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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is hosting their annual Primary 7 Cross Country races at Kilbroney Forest Park in Rostrevor this Tuesday 15 October 2024 from 10:30am to 11:30am. Spectators are welcome to come along and cheer on their children and schools.
500 children from 36 Primary Schools will come together to battle it out to see who will be the fastest to cross the finish line and which schools will be ranked the highest in this prestigious competition.
This is a gentle cross-country race aimed at introducing children to outdoor running and children will be encouraged to try to keep pace and push their limits, all while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Kilbroney Forest Park. It is hoped that through this event children will embrace the outdoors and cross country running, improving their overall fitness and health, and that they will develop a lifelong habit of staying active.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “Events like the Be Active P.7 School's Cross-Country Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for us all to come together and celebrate community, fitness, fun, and determination. Whether you're running or cheering from the sidelines, this cross-country event encourages a healthy, active lifestyle for our young people. We would love to see you there!"
Councillor Pete Byrne will be there to present trophies to the first three children who cross the line. There will be a good opportunity for every child to win a medal for their school as teams will also be awarded places.
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Last Thursday 3 October, members of the public, Southern Regional College (SRC) staff and students took to the recording studio in SRC’s Armagh campus to rehearse, record and sing their hearts out to the Oasis single “She’s Electric”, as a fundraiser for the charity Aspire NI.
The event saw staff and students from SRC’s Music Department put out a call on social media for members of the public to come together for one night and create an impromptu chorus crew choir, welcoming both signers and karaoke wannabes alike.
A preview of the single and accompanying video is expected to be released on social media in the coming weeks leading up to Christmas, with the full single being available to purchase, raising vital funds for Aspire NI’s work here in the local area.
Aspire NI works with children and young people in Northern Ireland to support educational attainment where there is low family income or poverty. The Northern Ireland Audit Office reported in March 2024 around a fifth of Northern Irish children live in relative poverty. This has a significant impact on the health, education and economic outcomes of children and young people.
Leading the choir was musician and composer Rachael Power. Rachel has written music for multiple youth choirs and spent the summer in the United States leading choirs at summer camps. The College was delighted to have Rachel’s expertise in leading the chorus crew on Thursday night.
The College’s Music Department has been working with Aspire NI since 2016, with music students playing, singing and recording a Christmas track each year. This year is the first year the Christmas single has been opened up for the public to join.
Over the past three years, the Music Department has raised a total of £2,000 for Aspire NI and is hoping to continue fundraising these vital funds for the charity with this year’s single. The College has developed close links with Aspire NI, with SRC students partnering with Aspire’s young people for educational programmes.
Amy Carson, Music & Performing Arts Production Coordinator at Southern Regional College commented “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Aspire NI once again! It’s always an amazing opportunity when we can get our students involved with the work that Aspire do. Also, a big thank you to Rachael Power for coming down and making us into wonderful choral singers!
We can’t wait for everyone to check out the video when it is released – keep an eye out on socials.”
A special thanks goes out to students who recorded music for the track and those who were studio engineers for the evening. This includes Aaron Beattie (drums), Jos Lennon (bass), Niall Wilson (piano), Joel Clarke (lead guitar), Saran O’Machail (acoustic guitar), James Aulds (rhythm guitar), Ben Cambell (studio engineer) and Eoin Campbell (studio engineer).
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Students at Southern Regional College’s (SRC) Newry campus engaged in “We Stand Together – Anti Hate Training” on Thursday 3 October. Training was provided by Victim Support NI and the Police and Community Safety Partnership, with PSNI’s community policing officers from Newry City also speaking to students.
Michael Avila from Victim Support NI commented “Victim Support NI and its Hate Crime Advocacy Service were delighted to provide its #WeStandTogether campaign training to various SRC campuses. The subject of hate crime has become tumultuous in NI recently and we want to make sure that students are well prepared, knowledgeable and resilient to hate related issues if and when they emerge.”
Training focused on defining hate crime, understanding the different protected characteristics of hate crime, trauma and its impact on victims, how to report hate crime and being an 'active bystander'.
Speaking on training provided to students, SRC’s Student Governor James Hutchinson said "I am proud to announce that the College Student Union has partnered with Victim Support NI to deliver their important ‘We Stand Together’ hate crime awareness training across all our campuses. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students.
“Hate crime, in any form, has no place in our College or society. By bringing this training to all students, we aim to educate and empower our students to recognise, challenge, and stand against hate in all its manifestations. Victim Support NI’s expertise will provide vital tools to not only raise awareness but also to support those affected.”
Training has been rolled out across SRC’s campuses.
