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With children back in the classroom, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust is encouraging Primary schools to sign up and participate in The Daily Mile™ initiative.
The Daily Mile programme involves pupils participating in a 15 minute walk, jog or run every school day. It was developed by Elaine Wylie MBE in response to concerns over poor fitness levels and obesity in children.
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust in partnership with the Public Health Agency, The Education Authority and local Councils is encouraging more schools to get involved.
Clare Drummy, Physical Activity Co-ordinator for the Southern Trust said “During these challenging times, The Daily Mile initiative presents a great opportunity for schools to encourage children to be more active during the school day, in an outdoor and safe environment. The Daily Mile can be implemented easily under COVID guidelines. It is such a simple and low cost initiative which can help children’s physical and mental wellbeing.
“We encourage all schools to take this opportunity to support children to be more active. We can help support you to set up your own Daily Mile”.
A number of local schools have already seen the benefits.
Principal of St Brigid’s Drumilly Primary School, Mr Jeff Crimmins said: “The children are calmer and more relaxed when they come in from their Daily Mile. Without a doubt, children have benefitted tremendously from a physical fitness perspective”.
Teacher Colette Hicks from Cloughoge Primary School commented: “After The Daily Mile children are more settled in their work, concentration levels have improved and fitness levels have also improved. Children are really enjoying the initiative and the teachers and other members of staff are taking part also”.
Teacher Micheal Brady from Gaelscoil na mBeann, Kilkeel said: “There has been increased fitness across the board, leading to benefits in other physical activities. Some kids are showing an interest in running outside of school as a result”.
For support and advice on running The Daily Mile in schools please email: clare.drummy@southerntrust.hscni.net
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SRC Level 3 apprentice, Dylan Calvert, wins Trainee Tile Fixer of the Year at the recent TTA Awards.
Dylan, from Tandragee, works for Johnny Elliot at Orchard Tiles in Portadown and is currently completing the Level 3 Wall and Floor Tiling apprenticeship programme at the Southern Regional College Greenbank Campus.
The Tile Association (TTA) is the trade association for wall and floor tiling in the UK and to win one of these awards is a mark of excellence and skill within the industry.
Upon receiving his award, Dylan said “I started my trade in Year 11 in the School Partnership Programme and this experience really helped me confirm that this was my career pathway. It is unbelievable how far I have come and what I have achieved with the training and support I receive at Southern Regional College. I now have the opportunity to go to the Skills Olympics as part of WorldSkills UK and compete in my skill area.”
Dylan will now add this award to his already bulging trophy cabinet as he has also recently won Gold at the national finals of the SkillBuild competition, progressing to the WorldSkills UK training squad for WorldSkills 2021 which are due to be held in Shanghai.
Dylan’s Wall and Floor Tiling lecturer, Paul Doran, said “We are so proud of Dylan’s achievements and he really demonstrates that by the application of hard work, commitment and dedication to a career pathway that he enjoys, this really pays off! Dylan is continuing to train hard to complete his qualifications here at SRC and as part of the WorldSkills UK squad. Well done!”
If you would like to find out more about the range of apprenticeships available at SRC, please visit: www.src.ac.uk/courses
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Patrick Winters from Rathfriland has been presented with one of the inaugural SRC Chief Executive Higher Education Scholarship Awards. Patrick has just begun an Ulster University Foundation Degree in Sport Science, Coaching and Fitness at the College’s Newry campus.
This new initiative, introduced by the College’s Chief Executive Mr Brian Doran, is aimed at helping to ease the financial pressure on students who wish to progress to higher education. In total, eight Scholarships will be awarded, with each recipient receiving £1,000 per year, of a two year course, towards their tuition fees.
Patrick was understandably delighted to be awarded this scholarship and commented “I couldn’t believe I had been selected as one of the successful students. I am excited to start my Foundation Degree at Southern Regional College and hope to progress to study physiotherapy after these two years. This Scholarship will really help me achieve my career aspirations”.
Brian Doran, Chief Executive at Southern Regional College, said “I am delighted that the College has been able to provide some financial assistance to these incredibly deserving students who are completing a higher education qualification at Southern Regional College. The future of our economy is heavily dependent on providing continued opportunities for young people to acquire higher level qualifications and skills education and training and this new initiative is one of a number of wide ranging support interventions that the College has in place to ensure that our learners succeed.”
