impact magazine issue 6 june 2011
DESCRIPTION
EFIA TQ College MagazineTRANSCRIPT
ImpAct June 2011
Summer Ball 2011
ImpAct - June 2011
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Wan Jui Cheng
IAP Student
EDITOR
ImpAct Team
Sergey Erentsenov
IB Student Journalist
Quizzes & Puzzles
Ronny Tang A Level Student
Journalist
Wing Yee Cheung
IAP Student Journalist
Adrian
IT Teacher Editorial Support
& Design
Thi Hong Hanh Nguyen
IB Student Journalist
Thi Thu Thuy Nguyen A Level Student
Journalist
Wan Jui Cheng
IAP Student Journalist
Nien Yun Hsu IAP Student
Journalist
Hong Ngoc Nguyen
IB Student Journalist
Mariska Dahm IB Student Journalist
Andrea Zanaria
IAP Student Journalist
Joao Lee
IAP Student Journalist
Hi, welcome to our first issue of IMPACT for 2011, the magazine for EF International Academy Torquay.
Each issue IMAPCT Magazine designates space for creative and expressive coverage of the College, students, events and more, therefore if you would like to contribute to the magazine please contact one of our team.
The end of my first year in EFIA Torquay and what a wonderful year it was. I have so many memories studying here, not just the lessons, but also the people I have met. We have celebrated people’s birthdays, visits many places and developed our English skills along the way. I am so thankful for my time here as I have seen the many changes in my life.
See you next year.
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Alton Towers & Warwick University Page 04
Precious values of the world Page 07
IB Graduation Page 11
Ashcombe Adventure Centre Page 14
Prep Course Review Page 15
Preparation Course Graduation Page 16
Summer Ball Page 19
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Alton Towers &
Warwick University
Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh (Victoria)
The furthest and the most memorable trip with school was a trip to Alton Tower before our
Spring Break. It brought us good times and memories after a whole busy term with studying and
our January exam sessions.
After a short trip visiting Warwick university we spent 2 days and one night at Alton Towers
Theme Park. We were totally impressed at the atmosphere and the view here especially with
colorful backgrounds .We seemed to be back in our childhood. It is a family resort with many
shared-rooms. 4 students shared a room; however, it was more convenient than we first
thought. The rooms had good facilities with a good sense of decoration themed around a sunny
holiday destination hotel resort.
The room looked totally smart and warm. From our window, we could see the whole view of the
theme park. Moreover, we were also very pleased with our buffet dinner and breakfast. Just 3
words to describe: delicious, surprised and wonderful. The first reason is about the variety of
food. It was filled with all nationalities from Asian to African. With really helpful staff and good
service, we really enjoyed our meal. I should mention the chocolate fondue and ice cream. The
weather started to be hot so ice cream was a good choice and we couldn’t ignore chocolate
fondue because it was so attracting and sweet. After enjoying our meal, we had free time in the
resort. Some students joined the bar with their friends dancing and drinking. The rest of us
spent time in the souvenir shop or played games in our rooms and took lots of photos.
We had a good night to save energy for tomorrow and that would be fabulous.
The second day came and we spent the whole time in Alton Tower Theme Park. It was not so far
from resort area to the Theme Park. It was the part that every student had waited for from the
Photography: Holly
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beginning of the trip. There are lots of rides and attractions
in the park. They are divided into many groups: Thrill rides,
Laughs and Frights, Young fun and Attraction. We can try
from the amusing one to the most thrilling one such as
Oblivion. It reminded me of a small country in front of us.
There were lakes, pools, castles and forests. They have
something really old and modern. It doesn’t matter if you
don’t like these thrilling rides because you can enjoy your
time in the attraction area.
Going on the sky train to see the whole view of Alton Tower
or playing some water games such as the Flume. You will
get wet but it is supper fun. Or if you are interested in
taking photos, go and find some castles, there are lots of
things you can find amazing to take pictures of. What
attracted boys and some of girls were the most thrilling games area. They tried all of them
without a hesitation. Seriously, they were so brave. Thirteen, Air, The Blade , Nemesis, Oblivion,
Rita, Ribsaw and Submission –all of them were so thrilling in their own ways. Yelling , shouting
feeling ill after and during the rides but almost all of the students had fun. Thirteen: you will go
backward in the darkness. Nemesis: going in a circle, it sounded interesting. Blade: you will be
lifted higher and higher. Air: upside down and you will feel like “Hello! I’m flying”. Oblivion:
never dare yourself to go on this with the history of heart attack because it will be very shocking
and crazy but somehow it is not, just fun and challenging.
