Word for Wednesday: Referendum

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The word for today is ‘referendum’.

Used in 1847 with reference to Switzerland, from French or German, meaning "a submitting of a question to the voters as a whole" and the Latin referendum "that which must be referred".

It is perhaps the most effective type of vote, yes or no.

Tomorrow, the people of Scotland will vote to determine whether Scotland will remain part of The United Kingdom after a union of 307 years. The debate is viciously divisive, even tearing apart families, and recent polls have been incredibly close.

The United Kingdom faces uncertainty, and if Scotland votes ‘Yes’ there will be massive change in the UK, which is deeply integrated sharing currency, funding, and even… the national debt - *gulp*.

We won’t disclose our personal opinions on the matter but emotions are running high and even The Simpsons’ favourite Scottish groundskeeper has voiced his thoughts on Scottish independence (and the spelling of Whisky)!


17 Sep 2014
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One of the students has put in a huge amount of effort in completing Spellzone at least 3 times a week since his arrival with us in January. Looking at his scores after the latest GL testing, his standardised score has risen from 99 to 131. This is a truly phenomenal result. I just wanted to share the best result I have ever seen.

Terrie Penrose-Toms, Casterton College

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