James further added “Our goal is to create a campus community where everyone feels respected and valued, regardless of background, identity, or beliefs. Together, we can take meaningful steps towards eliminating hate crime and ensuring a culture of respect and solidarity.”
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Students from Southern Regional College A-Level Government and Politics class attended Stormont last month to engage in healthy debates with 11 schools from across Northern Ireland on “Who is to blame for the slow progress in the peace process?” The debate has proved timely, with the Northern Ireland Assembly passing a motion calling on the voting age for young people in Northern Ireland to be lowered to 16 years. This is encouraging for future generations of young people, who are seeking to be engaged in politics.
The ten students were divided into groups and encouraged to debate views from both sides of the political agenda. During each debate, viewpoints were challenged to demonstrate how bias can easily form arguments and the importance of evidence to support views and counter arguments.
SRC student Kassie Blanton received the opportunity to grill politicians Matthew O’Toole (SDLP) and Robbie Butler (UUP) and did not shy away from the opportunity, making the most of this chance to engage directly with political figures.
The purpose of Friday’s debate and follow up questions to politicians, was participation in Good Relations Week, while also building and enhancing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of all students who took part. After this healthy debate students were invited to tour the Stormont building which included a visit to the Assembly Chamber.
Friday’s debate and questioning was organised by the UK charity Parallel Histories. Parallel Histories offers students new ways to study the history of conflict, history which is often still contested, controversial and relevant.
Emily Boyd, Lecturer of A-Level Religious Studies and Government and Politics at Southern Regional College commented:
“Taking part in the Parallel Histories Conference was a great experience for our students as they debated topics against peers from other schools. This experience provided students with additional skills in preparing and presenting coherent arguments to support their views”
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Our Lady's Grammar School in Newry have selected their ‘SistersIN’ Leadership Programme cohorts for 2024.
Our Lady's is only local school involved in the programme which aims to foster girls’ leadership capacity and confidence amongst its Sixth Form students. The SistersIN female leadership project is committed to empowering young women through advancing gender equity, inclusiveness and youth development.
The programme offers education and training as well as opportunities to engage in leadership initiatives and build aspiration through exposure so that young women can reach their full potential.
The SistersIN Leadership Programme was an idea born out of Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch under the leadership of Peter Dobbin, Principal, in 2018. The initial programme pilot in 2019 proved to be so successful that it inspired the foundation of a charity to help broaden the impact and reach of the programme to more schools and pupils.
The programme mission is to enable, empower and develop female pupils in Education to become the leaders of tomorrow; to help them discover their full potential & open new possibilities for their professional journeys by building leadership capability and confidence.
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Past Southern Regional College carpentry and joinery student Isaac Bingham has brought home a Medallion for Excellence in Cabinet Making at the prestigious WorldSkills Lyon 2024 competition. Isaac was one of five talented students from Northern Ireland who made up Team UK at this year’s international WorldSkills competition held in Lyon, France. WorldSkills, often referred to as the ‘Skills Olympics’, saw over 1,500 young professionals from 69 countries compete in 62 different skills over four intense days, with more than 250,000 spectators in attendance.
Competing against 22 skilled tradespersons within the Cabinet Making competition, Isaac’s highly commended status was announced in WorldSkills Lyon’s closing ceremony on Sunday 15th September 2024, in the OL Arena in Lyon.
Isaac’s journey to France began with a gold medal at the 2022 WorldSkills UK national competition. This early success earned Isaac a place on team UK and the opportunity to compete at EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023, where he narrowly missed out on a Medallion by three marks.
Determined to succeed in this year’s international competition, Isaac made the brave move to relocate to England for 6 months to be close to Team UK mentors, trainers and industry experts. This significant relocation enabled Isaac to immerse himself in training six days a week while juggling a 40 hour a week job with English employer Monkeywood.
Isaac spent the past week in Lyon, setting up his workstation on the Monday before commencing competition the next day. During the near weeklong competition, Isaac faced mini deadlines throughout, testing his practical, planning and scheduling skills. This required focus and resolve to maintain composure throughout the intense pressure of competition.
Linsday Bronte, Organisational Development Manager at Southern Regional College flew to Lyon to support Isaac at the WorldSkills competition, alongside Gary Mackin, the College’s Head of Faculty for Building, Engineering and Technology.
Lindsay commented “Receiving a Medallion for Excellence is an amazing achievement for Isaac who was competing against twenty-one other Cabinet makers from as far afield as Costa Rica and China. It is so deserved for Isaac to get the recognition he deserves after months of hard work and preparation. All at SRC are extremely proud of Isaac’s determination, resolve and success.”
