HNC Echo Spring 2020

FOR STUDENTS BY STUDENTS

ISSUE 12

Budget Travel 5

Our feature explores a range of travel options getting out of Huddersfield without getting into debt

8 You’ve heard of Kpop, but what about Kdramas?

3

Jacob Wiggans

9-10 A Short Story: Courtney Bostock

14 American professional boxer Shannon the Canon

THIS ISSUE

CONTENTS 2

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Welcome to the HNC Echo.

This magazine is created by students for students, as a forum through which students can voice their opinions on current affairs and other topics. If you want to get involved with the magazine and voice your opinion, you can offer:

5-7

8

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11-12 Film/game/music/ theatre/gig reviews

•

Sports write ups and match reports

•

Insights into your unusual hobbies and interest

•

Interviews

•

Hints and tips

•

Artwork

Beanpole, Film Review

4. What has been your favourite part?

My favourite part would have to be greeting the Duchess of York on behalf of the students, during her visit to Huddersfield. It’s definitely not something that many people can say they have done!

Budget Travel Gwen Hughes

K-Pop, K-Dramas

A Short Story Courtney Bostock

The Hong Kong Protests Abigail Green

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Head Student Advert

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The Canon George Kelly

Could you be our Next Head Student?

Our current Head Students Zoe Wostenholme reveal more about their experience and their advice to help make a successful application.

1. What made you apply to be a Head Student?

I applied to be Head Student as I really wanted to make my personal statement stand out when applying to universities. I wanted to be able to have a positive impact on HNC and to be able to make decisions when it comes to events and the student experience.

2. How has the experience been for you?

I have loved it! It has allowed me to take part in the staff Green Group meetings, greet important guests, give tours around College, and speak at Open Evenings alongside the Principal.

Just ask your tutor for more information and how to enrol on this enrichment.

This editorial team have worked hard to write, organise and produce their articles for this edition.

We hope you enjoy them.

Angela Wiliams OBE Principal

See Moodle for full details of how to apply and our application pack!

Jake Metcalf

Abigail Green

Opinion pieces on causes that interest you or concern you in the world around you •

Head Student

HEAD STUDENT

The HNC Echo is written for students, by students. It is a core part of our Student Voice, with our writers independently developing their own ideas and content.

Please note therefore that the magazine contains the individual views of our young people, and any views expressed are not necessarily those of Huddersfield New College. We hope you enjoy the creative efforts of our students.

3. What do you think you have gained from it?

There is a whole range of things that I have gained from this experience. I have been able to build a strong personal statement and CV, improved my confidence in public speaking, and it has allowed me to enhance my interpersonal skills.

5. Do you think it will help you in the future – if so, how?

Being a Head Student has allowed me to gain experience in meetings, enhanced my university applications and generally has improved my overall experience of College!

6. What would you say to students who are wondering whether to go for it or not? Or feeling nervous?

If you aren’t sure whether to go for it, just do it! There’s absolutely no harm in trying, and it will be so beneficial for you and for your future. It’s also an amazing opportunity for you to have your voice heard, and to lead to incredible experiences.

The interview is nothing to be scared of. For the application, you needed a staff sponsor- this could have been your tutor, your teacher, or any other member of staff who knows you. They wrote a reference for you and as part of the interview, Lee and Marcus read this reference to you, and it was really nice to hear what my tutor thought about me!

7. Any top tips for students who are interested?

If you’re interested, make sure you think about some potential questions they could ask. The standard ones are along the lines of, ‘why do you think you would be a good head student?’ and ‘what ideas do you have/ what do you want to change about College?’ If you are prepared you’ll ace the interview!

