Advent Calendar: Dec 24

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

We all get excited on Christmas Eve, after all Santa Claus is coming. Remember to thank him by placing out a dish of milk and cookies. For that extra thought, try making your own ones. They're fun and easy to make, and you can share any extra ones with your family.

Christmas songof the day:
KT Tunstall - Sleigh Ride

Advent Calendar: Dec 22

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Don't forget to take some time to relax among all the Christmas rushing about. Take today to sit back and enjoy this festive time of year.

Christmas video of the day:
Coca Cola - Holidays Are Coming

Advent Calendar: Dec 21

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Just realised you've forgotten about the last few people on your Christmas card list? It's not too late to send a quick eco-friendly ecard by email to show you're still thinking about them!

Christmas song of the day:
Bon Jovi - I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Christmas

Advent Calendar: Dec 20

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Been carolling yet? If not, why? It's a lovely tradition and brings that sense of Christmas joy to all. Gather a few friends and sing for your families. It'll bring you all together with that joyful spirit.

Christmas song of the day:
Elton John - Step Into Christmas

Advent Calendar: Dec 19

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Been carolling yet? If not, why? It's a lovely tradition and brings that sense of Christmas joy to all. Gather a few friends and sing for your families. It'll bring you all together with that joyful spirit.

Christmas song of the day:
S Club 7 - Perfect Christmas

Issue 3

Issue 3 is now available to read - it's a Christmas special, with lots of entertainment news and some fantastic Christmas recipes to try in the run-up to the 25th.

It's slightly shorter than normal, but it's just so that we can work even harder on our issues next year - bringing you even more content of a higher quality! :)

Advent Calendar: Dec 18

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Have you checked out "The Locker" Issue 3 yet? It's a great read, with interviews, entertainment news and some great Christmassy recipes to help you get into the festive mood!

Advent Calendar: Dec 17

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Apologies for the delay, as you might have noticed, there was a bit of a glitch with the posting this week, but we're back on track now!

Christmas is a time for family and spending time together. However, we seem to overlook our older relatives that live in sheltered housing or nursing homes. If you can't come in for Christmas Day, try paying them a visit. It would make this Christmas extra special for them, and you too. Or even if you don't have any, why not volunteer to befriend some elderly people and spend some time speaking to them. You'll make great new friends, with interesting lives. I know I have.

Christmas song of the day:
As there's only 8 days to go, here is Destiny's Child - 8 Days of Christmas

Advent Calendar: Dec 13

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Sadly, there isn't another useful way to help prepare for Christmas today - but we do have an extra Christmas song for today! Leave us a comment telling us which you prefer!

Also, "The Locker" Issue 3 should be launching this Wednesday! Listen out for the bulletin and tannoy for more information!

Christmas song of the day:
Taylor Swift / Glee Cast - Last Christmas

Note: "Glee" airs on Tuesday the 15th on E4 at 9pm - you can read our preview of Season 1 in Issue 3!

Advent Calendar: Dec 12

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Placed your order for a turkey yet? If not, why not try having a vegetarian Christmas dinner? With so many options, from your traditional nut cutlet to a more modern Quorn, I'm sure you'll be stuck for choice.

Christmas song of the day:
Julian Casablancas - I Wish It Was Christmas Today

Advent Calendar: Dec 11

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

"Santa Claus is coming to town." He certainly is, and although you may be too old to go and see him - then again you might not - if you have younger brothers or sisters it would be a lovely idea to take them to see Saint Nicholas. It's bring a smile to their faces, and I'm sure it would brighten your day too

Christmas song of the day:
Fountains of Wayne - I Want An Alien For Christmas

Advent Calendar: Dec 10

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Christmas is all about giving. So why not give extra. Offer up your time to volunteer. I'm not talking about spending your holidays helping out in Tibet - although, if that's what you really want… Try offering to volunteer for local causes for a few hours a week. Who knows, you might even want to continue.

Christmas song of the day:
Owl City - The Christmas Song

Advent Calendar: Dec 9

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

For that truly traditional look, hang candy canes from your Christmas tree. They look lovely and you can eat them once you take your tree down.

Christmas song of the day:
Britney Spears - My Only Wish This Christmas

Advent Calendar: Dec 8

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

The Christmas tree is always the centrepiece to any home, and we all want the most perfect tree. However, I'm sure we've all noticed the mess that real trees leave as they sprinkle everything with a coating of pine needles. But worse still, think of the annual, brutal harvest of trees that could be saved by using a faux tree. If nothing else, buying one re-usable tree is far more economical in the current financial climate.