Speaking on Isaac’s success, Lee Campbell, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College further commented “Isaac’s success at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 is testament to the dedication and hard work he has displayed. Isaac has shown exceptional commitment to this competition and his profession. Isaac should be immensely proud of his achievements as we are. We wish him all the best in his future career”.
WorldSkills Lyon 2024 took place from 10 -15 September. The next WorldSkills Competition will take in 2026 in Shanghai, China. The next national UK competition will take place in Manchester between 19-22 November 2024.
WorldSkills UK, is a four-nation partnership between education, industry and the UK government. From participating in international WorldSkills competitions, WorldSkills UK embeds world-class training standards across the UK. Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.
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The Governing Body of Southern Regional College has appointed Mrs Lee Campbell as its new Principal and Chief Executive.
Mrs Campbell has been a member of the Colleges Executive Team since November 2021 playing a key role in the strategic direction and financial management of the College, as Director of Finance and Planning, and latterly as Interim Principal and Chief Executive since February 2024.
Mrs Campbell has made a significant contribution to the College’s business planning processes meeting current and emerging economic demands for upskilling and reskilling individuals, alongside maintaining and improving governance and financial controls since joining the College in 2021.
Mrs Campbell, a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland brings significant leadership and management experience in executive and non-executive roles in both private and public sector bodies.
Mrs Campbell, as the first female in the role, is committed to adopting a collaborative and outward-looking approach in her role as Principal and Chief Executive. Mrs Campbell, added:
“It is a privilege to take on the leadership of Southern Regional College as the Principal and Chief Executive. The College plays a key role in providing high quality education, training and development opportunities which are vital to build futures for our people and communities and support the implementation of the Minister for the Economy’s Economic Vision.”
“As Principal and Chief Executive I look forward to working in collaboration with the Governing Body, staff, industry and other key stakeholders to lead the college into the next stage of its growth and development. Ensuring the College’s full potential is realised through the delivery of a curriculum that is relevant to today’s students and employers.”
Southern Regional College is one of the largest education providers in the Southern Region, with state-of-the-art campuses located in Armagh, Banbridge, Lurgan, Newry and Portadown. The College operates across the two council areas of Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon, and Newry, Mourne & Down in the southern part of NI.
The College enrols approximately 20,000 students annually and with over 900 members of staff.
Dr Thomas Moore, Chairman of the Governing Body at Southern Regional College commented “On behalf of the governing body of Southern Regional College, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Lee Campbell as Principal and Chief Executive Officer, following a comprehensive and competitive external selection process.
Together with the Governing Body, we extend our warmest congratulations to Mrs. Campbell as she assumes this role. We look forward to working closely with Mrs Campbell to ensure the continued success of the College”.
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CFA @ NCAD is delighted to partner with Creative Spark in neighbouring Dundalk to launch a brand new ‘Professional Diploma in Digital Making’ - a hands-on programme introducing learners from all backgrounds to a range of digital fabrication processes. This diploma is the first of its kind and will be accredited by NCAD and co-delivered by Creative Spark Enterprise FabLab in Dundalk.
On this fast-paced 1-year programme participants will learn to design and utilise foundational digital fabrication tools. It will enable learners to harness the opportunities opened up by digital, technological and ecological fabrication.
The Diploma will commence in November 2024 and will be taught through a hybrid format with some lectures delivered online, and in person sessions taking place in the Creative Spark Enterprise FabLab in Dundalk. It will be delivered by academic staff and technologists who are leading practitioners and researchers in their specialist fields.
Sarah Glennie, Director of NCAD said “The Professional Diploma is centred on contemporary creative practice and discourse. In today's digital era, the importance of understanding, interrogating, and mastering our tools cannot be overstated. These tools are not just external entities but pivotal instruments that shape our thoughts, aspirations, and interactions. This programme seeks to instil an attitude of proactive engagement and curiosity, equipping participants with the mindset needed for innovative digital making which is so important to the next generation of NCAD learners and meeting the rapidly evolving needs of Ireland's creative industries”.
Sarah Daly, Executive Director, Creative Spark commented “Our Creative Spark Enterprise FabLab was launched last year and is a state-of-the-art technical prototyping and fabrication space that offers a large fully equipped lab for learners interested in digital fabrication. Participants on this programme will conceptualise, design and fabricate their own tools for research that will be employed in their own creative practices and processes. We are delighted to be collaborating with CFA and NCAD to accredit this valuable future-skills qualification for artists, designers, makers, researchers and creative practitioners”.
