A GROUP of budding young journalists in West Auckland have launched their own school newspaper.
Pupils at Oakley Cross Primary School have created the first edition of the Oakley Star, a new publication based around school life.
Year six pupil Bethany Pallister, Caitlin Rowlinson, Brianna Bell, Bree Bennett and Amelia Nixon have worked together to publish the first edition which went on sale last week. Acting deputy headteacher Craig Robinson said: “We are a Unicef rights respecting school. One of the main aims is to try to get the children more involved and to give them a voice. I also wanted the opportunity to extend writing opportunities for the children.”
An edition of the newspaper will be available every half term. The project will be extended so that children from across the school have the opportunity to contribute over the coming weeks.
Mr Robinson, who has been overseeing the project, said: “The whole idea is to give ownership to the children and allow them to come up with ideas. They have interviewed children, parents and teachers and then I have fine tuned it.”
The newspaper includes stories about what has been happening in school as well as interviews with new members of staff, a joke corner and an achievement gallery. Copies costs 30p and are on sale at break times.
Pupil Brianna Bell said: “There is something for everyone. We held a 100-word competition for the key stage two children and we have a joke section for everyone.”
Pupil Bree Bennett added: “It is fun writing and coming up with the stories.”