Christmas song of the day:
Lady GaGa - Christmas Tree

Advent Calendar: Dec 7

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Christmas is on its way, and we all want to have the best display. But is that tenth string of fairy lights really necessary? After all, think of the environment. Instead, why not decorate with tinsel, or a string of baubles, much more sophisticated and better for the earth.

Christmas video of the day:
"Christmas Lights Gone Wild"

Advent Calendar: Dec 6

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Are certain friends or family proving difficult to buy Christmas presents for? Try looking through Oxfam's Gift-It catalogue for that je ne sais quoi. I'm sure that giving an alpaca or a well is far more fun than a pair of socks.

Christmas song of the day:
Destiny's Child - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Advent Calendar: Dec 5

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Now you've began buying the presents, you'll have to start wrapping them. But instead of using sheets of wrapping paper, why not think of other ways to wrap your gift. Gift bags are a great idea, as they can be re-used and put less stress on the environment. Or for a truly quaint touch arrange them in a gift basket and tie it up with a ribbon.

Christmas song of the day:
The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

Advent Calendar: Dec 4

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Then again, you could always add a truly personal touch by giving a home crafted gift. After all, what better gift than time and energy.

Christmas song of the day:
Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

Advent Calendar: Dec 3

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

We all like to try and get the Christmas shopping done before anyone else gets the same idea. But to really avoid the high street, high stress shopping trip, try looking for really unique gift in some of the more off beat shops. Try looking in charity shops, indie shops, or fair trade shops as they all offer individual, present perfect things.

Christmas song of the day:
Geraldine McQueen - Once Upon A Christmas Song

Advent Calendar: Dec 2

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Received any Christmas cards yet? Why not return a lovely, unique card? Instead of buying a multi-pack selection from your local supermarket, buy some beautiful charity ones, Oxfam has a great selection. Or even try making your own ones. I'm sure they'll take the best spot above the fire.

Christmas song of the day:
The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York

Advent Calendar: Dec 1

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Instead of buying into your major, commercial chocolate advent calendar brands, why not buy a fair trade one? The chocolate is far superior quality, and it'll taste all the sweeter when you know you're helping promote people earn a living.

Christmas song of the day: 
Perry Como - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Issue 2!

Issue 2 of The Locker is now here. This time, as well as school news, we also have some other feature articles including news on Andrew and Katie and the school's recent Eco Day. There is also entertainment news, with book, theatre, music and games reviews!

We also need your help for Issue 3, which will be launching in the last week of term. We are trying to create a list of 2009's best songs - if you have any ideas, please leave us a comment telling us what you think, you might even find your comment mentioned in the next issue!



With thanks to our sponsor, Johnny Come Lately Gifts.

The Elizabeths on Radio 1!

In Issue 1.5, we published a story saying that a new song by Portlethen Academy's The Elizabeths was going to be played on Radio 1 in the near future. We have received confirmation that the band will be featured tonight on Vic Galloway's "BBC Introducing" show between midnight and 2am tonight, during the "Back of the Net" feature. We know that this is quite late, but you can click here to visit the show's website and "listen again" through the BBC iPlayer to it tomorrow!

Andrew and Katie Go Clubbin'!

To raise money for Children in Need, two of our sixth years, Andrew Starrs and Katie Richmond, are trying to take part in as many clubs in school in the six weeks before the end of term. There's a lot to cover, but you can see blogs, photos and other updates on their blog here; we'll also keep you updated in The Locker and on this blog!

You can sponsor Andrew and Katie by clicking on the link in the sidebar, or by speaking to your DCT teacher starting next week - your donations are going to a great cause, so please be generous!

Issue 1.5

The first issue of "The Locker" has had an update!

Now it features even more school and entertainment news than before!

Feel free to leave us a comment telling us what you think, and keep checking back to find out when Issue 2 will be available!

Issue 1

The first issue of Portlethen Academy's "Locker Magazine" is now available!

You can read about the recent pupil forum results as well as other news stories from around the school.

We also have a comprehensive entertainment guide - featuring only the newest music, films and games!

Just click below to read it!

Coming Soon!

The new school magazine is almost complete!

Listen to the bulletin for more information on when our first issue will be released!

Advent Calendar: Dec 23

Christmas is on its way. So at The Locker we've prepared an Advent Calendar with a helpful hint for each day to help prepare for Christmas Day.

Still not feeling Christmassy yet? Try building a snowman or, if there's no snow where you live, try experimenting with some artificial snow (just add water!) to get into the festive mood.

Christmas video of the day:
Miley Cyrus - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree