SPICE

AMBASSADORS

ART
AMBASSADORS
SPECIAL LEADERSHIP EDITION 2017

CLEAR
BUDDIES ADVISORS

CHANGEMAKERS HEALTH
AMBASSADORS

VP ZINE MATHS
MEDICS
 ART
AMBASSADORS
Tychique Otshudy and Anastasija Afanasjeva from Class 5J represent our
Art Ambassadors for this interview. They have worked faithfully under the
direction of Miss Johnston to look at artistic ways in gaining the Arts Mark
Platinum award for the school. They were interviewed and will tell us a little
bit about what being a member of the Art Ambassadors Team involves.
Q1. What inspired you to be an art ambassador?
A1. Art is more than just drawing and there are different
styles of art which I enjoy taking part in (Tychique).
Q2. Who is your inspiration?
A2. Miss Johnston is. She is a really good artist and she
inspires us to try new things (Anaastasija). Vidme this
inspires me because I love videography (Tychique).
Q3. Do you think you might ever want to be a professional artist?
A3. Yes, because it is a lot of fun and you can express
your feelings. (Anastasija). Yes, because you can be
creative and express yourself (Tychique).
Miss Johnston has been working very closely with the Art Ambassadors,
looking at various art techniques and supporting them in ways in
which they can explore the school art project videography.
Q1. How have the children improved with their
art skills over the year?
A1. They have mostly been focusing on videography and
since we have had the professionals working with them
they have improved a lot. They are a lot more aware of
the different areas involved in making a film and its also
improved their collaboration and visual story telling skills.
Q2. What skills have you been able to teach them?
A2. Linking to the videography theme, I have taught
them how to use the iMovie app which involves using
different filters, sequencing events, improving their
awareness of audio, using text and much more.
Q3. What Learning Power Tools do the children
use when they are creating art?
A3. Definitely collaboration because they have to work
in groups, planning as they need to plan what they are
going to do, perseverance because there were parts which
were tricky and imagining as its all about creativity!
1 2
Q4. How did you find it, working with professionals
Unique Voice?
A4. It was very helpful and we had fun. We were able to learn
more and it helped to expanded our knowledge (Both).
Q5. Did working with the professionals help you in any way?
A5. Yes, because they gave us lots of ideas
for our movie project (Tychique).
Q6. What is your favourite style of art?
Give a reason for your answer.
A6. Sketching because you can take your time and it is peaceful
(Anastasija) and Videography because I like the sign (Tychique).
Q7. What is your favourite piece of art work?
A7. A video on my vidme channel when I did a
question and answer session (Tychique).
Interview conducted by Caroline Smith Class 6E
Q4. How long have you been teaching art?
A4. Since I became a teacher
- so almost 9 years.
Q5. What inspired you to take up art?
A5. I like designing and using
various colours and my brother
is also an artist so it seems to run in the family.
Q6. What inspired you to teach art?
A6. Luckily I have to teach it anyway, because it is
a part of what is taught in primary school.
Q7. What interested you in becoming a lead teacher for the Art Ambassadors?
A7. One of the main reasons is because as a school
we are aiming to achieve an Arts Mark Award. We
also want to promote the arts in school.
Q8. In your own words, what would you say an
Art Ambassador is?
A8. Someone who is passionate about art and enjoys
teaching others and who wants to promote and
encourage others to enjoy all areas of art.
Interview conducted by Caroline Smith Class 6E
BUDDIES
Two children from each class from Y2 to Y6 are chosen to be a Buddies
in our school. Their role in school is to be a friend to those children
who may not have many friends. They support other children by helping
them to do the right thing.They are nurturing ambassadors for the
school and the children init. They befriend children at breaktimes
and at dinnertimes.Martha Adebayo (Chairperson) Class 4B, Awwal
Adigun Class 3A, Ameera Ashfaq Class 2C and Illmidin Bejija Class 5S
have shared some information with us about their role as a Buddy.
Q1. What inspired you to be a Buddy?
