Vocational students get national praise
THERE was cause for much celebration in Enniscorthy Vocational College last week when it came runner-up in a national journalism competition.
The school came second in the School Newspaper category of NewsBrands Ireland’s, Press Pass Student Journalism awards.
JCSP school librarian Éadaoin Quinn said that, for the last four years, the school has produced an in-house school newspaper called ‘ The Mile Post’, which has proved very popular.
‘It is now on issue 11 and the most recent copy was produced under lockdown this April,’ she said.
Describing it as the student voice of the school, she said a dedicated newspaper team and the TY class work together on the publication, which is a comprehensive reflection of school life in addition to ‘strong opinions’, reviews of books, games and films in addition to a ‘Dear Mylie’ agony aunt column.
‘ There is a huge amount of learning for everyone in producing and in just reading a good newspaper,’ said Ms Quinn.
‘Students are learning about research, evaluating sources, finding bias in the media and the importance of journalism and newspapers in our community,’ she added.
She also highlighted how having a school newspaper strengthens the sense of community in Enniscorthy Vocational College: ‘ There’s a great buzz when the copies are distributed and everyone is reading together at break time.’
Ms Quinn said this most recent success will be shared by many in the school including Ms O’Brien and her TY English class who joined forces with the newspaper team this year.
‘Special mention should be given to three students who have been actively involved in every single issue since the beginning: Rhian Fitzgerald, Lily Byrne and Daniel Power,’ she said.
The school principal, Dr Iain Wickham, extended congratulations to everyone involved and said there will be celebrations about the success in the school when it reopens.
In addition to the Enniscorthy school’s success the students in the Presentation Secondary School in Wexford town also had cause for celebration, as they finished third in the same category for their school newsletter.