Newsletter Analysis

The image above is the Deyes high school newsletter. We analysed this in class using Media terminology.
  The pencil line drawing of the school at the top of newsletter is an eye catching feature that may give the impression that the school is a defined and well respected establishment to parents. However this is an outdated image and therefore shows that the newsletter or the school has not moved with modern culture.
The Masthead of the newsletter is "Deyes High School" with the "Deyes" part in a larger bolder serif font than the "High School". This change in font makes the name of the school one of the first things you see when you pick it up.
However this is one of the only notable features as the rest of the newsletter is very plain and looks like it has just been made on Microsoft word that morning.
There is a dateline at the bottom but this takes more more space than a conventional date line on a newsletter going against the codes and conventions of newsletters. This date line is large and unsightly in a childish font lessening the professional look set by the sketch and masthead.
Behind all of this is a watermark of the Deyes High badge this indicates it is an "official" Deyes publication and conforms with the professional standard set earlier.
Above the dateline is the Specialist Science College logo this is the same size as the sketch an does not merit any special attention even though it is in the centre of the page.
To improve this newsletter I would completely redesign the look of a rushed job that this publication shows.

This newsletter is from St Ambrose Barlow which we also analysed. Unlike the Deyes newsletter this utilises colour which makes it more notable and appealing to the eye. It has used a "red top" which is used by tabloid newspapers such as the "Daily Mirror" and "The Star" which gives it an air of professionallity. However the font used is an informal sans-serif style of font which therefore dashes its potential of being a proper news publication.   There is also a column of contents down the side which is a useful tool for a reader. This also makes the newsletter seem like a web page with hyperlinks therefore giving it a contemporary feel. Like the Deyes letter the school badge is shown but it is in the corner adjacent to the strapline which states that Ambrose Barlow is a specialist sports with ICT college. The badge although being in the corner makes it seem more professional with its discreteness.
The newsletter further reinforces its newspaper "look" by setting the text in columns making it seem more appealing and well thought out to parents and students alike.
In the bottom left hand corner is a puff which says "summer edition" this is oddly placed and breaks the look of the piece.
I would improve this newsletter by calming it down and making it less chaotic.

In conclusion both newslletter front covers could be greatly improved however the use of colour and formal layout of the St Ambrose newsletter, in my opinion, makes it a better quality front cover than the Deyes High version.