The Straits Times launches the first-ever National Schools Newspaper
Competition
Singapore, 29 August 2005 - In conjunction with its 160th
anniversary, The Straits Times, together with its student publication
IN, is launching the first-ever National Schools Newspaper Competition.
This competition encourages secondary school students to develop an
interest in current affairs, journalism and writing in the English
language, and give incentives for quality publications produced and
written by students. The competition is also supported by the Media
Development Authority and the National Library Board.
Deputy Editor of The Straits Times Felix Soh said, "We're
looking for publications which provide timely and well-written reports
on school activities and personalities. The competition is also
a good way for The Straits Times to interact with our younger readers
and to share with our schools how newspapers can be an invaluable
educational tool."
The top prizes for the competition are:
- Gold award – $5000 cash + trophy
- Silver award – $3000 cash + trophy
- Bronze award – $2000 cash + trophy
- Three Merit awards - $500 cash each
- Four Consolation prizes - $200 cash each
All submitted school newspapers also stand a chance to win subsidiary
awards based on the quality of written language, reporting and design.
One award of $300 cash will be given for each category.
Ten of the best secondary school newspapers will be shortlisted
for the INCREDIDLE 24-hour newspaper challenge. This hands-on challenge
will take place on November 28 where schools will pit their skills
against each other to produce the best news pages. Each school will
be invited to send five students to SPH to compete in this final
round. The top prizes will be awarded based on the news pages they
produce at the end of the 24 hours.
The results will be announced in a prize-giving ceremony on Nov
30. Results will be published in The Straits Times and IN.
Eligibility
- Only Singapore secondary schools newspapers are eligible for
the competition.
- The editorial team of the school newspaper must comprise secondary
school students with at least 80% of the newspaper content generated
by students. Teachers should play a supervisory role only or contribute
on an ad hoc basis.
- There is no restriction on size, number of pages or type of
paper used for the publication. Colour or black and white publications
will both be accepted for the competition.
- In terms of frequency, the newspaper must be published at least
quarterly.
- The newspaper can be a free or paid publication.
- Each school shall ensure that it has obtained all the necessary
rights and permissions for any material which is used in the publication
that the contestant does not own.
- Schools participating in the competition need to send in five
copies of at least two different editions of their newspaper.
These editions must have been published in 2005.
Entry forms and other details will be mailed out to all secondary
schools this week. For queries, call Elsie Chng on 6319 1016 or
Vanessa Frida at 6319 2767.
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