Introducing ‘Informed: The student-led magazine at SBAS’

When we first discussed the idea of a student-led magazine at Simon Balle back in September, the aim was to give students a voice. We hoped that students would feel empowered; not only those who would be writing professional journalistic articles on topics that mattered to them, but also those who would be reading and engaging with them. We believe that students being able to create discourse on school-based, national and even global issues, is a sign of a healthy school where all voices are heard and listened to. 

All article topics were chosen by the writers themselves; similarly all research and writing was conducted independently. Students and staff were involved in the editing process, but not in changing the angle or intention of the authors. Hopefully we have done our best to write in a broadly unbiased and primarily informative style, but it is important to emphasise that any ideological views that might emerge from the articles are not necessarily representative of the school, or even the magazine contributors as a collective.

There are some sensitive topics covered in the magazine. Hopefully you will find they have been handled with care and compassion, but reader discretion is advised.

We would like to extend our thanks firstly to every writer and contributor (including those who didn’t quite make it to print this time) for their professionalism, bravery and dedication to the publication. The quality of writing is nothing short of exceptional. But special thanks must go to our student editors, Rosie, Zoe and Eva, who worked tirelessly to ensure that articles were polished and purposeful. And also our design directors, Christina and Carolina, who put in a heroic amount of time to ensure the final publication looked pristine.

If you would like to contribute to the magazine in the future, please email our staff editor, Mr Kerswill, kerswillj@simonballe.herts.sch.uk.

Informed Edition 1 – Summer 2025