Kunsill Studenti Junior College

I chose a plain, simple title on purpose, because facebook quite simply has become a plain, simple
entity in our everyday lives. “They're not together any more, they're single on their facebook
relationship status.” “Yeah came back from his holiday yesterday, didn't you read it on facebook?”
How many times have we heard these phrases? If it's break ups, football scores and news, political
issues, events promotions, personal fights turned public, facebook is one of the best places to get to
know what's going on.

It has taken up a huge chunk from our lives, rather than studying for our exams we end up spending
hours on facebook everyday. It may also become a pain in the neck for most of us, recently due
to the multiple like pages created. People who we may not know, end up talking to use as if we've
known them for ages, just for us to “like their pic”. Another issue with regards to facebook, are these
Cityville, Fishisle, Yoville, and the oh so famous Farmville games which apparently every individual
who plays these games needs some form of assistance as personally I get about twenty requests
daily to play these games. To be honest with you, I've tried out all these games to see what the fuss
is all about, and amazingly enough they really are quite addicting, but I stopped when I had the
chance.

A few years ago, there was hi5, now we have facebook to fill our “spare time” and study time at the
same time, who's not to say that twitter will take facebook's place in a few month's time?

Robert Cachia

This is a common question that boys tend to ask us girls. Why do we like shopping? I
think that every girl in the world loves shopping, some can afford it, whilst others don’t,
but even if it’s a very small item, it will make us happy. Some girls use shopping as a
therapy: to hang out with their friends and to forget about stuff which might be troubling
them, such as: family problems, boyfriend problems and stress at work or in school.

There is something about shopping which makes us girls so happy. The joy of entering
a store and seeing all those beautiful clothes and accesories neatly placed on shelves
just puts a smile on your face, and then the smile grows even wider as soon as you see
something that you like, try it on, fits you perfectly, buy it, and eventually wear it with
a smile on your face. At that moment you feel that it was worth it to work or to go to
school to earn the money. It is the same thing with guys and their football and video
games, but girls just make shopping more fun.

Micaela Cassar

This is a Battle of the Bands organized to focus on new comers and give them the opportunities they need to be heard. Therefore they need your support.

Venue: St. Agata Rabat

Time: 7pm -11pm

Entrance Fee: 3Euros donation (get 10 persons with you and you will be given 2 tickets for free)

Voting System: 40% people (people will be given a vote with every drink they buy) 60% judges (Matthew and Ivan from Redelectrik and a certified person will be judging the bands)

Free Parking

Guest Band soon to be announced

Event on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168934639840388

It’s no secret that one dilemma that college studentsgo through is handling a part-time job with their studies. For students outside of Malta, there is no question... a part-time job is a must.

From paying for their studies to accomodation, the ‘pocket money’ earned from the parents surely won’t be of any help. To start of, they’ve got no stipend like we do and college entry fees are quite high, some reaching £3,300 a year. Moreover, due to the long distances between home and college, students end up renting an apartment where chores such as cooking and cleaning will need to be done. Gathering all these expenses together leaves them no choice but to find a job where these students can make some extra cash to continue wih their studies.

So what’s the problem in Malta? Our colleges do not require such high entry fees, travelling is not an issue on this small island and therefore accomodation is free of charge. What’s more, we’ve got stipend, a monthly grant to support us with our studies. But in my opinion, looking for a part –time job while being a student is of benefit. First of all, the grant we’re given is definately not enough to sustain a studen’ts life, considering public transportation costs, and monthly stationary costs. Therefore, a part-time job will aid the student earn that extra cash which s/he can use for their own personal needs like shopping, entertainment or save it for future use. Secondly, in my opinion , students become more responsible , organised and disciplined , not only at the work place but also when it comes to studying.

Of course, one should also keep in mind that alot of students are busy with other activities such as drama , sports or music, and therefore a part-time job is practically impossible. But I do encourage those who are contemplating a part-time job to go for it, since it’s an expereince that will definately be helpful in the near future.

