Student Newsletter
Date: Friday 11th December 2009 Issue Number: 9
Dear Students
This is your Christmas issue, so you’ll find a festive feel in this newsletter, including a prize crossword. See if you can complete it and win a box of chocolates! Some of you may be staying in Britain over the Christmas holidays, so we’ve included an article on what to expect at an English Christmas celebration.
A very Happy Christmas to you all!
Student Events Coming Up….
Ice Skating & Visit to Waxworks
Saturday 12th December
Ryde & Brading, Isle of Wight
Cost: £15.70 – includes ice skating and return travel as far as Brading.
Entrance to waxworks, or villa, extra.
Time: 10.30 & day time
Enjoy a whole day of activities; just come for the morning, or simply to visit the island – your choice. After a 10 minute hovercraft journey to Ryde, we’ll be skating on the ice rink. After that there’s the option to stay and watch the Wizard of Oz on ice or visit the shops of Ryde.
Then, for those who want, we’ll jump on the quaint Isle of Wight train (it’s an old London tube train!) for a short journey to Brading, a small old medieval town in an “area of outstanding natural beauty”. Here we’ll visit Brading - The Experience, which is like a mini version of Madame Tussauds. Includes waxworks of people like King Charles I, who was imprisoned on the Isle of Wight, Winston Churchill and Louis de Rochefort, the French emissary to Charles I who was murdered in his bed in this very house (which used to be the Crown Inn). Cursing the murderer as he died, he is said to haunt the building - so enter if you dare! They also have a collection of steam engines and old bicycles, as well as a café and gift shop.
For those who would prefer, and don’t mind a walk through this small town (passing several pubs and a fish and chip shop), there is also a beautifully preserved Roman Villa at Brading, with café, which has a spectacular view of Sandown Bay – perhaps an ideal place to enjoy a cup of tea.
Aladdin
Wednesday 16th December
Meet at college 1.15pm
King’s Theatre
Student Price: £8
It’s a British tradition to visit a pantomime, or “panto” at Christmas time. The story always makes you laugh, and the main female character is often played by a man. This family panto stars Lisa Riley as the Genie and Michael Starke as Wishee.
Christmas Party!
Friday 18th December 12.30-4pm
College
It’s the end of term and it’s Christmas time! Come and celebrate with your fellow students. There’ll be drinks, snacks, music, games and Christmas songs. Bring some food to share.
Review of D-Day Museum
Luis, from Spain, has been making the most of our surrounding museums, such as the City Museum, HMS Victory and Portsmouth’s D-Day Museum, which is Britain’s only museum dedicated to the D-Day landings in Normandy, France in 1944.
He found the audio guides at the D-Day museum, giving more information about the displays, particularly helpful for improving his English. He watched the explanatory film once in Spanish, and then twice more in English!
The static re-enactments Luis found very interesting. He also liked the large lorries, military transport bikes, cars, boats and speedboats.
The information about the war effort on the home front was also fascinating, for example people helping production through their jobs, or through self-sufficiency in food. He was able to put himself in the position of Portsmouth and Britain’s inhabitants, and understand what they went through. All in all the museum was thoroughly absorbing.
What’s next for Luis? Well, he’s a keen tennis player and referee, and hopes to visit Wimbledon!
Students of the Month
Rajab
“Diligent and hard working”, says’ Rajab’s teacher, Matt. Our joint winner this month is “motivated, has good attendance and interacts well in class. He’s happy to discuss his experiences, gets on well with the other students and stays on task”. A model student really!
David
David was nominated as Student of the Month by his teacher Susan for his “positive, enthusiastic attitude, excellent attendance and contribution to the class. He works very well with all his classmates and is highly motivated”.
What to Expect at Christmas
Staying in a foreign country at Christmas time can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. Here’s our guide to Christmas:
Christmas Eve
Unlike other countries, this doesn’t involve any special meal or celebration. It’s usually a quiet family time, perhaps over a mince pie. People don’t tend to go out in the evening, although some like to go to a midnight church service, rather than in the morning.
