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!
Student Events coming up…
Friday 16th April
Picnic in the Park
Join us for a typically English picnic in our pleasant Victoria Park, which was Portsmouth’s first public park. Did you know that there is an aviary in the centre? Bring your own food to share. Alternatively, there’s always the park café.
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.
"My host family was very welcoming and I celebrated Christmas and the New Year with them. It was my first experience of an English Christmas and I loved it. Also they have been really helpful with me and they are always willing to do me some favours. "
