The Effects of our Litter on Sealife and Other Animals

Did you know that around the world, an estimated one million birds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die each year?  This is either from becoming trapped in plastic or eating it.

Plastic is one of the biggest threats to all whales and dolphins. It is estimated that there are 13,000 pieces of plastic litter per square kilometre of the world's oceans.  Did you know that 500 billion plastic bags are used on this planet each year?  I bet you didn't.  also, more than a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals die from either eating or choking on PLASTIC BAGS.  I bet you didn't know your plastic bags kill all these harmless, cute and adorable sea creatures. 

With a whopping amount of 7 billion tonnes of debris entering our ocean's annually, most of it long-lasting plastic, there's a huge amount of potential harm that can be caused to our birds and marine animals - including seals and dolphins which we starve to death when they are confused by our plastic litter. 

Can you believe that you might be responsible for the death of a sea creature?  If you're not feeling bad now, I don't believe that you can even have feelings. 

These are only a few of the many facts about how litter affects sea life and our oceans. 

How does our rubbish affect animals?

Never ever litter.  Animals of all kinds often mistake trash for food or shelter.  Securely cover garbage cans and recycling bins so that animals can't get into them and become trapped inside... Your actions could be the different between life or death for an animal.  Every day, items such as fizzy drinks cans and plastic bottles can be extremely deadly for unsuspecting wildlife and even dogs and cats.  Imagine seeing your dog or cat dying because of litter you've left.  

Because of litter, birds have had their beaks wrapped and wings tangled up, and this is all because of your litter.  Fishing hooks are a real problem as they can cause birds to swallow the hooks.  Even the tiniest of animals can fall victims to litter.  Discarded cans in particular, are tempting to small animals who are looking for food or shelter.  

You may think that throwing chewing gum is fine.  But no!  You are WRONG!  Animals often get gum matted into their fur or feathers, making it very difficult for the creature to move.  

Here are a few reasons why littering must stop.  Litter is a HUGE environmental issue.  Carelessly discarded garbage affects every member of society:  It causes harm to us humans and animals; damages our waterways; costs us money; and suggests that we don't care for our lovely environment.  Fortunately, we can all do something to help prevent and reduce litter.  So you must have realised that we ALL must put a stop to littering.  And fast!  

So, will you help us to defeat and conquer littering? Well I am.  And you must join me and everyone else who believes that littering must stop.   

by Leo Jaszewski

Children Need Less Homework

A lot of people think that homework is good and it help you learn more.  In my opinion, homework is bad and it causes people to lose some of their childhood because when they get home after a long day at school, they have to spend more time doing homework.  Some schools give children loads of homework and I think this is wrong.  Carry on reading and I'll explain why! 

Firstly, I think homework makes people feel isolated and stops children spending quality time with their family.  Children then start disconnecting with their family.  It is true that homework isn't as good as real life experiences.  A lot of children prefer to do things instead of watching things.  Some children prefer to watch things.  I think that instead of schools giving children actual homework, their homework could be to go and visit the places they are learning about. 

Another reason why children shouldn't have homework is because of life struggles.  Sometimes life is hard for children because maybe they have lost a really close family member and they are too sad to do homework.  Also some children's parents are ill so they have to look after them - and imagine having younger siblings and having to look after them as well!  In this situation you would be too busy to do homework. 

These are some of the reasons why I feel children should not get homework.  Please take this into consideration.  Some children can't do their homework because of home issues so stop giving them detentions and give them NO homework. 

by Keira Hart

Year 7 Students Suffering Stress.

Why are the young, new Fearnhill students suffering under stress, a new environment and tons of homework - staying in school until 3.30pm? 

Would you like your child to walk home in the dark, not knowing if they're going to make it home safely, all alone in the dark?  All of the Year 7 students are complaining about the endless lessons - wasting their last year of being a child. 

The best way to learn is to not take it too far.  Our brains are still developing - we do not need all of this knowledge that might be forgotten straight after. 

We need to enjoy being kids, go out in the daylight and take a break for ourselves.  Do you really enjoy watching us getting exhausted, stressed and homesick? 

Once we get home, it is already dark.  There is no time to spend with your family and enjoy life a little bit.  How would you feel if your child went straight up to their room and did homework, not even bothering to say "Hello!" because our time was taken away by boring lessons in a stuffy classroom. 

You must be mad!  (I was only joking, Miss!). 

I rest my case. 

by Lisa Alaba

The School Day Should Finish at Lunchtime!

We are being kept in school far too long.  We should be allowed to go home after lunch.  By keeping us till 3.30pm, it is keeping us away from our happy homes too long.  It is wrong, incorrect and unfair to all children in Year 7.

On our way home in the winter, it gets very dark and could cause us difficulties walking home, and it doesn't make much of a difference taking an hour away from you, but it makes a huge difference to us.  It will only spare one period - is that much to lose?

We should be able to enjoy being children whilst we can.  It is a very tiring day and would give us more time to relax and gain our strength back for the next day.  Do you really want us to go home so exhausted we fall asleep five minutes after we get in?

It would also benefit the staff and the older students.  If Year 7 were allowed to go home at lunch, it would give older students more silence during their exams and GCSEs.

It is a known fact that children need nine to ten hours of sleep, and you make us go to school for six hours!  That is almost the amount of time we sleep, and a quarter of our entire 24 hour day - spent at school!

I think it is wrong and unfair.  Think about it.  Should we suffer an extra hour each day?  I hope you agree to make our lives better.

by Oliver Langford

Welcome to Year 7's Magazine

Welcome to our first online magazine, written by Year 7 students at Fearnhill. 

Each week we'll be posting new content on everything that matters to Year 7s. 

We'll be looking at issues to do with school, homework and uniform; social media; films, music and books. 

So keep checking back every week for the latest and most up-to-date news and views.