Student Newsletter

Issue 21 - 2nd July 2010

Dear Students
Have you enjoyed our heatwave?  We hope so.  But as we’re indon’t forget, it’s England, so it may not last!  No need to mention the football results.   But maybe your country is still in the running?  We offer a review of Wimbledon tennis in this issue.
We love to hear from you, so  don’t forget to tell your teacher if you have something to contribute, or some great photos!
The Editorial Team

Student Events Coming Up…

BBQ – Friday 9th July
 
Get those sun hats out, because we’re going to get down to Southsea Common for that most English of rituals, the BBQ. Food all included.
Cost:     £5 per head
Meet:     1.30pm

The Isle of Wight – Saturday 17th July
 
This is a visit wildlife lovers will enjoy.  We’ll be at the Isle of Wight Zoo, which specializes in keeping tigers and lemurs.  The big cats include white lions and a variety of tigers

After we’ve seen the animals, we’ll go to the splendid sandy beach at Sandown, which is in a natural bay, enclosed by cliffs at each end.  There are also lots of cafés, bars and gift shops as well as a pier with amusements.

Cost: c£22 for return hovercraft, train and entry to the zooTBC (to be confirmed)
Meet:


Sport
Tennis on Thursday
Football on Tuesday

Longest Match Ever at Wimbledon
By Marc from France
 
During the Wimbledon Tournament, we could see a Guinness World Record match on the 24th of June between the American John Isner and the French Nicolas Mahut! They destroyed all of the previous records, like the duration of the match, more than eleven hours, or the number of aces, which were 112 and 103, respectively.
J. Isner finally won this epic match after three days of playing, 70 to 68. Again, a new record!
Even if this match was during the World Cup, I hope that you have seen at least a few minutes of it, where the two players didn’t back down, at anytime.

London Trip
By Kárixxxx from Iceland
 
Two weeks ago, counting from the very next Saturday, Chris, me and fifteen other students from Spinnaker took a trip to London. We travelled there by train and the first thing we did was to take the ferry along the river of London. Absolutely wonderful it was to take the ride. We stopped for a while in Greenwich, the legendary world time starting point and saw the incredible O2 Arena - and while waiting for the ferry back I'll never forget Chris and Isidro singing patriotic songs  with such enthusiasm.
 
Camden Market and the largest pub in London was then visited, but as extraordinary as it was, it was hard to get a place to sit down. After the market, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace - where her majesty lives - was then our next destination. That building was quite something!
 But what stands out from this magnificent trip is actually not what we did there but as far as I am concerned being in the group with good people - having an interesting conversation. For instance, when I sang an Arabian song with Icelandic lyrics, Khalid enjoyed it so much - I know that I was completely out of tune, but that was some moment!

The Ferry Crossing
By Victor from France
 

Nowadays, leaving France and crossing the English Channel is as easy as catching the train. From Caen, Saint-Malo or Calais we could discover another country and a totally different culture.
The time of crossing is very long (7 hours if you come from Saint-Malo) but ferries are very comfortable. In fact, it's composed of a duty free space, so there are many little shops, bars, TV etc.
Before the arrival in Portsmouth, stay on the deck to discover the most famous buildings, like the Spinnaker Tower and the military port.
In the Portsmouth port, the best way to go somewhere is to take a cab, which is less expensive than in France.
Enjoy your stay!

 ‘What’s On in Portsmouth’  2nd-16th July

Food and Real Ale Festival – 2nd-4th July
Gunwharf Quays
From 11am
FREE
Gunwharf Quays is the hot place to be this summer
if you love food! Part of Portsmouth's 'A Festival of Food'.

Armed Forces Day – 4th July
D-Day Museum, Southsea
10am – 5pm
Remember Armed Forces Day with a variety of events at
 the D Day Museum, including a display of warship models
by the Surface Warship Association. Free admission

Live at the Bandstand –  All summer
West Battery Gardens, Southsea

FREE

Get set for a sizzling summer of live music –
 with an array of styles and genres at the Bandstand.

Spice Island Guided Walk –  4th July
Square Tower, Old Portsmouth
2:30pm
Adult Ticket , £3

Local guided walk led by Portsmouth Guiding Service.

Student Newsletter - Issue 20

18 June 2010

"Every why hath a wherefore."
The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare

Dear Students
This issue, with World Cup fever upon us, you won’t be surprised to read a contribution from an Italian football fan.  At the same time, for those who really don’t want to join in, we’ve tried to provide some alternative culture and trips for you.  Does the Shakespeare quote above apply to Robert Green’s bungled save against USA at the weekend?  Perhaps only an England fan can answer that!
The Editorial Team

 Student of the Month

Congratulations to Mohammed Alsharrari (centre).

A visit to Salisbury and Stonehenge - A Trip into Pre-history
by Isidro Vinagre Penalba

It was a rainy day when we departed to Salisbury by train. When we arrived we went out of the train station and we could see the Cathedral spire far away from us.

We walked through the city and we could see how beautiful Salisbury was, with crowded streets of people who were going shopping and old-fashioned houses. Salisbury High Street is one of the most crowded places in the city. There is also an open market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, markets have been held regularly since 1227!  And you can buy different goods there.

Finally we arrived at Salisbury Cathedral and then we actually realized how big and high it was. In fact the height of the spire looked endless When we came out of the Cathedral we had coffee, tea and cookies to get one’s strength back.

After that, we bought a bus ticket and we got on a double-decker coach where we had a fun time looking at the Salisbury Plain countryside. When we got off the bus we could feel the magic of Stonehenge intact. The rain stopped and the sunshine came through the clouds.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument composed of an earthwork surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones. Archaeologists believe that the stone monument was erected around 2,500 BC (4.500 years ago). The site was added to the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1986. We took a lot of cool pictures of us close to the prehistoric monument.

Later we got on the coach again to visit Old Sarum, which is the site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury. We walked through the remains of the former Royal Palace and we saw both the ditch surrounding the hill and the Cathedral ruins.

Finally we got on the bus for the last time in order to go to the train station and come back to Portsmouth. We were all excited about the experience we had lived and I recommend visiting these gorgeous places.

