When the team at First News asked me if I would link to their new and improved website, a thought occurred to me:
The newspaper First News was founded by Piers Morgan who still holds the position of Executive Editorial Director - would Piers Morgan to something for nothing?
No, he certainly would not. So I emailed back and explained that I ran the journalism club at my daughter's school, so I would be happy to link to their site of they sent me some free copies of their newspaper for the kids to look at.
Five complementary copies arrived two days later, and so they should have!
I have 'borrowed' this image from the First News website so must credit them with this image.
So what did my budding journalists (all Year 6, I might add) think of the paper?
Well, they loved it. Surprisingly they had never heard of it and had not realised there was anything on the market aimed at their age group. They will be slightly biased of course. If they were not interested in news and journalism they would not have been at the newspaper group in the first place, but they were certainly the sort of children that would benefit from reading a newspaper like this and they form part of the paper's target market.
They liked the way it was written - they found it easy to understand without being patronising. They liked the mixture of news stories from issues of climate change to performers on X-Factor. The liked the colour images, especially one of "the lurvly Prince William" (their words, not mine) and they also like the competitions.
So all-in-all it has been a hit. I have directed them to the First News website which I personally think it much better than the previous version. As well as the news section there are sections on surveys, polls, discover, games and even one called 'weird'. There are sections for teachers and parents too.
One day a few of my budding reporters may end up writing their own newspaper columns, inspired by the paper. One of them, however, is very keen to become a Royal reporter.
Mmm, I wonder why that is!
First News is such a great idea, and something I desperatly want to remember about whne my kids get to about 6 or 7. And yes, you definitely did the right thing, Piers would certainly not have done anything for nothing.
Posted by: Heather | December 01, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Remember the rant I had about people asking you something and then not getting back to you?
At least they do get back to some people!
:)
Posted by: Metropolitan Mum | December 01, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Brilliant. Can you pass one on to Miss E? She'd love it. So glad you did this Rosie. Our school are so lucky to have you. x
Posted by: Jo Beaufoix | December 01, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Well done on getting copys, I hant hear of it, so will take a look
Posted by: TheMadHouse | December 01, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Your talents are endless.....where do you find the time to do all of this? I'll be sending my children to their website, far better than Club Penguin or Mooshy Monsters
Posted by: Chic Mama | December 01, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Clever man that Piers, and no one knows that better than he does! But oh dear, not sure the royal correspondent will handle covering the wedding, should Wils marry Kate. First News will have to come out with a special wedding present of some tissues.
Posted by: angelsandurchinsblog | December 01, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Really interesting post - I'd never heard of First News before and I'll definitely get my daughter to look at the website. Thanks for that x
Posted by: Muummmeeeee! | December 01, 2009 at 08:35 PM
A journalism club? Can I join? I quite fancy being a journalist when I grow up...
Posted by: Timmy | December 01, 2009 at 10:07 PM
I didn't know about this, being in the US, but it's a great idea. I have a sneaking liking for Piers Morgan, even though I really shouldn't and in theory thoroughly disapprove of him.
Posted by: nappyvalleygirl | December 02, 2009 at 12:13 AM
It is a fantastic initiative - anything that encourages children to take an interest in news gets my vote. As a Uni-educated journalist I was always quite snotty about media studies, but since No 1 Son started doing it I have to say it's fantastic.
Posted by: Liz (LivingwithKids) | December 02, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Thanks, I suppose don't ask, don't get, so I asked!
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Yes, I was impressed, but it was only right that they did, I feel.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Thanks, Jo. There is a copy for Miss E sitting in my kitchen waiting for you.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Definitely worth taking a look, and of course there's no charge for viewing web pages.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Please please leave comments like that on every post!!!
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Think my future royal correspondent would be quite gutted to cover any future wedding involving Prince William!
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Worth a visit, without a doubt. I'm sure she'll like it.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Of course you can join, but why are you suddenly calling yourself Timmy?
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:45 PM
I can understand your sneaking liking!! Seems only a matter of time before a similar concept of launched in the US, if one does not exist with you already.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:46 PM
I agree. The students were fans of Newsround too. It's great to see them interested in the news and also to see it's not all doom and gloom.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | December 02, 2009 at 01:48 PM