The School System

As I was unable to make the week 3 ‘unlecture’, I asked my friend to record it for me through her iphone – ah technology these days and the dedication of my kind friend. It was different listening and not viewing the ‘unlecture’ – I don’t know if some of the things were effecting me more than usual or I was just frustarted I couldn’t see other people in the room and their reactions. Either way, something that I paid attention to was the word ‘structure’.

Now, the structure of VCE differs largely from the structure of Universities – for examples essays. We have been told multiple times to ‘forget what you know’. I am partly thank-ful for being told this, but then again, 13 years of my life was learning a system in which I should forget. Well, thats exaggerated. I was never very good at ‘structure’ so to speak – I could never structure a sentence the way they wanted or even the essay as a whole and I lost marks for this. But I strived and pushed myself to ‘stick to the system’ – even though it was so difficult. To get into the University I wanted, I had to comply with the criteria of VCE (which I don’t think is a very accurate way of testing as the whole thing is pretty artificial, but thats just me being cynical) but I did my best to be ‘most right’ within this system. Funny enough, I didn’t do to bad – which is now irrelevant as its now a number that represents nothing of me but the fact I worked hard once to make myself agreeable to a criteria. But during the time, I felt like my ATAR score would shape me and define me for who I was but it did quite the opposite – I found out my score, accepted it and moved on with my life.

Now, I like to say I am very passionate about writing so when we were told to make a blog I was pretty excited as I have always wanted to be able to report on what comes naturally to me – personal preference. Just by writing what comes naturally to me on this blog, I am really started to enjoy writing again like I once did (before VCE). I am not saying that I am great or can write a perfect story, but through having a place of expression I can work at my personal style and even editing skills – rereading my own writing and being able to advance it. I also love getting feedback from my other peers within the course. I love their brutal honesty and their appreciation of my opinion and even my style. Its very rewarding and in a way confidence building.

Like they say (who ever ‘they’ may be)- “you gotta have faith”.

Australia’s Next Top Model Gets Physical

Now, if  you don’t watch Australia Next Top (ANTM) – do. Apart from the recent incident (and I will get back to that), this show is incredible. The fashion, photography and style within this show is amazing – and not to forget the beautiful models. As I am inspired by all these things, I adore this show and find that Australia’s Next Top Model has more style then any other ‘Top Model’ series (for example ‘Americas Next Top Model’).

My mum and I always have bets who will win and who we like most (as a model) – usually choosing who we think in the first or second episode. Our picks were Taylor Roberts and Ashley Pogmore. This weeks episode featured both our favourites – and not in their element. As the girls took to their ‘artistic’ side of working in a group and making an artwork in a team, things begun to get ‘playful’ as Ashley thought it would be a good idea to ‘start a bit of a paint fight’ which quickly escalated to ‘getting physical’ in the terms of violence. Ashley threw paint onto Taylor’s and this lead to Taylor losing her temper and attempting to strangle Ashley – and also pushing her down. This lead to Ashley in tears and then spun into a very serious matter quickly.

A story was also featured on A Current Affair (Channel 9) the night before interviewing some of the judges, like Charlotte Dawson, on their views and how the public may take it. This created a large amount of hype and  I already knew that they (the produces of ANTM) weren’t taking this ‘incident’ lightly – so I had already assumed she was disqualified.

In my personal opinion, I did think disqualification was the right thing to do – as violence is never the answer. But this will not be taken lightly with the fans either. Throughout the interviews is was predicted that Taylor and Ashley were going to get negative feedback from the ‘fun to not fun’ – with how they acted, how it proceeded and the result of both of their actions. So in other terms, through social media sites (instagram / Facebook / twitter) there may be a lot of fluctuating responses that may hurt the girls mentally and professionally – which may be damaging. Although, they have both posted pictures on instagram of them together, agreed to do radio shows and even be interviewed on the segment on A Current Affair – where they were both honest, Taylor breaking into tears. Its clear they want this to pass as quickly as possible so that they can get on with their professional careers and so they don’t get ‘too much’ criticism from the public.

I want to say good luck to the girls and I hope that its a lesson to girls not to turn to violence but also a lesson in forgiveness.

Ashley Pogmore (LEFT), Taylor Roberts (Right) (Images found Australias Next Top Facebook)

Feature Image – Taken by me (iphone picture of television)

Luna – Ash Kingston

LUNA

Photographed by Ash Kingston