Moscow State Circus
by Moneer from Saudi Arabia

We met at the school at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. And then we went together to the circus that was on the seafront. We had to pay £7.50.  When we entered we sat and we saw the show.  It was very funny because we saw the clowns. It was a nice show – we saw acrobats climbing and the skills of people who work in the circus.  We really enjoyed attending the show and we left the circus at 7 o’clock in the evening.  Everyone said the show was AMAZING!
Business School Party
 
Everyone enjoyed pizza and drinks at our student party for the Business School.

What’s On around Portsmouth

Comedy of Errors – Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour – 17- Sun 20 June
Open air performance of Shakespeare’s greatest (and shortest) farce.

Tickets: from New Theatre Royal £10 concessions/£15

Southsea Food Festival  17-20 June
International market in Palmerston Road on 17-18 June followed by demonstrations, sampling and more over the weekend (19-20).

An Audience with Charles Dickens    23 June
Gerald Dickens is now touring the country with this show highlighting the work of his great, great grandfather Charles Dickens.
7.30pm King’s Theatre  £7 students

Square Tower Open Evening
 16th June 2010 and 14th July 2010
A rare opportunity to see inside this 500 year-old building, once a store for gunpowder and Royal Navy meat, as well as the governor’s residence.
Square Tower, Broad Street

The Band of HM Royal Marines    Monday 21 June
Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth Beat Retreat in Guildhall Square.
12 noon. FREE

Port Solent Boat Show
25 -27 June 10-5pm Free entry
Venue: Port Solent. Nearest Railway stations 1 mile away at Cosham and Portchester
Alien Invasion
 
City Museum 26 June-23 Jan 2011     Free Entry
Come face to face with a Martian! See an army of famous - and infamous - aliens, monsters, props and costumes from some of Hollywood's biggest sci-fi blockbusters.

Student Newsletter

Issue 19 - 28th May 2010

Dear Students,

As you have probably noticed, the weather seems to be brightening up, and it seems as if summer is finally approaching. There have been several trips over the last fortnight, with outings to Portsmouth Harbour and Brighton. Hopefully, they will encourage you to take advantage of the good weather over the Bank Holiday weekend. Thank you to everyone who contributed and we hope you enjoy yourselves..

The Student Editorial Team

Student Events coming up

BBQ - 11th June
£5
1:30 pm onwards
Take time off to relax with a summer BBQ on Southsea Common

Salisbury and Stonehenge – 29th June
 
Salisbury Cathedral boasts the tallest spire in Britain, and was built in the 13th century! Inside you will find the historic, and ground breaking legal document of the Magna Carta, which outlined certain rights to King John’s subjects, including the right to appeal against unlawful imprisonment.  Stonehenge probably needs no introduction, being the famous ancient stone circle built between 3,000-1,600BC.
Cost: £22.55 (includes rail travel, Stonehenge bus tour and admission)

Business School Party
Friday 26th May
12pm onwards
Come and join us to celebrate the opening of the Spinnaker College Business School .There will be a selection of drinks, games and party food.

Ahmed’s Trip to Italy
By Ahmed, from the United Arab Emirates

After spending my last two months in Portsmouth I decided to go on a long journey in Italy.
, my Italian friend was there, waiting for me outside Malpensa airport, On my first day we went out to watch the football match between AC Milan and Fiorentina in San Siro. AC Milan won (1-0) and my friend and I decided to celebrate the victory by going to the centre. I went to Duomo, an amazing church in the middle of the city, then he took me to via Montenapoleone, which is very famous for its nice shops. I could have all the brands I wanted. After walking all day long I was very hungry so we ate typical Italian food, delicious pizza and different kinds of pasta, but what I liked most was Italian ice cream; I miss it a lot! The fourth day we went to a small town called Giacomo in Samoggia  (about 40 minutes from Switzerland) to see one friend of mine who I met in Spinnaker College. He took us for a small trip in the mountains where people ski in winter.. When my last day arrived I was a bit sad, but happy at the same time because I really enjoyed my trip with my Italian friend.

Portsmouth Harbour Tour
 By Veronica Fraguela and Olga Ortega from Spain
 
About two weeks ago we went to do the Harbour Tour with other students, and the teacher Lily. We took a boat that took us inside Portsmouth Harbour. We learnt about the history of Portsmouth. Portsmouth, as a significant naval port for centuries, is home to the world’s oldest dry dock still in use, and is also home to famous ships, including HMS Warrior and Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory.
The naval base remains a major dockyard and base for the Royal Navy and the Royal Marine Commandos.  There is also a thriving commercial ferry port serving destinations on the continent for freight and passenger traffic.
We could also see the Spinnaker Tower, which is a striking recent addition to the city’s skyline. Its height is about 165 metres. We really enjoyed the trip as it was very fun. We recommend you to do it someday.
 

Spinnaker College Staff Member Completes Meningitis Awareness Walk!

Congratulations to our colleague Joanna for doing the ‘21 Mile Meningitis
Awareness Walk’ on 16th May 2010. Joanna and around 150 other people walked
from Southampton General Hospital to Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital
to raise awareness of meningitis.
 Joanna says: Big thanks to everyone who supported me!

Trip to Brighton
Our teacher Liz’s Pre-Intermediate class recently went on a trip to Brighton. Here is what they thought:

We went to Brighton with the college, by train, 2 weeks ago.  We arrived at Brighton train station then we walked through the lanes and drank coffee.  The waiter joked with us. We had fun with him.  Then we went to the beach and played on the bumper cars. We thought about going on a scary ride but we were scared!
 

Spinnaker College Social Programme – June 2010

 Monday             Tuesday              Wednesday     Thursday          Friday                  Saturday           Sunday              

Moscow State Circus 28th May-16th June
Southsea Common
Contact 0844 856 5555 (Ticketmaster) for ticket prices
and availability

The Moscow State Circus returns to the UK with
this once in alife time opportunity to see this
award winning LEGENDA.



The Rather Unusual Gift Fair– 28th May-6th June 2010
Gunwharf Quays
From 11am

FREE

Come along and find that unusual gift - art and craft,
 wood carvings, collectable teddy bears and jewellery.
 
