STUDENT JOURNALISM
Words are a powerful tool . They can be used for self-expression , to spark discussion , and to elicit change . Three student publications , Speakers ’ Corner , Catalyst and the Academic Journal , are doing just that . Their editors explain their aims :
Speakers ’ Corner
The Speakers ’ Corner team came together at the beginning of this academic year to create a platform that is by the students and for the students . Taking advantage of lockdown , they published two issues online . The first issue , ‘ Looking Ahead ’, considered how we should embark on our future in light of today ’ s issues . The second issue , ‘ WHO Knows ’, explored the impact of the pandemic on issues of personal and global significance .
Fake news , a noun added to the Oxford dictionary in 2019 and made popular by Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign , has guillotined established newspapers in our lifetimes . There is a loss of faith in the word of journalism . The rise of social media , which has allowed individuals to ‘ speak their truth ’ and reach others across the world , has given our generation the opportunity to respond to this lack of accountability in journalism . As such , citizen journalism – where veracity is held within public judgement instead of ‘ expert ’ opinion – was born . This is what inspired us to set up Speakers ’ Corner . While instilling the integrity of classic journalism , contributors are encouraged to find their own unique take on stories that have relevance to the Sevenoaks student body . As students we have something to say . More importantly , as citizens we want to have control over the narrative which will inform the judgements of our own and future generations .
Ada Chai and Ellie Gilbert-Bair , Lower Sixth
The Academic Journal
We took over as editors of the Academic Journal , which was founded last year by Barty Wardell , Owen Hein- Phillips and Samir Ismail . The journal publishes the best and most thought-provoking essays written for a competition asking students to respond to a theme . Last year ’ s included responses on ‘ Imperialism ’ and ‘ Democracy ’; this year ’ s prompt was ‘ Climate Crisis ’.
We have witnessed how student publications provide an exciting opportunity for students across all years to exchange their beliefs and ideas . We look forward to hosting our next competition , and working with younger students to carry the journal on for many years to come . Joshua Davies , Benjamin Lacour and Ralph Holden , Lower Sixth
Catalyst
This academic year , a team of writers , editors , and graphic designers brought the science magazine Catalyst back to life . We published the ‘ Energy ’ edition in Lent , which included educational articles on bird watching , the electron transfer train , dark energy , and more . We aim for a well-rounded publication , and include a news section which reports on the scientific achievements of Sevenoaks pupils , and an ethics of science section . At the time of writing , the second issue , ‘ Planet Earth ’, is planned for the next academic year .
Each year that passes , we become increasingly surrounded by things that have been produced as a result of science . Science not only discovers groundbreaking research that is vital to modern life , but provides us with a greater understanding of the world around us . In light of this , it is important to be ‘ science-literate ’ today . By encouraging the exchange of scientific ideas , we try to foster that . Catalyst also gives students the opportunity to develop writing and research skills , but perhaps most importantly the opportunity to discover what science can offer beyond the classroom . School is for learning , but it is also for trying new things and finding what you love . At Catalyst , we hope to create a space for that .
Sian McAllister , Lower Sixth
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