The Higher Education Chief Executive’s Scholarships are open to first year, full-time higher education students attending SRC, studying a Pearson Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree qualification. In total, eight Scholarships will be awarded.
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Local Primary Schools in Killean, Meigh, Dromintee, Jonesborough and Cloughogue recently benefitted from a Cash for Schools Initiative run by Mulkerns SPAR & EUROSPAR. To take part customers were issued with a voucher at the tills, which they then used to vote for their school in special voting boxes located in store. The prize system was tiered, and every school was a winner, with each receiving a fantastic Cash Prize!
Killean Primary School came out on top with the most votes winning a whopping £1000 for their school. St Joseph’s Meigh came in second place winning £500 cash. Three £250 cash prizes also went to Dromintee PS, St Moninna’s PS, Cloughogue and Jonesborough P.S.
General Manager at Mulkerns Kelly McKeown awarded each school principal with their prizes on their first day back after half term.
Kelly commented “The Directors and Management Team at Mulkerns wanted to do something to help the schools, who are working so hard to keep going in a very uncertain environment…with no increase in their budget. I am humbled to be presenting them with these much-needed funds”.
Each of the schools had their own plans for the money, Dromintee had held a draw asking their children which books they would like to buy, some of the books have already arrived and some of the P5’s are proudly displaying them in the photograph.
A big thank you to all the parents who shopped and voted! Look out for lots more Community Campaigns in store.
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The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has presented to students at the Abbey CBS in Newry as part of its educational engagement.
NIHRC spoke to Learning for Life and Work (LLW) pupils about its role in promoting and protecting the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland, with the topic forming part of their Citizenship module.
Speaking on the presentation Abbey CBS Head of LLW Mr Gerald Morgan said “The students found the NIHRC presentation on Human Rights very worthwhile and insightful. It was great for them to hear directly from those who are at the forefront of working to protect everyone’s human rights in our society. The students were fully engaged throughout the presentation and benefitted greatly from the experience. We look forward to working with Jason and Zara again.”
The virtual presentation focused on the importance of the human rights that everyone in society has. Year 11 students examined which human rights they were entitled to, how some rights are absolute, and which rights can be limited in certain circumstances.
The GCSE pupils also were also shown the NIHRC’s latest short film ‘It Seems’, which focuses on climate and human rights and features Belfast poet Niamh McNally.
NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby, commented:“The Commission is very grateful to have been given the opportunity to discuss its work with LLW pupils at the Abbey CBS. It is an important function of the Commission that we engage in raising awareness of our work and that includes making students aware of what human rights they are entitled to. We thank the Abbey for inviting us to present, and wish the students every success with the rest of their Citizenship module.”
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2020 marks the tenth year of Flahavan’s partnership with Athletics NI, which has seen the Primary School Cross-Country League grow into a much-anticipated annual event. Over 200 schools across County Down, Southern Area, Causeway Coast, County Tyrone/Fermanagh Area, County Antrim, and North West, are expected to take part in the league this year.
Over the past 10 years a total of 43,380 children from 391 schools have taken part in the league with a 60% increase from 2010 – 2020
This year, Irish Senior Bronze Medallist, Katie Kirk, the first Flahavan’s Athletics NI league ambassador from 2010, will return for this year’s anniversary celebration. Katie will join Paralympic Gold Medallist Michael McKillop to support this year’s league.
Catherine Ashford, Events and Commercial Manager, Athletics Northern Ireland, explains how this year will work “Athletics NI is delighted to announce the 10th anniversary sponsorship with Flahavan’s Porridge for the 2020/21 season of our Primary School Cross Country League. Over the last ten years Flahavan’s has invested considerable resources in cross country at grassroots, taking the league to the next level. The brand’s support has led to a steep increase in participation of primary school children across Northern Ireland.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have postponed the Flahavan’s Cross Country League from our original start date in October, to the end of January. Subject to Executive restrictions and Sport NI guidance, round one will start on 29th January 2021, with round two kicking off on the 5th March 2021.”
Brand Marketing Manager for Flahavan’s Porridge, Alice Quirke, added “We are delighted to mark the tenth year of the Flahavan’s Athletics NI Primary School Cross Country League. We in Flahavan’s are proud to have partnered with such a highly esteemed organisation to support young aspiring athletes for a full decade!
