Finishing School Forever and The Shine School Media Awards

Hello Everyone!

Yet again there has been a prolonged absence from me over the last few months, but when A-Levels call, a student's gotta do what a student's gotta do! However, after many many months of not having much of a life at all and revising up to 10 hours a day, exams are officially over and I'm finished school forever! (Hopefully).

After finishing my last exam on Thursday it was time to celebrate with our school leavers dinner, plenty drinks, and a lovely night with friends; what a way to end 15 long years of school, even though it didn't feel that long at all! Here's just a few of the photo's from the evening/night.

These last two years have been the hardest of my school career to date, but I can rest on the fact that I tried my absolute hardest, and I couldn't have possibly done any more. At times it got a bit too much and I lost my cool, but I've done my bit and now it's time to play the waiting game and enjoy my summer! I've quite a bit happening over this summer, which I can't wait to share with you... starting with a little something from Yesterday!

As some of you will know, I want to go into a career in journalism, and study it at uni. I'd been editor and co-editor of our school newspaper for the last two years, and for the second time we had reached the final of the UK Shine School Media Awards in London at The Stationer's Hall.

Being an editor and contributor for The Alnwickist, with help from the team at The Northumberland Gazette has taught me quite a lot about journalism, but I know University will teach me a lot more.

Back in January when news of Ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson's visits to schools to speak about tolerance and non-extremism reached the national press, I found some national newspapers (which I will not name for obvious reasons) had taken a quote I had included in one of my articles for the December 2013 issue. Because one online newspaper took my quote, but didn't credit myself or The Alnwickist for it, other newspapers reported 'The ****** spoke to.. etc" and I got to see first hand what national journalism was like, which left me very intrigued.

Moving on from that and back to the point- haha! So yesterday, myself and the rest of the main editorial team made our way from good old North-Northumberland all the way to London- only my third time there! It was a very similar set up to last year, if you would like to read my blog post 'I ventured to London' about that click here.

We arrived at the stationer's hall and took part in a book binding workshop. Lets say us language and writing types aren't the best at logic! It was a lot harder than it sounds!

Then, after a light lunch it was time to take our seats for the awards ceremony to begin.

The awards ceremony was presented by Simon Heffer of the Daily Mail, formerly The Telegraph (I can't remember his full job title, sorry Simon!) and Suzy Cox, deputy editor of Cosmopolitan who has worked on other titles such as Mizz and Smash Hits ,a huge inspiration of mine. Awards were also given out by big names in the journalism and publishing world. Not only this, but Suzy spoke to about her career in journalism which I found so fascinating- especially her story about one member of Busted!

Out of the 200 schools that entered from across the UK, we were one of over 20 schools to be shortlisted for some of the awards up for grabs. We were shortlisted for Best Newspaper Cover, Best Design and Layout, Best Feature Article and Best Newspaper. Out of these four categories we were then recognised as highly commended for Best Cover and Best Newspaper, and although it wasn't an outright win, we were very pleased with ourselves as the competition was tough, dominated by magazines, and we didn't have the budget or the facilities other schools at the final had.

Going up for Best Newspaper. Image credit.

All in all it was still a worthwhile trip and we are very pleased with ourselves as again, it taught us just how competitive the journalism field is. Am I ready for that? I think so.

After the awards ceremony we were left to navigate London and the Underground ourselves, which for me, on a personal level was such an achievement- especially during rush hour! Maybe living in London wouldn't be too bad after all.

Stumbling across Trafalgar Square, again.

I would just like to thank the organisers of The Shine School Media Awards for the chance to  go to London, as without them I would've been sat at home probably watching Netflix! If you want to find out more about Shine, click here.

Cheerio x

Glitz and Glamour at the Student Film Oscars

Everyone looks for an excuse to get dolled and dressed up, and last night was no exception.  With tuxedos and beautiful dresses, students of Duchess's Community High School were dressed to impress for their first ever Student Film Oscars.

Hosted at The Alnwick Playhouse fitted with a red carpet and cocktails, films and documentaries created by film and media students were showcased in front of families and friends.

But not only that, those lucky enough to be shortlisted in the different categories were in the running to win an award: their very own Oscar.

The lovely Ian Mclaughlin, co-founder of Newcastle-based comedy group The Suggestibles hosted the evening, bringing light and laughter to the room with his quick-witted jokes brightening the mood between the dark and disturbing films. His joke about Harry Styles got his best laugh of the night. Film Club representative Ravnit Hunjan, film director Andy Simpson and local MP Alan Beith also attended the event, with Beith and Simpson presenting the awards.

Ravnit Hunjan and Andy Simpson.

Short films created by the Lower School Film Studies class kicked off the night, and I must say they were brilliant. Opening with Dr Renfield's House, a film about a girl from an asylum who has a dream where she is killed left the audience feeling chills. 

All of the films featured dark, haunting themes and were of a very high standard. It is amazing what the current Year 11's and 12's were capable of, with some of the films dealing with sensitive subjects,  such as Phantasmagoria, which deals with schizophrenia and alcohol addiction.

After a screening of the short films, the shortlist and the winners for the lower-school were announced with proper 'Oscar-style' suspense, presented to the winners by Alan Beith.

Best Actor was awarded to Kirsty Hensleigh for her excellent portrayal of the girl from the asylum in Dr Renfield's House. 

Kirsty Hensleigh with her 'Best Actor' award.

Kirsty said, "It was a little weird seeing my face on the big screen, but it's good to know that everyone's hard work payed off. It was very overwhelming but I thoroughly enjoyed the night."

Dr Renfield's House received another award in the form of Best Director, awarded to Daniel Thomassen.

