Spring

Fields become green, flowers bloomed luxuriantly, trees also sent out new buds,

birds sang pleasantly on the trees, the sweet smell of fresh soil and new blooms gave off in the air.

Spring has come.

Round the World in Eighty Days

I read a novel "Round the World in Eighty Days". It is written by Jules Verne. It said a gentleman named Phileas Fogg who lived in London was a disciplined man. One day he read a news that said people could go round the world in eighty days in 19th century. Fogg believed that he could do it , but his friends didn't think so. So they betted Fogg twenty thousand pounds. Even though Fogg encountered many difficulties, such as the bad weather, the uncompleted structure railway and a detective who thought that he was a bank robber. He still went back to London on time and won his bet, and because he saved a beautiful girl in India, he won a pretty wife as well. Fogg is a brave, friendly and lucky man, so he had a happy life. I wish I can travel round the world in the future. Of cause it needs good luck, enough money and time.

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness is a true story about the successful investor Chris Gardner. Chris has a family with his wife and a son. They always had a happy life before Chris began to sell medical instruments. Even though Chris and his wife work hard every day, their life still becomes more and more difficult. One day, Chris meets a stock broker who looks so satisfied. Then he decides to be a stock broker. However, his wife no longer trusts him and leaves him. After that, Chris and his son are too poor to pay the rent, and then they have to stay in the church or the subway station. No matter how tough they are, Chris Gardner finally lands an internship at a stock brokerage firm and wins the only one position because of his bright and the spirit that he never gives up. Just as Chris Gardner said, "You got a dream, you gotta protect it." Will Smith does play out the role of Chris Gardner marvellously. It is really a wonderful movie. Chris Gardner teaches us never give up. "You want something, go get it!"

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

• July 18, 1918 - born in Transkei, South Africa


• 1942 - learnt at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and qualified in law


• 1944 - joined the African National Congress


• 1948 - worked for resistance


• 1956-1961 - went on trial for treason


• 1961 - was acquitted


• 1962 - was arrested
  was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labour


• 1963 - went on trial for tried to overthrow the government


• June 12, 1964 - was sentenced to life imprisonment


• 1964-1982 - was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison
• thereafter - at Pollsmoor Prison
• February 11, 1990 - was released


• 1991 - became President of the ANC

The Rights of Victims of Crime

A victim of crime is a person who suffered harm (whether it be physical, emotional, financial or psychological harm) because of a crime, or a person who dependents on someone (for example a parent) who has been injured or died as a result of a crime. Every person is unique and so everyone’s experience will be different. It’s important to get help and support to deal with these effects.

Rights and protections

Victims of crime in New South Wales have a Charter of Victims Rights to protect their rights. If you are in a life-threatening or emergency situation, you should always call 000 for help immediately. If you have been injured by an act of violence, such as an assault, robbery, domestic violence or sexual assault, that took place in NSW, you may be able to get compensation between $7,500 and $50,000. If you are concerned about your safety you can apply for a protection order. There are two types of orders: a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) or a Personal Protection Order (PPO).

Under the Charter of Victims Rights, a victim should be told about the progress of police investigations, be informed of any bail the defendant has entered into and the conditions of that bail, any charges laid against the accused, information about the trial/court process and the outcome of the trial.

Finally, if you have any enquiries about your rights as a victim of crime please contact the 'Victims Services’ Victims Access Line on 1800 633 063.

Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Noonuccal)

• 1920 borned on North Stradbroke Island


• 1941 joined the Australian Women's Army Service


• 1958 joined the Queensland Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders


• 1962 became the first Queensland state secretary
  read her 'Aboriginal Charter of Rights' at the 1962 annual conference in Adelaide


• 1964 first collection of poems We are Going was published


• 1968 changed political philosophy


• 1970s returned to Stradbroke Island
  changed name to Oodgeroo Noonuccal


• 1993 died on Stradbroke Island

Personal Reflection of A Story of Shannon

Shannon is a 18-year-old girl who wants to move out of home with her 19-year-old boy friend. However, it is hard for them to find an affordable flat near her school. Then her mother suggested them to wait a few years and taught them some basic life skills.

Under the law, Shannon and her boy friend can move out because they are both over the age of 18. Yet, it is better for them to live with their parents for a few years until they become more mature and finish their schools.