Fashion Show – 4th June 2010
Guildhall Walk
FREE

12pm – 2pm

Fashion Show in Guildhall Square in support of
independent retailers and students.

Student Newsletter

Issue 18 - 14th May 2010

Dear Students
Next week, 17-23 May, marks the Big Green Commuter Challenge in Portsmouth.  As our contribution we thought we’d undertake a survey of you, our students.  Thank you to everyone for contributing. See the results below.  We were pleased to note that you are all quite green already, as walking to college is the most popular way to travel.  
Our parks and historic buildings are so well kept, and looking lovely at the moment, why not try a different route to college next time, and see more of Portsmouth?
Happy walking.

The Editorial Team

 Thursday 27th May
 
A huge troupe of performers will dazzle you with acrobatics, contortionists, clowns, the Wheel of Death and the Crossbow act.  We’ve got half price vouchers.
Meet: at college 4pm
Price: Only £7.50 for Grandstand tickets!

Student Newsletter         

30th April 2010 Issue 17

Dear Students,
Have you been for a walk along the beach recently?  Now the sun has decided to come out and the volcano ash cloud has gone (and two of our students write about their experiences in this issue) it’s all about getting outdoors.   We have some fun activities planned for you in this issue.
Enjoy the sea air!
The Editorial Team

Football
Meet on Tuesdays as usual.

Tennis        Thursdays
Come and practice the truly English game of tennis! We’ll be playing on the hard courts near the D-Day museum.  There are 5 rackets available to borrow from reception, otherwise you can hire them from Southsea tennis club.  Bring a few pounds for hire of the court.  Afterwards there’ll be the opportunity to refresh yourself with a drink in a local pub.
Meet: 4pm at college

Our tour to Old Portsmouth began at ten o’clock. At the start, we were given a lot of questions about Old Portsmouth by our teacher. It was fun to search for the answers. We all laughed very much. At first we had to do an alphabet with all the things that we saw (for example Buildings or Figures). After half an hour, we arrived at Portsmouth Cathedral in St Thomas’s Street, where we listened to a lecture about its history.  After the lecture, we went to the seaside, near the cathedral.  It was very nice there and we took a lot of photos with my digital camera. Because everybody was so friendly, and the weather was so nice, it made the trip really great. 

What’s On

Student Newsletter      Issue 16

We hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful Easter break.  Did that include eating chocolate eggs?    If it did, then you may wish to join our continuing football sessions on Tuesday.  But, in mind of keeping fit generally, and toning up for the forthcoming English summer, we are focussing on sport in this issue.
Happy exercising!

Meet:
Billy Elliot
Friday 23 April

15 May – FA Cup Final

Last weekend, many people in Portsmouth were thinking about football. Despite having already been confirmed as being relegated, on Sunday 11th April Portsmouth FC triumphed 2-0 against Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final. If you watched the game, you must have heard the Pompey fans, who are notorious for being the loudest fans in the country. Although football is one of the most popular sports in the world, many people do not know where it came from....

The question of the invention of football is very much up to debate and in fact, the origins of football can be found in every corner of the Globe. Civilizations throughout history all played ball games resembling football. They were first played in Egypt as early as 1800 BCE. There are also records of a ball game similar to football called ‘Cuju’ played as early as 2500 BC in Ancient China.  The Greeks, the Romans, the Mexicans, the Japanese and even the Eskimos have all played a game involving the use of their legs, a spherical object and in some cases a goalpost at some point in their history.

However, it is the British Isles that are generally credited to be the birthplace of English Football with records of matches being played between different villages in the middle ages. Despite this, it was not until centuries later that the modern game was formed. In 1863,at Cambridge University, a group of Englishmen formed the Football Association and invented the modern game of football. The first ‘FA Cup Challenge’ later followed in 1871-72 and was won by Bolton Wanderers.

Let’s hope Portsmouth repeat their FA cup victory in 2008 with victory over Chelsea on May 15th. Be sure to watch it!  

Get Fit for Summer
We may be lazy couch potatoes in the Winter, but we do know how to exercise in England!  There are lots of opportunities for sport here in Portsmouth.  Here are just some….

Football – every Tuesday

Tennis
Racquets are available to borrow.  If students wish to play a game, then Thursday afternoon is a good time.  Please let your teacher know.  Racquets are available to borrow from reception, for a £10 deposit.

Swimming & More
You can really get fit at the new Mountbatten centre Olympic size swimming pool .  They also have squash courts, fitness classes, a health suite, athletics track, games hall, outdoor cyling velodrome …. phew, it’s exhausting just listing them!
The centre is in Alexandra Park, north of North End, so you may need to get a bus (of course, walking is a healthier option!).

Golf
At Portsmouth Golf Centre, which is right by Langstone Harbour, you can book a golf lesson or tee off on the course yourself.  Brits love to go off for golfing weekends, and it has been known to be a good way to keep in with the boss!

Other sports in Portsmouth
Near the Canoe lake on the seafront there are tennis courts, putting, a bowls greens,  and a cricket field

Student of The Month
Ezzaldeen Almbarak from Saudi Arabia is this month’s honoured student.  “A positive attitude, punctual, polite and keen to participate”  Quite a glowing report!

St. George’s Day  - 23 April
 
St. George is the patron saint of England and has been reverred since the 15C, although we share him with 7 other countries!  It is thought that he was not actually English, but Turkish, and born in the 3C. He became a Roman soldier and protested against Rome’s persecution of Christians.  He was beheaded. St. George and the dragon is a tale that every English person has heard of.

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

Student Newsletter   

 Issue: 14    Date:12 March 2010

 Dear Students,

“Manners Maketh Man”
William of Wykeham (1324-1404),

If you really want to understand the English way of life then you need to experience our culture.  In this issue it’s all about manners, as we bring you a slice of true England.

 British children are read stories at bedtime, and one that every adult will remember is Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and how the rabbit was worried about being late – what bad manners!  Enter a topsy-turvy world of eternal mad tea parties, talking animals and queens who are really playing cards, when you join our forthcoming outing to the cinema.
Alternatively, we invite you to experience a real English tea party, because going out for tea and cakes is one of the things that we really know how to do well!  But how many cakes is too many, when you’re invited out for tea? Do you put the milk, or the tea, in first?  All will be revealed.