A1. We wanted to make new friends.
Q2. Are you excited about anything that might be happening in the future? Please
explain what.
A2. We hope to have it confirmed that we can help
to deliver parking tickets to people who park on
the double yellow lines outside of school.
Mrs Mahal is the schools Designated Safeguarding Lead. In her
Safeguardingrole it is her responsibility to make sure that allchildren
are safe, both in and out of school. Part of her job is to support children
when things go wrong or they need help. In this role she attends various
meetings to make sure things are okay for the children and their families.
Q1. How long have you been working with Buddy groups in our school?
A1. I have worked with Buddy groups for between 5 to 6 years.
Q2. What made you decide you wanted to start this team up and run it?
A2. It is important for children to have someone to talk to when
they need to, sometimes children prefer to talk to other children
rather than adults. I wanted children to help other children.
Q3. What characteristics in a child helps to make a good Buddy?
A3. Children who are honest, a good role model, listener and
who are friendly and approachable make ideal Buddies.
Q4. What kind of activities do the Buddies get involved in?
A4. They set up games to play at lunchtimes and talk
to other children who may not have any or many
friends. They often help out the dinner ladies also.
Q3. What is the best part of being a Buddy?
A3. Helping other children and making them happy.
Q4. What do you like about being a Buddy? Give reasons for your answer.
A4. We enjoy the fact that we can support children who are bullied
and look at ways for it to be stopped. Bullying is offensive!
Q5. What is the purpose of being a Buddy?
A5. To help and support other children, to make more
friends and to help other children to become friends. To
make sure that all the children are happy and secure.
Q6. How does being a Buddy leader make you feel?
A6. It is very rewarding because the children in our buddy meetings
get really involved and they have lots of good ideas Martha
Q7. What is the best part about being a Buddy leader?
A7. Watching the children get along with each other
and seeing their ideas come to life - Martha.
Interview conducted by Ayyat Adigun Class 5S
Q5. What is one of the most memorable
things, over the years, which a team of
Buddies have done for this school?
A5. They have set up their
own Buddy Club which is
active at dinner times.
Q6. Why is it important to have a Buddy
system in school?
A6. It is important that children have other children to turn
to if they have problems. It is also important then for the
Buddies to know what to do to help those who need it.
Q7. What is the main project which our Buddies are working
on at the present time?
A7. How to set up an effective Buddy Club.
Interview conducted by Ayyat Adigun Class 5S

The Changemakers team represents ideas from the children at VPA. Each
member of the team is also involved in one of our other Student Ambassador/
Pupil Leadership groups. Items are fed back to the Changemaker team via these
representatives. Christina Otete from Class 3A and Amaani Shafiq from Class 6A,
will tell us a little bit more about the involvement of the Changemakers team
Q1. What made you decide you wanted to be a leader of the Changemakers?
A1. The pupil leadership role made me feel inspired to help
others to achieve and to give me more confidence Amaani.
Q2. What inspired to be a Changemaker?
A2. The teachers in our school inspired me to do this,
as they are kind and supportive Christina.
Q3. What do you think the role of a Changemaker is all about?
A3. The Changemakers are there to collaborate with each other
and to eventually come to an agreement about ideas which they
have brought together from other pupils or themselves Amaani.
Q4. What do you want to see when the children are changing something?
A4. I like the fact that we have a good discussion and even
though sometimes we dont agree straight away, we can
eventually come to an agreement without arguing Christina.
Suppor
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I nspi
3 Leadin
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CHANGEMAKERS
Q5. What things do you have to do to be the leader of the Changemakers?
A5. To be a leader within the Changemakers team, you
have to make sure you are a good role model for everyone,
so that they can follow a good example Amaani.
Q6. What qualities do children need to become a Changemaker?
A6. To be a Changemaker you need to be kind,
intelligent, caring and helpful. You need to be able
to get on well with other people Christina
Q7. If you could change one thing in school, what would it be and why?
