Regents Review Spring '16

The Regents Review Spring 2016

GENERAL NEWS

World Book Day As mentioned in the English Department news, World Book Day took place on March 3rd and staff at Regents Park relished the challenge of choosing an exciting book character to dress up as. Thank you to Mrs Cox for promoting this event. It was safe to say the students had a giggle whilst guessing who their teachers were dressed as. Can you guess who these members of staff were dressed as?

Book corner Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah

RPCC’s Apprentices I was very fortunate to be invited to Southampton’s Apprenticeship Celebration of Achievement at Southampton O2 Guildhall on the 2nd November 2015 which was opened by Mayor of Southampton Councillor Linda Norris. The event was designed to celebrate and promote Apprenticeships. It was a celebration for the Apprentices, their parents, providers and their employers and also an opportunity to raise the profile of Apprenticeships in general and engage new employers and learners Well done to Miss Bennett (LSA), Mr Evans (School Reception) and Mr Towgood (Science Technician) on passing their Level 2 Apprenticeship in their chosen subject. Mr Makepeace (PE Technician) was also in attendance as an Ambassador for Apprenticeships, promoting these across Southampton.

‘Refugee Boy’ follows the plight of Alem, who is a refugee from Ethiopia. A young Alem and his family are caught up in a civil war, in which his mother and father are from opposite sides. His mother is Eritrean and his father is Ethiopian,

causing all kinds of problems for the family. Eventually, his father takes him to London where he leaves him to return to fight for the peace in their home country. Alem feels abandoned and alone. As a minor, he is placed with a family and an application for asylum submitted by legal representatives. The way the story is told is very matter of fact and the reader learns a lot about how life in England might be for a refugee. This is particularly interesting, given the current political situation in the UK and provides a real insight for the reader. It is also accessible to the younger reader as it is aimed at young adults and written in quite a simple style. Sadly life has a lot of heartache in store for Alem as he learns his mother has been killed in the conflict. Later, Alem’s father returns to the UK to submit his own application for asylum and this causes even more upheaval for Alem. As usual, the author, Benjamin Zephaniah, is sympathetic in his portrayal of this kind of story and it is interesting to follow the predicament of this young boy and his family. Mrs Ukahi

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