Daniel Thomassen.

Best Cinematography and Best Film were awarded to the team behind the wonderfully shot Phantasmagoria.

Cast and crew of Phantasmagoria.

Matthew Walton, middle, said "I'm very proud and happy, but it was bizarre and a little embarrassing seeing our film. It got the reaction we hoped for."

There was also another award up for grabs for Best Documentary from current Year 11 Media Studies Students.

Clips from the documentaries were shown, with Fishing For Likes, a documentary about 'Facebook fame', and Awkward Moments, (rather self-explanatory) receiving the greatest reactions from the audiences. 

In the end, the hilarious Awkward Moments came out on top, rewarding us with the full length documentary- a light-hearted and funny ending to a dark first half.

Beth Lewington, who starred in the documentary thought no one would laugh and it would be seen as cliche, but she is glad it got the response it did. All the hard work payed off, and was praised throughout the interval.

After the interval, it was back to the awards, this time for current sixth form and former Year 13's. 

Again, the Gothic theme continued, however much darker this time. Especially the likes of Accentuate The Positive. Ben was another film with a serious message behind it, dealing with bullying and suicide.

To present the awards this time was Andy Simpson.

Best actor was awarded to Ben Kinloch for his portrayal in Ben. He said, "It was a really big surprise winning Best actor. I just did it as a favour, I didn't expect this at all."

Ben Kinloch with his Best Actor award.

Best Cinematography was awarded to Louis Burton and Tom Woollett, for their fantastic Western movie After The Heist which looked very professional and well edited and shot.

Barney Healy-Smith, former student was awarded Best Director for the rather disturbing film Accentuate The Positive, and seemed pretty chuffed with his award.

Barney Healy-Smith receiving his Oscar from Andy Simpson.

The final award of the night was awarded to Otello Calvert for Best Short Film, a film about thinking about ideas for a film, with acting from Matthew Slack that left the audience in stitches. 

Otello Calvert receiving his award.

The night was a huge success with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves, laughing and smiling at seeing their friends on the big screen. Maurice Hall, Headteacher of Duchess's Community High School believed it was an amazing first for the school, showing so much talent, technical ability and wonderful acting.

Fingers crossed this will be an annual event, as it really did seem to be a very enjoyable evening for all involved.

It may not be the real thing, but you never know, maybe in ten years time these talented students will be attending huge award ceremonies for their work.

© Images by Stacey Turnbull

I ventured to London!

Hello everyone!

So Monday 24th of June I went to London!

I can imagine some of you are thinking, 'Why is that such a big deal?' but it is for two reasons!

No. 1- I'm from the north east of England, so far up north its almost Scotland, and because I have little money, it is a big deal for me going to the other end of the country!

No.2- I was there for a very special reason; The Shine School Media Awards, which I will leave a link to here.

*Back story.*

Back in October of last year I was appointed editor of my schools newspaper The Alnwickist, a very daunting role at first. I later got into the swing of it and come the beginning of December it was ready to be all edited and put together at The Northumberland Gazette, who very thoughtfully let us use their computer software (our school is what I could say in the nicest terms possible, a little lacking...) and with the help of my computer whizz deputy editor Matthew it was up and running.

Come middle of December it was published and an insert in every copy of The Northumberland Gazette, which would be in shops all over north Northumberland!

My media teacher then entered the school newspaper into the Shine School Media Awards.

*End of back story.*

Anyway, if I'm being honest I didn't think anything of it, the majority of the schools who were finalists last year were posh, nice and smart private schools, not shabby state schools like ours. (side note- this is in no way a dig at the teachers, they're brilliant, just a dig at the building/s.)

I shouldn't have been so pessimistic because we ended up being shortlisted in 7 categories- YAY! That was when I started to believe we may have a chance at getting into the finals.

It was when I was on my study leave during the AS exam period when I received an email from my media teacher saying we had reached the final- we were going to London! Not only that, but we had reached the final in three categories: best features article; best editorial content and best overall newspaper. What an achievement!

After an awfully early start on Monday, the Alnwickist team headed off down to London on the train. Probably the longest 3-and-a-bit hours of my life as we had to share a carriage with dozens of school children all around the age of 11 on a trip to France!

At quarter to twelve we arrived in London and took the tube to the Stationer's Hall- my first ever experience on the London Underground and it was no where near as scary as I thought it would be!

At Stationer's Hall there were little 'stops' where we could pick up free leaflets and pens, and chat to people about journalism and university applications (the cosmo girls were especially lovely). After a light lunch was the awards ceremony- woooo!

We were sat down in long tables with benches whilst presenters Simon Heffer, Daily Mail senior journalist, and Louise Court, editor of Cosmopolitan magazine gave speeches and presented the awards.

Unfortunately we didn't win any awards, but we were recognized as nominees for 7 categories and highly commended in 3, so overall very happy- especially since it is the first year we entered the competition.

A rather sun-burnt me with two of our certificates!

After the ceremony and congratulating the winners, we headed back to the underground and took a much more unpleasant ride on the tube to convent garden. We had a look around and a bit of a wander and ended up in Trafalgar Square!

Excited London Tourist Selfie!

 After admiring the water feature and the buildings we made our way to a lovely Italian restaurant for a post slap-up meal because why the hell not we were in London!

We had another look around London before getting the tube back to Kings Cross Station where we tried to get into Hogwarts but it didn't quite work...

All in all, although we didn't come away with any major prizes, we came home with certificates and smiles. I am very proud of myself and The Alnwickist team for getting this far.. we are already planning next winters addition and how we can make ourselves even better so we can hopefully in some awards next year!

Cheerio x