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BEANPOLE

(Kantemir Balagov, 2019) ‘Beanpole’ follows two young women, Iya and Masha, as they struggle to re-build their lives after the wake of World War 2. Portraying a demolished Leningrad in 1945, the film’s strong themes of mental instability, poverty and desperation act as a strong catalyst to Balagov’s comment on the effects of war. This strong narrative direction is only enforced through the performances of Viktoria Miroshnichenko and Vasilisa Perelygina. Their strong bond and ever developing relationship holds the audiences allegiance, elevating the unlikely, juxtaposing bond between the red-haired girl and the towering woman that receives the nickname “Beanpole”. Arguably, the film tends to lose its momentum, digressing on endless routes that could be described as ‘slow’. It could also be said that at times, the film becomes hard to watch, displaying un-pleasantries that make audiences tense, yet, the aesthetic of these “slow” routes and unpleasant scenes has to be acknowledged.

Balagov’s usage of colour parallels that of

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Jake Metcalf

Caravaggio’s depth in reds, using these vivid colours as a beacon of hope amongst the greys of the war. One particular spectacle, is when Masha swirls in her cadmium green dress, the camera transitions between close-ups and long shots, yet still maintains the elegance of the ex-soldier.

In conclusion, Balagov offers a film that can be credited for its post-war interpretation, using cinematography to offer a sense of hope in the troubled lives of two women.

Although the film doesn’t hesitate to make the audience uncomfortable, and to adopt a slower pace, it is held together by the strong relationship portrayed by the debut actresses and the compelling themes of mental health and repercussions of war that leave audience’s minds restless as the ending credits ensue.

Jake Metcalf

4

BUDGET TRAVEL

Getting out of Huddersfield without getting into debt I’ll be the first to admit it: being a sloth is my natural state.

National

for apartments and often cheaper than hotel rooms, Hostelworld.com lets you find shared dorms that cost even less, and of course, if you just need a place to lay your head, you can always set up a tent in a Campsite for under a tenner.

• Take advantage of free stuff. As obvious as it sounds, there are so many cultural elements of the UK that don’t even cost a penny to see. Cathedrals, museums, castles and national parks are often completely free to enter and can be absolutely fascinating. Admittedly, they’re not for everyone— but that’s okay. For those who prefer a sesh to a scenic view, Tripadvisor.com ranks Liverpool as the best UK city for nightlife, and different places offer

There’s data floating around out there that everyone I like my bed and my room, I like naps, and getting

different opportunities. Brighton is amazing for more

just loves to spout, and it’s that getting a flight to

me out of the house is always a challenge, to put it

off-the-wall, diverse experiences, and Manchester

Paris is cheaper than getting a train down to London.

lightly. More often than not, by the time I’ve gotten

is up there alongside London when it comes to

It’s scary and, unfortunately, often true. Trains

up and ready to face the day, said day is pretty much

nights out. Why not try heading over there while the

can be extortionate, and for young people like us,

over. Or at least, that’s what my parents love to tell

Warehouse Project is running in order to get access

we’re put off by the idea of coughing up £100 just

me.

to a series of club nights that run from September to

to see a different city. But trains aren’t the only

December? (Note that this is only for the over 18’s of

mode of transport. Using websites like Megabus or Despite that admittedly misleading introduction,

the world. If that’s not you, you might have to make

National Express, you can find coaches that go from

however, I’ve also always been compelled by

do with the museums.)

Huddersfield to London for under £10. They operate

this urge to just go. To get out and see the world,

all over the UK, and their prices are often more than

and everything it has to offer. As wonderful as

half that of trains. Get a Coachcard, and that’s an

Huddersfield and all its local characters are (DJ

even further reduction.

Smile, anyone?), after 17 years of living here, I’ve

• If you don’t plan on continuing your education after college, then take a look at workaway.info online.

It offers everything you could want, from jobs to volunteering, house-sitting to family exchanges.

They’re trusted and reliable, and offer an incredible range of experiences that will get you all over the world! You can find temporary work abroad through their website, which will allow you to pay for everything you need while travelling, or you could volunteer and get free accommodation and meals through that, allowing you to spend your money on other things!