Chris Busuttil

Along the years the Roman Chatholic Church has had a major influence over the lives of Maltese citizens and even the state in general. Many issues over the years were resolved with the chatholic teachings in taught. Most recently is the issue of Divorce being introduced in Maltese law, the church being strongly against it, has left a massive controversy and divide between the population. Still it can be seen that, throughout the years, some of the teachings are increasingly becoming ignored, most of which by younger and newer generation.

Most obvious , and proven by statistics, is that church attendance has decreased drastically since the 1990’s. Still some argue that secularization is not shown when comparing church attendance since it does not show whether the belief in the church of Maltese population has decreased or not.

It is troubling to think that younger generations fail to believe in some religion, since some believe religion instills moral values in a person.

One thing is certain though, with the increasingly individualism in citizens and the faster lives people are living , religion is given less importance, not only in a country as previously religious as Malta but also on a global scale where the increase of secularization is parallel to the increase of industrialization and modernity.

Maria Spiteri

One of the most controversial topics at the moment in the Maltese Islands is definitely whether this country should introduce divorce. What does divorce really mean? Divorce is the dissolution of marriage, cancelling all its legal duties and responsibilities. The church in Malta treats divorce negatively, as marriages are considered as permanent during the life of the spouses and so divorced couples are not allowed to re-marry as their marriage wasn’t annulled.

Based on opinions and beliefs, no human is perfect and hence every person is subject to errors.

One point why people may be in favour of divorce is the case when your husband or wife is physically abusive. One has no guarantee on what is really going to happen but the past may be a predictor. If your husband has hit you once, twice; he may do it again, so why stay? If divorce is introduced, no one is forced to use it. Only those who really need it and are in extreme cases, therefore divorce shouldn’t be easy to get.

Whether this country should introduce divorce or not shouldn’t be a taboo. I believe that everyone should have a say, and that the Church should not declare that person who voted yes for divorce a sinner. This should be a topic based on our values and beliefs, everyone will vote on what is best for Malta.

Ruth Micallef

Waħda mill-akbar fatturi li tagħmel il-ħajja ġewwa l-Junior College unika u speċjali, hija l-preżenza ta' diversi għaqdiet li jinsabu fiha. Għaqdiet bħal Pulse, SDM, Chrisco u Young Enterprise joħolqu lok, fejn persuna, student jew studenta, tkun tista' tqatta il-ħin liberu tagħha, filwaqt illi tħaddan u tiżvillupa ħafna valuri ġodda. Fuq kollox żżom ‘il bogħod minn kull tip ta' tentazzjoni u vizzji. Iżda, minħabba dawn il-ħafna għaqdiet ġewwa istituzzjoni waħda, il-propja għaqda bħalaħaġa waħda qed tiġi mitlufa.

Il-preżenza ta' ħafna għaqdiet ġewwa skola waħda, għalkemm mdaqqsa, qed twassal li hekk kif kull għaqda tiġbed u tatratta n-nies tagħha, l-istess membri ta' kull għaqda, jingħalqu fi grupp wieħed u għal avvenimenti bħala skola magħquda, bħall-Isoiree u attivitajiet relatati mal-isport, ikun hemm in-nuqqas ta’ parteċipazzjoni ta' ħafna studenti li sa frattant ikunu kapaċi jekk mhux mill-aħjar biex jaħdmu dak l-irwol jew jieħdu dik il-parti. Kif ukoll, dak is-sodisfazzjonli ġġeghlek tħoss l-iskola, li toħroġ barra u ssemmi isimha, qiegħed jiġi mitluf ukoll.

Għalhekk inħoss, li f'messaġġ qasir, għandna noqgħodu attenti, filwaqt li naħdmu flimkien biex din il-problema tibda tonqos, u għal darba oħra, bħala Kulleġġ wieħed, niġbdu ħabel wieħed u b'hekk niksbu suċċessi li wara kollox,ħaqqna.

Michele Cardinali - PRO KSJC