|
|
|
September 27th, 2006
11:58 pm - results
Every year at the end of August, three things happen. First the exam results come out. Secondly there is a record broken, from most As to most people to pass whilst blindfolded and standing on one leg. Finally the storm cloud breaks and there is a deluge of reports of A-levels getting easier. Now this is a criticism that I believe needs challenging.
First of all, whilst the syllabus has changed over the years following the shake up of the exams, it has not been made easier. Far from this the course has simply been streamlined to better enable the student to access the information that they require to be successful. This has not simplified, or reduced the course; it has purely changed it from a bewildering array of information thrown at the student (like spaghetti at a wall, hoping that something will stick) to a clear and complete teaching method that fully enables the student to learn
In 1954 Roger Bannister ran the four-minute mile with the most basic scientific understanding of nutrition and exercise. Now science, technology and knowledge of physiology and sport psychology have advanced to enable over 200 four-minute miles to be run to this day. This does not mean that the mile is any shorter or that four minutes is any less, it is still the exact same achievement, but more people are enabled to achieve it.
This means that an A is no longer the prerogative of the prep school elite. With the rapid expansion of the numbers of people taking A level over the past ten years it is only natural that the elusive A is awarded in greater numbers, and more diversely than before. However this should not be seen as a watering down of the curriculum. It is simply recognition of the opening up of the course to anyone of ability no matter what background or class.
We also need to consider the drive towards electronic marking. Questions might still require the same overall level of knowledge, but are set out in a more fragmented fashion and encourage a formulaic approach to answers. Exam success is now a trade to be taught, not a trick to exclude the majority. Repeated practise tests and mock exams are made to hone techniques and improve grades. This should not be allowed to cheapen the achievement – wider education and success for a more diverse population should be celebrated
In conclusion, it is clear that the predictable media rush it ascribe any increase in exam grades to the ‘softening’ of A-level courses is pure sensationalism. Whilst obviously the exams themselves have changed the core foundations of the courses and the high levels of knowledge required of every student have not been ‘slackened’ or ‘loosened’. And that an A is just as hard, and just as well earned now as it has ever been
|
July 15th, 2006
08:37 pm
Reason Reaction and Rationality
A little over a year ago four bombs exploded in London, three on tube trains and one on a bus. In the months that followed there was public outcry against the actions of the bombers denouncing and condemning them. Weeks after the event Prime Minister Tony Blair went on record as saying “it was not the Iraq war but an evil ideology that was to blame for attacks on Britain: If it is Iraq that motivates [the bombers], why is the same ideology killing Iraqis by terror in defiance of an elected Iraqi government? What was September 11 2001 the reprisal for?”. He continued this rhetoric in a speech in Washington DC; “We have to attack not just its [terrorism] methods but its ideas, its presumed and false sense of grievance against the West, its attempt to persuade us that it is we and not they who are responsible for its violence.” In this speech and many others that he has made since the events of the 7th of July Tony Blair has continued this diatribe, denying his, and his governments responsibility for these act of terrorism, and blaming the Muslim community for their apparent inability to self-police.
However this was a reaction, a callous reaction, a dreadful reaction, and an appalling reaction, but a reaction none the less. It was not just a reaction to the Government’s steamroller foreign policy in the past year but the culmination of growing resentment and frustration at perceived anti Islamic policies over the past 20 years. For the Government to deny and ignore this is naivety in the extreme. By denying the affects of their brash arrogant policies the Government have shown themselves blind to the issues that are important to a large swath of British society preferring instead to look at a world of black and white, through rose tinted glasses.
This was acknowledged in a private briefing document compiled by anti-terrorist specialists for senior Scotland Yard officers leaked recently to the Guardian. A headline introducing one section of the report reads: "Foreign policy and Iraq; Iraq HAS [its emphasis] had a huge impact". The report goes on to say that Iraq is cited many times in interviews with detained ‘extremists’. However they claim that it is over-simplistic to describe terrorism as the result of foreign policy and try to differentiate between “result” and “justification. In fact it is under-simplistic to try and narrow it down to a matter of definition. What this report establishes is a direct link between the actions of the government in regard to foreign policy and the actions taken by the terrorists on July the 7th in a sharp rebuke of the Government line over the past year.
