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A cheque for £3,000 has been presented to Charlie Davis, Chairman of Autism NI (Newry Branch) from St Joseph’s Boys’ HS, after year 10 pupils won a Youth Philanthropy Initiative competition to showcase the positive impact generated through local charities.
Brendan Fearon (LLW HOD) paid tribute to the hard work of all the pupils involved in the Local & Global Citizenship project and thanked teacher Mrs McGuigan for helping to raise the profile of many local charities in the course of the research.
Commenting on the presentation MR Fearon said "St Joseph’s is a school working at the heart of our community and we are privileged to be able to support the phenomenal work of Autism NI through partnership with YPI Northern Ireland and as a result of the commitment and enthusiasm of pupils and staff"
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Ten local schools have received their first green flags this year taking the total number of schools throughout the district proudly flying the Green Flag to 44.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Naomi Bailie, welcomed local schools to the Council Chamber in the Downpatrick Office for the annual presentation of Green Flags.
Councillor Baillie speaking to the teachers and pupils attending the presentation ceremony said, “This is a tremendous achievement. The Green Flag award is internationally recognised and only obtained by those schools who have reached the highest of environmental standards.”
“Well done to all the staff and pupils whose hard work has resulted in these awards. A special word of congratulations to the members of the Eco Committees present here today. You have taken the lead by making sure that your school cares about the environment.” she added.
Ruth Van Ry, Eco Schools Project Officer, who attended the reception said, “I am delighted to see the continued success of the Eco Schools programme in the new Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. Local councils play an important role in encouraging schools to take part in the Programme and the hard work is there for all to see in Newry, Mourne and Down. All schools in the District are registered with the Programme and every year more new schools are successful in achieving the top award of the green flag.”
For further details of the Eco Schools programme visit www.eco-schoolsni.org.uk
Schools receiving their first Green Flag
ACADEMY PRIMARY SCHOOL. Ballynahinch
CORTAMLET PRIMARY SCHOOL, Altnamackin
DOWN HIGH SCHOOL, Downpatrick
DROMORE ROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL, Warrenpoint*
MULLAGLASS PRIMARY SCHOOL, Newry*
ST MALACHY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Camlough
ST PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Ballynahinch
ST PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Drumgreenagh
ST RONAN’s PRIMARY SCHOOL, Newry
ST TERESA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Tullyherron
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Friday night saw the Southern Regional College’s Higher Education graduates celebrate their success with family, friends and College staff at the annual Graduation Ceremony in Armagh City Hotel.
Nearly 700 graduates were conferred with foundation degrees, higher level diplomas and professional qualifications from a range of courses delivered at the College’s Armagh, Banbridge, Newry, Lurgan and Portadown Campuses. Honours Degrees delivered in conjunction with Ulster University and John Moore’s University Liverpool were also conferred in Business Studies, Accounting and Creative Imaging.
Mr Brian Doran, Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, welcomed the graduates and their family and friends and paid tribute to the work of College staff for providing an excellent learning experience for graduates.
Mr Doran stated “It is an honour to see you all here today, especially those of you for whom this rite of passage represents the culmination of several years’ of hard work and application. Your presence here today demonstrates the important role that the Southern Regional College plays in diversifying the higher education system.” Mr Doran continued “The Southern Regional College remains committed to providing everyone, irrespective of their background, with an equal opportunity to avail of higher education opportunities.”
SRC was privileged to welcome Mr Kevin McEnoy from BT to present the BT Award for Excellence in Blended Learning. The BT Prize of an HP Tablet was awarded to Dominic Burke who studied the HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering on the Portadown Campus.
Student of the Year Awards were presented by the Chairman of the Governing Body, Mr Andrew Sanders to both full-time and part-time Higher Education students who had excelled in their studies.
Guest speaker at the graduation ceremony was Mrs Mary McCall. Mary is the Founder and Managing Director of one of Ireland’s fastest growing online consumer brands, TreatTicket.com. Mary inspired the students with her entrepreneurial spirit and ability to thrive in the competitive online market place.
Lorna Browne who studied the HND in Health and Social Care spoke on behalf of the “Class of 2015”. Lorna commented “I also would like to thank my lecturers. To have a team with your combined knowledge, experiences and unlimited patience, has been immeasurable. To have someone you respect not only as a teacher, but also as a person, display a belief in your capabilities and support you when things are getting so tough it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, is everything. When I graduate from Queens with my degree in Social Work, I will be thinking of you all…how you inspired and supported me and how you believed in me…for all of this, I thank you.”
The College has over 40 different higher level courses including Higher Nationals, Foundation Degrees and Honours Degrees in a wide range of subject areas including; Creative Imaging, Computing, Construction, Engineering, English and History, Hospitality, Health Care, Multimedia, Tourism and Sports Science. SRC is also delighted to be offering Higher Level Apprenticeships. The College has partnered with global pharmaceutical company, Norbrook to establish the Applied Industrial Science Higher Level Apprenticeship. The Higher Level Apprenticeship programme in Accountancy has also been introduced in partnership with leading Accountancy firms.
