One of the most unique and engaging extracurricular activities in education is student-led journalism. Student publications are a fantastic way to develop skills, make new friends, and bolster your CV.
A student from HSDC is responsible for bringing the joys of student journalism back to Havant Campus, reviving and rebranding the former student-led magazine into Havant Magpie. Cadellin Thomas is a second year student at Havant, studying A Levels in English Language & Literature, Geography and Textiles.
Alongside his A Levels, Cadellin is also the Marketing Officer at the Havant Student Union. Recently, we spoke to Cadellin about his role as Editor-in-Chief of Havant Magpie and the part he played in revitalising the magazine.
Q: What made you want to get involved with the magazine?
“During my campaign to become the Marketing Officer of Havant’s Student Union, I pledged to revive the previously shut-down Havant Alternative Magazine. Upon increasing interest, I launched a revamped student magazine, which later came to be Magpie, in June 2024.”
Q: What has been the highlight of your involvement in Magpie so far?
“Developing the second issue has been incredible, the interest has seen a massive spike since the first issue, and seeing creatives come together to create incredible pieces of writing and editing has been really inspiring. Leading the magazine has been an exciting new experience for me, and constructing an idea with such talented people has been really rewarding.”
Q: Is there a particular type of journalism that you find especially interesting?
“I find all journalism equally intriguing, but in recent years, there has been a rise in commentary and video journalism, which has become a staple for young people and the general population to access daily news. Whilst I believe it’s important to stay close to our foundations of written journalism in broadsheets and even tabloids, online platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have reignited interest in journalism – and that’s what inspired my personal interest for the industry.”
Q: Your latest Magpie article was on the backstory of the iconic house track ‘Ride On Time’ by Black Box, what inspired this piece?
“It’s funny, I had heard the song elsewhere through social media and listening to the radio, but this one time it was playing on the radio in Textiles, so I pulled out Shazam. I found it and added it to my playlist, it instantly became an earworm, and I ended up researching the history behind it on a whim. To my surprise, its infamous story was a ‘big thing’ at the time but is often overlooked today. I felt it would be a really interesting story to write for Magpie, as it highlights the diversity and creativity behind the budding journalists at HSDC.”
Q: Why do you think it’s important to maintain a strong presence of student journalism on campus?
“Extra-curricular enrichment is a great opportunity for students to develop their social skills and educational prospects, and I am confident that a student magazine provides a great space for students to learn, socialise and most importantly express themselves to a wider audience. Hopefully, in the future, Magpie can expand its current base and become a true staple of studying at HSDC.”
Q: Is journalism something that you would like to pursue in the future? If so, how has working for Magpie helped with these aspirations?
“Journalism and creative writing have always been aspirations of mine, and I plan to study Media at university, having received offers from all the universities I applied for! Working with Magpie has taught me how to effectively work in a team environment and has provided me with creative skills that I’m confident will be of benefit when I begin studying at university.”
Q: What would you say to HSDC students who want to get involved with Magpie but aren’t sure where to start?
“Getting directly involved with Magpie is simple – information on how to join the Google Classroom is dotted around on posters at Havant Campus and available at the Havant Student Union Desk. There are really no limits to what you can write about – all article submissions are considered, no matter the topic!”
Cadellin’s work in reviving the magazine has provided a dynamic and engaging platform for HSDC students to share their writing with their peers. By allowing students to nurture their creative skills alongside their studies, Magpie has helped to enrich their education and provide a welcoming environment for writers of all levels.
The recent Spring Edition of Magpie features articles on cooking, fashion, books, and exam tips, as well as opinion pieces on wider issues such as the housing and climate crises. This variety of articles on offer highlights the real diversity of Magpie, and the vast array of writing opportunities that have arisen as a result of Cadellin’s revival of the magazine.