KS3 JOURNALISM

KEY STAGE 3 JOURNALISM

EXCERPTS FROM ‘CODE RED FOR HUMANITY’

It is 2050. The air is heavy, hot and humid; pollution is visibly covering the sky like a shield, except it’s not protecting the earth. It’s destroying it. A dry cough echoes in the room and a specially designed face-mask is placed on a table not too far from the door. You sit on a chair, afraid to go outside, fearful of the senses you might experience. Quickly, your eyes start to water. The news shows that yet another country is flooding. Then, it flashes again and a different nation this time is burning. It’s too late now…

The study affirms that every region on the planet is already affected by rising temperatures. The annual international temperatures presently are warmer than they were during “the warmest multi-century period in at least the last 100,000 years.” Scientists say that the extent and speed of how the climate is changing is unlike anything humans have seen in centuries and in some cases thousands of years.

Rising temperatures make extreme weather occur more often. The fires, floods and droughts areas worldwide are experiencing are directly linked to emission of greenhouse gases. An example of this were the wildfires, in July and August 2021, that burnt 1600 square kilometres of land in Turkey. Immediately after this, in early August, heavy flash floods devastated the country. Additionally, extreme sea level events are projected to occur at least annually at more than half of tidal gauge locations by 2100. These have occurred approximately once a century in the past.

© Aliyeen Awan Key Stage 3 Journalism

EXCERPT FROM ‘NATURAL CHOICES’

Heatwaves are causing wildfires that are wreaking havoc across large swathes of the planet. Widespread flooding is destroying homes making life a misery for many people. Climate change is fast becoming the number one issue. Analysts predict that things will get worse until we change the way we live. Our children will inherit these problems but how do we prepare them for this terrifying future? The UK is preparing to host COP26, the foremost climate change forum that will bring together world leaders, scientists, environmentalists and ecologists to agree what needs to be done to heal our planet. We ask where is the Muslim voice in this debate? What does our faith say about these issues? Most importantly, what action do we need to take to address these problems? We sent our reporter to the Oxfordshire countryside to find answers to these questions.

I’ve come to Willowbrook Farm in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside and I’ve fallen in love. This farm has an amazing story that everyone must hear. One family has built a home, a way of life and a community that has the potential to transform the way we think and behave towards nature. It is managed by the Radwan family and their mission is to produce organic food through sustainable means. I spoke to two members of the family, Dr Lutfi and his son Khalil to learn about their journey.

When I arrive Khalil is explaining how to coppice and pollard trees to a group of visitors. Two children are sword fighting using willow sticks. Others are trying to climb the trees. A few people are having breakfast in the cafe. Some families are sitting on picnic tables set outside waiting for the Farm Tour to begin. It is busy. Seventy people have joined the open session today compared to the usual average of around fifty. People want to connect with nature and the farm provides the perfect family-friendly environment. Mustafa, a Pharmacist from Weybridge in Surrey has come with his family: ‘I’m really interested in how they do things here. The spiritual connection is the most important thing for me.’

© Muhammed Amin Key Stage 3 Journalism

EXCERPT FROM ‘SCHOOL ABLAZE’

The local community of Greeningtown has been left devasted after a schoolteacher burned down the local school and attacked school children in a fit of manic rage. The horrific event occurred in the afternoon when most children left for the day. Four fire engines came to the scene to try and stop the fire, but to no avail. The fire spread too quickly, reducing the school to rubble. Teachers tried to put the fire out, but they were overcome by the intense heat and smoke. Most of the teachers were left with first or second degree burns and were also being treated for smoke inhalation at the Greeningtown Hospital. Nine pupils are in hospital with bite and claw mark and are in Intensive Care. Experts estimate that Mrs Alipac has caused 6 fatalities, numerous injuries, and damages of over 5 million pounds.

The teacher in question is history teacher, Mrs Alipac, an experienced teacher of 20 years who according to some witnesses was married to her job. She was detained yesterday evening for 1st degree manslaughter and arson, however she escaped and is on the loose. Jody, a pupil at the school said “Mrs Alipac drank 7 cups of coffee in the final lesson and spilt the last cup on herself, she was furious. We dare not talk otherwise we would have seen her rage”. Some pupils claim, she began twitching and muttering vacantly soon after the spill. Then when the bell rang at 3pm, she roared at them to leave. According to eye witnesses she lunged towards a Year 8 student who asked her if she was ok. She then clawed and bit the student who later passed away in hospital from her injuries.

© Danyal Parvez Key Stage 3 Journalism

EXCERPTS FROM ‘THE LOST GENERATION’

woke up abruptly for another busy day at school as the screeching alarm penetrated my ears. Rolling over, I plucked my computer from under the bed and switched it on. Thank goodness, I had made it just in time- the register was being taken.

That is how, in March 2020, thousands of school children across the country started their academic term. A new way of learning was unfolding- right in the middle of a crisis that was gripping the world.

This was the month that the UK population was strongly advised by an increasingly concerned Prime Minister, Boris Johnson to stay at home and cease social contact. The virus was burning through the country causing daily deaths in staggering numbers and strict measures had to be undertaken to combat the spread and save lives.

School closures were one of the actions instigated, and all teaching bar those for key worker children was converted to online.

For many adolescents like myself, navigating life through lockdown was challenging, maintaining a semblance of normality became the main aim.

For us, schools are the pulsating hub of our lives. They are the centre point of learning as well as the place where we socialise with our friends and peers.

It was certainly more difficult to engage with studies online; it was tough to create the unique classroom atmosphere in one’s own bedroom. With toys scattered around the room, digital devices within temptingly easy reach and the constant humdrum of family life in the background all causing great distraction from learning.

© Faheem Alley Key Stage 3 Journalism

EXCERPT FROM ‘THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE ARE GONE. IT’S TIME TO BRING THEM BACK’

The population of Yemen recorded in 2019, was 29.16 million people. Before and after then, more than 3 million children have been malnourished. The average child should drink 1 litre of water, yet what they are drinking is dirty water.

The Yemen crisis has taken more than 17, 500 civilians’ lives from the people of Yemen. As well as this, more than 20 million people in Yemen are experiencing food insecurity and starvation from the war. It took, and is still, taking many lives away.

In the UK, awareness has decreased massively on this crisis. A survey set up by The Independent showed that a shocking 49% of the British people were unaware of this ongoing conflict. That alone has alarmed people like me. How are the people of Yemen going to gain back rights if one of the leading countries on the planet has a population blind of its pure companions’ fate?

People are consistently crying out for help urgently and even though the UN have taken swift actions on this descending emergency, I feel that the work is not finished.

All of these events epitomise the rights that have continuously been broken and teared to shreds yet there still is a way to revive our liberty. And it can all start with our youth!

© Aqil Hussen Key Stage 3 Journalism