Personal Development: Form Time 1

Our World: people, politics and key news

Jack Merritt, aged 25 Saskia Jones, aged 23

Both were killed last week during the terrorist attack on London Bridge

Last week, our capital city London came under attack again from terrorism.

A single terrorist attacked innocent people, and stabbed two of them to death - Jack and Saskia - as well as injured many others.

It was not just an attack on London.

It was not just an attack on certain people.

It was actually an attack on every one of us.

On me, and on you.

It was an attack on our country, our way of life, our British Values–our belief in democracy, the rule of law, tolerance of others.

Everything that makes our country great.

Please read in silence

We weren’t there, so there is nothing we could have done to help the people who died, or were

hurt.

But there is a very real way we can all make a difference - each day.

Every day, we can take a stand by remembering who we are, and what we believe in:

Individuals who treat everyone kindly and with gentleness and respect

Individuals who never bully, and try to stop it when we come across it

Individuals who love and celebrate our differences: our different ages; our different genders;

the different skin colours in our school family; our peers who identify as gay or bi; the different

faiths and beliefs many of us have (or don’t).

Different, but equal.

Please read in silence

"Jack believed in the inherent goodness of humanity, and felt a deep social responsibility to

protect that."

Please read in silence

"Jack stood against everything terrorists and bullies stand for - hatred, division, ignorance."

Jack Merrit’s father

The General Election

The General Election is……….

This Thursday!

Reminder

A poll is just an

indication of a

future result,

based on a

sample of people.

The Tories

(Conservatives)

look set to win the

election. But….as

they say…..’a

week is a long

time in politics’!

Boris Johnson

Last week, we looked at why the Labour Party did not appear to be gaining the necessary support across the country to defeat the Conservatives.

But that does not mean the Conservatives have necessarily done brilliantly. They have faced a number of criticisms recently, some of which have been around whether their leader Boris Johnson can be trusted.

Over the last few weeks, the famously tough BBC journalist Andrew Neil has interviewed the leaders of all the other main political parties. All have had a tough grilling (on behalf of us, who they want to lead).

To date, Boris Johnson, does not seem prepared to take part in such an interview.

Listen to Andrew Neil on this subject

Our wider world: the news in photographs

Watford, UK

The President of the USA, Donald Trump, came to Watford last week!

He was attending a NATO meeting at the Grove Hotel, along with other world leaders. NATO is a military alliance

between North America (USA and Canada) and European countries. NATO has 29 member states, and has been

in existence since the late 1940s.

Unfortunately, Mr Trump appears to believe that some leaders, including the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin

Trudeau (pictured), were laughing at him during the meeting. Reports suggest that Mr Trump became angry and

cut short the meeting, flying home early.

California, USA: wildfires have started on the northern coastal regions, and 6,000

people have been evacuated so far.

Japan: church groups await the arrival of the Pope (Pope Francis) at a blessing ceremony,

during his visit to their country.

Venice, Italy: tourists take photographs of the flooded St Mark’s Square. Italy declared a state of

emergency in the city last week after deluges caused millions of euros worth of damage.

Form Time 2 Our World: Art and Culture

The variety & beauty of art

Our particular focus this week is going to be on amazing pencil and crayon drawings.

Remember what we said last week about the very best art:

■ It makes us feel alive

■ It ‘captures’ beauty

■ It gives the human spirit the creative outlet that is a deep need in many people

■ It expresses something about the world we live in, with all its variety and experiences

There is rarely a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ response – the key is how the piece of art connects with you.

Spend a few moments looking at the following drawings.

Our Photograph(s) of the Week

All of the following photographs have been published in magazines or newspapers.

All of them are unusual, or quirky.

All of them are designed to provoke a reaction – to make you think

School Photography Competition

Theme: Change

Entries in March

Why not think of a great idea, and start taking some photographs over the Christmas holidays –

you have lots of time to experiment and come up with a fabulous winning photograph!