Australia Goes to the Polls

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 13 May 2022 > In the News

Australia’s Prime Minister, Liberal Scott Morrison, has called a federal election for 21 May. “ScoMo” and the Liberals were the surprise winners of the 2019 election and currently have a single seat majority in the 151-seat parliament. Opinion polls are favouring Labor and its leader Anthony Albanese over Morrison, who has been accused of bullying … Continue reading “Australia Goes to the Polls”

Seventy Years a Queen

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 12 May 2022 > Ready to Use

The UK is getting ready for a very special “Trooping the Colour” in June… 2022 marks Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th year on the throne! The longest reign ever, even Queen Victoria didn’t reign that long. Famous worldwide for her colourful dresses and hats, Queen Elizabeth embodies the British monarchy and everyone – even beyond Great … Continue reading “Seventy Years a Queen”

Earth Day 2022

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 20 April 2022 > Webpicks

April 22 is Earth Day and its organisers are encouraging us all to “invest in our planet”, the theme of this year’s event. It certainly needs us all to pay more attention to its needs. Earthday.org and NASA provide lots information and teaching tools to engage students and offer practical actions to take. This 1-minute … Continue reading “Earth Day 2022”

Historic Supreme Court Nomination

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 15 April 2022 > In the News

On 7 April, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as a Supreme Court Justice — the first ever African-American woman in the court’s 233-year history. Despite hostile Senate hearings, three Republican Senators gave their votes to confirm the nomination.  When he fulfilled an election promise by nominating Ms. Brown Jackson, … Continue reading “Historic Supreme Court Nomination”

Teaching with Films: Belfast

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 14 March 2022 > Webpicks

The trailer and the featurette for Belfast are both used in our Ready-to-use resource on the film. Trailer Featurette

Branagh’s Belfast

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 14 March 2022 > Ready to Use

Belfast is the story of nine-year-old Buddy growing up in the Northern Irish capital in a friendly, working-class community until the Troubles brutally disrupt his life in 1969. The film and these activities will help the students discover more about the Northern Irish conflict and its human consequences. It is actor-director Kenneth Branagh‘s most personal film … Continue reading “Branagh’s Belfast”

In the Streets of Belfast

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 04 March 2022 > What's On

Belfast is actor-director Kenneth Branagh‘s most personal film yet. It’s the story of nine-year-old Buddy growing up in Belfast in a friendly, working-class community until the Troubles brutally disrupt his life in 1969. Belfast is set in 1969, when what were called “the Troubles” went from protests to violent riots in the space of a … Continue reading “In the Streets of Belfast”

Koalas in Danger

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 11 February 2022 > In the News

The Australian government has announced that it now considers koalas an endangered species in three out of five of the states and territories where they are native. Palace populations have declined precipitously in just a decade. The 2019-20 bushfires were the last straw. Koalas, like kangaroos, are marsupials only found in the Australian continent. Because … Continue reading “Koalas in Danger”

A Historic Milestone

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 07 February 2022 > Celebrate

Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee this year, marking 70 years on the throne, a milestone no other British monarch has reached. The Queen marked the anniversary of her accession on 6 February with a quiet ceremony. It is always a sad occasion for her as it was the day her beloved father … Continue reading “A Historic Milestone”