The Editor

“Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!" *   
The White Rabbit
 
*(this is a good line to repeat to oneself  if one needs to hurry to get to class on time!)

Forthcoming Student Events….

 Football    Friday 12th March
 

Alice in Wonderland - Film        Wed 17 March
 

Meet: 4pm at college, Pay Lily in advance by 2.45pm on Tuesday to guarantee tickets.
For those with Orange phones, it is 2 for 1 Wednesday.

Traditional English Cream Tea    Thursday 18th March
 

N.B. We’ll be asking you again soon about what social events you’d like.  A survey will be handed out to you.

Does Hypnotism Work? 

“You will speak English.  You will speak English.  You will speak English….”

Mother’s Day    
 

What’s On  - 12th March- 26th

Italian Market 12-14th March 2010
Gunwharf Quays
From 11am
FREE
A chance to sample some of the world’s finest
cuisine, including bread and pastries, olive oil,
vinegar, olives, cheeses, salami, biscuits and sweets!


Hypnotic Humour Show 20th March 2010
Portsmouth Guildhall
7:30pm
Adult ticket £9.50
To book tickets, Tel: 023 9282 4355

A fun evening with Jon Patrick Comedy Stage Hypnotist


Premiership Football – 20th March 2010
Portsmouth vs. Hull
Fratton Park
Kick Off 3pm
Contact Ticket Office on 0844 847 1898 for
ticket availability and prices - from £20


Farmers’ Market – 21st March
Farmers’ Market
Palmerston Road Southsea
All day
Free admission

Taste some of the South’s finest local produce.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Guided Walk – 21st March 2010
City Museum and Records , Museum Road

2:30pm

Adults £3
You must book tickets in advance Tel: 023 9282 6722.

A guided walk following the trail of the doctor's ambition and
the creation of Sherlock Holmes.

Student Newsletter

Date: Friday 26th February 2010        Issue Number:13

 Greetings!
The next two weeks are definitely going to be a busy and exciting time at Spinnaker College. In this issue we have details of the upcoming events for Spinnaker College students, including a trip to Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge – which is ideal if you want to learn more about the history of the UK. During the cold winter months you could be forgiven for wanting to curl up in front of the television. A popular type of television programme in Britain is the soap opera, or ‘soap’. We have included a short article which explains the benefits of watching a ‘soap’ when studying English. As always, we also have contributions from students, including some clever riddles from Sherif.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue. We hope that you’ve enjoyed it, and if there is anything you want to contribute for the next issue, do not hesitate to contact the editorial team!

Student Events Coming Up…

Salisbury and Stonehenge
Saturday 27th February

If you would like to come, please write your name on the list on the Students’ Notice Board and pay £22.50 at reception.

Pub Night at the Registry

Thursday 4th March
Meet at the College at 8.00pm

After a long day studying, what could be better than relaxing with fellow students and teachers at the pub? This Pub Night is being held at the Registry, which is only a 2 minute walk from Spinnaker College. Meet at the College at 8pm.

Paintballing

Saturday 13th March
£19.95 per student + around £10 travel

In order to go paintballing you will need to pay £19.95 as well as £10 for travel. £19.95 includes ½ day of games 9am – 1pm), equipment, 300 balls, and lunch. Please note his price does not include travel which will be about £10 per person (based on 14 students).If you fancy adding some adrenaline-fuelled excitement to your life then paintballing is perfect for you! It’s also great if you want to pelt your teacher with paint for giving you so much work!

If you would like to come, please write your name on the list on the Students’ Notice Board and pay £30 at reception.

 Riddles and Jokes

By Sherif from Egypt

For the next few editions of the newsletter, Sherif from Egypt has prepared a collection of riddles and jokes for us .Think carefully and see how you do!
Q1: What starts with E, ends with E and only has one letter?
Q2. What travels around the world and stays in a corner?
Q3. If you drop a white hat into the Red Sea, what does it become?
Q4.What is white when it’s dirty and black when it’s clean?
Q5. What do elephants have that no other animal has?
Q6.What did the ocean say to the beach?
Q7. What letter of the alphabet is an insect?
Q8.What letter is part of the head?

Soap Operas

Soap operas, or ‘soaps’ as they are more commonly known, are ongoing fictional television or radio dramas, which usually focus on the important emotional issues affecting family life. The term "soap opera" comes from the original radio dramas in the 1930s, which were sponsored by soap companies back in the days when serial dramas were aimed predominately at women. These days however, Britain has a wide variety of soaps for everyone, which focus on communities in different parts of the country.
Watching a soap is not only a great way to get involved with an exciting story, it is also a great way to develop your understanding of the English language. Not only will you enhance your listening skills, but you will also be able to increase your knowledge of English as you discover the different accents and slang used across Britain. The two most famous soaps in Britain are EastEnders and Coronation Street. Coronation Street, which is set in the North of England around Manchester is the 3rd longest running British television programme, whereas EastEnders is set in the fictional London borough of Walford. Hollyoaks is a soap that is generally watched by younger audiences, the majority of whom are between 15 and 29. There are also plenty of other soaps such as Emmerdale which is set in Yorkshire and Neighbours which is an Australian soap.
Watching a soap is a great way to develop your English, but more importantly, to have fun whilst doing it!

What’s On :

Portsmouth
How Language Shapes Our World – 3rd March 2010
Park Building, King Henry
FREE but places are limited.
Telephone in advance for tickets: 023 9284 3757

6-7pm

An Inaugural lecture by Professor Sue Wright, School of
Languages and Area Studies, University of Portsmouth


Premiership Football – 6th March 2010
Portsmouth vs. Chelsea
Fratton Park
K.O 3pm
Contact Ticket Office on 0844 847 1898 for
ticket availability and prices - from £20

Portsmouth Jazz Society – 8th March 2010
Garden Room, the Inn Lodge
7:15pm

Adult ticket: £12
To book tickets and for more info, tel: 023 9229 8161

A mixture of musical styles from world class musicians.

