Our Editorial Team are delighted to launch The Portrait Room – our student magazine for 2024 – the 140th edition of our school student magazine. We went behind the scenes to find out what went into its publication from Iris C, one of the Editors-in-Chief.

What was the hardest thing about producing the magazine?

For me personally, I think the hardest part about producing the magazine was coordinating all the different aspects, from content creation to design, and making sure everything was on schedule. Balancing everyone’s ideas and input while keeping the overall vision intact was a real challenge. There were so many moving parts, but we managed to pull it all together in the end.

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the overall quality of the magazine. The design, the content, and even the little details came together exactly how we envisioned it. Seeing the photos, articles and everything take shape was so special. It was a really cool feeling seeing something we had worked so hard on come to life. I am so proud of the final product. 

Did you introduce any new features to look out for?

Yes! This year marked the 150th anniversary of NHEHS, so we wanted to commemorate that milestone in a meaningful way. We decided to include a special article that dives into the history of the school, celebrating its legacy and growth over the years. We also made a major change by renaming the magazine to The Portrait Room. The name was chosen because it reflects the essence of our school and makes this edition feel even more special. We wanted to align it with the school’s other prestigious publications like The Franklin and Doodles by giving it its own name, making it something that truly represents our community.

What did you enjoy about creating the magazine?

One of the things I enjoyed most was working with a diverse group of pupils from all different areas of the school, from science to theatre. It was amazing to collaborate with people I wouldn’t usually get the chance to work with during my regular A-Level lessons. It was great to see everyone’s different ideas come to life and collaborate on something so meaningful. That mix of different perspectives and skills really helped shape the magazine into something unique and well-rounded. I think it’s what made the final product so diverse and engaging—it reflects the wide range of talents and interests within our school community.

What did you learn?

I learned a lot about teamwork and communication. It’s not just about having great ideas—it’s about being able to collaborate, give and receive feedback, and stay organised. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the effort that goes into producing something like this, from the smallest design details to the big-picture planning. It taught me how crucial it is to stay adaptable and focused. 

Overall, I am so grateful to everyone that had a hand in helping create this magazine. It couldn’t have been done without the amazing team including: Clemency O (Co Editor-in-Chief), Eliza H, Amelia C, Lauren C, Charlie C, Chris V, Olivia H, Harinee R and Amelia D. A really big thank you has to go to Miss Newman. Without her guidance, time and dedication the magazine would not be where it is today! She worked tirelessly to try and make everything work and was really supportive of all of the ideas we had. So thank you Miss Newman!

I hope you all like the magazine as much as we do. Please go and get yourself a copy and have a flick through or read the digital version below! We are really proud of it.