What makes a story newsworthy?
A story needs to be 'new' - it needs to have an angle or a specific reason for being told now, and it needs to be important and relevant to your school community.
Aim for stories that are:
- Timely and topical – a good story is new and interesting to people
- Recent
- Informative
- Interesting
- Unusual
- Entertaining
- About people – students, parents, staff
- Success stories
- About student achievement
- Highlighting unique or exciting programs at your school
- Celebrating successful past students
- Showcasing new and upgraded facilities
- About community/business partnerships/grants and how they will benefit students
- Spotlighting any high-profile guests to your school
- Interesting events such as a performing art performance or a school milestone
- Colourful and bright in a photo (a good photo opportunity)
Be strategic
How do you want the community to perceive your school? As an academic, innovative school? As a caring, welcoming community? Choose to focus on positive stories that promote your school’s strengths and position your school as a leader of primary/secondary education locally.
If your objective is to position your school as having a strong academic focus, you can publish stories about;
- Positive test results or HSC success stories
- Student leaders
- Outstanding literacy or numeracy programs
- Unique programs like STEM
- Gifted and talented opportunities
- Student participation in mathematics, science, or debating competitions
- Professional learning completed by your teachers to demonstrate that they are are highly qualified and highly skilled.