Christmas Day
After carol singing at church, families will gather for a glass of something (this could be sherry, champagne or their favourite drink!) whilst they open their Christmas presents, which have been laid under the Christmas tree. Everyone exchanges presents. Children have generally also had a stocking, stuffed with small gifts, at the end of their bed in the morning, which “Father Christmas” has brought down the chimney. Lunch is generally eaten late, around 2pm. This involves turkey and cranberry sauce (although historically it was goose), stuffing, roast potatoes, bread sauce, vegetables like Brussels sprouts and carrots as well as bacon rolls and chipolatas, all served with a rich gravy.
Pudding is often Christmas pudding, which is a heavy, steamed pudding of vine fruit, spices, suet and brandy. It’s often served with brandy sauce (basically brandy & butter!) and set alight at the table. Some families prefer trifle. No Christmas table would complete without Christmas crackers, which are small crepe tubes, filled with tiny gifts, jokes and hats that make a loud bang when pulled.
After lunch is generally a very quiet time across the land! The Queen’s speech is on television at 3pm, then some people play games or watch a film, whilst others fall asleep in an armchair!
Boxing Day
Historically, this day is called Boxing Day because it was the day the Christmas Alms Box in the local church was opened and the money given to the poor. Large tips are still given by many people to regular workers like the bin men, milkman, paper boy etc. It is also the day that fox hunting (now “exercising”, as it was banned in 2005) takes place around the country. Often families choose to go for country walks on this day.
‘What’s on?’ 11th – 25th December 2009
Premiership Football Match
See Portsmouth take on one of the Premiership’s best teams!
Portsmouth vs. Liverpool
Saturday 19th December
12.45pm Kick off
Fratton Park
Contact Ticket Office on 0844 847 1898 for
ticket availability and prices- from £20
Date: Friday 11th December 2009 Issue Number: 9
Dear Students
This is your Christmas issue, so you’ll find a festive feel in this newsletter, including a prize crossword. See if you can complete it and win a box of chocolates! Some of you may be staying in Britain over the Christmas holidays, so we’ve included an article on what to expect at an English Christmas celebration.
A very Happy Christmas to you all!
Student Events Coming Up….
Ice Skating & Visit to Waxworks
Saturday 12th December
Ryde & Brading, Isle of Wight
Cost: £15.70 – includes ice skating and return travel as far as Brading.
Entrance to waxworks, or villa, extra.
Time: 10.30 & day time
Enjoy a whole day of activities; just come for the morning, or simply to visit the island – your choice. After a 10 minute hovercraft journey to Ryde, we’ll be skating on the ice rink. After that there’s the option to stay and watch the Wizard of Oz on ice or visit the shops of Ryde.
Then, for those who want, we’ll jump on the quaint Isle of Wight train (it’s an old London tube train!) for a short journey to Brading, a small old medieval town in an “area of outstanding natural beauty”. Here we’ll visit Brading - The Experience, which is like a mini version of Madame Tussauds. Includes waxworks of people like King Charles I, who was imprisoned on the Isle of Wight, Winston Churchill and Louis de Rochefort, the French emissary to Charles I who was murdered in his bed in this very house (which used to be the Crown Inn). Cursing the murderer as he died, he is said to haunt the building - so enter if you dare! They also have a collection of steam engines and old bicycles, as well as a café and gift shop.
For those who would prefer, and don’t mind a walk through this small town (passing several pubs and a fish and chip shop), there is also a beautifully preserved Roman Villa at Brading, with café, which has a spectacular view of Sandown Bay – perhaps an ideal place to enjoy a cup of tea.
