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SCMP Reporter

More than 200 students from 44 schools had their first hands-on experience in newspaper production in a training camp held at Wu Kai Sha Youth Village  this month.

The camp  was part of the SCMP Young Post Student Reporters Programme 2004/05. Participating schools  will submit  their  eight-page    tabloid newspapers in February.

The pilot programme  aims to give students professional training on how to be a sound reporter who can sniff out good news stories and present them in English to readers in a clear, objective, intelligent and logical manner.

'The SCMP Young Post Student Reporters Programme  invites students to learn English  through reporting in a fun way,' said Kevin Kwong, convener of the programme.

'And it  gives them a chance to be realistic reporters and produce their  school paper with our professional help.'

The comprehensive programme, which runs until  February, consists of three stages - the training camp, the production of a school newspaper and a competition in which the work will be judged by professionals.

During the camp  from November 5 to 7, two press conferences featuring Paralympics gold medallist Alison Yu and Theatre Ensemble artistic director Chim Shui-man were held.

Seminars and workshops were conducted by SCMP staff, including Kwong on news writing, Robert Ng on photography, Warwick Wockner and Frank Cheng on layout design.

Kenny Chan, head of the SCMP circulation department,  news reporter Vivienne Chow  and human resources specialist Ronno Lee were also present for the students to interview.

'The most important thing about the weekend training is that students not only had the opportunity  to do real reporting, but also the chance to put what they've learned into practice,' said  Kwong.

'We give them freedom to work on their eight-page school paper. They can report on school  events  such as sports day, English week or anniversary celebrations.

'We are also grateful to our partners, who will provide  off-campus reporting opportunities to our participants.'

Eight awards will be given  in the competition - Student Newspaper of the Year, Student Reporter of the Year, Student Photographer of the Year, Student Columnist of the Year, Student Feature Writer of the Year, Best Team Effort, Best Individual Effort and Best Design.

The SCMP Young Post Student Reporters Programme partners are: Microsoft,  The Fringe Club, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Cathay Pacific, Manchester United Soccer School, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam Hong Kong, WWF Hong Kong, China Light and Power, Swire Beverages, Ocean Park, record label 89268, Theatre Ensemble, Hong Kong Arts Centre and legislator Audrey Eu Yuet-mee. SCMP would like to thank these  sponsors - technology partner Microsoft for providing layout software Publisher 2003, Bag&Sac, British Council, Dymocks Booksellers, Longman Hong Kong, Penguin Books, Mendoza and Nikon. For programme details,  visit www.yp.scmp.com/studentreporters/See Page 4 for student reporters' comments



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