Louise Allen, Director of Creative Future Academy, noted at the launch: “The Diploma in Digital Making is one of many new and exciting short courses coming on stream in the Autumn from CFA. The partnership with Creative Spark is very welcome, it demonstrates how Higher Education providers can work together with industry and enable access to a wider range of creatives and business professionals interested in extending their digital-making skills. The state-of-the-art Fab-Lab facilities at Creative Spark in Dundalk, together with prototyping and fabrication equipment at the William Walsh studio in NCAD, will provide unparalleled access to laser, 3D-print, CNC milling, casting, and electronics technologies. The diploma is led by industry and academic experts and is sure to develop Ireland's digital capabilities of the future”.
For more information visit: www.creativefuturesacademy.ie
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Eight special awards were presented to students at Southern Regional College’s 2024 Graduation ceremony last week.
The presentations were made by guest speakers Economy Minister Conor Murphy and Cool FM presenter Rebecca McKinney and awards included seven faculty awards, for full-time and part-time courses across SRC’s four faculties and the all-important Outstanding Classmate Award, an award where students nominated a well deserving peer.
Winning the 2024 Outstanding Classmate Award was Michelle McParland from Belleeks. Michelle received several nominations, testament to her worthiness for the award. Michelle consistently dedicated herself to the role of class representative for the BA (Hons) English and History degree, ensuring that all class needs were heard. Michelle also provided steadfast support to her peers, especially during times of stress or overwhelm.
Students winning awards from the Faculty of Computing, Design and Academic Studies were Caolan McQuaid and Jailson Embalo. Caolan graduated from the Creative Media Production – Film Higher National Diploma having achieved distinctions across all units. Caolan excelled himself during his studies, always being a willing learner and engaging with project based learning projects in the College’s Design Centre. Testament to his willingness to participate in projects, Caolan has since gained employment in film production with Big Mountain Productions.
Jailson Embalo from Portadown graduated with the Foundation Degree in Science in Computing. Jailson studied this course through the Higher Level Apprenticeship programme where he undertook work based learning with his employer Almac Group four days a week, with one day spent in College learning theory. This approach to learning enabled Jailson to have a work/life balance whilst gaining a qualification. On his nomination for the part-time student award, Jailson’s tutor noted, “Jailson is very approachable, knowledgeable and always keen to get involved. A truly remarkable, consistent student who has genuinely excelled at everything over the last three years.”
Students from the Health and Social Care Faculty recognised by their lecturers include Elisha Hall and Linzie Haire.
Elisha who studied the Ulster University Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care completed a placement working with individuals with additional needs, delivering a service plan to advance the needs of these individuals. Not content with this, Elisha additionally developed a mindfulness programme, again for individuals with additional needs, which proved to be a hit amongst participants.
Linzie Haire proudly graduated with a BA (Hons) English & History degree from Liverpool John Moores University. Throughout her academic journey Linzie distinguished herself with her academic prowess, insatiable curiosity and enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge in areas beyond taught materials, making her a fantastic student to teach due to her thirst for knowledge.
As a mature student, Linzie’s story is particularly inspiring. She returned to education through an Access Diploma in Adult Learning. These Diploma’s provide a broad education experience and offers a route to Higher Education. Her success demonstrates that it is never too late to pursue one’s academic dreams.
Students within the Faculty of Professional Services scooping up awards include full-time student Julie Bicker from the Level 5 Foundation Degree in Sport and Exercise and part-time BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise student Jack-Daniel Magill. Both achieved spectacular marks for their studies, working exceptionally hard. For Jack-Daniel what is more impressive is achieving his first-class honours whilst holding down a full-time job, a difficult task requiring skills in multi-tasking and prioritisation. Noteworthy is Jack-Daniel's final dissertation covering the influence of family’s socioeconomic status on sporting participation.
In the final faculty, Building, Technology and Engineering the noteworthy winner was Banbridge graduate Michael McKey. Michael previously successfully completed the Foundation Degree in Mechatronics before progressing to the Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. Michael undertook the Bachelors Degree as part of the Higher Level Apprenticeship programme, working as a Higher Level Apprentice with Collins Aerospace.
Lee Campbell, Interim Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College spoke of her pride at the students’ achievements.
“It is with immense pride that I congratulate today’s graduates as they take one of life’s pivotal steps. I offer my warmest congratulations on their academic successes – the culmination of many years of dedication and hard work.
"Through significant effort and fortitude, our graduates have all achieved something remarkable and today we have had the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on those achievements. Learning is a lifelong journey and I urge our graduates to never stop seeking knowledge, embracing new challenges or striving to understand something new."
Mr Campbell concluded "I wish each and every one of the SRC graduates good fortune in their future endeavours."
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