School newspaper is back in production

A 26-YEAR-old newspaper created by the pupils of Elsies River High School is still going strong.

The Elhi News received its title two decades ago and still has the same name today.

The newspaper highlights various issues and interests and also has an Afrikaans section.

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the paper came out for the first time in two years this month.

The newspaper is compiled by seven pupils with the assistance and guidance of four teachers and is published monthly.

This month’s first edition was sent to pupils via PDF and was also printed.

The school is working towards colour printing and is appealing for companies to assist.

Teacher Nashville Solomons is one the educators overseeing the editing and publication of Elhi News.

“It was started by the pupils back in 1996 and is for the students,” he said.

“It has six pages and is printed in English and Afrikaans and the children write their own articles.”

Jordan Kamies, a Grade 12 pupil at the school, who is part of the news team, said this was a step towards achieving his goal of becoming a journalist one day.

“The newspaper serves as a voice for pupils,” he said.

Bronagh Hammond of the Western Cape Education Department said that the newspaper was positive and it promoted reading.

“The Elhi newspaper is the official school paper for the learners.

“It is compiled by the learners, for the learners,” Hammond said.

“There are seven learners involved and four educators for editing purposes and oversight. The copy is free and is also available on the school Facebook group.

“The focus of the paper is to highlight certain issues of interest and promote a positive culture of reading news.

“The school is looking for assistance from companies to colour print as the printing is done in black and white and the pictures do not come out well.”

Elsies River High School’s newspaper has been publishing for decades.