People often think they can’t do yoga as they aren’t flexible enough. This is a complete myth. You don’t need to be super bendy to incorporate yoga into your weekly routine. Not only is it good for your body, yoga also helps to reduce anxiety and stress. Here are some of the positive effects of […]

Going to university can seem like a scary process at first, especially if you move far away. That’s why going to a uni near your home allows you to have comfort nearby whilst also gaining your independence. I chose to go to uni a 30-minute drive from my home and these are some of the […]

For years, seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton’s name has been the name everyone has known when it comes to motorsports, whether they are a fan of Formula 1 or not, but in recent years, a new one has surfaced: Max Verstappen. Hailing from the Netherlands, Verstappen has broken countless records and ruthlessly dominated the […]

The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, is arguably the most famous out of all the award shows for film and television. Some of this year’s contenders are the people involved with Oppenheimer, Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon, Poor Things and many other movies that had a massive impact on the industry. Last […]

The first thing that comes to mind for many people at the mention of cheerleading is the beautiful, popular, mean girls in exaggerated American high school films, clad in skimpy outfits and armed with pom-poms, who reign over the school alongside their American football star boyfriends, muscular, cocky guys, almost always named Chad, Chase or […]

  On December 29th 2023, South Africa (SA) presented their case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, in the Netherlands. The initial hearings only took place last week, on the 11th and 12th of January. South African lawyers argued that Israeli forces had killed over 23,000 Palestinians. 70% of […]

In light of the recent, ongoing Hamas-Israel war, which began on October 7th, I am writing this article to educate myself and others on the horrifying situation that is unfolding in the Gaza Strip. The war started with an attack from Hamas, an extremist militant group, which killed over 1,200 people (mostly civilians) and took […]

It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the teenage wizard and the seven increasingly lengthy stories that featured him. Published between 1997 and 2007, the books were the defining pieces of literature for a whole generation of young people. The stories, which tell of Harry, an orphan who grows up without knowing he has […]

Katniss Everdeen lives in a post-apocalyptic version of the USA, where inhabitants’ movements are restricted to the districts in which they were born. Condemned to a life of hard work, Katniss works hard to feed her family. However, when her name is pulled from a hat, she is chosen as a participant in the Hunger […]

Described as ‘Die Hard, with fairies’, the Artemis Fowl series is an incredible mix of James Bond-style gadgets, violence, crime and humour. Artemis is a twelve-year-old genius determined to earn lots of money and become a super-villain. After he captures a fairy to hold for ransom, he engages in an increasingly dangerous battle of wits. […]

If you’ve made it this far, you’re well on your way to becoming a self-taught guitar player. So far, we’ve covered the basics of the guitar and you’ve started learning parts of songs, as well as useful techniques to spice up your playing. This is where it gets harder, but don’t let that put you […]

Whilst for some, this might seem like a fairly controversial choice, the incredible popularity that the Twilight saga (both films and books) has had over the years means that it has to feature somewhere on our list! Protagonist Bella moves to a new city, where she falls in love with a gorgeous yet mysterious boy […]

The vast majority of us celebrate this spookiest holiday of them all in some way or another. Whether that be glamming up in our most monstrous costumes, stalking through streets trick or treating from all the richest people’s houses, or simply curling up in a blanket watching something horror-themed on Netflix. There’s something so charming […]

This series by Lemony Snicket, of thirteen novels for older children or young teens follows the lives of three orphans, Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire, from the moment they become orphans. Written in a mock-gothic style, the novels are full of wit and darkness. The narrator, Lemony Snicket, plays an important role in the stories, […]

This Percy Jackon and the Olympians series came about when the author Rick Riordan’s son requested yet another bedtime story based on the Ancient Greek myths. This collection of books has been a huge hit with everyone from primary school upwards. The stories follow the life of Percy Jackson, a demi-god and son of Poseidon. […]

If you clicked on this article, you are probably someone who wants to know how to learn guitar. Maybe you want to teach yourself before starting lessons so you know some of the basics or maybe you just want to start your guitar-learning journey completely by yourself. Either way, as someone who taught themselves for […]

C S Lewis, a writer and theologian, is best known for his cherished children’s classics, the Chronicles of Narnia. Set in a magical parallel universe, the series follows several children who discover Narnia, where animals talk and Aslan, the mighty lion, is the ruler of them all. The stories deal with themes like trust, faith, […]

Written largely during the Second World War, The Lord of the Rings is, as a trilogy, one of the best-selling books of all time. Originally written as a follow-up to Tolkien’s children’s novel, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings tells the tale of Frodo Baggins and his companions as they seek to destroy a magic […]

Would it surprise you if I said that suicide is something that most of us take for granted? If you are a non-disabled person, you will have never thought about the fact that you have the right to commit suicide. However, some people, such as Tony Nicklinson, a man who suffered from Locked-In Syndrome, are […]

Understanding politics isn’t easy – let alone trying to understand the role of the most important person in Britain: the Prime Minister. This week’s Mastering Politics is all about the power of the prime minister and how much of it they really have. What is the role of the prime minister? The prime minister’s (PM) […]