A7. I would change some of the school lessons around
SATs time, as they are kind of boring at times. It would
be great if they were fun all of the time! Amaani.
Q8. How do you think the Changemakers will make more
of a difference to the school?
A8. I think the team will be able to help more children to feel happy
and comfortable when some other decisions are made Christina.
Interview conducted by Nassim Kassim Class 5S
Helpin
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Mrs Upton has been meeting with our Changemakers team since September.
The children have been representing the different pupil leadership
groups within the school. They have made a few decisions which involves
all of the children in some way. Mrs Upton has been very passionate
about the work which the Changemakers have undertaken so far.
Q1. Do you think the Changemakers can make a difference in school?
Give a reason for your answer.
A1. Definitely! Changemakers speak for
every child within our school.
Q2. What specific jobs in school, do the Changemakers have at the moment?
A2. Changemakers are responsible for finding out views from
their classmates. At the moment, the team is working on ways
in which to raise the profile of writing across the school.
Q3. What inspired you to become a lead teacher over the Changemakers team?
A3. I felt that it would be a privilege to work with children who had
been elected as champions by their classmates. I was right - it is!
Q4. What kind of things do you find the Changemakers want to change?
A4. Changemakers originally focussed upon improving behaviour
at lunch times. They planned how to raise money to improve
playground equipment. They have already made a big difference!
Q5. If you personally had to choose children to make difficult decisions,
what kind of child would you be looking for?
A5. I would choose children who embraced our school values.
Q6. Do you enjoy working with the Changemakers?
Tell the readers the reasons for your answer.
A6. I love working alongside the Changemakers. I
enjoy spending time in their company and listening to
their fantastic ideas for improving life at VPA.
Q7. If you were looking for a new chairperson for the Changemakers,
what kind of qualities would that child need to have?
A7. Only a very special child could be chairperson.
That person would need to be fair, honest, kind and
caring. They would need to treat everyone equally,
and listen carefully to what others have to say.
Q8. Can you tell me four things which you think the members
of the team would like to change in school?
A8. Thats a really tricky question, Nassim. Children at VPA are
already fantastic, and they already have a very positive attitude
towards school. At our first meeting the team decided that they
wanted the following for our school:
1) For every child to have a voice.
2) For every child to feel as if they belong to our school family.
3) For every child to learn lots and have a good education.
4) For every child to have fun!
I think the Changemakers team members would want to make
sure that these aims carry on for a long time to come!
Interview was conducted by Nassim Kassim Class 5S
4
 CLEAR
ADVISORS
The Clear Advisors have been incredibly busy this year with quite a few important
decisions which needed to be made, concerning new staff appointments in
our school. Spogmai Jan from 6E and Kai Dawkins from 5S will tell us a
little bit about what being a member of the Clear Advisors team involves.
Q1. What is the purpose of the Clear Advisors at VPA?
A1. We help all the teachers in the school to differentiate
their learning in the classroom. We have looked into what
makes a good Deputy Head and interviewed the applicants.
Q2. Who are the members of the Clear Advisor team?
A2. Caroline is the Chairperson, Spogmai, Haleema, Dawaleh and
DTajah (6E), Shakyra and Anisa (5J), Gaganpreet and Kai (5S).
Q3. Who is the lead teacher for your team?
A3. It is Mrs Kainth.
Q4. Name one main decision youve made as a team?
A4. We interviewed candidates for the new Deputy
Headteacher job; Mr Wynne sadly left.
at e Interview conducted by Zain Din from 6E
a ndid
Job C
Mrs Kainth has worked with and supported the Clear Advisors team
this year. She has watched the members of the team grow and
mature in their role and is exceptionally proud of their involvement
and decisions which have been made along the way.
Q1. Please would you summarise for the readers,
what it is to be the lead teacher for the Clear Advisors?
A1. It is an honour and I was proud when I became the lead
teacher because I saw that my advisors were committed.
Q2. What do you think has been the main decision made by the team? Why?
A2. It was to decide who the next Deputy Head would be
for VPA; there were some significant questions to ask.