Aladdin
Wednesday 16th December
Meet at college 1.15pm
King’s Theatre
Student Price: £8
It’s a British tradition to visit a pantomime, or “panto” at Christmas time. The story always makes you laugh, and the main female character is often played by a man. This family panto stars Lisa Riley as the Genie and Michael Starke as Wishee.
Christmas Party!
Friday 18th December 12.30-4pm
College
It’s the end of term and it’s Christmas time! Come and celebrate with your fellow students. There’ll be drinks, snacks, music, games and Christmas songs. Bring some food to share.
Review of D-Day Museum
Luis, from Spain, has been making the most of our surrounding museums, such as the City Museum, HMS Victory and Portsmouth’s D-Day Museum, which is Britain’s only museum dedicated to the D-Day landings in Normandy, France in 1944.
He found the audio guides at the D-Day museum, giving more information about the displays, particularly helpful for improving his English. He watched the explanatory film once in Spanish, and then twice more in English!
The static re-enactments Luis found very interesting. He also liked the large lorries, military transport bikes, cars, boats and speedboats.
The information about the war effort on the home front was also fascinating, for example people helping production through their jobs, or through self-sufficiency in food. He was able to put himself in the position of Portsmouth and Britain’s inhabitants, and understand what they went through. All in all the museum was thoroughly absorbing.
What’s next for Luis? Well, he’s a keen tennis player and referee, and hopes to visit Wimbledon!
Students of the Month
Rajab
“Diligent and hard working”, says’ Rajab’s teacher, Matt. Our joint winner this month is “motivated, has good attendance and interacts well in class. He’s happy to discuss his experiences, gets on well with the other students and stays on task”. A model student really!
David
David was nominated as Student of the Month by his teacher Susan for his “positive, enthusiastic attitude, excellent attendance and contribution to the class. He works very well with all his classmates and is highly motivated”.
What to Expect at Christmas
Staying in a foreign country at Christmas time can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. Here’s our guide to Christmas:
Christmas Eve
Unlike other countries, this doesn’t involve any special meal or celebration. It’s usually a quiet family time, perhaps over a mince pie. People don’t tend to go out in the evening, although some like to go to a midnight church service, rather than in the morning.
Christmas Day
After carol singing at church, families will gather for a glass of something (this could be sherry, champagne or their favourite drink!) whilst they open their Christmas presents, which have been laid under the Christmas tree. Everyone exchanges presents. Children have generally also had a stocking, stuffed with small gifts, at the end of their bed in the morning, which “Father Christmas” has brought down the chimney. Lunch is generally eaten late, around 2pm. This involves turkey and cranberry sauce (although historically it was goose), stuffing, roast potatoes, bread sauce, vegetables like Brussels sprouts and carrots as well as bacon rolls and chipolatas, all served with a rich gravy.
Pudding is often Christmas pudding, which is a heavy, steamed pudding of vine fruit, spices, suet and brandy. It’s often served with brandy sauce (basically brandy & butter!) and set alight at the table. Some families prefer trifle. No Christmas table would complete without Christmas crackers, which are small crepe tubes, filled with tiny gifts, jokes and hats that make a loud bang when pulled.
After lunch is generally a very quiet time across the land! The Queen’s speech is on television at 3pm, then some people play games or watch a film, whilst others fall asleep in an armchair!
Boxing Day
Historically, this day is called Boxing Day because it was the day the Christmas Alms Box in the local church was opened and the money given to the poor. Large tips are still given by many people to regular workers like the bin men, milkman, paper boy etc. It is also the day that fox hunting (now “exercising”, as it was banned in 2005) takes place around the country. Often families choose to go for country walks on this day.
‘What’s on?’ 11th – 25th December 2009
Premiership Football Match
See Portsmouth take on one of the Premiership’s best teams!
Portsmouth vs. Liverpool
Saturday 19th December
12.45pm Kick off
Fratton Park
Contact Ticket Office on 0844 847 1898 for
ticket availability and prices- from £20
Royal Marines Christmas Concert 2009
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
