All posts by Mrs Sinclair

The first cruise ships for Orkney

The first cruise ships for Orkney

by Scarlett

On the 24th of March 2022 Orkney’s first cruise of the year, MS Gann, visited, later followed by Viking Venus on the 3rd of April, at Hatston Pier in Kirkwall. This is especially good because cruise ships have been cancelled between March 2020 and July 2021 due to Covid.

Thankfully, this year has a record-breaking number of cruise ships scheduled to arrive in Orkney – a total of 209 ships. Despite predictions that these numbers will fall, there should still be at least 160 ships arriving; the cruise ships in Orkney are making a full return.

Image from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gann_(ship,_1982)#/media/File:MSGann.jpg

Report by Scarlett, using research and interviews found in “Cruise liners set to return in full in 2022” published 13th Feb 2022 in The Orcadian online, and “Cruise set to return bigger than ever in 2022” published 30th August 2021 on Orkney islands Council website.

Rising Energy Prices

Rising Energy Prices

by Lachlan & William

People are becoming increasingly concerned about the rise in the price of energy. This will affect many families who cannot afford to pay any more money for their electricity and gas bills. This is happening all over the world right now. It’s all happening because the companies producing the energy need more money to cover the costs of producing it.

Image from www.smart-energy.com/industry-sectors/new-technology/clean-energy-technologies-key-to-climate-targets-iea-reports/
Credited to: Image credit: lassedesignen / 123RF

Cristiano Ronaldo and the Impact of Child Loss

Cristiano Ronaldo and the Impact of Child Loss

by Alida

As most people currently on social media and football fans know that the famous Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodríguez have lost one of their new-born twins recently.

On Thursday the 28th of October 2021, the famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (37) and his Wife, Georgina Rodriguez (28), shared with their fans and supporters the exciting news that Georgina was pregnant and that the couple were going to have not just one, but two babies joining the family.

Georgina then took to Instagram and was very open, revealing the genders of the unborn twins with a video.  During her pregnancy, she also shared with their supporters the designer cots the twins were to sleep in when they arrive.

But on 18th April, Ronaldo announced on Instagram that, although their daughter was fine, her brother had tragically not survived.

Child loss in known to be one of the most traumatic events that a mother can go through and can cause severe mental health issues for the parent. Common feelings include guilt, depression, anxiety, grief, denial and numbness, though not all parents will feel this way: everyone will cope differently in any and every situation, especially with loss.

Child loss may happen for many reasons and most of the time isn’t the mothers fault it is just how it is, and it takes a lot of courage to even think about having another child and even seeing new-borns or incredibly young children can trigger a negative reaction from either parent.

If this has happened to you then seek help with a therapist or find a healthy way of coping like speaking to your partner, friends, family and if you are worried about the safety of your partner or yourself then please contact 999.

Morbius box office disappointment

Morbius box office disappointment

by Rachel and Callum

Morbius, the Sony film starring a spiderman villain, has been a big disappointment at the Box Office since its release in America on 1st April 2022.  The film is about a terribly ill guy with a rare blood disorder who tries to cure himself.  This gives him super abilities, but also a lust for blood.

The failure of the film affects the company who made it:  there most likely will not be a standalone sequel, and the company will only gain a little bit of money or – depending on how it does – they could lose some of the $75-83 it cost to make.  Many well-known actors are featured in the film such as Matt Smith, Adria Arjona and Jared Leto.

At the Domestic box office, Morbius is failing quite badly, only making around 66 million dollars between opening and today (21st April).  So far, other films that were released later in the USA and Canada have done better, like Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which made more in its first weekend, taking in 72 million dollars in its opening weekend.

Morbius is not doing that well internationally either, only making around 81 million dollars in the rest of the world, as of now, which is not that good. The full total gross of the film so far globally is around 147 million dollars, which might sound like a lot if you do not know movies but it is small in comparison to other film releases.

The film’s box office disappointment can be traced back to the fact that the original trailer was released two years ago.  A wait that long for a film that was delayed is not good for a film, because people forget about it. The trailers released recently were not that well received and got a ridiculously small number of views compared to other films trailers.

The film was also based on character hardly anyone remembered.

