Burgess Hill School for Girls’ Sixth Form ‘Life Skills’ group recently went global, as all eyes are on the upcoming presidential elections in the US. In a ‘Life Skills’ first, the Cultural Attaché for the US Embassy, Mr Mike Lanning, spoke to the Sixth Form about American politics, filling in the gaps in the girls’ knowledge.

Not only did Mr Lanning come with a veritable treasure trove of goodies from the Embassy, he also came armed with great political insight. He brought clarity to our understanding of the differences in political outlook between Britain and America, giving the group a number of examples and references to the difference between the PM and the President.

We were eager to learn more about what makes the average American voter tick, and how the voting process actually works. The talk sparked off heated debates between the girls afterwards.

It will be fascinating to see if our vote reflects Mr Lanning’s predictions for the US Presidential Election and to see what will happen across the pond – all the girls will be watching the US on November 5^th with bated breath, and a little more knowledge, thanks to the superb efforts of Mr Mike Lanning.

Written by Alexandra Cook, Upper Sixth student

12/11/08

Mr Mark Lanning with some of the Life Skills students