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!

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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.

12

Article by Nathan Smith