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Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty MLA has called on the Department of Education to consider introducing a PE and Sport Premium programme in schools here similar to that announced by UK Education Minister Gavin Williamson last week. Write a comment
Five local primary schools enjoyed a ‘Drive By’ Graduation last week in the absence of their normal school leaving gatherings which couldn't be held due to Covid-19. The event was organised by Mulkerns EUROSPAR and Mulkerns SPAR Jonesborough.
The Team from Mulkerns worked together with Dromintee, Jonesborough, Killeen, Meigh and Cloughogue PS, to give the P7’s a chance for one last celebration with their classmates.
Terry Mulkerns, Mulkerns Eurospar commented “We wanted to do something for kids in our community who were sadly leaving Primary School without any real recognition or opportunity to mark the occasion. We came up with the idea of the Drive-By Graduation at our local stores… we’re delighted to say that the events were a huge success! There was a real party atmosphere and the kids loved it”.
The drive by involved a convoy of P7 parents cars following the Mulkerns EUROSPAR party jeep. The party jeep was fitted with speaker system blasting out tunes, leading the convoy through local villages to plenty of jubilant beeping and loud music. When the P7s arrived at the shop the staff came out and cheered them through a special archway.
The kids also got a free goody bag and the now coveted “Lockdown Leavers” T-shirt. Many of the cars were decorated with balloons and messages and the kid’s happy faces smiling out the windows said it all. The team at Mulkerns congratulate all the P7s and wish them the best for their new schools.
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Five local Grammar schools have made a joint decision to either wholly or in part, used the outcomes of GL Entrance Assessment as the basis of selection of P7 pupils for admission to their respective schools.
As a local consortium, these five schools have operated a central registration procedure with all applicants from the same Primary School sitting the GL Entrance Assessment in one of the five schools listed.
A statement issued today said "The Boards of Governors and the Principals of Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Our Lady’s Grammar School, Sacred Heart Grammar School, St Colman’s College, Newry and St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel have considered the impact of school closures on our local community. They recognise that there has been disruption to the education of pupils since March 2020, including that of P6 pupils and understand that there may be further disruption during the 2020-21 academic year.
"The Boards of Governors of the five schools in the Newry and Kilkeel Consortium have agreed, in light of the current circumstances and for one year only, that the academic admissions criteria in each of the five schools will not be used for the academic year 2021-22."
Decision
The statement continues "The decision not to use the outcomes of the GL Entrance Assessment for the 2021-22 academic year is specific and particular to this group of five schools in the Newry and Kilkeel area. Each school remains committed to its own ethos and academic focus on high quality teaching and learning. Those who would normally apply to be admitted to each individual school are encouraged to continue to do so.
"Careful consideration was given to this decision to temporarily remove the academically selective element of each school’s admissions criteria for one year only i.e. the academic year 2021-22. It is hoped that this decision will provide clarity in the local area for P6 pupils and their parents/carers."
Edit 29/5/20 6pm
Speaking following a joint announcement by five schools in the Newry area Newry and Armagh MLA, Liz Kimmins said ''I welcome and commend the decision by Abbey CBS, Sacred Heart, Saint Colman's, Our Lady's and St Louis Kilkeel to suspend the use of unregulated tests for this coming academic year.
''This is absolutely necessary to allow our teachers, school staff and of course children to prepare for a return to school, rather than the stress of a high-level exams.
“Academic selection is wrong and unnecessary and puts undue pressure on children.
“Leading human rights and equality organisations, the children’s commissioner and leading trade unions all support the call to abandon academic selection altogether.
''I am hopeful that the other selective schools will follow the leadership and the example shown by the schools in the Newry area and do away with the use of these unregulated transfer tests and instead focus on the task of preparing to return to schools when it is safe to do so."
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The first programme features 11 choirs but only the best two choirs will be lucky enough to progress to the semi-finals.
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SRC Higher Level Apprentice Graduate, Jill Saunders has recently been awarded a British Education Award (BEA) at a prestigious ceremony in Manchester.
Seventy finalists travelled across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and with their families, mingled with celebrities, educators and politicians, eager to hear the winners of the BEA 2020 announced.
Jill completed the Foundation Degree in Applied Industrial Science - Higher Level Apprenticeship programme at Southern Regional College where she worked four days per week in Norbrook Laboratories and studied at the College’s Newry Campus, one day per week.
Working as a Method Development and Validations Analyst within the Research and Development Department for two years at Norbrook, she acquired an indepth understanding of the scientific techniques used within veterinary drug product development and analysis. She became very proficient in the use of analytical equipment and methods, data analysis, results reporting and presenting.
Jill then successfully progressed to Ulster University to complete a BSc in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences achieving a 1st classification and is now settling into full-time employment with Norbrook where she has been promoted to a senior analyst position.
Now in its fourth year, British Education Awards recognises the outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements of students across six award categories including GCSE or Scottish National 5, A Level or Scottish Advanced Higher, Vocational, Degree and Degree Apprenticeship.
Finalists stood out for the extra measures they take to advance their learning, frequently undertaking additional study and summer work placements to achieve their goals. They also impressed judges with their dedication to mentoring and supporting fellow students and younger pupils through peer study groups, after school clubs and societies.
Air Products Community & STEM Ambassador UK & Ireland Lynn Willacy said “It’s so important that young people are recognized for achievements in their education. What we love about these awards is that the students are celebrating with their families, seeing the reactions of proud parents sat next to them as they get their awards is phenomenal.”
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Local business Martin McGinn & Sons have sponsored a new Road Safety & Anti-bullying booklet for local primary schools in the Rostrevor & Killowen region.
The family run Coal & Home Heating Oil firm based in Rostrevor, Co Down, have delivered hundreds of Road Safety, Anti Bullying & Internet Safety booklets printed by the Safety Guide Foundation to St Bronagh’s Primary School, Kilbroney Integrated PS and Killowen Primary School this week.
Pascal McGinn, Director Martin McGinn & Sons said: “We were approached to support this scheme and sponsor the production of the booklets. As my own children, my nieces and nephews attend schools here locally we felt it had value as a community initiative so we were happy to be able to support it.”
The Bullying, Victim or Bully? Booklet includes contributions from Social Workers, teachers, parents and children and opens up conversations around the negative effects bullying, empathy for others, how to identify ‘bullying’ behaviour.
There’s also a Road Safety booklet and Staying Safe Online guide.
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SRC students have taken part in Southern Regional College’s annual Inter-Campus Skillbuild Competition. There were over 30 separate competitions held showcasing the skills of SRC students.
The Inter-Campus competition, held at SRC’s Greenbank Campus, was the first stage of the renowned SkillBuild Competition, and drew together students from all campuses of SRC. The SkillBuild competition is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for young students and apprentices. It covers crafts including carpentry, joinery, beauty, bricklaying, hairdressing and plastering.
Patrick Walsh from Crossmaglen won Gold in the Plastering competition. Cailim McNamee won Silver in Brickwork and Conall Matthews from Newry won Bronze in the same competition. Shea Rooney from Newry took Bronze in the Cabinet Making category and Jack Murray won Bronze in Electrical Installation. Cailum Cromie won Bronze in Plastering and Tony Kane from Newry won Silver in Tiling.
There was also an event for students from the local high schools. Over 100 students from over 20 schools took part in 16 events in crafts such as carpentry, joinery, bricklaying, hairdressing and catering. The competitors came from schools across the Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry Area Learning Communities. The students attend the College as part of the School Partnership’s Programme where pupils from local schools attend SRC to study a range of vocational and academic programmes.
In the schools competition, St Paul’s Bessbrook pupil Conor O’Rourke took Silver in Plastering and fellow St Paul’s student Louise McShane won Silver in Beauty Makeup. The local success continued with St Paul’s student Rebecca Joyce winning Bronze in Hairdressing Blowdry Techniques.
To find out more about Southern Regional College courses, please come along to one of our Open Days taking place in early March, for more information visit www.src.ac.uk
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WorldSkills UK, the education and skills charity, has announced that Brian Doran, Principal and Chief Executive of Southern Regional College, with campuses in counties Armagh and Down in Northern Ireland, has joined its Board of Trustees.
