westexpress
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By Students for StudentsTRANSCRIPT
By Students For Students
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Issue 2 OCT 2012
FILMS!
Fashion!
Sports!
In today’s issue...
Edited by Harry Lewis
GSCEs.
West exe recently had a
phenomenal run with the
class of 2012 achieving
the best ever GCSE re-
sults for the college, and
now Michael Gove, the
Education Secretary,
wants to scrap GCSEs in
an exam shake up.
He plans to demolish the
modules and have a three
hour exam at the end of
the course, and if stu-
dents want to re-sit the
module, the have to re-
sit the entire exam. He
believes there is no need
for a national exam at 16,
as most young people car-
ry on in education or
training until 18. Instead,
he thinks that pupils
should be tested at 14 to
help guide them for the
subject choices they will
need to make.
Lord Baker is all for this,
“It’s vital that schools
and colleges provide edu-
cation which develops
practical skills and per-
sonal qualities as well as
subject knowledge. This
has to include opportuni-
ties to learn by doing.”
Under Mr Gove’s pro-
posals, they would be re-
placed with a more aca-
demically rigorous exam.
Nick Clegg has united
with Gove, but the exams
are due to start in Au-
tumn 2015. This could all
change after the early
2015 election, when
Labour could be voted
back in to government.
Article by Esme
Smithson-Swain
Halloween-themed fun and frolics for
extending the spooky season :)
News
Olympic Legacy?
2012 was a big year for
Britain: we came 3rd in
the medal tables under
the United States of
America and China . We
also did well in the Para-
lympic games. All of us
will have watched some
vents, some people even
went to see some events
live!
Shortly after the Olym-
pics, David Cameron
made a speech saying
that children should do
more exercise. Boris
Jonson, mayor of London,
agreed.
So what does the Olym-
pics leave Britain with… a
few memories and a lot
of pointless buildings, or
an opportunity to get
people more motivated
with sport in a world
where obesity in children
is rising?
The Olympic legacy is
INSPIRE A GENERA-
TION and it has, for ex-
ample children all over
the world know of Lon-
don 2012 and the Olym-
pic and Paralympic val-
ues: respect, excellence,
equality, determination,
inspiration, courage and
friendship.
Hopefully, it will encour-
age people to take up
sports they hadn’t con-
sidered before, like
horse-riding, archery or
even trampolining. It has
also raised people’s
awareness of the amaz-
ing Paralympians who are
living proof that with de-
termination and courage
you really can achieve
what you might think is
impossible.
Article by Tom Coffin
2
News News
Life After West Exe
Jasmine Clark
After leaving West Exe I
decided to continue with
A levels at Exeter Col-
lege. The subjects are
definitely more challeng-
ing at A level, and you ab-
solutely have to keep on
top of any work set. It’s
up to you to keep up –
don’t expect lecturers to
come running after you if
you start missing classes!
Studying at the college
has changed me so much
– aside from changing my
mind about uni courses
three times over, I have
become more confident
and I‘m constantly trying
out new things. I put this
down to having more
freedom and responsibili-
ties, mixing with totally
different people, and the
influence of great lectur-
ers. This year I’m taking
A levels in Biology,
French, and Environmen-
tal Studies, and I am go-
ing on to study Biology
and French at university.
Liam Taylor
Although coming to West
Exe was one of the most
scary, nerve-wracking
experiences, it was also
the best fun I’ve ever
had! Academically, the
step-up from GCSEs to A
-Levels took me by sur-
prise. I am writing this
article on my first day
back at college in my A2
year and already I have
learnt how pi and sigma
bonds work in organic
chemicals and all about
palaeomagnetism (that’s
chemistry and geography
for you and me!) – they
don’t go lightly on you
here! But don’t let me
put you off, the challeng-
es are refreshing and the
3-month summer holidays
are the best! After col-
lege, I will probably go on
to study Molecular and
Cellular Biology at Exeter
University, and after-
wards take a masters de-
gree in Cancer Biology – I
might even throw in a
few geography modules
for Mr Clemens. Looking
back now, I have little I
would change about my
time at West Exe. My
work with the college
charity and my
lunchtimes in the LRC will
stay with me forever, as
will the amazing group of
friends I made here.
Don’t waste any oppor-
tunity given to you and
embrace challenges with
open arms and your time
at West Exe will be phe-
nomenal!
3
News Horror With Horowitz
Winners of the meet the author com-
petition took the train to Bath to
meet Simon Mayo and Anthony Horo-
witz. Anthony Horowitz was talking
about his new book, Oblivion, the last
in the Power of Five series and his ex-
periences as a writer. Horowitz be-
lieves that a writer doesn’t invent his
characters, he meets them. Alex Rid-
er was the first main character he
met. This was also his first best sell-
er. he also talked about the Diamond
Brothers and their escapades. As well
as this he described all the locations
in oblivion such as, the artic and the
main battleground in Oblivion.
We got free wristbands, our books
signed by Horowitz and got fun post-
ers. It was a great day and we learned
all about how to write more creatively.
Madness with Mayo
As well as Anthony Horowitz we also
got to listen to Simon mayo (the radio
presenter and author). In his lecture
“ITCH”, a scientist set fire to jelly
babies and oxygen. the caramel-
smelling smoke stayed in the room for
the entirety of the lecture but he
bribed us with sherbet lemons so it
was all okay(!)
Article by Tom Coffin
4
Feature
Real Life Scary People: Jack The Ripper
Jack the ripper was a murderer in Victorian times. He used to wait until
dark, and then jump out of dark alleyways and kill helpless women. His oth-
er nicknames were the Whitechapel Murderer and Leather Apron.
His killings often took place in the east end of London. He usually killed his
victims by ripping out their organs and slitting their throat. After three
women had been killed in this way, police began to think that the murderer
had anatomical knowledge, by the way he was killing his victims.
Despite his fame, Jack the Ripper only killed 5 people. Their names were
Mary Anne Nichols, Annie, Elizabeth, Cathrine and Mary – Jane. Nichols’
body was found about 3:40am on Friday 31st August 1888 in Bucks Row
(now Durward street) Whitechapel. Mary-Jane is often considered Rip-
per’s last kill.
He was never caught as he was sneaky and clever, although around six men
were actually suspects, whether interrogated or not. The most likely sus-
pect was a man who lived in the streets, and drunk from sewers. He died in
a lunatic asylum. By Molly Miles and Ellie L-G
5
Fashion Entertainment Films that go bump in the night…
Trailer reviews for up and coming spook-tastic movie
ParaNorman:
This thrilling stop-motion animation has hit
cinemas like a well-anticipated bomb of good-
old traditional ghouls, ghosts and everything
ghastly (in amazing 3D). By the story board
artist of Coraline and Corpse Bride (Chris
Butler) and the animation director of Flushed
Away (Sam Fell) this film is sure to contain
the classic Chris Butler horror, and Sam Fell’s
animated humour.
Being a creation of the man who produced
Corpse Bride, it is no surprise that the plot of
the story is about zombies and a long de-
ceased witch coming back from the grave for
revenge.
Norman is just another run-of-the-mill boy
except for the fact that he can talk to
ghosts. Why can’t Chris Butler ever create
something that doesn’t involve the living dead
or crazy people who stitch buttons onto chil-
dren’s eyes? But, of course that’s why we love
him, he creates the weird and wonderful so
few people attempt these days. Norman’s life
is going pretty smoothly for someone who
talks to dead people on a regular basis, when
his (dead) uncle Penderghast gives him a very
vague warning that he must use his gift to
stop the ghost of witch, before she (basically)
disrupts the peace and wreaks havoc on the
entire town. And (of course things could never
be simple in these types of films) so, Norman
must solve the mystery of the witch while
zombies are hot on his trail. Should be fun.
Critics have said that ParaNorman may be
slightly too long, that its loses the ‘it-factor’
after the 2/3 mark, but what do critics know?
Find out for yourself. Other critics say that
ParaNorman literally borders the line between
family fun and true horror that you don’t know
whether to shriek with fear or scream with
laughter.
With the voices of Kodi Smit-McPhee
(Norman), Tucker Albrizzi (Neil) and John
Goodman (Uncle Penderghast) these are just a
few of the actors who have contributed their
time to help create ParaNorman.
If you want to know more about ParaNorman
visit www.paranorman.com.
Article by Bella Campaigne
photo courtesy of: kidsinministry.org
6
Fashion Fashion Entertainment Twilight Breaking Dawn part 2:
Writer’s note: If any of the following materi-
al offends Twilight fans, I would like to apol-
ogize in advance for the fact that I offended
you, and for the fact that you like Twilight.
And I would like to add, that I have nothing
against the Stephanie Meyer books, it’s just
the head-splittingly slow films. Baby, Bite,
Battle, that’s all that happens!
So, I’m guessing that everyone has heard
about the coming of the latest Twilight film
and everyone (fans or not) is screaming in joy
or anguish. Quick catch-up:
• Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert
Pattinson) get married
• Bella gets pregnant (wow, big shocker, no
one ever saw that coming)
• Bella has baby/Bella is turned into a vam-
pire
• Bella is eaten by a mutant T-Rex (oh, wait
that was just a wonderful dream I had, oops.)
