The month of March marks International Women’s Day, which was first celebrated over 100 hundred years ago. Come to the event in the Student Centre on Friday 6 March to find out why it’s still relevant. th
There are also a plethora of social and religious topics to choose from in March, including World Book Day, Holi, Eid, Purim, World Sleep Day (my personal favourite), and many more. If you have something in particular you’d like to read in the newsletter, let us know! Fill in this form and let us know what you’d like to read.
https://forms.office.com/e/z7WMHrw30x
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A massive thank you to all the students who contributed to this edition. If you’d like to get involved in writing for the newsletter you can! Email castran@longroad.ac.uk.
by Jenna Bourhani
Awareness
Dyscalculia is a misunderstood learning disability, and some students can be made to feel inadequate because they struggle to understand what many would perceive to be “easy” maths. Dyscalculia can get in the way of learning on a daily basis. People with dyscalculia can sometimes struggle to get the right support because the condition is less well-known than others such as dyslexia or ADHD, which is why raising awareness is extremely important.
Dyscalculia means that many students fail their maths and science GCSE’s and they will struggle with simple activities such as counting change, calculating prices, percentages, and telling the time on an analogue clock.
How can we help?
Adjustments like using digital clocks in classrooms and workspaces make it easier for people with dyscalculia to tell the time. This is a change that doesn’t make a difference to those without the condition, but is very significant for those who do.
Support/ reminders of upcoming appointments and deadlines can be helpful.
Even if it doesn’t affect you or someone you know right now, educating yourself about the condition is a great thing to do and can make people with dyscalculia feel understood and valued.
“If you judge a fish by how well it can climb a tree, it will always think it is a failure.”
Dyscalculia Awareness Day
Dyscalculia Awareness Day is on 3 March every year, starting in 2023. The Dyscalculia Network and British Dyslexia Association does a lot to raise awareness for the condition.
Did You Know?
People who are on the autism spectrum are more likely to have dyscalculia.
Long Road have a wonderful team who support students who might need extra help because of conditions such as dyscalculia. You can reach out to them for help if you feel like you need it.
Additional Learning Support email: support@longroad.ac.uk
International Women’s Day International Women’s Day
What’s On
Join us on Friday 6 March in the Student Centre for a day celebrating International Women’s Day! We have been celebrating this event for the last four years and this year promises to be just as special. Open to all, come to the Student Centre between 11:30 and 2:00 for a plethora of activities. This includes: th
Self Defence Class Sign Up ��
Pick ‘n’ Mix Sale ��
Charity Drive ��
Decorate Your Own Tote Bag
The Long Lens Film Magazine ��
Interactive Display ��
Women’s Only Sports Sessions ��
Arts ‘n’ Crafts ��
Much More!
Why International Women’s Day?
In many cultures around the world (including in the UK), women are still not treated as equal to men. This event is an opportunity to celebrate female achievement and also to learn about how and why women are still fighting for equal rights across the world. This will be particularly noticeable if you come and join in with our interactive display!
IWD Film Recommendations �� ��
One of my favourite ways to celebrate International Women’s Day is by watching films! The below films are just a small selection that highlight various different issues that women face in different societies. You can check trigger warnings using these sites:
Set in the city of Nirobi, Rafiki is a Kenyan drama that in many ways mirrors the story of Romeo and Juliet. Kena and Ziti’s romance blossoms in a country where their union is an illegal act of defiance. Banned in it’s native Kenya, Rafiki is a colourful and vibrant reminder of the beauty of same-sex relationships and the hardships faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Color Purple (2023)
The most recent adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Color Purple is a musical telling the story of Celie. Set during the early 1900's, Celie deals with the hardships of living with an abusive husband as an African American woman in the southern United States. A roller coaster of emotions, The Color Purple is heartbreaking, hilarious, soulful, and poignant.
The Breadwinner (2018)
Cartoon Saloon is an Irish animation studio famous for creating animated films that showcase Irish culture and mythology. The Breadwinner follows Parvana, an 11 year old growing up in Kabul under Taliban rule. The team consulted Afghan refugees, Afghan dialect coaches, as well as casting voice actors of Afghan heritage to make sure the film was representative.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Described by director Ana Lily Amirpour as "The first Iranian vampire western", this iconic Farsi language film follows protagonist “The Girl” in the fictional “Bad City”. Subverting the titles implications, The Girl is able to freely roam the streets at night without concern for her safety whilst she hunts and preys on bad men.
Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Raise the Red Lantern is a Chinese-Hong Kong coproduction set in the 1920's. The film follows Songlian, who after the death of her father is forced to marry a wealthy man and become his fourth wife. The film explores the roles and status of women in society versus the influence and freedom men have and the impact that has on protagonist Songlian.
