British Computer Society Schools Website Competition – 23rd June 2005

On Thursday evening the British Computer Society held their annual award ceremony. The evening was hosted at Canfield University starting with a prize giving ceremony followed by a chance to view the gun sheds and the collection of war motorcycles.

All participants were awarded certificates and a prize, the prizes varied from pc games to memory sticks. The top prizes were Playstation 2 consoles and MP3s.

Our very own website for the vale youth forum was awarded a certificate of commended entry. On behalf of the ‘Beans’ who designed the website, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Abingdon Boys school, and Rush Common primary school (both in the vale), who won first prize for secondary and primary schools.

Julian Brewer – ‘Bean’ Team member

Stories from the message rooms

By clicking on the "Read opinions Leave opinions" graphic at the top of the page, or on chat you can leave your own thoughts on this website. You have to be a spired.com member to do so, but if you want to see how it works first you can go into the chatrooms with these details:

username: guest
password: g123

As well as talking about trips, buses and writing for the Oxford Times, people are also using it to write collaborative stories. Here's the first one:

curno: Jullian Tom David Chris Lauren and Katy opened teh door to conference room 1 to find...
curno: a portal!
curno: they entered the land of teh beanies
webmaster: Sings the beanie song
webmaster: Beans, beans beans beans, beans...
curno: god save our gracious bean...
webmaster: The bean knows what we mean to say
jeremy: And that is what we'll say today!
curno: wow this story's, like, so interesting!
jeremy: Suddenly, the bean eating giant of abingdon turned up and said ...
curno: what ho old bean! o wait..... thats me!
webmaster: Because he was a giant entirely made of beans ...
webmaster: With beans for eyes ...
webmaster: and then Jack came, cut down the beanstalk, and the giant turned into a flock of birds and flew away.
webmaster: The end.

Think you can do better? Join in!

Youth Forum members elected to UK Youth Parliament

Lauren Evans has been elected as a Member of the Youth Parliament (MYP) for South Oxfordshire with Chris Tolley elected as Deputy MYP. Lauren from St Helens and Chris from Larkmead represent their schools at the Youth Forum run by the Council to consult young people about various issues.

The results were announced on the evening of Monday 21st March at Brookes University which was attended by the Lord Mayor of Oxford. This was the first Election in Oxfordshire and 3 MYPs were elected to represent North Oxfordshire, Oxford City and South Oxfordshire. 3 Deputies were also elected to assist them throughout their 1 year term of office.

“As a newly elected MYP I want to focus on transport and reward systems to improve and increase the use of public transport. I also want to focus on the perception of teens in the media and their involvement in politics. This involvement in the community should work to reduce crimes by teens and support networks should be put in place to achieve this. Over the next year I hope to address and improve these issues which affect young people”. Lauren Evans, MYP

“I campaigned in my school and would like to thank everyone who voted for me. I strongly believe that public transport is too expensive for under 18’s and will assist Lauren during the year to campaign for cheaper bus fares for young people as well as other issues”. Chris Tolley, Deputy MYP

As part of the UK Youth Parliament they will participate in local, regional and national meetings to highlight issues that affect young people.

Youth Forum visit to Williams F1

On Wednesday 2nd March Williams F1 hosted the Vale Youth Forum meeting. The day started with a tour of the Museum and a chance to look at the wonderful selection of cars.

The meeting took place in the Ayrton Senna Suite and included a talk about Williams, Economic Development in the Vale, a discussion on what issues the UK Youth Parliament should prioritise as well as a chance to meet the candidates standing in the election for Oxfordshire.

After lunch the young people had the opportunity to ask questions of a panel which included Neil Darlington from the County Council, Executive Councillor Tony Crabbe, Headteacher Richard Bysouth and Paul Tappin from Tappins Coaches.

Questions included Health and Safety concerns, how to deal with bad behaviour on buses, smoking, whether seat belts should be compulsory, risk assessments as well as bus routes and costs involved in providing buses.

“In my opinion I thought it was an enjoyable day in which I learnt a great deal”. Julian Brewer, Larkmead School

"It was interestesting and good fun" Chris Tolley