“To be able to celebrate our ten years of support for Athletics NI, whilst adhering to the regulations and restrictions is very important to us. The events may look slightly different this year, but I trust the kids and the staff will all create a memorable and exciting event regardless.
“Good luck to all of the competitors taking part this year – we are confident this will be the beginning of a very exciting sporting journey for many of them.”
“I am delighted to return as ambassador once again for Flahavan’s and Athletics NI’s ten-year Anniversary,” explained 800m Irish Senior Bronze Medallist Katie Kirk.
“I love seeing the enthusiasm and passion for athletics amongst the participants and their potential to become athletes in the future. It’s very satisfying to be given the chance to share my knowledge, and to help them to achieve their goals in any way I can!”
Michael McKillop, Paralympic Gold Medallist, added “As a para-athlete, I am extremely passionate about inspiring young people of all abilities to get involved in sport. Through my role as one of this year’s Flahavan’s ambassadors, I will share my top training tips and encourage a healthy and balanced diet. This could be the start of an exciting career for our sporting stars of the future, so I encourage all schools across Northern Ireland to get involved!”
The 2020/21 Flahavan’s Porridge Athletics NI Primary School Cross Country League will get underway in January 2021, for further information on taking part in the League, please contact the Athletics NI office on info@athleticsni.org or 028 9060 2707.
To learn more about Flahavan’s full range of products, and how you can fuel your run with tasty recipes, follow @FlahavansIRL on Twitter, or @Flahavans on Facebook and Instagram.
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Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty MLA has welcomed a proposal by Ulster GAA and the IFA for a new three year Schools Sports Programme which is based on the hugely successful Curriculum Sports Programme.
Mr McNulty explained, "This week the Education Committee heard of a proposal from Ulster GAA and IFA which is currently with Minister Peter Weir for consideration and approval. The programme would be delivered over three years in primary schools and it would seek to build on the hugely successful Curriculum Sports Programme which was previously cut due to lack of funds.
"Now more than ever before we need to invest in the physical and emotional wellbeing of our young people who have been impacted so much by the Coronavirus Health Pandemic. We need to encourage young people to look after and maintain their health and well being and this programme is about encouraging children to maintain a fit, healthy and active lifestyle."
"All the evidence shows that taking part in sport and maintaining an active lifestyle from an early age doesn’t just benefit a child’s physical wellbeing, it positively influences their mental health, as well as their emotional and character development.”
The Newry and Armagh representative added "I cannot overstate the value of this programme to our young people and the vital role the high calibre coaches play in not only embedding a culture of physical activity and teamwork, but also their role in delivering important life lessons through the medium of sport.
"This week’s presentation to the Education Committee was timely and I hope that the Education Minister will be able to sign off on a funding package in the region of £2.5million which would see the programme delivered over three years."
Pupils aged 7-11
The Sports Programme, focusing on pupils aged 7 to 11, promotes the benefits of participating in sport and physical activity and encourages pupils to develop a lifelong interest in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. It also helps students increase their emotional resilience and has a particular focus on boosting sporting participation among girls.
The programme has also been praised by Education Minister, Peter Weir who said " “Children’s wellbeing is fundamentally important and central to all I do. The link between physical health and the wellbeing of young people is well-known. It is pleasing to see at first hand how this initiative helps pupils learn about mental health and wellbeing, including resilience and self-esteem.
“I recognise the contribution sport makes, not only in terms of its physical benefits, but also in raising the confidence of young people. That is why my Department has invested significantly in sports coaching provided by the IFA and Ulster GAA to support PE in primary schools.”
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Southern Regional College are hosting Northern Ireland’s biggest Christmas Panto tomorrow Thursday 10 December.
The full cast is made up of Level 3 Performing Arts students and all music used throughout the performance has been originally written and will be performed by Level 3 Music students, with live sound production and filming undertaken by students from the Level 5 HND Music course.
Thousands of school pupils from hundreds of schools across Northern Ireland have signed up to take part and ‘virtually attend’ as part of a timely and social distanced entertainment initiative led by Southern Regional College including Brackenagh West Primary School, Kilkeel; Cortamlet Primary School, Altnamackan and more.
