PM celebrates 100 years of the School Journal

Media Release
9 May 2007
For immediate release

Prime Minister celebrates one hundred years of the School Journal

Prime Minister and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister, Helen Clark, tonight formally opens an exhibition and launches a book celebrating one hundred years of a New Zealand institution. Margaret Mahy, another institution of New Zealand writing, has described the School Journal as a ‘national treasure’. Mahy’s earliest published work, including the well-loved "The Lion in the Meadow", appeared in the School Journal.

The exhibition is A Nest of Singing Birds: 100 years of the New Zealand School Journal at the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington. The book of the same name is by award-winning author Gregory O’Brien, who is also a curator of the exhibition.

The School Journal has been one of the most influential literary and educational publications in New Zealand history and has reflected the development of New Zealand’s sense of identity and nationhood. It’s believed to be the longest-running serial publication for children in the world.

Despite changes in the social and educational climate over the past hundred years, the main purpose of the Journal has remained the same – to provide highquality reading material that is relevant to the needs and interests of New Zealand children. In doing this, it also played an influential and, in Gregory O’Brien’s words, largely ‘untold’ role in the evolution of this country's art and literature.

Many of New Zealand’s foremost authors and visual artists had their work published in the School Journal during its 100 years.

Margaret Mahy will also speak at the opening tonight, and Witi Ihimaera will appear by video.

The exhibition is a partnership between the National Library of New Zealand, Learning Media, the Ministry of Education and Archives New Zealand. Learning Media is the publisher of the book, which will be available from 10 May through all booksellers.

ENDS

http://schooljournal100.learningmedia.co.nz/

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