Italian Market 12-14th March 2010
Gunwharf Quays
From 11am
FREE
A chance to sample some of the world’s finest
cuisine, including bread and pastries, olive oil,
vinegar, olives, cheeses, salami, biscuits and sweets!

Student Newsletter    Issue 12        Date: Fri 12 Feb 2010

Welcome to the Valentine’s issue of your student newsletter.  Quite rightly, we’ve included some background reading to this historical day for lovers.  Just mind who you send your Valentine’s card to!  We’ve also got a pancake day recipe, some more student reviews together with some interesting historical (especially if you’re Italian)  and culinary news - that you probably won’t have read elsewhere.
We’re looking forward to hearing how you celebrated the next two weeks – so keep us posted. We want to  here all about it!
Happy Valentine’s Day!

  Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day     Tuesday 16 February
 
This is a Christian festival marking the last day before Ash Wednesday – the first day of fasting in Lent. Its history stretches back to 1000AD.  Making pancakes with eggs, flour, milk and sugar is a symbolic way to use up food before the 40 day fast.
In England football was often played on this day, since the 12C – a perfect occasion to join our football session!  Some villages still hold pancake races on this day.  Here’s a recipe from our very English cookery expert, Delia Smith:

Delia Smith’s Pancake Recipe
4oz (110g) plain flour
Pinch of salt
7fl oz (200ml) milk mixed with 3floz (74ml) water
2 large eggs
2oz (50g) butter

To Serve: caster sugar, lemon juice and lemon wedges
Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing
Make a well in the centre of the flour and break the eggs into it
Whisk the eggs
Gradually add small quantities of the milk and water mixture, still whisking, until the batter is smooth, with the consistency of thin cream.
Melt the butter in the pan. Spoon 2 tablespoons of it into the batter and whisk it in, then pour the rest into a bowl and use it when needed to lubricate the pan, using a wodge of kitchen paper to smear it round.

Now get the pan really hot, then turn the heat down to medium.
Do a test pancake to see if you're using the correct amount of batter.
2 tablespoons will be about right for a 7 inch (18 cm) pan and 3 tablespoons for an 8 inch (20 cm) pan
As soon as the batter hits the hot pan, tip it around from side to side to get the base evenly coated with batter.
Flip the pancake over with a pan slice or palette knife – the other side will need a few seconds only – then simply slide it out of the pan on to a plate.

To serve, sprinkle each pancake with freshly squeezed lemon juice and caster sugar, fold in half, or else simply roll them up. Sprinkle with a little more sugar and lemon juice and extra sections of lemon.

Recipe from Delia Smith’s Winter Collection and Delia's Vegetarian Collection.

Who’s Your Valentine?
 
Valentine’s day was instigated by Pope Gelasius I in 496AD and is remembrance of Christian martyrs.  There is more than one martyred Valentine. One was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 269 and another in AD 197. They are both buried in Rome.
It is the day when sweethearts exchange gifts and symbols of their love for each other.  It has been associated with romantic love since the middle ages.
Since the 19th century Valentine’s cards have been sent, often anonymously.  This can sometimes be the cause of mistaken identity, as in the tragic consequence of Thomas Hardy’s novel, Far from The Madding Crowd, where Bathsheba sends a Valentine’s card as a joke to the rich bachelor farmer, William Boldwood, with the inscription “marry me”.

 Culture Notes

Thomas Hardy set many of his novels in Dorset, which is the next country to Hampshire. John Schlesinger’s 1967 film, with Terence Stamp and Julie Christie is an excellent adaptation, demonstrating how blind romantic love can lead to disaster . In a fitting gesture to his love for his wife, Hardy requested that he be buried with his first wife, Emma. But his wishes were only partly followed, and his body was interred in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey -  only his heart was buried in Emma's grave, at Stinsford.

Student of the Month
This month’s start student is Maryam.

New Look Café Opens
There’s been a buzz about the college as the in-house Spinnaker College café has been having a make-over. Come and see for yourself the new look at the launch party - 3pm this Friday 12th February.  The café is renamed “Best Kept Secret”.  The design gives a warm, but spacious feel, with large mirrors and cosy café tables.  All the food will be freshly made every day .Come in and have breakfast before your lessons – you can enjoy smoked salmon and scrambled egg on toast with fresh orange juice.  Or why not drop in for tea and scones at tea time – a very English experience!
Opening times are 8am-4pm Monday – Friday.

What’s On
Varsity Pro Wrestling
 
A night of the world’s TOP wrestling action.
12 Feb Portsmouth Guildhall    £12.50 online
http://www.varsityprowrestling.com/tickets.html

Student Newsletter
Date: Friday 29th January 2010                Issue Number: 11

Dear Students
This issue is the first issue with contributions direct from our Student Editorial team. We’ve got an article on Burns night by Hussam (just because we’re the other end of the UK from Scotland, it doesn’t mean we can’t embrace their heritage!), as well as a review from Maryam on our shopping trip to London.  Also, to get your brain cells working,  Saud has compiled a crossword.  How’s that for confidence in English!  
We hope you enjoy reading, and look forward to more student contributions in your next issue!

The Editorial Team

Curry Night (Indian Food)            Wednesday 3rd February
 
Sample the rich flavours, and exotic spices, of true Indian cooking, fast cooked style.
Meet at: The Balti Express Restaurant, Albert Road, at 7pm
Cost: Around £10

-------------------------------------------
Burns Night by Hussam.
 
The 25th January is the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.  He is famous for the song of friendship, Auld Lang’s Syne, which rounds off the new year’s festivities the world over.  His words force us to acknowledge days gone.  He had a typical Scottish outlook, making the harsh realities of life more   the presence of good friends and a good drink.  Scottish people celebrate the 25th January every year.  
The celebration’s special food is haggis.  Haggis is an unusual special dish containing sheep’s ‘pluck’ (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt, mixed with stock and traditionally simmered in the animal’s stomach for approximately 3 hours.

Girly trip to London on January 23rd
 by Maryam.
 
 
The day before the trip 7 students had signed up, but on the day of the trip just 4 of them showed up (just girls) and that is not a big surprise, because most boys, or at least Spinnaker boys, are not punctual at all!  However, we started our trip with Lily at 10am and one and a half hours later we arrived at Waterloo.  Fortunately, we could manage to visit lots of areas in London.

