My Big Bother

Article by Robert Skelly (19, NIDYA)

Photo by Matthew Cromie (NIDYA)

REALITY TV show Big Brother started on 18th July 2000 on Channel Four and has been hosted by Davina McCall and Dermot O’Leary.
In the beginning I thought Big Brother was brilliant, thrilling and exciting. And just as I expected, it was great to talk and gossip with friends about the famous and not-so-famous housemates. It was amazing to see them having sex, arguments and messing around.

But after a few series the show changed following the race row with Jade Goody. She and two other housemates were involved in the controversy with Shilpa Shetty. The Indian film star was attacked over her race and country of origin. This made me feel incredibly angry because they showed Shilpa no respect. This not only affected me but I feel it had an impact on the whole society.

It had a bad influence on schools, education, families and friends. I love TV shows such as X Factor, Dancing On Ice and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! These programmes are better than BB because it’s clean fun yet remains very entertaining.

I would like Big Brother to be less offensive but I don’t think it will because Channel Four executives don’t care how it affects people and are only interested in gaining more viewers.
I think the only option for Big Brother is to end because of its negative impact on society.

The Death of Theatre

By Joanne Simpson (20, Headliners)
“Ban all cinemas around the world.”


The movie industry grosses around $7billion a year in cinema ticket sales alone, with many people visiting the cinema as often as once a week and with modern movie-going trends veering towards the surreal and fantasy genre. Can more classic past times like going to the theatre, or even reading a book really compete?

With the Cathedral Quarter arts festival been and gone, it becomes apparent that the theatre has lost at least one generation of young people. Surprisingly few young people have heard of the festival, let alone actually taken the time to attend a play! It is much easier and inevitably cheaper to simply “wait for the movie.” Many of my friends would love to attend the theatre more often, but find this increasingly hard as wages from a part time job, no matter how well paying, will not extend to a night out at the theatre.

The marked decline in Theatregoers is probably most painfully apparent in the loss of one of our national theatres a few years ago, and in the shabby, almost decrepit state of our other national theatre. A couple months ago during a rendition of “Macbeth” the roof proceeded to leak rather spectacularly causing the actors to perform an obscure little side step to avoid the ever-growing patches of water on the stage floor.

It is however true that slowly and somewhat painfully the theatre is beginning to cater for younger tastes, it began with crude attempts to modernise Shakespeare, and has progressed to the more enlightened plays like “Falaraki,” Phillip Pullmans “Dark Materials” and even “Blood Brothers.” Which although getting on a bit now, is still a hilarious and witty play no matter how many times you see it.

It is nevertheless an unfortunate by-product of this modernisation that cinemas are plagued with the film industries attempt to gain ever more ticket sales by modernising and subsequently murdering Shakespeare’s greatest plays. Bass Lurmans version of “Romeo and Juliet” was particularly painful, due to poor casting, poor acting, poor cinematography, poor visual effects, poor interpretation of the text…As a complete novice in all things Shakespearean, I still couldn’t bring myself to watch it all in one sitting. It was utterly different to the play and people who hadn’t read a single Shakespearean play in their lives, or seen one in the theatre were suddenly experts on Mercutios motivation in act 1 scene 3.

The BBC’s “Big Read” poll was full of this movie-book bias; it became blatantly obvious from the outset that people’s opinions of the books were based entirely on the film version rather than the written word. For example “The Lord of the Rings;” it was an amazing book but it was an outstanding piece of cinematography, consequently it won. It is interesting to note that almost every book that was in the top 21 had a movie based on it at one point or another, a movie which is now considered a “classic” in its’ own right.

Even schools are now picking books that have a suitable film counterpart. No English class would be complete without the inevitable introduction of some BBC version of the book, performed by an unknown cast and often so radically reworked and interpreted that is barely recognisable as the original piece of literature it was meant to be. Probably the most obvious example of this that I have seen has been the 1960's version of Pride and Prejudice, starring Grear Garson and Lawrence Olivier all Austin’s savage criticism had been removed from it leaving only a simpering love story behind.

It would appear that film industry is dominating the entertainment market, and this trend is not set to change, unless of course there is a world wide ban on cinema. Theatregoers must simply resign themselves to sidelines until the time comes when there is a radical change in modern theatre here or at least until someone writes a stage version of Lord of the Rings!

Holes in Deep Pockets

Scrooge in Dreamland (Anon.)





Compassion should be in the hearts of all, no matter what race, creed or gender. Clothe the naked; feed the hungry, and all that jazzy, Christian morality blowing in the wind. Past social values once advocated helping those less fortunate but where did the love go when people refused to ‘dig deep’ to spare a few ‘shillings’. However, ancient celtic-Ireland; once a collectivist nation has now despaired into cold-hearted individualism groped by its partner in crime, materialism.