However this situation is not only caused by recent short-term actions but stems from a long series of events stretching back beyond 2001 to the previous Iraq war. The government’s foreign policy over the past 20 years only needs the briefest of glances to enable one plainly to understand the grievances felt by many people, grievances that the Mr Blair would prefer to see brushed under the carpet. These objections are many and include prolonged policies such as unquestioning support of the Israeli regime and the turning a blind eye to atrocities committed by the Israeli army including the policy of collective punishment used by the armed forces.
These coupled with the unthinking obedience to the American line in both Afghanistan and the two Iraq wars have reinforced these feelings of threat. Blair has tried to represent of the Islam as the enemy against ‘us’ in the west. He has combined this with an onslaught on civil rights and liberties. The inherent racism in police stop and search policy, the debacle over control orders and the way they have been used, the fiasco of Forest Gate, and the cold blooded shooting in Stockwell Tube have all contributed to this sense of threat. Along with this, the government would do well remember that a few seconds of film footage showing ill-disciplined behaviour by allied troops in Iraq has more impact than thousands of well-argued words.
George Bernard Shaw once said that history repeats itself, and we should learn from the mistakes of our past in order to avoid repeating them in the future. The government should take note of how previous terrorist threats have been dealt with and come to the realisation that eventually they will have to talk. By denying the cause of these grievances and actions and trying to negate their own responsibility for the reaction the government is turning its back to its own salvation.
(Comment and Criticism welcome)
|
April 1st, 2006
06:39 pm
The perfect soloution :D
http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/buzzaire.shtml
|
March 18th, 2006
03:30 am - Something to think about
I never thought I'd die alone
I laughed the loudest who'd have known
I traced the cord back to the wall
No wonder it was never plugged in at all
I took my time, I hurried up
The choice was mine, I didn't think enough
I'm too depressed, to go on
You'll be sorry when I'm gone
I never conquered, rarely came
16 just held such better days
Days when I still felt alive
We couldn't wait to get outside
The world was wide, too late to try
The tour was over we'd survived
I couldn't wait till I got home
To pass the time in my room alone
I never thought I'd die alone
Another six months I'll be unknown
Give all my things to all my friends
You'll never set foot in my room again
You'll close it off, board it up
Remember the time that I spilled the cup
Of apple juice in the hall
Please tell mom this is not her fault
I never conquered, rarely came
16 just held such better days
Days when I still felt alive
We couldn't wait to get outside
The world was wide, too late to try
The tour was over we'd survived
I couldn't wait till I got home
To pass the time in my room alone
I never conquered, rarely came
Tomorrow holds such better days
Days when I can still feel alive
When I can't wait to get outside
The world is wide, the time goes by
The tour is over, I'd survived
I can't wait till I get home
To pass the time in my room alone
Current Music: Blink 182 - Adam's Song
|
March 14th, 2006
05:52 pm
Whats the point?
Do I care?
|
February 20th, 2006
07:46 pm
 | You scored as FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files). You are part of a super secret section of the FBI. You also have the very cool status of �Special Agent�. You believe in many conspiracies and know the government is covering up way too much. Now if only you could the Cigarette Smoking Man to stop providing you with the second-hand smoke.
FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) | | 81% | Serenity (Firefly) | | 75% | Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) | | 69% | Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) | | 63% | Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) | | 63% | Moya (Farscape) | | 63% | Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) | | 56% | Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) | | 56% | SG-1 (Stargate) | | 56% | Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) | | 44% | Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) | | 38% | Enterprise D (Star Trek) | | 13% | </td>
Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics)
created with QuizFarm.com |
Any suprise?
|
February 14th, 2006
07:52 pm - Recently
As an attempt to sort out and tell people what has happened recently here goes.
On the weekend before the mock exams I started having a bad cough and a sore throat, this quickly worsened and by Sunday night I could barely swallow. During this time I had also developed a bad headache and could not stand light. On Monday afternoon I was taken to St. Georges and quickly admitted. I spent 3 days in hospital with the following results: I had 3 needles stuck in me for blood tests; I had 2 IV lines in my arm. I had a lumbar puncture (where they stick a needle in your back and take some of the fluid from your spinal cord). All of this came to show that I had a viral infection that had infected my throat and surrounding area.