Of course there are many questions that are
tormenting Twilight fans, like:
“Is Renesmee a new sort of vampire?”
“Are the Volturi going to start a riot?”
“How long will it take Jacob to take his top
off?”
All these questions are sending fans mad and
I’m sure that once Breaking Dawn part 2 has
been and gone, their passion for terrible teen
dramas will be slaked. Or will it?
The film trailer offers little for people to go
on, so, fans are forced to search review sites
that, hopefully, will give them any infor-
mation. The main plot of the story is that the
Volturi are planning to get rid of Renesmee,
for reasons I never fully understood, and
that the Cullens are going to fight for their
family (again). For Vampires that try to keep
neutral ground, they get in a lot of fights to
the death. We all know that Bella is – finally-
a vampire because in the trailer she has the
red contact lenses (oh, no I’ve spoiled the il-
lusion) and she attempts to bring down a
mountain lion while protecting her dinner,
which was a lovely little dish called Bambi De-
light.
So, vampires come from all corners of the
globe to fight with the Cullens. Even the
werewolves are chipping in. Beat that, Volturi.
So, the mad rush for booked tickets has be-
gun and already the life-changing decisions
have started. Team Edward or Team Jacob?
I am personally in favour of just killing Bella
with a mutant T-Rex.
Some critics have said that the fifth time
is the charm and this might be the best Twi-
light film yet. Some disagree and think that
films such as ‘Breaking Wind part 1’ and
‘Vampires Suck’ are completely within their
right to mock Twilight. We’ll just have to wait
and see. I personally am looking forward to
seeing Twilight Breaking Dawn part 2, if just
to mock it afterwards.
For more information, go to the official Twi-
light webpage or go to ScreeenRant.com for
REAL information.
Article by Bella Campaigne
7
Fashion Fashion Fashion Entertainment
Top 10 creepiest films of all time.
10. Gremlins (1984, 15) A classic Christmas hor-
ror film about a man who buys a cute creature
who, if fed after midnight, turns into an evil
monster. It breeds if exposed to water and
only dies if exposed to sunlight. This excellent
film will scare your socks off and make you
laugh your pants off at the same time.
9. Frankenstein. (1931, PG) A classic story in-
volving very creepy characters- what more
could you ask for? A monster, who is hated but
wants to be loved, is created by a mad scien-
tist. This will make you weep.
8. Red Riding Hood.(2011, 12A) A rethinking of
the classic fairy tale. I found this film ok not
the best but it is worth a watch. The main
character, who lives in a village, is destined to
marry a rich man but falls for a poor woodcut-
ter. The love triangle begins setting anger in
motion. The twist at the end will shock you sil-
ly.
7. The Witches (1990, PG) A truly terrifying
story based on the Roald Dahl book of the
same name. This film tells the story of a young
boy who discovers that witches are real and
are planning to rid the world of all children!
6. Horror of Dracula (1958, 12A) Count Dracu-
la ,the powerful, is portrayed by an actor of
equally magnificent power. The horror of
Dracula is exactly what it says on the tin but
ends how all Dracula movies do– you’ll have to
watch it to find out!
5. Beowulf (2007, 12A) The famous warrior Be-
owulf is brought back to life with this epic
story starring action star Angelina Jolie. I
know it’s not really a horror film but it’s
creepy and has gore.
4. Van Helsing (2004, 12) A wonderful experience
that never gets old, with the main character
played by Hugh Jackman. Action, romance, and
horror, all the genres fit into this one film. Fi-
nally, Dracula takes on a stylish approach.
3. The Corpse Bride (2005, PG) Animation di-
rected by the gothic-loving Tim Burton. A mix-
ture of fun and creepiness, when a young man
is accidentally married to a ghost and has to
make a choice between life and the under-
world. Halloween fun for the family.
2. The Hole (2009, 12A) Three kids discover a
hole in the basement only to realise it has all
their nightmares inside. Scary stuff!
1. The Woman in Black (2012, 12A) You must
watch this film, starring Daniel Radcliffe . A
ghost of a woman is taking people’s minds and
bringing them to their deaths and Robert
(Radcliffe) goes to investi-
gate.
Article by
Kaylim Challoner
8
Art & Photography Fashion
Halloween Costume ideas
for creative party fun!
Witch
simple
costume
Fun
Tights
Black cat
optional!
Cra
zy C
at L
ady : D
on’t forget to m
ake y
our tail– use
an old
pair of tigh
ts!
One for the boys– vampire’s are
super fashionable right now!