 
Firstly, we passed the London Eye and then Big Ben, 10 Downing Street and St James’ Park, which was spectacular, ( especially the pelicans).  After that we visited Buckingham Palace.  At this time, while we were walking towards Trafalgar Square, Bita, who was wearing high heels shoes, couldn’t continue, so she took them off and walked with socks!!
 
At this stageep, we were divided into two groups.  Bita and I went to Oxford Street, while the others went to China Town and Covent Garden.  We met each other at Waterloo at 5:30 ion the train and eventually we arrived home at 7.

Portsmouth Match and Pub Night - Interview with Joao Paulo, from Brazil

 
Last Friday Joao Paulo  went to see Portsmouth vs. West hHam; his verdict was:, “I really enjoyed it, but it was really cold”.  This is understandable seeing as he is used to watching football in Cuiabá, which is said to be the hottest city in Brazil. He thought the game, which ended with a 1-1 draw, was exciting, although the style of play in England is very different to that played in Brazil, “In the premiership, players pass quickly, whereas in Brazil they want to try and beat defenders”. Joao Paulo supports Corinthians, who were Brazilian League Champions in 2005. Although he often watches Premiership games at home on television, Joao Paulo thinks that football in Brazil is more exciting for fans, “The Brazilian League is more open as there are around 10 teams who can win it. In England there are only 3 or 4.”
Joao Pauloean-Paul also went on last Thursday’s ‘Pub-Night’ to an Irish pub in Old Portsmouth. “There was a big group of us so we made the pub quite crowded.  I particularly enjoyed speaking with people from other countries, such as Iran, about the differences between our cultures.  Pubs in Brazil are similar in style, although many are larger and have a spacious area large section outside, but in England it is mostly inside”. Given the wet and cold British weather, this is probably no bad thing!

Crossword
 by Saud.



 
Across
1. something that you want to achieve.
4. a strong feeling of liking or enjoying something very much.
5. to officially ask someone to do something.
7. your female parent.
8. to stop and hold something that is moving through the air.
Down
2. a way of pronouncing words that someone has because of where they were born or live.
3. to make a car move forward.
6. one of the things on your face that you see with.
7. the subject that involves using numbers and shapes.
8. to hit your hands together several times to show that you approve of something.

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com, sponsorship by Scotch.
---------------------------------

Thanks to our Student Editorial Team!

 -------------------------------------------------
What’s On Portsmouth

Ready, Steady, Cook at the Mary Rose Museum –
6th and 7th February 2010

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
6th February - 11am-12noon
7th February - 2pm -4pm

Free with valid ticket (tickets to dockyard from £8.50)

Explore the world of eating and drinking in Tudor times.

Charles Dickens Birthday Walk – 7th February 2010
Visitor Information Centre – the Hard
2:30pm
Adults £3

You must book tickets in advance Tel: 023 9282 6722.

A guided walk around the area where the Dickens family
 lived and worked


Premiership Football - 9th February 2010
Portsmouth vs. Sunderland
Fratton Park
K.O 7:45 pm

Contact Ticket Office on 0844 847 1898 for
ticket availability and prices- from £20


Absolute Beginners Jive Courses
Now until 29th March 2010
Admiral Lord Nelson School
Phone 01329 288763 for times and prices

A great way to stay fit and have fun doing it!

Portsmouth Jazz Society- 8th February 2010
Garden room of the Inn Lodge, Burrfields Road
7:15pm
Adult ticket £12 on the door

The Bobby Worth Quintet give an exciting jazz performance.

Spinnaker College Business School Opens – 1 March 2010

Student Newsletter

Date: Friday 15th January 2010    Issue No: 10

Happy New Year!
We hope that you have had a wonderful Christmas season, and enjoyed your New Year celebrations.  There’s an article in this issue about New Year’s Resolutions (and if you haven’t made one, it’s not too late!)
If you were in England 31st December did you join in some English festivities?  Why not tell us about your experiences, or tell us about how you experience New Year in your country?  Just let you teacher know that you want to write something, and we’ll get back to you.
Wishing you all a successful (and studious) 2010!
The Editorial Team

Student Events Coming Up….
Bowling        Friday 15th January
 
Get practising your arm movements, because it’s bowling night again!  It’s not just bowling, there’s a whole lot of entertainment under one roof at Gunwharf Quays, including the Sports Bar & Grill and Video World.
Meet in reception: 2pm

January Sales Shopping – London
 
It wouldn’t be January without a trip to the sales.  And bargains are sure to be super good this year.  We’ll be taking the train to central London.  You’ll have the opportunity to visit Oxford Street, where you can found just about every shop under the sun, from a huge Top Shop to big department stores like Selfridges.  Music lovers will be able to immerse themselves in the large HMV store.
If you’re of a technical persuasion then pop into the spacious Apple Store on Regent street to get your latest Apple iPhone or iPod Touch.  If you really know how to haggle, then you can compare prices on a huge range of electrical goods when you go in to any of the shops along Tottenham Court Road.  
When you’re done with shopping you can wander down into Soho and enjoy a cake and latte at one of the characterful cafes. Or go and see the traditional building – and maybe stop for tea - of Liberty’s and then have a look  down Carnaby Street.
For designer labels, from Ralph Lauren to Armani, head towards New Bond Street, where you’re bound to pick up some bargains, nevertheless!

(Check out http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/oxford/os_intro.htm to see all the shops listed above).
Meet: 9am at the college.    Price: 13.50 return

Isle of Wight Trip
by
Abdalla from Libya

 The Isle of Wight is a great place to visit, to see several places and to do many activities. One of most enjoyable things to do is ice skating. I have been there with a group from Spinnaker College and two of my teachers;  it was great fun and we enjoyed it very much.  We went ice skating, although it was the first time for me to do this kind of sport, but it was an absolutely fantastic time.

We also visited “Osborne House” which is a huge house. It was one of the Queen Victoria's houses around the period of 1850.
It is like a castle and it was designed perfectly in a gold colour, by a very intelligent designer. And you can see things you wouldn't expect existed at that time. When you go around the house you find a gorgeous garden and an amazing landscape. As well as fresh air, you can also can see the wildlife. As far as the eye can see, there are huge green fields and big trees, and there’s also the view of the sea from a high place.