The film’s first impressions were also not that good, with critics saying things like “as bad as you were expecting. 2005 plot collides with visually confusing CGI to create a bit of a snooze fest” (said by Sab Astley) and “Morbius is just as disjointed and boring as you expected it to be” (said by Cameron Howe).

A big nail in the coffin was a score of just 16% from review website Rotten Tomatoes, which made audiences not want to see it.

 

 

Ukraine child killed trying to escape

Elisei Ryabukon was thirteen years old when the fighting had first started, him and his family were stuck in Peremoha until Russian soldiers had given them permission to leave in March. Elisei was then shot dead by the Russian soldiers whilst trying to escape Ukraine.

“On 11 March, the Russians gave us permission to leave. They even waved us goodbye and wished us luck. Then when we were crossing a field, they started firing at us from every direction”.

There were five cars all together evacuating, Elisei was escaping in the second car with a few other people, no one in Elisei’s car had survived.

“I crawled through the field and saved my three-year-old son by dragging him by the hood of his jacket. The fact that any of us made it out alive was pure luck”.

Inna Ryabukon says that her remaining child is “the only reason she’s able to carry on.”

Elisei is one of 200 child victims in Ukraine: 186 children at least have been confirmed dead and killed during the fighting. Ohmatdyt hospital has had dozens of children who have been injured.

Inna wants Justice for what the Russians have done and has filed a complaint to the police.

She says, “I want the world to know about the crimes of Russia. I want every victim to be counted. I want Russia to be held accountable for the people, children, and women, they have killed on our land”.

 

Report by Esme, based on research and interviews by Yogita Limaye, BBC News, 19th April 2022.

What is the difference between schools in Orkney and schools in England?

What is the difference between schools in Orkney and schools in England?

By Lottie 

Schools in Orkney are quite different to ones down south as you would expect especially during these confusing times but how different actually are they? 

Well firstly, there’s the size.  In schools in England you can expect to see about three different buildings/blocks with classes in and the number of pupils can range. In some you get around 800 but in others you can get thousands: it just depends on if it’s grammar school or not. But in Orkney they are much smaller schools.

And then there’s the Uniform…

In Orkney there aren’t uniforms: you get to wear what you like. But schools in England aren’t like that: you must wear a uniform in primary school and secondary school and that sometimes includes blazers, ties, socks, and there’s a uniform for PE too.  Brooke*, from  Stromness, said “It’s nice not wearing a uniform.  You feel comfy.”

Phones were a big issue down south too as people would go on them in class and so some schools have banned them. Louise, a school pupil in England, said “It’s a bit annoying because if you’re bored at break or lunch there’s nothing you can do except walk around with your friends”. Jamie said “if I want to get hold of my parents to ask something like can a friend come round I can’t, because phones are banned” However, Samantha Jane said “It’s got an up-side I guess: you talk to people more and socialize more and you actually catch up with friends”.

Being allowed into town is quite different as well.  In England you aren’t allowed to go down the street and all the gates are locked so you can’t get out.  If you do leave the grounds, then PSP (isolation) would be in order for a couple of days.

In Orkney you can go to nearby shops, which makes things freer and means you’re not limited to do certain things.

During these COVID times things make it even harder because in England schools are back full time. Jamie said, “I don’t really feel safe being back at school full time because although we are testing every morning, what if it gives a false positive or negative”?  Whereas Jemima said “I like being back. I didn’t like being at home. I couldn’t see friends and if I didn’t understand the work I had to email a teacher and wait”!

The thing Orkney schools and English schools have in common at the moment are masks.  Pupils have to wear masks all day, in classes and on public transport. Social distancing is difficult too as Maddy said “You just forget and stand next to someone, then jump apart when you realise, and that’s a pain”.

Sanitising is a bit different as well.  In Orkney there are dispensers on the walls as you go outside and come in but in England you should be bringing your own and sanitising when you know you should be. Jasmine said “It makes my hands sticky, and some sanitisers don’t smell the best”

Classrooms formats have changed as well: in Orkney schools there is tape on the desks where you can’t sit so you stay 2m apart from everyone else. Ella’s opinion on this is “It’s horrible, you don’t feel like you can talk, and you have to stay silent plus one slight movement and it makes the loudest noise.” Robert’s opinion is “I like it. Teachers can’t tell if you’re laughing or not because they can only see your eyes”.