On Thursday I went back for yet another blood test to make sure that I was getting better. For the next 5 days I spent most of the time sleeping or watching the X-files (so sue me). On Wednesday the following week (last week now) I got the results of all the tests and apparently it was all fine but they needed one more (so much fun).
On Friday I went back into school to sort everything out that I had missed, btw, thanks to everyone who asked how I was.
That’s basically what happened any more questions post and get them answered or ask me.
|
December 13th, 2005
09:13 pm
Today was one of the strangest days. This morning it started ok. Wake up too early and find I fell asleep in clothes again. Drink coffee. Have shower. Drink coffee. Watch news. Drink coffee. Set of for school.
Then the weird shit happened. Outside everything looked black and white with no colour, like an old photo that’s gone fuzzy. Form time and colour has returned but everything is moving slowly then gradually speeding up. In history it became almost like I was watching everything happening on a TV (you know those shots where you're meant to be looking out of someone else’s eyes).
Philosophy I got the strongest sense of déjà vu. Like I knew what the teacher was going to say and do, even what my own actions were going to be. But I couldn't do anything about it. (This combined with the TV effect was weird).
At lunch I left to grab a coffee from Greg’s (I swear that the stuff they serve in school is decaf) That helped and stopped the TV appearance of the world for really the rest of lunch.
The rest of the day was normal, with sight symptoms at the end but otherwise normal. Although halfway through going home things got slightly fuzzy.
Yea.
Any way how’s your day been?
|
09:13 pm - Cause its funny
 Dear Santa...
Dear Santa,
This year I've been busy!
In July I set ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) boysdontcri's puppy on fire (-66 points). In May I ruled Iran as a cruel and heartless dictator (-700 points). Last Thursday I got in line at the supermarket at the same time as someone else and I didn't yield (-8 points). In January I caught a purse-snatcher who stole taevus's purse (30 points). Last month I helped cemented_deity hide a body (-173 points).
Overall, I've been naughty (-917 points). For Christmas I deserve a moldy sandwich!
