Rockfield youngsters create their very own newspaper
PRIMARY seven pupils at Rockfield Primary School have created their own school newspaper, securing an exclusive interview with the head teacher in the process, writes David McPhee.
The paper’s main aim is to keep parents and pupils informed with what’s going on in the school. However, profits will be put towards leavers uniforms for the outgoing primary seven pupils.
Reporter Sophie Darrah said: ‘We want to let people know about everything that’s going on so they are not missing out.’
Jamie Joyce, who helps the pupils run the paper, said: ‘It’s my job to make myself redundant and let them run it themselves. It’s their project, it’s something they wanted to do.
‘We are trying to run it as a proper newspaper and trying to raise money. Any money left over will go into something productive and beneficial for the school.’
The Rockfield Newspaper makes money by selling advertising space to businesses in the town.
The publication, now in its third edition, goes out as an email to parents, with paper copies available to buy from the school reception for 50p.
Articles include interviews with teachers, giving pupils the opportunity to ask important questions, such as their favourite sweet – Mr Garvin’s are Wham bars and Kit-Kats.
Other articles include a day in the life of a primary school pupil and opinions from people, including Dillion Calderwood, who wrote about the impact litter is having on sea creatures.
There are also important things happening in the Gaelic unit at Rockfield, with some pupils recently volunteering to take part in Oban’s Big Clean Up.
Primary four pupil Alyss MacDonald said: ‘This is great fun and it’s nice to be doing something good for the environment.’ Fellow classmate Bethan Neil said: ‘This has been the best fun ever. I’d love to do it again.’
Parent helper Susannah Hughes and principal teacher of Gaelic Rachael Deans said they would be eager for this to become a regular monthly event.
Earlier this month, Rockfield’s Gaelic pupils also had an ‘amazing’ opportunity to meet and perform with the cast of Theatre Gu Leòr – a Gaelic theatre production.
Ms Deans added: ‘This was an invaluable opportunity for pupils to engage in their history and learn more about their cultural identity.’