Student Newsletter - Issue 15 - 26th March 10

Student Newsletter       

 Issue:15         Date: 26th of March

Dear Students
“Spring Forward”
Spring is here and it’s time to change your clocks this Sunday night.  Move your watches one hour forward before you go to bed, and when you wake up it will be British Summer Time (BST).  You may find it more difficult to get out of bed in the morning, but evenings in Portsmouth will be more fun!  You’ll be able to enjoy an early evening stroll along Southsea beach, and watch the sun go down.  After all, we do get some great sunsets here!
This a special Easter issue and we’ve included some information about Easter traditions here in the UK.  We hope you enjoy your Easter break.

The Editorial Team

 Every Wednesday: Meet for Coffee                  
     …and practice your English!

 
Come along and try out your conversational skills over a coffee.
Meet at 4pm in reception

Portsmouth Harbour Tour         

Saturday 27th March
 

Take in the sites of Portsmouth’s important harbour.  This is chance to see what a modern naval port looks like, close up. You will see naval aircraft carriers and various vessels as well as a variety of historic buildings.  The tour takes 45 minutes.
Meet: at college 11:15am
Tickets: £5

West Side Story  

Thursday 8th April

 
Come along to one of the world’s most famous and emotive musicals.  Set in the 1950s in New York, Tony, from the Jet gang, has fallen in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, leader of rival gang, the Sharks.
Meet: Kings Theatre, Albert Road, Southsea at 7pm
Tickets: £10 (group price). Pay at reception by Thursday 1st April

Billy Elliot        

Friday 23rd April
 

Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of one boy’s dream to realise his ambitions against the odds. Set in the North East of England against the background of the historic 1984/ ‘85 miners’ strike, Billy pursues his passion for dance in secret to avoid the disapproval of his struggling family.  It’s showing for one night only!
New Theatre Royal
£10 for students

Here’s a photo of our recent bowling night with our Brazilian group.

Easter

Every year across England people celebrate the Christian festival of Easter.  This is a time (which varies each year), at the end of the 40 days of lent (when many people used to fast), when the resurrection of Christ is celebrated nationwide.   As the BBC website says: “Churches are filled with flowers, and there are special hymns and songs. But not all Easter customs are Christian; some, such as the Easter Bunny, are Pagan in origin”.   It is now part of consumer culture, with chocolate Easter eggs leading the way.  But by Easter day the shelves in the shops are usually already bare!
Some English Easter Culinary Traditions:
 
Simnel Cake – a fruit cake covered with marzipan and 11 eggs (to represent the 11 disciples).

Hot Cross Buns-These fruity buns  are historically eaten on Good Friday.  They are nice toasted, and oozing with butter.
Easter Biscuits
 

These are really tasty.  Crisp shortbread-style biscuits with fruit, lemon and spices.

Easter Word Hunt

Make Your Student Budget Stretch Further -

Transport
Greyhound coaches are offering Easter discounts  at www.greyhounduk.com.
Simply enter the promotion code "bunny" when you’ve chosen your travel dates, and 35% will be taken off your entire transaction! Tickets must be purchased before 19 April for travel on any timetabled Greyhound service before 22 May.

They’re also going to Wembley  on 11 April for Portsmouth's F.A. Cup Semi-Final. The return fare is £20. They’ve also added some new stops in Southampton and Portsmouth and made changes to their  calling points.

Interview
Saeed Alabkary from Saudi Arabia
 
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to get inside the mind of a criminal, then Saeed is a good person to ask.  With a background in psychology studies in Saudi Arabia, Saeed has so far written a host of books: three on criminals, one on schizophrenia, one on suicide and another on mania!  He has even penned a title on how to avoid depression through nutrition.  His latest project has been writing handbooks for students finishing university.
Even more amazing is that just over a year ago he spoke no English.  He has just taken IELTS and got 4.5!  He will be going on to study criminal psychology here in the Portsmouth and we are helping him raise his score so that he can take his masters.

What’s On:

Easter Egg Hunt        1-4 April
Gunwharf Quays
Historic Portsmouth Helicopter Tours            3 April
During the city tour you will receive a full commentary from your Captain, flying at approximately 1000 feet as you enjoy all the fascinating sights of Historic Portsmouth

 
Commando Fit            6-8th April
Being a Royal Marines Commando is tough.  Do you have the stamina to take their training course? Test your body and mind against the commando gym tests and our very own assault course...
£5.95  Location: Eastney Barracks

Tudor Market at the Mary Rose    Sat 3-Sun 4 April
www.maryrose500.org
10am-4pm

Art on the Pier    Sat 3 April – Mon 5 April

Arts and Crafts by Local Artists to Browse and Buy
www.artonthepier.co.uk

10am-5pm
South Parade Pier