As many of our regular readers already know, the Helvetica Herald was produced by a group of Year 11 English students, under the direction of Miss Eastham, Head of English, in March of 2001 and was entered for the TES English Newsday competition. 

Once the final copy had been lovingly printed out and sent post haste to London, we patted ourselves on the back and thought whatever happens, this has been a great experience and we have done our best.  April and May passed and with exams on the horizon our thoughts turned from the Helvetica Herald and the competition to the more serious business of I.G.C.S.E.'s.  Then one day, somewhat out of the blue, a small brown envelope from TES arrived from London with news we could hardly believe.  Out of the 1,500 schools who had competed in the TES English Newsday competition, we had received the highest award possible and were to be one of 30 schools invited to London to visit the Houses of Parliament and be present for the choosing of the overall winner.

Hotels and airline tickets were swiftly booked.  Along with Miss Eastham, Nicola, Liz, Jenny and Iyabode had the honour of going to London to represent the school at the awards ceremony. Everyone at school kept fingers and toes crossed all day, eagerly awaiting the phone call from Miss Eastham - which, after what seemed like an age, finally came.  Mrs Zund ... We've done it!  We have won!

While we were delighted with the content and sophisticated appearance of our final copy and quietly confident that we would do well, nothing could have prepared us for the fact that out of 1,500 other schools, we would be chosen as the overall winners of this prestigious competition.  Not only did we win - but we beat an entry which came from a school of journalism!!!  Bravo to Miss Eastham and Miss Aminot, who guided Year 11 through this experience so well, to Miss Hickey for her help with all things computer-based and to each of the students who participated so enthusiastically in the event!!

It is a dull and dreary day in London ... but plenty of
smiles from Liz, Jenny, Iyabode & Nicola.

Nicola adds a touch of lucky lip gloss before the awards ceremony!!

Here we are ....  anticipation mounting. Jenny, Liz, Nicola & Iyabode.

Yesssssss ..... We've won!!!

Celebrations in full swing!

Time for some r & r and a little bit of shopping ... Jenny, Iyabode, Miss Eastham, Nicola and Liz take a well-earned break.

Liz can hardly believe her eyes ... yes, it is true Liz - you don't have to wish anymore!!!