Miscellaneous

If you've visited this page a few times, you may have noticed that there are ever increasing gaps between each time I post. To right this, I am going to recount a few things to you now. Sure, they may be boring, but here I go...

'Notes from a Small Island' continues to amuse me, and I was delighted to read that Bryson has visited a few of my favourite places. He writes excellently, methodically distilling the essence of each place he visits with that fantastic style of his. The observations he offers of the British people and places he visited, from his perspective as an American, are both so humorous and charming that you can't help but laugh out loud. Also, the structure of the book, coupled with Bryson's convivial style, leads the reader to believe that we are sitting down somewhere pleasant whilst he recounts his interesting adventures to us. All in all: 10/10.

Also, regarding my AS levels – the pace is picking up. Unfortunately, this leads me to conclude that the current educational system is a farce. I mean, it was only 6 months ago that I was starting my GCSEs (which by the way, I still haven't got my certificates for) and now I've got a mock exam next week to simulate the real one in January - so much for 'Happy Christmas' with all the revision I'll need to do. All the evidence lamentably leads me to conclude that the Government must have absolutely no trust in individual schools and colleges at all. Everything needs to be constantly assessed! Supposedly we're mean to develop our own independent learning, but how are we meant to read, exploring our natural curiosity for a subject, if we have a life impacting exam every 5 minutes? It's just madness, not mention stressful.

Finally, you may remember from a previous post my revulsion at the City Academy’s policy of handing out substantial monetary prizes for pupil’s GCSE results. Well, my rage was sufficient enough that it inspired me to write to my local MP. What he'll say I don't know. Anyway, I'll keep you posted.