Any state primary schools do a school magazine or equivalent?

[Periwinkle007]

I remember loving the school magazine when I was at school, it had poems, pictures, stories etc in from children throughout the school and we all found it exciting.

Sadly that was at a private school where obviously money wasn't so much of an issue so I can't see the same being possible at a state primary, especially when parents are already strapped for cash so won't want to spend money on one and the school don't have spare funds but am trying to work out if there is a way of doing something along those sort of lines. In our school by the time you take out siblings etc there are probably only 200 families so it would presumably be costly to produce it.

[redskyatnight]

Not quite the same as what you?re suggesting but at DS?s junior school each class has a nominated ?reporter? and they produce articles about school life/events which go into the school newsletter (in fact they write the entire school newsletter other than a foreword by the headteacher). They have also included things like the winning entries from a poetry competition.

The newsletter is emailed out so no production costs as such. I think there is a teacher in charge and they complete at lunchtimes.

[PatriciaHolm]

We do,once a year and emailed so no charge. The kids create it in magazine club.

[Periwinkle007]

thank you - I will suggest it then. I am happy to help if they do it as a lunchtime club (once my second child is at school and I am free). I think as an electronic one it would be costless like you say but I think it would be nice to have a celebration of their work by the children themselves. Helps with the community feel and would hopefully create pride in their work and their school as well as give the children who work on it some skills and the chance to try something different.

[Elibean]

We have one, every quarter I think, that started last year. It's brilliant. It's run by an editorial team made up of Y5 & Y6 kids, and one staff member to help and supervise.

The money to start it up came from a small grant we received from a Foundation, but the plan is to make it self-sufficient by charging for it now it's up and running - it's very popular with parents, so imagine that will work.

There are 200 families in our school at present, I think.

I would shop around for a donation from a local business (local paper?) or group of businesses, maybe?

[Periwinkle007]

thanks Elibean - is that a printed copy or an electronic one?

[kernowal]

Our school set one up in the spring term. The children all had to formally apply for the jobs (editor, deputy editor, maths & puzzles, careers, sport, entertainment etc) and then they went on a trip to the local daily paper's offices to seek expert advice.

They sell the magazine each term for 20p per copy to cover the costs, usually picking days when the parents come into school for something else. It seems to be covering the costs so far.

[telsa]

Soho Youth from Soho Parish, but they get a lot of support from the many local businesses.

[Periwinkle007]

thank you - I have emailed the school to ask what they think.

[Elibean]

Peri, its printed.

[Elibean]

ps one of the favourite pages, both for the team and for the readers, is the 'staff interview'

[Periwinkle007]

ooh that sounds a good idea. thanks Elibean. I do hope we manage to start something up and I hope the children would like it. wonder what parents do different jobs. perhaps with advertising could get a printed copy going.