Augher Central PS – Translink Little Reporters winners 2018
PUPILS from Augher Central PS today made the news after being crowned the winners of the 2018 Translink Little Reporters Competition.
The prize included a media toolkit for their class (iPad, microphone and tripod) and pupils from the P7 and P6 classes were invited to be guests in the busy newsroom at Belfast Telegraph headquarters where they got to see real life journalists in action.
They were greeted warmly by staff, who introduced the budding young reporters to Belfast Telegraph Editor Gail Walker after a tour of the building. The children also had the opportunity to meet Picture Editor Peter Rainey who explained how pictures are sourced for use in reports in the paper and online. On the final stop of the tour they were shown how the paper is put together on screen by Deputy News Editor Claire Williamson.
The pupils later attended a journalism masterclass before enjoying an afternoon of discovery at Belfast’s W5.
Here’s what some of the winners had to say about their visit:
Benjamin McKeown (12) said: “It was fun listening to the interesting facts on how you write a story .”
Sarah Carey (11) said the best bit was seeing the wall of TVs in the newsroom.
Lauren Robinson (11) said: “I found it interesting to learn how a newspaper is put together.”
Alfie Greene (10) said: “The best bit was to get to put up an ad”.
Cohen McIlaine (11) said he enjoyed getting a tour of the Belfast Telegraph, while Ethan McGirr (11) and James McLaren (11) liked visiting the boardroom.
Corey Brunt (11) enjoyed the tour of the Belfast Telegraph and Harrison Wright (10) said his favourite bit was the big TVs in the newsroom.
Ella Creddin (10) loved sitting in the big comfy chair in the meeting room, while Molly Keys (10) said: “My favourite bit was meeting the friendly Production Manager Irene and placing an ad.”
Kate Millar (10) said she liked seeing all the pictures and maybe would like to become a photographer.
Jamie Kidney (9) said he liked watching the football on the big TVs.
Kyle Robinson (10) and Cameron Lewis (11) also said they enjoyed going to the newsroom and watching the TVs.
Kyla Robson (10) said she loved taking notes during the journalism masterclass.
Bobby Donaldson (11) enjoyed learning lots of things he didn’t know about newspapers.
Harry McLaren (12) said he loved the noise of the camera when photographer Kevin Scott snapped pictures.
Journalist Claire McNeilly, who ran the masterclass, said: “It was so rewarding to spend the day with the pupils from Augher Central PS, giving them an insight into our world. To hear some of the children express an interest in a career in journalism after spending a day at the Belfast Telegraph was the highlight for me.”
I’m delighted that Sarah Carey said she’s definitely going to be a reporter after spending a day at the Belfast Telegraph
Claire McNeilly Belfast Telegraph Journalist