9
Designs by Alana Carpenter
Photos by Eloise Wood
Puzzles
P W Q D A V A M P I R E F B E I B C V X M
U U T R E R F G B I O P B F D A A S K J U
M I V T Y G T Y U N T D L S L E O P D S A
P G H I K C G W E R Q S O G W S W U B X Z
K I N G H O S T R G E D O K L O A Y U D C
I M J L O R V F J C R I D C D I L U G R O
N W T Q A S D F A Z W S X E D C R F V E S
T G E B Y H N U J M I K O L P D M K O L T
P O A I Y U J H H A L L O W E E N F G T U
X D C D E S A W Q V B G N H F F D G J D M
A E H G J D W I O P L F H D S V B C S F E
S E E F G I V S F F O R S J E U V T D Y S
J S R S T A R E D G U D W Y I T Y T D G S
A E F C H C E T I D H S R B U D E S W A J
K J H D V A T D W Q T Y U O N D F G S A L
C E S J K E R I O U K M H A L L O E P W N
S W Q F Y S I A B S D F C D S W N J I D G
A P L R O W C Q D J X B O V F S U E T L P
S Q A W X V U J G S E F C N K A Q U L P B
X C S W I D Y O V S E N T R E A T K G T Y
S C S A R W M L U C T H E F R O P L H R F
TRICK
OR
TREAT
TEACHER
VAMPIRE
WOLF
SCARY
PUMPKIN
GHOST
CANDY
WITCHES
HALLOWEEN
BLOOD
COSTUME
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Wordsearch by Esme Smithson-Swain
Sport The Football season so far
The Premier League
Standout Teams
Chelsea
Chelsea are top of the league at the moment,
having gone unbeaten for the first 4 games.
Roberto Di Matteo has been an influential
force in charge. Having made a whole bunch
of signings in the summer, the fans were wor-
ried whether the team would glue together.
Will they stay top? Only time will tell.
Liverpool
A shocking start for Liverpool so far in my
opinion. Most of the players are inexperienced
in the premier league but as the season pro-
gresses they will hopefully have a run for the
Europa league. Having a cup run could be a bad
thing, as last time showed that their league
form dipped as they won the league cup.
There could maybe be a sacking coming soon.
West Brom
One of the best starts for West Brom since
their days in the championship. After a semi-
decent last season, West Brom has found
their form that carried them out of the rele-
gation zone when they first came into the
premier league. Shane Long has been a driving
force in the team since the day he was signed
but this season he’s made tons of defenders
look ridiculous.
Article by Nathan Smith
Standout Players
Eden Hazard
Eden has probably been the best player so far
in the league. He has dribbled past loads of
defenders and made eye-catching crosses.
Many people doubted he would be a successful
player but he has proved the doubters that he
is worth more than he was bought for.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is one of the youngest pro-
spects in the league. At only 17 years old, he
brings something new to the Liverpool that
they haven’t had for a long time. Considering
he is only 17, it’s a long time until he retires.
Of course he could flop in the future but
chances are he will make big time.
Amazing Match
Arsenal Vs. Southampton
A 6-1 demolishing was the biggest win of the
season so far for any team. 2 own goals by
Nathaniel Clyne and Jos Hooiveid added more
misery. It proved to be a turning point after a
slow start.
11
Sport
BRITISH WOMAN TENNIS WIN!
Heather Watson has finally won Britain a
women’s tennis title in the Japanese Open.
In the final she saved 4 match points and
beat Taiwan’s Chang-Kai-Chen 7-5, 5-7, 7-
6.
The last time a British woman won a title
was when Margaret Thatcher was prime
minister. It’s been a good 24 years since
Sara Gomer won a title in Aptos California.
Heather beat M.Doi 6-7, 5-7. Laura Rob-
son came close 3 weeks ago in the Guang-
zhou open. Heather will leapfrog Robson to
number 50 on the 15th of October.
MURRAY LOSES IN SEMI FINAL!
Andy Murray lost in the semi-final to
Novak Djokovic 5-7, 7-6, 6-3.
It was a violently tempered match
with them both smashing a racket
each.
When Djokovic won, he celebrated by
doing the much-loved Gangnam Style
dance.
It looked like Murray was going to win
his 3rd championship in a row, adding
to the Olympics and the Us Open, but
came short.
Murray picked up an injury after the
match and he will be out for the Basel
Cup. Andy has overtaken Rafael Nadal
to 3rd place in the ATP rankings.
Sporting News needed!
Do you participate in any sports?
Have you taken up any new sports
since the Olympics? Let us know–
come to the LRC on Mondays– we
want to hear from you.
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Article by Nathan Smith