As many of you may have noticed, HOl has gone through a little redecorating recently. Besides moving all the portraits, statues and suits of armor around, castle walls are being painted [A nice pale blue], and new banners are being put up as well. The most noticeable being the new school banner which was designed by Gryffindor student, Rob Longbottom.

One of many entries submitted in the school's logo contest, Rob's entry made it into the top 10 and then was voted the best by the students. "I was pretty surprised!" says Longbottom. "Especially when I had gone to check to see if my logo had made it into the top ten and it was in first."

The secret to Rob's success was Macromedia Fireworks MX, though it was not used to create the entire banner, it was responsible for the over all look. He had many features on the program he used, and it took him a while to get the hang of them, "It took a while to get the colors and textures juuuuust right. But it was worth it in the end."

The picture of the logo represents Hogwarts castle at night with wooden panelling displaying the school's name as well as it's motto. "Well, I thought the logo should have a castle theme to it," says Longbottom, "But also, it should feel like home."

When asked what he thought of the other entries, he modestly replied, "The other entries were very good. Well done, to all the entrants." He then went on to say, "They were all great. They are all great artists."