Trócaire (meaning Compassion in Irish) is the official Overseas Development Agency of the Catholic Church (think of Kate Moss as the official face of Rimmel London). Set up by Irish Catholic Bishops in 1973, the aim of Trócaire is to raise funds from donations and charitable events to support those countries less developed than ourselves. During the Lenten campaign at Easter, Trócaire focuses on single issue factors affecting poverty-stricken individuals such as prostituition, child warfare and poor employers.

In the past thirty-four years, Trócaire has supplied funding to thousands of aspiring projects nuturing water supplies, food drives, educational reform and much more social intervention schemes in 55 Countries worldwide including Honduras, Angola, Kenya, Vietnam and even recently Serbia to help, in both the redevelopment of war ravaged countries but also those affected by the dire straits of famine and extreme weather conditions.

Trócaire spent approximately 31 Million Euros in overseas development last year; a far-shy cry away from the billions invested into arms development, military warfare and supposed democratic intervention in tyrannical governed countries by Western governments. Whilst billions of sterling are transferred to destroying ideologies, searching for oil or whatever spin you choose to accept; problems in both our own society but also the worldwide society are struggling to get better.


Is it getting any better?

• Roughly, six million people are living on the Island of Ireland as a whole.
• 31 million euros was invested last year by Trocaire (inc. admin fees)
• On average, five euro is being spent by each person on Trocaire funds each year
• According to UNDP Human Development Report 2000, the average Irish person makes in the region of £21,482
• Why is only five Euro out of £21,000 only being offered into a Trócaire box for the benefit of others and not 10 or even 50 per year?
• Scrooge won’t be turning in his sleep anyway.

What is clouding our judgement?

• The issue of investing solely into our own communities rather than elsewhere
• Lack of education on poverty, healthcare, war, gender issues and more
• A need to conform with ipods, converse shoes, laptops and more electricals
• Idea that money given will be spent all on transport, equipment, admin
• Corrupt leaders will use the money for self-gain
• People just don't care. What you can't see, isn't really happening?

Stressing out exams

Reforming the Examination System (Old article)

Ruth Kelly, the Minister for Education in England and Wales, last year announced a Government White Paper reforming the examination system in secondary level education. With A-Level and GCSE results being announced Children’s Express young reporter Kelsey McQuaid (17) decided to ask those most affected by proposed changes what they think.

The White Paper aims to rationalise the 3,500 vocational qualifications currently on offer in schools and to place them within 14 specialised diplomas. Students would still have a wide choice of subjects but potential employers would more easily understand the diploma system. Piloting schemes also include first year university questions in A-level exam papers as a means for universities to differentiate between the most able students many of whom are gaining A and A+ grades.

Introducing the White Paper in the Commons Ruth Kelly said, "I want every teenager educated to the very limit of their ability. That means ensuring that we have an education system that tackles the historic weakness in the system; so that every single teenager, not just the vast majority, get the education they need and deserve to get on in life.
"A key weakness has been vocational education. Today will mark the end of the divide between vocational and academic study. We will move to a truly comprehensive education system for every teenager by ensuring real choice from the age of 14. We can't have second class, second best vocational education - it is valued abroad and it must be valued here. We must have a truly world-class workforce. It is vital to the future prosperity of the country.

Mark Beady, a student, opposes toughening up A-Levels: “Make them harder? No way! They are already hard enough as it is.” Carol Donaldson a GCSE student at the time from St. Columbus, Portaferry, said :“I think that people in year 12 are not ready for AS levels so early. It is a big step from GCSE to A-Levels. More needs to be done, to kind of soften and prepare us better for higher level examinations.”

However Ashley Ford, 14, a GCSE student from Cookstown High School, disagreed. “Some people won’t like the push but in the long term it’ll be beneficial. It shows the standard that they have to set for themselves. They’ll be more determined and able when it comes to go to University.”

We then asked Grania O’Hanlon, Principal of Loretta Grammar School in Omagh what her views were on the proposed changes to A-levels and the possible effects of the introduction of first year university questions.

“What we all seek to achieve is a fair system for everyone. However, my concern would be for the number of students who don’t achieve, and I find maybe the focus going a wee bit to that end of the spectrum of students who are actually achieving A-levels and moving on to university. What about those students who don’t achieve this and what about the students who university is not going to be an option for?”

The AS modular system was introduced a few years ago. Grania O’Hanlon added “That young people have had a chance to improve their grades through the modular system and I believe young people appreciate having that opportunity to repeat modules maybe, where they have not achieved what they felt they could have achieved”. Grania welcomed the Minister’s desire to stretch all pupils and particularly proposals in the area of vocational qualifications. “There are children who can achieve skill competences and they want more practical courses than are available to them. I do not think there is a range of vocational choices to provide real choice for students because, remember, we’re all studying the same curriculum from 11-16 and I honestly don’t believe that there is a true vocational choice yet in place to provide students with real choice.”

