Inside the Glasgow newspaper dedicated to positive stories

The first edition of the Parkview Positivity Post has hit the presses, and it looks great.

“We’re really proud of it,” beams Ilham, who is 11 and in primary seven at the Summerston school.

“This is just the beginning for us.”

Some of the pupils who are involved in producing their own school newspaper, The Parkview Positivity Post. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

To mark the 150th anniversary of our newspaper, which is one of Glasgow’s oldest, we popped in to meet the young people responsible for the city’s newest publication.

The Post has been dreamed up, designed, written and published by Parkview Primary in North Glasgow, led by 25 pupils from primaries three to seven, and it is already an award-winner.

The first edition will be out soon. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

At the recent Dragon’s Den social enterprise competition in Glasgow City Chambers, the pupils impressed judges with their creativity and strong social purpose, and they were announced as overall winners of the event, securing £100 in start-up funding to launch their business.

Principal teacher Kirsty Lindores with some of the pupils who are involved in producing their own school newspaper, The Parkview Positivity Post. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

They will now attend the national Enterprise in Education Awards in Edinburgh this month, where they will be presented with a Social Enterprise in Schools Award.

Councillor Christina Cannon, Glasgow City Council’s convener for education and early years, said: “The Parkview Positivity Post is a wonderful project that showcases the creativity, leadership and community spirit of our young people in action.

“I’m delighted that their hard work to celebrate local achievements, uplifting stories and acts of kindness is being recognised.”

Back in the thick of it at Parkview Primary, the young people are giving the Glasgow Times a sneak peek of the first edition.

Parkview Primary pupils Ella and Aria (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

The front-page splash is primary seven pupil Aisha’s piece on the team’s brilliant Dragon’s Den win; inside, there are stories about cherry blossom trees, Rights Respecting Schools, and the Bikeability scheme, which helps children learn safe cycling skills.

The main thing, they all agree, is to focus on the happy.

“News can be negative, but we wanted our newspaper just to be about positive things,” explains Rebecca, 10, a primary six pupil who is the events co-ordinator. (She is planning coffee mornings for the local community where the team can show parents and families their work.)

Principal teacher Kirsty Lindores with pupil Aisha. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Aisha, who is in P7 and is CEO of the newspaper, agrees. “We want to make our school community happy, and help other children and build a strong reputation for our school,” she says.

Aria, who is in primary four, is positivity co-ordinator.

“My job is to make sure everyone is happy,” she says. “I think I got this job because I am very smiley in the playground.”

The Parkview Positivity Post is Glasgow's newest newspaper and it is dedicated to positive stories. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Primary six pupil Ella agrees. “Aria has a lot of positive energy,” she nods.

Ella is one of the main writers on the first edition.

“I love writing, I write everything – stories, fairytales for my wee cousins to read,” she explains.

“Writing for a newspaper is very different but I enjoy it. I want to be a paediatrician when I am older but writing could be my second career.”

The pupils won the recent Dragon's Den schools social enterprise competition (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Martin, who is in primary five, is one of the editors for the first edition: “It’s really fun and we are also raising money for Glasgow Children’s Hospital too, so we get to help people,” he says.

The newspaper will also help raise funds and awareness for Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Ilham is sustainability co-ordinator. “I have to watch how much paper is used and things like that,” he says. “It’s really important.”

The second edition is already in early planning stages, explains Ella. “We’d like to do something with the P7 leavers. I think it would be good to get a photo of them pointing at the back of their jumpers because they will all have their names on there,” she says.

Community engagement officer Darci, who is 12 and in primary seven, explains: “Everyone is going to switch roles so we get a chance to do different things.

“And we’re the leadership team but other people in the school are getting involved as writers and photographers. It is for everyone.”

Darci has appeared in newspapers before, she says, because the Glasgow Times has reported on her youth club over the years.

“It’s different being on the other side,” she says. “When you are in a newspaper, it feels exciting. When you are creating a whole newspaper, it feels like a big achievement.”

Principal teacher Kirsty Lindores says the project has been a fantastic experience for the pupils.

"Parkview Primary is a committed Rights Respecting School, and this project has given children a valuable opportunity to experience their rights through leadership, participation, collaboration and making a positive difference for others,” she says. “I’m really proud of them all.”

Has your school started a newspaper, podcast or blog? Share your story with us by emailing ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk