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Schools will continue to provide remote learning until at least 5 March as part of Covid-19 restrictions. The announcement was made by Education Minister Peter Weir. This extends the previously announced reopening date by two weeks after the February half-term break.
Special schools and childcare / childminding will continue to remain open for staff and pupils and the current restrictions on youth service provision will also remain in place for this extended period.
The Minister said: “I have consistently stated that, no matter how good the quality of remote learning being provided, the removal of face-to-face learning will have a negative impact on children’s educational experience, with a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged groups and vulnerable children. Any interruption to normal schooling is only done with the greatest level of reluctance.
“My priority is to return to full-time face-to-face teaching for all as soon as possible. The aim would be to start face-to-face teaching in early March, but all actions on resumption will be dependent on the wider public health situation.”
An announcement on alternative awarding arrangements for key examination years is expected shortly.
Continuing, the Minister said: “It is important that those year groups engaged in learning for key qualifications must be prioritised in any consideration of plans for schools returning. They must have the maximum opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding required for progression to the next stage of education, employment or training.
“Given the disruption to our children’s education, educational recovery is critical to their future. I will be seeking resources to enable investment in catch up to allow children to make up for the loss of face-to-face teaching over these two academic years, and welcome the agreement in principle by the Executive to this. Core loss to the foundations of education, if missed now, could have a longer detrimental impact on children.”
In relation to school transport and Free School Meals the Minister said that the processes in place will continue.
He said: “Where children can use alternative means of travelling to school they should do so and the wearing of face coverings for post-primary pupils on school transport will continue to be mandatory.
“For children entitled to free school meals, payments in lieu of free school meals will continue to apply to any child entitled to free school meals who is learning remotely and cannot attend school as a result of the restrictions.”
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Southern Regional College is hosting a range of Digital Open Days from 8-11 March (4pm – 8:30pm) for students, parents and guardians to access to find out more about the variety of full and part-time further and higher education courses, apprenticeship and higher apprenticeship opportunities available for September 2021 entry.
Due to the ongoing global pandemic and the current restrictions, the College will be doing things a little differently this year as they are unable to open their campuses to host the usual Open Day style events which have been delivered in previous years.
However, the College’s Digital Open Day events promise to be very informative and engaging to ensure that both prospective students and their parents/guardians receive the expert and professional information directly from the College’s lecturers who deliver the courses. You will also find out information about the course content, entry requirements and progression pathways – all from the comfort of your home! All SRC Digital Open Day guests are invited to book their virtual place via WWW.SRC.AC.UK/OPENDAYS
Speaking of the upcoming Open Days Brian Doran, Southern Regional College Chief Executive said “Southern Regional College provides clear progression routes to higher education, training, and employment. By joining us at our Digital Open Day, this is a great way to find out more about the range of learning opportunities available and hear about the quality learning and support services. I would encourage all potential students to take the opportunity to book their place at our Digital Open Days taking place in March.”
High-quality technical and professional education and training is on offer for young people, adults and employers across the region. Southern Regional College is sure to have a course to suit you as they range from Level 2 courses and apprenticeships to A-Levels, Extended Diplomas, HNCs, HNDs, Foundation Degrees, Higher Level Apprenticeships and Degrees.
Each of the College’s four faculties will be delivering a range of events by subject area and all you simply have to do is register for as many of the areas that you are interested in. All of the events will be hosted on MS Teams and after your complete your online registration, you will be sent out a link for you join on the date/time of the event.
Why not check out the SRC Digital Open Day section on their website where you will find more information about the range of student support services which include Careers Guidance, Learning Support, Student Finance, Students’ Union and so much more! It is advised that you browse this section at your leisure before the live events as many student support related questions will be answered here.
SRC provides positive progressive pathways for learners and focuses on improving the skills of our people, having a direct impact on social inclusion at a local and a regional level. The role of professional and technical education has never been more vital to the growth and prosperity of Northern Ireland's economy and colleges such as SRC play a key part in helping people to get a job, keep a job and find a better job.
Prospective students can also apply online for any full-time courses starting in September 2021 via WWW.SRC.AC.UK/FULL-TIME-COURSES from 1 March 2021.
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A partial return has commenced today at local Primary Schools with one MLA calling the arrangements where the school children are only back a matter of day before they have to return to home schooling 'madness'.
All Nursery, Primary One, Two and Three children return today but will be off again next Tuesday for the St Patrick's Day break.
They will then return to remote learning returning to school only after the Easter holidays.
Justin McNulty MLA has said the Minister of Education must review his plans for the phased reopening of schools.
Mr McNulty said, "The best place for children is in school, and I haven’t heard a parent, teacher or principal say anything to the contrary. I fully appreciate the need to return to school only when it is safe to do so.
"However I am completely puzzled at the Minister’s plan to have Nursery and Primary 1-3 return for two weeks, only to revert to remote learning for ten days before the Easter break. This is seemingly to allow year’s 12-14 return to Secondary Schools. This is madness and really doesn’t make sense.
"Parents and school leaders are united, they need clarity and they need to see a detailed plan for when children will return to school. Teachers want to get back to the classroom, and they know the best place for all children is back in the classroom. This proposed hokey-pokey system is fooling no one, its benefiting no one a no-one can understand the logic.
"The Executive must signal a clear plan for the return to schools. We need to know exactly when the rest of the school children will return to school and we must ensure that schools have the resources they need to support children and staff in the months ahead."
Students in years 12 to 14, who will be awarded qualifications this summer will return to full time face to face teaching from 22 March 2021.
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Teachers in primary and second level schools throught our district, whose pupils take part in the annual Texaco Children’s Art Competition, are reminded that the closing date for receipt of entries this year is next Wednesday, 24th March next.
Last year over 160 pupils from schools in Co. Down submitted entries to the Competition.
Now in its 67th year, the Texaco Children’s Art Competition is widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland.
Check out TEXACOCHILDRENSART.COM for more information.
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The six Colleges of Further and Higher Education are working in partnership on an Apprenticeship Mentoring Project, funded through the Apprenticeship Challenge Fund, which supports new and innovative approaches to the development, recruitment and delivery of apprenticeships.
The Challenge Fund is part of the Department for the Economy’s Apprenticeship Recovery Package for Northern Ireland which channels financial support to help the apprenticeship system respond to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
William Greer, Chief Training and Contracts Officer at SERC, lead partner for the Apprenticeship Mentoring Project said “We will be working together to devise an employer mentoring programme to equip the managers of apprentices with the skills they need to effectively support and develop apprentices and apprenticeship programmes. An online module will certify employers as a trained Apprentice mentor. The resources produced will also help employers to better understand the structure of Apprenticeship NI and Higher-Level Apprenticeship programmes with the strategic objective of increasing participation.”
He added, “The workplace can be a daunting place for new apprentices and the project will improve their experience of going to work for the first time, confident that someone is looking out for them in the workplace. The overall objective is to ensure that apprentices feel more valued and are better supported and to stay on track and achieve their qualifications.”
Fiona Bradley, Assistant Director for Further Education and Training at Southern Regional College said;
“We are delighted to be part of this collaborative initiative to help further drive and support the NI local and regional economy. Our local businesses have and will continue to operate in a challenging climate for the foreseeable future as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The support which the Challenge Fund will provide our local businesses coupled with the support and expertise of our experienced staff, will certainly help them navigate their way through this crisis.”
For further information please email: apprentices@src.ac.uk
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The Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced a new Assured Skills Academy in welding at Southern Regional College.
The Assured Skills Academy will see 12 successful applicants receive industry-standard welding training during a five-week course at the college’s Portadown campus, followed by two weeks of consolidation training at one of three engineering companies in the local area.
Participants who complete the Academy are guaranteed an interview for a welding position at one of the companies: AJ Power, Craigavon; NC Engineering, Hamiltonsbawn; and SFM Engineering, Keady.
Highlighting the opportunity, the Minister said: “I am pleased to announce this Assured Skills Academy with Southern Regional College in welding is open for applications.
“People with welding skills are in high demand in our local engineering and manufacturing sector. This Assured Skills Academy will equip participants with these skills, through an industry-recognised qualification, and position them very strongly to kick-start a new career in welding.”
The Minister added: “With no experience in welding needed, and £155 per week training allowance provided to participants on the Academy, I urge anyone who is interested to apply.”
Participants on the Academy will earn a level 2 City and Guilds Award in MIG Welding Skills on completion of the course.
Brian Doran, Principal and CEO of Southern Regional College, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn the skills they need to start a rewarding career in welding. We are pleased to partner with three local businesses who will provide real-world training and experience to participants on the Academy, with the guarantee of a job interview for those who complete the course.”
Training will be delivered at SRC’s Portadown campus, from Monday 24 May to Friday 25 June. Two weeks’ consolidation training in a working environment will then take place Monday 28 June to Friday 9 July. Training will be full-time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
All applicants must be at least 18 years old by Monday 24 May 2021 and currently eligible to work in the UK. No experience is needed.
Applications are open now and close at noon on Friday 30 April.
For more information and to apply, visit WWW.NIDIRECT.GOV.UK
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Southern Regional College’s annual Big Apprenticeship Event is going online and launching next Tuesday 27 April.
As part of NI Apprenticeship Week, SRC is launching this online resource, which contains a wealth of information on Apprenticeships and the hundreds of Apprenticeship vacancies in the SRC region. Whether you are an applicant, parent or guardian, employer or teacher, we aim to delve into every aspect of Apprenticeships and answer any questions you may have.
You will hear from businesses, councils and education experts on key aspects of Apprenticeships. Our experts will explore questions such as: Apprenticeship options versus University options, how young people’s attitudes have changed towards university because of COVID and how Apprenticeships sit within the economic growth strategy for our council regions.
We have two employer panel discussions available. One from Northern Ireland’s top science employers, Randox, Almac and Norbrook, who will discuss being an Apprentice in the science industry and the opportunities they have available from September 2021. You will also hear from First Derivatives, SlurryKat, Concrete Batching Systems and McGuinness Plumbing who will detail their experience of recruiting Apprentices and the benefits it has had on their businesses.
Current SRC Apprentices from Newry Bid, Fred Elliot Butchers, Orchard Clay & Tile and MG Accountants who are studying level 2, 3 and Higher Level Apprenticeships will talk about being an Apprentice, why they chose to do an Apprenticeship, how they have benefitted and what their day looks like.
If you tune in between Tuesday 27 April and Thursday 29 April there will be a daily Q&A chat facility between 1-3pm and 6-8pm. Our experts will be on hand live to answer any questions you may have. Links for applying for an Apprenticeship or seeking to recruit an Apprentice will also be available within this online resource.
Our online resource will continue to be available to you after NI Apprenticeship Week. This will enable you to browse the wealth of information on Apprenticeships and review the content which is relevant to you at any time from the comfort of your home. There will also be a contact facility for any further questions regarding Apprenticeships.
Don’t miss out and book your place today SRC-BIG-APPRENTICESHIP
SRC would like to thank both the Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council and Newry, Mourne & Down District Council for their ongoing sponsorship and support of SRC’s Big Apprenticeship Event and commitment to Apprenticeships and HLA’s in the Southern Region.
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Southern Regional College has been shortlisted for the WorldSkills Hero award at the 2021 TES FE Awards.
The Awards recognise the most outstanding individuals and institutions that the further education sector has to offer.
Helen Hughes, Curriculum Area Manager for Hair and Beauty at Southern Regional College said; “We are all absolutely delighted to learn that the SRC Hair and Beauty Team has been shortlisted for the WorldSkills Hero Award at the forthcoming Tes FE Awards 2021. Beauty Therapy Lecturer, Marie-Louise Devlin, and Hairdressing Lecturer, Rita Mallen, are a duo to be reckoned with when it comes to competition success. Together, they have achieved incredible competition success with WorldSkills as well as other local, regional and national hair and beauty competitions. They work tirelessly throughout the academic year to provide mentoring, training, support and guidance to students as well as overseeing the logistical requirements and marketing of each competition. Their dedication and commitment to hair and beauty training deserves this prestigious achievement.”
Tes Head of FE, Julia Belgutay, said: “Further education providers have excelled in what has been a truly challenging year and the amazing individuals, teams and institutions on our Tes FE Awards shortlist showcase that. Our judges were highly impressed with the calibre of entries and I want to congratulate everyone who has made the shortlist – it is a brilliant achievement."
After a very successful online awards ceremony last year, we are once again holding this year’s awards ceremony virtually. Winners will be announced on Friday 28 May 2021.
To see the full list of who is in the running and to reserve your free place, visit TESFEAWARDS.CO.UK
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Southern Regional College Media students in Newry went virtual this year with last weeks end of year show highlighting the talents of their Year 2 Level 3 students. The students also showcase their talents on their individual web pages.
Work is showcased from Matthew Fegan, Ben Cole, Yasmin Britton, Katie Haire, Marija Zaueraite, Conor O'Loughlin, Shannon Cella, Shannon Apicella, Shea Davey, Patrick Gallagher, Jack Hughes, Gabriel Larmour and Aoife Bellew.
Student Aoife Bellew specialises in drawing anthropomorphic animal characters ('furries'), and her distinctive toony art style takes inspiration from a number of artists, including OrlandoFox and PacoPanda.
Conor O'Loughlin spent the last 2 years acquiring an interest and love for photography, especially portraiture as he explains "it gives people a chance to express themselves in a way that they see themselves." He has also built up his Instagram page Conor O Loughlin Photography.
Marija Zaueraite has enjoyed developing her vector graphics skills in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and After Effects and would love to pursue a career in graphic design.
Shannon Apicella's main interests included gaming, so being able to design 3D models of her own sketches really made her more passionate about wanting to work as a 3D modeller.
Check out the SRC Media Exhibition showcase Facebook page at WWW.FACEBOOK.COM
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