Here are some more letters from our readers that we couldn't fit in the paper.
Dear Editor
In issue 38 of The Newspaper I came across the article titled ‘Is dyslexia a gift?’ I go to a special school for children with dyslexia, so this article was of interest to me.
I think that dyslexia is a gift because sometimes I can see things in a different way than others, this often helps when problem solving. However, not all my school friends agree with me. Some of my classmates think that dyslexia is not a gift. These are some of the words that they used to describe dyslexia: cross, rubbish, annoying, frustrating. Having dyslexia is all of these things, but it doesn’t mean you can’t achieve great things. For example, last year one of my friends at this school won an ipod nano in a poetry competition.
I came to Edington and Shapwick school in Easter 2007 and I couldn’t read or write. Now I am writing this letter to you!
My parents have given me the best gift of all because they sent me to this school. When I think of all the things I have achieved since being here, it makes me feel so lucky and happy.
If you have dyslexia, please remember that if you set your mind to it you can still do fabulous things!
Chloe Archer – Edington
Dear Editor
I am responding to the ‘Is dyslexia a gift?’ article in issue 38. I’ve seen in The Newspaper all the famous people that have dyslexia.
My parents also have dyslexia. My father has a gift as he sometimes helps crypto-analysts crack codes.
So, I think dyslexia is a gift because you think differently than others and you may be more creative. I have dyslexia and dyspraxia and I must admit that it is annoying, but you learn to get round it, I have done.
Sometimes the state don’t pay for children that have those difficulties, my parents had to fight for the statement so I could go to a specialist school for children with dyslexia.
Edington and Shapwick is a great school. The teachers are properly trained to help us and teach us.
I also get O.T. (occupational therapy) and speech and language and this also helps a lot.
Alex Bentley - Edington
Dear Editor
I read your article about the freerunning marines. It think it is a very good activity because it trains people for anything. It gives them different things to learn about. I don’t think I would like to join the Royal Marines or the army because you have to go away on exercise and to foreign countries and you have to go through lots of things.
I think more people need to support the army and Royal Marines. If you decided to go in the army or the Royal Marines your Mum, Dad, friends and family should support you.
Chelsea Quaife – Beckers Green
Dear Editor
I love ladybirds walking across my hand but this article made me think again. When I first read that Harlequin Ladybirds are spreading across the UK I started looking all over my garden but found no sign of them.
Ladybirds affect us in quite a way that upsets us because the ladybirds eat the caterpillars and because when they get eaten they die. Then, the birds will have nothing to eat so they will die and it goes on and on until it affects us.
Rosie Stubbs – Beckers Green
Dear Editor
I am writing to you to offer my opinion about critically endangered animals around the world.
One of the animals that are currently endangered is the orang-utans.
I have found out that on the island of Borneo, an area of rainforests the size of three football pitches is cut down every minute of every day. This tropical island (the third largest in the world) is under siege as never before from loggers and plantation owners. They are destroying these rainforests because palm oil is used in many of our everyday products. These include ice cream, chocolate, biscuits, crisps, margarine, toothpaste, soap, detergents and cosmetics. The shelves in your supermarket are full of products, containing palm oil, which is contributing to the destruction of rainforests wildlife.
I have decided not to buy anything that has palm oil in it. This means checking the label of products before I buy them. If everyone only bought products that do not contain palm oil then the producers will have to find an alternative to put in their products. This will mean that the people that chop down the trees will not do it anymore because no one will buy it from them.
This is the best way to prevent oran-utans from becoming extinct. This is an amazing creature that I would like to help save!
Lewis Delphin – Edington
Dear Editor
I am writing to you because I would like to tell you some things about the article ‘What’s on your menu?’. People should eat more insects because one, they are very nutritious and two, they can save loads of animals from becoming extinct. There are lots of bugs around the world. There are more insects than mammals. Have you ever tasted an insect? If you have what does it taste like? Do you think that animals are going to become extinct? I would like to taste a centipede because it looks quite nice.
Georgia Thomson – Beckers Green
Dear Editor
I’m really angry with the fact that only 1,411 tigers are left in India. Tigers are living creatures, not rugs and coats. They are beautiful but they look better ALIVE! Killing tigers is like killing humans because we are all living creatures and we all feel pain. I’m glad people are doing something, but is it enough? If there are only 400 – 500 Sumatran Tigers left, and if we keep killing them like this they’ll be extinct in the wild in years. I think tigers should be protected. Do you?
Rebecca Haley - Beckers Green
Dear Editor
I read about the earthquake hitting the UK but I didn’t feel it. I can’t believe that it only lasted about 10 seconds. It is good that no-one got seriously hurt but not so good that there was a lot of property damaged – like walls, houses and fences which came down. My fences came down where I live, it ruined our garden and we now have to go outside with the dog. Some people said to my Mum that things were moving around their house. Dogs were barking. Our door flew open and our next door neighbours alarm went off.
Jade Price Beckers Green