In general, as you would expect, the rules are different on phones, uniform and school grounds.  But rules are in place for a reason…

So, the difference between Orkney Schools and England’s schools in these weird times and in the normal times are quite different but they are different in their own way and that good.

*names are changed for anonymity

Outside sport – football 

Outside sport – football 

by Max

Although most sports stopped and have only just started up not long-ago, outdoor football has been going since the Christmas holidays ended. Although some clubs have yet to start, some haven’t stopped apart from during the normal holidays and the time that it wasn’t possible to play due to COVID-19 restrictions.

There are also some clubs that have only started in the last week or two, and others are sure to be inviting players back soon as well.

The Orkney football programme of players going to trials to try and make it into the Orkney squad for their age group to compete against other teams from down-south such as Caithness and Ross County, and also play against rivals Shetland, will be going ahead.

The reason that this season of Orkney football has not started yet is because of the fact that some clubs have decide not to because there would be mixing between the players, although to rival this fact many of the players will be mixing anyway and things such as other sports, school and meeting up in free time.  

For some of the players this will be devastating as this will mean missing out on trips away and other opportunities, such as even just playing more football or meeting with other friends that they might not otherwise see.  

There have been some games between clubs in the secondary age group and there are set to be more occurring in the near future.  

Some people may think that this going ahead in the current state of the virus may be bad as social distancing is very hard to maintain during the playing of a contact sport but others would contradict this with the fact that the football is all being held outdoors in the secondary age group and also that all 34+ year olds and also the vulnerable people in Orkney have at least been offered the vaccine for COVID if not had it.  

Being back outside with friends and other peers can create a better state of mental health than that of sitting inside and talking to them on a voice call, and playing sports and running around is good for their physical health on top of that.  

The lockdown has been a tough time for everyone and it is good to see that at least some of the younger population are getting back to their sports like football. 

Different schools; different rules

Different schools; different rules 

By Lucy S

TWS is a large school in England.  If is quite different from Stromness Academy, which is a small school in rural Scotland. Pupils from each of these schools share their opinions of how the school rules differ in their experience.

The rules at TWS and the rules at Stromness Academy are extremely different. At TWS you’re not allowed to leave school during the school day and at a certain time a member of staff goes around and locks all the gates so no one can leave school, although there are a few ways you can leave the school but it’s risky.

However, at SA there is nothing like that: there is trust in the pupils and S2s and up can go down the street at lunch times and buy their lunch/food there instead of using the dining hall.

Talia*, a pupil at Stromness Academy, said, ‘I like the freedom you get here, you have lots of choice on how you spend your day’.

TWS have a phone ban so pupils must have their phones switched off and in their bags for the whole school day, and if a member of staff sees it out, they will take it off you and call a member of your family to go to the school and collect it.

Judy, a pupil at TWS said, ‘I hate the phone ban: nothing’s fun anymore.  There isn’t anything to do anymore; you just get bored’.

At SA you’re allowed your phone and some teachers play Kahoot!, a game which involves using your phones as a multiple choice control pad.

Edward. From SA, said, ‘Having your phone during school is very helpful and it gives you something to do.  I don’t think phones should be banned anywhere unless they have a really good reason to take action like that’.

TWS students must wear uniform and anything incorrect in the way you are wearing it must be corrected immediately or you will potentially be given a detention, or you will be sent to isolation (PSP).

At SA however, there is no uniform:  you can wear what you like and it’s up to you to dress appropriately.

Callum from TWS said, ‘I hate having to wear uniform, it’s so annoying.  If you get hot, you’re still wearing rather hot and tight clothes.  I wish I could wear my own clothes, that way I choose how I dress – not the school’.

TWS tend to give out detentions often to those who misbehave, and pupils often get sent to PSP (isolation) as well if they continue to misbehave or if what they have done deserve isolation.

Clare said, ‘Sometimes the teachers are unreasonable and just don’t listen to you and sometimes they don’t even let you explain, they’ll just punish you anyway’.

