Secretary of the Department of Education, John Smyth, presents Ogilvie High School representatives with a
commemorative award for producing the Mercury's 150th "School Page".
Record number go into print
A RECORD number of Tasmanian schools produced their own pages in regular issues of the Mercury during 2007.
This year saw 24 pages produced by 23 schools - with St Michael's Collegiate producing two - topping the previous best of 19 pages in 2003.
The newspaper's successful School Page program culminated with the annual presentation of awards.
Education Department secretary John Smyth described the participating students as the reporters, editors and advertising managers of the future.
He commended the teachers involved in coordinating each page and thanked the Mercury for making its pages available.
"It is an absolutely tremendous gesture to the education community,'' Mr Smyth said.
"It is a unique production here in Tasmania. So often we lead the rest of the country in the things we do in education.''
Mr Smyth congratulated the Mercury and participating schools on the record year, and said he hoped even more schools could be encouraged to participate next year.
This view was supported by Tony Yianni, managing director of Davies Brothers Pty Ltd, publisher of the Mercury.
Mr Yianni welcomed six new schools to the program this year, and encouraged as many as possible to participate next year, with a view to reaching the 200th page since the program started in 1995.
Each project starts with a classroom workshop run by a Mercury journalist and an advertising representative, culminating in the production of a full page in a Friday issue of the Mercury.
Students are responsible for writing the articles, taking the photographs and selling 10 small advertisements.
Teachers inquiring about next year's program should contact the Newspapers in Education section by calling 6230 0736 or emailing nie@dbl.newsltd.com.au
MAIN CATEGORY WINNERS:
Bruny Island District School (best primary school page), MacKillop College (best high school page), and Claremont College (best college page).
MERIT AWARDS:
St Mary's College, Elizabeth College, Dunalley School, Fahan School, St Michael's Collegiate, South Arm Primary, Clarence High School, Tasman District School, Bellerive Primary, Margate Primary, Ogilvie High, Rose Bay High, New Norfolk High, Emmanuel Christian School, Eastside Lutheran College, Bowen Road Primary, Waimea Heights Primary, Howrah Primary, Rokeby High and Woodbridge School.
A commemorative award went to Ogilvie High School for producing the Mercury's 150th School Page.
A word about our sponsors: Our School Page program would not exist without the generous support of Tasmanian businesses. Click here for the list of businesses which contributed to the 24 School Pages of 2007.
