Ermysted’s Grammar School’s student newspaper, The Reason, has achieved national success by winning multiple awards at the Shine School Media Awards 2019.

The Reason, which was only started up in October 2018, won the awards for Best Newspaper, Best Print and Design and Best Newspaper Front Page. The Reason was also Highly Commended in two further categories: Editor of the Year, awarded to founding editor’s Alan and Sam, and Most Outstanding Student (Shine Scholar), awarded to Harvey, the editor for the next academic year.

The National Final of the Shine School Media Awards, hosted in London, includes workshops in the morning from industry leaders such as Google followed by an awards ceremony in the afternoon. This year awards were presented by The Telegraph’s Simon Heffer and Bryony Gordon.

Ermysted’s, entering the competition for the first time, saw off strong challenges from prestigious schools such as St Paul’s Girls, Merchant Taylor’s and City of London Day School, to land more trophies than any other school. In addition, The Reason won £1000 in prize money and three members of the editorial team will now be able to complete work experience with the Times Educational Supplement.

Judges described The Reason as “a firm favourite” adding that “The Reason has achieved in it’s first year what most school’s take years to achieve.” They were particularly impressed by the design of the publication and The Reason was the first publication in Shine’s ten year history to win ‘Best Print and Design’, with the award traditionally going to school magazines.

The editorial team were elated on the day, with founding editors Alan and Sam stating that “a year of tireless and skilful commitment from all the team has paid off.” Teacher Mr Barrett, who has mentored the pupils, was delighted, saying that “this is a deserved reward for all of the pupils’ hard work. I’m particularly pleased that they already have their sights set on winning even more awards at Shine 2020 and that they want to expand, develop and improve The Reason. The future is very exciting.”

By Will Danson and Harvey Stroh