A Fantastic Woman (2017)
Winner of the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2018 Academy Awards, this Chilean film has been described as a Transgender Watershed moment. Originally titled Una Mujer Fantástica, this film was genuinely life changing as it was used to accelerate the approval of laws allowing transgender citizens to change their official details in Chile in late 2018.
The Babadook (2014)
Starring Essie Davis in what can only be described as a masterclass in acting, The Babadook is an Australian horror movie highlighting the difficulties and barriers for single mum Amelia It also explores the shared grief and difficulties of recovering from the loss of a loved one.
At this point in the year, part of year 12 have now chosen to do an EPQ. An EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is a personal project all about something that interests you. There are many options involved: a dissertation or an essay of around 5000-6000; an artefact or something you produce like a sculpture; a performance involving music, drama, dance or sport that takes place in front of an audience; an investigation or a project that tests a hypothesis and involves the collection of data. There are many ways you could take this project, for example, creating a TED-style talk or even designing a portfolio.
research that must go into doing an EPQ and this can be from a wide range of sources i.e. books, scientific journals, websites or even a movie. If you do choose to read books, try book tabbing to make taking notes a lot easier and save yourself some time.
It is important to be broad with your research and explore many areas of your topic as even if you do not use it all you can talk about why you chose to include or not include that part of your research showing growth along your project. Around 120 hours of work is needed to succeed in the EPQ so be sure to use all your time wisely. However, it is also important to be realistic about the time you have and how much you will be able get done and to make sure that the tasks you need to do are within reach
All photos featured (excluding right top) were created by ex-students for their EPQs
An example of book tagging by someone who is probably ready to take a break.
Upcoming Events Upcoming Events
Student Half Marathon
Later this week student Yehor will be running the Cambridge Half Marathon for the first time. In his words, the reason he is doing this “to support cancer research while challenging myself to show that commitment and empathy matter — even at a young age — by doing something meaningful, not just for me, but for others”.
Yehor is aiming to raise £200 for Cancer Research UK, which will help fund vital research and better treatments for the future. Every donation truly makes a difference. https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/yehors-giving-page-2
Culture Day
Long Road has had a Culture Day celebration for the last 3 years. The first iteration of this event was set up by the Multicultural Society back in 2023 and has continued to grow and flourish with each passing year. If you’d like to get involved this year, you can email enrichment@longroad.ac.uk or come to D109/D110 on Tuesday lunchtimes.
Check out photos from previous Culture Days here: https://www.longroad.ac.uk/news/?pid=0&nid=1&storyid=257
Long Road Photoshoot
Could you be the new face of Long Road? We're looking for Year 1 and Year 2 students to take part in professional photoshoots on Tuesday 21 & Wednesday 22 April.
You may have photos taken in groups with staff, other students or as individuals by our professional photographers. The photography sessions are very relaxed and informal, nothing scary or pressured. All photoshoots will take place at college and fit in around your timetable. You will get digital copies of you photos to keep and hardcopy of the prospectus.
Who doesn’t like a good animated movie? That’s the theme for the upcoming issue for Long Road’s film magazine The Long Lens. If you’d like to get involved you can, check out the poster for dates for editorial meetings to discuss articles and content. No prior experience required, just turn up and talk to us about your favourite films!
If you’d like some inspiration, you can check out Issue 9 which had the same theme.
The women’s netball team at Long Road have a quarter final game for their national competition on Wednesday 4 March. This is a massive achievement as they have been playing teams all across England to get here. Come to the Sports Centre and cheer them on against Hartpury Sport at 1:30pm!
Christian Union Guest Speaker
The Christian Union will have a guest speaker coming in on Wednesday 4 March. Callum is from the new C3 Church on Brooks Road and will be coming in to speak to students about Christian identity and authenticity. th
If you’re interested, no matter your spiritual beliefs, you can join in G11 on Wednesday 4 March 2:40pm. th
The Big Tiger Win
Join us in celebrating a major win for young people across our region! Cambridge & Peterborough Citizens— led by inspiring young leaders from Long Road, Cambridge Regional College, and Peterborough College —has successfully secured funding for the Tiger Pass until March 2027. This celebration event recognises the determination, leadership, and collaboration that made this achievement possible. We will honour the young campaigners and the public leaders who supported them, while also beginning the next phase of work to ensure the long term financial sustainability of the s
scheme beyond March 2027. Hosted by the young leaders who drove the campaign, the event will feature refreshments, music, and opportunities to connect with others passionate about improving transport access for young people. We look forward to celebrating with you.
World Book Day
Thursday 5 of March is World Book Day, a day to celebrate literature and recreational reading. You will be able to pick up book tokens from the desk in the LRC to get money off any books you like at your local book stores. Visit the World Book Day website to find out where you can redeem these vouchers: th https://www.worldbookday.com/books-and-tokens/participating-retailers-events/
New Club
Are you a fan of retro and arcade style games? The new Classic Games & Arcade Club might be right up your alley! Enjoy classics like Mario, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga, and more. The club has only been running for a few weeks, so come and join the growing community, even if you just like to talk about video games.
