The cream of more than 16,000 students from 412 schools were at Stationers’ Hall last week to participate in the culmination of the second annual PrintIT! competition. Opening the awards ceremony was BBC news presenter George Alagiah, who spoke of his support for the Fairtrade Foundation, which again provided the theme, and top prize of a trip to the Windward Islands, for the competition.
The aim of the Picon-backed initiative is to promote print as a potential career path to students. Entries for the competition had to demonstrate a basic knowledge of printing techniques as well as produce a campaign to support the promotion of Fairtrade fruit.
Chairman of PrintIT, Martyn Elmy said: “We need a talented, youthful and vibrant workforce to keep our industry competitive, and I’m confident that having judged the entries of PrintIT! 2006/7, we have a huge potential wealth of creative and talented individuals.”
Martyn Winstanley, managing director at Crewe-based The Printing House, which scooped Best Twinning Partner for teaming up with two schools, said: “If some of these youngsters can be inspired to at least think of a career in print, then I think it’s been worthwhile.”
Making the event even more successful was the positive turnout of more than 250 schoolchildren to The Stationers’ Educational Charity’s Annual Careers Day. The event, which preceded the awards, included stands from a host of industry and education bodies, suppliers and print and packaging firms.
The 2007/8 PrintIT! competition launches next month.
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PRINTIT! AWARDS 2006/2007
Overall Winner of PrintIT!
Sarah Kitching (pictured left) and Emily Webzell (right) - Keswick School, Cumbria and their teacher Alan Nanson.
2006/2007 CATEGORY WINNERS
Best Sticker Design
Josh Pring – Queen Elizabeth’s Community College in Crediton, Devon
Best Design for Sticker Collection Device
Reiss Harvey and Phil Johncock – Kennet School in Thatcham, Berkshire
Best T-Shirt Design
Simran Bahra – Burnham Grammar School in Burnham, Berkshire
Best Use of Brand across the Range
Sarah Kitching and Emily Webzell - Keswick School, Cumbria
Best Understanding of Printing Techniques
Phoebe Pring – Nailsea School, Avon
Best Use of Materials
Jonathan Robinson, Thomas Smith and Blake Curwen – Kirkbie Kendal School, Kendal, Cumbria
Best Overall Presentation
Sinae Hudson and Sonam Vadher – De Ferrers School, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire
SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Twinning Printer
The Printing House, Crewe (Martyn Winstanley, managing director)
Best Teacher
Heath Adams, Head of Graphics at Dene Magna Technology College in Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire
Best Overall School Effort
Northampton Boys School
Best PrintIT! Student
Kirsty Clarke – Attleborough High School, Norfolk