Q3. On the lines of that subject, how did you feel on
becoming Acting Deputy Head? Why?
A3. I felt like I had to support the school as much
as I could, as it was such a pivotal role.
5 Interview conducted by Zain Din 6E
Q5. What was the best decision you think youve made as a team so far? Why?
A5. It was again when we interviewed future Deputy Heads (Kai).
My favourite moment was when we interviewed student teachers
about becoming future teachers in our school (Spogmai).
Q6. Could you possibly give us a sneak peek of the next thing
youre going to be doing?
A6. We will possibly be interviewing more future teachers.
Q7. If you hadnt been selected as a Clear Advisor,
what other pupil leadership group would have you chosen and why?
A7. I would like to have been a Changemaker because I think I have
lots of ideas to help to improve the school (Kai). I would like to have
been a Spice Ambassador because I have used spices at home many
times and I have experience; as I was a Spice Ambassador last year.
Q8. What would you say is the best thing about being a Clear Advisor?
A8. Selecting student teachers to take part on the
teacher training programme (CETT) and helping/showing
visitors around our school while they are visiting.
Q4. Could you possibly give us a sneak
peek of whats next on the agenda for the
Clear team?
A4. This would be the
forthcoming teacher
observations, next September,
when the team will go into the classrooms to
observe the teachers working with the children.
Q5. What is your favourite food and why?
A5. It would have to be crisps because you can
literally have them with almost everything!
Q6. Who is your favourite celebrity and why?
A6. Kylie Minogue because she is short like me.
Q7. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
A7. San Francisco because I have always wanted
to visit the famous island prison, Alcatraz.
HEALTH
AMBASSADORS
Anisa Sagier Class 5J and Danny Guest Class 5S are part of our Health
Ambassadors team. They have taken part in a school assembly about the
effects of bullying and what to do if this happens and they have been
working on various healthy projects with the school health nurse.
Q1. Did you want to become a Health Ambassador or were you chosen?
A1. We were both chosen to become Health Ambassadors and
we also wanted to become ambassadors so we are glad that
we have had the experience and the opportunity. We think
weve had a great opportunity being a Health Ambassador.
Q2. Were you happy when you were chosen?
A2. Yes, because we felt it would be fun and
it would be an amazing experience.
Q3. What have you learned from the meetings?
A3. We have learned lots of different things about
health like what we should be eating to keep us
healthy and what foods are not good for us.
Louise Hayward is our School Health Nurse. She has been coming into school
this year to speak to different aged children concerning various health related
issues. She speaks about the importance of keeping clean, looking after your
teeth, eating healthy foods and discussing aspects of growing up. Also this year,
Louise has been involved with helping to set up our school Health Ambassadors
team as part of SNAP (School Nurse Ambassador Project). Mrs Kainth and
Mrs Peart have also been involved at different times throughout the year.
Q1. What made you want to become a nurse in the first place?
A1. I realised that I liked helping and caring for people.
Q2. What training and experience have you had to become a nurse?
A2. I have worked for 15 years in the School of Nursing and
part of that has been in the NHS for School Health Nursing.
Q3. Why did you choose to become a school nurse?
A3. I love children and wanted to work with
them more closely and help them.
Q4. Is having the school nurse in school helpful?
A4. Yes, because she is very knowledgeable about healthy
things and she gives us lots of time to finish our work.
Q5. Do you like learning about different foods which you can eat.
A5. Yes, because by learning together we now know what to eat to
keep us healthy and what foods are not really good for our bodies.
Q6. Using the knowledge which you have learned from the meetings,
what sorts of food/drinks are good for you?
A6. Fruit, vegetables, water, milk and carbohydrates and
protein, in moderation, are good for our bodies.
Q7. Using the knowledge that you have learned from the meetings,
what foods are bad for you?
A7. Fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolates, salty and fatty foods.
Q8. Do you like having regular meetings?
A8. Yes, because in our meetings we learn new things
and we have items to prepare for future deadlines.