With many traditional school Christmas plays paused this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a boldly creative team in performing arts, music, media, art, hair and beauty from Southern Regional College in Armagh have come together to present the College’s first ever online pantomime with an exciting new take on Beauty and the Beast.
The original cast is made up of more than 27 local students from Southern Regional College but video contributions from primary, secondary and special schools right across Northern Ireland are now being included in this special one-off production that will safely unite pupils, staff and parents in a festive online interactive extravaganza.
Up to 500 primary, secondary and special schools – with more than 20,000 students and staff - have already signed up to safely view the livestreamed production on Thursday 10 December from classrooms and homes across Northern Ireland.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and interest shown in this new first-time virtual production which we’re delighted to share with so many children in schools, hospitals, hospices and in care settings as part of a special Christmas treat which we hope everyone will enjoy” Teresa McBride, SRC Performing Arts Course Coordinator, said.
“Combining all our talent, skills and training in performing arts, music, media, art, hair and beauty into one dazzling digital production which can be safely shared and enjoyed across Northern Ireland and beyond is a real treat and we’re delighted to be including contributions from schools right across the region which we’ll be showcasing as part of this interactive spectacle.”
Rehearsals for the main elements of the show were carried out observing full safety guidelines at the new and spacious £35 million state-of-the-art Armagh campus which is home to theory and practical-based learning in a range of creative subjects including dance, music, performing arts and photography which are delivered in industry-leading facilities.
Facilitating the production was also a major technical feat which required comprehensive planning and logistics including the extensive use of separate rooms, spaces and timelines for filming to ensure everyone’s safety and full compliance with public health guidelines.
Looking forward to the incredible production Brian Doran, Chief Executive, Southern Regional College, said “The determination and innovation shown by students and staff in bringing this production to fruition in such challenging times is an incredible achievement. This has been a real team effort using the talents of students and staff from across so many areas of the curriculum including performing arts, hair and beauty, music, art and media. I am so proud of them all in bringing some joy and festive fun to so many students across Northern Ireland and beyond.”
“Everyone can expect magic surprises, great laughs and a cast and audience of thousands who can safely enjoy the experience. Everyone’s enthusiasm for this important project and the support of all our collaborators gave us the confidence and determination to find a way to make it possible – I cannot wait to enjoy the show. Given the challenges of this year for everyone, I also can’t think of a more appropriate way to kick off the festive season.”
Southern Regional College is the largest Further and Higher Education College outside of Belfast in Northern Ireland, with six campuses located across the counties of Armagh and Down in Newry, Armagh, Banbridge, Kilkeel, Lurgan and Portadown.
An award-winning college and a centre of excellence for teaching, learning and business support, it employs more than 900 staff and caters for more than 30,000 students annually across a range of further and higher education courses and apprenticeships. Since 2015, Southern Regional College has invested more than £50 million creating new world class educational campuses in Armagh and Banbridge.
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Level 3 SRC Art and Design student Christian Sloan has won top prize in the Animation Category at the prestigious annual Northern Ireland Colleges Media Awards. Supported by the Department for the Economy, these awards are now a focal point for celebrating excellence in creative media production across the Further and Higher Education sector in Northern Ireland. The Newry campus student lives in Banbridge.
Industry judges reviewed over 200 entries from all six colleges before choosing winners in Moving Image Fiction, Moving Image Factual, Animation, Photography and Music Video Production.
The judges were Mal McCann Irish News, Eavan King, British Film Institute, Vinny Cunningham, Northland Broadcast and Fionnuala Deane, Dog Ears animation company.
Fionnuala said “We saw some really excellent entries across all categories. Having been involved with the competition from the start I can say that every year the work is getting stronger and more diverse. This is a brilliant showcase of the talent which exists in media in Northern Ireland across many platforms from Animation to Factual. Congratulations to all who took part. For those who didn’t win this time, keep trying and for those who did, I know we will be hearing much more of you in the future.”
The awards, open to students at all six NI colleges, usually culminate in a gala event with a special guest speaker. On previous occasions students have heard from Damon Quinn, Producer of the Oscar nominated The Crush as well as Louise Gallagher and Shelly Love, Producer and Director of A Bump Along the Way. Unfortunately this year that was not possible but the winners will still get their trophies and prize money as well as adding the coveted NICMA winner accolade to their CV.
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