SA don’t have anything like that: the teachers are must more understanding and give you chances.

Jade-Rose said, ‘The teachers are understandable, and they listen to you, I like not having any strict rules in place’.

Overall, the two schools are completely different but unique and good in their own way.

“TWS is an amazing school despite any strict rules in place.  Follow them correctly and the experience will be great, and you will really enjoy it.  The teachers are understandable if you give them chance to get to know you, and soon the teachers will start being reasonable once some ground rules are laid down.”

So, there we have it: some very mixed opinions about the two schools and how different they really are.

*names have been changed for anonymity.

Walking my way through ‘Lockdown’ 

Walking my way through ‘Lockdown’ 

By Daniel   

During this last year of ‘lockdown’ life has changed for everyone, with people working or studying from home, many activities being reduced, key workers being pushed to their limits, and the worry of what could happen. We’ve all had to find our own ways to relax, and cope with the stresses of life in ‘lockdown’.  

‘Lockdown’ has also opened our eyes to the mental health struggles that many people suffer from every day, such as depression and anxiety, and we can all relate to feelings of boredom, lack of focus, and loneliness.  

During lockdown I have managed to find some useful ways to help ‘control’ my negative feelings and try to make the most of ‘lockdown’, including reading all sorts of books, cooking and baking, and gaming (online and traditional).  

My favourite way to feel happier and more relaxed though, was/is to go long walks. I normally go my walks with my mum, or sometimes my dad at the weekend, and we chat about all sorts of things along the way. 

We have been going for walks all through ‘lockdown’, and in all weathers.  In Springtime we often walk in the countryside, and it is always good to see the Spring lambs in the fields. Summer walks are great, though it can get tiring if it is too warm, so I prefer when there is a slight breeze to keep us cool.  

Most of my countryside walks are around Stromness, often up behind my house or ‘round the Loons’.  

One of the downsides of walking in the countryside is when farmers are spreading slurry on the fields, and we have gone home a few times smelling a bit! The good thing about Autumn walks is walking

 

 through the fallen leaves – although we don’t have a lot of trees in Orkney there are some places with a few, like Hillside Rd in Stromness. In Autumn and Winter, the nights get dark sooner, so most of our walks are in the dark, and I have always loved looking up at the stars. Winter walks can be cold and windy, so I don’t always enjoy them so much, though it is still good to get some fresh air. 

Sometimes the weather in Orkney can suddenly change – one Spring day we set off on a walk, and it was quite mild and sunny, but halfway round, near the Waterworks, suddenly we got snowed on! It was a shock but also quite cool! Snowy winter walks can be fun – there is something satisfying about walking on snow, fresh snow, crunchy snow, slushy snow, all snow! 

 

Although we often walk in the countryside, we also go walks by the shore, along beaches, or to places like Happy Valley – I love going to the beach to walk on the sand and paddle in the water, especially in summer, and in Happy Valley it is fun to walk along the river or through the trees. Sometimes we just go a walk down the street and back, which I enjoy, but it can get a bit repetitive if you do it too often. At Christmas it was nice to walk along the street at night and see the houses all lit up.

The walks are even more fun when I discover a new route or go somewhere that I have not been for a while. During ‘lockdown’ we found a few new routes, including one from ‘the Loons’ down past the Waterworks and to Outertown – we didn’t know exactly where we would come out, so that made it more exciting. More recently, in the snow, we went this walk again but in the opposite direction.

As well as getting fresh air, brisk walking is also good exercise, and although we walked more on some days than others, I got out most days, and covered at least a few miles on each walk. A brisk walk can wake you up, or a slower walk can also help to relax you, and walking in the fresh air often gives a better night’s sleep too.  

I often see others out enjoying the fresh air too, walking, running, or cycling – I did go cycling at the start of lockdown, and really enjoy that too, but I need a bigger bike as I have outgrown mine. When we are out, we often bump into folk and have a catch-up chat about what we have been doing – we can still feel connected even though we cannot be together.   

After ‘lockdown’ is over, I’m looking forward to visiting my family on the Scottish mainland, and going some walks with them, through the urban areas and different countryside.