The announcement comes as WorldSkills UK celebrated the unveiling of Squad UK for WorldSkills Shanghai 2021, 16 of whom are from Northern Ireland. The members of Squad UK have now joined the WorldSkills UK Talent Development Programme with the aim of representing the UK at the WorldSkills event, known as the ‘Skills Olympics’, next year in China.
Mr Doran has been Principal and Chief Executive at Southern Regional College since the formation of the College in 2008. He previously held the position of Deputy Director for Teaching and Learning at the Newry and Kilkeel Institute. Under his leadership, Southern Regional College has consistently been the top performing Northern Irish college in the WorldSkills UK Competitions.
Rooney Anand, Chair, WorldSkills UK Board said: “I am delighted to welcome Brian to the board. He brings a wealth of experience having worked closely with the business, education and training sectors across Northern Ireland and I look forward to working closely with him to drive forward the work of WorldSkills UK as we look to use our international insights to mainstream excellence and drive up standards in training so more young people, employers and the economy succeed.”
In addition to his role as a Trustee for WorldSkills UK, Mr Doran will chair the Northern Ireland Skills Champions Group which has responsibility to engage and co-ordinate the involvement of colleges and training providers across Northern Ireland in WorldSkills UK Competitions.
Brian Doran, Principal and Chief Executive said: “Northern Ireland Colleges and training providers are constantly amongst the top performers in WorldSkills UK’s Competitions and young people from Northern Ireland consistently achieve the world-class benchmark when they compete at the international WorldSkills Competitions. I look forward to help building on this success in my role as trustee and supporting the organisation as it looks to further harness the impact of its work to help deliver more world-class outcomes across the UK skills systems.”
Mr Doran’s appointment comes as Marie-Thérèse McGivern, who is due to retire from her role as Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Metropolitan College in March this year, steps down as a WorldSkills UK trustee.
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Southern Regional College had a record turn-out at the Big Apprenticeship Event at its Newry Campus this week. The event was part of the inaugural Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2020 (3-7 February) an initiative being spearheaded by the Department for the Economy.
Leading employers, within the Southern Regional College area, attended SRC to discuss the apprenticeship Level 2/Level 3 and Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) opportunities available in a wide range of areas. Applicants and students leaving school in June with GCSEs and A-Levels/Level 3 courses had the chance to talk to employers about apprenticeship opportunities starting from September 2020.
Dr Lillian Cromie – Norbrook Director of Science and Qualified Persons, Fiona Bradley – SRC Assistant Director of Curriculum, Emma Marmion - Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade President, Brian Doran – SRC Chief Executive, Cllr Charlie Casey – Chairperson Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Elizabeth O’Connor – MJM HR and Legal Director.
.Mr Brian Doran, SRC Chief Executive commented “The new apprenticeship system that has evolved over recent years, provides exciting opportunities for young people to take up employment in a growing range of priority areas from Level 2 through to degree level apprenticeships. The knowledge and skills that underpin the new apprenticeships have been developed in conjunction with employers, thus ensuring that they are relevant for employment and future progression. Apprenticeships are being used by more and more employers as an important tool to educate and train the workforce of the future in conjunction with Southern Regional College. I would encourage every young person who will be leaving school this year to consider the apprenticeship route. The Higher Level Apprenticeship qualification is a real alternative to the traditional academic pathway of A-Levels followed by university.”
Mark Smith is currently studying the Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Accountancy at SRC and is employed with the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. He joined the HLA programme as a mature student, having moved home from England and keen to pursue a new career. Mark had advice for those who are finishing their Level 3 qualification;
“It’s easy to get caught up in going to university because all of your mates are doing it and the future seems a million years away. However, if I had the choice to do this course when I was leaving school, I would have picked it in a heartbeat.”
He continued “What I learned from looking for jobs is that experience in the workplace is priceless. It’s a very competitive job market out there and not everyone is willing to hire someone with no experience, no matter how good your grades are. The apprenticeship is debt free for the student - you actually get paid for doing it and at the end of 2 years you have a very employable qualification and work experience.”
Opportunities are available in the Agri-food, Drink Manufacturing and Hospitality Sector, Business and Services, Construction, Engineering, Motor Vehicle and Sciences.
For further information on the apprenticeship opportunities available at SRC, visit www.src.ac.uk or Tel: 0300 123 1223.
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