If you are interested in joining the Higher Education community of learners at Southern Regional College contact 0300 123 1223 or visit www.src.ac.uk
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Aaron Duffy a Southern Regional College student has been announced as one of the five exceptional young chefs from across the UK who have made the grade for the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Awards recently held at the Lancaster Hotel in London.
Aaron from Beragh studied Foundation Degree Culinary Arts at Newry Campus and is Sous Chef at Grants Restaurant in Omagh.
The awards were launched in 2003 and are overseen by Paul Gayler MBE, chairman of examiners. The Graduate Awards formally recognise a young chef’s culinary excellence and test their knowledge in classical and modern skills and techniques in a series of culinary challenges in a pressured environment. This prestigious award is not only a formal recognition of a young working chef’s culinary excellence but is also an excellent accolade for the college and their mentor.
Having made it through the initial selection process based on a written entry and mentor’s reference, Aaron competed in the semi-finals in Sheffield College. He progressed through to the finals held at University College Birmingham in August 2015. Some of the UK’s leading chefs put the finalists through their paces testing their knowledge and practical ability which included a written exam, practical skills in butchery and fishmongery, mystery basket for a main course meal, classical dish and preparation of pastry dish. Finalists were required to achieve a mark of 85% to join an elite list of only 48 graduates out of 620 entrants since the commencement of the awards 12 years ago.
Awards co-ordinator Steve Munkley, executive head chef of the Royal Garden hotel in Kensington and vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs, who presented the chefs with their certificates at a cocktail presentation evening at the Lancaster London, said “Each chef demonstrated great skills, as well as an understanding of what made great food. Every year, I’m truly amazed at the talent we are producing in the UK and this year’s graduates epitomise this perfectly, showing expertise beyond their years in the butchery and fishmongery tests, mystery basket challenge and creation of a classic main and dessert in the final exam.”
The awards ceremony which was attended by hospitality professionals from across the UK and Ireland culminated with an additional award for SRC and college mentor Barry Smyth who received the ‘Excellence in Education’ award for the high level training, mentoring and support for Aaron during the graduate Award process.
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The History Department of St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Newry, in conjunction with the Newry and Mourne Museum, has launched an interactive website on “Newry during the Famine”.
The site is aimed at providing an online resource for Key Stage 3 children who cover the Famine in their programme of study. The site contains Famine era maps, letters, artefacts and even crime and punishment statistics for children during the Famine!
The site also contains original poetry from St Joseph’s pupils who worked with both the History and English Departments and produced some excellent work.
Mr Morgan, Head of History, noted, “I would like to thank the staff of Newry and Mourne Museum for their invaluable help and congratulate the boys of St Joseph’s who fully appreciated the impact of the Famine on modern Irish history and also the gravitas of the upcoming Famine Commemorations. Indeed, some information for the project was provided by past pupils who had conducted research at Queen’s University, Belfast, which was also greatly appreciated. It is envisaged that the site will grow and develop as an educational resource in the coming months and years.”
The site can be visited via the History sub-site of the St Joseph’s Boys’ High School webpage – www.stjosephsnewry.com
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The Southern Regional College in Newry certainly had reason to celebrate this week when they entertained SRC student Gary Doyle, recipient of the ‘Best Plumber in the World’ award at WorldSkills 2015 in Brazil.
The 21 year old plumbing apprentice from Ballyward, triumphed at the global skills competition WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015, winning a gold medal in the Plumbing and Heating category and is now crowned the ‘Best Plumber in the World’. Gary’s success followed four days of intense competition against more than 1000 of the world’s most skilled young people.
Opening the celebrations at Southern Regional College, Mr. Brian Doran, Chief Executive said: “This is a truly remarkable achievement for Gary. He has proven his level of skill and expertise - it doesn’t get any better than being crowned the ‘Best Plumber in the World.’ I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Ronnie Ferris, SRC lecturer and mentor, who has guided Gary throughout his training at the College and journey to global success. Gary is a shining example of how hard work, dedication, commitment and skill can achieve great things. We are delighted to add Gary to the SRC Student Roll of Honour.”
Following the presentation of a bespoke copper pipe award to Gary, Employment and Learning Minister Dr. Stephen Farry congratulated him on his outstanding achievement. He said: “To be selected to represent the UK to compete at WorldSkills Brazil was in itself a great achievement but to then go on and win a gold medal is magnificent. Gary should feel very proud that the hard work and commitment he has displayed has paid off and to be awarded the title of ‘the world’s best plumber’ is an accolade few can match. I would like to thank Gary for representing Northern Ireland so well on the world stage and for inspiring others to strive to be the best they can be. I am sure it will stand him in very good stead in his future career.
“I would like to thank the College for supporting Gary and in particular Ronnie Ferris, Gary’s lecturer and mentor, for sharing his expertise and working with Gary to ensure he was ready to take on the world. I would also like to thank Gary’s employer, Kieran Trainor, for his support and for investing in the skills of his workforce.”
