Back to school for Michelle

Head teacher Guy Willatt explained that the school had been inviting people from a variety of professions, including a doctor and a vet, to speak to the youngsters about what their jobs involved.

I went along to speak at assembly to tell them about life as a reporter for a local newspaper.

The assembly started with a rousing song and then it was my turn to take to the stage.

I told the pupils what the work of a journalist involves and the variety in the job, showing the children the most recent edition of the Advertiser and pointing out the Clipper Club page.

And after I’d spent a few minutes talking about journalism and the Advertiser in particular, it was time for questions from the youngsters, and many hands shot up.

The pupils said that they thought being good at English, including writing and spelling, was an important skill for anyone thinking of going into journalism.

I added: “So is being interested in speaking to lots of different people — some might call this being nosey.”

Mr Willatt himself asked about any scoops which I’d worked on and I spoke about covering the floods in Rotherham in November 2000.

I described wading through thigh-deep water in Catcliffe to speak to residents affected by the flooding.

My visit to Rudston School was, for me, a very uplifting start to the day and the children were both interested and confident.

It was also great to hear when Mr Willatt asked the children if anyone would like to be a reporter when they were older that many indicated that they would.

It seems that the future of journalism in the town is in safe hands.