Tunmann Dev, on her experience as First News Children’s Champion!
Following on from our blog about Tunmann Dev, First News Children’s Champion, who presented the findings of the First News newspaper ‘State of Britain’s Children’ survey at the House of Commons- https://wearechildfriendlyleeds.com/2015/11/03/first-news-childrens-champion-tunmann-speaks-in-the-house-of-commons/ – today we speak to Tunmann herself, about her experience.
Tunmann’s Photo Story of her assignment as First News Children Champion
Hi, I’m Tunmann and this is my Child Friendly Leeds Blog all about my assignment at The State of Britain’s Children Press Conference in London as a First News newspaper Children’s Champion.
But first here is a little bit of information about who I am. I am age 7, I am born in Leeds and I live in Moortown with my family. I am a pupil at Moor Allerton Hall Primary School in Leeds. My favourite subjects at school are science and art. When I am not in school I like to play sports and explore nature.
How did you become a First News newspaper Children’s Champion?
During the start of the school summer holidays, I read a little article in the First News newspaper saying “Would like to be a Children’s Champion?” I was so excited when I read this. I desperately wanted to be a Children’s Champion for First News. I made a short video audition clip saying who I am and why I would like to become a Children’s Champion. I also explained what my passions are.
How did you feel when you were chosen?
I felt ecstatic when I heard the great news that I was chosen as a First News Children’s Champion. My first assignment was to present the results of The State of Britain’s Children’s survey in a packed press conference at the Houses of Parliament in London. I felt very proud but a little bit nervous on my way to London.
What happened on the day, what was your favourite part of the day?
It was an early start to the day when I set off from Leeds train station at 7am. When I got to London Kings Cross station the first shop I spotted was the Harry Potter shop! When I got to Westminster I met the editor of First News Nicky Cox and the other First News Children’s Champions. My favourite part of the day was when we received our Children’s Champion T Shirts and we all presented the results of the survey and answered questions on our topics to a room full of powerful people. We even met the Speaker of the House John Bercow who says “order! order! order!” in the House of Commons.
What happens next? Will there be other opportunities as First News Children’s Champion?
As First News Children’s Champion, I will have other opportunities to speak to the media on lots of different topics. I might even get the chance to go to the Sky News studio and interview a famous person as part of the First News Hotseat TV programme. I hope I get to interview someone like Emma Watson who plays Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films.
What do your school friends and teachers at Moor Allerton Hall Primary School think?
My friends and teachers at Moor Allerton Hall Primary School are very proud of me and they all want to know all about my press conference assignment in London. I made a short photo story film (with a little help from my dad) to show and tell everyone about my experience.
Finally, would you encourage other children to have their say and become Children’s Champion’s?
Yes, I would encourage other children in Leeds to become Children’s Champion’s because it’s important that we make our future better by having our say on topics like the environment and bullying. The children are the future of our country. It is important that grown-ups listen to children now so we can make our country a better place to live for everyone.
I hope you liked my blog. Bye!
Tunmann Dev, First News Children’s Champion, age 7 from Moor Allerton Hall Primary School
