‘I believe that sex is an incredibly strong symbol of love between two people. Think of it as glue. Once you have had sex with someone, you’re connected to them emotionally and physically. If you tear that bond the rip leaves open scars where the glue once was. That’s why “casual sex” never works in the long term.’ 18 year-old schoolboy Phin Lyman, writing in his school’s magazine about his virginity
Teenager Steve Sutton, who raised over £3.2 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust during his illness, died in May. The 19 year-old, whose Twitter account shared his story with the world, was supported by many celebrities and the Prime Minister in the latter stages of his life. Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott tweeted: ‘So sad to hear of Stephen Sutton’s passing but he achieved more in his 19 years than most do in a lifetime. Live life to the full EVERY day
University ‘wasted’ on teenagers
The head of UCAS has said that university is often ‘wasted’ on school leavers because they make the wrong degree. Mary Curnock Cook, chief executive of UCAS, said that many teenagers, in particular those from middle-class backgrounds, ‘sleepwalk’ into university without giving it proper thought. Mrs Curnock Cook went on to say that more people should consider deferring their degree until their 20s and 30s in order to make the right decision.
Dermot O’Leary narrates new resource
Catholic aid agency CAFOD has released a new set of resources aimed at engaging young people with the work of the charity. The resource pack includes a short film entitled Emergency! What happens at CAFOD? narrated by Dermot O’Leary, an ambassador for the charity. The pack also includes a board game and is aimed at supporting learning across the curriculum, including RE and geography. For more information go to www.cafod.org.uk/secondary/emergencies
Stop the Traffik launches fashion resource
Stop the Traffik has started a new ‘fashion swap’ campaign aimed at young people. The ‘swap’, part of the organisation’s ‘Make Fashion Traffik- Free’ campaign, aims to provide people with a fun and practical way to engage in the fight to end trafficking in the fashion industry. The Stop the Traffik website contains resources and ideas to get you and your young people started.
Russell Brand takes on A-Levels
Russell Brand has angered parents and teachers by telling teenagers not to take A-levels seriously. The comedian tweeted in May: ‘Good luck with your exams but don’t take it seriously - I have no A-levels and am now studied for A-level, it’s all rhubarb.’ The tweet followed news that exam board OCR will include Brand’s views on drugs in its new English language and literature A-levels.
Pupils get a lie-in
Pupils at a Surrey sixth form college will begin lessons in the afternoon to give them more time in bed. Hampton Court House has changed the times of its lessons to 1:30 PM to 7 PM, in the hope that it will be more productive for students. The school has said that teenagers have a biological disposition ‘to go to bed late and struggle to get up early’. One pupil, Gabriel Purcell-Davis said, ‘I want to wake up in my bed, not in my maths lesson.’