• Worldpackers.com is also a great way to find work, hostels or areas where you can exchange your skills for accommodation. They also have a community blog on their page where you can get information and help about budgeting or personal experiences about what they did during their stay, which would be invaluable to first-time travellers looking for advice and tips.

Global Sometimes, however, just seeing the country isn’t enough. Britain is filled with amazing places and

got to say that it’s become a bit dull. Unfortunately,

Here are some of the most important things to keep

whenever I think about getting away, even just for

sights, but it’s also cold and wet for 90% of the year

in mind when travelling the UK:

and is populated by people who love nothing more

a short period, the thoughts are always quickly

than to complain about that fact. Wanting to have

followed by that mood-killing phrase: ‘How are you

• As mentioned above, travel cards are your friend.

going to get the money for it?’.

some different experiences and take in different

Bus, rail and coach cards are all things that can help

cultures is to be expected once you’ve been living

slash prices of travel. A student railcard costs £30, I’m sure I’m not alone in this. People fear what they

here for long enough. And what better time to do

but will reduce your ticket by a third. Student bus

don’t know and fear spending money they don’t have.

that than right after graduating college, when the

passes can halve fares. All these costs stack up when

They like stability. But isn’t life too short for that?

rest of your life is all in your hands?

travelling, so go out and invest in one!

The world is a beautiful place filled with amazing

Escaping Britain 101:

sights, and some of them won’t be around forever

• When it comes to British transport, planning in

(thank climate change for that one). Spending all

• If you want to see a different country but also want

advance is always cheaper. Always. Book your tickets

your life in one place will only give you a pinhole view

to continue your education, the Erasmus Program

weeks, even months in advance, and that’s where

the expansive world we live in, so really, the question

is just for you. Essentially, it connects dozens of

you’ll find the best deals.

universities across Europe into one network, and

isn’t about the how, but the when?

allows students at certain unis to apply to spend • When looking for accommodation, don’t spend

In this article, I’m going to tell you all the best ways

a year abroad doing their studies in a different

unnecessary cash on a low-standard Premier Inn

to get out of the house, leave the inner sloth behind,

country. Durham, York and Bath are just three

with a toilet that doesn’t even flush. There are

and go live your best life. All on a budget.

of the many places which offer this program, and

plenty of other places to go: Airbnb.co.uk is great

the time away can last from weeks to months to a whole year, depending on what you want. You can find out whether or not a university is in the Erasmus Program very easily; usually, they’ll have it somewhere on their website, but you can always go in or call to ask about it.

Gwen Hughes

6

K-POP, K-DRAMAS

Those are just a handful of methods and networks you can go through in order to get a place abroad for a certain period of time. Of course though, that’s only half of the problem—a major hurdle to jump is actually getting from A to B. The cost of flights is often what halts people in their tracks, but with websites like skycanner.com or kayak.com, you can compare the cheapest flights currently on the market and easily pick one that works for you. A quick search on Kayak showed me that I could get from Britain to Milan for £20. On Skyscanner, flying to Tenerife costs £58. Signing up for notifications on when prices drop can make this search even

• Where in the world do you think would be easiest

You’ve heard of Kpop, but what about Kdramas?

cheaper than that, showing you don’t have to dole

3. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

for beginner travellers?

When you get sucked down into the whole that is

out thousands just to get on a flight. With the right

A weird mixture of thriller, romance and comedy,

- The most popular tourist destinations would be the

kpop the next logical step is usually Korean dramas.

mindset and knowledge, the world can be cheaper

but I love it anyway. The leading couple have so

easiest to travel in. They have the infrastructure built

I do admit that there are some dramas that are a

than you think.

much chemistry together and is what kept me

for tourism which makes getting around easier and

steaming hot mess with plot lines being dropped

watching until the end. They’re have the relationship

hassle-free. I would caution, however, that because

left and right and just bad acting, but these ones

Why should you believe me when I tell you all this

that every one of us dreams of having. It follows

it’s so touristy it can be more expensive and the

are a completely different story. Plus these dramas

though? After all, I put my hands up and admit

the life of Do Bong Soon, a woman with super

locals can be more ‘snatchy’, so always have your wits

average to about 16 episodes and, if you’re anything

that I’m not exactly in the position to be doing

strength whose dream is to create video games.

