THE historic Derry school that educated poet Seamus Heaney and playwright Brian Friel has adopted the Irish News Young News Readers literacy programme.
St Columb's College aims to continues its proud literary history, and encourage the next generation of poets, politicians and Nobel prize winners, by signing up all Year 8 pupils.
Young News Readers introduces schoolchildren to daily newspapers in an interactive way.
It delivers news knowledge and develops understanding in the classroom, while supporting the demands of the wider curriculum.
The project has been created by St Mary’s University College, in collaboration with The Irish News and supported by CBI and Reach Stationary.
Pupils can read different types of articles to help their reading and writing, and then discuss what they read with classmates, parents and teachers.
St Columb's has educated many writers in addition to Nobel Prize winner Seamus Heaney. They include composer Phil Coulter, novelist Seosamh Mac Grianna, poet Seamus Deane and crime fiction author Brian McGilloway.
Head of English Tony McGonigle said the critical literacy project was important.
"It is allowing the pupils to become more aware of the important events that are happening at home and across the world that the new school edition of The Irish News will deliver to their young readers," he said.
Former pupil and The Irish News marketing manager John Brolly said he was delighted to return to his old school.
"The feedback from teachers at the college has been extremely positive in terms of creating an enjoyment around learning with pupils expressing a real interest in the current news agenda. Brexit is a subject matter that they really want to know more about," he said.