It's not just this, you can visit the zoo or walk along the fields and do shopping in the Isle of Wight, as well as buy traditional food and other stuff. But you will get home extremely tired after spending a great day, which you will never forget.

Film Review
 
It’s Complicated:

Maryann, from Iran, went to see It’s Complicated, starriing Meryl Streep, Steve Martina and Alec Baldwin.  She thought it was hilarious and Meryl Streep was very good.  The language was strong, with interesting idioms.
The story is about a husband and wife who are divorce.  After 10 years they get together.  He has married again but he falls in love with his wife again.  She’s  since fallen in love with someone else.  Their children don’t want them to get back together because they’ve been separated for so long.
How does cinema going compare to Iran?  Unfortunately Maryann reported that it only costs around £1 to see a film in Iran.  The cinema’s are just as nice as the one in Gunwharf and and the seats are always full.  Perhaps if our films were cheaper more people would go!

New Year’s Resolution Article
The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays, first being observed in ancient Babylon around 4000 years ago. The tradition of the New Year’s resolution, however, goes back to ancient Rome in 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of Rome with two faces, was placed at the head of the calendar and was the ancient symbol for many Romans who looked for forgiveness and exchanged gifts at the beginning of each year.
These days, a New Year’s resolution refers to a commitment we make to reform a bad habit, or change our lifestyle for the better. Stuck for ideas for your New Year’s resolution? See if any of Britain’s most common New Year’s resolutions inspire you.
1. Quit smoking                     6. Enjoy life more
2. Lose weight / Get in shape                7. Help others by volunteering
3. Get yourself out of debt                8. Get organised!
4. Spend more time with the family            9. Fall in love
5. Learn something new                 10. Help save the planet by recycling
Although the date for New Year's Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and togetherness.  All that remains is to say Happy New Year! And if you decide to make a resolution, make sure you stick to it!

Do You Watch the English Soaps?
(and no, it’s not a bar of soap)
 
Soap operas, or ‘soaps’ as they are more commonly known, are ongoing fictional television or radio dramas, which usually focus on the important emotional issues affecting family life. The term "soap opera" comes from the original radio dramas in the 1930s, which were sponsored by soap companies back in the days when serial dramas were aimed predominately at women. These days however, Britain has a wide variety of soaps for everyone, which focus on communities in different parts of the country.
Watching a soap is not only a great way to get involved with an exciting story, it is also a great way to develop your understanding of the English language. Not only will you enhance your listening skills, but you will also be able to increase your knowledge of English as you discover the different accents and slang used across Britain. The two most famous soaps in Britain are EastEnders and Coronation Street. Coronation Street, which is set in the North of England around Manchester is the 3rd longest running British television programme, whereas EastEnders is set in the fictional London borough of Walford. Hollyoaks is a soap that is generally watched by younger audiences, the majority of whom are between 15 and 29. There are also plenty of other soaps such as Emmerdale which is set in Yorkshire and Neighbours which is an Australian soap.
Watching a soap is a great way to develop your English, but more importantly, to have fun whilst doing it!

What’s on?

Premiership Match - Portsmouth v West Ham

26th January 2010
K.O  7:45pm
Fratton Park

Contact Ticket Office on 0844 847 1898 for
ticket availability and prices- from £20

Farmers' Market
17th January 2010
All day
Free Admission
Palmerston Road, Southsea

Sample & savour some of the finest, fresh, traditional produce of Hampshire


Kico Cowan's Expression Cubana
16th January 2010
7:30pm
New Theatre Royal
www.newtheathreroyal.com
Tickets from £8

Sit back and relax, or dance to some of the most exciting and exotic  music.

 
Let's Make it Great with Sheila Hancock OBE and Friends
On Sunday 17 January at 7.30pm
The evening’s performance will be compered by the inimitable Sandi Toksvig and include drama from Sheila Hancock OBE and Christopher Timothy, comedy from welsh comic extraordinaire Elis James, music from ex Manfred Mann star Paul Jones and world class magic from Fay Presto who counts Paul McCartney and JK Rowling amongst her biggest fans!
Other events over this fundraising weekend to rebuild the back-lot of the Theatre Royal – right next to Spinnaker College - include a Friday variety night celebrating the history of the theatre from celebrated local companies and on Saturday, a free event in Guildhall Square featuring Chesney Hawkes in order to break a Guinness World Record!

Tickets £35 (£25 concessions) box office on 023 9264 9000
 www.newtheatreroyal.com


Compered by Sandi Toksvig,  drama from Sheila Hancock OBE and Christopher Timothy, comedy from welsh comic Elis James, music from ex Manfred Mann star Paul Jones and magic from Fay Presto ( who counts Paul McCartney and JK Rowling amongst her biggest fans!)

Friday variety night. Saturday, free event in Guildhall Square, featuring Chesney Hawkes in order to break a Guinness World Record!

Great military musicians play in one of Portsmouth’s most popular annual music events.

Thursday 17th December
7.30pm
St. Mary’s Church, Fratton Road, Portsmouth
Adult ticket £6

Farmers' Market

Sample and savour some of the finest, fresh,
traditional produce of the South of  England.

Sunday 20th December
Palmerston Road, Southsea
All day

Alice in Wonderland

at the New Theatre Royal

A classic musical right next door to Spinnaker College!

New Theatre Royal
17th December – 2nd February
Tickets £7.50 - £15

For information about times and prices phone 023 92 649000
www.newtheatreroyal.com

Student Newsletter
Date: Friday 27th November 2009            Issue No: 8

Dear Students

It’s a dark time of year to in England.  Now that the clocks have changed you may be keen to get be indoors after 4.30pm!  But do not be put off by England’s shorter days.  We’ve got lots for you to do over the coming weeks.