about you!

like me, you’ll be able to binge it all in one go. In the

Unfortunately, she gets hired to be a bodyguard to

following list I’ve tried to pick 5 different dramas /

the CEO of a gaming company instead. Throw in a

any travelling at the moment. So I asked for some help from a pair of travellers who are currently

• Is there anything you wish you’d known when you

movies from 5 different genres that I think are way

in the process of seeing each corner of Earth and

serial killer and you have enough drama to keep you

started on your journey? If you could give your past

too good to be ignored.

having the time of their lives while doing it. Beth

occupied for a Saturday night

selves a piece of advice, what would it be?

and Toby run an account on Instagram called @

- Not to stress about transport or accommodation!

twopennybackpackers, and I highly recommend

1. The Guest

4. W

When it comes to getting around in places like South-

This drama is relatively new and is one of my

following them if you have any interest in travelling

No that isn’t a typo, its literally just called ‘W’.

East Asia, there really is no need to book things so

favourite dramas. If you’re like me then the lovey-

at all. I got in touch with them for the purposes of

Although it does make it more mysterious which is

far in advance, because over there you can easily

dovey stuff becomes old very fast. This is anything

this article, and here’s what they have to say:

what made me want to watch it in the first place. This

rock up on the day to book a bus or a bed for the

but lovey-dovey. It has everything you’d want in a

drama takes place in two worlds: one fictional and

night. Before setting off, we planned so far ahead in

horror drama: exorcisms, demons, death. A preist, a

• How did you decide you wanted to travel the

the other...well not fictional. This appeals to all our

advance that we actually wasted money because we

policewoman and a shaman’s son who also happens

world? Were there any worries going in?

Y/N fantasies imo. Yeonjoo, a doctor in training, is

ended up staying in places longer than we wanted to.

to be psychic team up together to hunt down the

pulled into her father’s bestselling comic book series

demon that killed their families whilst also exorcising

that follows the life of Kang Chul who was framed for

- We had worries. We worried about whether we had enough money. Money is a bit of a taboo subject;

Some other things that came up in our conversation

the petty demons they encounter on the way.

no one likes to disclose how much money they make

his family’s murder. Basically, the two worlds begin

included learning to haggle and figuring out how to

Thankfully there’s no forced romance between the

or spend, but everyone travels differently so one

to clash together causing chaos, death and a lot of

stay calm in stressful situations, which they swore

characters.

person’s budget will be totally different to yours!

drama which is what we’re here for, right?

were both vital things to do while travelling. The

Beth also worried about natural disasters, especially

thought of arguing with strangers and potentially

in Indonesia as it’s known for volcanic activity. But

2. Welcome to Waikiki

5. Train to Busan

being denied is definitely daunting, but a necessary

This is the perfect drama if you just want to laugh.

once travelling, you realise you can’t worry about

I know that this is a movie and I am writing about

part of travel, and if you don’t keep your cool when

I’ve found myself turning to this when I’ve had a

these things. We’ve always wanted to travel, so we

Kdramas , but it’s just too good not to mention. I

you’re navigating difficult parts of the world it can be

particularly bad day.

just picked a random destination and went for it!

thought it was the usual zombie film, but this one

easy to get overwhelmed.

Booking your one-way ticket definitely spurs you

screamed “HA, nope!” before punching me in the gut 3 guys are running a failing guesthouse called

with emotions.

into saving as many pennies as possible. Our advice

Ultimately, travelling anywhere is a very uniquely

Waikiki (quelle surprise!). Their lives get interesting

would be to just do it—home will always be home so

personal experience, and whether you choose to do

when a single mother and her baby stroll up to the

you can always go back if things go wrong.