Any questions, email abanks@longroad.ac.uk
Welcome to Your Vote Week
We’re excited to invite students to take part in our upcoming Welcome to Your Vote Week event! On Tuesday 10 March, you can meet members of the Electoral Services team from Cambridge City Council and learn more about how voting works, why it matters, and how to get involved in local and national elections. Students will have the chance to ask questions, explore how to register to vote, and take part in our very own mock ballot asking the question, ‘Should social media be banned for Under 16’s?’ to experience the voting process. th
Following this event, Long Road will be hosting another mock ballot on Tuesday 28 April to find out who students would vote for given the opportunity right now! If you are interested in politics, come along and cast your vote, which we will then count and publish, and find out which part would win the Long Road Election. th
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Darwin College Lecture Series
The Darwin College Lecture Series is coming to an end for 2026. The last two lectures include Palestinian Song in Tradition and How Song Shapes Society. These lectures are free to all, just turn up on the day. Check out past and future lectures below:
What’s On: https://www.darwin.cam.ac.uk/lecture-series/ Past Lectures: https://www.youtube.com/@DarwinCollegeLectureSeries/videos
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
In April, one of our Long Road student thespians will be a part of the stage adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. With creative choreography and a live orchestra, this show celebrates the power of imagination and proves that dreams really can come true. Tickets available through the Corn Exchange website:
The doctors working for MSF are professionals going into disaster areas. Instead of choosing to work from the safety of their own homes, these people decide to help those who cannot help themselves or be helped by anyone else; regardless of politics, religion or ethnicity. The teams are currently responding to humanitarian emergencies across more than 70 countries, including Gaza, Ukraine and Yemen. They perform lifesaving surgery in conflicts and care for survivors caught in natural disasters.
In April, one of our colleagues Tariq who works with the estates team over the summers will be running the Manchester Marathon to raise money for this important cause. You can donate to help him reach his £700 target here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/tariq-ishtiaq-msf
LGBTQ+ Bridging Binaries Tour
‘Animals don’t do sexual identity; they just do sex.’ From same-sex sexual behaviour in giraffes and penguins to the scientists working in the field of zoology. How do the labels and categories we give animals affect the way we interact with the natural world? Explore the natural world through an LGBT Lens at the Museum of Zoology Cambridge.
From queens, emperors and divine beings, to scientists, artists and global communities, explore the spectrum of identities that exist across time, place and culture in Cambridge collections. Discover the queer history on offer at Cambridge Museum of Archaeology.
Cambridge Festival
The Cambridge Festival is an annual celebration of the arts, sciences, and ideas that shape our world. Located in the heart of Cambridge, the Festival connects communities with the University’s research and creativity, opening the doors of the University to everyone, through engaging, accessible, and community-focused programme of events. Spanning 17 days, the Cambridge Festival is a vibrant and unique celebration of research and ideas hosted by the University of Cambridge’s Public Engagement team. Attend free talks, films, exhibitions, walks and family events from 16 March - 2 April. th nd https://www.festival.cam.ac.uk/
Cambridge Biomedical Campus Careers Fair ��
As a world-leading life sciences cluster, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus employs more than 22,000 people across roles ranging across health, science and private companies. If you are interested in finding out whether a career on Campus is right for you, come along to their Careers Fair and learn more about what a career in STEM might look like for you!
When: 2-7pm, Weds 11th March 2026
Where: Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ
Lace up your trainers and join us for an incredible event to celebrate our community, support an active lifestyle and raise money for charity! The CBC 10k, 5k and Fun Run returns for it’s third year so whether you’re a seasoned runner, just starting your fitness journey or just looking to have fun, register your place today. Entry is completely free for all under-17s.
Take It To The Bridge is a battle-of-the-bands event run by Cambridge University where four top bands compete in front of industry professionals to win an artist support package.
This year’s finalists include emerging singer-songwriter Ava, art-rock four-piece DEN., pop and hip-hop influenced Lost Projects, and Pulsar who combine elements of jazz, electronic, and hip-hop.
https://www cmp cam ac uk/events/event/item/take-it-to-the-bridge-competition-final/
Anglia Ruskin University recently announced a whole host of exciting free lectures. Check out their events page for more: https://www.aru.ac.uk/events. Highlights include:
The Politics of Health Research in the USA
The Unwelcome Return of Scientific Racism
Nurtured by Nature: Why Being in Nature is Good For Us
The Mind of a Crow: What Studying Corvids Tells Us About Cognition
Safe Sips: Navigating Drink Spiking
Behind the Lens: Founding Bakashimika International Photography Festival
A Journey Through Neurodiversity: Understanding and Supporting Unique Minds
Clever But Not Wise: The Limits of AI and the Space of the Human
AI’s Hidden Footprint: The Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence
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