AMBITION: 'Aspirations'

Aspirations

My aspirations are endless due to the many facilities offered here at JFS. If you’re sporty then there are plenty of different activities you can get involved in from netball to the rowing team. Or if you’re more of an arty person there are a variety of equipment pieces for you to use for example powder paints. There is also such a wide variety of during lunch time and after school clubs so any ambitions you have are most likely achievable at JFS.

Being a student journalist, my aspirations include writing an article that may feature on the JFS newsletter and improving my writing skills. I’ve already experienced one class where I learnt about the tools needed to write an interesting article and also learning the tiring day of a TV journalist. These lessons were both educational and enjoyable and I look forward to learning more about the different types of journalism.

I also enjoy sport and as you probably know, the trampolines at JFS are enormous! They’re great fun and the teacher’s guidance is very useful. In the future, I would love to be able to do flips and even whole routines with tricks involved.

JFS can facilitate everyone’s ambitions for the future or make new ones for people. There is so much to achieve or become better at; you can find new goals at JFS and learn things you never thought you would be able to do. You’re bound to find a hobby from the masses of options given to you.

AMBITION: Journalism

Ambition

“Now, more from our sports correspondent..........”

When I used to be asked what my ambition was, I didn’t really know what to say back, but now I know it is this- to become a journalist. 

JFS has played a huge part in helping me develop this ambition. Being part of the Student journalist programme has further encouraged me to work towards this goal. The student journalists have heard talks from people in the fields of print, broadcast and documentary style journalism. We also went on a trip to a Sky news programme, recently set up- especially for schools in which we produced our own broadcast news piece. Not only this, but in year 8 JFS takes part in  the BBC school report programme; although I was not fortunate enough to take part, it was really fascinating to read and even see the work that my peers had produced, this included everything from weather forecasts to extremely detailed articles. 

Additionally, I am developing skills that I might need to become a journalist in lots of my lessons. For instance, in geography I have just learnt about blood diamonds and we got the chance to write a newspaper style article on it, it was marked as an article not as an essay. Furthermore, in history we are learning all about the world around us and how it developed to become what it is now. Only recently we learnt about examples of dictatorships and looked at modern examples. These will all help me on my road to becoming a journalist.

‘Ambition’ is described in the dictionary as “an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honour, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment.”.  JFS has helped me to decide that my desire is that I want to be a journalist. I have the willingness to strive for this, maybe one day you will be reading an article by the same author in a well known newspaper.

AMBITION: 'What to write?..."

Ambitions

My brain whirrs at the thought, as though tiny machines are working away inside my head.  What to write, what to write?  The pen rests in my fingers as I spin it slowly as I wonder how best to present it.  A true journalist hunts down her information, like a lioness on the prowl.  So, shall I hunt it?  Perhaps, but for now, I must think.  A little humour might do well, just a small sprinkle, like sugar on the top of a cake.  Too much would spoil it, I’m sure.  Not enough would make it dry and plain.  It has to be balanced in the correct way, or it will be ruined.  A professional view may succeed, but I fear I’m not suited to it.  I need the perfect story, the perfect piece.  One that will shock, yet please the reader; it has to be something like no other. 

I don’t have much experience to speak of, but I’m willing to give it a shot.  Writing has always been a speciality of mine, something I love and enjoy.  So, I’ve decided to give journalism a shot.  A first, I wondered, how different could it really be from writing stories?  After all, aren’t many news stories just works of fiction?  I was mistaken, but not sadly.  Journalism, I have discovered, is completely different.  With creative writing, you write what you want to write, and that is that.  Journalism, however, is another matter entirely; you have to choose a style that suits you, that is just right.  You can’t be too biased or make details up; you have to be accurate, which can be one of the hardest things of all.

Suddenly, an idea pops into my head out of nowhere.  A smile creeps onto my face, and I realise that this is how some professional journalists must feel; lost at sea for a while, stuck with the dreaded writer’s block.  A shudder escapes me at just the thought of it.  But, out of seemingly nowhere, and idea can appear, one that you just know will work.

My pen begins to scribble frantically on the page, words escaping from my head and flowing freely on the page.  Ideas burst, and I just know this will be great.

Finally, it’s finished.  Typed up properly and spelled correctly.  Everything is just right.  I knock on the office door and as the teacher comes to the door, they see it, gasp and exclaim how excellent it is.  I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks as I swell with pride.  People chant my name, louder and louder, roaring in my ears.

“Hayley!” screams my friend, knocking on my head a little.  I frantically search in my mind for the fantasy, but alas, it’s gone.  I sigh and stand up, brushing the dream out of my mind.  The thought lingers, though – I know one day, I’ll fulfil this ambition.

AMBITION: Dance

Dance

Dance is my passion since I was four years of age,

After my first class I knew it was what I wanted to do,

To be a professional dancer is my main goal in life,

Leaping on a stage in my pink ballet shoe.

When I dance to the music it flows in my ears,

And works right down to my toes,

I run, spin and jump. Pirouette on pointe,

Sorry I can’t help it that’s the way my body goes.

Costumes made to measure, all sparkly and new,

Nervously waiting backstage to go on and perform,

Butterflies in my tummy all gathered up inside,

The company run on together in our ordered form.

Performing on stage with cameras and lights,

A face full of make-up and hair held up tight,

Choreographed routines danced with grace and poise,

An excited full audience is always a pretty sight.

So when I grow up what would I like to do?

Be a professional dancer in lots of productions,

I have to work and practice daily,

Listening to the choreographers and following instructions.