Interview conducted by Tyra Thomas Class 6E
Q4. What do you enjoy about the School
Nurse Ambassador Project (SNAP)?
A4. I enjoy working with
different children and
the staff in schools.
Q5. How did you become involved
in SNAP?
A5. It is part of my role
as a school nurse it is
something we have to do.
Q6. What qualities and characteristics do you think a pupil should possess to make
a good Health Ambassador?
A6. To be a good Health Ambassador children should be caring,
encouraging and very focused on the tasks which they are given.
Interview conducted by Tyra Thomas Class 6E
6

The Spice Ambassadors club meet on a Thursday evening, they represent
Ballot Street Spice at VPA. Amaani Shafiq from 6A (Chairperson),
Danny Guest from 5S and Sahar Hussain from 5J will tell us a
bit about their involvement with the Spice Ambassadors.
Q1. What inspired you to be a Spice Ambassador?
A1. I wanted to learn about different spices (Sahar).
Q2. Which spices do you like and why?
A2. I like cinnamon because you can put
it into hot chocolate (Danny).
Q3. Does your family use any spices in their cooking? If so, what are they?
A3. In savoury dishes we use chilli and pepper and in sweet recipes
cinnamon is used (Amaani).
No, but I would like to try paprika to see
if I can take the heat (Danny).
Q4. Can you name different spices? Do you know where they are from?
A4. I know chilli comes from India (Sahar).
Q5. What have you learnt during the Spice Ambassador sessions?
A5. I have learnt that different spices make different
foods taste better and that there are some sweet
spices and some bitter ones. (Danny).
7 8
SPICE
AMBASSADORS
Q6. What is your role as the Spice Ambassador Chairperson?
A6. My job is to take information back from our Spice
Ambassador meetings to the Changemaker meetings and let
them know what we are doing. I also like to encourage the
other Spice Ambassadors as we are a team! (Amaani).
Q7. What are you looking forward to now that you have joined Ballot Street?
A7. I look forward to going to different places to tell people
about what we do in school and to show them our products
and sell our different products to them (Sahar).
Q8. Have you been on any visits to do with spice?
A8. Yes, we have attended a conference at the NIA in Birmingham
and we have been to a Social Enterprise launch. We have
also attended Ballot Street Bazaars at school (Sahar).
Q9. What kind of jobs do you do while representing Ballot Street Spice?
A9. We look at how to market new products, how to get
customers interested in buying stock, we look at designing
new products and packaging and we look at making
and testing new ideas for the bazaars (Danny).
Interview conducted by Ayyat Adigun Class 5S
and Tyra Thomas Class 6E
Nick Clitheroe is from Real Ideas Organisation and, along with some staff
members from VPA, was instrumental in helping to set up the Spice Ambassadors
team. He will now share an insight into the life of the Spice Ambassadors.
Q1. Why did you set up the Spice Ambassadors team?
A1. As a team, we wanted children to have a real experience
of setting up and helping run a real business.
Q2. What do the children do in the Spice Ambassadors Club?
A2. As the name suggests, the Spice Ambassadors become
experts talking about and selling Ballot Street Spice products
and representing the school at events and in the community.
Spice Ambassadors also make important decisions about
the company and help to develop new products.
Q3. Do you use any spices in your cooking at home?
If so, which spice do you cook with the most?
A3. I love to cook with lots and lots of
spices but my favourite is chilli.
Q4. When was the first time you ever tried a spice? Which one was it?
A4. The first spice I tried was ginger, in my mums
ginger biscuits, when I was about 3 or 4 years old.
Q5. What is your favourite spice and why do you like it?
A5. I really like black pepper. I put it on
everything - sometimes even my dessert!
Q6. What is your favourite spiced dish?
Give a reason for your answer.
A6. I love Masala Chai because
my wife lived in India and
learned how to make it while she
was there. We always have it to
celebrate special occasions in
our house; so, drinking it has
lots of good memories for me.