A child and her absent, workaholic father along with

it with friends, family, or go it alone, the main point

guesthouse. An eccentric actor, a lazy writer who

many other passengers are trapped on a train where

of the experience is to have fun. Remember that

does nothing all day, an aspiring film director, a girl

a zombie outbreak has quickly spread. If you enjoy a

life doesn’t have to begin and end with work, and I

with a beard and a single mother all try to navigate

good dose of horror and tragedy, then I don’t see why

hope that the information you found here today has

their hectic lives. (it’s a lot funnier than the way I’ve

you wouldn’t like this.

inspired you into going on your own adventure and

described it. You just gotta trust me on this one.)

seeing everything that the world has to offer.

7

Gwen Hughes

Abigail Green

8

A SHORT STORY She was not quite sure about it, but he was

for dinosaur bones and buried treasure, then washed

convinced. Their parents had been drunk for a week;

off their findings in a little stream filled with frogs

father didn’t even remember his name. he was only

and tadpoles. At one point the boy looked up at the

remembered when his father was too drunk or lazy

other boy, light seemed to be absorbed into him, like

to get himself a drink, so the boy was sent to fetch

he was the brightest part of the forest. In the direct

it. On the seventh day the boy decided he had had

light his t-shirt and trousers seemed more white

enough.

than grey and it seemed to the boy that the only dark thing about him was his eyes which looked to be all

“I’m going out!” the eight-year-old announced. His

pupil and no iris. Deciding he wanted to know more

older sister attempted to argue. “it will be dark

about him, he asked his new friend “what’s your

soon!” she pleaded. “he will get angry with you,”.

name anyhow?”

Her brother did not listen, he just snatched his

His friend shouted from the treetops “what do you

threadbare coat off the hoot and stomped outside.

think my name is?”

The sun was blistering, and the grass was bleached

To which the boy responded “Charlie?”

an ugly shade of yellow; it crunched under his shoes.

The boy kept walking, he decided he was going to go

“Charlie it is,” it was settled, his name was Charlie

into the forest and find a big stick. He was going to

and they went back to climbing trees and roaring like

scream and cry and hit things and imagine they were

tigers.

his father.

When the sun dipped below the horizon the boy told The stick he found was like a gnarled, twisted finger.

his friend he should head back home. “its dark now,”

When he held it he felt like a wizard, like Gandalf. He

he pleaded “father will get angry with me!”

raised his staff and imagined it was a sword and he was a brave knight cutting down armies of enemy

But his friend convinced him to stay, told him they

orcs.

could search for the frog they found then lost earlier.

“cool sword,” The boy swung around, sword raised

“I’m sure I saw it!” he insisted “it hopped off over

and ready to strike.

there!” pointing to a thick cluster of trees in the distance.

“who are you?” the boy demanded, trying to sound threatening like the brave knight he was.

So stay he did, and if his sister came to search for him in the morning all she would have found was frogs

“wanna play?” The voice asked, appearing from

and tadpoles, tree bark swords discarded, dinosaur

behind a tree. He was a thin and pale boy of eight or

bones washed off by the stream and a little boys

nine, with white-blonde hair and dull grey clothes.

laughter, floating on the wind and whistling through the sun bleached grass.

“sure,” the boy said, lowering his weapon.

The boys played all day, they were jungle cats scaling trees and brave knights fighting battles with tree bark swords. They used their hands to dig in the mud

9

Courtney Bostock

Courtney Bostock

10

THE HONG KONG PROTESTS

The response for the Chinese government and international citizens As the protests escalated the violence between the protesters and the Hong Kong also increased. There have been many deaths (protesters and police) that relate to the protests and the Hong Kong police: some of which have been ruled suicides despite

For the past 6 months the Hong Kong protests

skepticism from many people. This has resulted in

have captured my attention along with many

many protesters shouting out their names along with

other people overseas. Despite the news coverage

the statement that they are not suicidal.

the protests have gotten, not many people are fully aware of the reasons behind these protests.