Ben Drummond, a year thirteen Sixth Form student is a source of inspiration in doing what you love. Ben is a keen hiker who, for many holidays, goes camping with friends and family in the lake district. Here, he and his dad go on long walks climbing mountains and this has sparked an innate passion […]

Daisy Jones and the Six is a great example of an excellent best-selling book by Taylor Jenkins Reid, being turned into a great show. However, the show made a few changes by incorporating songs into a story that is deemed to be loosely based on the emergence of the  Fleetwood Mac.  5. ‘Aurora’ ‘Aurora’ is […]

Next week marks the start of a new school year, and for many, the start of year 12. Sixth form will surprise, impress and blindside you.  So to help you know what to expect, here’s some advice from a newly minted year 13.  Your learning is your responsibility In lower school, learning is very guided […]

Angele is deconstructing the barriers in the French Music Industry. When she isn’t addressing a sexist society with hit songs like “Balance ton quoi”, this Belgian artist is producing catchy tunes. As a result, she has caught the attention of Francophone (French-speaking) youth, helping to push through an English-speaking-dominated industry and a French national-dominated musical […]

As Taylor Swift herself says in ‘I Think He Knows’ – ‘I am an architect,’ which is true in the way that she  creates some of the best bridges of all time. But in this instance, it is musical bridges rather than the likes of the Tyne Bridge.   5. ‘Getaway Car’ – Reputation ‘Getaway Car’ […]

Journaling often looks really simple when you watch someone else doing it on social media online. However, as soon as you prepare to begin, you’re left with no ideas. Often, frustration and boredom can make keeping a record of your day seem tedious but there are lots of ways to make it more fun and […]

With school almost over, the anticipation for the summer holidays is high. But when they flash by, there’s that feeling of regret in September when you think: Did I really do anything? Almost always, you’ll be disappointed by your lack of productivity, but this list includes fun activities and ideas Penpal This may sound boring, […]

Feminism is a key feature in modern-day society. the google definition is, ‘the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.’ There are many different ways to express this. One way is through music. Here we analyse one writer’s most prolific feminist songs. Mans World – MARINA ‘Man’s World’ represents […]

Animal Farm is a book, which, many would think is about animals on a farm, however, the message is far more advanced. The short answer is that it is about the dangers of communism. Animal Farm is aimed at 13+ but can be read by any age. The farm is run by Farmer Jones, but […]

The Bunker Diary is written by British author Kevin Brooks. It was published in 2013. Many people wanted it banned for its disturbing themes and dark plot. However, in 2014 it won the Carnegie Medal. Plot We follow 16-year-old Linnus as he writes about his experience in a diary. One day he was walking along […]

When you first have to write a job application, it is difficult to know how to present yourself. Do you mention everything?…Or should you keep it simple and concise? These are 6 tips that can help you write a successful job application that will show off your strengths: Focus on spelling, grammar and punctuation – […]

Here are five amazing places to visit in the North East, especially if you have run out of new things to do near you. There are a variety of attractions that offer different experiences. From ancient structures to physical challenges to more modern workshops, all of these locations are incredible! Alnwick Castle Alnwick Castle is […]

Hamilton is a 2015 musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. It features a staggering 46 songs and the musical, which you can find on Disney +, is 204 minutes long. Out of the 46 songs, these are the ten best.  10. Guns and Ships ‘Guns and Ships’ is sung by Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr and […]

This amazing murder mystery thriller is written by British writer Holly Jackson. It is an extremely enjoyable read. If you love thrilling and exhilarating books that keep you up at night desperate to know what happens next, this book will be right up your street. What’s more, there are 2 other books in the series […]

Do you love the original Disney ‘Lion King’ animation? If so, you won’t be disappointed by the Lion King Stage production –in fact, you will be truly delighted! This enchanting musical tells the story of a royal lion cub, Simba, who is welcomed into the Kingdom of the African Savannah with great rejoicing and hope […]

Mindfulness is a useful technique that can help with your mental health. It can assist with stress; meditation mainly focuses on distracting your mind and paying more attention to your breath, or noises for instance.  It also can reduce heightened anxiety for similar reasons. Mindfulness-based therapy helps you let go of worries. Surprisingly, the technique […]

Soapbox Racer is a brilliant, contemporary play, currently on at the Alphabetti fringe theatre. It follows Kay (Harrison Rowley-Lynn), an air-headed, but well-meaning, teen in her wild attempt to win her ex-boyfriend back. Throughout the play, she builds a soapbox covered in the “love doodles” Rory, the aforementioned ex, gifted her, and plans to win […]

In the 2022/23 season, Newcastle have seen huge improvements. Under the new management of Eddie Howe they are beating all expectations and now sit third in the premier league. Last year Newcastle only scored 44 goals whereas this season they have an impressive 59 goals and the season isn’t even over. They also have the […]

Would you prefer to read and envision the story of the Hunger Games in your mind or would you prefer to lie back and watch a multitude of talented actors tell you the story? Either way, both ways are successful in conveying a brilliant storyline. Whether you have already read the fun series, have never […]

There is an incredible lack of knowledge of the incident of the Princes in the Tower. Motives, outcomes and even the way of death are all unknown. As the suspected murder happened in the 1480s, the evidence of the crime has been long lost or even non-existent. Setting the scene The father of Edward and […]