Q7. What have been the main successes of the Spice
Ambassadors to date?
A7. The spice inspired camel walk, the Spice Ambassadors
song, Spicy Ambassadors Tea blend, interviewing new
employees for the business, talking to representatives from
Trading Standards, the garden party, all the spices which have
been sold to date helping to inspire people by the confidence
and knowledge shown from the Spice Ambassadors.
Q8. What improvements do you think the Spice Ambassadors
could make for the future?
A8. Thinking of new ways to use spices and to tell
people about the great things that Ballot Street Spice
stands for: helping people make friends, giving people
a chance to get a job or to learn something new.
Interview conducted by Tyra Thomas Class 6E
 MATHS
MEDICS
Two children out of our many Maths Medics, Zariah Clue-Kelly Class 5J and
Oliwia Brzostowska Class 1MS, have told us a bit more about what they
do and how they came to be involved working as Peer Tutors at VPA.
Q1. Why do you think you were chosen to be a Maths Medic Peer Tutor?
A1. We are good at maths and we like helping others to achieve well.
Q2. What training, if any, did you have to help you to become a Maths Medic?
A2. Trainers came in from the UFA (University of the
First Age), they helped us with new ideas and Miss
Thompson and Mr Wynne worked with us too.
Q3. What abilities do you think a Maths Medic needs to have to work with others?
Give a reason for your answer?
A3. You need to be able to get on with other people and work well
collaboratively Oliwia.
Have patience - let the person you are working with
try to answer their own questions and offer help when
needed. Keep calm and dont shout at them! Zariah.
Q4. What are the positives about being a Maths Medic?
A4. Its very good to know that you are helping people
and it helps you to practise your own maths.
Miss Thompson works in Year 6. Most mornings she takes a group of
Year 6 children to work on their times tables and works with them on
quick maths recall activities. She took part in the UFAs (University
of the First Age) Peer Tutoring training programme, just before
setting up our Maths Medics group at the end of last year.
Q1. Why did you choose to be the lead teacher for the Maths Medics group?
A1. I choose to be a leader of this area because I like a challenge.
Q2. Do you consider yourself to be good at maths?
A2. I would say that I am okay and the more Ive
practised, the more efficient I have become.
Q3. Did you choose the children who have become our Maths Medics?
A3. No I didnt choose them, it was the decision of the different
class teachers because they know their children better than anyone,
so they chose children who would be the most suitable for the role.
Q4. Do you like being the lead teacher of the Maths Medics?
A4. Yes! I really love the challenge of coming up with a
variety of ways to help to teach the children the more tricky
areas of maths, whether it be practically or otherwise.
9 Interview conducted by Bilal Sajid Class 6A
Q5. Are there any negative situations which you have experienced while being a
Maths Medic?
A5. No, none at all!
Q6. Does the whole team get to meet up? If so, what things do you discuss?
A6. We all met up for our training but since then
we have met in small groups or on our own.
Q7. What is the best thing to have happened to you, since you have been the
leader of the Maths Medics?
A7. Meeting new people and receiving our own t-shirts and
certificates in assembly, when we finished our training.
Q8. What has been the most memorable task which you have taken part in since
becoming a Maths Medic? Explain your answer.
A8. I enjoyed working in Year 4 when they covered a topic on
shapes Zariah.
I enjoy helping the younger children to add numbers Oliwia
Interview conducted by Rogi Bajwa Class 6A
Q5. Is it fun being a Maths Medic lead teacher?
A5. I get to see children from all over
the school and we have fun in our
Maths Medic meetings, sharing good
examples of strategies and new ideas.
Q6. Do the Maths Medics have regular meetings?
A6. We try to meet at least once every half term to share ideas and
discuss how the training has been going in the classrooms. We try
to give each other hints and tips on being an effective Peer Tutor.
Q7. What is the most memorable thing which has happened to you, since you have
been the leader of the Maths Medics?
A7. The best thing was our visit to the Mayor of Walsalls
parlour, where we met other Peer Tutors from across the
borough. Following that, I would say getting filmed by a
professional film crew - although it was pretty nerve-racking!