Film: 2012
Friday 4th December
Students £5.85
Time: tbc

 
The world’s going to end on 21 December 2012.  There’s nowhere to escape, as the world literally falls apart underneath you.  What do you do? Well if you’re John Cusack, who plays a divorced father of two, Jackson Curtis, and marginally successful novelist, you follow your instincts to keep a fraction ahead of certain death.  This film will have you on the edge of your seats.  The special effects are awesome. If you liked The Day After Tomorrow, also directed by Roland Emmerich, you’ll love this film, co-scripted with Harald Kloser. Also stars Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton and Oliver Platt.

 Trip to London

David, from Barcelona, Spain enjoyed the Saturday trip to London.  Students and teachers travelled together, using a one day pass.  For £16.50 this allows the traveller to use the underground and bus services all day.  David thought the connections were very good, and he enjoyed the word games that the group played on the train – in fact he says that he learnt quite a lot of words that day!

The group visited Notting Hill, and the famous Portobello market, which David considered was very nice.  He was particularly pleased with the visit to the British Museum – which is free to visit.  All in all, because London is so big, he wished he had had more time!

Football
Tuesday
 
Sign up in reception for the next football session. Can you Bend it Like Beckham?  Show us what you’re made of!

Ice Skating
Ryde, Isle of Wight
Saturday 12th December
10:30am-12:30
Cost: £13.50 – includes travel and ice skating
 

After a 10 minute trip across the Solent on a hovercraft, try your skills at ice-skating. After the ice-skating session there will be the option to watch the Wizard of Oz on ice, or visit the seaside resort of Ryde, which is much like a smaller Brighton. Built on a hill, Ryde offers seaside entertainments, tourist and gift shops, and is home to the naturally active skincare company, Liz Earle (you may have seen the products on QVC), which has an outlet in Union Street.

Coming Up ….
Panto
Aladdin
Wednesday 16th December

London Trip
Text from Student Here

Restaurant Review

Tuareg
Rajab recommends this Tunisian restaurant in Elm Grove.  He says that the food is fresh, there’s a plasma tv and a pool table as well as shisha pipes.  Typical food you can expect to eat is kapssa, which he explains, is rice with meat (e.g. chicken) and sauce.

How to make your student budget stretch further

Where to Eat Lunch:

 This week we will look at how to save money when buying lunch.

After a morning of studying, you are likely to be very hungry. But don’t worry, there are plenty of places to eat near Spinnaker College which have delicious and healthy food, for great prices! Rendez-Vous – your own student café (just opposite reception) - has a diverse menu, including options for different dietary requirements. You can choose from a variety of hot snacks and meals such as a toasted tuna baguette for only £1.20, lasagne for £2 or a jacket potato for just £1.50. You can also choose your own combination of fillings.  Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee for only 80p.

Alternatively, right next door to Spinnaker College is the sandwich bar, Olive, where they also do fresh baguettes and ‘toasties’, with a huge range of fillings to choose from such as chicken mayo, prawn cocktail, ham and cheese, cheese and onion, and many more. Prices start from £1.30.  Round the corner you can find some pubs popular with students. These do good value meals for around a fiver. Or check out places like Pizza Hut in Commercial Road, where you can have two courses and a drink for just £4 between 2-6pm.

The most important thing to do when buying your lunch is to find a quality bargain; some places are considerably more expensive and are not necessarily better! As the English saying goes, ‘it pays to shop around’.

‘What’s on? 28th November - 11th December 2009

Premiership Football at Fratton Park
A great chance to see some of the best footballers in the world in action!
        
Portsmouth vs. Burnley
Sat 5th December 2009
Kick off 12.45pm
Fratton Park

Contact Ticket Office on 0844 847 1898 for
ticket availability and prices- from £20


Calvin Harris DJ Set
Sample the best of Portsmouth’s nightlife as one of the world’s most popular DJ’s plays in Liquid/Envy.

Sun 29th November 2009
£6 Student Ticket (liable to change)

Tickets will sell out so you must book in advance at
www.tick.it/liquid/portsmouth as soon as possible!


Charles Dickens Christmas Walk
A guided walk led by Portsmouth Guiding Service
around the area where Charles Dickens lived and worked.

Visitor Information Centre (near Portsmouth Dockyard)
Sun 6th December 2009
Adult £3

We’d love to hear from you.  Did you find a great place to eat?  Read a good book? Why not share the tip with your fellow students.  Just tell your teacher and our roving reporter will interview you for the next newsletter.

Student Newsletter

Date: Friday 13^th November                                                        Issue No: 7

Student Newsletter - Issue 5 - 16 Oct 09 (Internet version)

Greetings!
In this issue you‛ll see more contributions from your fellow students. A new column, which will focus on ways to make your student budget stretch further, highlights some great travel offers – ideal if you want to see as much of the UK as possible during your stay.
A thank you to everyone who contributed to this and the last issue. We hope that you‛ve enjoyed it - it‛s great to get input from you.

After all, it‛s your magazine!

Student Events coming up:

HOW TO MAKE YOUR STUDENT BUDGET STRETCH FURTHER

Whilst you’re in England you’ll no doubt want to travel.  A great offer at the moment from National Express Coaches is practically giving away the tickets …  a single trip to London from Portsmouth is only 99p! Journey time is under 2 hours. Find out more at www.nationalexpress.com.

Trip to Brighton

Atefeh visited Brighton with the college the other Saturday.  Here are her impressions: “I enjoyed the day. We visited the Royal Pavilion.  It was very old; it had a nice ambience.  Then we went to an Iranian restaurant for lunch, which was good. All the restaurants looked appealing.  We went for a walk by the sea and indulged in some shopping.  I bought some clothes.  The thing I liked most about Brighton was the beautiful beach, which was obviously popular.  The streets were small and interesting.  I liked the fact that there were lots of tourists.  However, the weather was changeable (welcome to England! Ed.) and one minute it was very sunny and the next cloudy and cold.’

Southampton

Mina recently visited Southampton with her family.  She shares with us how her day went: “We went to West Quay.  It’s very good because it’s all inside – so you don’t get wet!  The prices are average too and there are lots of different shops.  There are so many that you are sure to find what you want.  I bought some clothes in Marks & Spencer – the prices were excellent, as was the quality.  I wanted to change a purchas in one shop and found it easy to get a refund – this is something that would be difficult at home in Iran.  I was also able to use my student card on occasions to get a discount. The Indian restaurants there are also very good.