The project is a pilot scheme to help pupils, ages 12-13, act as journalists and discover what they do. The students have spent weeks learning about where the news comes from and how it is produced. Today they will collect their own stories and follow them through to their publishing online.

Loreto managed to report on many celebrities such as authors and musical stars for example John Boyne, writer of the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Helen, a Year 8, commented on the visiting stars, “They were all lovely, down-to-earth people who were very willing to answer any questions we had.”

Also, we learnt about how getting people to do what they had promised to do on time are a problem. One group wanted to do a feature about a shopping centre so phoned and emailed the Marketing Manager but she failed to reply. We also learnt how to overcome these problems.

Andrea, also from Year 8, has told us her favourite part of the School Report, “The best bit was writing the report because we got to be creative.”

We were also lucky enough to have Kathryn Hearn, a Newsround journalist, supporting us through the event. She assisted us through the different challenges and used her experiences to guide us all during the activities.

Lois, from Year 8, was asked whether she enjoyed the experience. She replied, “It has been a very worthwhile experience, learning exactly what a journalist does.”

Aoife

Caroline

Grace

Natasha

Jilly

Lois

Millie

Hannah

Olivia

Helen

Natasha

Maire

Eleanor

Jilly

Christine

Grace

Pia

Hannah

Caroline

Ella

Millie

Olivia

Beth

Pia