Marie, 14, from Fortwilliam, thought that vocational qualifications could be worthwhile, “Introducing Vocational skills isn’t a bad idea, if you can’t do anything purely academic like maths or biology, then you can at least learn a trade, that the employers will appreciate”.
Ashley Ford showed wisdom beyond her years stating, “In the modern day world, education will only get you so far. There is a need for practical applications and there is a shortage of plumbers, builders and painters. So more vocational subjects are needed for the voluntary subjects.”

Grania O’Hanalon, thought the Minister’s proposals might be more easily implemented within the common curriculum. “I would say that Mike Tomlinson’s earlier proposals were very interesting, they were radical. They would need a lot of investment and it would be a big shake up in the education system. I think that Ruth Kelly’s proposal will probably be a safer system for the moment. It won’t cause as great an upheaval as Mike Tomlison’s, so you could ask the question are the government going for a safer option in Ruth Kelly’s proposals?”

Fashion Faux Pas

By Cathal Hannan (Headliners)

Consumerism and Clothes

No young person living in modern day society could honestly turn round and say that the media, the catwalks and fashion columns haven’t influenced them to some degree. Two of the most common forms of pressure on the my generation are by peers and the media. One feeds off the other. The big advertisers try and sell us their products with biblical Recommended Retail Prices, modelled by famously anorexic/bulimic women. Everything from sportswear on Beckham, rap-star bling to sunglasses are modelled as "must-have" essentials for cool.

Young female models look fresh and apparently happy (apart from the grimacing inability to support that smile) whilst wearing these high-quality designer labels, with absurdly prominent logos emblazoned across their chests just in case we don’t get the message- buy our clothes and be wanted.

Take for instance; Nike, Levi, Gap and Ben Sherman - all competing for a slice of the consumer cake, and a big tasty one of that raking in billions per annum. The young people from well-off backgrounds purchase these fashion items automatically without financial bother, yet other kids are expected to have them and suffer to get these items.

Young people from a poorer socio-economic background are normally unable to afford the extravagant prices until half-price sale time (by that time, nobody is wearing it anymore) but that doesn’t stop them pestering their parents for money, especially around Capitalist Consumer Christmas. The parent’s job is hard enough slaving to the system, without having terrible teenagers turning robotically to temper-tantrums for labels that they can’t even afford never mind their kids. This causes extra stress for the parents and may even lead to family break-up in the most extreme cases.

So this obviously begs the question, who is to blame? Is it the advertisers and marketers that spend over £6.5 billion annually on product placement? How much of the £60 Recommended Retail Price is manufacturing cost, how much marketing and how much pure profit?

Of all the crime committed in the UK last year 262,570 crimes were committed by young people and 160,897 offences involved shoplifting or vandalism. Of course there are no figures on how many were influenced by peer pressure or by the media and the subject’s inability to buy but I would think that if there were numbers they would be very high indeed.

Surely it can’t be the absolute fault of these young people. After all, they are watching the advertisements and reading the fashion columns that show 6ft blonde models draped with the ‘in fashion.’ It may not be so bad for the poor families if fashion didn’t change so regularly. In brands like Gucci, Armani and other items that parade the catwalk like money-grabbing vultures and alluring snakes, they are split into ‘seasons.’ However, with sporty/denim wear, the fashion changes ever so regularly that even contemporary fashion magazines find it difficult to snap up quick enough. It is the ultimate way to make money.

Walk into a sport's superstore in Belfast, say Lifestyle or JJB and you will find floors dedicated to footwear, head wear, tops and bottoms– fashion accessories for the spendthrift and money-lax. Why would a young person want to buy five sets of trainers in a year? The brands owners who are releasing these must expect people to be showy enough to buy five sets of trainers in just a few months, to get that additional Nike 'tick' or new colour line.

Personally, I stick to less known brands that don’t cost as much but I wish my friends would do the same. Friends should keep clothes to themselves. I keep mine to myself and who should care what I wear? To me, a shirt is a shirt and a pair of shoes is a pair of shoes. But of course I would say that wouldn’t I? So you may all say well if I can criticize every body: the rich kids; the shops, the manufacturers and the advertisers what is my answer to all this ?
Ban all clothes advertising geared towards young people and let them make their own minds up about what clothes they want to buy. This already exists in Sweden why shouldn’t it exist here!

