If you're entering our competition, you'll need a few tips. The first one is to pick your team well, writes Louise Holden

As Eddie O'Sullivan learned to his cost at the Rugby World Cup, choosing the right team is crucial. Now you've decided to publish a school magazine, you'd better get your staff right, too. Who are you going to give each job to? It's important to match tasks to talents. You need a good discussion to discover the hidden skills of your team and put them on the right job. Whoever you elect as an editor will need to keep an eye on everyone and make sure they are on top of the job. That doesn't mean being a dictator; it means making everyone feel supported, appreciated and confident enough to speak up if things are not working out.

Editor-in-chiefMakes overall decisions about what goes into the magazine and approves finished articles for publication. Needs confidence, a listening ear and leadership skills.

News editorAre you covering news stories from your school or community? A news editor will oversee the work of reporters and make sure that the best and most important stories are covered. Needs a nose for a story and a sense of urgency.

ReportersGet out in the corridor, or in the street, with your notebook or Dictaphone and find out what is going on. Needs energy, curiosity and resourcefulness.

Features/opinion editorWill you include articles written by students expressing their opinions about school, life or current affairs? The features/opinion editor will work with writers to decide what issues to cover and, for example, how long the stories should be. Needs sensitivity, imagination and strong writing skills.

Arts and entertainment editor, sports editor, fashion editor, music editorYou may not need to fill any of these posts, but if you are planning a large sports or music section in your school mag, it's helpful to put one person in charge. Needs a passion for their area, plus decent writing skills.

Photo editorWorks with the other editors and writers to decide what images are needed for each page and to find those photos or organise for them to be taken. Needs a good eye, technical know-how and organisational skills.

Business/advertising managerYou may not bother with sponsorship or advertising for your publication, but if you do you'll need a sharp business brain to sell the ad space and get the money in. Needs to show you the money.

DesignerWhether you are producing your publication using state-of-the-art desktop technology or scissors and glue, you will need someone with a design eye to create a great cover and to decide on the overall look of the magazine. Needs a unique view of the world, creativity and technical know-how.

SubeditorThe editors might do this job if they have time. If not, it's up to the subeditor to check all the articles for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, inaccuracies, libel and plagiarism. He or she will also need to cut long articles down to size, write headlines and captions, choose pictures and more. Needs writing skills, an eye for detail, good communication skills, a vision for the publication.

Staff writers, photographers, cartoonists, illustratorsIndividuals may perform a range of tasks, with writers doubling up as photographers, editors and a host of other roles. The important point is to use all your team's talent to maximum effect.

For more about the competition, see www.irishtimesschoolmag.ie