A whole day in Alton tower seemed not to be enough for some of us who wanted to try some of
the games several times. Nevertheless, it was time to say goodbye and see you next year. We
had so much fun there with
lots of laughs, scares and
surprises. Thank you David
and Debbie who gave us
opportunities to join this
trip. Thank you Andy,
Mandy, Bob, Muriel, Holly
and Oliver for taking care
of us during this long trip.
We will remember it as the
most wonderful time this
school year.
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Photography: Holly
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Precious values of the world
Caring and sharing
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (Christina)
Our world has 195 different countries and each country has their own culture and history as well
as political views. Moreover, each country has lots of different ethnicity. However, even with
this wide range of diversity all over the world, all mankind always share some precious values
such as caring, loving and sharing which live quietly among us every day. Those priceless values
help to connect the world together as a whole big family, help each of us to understand the
meaning of being a human among others, and above all they assist by giving us strength to move
forward through difficulties and challenges. More specifically, those values have clearly
demonstrated its importance through some disaster our world has gone through over times,
and most recently the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Caring and helping each other through difficulties: On Friday, 11 March 2011, a terrible natural
disaster happened which led to lots of traumatic incidents from earthquake, tsunami to nuclear
crisis. Thousands of houses and buildings have been destroyed, also not even mentioning the
Source: www.bbc.co.uk.
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loss of thousands of human lives. Many Japanese lost their families as well as friends; countless
drops of tears have fallen. Facing that dreadful situation, the Japanese people and government
were not standing alone; it seemed like the whole world were standing by them, sharing the
wounds and the lost people who were trying to deal with the disaster. Just after less than a
week from the start of the disaster, there were more than 128 countries and 33 international
organisations such as the United Nations, the European Councils and also the International
Committee of Red Cross asking to assist Japan to recover from the tragedy. Millions of dollars
have been donated from all over the world and sent to Japan. By creating websites and lots of
organizations, money has been gathered in many ways from fundraising to auctioning.
Specifically, US $120 million has been donated by American Red Cross, and also S$3.15 million
from Singapore Red Cross. Not only did
Japanese receive material but also spiritual
support, many volunteers and relief teams
have been sent to Japan just after the
earthquake in order to find the missing
people, construct the temporary houses,
clean up the area, and also help the
civilians setting down to start a new life.
The question is “why do countries all around the world do that?” and “why do we care?” It
seems to be awkward to ask like that because the answer is so clear and obvious. Because we
are humans that we care for Japanese, because this world is a huge family in which every
member cares for each other in difficulty. If a family member is hurt, the whole society feels the
pain. That is the reason why many hearts in this world have beaten the same beats as Japanese
in that tragedy, the reason why many people have felt the same pain as Japanese feel. Not only
do people care for each other in that specific incident in Japan, our history has proven that
humans care for each other all the time, not just in global disaster such as Katrina storm in USA
a few years ago or recently the Tsunami in Indonesia, but also in simple little things happening
around us everyday such as giving someone a lift, holding the doors for others. Those simples
things thought seem to be meaningless, they are proving that human always care. Simply, caring
shows that we are members of the whole big family- the world.
Sharing even if you have nothing to share: I wonder if you have ever heard of the story about a
little child with nothing but still want to share with a poor old man. In this moving story, a poor
beggar has insisted a little child give him some money; though the child has searched
everywhere, he still did not have any pennies. With a sad face, the boy hold the beggar’s hands,
crying and say that “Really sorry but I don’t have anything to give you, really sorry”. That saying
Source: www.bbc.co.uk.
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has shined the beggar life when knowing that there is still somebody in this world sharing
something with him, sharing the love, the pain he has to go through. The same story has
happened in real life not just in some moral stories people say to teach children. In the Japanese
disaster, the pictures of all citizen queuing orderly, and quietly to have supplies has made lots of
people awake. No fighting, no noises, just order and respecting elderly or poorer people to have
supplies first even when even some of them had nothing left after the earthquake, no home, no
money, no food, no water and even no family.
