From 2012-2018, I advised the student newspaper at Malvern Preparatory School. When I accepted the position, my primary ambition was to involve my graphic design students in publication design. I never expected that student journalism would become a reinvigorating passion in my teaching career.

The print publication circulated eight times a year on campus and to an external subscription list. The associated website started off as a student opinion blog that was moderated by the school’s communications office. We combined resources in 2012, and revamped the website over the next several years to serve as an online news publication. The newspaper and website were fully extracurricular and managed by a staff of student editors.

Alongside the staff of student editors and reporters, I spent the last several years learning the 5Ws: WHO we publish for; WHAT is involved in advising an ethical and educational publication; WHEN I am out of my league and need to turn to the pros for help; WHERE to find resources and support; WHY the students and I find motivation in journalism  — and HOW to put it all together into a great publication. Suffice to say, it was an incredible learning experience.

Visit website

Click to visit The Friar’s Lantern.

In 2019, the school re-launched the site at a new domain with help from SNO, copying the original design. I assisted SNO with transfer of content from the previous site.

The images below link to six student stories that I consider to be some highlights of my experience in teaching and advising high school journalism. If my title had been ‘coach,’ these stories would be on the highlight reels.

Each story includes a PDF of the print version, and, when applicable, awards and recognition that the story received. Stories are republished on this site with permission.

Feature story by Justice Bennett / January 2016
Column by Tommy Pero / December 2016
Investigative/data story by Dan Malloy / November 2017
Feature story by Michael Droogan / January 2016
Staff Editorial / December 2017
Feature story by reporting team / January 2018