Sincerely,
An_immortal |
|
December 4th, 2005
09:49 pm - Quiz
Seems popular so why not
_____Favourite_____
1. Gum: Anything with mint
2. Restaurant: don’t' care
3. Drink: Can you guess (here’s a hint. It has caffeine in it)
4. Season: Autumn
5. Type of weather: Either warm or poring with rain when everyone is running to get out of it
6. Emotion: Superior
7. Thing to do on a half day: Play computer games or research
8. Late-night activity: On MSN or listing to loud music and thinking
9. Sport: Sailing
10. City: London or Seattle
11. Store: Don’t know
_______When was the last time you_______
12. Cried: Can't remember
13. Played a sport: Went sailing bout 6 weeks ago
14. Laughed: At something funny or sarcastically
15. Hugged someone: end of half term
17. Felt depressed: Friday watching John Pilger Documentary
18. Felt overworked: Never
19. Faked sick: Year 10
20. Lied: Probably an hour ago
_______What was the last_______
21. Word you said: See ya
22. Thing you ate: Bread
23. Song you listened to: Unforgiven 2
24. You drank: If you can't guess you don't know me
25. Place you went to: Corydon
26. Movie you saw: Once Upon A Time In Mexico
27. Movie you rented: Don’t know
_______Who was the last person you_______
28. Hugged: Can't remember
29. Cried over: No one
31. Danced with: Another can you guess question. (Not telling since I can't spell her name)
32. Shared a secret with: Again don't
33. Had a sleepover with: Mike at the halo thing
34. Called: Ann
35. Went to a movie with: Can't remember
36. Saw: As in what?
37. Were angry with: George Bush
38. Couldn’t take your eyes off of: -
39. Obsessed over: -
_______Have you ever_______
40. Danced in the rain: Not that I can remember
42. Done drugs: Yes
44. Partied 'til the sun came up: Almost
46. Gone too far on a dare: No
47. Spun until you were immensely dizzy: no
48. Taken a survey quite like this before: not often
_______My life_______
49. Name: Charles (Charlie) Lambert
50. Gender: Male
51. Birthday: 19th December
52. Zodiac: Sagittarius
53. Ethnicity: British
54. Occupation: Student
_______Play_______
55. I’m feeling: Cynical
56. I’m listening to: Nothing
57. I'm doing: Nothing
58. I’m talking to: No-one
59. I’m craving: Caffeine
60. I’m thinking of: Something else
61. I’m hating: most things
_______Love_______
62. Love is: A bullshit idea thought up by idealists and something that is socially engineered into us that we must have or be incomplete
64. Best Memory: Don’t know
65. Love or lust: bit of both
66. Best love song: Can't stand them
67. Is it possible to be in love w/ more than one person?: Demands on you definition
68. Do you believe in love?: not really
69. Is there such thing as love at first sight?: no
_______Picky picky_______
77. Dog or cat: don't care
78. Short or long hair: not ultra short otherwise it looks weird
79. Sunshine or rain: rain
80. Hugs or kisses: both
81. Summer or winter: in-between
82. Written letters or e-mails: E-mails
83. Playstation or Nintendo: PS
84. Car or motorcycle: Motorcycle
85. House party or club: house
86. Sing or dance: if pushed or drunk dance
87. Freak or slow dance: slow
_______Lately_______
88. How are you today? Bored
89. What pants are you wearing right now?: Jeans
90. What shirt are you wearing right now?: White one whit paint smears
91. What does your hair look like at the moment: Messy and sticking up at odd angles
92. What song are you listening to right now?: American Pie
93. How is the weather right now? Dark
94. Who was last person you talked to on the phone? Ann
95. Last dream you can remember? Don't remember any.
|
November 3rd, 2005
October 30th, 2005
10:55 pm - update
Ok sixth form.
So far its quite good. met new people, some people I knew already showed up. Five subjects isn't that hard just like year 11 just less subjects. Philosophy is good, interesting and shows promise. Ms Ward is a surprisingly good teacher. German is a bitch, lot harder than in year 11 but eventually will learn. English is the same as ever books, books and more books whit poetry and Shakespeare to break the monotony.
Liked America. Was fun and interesting. Got to do some cool stuff, drive jeep, use chain saw, sail a 35-foot sailboat. Ask if you want a longer list. Bought a few things nothing that I'm gona mention.
Finally learnt what happened at Harry M's party. And Wildens subsequent actions. It is almost funny; please note the almost part of that. Had a similar experience at Ann's recent one :).
Really should get back to writing stuff in this as otherwise it kind of feels like a waste of space.
Ps. if you see Jason Shaum ask if he has photos of Odin and Dario "dancing" to MC hammer "you can't touch this"
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/blah.gif) blank
|
September 5th, 2005
10:31 pm - GONE
Incase anybody bothers to check this I am going to the wonderful country of the brave and the free (America for all you commies out there) (/sarcasm)and am therefore missing induction day. have fun and tryy not to blow up the school.
|
July 29th, 2005
12:30 am - Some Invaluable Zen advice for 2005:
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I
may not follow. Do not walk beside me for the path is narrow. In fact,just
sod off and leave me alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a flat
tyre.
3. The darkest hour is just before dawn. So if you're going to steal your
neighbour's milk, that's the time to do it.
4. Sex is like air. It's not important unless you aren't getting any.
5. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
6. No one is listening until you fart.
7. Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else.
8. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
9. If you think nobody cares whether you're alive or dead, try missing a
couple of mortgage payments.
10. Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, when you criticise them, you're a mile away and you have their
shoes.
11. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and
he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
13. If you lend someone £20 and never see that person again, it was probably
worth it.
14. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
15. Some days you are the bug; some days you are the windscreen.
16. Don't worry; it only seems kinky the first time.
17. Good judgement comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from
bad judgement.
18. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it
back in your pocket.
19. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
20. Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it
holds the universe together.
21. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
22. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
23. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
24. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
25. We are born naked, wet, and hungry, and get slapped on our arse...then
things get worse!
|
June 20th, 2005
06:04 pm
Lay beside me, tell me what they've done
Speak the words I wanna hear, to make my demons run
The door is locked now, but it's open if you're true
If you can understand the me, than I can understand the you
Lay beside me, under wicked sky
The black of day, dark of night, we share this paralyze
The door cracks open, but there's no sun shining through
Black hearts scarring darkness still, but there's no sun shining
through
No, there's no sun shining through
No, there's no sun shining
What I've felt, what I've known
Turn the pages, turn the stone
Behind the door
Should I open it for you?
