Kansha

I leant my forehead against the sweltering taxi's window. Outside, the square of Nam Cheong, a small district in southern Hong Kong heaved and spluttered. Four columns of traffic pushed their way through the teeming square. A swarm of cyclists weaved through the dense traffic, risking a sudden death to save a few precious minutes of life. Lining the pavements, irate salesmen behind stall after stall of brightly coloured t-shirts, crimson lanterns, and pungent Japanese delicacies fought for the attention of fickle tourists.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Availabily in school library: No
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction,

Blurb: 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier. Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This is her story and the story of the inhabitants of her street when the bombs begin to fall.

Catching Fire Movie

Part 2 of 3 in the jaw-dropping and extremely gripping Hunger Games trilogy is set in the ruins of North America in a nation called Panem. It’s directed by Francis Lawrence, and features actors such as Jennifer Lawrence, as the powerful lead character Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Katniss’ boyfriend Peeta Mellark, Woody Harrelson as the drunk mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, and Lenny Kravitz as the kind stylist, Cinna.

Jake Bugg's 'Shangri La'

'Shangri La' is Jake Bugg's second album and was named after the recording studio in Malibu California. He recorded Rick Rubin, one of the most famous producers who has recorded with many artists from Johnny Cash to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Lego Movie

The American film directors and former animators, Phil Lord and Chris Miller took on the challenge of personifying Lego and made a hilarious box office smash. Combining brilliant animation and slapstick humour, it was a laugh for the whole family.

The plot is relatively complex for a film aimed at a PG audience. Evil Lord Business steals the “Kragle”, a super weapon, but the wizard Vitruvius warns him of the prophecy that one day the Special will rise with the Piece of Resistance and defeat him. The ‘Mr Average’ character, Emmet, who is a builder following instructions from President (Lord) Business like everyone else, falls down a hole on a construction site and discovers the Piece of Resistance. Emmet becomes The Special and with his team of master builders, goes off on a quest to defeat Lord Business. It becomes clear at the end of a film, that the entire story is in fact, the creation of a young boy’s imagination when he’s playing with a Lego set.

My Mad Fat Diary

My Mad Fat Diary, a comedy drama, follows the story of Rae Earl, a troubled sixteen year old girl, recently out of a psychiatric unit after a mental breakdown and trying to return to normal life. The series is narrated in diary form by Rae, after her therapist suggests keeping a diary to help put her head round things. It strikes the perfect balance between serious and funny, and features relatable themes like music, fitting in, body confidence issues, making new friends, family struggles, boys and food.

All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

Title: All The Truth That's In Me
Author: Julie Berry
Availablity In School Library: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery

Blurb: Judith can't speak. Ever since the horrifying trauma that left her best friend dead and Judith without her tongue, she's been a pariah in her close-knit community of Roswell Station; even her own mother won't look her in the eye. All Judith can do is silently pour out her thoughts and feelings to the love of her life, the boy who's owned her heart as long as she can remember - even if he doesn't know it - her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked by enemies, long-buried secrets come to light - the cruel become kind - and Judith's world starts to shift on its axis. Before she knows it, Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if what she has to say might change her world and the lives around her, forever.

Library Closures Are Stealing From Our Future

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I believe words have great power over us. They can hurt, manipulate and even perfect us. They allow development and education; influence us and help broaden our horizons. Library closures cut off our access to the main source of words. Books. With literacy rates in United Kingdom decreasing, why do libraries make up less than 1% of councils’ spending? Why are we being robbed of the freedom of reading? Deprived of something we have the basic right to? Something which could unlock a better future for everyone.

Porty Does Strictly

We would like to thank all our “Porty Does Strictly” couples that took part in helping raise money for our partner school in Kenya. And also a massive congratulations to Ms Nisbet and Mr McNiven, the overall winners of the fantastic night. We’ve decided to put some questions to Ms Nisbet to find out a bit more about the event.

Why the Body Conscious Craze is Bad!

The growth of the UK Fitness Industry has been confirmed by recent reports which demonstrate that in the last year its total market value has grown to £3.92 billion. This can be seen in a broad spectrum of advertising campaigns, from Weight Watchers to Elite Sport via the music industry and fashion, all designed to promote body consciousness. The truth about the body conscious craze in the UK is that it is not all good. Advertising, encouraging people to become sheep in the massive over-expanding flock that is the "health" industries, is everywhere. Companies actively make millions of pounds advertising the newest type of supplement or diet plan to help consumers "slim down for summer" or "keep that winter weight off" and companies promising incredible results regularly leave thousands of people incredibly disappointed.

Traumatic trams

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One billion pounds has been spent on misery, disappointment and frustration. These are the feelings of the majority of people in Edinburgh on the dreaded topic of the Edinburgh trams. I cannot even start to think about where the money could have been spent elsewhere, in a city that, let us be honest, is not in great need of a tram system. The project has been spiralling out of control for years under extremely poor management. Surely, someone has to take the blame or this shambolic proposal. The Government? The contractors? The project is now the most expensive transport project in the world per mile at an eye watering, £125 million per mile. It is not exactly benefitting the hard working taxpayers or the environment.

Highlights From the 6th Form Halloween Prom

Remembrance Evening 2013

As you all know 2014 is the centenary of the beginning of World War I. It being such a big occasion, the school has decided to kick off the celebrations early by having an inter-disciplinary learning week. Many classes incorporated themes of World War I.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Title: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Author: Patrick Ness

Series: Chaos Walking #1
Availablity In School Library: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Blurb: Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee - whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not - stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden - a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.
But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?

Facts About Study Drugs

The issue of study drugs, and the inherent resultant dangers has just entered the spotlight of modern news.  An exponential increase in use and supply/demand has lead to sudden publicity, with an estimated 55% of American university students having been offered some form of study drug. Some are completely legal - caffeine supplements, namely "ProPlus" and "NoDoz" are ways for students to safely stay alert and able throughout exam time, but on a more sinister note, abuse of prescription drugs such as adderall and ritalin is reaching an all time high.

Remember Remember the 5th of November

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1) We remember the 5th of November because Guy Fawkes Night commemorates the discovery of the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

2) The first fireworks were made in China nearly 2,000 years ago.

3) In Australia they call fireworks bungers.

A New School For Portobello?

Roadside view concept art

We know that lots of Porty High students are after more information about the new school. Questions like “When will our new school be built?” and  “How long will it take?” are constantly in our thoughts.   So we decided to take some of the questions we thought should be answered to Mrs MacArthur to see if she could tell us a bit more. 

Some Facts About Halloween

Halloween also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It initiates the triduum of Hallowmas, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers.