Gracie Eastwood |Year 13 Student and “Hot Off The DESSC” Editor

I began my journey at DESSC at just four years old, and it was during my first few years at the school that my profuse interest in writing began. Guided by my teachers, my desire to embark upon a career in journalism escalated tremendously over the proceeding fourteen years, with the creation of our student magazine, ‘Hot Off The DESSC’, proving to be essential to this. Running, contributing, and managing a magazine requires collaboration, creativity and teamwork. These skills are not only vital to the very framework of a publication, they are also praised and encouraged in every student at our College. Witnessing students of all ages expand their expressiveness has been a delight to witness, and I am sure that our first issue will not only entertain, but inspire, the remainder of our student body to replicate this in their own personal interests and career ventures.

Our student magazine compiles a plethora of roles and departments, from fiction and local news editors, to current affairs and design teams. Journalism is an industry that requires knowledge across a variety of subjects, with an inquisitive mindset that is always searching for the next possible story, being of utmost importance. During our Wednesday sessions, our student participants and contributors frequently explore the campus, observing recent events that could perhaps become the primary subject of an upcoming article. This activity in itself has nurtured the creative faculties of our student magazine’s members, heightening their attentiveness to the world around them and, in turn, their consistent realisation of potential news stories. It is this that has perhaps encouraged our younger students to pursue a career in journalism, and as a Year 13 student who is preparing to study the subject further at university, seeing younger students recognise their passion as it comes to fruition has been particularly motivating. 

The key lesson that my participation in the student magazine has taught me is that at any age, and within any industry, teamwork is the unifying factor. When writers of different ages, backgrounds, interests, and talents come together to collaborate, the final product is almost always of significant power and influence. If I had to select one singular goal for our student magazine, it would be that its contents both reflect and incentivise intellectual curiosity. I can’t wait for you all to read it.