Q8. Have you and the children been on any trips?
A8. Yes, we have been on some and we are planning to visit other
schools in our trust to share ideas and learn from them too.
Interview conducted by Rogi Bajwa Class 6A
VP ZINE
w E
L
Zain Din and Caroline Smith from Class 6E have been involved in
VP Zine since starting Year 5. They have given us a brief insight in
to their role in putting together the school VP Zine magazine.
Q1. What made you want to become a VP Zine reporter?
A1. Zain I have seen and read many reports in past VP Zine
magazines and I wanted to join the team to help to improve my
writing skills.
Caroline I wanted to try new things and to join
an extra-curricular activity, especially because this
would help to improve my writing skills.
Q2. Since becoming a member of the VP Zine team, what has been your favourite
subject to write about and why?
A2. Zain I have really enjoyed writing about the Bake Off and I
would have loved to have seen people actually baking their entries!
Caroline The Big Adventure was my favourite article.
While I was writing about what we did on our journey,
I felt as though I was re-living the whole thing!
Q3. Is there anything you would have liked to write about, but didnt get the
opportunity? If so, what was it?
A3. Zain I would like to have written questions and
interviewed children from Year 4 when they went to
the West Bromwich Albion Football Ground.
w R I T
Miss Akhtar joined VPA 6 years ago while undertaking an apprenticeship
with Creative Alliance in the Creative Arts. She works in Year 1 presently
as well as working alongside Mrs Peart with the VP Zine team.
Q1. How long have you been helping to run VP Zine?
A1. I started working on the magazine with children 6 years
ago, when I first came to the school. There was a designer
who I worked with at the time and his name was John.
Q2. What made you want to introduce a school magazine at VPA?
A2. I thought it would be a great idea for the children to share
their fantastic work with the rest of the school and to keep
everyone updated with what is happening in and around school.
Q3. What skills and characteristics do you look for in a pupil,
when you are choosing new team members?
A3. Mrs Peart and I always recruit new members of the team
together. We ask children who are interested in the role, to write
a short article on a given subject. We look at their creativity, all
round English and ICT skills. We also look at childrens ability to
be punctual as they have to meet strict deadlines sometimes.
O V
E
Caroline I would like to have written about
our class spice challenge when we had to design
a new product for Ballot Street Spice.
Q4. How did you feel when your first article was printed in the school magazine?
A4. Zain I felt quite normal really, I know I can be over confident
sometimes and I have a big ego too!
Caroline I felt amazing! It was so cool to see my first
article in the magazine. My parents were so proud of me!
Q5. What skills do you think you have picked up or made better since producing
articles for VP Zine?
A5. Zain My vocabulary has definitely improved and I am better
at typing and using a keyboard as I have had so much practise.
Caroline My vocabulary has also improved and I am able to use
various sentence openers and lots of new grammar techniques.
Q6. What piece of advice would you give to future members of the VP Zine team?
A6. Zain Be confident, dont be scared about anything and make
yourself proud!
Caroline Try your hardest at all times and never miss a session!
Interview conducted by Bilal Sajid Class 6A
I N G !
Q4. What has been your favourite article in any
magazine over the years?
Give reasons for your choice.
A4. I really liked the last Big Adventure
articles. It was very interesting to see and
hear about what other year groups did for
their Big Adventure visits which linked in
to different countries and traditional food.
Q5. What advice would you give to new members of the team?
A5. I would advise new members to write down their weekly tasks
correctly. Follow these tasks up promptly and not leave them to the
last minute. I would say that new members need to be enthusiastic
and committed to the work which is involved, as a lot of it has
to be done in their own time! Most of all - enjoy what you do!
Q6. If you could make any changes to the current magazine,
what would they be and why?
A6. I would extend the number of pages if I could when we
cover work around the Big Adventure as there is always
lots to include. It is very interesting to read about what
each year group has learned through their challenges.
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