Year 12 Shortlisted for National Media Award

NewsKnight, Ruby W, has been nominated for Writer of the Year (non-fiction) at the Shine Media Awards, writes Nina Archell-Green

Shine Media Best Writer nominee Ruby (third from left) with the rest of NewsKnight from last September

Following NewsKnight's success in 2024 for Best Online at the prestigious awards at Stationer’s Hall in London, the crack journo team is celebrating another success as Year 12 Ruby Wilmore has been short-listed for one of the most renowned awards at this celebrated event.

"I feel honoured to have my writing skill recognised by such a prestigious award, and attending the gala at the Stationers' Hall in London will be an excellent experience - being surrounded by history, while listening to industry experts, will be a day I won't forget for a long time."

 "I feel honoured to have my writing skill recognised by such a prestigious award"

The Shine School Media Awards is hosted at the Stationers’ Hall in Central London, not too far from St Paul’s Cathedral. It is run by the Stationers’ Foundation, a facet of the 600-year-old Stationers’ Company, which primarily serves as a charity to help young people progress in the content and communications industry. Both private and state schools are nominated and given equal opportunity to present the diversity of talent working for their news team and to win national recognition and enrich their CV and applications for university or college.

At the awards, Ruby will be accompanied by myself (departing NK editor) and Mr McDermott. At this gala ceremony we will have the opportunity to attend workshops and listen to a variety of highly regarded speakers from within the industry. We will take part in numerous industry workshops including: an insight into Hearst Magazines by Sophie Wilkinson, Editorial Operations Director; advanced podcasting hosted by expert Luke Chapman; paths into journalism hosted by Dr Glenda Cooper from City University London, a world-renowned journalism college. There will also be the opportunity to rub shoulders with luminaries including Liz Hunt, Assistant Editor of Features & Comments for the Daily Mail, and Katherine Whitbourn, Contributing Literary Editor for The Mail on Sunday. Hopefully, this will be another step into journalism careers for both students. I'm embarking on a degree in journalism at Sheffield so I'll look to gain some great contacts.

Back at KTS, our cohort of NewsKnights will be clanging shields and armour in support of our star writer. “I’ve been so impressed with Ruby’s writing,” says NewsKnight coordinator Mr McDermott. “She has an energy in her writing that is truly remarkable. Ruby is also really committed to getting to the truth of a story and she is not afraid of ruffling feathers in pursuit of the facts.”

Gathered at the Shine Awards will be the brightest talents in student journalism so to win will be an incredible feat. However, your humble neighbourhood NewsKnight has a history of winning awards at what is considered the Oscars of student media. NewsKnight has clinched Best Online no less that three times, Most Outstanding Student twice (Joel Speed and the Standard’s Bill Bowkett), most Inspirational Teacher (Mr McDermott), plus several other awards.

The NewsKnight team will be heading to the gala ceremony on the 30th of June 2025 and will hopefully return decorated with yet another award.

Do You Want A Career in Journalism?

Gain valuable journalistic experience and skills at NewsKnight. We offer training in everything from writing reviews to editing video on Final Cut Pro under the guidance of an ex-BBC journalist, Mr McDermott. Create a portfolio for jobs and university degrees, plus gain a huge advantage for practical non-assessed exams for media, film, photography etc. NK meet in K15 every Thursday and Friday lunch or email bmcdermott@kts.school.