Singapore, 21 August 2006 --- Following the success of last year’s inaugural competition, The Straits Times National Schools Newspaper Competition 2006 is all set to inspire and excite student journalists in Singapore.

This competition aims to encourage secondary school students to develop an interest in current affairs, journalism and writing in the English language, and recognizes quality publications produced by students.

The preliminary rounds will see schools submitting their school publications. The judges will be looking out for publications with timely and accurate reporting, a reader-friendly format and outstanding writing.

Ten of the best school newspapers will then be shortlisted for a 24-hour Newspaper Challenge. This hands-on challenge will take place on Dec 4 and 5. The school’s editorial teams will also be sent for a one-day training session of Microsoft Publisher.

These schools will be invited to send an editorial team of five students to SPH to compete in this final round. The top prizes will be awarded based on the four-page newspaper they produce at the end of the 24 hours.

The Straits Times’ Supervising Editor (Home) Bertha Henson said, “The excitement in the faces of the students as they put on their journalist persona, the high level of reporting energy they exuded and the enthusiasm with which they designed pages is really something I remember from last year's competition.”

Ms Henson added, “After being in the business a long time, we journalists sometimes forget that we are an exciting profession. Organising the competition makes us realise that all over again, and makes us want to keep sharing with others why we love the job so much.”

The winner of last year’s inaugural Competition was the team from Anglo Chinese School (Barker Road). Their teacher-in-charge of the Publications Media Club, Ms Nuridah Lee said, "The first ST National Schools Newspaper Competition last year provided our students with a valuable learning experience. They not only acquired better writing, editing and layout design skills during their preparation for the finals, but more importantly, they learnt the importance of teamwork and camaraderie as they drew strength from each other's talents while working under tremendous pressure.”

Attractive prizes stand to won by this year’s participants of The Straits Times National Schools Newspaper Competition. They are:

Gold award – $3000 cash & ThinkPad X41 worth $2949

Silver award – $2000 cash & Lenovo 3000 J105 desktop worth $1499

Bronze award – $1000 cash & Lenovo 3000 J105 desktop worth $1499

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.

Judges will be drawn from the Straits Times newsroom. They reserve the right not to award any prize in any category.

Supporting this year’s Competition are sponsors Microsoft and Lenovo.

For entry forms and queries, please call Elsie Ch’ng at 6319 1016 or email chnglc@sph.com.sg

Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Co. Regn. No: 198402868E

For more information, please contact:

Paul Ta
Senior Manager
The Straits Times Editorial Projects Unit
DID : (65) 6319  5204
Email : paultan@sph.com.sg

About Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Main board listed Singapore Press Holdings Limited is the leading media company in Singapore, in the print, Internet and broadcasting platforms. It publishes 14 newspapers in the four official languages, including Singapore's first free Chinese newspaper, My Paper, and over 80 magazine titles. Everyday, 2.7 million individuals, or 83 per cent of the people above 15 years old, read one of the SPH publications. Its Internet Business Unit manages the online editions of SPH's major newspapers, which enjoy over 100 million pageviews from 6 million unique visitors every month. More recent online additions are the classified website, ST701, and STOMP (Straits Times Online Mobile Print), a portal that connects, engages and interacts with readers on the Internet and via mobile messaging.

SPH also owns a 20% stake in MediaCorp TV Holdings Pte Ltd, which operates free-to-air channels 5, 8, U and TV Mobile, and a 40% stake in MediaCorp Press Pte Ltd, which publishes free sheet Today. SPH has a 70% stake in UnionWorks, which operates two entertainment radio channels, Radio 100.3 in Chinese and Radio 91.3 in English. In addition, SPH holds an 80% stake in SPH MediaBoxOffice Pte Ltd, Singapore’s largest LED network media company, and a 35% stake in TOM Outdoor Media Group, a leading outdoor advertising company in China.