Junior journos hit the jackpot
Portobello High’s annual magazine, RePortobello, picked up the prize for best editorial content and team. Its editor, Ishbel Eunson, hopes to study journalism with languages at Stirling University.
“I think it was Arthur Miller who said a good newspaper is the nation talking to itself,” she says. “It’s reflecting people’s views.”
With guidance from Joanna Allen, principal teacher of English, Ishbel developed an understanding of editorial standards, so when a pupil submitted two articles – one on depression and one on alcohol – that Ishbel felt were not thoroughly enough researched, she discussed them with the writer, who went away and rewrote them.
“They’re now two of our best articles,” she says. “If it’s not good enough, it won’t get published,” is her bottom line.
“It’s the kids’ opportunity to have their say,” says Mrs Allen. “As long as they do it in a way that is balanced and fair, I defend them.”