Music in the Parklife

By Ben Ritchie (16, Headliners)

Recently I went to the Tennents Vital concert in Belfast’s Ormeau Park. It was my third year at the concert and for me it was the best yet, that’s saying a lot considering how amazing Snow Patrol were last year. For me however I don’t think that there are enough concerts available for those under the age of 18. Young people at most concerts have to be accompanied by adults which can lessen their enjoyment and experience of their day if they have their parents looking over their shoulders at any feeble antic. With the exception of the Odyssey and the Waterfront Hall, there are very few music venues that cater to the younger generation of music and this has to change if young people are going to get the best of the music scene and to accompany both superstars and rising hot talent into coming especially to Belfast, to front and merchandise themselves amongst the Irish contingent.

Bish Bash Boosh

By Hayley Andrews (15, Headliners)

A new wave of comedy has shaken the showbiz world; The Mighty Boosh has taken the conventional “Ha-Ha” pieces of Comedy and has combined it with a brilliant cast of characters that have taken the comedy world by storm. The Mighty Boosh is a weird and very complex show, which tells the story of two men, Vince Noir (Noel Fielding) and Howard Moon (Julian Barratt) that go on a range of strange and comedy-caped adventures. Critics have argued that the stage-based show is sheer “Youth” comedy, that’s in direct competition with award-winning recent classics “The Office” and “Little Britain”.

Nothing appears wrong with the hit-show but others differ in taste, calling it youth culture television and more distastefully, car-crash TV. But I am happy to say that I am slightly addicted to this show and I can not wait till the new series comes out in the Autumn of 2007! Keep your eyes glued.

Back in the day....

By Sonya Gorman, (16, Headliners)





“Back in the Day”, life for a normal young person consisted of a game of some sport or other. However, in this day and age, there isn’t even such a thing as “normal” anymore. Young people are pushed into a box, or labelled emo, chav or trendy.

Young people don’t want to be young anymore. They never seem to go out; always just sitting on online messenger and blogging sites such as myspace, bebo or msn? There are thousands of replicated clones of these sites; uniquely tailored to individual needs. Maybe this is part of the reason why young people are labelling themselves nowadays, to fit in.

Young people can’t even like music they want to these days in case it doesn’t fit into what there friends think their style is. Young people can’t be themselves, in a world of political correctness and freedom of speech. Why can’t young people do and be what we want to be? In this case its not “scene” or “cool” to be doing that.

You have to be a certain clothes size, have a particular style, and to drink/smoke to be cool. You have to do certain things and wear what society tells u to. Young people spend too much time sitting around being “cool” that it simply not healthy. For as long as there has been a young person there have been people who tell you how to act, what to say, and what to try.

People (like me) should stop moaning and start doing something about this. By not conforming to all these rules and blah. Well I’ve got news for you I already have. If you haven’t had fun squeezing into your tiny size zero skinny jeans and listening to panic at the disco then you haven’t live as a conformist.

Leaks in the system

By Orlanda Brennan (15, Headliners)

My opinion on water charges is that it is a rip off and a waste of time as the government just wants money and there getting it from all our bills and rates and our parents. We pay too much already and I agree with the public protests and community meetings to abolish the charges before they come into effect. A few adults I know say they will not pay the water charges whether it comes into effect or not. I have to say that I wouldn’t pay the charges even if I were of right age. It’s a waste of time and money. We have enough bills and rates to pay today in this modern age.

Critics stick the fangs in..

By Lyndsey McQuitty (18, Headliners)






Is the popular website Vampirefreaks really as bad as the press make it out to be? This website along with others such as Myspace and Bebo, that encourage young people to meet others their age, get put down too often.
This particular website has over 500,000 active members, who seem to get stereotyped as ‘Goth’ or an actual ‘Vampire freak’. The name of this site might give out a bad impression to those who are close minded, but in fact the members of this site are all different people in their own way. The members don‘t all dress the same, they aren’t all ‘Goth’ or ‘Emo’, they are just like everyone else.
Some people such as parents may think that it is some type of online ‘Chat room cult’ which will influence their child into bad behaviour. Websites like this, just like ‘Goth’ music, get the blame for what some children may do. The truth is, a child’s actions and mistakes are only their own. Parents and other people who are against online sites just like vampirefreaks should not discard them so quickly!
Vampirefreaks is a website which gives the members something to do without getting into trouble. The online community is a really friendly place to be but to be fair, everywhere there’s a few bad eggs. To quote what some of the members on vampirefreaks think of it:
“The people here are accepting; interesting; and almost always helpful in all situations. To me this isn't some pathetic chat room group; it's an online community that affects many peoples lives and is more so beneficial to more people than harmful.”
“I love this site...it's a friendly enough community where you can meet people of similar interest without letting your style (i.e. Goth or Prep) get in the way”
“Here it doesn't matter what you are, you're part of this one big community where it's ok if your a Goth or a Prep, it matters more what you are like personality wise. I joined in hopes of finding that a couple of years ago”