INVENTIVE

FUN

UNIQUE

EXCITING

TALENTED

AMBITIOUS

(Amy Heald and Kyrena AlSboui)

Recycle, Recycle that’s what is was

I enjoyed it but it stunk A LOT!

We’ve recycled at school,

and some people found it quite cool

I don’t have much else to say

expect we all thought it was an excellent day.

Rhianne Elliot

The parade started at  Factory Street at 10.15am and ended in the Garden of remembrance, Manchester Old Road at 10.40am.

Christmas is a special day.

But wait, here is a good question: why do we celebrate Christmas?

Traditionally some people celebrate Christmas because they believe Jesus was born on that day, while others celebrate Christmas for the fun side of it. 

I’ll leave that for you to answer because everyone has their own beliefs and for that, I can’t judge anyone.

MERRY EARLY CHRISTMAS, with love and joy.

Thandeka Moyo

Peter Andre at Eastlands ASDA

On the 3rd of October 2010, I went to ASDA Eastlands with my mum for the Peter Andre signing.

When we arrived we saw the longest queue ever. It went from the side of the other building. People were holding Peter’s album and books. We even overheard that someone had been waiting there all night.

I was so excited to find out Peter would be there shortly. When we walked inside ASDA we saw a barrier and behind it, Peter would be signing autographs.

Moments later fans were let in and Peter emerged from a side door, took a few pictures with the press and then looked at us and walked over. My legs started shaking and he stood right next to me – that is when my mum took the picture.

Peter Andre with Leonie's hand!

It was amazing to have seen Peter, and probably everyone there felt the same. Then he turned around and went to autograph some albums. It was so great; I loved it and so did my mum.

Leonie Ward, 8AAC

Take it away Leanne!

(L-R) Ebony Dobbs, Courtney Lewer and Lauren Burns at the premiere of 'IZZI'

Lauren Burns  from 8AAC has interviewed Courtney Lewer, who played Be, one of the lead characters in ‘IZZI’, Manchester Creative and Media Academies’ new film.

Where did you go to film?

Portland Basin, Moston Cemetery and Boggart Hole Clough.

Did you enjoy filming?

Yes, because I got to meet new people. And I also got involved with the boys’ school.

Which was your favourite scene?

The one at Portland Basin because I got to run around.  

Courtney with Ellie McCann, who played lead character Izzi

Did you enjoy the pre-premiere meal at Yum Yums?

Yes, because it was nice to be specially treated.

Did you enjoy walking the red carpet?

Yes, because I was walking in to see myself on the big screen. It was scary I knew people were watching me on the big screen.

Would you like to be actress when you are older?

Yes, because it’s a chance to meet new people and travel the world.

MC&MA Boys’ student Connor Stanley has written a fantastic short story about a spooky school. Read on if you’re brave… and even if you aren’t, remember that it’s all make believe!

At the bottom of Walk Through Lane, the old and abandoned school stood there with big, high gates, boarded up windows and broken glass. I made a run for it because I heard a noise behind me, and my house is about three miles away. The school was called Brinting Ghost School. It was my old primary school.

My name is Connor. I live at 30 Long Street Road with my mam and dad. I have three sisters and one brother. My house is not the best, but it’s OK. I love to visit abandoned things. I find it very spooky. My hobbies are football and playing with my mates. I am 10 years old.

When I finally got home it was around 9.30 at night. My mam went mad at me so I got sent straight to my room. “Mam, mam, it wasn’t my fault,” I cried. “No. I don’t care. You are my son and nobody else’s,” shouted my mami. She said I was grounded for at least three months.

Next morning, my mam came up the stairs at 7am. “Wake up, school time.” I got up, had a wash, had some breakfast and brushed my teeth.  Off I went, telling everyone about the old abandoned primary school. I went on for at least 15 minutes. I could see in their faces that they were getting bored, and thought I was making it up. After school, I got home and my mam was sat there waiting for me. I thought I could see in her face that I wasn’t allowed out today, but the moment came and then she said: “If you come in on time you may go out, but I want you in before 9.”

I quickly got dressed and ran out of my front door. I didn’t think of having any tea, I just wanted to go back to my old primary school.

I squeezed through a small gap in the fence. It was raining. I was getting wet through. As I got close to school I could feel a cold breeze. As I walked closer I saw a gap in the door, but the gap was too small for me, so I went round and round the school to find a hole to get in. By this time it was 5.30pm. I finally found a hole. I pulled the wood off the door with a metal bar.

As I got in, I saw my old classroom. I went into the room and I saw a book on the teacher’s desk. I went over and the first book I had found was mine. I sat down and had a little look inside. It was my handwriting. It wasn’t that bad. I had to keep walking. I went down a corridor to the head teacher’s room where I saw the whole school records. I was hoping that mine were good. I took a look through over 1000 papers. Mine was the two hundredth one. It had 10 good comments and 30 bad ones. I thought: ‘I wasn’t that bad, was I?’

I had to go; it was coming up to about 8pm. As I made my way out, a little dog came over to me. I was scared. I ran out of the school and the dog chased me. I ran the whole way home, and I got back for 8.30. The next day I went to school, and in my bag I had some of my mate’s records. Then they believed me.

Last week, Bonfire Night parties took place all around the UK. Fireworks filled the cloudy skies and people ate toffee apples around bonfires (from a safe distance) as part of the festivities.

But do you know why we have Bonfire Night? Tevin Dewar from MC&MA Boys’ has done some research and put together a short guide.

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is an annual celebration primarily held in Great Britain. It traditionally takes place on the evening of November 5th.

Festivities are centred on the use of fireworks and lighting of bonfires.

It’s also celebrated in former British Colonies such as Australia and New Zealand.

The celebrations historically mark the anniversary of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 5 November 1605.

The date was originally made a public holiday in England by the anti-Catholic Thanksgiving Act of 1605, and it was withdrawn in 1859.

Tevin Dewar

Manchester Creative Media Academy is my school. I’ve been going there since September 2008.

When I started in year 7, the head teacher was called Mr. Chambers. It was known as North Manchester High School for Boys.

I was very excited to join, as anyone would be when they start high school, but it wasn’t what I expected. It is very busy, especially at lunch time. It’s a good school and offers great education.

Since I have been at my school, it had become an academy with a new uniform and a new head teacher Mrs. Philips. There will be a new building joining up with the girls’ academy in 2012. When l came back in September, the new uniform looked pretty good. 

I’m personally very happy that they are building a new school with new facilities. By the time builders will have finished the new school, l will be in year 11.

Now I’m in year 9 about to pick my options for my GCSE’s. Builders and official representatives have showed us the plans for the new building, and how it will be completed by 2012.    

Makhosini Makhetho