Gary’s parents and family have also been a great source of encouragement to him on his journey and they should feel very proud of his achievements.”
Gary was also presented with an award from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council by Vice-Chairperson Gillian Fitzpatrick. She said: “As Vice-Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, I am delighted to recognise Gary's achievement. Gary has excelled in his chose field of work and his efforts and commitment are testament to what can be achieved through hard work and skill. I wish him every success in the future and hope his new found success can allow others locally to benefit from his knowledge and expertise.”
Gary, employed by Kieran Traynor Plumbing and Heating, has won numerous competitions at both a local and national level.
Taking place every two years, WorldSkills is the world’s largest skills competition and is held around the globe to celebrate skills and to share best practice between industries and countries. Staged from 11-16 August 2015, WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015 gave the world’s most talented young people the chance to battle it out to be named the best of the best in skills ranging from web design and aircraft maintenance to hairdressing and visual merchandising.
Overall the 41 strong UK team, whose members are all aged 18-25, won three Gold, four Silver and two Bronze medals and 24 Medallions for Excellence.
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council held their annual Schools Cross Country sports on Tuesday in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor.
Best School was St Colman’s College, Newry while Shimna in Newcastle took second, Abbey CBS, Newry took third and Newry High took the fourth spot.
RESULTS
Minnow Girls
Caitlin CoffeySt Pauls Bessbrook
Siofra McAteer Our Ladys Newry
Olivia Hanna Sacred Heart
Emma McCumiskey Assumption Grammar
Izzy O’FarrellSacred Heart
Minnow Boys
Calum McDonaghSt Colmans Newry
Leo Magee St Colmans Newry
Tom McKeaveney Abbey CBS
Miles Boyd St Colmans Newry
Ultan O’CallaghanSt Colmans Newry
Minor Girls
Eimear Treanor St Josephs Crossmaglen
Libby Maloney Assumption Grammar
Aoife Mcgeevy Our Ladys Newry
Eve Kenneally Shimna
Sophie Senior Assumption Grammar
Minor Boys
Aidan O’Hare St Colmans Newry
Cathal Farrelly St Louis Kilkeel
Odhran McCafferhy St Colmans Newry
Connor O’Carroll St Colmans Newry
Oisin Nicks Newry High
Junior Girls
Emily CantleyRathfriland High
Niamh Suillion Sacred Heart
Chloe O’Hare St Marys Newry
Alannah Grant St Josephs Crossmaglen
Ciara Kearns Shimna
Junior Boys
Conor DohertySt Colmans Newry
Sean Campbell Abbey CBS
James Magee St Colmans Newry
Eoin Murray St Colmans Newry
Michael McCad St Colmans Newry
Senior Girls
Laura Gardiner St Marys Downpatrick
Anna WalshOur Ladys Newry
Niamh Doyle Assumption Grammar
Catriona Doyle Assumption Grammar
Amy Gadrrey Assumption Grammar
Inter Girls
Aoife Cochrane Assumption Grammar
Rebecca Cowan Kilkeel High School
Sarah Speers Kilkeel High School
Tara Breen Sacred Heart
Laura Greene Shimna
Senior Boys
Dylan Rooney St Josephs Crossmaglen
James Bennett St Josephs Crossmaglen
Brendan Murphy St Josephs Crossmaglen
John McKee Kilkeel High School
Inter Boys
Billy Campbell Abbey CBS
Peter Fegan St Colmans Newry
Peter Murray St Colmans Newry
John Fanelly St Louis Kilkeel
Jack O’Fanell St Colmans Newry
Best School
1 St Colmans Newry 35
2 Shimna Newcastle 34
3 Abbey Newry 27
4 Newry High 26
5 Kilkeel High 26
6 Our Lady’s Newry 22
7 St Joseph’s Cross 21
8 Assumption Grammar 21
9 Sacred Heart 19
10 St Pauls B’Brook 19
11 St Joseph’s Newry 8
12St Mary Downpatrick 8
13 Blackwater Intergrated 7
14 St Mary’s Newry 3
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Year 9 Pupils from St Joseph's Boys High School in Newry have raised £750 for charity from a Sponsored Walk. The chosen charity was Newry Samaritans.
Principal Mr Murray presented a cheque to Mr Paddy Mallon,
Newry Samaritans and congratulated the pupils, form teachers and other staff who were involved in the fantastic efforts, adding ‘we are in a privileged position at St Joseph’s where the tireless dedication of staff and the commitment of pupils and their families can combine to help strengthen community connection and in turn benefit so many people in such positive ways’.
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First year pupil at St Joseph’s Boys High School, Eoghan Henry has won a series of awards for speech and drama at the recent Banbridge Feis.
Eoghan won in The Traditional Poem category where he was presented with a Certificate of Merit; the Heather Y.V Henning Shield, Gold Medal for achieving first place in his set poem and finished by winning the Gloria Joy Cup for coming in overall first place in the final night of the Feis.
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