Their entry, consisting of 27 pages of youth comment and review, was shortlisted in the category of overall winner. Special congratulations has also been extended to Louisa Maxwell and Shona Lester, whose ‘Bebo Rap’ won a writing commendation award of 250 Euros.

The team - Louisa Maxwell, Emma Baxter, Tim Magee, Shona Lester, Victoria Biscomb and Jennifer Kennedy - received their awards at a ceremony in Dublin’s new science museum on April 28 and listened while judges applauded their success and gave them tips for pursuing a career in the field of journalism.

Roisin Ingle and Conor Goodman from the Irish Times hosted the awards ceremony with wit and lively humour, and also revealed some insights into the world of media.

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The Portadown team then had the chance to mix with the 130 other would-be media types, who were all finalists in the popular competition which attracted a high standard of entries throughout Ireland.

The school described this year’s magazine as “an ambitious project”, comprising full colour pages and featuring content ranging from a witty reflection on the influence of the head prefects, to an informal chat with Old Boy and Ulster rugby star, Rory Best.

A chatty foreword at the beginning encapsulates the ideas and inspirations behind the magazine: ‘The vision gave way to visions in ways we would never have predicted. I’m sure Rory Best couldn’t have anticipated how his interview with two of our reporters would go.

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It must have been the most bizarre interview he’s ever given. In the end, ‘Adding to the Noise’ was meant to be crisp, colour, bright and full of us’.

Said English teacher, Mrs Ruth Murphy, “To be recognised as one of the top six entries in this all-Ireland magazine competition and to win an individual writing prize is a clear indicator of the quality of this magazine and of the creative writing ability of the students involved.”

For more information about the competition and a chance to read the winning article, log on to www.irishtimesschoolmag.ie