PUPILS of P7 at Auchinleck Primary expressed an interest in sending the Chronicle regular news items from the school and asked for our advice.

So it was back to school for yours truly to face a grilling from the class as they put me on the spot to find out all about gathering news and reporting.

Having done countless school visits and being a proud granddad of five, I can usually twig right away if the children are going to be responsive — and this lot passed the test with flying colours.

I explained that if you take away the letter ‘S’ from news, you are left with new, so their stories would have to be fresh and not something that happened two years ago.

It would also have to be interesting, so I gave them a few examples of what would capture people’s attention as well as what might not, then threw the floor open for questions.

In my time I have interviewed many famous, and infamous, people but I can never quite prepare for a school visit and the questions that might prevail.

As well as the standard ‘What is the best story you have written?’, ‘How much do you earn?’, ‘How long does it take to write a story?’ there were a few beauties from the Auchinleck youngsters such as what age I was and where did I get my phone?

But it was a privilege to visit the class and hopefully I have left them with some food for thought and I am now looking forward to getting their contributions.

If you school would like to send in news get in touch with us at editorial@cumnockchronicle.co.uk or call us on 01290 421633.

Wherever possible, one of our reporters will visit and have an informal chat with pupils and their teachers to give them helpful advice.

There is much good going on in our schools and, as the local paper, we want to let people know all about it — get in touch now.