Yeah, what I've felt, what I've known
Sick and tired, I stand alone
Could you be there, 'cause I'm the one who waits for you
Or are you unforgiven too?
Come lay beside me, this won't hurt, I swear
She loves me not, she loves me still, but she'll never love again
She lay beside me, but she'll be there when I'm gone
Black heart scarring darker steel, yes, she'll be there when I'm
gone
Yes, she'll be there when I'm gone
Dead sure she'll be there
What I've felt, what I've known
Turn the pages, turn the stone
Behind the door
Should I open it for you?
Yeah, what I've felt, what I've known
Sick and tired, I stand alone
Could you be there, 'cause I'm the one who waits for you
Or are you unforgiven too?
Lay beside me, tell me what I've done
The door is closed, so are your eyes
But now I see the sun, now I see the sun
Yes, now I see it
What I've felt, what I've known
Turn the pages, turn the stone
Behind the door
Should I open it for you?
Yeah, what I've felt, what I've known
So sick and tired, I stand alone
Could you be there, 'cause I'm the one who waits
The one who waits for you
Oh, what I've felt, what I've known
Turn the pages, turn the stone
Behind the door
Should I open it for you?
So I dub thee unforgiven
Oh, what I've felt
Oh, what I've known
I take this key
And I bury it in you
Because you're unforgiven too
Never free
Never me
'cause you're unforgiven too
Oh
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/smile.gif) calm
Current Music: Metallica - The Unforgiven II
|
June 17th, 2005
04:34 pm - 10 things to do.
1. Get paid to play computer games
2. Go on a cruse
3. Be paid over £200,000 a year
4. Meet a ruling leader of large country
5. Swim with whales/ dolphins (so shoot me)
6. Publish a book
7. Go to Tibet
8. Shine a laser pointer at the American president
9. Become something in politics
10. Invest in stocks.
Place your any of your ones here if you want to.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/sad.gif) bored
|
June 5th, 2005
May 2nd, 2005
12:00 am
People suck. Nothing to it they do. Some are better than others and you can get attached to them but ultimately most will screw you over if they don't get what they want. It could be sex, money, friendship or just you making dumb choices. People make snap choices and stick to them. If the was ---------- in the world (fill in the space yourself cause I can't be asked to think up something that I could possibly believe in) then it wouldn’t happen. But a lot of things would be different and a lot less interesting. Friendships made as a child rarely survive the trip to adult hood and the process of getting hung up on the sentimental idea of friends for ever is tantamount to a belief in a spiritual being. (stoopid)
This rant could be directed at someone or at no one. It is a guide to the way I think not an instruction to the way people should think.
On one last note: there is usually only one thing that most guys want A.W. and it isn't chocolate. Also young love is an ideal and nothing else. Don’t make choices in the heat of the moment (even if it seems like a good idea) and always remember there is always someone who you can talk to and who will listen.
Time= ";£$
Think about it and then do something.
Current Mood: pessimistic
Current Music: somthing loud and rocky
|
January 1st, 1988
12:00 am - life
There are three things that everyone does things for
1) Money - the force that makes the world go round. That’s what people crave it and they will do anything to make more of it. A millionaire will screw £50,000 of pensioners because he is not satisfied.
2) Personal gratification - this could take the form of doing something just so you can get into the perfect paradise at the end or donating to charity to make yourself feel good.
3) Self advancement - this takes the form of screwing other people over so that you can get further on in the world and everyone dose it. No matter how loud they protest.
Everything in the world is done for ether one or a mixture of these reasons. Nothing is ever done out of the goodness of peoples hearts and nothing ever will. This is not a rant at other people; I fully acknowledge that these forces drive what I do as well.
There is no such thing as an unselfish act. People donate to charity to make themselves feel good or to create a better world for their children.
That’s all for now. Maybe later
Current Mood: dissilusioned
|
|
|