• The police have resorted to deploying tear gas

Therefore, this article will be dedicated to giving you

and using rubber bullets in the effort to subdue the

a mostly simplified summary along with the most

What are they demanding?

important facts and events that have happened so far.

Some Context

protests to little avail. Many protestors have taken to wearing gas masks in order to protect themselves

There are 5 key demands:

Many examples of police brutality and the methods

• The withdrawal of the bill- this was officially met in

of the protestors can be found all over the internet.

September/October

• Twitter and a discussion forum called Reddit were

• Investigation into police brutality and misconduct

used to raise awareness and give information about

Since 1997’s Hong Kong has been a part of China,

• The release of arrested prisoners

the protests to users abroad. r/hongkong and r/

but with their own independent government and a

• Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s resignation and

hongkongprotests have regular posts on the events

high degree of autonomy. They operate under their

the implementation of the right for everybody,

still happening in Hong Kong

own different system were freedom of speech and

regardless of race, gender, wealth etc, to be able to

• In December, 4 people from Spark Alliance HK,

assembly are protected.

vote in political elections

an organization who collect money to support the

• To stop labelling the protests as ’riots’

protests, had been arrested for money laundering.

Why are the protests happening?

HK$70 million (approx. £68million) of international donations have been frozen. There’s speculation that

A potential law (a bill) was proposed which would

this was a deliberate move by the government in

allow the extradition (the act of sending suspected

order to weaken the protests

criminals back to the country they committed the

• A law was implemented to ban face masks or any

crime) of criminals to mainland China. Opponents to

other method of covering the face

the bill argued that by implementing this bill it would expose the citizens of Hong Kong to China’s legal

If you’re interested in these protests, I highly

system, violent treatment and unfair trials. The bill

recommend that you do some of your own reading.

would also undermine Hong Kong’s independence

Reddit is incredibly useful for regular updates, but

from China and could be used to target activists and

there are more conventional sources like the BCC

journalists therefore giving China greater influence over Hong Kong. This would also potentially impact the citizens freedom and civil liberty (“a person’s rights to be subject only to laws established for the good of the community.”). Hundreds of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets with peaceful and violent protests.

11

Abigail Green

Abigail Green

12

See Moodle for full details of how to apply and our application pack!

THE CANON

H E A D S TUDENT VACANCIES

Shannon the cannon may have turned himself into

13

a joke in the lead up to KSI V Logan Paul 2 withs his antics and evidently not being the best trainer.

Nevertheless, there is an idea of respect towards due to his fighting career due to him being a two-time heavyweight champion but I disagree with this and thought it could be interesting to express why.

Shannon’s professional record is 68 fights with 60 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw. It may be impressive that 53 wins were knockouts (37 in the first round) but it is less so when you look at who they were against.

An example is Marcus Rhude who had 51 defeats in his career (44 knockouts) or Mark Young who had 37 defeats on his record. These are not Tyson Fury standard fighters, are they?

His major, big name, fights that stand out are Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko when beaten with style by both. With Lennox he traded for a while before Lewis

Appointment of Head Student Pastoral and General College Life

allowed Shannon to swing and miss before taking control. In the fifth round Shannon was knocked down again, in this fight, for Briggs to get back to his feet. He swung with his left but missed and found himself in the canvas again without Lewis needing to put him down himself. The fight was ended by the referee while he attempted to continue. In his bout with the elder Klitschko brother he was beaten in every round and hospitalised due to his injuries.

Overall, Shannon was not a mighty champion and so

Appointment of Head Student Curriculum and Teaching, Learning and Assessment

should not rant about them, and sounding like he has taken too many hits to the head.

George Kelly

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If you need the information in this magazine presented a different way, please contact our Equality and Diversity Director at info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk

Huddersfield New College Ney Hey Road Huddersfield HD3 4GL 01484 652341 info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk

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Sixth form college of the year