So, again what does this tell us? Many meaningful things can be said through this simple action
of Japanese people. Many people will say that it is because of the culture of Japanese who are
famous for queuing; some may claim that because they have been taught since childhood that
kind of manner. Personally, I will say that yes, that comes from the culture, yes that comes from
what they have been taught. However, this culture, these childhood lessons are just simply
coming from one precious values spreading all around the whole society- Sharing for others.
When people know the importance of sharing, they will understand respect, concessions, and
above all love.
Yes, it has clearly stated that those
precious values live among us,
demonstrated themselves through some
global care such as the incident in Japan in
March, 2011. Now it might be the time to
ask “why do they are so importance to
our society?” and “what would happen if
caring and sharing did not exist in this
world?”. I can barely imagine how the
Source: www.bbc.co.uk.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
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earth would be if that were real. Our warm world would turn into a cold and selffish world with
no love, no emotions, as cold as the North and South Poles. Nobody would understand each
other anymore, no more development would process because there would be no sharing and
learning around the world. Even if there were any inventions, they would keep for themselves
No need to imagine that unrealistic world, we just have to take a look at how Japan is recovering
from the natural disaster in March based on the international aid. From then, vice versa, we can
simply answer the questions above.
Just compare two different pictures of Japan road in and after 6 days of the earthquake, you will
come to realize how fast it took Japan to recover. Without helping, caring and sharing within the
countries and also internationally, it would be impossible for Japan to have that magical
recovery.
Last but not least, I just want to say that: Caring and sharing will open our minds, will help us to
realize how meaningfull to be a member of our big family- the world. Because we are family,
because we are human, we care and share for each other unconditionally.
Source: www. www.savethechildren.org
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IB GRADUATION Wyn Morgan (IB2 Tutor)
On Tuesday May 24th EFIA held its first ever IB Graduation ceremony at the Grand Hotel in
Torquay. The ceremony was to celebrate the achievement of the first IB cohort of students at
EFIA in completing the diploma course. Wyn (IB2 tutor) gave a speech to remember the funnier
and memorable moments of the two years and David gave a speech on the next steps of the
students’ academic lives.
After the ceremony photographs were taken both inside and outside and then students, staff
and parents sat down for a meal which was very enjoyable. Once the meal was over students
said their goodbyes to each other as some were flying home the following day. Overall, it was a
very enjoyable afternoon and evening and a fitting way to celebrate the IB students graduation.
I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all the IB2 students the best of luck with their
results in July and their journey into university life.
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Ashcombe Adventure Centre
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Wan Jui Cheng
I remember when I came here I didn’t know anyone. EFIA is in Torquay, a beautiful small town.
There are friendly old people a small harbor and sea birds. You can see that here is a really good
place to study English. The students are from different countries so you get to hear different
languages. Rebecca was our English lecturer teacher, she taught us the poem ‘the tempest’, she
read the story dramatically and we loved it. She helped us to feel like we were the people in the
story.
We had many trips on our course and you can travel by yourself. I have been to Edinburgh with
my friends. Edinburgh is very romantic with classical building and beautiful views. Every three
months we had one week for study called study week. I went to London with my friends to visit
China town you can eat Chinese food, go to Chinese markets, there also have a Chinese hospital.
On our school trip we went to Bath which has many museums. My favorite museum was the
fashion museum with clothes from different centuries and you can see the difference between
the past and modern fashion.
We will celebrated people’s birthdays and we wrote birthday cards together and bought gifts
and we sometimes found a nice restaurant to celebrate.
Our school had a lot of parties like the Christmas party and the Summer ball. We celebrated our
school life and danced and this also gave us the opportunity to dress up in long dresses and
smart suits.
The UK is crazy about playing football. I love Liverpool football team. If you go to a pub you can
see people shouting for their team. It’s really exciting to see your favorite team score the
winning goal.
At the end of term we had to sit the IEST exam and achieve a minimum 4.5, this part of the
course changed our timetable to English, English and more English. This sound crazy and was
very difficult for us, but after a month of intensive lessons we took the exam and we were all
relieved to have finished. We now wait excitedly for the results.
I really loved my time here and have learned so much about studies, people and me.
Photography: Christina
Photography: Christina
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Prep Course Graduation
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EFIA Summer Ball 2011 May 2011
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Have a good summer break
and see you in September 2011
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If you would like to contribute to ImpAct,
please contact a member of the team.